M.L. Tompsett's Blog, page 4

Do you like to download ebooks?

The difference between a print book and ebooks of today are the price and format.

Print books can be expensive, when you are on a budget. As for ebooks they cost less, take up less room on book shelves. You can carry thousands of books around in one little app on your mobile phone or tablet/iPad. I have several ebook apps on my mobile phone, and iPad. Which comes down to thousands of ebooks. I read every night.

One of my main tips is by using the ebook app, I change the background to black with white text. Enlarge the font and tone down the brightness. Less strain on my eyes and I don’t have to use my reading glasses!

Speaking of ebooks – I have a special happening for my readers this week.

Insta Bride the ebook is currently FREE across all good ebook outlets.

Take the chance to read my fabulous ebook for FREE.
Let me know what you think.
Leave a positive review where you got it.

Happy reading and enjoy.

Big hugs.

M. L. Tompsett Author.

Do you purchase .99c ebooks?

A question which has been asked many times – “Is the ebook any good if it is only .99c?”

My reply to this is, “Yes!”
Just because an ebook is .99c does not mean there is anything wrong with purchasing the ebook.

ebooks can be priced at all different prices. All different lengths and pages. Many full-length novels are marked at the special price of .99c.

Maybe the author has a series and to help move the series, the first ebook might be priced .99c

Either way, try the first book, if you enjoy it, then proceed and purchase the others in the series. Remember by purchasing the ebooks, you are assisting an author. with their livelihood. Authors have many overheads. They have to pay for that .99c ebook to be edited, cover design, formatted. Plus, a lot of other expenses. Can you imagine how many copies of that ebook would have to sell before the author will make even money?
Don’t even get me started on what kind of royalty payment the author will receive from the sale. Try one third of .99c. Yes, you heard me. The author will recieve around .30 to .35c royalty payment on that ebook. Not much is it. That little bit of royalty does not go far.

So, the next time you see an ebook marked down to .99c, download it and let your friends know about the book so then they can purchase a copy as well.

Speaking of .99c sale.

My contemporary ebook, Insta Bride is on sale this weekend for .99 over at Amazon.
Take a look and let me know what you think.

Australia Amazon kindleCanada Amazon KindleUK Amazon KindleUSA Amazon Kindle

Until next time.

Happy reading.

Big hugs.

M. L. Tompsett Author.

How is everyone?

August is here and it is my birthday month!

For a special offer to my readers, Insta Bride ebook, can be found either FREE, .99cents or discounted across the platforms.
Enjoy, this offer is only valid for a couple of days.

I have been enjoying travelling the west coast of Australia.
Recently I have been taking hundreds of photos around Northern Territory.
Today I have had so much fun at Katherine, enjoying the thermal springs.
If you ever visit, this is a must do. Make sure to take a noodle with you. Water proof makeup will help too!

Regarding my books, there should be others either FREE or discounted. Be quick.
All my books can be found for FREE on KoboPlus.
A link to my books for ebooks, print and audible

Katherine Springs

Until the next blog…
Which should have a link to FREE ebooks of different genres.
Keep safe and big hugs.

Read a book today and support an author.
Leave a positive review where you got the book.

Escaping the Winter coldness.

This year, I am escaping the Victorian Winter and searching for warmth on the West coast.

Busy meeting new people. Working when time allows. Also adding words to WIP’s. Beginning to update old book covers.
Did you know I am current writing a novella for Christmas?

Have you discovered my three books from the Second Chance at Love series are now available on iTunes audible. Yes. You read correctly. Insta Bride, The Bodyguard’s Convenient Marriage, and also, Ghost of a Chance in Love, are all available on audible.
Also available on GooglePlay, Kindle, iTunes, Kobo, just to name a few for ebooks and print books.

Do you use KOBO? Maybe KOBOPLUS?
All my books are available there. Remember – free to read on KOBOPLUS Insta Bride – link

Or if you have GooglePlay books and audible Insta Bride – link

The link to where you can discover and find all my books on each platform.

Or if you like using QR codes

Books2Read QR code.
For all my books and where to get them.

Until next time.

Keep safe. Read lots and remember to support an author. Leave a positive review. Tell your friends and share.
M. L. Tompsett – Author

Are you a reader of romance who would love to meet the fabulous authors of the books you love?

June 2023 Blog.
By M. L. Tompsett

Hello everyone.

This year the ARRA 2023 author signing event was held at the Novotel on Collins Street, Melbourne. It was also in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane.

The following authors were in attendance.

MELBOURNE Author’s – Alison Stuart – Amber Jakeman – Amy Rose Bennett – Anne Gracie – Audrey Carlan – Bec McMaster – Bethany Bennett – Cassandra O’Leary – Donna Maree Hanson/Dani Kristoff – Grace McGinty – Hellucy Howe – HM Hodgson – Ida Brady – Jacqueline Hayley – Jenna Lee – Jennie Kew – Julia Quinn – Keri Arthur – Leisl Leighton – Liv Arnold – Michelle Montebello – Michelle Somers – MJ Scott – ML Tompsett – Nicola Marsh – Phillipa Nefri Clark – PJ Vye – Rania Battany – Robyn Chalmers – Samantha Marshall – Samara Parish – Sandy Barker – Sarah Jane Duncan – Savannah Blaize – Tanya Nellestein – Taya Rune – TL Hamilton

Just some of the pictures and author photos taken on the day.

Pre-look. Empty roomMy author tag and bookletMe and my displayMichelle Somers – Cassandra O’LearySavannah Blaize – PJ VyeHM HodgsonTanya NellesteinSammy winner of the raffle prizeAudrey CarlsonLiv Arnald – TL HamiltonJulia Quinn on the rightSamanatha MarshallTanya NellesteinLeisl LeightonAudrey and JuliaAudrey SigningQR codes for my books

It is always great to attend one of the Australian Romance Readers’ Assocation author signing events. And this one in Melbourne was great.
Make sure to attend next year’s signing event.

Better yet, become a member of ARRA – Australian Romance Reader’s Association and have the chance to attend high teas with talented authors. Or maybe an author signing event in your state in Australia.

With monthly email competitions, it’s a great way to meet other reader’s and all those talented and fabulous authors.

Make time for yourself

Hello everyone.

At the moment I am taking time out for myself.

Everyone needs to take some time for themselves. Not just for your body but also that of your mind.

Mental health is important for everyone. Don’t burn yourself out. It is not worth it.

Take time out this weekend and relax. Read a book. Most likely you have several books in your book pile waiting to be read. While the sunshine is out, take advantage and enjoy it.

I am currently reading a book which belongs to a series I started reading several years ago. This book is a new one to the authors series. Both feet in the grave. By Jeaniene Frost. I love reading A Night Huntress series.

What are you reading this weekend?

A few free ebooks – at the time this blog page was created. In no way or means am I endorsing them. Just something for you to debate about selecting and reading.

Hunt by Rachel Vincent

Or maybe an audio book

https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/M_L_Tompsett_The_Guy_Next_Door?id=AQAAAEBCjjDOYM

https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Rachel_Medhurst_Undercover_Witch_Academy_First_Yea?id=AQAAAECCGG5Y_M

Melbourne Author Signing 2023

Wow what a day
A room full of talented, creative fantastic authors, and then all the beautiful reader’s

What a busy day. I left home before sunrise and arrived home after sunset. It is always exciting to travel to the city. and this time it was for the Australian Romance Reader’s Associations’ author signing event in Melbourne. Novotel on Collins Street.
As usual when attending these events, it is a pleasure catching up with other authors and meeting new ones. I got to meet the fabulous Audrey Carlan – she gave me one of her books and signed it for me. Audrey was sitting on the table beside mine. She is so full of energy and always smiling and bubbly. Then only a couple tables down from me was Julia Quinn. Wow. We spoke in-between reader’s coming up to us to sign their books and having photos taken. It was great to meet and greet so many attendees and readers at this year’s event.

If you missed this year’s event – make sure to attend next years.

All the signing authors especially for the Melbourne event, hosted at the Novotel, on Collins Street

MELBOURNE Authors – Alison Stuart – Amber Jakeman – Amy Rose Bennett – Anne Gracie – Audrey Carlan – Bec McMaster – Bethany Bennett – Cassandra O’Leary – Donna Maree Hanson/Dani Kristoff – Grace McGinty – Hellucy Howe – HM Hodgson – Ida Brady – Jacqueline Hayley – Jenna Lee – Jennie Kew – Julia Quinn – Keri Arthur – Leisl Leighton – Liv Arnold – Michelle Montebello – Michelle Somers – MJ Scott – ML Tompsett – Nicola Marsh – Phillipa Nefri Clark – PJ Vye – Rania Battany – Robyn Chalmers – Samantha Marshall – Samara Parish – Sandy Barker – Sarah Jane Duncan – Savannah Blaize – Tanya Nellestein – Taya Rune – TL Hamilton

Sammy is the winner of my raffle giveaway.
Congratulations.Audrey SigningAudrey and JuliaQR codes for my books

This Saturday!

Wow.

This Saturday, people. It is getting closer.

And I’m getting excited about this fantastic author signing event in Melbourne.

Thanks to the Australian Romance Reader’s Association — as they present — A Romantic Rendezvous 2023, it will be the place to be this Saturday.

GUESS WHAT… general admission tickets will be available at the door!

Not long until I see all the smiling and eager faces at this year’s #ARR2023 on the 18th February – This Saturday – Novotel – 270 Collins St – Melbourne

Who’s coming along to meet Julia Quinn, Audrey Carlan, and the dozens of local Aussie romance authors who will be at these events?

I’ll be signing at the Melbourne event, with Leisl Leighton on table 19, right beside the fabulous Audrey Carlan.

Make sure to drop by our table and say hello.

There will be a giveaway on the day. Look out for the author banner and come on over. There will be gorgeous bookmarks for you to collect and keep.

There will also be Keri Arthur, Anne Gracie, Alison Stuart, MJ Scott, Samara Parish, Tanya Nellestein, Michelle Somers, Savannah Blaize, TM Hamilton, HM Hodgson, Samantha Marshall, Liv Arnold just to name a few talented, creative well, read and respected authors.

https://www.trybooking.com/926300

My new book baby has arrived. Just in time for the ARRA 2023 author book singing. Drop in, buy a copy and have it personally signed.
Ghost of a Chance in Love
If you prefer an ebook copy scan the QR code below.

Make sure to keep an eye out my author banner.

Bookbub QR code

My website QR code

For those who are interested in attending this year’s ARRA2023

Only a couple more days left for purchasing tickets, and I’m excited! Dusted off my banner and table signage. Don’t they look pretty.

Not long until I see all the smiling and eager faces at this year’s #ARR2023

Ticket sales will close on Friday 3 February.
When – 18th February.

Where – Melbourne. Novotel on Collins.

Who’s coming along to meet Julia Quinn, Audrey Carlan, and the dozens of local Aussie romance author’s who will be at these events?

Which city will you be at?

I’m signing in Melbourne, with Leisl Leighton on table 19 right beside the fabulous Audrey Carlan.

Make sure to drop by our table and say hello.

There will be a giveaway on the day. Look out for the author banner and come on over, there will be gorgeous bookmarks for you to collect and keep.
Did someone say chocolate-on the table?
Be quick to grab a piece of chocolate – Cadbury favourites.

https://www.trybooking.com/926300

Did you see my piece on the ARRA blog page?

Guest blogger: ML Tompsett

1d ago

Today’s blog is about what an indie author can and does go through—when they write, create, design, publish, and release a book.

How many of you know what an indie author is and what they do?

Indie authors are the sole person who does everything from the start, middle, and end. Writing, editing, copy editing (that is, before you hire someone to do the final editing process), cover design (if you have the know-how and skills, you can create your own book covers; otherwise, you hire a cover designer or purchase pre-made book covers), interior file design and creation (once again, if you have the skills and know-how, you can create the internal PDF and EPUB formats for your book baby). Then joining different book platforms to upload your digital book files to publish to the whole big world (Amazon, Ingram Spark, GooglePlay books, Draft2Digital, Kobo iBooks and several other platforms).

I am an indie author. And a digital file formatter (I create the interior digital files for other authors’ ebooks and print books). My background is in administration, accounts, secretarial, reception, sales, computer design and layout, web design and a few other areas.

Many years ago, in a time far, far away. At school, I was enjoying life creating teenage love stories. Then, several years later, everything changed, and I was mainly writing to relieve stress, anxiety and a lot of other reasons—as you do. Some people keep diaries or journals. Some people write for fun. My mind connected with my fingers, and a lot of what I wrote back then will never see the light of day. But, at the time, it was a physical release, and it helped mentally and emotionally.

Once I read an article on how JK Rowling had been knocked back multiple times before someone picked up her Harry Potter book. I didn’t want to go through that emotional stress and anguish of submitting to a big publishing house and continue to be knocked back. So instead, I learnt how to become an indie author. Cut out the middleman. I wanted to be a published author and for someone—anyone—to read my book and enjoy it, giving them the ability to escape their own lives and travel on a journey with my characters.

While I enjoyed the different courses in all things writing. I continued to write—anything and everything. I kept on reading print books, mainly from the library. Until one day, a book I had wanted to read only came as an ebook. Well. I had no idea what an ebook was! So off I went and learnt all about ebooks. I even purchased an ereader! My new ebook collection grew and grew.

I was so eager for ebooks, I learnt how to create them myself. In those early days, the ebooks and print book files were interesting, at the least, which was an understatement. Now with modern software and more know-how, I can create better-looking ebooks. The interior files are amazing. As with everything in life, you continue learning your craft and skills. Improve your writing and try different genres to submerge yourself in. Find your niche.

So, becoming an indie author can be challenging. But, you write to your own schedule. You are the one who says what your book title will be and how your cover will look. What genre you will write in. What words, paragraphs, and characters remain in your book.

As you can imagine, there is a downside. Yes, there really is a downside. People expect you to give away your hard work. Oh, yes. It happens all the time. Especially in ebooks. Even though you have worked thousands of hours, working hard with blood, sweat and tears and most likely paid too many hundreds of dollars for cover design, editing, formatting, advertising etc. People still expect to have a free copy of your book. It is distressing enough when you discover your book on pirate sites. The writing industry is not all lollipops, chocolate, wine and rainbows. It can be cruel and heartbreaking.

When it comes to an indie author—you have to do basically everything yourself. Including your own book printing (organising a company to print them, of course), creating your own merchandise and advertising (maybe through another business). It is hard work getting your name out there. You do not publish a book and expect that the next day your book will be a smash hit. There are several steps you have to take first.

Remember—do not rely on your family and friends to purchase and read your books. Most of them will be sick and tired of hearing you talk about your books. And what about your spouse? Most of them do not read their partner’s work. There are the odd few who are champions and will read the books and give their opinions. But most will not. Instead join writers groups that write in your genre.

The everyday author can be unaware of what costs are involved. You have to pay for everything, and it can be expensive. Editing, formatting, cover design, advertising, newsletters, social media ads are just a few expenses.

Don’t forget to reach out to your local library and newspaper to let them know you have a book out soon. Are they able to do a public piece on you and your book? Do not fall victim to one of those ‘you pay, and we’ll print your books and advertise and get your book out there’ scams. Most of these businesses are out for money. I have heard of victims handing over thousands of dollars, and their books failed. Please do not do it. No publishing company or business will ask you to pay money upfront to do everything for you.

As for printing my books, the ones I take to signings and other events, I go via Ingram Spark. They will print my books, but only the quantity I require. Plus, they will also distribute your books internationally (all you receive is the small royalty from the sale, as you do not pay for the printing or any other cost). It is always good to see other countries ordering your print books. Other companies can do the same thing, so please do your homework and don’t get your fingers burnt.

Being an indie author can be a good income, but remember: you only get out of it what you put in it first.

Since 2016, I have published eight individual books—these branch out from print books to ebooks and now audible books. I also have two different box sets. My writing has taken me in other areas and romance genres—from paranormal fantasy, urban fantasy and now contemporary, with varying genres of sub-paranormal contemporary with suspense.

My previously published books are: The Guy Next Door. Dark Surprises, You Never Know. It’s You, Kept in the Dark of Love and Lust. Insta Bride and The Bodyguard’s Convenient Marriage.

My latest release, Ghost of a Chance in Love, is contemporary with paranormal and suspense subgenres. The idea came out of nowhere while I was in the shower. A woman who had been seriously hurt. Her husband was dead or missing, and she must discover what happened. Of course, there was a lot more to it, but I think you get the gist of it.
I first published Ghost of a Chance in Love as an ebook, which has now gone wide (available at all good ebook stores). And very soon, it will be in print book and audible. The book genre is different and entirely out of the norm for me to write, especially when the two previous books in the series are contemporary romances. I enjoy not just the writing aspect but that of creating and designing the cover and creating and formatting the interior file so then you, the reader, can enjoy the end product.

Your writing can be what you want it to be. It is best to see what genres are selling and write and publish in those areas. Or write what is in your heart.

Becoming an indie author is a choice you have to think about carefully. It can lead to being picked up by one of the bigger publishing houses. Meet fabulous authors and make friends and join different author groups.

You can write as a hobby or as a business. Once you decide as a business, there are many rules and regulations to follow and abide by. Just like any other small business.

Once you jump through the hoops and cross your Ts and dot your Is, writing can be a fulfilling career. In addition, you can travel and meet fantastic people, and authors you have always dreamt of meeting.

A lifestyle in writing can open many doors. It is up to you, the individual, to step in the direction you want to take.

If I haven’t scared you off the idea of becoming an indie author, it might become something you can try years from now. Just think—those thoughts, ideas and characters demanding to be heard might one day be in print and loved by people worldwide.

See you at the Melbourne ARRA 2023 author signing. Drop by my table and say hello. I will have all my books there and other merchandise for you to take a look at.

Big hugs everyone and remember, you are awesome.

You can find ML Tompsett here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/114324/posts/4521528969

My first appearance as a blogger on ARRA
Of course, there is a lot more to being an indie author. But, you can only write so much as a guest blogger.

I never covered approaching your local book stores in person, or your local library so they can stock your books there.

Then there is the feeling most authors have when their brand new freshly printed books arrive in the box.

Slicing the tape and opening the flaps of the box. The first time you set your eyes on your book. All fresh and shiny. There is nothing like it. The relief, happiness, wow factor. The realisation you have a book in print!

The feeling – you are on your way to making it as a published author.

Just wait until the sales start – providing you have been advertising the book – ‘is now available to the public’. Then the down side when you have your ebook on amazon and see unsavory people purchase your book and days later return it! There are far too many people who do this. I have seen where a whole book series has been purchased and days later each book is returned within a certain number of days. Indicating the purchaser had read your book and returned them for a refund. Why don’t these people go to the library?

Life is not fair. Until Amazon fixes the problem which might be sometime this year or next year, these thieves will continue to abuse the authors.

Life as an indie author can be fulfilling. Keep writing your ideas. Keep taking notes. Keep updating your skills and craft. In time you do improve and wonder how your first book was ever allowed to be released. And as an indie author you can update that book and fix it.

Enjoy and take care.

Allow those fingers to fly over the keyboard and the creative juices to flow.