FIRST PLACE WINNER! What the Clocks Know

I'm ridiculously excited to announce that this weekend, my last novel, What the Clocks Know, won first place in General Fiction for the 2017 Red City Review Awards!

You can see the full list of winners in each genre here: http://redcityreview.com/2017-winners/

And here's some of what Red City Review had to say in their 5-star review:

"Rumer Haven presents a twisted paranormal story in her latest novel. Keeping to a small-foiled cast, Haven features Margot, a young woman whose vulnerable state is intensified by her paranormal experiences. . . . A unique approach to Haven’s writing style is her use of red herrings. Taking advantage of her principal character’s vulnerability, Haven keeps her audience often confused as they are trying to figure out if Margot is suffering from a mental condition, is really experiencing the paranormal, or both. By using this literary tool, Haven is able to not only produce a consistent narrative flow, but also provide a flurry of unexpected character scenes up to and including the story’s close. What the Clocks Know offers paranormal enthusiasts a refreshingly gripping yet keenly deceptive read."

They also previously had this to say about Seven for a Secret:

"An intriguing tale that twists together the paranormal with a witty rom-com, Seven For a Secret is both a ghost story and a romantic escapade. . . . By pairing the modern-day story with intriguing elements from the 1920s, including ghosts and tantalizing trysts, Haven crafts a spellbinding plot that is sure to keep readers enraptured. . . . The story unspools at the perfect pace, layering more and more upon the reader as they move along the narrative. The comparisons that are drawn up between how women were treated in the early twentieth century to how they are viewed in the modern era is an especially fascinating element of the book which the author pulls off quite well. By blending genres of romance, historical fiction, and the supernatural, Haven pulls readers into her story with ease, as her talent for constructing such a juicy novel displays itself readily in every chapter."

You can find the full reviews here:

What the Clocks Know 
http://redcityreview.com/reviews/what-the-clocks-know-by-rumer-haven/

Seven for a Secret 
http://redcityreview.com/reviews/seven-for-a-secret-by-rumer-haven/

Thank you, dear readers, for your constant support!

Madness to the Method, Part 1: The Brainstorm

In a previous post, I shared the random freewriting that planted the seed of a story several years ago. At the time, though, I had no clue what sort of plot I could shape around that and never believed that I'd ever have enough ideas (or time) to seriously write a novel-length fiction. Freely written vignettes were more my thing back then and are still what greatly help dislodge ideas from my scattered brain so I can find some cohesion among them on paper if I can't in my mind.

My brainstorming process isn't pretty. I admit it. But the only way I can write is to write everything down that swarms inside my fool head. I wrote my two manuscripts on the computer, but they both started out as pen-to-paper scraps of ideas, which I wrote on literal scraps as well.

The photo above is where my novel Seven for a Secret was born: character profiles jotted on the back of my husband's resume at Cafe Nero in London, popular 1920s names listed on hotel stationary in Singapore, the catalyst and its ripple effect on different characters scratched onto a torn piece of paper who knows where, and the draft plot outline, key questions, and possible scenarios scribbled into a notebook at a cafe in the French Alps.

Yeah, it probably all sounds very Hemingway and romantic, the expat writer crafting her stories in foreign cafes and hotels when she's not at her typewriter up in a garret, smoking and sipping absinthe all the while, but the reality isn't all that quaint (or substance-abusing). My creative process is messy and mental and just plain mean to me sometimes.

And the lame reason why I ended up alone and able to outline my entire tale in the Alpine village of Val d'Isere is because I don't ski. While everyone else went frolicking into the majestic mountains to flaunt their athletic awesomeness, I needed something to do at loser--I mean, lower elevation. Hot toddies were certainly in order, but my mind was too restless to even read. So, pictured here is the pretty (cheap) lil' journal I bought in a small shop that day, documenting that I outlined my story in early 2011.

And over three years later...huh. Let's just say I've never been so happy that I don't partake in winter sports. :)

Please DO Judge a Book by its Cover! #CoverWars

Let's get ready to rrrRUMBLE!

What the Clocks Know is duking it out in the Cover Wars this week. Though more than one person has asked (oddly enough), no, that's not a photo of my back. Crooked Cat Publishing and GoOnWrite.com get all the credit for this image; all I did was choose it from so many lovely options offered. But I couldn't be prouder to throw it into the ring. Though they say you can't judge a book by its cover, this one truly couldn't suit the story better.

If anyone's keen to vote, here's the link: http://authorshout.com/cover-wars/

Please share and vote every day if you want! And by week's end, may all my worthy contenders be a little slug-nutty from the Clocks cold-cock. ;)

(Ooh, them's fightin' words!)

#99c this weekend! What the Clocks Know #OneClick

Yessiree, through this weekend only, What the Clocks Know is on sale for only $0.99 / £0.99! Here's what reviewers have to say so far:

"A unique tale of the paranormal―as beautiful as it is haunting."―Shani Struthers, author of Jessamine and the Psychic Surveys series (★★★★★)

"It's not unusual to find a ghost story couched in the broader tale of a lifestyle change; but what brings What the Clocks Know to real spooky life is its ability to timeslip the protagonist between Victorian and modern London to enter different worlds that each serve as a microcosm of love, hate, and everything in between. . . . [A] powerful novel packed with eye-opening imagery and tales of spirits dead, alive, and evolving. . . . The entire production is a gripping read, highly recommended for ghost story enthusiasts, timeslip novel readers, and anyone who likes romance and powerful protagonists facing unexpected circumstances."―D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review (★★★★★)

"Rumer Haven presents a twisted paranormal story in her latest novel. . . . A unique approach to Haven's writing style is her use of red herrings. Taking advantage of her principal character's vulnerability, Haven keeps her audience often confused as they are trying to figure out if Margot is suffering from a mental condition, is really experiencing the paranormal, or both. By using this literary tool, Haven is able to not only produce a consistent narrative flow, but also provide a flurry of unexpected character scenes up to and including the story's close. What the Clocks Know offers paranormal enthusiasts a refreshingly gripping yet keenly deceptive read."―Red City Review (★★★★★)

"Traveling between Victorian and 21st century London, this is a thoughtful and well plotted suspense/ghost story"―Rosemary S, Librarian, NetGalley (★★★★)

So, snatch up some ghostly goodness for yourself or gift it to a friend using Amazon's "Give as a Gift" feature!

  

Amazon US

 Amazon UK 

 

Inspirations-n-Things for @RumerHaven's #NewRelease!

Hello, hello, my darlings! I have released my second novel and lived to tell about it!

In fact, I've been yacking about it all over the place, thanks to the gracious authors who've hosted me at their blogs. Today, I'd like to give them all a shout-out for sharing assorted tidbits about What the Clocks Know and yours truly:

Miriam Drori - "Easter Eggs"

Nicki Elson - London Settings

Cherie Colyer - Story Soundtrack

Emma G. Hunter - Personal Inspirations

Tim (T.E.) Taylor - Literary Inspirations

Sarah Allan - Cinematic Inspirations

Nancee Cain - Dream Cast

Shani Struthers - Cemetery Scene Excerpt

Ailsa Abraham - Ouija Scene Excerpt

Aubrey Wynne - Random Author Facts #1

Kishan Paul - Random Author Facts #2

Most recently, I've been invited to talk about my writing challenges, fears, and advice at a fellow Crooked Cat Publishing author's blog:

Margaret K. Johnson - Write Despite...

For even one of these authors to acknowledge me is an honor, let alone this delightful dozen! Thanks are also in order for the multitude of authors and book bloggers who shared the release news, including:

Beck Valley Books

Jeff Gardiner

Jennifer Lane

Feather Stone 

Book Partners in Crime

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents
Abibliophobia Anonymous Book Reviews
Perfect at Midnight
Em & M Books
Addiction to Reading
Alpha Queen’s Book Obsession
Bobbie's Book Blog and Reviews
Books and Authors
Books are Love
Books and Warpaint
Danielle's Domain
Evermore Books
Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog
BookSkater
Here is what I read
Indie Impressions
J.C. Clark
Jude Ouvrard
Just the Write Stuff
love to read romance books
Magic of Books
Naughty Book Eden
Nerdy, Dirty and Flirty
Nicole’s Book Musings
Read Review Repeat
Reading Drinking and Relaxing
Real Talk Book Talk
Satins Bookish Corner
Smut Fanatics Book Blog
Spreading The Word
Tea Time and Books
Those Crazy Book Chicks
Traci Hayden
Warrior Woman Winmill
The Hoarding Readers Corner
Sweet N Sassy Book A Holics
Little Shop of Readers
Deal Sharing Aunt
A Good Book Can Change Your View For Life

Thank you, BOOK PARTNERS IN CRIME PROMOTIONS for rallying the vast majority of those bloggers on my behalf! You were tremendous to work with for this launch.

And, finally, cheers to the authors who co-hosted and/or offered giveaways for one marathon of an online launch party! I lasted about 15 hours to accommodate time zones on either side of the pond and could've never done it without you:

Miriam Drori

Ailsa Abraham

Sue Barnard

Nancy Jardine

Angela Wren

Nicki Elson

Emma Mooney

Shani Struthers

Feather Stone

Vanessa Knipe

Nancee Cain

 Beck Anderson

Jennifer & Morgan Locklear

Sending a big, sloppy *MWAH* to you all!

NEW BOOK RELEASE! What the Clocks Know, by Rumer Haven

AVAILABLE MARCH 18!

Released March 18, 2016

Paranormal Women's Fiction

Crooked Cat Publishing

~ * ~

Summary:
Twenty-six-year-old Margot sets out on a journey of self-discovery – she dumps her New York boyfriend, quits her Chicago job, and crashes at her friend’s flat in London.

Rather than find herself, though, she only feels more lost. An unsettling energy affects her from the moment she enters the old Victorian residence, and she spirals into depression. Frightened and questioning her perceptions, she gradually suspects her dark emotions belong to Charlotte instead.

Who is Charlotte? The name on a local gravestone could relate to Margot’s dreams and the grey woman weeping at the window.

Finding a ghost isn't what she had in mind when she went ‘soul searching’, but somehow Margot's future may depend on Charlotte's past.

Woven between 21st century and Victorian London, What the Clocks Know is a haunting story of love and identity.

** Add it! **

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29368003-what-the-clocks-know

** Read it! **

Amazon US - http://amzn.to/21DZoCw

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/1QsiFfr

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1Qsj1Tr

iBooks - http://apple.co/1QsjaWS

Kobo - http://bit.ly/1QsiQre

Smashwords - http://bit.ly/1Qsj69I

~ * ~

Author Bio:

Rumer Haven is probably the most social recluse you could ever meet. When she’s not babbling her fool head off among friends and family, she’s pacified with a good story that she’s reading, writing, or revising—or binge-watching something on Netflix. A former teacher hailing from Chicago, she presently lives in London with her husband and probably a ghost or two. Rumer has always had a penchant for the past and paranormal, which inspires her writing to explore dimensions of time, love, and the soul. She debuted in 2014 with Seven for a Secret (in which a Jazz Age tragedy haunts a modern woman’s love life), and her award-winning short story “Four Somethings & a Sixpence” (about a bride who gets a little something she didn’t register for) was released in 2015. What the Clocks Know is her second novel.

Learn more about Rumer at:
Website - http://www.rumerhaven.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/rumerhaven
Twitter - @RumerHaven

The Cat's Out of the Bag...

I feel like the cat that got the cream these days. On the same day that I celebrated Seven for a Secret's anniversary, I signed on with Crooked Cat Publishing for my next romantic paranormal novel, What the Clocks Know!

This manuscript has been such a labor of love. It was actually the first novel I wrote--before Seven for a Secret--and as it saw me through the tough transition of my international relocation, it became a very personal endeavor. After years of revision, I am elated for it to finally see the light of day in early 2016! And working with Crooked Cat has already been such a pleasure. Truly the cat's meow!

 

Jane's Addiction (My Addiction to Jane Austen, Rather)

(Somehow snapping a photo of the table like some creepy voyeur through the window felt less tacky than doing so inside the museum. I don't know, I work in mysterious ways.)

Making one of my usual literary pilgrimages in the UK, I visited Jane Austen's house in Chawton, Hampshire over the bank holiday weekend, where I gushed like a school girl over her writing table, the modest wooden surface on which Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion were written (and Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey revised). I then had the audacity to let it remind me of the far less accomplished short stories and essays I used to write at my little bistro table in the window of my Chicago studio apartment during grad school--one of which was a precursor to the novel manuscript I'm currently revising. Will have to possess the diligence, patience, and humility of Jane to see where that one ends up. :)

My gratitude to the Jane Austen's House Museum, at any rate, for a meaningful visit. Not only did I see the table where such great works were created, but I saw (and shamelessly bought a replica of!) the turquoise and gold ring that Kelly Clarkson bought at auction and would've taken out of the country if the museum hadn't bought it back, and I spoke with Jane's great-great-nephew in the drawing room; he seemed delighted that I was staying in the old garden cottage of his family's historic estate, where the same hedges grow that Jane would've strolled by. The ultimate past-meets-present experience that I shall be over the moon about for some time, reveling in the awesome that is Austen.

Taking the air with a turn about the garden. Dear me, if only I'd packed my good bonnet.

What a Coinky-Dink!

This spring, I finally got around to dusting off an old manuscript--my first novel attempt--and getting down to some serious revisions. After two more read-throughs this past week, I'm feeling really good about it. Granted, I once felt really good about my earlier drafts, too, which just the thought of now makes me criiiinge. But room for improving is infinite, so while I'll always be aspiring for that as a writer, I think I've got this little gal ready to query again.

This story is close to my heart for very personal reasons, but also because it indulges concepts that have always met my fancy. Ghosts, séances, déjà vu, synchronicity... I'm a total sucker for coincidences, always hoping to find connections between them even though it's perfectly plausible that they just happen at random. The human mind is such fertile ground for misperception and the consequences of when we see things the wrong way...or perhaps when we view them the right way but question our own memories and judgment.

In any case, I love crazy coincidences, like one Father's Day when my brother was talking about going to a ball game in Cleveland and how the fans kept singing "Hang on Sloopy," which we Illinoisans furrowed our brows at, wondering what the hell significance that song had for Cleveland or the state of Ohio; my dad didn't even know the song, and I said how I hadn't heard it in ages. And then...my other brother gave my dad a speaker to pimp out his TV, and to test it, he turned on one of those TV music channels, which...yes. Was playing "Hang on Sloopy," along with a factoid on the screen about how Ohio adopted it as its state song in the '80s. That is not a "meaningful" coincidence to me, per se, but still. Come ON. That's weird, right?

I notice things like this so much that I once started writing them down to see if I'd ever find a pattern among them. But I stopped that habit, before I could become a crazy lady with maps and articles taped to the walls and a web-work of yarn tacked between them as if it would one day all come together like the end of an M. Night Shyamalan movie.

So that being said, I'm reading nothing into what happened today. It simply makes me happy that after pouring my mind and heart back into the story of a character who loves coincidences, too, today on the Tube ride to the British Book Affair here in London, I cracked open my book of JD Salinger short stories right to an old favorite, "For Esme with Love and Squalor," and the very first sentence ended with "in England on April 18th."

In England on April 18th. Yes, I am.

Cheers, Margot. Here's to coincidence and querying.

SEVEN FOR A SECRET Blog Tour!

Well, folks, so far all is running according to sheh-jule...
(*fingers crossed*)

SEVEN FOR A SECRET is through its copy edit and pending the proofread, but the ARC is ready, the cover reveal is August 5th, and, if all goes to plan, the release date should be August 12th.

In the meantime, my publicist has put the call out for book bloggers to participate in the BLOG TOUR!

(click above for sign-up)

I know I keep saying it, but, man, things are gettin' real, yo. I am so grateful for all the support I've already received on this novel and thank everyone who's given a lil' unknown schmo like me the time of day. I do hope you enjoy the book if you read it. :) 

Ladies and Gents, a Toast...

...to Omnific Publishing's new agreement with Simon & Schuster and its Gallery Books imprint:

Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books division has entered into a co-publishing agreement with Omnific Publishing in a deal that will see Gallery and Pocket Books co-publish a “select” number of titles with Omnific, while S&S will also take over all distribution.

Founded in 2009 in Los Angeles, Omnific is a romance publisher whose titles are aimed at the “modern sensibilities of today’s readers.” Areas it publishes in include contemporary, historical, paranormal, suspense, and erotic romance.

“Omnific have been innovators in both their editorial approach to romantic fiction, and in their publishing and business philosophy,” said Gallery president and publisher Louise Burke. “We have been greatly impressed with the high-quality and market success of many of their books, and look forward to a partnership that can take readership for their authors to new levels.”

-- Publisher's Weekly (7/7/2014)

Judging a Book by its Cover

Image from www.andrewkeir.com

I now officially understand why most publishers do not include authors in the cover art decision. Even the most chill of us will become divas in the end, trying to dictate every detail when the simple fact is, we are not the marketers. We might fancy a pretty picture and think we know what is best for representing the story, but though we all think we have good taste, the basic truth is that we ALL cannot possibly. That doesn't stop me from assuming that I do, of course, and to be fair, my marketing team did like the input I provided; it's in keeping with house style, so they did everything to give this lil' Veruca Salt what she wanted.

But in the end, I was still torn between what I'd handpicked myself and what they'd originally offered me. My publicist said, "they are both striking. [...] I think you can't go wrong with either one." My editor likewise said, "I honestly don't know which I'd pick. :-/" And in a small poll among friends and family, the opinions were divided evenly.

Long story short: This was a bitch of a decision. Truly spoiled for choice. But as of this week, I did give Regis my final answer.

In the spirit of the book's title, I shall keep the cover a secret until its reveal. ;)

I've learned this from the process, though: In these modern days of Amazon and e-readers, how a cover looks as a thumbnail is critical to its marketing. Regardless of how gorgeous it may look on a full-sized book in your hands, even those buying print copies online will first view it as a thumbnail image. So as I tried to make up my mind between two stellar options, I was not only enlarging the images to appreciate their details but shrinking them as well to see what they'd look like online.

In the meantime, am just trying to process that this chosen cover will be appearing on Amazon.com, BN.com, and Omnific Publishing's website soon. I really don't think I know what I'm getting into here. But it's awfully exciting, and I'm just going to try to enjoy the wild ride.

I have to ask you all out of curiosity, though:  

When it comes to book covers, do you think less is more--i.e., a design that's catchy but simple and leaves you guessing what the story is about? Or do you prefer more detailed imagery that sets specific expectations? 

Cheers!

~ Rumer

#amediting...not dead

LOVING the changes @RumerHaven made to her novel. #editingWIN!
— Sarah Allan (@Sarah_Allan) June 9, 2014

My editor is so sweet and freakin' brilliant. I hope this positive sentiment that she shared yesterday lasts... :)

My apologies for the radio silence and that I haven't made it around to everyone's blogs lately. I received my first-round edits back and was curled up in my cave the past week tending to them. That was the first time I'd let myself read my manuscript in several months, and I'm so glad we had parted ways a while--made it so much easier to be a little less sentimental and therefore see and trim out superfluous narrative, as well as totally get what my editor was asking for and why. I have loved the process so far and just hope my revisions meet with her satisfaction.

I've never done this before, so my approach was to do a first-pass just making a beeline to all her comments and changes to field them one by one. I then did a comprehensive read-through as my second-pass, re-addressing my tweaks along the way to smooth them over and look for any excess I could cut out--my word count is rather long due to the fact that this book is comprised of two separate yet intertwined romances (one modern, the other in the 1920s), so to develop either adequately, some length was in order. But in general, it's my modern-day thread that has required the most work to pick up pacing and make characters more sympathetic, so for my third-pass, I did a read-through of the modern story only, further trimming and developing. And did this all in a week's time. So my mind is fairly fried, and my eyeballs are hanging from their sockets by a thread.

And now it rests in my editor's hands to do with what she will to meet our developmental edit deadline at the end of this month. Wish us luck!

Am off to become some semblance of a domestic goddess today to undo various results of my neglect... ;)

A to Z: Cocktails and Cockteases

My blog is batting its eyelashes at you today, beckoning you to come hither for today's A to Z Challenge.

Tempted?

Then sway your hips on over here like the sultry little hussy you are, and we'll roll more tantalizing Twenties slang off the tips of our velvety tongues.

Ba-boom chicka...

~*~  VAMP  ~*~

Meaning: An aggressive flirt, seductress.

Silent on screen,
this vamp had va-voom.

A to Z: The Indiscreet Elite

Condescending to join me again for the A to Z Challenge? Thank you, daaahhlings, for not turning your sophisticated noses up at my vulgar language.

The spirit of this month's theme stems from my debut novel, SEVEN FOR A SECRET, due for release by Omnific Publishing this summer. It's a half-contemporary, half-historical romance in which a Jazz Age tragedy haunts a modern woman's love life. So to shape you into the right attitude for the haughty high hats and floozy flappers of Al Capone's Chicago, let's recommence our elocution lessons with some new 1920s vocabulary, dears...

~*~  UPSTAGE  ~*~

Meaning: Snobby, arrogant.

"Everything jake? Wanna come back inside?"
"Aw, those women are so upstage, I'll never live down this run in my stocking."

A to Z: Shyeah, Right!

 
If I told you we're so close to being done with the A to Z Challenge, that I've managed to keep up with every letter of the alphabet so far, would ya believe it? I hardly can myself, but it's true--see for yourself, starting from here: A to Z: Talk the Talk for Walking the Walk.

And just to show that I'm still sticking with the program, I'll put my money where my slang-speaking mouth is with this next installment of Twenties terminology...

~*~  TELL IT TO SWEENEY  ~*~

Meaning: Tell it to someone who'll care/believe it.

"I just did the Charleston with an elephant!"
"Oh, yeah? Tell it to Sweeney."

A to Z: The Wet Blanket

In wrapping up the third week of Aprils' A to Z Challenge, I'm feeling the warm fuzzies from everyone's visits so far. Of all the blogs in all the A-to-Z world, you didn't have to pop into mine, but you did, so I hope this gin joint's been worth it. :)

Speakeasy, I mean, speaking of gin, if there's one thing to glean from a lot of this 1920s slang, it's that spirits warmed the spirit back then--significantly so, as alcohol became the forbidden fruit and rebellious young women who dared to bare more skin cloaked themselves instead in more than a lover's arms...

~*~  QUILT  ~*~

Meaning: A drink that warms you up.

"Who needs clothes when I drank a quilt?"

A to Z: Bringing out the Big Guns

If you stepped out a moment to powder your nose, don't muss yourself over what you may have missed. You can brush up on the A to Zs of 1920s slang from here: Talk the Talk for Walking the Walk.

Or simply gloss over that and pick up from here, the heavy artillery packed with some of the flapper's most powerful ammo...

~*~  MUNITIONS  ~*~

Meaning: Face powder & rouge.

"Drastic times call for drastic measures.
Bring out the munitions, darling."

A to Z: The Ease of Expertise

Ignorance is not always bliss. So if you're first joining me here and still don't get what Blogging from A to Z is all about, it's time to get in the know: A to Z Challenge.

Now that you're informed and ready to proceed, allow me to further educate you on Roaring Twenties slang so you don't go into my debut novel blindly.

~*~  KNOW YOUR ONIONS  ~*~

Meaning: Know what's up. Know what you're doing/talking about.

"So then I says to him,
'Listen. The next time you check under my hood, you'd better know your onions.'"
--Gladys on persisting car troubles, but her innuendo helps her colleagues pass the workday.

A to Z: The Young and the Yawning

*yawn*
Hm? What? Oh sorry, I must have zoned out for a second there on this dull and dreary day. But that's not the right attitude, is it? We must have zest for life! Live like there's no tomorrow! That's the fun of a flapper, after all, so let's dance!

If you're scratching your head in a daze because you missed my original post about the A to Z Challenge, don't feel deflated. You can find it here:  A-Z, and all that jA-Zz

Meanwhile, the Devil is finding work for idle hands to do, so let's keep ourselves occupied brushing up on our 1920s slang:

~*~  FLAT TIRE  ~*~

Meaning: A bore

"Boy, this road trip sure became
a real flat tire once we got
that...flat tire."