Friday, March 14, 2014

Today's Special - - Teresa Medeiros and Amber House Books


Teresa Medeiros, the author has written some of my all-time favorite books and Teresa Medeiros, the person is one of the kindest, most genuine people I know. Today, I'm excited to introduce you to this multi-faceted woman's newest identity: Teresa Medeiros, publisher and owner of Amber House Books!   Before you ask, no, this does not mean Teresa has stopped writing her own books.  In fact, she is currently working on a historical romance project.  But today, she's here not to talk about the books she's writing but those she's publishing. Please give her a warm welcome!




WHY THIS NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER IS GOING INDIE AND STARTING HER OWN PUBLISHER

Almost every professional writer starts out with the same goal—to write a book wonderful enough to catch the eye of a New York publisher. To get “the call” from a New York editor that will change their life forever, a call that will begin with the magical words “I want to buy your book.”

I started writing my first novel when I was only twenty-one and a short time later, that call came for me. I’ve spent the past twenty-six years since that day living the dream—being gainfully employed by some of the top publishing houses in the United States while writing twenty-three bestselling novels. I spent most of those years as a client of one of the best agents in the business, a woman I will adore both personally and professionally until the day I die.

So why on earth would I choose to walk away from all of that now? Was it because my publishers were oppressive dark overlords who sought to drain all the joy from my soul by squelching my creative freedom?

Nope.


When I went to Bantam in 1995 and told them I wanted to write a book about a time-traveling witch who flies away from a witch hunt on her broom and crash lands in the arms of a cynical billionaire in contemporary New York City (a book that turned out to be one of my biggest bestsellers—Breath of Magic), they didn’t even bat an eyelash.

For most of my career, I’ve been well-compensated, well-published, and extremely well-represented by my agent. (And since my first advance pre-agent was for $2500, I recognize what a rare and extraordinary blessing that has been.) I’ve also had the pleasure of working with some of the most insightful and talented editors in the business including Wendy McCurdy, Carrie Feron and Lauren McKenna. For the most part, I’ve had perfectly lovely covers, attentive marketing teams, and competent copy editors who didn’t make me gnash my teeth in frustration, but instead made me exclaim, “Why didn’t I think of that?!”

So why would I be bolting for the proverbial door now? In the South Park movie, there was a hilarious song called Blame Canada. Well, these days I’m humming Blame England with a rousing chorus of Blame Australia. It was my devoted readers from across the pond and down under who kept sending me frustrated e-mails because my e-books weren’t yet available in their territories. That’s when I decided to publish all 23 of my books in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

All. By. Myself.

I quickly discovered two things:
1) Being a publisher was a staggering amount of work
2) I adored every minute of it



There’s a reason my website is designed and maintained by “Control Freak Productions.” Being able to manage every aspect of publication from cover design to book blurb to conversion to pricing to uploading for my babies made me positively giddy with delight.

I loved it so much that I decided it was what I wanted to do with the rest of my publishing life. Creatively, I’m not even sure I had a choice because the lack of autonomy in traditional publishing was finally beginning to wear me down. 







So that’s why I’ve started my own publishing house—AmberHouse Books. I thought it was time I gave something back to the industry that has given me so much. The Amber House Books’ motto is “Entertaining Readers…Empowering Authors.” Not only will I be publishing my own books under the Amber House Books’ umbrella, but I tracked down some of MY favorite romance authors and am publishing their backlist titles as well as brainstorming new projects. (Rebecca Hagan Lee’s A HINT OF HEATHER just came out this week while February saw the release of DIAMONDS AND DREAMS and THE BAREFOOT BRIDE by Rebecca Paisley.) I want to be the sort of publisher who gives each of her author’s books the same tender loving care I give my own. I’m also thrilled to announce that I have projects with Jill Marie Landis, Christina Dodd, and Connie Brockway already on our 2014 schedule.




And for those readers who still prefer the joy of holding (and smelling!) a print book, Amber House is also offering beautiful collectible trade paperbacks of all of our books. I’m even working directly with foreign publishers, agents, and translators to sell our titles all over the world. I just sold my first Rebecca Hagan Lee book to Japan.     

This blog was never meant to be a “kiss off” to legacy publishing. Instead, it’s a loving kiss blown in New York’s direction for all of the wonderful years, books, and memories we’ve shared. Life is long and sometimes our paths must diverge, but I will always treasure the time we spent traveling hand-in-hand along that path.

And I’m beyond grateful that I won’t be traveling my new path alone, but hand-in-hand with those beloved readers who have shared my dreams every time they’ve opened up one of my books.

Since I’ve gone out and found some of my favorite books to publish over at Amber House Books, I’d love to know what YOUR favorite romance of all-time is?

One lucky commenter today will win Kindle editions of A HINT OF HEATHER by Rebecca Hagan Lee along with DIAMONDS AND DREAMS and THE BAREFOOT BRIDE by Rebecca Paisley.


LIKE Amber House Books on Facebook by midnight 3/15 for a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE HD!

For more information about Teresa, her books and places to connect with her online, visit her website.

For more information about Amber House Books, visit their website.

80 comments:

  1. Choosing just one is tough. It has to be OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm one of the few people on the planet who hasn't read OUTLANDER yet. I really must get to that book one of these days.

      Delete
    2. I'm the other one PJ lol. Actually I started collecting her books thinking the series was over but it seems to be going on and now I'm a bit overwhelmed and still keep thinking I'll wait until she's done but what if she is like Nora's In Death series which is going on forever too lol.

      Delete
  2. It would have to be the very first romance novel I ever read. My Mom gave it to me because I was such a literary snob ( I only read the "classics"! She told me don't knock them until you read one. She gave me a copy of Shana by Kathleen Woodiweiss and I was hooked! I have been a fan of historical romance novels ever since, especially the Regency era. I think that is because I love Jane Austin's books so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're in good company, Catherine. There are many happy romance readers out there who were introduced to the genre by a Kathleen Woodiwiss book. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. Congratulations on opening Amber House!

    My favorite book of all time is GONE WITH THE WIND.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats on this new and amazing leg of your writer's journey. My all time favorite romance is Lord of Scoundrels but, as you know, Yours Until Dawn has a special place in my heart. I have been seeing so much about Rebecca's books, an author I am not familiar with, and look forward to diving into those.

    LYG!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Santa!

      Yours Until Dawn is worthy of a special place in our hearts. It's a keeper. ♥

      I hadn't read either Rebecca's books until Amber House reissued them. They are waiting for me on my Kindle. So far, I've only had time to read Rebecca Paisley's Diamonds and Dreams. I was charmed!

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Santa! I still have a VERY warm spot in my own heart for Gabriel ;) And PJ, I was hoping you'd fall in love with Rebecca's voice. She's so unique! DIAMONDS AND DREAMS is still one of my own fave romances of all-time. I remember laughing out loud and crying when I read it for the first time.

      Delete
  5. Congratulations on your new publishing adventure! The Scarlet Pimpernel is my all-time favorite action, adventure, romance.

    Mary D.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I've never read the book but I adore the films, especially the 1982 television movie with Anthony Andrews.

      Delete
  6. Victoria and Jason's love story in ONCE & ALWAYS by Judith McNaught. I also love WHITNEY,MY LOVE by the same author, Whitney and Clayton's story..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoyed many of Judith McNaught's books but I never could wrap my arms around WHITNEY, MY LOVE. Just couldn't.

      Delete
  7. Teresa, I have longed loved your books, ever since my Indie bookstore introduced me to them, along with Julia Quinn's. I love the way you write with charm and wit; romance combined with laughter makes for a great read!

    Hmmm, I will have to admit that ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON by JQ is my fave romance, mainly because I can relate to the heroine Penelope. Suzanne Enoch's LONDON'S PERFECT SCOUNDREL comes close because of the hero Saint. (High five, Andrea! Happy Anniversary!! I loved your blog from exactly two years ago about Saint. I've bookmarked it on my computer, ha! *g*)

    Have you ever read SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL? It's a children's book, but you can imagine the love story that could unfold from it. (I loved the movies.)

    Congrats on Amber House Books! Since I mostly read books on my Kindle, this is exciting!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the way you write with charm and wit; romance combined with laughter makes for a great read!

      A perfect description, Deb. I completely agree!

      Delete
  8. My favorite book is Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind. Sometimes folks say it isn't a "true romance" because of the lack of HEA. So, to those folks, I offer my second choice--Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels. Best of luck with Amber House Books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you, Janga! And we're working to get A BASKET OF WISHES in our hot little hands. It's such an incredibly inventive book!

      Delete
    2. Oh, I can't wait to get A BASKET OF WISHES re-released! I can't even imagine the magical cover Amber Books will design for that one! So excited! -- Beckie

      Delete
  9. I think my favorite romance is "A Rose in Winter" by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Also love "A Knight in Shining Armor" by Jude Deveraux. Plus there are so many of your books on my keeper shelf. Sigh. It isn't easy picking a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Knight in Shining Armor is on my list of all-time favorites. So much love for Nicholas!

      Delete
  10. Congratulations. That is a very hard question. Kathleen Woodiwiss book's really got me hooked on romance (that and the gothics) and then there was Juilie Garwood and now Grace Burrowes and Kathryne Kennedy. I also loved Jean Auel's Earth's Children series which while not your normal romance, still stands as a favorite for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The gothics (Victoria Holt) were my intro to romance. Julie Garwood's Saving Grace is my all-time favorite comfort read. Love Gabriel and Johanna!

      Delete
  11. It's difficult to pick just one favorite romance novel. I frequently reread The Bride by Julie Garwood. And I love The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale.-Heather Jonassen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Would love to win! My favorite romance of all time is "Morning Glory" by LaVyrle Spencer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, gosh. I haven't read Morning Glory in years! Spencer wrote some wonderful books.

      Thanks for stopping by, Emily!

      Delete
  13. My favorote romance is Eve and Roarke; so opposite and yet so right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pamela. I haven't read any of the In Death books yet but have many friends who would enthusiastically cheer your choice!

      Delete
  14. As one reader who has been frustrated by publishers not making e-books available in the UK, this is a very welcome development!
    The whole publishing scene seems to be in a state of rapid flux ....and for the better I think.
    As Bob Dylan might say
    For the times they are a-changin'. LOL

    Teresa, I wonder if there is a chance that audio versions of your books will also eventually appear on audible UK?

    My favorite romance of all time?
    That's too difficult. Though I can give my favorite romance series:
    Catherine Anderson's Comanche books

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations on your new career. I'm always excited to learn that backlists are going to be available for my ereader. Do you have plans to reissue Rebecca Paisley's A Basket of Wishes? It's such a fun read!

    Choosing one book is almost impossible. I have favorites in dozens of categories. Certainly Breath of Magic is one of my favorite guaranteed-to-generate-smiles-and-laughter books. I recommended it to a friend looking for just that last week, and she was reading it on her Kindle shortly thereafter. If I have to choose one favorite romance, I'll go with Jane Austen's Persuasion. It has an older-than-average heroine and hero, it is a reunion story (my favorite trope), it contains my favorite literary letter, and no matter how many times I read it, each reading gives me something new.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tee hee! The answers to the Comments keep going in the wrong places so I'm just going to do them all here.
    LSU Reader, I still love GWTW. SUCH a readable book, even today!

    Quantam, My fave Catherine Anderson book is COMING UP ROSES. ADORE that book!

    You guys are making me want to go back and re-read all my favorites!

    ReplyDelete
  17. My favorite romance of all time would be Skye O'Malley by Beatrice Small. I have read that entire series a dozen times, but the very first one is what made me fall in love with the genre in the first place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another one I read years ago. I think they reissued this a couple years ago.

      Delete
  18. Choosing one is so very difficult, and while I can't say it is my favorite of all books that I have read, I loved and am almost haunted by The Night Circus. Is definitely the book I thought most about after reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to go check out the description on this one, Sharlene. It sounds very intriguing and is currently on sale for Kindle at $4.99. I sense a download in my future. ;-)

      Delete
    2. I have THE NIGHT CIRCUS sitting on my shelf and haven't read it yet!

      Delete
  19. I really hate this questions.... it's like picking a favorite child.. I'll say Georgette Heyer because she got me started reading romance....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! I know. It's practically impossible for me to choose just one. There are just so many wonderful books out there!

      Delete
  20. I guess my favorite book of all time would have to be Gone With the Wind because it was the first book that got me started reading. There have been a lot of favorites since then.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that book that started us reading or introduced us to a particular genre always holds a special place in our reader hearts.

      Delete
  21. My favorite romance of all time? Ooh, that's a toughie. I'm going to say Monica McCarty's Highland Warrior, or Sarah MacLean's Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. At least those are the 2 I've re-read the most.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura! I discovered Monica McCarty when she published her debut book and have happily followed her through medieval times with every book she has since released. She and Sarah MacLean are both auto-buy authors for me.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  22. No way could I pick just one! And now I totally ave Blame Canada in head- LOVE that soundtrack!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Don't you just love those earworms? ;-)

      Delete
    2. I guess you have to BLAME TERESA MEDEIROS now ;)

      Delete
  23. Congrats on your nre publishing house. And to pick my favorite book...I am going to say that some of the first authors I started to read were Rosemary Rogers, Bertrice Small and Kathleen E Woodiwiss.. For me these were three Queens of Romance in the 70s and 80s. But there are so many that I love..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loved them! And my Queens of Romance when I first started out were the "J's"--Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught.

      Delete
  24. Sorry, I can't pick just one book. I have several that I re-read and each one is my favorite "at that moment" but they are all keepers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think a lot of us have those "what I'm reading" favorites. It really is very hard to choose just one.

      Delete
  25. maybe pride and prejudice

    ReplyDelete
  26. It is so hard to pick one so this is the book that got me hooked on reading Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and my all time favorite is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More votes for Woodiwiss and Gabaldon. Are you excited about the Outlander movie in the works?

      Delete
  27. Mine would be a movie actually. Old B/W movie with Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. And dear old Willie's Romeo and Juliet. Oh and Cyrano de Bergerac.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I adore The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. What a wonderful old movie!

      Delete
    2. I love that movie, too! I even have the soundtrack.

      Delete
    3. I love that movie, too! It's one of my go-to movies when I want romance! The first romance novel I read was THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER by Kathleen Woodiwiss, so I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for her. My most unforgettable romance was THE WINDFLOWER by Laura London (Tom and Sharon Curtis). My favorite romance author is Teresa Medeiros. My favorite Publisher is Teresa Medeiros and Amber House Books.

      Delete
  28. Congrats on your new adventure. So happy for you. I love the Outkander Series and have loved many of your books, also When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa Janes. But someone told me I must read Flowers in the Storm by Laura Kinsale and that book has stayed with me .....but it was a very hard question to answer when you are a romance addict

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good choices, Hope! I think you can probably put the blame for Flowers from the Storm on me. It's stayed with me for a long time too.

      Delete
    2. Great choices, Hope! I loved WHEN BEAUTY TAMED THE BEAST and anything by Kinsale, too!

      Delete
  29. I am so happy to see you here, Terri. But I'm even happier to know you will have full control over your own writing.

    My question/s: Are you going to keep up with all the genres you've already dabbled in?

    How about another vampire book (you know why I ask this;) )?

    As for my favorite romance, that's a genre-specific question for me.

    If we're talking paranormal, why that would be THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teresa, if you do write another paranormal, please do us all a favor and send Julianne an ARC. We'd like to be able to say, "No readers were harmed in the procurement of this book." The Vampire Who Loved Me - Squawkers Luncheon - RWA National - 2006. 'Nuff said.

      Delete
    2. Bwhahahaha! I still have the stuffed gorilla (a.k.a. Monkee) Julianne sent me proudly displayed on my Teresa Medeiros bookshelf. And you know Julianne was just lusting after Wilbury the Butler! ;)

      Delete
    3. You DO know why I asked that, Terri!!! I just think it's a waste for an entire world of stories to be written and Wilbury isn't in them.

      LOL, PJ.

      I should be ashamed of my behavior. Not saying I was. ;)

      Delete
  30. It's cool you on your own. I think if I had to list one, and I don't like to do that, I'ld go with K Woodiwiss.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Being an avid reader, it's really difficult for me to choose a favorite book. Simply because I love and adore most of the ones I have read. :) But if one sticks out for me it has to be Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell because that was one of the first romances I've read thou what really brings back fond memories is the sequel of Scarlett to Gone with the Wind. When Scarlett came out, I was in high school, and excited about finally getting know what happened to Scarlett and Rhett. Gone with the wind's ending wasn't exactly a HEA for me. I stayed up all night reading Scarlett.. Of course with being in high school at the time, I got into trouble when I couldn't wake up in time to go to school the next morning. I made it to school but was late. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congratulations, Teresa, on your new publishing venture! I am glad, however, that you will continue to write...under Amber House (of course). Thanks for this post and for your continued success, Teresa. jdh2690@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops, forgot to answer the question. I have many favorite romances, but I think I would select Gone With the Wind as my "all time" favorite because it was my first and started my reading-romance career long ago! :-)

      Delete
  33. I think my favorites for pure romance are Lynn Kurland's time travel series about the MacLeods and the De Piagets. Though really, it is hard to pick just one favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Some of my favorite romances are in the series about The Bastions, and The Malory's, of course. My memory is not so good, so I apologize to the authors for not remembering their names. It's on the tip of my tongue, but just won't come out any further.

    ReplyDelete
  35. WOW it seems as if you have been very busy. But, oh my, what exciting projects. Looking forward to reading some of these and especially more from you.

    Rhonda Kirby

    ReplyDelete
  36. For classic books, I'll have to say the greatest love story would be Gone With The Wind, but current romances are hard to choose from. I love the In Death series by J.D. Robb, and I love the many stand-alones out there with cowboys and officers and everything in between. But when it comes to making me cry, Nicholas Sparks' still gets the tears rolling for the love between his characters like in A Walk to Remember and The Notebook. A book stays with you when the characters become a part of you.
    Looking forward to all your great publishing endeavours and more books from you!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congratulations on you new venture. I have heard many authors comment on books they wanted to write, but major publishers didn't want them. Often it was because they weren't on trend with the current popular sub-genre or they weren't want readers expected from the author. Sometimes it took so long to get to market, the trend had changed and that type of book no longer was selling. That must be terribly frustrating. Authors having a bit more control over their creative direction and the aspects of putting a book out will certainly make their lives better.
    It sounds like Amber House Books will be more responsive to authors and to the market. I wish you and all the authors that deal with you the best of luck. It sounds like you are off to a great start.

    As for my favorite romance, that is a hard one. The on that is dear to my heart is THE PRIZE by Julie Garwood. It was the first romance I read and opened the door to many wonderful books. Of Julie Garwood's books, THE PRIZE and RANSOM are my favorites, but they are all good. The list of authors and books I have really enjoyed would be quite long. You, Kat Martin, Elizabeth Hoyt, Stephanie Laurens, and many, many more.

    ReplyDelete
  38. This isn't a suck-up post, I swear. But every time someone asks what my favorite romance book is I always say YOURS UNTIL DAWN. I answered this way on another blog earlier today even. I adore wounded warriors so Gabriel Fairchild just holds my heart. And I loved Samantha Wickersham. LOL I rarely reread books, but this one I have. Several times.

    I've already Liked Amber House on FB for a while now.

    Marcy Shuler

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thanks for the fun post ;) and congrats to Teresa!!! I'd have to say The Bride by Julie Garwood. This was my gateway into historical romance and I remember the thrill of "sneaking' this from the library when I was 14 :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. The Thorn Birds.

    ReplyDelete
  41. My favorite romance of all time is Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas. I adore tortured heroes, and Derek Craven is one of the best. One of my favorite contemporaries, which I've read again and again, is ...wait for it...Goodnight, Tweetheart. Are you going to write another contemporary soon? The epistolary style was so effective and surprisingly intimate, at least, to me anyway. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Love her books. Prince charming was the one that started it for me.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Congratulations on the new beginning.

    Three books stand out for me as, I guess, being "the ones" that keep me in love with the genre at different stages (as in I read two of them in different cities we lived, and one of them as a 'reminder') and they kept my interest alive: Desiree by Annemarie Selinko, The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Kirkland Revels by Victoria Holt.

    ReplyDelete