Stephanie Haefner's Blog, page 2
June 21, 2012
Do you Pinterest???
SUCH a fun time suck if there ever was one!! I've learned so many great things and I have actually made some of the recipes I pinned!! :) How about you? Love it or loathe it??
Aside from my own fun, I did make some boards just for my characters! That was so cool! I love giving people a visual for my characters...helps them get to know them even better! :)
If you're on Pinterest, come stop by my boards!! :)
http://pinterest.com/stephanihaefner/
Aside from my own fun, I did make some boards just for my characters! That was so cool! I love giving people a visual for my characters...helps them get to know them even better! :)
If you're on Pinterest, come stop by my boards!! :)
http://pinterest.com/stephanihaefner/
December 14, 2011
Karma Kameleon will release soon!!!
I'm getting really excited!!!! And nervous!! So many people loved Lexi's first book- A Bitch Named Karma! I hope the second installment of Lexi's life finds just as much love!!
It releases January 9, 2012!!!!
It releases January 9, 2012!!!!
June 8, 2011
Blog Tour stop #1
Please please please stop by Unedited: http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/ Jen is so so awesome and agreed to be my first tour stop!!
And there is a prize!!! Every commenter is entered to win the Grand Prize!!!
And there is a prize!!! Every commenter is entered to win the Grand Prize!!!
June 2, 2011
Do readers like a series?
There are many many times I read a book and wish it didn't end. I just wanted to keep reading about these characters that I came to love!!
Many authors write books with a series in mind. But I have issues with books that are just filler and feel like the author only wrote it to hook you and make you want to buy the next. (I find this often with book #2) I hate feeling like I read an unfinished story just so the author could profit on selling the next book...they have you hooked and wanting more, but in my opinion, every book in a series needs to stand alone. Not cool to leave me hanging at the end with no real ending.
One of my favorite series books is The Queen of Babble series by Meg Cabot! SUCH an awesome series. And I can't write a post on series books without mentioning The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Fantastic!!
Many authors write books with a series in mind. But I have issues with books that are just filler and feel like the author only wrote it to hook you and make you want to buy the next. (I find this often with book #2) I hate feeling like I read an unfinished story just so the author could profit on selling the next book...they have you hooked and wanting more, but in my opinion, every book in a series needs to stand alone. Not cool to leave me hanging at the end with no real ending.
One of my favorite series books is The Queen of Babble series by Meg Cabot! SUCH an awesome series. And I can't write a post on series books without mentioning The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Fantastic!!
May 10, 2011
Epublishing is not the same as Self Publishing
I am very proud of the fact that I persevered and found a publisher who adored my work as much as I do. They are a primarily digital house, meaning the majority of their titles are only available as eBooks.
There seems to be this HUGE misconception in the publishing world where people- published and non-published writers- think that epublishing is self publishing. Well let me tell you, it absolutely is not!
I have contracts with a fantastic publisher, Lyrical Press. They are an epublisher but by no means are they an avenue for writers to self publish their work. I had to submit and be reviewed before it was accepted for publication. Then I went through several rounds of copy edits, then line edits. Then I had to review a galley proof.
It really really irritates me to read blogs of writers and authors who use the terms epublishing and self publishing interchangeably. They are not the same. I am not self published.
Yes, there are many avenues online for writers to self publish and do it digitally. Amazon, Smashwords, etc...It's easier than ever to write anything you want and throw it out into the world of digitally publishing. But there are authors who have worked really hard with teams of editors through legitimate publishing houses that just so happen to also publish digitally.
I chose not to self publish and I need to state clearly that I am not trying to insult anyone who has chosen that route. I have read my fair share of self-published work. Some is good...some it is easy to tell the author did do the work necessary and has hired a professional editor to make sure the work is the highest quality possible. But I have also read utter crap where it is clear the author wanted to publish their work and had zero ability to see it's flaws. I honestly believe no writer is able to see all of their own flaws...and we do have them. If you think you don't, you are mistaken.
So please, give credit where credit is due. Don't call me a self-published author simply because my work is published electronically.
But the one fortunate thing here is the fact that the general non-writing, book-reading public does not know the difference. They will download ebooks that sound interesting to them and when they start reading the ones that obviously have had no editorial help, they'll lose faith in that author and stop spending their money on them. Thank God for sites like Goodreads!!
There seems to be this HUGE misconception in the publishing world where people- published and non-published writers- think that epublishing is self publishing. Well let me tell you, it absolutely is not!
I have contracts with a fantastic publisher, Lyrical Press. They are an epublisher but by no means are they an avenue for writers to self publish their work. I had to submit and be reviewed before it was accepted for publication. Then I went through several rounds of copy edits, then line edits. Then I had to review a galley proof.
It really really irritates me to read blogs of writers and authors who use the terms epublishing and self publishing interchangeably. They are not the same. I am not self published.
Yes, there are many avenues online for writers to self publish and do it digitally. Amazon, Smashwords, etc...It's easier than ever to write anything you want and throw it out into the world of digitally publishing. But there are authors who have worked really hard with teams of editors through legitimate publishing houses that just so happen to also publish digitally.
I chose not to self publish and I need to state clearly that I am not trying to insult anyone who has chosen that route. I have read my fair share of self-published work. Some is good...some it is easy to tell the author did do the work necessary and has hired a professional editor to make sure the work is the highest quality possible. But I have also read utter crap where it is clear the author wanted to publish their work and had zero ability to see it's flaws. I honestly believe no writer is able to see all of their own flaws...and we do have them. If you think you don't, you are mistaken.
So please, give credit where credit is due. Don't call me a self-published author simply because my work is published electronically.
But the one fortunate thing here is the fact that the general non-writing, book-reading public does not know the difference. They will download ebooks that sound interesting to them and when they start reading the ones that obviously have had no editorial help, they'll lose faith in that author and stop spending their money on them. Thank God for sites like Goodreads!!
May 9, 2011
Brand Loyalty
Back in 1996, my boyfriend (now hubby) needed a new car. A friend of his dad's was a service manager at a local Nissan dealer. So he checked out what they had on their used car lot. We knew we could trust whatever he said. Hubby found a 1987 fully loaded Maxima. It had 120,000 miles, but it was a good price and his dad's friend had given it his seal of approval.
We've been loyal Nissan buyers ever since. That first Maxima we had was awesome. We drove it 70,000 miles over the next three years. (Hubby was downstate for a while for work and traveled 750 miles round trip most weekends to come home.) It became my car and hubby bought a small Nissan pick up truck.
Since 1996 we have owned an 87 Maxima, 97, 99, and 02 Altimas, an 88 truck, an 07 Quest and a 2010 Rogue. We still have the 02 Altima and the Rogue.
My point is, we've found a brand we know and trust. We don't need to do research on vehicles...we know we will love whatever Nissan comes out.
When it comes to writing, authors are kind of a brand. Most people I know, once they've found an author they love, they tend to stick with them and will buy their new releases without even knowing what they're about. I hope to find fans like that!!! I want my readers to trust me and trust in my work. I want them to expect great things from me and I never want them to be disappointed.
Now I know you can't please all the people all the time. I'm not looking for every reader on the planet to adore my every word. And I know I will have fans who will love some of my work more than others, but I do want that trust. I want readers to know that when they purchase my books, they won't be wasting money. I know some people will think that, regardless, but I hope to never disappoint my fans who have loved my work in the past.
We've been loyal Nissan buyers ever since. That first Maxima we had was awesome. We drove it 70,000 miles over the next three years. (Hubby was downstate for a while for work and traveled 750 miles round trip most weekends to come home.) It became my car and hubby bought a small Nissan pick up truck.
Since 1996 we have owned an 87 Maxima, 97, 99, and 02 Altimas, an 88 truck, an 07 Quest and a 2010 Rogue. We still have the 02 Altima and the Rogue.
My point is, we've found a brand we know and trust. We don't need to do research on vehicles...we know we will love whatever Nissan comes out.
When it comes to writing, authors are kind of a brand. Most people I know, once they've found an author they love, they tend to stick with them and will buy their new releases without even knowing what they're about. I hope to find fans like that!!! I want my readers to trust me and trust in my work. I want them to expect great things from me and I never want them to be disappointed.
Now I know you can't please all the people all the time. I'm not looking for every reader on the planet to adore my every word. And I know I will have fans who will love some of my work more than others, but I do want that trust. I want readers to know that when they purchase my books, they won't be wasting money. I know some people will think that, regardless, but I hope to never disappoint my fans who have loved my work in the past.
April 26, 2011
Favorite books to read!!
Do you have a favorite book/s you read over and over again????
I rarely re-read books. I think that is why I rarely buy books. At least not physical paper books. I do buy ebooks...but they don't take up space on my shelf.
But if it's something good that I know I will read again, I like to have a copy!! I have read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series several times (which reminds me, it's probably time to reread those!!) I like to read Gone with the Wind every once in a while, though it's been a long time. And I ADORE Meg Cabot's Queen of Babble series. I only own digital copies of those books...but I'm okay with that.
I am always on the lookout for something new and exciting to read though, so that's why I rarely re-read something.
What about you???
I rarely re-read books. I think that is why I rarely buy books. At least not physical paper books. I do buy ebooks...but they don't take up space on my shelf.
But if it's something good that I know I will read again, I like to have a copy!! I have read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series several times (which reminds me, it's probably time to reread those!!) I like to read Gone with the Wind every once in a while, though it's been a long time. And I ADORE Meg Cabot's Queen of Babble series. I only own digital copies of those books...but I'm okay with that.
I am always on the lookout for something new and exciting to read though, so that's why I rarely re-read something.
What about you???
April 17, 2011
No time for book reading :(
I made a goal last year t read 30 books in 2010. I almost made my goal...having read 28. I was proud...it was still a dozen more books than I read the year before. And there was no way i could tackle the 100 book challenge that many readers do...no way I could ever make that goal. But I made the same 30 book goal for 2011.
But I ahve to say...I;m not doing so well. :( Here we are, almost the end of April, months into the new year, and I am almost finished with book # 4. yeah...basically 1 book per month. that's not good at all. Definitely not gonna come anywhere close to my goal at this point.
But I think I know my problem. So far this year, only two of the books have engaged me so deeply that I had to just keep reading. The other two...took me a loooooong time. They just didn't suck me in. :( The one I kept reading becuase I did want to find out how it ended, as boring as the middle was. The other...well...I bought it so I feel like I need to finish it...there is promise of a steamy sex scene in there somewhere and I am just waiting for it!! LOL!
But I ahve to say...I;m not doing so well. :( Here we are, almost the end of April, months into the new year, and I am almost finished with book # 4. yeah...basically 1 book per month. that's not good at all. Definitely not gonna come anywhere close to my goal at this point.
But I think I know my problem. So far this year, only two of the books have engaged me so deeply that I had to just keep reading. The other two...took me a loooooong time. They just didn't suck me in. :( The one I kept reading becuase I did want to find out how it ended, as boring as the middle was. The other...well...I bought it so I feel like I need to finish it...there is promise of a steamy sex scene in there somewhere and I am just waiting for it!! LOL!
April 13, 2011
Do you Twitter??
I have decided I cannot do all social media every day...so I have decided to try and focus on one or two forms each day and really do it, rather than one mini post on every one each day. Today was a Twitter day. I keep Twitter open and I keep clicking to see the new posts and commenting when I feel. I made lots of my own posts today and had some great back and forth with a few other Twitterers today. I even started following a few new people hoping to get them to gravitate toward my blog and such. It's all about making new friends in cyberspace!
So how about you??? Do you Twitter?? Come find me!! @stephanihaefner
So how about you??? Do you Twitter?? Come find me!! @stephanihaefner
January 10, 2011
Beginnings and Endings!
Summer at My Inner Fairy had a great blogfest the other day...bummed that I missed it :( It was all about ending sentences and beginning sentences. Participants had to post the ending line of one story and then beginning line of another. Very cool! read some really neat lines!!
So I decided to post some of mine! Some are published, some are not. Some will be released this year, others are barely even started projects!!
Ending lines:
Maybe I could invent my own genre of fiction: Having-It-All-Lit.
She’d truly found paradise.
The happiness of mother and daughter was her top priority, and never again would she find herself anywhere other than where she wanted to be.
It was always there and would never leave them.
I’m flying once again.
I know that if a time ever comes that we find ourselves in need of answers, we’ll find them together.
It would stand for a dream, a chance to live one moment in the limelight, even if it was only in my imagination.
Just another layer of daughter protection, but we’ll save that story for another time.
And some opening lines:
They say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.
I fidget with my hair, smoothing an already perfect knot atop my head.
Many things in our lives go unexplained.
“Finito!” I screamed, not caring if the entire building heard me.
“Two egg whites, scrambled, wheat toast with blackberry jam and coffee.”
The crash of ocean waves echoed in Shelby Saunder’s ears while a soft steamy breeze blew the chocolate-colored strands of hair trailing from her twisted up-do.
Robyn Miller’s hands dove knuckle-deep into a mound of raw ground beef and egg as her daughter yelled from the living room.
Does anything entice you?? Maybe tomorrow I'll reveal where they came from! ;)
So I decided to post some of mine! Some are published, some are not. Some will be released this year, others are barely even started projects!!
Ending lines:
Maybe I could invent my own genre of fiction: Having-It-All-Lit.
She’d truly found paradise.
The happiness of mother and daughter was her top priority, and never again would she find herself anywhere other than where she wanted to be.
It was always there and would never leave them.
I’m flying once again.
I know that if a time ever comes that we find ourselves in need of answers, we’ll find them together.
It would stand for a dream, a chance to live one moment in the limelight, even if it was only in my imagination.
Just another layer of daughter protection, but we’ll save that story for another time.
And some opening lines:
They say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.
I fidget with my hair, smoothing an already perfect knot atop my head.
Many things in our lives go unexplained.
“Finito!” I screamed, not caring if the entire building heard me.
“Two egg whites, scrambled, wheat toast with blackberry jam and coffee.”
The crash of ocean waves echoed in Shelby Saunder’s ears while a soft steamy breeze blew the chocolate-colored strands of hair trailing from her twisted up-do.
Robyn Miller’s hands dove knuckle-deep into a mound of raw ground beef and egg as her daughter yelled from the living room.
Does anything entice you?? Maybe tomorrow I'll reveal where they came from! ;)
