About Dorothy McFalls

I live in a small coastal town in South Carolina with my devoted husband. Trained as an urban planner, my first love has always been writing. Ever since I learned how to put pen to paper I was making up stories. Doing something with that love of writing and putting myself out there for others to judge is really hard for me. I know it's hard for others too. That is why I've started this electronic diary. Perhaps my path toward publication will help other aspiring writers know what they are getting into...or at least know they are not alone. Feel free to email me if you're going through this process too!

May 14, 2007. Wow, I'm late posting my monthly update. I do have an excuse, I talked about April on my blog over at MySpace and then didn't do it here. Go figure. :-)

But today is a great day to be doing this update. In exactly one month LADY IONA'S REBELLION will be available for sale!!!

Sadly, April and the beginning of May was filled with various rejection letters. That's the problem with sending things out, it make me vulnerable to rejection. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so in love with the stories I write. It hurts when my babies are deemed "not good enough". But that's the business... And as Mr. Fu in my latest short My Life in Paradise says, "...don't take it personally."

April 4, 2007. LADY SOPHIE'S MIDNIGHT SEDUCTION is a best seller at Whispers Publishing! And it hit #11 in Erotica at Fictionwise.com for a week. Very nice. The ebook is now available at Mobipocket!

In other news, I've been revising, revising, revising. And sending my work out into the big, bad world for editors to read. Something good is coming my way...I can feel it. :-)

I've also started work on another super-sexy Regency. If I can get over the blushes, I'll try to get it finished and out to my editor at Ellora's Cave as soon as possible. Puppy-kisses have been slowing me down lately. Iona is the sweetest little puppy I've ever known. I hope to have a puppy page of her up and running by next month. Stay tuned!

March 4, 2007. **LADY SOPHIE'S MIDNIGHT SEDUCTION will be published on March 9th by Whispers Publishing!**

On a darker note, I got a blistering rejection letter this past month that I thought was a little harsher than it should have been. Rejection sucks. Plain and simple. It sucks.   In fact, it sucked the wind right out of my writing sails. (At least I have my puppy who loves me no matter what.)

February 10, 2007. Well, if you remember from last month, I was working on getting a rough draft of my romantic suspense done by now. It's not done. I've made a big dent in getting it done, but then my small epublisher went through some rough changes, which ended up with me requesting all my rights back for my books. I decided to completely rework one story, which I spent the rest of the month doing. I'm working on finding new homes for the other stories.

**Whispers Publishing is going to publish a reprint of my award-winning erotic Regency, LADY SOPHIE'S MIDNIGHT SEDUCTION!** I signed the contract this week. I don't have a publication date yet, but I do know that the story will be offer for sale through Fictionwise!!

I also heard from an agent this past month. She liked reading THE NUDE (pre-revisions) and requested to read the new version along with a partial of CHASING THE RING. I would love to work with her, so I have my fingers crossed that she likes what I've sent.

And last, but certainly not least, I have a new puppy. She's a beautiful tri-colored Papillon and she's bring tons of joy into my life. Thank you Terri for trusting Iona with us! You can see her picture on my author website.

January 6, 2007! Happy New Year!!! The new year came with a publication date for LADY IONA'S REBELLION. Look for my latest Regency romance (This one is HOT) on June 14, 2007. I know, I know---a whole half-year away. Don't worry, I'll remind you. :-)

December was filled with me finishing up projections. Revisions for THE NUDE and done and it's been mailed to the editor. My fingers are crossed that she loves how I've spiced up that story! I also finished work on my paranormal romance, CHASING THE RING. I hope to have that in the mail on Monday. I made so many changes to it, that I'll have to rewrite the synopsis tomorrow. I hope the editor who requested it still remembers me!

Monday, I start work on a romantic suspense. I hope to have a rough draft done by the end of the month. Writing quickly/messy is a test for me. I'll let you know how it goes.

December 7, 2006. Happy Holidays! Santa came early for me this year. Revisions for LADY IONA'S REBELLION are done!!! The book is with the copy editor right now. Soon, I'll have a publication date. YAY!!

I'm still working on the revisions for THE NUDE. It's going a little slower than I'd hoped. Fingers crossed that they'll all be done by the end of next week, though. A girl has gotta have a goal, right?

I hope everyone's Christmas season is filled with magic and laughter. And lots of great presents. Remember, some of the best gifts cost nothing...like a lover's slow, passionate kiss, a hug from a long lost friend, or an unexpected smile. Give and receive freely this month.

November 8, 2006. November?? How did that happen? Last I looked, it was the beginning of October. And now the year is almost over. I can't believe it! I do have some nice news this month. I have completed the first round of revisions for LADY IONA'S REBELLION. I love this story. Lady Iona is truly an original. Lord Nathan has no idea what he's getting himself into when he sets out to seduce her. LADY IONA'S REBELLION will be released sometime in 2007...stay tuned!!

Also, I have an update on THE NUDE! The editor who had requested the manuscript has asked for revisions. YAY! Looking over the story again, I can see where it can be strengthened. I've learned a lot since I first wrote THE NUDE and can happily say I've grown as a writer. I'm currently working on the revisions and hope to have them done by the end of the month. Wish me luck!

Also, Jim and I are considering getting a Papillon. If you know anything about these cute little dogs, I'd love to hear from you. My email address is above. In the meantime, Happy Holidays!

October 3, 2006. **BREAKING NEWS** LADY IONA'S REBELLION--the long-awaited sequel to THE MARRIAGE LIST will be published by Ellora's Cave/Cerridwen Press!!! I signed the contract today. A publication date has not yet been set, but it will be forthcoming. Unlike the innocent May Sheffers in THE MARRIAGE LIST, Lady Iona gets herself into some hot and sexy trouble. Stay tuned....

Other news...I'm in love with Susan Osborn's CD, REUNION. It's uplifting and all about girl-power. The music has sparked my creative self and my fingers are flying across the keyboard again. I'm closing in on the ending of my paranormal romantic suspense, CHASING THE RING. I'm excited about the prospect of getting it on an editor's desk.

I got an interesting letter from an editor just the other day. She liked what I'd sent her but she didn't have room in her publishing schedule right now. She said she'd keep me in mind when they start buying again. I'll take that! :-)

The first review for MARKED came in yesterday. The reviewer with Just Erotic Romance Reviews called the book "AMAZING!" I'm thrilled!! I'm currently plotting out ideas for my next book in The Protector's series.

The business of writing is an emotional roller coaster. Right now I'm up and enjoying the view.

September 4, 2006. Not much to report this month. I didn't do much writing in August. Have you ever had a punch to the stomach that knocked the air out of your lungs? That's how I've been feeling lately. My concentration is shot. But I haven't given up. I put my time in at the keyboard, working to get something on the page. Just because I don't have much to show for it, it isn't from a lack of trying. Hopefully, I'll have better news next month.

One thing that happened this month, I was poking around Myspace.com and stumbled across Susan Osborn. Her CD has been like comfort for me. I emailed her, telling her that I've been a fan since the 80's. She emailed back immediately with a lovely letter, telling me of a new CD she'd made. Of course I purchased it immediately! I can't wait to hear some of her new work. It's amazing how the Internet makes the world just that much more cozy.

August 22, 2006. This is late. Waayy late. I'm not sure what to say, either. My dad passed away a few weeks ago. Though he'd been sick, it still came as a terrible shock. Having something like this happen in one's life changes everything. It makes everything else I have to say seem meaningless. But since he was one of my most vocal fans, I know he'd be disappointed in me if I didn't make a report. So, with that in mind--even though my heart is heavy--here's what I've been up to in my writing world:

MARKED, the sequel to Neptune's Lair, was released by Venus Press the first week in August. Faith was looking for a one-night stand. What she got was an otherworldly hunk who appears determined to make her into his sex slave. If you enjoy Paranormal Romantic Suspense novels, you might want to give this one a try.

LADY SOPHIE'S MIDNIGHT SEDUCTION (Venus Press, Feb 2006) was nominated by Ecataromance.com for a Reviewer's Choice Award. It didn't win, but it was nice to be nominated.

THE NUDE, my Regency Romantic Suspense that I think deserves to sell, was requested by a publishing house. I have my fingers crossed that it will be published one day.

LADY IONA'S REBELLION, the sequel to The Marriage List, was requested by a publishing house, too. This one is an epub. But they do have a print line, so maybe they'll want to buy it. It's nice to get these requests, though. It means I must be doing something right with the synopsis and first three chapters, right?

July 6, 2006. Got a couple of crushing rejections last month. Sigh. Sometimes I wonder if all the aggravation is worth it. I'm grateful to have published a few works. Very grateful for what has landed in my lap. Who knows what the future will bring?

June 1, 2006. Wow, I have news, and it all happened today! ** Venus Press is publishing my Paranormal Romantic Suspense Novel, THE MARK OF THE LION this fall! It's the sequel to NEPTUNE'S LAIR and is part of their mystical signs series.** More on that book later...

Also, The Road to Romance website has picked my erotic Regency, Lady Sophie's Midnight Seduction, as a recommended read for this month! I'm thrilled.

Writing-wise, I plodding along with CHASING THE RING, a paranormal romantic suspense that has been requested by two publishing houses. I really need to get it finished. I keep going back over what I've written and--well--it's not good enough. I'm not going to send it anywhere until I'm happy with it though. So, I'm plodding. Sometimes I just want to throw my hands in the air and say "forget it". There is something about this book that is making it not get written. I can't figure it out. But I WILL write it...eventually.

I'm still reading up a storm on my Cybook. It's been making reading easier for me since I can make the fonts LARGE. The print in those old-fashioned paperback books is too small for a constant reader.

Other than the sale of THE MARK OF THE LION. There's been no news on the publishing front. I hope my projects get read soon. I'd love for my Regency-set romances to find homes soon. If you can spare it, send me some luck.

May 9, 2006. The Huntress will be released from Venus Press tomorrow. Yay! But I'm here to talk about April. I spent most of April working on a sequel to Neptune's Lair and The Foundling. This is Horace's story and I think it's pretty sexy. I put a few surprises in there, too. It's due Friday to the editor and I've got a few last minute touch ups to do before I send it.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the editors and agents who have my work. Sometimes I feel like I'm sending my work out into a black hole, but I know that' s not true. I have to be patient, but it's hard when I have 2 worthy Regency Romances that are waiting to be read!!

My birthday was last week, and my parents gave me a Cybook, so I can take my favorite ebooks everywhere, or read in bed without having to turn on the light. I love this gadget! And have been reading up a storm.

April 6, 2006. Wow, March was an exciting month! My first contemporary suspense, Neptune's Lair, was released by Venus Press!! I'm biting my nails waiting for the reviews to come in. Reviews for my erotic Regency, Lady Sophie's Midnight Seduction, have been glowing. Talk about a nice ego boost.

Titan Press has pushed up the release date for my full-length romantic suspense, THE HUNTRESS. It will be coming out on or near May 16. I'm looking forward to the publication of this book. For those of you who have been following this blog, you know why! It's been close to publication a couple of times now. I look forward to it finally finding its way to print.

I have spent much of last month sending my work out there. I haven't heard anything from anybody. Hopefully April or May will bring some good news for my poor unpublished manuscripts.

As you may have noticed, I don't have a new short story for you. I hope to have one finished by June. I've been busy with new releases, learning the ins and outs of ebook promotion, working on a fantasy that is giving me a devil of a time being written, and working on a couple of projects/edits for Venus Press.   Once these are done, I'll get the short story finished and posted...I promise. In the meantime, give one of my ebooks a try. They aren't that expensive and I assure you they will entertain!

Oh, I almost forgot! THE MARRIAGE LIST won 3rd place in the Reviewers International Organization Award of Excellence for Best Short Historical!!!

March 3, 2006. Okay, my fingers have been crossed for so long they are beginning to cramp! I'm still waiting to hear back from the agent about Lady Iona's story. Hopefully, she'll love it. Please let her love it!

I've finished the revisions for Neptune's Lair, which will be released this month by Venus Press! And am beginning work on it's sequel, which is slated for an August release. In other news, THE HUNTRESS might get pushed up in the schedule and be released this year. That would so great!! I love that story and I hope you will, too!!!

One other piece of good news, Lady Sophie's Midnight Seduction hit #6 on Venus Press's best-seller's list for February! I think that's pretty amazing seeing how it was only released on February 22.

February 2, 2006. I sent a newly revised and much hotter version of Lady Iona's story to the agent who'd expressed some interest in the story. Fingers crossed that she likes what she reads! I was really impressed by her when she called the beginning of last month (of course I probably sounded like a ninny, I had the stomach flu at the time. Urg!) Other news, Luna books liked the first 3 chapters of my fantasy and would like to read the whole thing. Umm...I suppose I need to write it now. :-)

I finished the first round of revisions for Lady Sophie's Midnight Seduction. It was a pretty painless process. I was given a sharp editor from Venus Press and that made all the difference in the world. I'm grateful! Hopefully Neptune's Lair will go as smoothly.

January 23, 2006. ** Breaking News: electronic format publisher, Titan Press, is publishing my romantic action-adventure THE HUNTRESS!!! The release date will be sometime in 2007. ** I have some other news, but I'll leave that for the regular update. It's been a busy, busy month!!

January 6, 2006. **Breaking News: Venus Press is publishing my Paranormal Romantic Suspense Novella, NEPTUNE'S LAIR, in March 2006 as part of their mystical signs series.** It's a steamy love story.

Spunky Dallas St. John wants the perfect life and to get it she needs the perfect job. So what is she doing kissing a complete stranger in an alleyway when she's late for her interview for that once-in-a-life-time opportunity? She must be losing it, but oh what a delicious way to go down. A fortune teller has warned her that loving a Pisces would be dangerous. The woman didn't know the half of it. Not only has getting involved with this hunky sex god thrown her career goals off-track, it's thrown her world upside down. She's having sexual escapades in her sleep. Her new lover is taking control of her in the bedroom. And an unworldly force is threatening to devour her soul. What's a girl to do, but enjoy the ride!

January 2, 2006!! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Several months without much news and then December comes. I am writing this from on the ceiling (that's where I've been floating for the past several days). I found out last week that THE MARRIAGE LIST is a 2005 Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Nominee for Best Regency Romance of the year!! Yipee!! I'm honored and humbled that my debut novel has been recognized in this way.

I wrote like a fiend over the holidays on a super secret project. (It's super sexy, too.) It's on my editor's desk as I write this. Hold your breath! It *might* get published! (I say as I blush deeply.)

And one more thing, a super agent called me today!! She liked the partial I sent her. Keep your fingers crossed that she likes the rest of the book. I'm going to do a little editing and then drop it in the mail to her.