Exciting Times Ahead!

Thanks to Facebook's "On This Day," Deek realized he'd been working on The Extractor for a year now.

Our process is creatively dumping the story in about three to four months and then spending a good six to nine self-editing. When Deek finished self-editing, he sent it over to me, and I performed a content edit. Now he's almost done with his revisions based on my notes, and then he'll send it Anya Kagan at Touchstone Editing for her review. Once he's implemented her changes, he'll send it back to me for line edits. Whew! Sounds exhausting? It can be, but we love the process!!

And after all that...he'll be ready to submit to agents!

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I personally think this story is unique and intriguing enough to warrant agent attention. And that's not just a proud wife talking (though I am that); it's an editor who has seen a lot of submissions and worked on a lot projects.

It's geeky and sci-fi--yes, plenty of that goodness--but it raises interesting questions about who we are and what makes us, well, us.

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And I am SO thrilled to announce that Deek's publisher, Tenacious Books Publishing, will be releasing an audio book of Birth of An American Gigolo on May 15! Y'all, they picked an AMAZING voice actor who totally captured the essence of Lindsey and the rest of the crew. A big thank you and shout out to Crystal at Femme Vocale! 

For those who love Sam Bradford and the 122 Rules saga, don't worry, Book 2 is in the works and should be out in 2019! There may even be a new cover for Book 1, from none other than the supremely talent Anita Carroll! Although, I do like what she did with the first cover, she and Deek have some smashing ideas for a revamp!

122 Rules Original cover

As for me, I've got my sci-fi, The Transhuman Project, out with some agents and am waiting to hear back. Y'all, the writing world is a serious test of patience. I'm not a good waiter, but I'm trying to be. I also got some awesome feedback from a stellar agent about Restore To Me. I'm working on implementing those changes, and hopefully something will come of that in the near future. 

The Transhuman Project's inspiration photo

Right now, I'm also working on an editing project through the Rhewbix Cube deal. If you haven't heard of it, take a gander here. You'll have the chance to work with Anya, Anita, and me, and we'll make sure you have a book ready to be published, formatting and all, by the end of the process.

Take advantage of the Rhewbix Cube deal!

Exciting times are ahead for the Rhews! We're cranking out books just as fast as we can while keeping quality in mind. But sure to stay tuned...and hang on for the ride! ;) 

Random notation: I've noticed that the longer I've been with Deek, the bigger my smile gets. I think in the beginning, I was still trying to figure out if a man could *actually* be as awesome, thoughtful, and wonderful as he seemed. But now, I know he really and truly is that amazing and more. Just a fun observation I had of late. Man, do I love me some Deek Rhew. I'm the luckiest girl in the world! 

If I smile any bigger, I'm going to break my face.

This man makes me happier than I ever dreamed I could be!

Heads Down

Hey, y'all! I've been heads down lately working on an editing project on my Erin Rhew Editing and Design side as well as finishing up my latest book to be pitched on #PitMad!

I am pleased to say I have finally finished the Molly and Ryder story, and it finally has a name--THE TRANSHUMAN PROJECT! Woot!! I have always been a huge sci-fi person, so I'm thrilled to have a sci-fi book ready for the world to see. And when I pitched on #PitMad, I got some hits, so I'm thrilled about that! YAY!

Here's the image I imagine for The Transhuman Project!

Both Deek and I have been buried in projects. He's working on The Injector, the sequel to The Extractor. He's almost done with the "creative vomit," and then he'll start the long, arduous process of editing. I finished The Transhuman Project, and I've decided that I'll rewrite Restore To Me from solely the women's perspective. So, that's the next thing I'm tackling.

But though we've been busy writing, we haven't forgone all the fun! Here's some of the shenanigans we've been up to lately.

Recently it was International Women's Day, 

so I had to give props to these and all the other AMAZING women in my life!

We had a warm snap, so I could work outside in our three-season room with this little nugget.

Blooming trees and a bird's nest...spring is almost here.

Although, they are forecasting snow this weekend. <insert pout>

Trinity LOVES her Daddy. She's *such* a Daddy's girl!

Who can say no to this face?!?

Thanks to generous gift cards, Deek and I were able to get a much-needed couple's massage.

I got a new sign for my desk. "Sweatpants Zone" represent.

When you wake up and look like a pineapple. #ShortHairProblems

The latest books to be released by Tenacious Books Publishing!

Aren't they purty?

Deek got free tickets to a hockey game from his work. 

It included a VIP parking pass and a food voucher.

 So, naturally, we got nachos with said food voucher.

I may be lactose intolerant, but I can't resist nachos!

Spring is coming, y'all! I'm so thankful to have schlogged through another winter and made it to the other side! So, I'll leave you with this beautiful thought...

Da beach...

So This Is Christmas...

Hey y'all!! Deek and I have been crazy busy, so the blog is a little lacking. I got a last minute, end-of-the-year editing project, and I'm been heads down focusing on that amidst the normal Christmas fray. Meanwhile, Deek has bee busy editing my still nameless Molly and Ryder story!

But I'm happy to report that we are completely done with our Christmas shopping (and came in *under* budget--YAY Dave Ramsey)! So, now we can relax and enjoy the holiday festivities until the Big Day arrives.

We went on a holiday lights tour and had a blast!

This will be my first Christmas without PaPa, and I must admit, I'm having trouble getting into the jolliness of the season. See, not only is PaPa gone but things are changing because of it. Our annual family Christmas Day gathering will be no more. Thanksgiving and Easter will be at someone else's house, if they continue at all. All these traditions which so defined my childhood, my life, are slipping away. I've always partially defined myself by the big ole, loving Southern family I come from. Without spending time with them at every holiday, a big part of me is changing, forever altered. I know I'll still see them, but it will be different. I'm usually one who can roll with change pretty well, but I'm having trouble adjusting to this particular one.

Add about a hundred more people, and that's my family...

I hope and pray that the generation before me (my mom's generation) will keep the family gatherings and traditions alive. I'm thankful to my Aunt Tammy and my I-don't-even-know-what-level cousin Marion for offering their homes to ensure the family celebrates Christmas Eve together as we always have. They're stepping up, and I'm beyond grateful that not everything died alongside PaPa. He would be proud of his baby girl for keeping the family together at Christmas. So, a big PaPa thumbs-up to Tammy! <3

Isn't my aunt purty? And my PaPa...oh my PaPa...

Deek and I set aside a budget for Christmas adventures, and we've been enjoying that random sprinkling of fun inside the holiday bustle. We've been keeping up regular traditions and adding news ones as we find them. This is wonderful time of year for traditions, and we're big on that! :)

We miss Portland, so we're trying to get a downtown experience in the South.

It's so not the same, but it'll do for now.

Deek and I got coffee and had a walking Christmas lights date!

Got to sit on the Big Man's lap and make my Christmas wish.

I asked him to keep my whole big family together for the holidays, and he said he'd do his best!

Thanks, Santa!

My hubster surprised me with a lunch date.

I LOVE spending time with this amazing man, y'all!

And we've been checking out Christmas lights at all the local "best spots."

We saw some that have been featured on TV!

Even Shakespeare got in on the lights action!

I don't know if I'll post again before Christmas, or even the week after Christmas since Deek has the whole week off (SQUEE), but I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!! If you lost someone precious this year, I feel your pain and sorrow. I really and truly do. But gather those you still have into your arms and squeeze them extra tight. Because when you strip away the tinsel, lights, and gifts, Christmas is about family and love. So love on that family of yours with all your might.

And I'll be over here loving on mine. My parents, my Mema, my immediate family, my big ole extended family, and my beloved, beloved Deek! Despite the pain of losing PaPa, I know I'm epically blessed to have my family and Deek's family so full and present in our lives. And that joy will glow inside me--past the pain, past the hustle and bustle--forever!

This man, y'all. This amazing, astounding, out-of-this-world man!

No matter what's going on, we always find a way to laugh.

I love you, my Deek. Now and #always!

Until next time...Happiest of Holidays from our family to yours! 

It's Fall, Y'all!

<blinks and looks around, confused> Hello, everyone! I've emerged from the editing cave and am back for a brief stint between projects. It's nice to be here with you lovely folks, especially since the Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster have been my constant companions lately. Y'all are way more interesting. ;)

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So, you know I love summer. I'm a summer girl through and through (give me warm beaches any day). But I do enjoy the beautiful colors and the activities of fall, particularly in October. I have set down my trusty style guides a few times this month to participate in some of the festivities.

First up, Deek and I bought tickets to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's Soul 2 Soul tour over a year ago. We bought them before our 2nd anniversary to celebrate our 3rd anniversary (see how forward thinking we are? LOL!). For those who don't remember our wedding posts, Tim and Faith sing "our" song, and we couldn't pass up the chance to see them sing it in person!! Needless to say, we've held on to these tickets and anticipated the event for a looonnnngg time. And it *finally* came.

At the concert. We were *so* excited!!

Steve Moakler opened for Tim and Faith.

He co-wrote the song "Riser," and he sang it that night. 

We loved it so much and thought it very much went with us and our personalities. 

He sold the song rights to Dierks Bentley. If you haven't heard it, I totally recommend the listen!

Steve asked everyone to light their phones during a ballad. 

The WHOLE stadium lit up in this amazing way. SO beautiful!

Steve said it was the single best moment of his performance career so far.

They sang "our" song.

I may have cried and cheered my little heart out.

I am SO thankful to be married to this wonderful man, and I love celebrating our love!

Our "we saw Tim and Faith" faces...

Deek and I have been able to sneak away from our deadlines and have fun on a few dates too! 

We walked and talked, hand in hand, for about 6 miles.

So nice to get out in nature, clear the mind, and recenter.

Gorgeous scenery.

Who needs a pint of beer when you can have a pint of bacon??

And we went to one of my most favorite events in the world...the State Fair! 

On the bus to the fair!

I'm so freakin' excited!

Deek is Superman.

Shhhhh....

Selfies at a local radio booth!

Clearly, we're not cut out for beekeeping!

Lately, I'm obsessed with the Day of the Dead stuff.

How awesome is this cake?!?

Y'all, I can't tell you how thankful I am that I get to share this life with Deek. He's always excited to participate in all type of event, and we always have the very best time together. Dates and experiences don't have to cost a lot, or anything at all, to be fun. It's all about time spent with the person you love. I adore that Deek understands that and makes the most out of every moment we have together. I love you, my Deek! Now and #always! 

And the festivities keep continuing, so stay tuned!! Next time, I'll talk about parties and festivals! Until then, stay boo-tiful and creep it real! <3

Writerly Rhews

In the crazy hubbub of life, sometimes writing time gets wonky. Deek and I have been going, going, going of late, and our writing has suffered. I've been working on Molly and Ryder...well...for a long time. But for this iteration of their story, I started a year ago. WUT? Apparently. Eep!

And I'd only gotten to about 25,000 words. To be fair, I opened my freelance editing and design business, started working for another small press, and maintained all my BookFish duties. So, as much as my characters have been clawing to get out of my brain, they've been rather stuck.

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But I got a little free time this week after I wrapped up a bunch of big projects, and guess what? 

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I DOUBLED by word count in just a few days. The ideas, which had been start/stop and piecemeal, just started flowing. And flowing. And flowing. I'm almost done with the rough draft of this story that's dogged me for a long time. AND, it's *finally* right. I've written and rewritten it, and it's never been quite there. But now it is. How did that happen?!?

Anyway, this is how I feel about all that...

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Meanwhile, Deek is working through the first round of I-finished-my-rough-draft edits on The Extractor. We pitched the idea to some folks at Cape Fear Comic Con, and he got a *huge* amount of interest. So, he's pushing hard to get his first round of self-editing done quickly so he can do his second round of self-edits, get it me, then send it to Anya, and then start submitting to agents!!

I am SO proud of my hubby! This story is unique, and his writer voice is unlike any I've ever read. That's a pretty stellar combination!

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For those waiting to hear news on Restore To Me, my historical fiction, you can wait impatiently with me. LOL! Nothing moves quickly in the writing world, but I've got some agent and publisher interest. So...we wait.

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In non-writer related news, please keep my MeMa in your thoughts and prayers. Today would have been her 63rd wedding anniversary with PaPa. It's also the first PaPa-less first, one of many we'll experience as we navigate the first year of this strange world without him.

As much as I miss him, I know she misses him exponentially more. Smile down bright on your lovely bride today, PaPa. We miss you and love you always!

Their 50th Wedding Anniversary

In world news, Deek and I got to witness the eclipse. I know I've seen one before in my lifetime (I've had to, right?). I even remember making one of the pinhole boxes in school, but I can't remember actually seeing the eclipse. So, this time Deek and I made sure we did! It was AMAZING!

I played Juliet in high school and performed her again in college--AND I voluntarily took a ridonk amount of Shakespeare classes in college--so naturally some lines from the great bard's Romeo and Juliet popped into my head...

"Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, 

Who is already sick and pale with grief, 

That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. 

Be not her maid, since she is envious; 

Her vestal livery is but sick and green 

And none but fools do wear it; cast it off."

There is a Shakespeare line for almost any moment. ;) 

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Until next time, read, write, and live out loud!!

Where Is Erin?

Did you ever read Where's Waldo or play Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? I feel a little like it's been "where's Erin" in the social media world lately. Well, I have an answer. Deek and I moved!

Again? Yep. And this time, we're staying in one place for a while. Putting down roots.

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You may remember that Deek and I had no interest in ever owning a home again. We love the footloose and fancy-free renter's life...BUT we have dreams of a vagabond lifestyle in the future. While we would love for our writing and my editing business to foot the bill for that future life, we are realistic and understand we need to plan for it. Enter homeownership (ie: our savings plan for the future).

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Since we were reluctant to dip our toe into the homeownership world, we decided to go halfsies and get a town home. It's part renter life, part home owner life. And it provides us both financial and time freedom. We are active and like to do and explore, and the low cost (less than rent--woot!) and low maintenance of a town home allows us to really live like we want to.

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So, where has Erin been? Moving! Is she still surrounded by boxes? Nope. Deek and I worked hard and got everything set up. We've been here approximately a week and have already had an overnight houseguest and thrown a luncheon for Deek's work friends. So, we've already started living in this home we've purchased together. 

You'll likely see Deek and me back on social media very soon. We have some exciting adventures lined up in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Until next time, live out loud!

Cray-zee Up In Here

Y'all, it's cray-zee up in here. I'm doing projects for BookFish Books, Tenacious Books, and Erin Rhew Editing and Design. All the books release between May and August, so I'm racing around like a mad woman. Several of the deadline bump right up against one another, and some have been pushed up due to scheduling conflicts with the cover artist or author's work/summer plans. GAH! <breaths in a bag>

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Today is the ONLY day I'm in between projects, so I thought I'd drop in and say hello to my amazing blog readers and friends. Ok, to catch you up on other goings-on.

In Super News: I was asked to be a guest author at the Raleigh SuperCon! I'm so excited to be signing books and hosting panels on fantasy and sci-fi topics. Deek will also be there, and he's hosting a panel on virtual reality, which ties into the theme of his latest book!

RESTORE TO ME: My historical fiction novel is under full manuscript review by several agents. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of them picks it up because this book is extra special to me. I started writing this story a long time ago (we won't say how long), and my friend Joe Willson was my "go to" person for information on the time period. Two years ago, Joe passed away from cancer. It's our last project together, and I'd really like to see it go somewhere. I want people to read the dedication and understand that the world lost an amazing light when Joe left. 

In fact, if you're so inclined, I encourage you to donate to the Melanoma Research Foundation (if you want to make your donation in Joe's honor, I'd be so grateful).

Tenacious Books: I am in the final stages of designing the print version of The Coven by Chrissy Lessey for Tenacious Books Publishing! I'm so stoked with how it turned out! Here's a sneak peek...

By the way, if you've already read the old version of The Coven, it's totally different now. Not only does it have a rockin' new cover but it's been through major edits. You'll enjoy a whole new story the second time around, so don't forget to pick up the new copy! You already know Chrissy is an amazing author, so now you can see her at her finest! 

BookFish Books: We have two new adult releases coming up--one in May and one in July! I love both of these authors and their writing styles, so I'm super stoked!

She Wants It All by Jessica Calla (my FAVORITE book boyfriend of Jess' yet!!)

and 

Meet Me Under The Stars by K.D. Proctor

(one word...Nate)

Deek: Let me just start out by saying I am the luckiest woman in the whole world. Deek is THE BEST man I've ever met. He's just tops. I can't say enough good things about him because there aren't enough words that exist in the world. He's THAT awesome! 

I'm SO proud of him for completing his rough draft for his sci-fi novel, eXtractors! You can read all about how he wrote himself an editorial letter (before he lets me and Anya get our hands on it)! 

Pictures: You know I always have to include some pictures from our life, so here they are! ;) 

At least the working environment isn't too shabby...

And I'm not lonely.

Goofing off at Rocket Fizz. 

The first one I ever went to was in Portland, so it's a little piece of the Pacific Northwest in the South.

May the 4th Be With You!

Date Night!

This man, y'all, this MAN! I epically adore him and love every minute we spend together!