For the longest time I was vague about the book I was writing, even on my blog and social media. I kept saying 'oh, it's a young adult novel set in high school.' When someone pressed for more, I'd add in, 'well the main character is in marching band, there's some romance, and lots and … Continue reading Breaking the Silence
Author: dianebillas
YA author, avid reader, musician, and travel junkie.
Book Updates
Being a signed author is exciting, but also very busy! My to-do list keeps growing. Not only am I working on edits from my editor, but I'm also trying to secure book launch venues, doing upkeep on my social media, and designing some creative marketing tools, all while writing a new book. Luckily I have … Continue reading Book Updates
What’s Next?
It's been a couple months now since I signed the contract with my publishing company and it's finally starting to sink in that I'm going to be a published author! DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN? will be out June 2023 for everyone to read! Some days I still don't believe it, but most days I'm on … Continue reading What’s Next?
Exciting News!
Guess what!?!?! My young adult contemporary novel DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN? is being published by Creative James Media in June 2023! This is the book I've been querying on and off for the past two years, and it's finally happening. I honestly can't believe it; my lifelong dream is coming true! It's all been such … Continue reading Exciting News!
Taking a Break?
Photo by Ann H from Pexels This past snowy weekend I typed the last two words of the first draft of my newest manuscript...THE END. Yep, I did it. I finally finished my first draft! It took me approximately seven months to write the first draft, which I think is pretty good considering I also have a full-time … Continue reading Taking a Break?
The End or a New Beginning?
Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels It’s the time of year where everyone takes stock of their goals for the year ending and setting new ones for the year upcoming. But this year has been difficult for everyone, including myself, and you know what I’m going to do instead? Be compassionate and not beat myself up for not … Continue reading The End or a New Beginning?
New Adventures
My therapist asked me the other day what’s important to me? What makes me want to get up and go? The first, obvious answer is writing. But I can’t do that all the time, I would burn out and run out of ideas. I clearly also love to read and play music, but what else? … Continue reading New Adventures
Write What You Love
I always need to be writing something creative. If I’m not, I feel antsy or that something is missing. I’m still querying my book ”Does Love Always Win?” but I’ve been trying to work on other projects in the meantime. That’s actually been helpful in receiving rejections, because I start to think "Well, maybe one … Continue reading Write What You Love
Small Wins
Photo by Min An from Pexels The other day I opened up my Gmail account and began skimming to see what I had missed. I had been on the road all day for work and hadn't even checked my personal email since 6 a.m., probably a record. As I began sorting through the junk, the subject line of … Continue reading Small Wins
If At First You Don’t Succeed…
It's been four months since I restarted my querying journey after a year of deep edits, and I still haven't found success. I've received lots of form rejection emails from agents and small publishing houses, so much so I've started becoming numb to reading the words, "I wasn't pulled into the opening pages as much … Continue reading If At First You Don’t Succeed…
Diane Billas 