Once It Is Sold
Books at Barnes and Noble
Friday, April 2nd, 2010 | Once It Is Sold, The Queen's Pawn | 3 Comments
I am thrilled…I just got word that THE QUEEN’S PAWN has arrived at Barnes and Noble in Wilmington. I must go and have a look at them…it is exciting to finally see the novel in print…
Galleys Arrive for The Queen’s Pawn
Friday, January 29th, 2010 | Once It Is Sold, The Queen's Pawn, The Writing Life | 2 Comments
As I smooth and polish TO BE QUEEN for Claire (due next week…yikes!!), my galleys arrived for THE QUEEN’S PAWN.
For the non-publishing folks out there, galleys are copies of the novel that have not been corrected yet. But they are bound, sometimes with cover art. My galleys don’t have cover art, but my words are in there when I open the pages…which I find myself doing a lot, savoring the novel and the result of all the hard work of the last four years.
It is a thrill to hold a proto-type of my finished novel in my hand. In March, I get to see the real thing.
Trusting the Muse
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 | Eleanor of Aquitaine, Once It Is Sold, The Writing Life | No Comments
Even though I outline my novels before I sit down to write them, sometimes I can not see exactly how my book will take me from one plot point to the next. I know the facts of the novel, the events of what will be taking place between the covers of my book, but while writing the first draft, I often stand on the deck of my proverbial ship, and see nothing but waves. No light, no land, no clue as to how to make it to the next island.
That is where Eleanor comes in.
A Description of My Novel, THE QUEEN’S PAWN
Monday, September 14th, 2009 | Once It Is Sold, The Writing Life | 5 Comments
The Queen’s Pawn by Christy English
Princess Alais of France travels to England to marry Richard the Lionhearted, the son of King Henry II, armed only with her dowry, the valuable Vexin. When Alais arrives in the land of her father’s enemies, she is welcomed by the beautiful and powerful queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Eleanor, the richest and most influential woman in Europe, sees a kindred soul in the young French princess. Intrigued by the girl’s strength and fire, Eleanor adopts Alais as her protégée, teaching the girl what it takes to be a woman of power in a world of men. But Eleanor and Alais’ love for each other is threatened when the capricious and imperious King Henry meets the lovely young princess. Fascination with the king draws Alais deep into political intrigue, and she soon discovers what Eleanor is prepared to do to retain her position as queen. Alais, the one-time pawn, takes ruthless action of her own, as the two women become rivals both for the king’s love and the throne of England itself.
Two Amazing Moments in One Day
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 | Once It Is Sold, Selling Your Work, The Writing Life | 3 Comments
I had the most amazing experience today. Last night, after working into the evening on my latest draft of THE QUEEN’S PAWN, I turned my computer off, my task completed. I sent the book back to Claire via email, thinking that it still might need another pass. I have learned throughout this process that when Claire asks a question, she has always found a problem that needs to be addressed, something that I never would have found on my own. My book will be world’s better for her input. I never knew how valuable an editor was until I met Claire.
