Deciding to become a publisher

I finished my course with the Institute of Children's Literature in the winter of 2001/2002. It took twice as long as anticipated due to having another baby. After finishing my first manuscript, I spent a great deal of time revising, and submitting my work to one publisher after another. That's what you do right? You keep submitting until someone discovers what a 'genius' your work is. Every publisher liked my work, no one thought it was right for their company. At least, that's what the form letters said.
During this time I began writing other manuscripts, still submitting the first. Then I began submitting the next manuscript. I also began submitting manuscript ideas that I was working on for the future.
Then it happened. Okay, a few things happened. I became pregnant for the third time and realized that my going back to work part time was not going to happen. I also attended a writers' conference and my dream of becoming published was given a harsh dose of reality. Not only was it going to be an uphill battle to get the thing published, after I signed the contract it would take a minimum of 18 months to 2 years before I ever saw the printed version released. Maybe longer! I talked with an author at the conference who had been waiting for the release of his picture book for almost 3 years and still had not guarantee that it would be released on the date as promised. Of course, then there's the promotion of the book. Unless you're Stephen King or Danielle Steel, it's up to you to promote your own book. Yep. You have to take your book into your own hands and promote sales.
So guess what? That's what I'm doing. I'm not going to wait around for some publisher to decide that they have room for me. And I'm not going to wait 2 years to see my work in print. I am using my own printer and I will build my own following.
The book I've written is for young adult, which means it will probably be read by pre-teens and teens. I believe it appeals to adults as well because playing with Ouija Boards is almost a rite of passage for most teen girls. The story, Gateways: The Initiation, involves a close knit group of teen girls who experiment with a Ouija Board and release a demon in which they spend the rest of the story trying to figure out how to 'put him back'. The book springs from true experiences that happened to my friends and I when I was a teenager.
If you like to be scared then open the gateway to things that do more than go bump in the night.
To read an excerpt or pre-order a copy of Gateways, go to www.casteelpublishing.com. Let me know your opinions at feedback@casteelpublishing.com.
It's not the traditional work at home option, but it's the one that's right for me.

This is why . . .

I knew it. This is why I have been putting off the blog thing. I can't seem to make myself sit everyday and write. That explains why my third manuscript isn't finished. Of course my excuse could be because I'm raising 4 children but then who needs sleep. Puhleez. With four kids there is no such thing as sleep. Odds are that one of them is going to have a nightmare, one has to go pee in the middle of the night, and one or two need a glass of water. And right now my youngest id teething, so goodbye sleep and just about anything else for a few days. I love tylenol, but it's not working it's usual magic. OK don't get all upset that I'm medicating my child. It does help the fever and the pain. I'm not trying to just knock him out. OK not totally just trying.
Ever feel like you're running on a treadmill pointed straight up with people trying their best to pull you off? Not only am I going no where fast, I'm constantly being slowed down. Oh screw it. If I didn't get distracted so easily I would get 101 things done everyday. I'm so used to just existing that I forget that it's time to get off my butt, clear the foggy mind and LIVE LIFE!
Most days I'd rather complain than do something about it.
There, that's my new motto: Do Something About It Or SHUT UP About It!
Works for me. Wish I could tell my kids that. Guess that's not a great thing to say huh?
On a side note, I lost 3 lbs. on my personal weightloss program. Would've lost more if I exercised like I was supposed to. Getting my haircut today. It just lays there, can't take it any more. So going off to get layers. Then going to rush around like crazy woman to clean kitchen, fold and put away laundry, update my website and email my weight loss group. Oh and don't forget, make sure the baby is happy, play with my preschooler, drop off book money for my oldest, take everyone to the chiropractor, make dinner, give everyone a bath, and spend time with dh. I think that covers most everything. But hey there's 13 1/2 hrs left in the day, no problem!

Starting off

So here I am. I finally decided to do the blog thing. I fought it and fought it, but I gave in. Not sure why I need one more thing to do. I'm 31 years old, a mom of four kids under the age of 8 years (excuse me almost 9 years-my daughter would kill me if I left it at 8). I started my own business last month. It's a community website that covers five counties of who, what, when, where of the activities for kids. It's got playground information, stuff for free and on sale, organizational advice, parenting advice- you know, same old stuff. I just personalized it for my local area. The site is free to get onto, I'm using advertisers to make money. Okay, I'm wanting to use advertisers for money. No such luck yet. They say a website takes over 2-3 months before it makes any money. So I must be up for a windfall, cuz it's been up almost 2 months. I'm hoping with the holidays coming up that I'll have plenty of advertisers.
Besides that, I'm losing my mind with my kids. But I'll have to write more about that later because my middle two are throwing shoes at each other and they just woke up the baby. Now they're playing refrigerator tug of war, someone save me.