Rachel Carrington's Blog, page 47

Meet the Author: Theresa Ragan, author of Abducted and Dead Weight

Today, I welcome Theresa Ragan, one of the top 10 indie-bestsellers authors.

Theresa, could you tell us about your latest release, Dead Weight?

Hi Rachel, it’s so nice to meet you. Thanks for inviting me here today. Dead Weight by T.R. Ragan is the sequel to Abducted, my first thriller. Dead Weight continues the story of Lizzy Gardner, a private investigator, and her two young sidekicks, Hayley and Jessica. All three females have been through extreme hardships and yet they fight through their life challenges and do the best they can. They also work together on solving missing person cases and every day cases like worker’s compensation claims. They’re smart and funny and they don’t always get along, but they get the job done.

You’re making the shift from indie publishing to traditional publishing with the re-release of Abducted and Dead Weight. Will you continue to indie publish?

Although I sold the rights to my Lizzy Gardner series, I still own the rights to my five romance novels and I plan to keep it that way…unless someone makes me a deal I can’t refuse. This year, I plan to independently release two more contemporary romance novels. I love having control over covers, pricing and marketing. It’s exciting and fun. I also can’t wait to see what Thomas & Mercer can do for my thrillers.

Your books have sold over 300,000 copies. Can you tell us a little about what you did to achieve such sales?

After I released my first two time travel romance novels, I spent the next three months promoting and marketing myself and my books. What works for one author won’t always work for another and I know successful indie authors who don’t do any promotion or marketing. But, I’ll tell you what I did. For three months I spent at least 8 hours a day doing things like setting up a free website using Blogger. I also started a Twitter account and I became more active on Facebook. I had one man comment at the BEA that I didn’t have too many followers on Twitter after all that work. But guess what? I had sales, so I knew something was working. I sent emails to friends and family telling them about my books. I did my first and only Blog Tour using IBC–it was time consuming but it was a great way to connect with readers. I met hundreds of people and it was a learning experience.

Every morning during those three months I would also send an email to an established reviewer asking them if they would be interested in reviewing one of my books. At that time, I was also formatting my own books, so that took a lot of time. Now I send my word document to a formatter (Lucinda Campbell at LK E-book Formatting). Once I began to make some money, I found a proofreader (Faith Williams at The Atwater Group). I used Windows Movie Maker to make book trailers and I posted those on Author Central on Amazon and on Youtube. I said yes to all interview requests and I blogged and commented on any writers/readers blog that I found interesting. I don’t believe in promoting just for the sake of promoting. Don’t comment on a blog about horses if you’re not interested in horses. At least that’s my philosophy.

After spending three months learning the ropes, I was exhausted. Now I spend 75% of my time writing new books and 25% doing interviews like this! As many writers have said, your next book is your best promotion. The better the book, the better the promotion. Last, but not least, was the luck factor. I finally got lucky! The more interviews I did, the more sales I made. The more sales I made, the more reviews I received…and ultimately more opportunities.

I use LFD Designs for my covers. Custom covers for $75.

I registered on Yahoo and joined IndieRomanceInk to find out what thousands of self-published authors were doing to promote and market themselves.

Go to my LINKS tab on my website to see what steps I took to self-publish, including advertising sites like Eye on Romance and The Romance Reviews.

Most of us writers still have the first books we’ve written stashed away in a drawer, and we know they’ll never get published. Do you have stories you wrote when you first started out that will never see the light of day?

Yes, I do. But I also have books like Having My Baby, which is my most recently released contemporary romance. I spent two months revising and polishing HMB. At first I wasn’t sure if that book would be worth all the trouble, but I’m so glad I took the time. I love that story. SO, I guess I do believe that any story you have stashed under your bed can be torn apart and revised and then polished. It’s just a matter of whether you want to take the time to work on an old book instead of something new and fresh.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors?

I believe the biggest challenge for new authors is the same for all authors. It’s all about writing the best book you can!

The best part for new authors is that they now have more options than ever!

And now for some fun questions…

Since you’ve always been fascinated by knights and castles, what is the one castle you’d love to visit?

I’m most interested in visiting older castles. I would like to visit Skipton Castle in North Yorkshire, England. The castle has stood for more than 900 years and is one of the most preserved medieval castles in England.

What is the one piece of technology you absolutely could not live without?

My computer. You can have my phone. ?

When you’re running low on energy, do you reach for coffee, head to the gym, or take a nap?

I do all three. Mentally, the gym helps me the most.

If you had to handwrite your novels instead of using a computer, would you continue writing?

Without a doubt.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I would like to live on beachfront property in San Diego, California.

Thank you for joining me, Theresa. I wish you all the best with your writing.

Thank you, Rachel. The pleasure was all mine! Good luck to all.

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Meet the Author: Samantha Combs

Today, I welcome Samantha Combs, a prolific award-winning author of young adult fantasy romance and horror.

First up, share a little bit about your newest release, Samantha. When will it be available? Will it be ebook and print? Where can your book be bought?

I have two to tell you about one which actually released recently. WAY PAST MIDNIGHT, is my 6th book and my 2nd horror collection. Part of the Kindle Direct Program, currently it is only available in ebook format with Amazon.

My next release is a YA paranormal fantasy contracted already by Musa Publishing and releasing on Sept. 7, 2012. It will be available in ebook format everywhere, Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and anywhere great ebooks drop.

Writing fantasy romance and horror seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. Do all of your novels include a dash of horror, or do you keep the two genres completely separate?

I think if you read all my stuff, you’d see the horror creeping into the paranormals and the supernatural crawling into the creepy. So I think I do have a dash of horror in all I write. At least, my brand of horror, which isn’t blood and gore, but the unsettling feeling you get when you understand that something that shouldn’t be possible actually is.

Your first book, Spellbound, won the Global Ebook Award. Has that impacted your career at all? Do you feel it gave you some validation as an author?

I absolutely do feel it gave me validation, but probably I’m the only one. When I said that to friends and family, they looked at me like I was nuts. Apparently, I was the only one needing the validation. But I still feel a great sense of pride calling myself “award-winning”.

Do you think entering contests is good for aspiring authors? How many contests did you enter before you were published, if any?

I do think it is good. I likely entered a half dozen. For me, it introduced me to a common concept in publishing, called the Rejection. Also, it enlightened me as to just how many other authors were out there trying to do the same thing as me. It made me be better.

One of your guilty pleasures is reality television. What is your favorite reality show and why?

In order, I love So You Think You Can Dance, Next Food Network Star, and American Idol. *hangs head in shame*

Spellbound has been described as “a Harry Potter for the modern, edgier teen”. What does praise like this mean to you? Do you think reviews can be used as a means of motivation?

I remember reading that. I was sitting in a dentist’s office when it came on my phone, and I laughed out loud. Sheer joy will do that to you. To me, it meant not only did the reviewer “get it”, the book I mean, it also meant I was one step closer to being commercial enough to be considered mainstream. It meant I was reaching more than one or two people; I had the capacity to reach millions. I just have to figure out how to break that first seal.

Most of us writers still have the first books we’ve written stashed away in a drawer, and we know they’ll never get published. Do you have stories you wrote when you first started out that will never see the light of day?

Oh, yes. Only mine is not a novel or even a short story. It’s a graphic comic I wrote and drew called The Amazing Samantha. I was just beginning to understand the power of the written word, yet still young enough I thought I had to have the pictures for the understanding. And by the way, I am a sucky artist, and the world is a better place my having embraced only the WRITTEN word. You’re welcome.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors?

The publishing industry has taken a 180 degree turn. I know the biggest challenge for me personally is getting an agent. And seeing how easy it is for some people. Like, when Snooki got a book deal, I felt ill. I was like, Really? And I cant get one? Sheesh.

What are some of your favorite sites to visit on the web and why?

I love to visit agent’s blogs, not any one in particular. They all have something important to add to my tool box.

Who is your favorite author and why?

I will be horrendously cliché and say Stephen King. But he really is my favorite. The reason is the way he writes. He takes you by the hand and leads you quietly to his horror, wrapping the normal up and disguising the evil in something mundane and boring. By the time you realize what he’s done, it’s too late. You are knee deep in it like quicksand, and there is no way out. It’s, well…..it’s delicious.

And now for some fun questions…

If Spellbound could be made into a movie, which current actors would you want to star as Logan and Serena?

Ha! I’ve thought about this too. I’d like an actor with his own brand of quiet dignity, strong, yet gently so. Even a little geeky with his confidence. So, I’d choose Casey Affleck. And for Serena? Easy. Blake Lively.

What is your favorite show on the Food Network? Favorite chef?

I love me some Iron Chef! And my favorite is Chef Michael Symon. Not only would I want his food, I think he’d be a great friend. He gives off that vibe.

What’s one piece of technology that you couldn’t live without?

I’m pretty stupidly obsessed with my iphone right now.

What’s one place in the world you’ve never visited but you’d really like to?

Greece!

If you could give one piece of advice to teens, what would it be?

Make choices that move you forward in life, not backwards. Make friends with the same philosophy.

Thank you for joining me, Samantha. I wish you all the best with your writing.

Thanks to you too! And have your readers feel free to connect with me, any way they like:

CONNECT WITH ME!

Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samanth...

Email: samanthacombswrites@gmail.com

Blog: http://www.samanthacombswrites.blogsp...

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/samanthacombs1

WRITE, PUBLISH, AND BE INFORMED!

Meet the Author and Win a Book: Lisa Renee Jones

Meet the Author: Lisa Renee Jones

Today, I welcome Lisa Renee Jones, a multi-published, best-selling author who is a powerhouse proponent of indie publishing. And she’s giving away one title (winner’s choice) of her indie published book to one lucky commenter today! (Be sure to leave your e-mail address so we can contact you!)

What made you decide to go publish your books yourself, Lisa? Was there a particular ah-ha moment for you that made you take that leap?

I would say hearing other authors talk about it. It was clear that indie was the way of the future. I had several friends who tried it and had great results.

What is the hardest part of indie publishing?

Some people say the editing and admin work is hard. But I don’t think so. For New York we have revisions and copy edits and page proofs.

I still love New York even though indie has been very kind to me. I’m a believer in a balance and not putting all your eggs in one basket. I have had some great New York editors who have helped take projects to new and better places.

To answer the question though, the hardest part for me is deciding which of the projects I want to do comes first.

What is the one thing no author should do without, regardless of how they’ve been published?

Reading time. If you aren’t reading, you can’t hone your craft and stoke the creative juices.

What is your latest indie release?

Wicked Werewolf Night — my second Werewolf Society Book and Dangerous Secrets is book two in my Tall, Dark, and Deadly Series. Book three will be out in October.

Will you continue to release indie for the foreseeable future? If so, what do you have coming up?

Oh yes and I have a long list of things coming up. The project I’m most excited about is IF I WERE YOU which is my top secret special project I’m not giving more details on for about a month. This project has been in the works a very long time. It’s out August 24th.

I also have a Spice Brief and a Blaze Trilogy about to release. The Brief is June. Then the trilogy is August 17th, September 17th, October 17th starting with WATCH ME.

On an average, how much time would you say you spend promoting and/or marketing your books? How much time should a beginning author expect to spend?

This is hard to answer. I’ve seen authors do nothing to promote themselves and have their books fly off the shelves. I devote a good ten hours a week though to non-writing things that support my career. I have a lot of books though. I think that impacts the time. Most authors that succeed do have some sort or marketing strategy they work on very diligently.

If you could use only one social media platform from here on in, which one would it be? Why?

Facebook because its such a large platform for displaying your work and communicating with others.

I know you’re always willing to help me with my questions about indie publishing. Do you think it’s important for authors to help one another? Why?

I’ve been thankful for authors who know more than I do and share amazing information since the very first day I ever touched this business. I have learned everything from other authors. I hope I can share some of the resources I’ve found along the way as well.  We are all working from our remote locations, and the only way we stay educated and grow is through authors helping authors. There are some very generous, humble, and successful people out there that I respect and appreciate.

If you could only write one genre for the remainder of your career, what would it be and why?

I don’t think I can answer that. I’ve always written cross genres, and I think it keeps me fresh and excited about what I do.

 And now for some fun questions…

 Do you have to get yourself together before you can write, or can you write in PJs?

 I often write in bed when everyone else is asleep.

What food could you absolutely not live without?

 It’s a close call between chocolate and coffee, and since coffee isn’t really food, I guess chocolate wins.

What’s one piece of technology you couldn’t live without?

My Iphone. I love that thing. I listen to audio books on it at the gym.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?

 The movies or a marathon television night with my DH to catch up on our shows and pig out on pizza.

 If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?

I could eat all the junk food I want and never get fat or sick because of it. But since that’s not going to happen, I’d say nothing. It’s just fine like it is.

Lisa is active on Facebook and Twitter, and you can find her at www.lisareneejones.com. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and her blog for regular updates. Lisa also has a Fan Page at Facebook.

She enjoys receiving e-mails from her readers! Email her at (LisaRenJones @ gmail.com — w/o the spaces) or please use the contact form located on her website.

Review: Bitter Demons by Sarra Cannon

Bitter Demons by Sarra Cannon


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bitter Demons continues Harper’s story in such an intriguing way that made it difficult for me to put the book down. I loved the growing connection between Harper and Jackson, and I was especially thrilled to learn more about him. Sarra has given a lot of teasers, but she finally provides a little more foundation to this enigmatic man.

You really can’t go wrong reading this series, and I just don’t have enough good things to say about it. I’m already reading the fourth book in the series and dreading the end of Peachville High and Harper’s journey.





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Review: Moon Dance by J.R. Rain

 

Moon Dance by J.R. Rain

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD

 

 

This book has an interesting concept. I like the whole idea of a Vampire investigator and how she deals with daily life. However, I didn’t like the heroine’s constant fixation on every man. She focused on a 67 year old man, a bartender, and her client. All of them were handsome, one with juicy lips and the like. Her marriage was a disaster, but I would have liked to have seen her stand up to her husband a bit more. She’s a private investigator and can’t figure out a way around his threats? She can find out who shot a werewolf in broad daylight but not how to crush her husband’s plan to destroy her if she didn’t fall in line with his wishes? That didn’t make sense to me.

The author has really great storytelling ability, and I never lost interest in the book. I was just a bit baffled at the heroine’s actions. She commits illegal actions for her client but won’t do the same for her children. Not to mention, she knows her husband is cheating on her long before he ends the marriage and does nothing. She could have gained proof of adultery and so many other things that would have threatened her husband’s cushy little world. Perhaps she will in later books, and I’m willing to give the second book a shot to find out.

A minor irk was the amount of emphasis placed on the sun’s damaging effects to the heroine. After the first couple of times (the first of which was hilarious), it became repetitive as the readers were aware of the sun’s ability to harm a vampire and didn’t need to be told repetitively.

There is one particularly sharp scene in the book where the heroine is about to be attacked. The author wrote that scene perfectly even the decision she makes afterwards. I would have liked to have seen her use those butt-kicking skills to help her children.

Again, I’m more than willing to give the second book in this series a shot because the author is a solid writer with a unique way of telling a story. She certainly did discover a void in the vampire community and filled it well. I hope the additional books answer some of the questions and put more emphasis on the heroine’s determination to be reunited with her children.

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A Writer’s Vacation

 

I’ve been in Madrid, Spain for the past five days with about seven more days to go. I’m exhausted but energetic, and I can’t wait to get back to my computer each evening to write. It’s not that I wasn’t enjoying writing when I was home, but there’s nothing like a vacation to stir the creative juices.

Imagine seeing museums, towering buildings with exquisite architecture, and one beautiful topiary after another while you’re seated high atop a double-decker bus sipping a cappuccino.  It really is as perfect as it sounds. I hope all my vacations can be as wonderful. And productive!

If you’d like to see some of the pictures of my trip, friend me on Facebook at rachelcarringtonwrites. Adios!

Review: Inner Demons by Sarra Cannon

Inner Demons by Sarra Cannon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Inner Demons picks up right where Beautiful Demons left off, and this new journey isn’t any less exciting. I love that Harper is growing and discovering things on her own. Sarra has written a teenager who actually thinks, acts, and reacts like a teenager. And she’s made her likeable.

As soon as I finished reading Inner Demons, I immediately bought the third book in the series, Bitter Demons because I don’t want the adventure to end. As much as I’d like to slow down so the series won’t end, the books are as compelling as Orlando Bloom in a kilt! If I could only describe Harper’s journey in one word, it would be phenomenal. I haven’t been this addicted to a series since Christine Feehan’s Carpathians.

Bravo, Sarra! You have done the world of young adult fantasy proud and made a lot of readers very happy.

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Cover Reveal: FanGirl by Angel Lawson

From the best-selling author of Wraith, Angel Lawson

FanGirl

Young Adult

Coming July 2012

 

When RUBY MILLER  and her best friend Iris post an amateur video on their Zocopalypse fansite, neither expect the film to go viral. The popularity of the video prompts an invitation to lead the FantasyCon parade, which includes the opportunity to meet Gabe Foster, the creator and artist behind the graphic novel.

Gabe announces Zocapalypse’s adaptation to a television mini-series and pegs college-bound Ruby to play the lead role, iconic zombie hunter, Alexandra.  She reluctantly accepts, pushing aside her summer babysitting job and plans of lounging around the pool, in favor of negotiating with agents, hot actors, and the paparazzi.

Attending zombie boot camp and memorizing script lines is hard enough, but Ruby must learn to trust her instincts in a world where the line between fiction and reality ceases to exist, and the two worlds blur into one.

To keep up to date on the book’s release and Angel’s appearances, visit her website at www.angellawson.com.

Off to Spain

Today, I’m leaving the country bound for Madrid, Spain where I’ll spend two glorious weeks learning as much as I possibly can about the history, the culture, and the people. One of the first places on my list is the Royal Palace (see picture above). It will be my first time inside a palace, and I’m already thinking ahead to the ideas that such a place will spark. I’m sure I’ll come away with enough storylines to fill a notebook!

I hope to be able to upload plenty of pictures while I’m gone and share my trip with you as much as possible! Until then, adios!