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Guest Post: 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Ashley March
Filed in Ashley March , Giveaways , Guest Post , The HEA Lover Posted on September 30, 2011 @ 6:00 am
56 comments
Today we’re very happy to welcome Ashley March on Book Lovers Inc. Ashley is the author of sensual and innovative historical romance novels. Her new book, Romancing the Countess was released earlier this month. If you haven’t read it yet then Ashley is giving you a chance to win your copy! Please let’s give a warm welcome to Ashley!
Thanks so much to the Book Lovers for having me today as part of the book tour to celebrate my newest release, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS!
In most of the blogs I’ve been writing for my book tour, I’ve been talking about my book. Today, I decided to change it up a little and tell you a little about the author behind the book. =)
So, without further ado, here are 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Ashley March (or if you did, then that means you’re stalking me 😉
1. I graduated valedictorian of my high school class. Some people like to point out how the graduating class only had about 80 people…
2. I won a state spelling championship in 12th grade. Somehow, my spelling is getting worse the older I get. But I don’t blame my age. I blame my kids. =)
3. I met my husband online. Through AIM. We didn’t meet each other until nearly a year afterward, and didn’t have our first official date until a year after that.
4. One of my favorite foods could stop your heart. Literally. It’s a family tradition of mine. On Christmas morning, we always ate chorizo with eggs in flour tortillas, with Nestle chocolate milk on the side. What does chorizo with eggs consist of, you ask? Why, only one dozen eggs and very fatty pork sausage.
5. I dropped out of an entire semester of college because I was burned out. What did I do? Drove to my nearest Barnes & Noble every day and read romance, of course. 😉 I also wrote my very first romance manuscript, which was horribly, horribly awful.
6. I can’t dance. It’s not a vanity or self-conscious thing. I simply cannot dance. So if you ever see me at a party, please do not try to get me drunk (which is why #7 is a good thing) and ask me to “shake my groove thing.” You will regret it. I promise. (Or you’ll take pictures of me shaking my groove thing to blackmail me with later. I do not approve of this, either. =)
7. I don’t drink alcohol. I blame this on my parents, who made my brother and I drink Wild Turkey whiskey (nasty, nasty stuff) when we were sick as kids because they thought it was good medicine. Yes, I lived in Texas. Yes, this might be why they had their children drank whiskey. Nevertheless, to this day I can’t stand the taste of alcohol. Which is a shame, because I’d really like to drink wine.
8. I once made a vow that I was going to study 25 languages before I died. So far I’ve gotten to English (heh), Spanish, French, Japanese, and Chinese. I think that’s, um, 5. Now I just focus on the language of love. =) (Yes, I can be this corny in real life, too.)
9. My first job was cleaning house for my parents. My second job was mowing lawns for our neighbor and the local video store guy. Other past jobs include: clerk at a convenience store, cashier at a grocery store, office assistant for a realtor, office assistant for a land development company, college student researcher, pool worker, higher education admissions representative, higher education admissions director, etc. Have I mentioned lately how much I love being a romance author? =)
10. I made the decision this week that after the publication of my third book from Penguin, MY LADY RIVAL, in May 2012, I will pursue self-publishing only. And you, my friends, are the first to know that. =)
Happy Friday!
What is one thing that most people in the romance community don’t know about you?
One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS (open internationally)! Also, find out how to win the ROMANCING THE COUNTESS Book Tour Grand Prize of 50+ romance novels by visiting http://www.ashleymarch.com/!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway!!!Ashley is offering a copy of Romancing the Countess to 1 lucky winner
All you have to do is answer Ashley’s question or leave a comment about her post
All you have to do is answer Ashley’s question or leave a comment about her post
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open worldwide!
Giveaway ends on Saturday, October 8, 2011; and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Bonne chance everyone!
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Interesting post, I really like the part about dancing and alcohol 🙂
The thing most people don't know around the blog universe that at one point in my life I was an actress in theatre
Great post and so many interesting facts! Why did you decide to self-publish?
natalija (dot) shkomare (at) gmail (dot) com
I'd love to hear more about your self publishing Ashley, both how you came to decide and what your plans are. In any event, all the best for self publishing success!
As for something the blogging community doesnt know about me… I've been on 3 tv quiz shows here in Australia and come 2nd each time!
Hankts AT internode DOT on DOT net
Hi Ashley,
Love your post today…FYI…wine does not taste like Wild Turkey Whiskey….give Pies Porter (nice, light white) a try…my favorite!
So many authors are going the way of self-publishing and I totally understand why…as long as you don't restrict your publishing to ebooks, I'll be happy. To answer your question from yesterday, yes, I would buy a POD. It's not my preference for print book, but if that's all there is, then OK.
kareninnc at gmail dot com
The book sounds great and I'd love to read it.
niteofblu at gmail dot com
Wow…self-publishing? That's big news. 🙂 I will have to look for your books from different places next yr, I guess…
Hmm.. well, one thing that people don't know about me online? Well, I am from Canada… I see much more Americans online…
Ashley—Re number 2, you are correct. Kids kill brain cells (of their parents.) Just wait a few years. It’s not getting any better!
Congrats re your self-publishing decision.
One thing the blogging community didn’t know about me was that my degree from LSU is in journalism.
Interesting post! I love to hear more about authors non-writing life. hmmm. something about me. uh. I am a professional costumer. And I am addicted to cheese and nutella. Not together. lol
Kerry
vail @ mindspring (dot) com
Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for visiting with me today! I'm watching the kids, but I'll try to drop in and out all day to respond to individual comments. If for some reason they turn into monsters (not saying that would EVER happen to MY kids 😉 then I promise I'll respond to everyone tonight after the sweet little angels go to bed. =)
Hi Ashley,
I love 10 things you mentioned and shared with us especially about learning many language because i have desire to learn many languages too but now i only know 3 languages (Indonesia, Hokkien/taiwan and English)and about you will pursue self-publishing only. you remind me with my friend said about courtney milan who's self publishing too.
hope you'll success in everything you do =D
Hi Host! Glad you enjoyed the blog. =) The sad thing is that hubby and I have been wanting to take ballroom dance classes for a while. Might have to do that, even with my graceless self. 😉
And that's awesome about acting in theatre! I am in awe of your talent–I know that's definitely something I could never do!
Hi Natalija! =) To be honest there were a lot of reasons–so many, in fact, that telling all of them would probably take up two guest blogs. 😉 Instead, I'll try to write up a blog about it to post at my website sometime next week. Thanks for visiting with me! =)
Hi Kaetrin! Thank you! Yes, I'll probably write up a blog for my website about it next week.
Your response made me think of Julia Quinn and her participation on a TV game show. =) That sounds like so much fun, and I hope you made tons of money with those second prizes! 😉
Hi Karen! *Pies Porter* I really am writing this down. =) Thanks for the rec!
I appreciate your feedback. To be honest I really wanted to do both self-pub and trad pub, but there were a few reasons in the end (which I'll blog about on my website next week) why I chose self-pub only. However, please know that I definitely plan to do POD, too, and will try to price it reasonably. The only works that might not be POD are novellas, but I'll try with those, too.
Thanks for dropping by, Terri! Good luck with the giveaway! =)
Ashley,
I love your writing and your sense of humor! Chorizo with eggs is delish btw (I usually add shredded cheese and diced green chiles to mine when I wrap it in the tortilla), and thanks, because now I am craving this 😉 On the language side, you are doing far better than me, I've learned French and Spanish but not fluent in either LOL! Lastly, if you find a real fruity wine, it doesn't TASTE like alcohol 😉
Oh, oops, forgot email (yes, children DO cause brain damage LOL)
greeneyesredhair at gmail.com
I drink only wine & hard cider….but I still don't dance. I don't want to be sued for injuring someone's foot!
annarkie12 @ Gmail dot com
Valedictorians intimidate me but that's okay. I can dance socks off. I dropped out of college several times. Started in 1973 and got my BS 2011 *grin*. I don't drink alcohol either. Too many in the family. My mother was a French major and encouraged me to learn the language but I prefer to sit at an outdoor cafe and study French MEN *giggles*. I have never stayed on any job for more than 3.5 years before I move on. I am writing a book so you can publish the book in about a zillion years from now when I finish the book.
Gah! I just realized there were at least TWO grammar/spelling issues in this post. Sorry, guys! That's what I get for writing past 12am. =)
Loved learning more about you, Ashley. Valedictorian, huh? I guess I was the student at the other end of the line. 😉 I can't imagine being made to drink Wild Turkey as a child. Nasty. I do enjoy a glass of wine and I have two left feet. So, if we meet up at a party, may I join you at the table for a chat while other people dance? I'm interested in learning more about the self-publishing thing as I'm hearing more and more about it. Is it easier for an author to go that route and, hopefully, better monetarily as well? I would hope this would give you more control over your work, right? After all, it us YOUR work!!
Connie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
whiskey as medicine? Hmmm… I wonder if I can convince people around me that it works so I can drink whiskey next time I have cold instead of herbal tea.
Hi Ashley!
Congrats on your decision to go self-publishing. I bet it wasn't easy and I hope it turns out well (no, I know it turns out well! *g*.
Most people I know online don't know that I teach Latin and History. I keep that as my dirty little secret. 🙂
claudigc at msn dot com
All those experiences probably helped you discover what you like & what you dislike. That way you can decide where you want to go in life & looks like you've found your calling.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
Hi May! =) I think I knew that about you… 😉 But then I've mailed you books before. =) And yes to the big news on self-publishing! BUT it should be just as easy as ordering books from online now, whether ebooks or POD books. And the great thing? Readers from ANYWHERE in the world with access to Amazon, B&N, etc. will be able to read them. =)
Hi LSUReader! I actually heard from a pregnant woman once that your brain gets smaller during pregnancy. I have no idea if this is true, but it sounds likely. Dead brain cells from pregnancy on. =)
My husband also has a degree in journalism! Not from LSU, but still. =) Are you working in the field now? I know it's terribly tough.
And thank you for the congrats!
Hi Kerry! =) Glad you liked the post! I think authors would like readers to keep imagining us as rich, world-traveling, pajama-wearing writers. (That's actually my fantasy, lol.) And you just reminded me I was supposed to pick up nutella at the grocery store! I've never had it, and I keep forgetting to buy it so I can try it. =)
And being a professional costumer sounds really cool. =)
Hi Eli! Thanks so much for your well wishes! =) One of the things that I hope this will do is make my writing available to anyone around the world who wants to read it (English first, maybe other translations later).
And Taiwanese has more tones than Mandarin, doesn't it? I think I would have a hard time with more than four. =) I did try to study a little Indonesian on my own at once, and it seems like such a beautiful language!
Hi LadyRed! First of all, now YOU'VE made ME crave chorizo, lol. Cheese and green chiles sound yummy. When I told my husband that it includes a dozen eggs, he actually tried to forbid me from eating it ever again. Of course, that didn't happen. =D And while I've studied five languages, it doesn't necessary mean that I can speak all of them. Sadly, with having kids and getting into writing, I haven't really had time to practice or study anymore. Maybe one day when I go traveling I'll brush up. =) Do you have any suggestions on fruity wines? Because honestly I've tried wine coolers and even Mike's Hard Lemonade in the past and the alcohol still bothers me. =P
Hi Brooklyn Ann! Maybe if we see each other at a conference you can guide me in what wines to try. =) And yay! Someone else can't dance! lol
Hi Chandragray! Oh, valedictorians shouldn't intimidate you. We all fall down later in life. 😉 I hear you on the French men. I have a friend who lives in England and I keep telling her to send me a picture of all the hot British guys–I KNOW they're there! =) And congratulations on writing a book! It's hard work, but so wonderful when you get to the point where it's ready to go out into the world. I hope you do publish it one day. =)
Hi Connie! Thanks so much for your comment! =) And I certainly didn't act like a valedictorian in college, that's for sure. 😉 Yes, we can have our own little table at the dance parties-that would be fabulous. =) About the whiskey…after doing this a couple of times (and let me make it clear that they were in no way abusive parents, just really believed in its medicinal qualities, and it was only a little bit), I finally told them that I'd rather be sick than drink anymore. =)
As for the self-publishing, it's easier in some ways and harder than others. The reason why I gravitate toward it is because I'm a control freak by nature and so I really like the idea of being able to drive everything. =) I plan on writing a blog post about it for my website soon so you can see the reasons that pushed me to this decision.
Hi Sullivan! Lol. My parents were convinced. 😉 However, it sounds like you might be wanting more than just the shot that we drank when we were sick. =)
Hi ClaudiaGC! Thanks so much for your well wishes! =) I have to admit it's a little scary at this point, but I'm very, VERY excited about it. Latin? I didn't know they still taught that in schools! But you're right–you definitely don't want to tell anyone this, especially the historical romance writers–we'll be coming to you for help with Latin in our books. 😉
Hi Di! Thank you so much for this comment. It means a lot to me, especially as I hadn't thought of it in this way before. But you're right, and I'm very glad I'm at the point where I am now. Besides loving the ability to get to write as my job, it's so much fun to talk with you guys. =)
25 languages! o_O Wow, that is a goal 😀
Must count what I have studied..only 8, long way to go for me too.
Let's see, one thing, I am pretty much an open book…but yes, most do not know that my mother tongue is Swedish. They always assume Finnish, but Finland has got 2 official languages 🙂
blodeuedd83
Hi, Ashley!
Hey, you can just count the language of love for the other twenty, because, you know, love is about twenty different kinds of complicated 😉
And something about me…. Well, I took dance for eight years and competed in dozens of competitions all over the US 🙂
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Thanks for sharing with us today! Hmmm….something about me! I love to cross-stitch and I'm pretty good at it too!
Oh, forgot my addy:
evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com
One thing….hmmm, I am horribly shy. I am willing to bet that the same can be said for a lot of people. When people meet me they often tell me I am bigger than life but I tend to get loud when I am really nervous. So embarrassing.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
One thing people don't know about me is that my parents were married twice. The first time for 20 years, then divorced for 20, then remarried for another 20 until my mom passed away. I think the weirdest thing was buying a wedding present for my parents, it was very surreal.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Congrats and good luck on your self-pub venture!
Hm, I can ask "do you speak English?" in Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, and in a pinch, Japanese (too bad my knowledge of Italian is solely food-related). I think that sentence is the most important in any language. LOL.
ironss [at] gmail [dot] com
Hi Blodeuedd! =) The thing is, you probably actually speak the 8 languages you've studied at some point or other. And I had no idea about Finland having two languages. The polyglot in me is giddy to learn something new. =)
Hi Chelsea B.! =) You're right…and actually, I think it's probably even more complicated than that. 😉 Dance! Well, obviously you know I can't dance, but that sounds like a lot of fun. A lot of my friends used to be dancers. I wonder if it's the kind of thing where you surround yourself by people who do things you wish you could… =)
Hi Johanna! I'm going to have to look up cross-stitch. Sewing and the like is something else I have no idea about. Crochet, sewing, knitting, cross-stitching–they're all the same to me. I wish I did know how to do some of that, though. I've heard it's a great stress-reliever. =)
Hi Jen! Then we would be a great pair together. =) I tend to clam up in a group of people I don't know–I watch everyone and see how they interact before I decide if I feel comfortable joining. You could help me get a little louder and I could help you get a little quieter. 😉
Hi Barbara! That sounds like a remarkable love story. =) I've heard of things like that happening before, but never knew anyone who was close to it happening. I hope they were wonderfully happy the second time around. =)
Hi Sheree! =) Thank you! And that's about the level I'm back to with my languages, too. You know what they say about practice… And listen, if we ever for some reason end up in Italy together, I am NOT going to complain about your ability to talk about their great food. 😉
I can't dance either Ashley!
One thing the romance community doesn't know about me is that I don't drink coffee. It's not that I dislike it, I'm just neutral. I have no cravings for it and haven't drank it in years.
Cambonified (at) yahoo (dot) com
Now you've done it, I think I'm going to have to make myself a breakfast burrito tomorrow. As soon as you said you loved chorizo and eggs, I started wondering where you grew up, since no one outside of the southwest has ever heard of chorizo. As for something people don't know about me – I once delivered a baby (not actually that unusual since I was a labor & delivery nurse at the time).
Best wishes on the self publishing venture. I've got a Kindle so I'll have no problem getting your books.
jen at delux dot com
Hi Ashley!
What exactly will self publishing entail? I'm a big fan after reading your 1st book & hope this won't make buying your books more difficult.
thumbelinda03@yahoo.com
Congratulations on your new book Ashley and good luck with the self publishing. Something about me is that I had both my kids in a birth center and was home the same day.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
I am a hopeless romantic and I believe in soul mates and true love. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I had to giggle at the 10 Things You Don't Know post. So funny!
I'd offer to become an official stalker – obviously every successful author needs one — but I'm terribly lazy, so I'll just take it under consideration. For the next 10 years or so.
Good luck with your self-publishing decision.
Mickie T
mdturett at juno dot com
A thing about me that nobody knows is that I'm very short. I'm only 4 9'
kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com
Winning the spelling state championship is really impressive! I won't mention the valedictorian of 80 if you won't mention that I was valedictorian of 8, and shared the graduation ceremony with another class of around 10 with their own set of valedictorians and salutorians. (It was a state school for the Deaf and blind)
I was so glad to have a reason to have a really, really short speech because who really wants to sit through 4-6 speeches?!?
melorabrock {at} gmail {dot} com