Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 229

Interview with Elodie Nowodazkij

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?One, Two, Three is the story of seventeen-year-old Natalya Pushkaya. Here’s a brief overview:
Last year, Natalya Pushkaya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive.
But a car crash changed all that—and Natalya can’t stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career. At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present.
Can Natalya open up to love or shut down—like her mother?
Do you have a favorite character?Not really. I can’t play favorite…but I have two characters in One, Two, Three who surprised me.
Camilo and Rita.
One of my early reviewers mentioned that she enjoyed the depth of those two characters, how they were not stereotypical. And I have to admit that Camilo got additional layers while going through the content editing process.
Honestly, I think they deserve a novel too. Maybe next year J
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?I did. Some agents told me how close they had been, others mentioned they loved the story, but were not in love like they needed to be.
And I understand them.
If you’re not in love with a story, reading it more than 5 or 6 or 7 times or even more can get dull. I worked on my book (editing, revising, re-editing, revising, copy editing) probably more than 200 hours since I made my announcement that I was going to self-publish (maybe even more). I honestly understand why an agent didn`t take the chance to sign me.  The story that I published changed A LOT compared to the one I queried.
My CPs and beta readers loved the story and the characters. Many readers have sent me an email to tell me how much they fell in love with Natalya and Tonio, some made some fan pictures…And I am so happy that readers get to know Nata and Tonio, and Becca, and James, and the rest of them. I researched self-publication, talked to a few people and then decided to go for it.
And…I think for now self-publishing is the right path for me. I like the direct contact with the people I work with, I loved choosing my cover, my publication date. ONE TWO THREE came out on my parents’ 40th year anniversary.
If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?I am absolutely in love with the cover of ONE, TWO, THREE. Love it. Derek Murphy captured the spirit of the novel J
I was involved in the creative process by sending Derek a few idea of pictures (including the heart that is on the cover), and then giving feedback throughout. I also asked my street team for their opinion on the different covers’ ideas, the fonts used and so on.
I loved loved, loved being part of the creative process for the cover.
Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?I have amazing CPs and wonderful beta readers. They definitely helped me improve my writing: by sharing their own novels with me and with giving me thoughtful and always constructive feedback.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?I definitely hired several people to review my manuscript before publishing: Sara Biren and Maya Rock gave me content and line editing. Double Vision Editorial worked on copy editing…They were amazing and I am so thankful for them helping me make my book even better.
Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?On top of Amazon, ONE, TWO, THREE is also available on the websites of B&N, Kobo, iTunes, Google Play…
What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?Put your best work out there: and that means doing several passes on your manuscript…and trust your next manuscript to be even better than the last. One always learns.
Besides writing, do you have any other passions?I love taking pictures. Absolutely love trying to find the right light, the right angle to portray an emotion, a moment.
What’s next for you?I am finalizing a prequel novelette of One, Two, Three, entitled ONE DREAM ONLY. It’s the story of Natalya right around the car crash and it is available for pre-order on Amazon.
I am also working on the companion novel, ALWAYS SECOND BEST, which follows Emilia and Nick at the School of Performing Arts, and I’m revising DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL, a YA thriller. And I may or may not be jolting down some scenes of a NA sexy suspense novel.
*** Book & Author details:One, Two, Three… by Elodie Nowodazkij
Publication date: June 26th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis:When seventeen-year-old Natalya’s dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down—like her mother—or open up to love.

Last year, Natalya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive.

But a car crash changed all that—and Natalya can’t stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.

At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present, and his patient charms eventually draw her out of her shell.

But when upsetting secrets come to light and Tonio’s own problems draw her in, Natalya shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself.

Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him—and destroys herself?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20656288-one-two-three?ac=1
Purchase:--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/One-Two-Three-Elodie-Nowodazkij/dp/149531961X/ref=twoen-20--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-two-three-ms-elodie-nowodazkij/1119819780?ean=9781495319617--iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id889729288
--Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search/Query?q=9781498999212&fcmedia=Book&query=9781498999212 
AUTHOR BIO Elodie Nowodazkij was raised in a tiny village in France, where she could always be found a book in hand. At nineteen, she moved to the US, where she learned she'd never lose her French accent. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Modern Language & Linguistics, and later earned master's degrees in German Cultural Studies and European Studies. Unbeknownst to her professors, she sometimes drafted stories in class. Now she lives in Germany with her husband and their cat (who doesn't seem to realize he's not human), and uses her commuting time to write the stories swirling in her head. She's also a serial smiley user.

Author links:Website: www.elodienowodazkij.com Twitter:  https://twitter.com/commutinggirl Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/elodienowodazkij Newsletter: Sign up here
Giveaway:Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)--50$ Amazon Gift Card--50$ to the project of their choice on DonorsChoose.org
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NEW #Paranormal Collection: LOVERS' LANE: BITTEN BY LOVE, only .99

I'm thrilled to be collaborating with NY Times best-selling author, Sandra Edwards, and USA Today best-selling author, Regina Duke. We've put together four haunting stories.

LOVERS' LANE: BITTEN BY LOVE is on sale now for ONLY .99. Grab it before the price goes up.



BLURB:Four award-winning and bestselling books that will haunt you ~
STAKED
Sandra Edwards
A time-traveling bounty hunter gets involved with a mysterious soldier-of-fortune and soon discovers she could be his saving grace—or his downfall.
MY VAMPIRE WEDDING
Regina Duke
Cassie Skyler is alone in the world, except for her BFF and a building full of tenants she cannot evict. She’s looking for Mr. Right. Will she find him at a vampire fan convention? Her parents hid that part of their lives from her until the day they died. It turns out that’s not all they kept from her.
Bear Laco is a vampire working for the Collection Agency. His main mission: locate and register any remaining illegal portals between Earthside and Vampside. So why has he been ordered to investigate Cassie? To make matters worse, he can’t afford to fall in love with a human being. Not again.
THE SILVER CROSS
Debra L. Martin & David W. Small
Vampire hunter and Boston detective Lacey Gardner knows about killing vampires and she shows no mercy. When she meets bartender extraordinaire, Damon Harte, her heart does a quickstep for the dark hunky guy. Something about Damon captivates her and draws her to him. When she learns Damon's devastating secret, she knows what she has to do: kill the man who has stolen her heart.
INCREDIBLE DREAMS
Sandra Edwards
A modern-day ghost whisperer travels through time to save the life of a WWII fighter pilot and ends up jeopardizing her own existence.
BUY Links:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Lane-Bitten-Sandra-Edwards-ebook/dp/B00NE3MWBU 
BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lovers-lane-regina-duke/1120319076
iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lovers-lane-bitten-by-love/id913587459?mt=11
For romance fans, check out LOVERS' LANE: 9 SIZZLING ROMANCES:

#Excerpt: FOR LOVE OF LIVVY by J.M. Griffin

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding winner's choice of an eBook from Lachesis Publishing to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please click the banner to see a list of other stops on the tour.

NOTE: THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE FREE EVERYWHERE IT'S SOLD! Why not pick up your copy today?

After her favorite aunt is found dead and an alarming box is mysteriously left on the doorstep of her aunt’s house now legally hers, Lavinia Esposito wants explanations. But, having cleared the package of explosives, the local cops are dumbounded by the precious stones which came without an explanation, just an address─her Aunt Livvy’s. Frustrated by the cops’ refusal to share their theories, criminal justice instructor Lavinia Esposito, a.k.a. Vinnie, takes investigation matters into her own hands. Vinnie is soon dragged into situations beyond her control, finding herself in hot water with the law, the crooks, and her Italian father. Willing to put her life at risk to find out what really happened to her beloved Aunt Livvy, and why jewels would be addressed to her aunt, Vinnie plunges ahead with her usual tenacity, bravery, and keen wits to solve and survive this mystery.

Now enjoy an excerpt:

The trooper turned to leave and I stepped forward.

“Uh, I’d like to know what’s in the box, if it’s not too much to ask.” My hand snuck up to my hip as my cocky Italian attitude slid into place.

Tall and Curious stiffened at my tone and turned to stare at me. It seemed he wasn’t used to being spoken to in this manner, which wasn’t any big surprise. Women tend to respond differently to men in uniform, especially a man such as this luscious creature. Well, not this chick.

I teach guys like him all year long and the “I’m so wonderful” thing gets old fast.

“I’ll be sure to let you know, Miss Esposito. If we have any questions, you’ll hear from us right away.”

I gawked a moment and my eyes narrowed. His opened wide in contrast and he waited, his body tense. Maybe he thought I’d pitch myself off the steps onto his perfectly toned frame and pummel the daylights out of him or something. It was a thought, but I really wanted to know what was in the package. Besides, his muscles were bigger than mine.

In an effort to change tactics rather than be handcuffed and dragged off to jail, I smiled and spoke in as nice a manner as I could muster.

“I’d appreciate any information you could give me officer, since the package was left in such an alarming way. Should I call headquarters tomorrow?”

His look narrowed. I suspected he was unsure of where this was headed. There was a moment’s hesitation before he answered the question.

“Sure, that would be a good idea.” He gave a nod of the stiff brimmed campaign hat that covered cropped brown hair.

“All right then. I’ll call the colonel first thing.” My voice remained light and sweet, and the smile was charming, at least I hoped it was.

The colonel runs a strict police force and is a tough disciplinarian with an intense dislike for any impropriety, implied or otherwise. I’d gleaned that much from the cops in my criminal justice classes.

A tight lipped smile crossed his face. I figured he couldn’t decide whether I really knew the colonel or if this was a ploy. To be truthful, I lied by omission. I hadn’t said I knew the colonel, I just said I’d give him a call.

“That won’t be necessary ma’am. As soon as there’s any information, I’ll get in touch with you.” With a nod of his head, he turned and left.

J. M. Griffin is a student of the human condition, wielding the written craft to stimulate the imagination much like she wields her paint brush. The pages are a blank canvas on which J.M. draws vivid characters. J.M. is the author of the popular Vinnie Esposito mystery series featuring the sexy sleuth Vinnie Esposito and the engaging Deadly Bakery mystery series featuring the sassy baker/sleuth Melina Cameron. J.M. lives in rural Rhode Island, a state she considers colorful and interesting.

Author links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/JM-Griffin/246751368685078

http://www.twitter.com/mycozymystery

http://mycozymysteries.blogspot.com/

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Livvy-JM-Griffin/dp/1897562454/ref=la_B0074JH1HU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408405431&sr=1-1

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-love-of-livvy-j-m-griffin/1102586938?ean=9781897562468

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/399272

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#Excerpt: SKY'S END by Leslie Young

 EXCERPTS:
I can’t scream. I’m being hauled backward too forcefully. I try to twist, expecting to see another flash of silver, knowing I’m unable to stop it. But there isn’t one.
In one fluid movement, from capture to release, the Aeon hurls me through the air, in the direction of the rift, never once breaking in his fighting with Onegin and other Thelle’eons. As I sail backward I watch it fight with both hands again, easily slaughtering Thell’eon while working somewhat harder to fight off Onegin.
I land on my butt, hard. Only slightly winded. Why am I not dead? Why would it throw me near? Oh, it hits me, as the Aeon is slowly but surely backing up toward me and the rift. He’s going take me back with him! Aeon use sifts, Or’ic’s words replay loud.
Over my dead body!
I scramble to get up and look over at the exit relieved to see a fresh batch of Thell’eon entering, including Or’ic and Kell’an. They assess the situation and head for the Aeon determined. Grim-faced.
When I, too, look at the Aeon, my stomach drops. Onegin has been hurt. Badly. He’s collapsed on his knees before the Aeon. Blood’s pooling in his eyes. Just like what I saw through the rift yesterday!
The Aeon risks attacks from all sides to draw out the most deadly instrument I have ever seen from a holster on his leg. This is the moment. He’s going to point that narrow, piercing arrow-like device at Onegin, who appears helpless. I don’t think, I act. I run toward its back. The Aeon’s finally outnumbered now. I can help. Its waxy flesh, torn all over from blade slashes, melts like bubble gum from close-range fire.
“Stop!” shouts Or’ic at the Aeon, and, surprisingly, it does. Its weapon is still pointed at Onegin, but waves of some kind of force come out of it. They pulse like heat beating down from the sun, but it goes right around me whereas every other Thell’eon in sight appears to be . . . Frozen!
It’s too late to stop my mid-air launch, even if I could, and I land on the Aeon’s back. He must not have been expecting me (why didn’t I freeze, too?) because I manage to get my legs around it and put it in a chokehold, though I sense I’m posing no more bother than a tiny insect. Holy crap, this is not good.~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BOOK BLURB:A secret she must never share. A secret that two warring species are determined to control. A universe’s future at stake.
Twenty-year-old Cassiel Winters joins Earth’s new space academy in hopes of finding her brother, one of Command’s top pilots and her only family, who’s been reported MIA. But she quickly realizes she may not be cut out for life in space, where female cadets are outnumbered, competition’s fierce, and she’s already failed her hand-to-hand combat test once.
Even the station’s most respected officer, Lt. Damian King, probably can’t help Cassiel pass the second time around – so why is he so interested in her progress? If only one of her freaky déjà vu visions would offer an answer instead of mysterious messages like hide.
When Cassiel’s manipulated into a perilous mission, she encounters a warrior species bred to protect the universe from an even greater threat. And she learns that her secret visions are at the heart of it all.
Now Cassiel must fight to control her own destiny and race to save her brother – even if it means pretending to be the pawn of Prime Or’ic, the cold-as-steel Thell’eon leader. Even if it means risking her life, facing hard truths, and making the ultimate sacrifice.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:Journalist Lesley Young never thought she would delve into the world of writing fiction, but when she sat down for the first time to put pen to paper, ideas for what would become her first novel just poured out naturally. Young’s first book, “Sky’s End,” is a multi-genre tale that showcases her unique style of weaving romance, action and wit into one page-burning story.
Young was born in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. She holds an arts degree from the University of Alberta and a journalism degree from the University of Victoria.
Young now lives in Loretto, Ontario where she works as a journalist, freelance writer and editor for health, décor and business magazines. Since 2008, Young has written more than 300 articles for print and online media including Profit, Toronto Life, MSN Green, and Elle Canada among others. She is a regular contributor to Reader’s Digest, Best Health, Canadian Living and House and Home Magazine.
Soul Mate Publishing releases “Sky’s End” on July 15 in paperback and e-book. The novel is Young’s first installment in a series about Cassiel Winters, a futuristic heroine, and her outer space escapades.
Links:Facebook.com/LesleyYoungBooksTwitter: @LesleyYoungBks
Buy Links:Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Skys-End-Lesley-Young/dp/1619352389/ref=twoen-20
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/skys-end-lesley-young/1115564788?ean=9781619352384   Lesley will be awarding a $75 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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Book Tour Blast: PHOBIC by Cortney Pearson

 Book & Author Details:  Phobic by Cortney Pearson
(The Forbidden Doors #1)
Publication date: September 8th 2014
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
Synopsis:Fifteen-year-old Piper Crenshaw knows her house is strange. It’s never needed repairs since it was built in the 1800s, and the lights flicker in response to things she says. As if those things aren’t creepy enough, it’s also the place where her mother committed murder.
To prove she’s not afraid of where she lives, Piper opens a forbidden door, which hides a staircase that leads to the ceiling. That’s when the flashbacks of the original residents from 1875 start, including a love affair between two young servants. Each vision pulls Piper deeper into not only their story, but also her house. Piper confides in her best friend, Todd, whom she’s gradually falling for, but even he doesn’t believe her. At least, not until her house gets axed during a prank, and the act injures Piper instead, cutting a gash the size of Texas into her stomach.
Piper realizes her house isn’t haunted—it’s alive. To sever her link to it, she must unravel the clues in the flashbacks and uncover the truth about her mother’s crime, before she becomes part of her house for good.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22465896-phobic
Purchase: --Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Phobic-Forbidden-Doors-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00MZNJ3CG/ref=two-en-20--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/phobic-cortney-pearson/1120254474?ean=9781500497194
AUTHOR BIOCortney Pearson is a book nerd who studied literature at BYU-Idaho, a music nerd who plays clarinet in her local community orchestra, and a writing nerd who creates stories for young adults. She lives with her husband and three sons in a small Idaho farm town.

Author links:http://www.cortneypearson.com/https://www.facebook.com/cor2neyhttps://twitter.com/cor2ney
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8304331.Cortney_Pearson



Blitz-wide giveawayOpen INTL - Ends September 16th--$15 Amazon gift card
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Book Tour Blast: WOUNDED by Shannon Mayer

 ​​


"My name is Rylee and I am a Tracker." When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I'm the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot. The clock is ticking and I can feel the weight of the final battle with the demon hordes looming over my head. The puzzle pieces are becoming clearer, but the casualty list is growing. And with each name that is added to those we've lost, my confidence cracks a little more. Yet there is hope. A child saved. A life lost. A prophecy fulfilled.
 Buy on Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords
All of the books in The Rylee Adamson Novels series will be on sale from September 9-15th at $0.99 down from $3.99 regular price.
 
Books 1-7 will be on sale for $0.99 at the following links September 9th- 15th  

Buy on: Priceless: Amazon | iTunes | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo Immune: Amazon | iTunes | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo Raising Innocence: Amazon | iTunes | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo Shadowed Threads: Amazon Blind Savage: Amazon Alex (A Rylee Adamson Novella): Amazon Tracker (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 6): Amazon | iTunes | Smashwords | B&N Guardian (A Rylee Adamson Novella, Book 6.5): Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo Veiled Threat (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 7): Amazon  
  For the first time EVER Shannon's books will be on multiple platforms!!   About the author: Shannon Mayer lives in the southwestern tip of Canada with her husband, dog, cats, horse, and cows. When not writing she spends her time staring at immense amounts of rain, herding old people (similar to herding cats) and attempting to stay out of trouble. Especially that last is difficult for her. She is the author of the The Rylee Adamson Novels, The Nevermore Trilogy, A Celtic Legacy series and several contemporary romances.

Please visit her website at http://www.shannonmayer.com for more information on her novels.
 Follow Shannon on:Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Amazon Author Page




The author is giving away $25 Amazon Gift Card (x3)

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#FREE today 9/9/14: CHRONICLES OF STEELE: RAVEN, Episode 2

Human life has value. The poor living in the gutter is as valuable as the rich living in a manor. The scoundrel is no less valuable than the saint. Because of this, every life a reaper takes must be redeemed.

Raven has lived by this first tenet since she was trained by her father to become a reaper. But since his death, she’s been spending years redeeming the lives she’s taken. By her count, she’s even and it’s time for that life to end. If she settles down and becomes a wife, she might just feel human again. But on the way to the life she thinks she wants, the baron of New Haven asks her to complete a task which she cannot ignore… Just when Raven decides to give up on her life as an assassin, she’s pulled right back in. The Chronicles of Steele: Raven is a steampunk-inspired fantasy set in an alternate universe.
 GET IT FOR FREE ON AMAZON  
Pauline’s Newsletter Sign Up http://eepurl.com/Oe2Fn

Pauline Creeden is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy. In her fiction, she creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.

Follow Pauline Creeden:Website | Facebook | Twitter

Interview with Anthony St. Clair

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series? 
A story of travel, destiny, and beer, Forever the Road is the third book in my ongoing Rucksack Universe series. These stories are based around wandering globetrotters, fantastical elements, a bit of alternate history, and a few dashes of wit, adventure, and romance.
In Forever the Road, three travelers in India battle their hearts and their destinies as an awakened evil prepares to destroy all life.
There are no vampires, werewolves, demons, mystical swords, fairies, leather pants, or other cliched fantasy tropes (or when there are, they're rarely what they seem). But there are travelers, lots of beer, one misguided leap from a train, mysteries, a strange little object in a big backpack, Indian food, destiny-slinging bartenders, a night getting lucky that turns pretty yucky, and, above all, a whole lot of consideration of what makes life worth living and people worth connecting with.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?Oh my gosh yes. My second book, Home Sweet Road, actually began as a short story. I was never happy with the story, and in time I realized it was because I was telling it from the wrong point of view. Instead of one of the travelers, the story needed to be told around Aisling, a woman who is far, far more than just the proprietor of a hostel in western Ireland.
I ripped the story to shreds and delved deeper into Aisling’s history and character. In Home Sweet Road we follow her journey at a pivotal point in her life. Frankly, I can hardly wait to write another book that centers around Aisling. She’s gone from being a minor character to one of the major figures in my series, and I’ve barely begun telling her story, the stories that have led her to be who and what she is, and the stories of what is going to happen to her, to Ireland, and to the world.
Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?At the end of this roundabout-seeming response, there will be an answer to the question.
Back in 2010 and 2011, I was in the midst of big life changes. My wife and I were planning to start a family. (Kiddo #1 is now almost 3, and kiddo #2 is due in November!) My decent stable job had become a dead end. And I knew that if I went to my death bed and hadn’t taken an honest crack at getting my stories out into the world, I’d regret it.
Plus, we wanted our kids to see that Mom and Dad both worked hard at what they cared about—not that Dad was always unhappy because he hated his job. In June 2011, I left my job to be a full-time writer.
Prior to all this, my wife and I had many discussions and planning sessions about how I could change my work. I spent 6 months researching the state of the publishing industry. E-books were gaining steam. More authors were eschewing publishing contracts to publish on their own—not the crappy vanity press stuff, but high-quality, truly professional-grade, top-notch work.
The more I looked at the pros and cons of the standard agent-publisher model, and the increasing options for authors who could also handle the business/entrepreneurial end of writing and publishing, the more I saw the right path for me.
So at this point in my career, I’m a proud indie author and owner of a small business, just like my dad runs his utility contracting company and my wife runs her Suzuki violin studio. But part of why I made this choice is so I could keep my options open, too. If a publisher and I could work together on something that was win-win-win for us and readers, I’d be open. But I believe that opportunity is there for me in part because I got my start learning the ropes, publishing under my own imprint, and keeping control of my rights and work.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?Egads, yes. I’m just as avid a reader as an author, so I know how important it is for a book to be high-quality, error-free, and more polished than the finest diamond.
After intense planning and writing, I have a chief reader and a team of beta readers who read the manuscript first, then I go through multiple revisions until I’ve fixed everything I can possibly fix. From there the manuscript goes to my copy editor, who won my business over half a dozen others. (I will work with him as long as he’ll have me.) Once he’s done, I do a read-out-loud-with-red-pen-and-paper edit, then a final read-through on my Kindle.
On the copyright page of my books I’ve also started including an email address where readers can send corrections. Quality is everything to me.
Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?I will offer my books through any seller/retailer/distributor who wants to work with me. If that makes me a slut of an author, I feel no shame, only pride. And a touch of titillation.
On my website I have links to all the stores that carry my books (both e-books and trade paperbacks), but essentially readers can get my books through Apple iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble, you name it.
I’m also adding direct sales to my website, www.anthonystclair.com. This way readers can buy from me directly, making it easier to keep the kids in shoes and books, and I can offer more options such as e-book/paperback bundles, box sets, and exclusive offers that will only be available from me as the author.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?Nope. I start my work day with writing. Once I’ve hit my goal for the day (be it word count, a finished scene, blog post, article, whatever), I move on to other tasks.
Just like any other business, just like anyone else with a busy life, I make time to spread the word about my books, talk with readers, balance the checkbook, keep up with the industry, cook, be with my family, mow the grass, and all that good stuff.
What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?Be educated about your options and make informed decisions.
Authors have more ways to publish and promote their work than ever before. If you want to find an agent and a publisher, know why you’re doing it, what you want out of the deal, and what you’re willing to give up. Same for indie publishing. Know what’s a good idea and know what to avoid.
I’m a big fan of The Creative Penn (www.thecreativepenn.com) and the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi, hallianceindependentauthors.org). I would recommend those resources to any author trying to figure out the best way to get his or her book into the hands of readers.
Besides writing, do you have any other passions?Oh yes! Cooking and baking. Craft beer (I live in Oregon, where Portland alone has something like the most breweries of any city in the world). And travel. When our son was 15 months old, my wife and I took him to Japan for 3 weeks. Our first birthday gift to him was his passport.
Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer...?Dogs or cats? We have one of each, but I prefer cats.
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate. Dark, in the 50%-60% range. Now. (Please.)
Coffee or Tea? Coffee! Black, pour over or French press preferred. Hmmm, methinks I could do with a cuppa now, in fact...
What’s next for you?2014 has been such an amazing year. Home Sweet Road came out in January, and I recently put out a new cover for the first book, The Martini of Destiny. I’m hard at work on the next 2 Rucksack Universe books, due out in 2015. I’m also figuring out the best way forward to bring all 3 current books to audiobook format, and am looking at translations too.
Beyond all that? Like I mentioned earlier, my second child, codenamed Marvelous Kiddo, is due in November. Writing and publishing books is really cool, but nothing is more exciting than meeting this new person.

Author Bio:Anthony St. Clair has walked with hairy coos in the Scottish Highlands, choked on seafood in Australia, and watched the full moon rise over Mt. Everest in Tibet. Anthony’s travels have also taken him around the sights and beers of Thailand, Japan, India, Canada, Ireland, the USA, Cambodia, China and Nepal. He and his wife live in Eugene and gave their son a passport for his first birthday.

Book Tour Blast: DEATH MARKS by Katy Walters

Inspector Detective Dan Redd returns from an absence of leave with only one thing in mind – revenge for the brutal murders of his wife and child. The deranged killer is still loose, and Redd needs the contacts within the force to track him down. Due to police cuts in all departments Dan is faced with a skeletal force, with the profiling department closed. On top of that he’s lost his old partner and is faced with training in his new partner DS Dove. He realizes within days; his immediate boss wants him gone – not just from the force but permanently.

Called to the scene of a grisly murder, he suspects the worst kind of crime - ritual killing. Desperate, he calls in American forensic psychologist Tessa Davies, who tells him the mutilations on the bodies of the young couple, point to an ancient evil cult; the killers have just begun. Hell-bent on tracking down the perps', he fights his attraction to her. Little does he realize the case will take him and his partner into the highest circles of the aristocracy and the police forces itself. The body count is rising as Redd and his team race to save the lives of the intended victims – the clock is ticking, as Tessa disappears.
 Buy on Amazon US / Amazon UK   About the author: Thank you for having me here today. My main loves are writing, painting and singing. I began work as a PA but to my joy was spotted by an agent in London and had an exciting career as a singer, meeting and singing with some wonderful people. Singing meant a lot of travelling both in the UK and abroad. At one time, I toured Germany and Turkey singing for the American troops, which was a fantastic experience. But then, my husband and I wanted a family, so I said good-bye to the singing career, although I did the occasional gig.

Having children is such a precious time, and I would say to anyone, treasure it, it goes so quickly and before you know it, you’re waving them off to Uni or pursuing their own dreams and their own homes. I have always had a deep interest in psychology for various reasons, and especially the area of neurosis arising from abuse. Later, I was to study how we could use our body, mind and spirit to relieve pain and overcome some life-threatening diseases.

One important thing here is, I always told my patients to continue with medical treatment along with the complementary and spiritual methods, for I believe medical research and medication is also a gift from God, Spirit or the Universe, as each of us wishes to name it. I have loved writing from a child and during the years of study, research and treating some wonderful people, whom I called my friends, I would write at night, mainly short stories, and reams of poetry. I wanted to learn how to write self-help books for my clients, so I took creative writing courses at university, which led to writing a novel. So self-help novels turned to fiction but even so, I hope the novels help the reader through their own challenges, as the characters experience love, loss, passion, jealousy, illness, joy and conflict, even the threat of death. At present, I am writing the third book in the series ‘Lady Phillipa’s Peril’ and also putting together some ideas for the self-help book. This has been so enjoyable thank you.

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#Review: SHAMAN LOVER WARRIOR by M. Terry Green

5 of 5 stars
Ms. Green is one of my all-time favorite authors and I look forward to each book she releases. In "Shaman Lover Warrior" the final book in the Techo-Shaman series, Olivia Lawson returns to LA with SK after their quest in Guatemala, but all is not well in LA. All the shamans have either been driven out of town or assimilated into the new Russian Institute which is more like a prison than a place of healing. Once a shaman agrees to join the Institute, there is no way to leave.

This book has another unique idea that was pulled off with such aplomb by Ms. Green. The problems she throws in Livvy and LK's path as they try to drive the Russians out of town and restore the balance will keep you on the edge of your seat. She builds the tension and excitement on every page and you won't be able to put the book down. The final chapter was perfection - what a way to end the series! Fans of urban fantasy will thoroughly enjoy this series. Highly recommended.

Book 1 is FREE!