Emily Goodwin's Blog, page 7
July 2, 2012
Cover reveal!
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I hired a cover artist (obviously) to make new covers for the entire trilogy. I really like it :) I know the girl isn't a picture-perfect Orissa, but I think it captures her attitude pretty well. In my head Orissa always wears pants lol but the face looks just like how I imagined her! I'm very excited about it! :D I've seen DC's cover and it's pretty freaking awesome as well. I'll post that one a little later.
Also, Contagious is being officially edited! I'm super excited about that too. I'll have him go through DC too, and TTIC before it's released. From now on, you guys can expect better editing. You really can't edit your own work, and I learned that the hard way. I've learned so much since I first published in October. From editing to covers to marketing, it has been a nonstop learning experience. I've met some awesome, amazing people along the way, and I am ever so grateful for their support, advice, and friendship. :)
Here is the link for the cover artist's DA account. I recommend her to anyone! She is very polite, professional and a joy to work with!!
June 22, 2012
Who you gonna call?
I decided that I needed a lazy day. Well, not a day, I suppose, just a few hours. After 3 weeks of nursing school that included my first code situation (I got to do CPR!), I feel like doing nothing at all. So here I sit in my smiling snowman pajama pants watching TV and blogging. I just discovered the show Haunted Collector. There are a ton of paranormal investigation shows on TV and this is one of the better, in my opinion.
I've been interested (obsessed is more truthful...) in the paranormal since I first learned what a ghost was. I've had many, many weird experiences and have seen, heard, and felt my far share of unexplained incidences. I started doing my own investigations when I was 13. I would ask for EMF meters, digital voice recorders, video cameras, and such for Christmas and my birthday. I broke into more abandoned buildings and houses than I can count.
It was no doubt stupid of me. A group of teenage girls going into an abandoned county home (also called an insane asylum...) in the middle of the night isn't safe on its own. And we didn't notice the asbestos warning signs until AFTER we spend several hours inside. And then there were the times my friends were to scared to go into the darkness of the debris covered halls and I'd go on my own.
Looking back now, I can say I was a little reckless, but I also had some balls! I never let the fear of the unknown stop me from seeking out what I found curious. I had (and still have) an obsession to find what is 'out there'. Last year, I had the awesome experience of investigating an old jail that was converted to a museum and filled with haunted items.
I'm pretty critical when I'm watching ghost shows. I'm no expert by any means, but I find it hard but not to discredit all the 'weird' noises heard when the ghost hunters have a camera crew following them around. I find it really funny when grown men with said camera crew get super scared when they hear a noise. I'm not saying that spirits are harmless, but come on, guys...you are supposed to be ghost hunters and you're freaking out because a door closed! Yea, loud sudden noises are startling...but really?! Running away is a little dramatic.
My best friend A and I had the idea to start our own ghost hunting show with all female hunters since there aren't any shows currently featuring women. Why are the lead investigators always men?? A was going to start a youtube channel and everything. Obviously that didn't happen...yet ;)
I've been interested (obsessed is more truthful...) in the paranormal since I first learned what a ghost was. I've had many, many weird experiences and have seen, heard, and felt my far share of unexplained incidences. I started doing my own investigations when I was 13. I would ask for EMF meters, digital voice recorders, video cameras, and such for Christmas and my birthday. I broke into more abandoned buildings and houses than I can count.
It was no doubt stupid of me. A group of teenage girls going into an abandoned county home (also called an insane asylum...) in the middle of the night isn't safe on its own. And we didn't notice the asbestos warning signs until AFTER we spend several hours inside. And then there were the times my friends were to scared to go into the darkness of the debris covered halls and I'd go on my own.
Looking back now, I can say I was a little reckless, but I also had some balls! I never let the fear of the unknown stop me from seeking out what I found curious. I had (and still have) an obsession to find what is 'out there'. Last year, I had the awesome experience of investigating an old jail that was converted to a museum and filled with haunted items.
I'm pretty critical when I'm watching ghost shows. I'm no expert by any means, but I find it hard but not to discredit all the 'weird' noises heard when the ghost hunters have a camera crew following them around. I find it really funny when grown men with said camera crew get super scared when they hear a noise. I'm not saying that spirits are harmless, but come on, guys...you are supposed to be ghost hunters and you're freaking out because a door closed! Yea, loud sudden noises are startling...but really?! Running away is a little dramatic.
My best friend A and I had the idea to start our own ghost hunting show with all female hunters since there aren't any shows currently featuring women. Why are the lead investigators always men?? A was going to start a youtube channel and everything. Obviously that didn't happen...yet ;)
June 8, 2012
Reaper
This is going to be an uber short post b/c I just finished a paper on the four stages of labor (woo-hoo, right?) but I wanted to post Reaper's new cover! :) Then I'm off to bed so I can get up early and study advanced pharmacology. Ugh. I love nursing school but it seriously is running my life right now!
June 3, 2012
The Trilogy Continues...
The next book in the Contagium Trilogy is called The Truth is Contagious. It will start off right where book 2 ended. It's going to be really freaking long. I know I've mentioned it before, but I'll ingeminate again that I made outlines for all three books BEFORE I started writing the books. I only made it through about 3/4 of book 2's outline before deciding to end the book early due to its long length. So, book three has to have all of its original plot plus 1/4 of the 2nd book. It's going to be 200,000 words or longer. Hopefully no one will care!
I've already written the first chapter but put it on the side to finish Reaper, book 2 in my GL series. (I put that on hold to write Beyond the Sea and then Contagious and DC...I need to get back to it lol). I start summer school tomorrow...SO dreading advanced pharmacology :( Which means, for the next 8 weeks I won't have a life. I'm really trying to get this done so I can get back to The Truth is Contagious (TTIC? haha). It will for sure be done by the end of 2012 and I'm setting a goal for myself to have it published on or before Halloween. I'd love to have a big release party for it too, with lots of giveaways and zombie-prizes. (I'm not sure what a zombie-prize is yet...maybe a take-home gummy in a box!) I do think the final book is going to be pretty epic; obviously the truth comes out... There is so much I want to include in this book. I have so many little side (or 'ghost' stories) about all the characters and I wish I could put that all in there.
I've been playing around with the idea of killing off one of the main characters (again...I know). I had originally planned to kill this person in the 3rd book but decided against it...now I'm wondering if I should. Would you guys hate me for killing off (another) MC? Is it unrealistic to expect all the MCs to make it through mostly unscathed? It is someone pretty important to Orissa.
I don't really like killing main characters; I feel guilty when they die and I want to rewrite a happily ever after version just for me to read lol (and maybe anyone else who wants to).
Let me know how you feel on that and I will consider what everyone has to say!
I've already written the first chapter but put it on the side to finish Reaper, book 2 in my GL series. (I put that on hold to write Beyond the Sea and then Contagious and DC...I need to get back to it lol). I start summer school tomorrow...SO dreading advanced pharmacology :( Which means, for the next 8 weeks I won't have a life. I'm really trying to get this done so I can get back to The Truth is Contagious (TTIC? haha). It will for sure be done by the end of 2012 and I'm setting a goal for myself to have it published on or before Halloween. I'd love to have a big release party for it too, with lots of giveaways and zombie-prizes. (I'm not sure what a zombie-prize is yet...maybe a take-home gummy in a box!) I do think the final book is going to be pretty epic; obviously the truth comes out... There is so much I want to include in this book. I have so many little side (or 'ghost' stories) about all the characters and I wish I could put that all in there.
I've been playing around with the idea of killing off one of the main characters (again...I know). I had originally planned to kill this person in the 3rd book but decided against it...now I'm wondering if I should. Would you guys hate me for killing off (another) MC? Is it unrealistic to expect all the MCs to make it through mostly unscathed? It is someone pretty important to Orissa.
I don't really like killing main characters; I feel guilty when they die and I want to rewrite a happily ever after version just for me to read lol (and maybe anyone else who wants to).
Let me know how you feel on that and I will consider what everyone has to say!
May 30, 2012
Deathly Contagious
Yay!! It's published and for sale!
I decided to put it up 2 days early. The book has been done and ready for couple of weeks now and I just didn't want to wait any longer lol. It's on amazon and B&N. I'll post the print copy links as soon as I get those all set up!
Enjoy!!! :D
I decided to put it up 2 days early. The book has been done and ready for couple of weeks now and I just didn't want to wait any longer lol. It's on amazon and B&N. I'll post the print copy links as soon as I get those all set up!
Enjoy!!! :D
May 29, 2012
I need to go to bed
I've been staying up late the last few nights trying to get as much done in Reaper as I can before summer school starts. (poo... :( I don't want to go) I'm the kind of person who loves sleep, and I function at my best when I've had at least seven hours of sleep. I only got five hours last night, so-for me at least- that's pushing it. But that's what coffee's for, right?
I think it's kinda funny b/c I can totally tell in my writing when I'm tired. I don't necessarily think the writing get bad, but I notice that I make a lot more typos when I'm tired. In the GL series, the leading guy is Ethan. For the last two paragraphs in Reaper, I called him Hayden. I couldn't help but laugh.
When I think about it, I realize that Ethan and Hayden are a lot a like. I guess that goes to show my preference in men lol. :) And it shows how tired I am. Since I still have a lot to do before bed and I have to get up in less than eight hours, I guess I'll retire for the night.
I'm hoping to dream about Ethan AND Hayden tonight!
I think it's kinda funny b/c I can totally tell in my writing when I'm tired. I don't necessarily think the writing get bad, but I notice that I make a lot more typos when I'm tired. In the GL series, the leading guy is Ethan. For the last two paragraphs in Reaper, I called him Hayden. I couldn't help but laugh.
When I think about it, I realize that Ethan and Hayden are a lot a like. I guess that goes to show my preference in men lol. :) And it shows how tired I am. Since I still have a lot to do before bed and I have to get up in less than eight hours, I guess I'll retire for the night.
I'm hoping to dream about Ethan AND Hayden tonight!
May 23, 2012
Win a signed copy of Contagious!
I have a signed copy of Contagious to be given away! :) And I think I have something to admit...I was worried not too many people would want a books signed by me. I'm just some girl from a (somewhat) normal family that lives in a normal town who happened to write a book. I won't go all cheesy on you guys (again) but I want to make sure everyone knows how truly surprised/humbled/moved I am that other people like my work :)
Now to the good part...how to win. I will let this contest run until Sunday, to make sure I give everyone enough time to participate. I've thought long and hard about having a contest that will also help promote the book. Hopefully this won't come across too shameless lol. I've seen this done for other books with good results!
First, 'like' the book's FB page if you haven't already (link). Change your profile pic to Contagious' cover and comment on the page's wall OR tag the page in a status. The winner will be randomly picked from the tagged statuses and comments. (I will keep a list of everyone who tags/comments to pick from.)
I'm hoping that this will create a little more awareness of the series! :) The winner will be picked Sunday evening, so check and see if it is you! I will need you to message me your address so I can send the book :)
Good luck and have fun!
May 18, 2012
Umm...
It's no secret that I like getting reviews. Good reviews, meh reviews, even the negative ones count for something, right? I do not want anyone to review my books until they have read them so they can give their honest opinion. I get really excited when I see another review has been added to the grand total of reviews. I know I've mentioned before about reading reviews, but I feel I am able to read them objectively and honestly, I'm just curious as to what people think.
So, I only want real reviews on my books. It would be so disappointing to have fake ones. I'd feel let down, honestly. A friend recently read my book and told me something along the lines of saying that she honestly bought the book to be nice and started reading it just to see what it was about. Halfway through the book, she was hooked. When she finished it, she told me how much she enjoyed the book. To me, that is a HUGE compliment. And I really appreciated her honesty of admitting to initially getting the book just to be a nice friend and then being surprised when she loved the book. That, I feel, is a case where an author's friend can write a legit review and not be scrutinized for it lol. Anyway...to my point.
There are a TON of amazing Indie authors and fans of Indies out there. Many are willing to help each other out, like read and review each other's books. An author asked me if I'd be interested in doing a 'review swap' where we'd read each other's books and then review. I assumed when s/he contacted me that a 'review swap' meant actually reading the book and writing an honest review. I was nervous to agree b/c I didn't want to post a negative review in case I didn't like the book.
But the book sounded like something I'd read and enjoy so I reluctantly agreed. I asked said author if they would like a copy of my book emailed to them, they told me 'no, I write my review based off of the blurb and the cover art'.
Umm...hell no. I politely declined and said that I don't want a fake review of my book, even if it's a glowing, 5 starer. That's just wrong. It makes me mad that people do that. It gives Indie authors a bad name and can make people hold assumptions. And I guess I'm mad at myself for being naive enough to think that everyone else would play fair.
As far as I know, my books do not have any fake reviews. I have not asked anyone to make up a fake review (nor will I ever). It's a huge let down and an insult to give books fake 4 or 5 star ratings when there are other authors out there (like myself) who patiently wait for the real deal.
Marketing is tough as an Indie. I really have no means to mass market other than FB. Maybe my desire to not 'fake it and make it' will hold me back, but I'd rather be honest. And maybe it's super lame that when I lay down at night, I don't want to have anything to regret or feel guilty about. And the best way to avoid that? Don't do anything wrong or dishonest!
Ok...stepping off my soapbox to go to bed.
So, I only want real reviews on my books. It would be so disappointing to have fake ones. I'd feel let down, honestly. A friend recently read my book and told me something along the lines of saying that she honestly bought the book to be nice and started reading it just to see what it was about. Halfway through the book, she was hooked. When she finished it, she told me how much she enjoyed the book. To me, that is a HUGE compliment. And I really appreciated her honesty of admitting to initially getting the book just to be a nice friend and then being surprised when she loved the book. That, I feel, is a case where an author's friend can write a legit review and not be scrutinized for it lol. Anyway...to my point.
There are a TON of amazing Indie authors and fans of Indies out there. Many are willing to help each other out, like read and review each other's books. An author asked me if I'd be interested in doing a 'review swap' where we'd read each other's books and then review. I assumed when s/he contacted me that a 'review swap' meant actually reading the book and writing an honest review. I was nervous to agree b/c I didn't want to post a negative review in case I didn't like the book.
But the book sounded like something I'd read and enjoy so I reluctantly agreed. I asked said author if they would like a copy of my book emailed to them, they told me 'no, I write my review based off of the blurb and the cover art'.
Umm...hell no. I politely declined and said that I don't want a fake review of my book, even if it's a glowing, 5 starer. That's just wrong. It makes me mad that people do that. It gives Indie authors a bad name and can make people hold assumptions. And I guess I'm mad at myself for being naive enough to think that everyone else would play fair.
As far as I know, my books do not have any fake reviews. I have not asked anyone to make up a fake review (nor will I ever). It's a huge let down and an insult to give books fake 4 or 5 star ratings when there are other authors out there (like myself) who patiently wait for the real deal.
Marketing is tough as an Indie. I really have no means to mass market other than FB. Maybe my desire to not 'fake it and make it' will hold me back, but I'd rather be honest. And maybe it's super lame that when I lay down at night, I don't want to have anything to regret or feel guilty about. And the best way to avoid that? Don't do anything wrong or dishonest!
Ok...stepping off my soapbox to go to bed.
May 16, 2012
Want to read DC before June?
In case you didn't know, I love giving away free stuff :) If I could, I would buy ridiculous amounts of zombie stuff to give away. Having contests is fun and I like doing little things that can brighten someone's day. I would also love to give out a free copy of Deathly Contagious (or any of my books for that matter) to anyone who wants one. But then I'd never make any money and I wouldn't be able to get anything for giveaways lol.
When I said I would give out some copies of ARCs of DC, I was shocked at how many people volunteered to be ARC readers in exchange for reviews. I know I say it all the time, but it really is amazing to me (still) that people enjoy my work. It never fails to make me smile :) I am so humbled and so very, very grateful for my fans! Without them, The Contaguim Trilogy would not be what it is today. Thanks guys!!! :)
Anyway, since I hate having to single people out and choose, I will be giving away 5 ARC copies of DC tomorrow with the understanding that these 5 copies will be read and reviewed before or on June 1st (DC's release date). I will use random.org to pick the winners.
I have Epub for Nook, Mobi for Kindle and PDF files those who don't have an e-reader, so these ARCs aren't limited to just the e-reader owners.
How to enter? Go to The Contagium Tril's FB page (click here) and 'like' the status that I will be posting. I'll get the winning numbers tomorrow evening! :) Good luck!
(If you're not into writing reviews but still want to win a free copy, I will do more giveaways closer to DC's release date. In case I didn't mention it before, I'm trying to get reviews b/c it helps book sales. I don't know why, but it seems to help!)
When I said I would give out some copies of ARCs of DC, I was shocked at how many people volunteered to be ARC readers in exchange for reviews. I know I say it all the time, but it really is amazing to me (still) that people enjoy my work. It never fails to make me smile :) I am so humbled and so very, very grateful for my fans! Without them, The Contaguim Trilogy would not be what it is today. Thanks guys!!! :)
Anyway, since I hate having to single people out and choose, I will be giving away 5 ARC copies of DC tomorrow with the understanding that these 5 copies will be read and reviewed before or on June 1st (DC's release date). I will use random.org to pick the winners.
I have Epub for Nook, Mobi for Kindle and PDF files those who don't have an e-reader, so these ARCs aren't limited to just the e-reader owners.
How to enter? Go to The Contagium Tril's FB page (click here) and 'like' the status that I will be posting. I'll get the winning numbers tomorrow evening! :) Good luck!
(If you're not into writing reviews but still want to win a free copy, I will do more giveaways closer to DC's release date. In case I didn't mention it before, I'm trying to get reviews b/c it helps book sales. I don't know why, but it seems to help!)
May 14, 2012
Cover Reveal
Unbound's new cover! :) I really like it! What I like is the way it captures Anora just like how I imagined her! I really don't have much else to say about it lol. I'll post the cover for Reaper, book 2 in the GL series soon!
What do you think? Like it? Wish something could be changed? I love hearing feedback :)
