Best Of Luck Elsewhere

Eliza Tahan, Assistant Editor at J Press, worries she might become the target of a disgruntled author after her boss is murdered and a form rejection letter is found on the scene. Though her boss was the star of the company, it's Eliza that actually makes decisions for the department. And the murderer must have realized his mistake, because Eliza's suddenly a target. Toss in a tragic family history, an absent mother in Botswana, and a sister working for the Department of Homeland Security and stealing the family spotlight . . . and Eliza can barely hold her life together at a level of normalcy. She's certainly not equipped to be solving murders. As she argues, "I'm not a detective. I'm a mystery editor. I don't know whodunit until I read the last pages of a manuscript." But when the editor of the local newspaper's Book Section becomes more than just a professional acquaintance, their growing passion urges Eliza to overcome her past and her passivity to find the author-turned-murderer before she is pegged with the crime or, worse yet, before she -- or someone she loves -- becomes the next victim.

A field guide to the trade and art of editing, this book pulls back the curtain on the day-to-day responsibilities of a literary magazine editor in their role, and to the specific skills necessary to read, mark-up and transform a piece of writing. Combining a break-down of an editor's tasks – including creating a vision, acquisitions, responding to submissions and corresponding with authors – with a behind-the-scenes look at manuscripts in progress, the book rounds up with a test editing section that teaches, by way of engaging exercises, the nitty-gritty strategies and techniques for working on all kinds of texts. Generous in its insight and access to practicing editors' annotations and thought processes, The Invisible Art of Literary Editing offers an exclusive look at nonfiction, fiction and poetry manuscripts as they were first submitted, as they were marked up by an editor and how the final piece was presented before featuring an interview with the editor on the choices they made about that piece of work, as well as their philosophies and working practices in their job. As a skill and a trade learnt through practice and apprenticeship, this is the ultimate companion to editing any piece of work, offering opportunities for learning-by-doing through exercises, reflections and cases studies, and inviting readers to embody the role of an editor to improve their craft and demystify the processes involved in this exciting and highly coveted profession.

You wrote a novel, and want to share it with the world. Where do you begin? Submit / query your work cold turkey? Wrong! Begin with "DITCH THE AGENT - The Book for Writers". This no-nonsense book was written in response to hundreds of comments and questions from writers who are frustrated with, or clueless about the North American publishing industry. It answers the most pressing questions on every aspiring author's mind: from creating query letters, and approaching literary agents and editors, to submitting a manuscript, dealing with rejections, and finding contact information for those elusive editors. See the entire process, in-depth, from the perspective of a published author - an invaluable first-hand experience that will save you time and aggravation, and help secure a publishing deal with a traditional book-publishing house. DITCH THE AGENT is intended for writers who seek to publish their work with traditional publishing houses, however, all writers are encouraged to read this book, including those who are toying with the idea of self-publishing.

Written from the writer's point of view, this is an expert guide to the process of getting published, from submitting your work and finding an agent, to working with a publishing house and understanding the book trade. Harry Bingham, author of 7 titles for a leading international publisher which include both fiction and non-fiction , is founder of the editorial services agency the Writers Workshop. From his own experience, and that of working with new authors, together with interviews from authors, agents and publishers - his book provides expert advice on the best way to find a market for your writing.Topics include:* how to find an agent or publisher * how to present your work * cover letters and synopses * contractual terms with both agent and publisher * how the book trade works * working with publishers and the editorial process * your role in helping to publicize your work. Getting Published will enable you to market your work more professionally, understand the relationship you will have with both agent and publisher and offers a contemporary inside view of the publishing industry. Along with the essential contacts in the Writers and Artists Yearbook, this is a professional tool you will not want to be without.

After ending a five-year relationship, Callie Taylor resigns her job as special projects director at Harrah's Casino, New Orleans. Wanting a fresh start, she accepts a position at Tahoe Silver Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and decides to drive there. When she breaks for lunch right before reaching Lake Tahoe, she draws a flirtatious smile from a handsome white guy who causes her heart to beat a little faster, despite the fact that she's sworn off romantic relationships for the foreseeable future. Just as well she didn't actually meet him, she thinks, as she resumes her drive. A few minutes later, catching sight of Lake Tahoe itself, she pulls off the road and gets out of the car to absorb the awe-inspiring beauty of the place which will be her new home. Startled by the wail of an animal, she overcomes her fear to find a gangly, hurt puppy. She loads the pup into her car and makes a veterinary clinic her first stop when she reaches Lake Tahoe. As fate would have it, Hank Crowe, the veterinarian, turns out to be the handsome white guy from the restaurant. And thus begins a relationship that leads to dog ownership and falling in love. The path is not smooth, however, as the past resurfaces to threaten the present . The ex of each arrives on the scene and a man thought dead nearly ends succeeds in murdering Callie and Hank.

Down on her luck blues singer, Gabriella Santos, escapes her over- protective family, along with a series of bad relationships, for a gig in Chicago. She is determined to prove she can stand on her own two stiletto-clad feet and make a fresh start. But when she tangles with the sexy but aloof bar owner, Shane O'Neil, she begins to believe she might have bitten off more than she can chew. When she gets mugged, shot at, witnesses a hit and run and sees somebody murdered, she knows she's in way over her head. Ex-special forces guy turned detective and reluctant bar owner, Shane O'Neil, has a laundry list of things he doesn't like, starting with cops—especially his stepfather and stepbrother, who top the list. He also doesn't like a too-beautiful-for-her-own-good blues singer trying to tell him how to run his bar. She's pushy, chatty, high-maintenance and does everything she can do to get under his skin—from her flawless latte-colored skin, to her long sexy legs, to her incredible voice, he can hardly think of anything else. Which is a really bad thing since Shane thrives on being in control. But when he ends up beaten to a pulp in a Chicago alley, he has no choice but to rely on Gabriella for help. Despite the sizzling chemistry between them, finding the balance between trust and commitment is a formidable task.

A shocking betrayal. When photographer Star Evans returns to her hometown of Liberty Creek, Texas, to attend her grandmother's funeral, she has no idea of the drama that awaits her. Star receives a letter written by her grandmother informing her that eight years ago she crafted a shattering lie in order to separate her from the young man she loved. Now, in order to fulfill her grandmother's dying wish, Star must come face to face with her past by enlisting the help of her first love. The One That Got Away. Case Matthews once loved Star with all his heart and soul. Until the day she left town without a word of goodbye and shattered him, body and soul. Now, years later, Case is a successful rancher who's moved on from heartbreak and loss. When Star comes knocking at his door asking for his help, he has no intention of having anything to do with the pampered princess. But when danger comes calling at her family's ranch, Case steps in to protect the woman he still loves. And as they work together to unravel the mysteries of the past and present, an explosive passion re-ignites.

Pastry chef Lili Hart hasn't been satisfied with what she's accomplished with her siblings at Hearts and Flowers. She yearns for independent success, so she seeks to take on clients of her own not tied to the family business. Excited about her first client, her celebration is short-lived when she sees dreamy eyed Dominic Ballard again. Charming and talented singer/songwriter Dominic Ballard majored in music in college despite the discouragement of his mother. Eventually, he moved to California to pursue his dreams of superstardom. After the sudden death of his father, Dominic finds himself back in his hometown of Taylor, Indiana assisting with the family's chain of restaurants. When he's offered an opportunity to collaborate on popular R & B singer latest CD he feels closer to realizing his dream. But, his life is further complicated when he runs into the one who got away. . .feisty Lili Hart.