World building is not just for fairy stories. Readers demand a credible world in every fictional book they pick up. Whether it is an entirely made-up land or a small town in a well-understood contemporary or historical setting, the world in which our characters live needs to feel real to our readers.

Wikipedia (b) describes world building as follows: “World building often involves the creation of maps, a back story, and people for the world.”

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Kat

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member E.J. Russell. She signed her first contract with Entangled Publishing for her M/M novella, Northern Light. Target release date is October 2013 as part of the Haunted House anthology in the Flirts imprint. Congratulations, E.J.!

Marian Lanouette's book, A Jake Carrington Mystery Book 1, took third place in the Preditors and Editors poll for best mystery. Congratulations, Marian!

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Cassandra Carr. Her book, Caught, was nominated for a CAPA Award for Best BDSM Book 2012 by The Romance Studio. Also, she was nominated for three Sizzling Awards. Impact for Best Western / Cowboy Romance, Double Vision for Best Sports Romance, and Master Class for Best Erotic Romance of 2012. Congratulations, Cassandra!

Joya Fields is thrilled to announce two new contracts: Close to Nothing, a romantic suspense novel, will be published by Entangled Publishing, and Altered Frequency, book two in a ghostly contemporary romance trilogy, will be published by Decadent Publishing. Congratulations, Joya!

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Alexis Morgan. She accepted a contract for a novella that will be part of an anthology entitled Christmas on Main Street, a November 2013 release from Signet. The story will be set in Snowberry Creek, Alexis's new contemporary series that will debut in August 2013. Congratulations, Alexis!

Julie Anne Lindsey's YA Suspense, currently titled Deceived, was sold to Merit Press. The release is slated for Fall 2013. Congratulations, Julie!

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Shelley Munro. She sold Biding His Thyme, book four in her Fancy Free series, to Ellora's Cave. Congratulations, Shelley!

Julie Anne Lindsey signed a contract with Carina Press for a cozy mystery series. This is a three book deal and book one will release in early Fall 2013. Congratulations, Julie!

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Mageela Troche. She signed a contract for her Highland romance, The Marriage Alliance, to Secret Cravings Publishing. It's due to be release in 2013. Congratulations, Mageela!

Devon Ellington's 200-word flash fiction story, Love in A Wok, was picked up by Daily Love and will run on November 26. The reading of her comic noir mystery, The Effie Effect, went very well at the Tilden Art Center in W. Barnstable. They've asked for more of her work, and one of the audience members approached her to commission a piece. She was elected to the Board of Directors for the Cape Cod Writers Center, and the New England Romance Writers has booked her to teach her "Setting as Character" workshop at their Let Your Imagination Take Flight Conference April 26-27, 2013 at the Burlington Marriott in Burlington, MA. Congratulations, Devon!

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Our first Congratulations this week goes out to a Savvy Authors member Letty James. She'd like to announce that because of winning one of the 15-page critiques during the Savvy Symposium, she has signed not one, but two contracts with Soul Mate Publishing. One is for her contemporary, Mistress for Hire, and the other is for an erotica anthology. Congratulations, Letty!

Erin Richards sold her YA debut novel, Vigilante Nights, a contemporary suspense with romantic elements, to Merit Press Books. Vigilante Nights will release in July 2013. She has also recently signed with agent Natalie Lakosil at the Bradford Literary Agency. Congratulations, Erin!

Congratulations to all Savvy Authors!

Congratulations this week goes out to a few Savvy Authors members. Nine authors from Devon Ellingson's Novel in a Year class in Savvy U came together after their class and have published an anthology called Death Sparkles. The proceeds benefit literacy charities. Congratulations, ladies!