G.P. Ching's Blog, page 7

100,000 Copies and Counting

It's official. I've sold more than 100,000 books!










(And, in case you were wondering, that number does not include any free or nearly free downloads.)





Original Cover March 2011

If you had asked me in March of 2011 if I ever thought I would sell 100,000 books as a self-published/independent (whichever term you prefer) author, I would have said no. The first version of the Soulkeepers was written more for my personal enjoyment than as a serious business venture.  I thought my family and friends might read it. Some did; some didn't.  I was happy when I sold 100 copies and thought my head might explode when I reached 1,000.



When Weaving Destiny came out in September of 2011, I swooned when she sold 10,000, surfing on the wave of a free Soulkeepers.



Today I get to tell you that I've sold 100,000 copies.  Most of those for 2.99 or more and most sales from Weaving Destiny(Sept. 2011) and Return to Eden(March 2012). Of course, The Soulkeepers has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times for free, but I do not count those figures as sales. Grounded contributed to the goal but a problem with the book's release has meant a slow but steady start for the trilogy. (The book was delayed with an interested agent who ultimately rejected it and then a scheduled/paid for review tour never happened due to a tragedy concerning the tour coordinator.)



One interesting thing about this milestone - 30% of my sales have come from Apple (iBookstore). I see this platform as a major, up and coming ebook competitor.  As you might expect, 60% have come from Amazon, and the remaining 10% from Smashwords, Createspace, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, and Barnes & Noble.





This week, I'll be revealing the cover of the fourth book in The Soulkeepers Series: Soul Catcher. As I approach the end of my second year as a professional author, I am so thankful for all of my readers, fans and reviewers and to all of those friends and fellow authors who believed in my work early on. Also a big virtual hug to my artist, Adam of Anjin design, for the cover art.



I still pinch myself at the thought of 100,000.  What's next?




I'm not sure, but I can't wait to find out!

Where I relate to Gollum a bit too closely...

Have you seen The Hobbit yet? I have. Fabulous movie no matter what the critics say.  I'm not completely happy with Peter Jackson splitting the story into three parts but still, brilliant, remarkable film. 



Of course, unless you've been living hermit-like in a cave, you know the character of Gollum, aka Smeagol, is obsessed with the One Ring. The addictive qualities of that particular enchanted circle of gold drive him to murder, warp his appearance, and split his personality, ultimately leaving him a slave to "the precious".



I never thought I had much in common with Gollum...until this week. See, I've been working long hours lately putting out three new releases since September while simultaneously writing the fourth Soulkeepers book. (Soul Catcher is coming right along.  Cover and release date will be revealed soon.) Between writing, editing, formatting, publishing, and marketing my own work, I also read and critiqued four manuscripts for fellow writers during that period and mentored a new indie to publication. To throw another iron in the fire, one of my manuscripts was with an agent for a while and although ultimately rejected was entertained for long enough for even my jaded personality to feel hopeful. But I digress.



I've always been slightly prone to workaholic syndrome but somehow Thanksgiving and Christmas happened successfully. The kids got fed. And we planned a getaway to Hilton Head, South Carolina to ring in the New Year. Of course, I brought my laptop. I have a book to finish. So while my husband and kids did beachy, Hilton Head things, I happily holed up in our villa typing away. Only, our room didn't have a desk so I was hunched over the dining table or bent into a rather uncomfortable chair.



At some point, my back began to ache and I got up to get something--I don't remember what it was. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My back was rounded, my eyes  bugged out from hours staring at the screen, and my skin, ghostly pale. In other words, I was in stage 1 Gollum metamorphosis!



 Was I a slave to "the precious"--putting my work above all else, rotating the golden ring of my publishing career in my hands while hiding in my cave from the world? It was too close for comfort.



I closed the laptop.  I took a walk on the beach. I read an entire book for pleasure. And, the first thing I did my first morning home was text a couple of non-author friends to meet for coffee. I spent two hours visiting and then did some grocery shopping. 



This morning, a friend of mine passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was much too young and leaves behind a daughter not much older than my own. Her death was expected but somehow still tragic and, of course, reminded me of my recent Gollum-like qualities. 



Life is short.



Tonight my back is a bit straighter and there's more color in my cheeks. Also, I'm adding a picture of Gollum to my desktop.  This year he's going to remind me of what all work and no play can do to a person. 

Indie-Licious Christmas Sale!!!!!!

Supa Christmas Sale!!



With the stress of the holidays nearly over, now is a great time to sit back, curl up in your favorite reading chair, and get lost in fabulous new worlds. To help you do just that, some authors have banded together and put all their titles on sale, right NOW!! Some of this season’s most popular e-books have been discounted to just $0.99!!! Don’t miss out!


For all of you who got new Kindles for Christmas, this is the perfect opportunity to start your new library!! Please spread the word and share this post with all your friends – they’ll thank you for it!





Heather Hildenbrand

::Across The Galaxy::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

RaShelle Workman

::Blood and Snow Volumes 1-4::

Amazon Link

Michelle Muto

::Don’t Fear The Reaper::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Stacey Wallace Benefiel

::Zellie Wells Trilogy::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


Christie Rich

::Five - Elmental Book 1(FREE)::

::Dark Matter Book2::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Laura A.H. Elliot

::Transfer Student::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Karen Amanda Hooper

::Grasping At Eternity::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

David James

::Light Of The Moon (Legend of the Dreamer, Book 1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


Leigh Talbert Moore

::Rouge::

Amazon Link

Helen Boswell

::Mythology::

Amazon Link

V.J. Chambers

::Breathless (FREE)::

::Trembling (Jason & Azazel #2)::

Amazon Link

V.J. Chambers

::Tortured (Jason & Azazel #3)::

Amazon Link


Elizabeth Sharp

::Natural Selection::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Leigh Talbert Moore

::The Truth About Faking::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Taryn Browning

::Dark Seeker (Seeker Book 1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Heather Self

::The One::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


L.P. Dover

::Forever Fae::

Amazon Link

Nancy Straight

::Blood Debt (Touched Book 1)::

Amazon Link

Nancy Straight

::Meeting Destiny::

Free

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Chelsea Fine

::Anew (Archers of Avalon, Book 1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


Raine Thomas

::Becoming::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Alyssa Rose Ivy

::Flight (The Crescent Chronicles, #1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Magan Vernon

::How To Date An Alien::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Janine Caldwell

::Rematch::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


Courtney Cole

::Soul Kissed::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Karli Rush

::Crescent Bound (Book 1)::

Amazon Link

Jennifer Snyder

::Marked (Marked Duology 1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Shelly Crane

::Significance::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


Bethany Lopez

::xoxoxo (Stories About Melissa, Book 2)

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Jill Cooper

::The Dream Slayer (Book 1)::

Amazon Link

Jill Cooper

::Demon Royale (The Dream Slayer Book 2)::

Amazon Link

A.M. Hargrove

::Determinant (The Guardians of Vesturon #3)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


Bonnie R. Paulson

::Barely Alive (Barely Alive #1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Bonnie R. Paulson

::Falling Apart (Barely Alive #2)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Bonnie R. Paulson

::Mostly Dead (Barely Alive #3)

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Addison Moore

::Ephemeral (The Countenance #1)

Amazon Link

B&N Link


C.A. Kunz

::The Modified::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Addison Moore

::Ethereal (Celestra Series #1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Addison Moore

::Tremble (Celestra Series #2)

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Sarah M Ross

::Echo Of An Earth Angel::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


Sarah M Ross

::Awaken::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Amy Maurer Jones

::Soul Quest (Soul Quest Trilogy #1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Amy Maurer Jones

::Wildflower (Wildflower Series #1)::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Thomas Amo

::Forever ME::

Amazon Link


Amy Harmon

::Slow Dance In Purgatory::

Amazon Link

Cheri Lasota

::Artemis Rising::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

G.P. Ching

::The Soulkeepers::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

G.P. Ching

::Grounded::

Amazon Link

B&N Link


Mina J. Moore

::A Vampire’s Touch (Prequel to The Red Velvet Trilogy)::

Amazon Link

LK Gardner-Griffie

::Misfit McCabe (Book 1)::

Amazon Link

M.R. Polish

::Wolf Spell::

Amazon Link

B&N Link

Sample Bestselling YA books and Win A Kindle Fire HD!

WIN A KINDLE FIRE HD (199$) or ereader of your choice up to value of 200$




It's easy to enter!



1) Download the free ebook, 

2) find the secret phrase (hintL there is one character in each book bolded)

3) Enter secret phrase (14 characters) into the contest link embedded in the ebook.




Contest ends on Dec 31st. Winner announced on Jan 7th




Click HERE to get the book!




Book description



Curl up this holiday season and sample 14 bestselling young adult books. 



14 YA authors compiled this special gift for their readers. The holiday sampler includes excerpts from YA's bestselling books - all wrapped up in one neat little package. 



Whether you like paranormal, romance, mythology, or thrillers, "Jingle all the YA" gives you a taste of it all.



This sampler includes:



Chelsea M. Cameron - Nocturnal (When seventeen-year-old Ava-Claire Sullivan meets a mysterious boy in a cemetery who isn't human, she'll have to decide whether a relationship with him is worth the risk to her own mortality.)



GP Ching - Grounded (A modest seventeen-year-old girl discovers she's the product of a government experiment, when her father's illness causes her to leave her isolated community.)



Shelly Crane - Significance (Because you are my significant, my soul mate, and I'm yours.)



Chelsea Fine - Anew (Sometimes love is meant to be, but sometimes...love is the death of you.)



Jessie Harrell - Destined (When Psyche destroys the one relationship she can't live without, she must journey alone through ancient Greece and face the wrath of the gods if she wants to reclaim an immortal love.



Ella James - Here



S.R. Johannes - Untraceable (When Grace's forest ranger father goes, missing, she fights officials and nature to find out what happened, uncovering a conspiracy that changes her small town forever.)



Tiffany King - Forever Changed



M. Leighton - Fragile (Her heart, as delicate as glass. His love, as strong as steel. Can either survive life and death?



Addison Moore - Ethereal (An entire faction of earthbound angels wants 16 y/o Skyla Messenger dead, at least she still has Logan, a boy who shares her gift of telepathy, or does she?)



Jessica Sorenson - Ember (What if you knew when someone was going to die?)



Raine Thomas - Becoming (When Amber Hopkins discovers that ancient gods, avenging angels and other beings of myth and legend all exist, she doesn't realize that her life is only going to get more complicated from there.)



Rashelle Workman - Exiled (Worlds divided them. Chance brought them together. Only love will save them.)



Samantha Young - Smokeless Fire (One girl's fiery battle with ancient deadly creatures, epic family drama and heart-wrenching romantic entanglements.)






a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grounded Available Now!

"intense, action-filled, imaginative" -Award Winning Author Laurie Larsen









Get yours:

Grounded: Coming Soon!

I am very pleased to announce that Grounded, my first young adult novel since The Soulkeepers Series, is finished and will be available as early as next week!

Add it on Goodreads





























All my life
I've worked to be simple, but I can't pretend anymore. Nothing about me is
simple.







I





n the year 2050, a secret government study nicknamed Operation
Source Code injects eight volunteers with a retrovirus. The goal? To abate the
energy crisis by reprogramming human DNA to power personal electronic devices.
The experiment works but with disastrous consequences. 

Seventeen years later, Lydia Troyer is far from concerned with the
energy crisis. Growing up in the isolated community of Hemlock Hollow, life
hasn't changed much since 1698 when her Amish ancestors came to America. She
milks her cow by hand, makes fresh bread every morning, and hopes to be courted
by Jeremiah, the boy who's been her best friend since she could walk. 

But when Lydia's father has a stroke and is taken to the outside
world for medical treatment, Lydia and Jeremiah leave home to visit him. An
ordinary light switch thrusts Lydia into a new world where energy is a coveted
commodity and her own personal history makes her the most sought-after weapon
on the planet. 

Out of The Closet

I published this story a couple of years ago as part of Fridayflash.  Since it's Halloween week, I thought I would repost.  It's one of my favorites. Enjoy!



As he did before every appointment, Dr. Silverman wrapped his sweater around his shoulders, Mr. Rogers style. Everything about the man screamed “trust me” from the smile lines bordering his soft brown eyes to the picture of his family, lovingly displayed on his desk. But after six months, I’d never told him the truth. I was beginning to wonder why.



“Violet,” he began. “Tell me about your week. How are things going?”



“Just fine Dr. Silverman. I’ve got straight A’s in school and I’m really enjoying my new yoga class.”



His disappointment hung in the air between us. “That’s great, Violet, but how did you get those cuts on your arms? And does it have anything to do with the bags under your eyes? It looks like you haven’t been sleeping.”



I lowered my head. The burden of my secret rested against my teeth, ready to spring itself into that space. What was I waiting for?



“Tell me, Violet. I can’t help you, if I don’t know the truth.”



“I have skeletons in my closet,” I blurted.



“All of us have things in our past we’re not proud of,” Dr. Silverman said.



“No. I mean, I have actual skeletons in my closet.”



Dr. Silverman’s smile melted. “Violet, are you telling me you have a dead body in your closet? “



“Yes. Well, more than one actually.”



The shiver that ran up his spine let me know I’d blown it. I didn’t want to scare him away, so I clarified. “I didn’t kill anyone, Dr. Silverman. It’s just how they reach me.”



“How they reach you?”



“Right. See I’m the new Charon, the person who ushers the dead across the river Styx. I’m still not clear exactly how I got the job but just between you and me, I don’t think my mother is being totally honest about who my father was. But regardless, I’m in school all day and then there’s volleyball and these appointments. There are a lot of souls waiting, so I end up working most of the night. Plus you have the hell hounds and the banshees trying to pick one off here or there. It’s not an easy job. Gosh what I would do for a nap, you know?”



Dr. Silverman blinked at me. He sat so quietly, I could hear the clock tick.



“You must feel …overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and betrayed by your mother’s deception. Sometimes strong feeling like these can confuse us—“



I shook my head and waved my hands to interrupt. “Come with me, Dr. Silverman.” I turned toward his office closet.



“Are you going to take me to Hades through my closet?” Dr. Silverman asked.



I nodded. He walked to the closet and threw it open forcefully, revealing a set of tennis racquets and a gym bag. “There’s nothing in here but my underused athletic equipment, Violet.”



“Grab the racquet.” I grabbed his hand and leapt past the door. The back of the closet broke away, as it always did, and we were welcomed by the smell of sulfur. My feet met volcanic rock on the shore in front of the ancient vessel that was mine to command. The dead crowded in, their bones rattling as they jostled for position.



“I’ve only got a few minutes. Form a single file line and I’ll get to as many of you as I can,” I commanded the group of skeletons. I turned to Dr. Silverman whose face had gone pale and whose hand was cutting off the circulation in mine. “It wouldn’t be fair not to take a load across, since we’re here anyway. Plus, if I let them go for too long, they come looking for me on the other side. “



I ushered the first thirty or so on board and gave Dr. Silverman a seat up front. To his credit, he did a nice job remaining neutral. It’s not a good idea to show fear in front of the newly dead. And when the Banshees swooped in, he promptly produced the tennis racquet and helped swat them from the blood red sky.



“They’re like mosquitoes this time of year.” A talon had shredded the sleeve of Dr. Silverman’s sweater. "I can fix that."  He didn’t look reassured.



The remaining souls were disappointed when I had to leave after only one trip across but I could tell Dr. Silverman wasn’t enjoying himself. I launched us back out of his closet, the wall rebuilding behind us.



He didn’t say anything at first, just stared at me and sighed. Then, he walked to his phone and buzzed his secretary. “Cancel my next appointment, Barbara,” he said. “And, call Violet’s parents. Tell them we’ve made a breakthrough and she’ll be late.”



Without a word, he motioned for me to lie down on the little sofa in his office. He tucked a handmade quilt around me, then turned off the light. From the glow of his office door, he said, “Goodnight, Violet.” Then, he left.



As I said before, some people you just know you can trust—with anything.

DEAD HEAT by Lisa Nowak Available NOW!

A man who longs for a son and a boy who can't escape his father's violence. Even death can't break their bond.






Alex is a machine whisperer. He can tell what's wrong with a broken-down car with a touch. But his gift can't save him from the brutality of his meth-addict father. For two years, Alex experienced kindness through Cole, his mentor. Now Cole's dead, and the violence in Alex's life is escalating.



When Cole reappears as a ghost, Alex clings to the tenuous link. Then he learns Cole might've sacrificed his chance to cross over. Jade, the first girl to look beyond Alex's past, assures him Cole can reach the Other Side-if Alex escapes from his dad. But a previous terrifying attempt has convinced Alex it's impossible. Unless he can find the courage to try, his friend may be earthbound forever.


~~~~~~~~


"Dead Heat blew me away. It's a gritty ghost story interwoven with all-too-real subject matter that will make you cry for Alex, ache for Cole, and thank God for Jade. I was invested in these characters' lives and you will be too."


~ Stacey Wallace Benefiel, author of the Zellie Wells trilogy












Buy it on Amazon







Buy it on Barnes and Noble







Buy it on Smashwords








In addition to being a YA author, Lisa is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are.









Blog: http://lisanowak.wordpress.com/







Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lisa_Nowak







Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LisaNowakAuthor







Newsletter: http://bit.ly/LisaNowakNewsletter

Life Lessons from my Guinea Pig

Mother Teresa - "Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more."







My guinea pig lives in a large environment in my office.  Every day, as I'm dealing with the frustrations and minutia that are inherent in being a writer and small business owner, I pause to give him a scratch behind the ears. Here's what I've learned from the little guy. 



10. If you have food and water, it's a good day.  If you get snacks, it's a very good day.



9.  People like it when you jump for joy when you see them.



8. You are not fat.  You're plush.



7. Worrying does not put treats in the bowl but sometimes a well timed squeal will.



6. It's okay to be vulnerable.



5. You've got to have faith. There are some things you can't control.



4. Stressed? A nap in a dark place usually does the trick.



3.  A clean house is overrated. 



2. Most of what you need, you already have.  The rest you can get by trading what you have with others. Like joy for food and cage cleaning services.



1. If you are loved, even by a furry rodent or a neurotic writer,  it makes all the difference.

Adult Novel Available Everywhere!

The Ghost and the Graveyard by Genevieve Jack (my adult pseudonym), is officially available everywhere.  You can find it by visiting the links in the upper right hand margin at http://genevievejack.blogspot.com.  And here's something fun, the book is featured today on Kindlegraph!  Kindlegraph is the fabulous application that allows authors to sign kindle books for their readers.  I'm so excited that The Ghost and the Graveyard is kindlegraph's 20,000th book. Love this service and so happy to be featured today.



Thank you to all of my adult readers who've already given Genevieve Jack's books a try!