Janice Thompson's Blog, page 3

A Week of Firsts: Hurricane

Welcome to Day One of “A Weeks of Firsts,” where I’ll be sharing the first chapter(s) from several of my books. I thought this would be a fun way to introduce readers to my work and to share some of my older books, as well as newer ones.

Today I’m happy to share the opening of Hurricane, one of my all-time favorite stories. Why do I love it so much? Because I’ve been fascinated with the 1900 Galveston storm for as long as I can remember. It remains the nation’s most catastrophic natural disaster. The book is dedicated to those who gave their lives to save others.

 

CHAPTER ONE

Tuesday, September 4th, 1900, 11:45 a.m. Aboard the GH&H Railroad

I am going home.

Home—a place I scarcely know, and yet know as well as my own name. A place of sweltering heat and gritty, salt-stung eyes. A garden of wispy oleanders and steep green palms dancing in soft evening breezes. A sandy retreat for sundials and sand dollars, angel wings and star fish. A hallowed habitat for speckled trout and flounder, red snapper and bluefish. A sanctuary for pesky mosquitoes and wide-eyed immigrants, both an unwelcome source of irritation to the locals. A pavilion where sweethearts, young and old, dance at open-air concerts. A leisurely place where rickety wooden piers tip-toe out onto the reaches of the warm, murky waters of the Gulf of Mexico… brown, rolling waters that stretch for miles against the backdrop of a soft, powder blue sky.

I am going home—to Galveston, the island of my youth. It draws me back as the tide pulls the restless waves to the shoreline, and yet I resist just as they do when they have had enough and wish to be released to the sea once again. Galveston Island.  Every corner of my mind is clouded with memories, though I push them away with a vengeance. I don’t want to remember.  My conscience is seared with the guilt of trying to forget.

Six years in New York have put the past behind me, and yet it lies ever before me.   I left a boy, a dreamer. I return a man, a realist. Perhaps there is more of my father in me than I’m ready to admit.

“Hey, Mister!  Whatcha writin?”

Brent Murphy looked up from his tablet into the sharp olive green eyes of the little boy sitting across from him on the train. “I, uh…” Brent tried valiantly to collect his thoughts, leaving his scribblings behind him. “Not much, really.” What was he writing, after all—his wishes, his fears?  He couldn’t possibly share those things with a child, a perfect stranger.

“You a writer, Mister?” They little boy’s eyes were playful, inquisitive. They danced in the direction of his tablet, as if wanting to snatch it up and read it.

Brent pulled it a little closer to himself. “Well, yes,” he answered. “Sort of, anyway…” After all these years, it was still a difficult question to answer.

“Gee willikins!  Do you write books?” The boy’s sparkling green eyes widened with excitement. Brent discovered himself in those eyes – a young man enthralled with the world of a writer.

“No, not books. I’m a reporter, a journalist.” As he laid the tablet down on his knees, Brent couldn’t help but notice the wrinkles in his trousers. Days of travel had left him looking a little less like a reporter and a little more like a vagabond.

“Man, oh man!” The little boy sat up straight and looked him squarely in the eye.

“Lucas, son, sit still and don’t bother the nice gentleman,” the boy’s mother, a woman with stern brown eyes, scolded.

“Oh, he’s no bother,” Brent said. “No bother at all.”

“Do you live in Galveston?” Lucas asked, unable to hold himself still for more than a moment.

“Yes, well—I used to.”

“I’m gonna visit my Grandpa Frankie.”

“Joseph Franks,” his mother explained. “He’s a deputy sheriff on the island. Do you know him?”

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t,” Brent said. “But I’ve been away for awhile. Six years.” Six wonderful, terrible years.

Lucas turned his attention to something outside the window, and Brent returned to his ponderings. The flatlands of Southeast Texas rolled by—stark and dry. A drought had left the tall grasses as brown as autumn. The warm air wafted through the open window. Brent pulled at his collar, deep in thought. The gentle clacking of the train against the tracks lulled Brent back into a hypnotic state. He began to jot words down, almost uncontrollably:

We pulled out of Houston half an hour ago, headed south on the GH&H line—a railroad I know well.  During the Civil War, the Galveston, Houston &Henderson crossed this very spot with Confederate troops and munitions; their goal—to reach the Island to break a Union blockade. My mission pales in comparison.

Houston has grown to an almost unrecognizable level. She will surpass Galveston’s greatness if Islanders are not careful. Perched on the brink of industrial eminence, the city that brought General Sam Houston fame is now overwhelmed with the scent of oil, industry and new money. Houses are springing up all around the place—wood framed with indoor plumbing and electric lights—all the modern conveniences. It is difficult to believe Texas won her freedom in this once-barren place. Fifty years have brought a lifetime of change. Time changes everything—and nothing—all at the same time.

Within another hour we’ll cross the trestle over the Galveston Bay. From there I will be within moments of home.

Home.

Galveston, to my understanding, is much the same as when I left—bustling with streetcars and tourists, though surely not many remain this late into the season.  What draws them back?  The Island, in its own mysterious way, seems to lull them, year after year. I will soon join them. When I get home…

Here Brent paused, looking up from his tablet to reflect. What should he write?  How could he even begin to predict the future when he still had so much trouble dealing with the past?

***

  Tuesday, September 4th, 12:30 p.m. The Murphy Villa

“Douglas, dear, do you really have to go?” Gillian Murphy forced the saddest face she could muster. Years of experience had turned her into a better than average actress. She knew how to play a role when the script called for it.

“Gillian, we’ve already discussed this.” Her husband’s stern face left nothing to the imagination.

“But we’ve got such a grand party coming up this weekend, and there’s so much work to be done. I’m simply lost without you.” She turned to check her appearance in the mirror as she tucked a loose hair behind one ear. He didn’t answer for a moment, and fear gripped her. She did depend on him, perhaps more than she wanted to admit. She turned to give him another pout.

“You’ve got Pearl,” her husband mumbled as he straightened his jacket. “And I’ve got to work.”

“Work, work—that’s all you ever do.” Gillian pouted. How could he argue the point?  In their thirty years of marriage, the couple had rarely taken so much as a well-deserved vacation. Douglas was driven to succeed. His years at GH&H railroad had proven that. Forty-six miles of track from Galveston to Houston was all that lay between Gillian Murphy and her husband.

“I don’t see you complaining about the home we’re living in, or those expensive clothes you’re wearing.” He pulled a gold watch from his pocket and checked the time.

It was hardly fair to bring that up. “Yes, but…”

“Just how do you think we’re going to pay for this little shin-dig anyway?” Douglas asked as he ran a comb through his jet-black hair. He used his fingertips to straighten the sharp edges of his carefully manicured moustache then stared at his reflection carefully in the hall mirror. “You’re liable to bankrupt us with this party of yours.”

Gillian’s heart gave a quick flutter. Surely he jested. She gauged his expression for confirmation. A bit of a twinkle in his dark gray eyes let her know that he was not completely serious.

“Pish-Posh!” she responded with a snicker. “You know perfectly well we’re not hurting for money. Now don’t scare me by saying things like that. It’s completely unfair of you, Douglas.”

Her husband reached over and gave her a light peck on the nose. “For a middle-aged woman, you certainly still act like a silly schoolgirl.”

“I’m not middle-aged,” Gillian said defiantly. “I’m barely forty-six.”

He brushed some lint from his jacket, then turned to face her. “Forty-eight.”

“Forty-seven!” she said stubbornly. She glanced in the mirror at her reflection once again. Her clear, white skin barely carried a hint of sun, let alone a wrinkle. She had swept her soft brown hair up off her neck with an ivory comb, a Christmas gift from Douglas. There were a few streaks of gray in amongst her dark locks, she noticed as she peered a little closer – but not enough to rank her middle-aged. Her hazel eyes were more blue than green. There was still plenty of youthful vitality in them, though the finely tuned wrinkles that had crept up alongside them argued the point.

“Gillian, dear. You were twenty-two when our son was born—were you not?  He’s twenty-six now. That would make you…”

Gillian turned, feeling her heart begin to swell. Why did he have to bring up their son now, just when things were going so well?

“Twenty-six years of misery with the laziest son a man ever had,” Douglas said, his face turning red. “If only he had been born with half the work ethic I have, we might be singing a completely different song today. Of course, there’s good reason why he isn’t much like me, isn’t there dear…?”

Gillian’s heart raced. This was not way to say goodbye. “Darling, let’s don’t do this…”

“I’m just saying that things might have been completely different if you hadn’t…”

Gillian had to turn this around. She had to. “Alright, I’ll admit it. I’m forty-eight years old,” she said. “Now, can we change the subject?”

“Maybe,” Douglas said with a hint of a smile, “if you’re ready to admit you still act like a giddy school-girl when it comes to hosting those ridiculous parties.”

Her thoughts drifted back to the subject at hand. The party. “Oh, but this is going to be the gala of the century!  Everyone will simply be mad with envy.”

“Well, we can’t have that,” Douglas said. “I suppose we’ll have to cancel.”

His thick eyebrows furrowed, and her heart fell. But only for a moment. Gillian looked into his eyes.  “Oh, you’re teasing. I knew you were.”

“Teasing or not, there’s work to be done, and I’ve never been one to slack off.”

No, he certainly wasn’t. And now that rumors of oil ran up and down the coast, his zeal for the railroad played second fiddle to the possibility of making a strike in the near future. That meant she now came in third, in the grand scheme of things.

“I’ll be back on Saturday afternoon.” He turned toward the door.

Gillian pouted, half-angry, half-disappointed. “Miss me?”

“Chin up!” Douglas turned to leave. “I’ll be back soon.”

The door slammed behind him, echoing the hollow emptiness of the large home, fashioned in the new Victorian style. Gillian dropped into a chair, deep in thought. Her husband was a strong man, stronger in so many ways than she would ever be. It was a man’s world, or so he told her all the time.

“That may very well be.” She shook her head. “But when it comes to throwing parties, it’s a woman’s world.” She grinned as she stood, and readied herself for the day ahead. There was much work to be done, and she would never let it be said that Gillian Murphy wasn’t up to the task.

***

 Tuesday, September 4th, 2:35 p.m. St. Mary’s Orphan’s Asylum

Sister Henrietta Mullins reached up with the back of her hand to wipe the perspiration from her brow. Her habit, dark and cumbersome, clung to her petite frame like a second skin, choking the very life out of her. Of course, she had no one to blame but herself. She had chosen this life; only she could take the credit or the blame.

Henrietta’s commitment to the Sisters of Charity had taken her far from home in rural Virginia, far from those she loved. And yet it was clear she felt God’s call on her life. She had known it from the time she was a young girl, weeping at altar’s edge.

At the tender age of twenty-one Henrietta had taken her vows with no hesitation. And when her superiors had assigned her to work at the beloved St. Mary’s Orphans Asylum in Galveston just one year later, she had gone willingly. What a difference a few months could make. They had changed everything. Now she stood as a testament to her faith, though she felt at any moment she might cave under the pressure.

The heat didn’t help things, either. Even with the breeze off of the gulf, she still felt as though she might suffocate. “I’m only in Texas,” she wrote home, “but feel like I’m halfway to Hades already.”

Henrietta longed for the cool autumns of Virginia, her home. There was nothing as beautiful as the turning of the leaves, their reds and gold’s melting together into dizzying shades of orange.  There, the cool, crisp fall breezes whipped through the trees, teasing the leaves and eventually coaxing them down from unwilling limbs. All of her life she had romped and played in the woods of Virginia. Among those trees she had first felt the tug that would eventually bring her to Galveston Island.

“It’s not so bad,” she said, looking about. The two dormitories of St. Mary’s Orphan’s Asylum lay on the outskirts of town, well out of reach of the Yellow Fever epidemic that had swept the island a short time ago. The Infirmary was nearby. Henrietta had made it her mission to keep the children in good health—spiritually and physically. Many of them had lost parents in the epidemic. Others had been abandoned at birth by parents who did not have the necessary means to care for them.

She had no right to complain about her life. After all, she had made her own choices. Her biggest struggle, at least at the moment, was this bulky habit and its constricting white collar.

“Look on the bright side,” she whispered to herself. “At least I don’t have to wear a corset.” A smile made its way up her cheeks. Small waistlines had become ridiculously painful over the past few years with those tightly laced, strictly constructed corsets in the picture. Though they posed countless health risks, any woman who considered herself fashionable wore one to embellish her female physique. A corset provided the coveted curves, naturally, but it also constricted the abdomen so that women could barely eat or sit down comfortably. How wonderful to be rid of that agony!

“I’ll take the good with the bad.” Henrietta said, suddenly determined. “Learning will come with time and much patience.” Heat or no heat, she must learn to endure. Her calling required it.

Had she known how difficult everything would turn out to be, she might have requested a different calling.

 Like what you’ve read? Purchase Hurricane here.

The Story Behind the Story: Hurricane

Cooking up Some Tasty Offerings

 

Janice Thompson, Inspirational Author: March 2015 Newsletter






View this email in your browser

 





























A big Texas “Howdy!” from inspirational author, Janice Thompson. Are you wondering about the photo to the left? It was taken at the ACFW conference, where I dressed up as Aunt Rosa (from the Weddings by Bella series) to celebrate the release of my book, That’s Amore. What do you think of my chef’s attire? Fun, right? And, did you notice the strong Italian theme? The cookies in the pizza box are designed to look like mini pizzas! Most of my readers know that I’m not just a writer; I also run a bakery business on the side. I enjoy offering sweet treats, whether it’s in the form of a book, a cookie or a cake! Speaking of which, I’m so excited to be cooking up some new stories for you to enjoy! So, settle back, grab one of my latest novels and let’s spend some sweet time together.

 

 






















 

MY LATEST E-BOOK: MISMATCHED IN TEXAS ($2.99)

In the quaint community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda Bauer spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with loggers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. At her invitation, potential brides begin to arrive in Poetry. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. George Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just can’t seem to find George’s “perfect match,” though it’s not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for George— and for Belinda, herself? (PREVIOUSLY SOLD AS LOVE FINDS YOU IN POETRY TEXAS)
























 

BELLA’S BACK! ENJOY THAT’S AMORE, BOOK FOUR IN THE WEDDINGS BY BELLA SERIES. ($4.99)

Bella Neeley is a busy woman these days. Not only is she juggling two young kids, her hunky husband, and her always-entertaining family–she has another baby on the way. To top it off, she and D.J. are busy opening a second Club Wed location, this time a historic building in beautiful Splendora, Texas. When D.J. suggests they start off the new Club Wed facility with a bang–by getting married again–Bella isn’t sure if she can handle planning another wedding. Still, who could say no to such a sweet man? But nothing’s simple in relationships or building restoration! When everything goes wrong, Bella enlists the help of the fabulous Splendora sisters. It’s Twila, Bonnie Sue and Jolene to the rescue!

























 

COMING SOON: EVERY BRIDE NEEDS A GROOM (BOOK ONE IN THE BRIDES WITH STYLE SERIES, $3.99)

Small-town girl Katie Fisher is planning her wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn’t managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t enter a contest in Texas Bride magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? But when her boyfriend breaks up with her and takes a job in another town–the very same day Katie wins her dream dress–her world is turned upside down. Should she claim her prize? And will the hunky former pro-basketball player who runs the swanky Dallas bridal shop–yeah, you read that right–catch on to her humiliation if she does? This romance sure to delight, with plenty of fish-out-of-water moments, a hilarious supporting cast, and more of the wedding biz world my readers adore.

 





























This month’s bargain: Don’t Rock the Boat (Book Six in the Bridal Mayhem Mystery Series). Now available on kindle for only 99 cents!

Annie Peterson’s supposed to be on vacation. . .not in wedding planning mode and certainly not in mystery solving mode. But when she meets a bride-to-be aboard the Navigator of the Seas cruise liner, Annie can’t help herself. She’s ready, willing and able to help with plans for the big day. And when the bride goes missing just hours before the ceremony, it’s Annie to the rescue! Who’s responsible for spiriting away the elusive bride? The maid of honor? The emotional mother of the bride? An over-the-top best man? The groom-to-be? A total stranger? Someone’s done the deed and it’s up to Annie to locate the MIA bride before the ship returns to port. Surely, with the Lord’s help, she can solve this mystery. Join Annie on this high seas adventure where everyone on-board is a suspect and no good deed goes unpunished.







































Share

 

Tweet

 

Forward

 






















Copyright 2015, Janice Thompson, Christian Author All rights reserved.

Contact Janice at:

booksbyjanice (at) gmail (dot) com

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

 

 

 

This email was sent to *|EMAIL|*

why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

*|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|*

*|REWARDS|*

 

Hot Off the Press

Howdy, friends!

I just wanted to pop in long enough to bring you up to speed on my new books. Take a look at the list below. There’s a lot stirring right now and you don’t want to miss a thing!

HOT OFF THE KINDLE E-PRESS:  Mismatched in Texas

In the quaint community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda Bauer spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with loggers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. At her invitation, potential brides begin to arrive in Poetry. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and all the brides marry the wrong men!

One client is particularly unhappy. George Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just can’t seem to find George’s “perfect match,” though it’s not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for George— and for Belinda, herself? (NOTE: This book was formerly sold as Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas.)

__________________________________________________________________

NEW FROM REVELL PUBLISHING:   That’s Amore

BOOK FOUR IN THE “WEDDINGS BY BELLA” SERIES

Bella’s back–in a big way!

Bella Neeley is a busy woman these days. Not only is she juggling two young kids, her hunky husband, and her always-entertaining family–she has another baby on the way. To top it off, she and D.J. are busy opening a second Club Wed location, this time a historic building in beautiful Splendora, Texas. When D.J. suggests they start off the new Club Wed facility with a bang–by getting married again–Bella isn’t sure if she can handle planning another wedding. Still, who could say no to such a sweet man? But nothing’s simple in relationships or building restoration! When Splendora’s mayor shows up to contest Bella’s facility, she’s faced with the prospect that her long-awaited expansion of Club Wed may be destined to fail before it even gets off the ground. Determined to find out why the mayor seems to have a vendetta against her and D.J., Bella will have to enlist the help of the fabulous Splendora sisters. Whew! What’s a girl got to do to get a break around here?


__________________________________________________________________

 COMING IN APRIL, 2015:  Every Bride Needs a Groom

Small-town girl Katie Fisher is planning her wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn’t managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t enter a contest in Texas Bride magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? But when her boyfriend breaks up with her and takes a job in another town–the very same day Katie wins her dream dress–her world is turned upside down. Should she claim her prize? And will the hunky former pro-basketball player who runs the swanky Dallas bridal shop–yeah, you read that right–catch on to her humiliation if she does?

 

__________________________________________________________________

 COMING IN MAY, 2015:  Never a Bridesmaid

Can one bridesmaid undo the disasters caused by a poorly chosen maid of honor and save her sister’s wedding from disaster? 

Mari’s older sister Crystal is getting married, and Mari is one of her bridesmaids – actually, the last in a lineup of five bridesmaids, but that doesn’t really bother her. Much. But Sienna Jameson as the maid of honor? Really? She might be Crystal’s best friend, but she’s ditzy and undependable on her best days. When the best man turns out to be hunky Derrick Richardson, the right fielder for the Houston Astros and one of Houston’s most eligible bachelors, Sienna abandons her duties as maid of honor to chase Derrick, and it’s up to Mari to make sure Crystal’s wedding day goes off without a hitch. While Mari is wrapped up in dress fittings, bridal showers, and bachelorette nights, Derrick has taken notice of her devotion to her sister and her determination to make the wedding perfect. But between dodging Sienna’s advances and watching Mari running around like a madwoman, Derrick is left to steal moments whenever he can to get to know this beautiful bridesmaid. When the maid of honor shows up to the ceremony late and more done up than the bride herself, Mari fears her attempts to make her sister’s wedding perfect have all been for naught. Will the bride be up-staged by the maid of honor? Will the fifth-in-line bridesmaid ever be recognized for all the work she’s done? And will Mari finally have a moment to revel in the magic of a wedding and dance in the strong arms of a man?

 

 

Introducing a New Publisher!

Need some help with your unpublished manuscripts?

Cynthia Hickey, hybrid, and Amazon best-selling author, and her small ebook line, may be the ones who can help you.

Today’s publishing world is changing faster than some writers can keep up. Not only must you have a well-written book, but you must be prolific. Where once, you needed a large publisher to see your book in print, with small royalties and a long time to wait before seeing the fruit of your labor, today that is no longer the case. A book can be in ebook form and in print via print-on-demand within a matter of weeks and royalties paid to the author are much higher than in the traditional route. It’s an exciting time to be a writer!

Today’s authors wear many hats; writer, publisher, marketer, cover designer, etc. They must be active on social media. Everywhere they turn, they’re bombarded with what’s new, what’s old, what doesn’t work anymore and what’s the new thing to guarantee sales.

We’re told we must have a book published every three months in order to stay in the reader’s sights. While this is true, it is often overwhelming to those who take longer to complete a manuscript than others.

Are you tired of writing to fit a mold? Have you received the rights back on previously traditionally published works? Do you have a dusty manuscript that can’t find a home? Then Take Me Away Books or Forget Me Not Romances  may be the place for you.

Forget Me Not

The Forget Me Not Romances is a line of sweet, clean and/or inspirational novels that allow the reader to get lost in a good romance. This line is open to romance genres of historical, western, contemporary, suspense, and mystery. Don’t worry. If you contact us about one line, and we feel you’ll fit better with the other one, we’ll switch you over if that’s what you prefer.

A lot of authors, while writing the book of their heart, find that their baby doesn’t fit into a particular niche. That’s no reason to stick the story on a shelf or in a drawer. Take Me Away Books and Forget Me Not Romances are small presses dedicated to helping authors who want to publish their book in ebook form. We’re looking for romantic suspense, mystery, memoirs, fantasy, science fiction, and everything in between. You wrote a story about a time-traveling fairy? Okay. If it’s a well-written story about a time-traveling fairy, we’ll take it.

Take Me Away

Take Me Away Books is open to all genres, except for erotica and children’s books, and books posted there will have a rating, similar to a movie rating. Forget Me Not Romances, devoted to clean and sweet books, won’t need a rating because of their wholesomeness. Both lines will run in the same manner and the information can be found here. If you have more questions, please email me at cynthiahickey (at) outlook.com. We are open to submissions for both lines. Come find a home for your baby. If you have a submission, please send it to cynthiahickey (at) outlook.com with SUBMISSION in the subject line.

In order to give each of our authors the attention they deserve, Take Me Away Books and Forget Me Not Romances will be very selective in who they accept. We want to take pride in the services we offer and in the finished product. Writing for a small press, where the authors not only actively promote their book, but the entire line, helps everyone reach a wider market.

This is an exciting venture for us as we enter into the world of being a publisher. There are a lot of books available to help a person get their book in ebook form, but all of these take time. Often, a writer finds that the details take up time that they would rather spend writing. With more and more books showing up on ebook distributing sites, it often takes a team to reach as many people as possible. We want to help you get started.

Celebrating The Small Press

Why publish with a small press? Why go ebook? Why go indie when you want to be traditional? Why not start indie and strive for being a hybrid? The primary reason for using a small press is to bypass the mis-conceived notion of what self-published is and have the backing of a publisher’s name. This also helps you build a readership and hone your craft in order to entice a traditional publisher. Don’t be surprised though if you decide to stay with a small press. The higher royalties might be worth it to you. If you’re a traditionally published author looking to fill in between contracts or list your back lists, ebooks are a great way to pull in readers to your traditionally published books and visa versa.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Fiction or non-fiction that is well-written and will appeal to readers. Genres: romance, romantic suspense, mystery, historical romance, science fiction, fantasy, New Adult, Young Adult, or any combination thereof. We’re looking for author’s willing to work as a team to market their books in an ever-growing world.

WHAT WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR:

Erotica or Children’s books. Authors who want to sit back, do nothing, and see what happens. This doesn’t work in any type of business. Ever hear the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”? Well, it takes a team to build a book.

We want to be a part of that team.

100 Tips for Maintaining a Killer Platform

Happy Monday, y’all!

Many would argue that novelists don’t need a platform, but I’m not convinced that’s true. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, you can benefit from having a solid platform and a unique brand.

With that in mind, take a look at the following list titled 100 Tips for Maintaining a Killer Platform then spend some time thinking about how you can apply these tips to your work in progress.

 

Think like an entrepreneur.
Work hard to build your platform, acquiring a core audience. (Get your audience before your book’s release.)
Create a brand and stick with it.
Join professional organizations.
Educate yourself.
Build momentum by involving your readers.
Ask your readers what they want, then give it to them.
Give your readers free stuff.
Speak to other writers.
Offer real discounts.
Continue to offer fresh/compelling ideas to editors.
Hustle, hustle, hustle! (Don’t procrastinate.)
Stay on a continual learning curve.
Find your niche.
Communicate with your fans. Let them know how grateful you are for their support.
Discover your personal strengths and use them to your advantage.
Create new content on your website so it stays up in the Google rankings.
Conduct focus groups.
Volunteer at writing conferences.
Engage people who have different opinions.
Create a public “wave” by running an interview on several blogs at once.
Hold seasonal contests.
Offer webinars.
Join online communities and forums.
If you’re shy, work on breaking out of that shell.
Speak at local libraries.
Write a series. (Fans love authors to give them a series of books. They will fall in love with your characters, for sure.)
Offer online courses.
Send out surveys.
Know what you’re going to say…and say it.
Offer products related to your brand.
Speak to kids at your local public school(s).
Learn how to use Facebook and other social media outlets.
Give 100%, and then give some more.
Comment on blogs in your niche.
Give organizations discounts to buy your book in bulk.
Speak on topics relevant to your book(s).
Write down your marketing plan for each new book.
Slant your speaking topics and articles to your specific audience.
Set quarterly goals.
Be a guest speaker at a local college.
Stay in touch with other writers.
Approach local radio stations for interviews.
Engage people.
Ask a multi-published author to mentor you.
Make sure your editors are aware of your flexibility.
Don’t get discouraged.
Hire a publicist.
Work on that next book, even if you haven’t sold it.
Have bookmarks made promoting your book.
Support other authors.
Think outside the box.
Endorse books (it helps get your name out there).
Enjoy the process!
 Seek high-end endorsements for your book.
Include testimonials from your readers (on blogs, bookmarks, interviews, press releases, etc.).
Interview “famous” people on your blog.
Remember the 70/30 plan. If you have product (a book) to sell, spend at least 70% of your article/piece giving away info, then 30% selling product.
When you are interviewed on blogs or websites, put a link back to your site. (This ups your Google rankings.)
Create a tribe (a close-knit group of your best supporters).
Do “top ten” lists on your blog.
Review books.
Add your tagline to your email signature (along with the title of your most recent book).
Thank reviewers for reviewing your book (leave comments on their blog, thanking them).
Even if you’re multi-published, attend conferences to connect with other writers and to “grow” yourself as a writer.
Set up a shopping cart on your website.
Offer “deals” (three books for $25 instead of one for $10).
Offer pre-buy specials.
Create a mailing list.
Read marketing blogs.
Join Amazon Connect (to “connect” with your readers there).
Thank online bookstore owners for carrying your book.
Visit your local bookstore and offer to sign copies of your book. While you’re at it, take some cookies to the manager and his staff.
Apply to teach at conferences.
Become an online bookstore affiliate.
Promote through associations (either online or in person).
Learn how to write a great press release.
Don’t get caught up in singing your own praises.
Market to a book-buying audience.
Identify your target audience and spend time with them.
Market locally, then state-wide, then nationally.
Become “famous” in your area/region.
Offer people meat and potatoes, not milk and toast. (Make sure your articles and books are filled with actual/helpful info.)
Be consistent. (My former pastor used to say, “We want to be a people who finish well.”)
Keep clips of all your magazine articles and reviews.
Keep your press kit handy.
Give out business cards to new acquaintances.
Always follow up.
Build a reader’s list. Offer a “book-club” option on your site, giving “members” discounted prices if they receive your books automatically.
Enter your books in contests.
Create a great elevator pitch about your book so you won’t wear people out with a long explanation.
Speak before signing books. (I always sell far more books when I have an opportunity to speak first.)
Do your best to get “big” reviews. (Publisher’s Weekly, Library Association, Booklist, etc.)
Be creative when it comes to “where” you sell your books. If you’ve written for children, why not sell at homeschool fairs? If your book has a state angle, why not sell at your state’s library events?
Stay on top of industry changes.
Get your book in libraries. (Ask your friends/associates to request it.)
Don’t throw good money after bad. If something doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.
Don’t be too proud to write “small” (and often “free”) pieces.
Remember, you have a life outside of writing.

100. Pray.

There you have it, authors. . .one hundred great ways to keep your platform fresh and alive. I will leave you with the words of my good friend, multi-published romance author, Gail Gaymer Martin, who said: “Honing your craft continues whether you’ve written one or fifty novels. The better your story the more readers remember your novels and buy the next release. Learning never ends for novelists.” – Gail Gaymer Martin, author of Writing The Christian Romance from Writers Digest.

 

Meet Christian Author, Carol Moncado

Friends, I’m so excited to introduce you to my good friend and fellow writer, Carol Moncado. I’ve known Carol for a few years and can always count on her for moral support, whether it’s a pat on the back or a quick edit of a book. She’s a true friend. 

Carol has a new book out today titled Finding Mr. Write. I just downloaded my copy and hope you will do the same.

Where did the inspiration for Finding Mr. Write come from?

The inspiration came from a conversation I had with Casey Herringshaw in the comments on Seekerville one day in mid-2011. We were planning for our first ACFW conference and debated whether or not we should stalk Julie Lessman while there. It turns out we didn’t need to, but the idea had taken root. The original concept had a much more Lucy-Ethel tone to it, but I love the way it turned out.

So why Mya Elizabeth Linscott? Mya… well, the reason is implied in the book so I won’t spoil it here. I don’t remember the inspiration for Elizabeth, but likely just looking for something with an “E” to make it MEL. Linscott comes from my favorite Mary Connealy hero, Tom Linscott in Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

Where did the inspiration for Dorrie come from? What about the skin cancer on Dorrie’s nose?

Dorrie embodies pretty much every author I know, myself included. The insecurities. The fears. The rejection. But with all of that comes friendships that transcend writing. Camaraderie. Growth. And I do know of at least one couple that met at a conference and married later. Her journey mirrors mine in many ways [though not the contest final/win - or the random conference wedding ;)]. 

As for the skin cancer… as I was working on a round of edits for this book, I was diagnosed with exactly what she was. Her experience there also very much mirrors my own – from the nickel-sized crater to the second surgery and the lasering. And yes – my eyelids were numb at one point ;).

What book(s) is(are) coming out next? What am I working on now?

This is the beginning of my “grand opening” as an author! Six books are releasing this year and I’m working to finish them up right now.

* Finally Mr. Write: CANDID Romance book 2; November 24, 2014

* Falling for Mr. Write: CANDID Romance book 3; December 2014

*Good Enough for a Princess: The Montevaro Monarchy book 1; November 17, 2014

*Along Came a Prince: The Montevaro Monarchy book 2; December 2014

*More Than a Princess: The Montevaro Monarchy book 3; December 2014

Spring 2014 will see the release of the next series – The Brides of Bellas Montagnes. When I have the time, I’m working on book 3 in that series, Prince from her Past. The first two are mostly done – Hand-me-down Princess and Queen of His Heart [working title].

Where exactly is Serenity Landing?

Serenity Landing is a fictionalized version of Republic, Missouri – about 12 miles southwest of Springfield. I’ve lived in this area for over 20 years now and wouldn’t trade it for anything! Look for a Serenity Landing website, coming soon! Most [all?] of the books I have planned are connected to this town in one way or another, so you’ll learn a lot more about it as they go on :).

Why indie publish your books? Why now? How does that process work?

Why indie? Because I’ve been doing this for a long time and most of my books are just a bit too outside “the box” for traditional publishers to take a chance on. I completely get that. Plus the number of fiction slots available each year with a traditional publisher has shrunk several times through the closure of fiction lines in the last couple of years.

Why now? I have 13 manuscripts under my belt, many of which were a polish or two away from being ready. Plus, I really, truly, believed God gave me the go-ahead when I prayed about it.

How does it work? Write a book. Rewrite the book. Edit. Edit. Edit. Critique partners. Edit. Edit. Proofreaders. Design a cover. Format the ebook. Format the paperback. Format the paperback cover. Submit the ebook to Kindle Direct Publishing. Submit the paperback files to CreateSpace and wait for a proof copy. Pray the proof copy arrives in time to sync the paperback and ebooks by the release date [that didn’t happen for Finding Mr. Write and is unlikely to for Good Enough for a Princess, but they’re both coming]. Anything but the writing [and some of the editing] can be hired out – either in exchange for money [paying an editor or cover designer or formatter, for instance] or as a barter [like with critique partners]. A long, daunting – but rewarding – process!

What is your favorite time of day to write?

If I didn’t have four young[ish] kids at home, it would probably 9-10pm to 1-2am. That’s when I write the best and am the most creative – when I’m not up at 6 in the morning to get a 13yo to jazz band practice. :p That tends to zap any late-night creativity. Instead, I get most of it done on the days I don’t work [most MWF off] or when I hole up in the recliner in the office of my sister’s house for 10-12 hours a day on weekends.

Top five favorite books of all time.

To quote one of my favorite people, Ruth Logan Herne: Oh! My! Stars! How to choose just five???? Let’s see:

1. Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

2. Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

3. Anything by Becky Wade [but especially Meant to be Mine. Or My Stubborn Heart.]

4. Any of Janice Thompson’s rom coms – starting with the Weddings by Bella series

5. Anything by Mary Connealy

Thanks so much for visiting, Carol! I’m tickled to have your new book, Finding Mr. Write, in hand and can’t wait to read the others.

Folks, why not check out Carol’s great book, Finding Mr. Write? It’s listed at amazon at a great price and will be a terrific addition to your e-library. You can thank me later for the recommendation. For now, what’s keeping you? Head on over to amazon and get your copy today.

Now THAT’S Amore!

Oh my! How exciting!

I haven’t talked much about my upcoming Weddings by Bella book, That’s Amore, but it’s time to begin! The book releases on November 4th, after all! I’d better get to it, right?!

For those who’ve been wondering, That’s Amore is really, truly a Bella book, written from her point of view. This is the first time I’ve released a true “Weddings by Bella” story since Fools Rush In, Swinging on a Star and It Had to be You. Why come back with a new Bella story now? Because my readers have asked for more stories from her point of view, and I couldn’t resist!

In this wacky new tale, Bella and DJ move (temporarily) to Splendora Texas to open a new wedding facility. Of course, some crazy things happen along the way! You’ll see many of the characters you’ve grown to love, and meet a few new ones, too! So, look for That’s Amore, which releases in e-book format on November 4th. It’s going to be a blast!

Weddings by Bella. . .and more!

Howdy, readers!

One of my sweet readers asked me today about the order of my Bella books. She’s excited about the upcoming release of That’s Amore but knows there are several books ahead of that one in the series. She wants to read them all in order, so she doesn’t miss a thing. I don’t blame her! Missing out on the details is no fun at all!

With that in mind, here’s my best suggestion for getting the full Bella/DJ story:

 

 

Start at the very beginning! The “Weddings by Bella” series!

Fools Rush In

Swinging on a Star

It Had to be You

Next, read the “Weddings by Design” series!

Picture Perfect

The Icing on the Cake

The Dream Dress

A Bouquet of Love

Then, if you’re as excited as I am about my newest book, read: 

That’s Amore (coming in a few weeks!)

THEN, if you want to fill in the blanks, you might read:

Star Collide

Hello Hollywood

The Director’s Cut

Those last three books are briefly mentioned in the Bella books (and vice-versa). They’re all loosely tied together.

If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I’ll do my best to respond! Until then, happy reading!

What a Girl Needs: This New Book!

Many years ago I stumbled across a book by a new-to-me author. The book was titled What a Girl Wants. The author, Kristin Billerbeck, was taking the Christian market by storm with her breezy chick-lit style. I bought the book and took it with me to jury duty in downtown Houston. I’d been dropped off for jury duty, thinking I’d be there all day. Turns out, the jury was dismissed and I had NO way home.

I decided to take a city bus to the farthest north end of Houston then get one of my daughters to pick me up. Thus began what I lovingly call my “Calgon, take me away” journey with Kristin Billerbeck. It all started when I got so wrapped up in the story that I ended up on the wrong bus. I didn’t realize it because I had my nose in this amazing book, but I was headed west instead of north. I figured it out, but didn’t stop reading until I got to the next stop, at which point I couldn’t figure out how (or if) I’d ever get home.

Long story short, it took me hours and hours to get home that day, and all because I was SO distracted with this lovely book, which I never stopped reading, even for a minute! I couldn’t give it up long enough to figure out what part of town I was in! Kristin’s writing style was/is light, breezy, cheeky and totally “me.” I understood this style of writing because I’d written in much the same vein (with little success).

After (finally) arriving home that day I made up my mind: If Kristin Billerbeck can write light-hearted, relevant, quirky, fun, somewhat irreverent stories, perhaps I can try my hand at it again. So, I did. Bella was birthed, in part, because I garnered the courage by reading Kristin’s books. Years have passed, but I owe a l-o-t to my now-friend, Kristin. More than anything, she taught me to be myself, (though she didn’t even know she was teaching me). I know that many other authors found their voice through Kristin, as well.

NOW (DRUM ROLL) she’s come out with a FOURTH book in Ashley Stockingdale’s journey: What a Girl Needs. You betcha, I bought it ASAP and can’t wait to read it. Trust me when I say you’ll fall in love with this character and get caught up in her journey. You can thank me later for the recommendation. Right now just hop on over to amazon and pick up this new book. While you’re at it, you might want to start with the first book, What a Girl Wants. Yes, I know. . .SO much to read and so little time. What are you waiting for? Get to it!