Zed Amadeo's Blog, page 9
June 14, 2015
Nostalgia Sunday
So it’s a rainy Sunday, and what am I to do? Why, walk down memory lane of course!
Sometimes (ok, fairly often) I like to go through the archives and re-watch old stuff that brings back warm, fuzzy memories from my childhood. Here’s my selection from today. As you can tell, I was a pretty big Cartoon Network fan:
Samurai Jack – one of the coolest cartoons back in the day.
I used to get super excited when this song from The Powerpuff Girls Soundtrack came on TV. I even used to have one of the Gameboy games (Paint the Townsville Green, I believe it was called).
Dexter’s Laboratory – such a wacky, goofy show. Used to come on shortly before I went to bed.
What are the videos or theme songs you like to watch that bring back warm, fuzzy memories?
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June 11, 2015
Practical Writing Advice: How to Get Your Book Reviewed
Just published your book, and finding it difficult to find book reviewers? Figuring out how to get your book reviewed is a common struggle among authors. I have found the following resources helpful in illuminating the book review process.
Getting book reviews is no walk in the park, especially if you’re an indie author who has only recently published their first novel. Sometimes getting book reviews seems like a confusing loop: your book may be easier to sell if you have reviews, but you may find it difficult to get those reviews that will help your book sell in the first place. Here are four resources that provides ideas on how to find and approach potential reviewers:
The eBook Author’s Corner
The eBook Author’s Corner has a great post with an overview of methods authors may use to find book reviewers: Getting Book Reviews: The Methods Award-Winning Authors Use. This post summarizes the experiences of 50 authors and serves as a helpful introduction to the process.
How to Get a Truckload of Book Reviews by Penny C. Sansevieri
From Goodreads
This companion to How to Sell Your Books by the Truckload (which I previously reviewed) provides details on how to craft a pitch to send to bloggers who review books in your genre and how to ask readers to write a review. In addition, Sansevieri’s guide suggests ways to tweak your site to make it easier for potential reviewers to find your book and how to run book giveaways.
How to Get Good Reviews on Amazon by Theo Rogers
From Goodreads
How to Get Good Reviews on Amazon explains how to find reviewers of your genre on Amazon.com, while also providing illuminating information on the review culture as a whole and possible pitfalls to avoid when trying to get your book reviewed.
Reviewperstar by Buck Flogging
From Goodreads
Reviewperstar: 12 Tasteful Ways to Get More Book Reviews describes how to utilize your email list to encourage subscribers to review your book. This is a helpful resource for authors who already have a sizable audience, whether from blogging or previous publishing experience.
Authors: Which methods have been most helpful for you for getting book reviews?
Found this post helpful? Feel free to share!
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June 10, 2015
Practical Writing Advice: Goodreads for Authors
If you’re a book lover, you’ve probably stumbled across Goodreads, the ultimate social site for bibliophiles. If so, you probably already know how to use Goodreads as a reader. Goodreads for Authors by Michelle Campbell-Scott can show you have to use Goodreads as an author.
Goodreads for Authors: How to Promote Your Books with Goodreads by Michelle Campbell-Scott
From Goodreads
I’ve been a longtime user of Goodreads, always perusing the site for new books to check out and connecting with other readers. As I began to embark on my writing journey, I realized that I could utilize Goodreads differently once I published some of my work. I came across Michelle Campbell-Scott’s guide during my search for more information on effectively using Goodreads.
For those of you who have never used Goodreads, the first section of the book provides details on the basics of the site, such as how to sign-up and explore groups related to your interests. The rest of the book provides step-by-step instructions on how to use Goodreads to promote your work. You may have known that you can add your book to Goodread’s virtual library, but did you know that you could also use Goodreads to promote your blog by adding it to your profile or find reviewers for your next book? In addition to these detailed instructions, this guide also provides examples of what constitutes as bad etiquette how you should NOT use Goodreads, preventing you from encountering potential pitfalls.
Goodreads for Authors is a helpful guide for navigating Goodreads and improving your presence on the site. Michelle Campbell-Scott’s guide is available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and audio format, as well as for rental with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Authors: How have you used Goodreads to promote your work or grow your network?
If you’re on Goodreads, connect with me here!
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June 9, 2015
Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases For 2015
Time for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s theme is the top books I’m looking forward to that are coming out this year. I actually had to do a bit of research for this one, since I normally find books on the fly instead of anticipating when they come out. I’m glad I did do some research: I found some books that look awesome! Here’s my list. All book covers are from Goodreads.
Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For 2015
1. Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore
I loved Moore’s A Dirty Job, so I’m sure that I’ll love the sequel!
2. The Art of Language Invention by David J. Peterson
Sounds like a great read for those who enjoy creating languages (like me!)
3. Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
Intriguing sci-fi premise.
4. The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz
The next part of the Millennium series!
5. The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
Short story collection.
6. Our Brothers at the Bottom of the Bottom of the Sea by Jonathan David Kranz
Another premise that caught my eye! Also I just realized that it actually just came out today, so that means I’ll be able to read it soon.
7. A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
I haven’t read too many historical thrillers, but I would definitely give this one a chance when it comes out.
8. Home-Video by Matt Shaw and Michael Bray
This is one of the few books I knew about before putting this list together, since I’m a fan of Matt Shaw’s writing.
9. Time Salvager by Wesley Chu
A “time travel adventure!”
10. Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
Described as “a decopunk pulp SF alt-history space opera mystery.”
What books are you most looking forward to this year? Tell me in a comment below!
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June 3, 2015
Practical Writing Advice: How to Use Social Media
Discover tips on how to use social media more effectively without wasting precious writing time in Avoid Social Media Time Suck by Frances Caballo.
Avoid Social Media Time Suck by Frances Caballo
From Goodreads
It’s all too easy to logon to your favorite social media site of choice and find that you’ve spent far too much time than you had intended to spend. Spending too much time on social media can leave you with less time to devote to your writing, especially if you’re already trying to fit writing time into an already packed schedule. This is where Frances Caballo’s guide to social media can be helpful.
Avoid Social Media Time Suck: A Blueprint for Writers to Create Online Buzz for Their Books and Still Have Time to Write contains lots of techniques to help you better use the time that you do spend on social media. Caballo lays out a four-step plan to improve your social media strategy. Her plan is then supplemented with lots of tools, many of them free, that you can find online to implement your strategy. The main points that I picked up from Avoid Social Media Time Suck were methods for finding content that my followers would likely enjoy and how to use automated tools to distribute that content throughout the day. This prevents me from going back to the computer every few hours and logging back onto social media for too long without being productive.
Caballo’s incredibly helpful guide is available on Amazon in both Kindle format (including for rental with a Kindle Unlimited Subscription) and paperback. For more writing resources, check out Caballo’s website Social Media Just for Writers. If you sign up for her newsletter, you’ll even get a free eBook on Twitter for writers!
What are your tips on how to use social media as a writer? Leave a comment below!
For more practical writing advice, check out my review of Rayne Hall’s Why Does My Book Not Sell?
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June 2, 2015
Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’d Love to See as Movies/TV Shows
It’s Top Ten Tuesday today, as hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week’s theme is the top ten books I’d love to see adapted into a movie or TV Show. So without further ado, here’s my list. All book covers are from Goodreads.
Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’d Love to See as Movies/TV Shows
1. Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
One of my favorite reads from last year. I think this could make a beautiful sci-fi film.
2. Machine of Death, edited by Ryan North, Matthew Bennardo, and David Malki
This premise could make a great anthology series.
3. The Pilo Family Circus by Will Elliot
This book could make for a fantastic dark comedy/horror film.
4. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
A favorite of mine from my teenage years.
5. A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
Another fantastic dark comedy.
6. The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
This series could be absolutely gorgeous on film or perhaps a mini-series on a premium movie channel.
7. Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba
Another gorgeous graphic novel with a beautiful story.
8. The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick
A thought-provoking sci-fi feature aimed at an audience just below the YA range.
9. Tithe by Holly Black
A dark fairy tale on screen? Sounds amazing!
10. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Another favorite read of mine from my teenage years. Given the huge surge in YA novels adapted into movies, Uglies could be a fantastic choice.
What books would you most like to see made into a movie or TV show? Leave a comment below!
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June 1, 2015
Book Review: Sound and Fury by S.A. Archer and S. Ravynheart
Sound and Fury: Not your average fairy tale.
Sound and Fury by S.A. Archer and S. Ravynheart
From Goodreads
Sound and Fury depicts a modern world where fairy creatures can move between living in their own realm and coexisting among the rest of humanity. Those who live among us hide themselves using a form of magic known as Glamour. The story centers on two protagonists, Kieran and Malcolm, two Sidhe (a type of fey that rules over the rest of the realm) dealing with the fallout after the disappearance of Donovan, their leader. Kieran finds himself struggling with an addiction to The Touch, an intimate form of magic that bonds the user to the receiver, fearing being alone without someone to share this bond. Malcolm, without the guidance of their leader, becomes increasingly unhinged and reckless, unable to move past the horrors that have been committed against him and wanting to seek revenge.
When I first started reading Sound and Fury I didn’t even realize that it wasn’t the first book in the series. Any of the terms that I might have been confused about were either explained in the intro or glossary, if not later in the story itself. I interpreted any mentions of events that took place before the story to be hints to the greater world in which the story takes place. The overall name of the series is “The Sidhe Series Collections.” Sound and Fury is the first book in “Bastion of Magic,” a smaller collection in the greater Sidhe Series. This was actually an exciting discovery for me as it means that I can read more about what lead the world of Sound and Fury and its characters into its current state.
In case you’re confused about any of the fairy names used or unsure about how to pronounce the names of some of the characters, Sound and Fury has both an explanatory introduction and a pronunciation guide/glossary at the end of the book to help guide you. The intro mentions that the creatures in the story are inspired by Celtic myth with some added twists. Sound and Fury reminded me of Holly Black’s Tithe, an urban fantasy novel that I loved as a teenager, while incorporating more of the mythological creatures I read about in books such as The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies.
The language used by the authors is beautifully descriptive, and the characters are fully fleshed out beings. Kieran and Malcolm, with all of their strengths, faults, wants, and fears feel like real people. For a beautifully written and character driven urban fantasy tale, be sure to check Sound and Fury is available on the Kindle store for purchase or for rental with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Have a book to recommend? Leave a comment below!
Check out more of my book reviews here.
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May 30, 2015
Book Review: Blood Magic by Domino Finn
Quote from Domino Finn’s Amazon bio: “If Domino could shout one message to the world, it would be that it’s okay to take fantasy seriously.”
Blood Magic by Domino Finn
From Goodreads
Rick Danvers, known on the street as Ricky Kicks, is a cop currently undercover in a slum in Los Angeles known as Skid Row. His investigation? A series of bloody and ritualistic suicides occurring among Skid Row’s residents. The suicides are so bizarre that it leads Ricky to question whether these are even suicides at all, or perhaps murders. But if they are indeed homicides, then who could be behind this string of killings? The local voodoo priest? Another resident of Skid Row? Or perhaps some other entity entirely?
I recommend Blood Magic if you enjoy a good mystery tinged with the horrific and the supernatural. Finn’s short story is available on the Amazon Kindle store. As of this writing, the story is available for free. Plus if you sign up for Domino Finn’s newsletter, you can grab a free book, The Seventh Sons, in addition to a free copy of Blood Magic.
Have a book to recommend? Leave a comment below!
Check out more of my book reviews here.
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May 29, 2015
Book Review: Demontouched by Douglas Wayne
Demons. Demons everywhere. Demons abound in Douglas Wayne’s dark urban fantasy Demontouched.
Demontouched by Douglas Wayne
From Goodreads
As I mentioned in my previous review of Kate Whitaker’s Succubus, I enjoy reading about demons. A lot. I came across this book while perusing the dark fantasy section of the Kindle store, curious about the title.
Protagonist Mitchell Butler lives in a world that is recovering from “The Rising, a Rapture-like event that led to the breakdown of society as we once knew it. While many of the “good” people were swept away into the Afterlife to avoid the destruction that was to come, others like Mitchell are trapped in a broken world that is now inhabited by supernatural creatures in addition to humans: demons who escaped from Hell and seek power on Earth, and angels that have descended from Heaven.
Mitchell occupies a unique place in this crime-riddled world: he works for a crimelord known as Nal, who controls much of St. Louis. Mitchell often dons himself with holy water and a cross to fight against the troublesome Earth-bound demons. The twist? Mitchell himself is also possessed by a demon that he lovingly refers to as Eunie, caused by a deal that he made to save his now-dead wife. Eunie can be helpful and grant Mitchell superhuman powers, but at other times he’ll take over Mitchell’s body completely.
When his boss gives him an assignment to deal with Duncan, another crimelord who has been giving Nal’s business trouble, Mitchell will need to bring a sharp dose of wit and his deal with Eunie to complete the job. But Mitchell finds that this assignment will bring him more than he bargained for.
An intriguing premise, a constant flow of humor and sarcasm from Mitchell, and a fast pace makes Demontouched a quick and satisfying fantasy read. Demontouched is available on the Amazon Kindle store. It’s currently free, but I’m not sure how long it’ll be, so grab this pageturner while you can!
Have a book to recommend? Leave a comment below!
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May 27, 2015
Oh, Pinterest
So I’ve had a Pinterest account for about a month now, but it wasn’t until recently that I’ve had the time to really mess around with it. I’ve been trying to budget my time and be very productive lately, but once I log onto Pinterest time seems to go out of the window.
I made a Pinterest board for Resurrection, my recently released eBook in my dark urban fantasy series “Kindred.” Shortly after I made the board, I started searching Pinterest for anything related to the world of my series: magic, witches, rituals, spellbooks, you name it. And then I started searching Google for images related to the world of Kindred. And before I knew it, time had flown by.
Resurrection Board
Even though I can already see that I’ll need to budget my Pinterest time so that I can be productive and actually get some writing done, creating a board full of images related to my stories has been a lot of fun and helps me (and will perhaps help future readers) further visualize the world of the story. Looking forward to making another board once the next book in the series is published!
Writers: Do you use Pinterest? If so, how do you use it?
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