Maria Savva's Blog, page 61
February 15, 2011
Fusion -- news
I will be promoting my new book, 'Fusion', on various websites this month. To coincide with that promotion, I have a special price on the print book at Lulu.com -- 40% discount!
Here's the link:
Buy Fusion at Lulu.com
Look out also for competitions where you can win a pdf copy of the book. I'll post more news about these competitions soon.
Here's the link:
Buy Fusion at Lulu.com
Look out also for competitions where you can win a pdf copy of the book. I'll post more news about these competitions soon.
February 10, 2011
My short story collections only $0.99/£0.70 on kindle!
For a limited time, I am offering my short story collections, Love and Loyalty, and Pieces of a Rainbow for just $0.99 or £0.70 on Amazon kindle.
Remember, you don't have to own a kindle ereader to download and read the books. Amazon offers free apps for iphone, ipad, mac, pc, blackberry, etc.
I am hoping to make my new collection Fusion available on kindle in the next couple of months.
At the moment I am also working on formatting my books as epubs so that I can offer them for sale more widely. Bear with me while I try to get to grips with the formatting!
As a free short read - because I love you all so much :) I have uploaded a story from my new collection to fReado. The story is aptly titled 'The Valentine's Card' so I thought it would be the perfect gift to you all this Valentine's Day.
Click here to read the story: The Valentine's Card Enjoy!
Remember, you don't have to own a kindle ereader to download and read the books. Amazon offers free apps for iphone, ipad, mac, pc, blackberry, etc.
I am hoping to make my new collection Fusion available on kindle in the next couple of months.
At the moment I am also working on formatting my books as epubs so that I can offer them for sale more widely. Bear with me while I try to get to grips with the formatting!
As a free short read - because I love you all so much :) I have uploaded a story from my new collection to fReado. The story is aptly titled 'The Valentine's Card' so I thought it would be the perfect gift to you all this Valentine's Day.
Click here to read the story: The Valentine's Card Enjoy!
February 9, 2011
Enter to win 'Second Chances'!
Two print copies of my latest novel 'Second Chances' are up for grabs in Stacy Juba's blog giveaway. To enter, you need to leave a comment on Stacy's blog:
Enter competition here
There are also many other great books in the giveaway including ebooks and print books
Good luck!
Enter competition here
There are also many other great books in the giveaway including ebooks and print books
Good luck!
January 26, 2011
Cutting The Fat -- new novella -- now available on Kindle!
Cutting The Fat, the novella that I co-wrote with author Jason McIntyre is now available to purchase at Amazon!
The book, which was originally an impromptu online novella, written online at BestsellerBound, is about Nestor Maronski, a book reviewer who writes scathing reviews of self-published books. 'Cutting The Fat' is a sometimes gruesome, sometimes humourous, compelling thriller about a plot to kill Nestor Maronski.
The character, Nestor Maronski, can be found on Twitter: Nestor Maronski -- Twitter and also on Facebook: Nestor Maronski -- Facebook
Some of the members of BestsellerBound.com also featured spoof interviews with some of the characters from 'Cutting The Fat' on their blogs. You can read those here:
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick: The Tale's The Thing
The Secret Writer
Jaleta CleggThe Far Edge of Normal
Darcia Helle A Word Please
Susan Helene Gottfried West of Mars
The ebook of Cutting The Fat also features some bonus material:
An Excerpt from Thalo Blue a novel by Jason McIntyre
The short story 'Only Time Can divide Us' from my latest short story collection, Fusion.
Jason and I are due to be interviewed about the book on author Darcia Helle's blog and she will be giving away an exclusive 'Nestor Maronski Must Die' t-shirt and some pdf copies of the book. More news on that soon.
Here's a link to Amazon, where you can purchase the book on kindle for just $0.99/£0.71
Amazon UK
< a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cutting-The-Fat... US
The book, which was originally an impromptu online novella, written online at BestsellerBound, is about Nestor Maronski, a book reviewer who writes scathing reviews of self-published books. 'Cutting The Fat' is a sometimes gruesome, sometimes humourous, compelling thriller about a plot to kill Nestor Maronski.
The character, Nestor Maronski, can be found on Twitter: Nestor Maronski -- Twitter and also on Facebook: Nestor Maronski -- Facebook
Some of the members of BestsellerBound.com also featured spoof interviews with some of the characters from 'Cutting The Fat' on their blogs. You can read those here:
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick: The Tale's The Thing
The Secret Writer
Jaleta CleggThe Far Edge of Normal
Darcia Helle A Word Please
Susan Helene Gottfried West of Mars
The ebook of Cutting The Fat also features some bonus material:
An Excerpt from Thalo Blue a novel by Jason McIntyre
The short story 'Only Time Can divide Us' from my latest short story collection, Fusion.
Jason and I are due to be interviewed about the book on author Darcia Helle's blog and she will be giving away an exclusive 'Nestor Maronski Must Die' t-shirt and some pdf copies of the book. More news on that soon.
Here's a link to Amazon, where you can purchase the book on kindle for just $0.99/£0.71
Amazon UK
< a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cutting-The-Fat... US
January 25, 2011
Vote for BestsellerBound
Many of you already know that I am a resident author on Bestsellerbound.com.
The forum has been nominated in the Preditors and Editors poll for best Writers' Forum.
You can vote for BestsellerBound by going to the link below. It only takes a minute to cast your vote, you will then be sent a confirmation email. You have to click a link in that email to confirm your vote.
You have until 26th January to vote and show your support for indie writers.
Many thanks.
Preditors and Editors poll - writers' forum
The forum has been nominated in the Preditors and Editors poll for best Writers' Forum.
You can vote for BestsellerBound by going to the link below. It only takes a minute to cast your vote, you will then be sent a confirmation email. You have to click a link in that email to confirm your vote.
You have until 26th January to vote and show your support for indie writers.
Many thanks.
Preditors and Editors poll - writers' forum
January 10, 2011
BestsellerBound.com free ezine now available!
As many of you already know, I'm a resident author/moderator on BestsellerBound.com
Author Darcia Helle has put together an ezine containing all the latest news and views from the members of BestsellerBound.
It's a very interesting read.
Included in this month's issue is an article written by author Jason McIntyre all about Cutting The Fat, the online novel that I co-wrote with him.
You'll also find all the news about the BestsellerBound Anthologies in a piece written by author Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
Plus: read all about Stacy Juba's new book 'Sink or Swim',a murder mystery, based on a reality show.
There's also a section where you can find information about 5 recommended ebooks each priced at under $5!
Click the link to download your free copy: BestsellerBound ezine
Enjoy!
Author Darcia Helle has put together an ezine containing all the latest news and views from the members of BestsellerBound.
It's a very interesting read.
Included in this month's issue is an article written by author Jason McIntyre all about Cutting The Fat, the online novel that I co-wrote with him.
You'll also find all the news about the BestsellerBound Anthologies in a piece written by author Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
Plus: read all about Stacy Juba's new book 'Sink or Swim',a murder mystery, based on a reality show.
There's also a section where you can find information about 5 recommended ebooks each priced at under $5!
Click the link to download your free copy: BestsellerBound ezine
Enjoy!
January 7, 2011
'Fusion' is Published!
I am happy to announce that my third collection of short stories, 'Fusion', is now published!
Fusion is a collection of stories I have written over many years and have edited and updated/revised them for publication.
I am very pleased with the collection and hope you will enjoy the stories.
To celebrate the launch of the new book, I am applying a 40% discount at Lulu.com until Monday 10th January 2011!
Buy here!
Fusion is a collection of stories I have written over many years and have edited and updated/revised them for publication.
I am very pleased with the collection and hope you will enjoy the stories.
To celebrate the launch of the new book, I am applying a 40% discount at Lulu.com until Monday 10th January 2011!
Buy here!
January 5, 2011
The BestsellerBound First Annual Sample Anthologies are now on Scribd!
As many of you already know, I am a resident author on BestsellerBound, a website dedicated to promoting independent authors.
One of our most active members, author Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick has put together three anthologies of excerpts from BestsellerBound authors' books. The anthologies include short stories and chapters from books. I am sure that anyone looking for a new book to read will find something in at least one of the anthologies. We have authors of romance, historical fiction, political fiction, thrillers, mysteries, crime fiction... you name it, it's in there!
The first volume contains the full version of my short story 'Forever Blue' from my collection Pieces of a Rainbow
The anthologies have been produced as a promotional tool for our members who are all independent authors and have to do all their own marketing. If you find the anthologies interesting, I hope you will share them with your friends and tweet about them, add links to your Facebook sites, blog about them, etc., etc. This would be very helpful and much appreciated by the authors involved.
You can read the three anthologies by following the links below:
Volume one
Volume Two
Volume Three
Make sure you also check out the websites and blogs of all the participating authors, as some of them are (or will soon be) offering downloads of the pdf files from their websites. I am in the process of arranging for the pdf files to be available as downloads from my website. I'll blog about that when it happens.
We are also trying to find a website where we can publish the anthologies as free ebooks. Watch this space for news on that.
Please take a moment to check out the anthologies. I hope you'll find lots of new authors to read.
One of our most active members, author Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick has put together three anthologies of excerpts from BestsellerBound authors' books. The anthologies include short stories and chapters from books. I am sure that anyone looking for a new book to read will find something in at least one of the anthologies. We have authors of romance, historical fiction, political fiction, thrillers, mysteries, crime fiction... you name it, it's in there!
The first volume contains the full version of my short story 'Forever Blue' from my collection Pieces of a Rainbow
The anthologies have been produced as a promotional tool for our members who are all independent authors and have to do all their own marketing. If you find the anthologies interesting, I hope you will share them with your friends and tweet about them, add links to your Facebook sites, blog about them, etc., etc. This would be very helpful and much appreciated by the authors involved.
You can read the three anthologies by following the links below:
Volume one
Volume Two
Volume Three
Make sure you also check out the websites and blogs of all the participating authors, as some of them are (or will soon be) offering downloads of the pdf files from their websites. I am in the process of arranging for the pdf files to be available as downloads from my website. I'll blog about that when it happens.
We are also trying to find a website where we can publish the anthologies as free ebooks. Watch this space for news on that.
Please take a moment to check out the anthologies. I hope you'll find lots of new authors to read.
January 4, 2011
Breathing into Stone by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
I've just finished reading Breathing into Stoneby Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
There is a story behind why I read this book, so I thought I would share it.
First a bit of background: I was lucky enough to meet the author through BestsellerBound where I'm a resident author/moderator. Joel joined the website shortly after we launched and soon became one of the most active members. In fact he's probably more active there than the resident authors! He's currently putting together a free ebook containing excerpts from books by members of BestsellerBound. More news about that when I have it.
Back to Joel's book. When Joel read my review of Ben Okri's The Famished Road he challenged me to read his own book 'Breathing into Stone' as it is a long one. In my review of The Famished Road I complained that Okri had used too many words. Joel wanted to know whether I thought there were too many words in 'Breathing into Stone'. He kindly sent me a copy of the book. I must admit I was daunted when I looked at the book and saw how thick it was (and the writing is very small). However, when I started reading the book, I was hooked and fell in love with the characters immediately.
Here's my review:Breathing Into Stone - review
So my answer to Joel is: there are not too many words in 'Breathing into Stone'. I'd recommend it to everyone. One of my favourite reads of 2010.
There is a story behind why I read this book, so I thought I would share it.
First a bit of background: I was lucky enough to meet the author through BestsellerBound where I'm a resident author/moderator. Joel joined the website shortly after we launched and soon became one of the most active members. In fact he's probably more active there than the resident authors! He's currently putting together a free ebook containing excerpts from books by members of BestsellerBound. More news about that when I have it.
Back to Joel's book. When Joel read my review of Ben Okri's The Famished Road he challenged me to read his own book 'Breathing into Stone' as it is a long one. In my review of The Famished Road I complained that Okri had used too many words. Joel wanted to know whether I thought there were too many words in 'Breathing into Stone'. He kindly sent me a copy of the book. I must admit I was daunted when I looked at the book and saw how thick it was (and the writing is very small). However, when I started reading the book, I was hooked and fell in love with the characters immediately.
Here's my review:Breathing Into Stone - review
So my answer to Joel is: there are not too many words in 'Breathing into Stone'. I'd recommend it to everyone. One of my favourite reads of 2010.
January 3, 2011
Happy New Year!
I'm just popping in to wish all my blog followers a very happy and peaceful 2011. I hope you will all be successful at whatever endeavours you are undertaking this year.
The new year is always a time when we take stock of what we have achieved thus far and it's also a time when many people make resolutions to do or not do certain things. It's quite natural for us to use this changing of the year to set new goals for ourselves and leave behind whatever has not been working for us. I hope you will all be able to look to this new year as one which holds opportunities for you to accomplish whatever it is that you wish for.
A quick update on what I'm planning for 2011:
1. I have a new collection of short stories being published this month. The title is: 'Fusion'. You can find an excerpt from the first story in the collection 'Only Time can divide us', in the 'Maria's Writing' section of my Goodreads author page.
2. I co-wrote an online novella at BestsellerBound with author Jason McIntyre. We are planning to publish the book as a free ebook. It's called 'Cutting The Fat'. I'll post more when I have the details. I believe it is going to be published this month.
3. I'm currently revising and editing my first novel Coincidences so that I can publish it as an ebook. 'Coincidences' was first published in 2001 as a hardback. It is currently out of print, but I hope this new revision will mean that more people will be able to read it. I didn't have an electronic version of the book, so I've taken the opportunity to re-type it and edit as I go along. I've learnt a lot about editing in the past 10 years as a writer, and will be using that experience to polish the text and update the book. I will keep the story the same, but I'm sure there will be some extra scenes added as I go along. If you wish to read my first novel as a hardback, I am currently offering them for sale through the Amazon.co.uk marketplace. You can find a link on my website
4. I have finished writing my fourth novel 'The Dream', and am currently editing it. It's a fantasy/paranormal/timeslip novel, so a bit different to my usual writing, but I had fun writing it, and it does contain many of the same themes as my other books: relationships, secrets, betrayal, forgiveness, love. It's also quite humourous.
I'm pleased to announce that I had some success with sales of my kindle titles in December. I sold a staggering 102 copies. I'm hoping that the popularity of my books will continue in this vein.
Thanks to everyone who has read any of my books this year, and for all your support.
The new year is always a time when we take stock of what we have achieved thus far and it's also a time when many people make resolutions to do or not do certain things. It's quite natural for us to use this changing of the year to set new goals for ourselves and leave behind whatever has not been working for us. I hope you will all be able to look to this new year as one which holds opportunities for you to accomplish whatever it is that you wish for.
A quick update on what I'm planning for 2011:
1. I have a new collection of short stories being published this month. The title is: 'Fusion'. You can find an excerpt from the first story in the collection 'Only Time can divide us', in the 'Maria's Writing' section of my Goodreads author page.
2. I co-wrote an online novella at BestsellerBound with author Jason McIntyre. We are planning to publish the book as a free ebook. It's called 'Cutting The Fat'. I'll post more when I have the details. I believe it is going to be published this month.
3. I'm currently revising and editing my first novel Coincidences so that I can publish it as an ebook. 'Coincidences' was first published in 2001 as a hardback. It is currently out of print, but I hope this new revision will mean that more people will be able to read it. I didn't have an electronic version of the book, so I've taken the opportunity to re-type it and edit as I go along. I've learnt a lot about editing in the past 10 years as a writer, and will be using that experience to polish the text and update the book. I will keep the story the same, but I'm sure there will be some extra scenes added as I go along. If you wish to read my first novel as a hardback, I am currently offering them for sale through the Amazon.co.uk marketplace. You can find a link on my website
4. I have finished writing my fourth novel 'The Dream', and am currently editing it. It's a fantasy/paranormal/timeslip novel, so a bit different to my usual writing, but I had fun writing it, and it does contain many of the same themes as my other books: relationships, secrets, betrayal, forgiveness, love. It's also quite humourous.
I'm pleased to announce that I had some success with sales of my kindle titles in December. I sold a staggering 102 copies. I'm hoping that the popularity of my books will continue in this vein.
Thanks to everyone who has read any of my books this year, and for all your support.
