Call Me Lucky

You wouldn't know it to look at me, but I'm a little superstitious. I try not to walk under ladders, and if I spill salt, I always throw the spilt remains over my left shoulder--just in case.

Why take the chance, right?

But I have publishing superstitions too. I don't like to make major announcements until I have the SIGNED contract from the publisher in my grubby little hands.

Guess what I got in the mail the other day?

Celebrate with me! This fall, (November, if Angela James is right) my science fiction romance will release under the Carina Press banner.

Can I get a WOOT-WOOT from you guys?

There is a long and complicated story behind the story which I'm sure you'll hear bits and pieces along the way. But I am very proud and pleased to have signed with Carina Press for my novel, TRUE BELIEVERS.

It is science fiction, action-adventure, and a love story all rolled into one. Along the way, I probably managed to aggravate the Catholic Church, the US government, and every code monkey who ever debugged a computer. Poke me with a fork and call me done. LOL.

This is a novel that almost wasn't, and I'm grateful to Angela James to have given me the chance to tell this story.

I don't want to spoil the surprise of the official blurb, so I'll leave you with the blurb I used to pitch this story.

Mix one cynical immortal and one true believer and throw them into the biggest alien-hunt the world has never known.

Rachel Cruz is a Nephilim masquerading as an archeologist and she's stuck with an alien who believes she can lead him to his ancestral gods.

Black Ops wants to find these gods too. They want them dead.

Who reads SF? I need a fan club!

Comments

Ted Cross said…
Congratulations! I'm not one for romances, so I am not sure what a sci-fi/romance would be like. If it's too heavy on the romance angle I probably wouldn't like it, but I know romance has the largest audience, so you are probably doing the right thing.
Maria Zannini said…
Thanks, Ted.

Ref: romance
I'd call it a most complicated relationship. Definitely not your normal fare.
Dru said…
Woot! Woot!

Congratulations Maria!!

Are you going to celebrate your new contract?

Again, WTG!!
Maria Zannini said…
Thanks, Dru.

Ref: celebrate
Maybe when it comes out. Right now I'm deep in edits.

I need a margarita, stat. LOL.
Mike Keyton said…
I'm really pleased for you. About time this baby found a home :)
Linda Leszczuk said…
Here's a WOOT WOOT and a WOO HOO and an old fashioned YIPPEE! Congratulations. I like a sci fi romance mix so I'm looking forward to reading it.
Sue Guiney said…
Huge congrats! How exciting!
Andrea Coulter said…
yay congrats that is fantastic! go have that margarita :)
Maria Zannini said…
Mike:

You won't believe how this story has grown. I'm willing to bet it's not the one you remember.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda:

Thank you! I held nothing back on this one. :grin:
Anonymous said…
Congrats, Maria!! I can't say enough good things about Carina Press. They've been a dream to work with. :-)
Maria Zannini said…
@Sue
@Lynn

Thank you! Thank you!

Sue, it is exciting. Carina is a big deal.

Lynn--you know I think I will have that margarita. Even if it is the middle of the week.
Maria Zannini said…
Liz:

Carina has been awesome! It's been a great experience so far.

--although I have to admit, I am uber nervous about the cover.

What will it be?
Sherri said…
Congrats!

Of course, I'll read anything you write Maria :)

I've heard good things about Carina.

*Snoopy dancing*
Congratulations, Maria! Looking forward to reading it!
Maria Zannini said…
Sherri: You are so sweet. Thank you!
Maria Zannini said…
Sandra: Thanks, Sandra. This was my first baby, back from the OWW days.
Kait Nolan said…
Congratulations Maria! That's fantastic!
Maria Zannini said…
Thanks, Kait. I'll be stopping by your blog later to catch up.

(There are a LOT of blogs I've missed lately due to edits.) I should be caught up by the weekend.
Vincent Kale said…
Congratulations!

I love to see more SF creeping into the picture. Consider your novel on my booklist!
James Garcia Jr said…
Congratulations, Maria! We need to bottle what you are feeling right now. One would be labeled "Excitement" and the other "Relief". I had those feelings, too. Signed contract last fall, edits arrived Christmas Eve morning, and official release this past February. I get more this fall when my e-book transforms into a paperback.
Once again, congrats. I will be looking out for the details, and for when the book tour swings through California!!
Maria Zannini said…
Thank you, Vincent! And thanks for stopping by.
Maria Zannini said…
Jimmy:

Ref: Relief

That's it! That's what I was feeling!
No wonder I wanted that margarita.
Marian Perera said…
That's wonderful, Maria! Not just a new contract, but with Carina. Consider yourself toasted (as in a glass raised to your success, not as in what happens to bread).

I also dropped by to let you know that I received a package all the way from Texas yesterday and wore my new T-shirt when I went shopping, because it fitted. :)
So many congrats to you! I don't read SF, but I'll read yours, just because you're you. (I'm like that.)
Maria Zannini said…
Marian:

It fits? Fantastic!! I was so worried.

Thank you for the toast, Marian. Bread would have been fine too. I like bread. LOL.
Maria Zannini said…
Wendy: You are a sweetheart. I could hug you!
Unknown said…
Congratulations Maria!!! Damn woman, I'm impressed. Your first book is published by Samhain and the second went to Carina?!!! 3 WOOTS for you. As soon as my reviews are done & mailed, I'm breakin' out the e-reader & diving in to Touch of Fire. Can hardly wait for the release of True Believers!
Jackie said…
WOOT WOOT and YAHOO and CONGRATULATIONS Lady, wonderful news!!!
Maria, up until reading the blurb I was fine. Read it and had chills go up and down my arms, sweetie you have got a winner there! When it releases is it going to be e-book only or print as well. Man hoping for print too because hate reading books on my Mac computer but like your gal Wendy will do it just because it is you! Plus I love Sci-Fi and a romantic Sci-Fi would be some kind of hotness!

jackie :-)
Maria Zannini said…
Catie: I'm slow, but I'm steady. LOL.

Thank you for being so supportive!
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: I think Carina is only doing ebooks first, though my guess is it's just a jumping off point for them.

Woman, you need to get an e-reader. You are way too avid a reader to stick with paper.

Thank you for popping over, Jackie. You always make me feel good.
Jackie said…
E-Reader maybe someday, maybe not. I can walk away from a book from a dead tree pretty easy but my computer is addictive so think an e-reader would be worse! Plus just like a Hardback Book think would not like holding it above my head to read....

Re: Feel good when I pop over, I hope so because that is kind of the point of being a "cheerleader" and I do love to cheer you on because hard work deserves rewarding!

jackie ^_^
Lydia Kang said…
Wow! that is amazing news! You definitely deserve a WOOT-WOOT!

Hooray!
Maria Zannini said…
You're a sweetheart, Jackie!
Maria Zannini said…
Thanks, Lydia! I feel all warm and gooey right now.

All I need is chocolate and I'll be set. :)
What awesome news, Maria! Congrats!
Maria Zannini said…
Thanks, Marguerite. And welcome back!

I better see some blog posts about your camping trip. I miss camping.
Marianne Arkins said…
Blogger hates me. Yesterday I couldn't comment, today it keeps hiding the word verifications from me.

Anyway .....


WOOT!!

And, I don't think Carina will ever be print -- Harlequin doesn't need another print line. Just saying.

I'll also say this: so far pretty much all the Carina books I've read have been outstanding, so yours must be stellar. *G*

I'm more a fantasy reader than Sci-Fi, but I my have to make an exception.

Congrats again!!
Maria Zannini said…
Thanks, Marianne!

Ref: And, I don't think Carina will ever be print...

Never say never. There's a lot of speculation on that.

Ref: SF or fantasy
That will be a topic of discussion for the future for sure.
Sarah Ahiers said…
wOOt! Go You! Congrats!

And i read Sci-Fi, yes i do.
Maria Zannini said…
Ref: And i read Sci-Fi, yes i do.

Sara, I think you already have the makings of a cheerleader. How do you look in boots and pom poms?

Wait--don't answer that. This is a family blog. LOL!
Stacy said…
Yay Maria! That's fabulous!

*holds up luke-warm cup of coffee in a heart-felt toast to you*

I will look forward to reading it!
Tia Nevitt said…
Wow; 42 comments ahead of me, so it looks like you already have the fan club! Congratulations!
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: Thank you!!

Tia: Nah, I just owe them money. :grin:
Kaz Augustin said…
As you well know, luck had NOTHING to do with it!!! Well done, M, and I'll be having a drink in celebration tonight. (Forget that I have a drink every night and let's just go with the flow here.)

WELL DONE! H-U-G-E CONGRATS! I wanna see the cover already!
Maria Zannini said…
Kaz:

Ref: cover

I'm as nervous as a cat.

Not YOUR cats. I still have good bathroom manners. :)
Angela Brown said…
Maria,
I am so very happy and pleased as punch for you!! This is awesome. You can get a WOOT! WOOT!, a "Party over here" and an OMG!!

Congratulations! You've earned it
Maria Zannini said…
What are you drinking, Angela?

I'll have some of that. LOL.

Thank you, sweetie!
Angelina Rain said…
Congratulations! I wish you the best of luck with publishing this new book. :)
Anonymous said…
I now occasionally stalk you via this blog....but I guess its good because, #1 YAY!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting, you are a super writer!!! and #2 YAY you have an egg-laying chicken. I wish we could have a chicken....Chili could use a friend, and I could use an egg.
-Becky
Maria Zannini said…
Thank you, Lia!

It should do well once I find all those SF readers currently in hiding.
Maria Zannini said…
Is Chili stalking me too?

I think my chickens are bigger than that dog.

Welcome, Becky. Stalk at your leisure. Just remember what happens on this blog doesn't get back to the family. LOL!

Tell your mom, I'll be calling tonight.
Mary Curry said…
Maria,
I don't know how I missed this. MEGA-congratulations. I love love love that Carina is giving so many stories a break.

Great pitch blurb too!
Maria Zannini said…
MaryC: How did I miss your comment?

Thank you for stopping by!!
Heather Massey said…
Congratulations!!!

Can't wait to read it.