What's Up With the Big O in 2015?

Hi All, 

I hope you're enjoying your summer! I'm spending part of this summer hunkering down to finish writing BROKEN GIRL, (book 1 in the series).

While I do have the summer off from work, (yeah, I work outside of writing) I have 3 amazingly awesome boys who are also home for the summer. Between the boys, hubs, animals, books, extended family and chores, I'm hoping to spend some time diving into some other writing projects that are rumbling around in my head ... What's that saying?  A woman's work is never done! Well, neither is an authors! 

I live to create, and in some sense, create to live!  


*****BIG O's NEWS FLASH!****

I wanted to let you know I've lowered the price of PROTOTYPE to $2.99 and decided to register it for the KindleUnlimited program. For those of you who aren't familiar, KindleUnlimited is a monthly subscription service Amazon offers where you can read books for FREE! If you don't belong, you can still get the ebook through Amazon.com.

LINK----> http://amzn.to/1LiHlWa <----PROTOTYPE

***THE WILSON MOONEY SERIES IN THE NEWS!***

Shhhh.... You're first to know! 

The WILSON MOONEY series is going to be available in a boxset! That's right, all three ebooks bundled, with a prequel titled, MAX.  <---That's right! A prequel before ALMOST EIGHTEEN! This story will ONLY be available in the boxset, so if you want to find out HIS story, make sure you check your inboxes for the news! My goal is to release it the end of July, beginning of August. Price TBD. 


ALSO, as 2015 rolls toward a close, I wanted to tell you where you can find me!  I have 2 signings left for 2015! 

***COME SEE THE BIG O, FROM COAST TO COAST!***

SAN FRAN GOLDEN GATE AUTHOR EVENT.
August 8th, 2015. San Francisco, CA. 
http://sfgoldengateauthorevent.blogspot.com/

INDIES INVADE PHILLY AUTHOR EVENT.
November 7th, 2015. Philadelphia, PA. 
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/indies-invade-philly-2015-tickets-15294974681

I look forward to seeing you! 

With love and gratitude!

Gretchen de la O
    "The Big O"

Pink Shades of Words...An Anthology to Raise Money for Breast cancer Research.

I am honored and very humbled to be a part of something that moves the world beyond just the limited space I am in. When Glorya Hidalgo asked me to contribute a short story to her Avon breast cancer project I was more then willing to jump in with both feet. Then when I heard she had big name authors like Emily Snow, Jessica Sorensen, Julie Prestsater and CJ Roberts, I knew I was putting my name on something truly special. Breast cancer (<---notice I didn't capitalize the insidious bitch), has made a mark in everyone's lives one way or another. It has become a too common household conversation regarding our mothers, sisters, aunts, and girlfriends. We've ALL become affected by this disease. Whether a personal story of survival or of a loved one, this disease is finding its way into too many people's lives.

I wish I had magic pill that would wipe this gnarly, insidious disease from the face of the earth, but the fact is...I don't. But what I do have is a story. MAX, A Wilson Mooney Series Prequel, a short snip-it of Max Goldstein's life up to where Almost Eighteen (book 1) begins. I wrote this short story especially for Pink Shades of Words, I figured what better way to help out then to contribute what I know. I hope you enjoy the 16 other authors that poured their hearts into this project along with countless contributors that donated their time!

Below is all the information....even links to purchase it! 
 

17 of Today’s Best Selling Authors in Young Adult, New Adult & Romance came together to support Breast Cancer Research.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated towards Fifty Shades of Pink Avon Breast Cancer Team- Santa Barbara, CA.

FIFTY SHADES OF PINK team participates in the 2 Day, 39.3 miles Breast Cancer Walk in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA. For one weekend- we wake up at 5am, deal with blisters the size of mountains, body aches (from body parts we should never ach from) and become one big family with the other thousands of walkers. We do this all in hopes that no other Mother, Sister, Aunt or Friend will have to deal with Breast Cancer.

Ready to Wed by J.L. Berg
Forgetting by JL Brooks
Max by Gretchen de la O
Fate by Dani Hart
Final Stage by Jade C. Jamison
Choices by Sloan Johnson
Leap of Faith by Shayne McClendon
Trying by J.B. McGee
Ruby and Finn by Maggi Myers
A Bend In the Road by Tess Oliver
More Than A Friend Request by Julie Prestsater
Songs of Dominance by CD Reiss
Falling by Julie Richman
Determined to Obey by CJ Roberts
Meeting Sin by Emily Snow
Lies & Deceit by Jessica Sorensen
Don’t Close Your Eyes by Hilary Storm

Amazon (Kindle & Paperback)

Barnes & Noble (Nook)

Smashwords (All Formats) 

 

Tell Your Friends~

Don't forget to tell everyone you know about

The Wilson Mooney Series!

Tonight is the deadline to enter the drawing for a signed copy of both books 1 & 2. Fill out the form to the right.    

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If you've already filled it out, you don't have to do it again. You are already entered into the drawing!

HEY! Watch for the next contest....It's going to be a great one that involves winning an opportunity to read Book 3 before it is released to the world!

Don't forget to come back and keep looking for the details of the next contest!

Enter to Win a Signed Paperback of WM18@L (Book 2)

Okay, so I am doing a promotion through Goodreads!

 If you want to enter to win an autographed paperback copy of Wilson Mooney, Eighteen at Last...Visit my Website on Friday and register to win! There will be two winners!

www.gretchendelao.com

While you're hanging out on Goodreads.com, make sure you check out the reviews of the book! WooHoo!!!

If you've already read the book, feel free to leave a review on Goodreads! Also don't forget to revisit where you purchased your copy and leave a review! Through your reviews and Word of Mouth, Wilson is increasing in readership!

Thanks for all your support and kind words!

With Love,

Gretchen

Wilson Mooney Eighteen at Last is Live on Amazon!

Amazon fixed the glitch in the system and now you can get the book for the Kindle.

Here is the link....

http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Mooney-Eighteen-Last-ebook/dp/B00A15GVV6/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351955401&sr=1-12&keywords=wilson+mooney+eighteen+at+last

Yay! Now the only thing I need to fix is the iBooks edition and Wilson will be 100% up!

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and support!

With Gratitude and Love,

Gretchen

AVAILABLE NOW AT CREATESPACE & SMASHWORDS!

I decided to upload to Amazon and Smashwords last night. I’m just waiting for the links to go live. For some reason Amazon is acting weird.

So here are a couple of links to get you the book….

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/251266#download (for ebook editions)

https://www.createspace.com/4023574 (for paperback edition)

I will keep checking up on Amazon’s links and post them when they go live; BUT if you just can’t wait…go to the links above and get your copy now!

Much love and gratitude,

Gretchen

Everything is Ready...WooHoo

I ordered the ARC (advance readers copy)  for Wilson Mooney Eighteen at Last, I should have it in my hot little hands before Saturday! I am going to read through it and check the formatting. If everything is the way it should be...then it looks like WM18@L will be available the first full week of November! 

What a process it has been. 

I want to thank my graphic designer Eunice Ortegon and my editor Tiffany Grayson. These two women are beyond fantastic! They are amazingly giving, super cooperative, completely open, and extremely talented! I am so lucky to have them in my life and part of my journey. I can't explain how awesome it has been having authentic and selfless people surrounding this project. My BFF Becky Codere, which without her constant attention, Wilson and Max would have still been hanging out in my head.  Seriously, she was the one who kept pushing me, locking me away for writers weekends and read-throughs...I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful people. They give without conditions and support me through it all.

Okay, enough mushy stuff...A couple of things to hold you in suspense until WM18@L is available....

When it becomes available it will be available and distributed in all formats at www.smashwords.com and of course Amazon, iTunes, and Barnes and Noble.

I will announce the release of WM18@L  on the following Social Networking sites...
Twitter...@delaogk
 Facebook....www.facebook.com/wilsonmooneytheseries
My Blog.....www.wilsonmooney.blogspot.com
Goodreads...http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16086588-wilson-mooney-eighteen-at-last
My Website...www.gretchendelao.com

So keep checking back!

**DISCLOSURE**
WM18@L will not be categorized as  a YA novel. I will not tout it as a YA. I don't even think I will offer it even under the guise of a "Mature" YA.  It is an adult romance novel (even though the main characters are still quite young.)

I hope you enjoy the read, and truly, thanks for all your support and kind words!

Don't forget to keep checking in!

With Gratitude and Love,

Gretchen

Tah-Dah.....WM18@L Cover is here!

Okay, so the book isn't up for sale yet, however; keeping you in the loop...here is the cover for Wilson Mooney, Eighteen at Last! I believe with the way things are moving and shaking....The book will be out this week or next....EEEKKK!!! I actually pinned it down to a time frame more than soon!...Still sorry I'm not more specific with an actual date, but I gotta go over the last couple of chapters and pick up the image files from my graphic designer!

I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING KICK-ASS READERS!!!!

THANKS FOR BEING SO PATIENT AND HOLDING ON!

Getting Closer...

Okay, so if I would have remembered how frickin' frustrating editing in html was when using Mobipocket Creator I would have taken better notes when uploading the first Wilson Mooney! Urrghh…The most time consuming part, for me, is making sure the table of contents is working properly. After that, I always seem to need to re-set the title page, and each chapter heading. Forget ncx…that is just way out of range for me. Besides all new Kindles don’t use the ncx feature, because the reader can drag the bar across the screen. So Yay, on leaving behind the ncx formatting!

After writing, editing, and type-setting for print, I must go and create a couple documents for all the different electronic formats. I end up with roughly 3 different copies of Wilson, formatted 3 different ways. Print version has their requirements, Kindle has theirs, and Smashword (a distributor for all electronic formats) seem to have theirs too!

I don’t have the cover yet, but I am very close to having the book ready to go. What I’ve worked on last night was checking the formatting and functionality of different options with the electronic/eBook formats. Once I get the cover for the paperback and the electronic copy...I will be able to finish uploading the book…WOW, that was a pretty LOUD Whoop!

Oh man, if you guys only knew how crazy nervous I have been lately—I’ve been, driving everyone around me bonkers. I don’t bite my nails, but I do require the occasional “really, really” when I start to feel inadequate or unsure about the book.

Gosh, I just can’t get over the fact that there are thousands of readers waiting at the door. Waiting to find out what happens next between Wilson and Max. It’s pretty amazing that people—I don’t know, have become emotionally invested in the characters from my head. Let me just say…the pressure is on…

It’s close to that time to get ready for Wilson and Max to dance across the screens of your e-readers as they live amongst the words that give them their lives.

Thanks for waiting…it won’t be long now…So here’s a little something I’m working on to keep you excited...

Wilson Mooney ~ Eighteen at Last

(Back of the book description Rough Draft #1)

Eager to take the next step in their relationship, Wilson and Max return to Aspen to celebrate Wilson’s eighteenth birthday. When an uncontrollable situation leads to a split second decision, both will be tested like never before. Butterflies will soar, hearts will clash, and Wilson’s relationship with Max will spin into a silken cocoon with choices that seem too impossible to overcome.

Could it be…uncovering the deep ache that lays dormant in their hearts will become the real threat to their forbidden love? Or will the pressures of keeping their relationship a secret be too much to bear?

Are you ready?

Where the Heck is WM18@L?

Alright, right off the bat...I gotta tell you, I don't have a release date for WM18@L...yet. **grumble**grumble** (feel free to replace previous grumblings with your personal words). 

I feel this book (WM2) is much more of a hurry up and wait game. I gotta say, the “hurry up and wait” aspect of publishing this book, sucks. I want to come up with a date, I want to tell you, it is perfect, done, and ready. Because I know there are hundreds of people waiting to find out about Wilson and Max. I know where I left you, and I know how hard it can be to wait and see. It’s disheartening to keep telling you, my most amazing readers, to be patient. I feed off your energy and the anticipation that's building through all of your reviews and emails. I wish I could give you the inside scoop of the exact day it will be released, but I am waiting just like you.

I have so much love for all of you, and totally wish I could tell you what you want to hear, but I can’t. There are some aspects that effect the release of the book. So we are in the waiting process. But I promise you, WM18@L is completely written, and it has been edited twice. I have some small tweaks I have to make to the content and then meet again with the graphic designer to finish up the cover.

NOT TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT BUT…

Trust me; I know how you feel having to wait, because that’s how I write. When I sit down at the computer I have no idea what journey Wilson and Max will go on until my fingers are tapping on the letters of my keyboard. I wish I could tell you that I am a plotter, that I know exactly what character is going where, and what actions, feelings, and events are going to occur from one chapter to the next, but I don’t. Sometimes I stop mid-paragraph, mid-sentence, and have to come back when the story decides to continue. I write from that place of inspiration that decides to turn on in the middle of dinner, at my son’s basketball game, or even in the middle of the night.

Any writer will tell you, whether they plot or not, you can’t force the characters to do something they don’t want to do. It will come out awkward or unbelievable. I can’t sit down and tell Wilson what she and Max are supposed to do. She will argue until I see it her way (and just so you know…Wilson always win—always). Sometimes when I want to protect her or the other characters I will try and write it from a safer place or a different direction and sure as sh*t, they’ll flat out ignore me. When the characters decide to do something I would personally never do, I find myself pacing the floor, arguing with them. My body begins to perspire and my heart thunders in the back of my throat. I guess that’s when I know it is authentic. Eventually, I find myself tapping the keys and writing exactly what Wilson asked me to in the first place.

Even though I know what happens next, I struggle with waiting just as much as my readers. I know, I know…I can hear what you’re saying, “Come on Gretch, you have no idea how we feel. You have Wilson and Max in your head all the time!” Actually, I don’t. They aren’t hanging out telling me what is going on. Heck, it would make writing their story a lot easier if they were. But like you, I have to wait and see what they are willing to share with me.

 

Wilson Mooney, Eighteen at Last…Coming REALLY soon, sometime in 2012.

With So Much Love and Gratitude,

Gretchen

When A Spark Catches...

When a spark catches, a fire will blaze until its unstoppable flames consume without consideration. It is at this particular moment when we must decide if it is a blessing or a curse. We can either stand on the edge of a new opportunity grieving for what was lost or choose to celebrate the newly discovered possibilities.

When Wilson came to me several years ago, I didn’t know what she was all about. Some people told me that none of the big publishers would touch the story with a ten-foot pole. They thought the story was too taboo because it was about a girl and her teacher. But something inside me kept me writing it. The creative urge to tell her story was stronger than the mainstream belief that readers couldn’t handle the subject.

I knew that once people read the story, the whole idea of a student and a teacher would be an afterthought to the relationship of two young people who were falling in love with each other. It was so much more than the superficial, knee-jerk judgment of a naughty novel.

As I passed chapters to people who wanted to read Wilson’s story, I worked really hard to stretch out of the box of conventional thinking. If someone tried to stuff me back in the box, I would find the means to kick my way out. I guess I was too naïve to believe that stories like Wilson’s didn’t have an audience.

When I needed help, I would ask and opportunities would always show up. When I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing, I would stop and wait for the answers. When days turned into more days and doubt would creep into my head, I was fortunate enough to have people who would whack me upside the noggin for stopping mid-sentence and then give me positive strokes for continuing with my passion. It never took much to remind me why I was writing Wilson and Max’s story.

If there is anything I learned in the journey of bringing Wilson and Max to the world, it would have to be anything is possible. 

What mind can conceive, man can achieve.

Patience is truly the most rewarding attribute of seeing your dream unfold. When you feel like giving up, find every moment that sparks the creative energy in your heart and focus on that. When situations hurt your feelings, find something in that situation that helps you grow. Find the diamond buried in the huge mountain. And never forget, sometimes your ignorance of the worlds views will keep you alive and swimming when so many others are eaten by the sharks circling to swallow them whole.

**WM18@L Update**

I’m meeting with my beta readers Sunday! Whew, I can’t wait to hear what they have to say! Also, my editor is done with the book. She should have it to me in the next couple of days. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the first part of next week to see the progress on the cover from my graphic designer.

Lastly, I want to thank each and every one of you. I’m speechless and can’t think of any words to express how grateful I am to have all your support. You took a chance on an unknown author and bought my novel. That means the world to me. You’ve come back to my blog and Facebook page, checking in on my progress and I totally appreciate that. It’s funny to think, not too long ago Wilson’s story only existed in my head and now it’s out in the entire world, being shared!

With Overwhelming Gratitude,

Gretchen