Allie Boniface's Blog, page 36
January 14, 2013
Monday Mentionables: What's In A Title?
Happy Monday, everyone! So the latest news with me is that I've gotten my rights back for Lost in Paradise, which is one of my favorite (and first) books, but which needs some new life...so I've decided to release it independently with a new cover, new title, and some new content as well.
Exciting, right? While it will be a bit of a challenge, I'm looking forward to it, and to the learning process as well. The "hybrid" model of publishing is becoming more popular with authors these days, the concept of still publishing some works with a traditional publisher but combining that with self-publishing other, often shorter works as well. It will be interesting to see how that total control over the process affects me - or not. I do think I'm lucky that I'm familiar with the whole publishing process, so I know a lot of the "behind the scenes" steps. Still, a lot of this will be new. Thank goodness I have some writing friends who have done it and can help me!
Anyway, I'm in the process of choosing my title. I still want it to have a reference to Paradise (the name of the town but also, of course, the idea of a perfect place to find love), so I'm leaning toward The Promise of Paradise. What do you think? Let's see...what are some other possibilities? Thoughts?
Paradise Found
Promises in Paradise
Pleasure in Paradise
Hearts in Paradise
Exciting, right? While it will be a bit of a challenge, I'm looking forward to it, and to the learning process as well. The "hybrid" model of publishing is becoming more popular with authors these days, the concept of still publishing some works with a traditional publisher but combining that with self-publishing other, often shorter works as well. It will be interesting to see how that total control over the process affects me - or not. I do think I'm lucky that I'm familiar with the whole publishing process, so I know a lot of the "behind the scenes" steps. Still, a lot of this will be new. Thank goodness I have some writing friends who have done it and can help me!
Anyway, I'm in the process of choosing my title. I still want it to have a reference to Paradise (the name of the town but also, of course, the idea of a perfect place to find love), so I'm leaning toward The Promise of Paradise. What do you think? Let's see...what are some other possibilities? Thoughts?
Paradise Found
Promises in Paradise
Pleasure in Paradise
Hearts in Paradise
January 11, 2013
Friday Fun Facts: Thinking About my Father
Happy Friday, everyone! Today's fun fact/photo is in honor of my dad, who passed away from a long battle with cancer 4 years ago yesterday, January 10.
This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us, because it really epitomizes our relationship. I'm always reminded how lucky I was to know him and have him as an influence in my life. Lots I could say, but the biggest one, that I always tell others, is that he was my biggest fan. Yeah, I suppose I was a Daddy's girl: I could do no wrong. And yeah, I suppose maybe that's not always the best message to send a child (humility, anyone?). But for the most part, that *value* that he gave me, about myself and everything I did, was the most powerful gift he could have imparted. That I was loved no matter what, that everything I did mattered, whether little or big, that accomplishments could be measured in all sort of ways but that at the end of the day he was awfully lucky and proud to be my father, and I was awfully lucky and proud to be his daughter.
We inherit all kinds of things from our parents - hair color and voice and quirks and fears - and I look back and know that I've gotten all that and then some, from my dad. At the end of it all, I am so, so fortunate to have experienced the kind of love and support I did from him, as a child and as an adult. I miss him terribly.
This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us, because it really epitomizes our relationship. I'm always reminded how lucky I was to know him and have him as an influence in my life. Lots I could say, but the biggest one, that I always tell others, is that he was my biggest fan. Yeah, I suppose I was a Daddy's girl: I could do no wrong. And yeah, I suppose maybe that's not always the best message to send a child (humility, anyone?). But for the most part, that *value* that he gave me, about myself and everything I did, was the most powerful gift he could have imparted. That I was loved no matter what, that everything I did mattered, whether little or big, that accomplishments could be measured in all sort of ways but that at the end of the day he was awfully lucky and proud to be my father, and I was awfully lucky and proud to be his daughter.
We inherit all kinds of things from our parents - hair color and voice and quirks and fears - and I look back and know that I've gotten all that and then some, from my dad. At the end of it all, I am so, so fortunate to have experienced the kind of love and support I did from him, as a child and as an adult. I miss him terribly.
January 9, 2013
Writers' Wednesday: Promote, Promote, Promote!
Happy Wednesday to my writers! Today I'm sharing a great link that Affaire de Coeur Book Review magazine posted a while ago. I have it saved in my favorites and I go back to it every few months as a reminder of what I could or should be doing in terms of promotion. Most important? When you have a new release coming out, Create a Marketing Frenzy! Get your name out there as much as possible, as often as possible, in the 3-6 months leading up to the release and at least 3 months after. A writing friend and I were talking the other day about finding the balance between writing and promoting, and I do find it challenging. But maybe this list will help focus and streamline your own promotion efforts. And if you have any tips you've found particularly effective, please share!
Creating a Marketing Frenzy
Creating a Marketing Frenzy
January 7, 2013
Monday Mentionables: A Blurb and a Release Date!
"In a town that won't give up its secrets, she wants to find the answers..." ~ Allie Boniface
Happy Monday, everyone! I'm excited to announce that I have a (tentative) release date for Beacon of Love: May 5, 2013! Mark your calendars...I can't wait for you to read this one! And in addition to a release date, I just received the official promotional blurb from my publishers, and here it is to whet your appetite:
Welcome to Lindsey Point, Connecticut: suspicious of outsiders, loyal to tradition, and
absolutely devoted to its local legends.
Enter Sophie Smithwaite, travel show host, in town to film an episode about Lindsey
Point’s haunted lighthouse. But digging into the story of a tragic murder-suicide and love gone
wrong reveals startling connections to Sophie’s own past. When a gorgeous local handyman fills
in behind the camera, Sophie’s life gets complicated by more than just her family history.
Part-time paramedic, handyman, seasonal Santa... Lucas Oakes does it all--except get
attached. He’s still reeling from the death of his best friend ten years ago and the more recent
infidelity of his ex-fiancee. Yet despite Sophie’s big-city nosiness and her insistence on chasing
long-dead ghosts, he’s drawn to her.
But mixing with an outsider means questioning people and traditions Lucas has always
defended. When a series of attacks seem to be connected to Sophie’s investigation, both Sophie
and Lucas must decide if they are willing to risk everything to uncover the town’s secrets...and
their own.
CONTENT WARNING: Contains one barb-slinging travel show host, one hunky
handyman who knows exactly how to use his tools, and a small town brimming with secrets...
A Lyrical Press Hometown Heroes Romance
Hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am!
Happy Monday, everyone! I'm excited to announce that I have a (tentative) release date for Beacon of Love: May 5, 2013! Mark your calendars...I can't wait for you to read this one! And in addition to a release date, I just received the official promotional blurb from my publishers, and here it is to whet your appetite:
Welcome to Lindsey Point, Connecticut: suspicious of outsiders, loyal to tradition, and
absolutely devoted to its local legends.
Enter Sophie Smithwaite, travel show host, in town to film an episode about Lindsey
Point’s haunted lighthouse. But digging into the story of a tragic murder-suicide and love gone
wrong reveals startling connections to Sophie’s own past. When a gorgeous local handyman fills
in behind the camera, Sophie’s life gets complicated by more than just her family history.
Part-time paramedic, handyman, seasonal Santa... Lucas Oakes does it all--except get
attached. He’s still reeling from the death of his best friend ten years ago and the more recent
infidelity of his ex-fiancee. Yet despite Sophie’s big-city nosiness and her insistence on chasing
long-dead ghosts, he’s drawn to her.
But mixing with an outsider means questioning people and traditions Lucas has always
defended. When a series of attacks seem to be connected to Sophie’s investigation, both Sophie
and Lucas must decide if they are willing to risk everything to uncover the town’s secrets...and
their own.
CONTENT WARNING: Contains one barb-slinging travel show host, one hunky
handyman who knows exactly how to use his tools, and a small town brimming with secrets...
A Lyrical Press Hometown Heroes Romance
Hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am!
January 4, 2013
Friday Fun Facts: A Winter Wonderland
"Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up." ~Tom Stoppard
Welcome to a brand new edition of Friday Fun Facts! I'm tweaking my Friday posts just a little this year, to let YOU, my readers and friends and followers, know a little more about the Allie behind the books :)
So here's my plan: each Friday I'll post a picture. Could be a current one, could be an old one, but whatever it is will share something about what's on my mind that week. Here's my first one!
This is where I spent New Year's Eve ~ Saratoga Springs, NY. This is a lovely little resort town north of Albany that boasts, among other things, a horse racing track, a private college, hot springs, and a great little downtown which throws a First Night celebration featuring over 40 bands and performers. Hubby and I spent 2 nights there and, despite the COLD, had a really nice time ringing in 2013. The park in this picture was one of the many places decorated with white lights (so pretty!), but the real sight to see was the many 20-25 year old women walking around in their cocktail dresses and stiletto heels (most of the sidewalks were slightly better shoveled than in this picture, but not wholly). I know I'm old when I'm thinking to myself, Where are their jackets? Aren't they freezing? instead of remembering the days I used to do exactly the same thing.
Funny, right? The stages we go through from adolescence into adulthood, from single life to dating to engaged to married to married long enough that it doesn't matter if you're wearing a cocktail dress and heels or jeans, long underwear and boots - you're going home to snuggle with the significant other you've celebrated yet another holiday with :)
Happy New Year, everyone!
January 2, 2013
Writers' Wednesday: Happy 2013!
“Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.” ~Virginia Woolf
Hello, everyone, and welcome to 2013!! I hope you had a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve celebration, and I hope that the new year has exciting things in store for you whether you're a writer or a reader or simply one of my blog followers
Now, if you follow my blog on a regular basis you know that Wednesdays here are usually devoted to tips for writers, and while that will still be true in 2013, today I'd also like to put out a general call for any writer who would either (a) like to be interviewed on my blog this year or (b) like to share any writing tips of their own on my blog as well. If you'd like to be featured in any form on a Writers' Wednesday on Allie's Musings, either leave me a message in the comments section today OR drop me an email at allieb@allieboniface.com.
This is a great chance to promote a new or current release, or just meet some new readers and writers in cyber-world :)
I'll be back here on Friday with a new (and I hope fun!) twist on my usual Friday Fun Facts. See you then!!
Hello, everyone, and welcome to 2013!! I hope you had a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve celebration, and I hope that the new year has exciting things in store for you whether you're a writer or a reader or simply one of my blog followers
Now, if you follow my blog on a regular basis you know that Wednesdays here are usually devoted to tips for writers, and while that will still be true in 2013, today I'd also like to put out a general call for any writer who would either (a) like to be interviewed on my blog this year or (b) like to share any writing tips of their own on my blog as well. If you'd like to be featured in any form on a Writers' Wednesday on Allie's Musings, either leave me a message in the comments section today OR drop me an email at allieb@allieboniface.com.
This is a great chance to promote a new or current release, or just meet some new readers and writers in cyber-world :)
I'll be back here on Friday with a new (and I hope fun!) twist on my usual Friday Fun Facts. See you then!!
December 28, 2012
Friday Fun Facts: The Last One!
It's the last Friday of 2012! Can't believe it....what a whirlwind year in many respects. FYI, I'll be changing up my blog and my Friday Fun Facts a little bit in 2013....tune in next week to see exactly what those changes will include.
For now, thought I'd share a few famous "Fridays" in honor of ushering this last one out of the year. Happy almost-2013!!
TGI Fridays: restaurant chainGood Friday religious holidayFriday’s: comedy variety show on ABC back in the early 1980s.Friday: fictional character from the book/movie Robinson CrusoeFriday Harbor, Washington, in the lovely San Juan IslandsHis Girl Friday: motion picture starring Cary Grant from 1940Friday the 13th: movie seriesBlack Friday for the busy shopping day after ThanksgivingCasual Friday at the workplaceFreaky Friday: motion picture from 1976 and remake in 2003Friday: 1995 motion pictureFriday Night Lights: television show and term for high school football“Friday, I’m in Love”: song by The Cure.
For now, thought I'd share a few famous "Fridays" in honor of ushering this last one out of the year. Happy almost-2013!!
TGI Fridays: restaurant chainGood Friday religious holidayFriday’s: comedy variety show on ABC back in the early 1980s.Friday: fictional character from the book/movie Robinson CrusoeFriday Harbor, Washington, in the lovely San Juan IslandsHis Girl Friday: motion picture starring Cary Grant from 1940Friday the 13th: movie seriesBlack Friday for the busy shopping day after ThanksgivingCasual Friday at the workplaceFreaky Friday: motion picture from 1976 and remake in 2003Friday: 1995 motion pictureFriday Night Lights: television show and term for high school football“Friday, I’m in Love”: song by The Cure.
December 26, 2012
Writers' Wednesday: Links for Authors
Happy day after Christmas! Hope you had a wonderful day, if you celebrate it, and a wonderful day anyway, even if you don't :)
Here for writers are a couple links worth checking out, especially if you're looking for ways to promote your work in the New Year (and who isn't??)
The Romance Studio is having a blow-out advertising sale, with deals on individual ads as well as a Crazy Christmas Package Deal of ad combinations worth over $500..for only $125!! (or $100 if you're already a TRS member...even better!)
Goddess Fish Promotions has some great package deals on Virtual Book Tours for anyone who's looking for a lot of online exposure for a new release (or hey, even a not-so-new one). They're updating their prices as of January 1, so take a look now if you're interested.
And for anyone who's been playing around with a Young Adult manuscript that really isn't so Young (because your main characters aren't teenagers, but instead college-age young men and women negotiating that tricky time between adolescence and adulthood), Entangled Publishing is currently accepting submissions for their "New Adult" line, getting ready to launch in Summer 2013. Click here to find out more.
Happy writing!
Here for writers are a couple links worth checking out, especially if you're looking for ways to promote your work in the New Year (and who isn't??)
The Romance Studio is having a blow-out advertising sale, with deals on individual ads as well as a Crazy Christmas Package Deal of ad combinations worth over $500..for only $125!! (or $100 if you're already a TRS member...even better!)
Goddess Fish Promotions has some great package deals on Virtual Book Tours for anyone who's looking for a lot of online exposure for a new release (or hey, even a not-so-new one). They're updating their prices as of January 1, so take a look now if you're interested.
And for anyone who's been playing around with a Young Adult manuscript that really isn't so Young (because your main characters aren't teenagers, but instead college-age young men and women negotiating that tricky time between adolescence and adulthood), Entangled Publishing is currently accepting submissions for their "New Adult" line, getting ready to launch in Summer 2013. Click here to find out more.
Happy writing!
December 24, 2012
Monday Mentionables: My First Time on the Radio!
Happy Christmas Eve to everyone who celebrates it! Is your shopping done? Your wrapping? Will you be celebrating with friends and family tonight or tomorrow? Attending a Christmas Eve service at your local church? (I love those most of all...the carols, the candles, the camaraderie of the congregation sharing the moment)
In the meantime, if you have a few free minutes, give a listen to my radio interview right here. This past Saturday, Bernadette Walsh interviewed me for her Blog Talk Radio show Nice Girls Reading Naughty Books , and I really had a ball! Very low-key (just a phone call from your own landline), great questions,a fun way to talk about my writing as well as my upcoming release. And I was happy to hear, listening to the playback, that I sounded okay and not like a stuttering idiot LOL.
Have a great holiday, all :)
In the meantime, if you have a few free minutes, give a listen to my radio interview right here. This past Saturday, Bernadette Walsh interviewed me for her Blog Talk Radio show Nice Girls Reading Naughty Books , and I really had a ball! Very low-key (just a phone call from your own landline), great questions,a fun way to talk about my writing as well as my upcoming release. And I was happy to hear, listening to the playback, that I sounded okay and not like a stuttering idiot LOL.
Have a great holiday, all :)
December 21, 2012
It's The End of the World as We Know It... (Or Not)
See you back here on Monday, folks! Have a great weekend!!
