Lia Fairchild's Blog, page 6
May 17, 2012
Book Lovers Have Fun on Facebook
Are you on Facebook and looking for a site that doesn't just post books all day long?
Quickie Book Reviews is a fan page similar to Goodreads in that it is designed to provide book reviews for readers by readers. Fans post "quickie" reviews to the wall of books they've read.
Also, there is a lot of fun to be had. Fans play games like "Guess the Book," see what celebrities are also bookworms, discuss interesting reading topics and get links to free books.
QBR also has an accompanying website which features fans as guest bloggers. You could share your "top 10 reads" list, talk about a book that changed your life, or share a pic of your bookshelf. You can also find many of the reviews that were posted to the fan page wall by readers.
QUICKIE BOOK REVIEWS ON:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Quickie.Book....
Website http://www.quickiebookreviews.com/
Twitter (@quickiereviews) https://twitter.com/#!/QuickieReviews
Quickie Book Reviews is a fan page similar to Goodreads in that it is designed to provide book reviews for readers by readers. Fans post "quickie" reviews to the wall of books they've read.
Also, there is a lot of fun to be had. Fans play games like "Guess the Book," see what celebrities are also bookworms, discuss interesting reading topics and get links to free books.
QBR also has an accompanying website which features fans as guest bloggers. You could share your "top 10 reads" list, talk about a book that changed your life, or share a pic of your bookshelf. You can also find many of the reviews that were posted to the fan page wall by readers.
QUICKIE BOOK REVIEWS ON:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Quickie.Book....
Website http://www.quickiebookreviews.com/
Twitter (@quickiereviews) https://twitter.com/#!/QuickieReviews
April 28, 2012
The MOTHERLOAD~WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Mother's Day Book Giveaway
SEE EACH PRIZE TO FIND OUT IF YOU WON!!!
(*If any non US or Canada winners were chosen, please let us know so we can select someone new for paperback portion only of the prize)Happy Mother’s Day, ladies! We at QBR along with some very generous authors believe that you deserve something special.
Today you will have a chance to win a ton of books for your Kindle and even a few paperbacks. Win for yourself, your mother, or any special woman in your life. And guys, feel f...
April 24, 2012
How Two Authors Jumpstarted My Career
By: Candy Ann Little
I was 15 when I first read Come Love a Stranger, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. This book sparked my love for historical romance. I loved the suspense that she weaved into the plot. The characters were so vivid I thought they were real. She wrote the historical elements so descriptively that I felt transported into the past. Her words and sentences were beautiful and poetic. Although, I have to admit that I sometimes didn’t know or understand some of the big words.I used...
April 12, 2012
Crime Fiction Author Libby Fischer Hellmann
With A Little Help From My FriendOne of the most common questions crime fiction authors are asked is whether we outline our stories or write “without a net”, i.e. not knowing what’s going to happen next.
My answer is “Yes.”
I’ve done it both ways, but I lean toward the “without a net” camp. That’s not to say I haven’t outlined. The first two novels I wrote were carefully outlined, down to each chapter. The problem was they read that way. I ended up writing the outline instead of the story. Th...
April 3, 2012
Review Contest Winners
On Quickie Book Reviews you will find Reviews for Readers by Readers. We share reviews of books we've read and learn about new books from our friends. Here are two featured reviews from QBR fans:
Cruel Justice by Mel Comley
(Review by QBR fan Linda)
This book introduces DI Lorne Simpkins and her team, as they race against time to find a serial killer who is kidnapping and killing women. I truly enjoyed getting to know Lorne, but even more so her interaction with her team made the boo...
Cruel Justice by Mel Comley (Review by QBR fan Linda)
This book introduces DI Lorne Simpkins and her team, as they race against time to find a serial killer who is kidnapping and killing women. I truly enjoyed getting to know Lorne, but even more so her interaction with her team made the boo...
March 31, 2012
Q&A With Donna Fasano
Award Winning Romance Writer
QBR: Who would you like your readers to know you are?
Donna: I’d like to offer a sweet, slick response and say I consider myself a polished and professional writer, but that would be a bold face lie (I’m chuckling as I type this and I hope my readers are, too). First and foremost, I’m a wife, mother, sister, aunt, loyal friend and avid volunteer who lends a hand, a strong back, a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear and anything else those I love might need....
March 7, 2012
In Search of Lucy Rises to Top of Charts
On February 28, In Search of Lucy was re-released by AmazonEncore. A new paperback version is now available with a beautifully designed new cover.
The Kindle version has already made it's way to the top of the charts. It's #1 in Kindle Store Drama and has remained in the Top 100 overall Kindle list for more than a week.
The paperback version is currently on the rise as well, and has been in the Top 10 category of Women's Fiction: Sisters.
Here's more on In Search of Lucy:
Lucy Lang's life is spiraling out of control. For years she sacrificed her own needs to care for her half sister and alcoholic mother, only to be abandoned by both. Now, at age 30, Lucy finds herself held back by memories and regret as she struggles to find her own purpose in life. But when her sister needs a kidney transplant, Lucy is the only one who can save her life.
With the help of new friends and a man who won't give up on her, Lucy sets out on a journey to reunite with her sister and find the answers she so desperately needs. Can she get past her emotions and have a chance at happiness? With its colorful and endearing cast of characters, In Search of Lucy takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions from sadness and heartache to happiness and hope.
The Kindle version has already made it's way to the top of the charts. It's #1 in Kindle Store Drama and has remained in the Top 100 overall Kindle list for more than a week.
The paperback version is currently on the rise as well, and has been in the Top 10 category of Women's Fiction: Sisters.
Here's more on In Search of Lucy:
Lucy Lang's life is spiraling out of control. For years she sacrificed her own needs to care for her half sister and alcoholic mother, only to be abandoned by both. Now, at age 30, Lucy finds herself held back by memories and regret as she struggles to find her own purpose in life. But when her sister needs a kidney transplant, Lucy is the only one who can save her life.
With the help of new friends and a man who won't give up on her, Lucy sets out on a journey to reunite with her sister and find the answers she so desperately needs. Can she get past her emotions and have a chance at happiness? With its colorful and endearing cast of characters, In Search of Lucy takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions from sadness and heartache to happiness and hope.
February 15, 2012
Save $3.49~Borrow A Hint of Murder: The Series
Are you an Amazon Prime customer? Now you can borrow A Hint of Murder: The Series and save $3.49.
Here's what people are saying about these stories:
"This collection of short stories was riveting! Made me hate to stop reading once it was over."
"The characters are well drawn and the pages just fly by..."
“…it has all the ingredients of a classic whodunit.”
Pick up your copy today at Amazon http://t.co/lMzgKC8M
Here's what people are saying about these stories:
"This collection of short stories was riveting! Made me hate to stop reading once it was over."
"The characters are well drawn and the pages just fly by..."
“…it has all the ingredients of a classic whodunit.”
Pick up your copy today at Amazon http://t.co/lMzgKC8M
December 12, 2011
A Hint of Murder: The Anthology
If you haven’t read any of the A Hint of Murder stories, now is your chance to get all three at once. I’ve recently combined all the AHM stories into an anthology. You get 3 A Hint of Murder mysteries plus a bonus mystery for just $2.99. That's a savings of $1.50.
Check out a brief synopsis of each below to see what you will get.
A Hint of Murder: The Writer
Alicia Fairfield didn’t plan on being famous. Now a bestselling author with millions of fans, Alicia also has the attention of a killer. Someone has been recreating the murders from her books and the suspects are piling up; her mentally ill son, a disgruntled associate, and possibly even her loyal literary agent. The pressure of public recognition along with the guilt over these senseless killings could be enough to drive Alicia over the edge. Can she hold it together long enough to uncover a killer?
Story length 9,000 words
A Hint of Murder: The Doctor
Russell Morgan had it all; good looks, the perfect woman and a rewarding career as a well-respected physician. When the doctor’s patients start turning up dead, his world comes crashing down. Second in the "A Hint of Murder" series, this short story brings Detective John Lewis back in action to track down the killer.
Story length: 12,000 words
A Hint of Murder: The Bouncer
Bobby Crane was tired of being a bouncer and a glorified errand boy. He longed to be a professional singer and was just about to get his big break. Then Allen Schaffer is found murdered and Bobby’s car was spotted at the victim’s home. Third in the A Hint of Murder series, this story has detective John Lewis returning with a new partner to uncover a murderer.
Story length: 10,400 words
Also included is one bonus mystery entitled "Homeless" and excerpts from the novels of these mystery and thriller writers: Libby Fischer Hellmann, Valerie Maarten, Mel Comley, Sibel Hodge, Faith Mortimer, and Seb Kirby.
A Hint of Murder: The Anthology
Amazon US http://ow.ly/7xiI7
Amazon UK http://ow.ly/7xiKW
Barnes and Noble http://ow.ly/7yZWo
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
Check out a brief synopsis of each below to see what you will get.
A Hint of Murder: The Writer
Alicia Fairfield didn’t plan on being famous. Now a bestselling author with millions of fans, Alicia also has the attention of a killer. Someone has been recreating the murders from her books and the suspects are piling up; her mentally ill son, a disgruntled associate, and possibly even her loyal literary agent. The pressure of public recognition along with the guilt over these senseless killings could be enough to drive Alicia over the edge. Can she hold it together long enough to uncover a killer?
Story length 9,000 words
A Hint of Murder: The Doctor
Russell Morgan had it all; good looks, the perfect woman and a rewarding career as a well-respected physician. When the doctor’s patients start turning up dead, his world comes crashing down. Second in the "A Hint of Murder" series, this short story brings Detective John Lewis back in action to track down the killer.
Story length: 12,000 words
A Hint of Murder: The Bouncer
Bobby Crane was tired of being a bouncer and a glorified errand boy. He longed to be a professional singer and was just about to get his big break. Then Allen Schaffer is found murdered and Bobby’s car was spotted at the victim’s home. Third in the A Hint of Murder series, this story has detective John Lewis returning with a new partner to uncover a murderer.
Story length: 10,400 words
Also included is one bonus mystery entitled "Homeless" and excerpts from the novels of these mystery and thriller writers: Libby Fischer Hellmann, Valerie Maarten, Mel Comley, Sibel Hodge, Faith Mortimer, and Seb Kirby.
A Hint of Murder: The Anthology
Amazon US http://ow.ly/7xiI7
Amazon UK http://ow.ly/7xiKW
Barnes and Noble http://ow.ly/7yZWo
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
October 30, 2011
My Road to Amazon
As some of you may know I recently signed with AmazonEncore, an imprint of Amazon Publishing. The official announcement was made about a week ago on the site Let’s Get Digital.
I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally be able to share the news. But what was even more overwhelming was the outpouring of messages of support and congratulations. Among those, many fellow writers as well as fans had questions about my journey and what I think ultimately got my novel, In Search of Lucy, noticed. So, I thought this was a good time to provide a brief overview of my adventure in self-publishing.
I’m not here to tell you how to sell a million ebooks, because honestly, In Search of Lucy hasn’t come close to that number. But, it has had a nice steady sales record since it was released in February 2011. And, I’m not going to say that I think what worked for me will work for you. I’ve learned from trial and error that what works for one author may not necessarily work for another.
So, here it is. In Search of Lucy was my first novel and when I hit that publish button on KDP, I had no idea what I was in for. One advantage I did have was ten years of experience in marketing and public relations. The first thing I did was reach out in social media. I was already on Facebook but joined several reading and writing groups. Then I joined Twitter. I wanted to learn as much as I could as fast as I could. Looking back, I realized that this was all stuff I should have done before my book was finished. You don’t want the feeling of having to play catch up. Luckily there were some very nice people more than happy to answer my millions of questions.
Once I sort of got my bearings, I began seeking reviews and interviews. At present, Lucy has 27 reviews with a 4.5 average. Most of the feedback I receive are people talking about how they can relate to the characters and the emotions they’re going through. All of us have felt lost or hurt at some point in life, or maybe wanted to reach out to someone that was hurting. I’ve also been told the characters were very real and endearing.
As time passed, I had a steady stream of features and interviews showing up online which I could promote and share with Twitter and Facebook fans. This is what got my book into some of the Top 100 lists. At various times it was in the top 100 of: Hot New Releases, Bargain Books Kindle Drama, Bargain Books Kindle Romance, Kindle Store eBooks Drama, and the Bargain Bookstore.
Being on these lists was great for sales, but in the end it was the reviews that got my book noticed by Amazon. I guess you could say it was a combination of the two as I probably would not have had as many great reviews without all of the sales and the visibility of the features.
The last thing I want to leave you with is a big THANK YOU. If you are a reader, author or both and you’re reading this, then there’s a good chance we’ve connected somewhere in the Twitterverse or on Facebook. I greatly appreciate the support and advice I’ve received over the last eight months and can honestly say that writers are the most caring and generous group of people!
Now, here’s some more on In Search of Lucy:
For fans of Nicholas Sparks, King of read em and weep, this emotional tale will appeal to anyone that has ever experienced love, loss, and friendship.
Thirty-year-old Lucy Lang’s in freefall. Unfulfilled at work and abandoned by both her alcoholic mother and the sister she helped to raise, she’s become cynical and depressed. Then, just as romance strikes, she finds out her sister needs a kidney transplant and only Lucy can help. Bolstered by new found friends, Lucy sets out on a road trip to save her sister’s life and in the process, makes discoveries about the kind of person she truly is.
This romantic drama will pull you into the world of its heroine and inspire you to see the true power of human relationships.
Some editorial reviews:
“I knew from the very first page of In Search of Lucy that I would enjoy reading this book immensely and I was right.” Tanya –All Things Books
“I really enjoyed this novel. I loved following Lucy on her journey. I thought Ms. Fairchild did an excellent job adding realism to this novel. Lucy was the perfect balance of hope and despair.” –Alice, Girls Just Read
“In her debut novel, Lia Fairchild shares a compelling tale with carefully drawn well-defined characters.” –Lynnette, Avid Book Reviews
Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvp7vI...
Amazon US http://amzn.to/i1uX06
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/h2tyuY
For a list of all my works: http://amzn.to/pdEUhh UK http://amzn.to/owCBhE
I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally be able to share the news. But what was even more overwhelming was the outpouring of messages of support and congratulations. Among those, many fellow writers as well as fans had questions about my journey and what I think ultimately got my novel, In Search of Lucy, noticed. So, I thought this was a good time to provide a brief overview of my adventure in self-publishing.
I’m not here to tell you how to sell a million ebooks, because honestly, In Search of Lucy hasn’t come close to that number. But, it has had a nice steady sales record since it was released in February 2011. And, I’m not going to say that I think what worked for me will work for you. I’ve learned from trial and error that what works for one author may not necessarily work for another.
So, here it is. In Search of Lucy was my first novel and when I hit that publish button on KDP, I had no idea what I was in for. One advantage I did have was ten years of experience in marketing and public relations. The first thing I did was reach out in social media. I was already on Facebook but joined several reading and writing groups. Then I joined Twitter. I wanted to learn as much as I could as fast as I could. Looking back, I realized that this was all stuff I should have done before my book was finished. You don’t want the feeling of having to play catch up. Luckily there were some very nice people more than happy to answer my millions of questions.
Once I sort of got my bearings, I began seeking reviews and interviews. At present, Lucy has 27 reviews with a 4.5 average. Most of the feedback I receive are people talking about how they can relate to the characters and the emotions they’re going through. All of us have felt lost or hurt at some point in life, or maybe wanted to reach out to someone that was hurting. I’ve also been told the characters were very real and endearing.
As time passed, I had a steady stream of features and interviews showing up online which I could promote and share with Twitter and Facebook fans. This is what got my book into some of the Top 100 lists. At various times it was in the top 100 of: Hot New Releases, Bargain Books Kindle Drama, Bargain Books Kindle Romance, Kindle Store eBooks Drama, and the Bargain Bookstore.
Being on these lists was great for sales, but in the end it was the reviews that got my book noticed by Amazon. I guess you could say it was a combination of the two as I probably would not have had as many great reviews without all of the sales and the visibility of the features.
The last thing I want to leave you with is a big THANK YOU. If you are a reader, author or both and you’re reading this, then there’s a good chance we’ve connected somewhere in the Twitterverse or on Facebook. I greatly appreciate the support and advice I’ve received over the last eight months and can honestly say that writers are the most caring and generous group of people!
Now, here’s some more on In Search of Lucy:
For fans of Nicholas Sparks, King of read em and weep, this emotional tale will appeal to anyone that has ever experienced love, loss, and friendship.
Thirty-year-old Lucy Lang’s in freefall. Unfulfilled at work and abandoned by both her alcoholic mother and the sister she helped to raise, she’s become cynical and depressed. Then, just as romance strikes, she finds out her sister needs a kidney transplant and only Lucy can help. Bolstered by new found friends, Lucy sets out on a road trip to save her sister’s life and in the process, makes discoveries about the kind of person she truly is.
This romantic drama will pull you into the world of its heroine and inspire you to see the true power of human relationships.
Some editorial reviews:
“I knew from the very first page of In Search of Lucy that I would enjoy reading this book immensely and I was right.” Tanya –All Things Books
“I really enjoyed this novel. I loved following Lucy on her journey. I thought Ms. Fairchild did an excellent job adding realism to this novel. Lucy was the perfect balance of hope and despair.” –Alice, Girls Just Read
“In her debut novel, Lia Fairchild shares a compelling tale with carefully drawn well-defined characters.” –Lynnette, Avid Book Reviews
Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvp7vI...
Amazon US http://amzn.to/i1uX06
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/h2tyuY
For a list of all my works: http://amzn.to/pdEUhh UK http://amzn.to/owCBhE
