L.M. Preston's Blog, page 2
July 29, 2020
BREAK THE DARKNESS by LM Preston
NEW BOOK AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDERin the VIGILANT SERIES
Get Your Pre-Order here: Amazon
Rei was nosy. She’d been told it would always get her in trouble, but it never did. Until she met Megan, who promised her the job of a lifetime. Sure, the high school newspaper wasn’t the ideal job for most, but for Rei, it was a dream. She’d never considered putting her investigative nature to work, but what Megan was asking her to do was way beyond the requirements of a school newspaper. It was part of an underground news for favor service. Her partners, Asher and Eli, annoyed her by never trusting her to do a job alone. Maybe, this one time she should have listened, because being trapped with no one to bail her out may surely be the death of Rei. Not only hers but will spill the secrets about her family she’d been withholding, placing every one of them in grave and serious danger.
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
June 4, 2020
Excerpt from Poetic Freedom - The Black Male Experience
For a glimpse of what young men of color endure emotionally every day
PURCHASE THE BOOKCLICK HERE
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
May 22, 2020
Being an Author in the Pre-Qual of a Dystopian Novel
QUARANTINE HAS GIVEN ME A LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH MY WRITING
It's true. It's hard to live through dark and uncomfortable times, then write about it - but make sure there is a plausible ending that doesn't crush your readers - when you are feeling a bit crushed.
THE REALITY and MY FANTASY
There is a great difference between the reality of my life during the stay in orders and the crazy world I've created in my latest series, but one thing prevails. Hope.
Also, the revealing of certain situations I had never considered would happen when the world starts to show a major change in the way it operates day to day. The response of people and the disorganized information being shared was something I realize happens, but to live through it is this unsettling feeling of unbalance that expressing through my characters seemed lighter than what a person feels in real life.
It makes me wonder if my readers will want to experience emotion so close to home during these times.
PEOPLE LIKE TO READ OTHER DARK REALITIES
It is amazing to me that many post apocalyptic books and fantasy novels had an uptick while people are forced to stay at home. I've even read and played games that reflected the times. (Yes, I have played Plague, Pandemic and Dead of Winter lately, several times)
I believe it instills the hope that we will win. The human race will overcome it all. You know what, we usually do.
IF YOU WANT TO ESCAPE YOUR REALITY to one where YOU CAN SEE A WINNER a SURVIVOR, the paperback released this week to Scepter of Fire.
Click here
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
May 1, 2020
Blog Tour Kick Off for Scepter Of Fire!
Release Blitz - May 1st
1. RABT Book Tours2. Tea Time and Books*3. Book Junkiez4. Musings From an Addicted Reader5. The Avid Reader6. T's Stuff7. Jazzy's Book Reviews8. On a Reading Bender9. The Indy Book Fairy10. The Pen Muse11. Chapters Through Life12. Nana's Book Reviews13. Momma Says to Read or Not to Read14. Java John Z's*15. Sylv.net16. Crossroads Reviews17. Novel News Network18. Sapphyria's Book Blog*19. Beach Bound Books*20. Mythical Books*21. Eclectic Moods*22. Book Reviews by Virginia Lee23. Silver Dagger Scriptorium24. Valerie Ullmer25. Readers Alley26. Bloody Good Book Reviews*27. La Libreria di Beppe28. Matthea's Bookshelf 29. Texas Book Nook30. My Reading Addiction 31. A Life Through Books32. The Indie Express33. Momma and Her StoriesLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
1. RABT Book Tours2. Tea Time and Books*3. Book Junkiez4. Musings From an Addicted Reader5. The Avid Reader6. T's Stuff7. Jazzy's Book Reviews8. On a Reading Bender9. The Indy Book Fairy10. The Pen Muse11. Chapters Through Life12. Nana's Book Reviews13. Momma Says to Read or Not to Read14. Java John Z's*15. Sylv.net16. Crossroads Reviews17. Novel News Network18. Sapphyria's Book Blog*19. Beach Bound Books*20. Mythical Books*21. Eclectic Moods*22. Book Reviews by Virginia Lee23. Silver Dagger Scriptorium24. Valerie Ullmer25. Readers Alley26. Bloody Good Book Reviews*27. La Libreria di Beppe28. Matthea's Bookshelf 29. Texas Book Nook30. My Reading Addiction 31. A Life Through Books32. The Indie Express33. Momma and Her StoriesLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
April 10, 2020
BEING STUCK AT HOME FOR A WRITER MEANS - WRITING MORE
I AM ENJOYING BEING FORCED TO BE AT HOME
As an author that also has other businesses and career moves, having time to write is always great. I've have the time to do all the things on my to do list, finish the expectations for my publishing of Scepter Of Fire release due May 2nd on time (I was falling way behind).
SCOPING OUT MY RELEASE SCHEDULE
I struggled with whether to release Scepter Of Fire during a pandemic. The rumor was book sales would dive during this period of time. I however, had hopes that books would be vital during this time. Therefore, I pushed myself to get the final manuscript edited, proof read, then designed. I also, finished the copyrights and marketing planning for the book. I debated on the print version and decided to release that after the pandemic and all clear since Amazon isn't pushing to fulfill orders that aren't essentials.
MARKETING COST SCALE BACK
When fighting the challenge of limited income, marketing had to change. There are some great vehicles I've been able to collaborate on that were free - one was the YASH SCAVENGER HUNT, that got over 180 eyes on my release and my giveaway got over two hundred interactions - all free advertising! There will also be a blog release tour (because I love doing them and the people I use are professional and reasonably priced). There was a cover reveal - a bit late in the process, but that was a great success. I am also doing some newsletter swaps with other authors that have great books. Have you signed up for my Newsletter here - click.
MORE TIME TO WRITE
Since, having more time at home (no commuting to my day job saves me 2 hours a day). I am able to get more books written. I scoped and started writing the next book in my The Vigilant Series, and plan to write the next two books in which I hadn't planned on writing until later this year.
Also, I plan to create content for my online courses (see them here: Homeschooling and Working Courses and College The Radical Way) Course creation is a great companion for my non-fiction books (Building Your Empowered Steps and Homeschooling and Working While Raising Amazing Learners), but it takes a lot of time.
ARE YOU READING MORE NOW?
With all that's going on, do you want to escape? The best kind is reading. Do you feel that you are purchasing more books or looking for more discounts?
WINNER OF THE YASH GIVEAWAY
BUY COPY OF SCEPTER OF FIRE for 99 cents and FREE on KU this month only!CLICK HERE
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
As an author that also has other businesses and career moves, having time to write is always great. I've have the time to do all the things on my to do list, finish the expectations for my publishing of Scepter Of Fire release due May 2nd on time (I was falling way behind).
SCOPING OUT MY RELEASE SCHEDULE
I struggled with whether to release Scepter Of Fire during a pandemic. The rumor was book sales would dive during this period of time. I however, had hopes that books would be vital during this time. Therefore, I pushed myself to get the final manuscript edited, proof read, then designed. I also, finished the copyrights and marketing planning for the book. I debated on the print version and decided to release that after the pandemic and all clear since Amazon isn't pushing to fulfill orders that aren't essentials.
MARKETING COST SCALE BACK
When fighting the challenge of limited income, marketing had to change. There are some great vehicles I've been able to collaborate on that were free - one was the YASH SCAVENGER HUNT, that got over 180 eyes on my release and my giveaway got over two hundred interactions - all free advertising! There will also be a blog release tour (because I love doing them and the people I use are professional and reasonably priced). There was a cover reveal - a bit late in the process, but that was a great success. I am also doing some newsletter swaps with other authors that have great books. Have you signed up for my Newsletter here - click.
MORE TIME TO WRITE
Since, having more time at home (no commuting to my day job saves me 2 hours a day). I am able to get more books written. I scoped and started writing the next book in my The Vigilant Series, and plan to write the next two books in which I hadn't planned on writing until later this year.
Also, I plan to create content for my online courses (see them here: Homeschooling and Working Courses and College The Radical Way) Course creation is a great companion for my non-fiction books (Building Your Empowered Steps and Homeschooling and Working While Raising Amazing Learners), but it takes a lot of time.
ARE YOU READING MORE NOW?
With all that's going on, do you want to escape? The best kind is reading. Do you feel that you are purchasing more books or looking for more discounts?
WINNER OF THE YASH GIVEAWAY
BUY COPY OF SCEPTER OF FIRE for 99 cents and FREE on KU this month only!CLICK HERE
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
March 30, 2020
The HUNT is ON! YASH SCAVENGER HUNT Spring 2020
Welcome to YASH FALL Scavenger Hunt at LM Preston's House
LM PRESTON's HOUSEYASH SCAVENGER HUNT
YASH SCAVENGER STARTING SITE
SEE ALL PARTICIPATING TITLES: Goodreads
YOU ARE AT THE PURPLE TEAM STOP
Please welcome authors of MERGED to my blue house! And don't forget my secret number is mumbo number 3
PRESENTING PLAIN JANES by Cecil Castellucci
A DC COMIC!!!!
Buy HERE
When artsy misfit Jane Beckles is forced to leave her beloved city life behind for the boring suburb of Kent Waters, she thinks her life is over. But then she finds where she belongs: at the reject table in the cafeteria, along with fellow misfits Brain Jayne, Theater Jane, and sporty Polly Jane. United by only two things-a shared name and frustration with the adults around them–the girls form a secret club dedicated to fighting suburban apathy with guerrilla works of art scattered around their small town. Armed with her sketchbook and a mission of resistance, the PLAIN Janes are out to prove that passion, bravery, and a group of great friends can save anyone from the hell that is high school.
TEASER
Hello my fellow art adventurers.
My name is Cecil Castellucci. In my book (with Jim Rugg on art) The Plain Janes, the Janes form a guerrilla art group that do art attacks in their small town of Kent Waters. The Main Jane, Jane Beckles, uses this as a coping mechanism to combat PTSD that she has and to deal with her trauma from a bombing in fictional Metro City. I believe, as she does, that Art Saves. One of the first times that I remember really seeing street art when I was growing up was Keith Haring's Chalk Drawings in the NYC subways. Everyday walking in the subway, there would be new drawings that people would walk by or walk on. That was when I started to really appreciate the beautiful graffiti that used to be on NYC subway cars and big wall murals . I love that art can be stitched into the day to day and be delightful. That’s what the Janes do in my book. They do yarn bombings projects. and little toy dioramas and sound installations. All to make the people of their town stop for a moment and see the world in a new way. That’s what art does. I was going to walk around Los Angeles, where I live and take pictures of little hidden beautiful things, but that’s not really possible now. So here are some links to cool art installations that happened around the world. Maybe you will do something in your front yard, as you social distance? Something that those walking by can see and be delighted by while remaining safe. Because art and books will help us now!
All best, Cecil Castellucci
Website, Buy Book Here
Also, I'm having a little giveaway of my own for FREE $5 Amazon Gift card and copy of Insatiable Darkness: CLICK HERE
FACEBOOK RELEASE PARTY!JOIN THE FUN- MORE PRIZES CLICK HERE
CONTINUE TO THE HUNT at author Eliza Tilton CLICK HERE
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
LM PRESTON's HOUSEYASH SCAVENGER HUNT
YASH SCAVENGER STARTING SITE
SEE ALL PARTICIPATING TITLES: Goodreads
YOU ARE AT THE PURPLE TEAM STOP
Please welcome authors of MERGED to my blue house! And don't forget my secret number is mumbo number 3PRESENTING PLAIN JANES by Cecil Castellucci
A DC COMIC!!!!
Buy HERE
When artsy misfit Jane Beckles is forced to leave her beloved city life behind for the boring suburb of Kent Waters, she thinks her life is over. But then she finds where she belongs: at the reject table in the cafeteria, along with fellow misfits Brain Jayne, Theater Jane, and sporty Polly Jane. United by only two things-a shared name and frustration with the adults around them–the girls form a secret club dedicated to fighting suburban apathy with guerrilla works of art scattered around their small town. Armed with her sketchbook and a mission of resistance, the PLAIN Janes are out to prove that passion, bravery, and a group of great friends can save anyone from the hell that is high school.
TEASER
Hello my fellow art adventurers.
My name is Cecil Castellucci. In my book (with Jim Rugg on art) The Plain Janes, the Janes form a guerrilla art group that do art attacks in their small town of Kent Waters. The Main Jane, Jane Beckles, uses this as a coping mechanism to combat PTSD that she has and to deal with her trauma from a bombing in fictional Metro City. I believe, as she does, that Art Saves. One of the first times that I remember really seeing street art when I was growing up was Keith Haring's Chalk Drawings in the NYC subways. Everyday walking in the subway, there would be new drawings that people would walk by or walk on. That was when I started to really appreciate the beautiful graffiti that used to be on NYC subway cars and big wall murals . I love that art can be stitched into the day to day and be delightful. That’s what the Janes do in my book. They do yarn bombings projects. and little toy dioramas and sound installations. All to make the people of their town stop for a moment and see the world in a new way. That’s what art does. I was going to walk around Los Angeles, where I live and take pictures of little hidden beautiful things, but that’s not really possible now. So here are some links to cool art installations that happened around the world. Maybe you will do something in your front yard, as you social distance? Something that those walking by can see and be delighted by while remaining safe. Because art and books will help us now!
All best, Cecil Castellucci
Website, Buy Book Here
Also, I'm having a little giveaway of my own for FREE $5 Amazon Gift card and copy of Insatiable Darkness: CLICK HERE
FACEBOOK RELEASE PARTY!JOIN THE FUN- MORE PRIZES CLICK HERE
CONTINUE TO THE HUNT at author Eliza Tilton CLICK HERE
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
March 23, 2020
YA Scavenger Hunt Time!!!!
The TEAMS are LINING Up
Check it out! Did you hear the news? The YA Scavenger Hunt, otherwise known as YASH, is almost here! Are you excited? I know I am. For those of you who are dying to know what to look forward to, here’s a sneak peek of the teams.
The "hunt" is just a simple math problem. You will write down all the secret numbers on a team, total them, and submit the answer to be entered for the grand prize.
There are 4 grand prizes being offered, one for each team. The team prize is a book from each author on that team.
Pick a Color:
Guess what color team I am on?
RedBluePurpleGold
Da da da!
What Books Can I Win During YASH?
There you go.
All eighty books you could win during the upcoming YASH.
Which team are you most excited about?
But How Do I Hunt?
If you’re new to the YA Scavenger Hunt, don’t worry. I have a YouTube video that tells you everything you’d ever want to know.
1) Read blog post2) There will be a link at the bottom of the blog to the next link until you finish each author and finish the hunt3) OR go to the YASH I'm STUCK PAGE
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER A GRAND PRIZE CONTEST from 4 DIFFERENT TEAM and YOU GET A BOOK FROM EACH TEAM
...and there's more, each author may have individual giveaways
You will get a SNEAK PEAK of something from their book or series
Okay, So I’m Interested, Now What?
Now all you have to do is wait for the hunt to start. You can begin hunting on my blog on March 31st, or to make sure you don’t miss out, you can head over to the YA Scavenger Hunt page , scroll down, and sign up for notifications with your email on the right, or you can sign up for my personal newsletter on my website and I’ll be sure to let you know when the hunt begins every season, which happens twice a year.
And You’re Revealing Secret Stuff?
That’s right! This coming season of the YA Scavenger Hunt I’ll be revealing some sneak peeks of my new book, SCEPTER OF FIRE.
To win a prize, you’ll have to check out the YA Scavenger Hunt!
Also, here's a quick Giveaway For you!
CLICK HERE FOR GIVEAWAY $5 Amazon Gift Card and MORE
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
Check it out! Did you hear the news? The YA Scavenger Hunt, otherwise known as YASH, is almost here! Are you excited? I know I am. For those of you who are dying to know what to look forward to, here’s a sneak peek of the teams.The "hunt" is just a simple math problem. You will write down all the secret numbers on a team, total them, and submit the answer to be entered for the grand prize.
There are 4 grand prizes being offered, one for each team. The team prize is a book from each author on that team.
Pick a Color:
Guess what color team I am on?
RedBluePurpleGold
Da da da!
What Books Can I Win During YASH?
There you go.
All eighty books you could win during the upcoming YASH.
Which team are you most excited about?
But How Do I Hunt?
If you’re new to the YA Scavenger Hunt, don’t worry. I have a YouTube video that tells you everything you’d ever want to know.
1) Read blog post2) There will be a link at the bottom of the blog to the next link until you finish each author and finish the hunt3) OR go to the YASH I'm STUCK PAGE
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER A GRAND PRIZE CONTEST from 4 DIFFERENT TEAM and YOU GET A BOOK FROM EACH TEAM
...and there's more, each author may have individual giveaways
You will get a SNEAK PEAK of something from their book or series
Okay, So I’m Interested, Now What?
Now all you have to do is wait for the hunt to start. You can begin hunting on my blog on March 31st, or to make sure you don’t miss out, you can head over to the YA Scavenger Hunt page , scroll down, and sign up for notifications with your email on the right, or you can sign up for my personal newsletter on my website and I’ll be sure to let you know when the hunt begins every season, which happens twice a year.
And You’re Revealing Secret Stuff?
That’s right! This coming season of the YA Scavenger Hunt I’ll be revealing some sneak peeks of my new book, SCEPTER OF FIRE.
To win a prize, you’ll have to check out the YA Scavenger Hunt!
Also, here's a quick Giveaway For you!
CLICK HERE FOR GIVEAWAY $5 Amazon Gift Card and MORE
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
March 19, 2020
Reading and Teaser of Insatiable Darkness now ON SALE and FREE in KU
INSATIABLE DARKNESS READING
On SALE 99cents FREE ON KU
BUY HERE: Amazon
☆ ☆ ☆ READING of INSATIABLE DARKNESS ☆ ☆ ☆
THE Vigilant Series:
EmVee didn’t know what to think about this new town her father’s passion for boxing lured them. It was an unlikely location for her to pursue her dream of going semi-pro. Just when she started getting used to the school with gorgeous jocks and strange cheerleaders, the depth of the danger her father’s choices dangled them in front of became clear. EmVee hoped Silas and Kayson will be able to help her uncover the mystery identity of the person who is threatening her family. The question is, will she survive to expose the mystery.
The VIGILANT SERIES
Insatiable Darkness - Book 0 - prequel to Caged Fire
Caged Fire Book 1: March 7th, 2019
Unbreakable Darkness - Book 1.5 - prequel to Book 2
JOIN THE FACEBOOK PARTY: Click Here
JOIN MY FACEBOOK READER GROUP: Click HereLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
March 3, 2020
Life Versus The Writing Cave
THE Vigilant Series
The FOURTH book in this series has been a struggle to write. Life has a way of stepping into a writer's life and smacking things down.
The first deadline has come and gone, and now I am on a tight deadline to finish edits, get it formatted and uploaded for ebook release.
The paperback release will be a month after the ebook release.
And when will the release of the next book come? The story of what happened to Dexter Lewis? Since his sister EmVee (aka: Vida Emily Lewis) story has come to light?
FIND OUT MAY 1st.
Pre-Order Amazon
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
November 11, 2019
Events I Have Done As an Author At Libraries
Library Events That Brings Stories AliveWhen I was young, I would spend hours in the library. Although, I loved reading, story time, interactive events and recreations of stories were some of my best memories. As an author, I’ve created those events at various libraries. Kids love hands on, and becoming one with stories. To bring stories to life within the library doesn’t take a lot of effort. It takes imagination. Kids are open and eager to make believe, and the libraries are the best places for them to experience new stories, new places and many adventures.
Some events I’ve run that were great successes as an author can be used at libraries, done on websites, with parents, or created as a challenge.
Dungeons And Dragons Adventure Based On Author’s BookAs an author, I’ve created D&D like experience for readers at libraries that model my stories. These have been fun events that can take on a life of their own. Kids hate leaving these events early and have tons of enjoyment by getting into their characters and experiencing adventures within a story. We start with a video book trailer of the book. Then each participant is given a character with different characteristics. The author or ‘dungeon master (reader)’ creates the scene, acts as narrator to the story and leads characters into key points of their ‘quest’. It can go on for hours and even be a theme for the month.
Living StoriesTo create a living stories event in a library, creating a theme based around a popular story can gain participation even from the teenage readers. Have readers vote on a book, or base it off the book club selection of a book. Once the book of choice is chosen invite kids to do art projects to create a scene from the book and even have a prop building contest. Create areas through the library that mimic a scene in the book, encourage the child to read in the area, dress up as a character, then lead to an art or interactive activity.
Story Scavenger HuntsEveryone loves a good scavenger hunt. Creating an adventure with clues to books from different authors is an amazing way to introduce young visitors to the library to new books. Having a monthly scavenger hunt to find and reveal new books, coming titles, or newly acquired books to the library is a way to get readers excited early. Having a consistent monthly event builds readers anticipation. It can even be part of the building up to a book club.
Library Camp OutCamping, smores, ghost stories are ways to kick off a library day camp out. Kids can come with their blankets, camp snacks and check out their favorite book. A room in the library can be decorated like an enchanted forest, a space station, a desert camp grounds or more. Readers can be invited to pick a book with the camp location them and read away in their own camp spot. Smores, treats, and prizes can be given to the camper that retells the best stories based on what they’ve read.
Story Reenactment Story reenactments can allow kids to further immerse and enjoy stories. Having a reenactment doesn’t mean the kids have to had read the stories. Small and short scenes can be replayed by the kids or the librarian. There can even be areas in the library that scenes from books in that section can be acted out. For the savvy library, having videos strategical placed can lead the reader on a library adventure where they can participate in the fun.
As an author, and a kid at heart, finding enjoyable ways to tell stories captures kids and adult interest alike. Taking events, activities that people love, and bringing that to the library continues to make the library the most adventurous place a reader can go.
By: LM Preston, fiction and non-fiction author, www.lmpreston.com and www.empoweredsteps.com, Twitter: LM_Preston, Blog: www.lmpreston.blogspot.comand http://homeschoolandwork.blogspot.com
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
