G.G. Gleason's Blog, page 3
March 25, 2020
Love in the Time of Coronavirus
Hello all,
I hope you are safe and sound and healthy and sane.
I'm a few of those, but my sanity has pretty much left the building.
While book two is waiting for one final edit before going on pre order, I have started writing book three of Southern Sins. For anyone who has written a trilogy, or a series, I am really feeling you right now. This shit is no joke.
By book three, there are so many back stories, small details, and you have to remember all of them. What eye color did I say this person had five hundred pages ago? I better go back and check book one again. How did I describe his body? Crap. Let me go check that one as well.
This third book is also a challenge for me for a different reason. I never really write alpha males. My male characters are fun and sexy, but also flawed. The women call the shots more often than the men. But not this time. This time my main female character likes a man in charge. She takes control plenty, don't you worry, but alphas are her thing.
I've had to dig deep, going back in time to when I was attracted to the alphas to write this book. I've been married for a long time. And he's a nice guy. It feels funny to actively be thinking about the men that came before him, that I rejected for one reason or another, in order to draw inspiration for a character that has all the bad boy qualities I liked, but has also let go of all the asshole tendencies I dumped those suckers over.
And this is the only thing keeping me sane right now. I'm on day thirteen of being locked in my house, or self quarantine as they're calling it. I can go out in my backyard, but that's it. My hair is ridiculously long. I stopped shaving my legs a week ago. Things have gotten rough.
Everything I have, I am putting into this book. My final remaining scraps of sanity, my wishes for a better time, my hopes that someday, in the not so near future, I will actually be able to leave my house again. They are all coming through my fingers, onto the keyboard, and into the pages on my laptop.
In hopes that things turn around soon, I will raise a glass - just one this time, not five like the night before - and salute all those who aren't able to stay home. Cheers to everyone doing their best to get through this mess, no matter what it is.
We are all in this together. We can't ever forget that.
I hope you are safe and sound and healthy and sane.
I'm a few of those, but my sanity has pretty much left the building.
While book two is waiting for one final edit before going on pre order, I have started writing book three of Southern Sins. For anyone who has written a trilogy, or a series, I am really feeling you right now. This shit is no joke.
By book three, there are so many back stories, small details, and you have to remember all of them. What eye color did I say this person had five hundred pages ago? I better go back and check book one again. How did I describe his body? Crap. Let me go check that one as well.
This third book is also a challenge for me for a different reason. I never really write alpha males. My male characters are fun and sexy, but also flawed. The women call the shots more often than the men. But not this time. This time my main female character likes a man in charge. She takes control plenty, don't you worry, but alphas are her thing.
I've had to dig deep, going back in time to when I was attracted to the alphas to write this book. I've been married for a long time. And he's a nice guy. It feels funny to actively be thinking about the men that came before him, that I rejected for one reason or another, in order to draw inspiration for a character that has all the bad boy qualities I liked, but has also let go of all the asshole tendencies I dumped those suckers over.
And this is the only thing keeping me sane right now. I'm on day thirteen of being locked in my house, or self quarantine as they're calling it. I can go out in my backyard, but that's it. My hair is ridiculously long. I stopped shaving my legs a week ago. Things have gotten rough.
Everything I have, I am putting into this book. My final remaining scraps of sanity, my wishes for a better time, my hopes that someday, in the not so near future, I will actually be able to leave my house again. They are all coming through my fingers, onto the keyboard, and into the pages on my laptop.
In hopes that things turn around soon, I will raise a glass - just one this time, not five like the night before - and salute all those who aren't able to stay home. Cheers to everyone doing their best to get through this mess, no matter what it is.
We are all in this together. We can't ever forget that.
March 3, 2020
Gearing up for Book 2
Well, now that February is over, it's time to buckle down and start getting ready to release book number two in the Southern Sins Series.
First off, I wanted to thank everyone who purchased and read New Love last month. I actually reached my sales goal, which is amazing! I can't wait to get book two out, and hopefully keep the momentum going.
Right now I am in the early process of getting cover art together, rewriting and editing yet again - I think I'm on draft four or five by now, and just making lists to get all my ducks lined up in a row.
Releasing a book is a lot of work. I always thought writing was the big part; the part that took all of the time and energy. I was wrong. Finding reliable cover artists is a serious challenge. Actually, finding affordable, reliable cover artists is difficult. It's the one part of this whole process I cannot do myself, and it's infuriating. Every time I get to this point, I'm almost willing to shell out some serious cash, take a class, and learn how to do this stuff myself. I'm on option six for the cover, and am still not happy with the results. At least this time I left myself plenty of time to get it all together without, hopefully, stressing too much.
The edits seem to be never ending. I just had my first beta read of book two. While they liked it and said they'd recommend it, its was more typos, formatting issues, and I even used the wrong name for a character at one point! oops! But that is why we beta read. This is why we do our best to cover all our bases, and hope that we can get our books the best they can be before release.
Formatting was a nightmare for New Love, but now that I've gone through it all, I'm hoping it'll go a bit smoother this time around. I learned some new tricks, and fingers crossed I remember all of them.
I also learned from several mistakes I made during my last release. I will know how to mark down the book for presale. I will know the proper way to make it work for me instead of against me. I am also trying to learn with the cover, since I got negative feedback on my first one. I personally liked it, but I see what others were saying.
Live and learn.
Do better next time.
Take all that you were taught and be better.
That's the goal.
So here I go, charging down the field again.
Let's see if I can do an even better job this time, and sell even more books, and get even more readers!
Because isn't that the ultimate goal? Having someone read your book and enjoy it?
It is for me.
First off, I wanted to thank everyone who purchased and read New Love last month. I actually reached my sales goal, which is amazing! I can't wait to get book two out, and hopefully keep the momentum going.
Right now I am in the early process of getting cover art together, rewriting and editing yet again - I think I'm on draft four or five by now, and just making lists to get all my ducks lined up in a row.
Releasing a book is a lot of work. I always thought writing was the big part; the part that took all of the time and energy. I was wrong. Finding reliable cover artists is a serious challenge. Actually, finding affordable, reliable cover artists is difficult. It's the one part of this whole process I cannot do myself, and it's infuriating. Every time I get to this point, I'm almost willing to shell out some serious cash, take a class, and learn how to do this stuff myself. I'm on option six for the cover, and am still not happy with the results. At least this time I left myself plenty of time to get it all together without, hopefully, stressing too much.
The edits seem to be never ending. I just had my first beta read of book two. While they liked it and said they'd recommend it, its was more typos, formatting issues, and I even used the wrong name for a character at one point! oops! But that is why we beta read. This is why we do our best to cover all our bases, and hope that we can get our books the best they can be before release.
Formatting was a nightmare for New Love, but now that I've gone through it all, I'm hoping it'll go a bit smoother this time around. I learned some new tricks, and fingers crossed I remember all of them.
I also learned from several mistakes I made during my last release. I will know how to mark down the book for presale. I will know the proper way to make it work for me instead of against me. I am also trying to learn with the cover, since I got negative feedback on my first one. I personally liked it, but I see what others were saying.
Live and learn.
Do better next time.
Take all that you were taught and be better.
That's the goal.
So here I go, charging down the field again.
Let's see if I can do an even better job this time, and sell even more books, and get even more readers!
Because isn't that the ultimate goal? Having someone read your book and enjoy it?
It is for me.
February 15, 2020
Thank You!
Thank you so much to everyone who purchased my book, New Love, opening week!
I have already sold more copies of my second book in the first week than I did of my first book in its entirety, and that's pretty amazing!
I am so grateful for the Writing Community on Twitter, the support of other writers here on GoodReads, and I even finally broke down and started and Instagram account as well. It's g.g.gleason if anyone wanted to follow me on there.
the Instagram will be to connect with other writers, of course, and hopefully readers of the contemporary romance genre. But I'll also be posting about books I'm reading and enjoying, hoping to share some good books with the rest of the world.
As always, my books will remain free to read at any time on Kindle Unlimited. Also keep in mind that, if you have Amazon Prime, you do get to "buy" a free ebook once a month. So make sure you take advantage of that!
Thank you again, to anyone who is reading this, or may someday read this.
I have already sold more copies of my second book in the first week than I did of my first book in its entirety, and that's pretty amazing!
I am so grateful for the Writing Community on Twitter, the support of other writers here on GoodReads, and I even finally broke down and started and Instagram account as well. It's g.g.gleason if anyone wanted to follow me on there.
the Instagram will be to connect with other writers, of course, and hopefully readers of the contemporary romance genre. But I'll also be posting about books I'm reading and enjoying, hoping to share some good books with the rest of the world.
As always, my books will remain free to read at any time on Kindle Unlimited. Also keep in mind that, if you have Amazon Prime, you do get to "buy" a free ebook once a month. So make sure you take advantage of that!
Thank you again, to anyone who is reading this, or may someday read this.
February 7, 2020
New Love Now on Sale!
Today is the big day.
My second book, New Love is on sale on Amazon.com! The first in the Southern Sins Series, New Love tells the story of Georgia, who needs to get out of her small town up north, and quickly decides to move to Charlotte, NC and start a new life for herself.
She meets Ben, who gives here more questions than he does answers.
Follow Georgia and Ben as they navigate through insecurities, the feelings of new love, and the undeniable passion that sparks between two people that are meant to be together.
Today through Valentines' Day, it is only $.99!
Please consider checking it out and giving it a read!
https://smile.amazon.com/New-Love-Sou...
My second book, New Love is on sale on Amazon.com! The first in the Southern Sins Series, New Love tells the story of Georgia, who needs to get out of her small town up north, and quickly decides to move to Charlotte, NC and start a new life for herself.
She meets Ben, who gives here more questions than he does answers.
Follow Georgia and Ben as they navigate through insecurities, the feelings of new love, and the undeniable passion that sparks between two people that are meant to be together.
Today through Valentines' Day, it is only $.99!
Please consider checking it out and giving it a read!
https://smile.amazon.com/New-Love-Sou...
February 2, 2020
Book Release This Week!
This is the week that my second Ebook goes live for purchase. Southern Sins: New Love is almost here!
Friday, February 7th it's available all over the world, and I am equal parts excited and terrified.
I felt better about things after I woke up today to a glowingly positive review of a pre-release of the book. It's always good to get feedback, but it feels even better when a total stranger reads your book and tells you they loved it.
As writers, sometimes we're our own toughest critics. I know I have spent a few sleepless night in the past few weeks worried that everyone would hate my book, because that's what we all do.
So many thanks to Julia Firlotte for showing interest in my book, reading it, and recommending it to others.
What a gift.
I can't wait to return the favor to her very soon.
Here is a link to her review of New Love:
https://www.juliafirlotteauthor.com/p...
Friday, February 7th it's available all over the world, and I am equal parts excited and terrified.
I felt better about things after I woke up today to a glowingly positive review of a pre-release of the book. It's always good to get feedback, but it feels even better when a total stranger reads your book and tells you they loved it.
As writers, sometimes we're our own toughest critics. I know I have spent a few sleepless night in the past few weeks worried that everyone would hate my book, because that's what we all do.
So many thanks to Julia Firlotte for showing interest in my book, reading it, and recommending it to others.
What a gift.
I can't wait to return the favor to her very soon.
Here is a link to her review of New Love:
https://www.juliafirlotteauthor.com/p...
January 31, 2020
It's Finished!
Southern Sins
New Love (Book 1)
Editing complete.
Author copies ordered.
Now all I have to do is wait until February 7th for my second book to be live and available for purchase!
Two weeks from today!
And catch up on the weeks of sleep I've missed out on while getting this book as perfects as I could.
In the meantime, I'm switching back over to being a full-time reader, and am doing my best to support some of my twitter friends with their books.
Any community that can come together and help each other out is special. My #WritingCommunity on Twitter has been amazing and supportive, and I'm always happy to return the favor!
New Love (Book 1)
Editing complete.
Author copies ordered.
Now all I have to do is wait until February 7th for my second book to be live and available for purchase!
Two weeks from today!
And catch up on the weeks of sleep I've missed out on while getting this book as perfects as I could.
In the meantime, I'm switching back over to being a full-time reader, and am doing my best to support some of my twitter friends with their books.
Any community that can come together and help each other out is special. My #WritingCommunity on Twitter has been amazing and supportive, and I'm always happy to return the favor!
January 27, 2020
Editing The Same Thing Yet Again
Hello, Readers
My second book, and first in my new series, is set to be released on February 7th. While I am over the moon, it's a lot of work!
This book is pretty special, though. My first book was only published in Ebook form, while this one is available in both Ebook and paperback form! And I just got my author proof! It's true, I may have shed a tear of happiness and joy.
To hold in your hands something that you have created is truly magical. Or at least it has been for me.
But here I go again, doing a final edit of the soon-to-be released book! Having never seen my work in print, there were several things I didn't know to watch out for.
First off, page spacing. That doesn't matter in an Ebook. But it sure matters in print. Font size, page numbering, author blurbs, book synopsis on the back cover. It's all new to me.
But it's been pretty fun, and pretty exciting.
Southern Sins: New Love is available now for pre-order, if anyone is interested in checking it out!
I will be having a Valentine's Day sale though, so you may want to wait. Unless you want to help me out financially, which in that case, order away!
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this!
- G.G.
My second book, and first in my new series, is set to be released on February 7th. While I am over the moon, it's a lot of work!
This book is pretty special, though. My first book was only published in Ebook form, while this one is available in both Ebook and paperback form! And I just got my author proof! It's true, I may have shed a tear of happiness and joy.
To hold in your hands something that you have created is truly magical. Or at least it has been for me.
But here I go again, doing a final edit of the soon-to-be released book! Having never seen my work in print, there were several things I didn't know to watch out for.
First off, page spacing. That doesn't matter in an Ebook. But it sure matters in print. Font size, page numbering, author blurbs, book synopsis on the back cover. It's all new to me.
But it's been pretty fun, and pretty exciting.
Southern Sins: New Love is available now for pre-order, if anyone is interested in checking it out!
I will be having a Valentine's Day sale though, so you may want to wait. Unless you want to help me out financially, which in that case, order away!
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this!
- G.G.
