Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 311

New Release: DIRE STRAITS by Mark Terry

Book blurb:

It's 1991. Derek Stillwater, fresh out of Army Special Forces, is on his first undercover mission for the Central Intelligence Agency - infiltrate a pharmaceutical company in Cuba to determine if they are manufacturing biological weapons. Nothing in Cuba is as it seems - and neither is Derek's mission. Soon Derek is on the run from Cuban intelligence with only one avenue of escape - a stolen kayak, heading into the teeth of a storm on the Straits of Cuba.      





Buy links:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Straits-Derek-Stillwater-Novella-ebook/dp/B007HS9GB2

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/139783

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dire-straits-mark-terry/1109365768?ean=2940013898097&itm=1&usri=dire+straits+mark+terry





Author bio:

Mark Terry is the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous books including the popular Derek Stillwater series. THE FALLEN was the winner of the 2010 National Best Books Awards in thriller/adventure and THE VALLEY OF SHADOWS was a finalist for the 2011 National Best Books Awards in the same category. In addition to the Derek Stillwater series, Mark Terry is the author of the Austin Davis series (HOT MONEY), several standalone thrillers, as well as books for kids, THE BATTLE FOR ATLANTIS, MONSTER SEEKER, and THE FORTRESS OF DIAMONDS. He lives in Michigan and when not writing, teaches sanchin-ryu karate, lifts weights, bike, runs, kayaks and plays blues guitar. 





Visit Mark's author page at amazon for a full list and buy links of his titles.

http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Terry/e/B001JSAPW0

Sponsorship: The Nameless Dwarf Omnibus by D.P. Prior

Book blurb:

The Nameless Dwarf Omnibus contains the first three books of the highly acclaimed Chronicles of the Nameless Dwarf:



The Ant-Man of Malfen

The Axe of the Dwarf Lords

The Scout and the Serpent



Following the massacre of the dwarves in their ravine city, the Nameless Dwarf pursues the survivors to the brigand town of Malfen, where he learns they have crossed the mountains into the lands of nightmare. His only intention is to save his people from extinction, but he's the last person they'd want to find them.





Buy links:

Amazon US: 
Amazon UK: 




Referee comments:

"The Ant-Man of Malfen's story drew me in quickly, captivated me with its characters and kept me reading feverishly until the very end." -- Media Man



" … fantasy adventure at its most pure. In a short novella Prior packs in a massive amount of world-building and history." -- T. Edmund Jenkin



"If you like Moorcock, Melville or Hobb, read this." -- Kristan Dawkins



"All of the characters were skillfully drawn by the author so that they came off the page fully developed and ready for action." -- Red Adept Reviews



"The Ant-Man of Malfen is steeped in the tradition of good old-fashioned swashbuckling fantasy, reminiscent of Robert E. Howard." -- Valmore Daniels, author of Forbidden the Stars



"All authors have a tale to tell, but only a few can really tell a tale...and Derek Prior belongs in the latter category." -- Ray Nicholson

 



Author bio:



http://dpprior.blogspot.com/ D.P. Prior has a background in theatre, music, theology, psychiatry, and physical training.He is the author of the SHADER series of fantasy books, the first of which, "Cadman's Gambit" is now available in paperback and ebook formats. Other works by D.P. Prior include: "The Ant-Man of Malfen", and "Thanatos Rising".

His main writing influences are Edgar Rice-Burroughs, David Gemmell, Stephen Donaldson, Mary Doria Russell, Robert E. Howard, and Michael Moorcock. His work is also infused with his passion for mystical theology, philosophy and a childhood love of Dungeons and Dragons.Works to date:Black Death (unpublished) - an absured comedy for the theatre

Megan (Homunculus 1995) - a play in three acts

Megan (completey revised; unpublished) - a play in three acts

The Resurrection of Deacon Shader (Homunculus 2009)

Foundations for a Better Physique (Homunculus 2009)

The F.I.S.H. Training Log (Homunculus 2009)

Thanatos Rising (Homunculus 2010)

The Ant-Man of Malfen (The Chronicles of the Nameless Dwarf part 1)

Cadman's Gambit (SHADER series book 1) (Homunculus 2011)

Best Laid Plans (SHADER series book 2) (Homunculus 2011)

Excerpt:

"Shog," Nameless said. "Now look what I've gone and done."A vast, undulating shadow moved with frightening speed beneath the surface of the lake. The water above bubbled and churned, falling away in a V-wake that extended back to the shore, where Nils was still visible, scrambling to his feet and waving like a lunatic."Think we get the message, laddie," Nameless muttered as he hefted his axe and set himself, one boot on a knob of rock that was lapped by gentle waves."Get back from the water," Ilesa said. Nameless looked at her over his shoulder. The island grew to a peak some thirty odd feet above the lake. It was like a fist of rock that had burst to the surface, and Ilesa stood above him at the base of the pointing finger. Her back was to the pinnacle, and she stared wide-eyed down at the approaching horror, dagger in one hand, sword in the other."Not till I've taken at swing at it," he growled, raising his axe.A colossal scaled head broke the surface and twirled skywards on a sinuous neck. Eyes like evil suns glared venomously, and the jaws parted wide enough to swallow a mule. It swayed and then lunged, fangs like scimitars glistening in the dawn light."Smile, you ugly shogger!" Nameless bellowed. He swung the Axe of the Dwarf Lords overhead and brought it down with thunderous force on the monster's skull. It was like striking steel. The axe bounced off, spinning through the air even as Nameless lost his footing and tumbled straight towards the waiting maw. He flailed about for something to grab onto. He found nothing, but something found him: Ilesa's fingers wrapped around his wrist, stronger than he'd imagined, and she yanked him away from the water's edge.Nameless rolled to his knees and held out a hand to catch the axe, which seemed to wait for him in midair. His goat was well and truly gotten, and he was damned if a shogging snake was going to make a fool of him. He stood with a snarl and spun to face the serpent, but its hissing head was already barrelling straight at him. Nameless twisted aside at the last second, but a curved fang caught his mail hauberk and sent half a dozen links clinking to the rocks."Retreat, you stumpy bastard!" Ilesa said, leaping down and weaving her blades through the air in a glittering blur. The serpent reared up and watched the display, head swaying, body coiling and rippling in the water."I'm not done yet." Nameless spun with the axe, throwing his entire body weight into a concussive blow against the monster's lower jaw. The jolt that ran up his arm felt like he'd been struck with a war-hammer. "OK, fair point, lassie," he said, backing onto higher ground.Ilesa stepped away from the serpent, still twirling her blades. The monster's great head shook, as if it were clearing the effects of too much grog, and then it lunged at her. Nameless gawped as Ilesa backflipped, landing with perfect poise right beside him."Up," she said, and led the way with the easy grace of a panther.Nameless didn't need telling twice. He felt the blast of the serpent's breath on his back as he climbed the natural steps towards the pinnacle's top. He had visions of razor-sharp fangs ripping out the seat of his breeches—or worse."Can't reach us up here," Ilesa said, sitting on the summit and leaning her elbows on her knees, weapons held limply.Nameless wasn't so sure. He pressed his back to the rock and kept his axe ready.The serpent's head darted towards them but pulled back at the last second. Ilesa was right. It barely came up to their ankles. It roared and shook its writhing body, spraying them with brackish water."Sorry, shogger," Nameless said. "This dwarf's not for eating. Go catch yourself a fish."The jaws gaped so much Nameless thought its head might split. It flicked out its tongue, hissing like a forge bellows, thrashed about in the lake, and then dived beneath the surface with an almighty splash."That told him," Nameless said, sitting down beside Ilesa. "So, lassie, this is cosy."Already the thrill of battle was ebbing away and the darkness was crowding out his good cheer once more. He couldn't afford to let it cripple him this time, not stuck out in the middle of a lake with a monstrous serpent hunting them. "Know any good songs?"Ilesa turned her nose up, then looked down at her feet. Nameless could tell she was still struggling with what had happened earlier, back when she'd almost left him to the wolf-men. He reckoned she'd more than made up for it with the serpent, though. He knew people. He knew she'd come out right."About what happened earlier, lassie." Ilesa stiffened, but Nameless pressed on. He needed to keep talking before the dark mood robbed him of the power of speech. "You did good."Ilesa snorted and turned her back to him, glaring out over the settled waters of the lake. Her shoulders were bunched up about her neck, and the slightest tremor rippled through her bodice. She may have been crying."More than good," Nameless went on, giving his voice a jollity he didn't feel. "You did as much as anyone could, given the circumstances. So what if you panicked? That's just the way of things. People aren't much different to animals, when all's said and done. Got our need to survive, same as they have.""Drop it," Ilesa muttered. She sniffed and wiped her nose with her forearm."What I mean to say is—""I said drop it." She spun round to face him, not attempting to hide the dampness in her eyes. "I know what I am, got it? No pussyfooting around by you is going to change that. You stayed for me and I returned the favour by trying to leave you behind. Big shogging deal. That's what I've always done. Always will. Brau employed me as an assassin, for shog's sake. What do you expect?"Nameless laid his axe against a rock and rubbed his new growth of beard. The damned thing hadn't stopped growing since he'd found the axe. Maybe the Pax Nanorum didn't like the thought of being wielded by a hairless dwarf. Seemed like a good idea at the time—to wear his shame like a badge. The deeper they went into Qlippoth, though, the more his sense of purpose returned, the less patience he had with self pity. It wasn't his way. It wasn't the dwarvish way either. He might not have seen himself as much of a dwarf, but King Arios had in his city beneath the waves; and according to him, the axe had too. If you are not of the bloodline of the Immortals, the Pax Nanorum will reject you.Nameless kicked the axe. Well maybe it should have, the voice of the darkness welled up from beneath the surface of his mind. Remember what happened before?Don't, the last threads of resistance replied. Don't even go there. Why would the axe accept me if  it believed I was nothing but a butcher? What if I truly carry the blood of the Immortals?The darkness replied, Tell yourself that if it helps, but did you not feel something similar when you found the black axe in the depths of Gehenna?"No," Nameless said out loud, and then muttered into his beard, "I will not succumb. I will not.""What?" Ilesa said, pressing her face up close, eyes burning and indignant. "What did you say?""Hmm? Nothing. I was just…"Her face softened, her scowl giving way to a frown of concern. "You getting morose again? Shutting down?"It was an effort to lift his chin, but he managed to give her a weak smile."Well you can forget it. I'm not doing that dwarf thing, OK? I'm not in the mood."Nameless sighed and tried to push himself upright. Heaviness had seeped into his limbs and he sank back down. He was aware of splashing nearby, knew the serpent was still out there. He shook his head. He'd been useless against it. Even with the mighty Axe of the Dwarf Lords he'd been like a child throwing stones at a dragon, or one of the irritating roaches that plagued the miners in the hills outside Arx Gravis.Ilesa's hand fell to his shoulder. "I'm sorry."It was a simple statement, but Nameless heard the sincerity. He felt her shudder, knew tears were running down her face, but couldn't bring himself to look. She leaned into him, brought her face close to his."Maybe this will help."Her lips touched his, warm and wet. He was too shocked to respond, but then she pulled his mouth roughly against hers, her kissing fierce and urgent. Her hands fumbled at his belt, found a way inside his breeches. A brand of fire lit up the darkness, set his heart pounding.

#Ereader News Today is featuring ASSASSIN'S CURSE

I'm thrilled that I was able to get an advertising slot on this awesome site, Ereader News Today. If you don't know about this site, be sure to bookmark it. The site not only spotlights a "Book of the Day" but also lists free books. Today, ASSASSIN'S CURSE, is the Book of the Day. http://ereadernewstoday.com/





Book blurb:

When elite assassin Jeda received his assignment to kill a witch and deliver her twin daughters to the Countess of Berkshire, he had no idea it would be his last. The witch stuns him with an elemental blast, but not before he's able to throw his knife. When Jeda regains consciousness, the dying witch is performing a compelling spell between him and her twin daughters.  Now bonded to the girls, Jeda's old life is forfeit. His only thought is to take the girls and run as far away as he can. He has no idea that the twins are the ones spoken of in the long-lost prophecy of The Witch Stone. Forces are gathering: the white witches want to teach them; the Countess wants her grandchildren back, and the guild has sent their best assassin to bring Jeda back, dead or alive.



Jeda must use all of his assassin skills to stay one step ahead of them all, but will it be enough to save himself and keep the children of prophecy alive?

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Curse-Witch-Prophecy-ebook/dp/B006T3HN2A

Review: SUNSHINE HIGHWAY by Ruth Francisco

4 of 5 stars

Sheriff Bill Crocker, school teacher Summer Dayes and newspaper reporter, Clive Parker--3 people whose lives are inexplicably intertwined in a tale of greed, lust, betrayal and the quest for the truth no matter where it leads.  

In this Florida panhandle town, Bill Crocker rules like a dictator and thinks of himself as a southern "Tony Soprano" where sometimes you do good things and sometimes you don't. All is going smoothly for the sheriff until a seemingly innocent fender bender becomes the catalyst for the spiral descent of his power. Crocker was drunk when he hit the car and without thinking, he leaves the scene of the accident. When the whole incident is covered up, it piques the interest of reporter Clive Parker. Clive doesn't like people who think they are above the law. The more he researches the dealings of the sheriff, the more he uncovers mistresses, illegal land holdings, embezzlement of funds and corruption at its worst.

Ms. Francisco does an excellent job of pulling you into the story from the opening pages when a school girl discovers a body. Who is it and what happened? The story is well-developed and I found her characters realistic, especially Bill Crocker. Just when you thought you had everything figured out, the author reveals another piece of the puzzle.  Just how far will Sheriff Bill Crocker fall? If you like a good mystery, definitely 1-click SUNSHINE HIGHWAY.

Interview with Shiromi Arserio

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Becca is a sci-fi short story about one woman's search for the perfect Earth-like planet for the human race. It's a race against time as a geomagnetic storm is moving in that will disrupt the mission, but at its heart, it delves into loneliness and what that can do to a person psychologically.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?When I'm not writing fiction I write a lot of travel and sports related non-fiction for magazine outlets, so I am certainly familiar with the querying process, however I didn't go that route with my fiction. I suppose part of me was impatient to get my stories out there. I know what it's like to spend a year going from publisher to publisher. Also, unless it's a magazine or website, most publishers aren't interested in short stories, so it made sense to go indie.

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?I've been a member of Critters.org for years. It's an immensely supportive group.  They basically helped me edit Becca, and I do believe my writing has gotten better because of Critters.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish to Amazon?As I said before, partly impatience and the fact that most publishers find short story collections too risky. Also, I liked what I heard about Amazon KDP. The program's fairly easy, some may argue too easy, and you get to choose your own price point. The fact that it's Amazon is also a big reason right there. That's a huge amount of name recognition.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?No, I haven't done that with either of my projects, which isn't to say that I won't in the future, it's just that at the time my budget simply didn't allow it. I did, however, use Critters to help give Becca the polish it needed.

What have you learned during your self-publishing journey?Make sure your book is ready to be released. I made that mistake with The Huntsman's Tale and got slammed for it, and rightly so. There's now a version 2.0 released that I'm very proud of.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?Not at this time, no. My books have previously been available elsewhere through Smashwords, but I've since switched to exclusively Amazon. I used to be a Nook owner, so I realize it's frustrating for non-Kindle readers, but there's no DRM for my books so it should be fairly easy to convert. Plus, Kindle is available on so many different platforms.

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?I don't know that I've found one that works particularly better than others, so I tend to do a little bit of everything. I primarily market through Twitter, but I'm also on various forums, as well as Facebook, and I also promote my books via my personal site and my science fiction and fantasy site, Inter-Galaxy Portal.

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?Yes. Once you've published a book, it's easy to spend all your time on twitter and forums telling people about it. However, there really is only so much marketing you can do.  Nowadays, while I do spend a portion of my time marketing, most of it is either writing or editing my next story.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?Take your time. Don't jump right into it. If you can afford it, hire an editor, if not, find a writing group to spot those errors before you publish your manuscript. It's important to get the formatting and the cover as professional looking as possible the first time round. Also, feel free to utilize the KB forum, you'll find a ton of people ready to help you with covers and blurbs etc

What's next for you?I'm currently editing a new fantasy short story called The Long Night. It's a mix of Norse mythology and zombies. I also have a new science fiction trilogy that I'm working on called Shatterer of Worlds. 

Spotlight: WAITING ON HOPE by T.M. Souders

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Book Blurb:Ten years ago, Lexie Dodson fled her home in rural Ohio, leaving behind a heartbroken brother and abandoning a devastated fiancé. While chasing her desire of a fast paced life in the city, and the obscurity of urban life, she is shaken to her very core by an act of violence that leaves her betrayed, broken, and pregnant—and with nowhere to go but home. Seeking refuge and facing gut wrenching decisions, she is confronted not only with the past she left behind, but also with a love that never died—a love waiting for something to stoke the flames.

Told from the perspective of four characters, Waiting on Hope will stay with you well after the last page has been turned.



Buy links:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-On-Hope-ebook/dp/B005CPD2BC/ Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Hope-T-M-Souders/dp/1463721013/



Author Bio: T.M. Souders was born in Johnstown, PA and grew up in a suburb outside of Pittsburgh. She graduated in 2004, from Youngstown State University, with a degree in Psychology and minor in Women's Studies. She is the author of bestselling women's fiction novel, Waiting on Hope, as well as the holiday novelette Dashing Through The Snow. Her young adult novel, Freedom Road, is to be released by the end of the year. She currently lives in rural Ohio with her husband and children. 

She loves hearing from readers, so feel free to contact her. http://tmsouders.com/

Kitty Funnies: ROFL

Found some great kitty pics on http://www.roflcat.com and just had to share:











And my two favorites:





 For all those kitty lovers out there, I know you're smiling over these. You may now get back to overly-scheduled lives.  Have a great weekend!

#Romance Sponsorship: LOVES OF LEOPOLD SINGER by LK Rigel

Book blurb:

The one who loves him can't have him. The one who has him can't love him.



In 1799 London, Leopold Singer is any woman's perfect match - a man of action, handsome and rich. Lady Delia wants him for his fortune, and Susan Gray wants him for his intellect, but his heart belongs to Marta Schonreden, the sweet and beautiful girl from his village in Austria. 



Susan has the power to destroy Leopold's happiness as he destroyed hers, but she'd have to risk everything she loves. Delia has no such restrictions. Out of pure spite, she puts Marta in the path of notorious rake Sir Carey Asher. The consequences of one night in London shake Marta to her foundations, and she must fight for the love she once took for granted. 



This old-fashioned family saga spans 1776 to 1832, from Austria to Massachusetts and London to Jamaica.



Approximately 475 pages in print.



Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Leopold-Singer-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B006YYW51S

Amazon prime members may borrow this book for FREE.





Author bio:





LK Rigel lives in California with her television-watching cat, Coleridge. (His favorite show is Castle, but he was enthralled by Game of Thrones.) Rigel wrote songs for the 90's band The Elements, scored the independent science fantasy karate movie Lucid Dreams, and was a reporter for the Sacramento Rock 'N Roll News. Her work has appeared in Literary Mama and Tattoo Highway.Rigel writes the postapocapunk "Apocalypto" series about the end of the world and the new reality in which the gods return to save humanity from itself - and end up fighting with each other.Her short story "Slurp" about an author with muse problems on Halloween is included in DEADLY TREATS, Anne Frasier's Halloween anthology published by Nodin Press.Her latest book, GIVE ME, is an adult fairy tale about possession.

Excerpt:



Leopold didn't forget Susan Gray. She'd awakened him to love's sweetness. But his eagerness now was for Marta Schonreden, and as soon as it was proper he went to see her brother. He had to have Marta for his wife, or he would rather follow his parents to his own grave.

He felt no great longing for Marta. He didn't swoon or sigh when he thought of her. He fancied himself no Dante amazed by his Beatrice. His need was more profound, like his need for water or air. He didn't long for water or air. He simply had to have them in order to live.She had captured his fancy years ago, one day on the street when he'd stopped some boys fighting. What man could miss such beauty? Then Susan Gray had taught him what a woman was, and he'd known immediately that he must be with Marta Schonreden. She wasn't to be wished for; she was to live with or to die without.He found her in the parlor arranging winter greenery on a table. Their worlds had changed in the same way, the great Rocks of their lives crumbled and gone forever. But his loss had had the opposite effect to hers. He now had autonomy and means, the two necessary underpinnings of real freedom."Miss Schonreden, your brother has given me permission to speak to you.""Yes?" Her throat flushed a deep pink."Is something the matter?""No." She indicated he should sit. "Just for a moment, you reminded me of von Beethoven.""You have seen the composer?" He ignored the chair she'd gestured toward and sat beside her on the sofa."When I was in Vienna with my aunt and uncle. He is a horrid man."Leopold laughed. "How so?""I was with a group of students at a salon to hear him play. He pinched my chin and stole a kiss in front of everyone.""What insolence. How horrible for you.""Yes, it was." She lifted her lovely eyelashes and seemed pleased by his understanding. "Later, my teacher commended my tolerance. In truth I felt more violated by that sentiment than I had by the kiss.""Your beauty, I think, stuns a man's reason.""Mm?" She blushed again.He brought her fingers to his lips. "And do you think I am a horrid man, like Beethoven?""Oh." "Miss Schonreden. Marta. I have thought of you often this last year with much affection. With more than affection. What I mean to say is, would you to do me the great honor of becoming my wife?""You are too kind.""I come into my majority in May, when I will have full authority over my estate." He recited the speech he'd composed in his head on the road from Salzburg. "If you grant me the honor, I'd like to be married then. You will be well cared for."Just barely, she pulled her fingers away from his kisses. A less perceptive man wouldn't notice, but Leopold felt a momentary physical rejection like an unexpected blow. Then she yielded and the dark instant passed."You will be loved, Marta. You are loved." All was well. He felt her acquiesce into the Marta he knew, lovely, compliant, and his perfect complement.Marta could barely believe this was happening. Prospects are funny things, Vati had said, and so they were. Hers had improved because he had looked out for them. Because he'd sent her to Vienna, she'd always know he had loved her though Fate had left her to Wolfram's negligent care.Now she again felt revived by Leopold Singer's vital force. She wanted to touch his cheek, to rest her head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat. With her father's death had come the great shock of her utter powerlessness. Dependent on her brother's good will, she faced a sobering and self-diminishing reality. In that world, no one was her champion. A new kind of necessity colored her feelings. As much as she wanted Leopold Singer, she needed him more. She had never spoken of Beethoven's kiss, yet it was easy to tell him about it. He was sympathetic, where Wolfram would have ridiculed her. She remembered Oktav's kiss, and how she had imagined Leopold in his place. She could still imagine it. She wanted Leopold's kiss. She wanted him for her husband and for her lover.And he was here, making love to her, kissing her fingers. The thrill of his touch surged through her body. For the mere fraction of a moment she'd thought, maybe I am as bad as Eve after all. In that instant of self-doubt, a chasm had opened between them, and it was terrifying."I will marry you," she said. He brought her into his strength and kissed her full on the mouth. The chasm closed. She did not feel evil. The world felt exactly right.

Interview with Ras Ashcroft

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? 'Supervillain: The Concise Guide' is a humorous, novella-sized parody book that does exactly what it says on the packaging! It's a mock guide on how to conquer the planet by any means necessary. People can read it when they feel the urge to start plotting their way to the top.

"Are you tired of living a humdrum life? Is there little to look forward to except a dead-end job and more news headlines that remind you of your insignificance in the world? Do you think the future of humanity depends on your potent leadership skills? Well forget about the nonsense of running for political office and become a supervillain instead.

Fancy degrees and qualifications are not required. With this concise guide, you will learn all the basic tricks of the trade. Ease into your first seedy business, create a large organization with interests in finance, media and politics, and build a powerful military force. Eventually you will launch your crusade to rule the entire planet.



Take your shot at world domination – and hit the bull's-eye."

Link to Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076ZZCIC

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?No I didn't. With the advances in independent publishing, I had always intended to do it through this route. I love writing and I enjoy having people read my work. Indie publishing gives me a quick and direct route to getting my book on the market and available for the general public to read.

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?I do not belong to any particular critique group, but I personally do know other authors and voracious readers. When we find the time, we critique each other's work and over the years, all of our talents have improved as a result.

I think it's hard to get completely honest reviews from close friends and family, so help in that area from other sources is always appreciated.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish to Amazon?

Amazon has a good system in place. A simple, free submission process on a respected website and decent royalties have inspired a new generation of writers to actually  attempt to get their work out there, where previously they might have let their manuscripts collect digital dust. There used to be a completely unnecessary aura of shame associated with self-publishing that is thankfully beginning to lift. 

It's true that there is no guarantee of success, but that comes with the territory for any writing project, even ones through traditional publishing routes. I've noticed that writers seem to be having a lot more fun with the independent process! This independence also inspires the entrepreneurial side of many writers, and makes them connect directly with their readers.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?Yes I did. Luckily, I was able to employ the free services of a professional editor through contacts with friends. I do owe him a beer or ten! On top of that, he is also welcome to use the facilities of the business I run as a day job for free.

What have you learned during your self-publishing journey?I have learnt that while success is never easy or guaranteed, the entire process can be incredibly fun. The freedom to write and share your work with the world is wonderful.

Should readers seriously consider acting on the advice in your book?That is really up to the reader, but I have heard nothing but bad things about CIA/MI6 black site interrogation facilities.

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?I started my marketing efforts by putting up a Twitter and Facebook page and connecting with other authors. A fun Pinterest page where I put up humorous pictures and connect with other image boards is up as well. I've also started a blog where I write satirical business/organization ideas, in the hope that it attracts a few readers. 'Gulag Publishers Inc', where my fake company claims to offer a quick and free professional publishing/mass-marketing service in return for…a rather sinister catch…has been particularly popular among authors!

My book has been submitted to certain book bloggers and reviewers, and I hope that they like it enough to promote it on their own websites.

I have also become active on various writing forums such as the Kindleboards and the niche forums of other websites. As for paid advertising, I'm using a Google Adwords voucher, but I'm undecided on what to do with the account once it runs out.

I enjoy writing for the blog, marketing and connecting with other people, so it's been a great way to spend an hour or two every day.Blog: http://rasashcroft.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/RasAshcroftFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ras-Ashcroft/346830128672383Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rasashcroft/

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?Seeing as I'm only into the second week of marketing after releasing the book, I haven't begun writing my next book yet. But between the day job, marketing this book and writing, I imagine it could be quite tricky! It certainly won't put me off though.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?Don't come into self-publishing after looking at the success of Amanda Hocking, Joe Konrath and John Locke, thinking that you are guaranteed to emulate their success. Do it because you have a passion for writing and want to get your work out there for people to read.

What's next for you?I'll keep up the marketing effort for a while longer, and then start concentrating on my next book. I want it to be novel-sized and tie in to my first book, with the ultimate aim of building a mini-universe of books that are related together under my name. I'm having a lot of fun doing it, so I see no reason to stop!

Why Writers Need Blogs by Lucy Radley

You're a writer and you don't blog? Get with it! Read on to find out why you really, really should have a blog.

Blogs Exercise Your Writing Muscles

Writing for a blog every week is like going to the gym…it flexes your writing muscles. Once you get into the routine of working, you'll find you want to do it more and more. Blog posts are usually shorter than that 100,000 word novel you're working on (if they're not, you're in trouble), so they have the added benefit of helping to focus your mind on the important stuff.



Blogs Attract New Audiences

Remember the Dark Ages before the Internet, when you were as likely to bump into someone useful you didn't know and tell them about your work as you were to travel to the moon? Those days are no more. Once you get a blog you'll make friends and contacts with people you would have no other way of meeting.



Blogs Increase Connections

People who read blogs are highly likely to be connected to Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Each of these media open up a whole new world of connections and interactions: it's a welcome snowball effect.



Blogs Help You Build A Fan Base

If you've already got fans/followers who are following your progress think how much easier it will be to pitch your idea to an agent or publisher. If you can offer them a ready-made audience/consumers, then your submission will look all the more attractive.



Blogs Help You Build Your Brand

Think of your blog as your shop window…it's a reflection of who you are and what you're about, your values and aspirations. Nowadays it isn't enough just to be a good writer with an eye for character and a feel for plot. You've got to be able to market yourself. A blog is a free and relatively painless way to get yourself out there.



Blogs Can Double Up As Your Website

Maybe you're just not that techy or maybe the idea of your own website to fill is daunting. A blog is a perfect solution to this. Generally speaking, they're easy to set up and maintain, come with ready-made social media sharing buttons and are free. You can add pages just like a website too. What's not to like?



Blogs Give You Space To Think Aloud

Blogs are personal. They're a reflection and record of your writing journey, so naturally they end up being a comfortable place where you can unload and process your thoughts, then step back and reflect on where you've been with your writing and where you're headed.



Blogs Give You Feedback

The "comments" facility on blogs allows your readers to leave feedback. This is a vital part of the writing process and can really steer you in the right direction with your writing. Again, if you can say to an agent or publisher that you've had feedback and have acted on it, you've got a much stronger pitch to offer them.



Blogs Are Fun!

They don't have to be serious. And even if they are, chances are that once you get started you'll find the whole process addictive. Checking out your stats, responding to comments and thinking up the next blog post will become your latest hobby. Go on, you know you want to!



You Might (Just Might) Get A Book Deal

Take the case of Christian Lander. His humorous blog Stuff White People Like became something of a viral success story, gently sending up the values held dear to the average white liberal American. But Lander had the last laugh. Random House offered him a rumoured $300,000 for a book based on his blog (Whiter Shades of Pale). And he's not alone. Just think, next time, it could be you!

Ideas for Writers' Blogs

Looking for inspiration for your blog? Read on... Blog as a character from your writing.
Your progress as a writer: the highs and lows and everything in-between.
Is your writing set in history? Why not go through a period in history day-by-day and blog about events that took place back then?
Blog about your favorite writers/books and what they mean to you.
Try a flash fiction blog by writing a short piece of fiction for each post and see what feedback you get.
In an inspirational blog you can post a photo, quote or challenge each time to inspire others to write.
Blog about writing competitions. You'll be providing a useful service and meeting up with other aspiring writers.
Dedicate your blog to a genre of writing you love, whether it's romance, sci-fi, history or crime.
A magazine-style blog including interviews with other writers, short news items and longer features.
A "nuts and bolts" blog offering tips to other writers on how to find work, arrange your schedule and even organize your finances!
Lucy Radley is a freelance writer and researcher living in London. She has been working in the industry for over five years and has had the opportunity to work with many leading brands during this time. She likes nothing more than relaxing on her chaise sectional with her laptop putting together her next feature article.