Haley Allison's Blog, page 2

6 Book Marketing Tips

I missed Week Two of the Authors Blog Challenge, but as part of the third week, I’m here to give out some book marketing tips to help budding writers and authors on their way.

First, before I get started, let me say that none of these are set in stone or foolproof. However, I’ve learned some of these by experience and others from those who have experience. I’m still a little new to the author world myself, but before long, if you immerse yourself in “author culture” (and yes, that is absolutely a real thing), I think you’ll find these things are generally true.

Tip #1: Get a great book cover.

People will absolutely judge your book by its cover. Why? Because it’s their first impression of your work. Just like you buy cereal at the grocery store based on the box, people will buy your book based on the cover. I know because I’m guilty of one-clicking books solely due to the cover art as well. Make sure it accurately represents the key components of your story, such as the looks of the characters, the mood, and any key elements, such as weather, a weapon, etc. Having a professional cover designer create the wrap for your masterpiece is absolutely crucial. Selling a badly covered book is going to be nearly impossible.

Tip #2: Connect with other authors.

Your biggest source of support and knowledge is going to be your peers in the writing industry. Authors will often team up by putting their books together in bundles for giveaways. They’ll also share each other’s work because they know how hard it is to be seen and believe the success of each author counts toward the whole. Other authors will also share critical articles and tips you can use to improve your writing and marketing strategy.

Tip #3: Connect with book bloggers.

Even with the turmoil that has besieged indie authors courtesy of Amazon lately, blogger book reviews are still a wonderful way to get noticed and get feedback on your work. Purchasing or organizing a blog tour will get you new followers and put your name in front of a crowd of readers just dying for that next great read. Going on tour may or may not boost your sales, but every chance you have to get out there in the public eye is a chance to show your talent and build your fan base.

Tip #4: Find your audience.

Romance or erotica author? Facebook has thousands of readers looking for your next steamy teaser. Young adult author? Instagram is where the teens are hanging out these days, and they’ll absolutely love your “bookstagrams.” Mystery, thriller, or horror author? Look for blogs that list your genre as one of their favorites and compile a list. No matter what you write, there’s an audience out there somewhere with your name on it. You just need to find it and immerse yourself in it.

Tip #5: Finish your series before you publish Book 1.

This is something I’m currently learning the hard way. People don’t want to buy book one of a series–especially if it contains a cliffhanger–without knowing the next two or more books are right around the corner. It’s painful to wait months on end for a continuation of a series. Think about how your readers will feel at the end of your first book. Will everything be wrapped up neatly in a standalone? Or will they be pumped with adrenaline, dying to see what happens next? If it’s the latter, definitely wait to publish until the series is complete. Then you can release your books in quick succession so you can feed the readers’ hunger and keep them interested in your work.

Tip #6: If you’re still writing your book, tailor your content to your intended audience.

For example, romance readers love alpha males, HEAs, and series of standalones. If you’re aiming to please the romance crowd, you might also want to consider keeping your characters faithful to each other (a.k.a. no cheating). Tell the readers in the book description what they can expect so they won’t have to be afraid of buying it. People will be more willing to invest their money if they’re sure they won’t be disappointed.

If you’re writing for young adults and teens, pick names that sound trendy and/or unique. Teens love books with main characters that have fresh, original names and plenty of flaws to endear them to the reader.

Hope this blog post was informative and helpful to you! Stop by this blog next week to hear about Character Inspiration.

 

 

My Writing Room

*brushes off journal cover with a feather duster*

Hello, writing world! It’s been ages since I wrote in this journal. I’ve been swamped with author, mommy, and promoter duties, so please excuse my lengthy absence.

Today I would like to show you my “writing room” as part of an Authors Blog Challenge I’m participating in. Unfortunately, it’s nothing Instagram-worthy or inspiring, but it might lend some insight to the struggle a toddler mama goes through to find even the smallest sliver of time to write.

Yep, that’s the gist of it. We live in a small modular home in the country that has only three bedrooms, one of which is our office/game room. The office makes me feel claustrophobic, so all my writing is done right here on my living room couch. All I get is my couch, my music, my laptop, and my pretty throw blanket. Everything else belongs to the 2-year-old love of my life. As you can see, even down to the cardboard slab in the corner with his crayon artwork all over it, he is the true owner of this house. We merely pay rent, cook his meals, and provide items for his entertainment.

He’s a bit spoiled, but not a one of us would have it any other way.

Someday, I dream I might own a lovely house with several bedrooms, one of which has a gigantic window and can serve as my writing room. You can’t see in this picture, but the back door has a view of the deck and I get to watch plenty of birds flitting to and fro throughout my writing time. If it’s raining, I can listen to the tinkling of raindrops on our deck’s tin roof. If it’s at night, I can chuckle wickedly at the sound of beetles meeting their demise via our trusty bug zapper.

Lots of wonderful ideas and chapters have been born on this couch. Another place I like to sit is the chair next to it, which is near a window and allows a cool breeze to sweep in whilst I’m soaring to worlds unknown.

That’s all for today! Keep an eye out for The Sister Code, DORK Series Book Two, coming August 2, 2016.

Ttyl!

Find Me On Facebook

www.authorhaleyallison.com

FEATURE FRIDAY: Into The Fire by Kelly Hashway

Silver Day Book Reviews

INTO THE FIRE by Kelly Hashway

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance




♒ SYNOPSIS ♒



In one month’s time, seventeen-year-old

Cara Tillman will die and be reborn from her own ashes…
Her life

of secrecy has never been easy. She’s watched her younger brother, Jeremy, burn

and rise again in a coming-of-age process called rebirth. And just like her

brother, when her time comes, she won’t remember anything from her first life other

than she’s a Phoenix—a member of a small group of people descended from the

mythical Phoenix bird.
The last thing she needs to worry

about is falling for the new guy in town—Logan Schmidt.
Cara is

drawn to Logan in a way she can’t explain, but she’s not exactly complaining.

Everything is perfect…except it’s not. Once she’s reborn, she’ll forget Logan.

And to make things worse, a Phoenix Hunter is on the loose, and Cara’s
involvement with Logan is…

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FEATURE FRIDAY: My Vicious Demise by Shana Vanterpool

Silver Day Book Reviews

= = MY VICIOUS DEMISE = = 

by Shana Vanterpool

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC.

= = SYNOPSIS = = 

For twenty-three-year-old Rebecca O’Connor, there’s only one reason to live…her little sister, Raina. 

Through years of growing up in an abusive home, Raina and Becca have formed an unbreakable bond…until Raina falls in love and elopes. 

For the first time in her life, Becca is on her own. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she is homeless, broke, and she’s losing her grip on her life. 

Then she meets James Rush, a shy guy with sharp blue eyes and an invisible lure for her heart… 

Becca has always had to be the strong one. But the deeper James pulls her under, the more she wants to succumb to her vicious attraction. The fact that he’s deaf might make him that much more desirable. At least he…

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Speaking For the Special Needs Kids

Hey there readers! Sorry about my long absence. Life has been so nuts, I’ve barely had time to breathe lately.

Right now, I’m writing about a subject that is very dear to my heart. In the second book of my Diary of a Rocker’s Kid (DORK) series, Madison and her bandmates accept a bass player who is a little different from the norm. His name is Evan Granger, and not only can he play a kickass bass solo, he also happens to have Down Syndrome. Instead of relying on others to take care of him or make his dreams come true, Evan is tough, tenacious, and stubborn, insisting on blazing his own trail and proving he can do anything he sets his mind to. His motto is, “I got this.” I gotta hand it to the guy, he’s got it for sure. I am so happy to be speaking out for just how able kids with disabilities can be.

The reason this subject is so important to me is because I have a brother with autism. When most people look at him, they see a guy who’s lost in his own little world and has some really weird things to say. When I look at him, I see my amazing brother who’s been through more than most people will ever have to suffer in a lifetime and still has dreams, goals, and aspirations he wants to achieve. His dream is to be a screenwriter and bring his wild, wacky ideas to life on the big screen. Some people think we shouldn’t let him dream because it’s unlikely his dreams will ever become a reality, but I think if I can have big dreams, why can’t he?

Special needs kids are capable of a lot more than people give them credit for. One massive inspiration to me is the model with Down Syndrome, Madeline Stuart. She has proven that people with “disabilities” have dreams and goals just like everyone else and that they can indeed achieve them. (Disclaimer: Evan is not based on Madeline Stuart. She inspires me, but I do not know her personally, and I did not base my character on her life at all.)

I know one book series isn’t enough to change the way the world thinks about certain things, but if I can get even one person thinking differently, that’s good enough for me.

Here’s an excerpt from book 2 to introduce you to Evan and his dream.

***

Three hours into bass auditions, Dalton, Logan and I start to give up hope. Our ears are bleeding and we’re starting to lose faith in humanity. Not one of the people who responded to Dalton’s ad can even keep a steady beat, let alone keep up with us. Just one more person to listen to today, and then we’re finally free from this torture chamber. I can’t wait to get out of here, get some dinner, and play WoW for the rest of the night. The walls of this rehearsal studio are starting to feel super confining.

The final auditioner is announced, and all three of us fall silent when a boy with Down Syndrome walks into the room with his mother. His blond hair has an obvious cowlick in the back and his sweet, innocent smile could melt a heart of stone. He introduces himself as Evan Granger and his mother tells us all about how it’s his dream to play bass in a band and he will be forever grateful for this opportunity. Evan plugs his bass guitar into the amp and takes his place beside me. The guys and I exchange an indulgent smile behind his back. We’re going to be nice to this dude even if he has no chance of making it with us.

“What song do you want to play with us?” Dalton asks him.

Evan smiles wide and speaks with a slight halt in his voice. “My favorite song…is…Around the World by Red Hot Chili Peppers.”

“Oh damn, that’s a good one,” I comment. Dalton and Logan agree with me.

“You need to warm up before they start?” Dad asks him.

“Hi, Grim.” Evan beams with excitement over being addressed by my dad. Everyone in the room chuckles. “I don’t need to warm up. I got this.”

“Okay, well, here we go.” Logan pounds out four beats with his drum sticks. As soon as Evan starts the song, all our jaws swing wide open. Much to our amazement, Evan is able to rip out every note of this admittedly difficult bass solo on point. Dalton and I glance at each other over and over throughout that song and three others, feeling sheepish over our own prejudice. Clearly none of us had any idea what a kid with Down Syndrome was capable of.

All of us have a blast playing with him. There’s no questioning the fact that Evan can keep up with us. However, we weren’t really planning on taking on a bandmate with such a marked disability. After the fourth song, Dalton, Logan, and I request a private audience with Dad and Cass. Evan and his mom go to wait in the lobby.

The five of us arrange our chairs in a circle to discuss it.

“The kid can play, you have to give him that,” Dad says.

“He can play for sure, but is he going to be able to handle the rock star lifestyle?” Dalton ponders.

“I think that’s something he and his mom will need to decide,” Cass says. The rest of us agree.

“We can’t discriminate against him based on his disability,” Logan reminds us. “If he’s the best one for the job, he’s the best one for the job. We can make accommodations for him.”

“Maybe we could give it a trial run,” I suggest. “We could tell him he can rehearse with us for a month to see if it’s what he really wants to do. That also gives us time to get to know him and see if it would work.”

“I think having concerns is fair. We should sit down and talk to them about it openly. Communication is going to be the key to making this work,” Cass says.

We invite them back in and bring up two more chairs to add to our circle. Dalton tells Evan’s mom we’re considering taking him on a trial basis. We’re all shocked when Ms. Granger breaks down in tears. The sweet middle aged woman explains her tears when I ask her what’s wrong.

“I just never thought you’d even give him a second glance,” she sobs. “So many people would send him away at first sight. You’re all wonderful people. You have no idea how grateful I am. Evan is my only child, and I would do anything to see his dreams come true. We’ll do this however you want. I’ll even accompany him to rehearsals if you want me to.”

“It might be good for you to at least sit in on the first one,” Cass suggests. “First rehearsals can get intense. Mike and I might even come to make sure Mads doesn’t spend the whole time showing off.”

“Hey!” I scowl with mock offense. Everyone else in the room laughs at me, including Evan. “I don’t need to be babysat,” I insist without thinking about what just came out of my mouth.

“I don’t need to be…babysat either,” Evan pipes up, looking at his mother. “I got this.”

Her light blonde eyebrows draw together with concern. “But, Evan—”

“I said, ‘I got this,’” Evan insists forcefully. “You can come…and watch if you want, but…this is my thing. I want to do this…on my own.”

I smile, admiring this guy’s spunk and determination. He reminds me of myself and Dalton and Logan. We all have people we could fall back on for help or fame, but we’d rather strike out on our own and prove ourselves. His spirit is exactly what we need.

“Evan, I think you’ll do just fine with us,” I tell him.

***

Hope you’re all having an amazing weekend :)

-HD

I’m Published (FOR REALS this time!)

Today has been a crazy roller coaster ride. Not only did my first book release for the second time, but I also had a wild, off-the-walls toddler and a sick husband to tend to. I’m frickin’ exhausted! But I couldn’t be happier to be a published author once again…this time with a publisher on my side!

The publishing journey so far has been a learning process, to say the least. I hope I come out of this a better writer and, more importantly, a better person. I’ve learned a lot about myself through this: specifically, who I am. I’m tough, driven, and determined, but I’ve got plenty of flaws and weaknesses that come out in full force when I’m sleep deprived and stressed. You learn who you really are when you’re put through the wringer, and that’s definitely what happened over the past year as I tried desperately to finish and publish my first book before hitting twenty-five years of age.

I came across this quote from my intro post in this blog, which was published four years ago. It brought tears to my eyes:

“I am a young, budding writer (20 years old) who has big plans for the future. I’m hoping to publish my first book before I’m 25 (a longshot? Yes. But it’s doable).”

It happened. I’m published at twenty-four.

Being published feels incredible, but it’s also a lot of hard work with no promise of reward. There are literally millions of other books out there to be found amidst. Even with the wonderful support of Team Limitless, I still feel a little lost at sea sometimes. How do I keep this needle from disappearing in the haystack? How do I make sure people don’t miss out on this story?

Here’s what I’ve learned. The only thing you can do as an author is take a deep breath, let go of criticism, and keep moving forward with your nose in a book. Whether it’s your book or another person’s, keep your nose in a book. It’s good for your writing and your brain. Also, don’t compete with people or monitor your ranks by the hour. Trust me, I know how hard that is, but it’s toxic, and it really doesn’t change a damn thing.

Focusing on improving my writing is what I plan to do from here on out. DORK is only one of my ideas, and I’ve got two more that are just begging to be written (more info on those later). First, I need to focus on DORK Two, which I’m guessing will be released sometime in March 2016. That’s another thing I’ve learned: being an author, a true one, doesn’t end with one book. The first is only the beginning.

Thanks for reading my ramblings. Hopefully I’ll be blogging more soon and have lots more exciting news to share.

This is my book if you’re curious:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Rockers-Kid-D-O-R-K-Book-ebook/dp/B01882ARMM

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Rockers-Kid-D-O-R-K-Book-ebook/dp/B01882ARMM

Be sure to enter the Goodreads giveaway for a chance at one in three signed paperbacks!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27848302-diary-of-a-rocker-s-kid

Ciao for now!

HD

COVER REVEAL! – Haley Despard’s Diary Of A Rocker Kid!

Originally posted on :

Title: Diary of a Rocker’s Kid

Author: Haley Despard

Series: D.O.R.KBook #1

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Release Date: December 1, 2015

View original 483 more words

Cover Reveal: Diary of a Rocker’s Kid by Haley Despard @HaleyDespard @LimitlessBooks #TeamLimitless #CoverLove

Originally posted on Author Jennifer Allis Provost:

Title: Diary of a Rocker’s Kid

Author: Haley Despard

Series: D.O.R.K Book #1

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Release Date: December 1, 2015

★★★ SYNOPSIS ★★★



Madison Daley’s father has concealed the truth from her for seventeen years… 
Raised on a Kentucky farm, Madison is stunned when a conversational slip reveals her father Michael is a famous ’90s rock star known as the Grim Weeper. Michael left the spotlight and his mansion behind when Madison was dropped off on his doorstep by a woman in a black mask. A dark past is revealed, and the only thing Madison isn’t allowed to know is her mother’s name.
The answers Madison needs can only be found in Beverly Hills… 
Though she does hope to persuade her dad to return to the stage, Madison’s real mission is to discover the identity of her mother.
But she is slightly distracted—literally—by the boy next door. Giovanni Abate’s…

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Diary of a Rocker’s Kid Cover Reveal!!

This is the moment! Finally, I get to share the incredible cover that was commissioned by Limitless Publishing from Redbird Designs!

Diary of a Rocker’s Kid (DORK Series #1) is coming December 1, 2015.

SYNOPSIS:

Madison Daley’s father has concealed the truth from her for seventeen years…

Raised on a Kentucky farm, Madison is stunned when a conversational slip reveals her father Michael is a famous ’90s rock star known as the Grim Weeper. Michael left the spotlight and his mansion behind when Madison was dropped off on his doorstep by a woman in a black mask. A dark past is revealed, and the only thing Madison isn’t allowed to know is her mother’s name.

The answers Madison needs can only be found in Beverly Hills…

Though she does hope to persuade her dad to return to the stage, Madison’s real mission is to discover the identity of her mother.

But she is slightly distracted—literally—by the boy next door. Giovanni Abate’s father is an action film star, his stepdad is a major designer, and Gio has his own claim to fame. Madison catches the handsome, young Italian actor’s eye, and their mutual attraction makes for a hotter summer than she ever could have imagined.

Madison hasn’t set foot in California since infancy, but a lot of people are certain she has…

After Madison has a makeover, people are sure they’ve seen her somewhere before, and she is extremely curious about the identity of her supposed doppelganger. As she looks into this strange situation, she’s unaware that Gio is hiding a potentially devastating secret.

Could finding the answers she seeks change Madison’s life forever?

Or will it just lead to more questions to fill the…

Diary of a Rocker’s Kid.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Haley Despard was born and raised in small, yet ever-expanding Simpsonville, South Carolina. She discovered a love of writing at age fourteen and hasn’t been able to turn off the motor fingers since then. Today she lives just a stone’s throw over in the country side of Greer, SC with her husband, son, and Boston Terrier. Her loves include cats (even though she’s allergic because the universe hates her), reading, composing music, blogging, amateur photography, fro-yo, mall shopping trips, and anything that begins with, ends with, or includes the words “milk chocolate.” She also enjoys gaming with her husband on occasion and driving through the countryside with music on full blast.

Haley’s books will include a combination of feminism, romance, diversity, family values, complicated storylines, and maybe even a scheming heroine or two. She loves to defy conventions and standards and continually thinks outside the box. If you want to read something fresh and original, pick up a Haley Despard novel. A book should be able to make you gasp, sob, laugh hysterically, and want to hug the main character all at the same time.

Haley is very interactive on Facebook and Twitter so don’t hesitate to contact her at one of the links below, or you can email her at hdespardauthor@outlook.com.

LIMITLESS PUBLISHING: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/haley-despard/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/haleydespard

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/HaleyDespard

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14171202.Haley_Despard WEBSITE: https://diaryofarockerskid.wordpress.com/

Cover created by Redbird Designs

5 Common Misconceptions about Introverts

I’ve been classified as an introvert for most of my life now, and I can tell you for a fact that classification is true. I’m a textbook introvert. Group activities put a knot in my stomach. I’d much rather converse with people I’m very familiar with one on one or in a group no larger than five. My favorite activity is curling up on the couch with a throw, hot cookies or brownies, a good book, and maybe a fire in the fireplace if we can manage it. I don’t reach out to people much, and if I do, my heart is pounding, even if it’s a stranger who is literally paid to be nice to me.

via Giphy

Yes, I’m an introvert, and a lot of those stereotypes you’ve likely heard apply to me. However, I’ve also run into several misconceptions about introverts lately that disturb me. If you don’t mind too much (and I really hope you don’t, because I don’t want to be a bother) I’d like to explain.

Misconception #1: Introverts are selfish/self-centered.

via Giphy

Because introverts have a harder time reaching out to others and don’t ask many questions about other people’s lives, we are often pushed off for being self-absorbed. It’s true that many introverts spend a lot of time in our heads. We are often introspective, which is why we make such great artists, writers, and thinkers. However, just because we don’t ask about your life doesn’t mean we don’t care. In fact, it’s actually our way of being considerate.

Let me explain. In my mind, being asked a butt load of questions about my personal life is invasive and annoying. I hate small talk and prefer to offer information about myself that I want others to know instead of being asked for it. Because of that perception, I may come across as disinterested in your life when I’m actually just trying to give you personal space. For example, I probably won’t ask what kind of men or women (or both) you prefer to date, even if we’re close friends. I figure if you want me to know that information, you’ll tell me. I don’t want to ask a personal question and get shot down because that makes me feel horrible, since I know how bad I feel when someone invades my space.

So please, tell me about your life. The important stuff. The real stuff. I’m one of the best listeners/amateur psychologists you’re ever going to meet. If you need to bore me with small talk, feel free, but don’t try to quiz me on it later, because my mind probably wandered into Neverland during that part of the conversation. Just a PSA. It’s not that I don’t care. It’s just literally painful to talk about anything that doesn’t feel authentic or important. On that line of thought, I’ll also say this: Please, please don’t try to BS an introvert. You’ll get shot down in a heartbeat, trust me.

Misconception #2: Introverts don’t like parties.

One word can answer this one: WRONG.

I love a good party. I won’t be the life of the party by any means, but I will smile, laugh, and dance with the rest…as long as I know someone. If I’m in a room with a sea of people I don’t know, I’m going to feel alone and terrified. After all, what are you going to think of the weird quiet girl who randomly comes up to you, shaking in her boots, and says “hi” with eyes that say, “Tell me your deepest secrets?”

via Giphy

Yeah. Exactly. That would be creepy, so you’re not likely to find me approaching strangers. Like, ever. At least not without someone I know beside me to prove I’m not a psychopath.

Misconception #3: Introverts always want to be in their own little bubble.

via Giphy

One word in this sentence needs to be changed: ALWAYS.

Introverts often want to be in our own little bubble. It’s a safe place away from the meanies who don’t understand us and call us names. We’ll let other introverts into our bubble at times, and maybe even the understanding extrovert. But we spend a lot of time outside that bubble, mostly because it has to be done (work, shopping, social events, etc.). Sometimes, on a magical unicorn of a day, we’ll even step so far outside that bubble that we can embrace the outside world with open arms without a care in the world…like a little girl in a white linen dress spinning in a field of wildflowers on a seventy degrees and sunny kind of day. It’s glorious. It’s wonderful.

Usually it involves copious amounts of liquor, chocolate, and/or happy news, but it’s possible.

Take advantage of those mystical, wonderful, occasional days of living entirely on the outside and ask us whatever you want to know. Just don’t push us to the breaking point, because the bubble is always nearby, and we are always prepared to run to it in case of an emergency.

Misconception #4: Introverts are hard to get to know.

via Giphy

Ha…that’s a laugh. The truth is, introverts can talk about ourselves wayyyyy too much at times. All you have to do is prove yourself trustworthy and show genuine interest, and we’ll talk your ear off in a one-to-one setting (maybe even in a small group of friends if we trust each and every one of them). You may even have to make us shut up. We keep so much locked up inside that it will burst forth at any safe opportunity.

Misconception #5: Introverts don’t care if you disregard the fact that they’re an introvert.

via Giphy

This is one I never thought I would have to include here, but sadly, I do. So often I meet people that either push me way past my limits or rail against me for being different. That is the quickest way to get yourself cut from my life. One thing people need to know about introverts: We have no qualms about pushing people away if they don’t “get it” (especially if they don’t even try to). It’s not that we think they’re horrible people or anything, it’s just not in the cards for us to be friends with someone like that. You can’t explain introversion to someone who doesn’t and won’t understand.

I realize a lot of these have already been said, but since people still don’t understand, I guess we’re going to have to keep harping on this topic. Here’s hoping a new age is coming for introverts where we can act like a cat in human form (curling up in front of the fire with our “yarns” nearby) in peace, without the more canine-like humans constantly barking at us to come outside.

via Giphy

Thanks for reading! And please, feel free to hug an introvert today…but only if you know you have permission.

-HD