Breaking News!

This just in! The cover of my YA paranormal romance, Saving Elizabeth, has officially been released. Are you as excited to see it as I am to show it off? I sure hope so. Eeeeeek! Can I get a...



TA-DA!!!!!!!

*Dabs a tear of happiness from her eye*

After wondering and dreaming of what it would finally look like, I'm pleased to say I'm happy with the way it turned out. The cover artist, Patricia Lazarus, did an amazing job. Honestly, I was scared to death. I'd heard horror stories from many first time authors who had little input in the design of their first covers. How disheartening to have your name printed on the cover of a book you'd never pick up if you hadn't been the one to write it. I'm so blessed that this wasn't the case with me. The fine folks at Tell-Tale Publishing listened to my input, and designed a cover that I'm proud to say is mine. Thank you, Patricia, for your hard work, and thank you, Tell-Tale Publishing for believing in me, and helping my dream become reality.

So...what now?

Well, I'm finishing up edits, and crossing my fingers for a December release of Saving Elizabeth. I think it will make a great Christmas gift for teens, or anyone else interested in YA Paranormal Romance. I'm learning from others who have gone on before me in this journey called publishing, and I'm gearing up for the PR side of things. It's going to be a whirlwind, but I'm excited to get started! Many of you have been with me through thick and thin. You read the very first chapter that was ever posted on inkpop, and you rejoiced with me when it won its coveted gold star. I just want to say thank you for your love and support. There's only one question. You still with me? If so, buckle up and hold on! It's going to be an exciting ride! Until then, spread the word, share the love, and keep on reading and writing! Best wishes!   

My Love/Hate Relationship

Hello, old friends! Yes, I’m aware that it has been a while since I’ve updated. Hmmm…seems like I’ve said that before. Oh wait, that’s because I have!  (This is where I usually apologize profusely and give you a million excuses as to why I’ve pushed my blog to the backburner, yet again, but if it’s okay with you I think I’ll skip that today. I’m not really feeling it.)

The reason I’ve pulled myself from the trenches to write a post is one simple word - editing.

I’ve received my first round of edits for Saving Elizabeth, and I’m having some mixed emotions about them. I guess you could say that editing and I are having a sort of love/hate relationship. Last night, I was in love. I was totally excited to dig in and make some changes, and did so with gusto.  Today, I hate it. I’m staring at the page but my mind can’t focus, my finger can’t hit delete, and a part of me wonders what in the world I’ve gotten myself into.  What a rollercoaster of a ride this publishing thing is!

On a different note, I’ve received a cover sample for Saving Elizabeth and I’m totally in love!!!!  It’s so beautiful, and I can’t wait for you all to see it.

Finally, I’ve received the awesome news that I won a scholarship to Ted Dekker’s Ragged Edge writing symposium in Nashville.  I’m so very thankful and excited! The symposium is limited to only 100 attendees and boasts that it isn’t your typical conference, but rather an experience that will bare the true nature of a writer’s soul.  Sounds awesome, right? Ted Dekker is an amazing author, and I can’t wait to climb inside his mind for a couple of days.

Okay, time for procrastinating is over. It’s back to editing for me. I hope you all are having a great summer. Leave me a comment and update me on what’s new with you!  Wish me luck!

Old Friends, Good Times, & Lessons Learned

Hello, friends! I hope this post finds you happy, healthy, and enjoying your summer. I know I sure am! As a matter of fact, this summer is shaping up to be one of the best I’ve had in a very long time, and not just because of all of the publishing excitement. (Although, I have to admit that it is the cherry on top.) I’ve been able to catch up with some old high school friends (calm down, ladies…I don’t mean you’re literally old) that I haven’t talked with in quite some time. I’ve even been able to meet with a few of them for lunch.  Until our reconnection, I hadn’t realized it had been ten years since high school. TEN YEARS, people!!! I can’t believe it. I keep wondering where the time went. Where did all of that energy go? Where is that body? What happened to all of the free time I used back then to enjoy friends and find “myself?” (Okay, I’m moving on. If I talk about this much longer I’ll end up with a gallon of ice cream further deteriorating that body that has been M.I.A. for quite some time.)

Yesterday, a couple of us got together with one of our favorite high school teachers.  This teacher was special to me for many reasons, but for the sake of this blog, I’m only going to tell you about a few that are directly related to my writing. She happened to be my Creative Writing/English teacher. Whenever I think back on my school days, some of my most enjoyable moments involve her and the assignments she gave. I know what you’re thinking.

Amy actually enjoyed assignments?

Well, yes. Yes I did, and I’m convinced you would have enjoyed them as well. One particular assignment comes to mind as I type this. We were required to choose a year. (My year was 1969.) Then, we had to research the year we chose and pick one prominent event that occurred during that year. (Everyone expected me to choose Woodstock, but I chose the Charles Manson murders to throw them off.) Then, we were to find out everything we could about that event and create a journal written as if we lived during that year and experienced that event. (I wrote my journal from the perspective of one of Charlie’s girls/followers.) This assignment really forced me to step out of my comfort zone. I had to place myself in my character’s shoes and write as someone else that I was completely unfamiliar with. I had to let go of my own writing habits, tendencies, and beliefs and write journal entries that sounded as if they were actually written by a brainwashed teenager capable of committing murders. Talk about a lesson in “voice.”

I didn’t know it then, but the lessons learned from that assignment would stick with me long after I graduated high school. I didn’t know I’d use what I had learned to write a novel or eventually have that novel published, but I now realize that I couldn’t have done it without the skills learned from a wonderful assignment given to me by an even more wonderful teacher.  

That leaves me with a question for you. What teachers, assignments, and experiences have helped you to become a better writer? Are there any that stand out in your mind? How have these influenced your writing? We’ve all had things like this happen in our lives. Tell me about yours!

Official Announcement!

So, here it is! It's the official announcement you've all been waiting on. Who is publishing Saving Elizabeth? Some of you have been on the edge of your seats wondering, speculating, emailing, questioning.

Well, I'm happy to announce I'm a..........

*cue ginormous grin*

Who is Tell-Tale Publishing you might ask? Well, they are a newly formed small press publishing company who will be bringing you the best in both e-books and print books to feed your body, mind and spirit.  Their cutting edge fiction includes old favorites and edgy Steampunk and Super Hero genres. Their stories will grab your attention and take you on a fast, exciting ride that will leave you breathless.

Sounds exciting, right?

So, there you have it...the official announcement. I'm so happy to be a part of the Tell-Tale family and can't wait to begin this exciting chapter in my life.

Let the Good Times Roll

Hi, friends! I'm so ecstatic about some recent developments in my life that I'm foregoing the general fluffy introduction and jumping right into the reasons why my face is plastered with a full on, ear to ear grin.

Reason # 1
Summer vacation just began!!!! Need I say more? No, probably not, but I'm so excited about it that I just can't contain myself. AAAHHH!!! It's summer break, people, and you all know what that means. It means sleeping in, lazy days, reading for pleasure, writing, boat rides, water balloon fights, and the joy of watching kids run through sprinklers. Man, I love summer!

Reason # 2
I just launched my official author website. Please, please, pretty please with a cherry on top show me some love and check it out. I'm very proud of it, and would love to have your feedback. (I'm especially interested in hearing from you if you read Saving Elizabeth on Inkpop.) Do you think it conveys the overall feeling/tone of the novel?  

Reason # 3
I think I've saved the best for last! I, author Amy Machelle, have just signed a publishing contract for Saving Elizabeth. Eeeeek! Are you as excited as I am? I am beside myself! As soon as my editor receives the contract and everything is finalized, I'll post more details. Keep checking this blog and my new website for updates.  

So, understand why I slightly resemble the Cheshire Cat? Good things are happening in my life, and I'm so thankful! It's been a long time coming, but now that they're here I say, "Let the good times roll!"

Oh, by the way. How do you like the new blog design? I changed it up a bit, okay a lot actually, to match my author website. I wanted there to be somewhat of a flow. What do you think? 

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Hello, readers! It seems like it has been so long since I last posted. In all reality, it has been. Things have been so busy here with the school year wrapping up. Everyday there’s a new survey for teachers to fill out, inventory list to check, or meeting to attend. It leaves little time for blogging and even less time for writing. I’ve got nine more days until summer vacation begins. Summer vacation equals more writing time for me, and hopefully a new novel.  There’s an end in sight, but attached to that end is a beautiful beginning that I can’t wait to get started on, which leads me to a question. Do you guys have any new projects in the works? How are you planning to spend your summer vacation?

Well, I think that’s all for now. No! Wait! I almost forgot! My short story has been published in “Beyond the Diaper Bag” and is officially available for purchase. *EEEEK* All proceeds go to charity, so if you’re interested I’d love for you to check it out. Just click on the button below.

Okay, that's really all for now. I hope you all have a fabulous week! :)

From Ashes We Will Rise

It's with a heavy heart that I post this today. Last night, the state that I live in was hit multiple times by horrible tornadoes. We are devastated. The streets look like war zones. So many lives have been lost and so many homes have been destroyed. Thankfully, the area that I live in was not affected, but many weren't as lucky. There are no words that can adequately express the sadness felt by all. I beg of you to please remember the families who have lost loved ones due to this line of storms in your prayers. The road to rebuilding will be long, but we are a strong people and from the ashes we will rise.