Sarah Tormey Blog » Life in NYC

New Look Coming Soon!

Sarah Tormey — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:30:15 +0000

Over the past year, both my writing and my life have seen a number of changes. Becoming a mom changed my life in more ways than I can count (most of them wonderful, apart from the lack of sleep). It took me a few months, but I finally found time to write and care for my son. Much to my surprise, what I wished to write changed. I have always loved reading contemporaries, but before this year had not planned on writing a modern day love story. But it turns out I have lots of Army Ranger stories buzzing about my post-baby brain! And with this new direction, my amazing, always-insightful web design team at Waxcreative encouraged me to think about website. I am still working out what my new look should be, so stay tuned for more!

A Reading Vacation: How To Marry A Duke

Sarah Tormey — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:49:59 +0000

After a largely sleepless week with my sick 11-month-old son, I needed a break–a few hours respite from the cute, I-refuse-to-nap-unless-you-hold me baby who I love more than anything in the world. I needed sleep too, but some time to myself was seeming more and more important after a night when my son decided to start his day at 3:30 am. Living in New York City, I could not realistically visit a warm, tropical beach for a few hours while my husband took my son out for an adventure. But I could read.

I selected Vicky Dreiling’s HOW TO MARRY A DUKE and within a few pages I was hooked. HOW TO MARRY A DUKE can best be described as Regency version of the popular T.V. show The Bachelor. (See blurb from Vicky Dreiling’s website for more info.) Now, I’m not a reviewer. But I can say that reading Vicky Dreiling’s debut was like a vacation at a five-star beach resort. I would trade drinks with little umbrellas and sand beneath my toes for this fun, sexy read any day of the week. If you haven’t picked up a copy go online now or run to your local store. And be prepared to keep reading once you start. You won’t be able to put this one down!

From www.vickydreiling.com:

Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. No love is necessary—nor desired. But how to choose amid a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London’s infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she’s not the most captivating woman he’s ever met . . .

Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she’s determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife—she’ll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke’s affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan’s desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker’s number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.

The Royal Ascot: It’s Not Just a Horse Race

Sarah Tormey — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:14:35 +0000

As an aspiring writer, I admit I have caught contest fever from time to time. This fall, I entered a few, won one, and received two requests for full manuscripts. But even when I did not win, I felt it was money and time well spent because each contest judge returned my pages with their comments and thoughts on how to improve my writing. I dare say I was grateful and eager to return the favor. So what did I do? I volunteered to coordinate the 2011 Royal Ascot.

If you read or write Regencies, or if you love horse racing, you might be familiar with the Royal Ascot. But you might be surprised to learn it is more than race between thoroughbreds. The Royal Ascot is a contest devoted to the promotion of Regency Romances by encouraging the development of authors who set stories in the Regency Period. And this year, the contest will be different compared to past years.

What is new for the 2011 Royal Ascot?

* Categories will only be used for first round judging. Six finalists will be determined based on highest score.

* Trained first round judges.

* Six finalists will be sent to a panel of final round judges, all agents and editors. The final round judges will rank each of the six finalists from 1st place to 6th place. The total of all the rankings will be added and the lowest ranking entry will win the $100 grand prize and a certificate. No other rankings will be given, however each finalist will receive a $25 cash prize and a certificate. The entrants will receive their final score, but information regarding which judges gave which score will not be given.

* Entry length limited to 7,000 words (determined by computer word count) from the beginning of the manuscript. An optional 500 word synopsis may be included.

* Final Round Judges Panel include:

o Selina McLemore, Senior Editor at Grand Central Publishing

o Jessica Faust, Bookends Literary Agency

o Kevan Lyon, Marshall Lyon Literary Agency

o Elizabeth Bistrow, Editor at NAL

o Deborah Nemeth, Editor at Carina Press

o Rebecca Strauss, McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency

So if you write Regencies (broadly defined as within the United Kingdom between 1780 and 1840), this is the contest to enter. The deadline is April 1st and finalists will be announced the first week in May. If you do not write stories at least partially set in this time period, please help us spread the word to your friends, critique partners and writer’s groups.

For more information, please visit: http://www.thebeaumonde.com/royalascot/.

And the winner is . . .

Sarah Tormey — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:08:17 +0000

Paty Jager! Congratulations! You’ve won a signed copy of Prelude to a Scandal.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and read Delilah’s interview. If you did not win, I hope you visit your favorite book retailer and pick up a copy of Prelude to a Scandal today!

Naptime is Writing Time

Sarah Tormey — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:33:54 +0000

The past few weeks have slipped by in whirlwind of feedings, diaper changes, baths and best of all, smiles. My tiny baby who arrived one month early has grown from 5 pounds 12 ounces to 15 pounds! My son is a wonderful baby. He is a joy to play with and care for each day. But, at the end of the day, instead of pages added to my latest work-in-progress, I have a pile of dirty diapers, and hopefully, a sleeping baby.

I told myself that I would start writing when the baby naps. So far, this is easier said than done. My son is perfectly happy to sleep in his crib at night, but during the day is another matter. He insists on being held. He loves to curl up in my arms for an hour or two throughout the day, which is really quite precious. But I simply cannot write and hold him. Thus, the past few weeks my days have been focused on getting my child to nap in his crib or his swing. (I am making progress in the mornings, but afternoons are another matter.)

These long afternoon naps might not lead to great writing, but they are perfect for reading. In the past few weeks, I have read A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James, Infamous by Suzanne Brockmann, A Touch of Scandal by Jennifer Haymore and Dark Deceptions by Dee Davis. All are recommended reading even if you don’t have a sleeping baby in your arms.

I have also spent numerous napping hours perusing various research books. Currently I’m making my way through In the Family Way: Childbearing in the British Aristocracy, 1760-1860—fascinating reading that will likely lead to blog posts. But first, before I devote my precious writing hours to blogging, I must turn my attentions to my work-in-progress. Naptime is writing time. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

If there are any other writers with babies out there with advice on finding time to write, please share!

10 Ways to Stay Awake with Your Newborn at 4am (Inspired by Julia Quinn’s latest release)

Sarah Tormey — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:37:44 +0000

I have been blessed with a quiet, peaceful baby. That said, he still needs to eat a couple of times in the middle of the night, and he is not always eager to go back to sleep after his meal. At times he even fusses a bit. However, I am always ready to crawl back into bed. I find it next to impossible to stay awake when starting at the nursery room wall. Even the T.V. lulls me to sleep at 4am. But now, after a month of 2am and 4am feedings, I have found 10 ways to stay awake.

One- read Julia Quinn’s new release, 10 Things I Love About You, while the baby nurses.

Two- read 10 Things I Love About You aloud to the baby while the baby fusses after eating a large meal.

Three- take a break from the book to burp the baby and share the top ten reasons you love the baby.

Four- continue reading 10 Things I Love About You aloud to the baby, this time using different voices for each character.

Five- now that you have the baby’s attention and he is wide awake (but thankfully no longer fussing) explain the nuances of society in Regency England to the baby to enhance his understanding of the book.

Six- continue reading 10 Things I Love About You aloud using different voices for each character. (Be very glad you have not been reading Goodnight Moon over and over to the baby for the past hour or two).

Seven- allow yourself one more chapter (or two, or three) even though the baby has fallen asleep in your arms.

Eight- finish 10 Things I Love About You as the sun begins to rise.

Nine- realize that it is now time for the baby to eat again, and that instead of sleeping while the baby slept, you were reading.

Ten- reach for the next book in your TBR pile as the baby wakes. (Anna Campbell’s latest!)

Jameson Warren Tormey: Born May 4th 2010

Sarah Tormey — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:35:13 +0000

I am thrilled to report that after a week of bed rest, my son decided it was time to make his entrance into the world. Jameson Warren was born at 9:55am on Tuesday May 4th. He weighed 5 pounds 12 ounces at birth and measured 21.27 inches long. Having chosen to arrive a few weeks prior to his May 30th due date, he suffered a collapsed lung following his birth and was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Thankfully he made a full and speedy recovery. We brought him home from the hospital on Sunday, which also happened to be Mother’s Day and my 30th birthday!

More to come soon, but right now I think my little angel needs to eat again:)

When Real Life Resembles Fiction

Sarah Tormey — Sat, 01 May 2010 15:49:37 +0000

Where have I been for the past month? I wish I could say writing and revising my way through the final months of my pregnancy, but alas fate had other ideas. At the end of March, my husband and I closed on our new apartment and Brooklyn. It is an amazing space with a room for our soon-to-be born son in a very kid-friendly building. And it was a great deal, mainly because it needed some work. Nothing major, but enough that we enlisted the help of a local Brooklyn handyman to help us paint, redo and add moldings and change light fixtures. All of this would have gone smoothly if the building itself had not been under construction.

Before closing, we learned that our new building needed a new roof among other things to fix some leaking issues. Sadly, this meant that the terrace we were so looking forward to using was now home to scaffolding. Ok, we thought, it is only for a few months. We can live without a terrace, especially since we’ll have a newborn to occupy our time this summer. So our handyman set to work and we scheduled our big move for April 21st. Plenty of time to paint and whatnot, or so we thought.

Then we got the call.

The building needed to perform work inside our unit, specifically in our bedroom. They needed to build a wall through the middle of our bedroom to protect our unit from the dust as they drilled inside our new home. In a matter of weeks, we had lost access to our terrace and the master bedroom.

Still, we moved our belongings and our cat to the new apartment. We threw the mattress down on the floor in the almost-finished nursery and waited for the wall to come down so that our handyman could finish his work.

And then, just as one would expect in a book or a movie, my water broke.

At 35 weeks pregnant, I got off the subway in midtown Manhattan this past Monday and just like that it happened. Stunned, I waddled as fast as I could through the pouring rain to the nearest Starbucks. All the while, I was thinking: this can’t be happening. It’s too soon and we’re not ready.

I called my husband from the Starbucks bathroom and then our midwife, who assured me that yes, it was happening, and yes, I needed to go to the hospital. Immediately. My husband abandoned his business dinner, hailed a cab, and came to pick me up on the corner of 51st and Broadway.

Thankfully, my baby and my midwife decided it would be best for the baby to stay inside for as long as possible. So here I am, at the hospital on bed rest. Waiting. I have been told multiple times that I will not be heading home until I have the baby, which will likely happen in the next week or so. He will be full term (37 weeks) on May 9th, which also happens to be my 30th birthday.

In the meantime, my husband has been doing his best to get our home ready for our baby. He demanded the building finish our unit and take the wall down. My mother flew up and washed the baby clothes for me. My mother-in-law arrived from the west coast to help set up our home. And our handyman, bless him, has been working around the clock to finish the apartment. His name is Stephen Kitts, the Park Slope Handyman in case anyone in the Brooklyn area ever needs his services. I can’t recommend him enough. He was at our home until 1am last night painting so that my friends and family could set up our furniture today. Thanks to my husband, Stephen, my family and friends, my baby will have a nursery, complete with a crib, when he comes home from the hospital.

So that was my April. Hopefully May will be smooth sailing once the baby arrives and I will be back to blogging and to my guest appearance series-I haven’t forgotten about it, just had to put it on hold a bit! And of course, back to writing. I had just started a new manuscript and another round of revisions for Courting Scandal when April began.

Happy May Day everyone! And if you have any great reading suggestions, please send them my way. I might be lying here for another week.

Snow Days & Field Trips

Sarah Tormey — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:16:16 +0000

Though I may feel like an ostrich that has her head buried in the sand, here in NYC, it is snow. What have I been doing during the snowfalls? Writing, revising, and of course, getting ready for the new addition to our family (due May 31st). While I have been busy at my computer, my upcoming guest bloggers have been working away towards deadlines and traveling (when possible) for sales calls.

Alas, this was not the month for guests. But stay tuned! Coming soon, I am excited to announce that a friend who works on the book packaging side of the industry will be stopping by as well as a couple of friends who have worked or are currently working with Wal-Mart!

In the meantime, just in case you missed it in January, I would like to redirect your attention to my recent guest appearance on the RWA NYC Blog. Stop by and read about my experiences selling to Target. I am happy to answer questions (though as I note in the blog post, I most certainly do not claim to have all the answers) either posted here or you can contact me directly.

Thanks for stopping by and if you are in New York, enjoy the snow!

New Year, New Blog Series! A Peak at the Sales & Marketing Side of the Business

Sarah Tormey — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:08:19 +0000

First, I wish to thank everyone who stopped by last month and offered your congratulations. My husband and I are looking forward to meeting our first child on May 31st (though I’ve been told he or she might arrive sometime before or after that date). In the coming weeks, we should know if we are expecting a boy or a girl and I promise to keep you updated.

Now that the morning sickness is a thing of the past, I am feverishly writing away. I believe it was Tessa Dare who said that the middle of her pregnancies were a time of great creativity and I have found that to be true thus far. Or perhaps it was the power of suggestion. If that’s the case, thanks Tessa!

My burst of creativity has also inspired a new idea for my blog: a series of guest bloggers! In order to begin 2010 with a bang, I have asked some of my friends and former colleagues in the publishing industry to stop by and offer a peak into the sales and marketing side of the business.

To kick off the series, my January guest blogger will be Erica from Random House’s Library Marketing Department. In addition to working full time for Random House, Erica is currently studying to become a librarian. Erica will be visiting on January 26th so mark your calendar! And please check back to see who will be visiting in February and March.

If you would like to learn more about my experience as a mass merch sales representative, stop by the RWA NYC Chapter blog later this month to view my guest appearance. I’ll post the specific date once it is confirmed.