Jennifer Malone Wright's Blog, page 14
February 6, 2013
Self-Publishing 101 Episode 5: Formatting for print
Welcome to this week’s episode of Self-Publishing 101. This week K.B will be discussing formatting for Print. She is going to use Createspace as the example, but she will be including links for other print distributors. And, here we go…
Screen Shots
#1
This is the screen on Createspace that you will see when you are starting a new title.
#2
This is honestly super simple. Just insert the unique responses that will correspond to your books.
#3
The formatted template is available for download from this page. Please, remember to choose the correct size that you want your book BEFORE you download the template.
#4
Here is where you will upload your completed book document.
#5
Make sure you read, and re-read what you enter for misspelled words, missing words, etc.
#6
Here is where you will start uploading your cover or creating one online
#7
You need to fill each of these in while your files are in review.
#8
This is what the formatted template looks like in your Microsoft Word. See what I mean about easy? You just replace what they have with your books contents.
#9
Remember, what I talked about with the chapters and from chapter 10 on you’ll need to page break the chapters.
Print on demand distributors
Createspace
LuLu
Lightning Source
Jennifer Malone Wright
Goodreads
Website
Amazon
K.B. Miller
Goodreads
Website
Amazon
Make sure to join us next week. I will be giving a class on editing, so you won’t want to miss it! Hope you all have a great week. Please don’t forget to comment on the blog or the video with your feedback, ideas, or just to say hi! If you liked this class be sure to spread the word!
Till next time…
February 1, 2013
Winners of New Year’s Bash Giveaway Announced!
The Winners of The New Year’s Bash Giveaway are as follows
and all winners have been notified via email. If you see your name and have not received an email from me, please contact me at jennichad217 AT gmail DOT com.
Congrats to all!!
Check the bottom of this post for another awesome giveaway that ends pretty soon for two 25 dollar gift cards!
Grand Prize Kindle Fire:
Twi Engel
5 Dollar Amazon Gift Cards
Stephanie Grant
Marina Saleem
Carrie Spooner
Cindy Gunnin
Wanda Hartzenberg
Beaded Bookmarks:
Jenn Warrick Davis
Hayley R. Cunningham
Len Phelps
Myra White
Yvonne Country
TVHD Buttons
Alexa Stamos
Jennifer Whiting Ahlhorn
Nicola Sarah Horner
Shannon Jean Rhea
Alipeli
TVHD Small Posters
Autum Nauling
Julie Newberry
Ren Reidy
Meagan Jarrett
Amber Nichole
TVHD Necklaces
Brook Amber Hamby Lohmeier
Shelly Blackmore
Jennifer Spence Mill Irving
Tracey Rigg
Natalie Cleary
TVHD Print Copies
Helle Utoft Majholm
Starla Young
Beaded Bracelet with Cross Bow Charm
Georgia Gaudette
Jessica Rose
Vampire Hunting Season Tee Shirt
Cassie Hoffman
Jamie Carollo
Vampire Hunting Season Tank Top
Crystal Young
Botezatu Paula
Vampire Hunting Season Coffee Mug
JenniferG W
Ruthi Kight
Enter this Giveaway for Another Chance to Win!
January 31, 2013
Cover Reveal for The Oceans of Red Series by Willow Cross
Today we have a special cover reveal for the new covers of the
Oceans of Red Series by Willow Cross.
This series is currently being re-vamped in preparation for its debut as a web series! Sooo Exciting! So, here are the covers and blurbs for Oceans of Red Volume 1 and 2.
By 2015 the streets of Los Angeles have been transformed from a thriving metropolis to a hostile world ravaged by demons bent on assimilating the human race. Standing between this total apocalypse of humanity and their chance for survival is 19 year old Remy Martin.
A warrior in her own right, trained to think on her feet and kill if the situation requires, she is flanked by her older brother and younger sister. Together, they devise a plan to take back the streets. Against the wishes of their father, who commands the resistance forces, they venture into unknown realms of the supernatural in a race against time with the fate of the entire world in their young hands.
Join them on their mission into darkness where death lies around every corner, it is virtually impossible to distinguish your enemies from your allies, and a single mistake could result in the annihilation of everyone you’ve ever known and loved.
Remy’s saga continues as the siblings uncover a sinister plot to not only posses the human race, but to replace them entirely. Will she accept her destiny and learn to control the new-found power within her?
Find Willow Cross On her Website / Facebook/ Amazon / Goodreads
January 30, 2013
Self-Publishing 101 Episode 4: The Importance of Beta Readers
Welcome to Self-Publishing 101
Today we are discussing the importance of beta readers. Mainly, how to choose your beta readers, why you need beta readers, and when to use beta readers.
We also get a guest appearance from my son, Brody. 
Make sure to join us at K.B Miller’s blog next week for episode # on print book formatting.
Jennifer Malone Wright: Website/ Facebook/Twitter/Goodreads/Amazon
K.B. Miller: Website/Facebook/Twitter/Goodreads/Amazon
January 23, 2013
Self-Publishing 101 Episode #3 ebook Formatting
Welcome to the third episode of Self-Publishing 101. Today, K.B. is going to give you a lesson on eBook formatting. Below this video, there are links to style guides, images of a fake document showing some of the tricks that she talks about in the video, and a few links for eBook formatters.
The yellow arrow shows the button at the top of your word document that should be using to center your title, chapter headings, and anything else.
The highlighted areas show you the items that I spoke about in the video, on how to set up your document for Smashwords.
The area to the top left of the page shows you where to find the button for page breaks needed for Amazon Formatting.
This image depicts the location of the section breaks button that is necessary for the Barnes and Noble Pub It formatting.
NEVER USE TABS!!!!
Always use the centering tool at the top of the page!!!!
Font Sizes
Title font size -18 point
Author’s name font size – 16 point
Chapter Header font size – 14 point
The rest of your book – 12 point
Links for style guides
Barnes and Noble Formatting Guide
Amazon Formatting Guide
Smashwords Style Guide
Links of eBook Formatters for hire
Creative Services by Chris Moyer
e-Solutions Consulting
Ebook Launch
Jennifer Malone Wright: Website/ Facebook/Twitter/Goodreads/Amazon
K.B. Miller: Website/Facebook/Twitter/Goodreads/Amazon
January 19, 2013
My Interview with New York Times Best Selling Author, Angie Fox
Today we have a very exciting interview with Angie Fox. I had the pleasure of meeting Angie at the Fandom Fest convention in 
Kentucky over the summer. She is so, super nice and I got a signed copy of The Accidental Demon Slayer. I truly hope to see her again sometime soon because she is a really awesome person. So awesome, in fact that she agreed to do this interview for the blog.
Remember to leave comments or questions below!
Angie’s Bio:
Angie Fox is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night. She is best known for her Accidental Demon Slayer urban fantasy series. She is also writing a series about a group of paranormal M*A*S*H surgeons. The first book in the Monster MASH trilogy, Immortally Yours, is out now. The second book, Immortally Embraced, releases in February 2013.
The Interview:
1. For those readers out there who do not know your work, would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself and your writing?
Sure. I’m a mom of two, a big paranormal geek and I write about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night. Most people know me for the Accidental Demon Slayer urban fantasy series. And I just started a new series about a group of paranormal M*A*S*H surgeons. The first book in the Monster MASH trilogy, titled Immortally Yours, just came out this summer. I’ve also contributed to several short story collections and am going to be releasing the fifth book in the Accidental Demon Slayer series in May.
2. A large portion of my readers are authors as well and we love hearing stories from traditionally published authors about their path to publication, would you mind telling us a little bit about that?
I’ve always loved to read, so it was no surprise to anyone when I eventually decided to write a book of my own. When I did, I attacked it head on. I planned, I worked, I outlined more than any woman should. The end result? I wrote three mysteries that didn’t sell. And back when I was doing it, Amazon was just starting and they didn’t even sell ebooks. In my mind, there was nowhere to go, other than traditional publishing. And that sure wasn’t working for me.
I don’t know how many of you watch Seinfeld, but there is a time in George’s life where he decides what he’s been doing hasn’t been working, so he decides to do the opposite. That’s what I did with my books. I’d been writing serious mysteries, with lots of science and research involved. They’d generated some interest, enough to almost, almost sell. But nothing quite happened.
To take my mind off the latest mystery making the rounds with agents, I decided to write something completely different, a funny paranormal romance where I could build my own world and make up my own rules. I fell in love with the idea of a preschool teacher who is forced to run off with a gang of geriatric biker witches and The Accidental Demon Slayer was born.
Instead of a 20-page plot outline, I had a 5-page list of ideas, one of which included “but little did they know, all the Shoney’s are run by werewolves.” Instead of following the rules, I broke a few. Instead of painstakingly writing over the course of a year, I giggled my way through the book and had a complete manuscript in five months.
The opening chapters did well in contests and caught the eye of an editor, who asked to see the whole thing. That same editor bought the book less than a week after I finished it. The book was published by Dorchester the following summer and hit the NY Times bestseller list. I did two more books for Dorchester before they went under. After that, I took the series back, self-published it and am still going strong. I absolutely love having control of the series and my own destiny.
3. I met you at Fandom Fest and picked up the Accidental Demon Slayer. (Signed, Whoo!) Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration for this series?
The Accidental Demon Slayer is a quirky book about a straight-laced preschool teacher who runs smack dab into her fate when a demon shows up in her bathroom. Turns out, that’s just the beginning. Soon her hyperactive terrier starts talking, and her long-lost biker witch Grandma is hurling Smuckers jars filled with magic. And just when she thinks she’s seen it all, Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer—and all hell is after her.
Of course, that’s not the only thing after her. Dimitri Kallinikos, a devastatingly handsome shape-shifting griffin needs Lizzie to slay a demon of his own. But how do you talk a girl you’ve never met into going straight to the underworld? Lie. And let’s just say he tries a little bit of seduction too.
4. You have a lot of books available and more to come, so maybe you could tell us a little about your w
riting day. How long do you write each day? Do you have an office or do you prefer kicking
back in the recliner, that sort of thing.
Well, it all starts with breakfast on the terrace while the pool boys fan me. Oh wait. That’s my fantasy writing day. My real day is more like getting the kids off to school and then snuggling up on the green couch in my living room. I write for 3-4 hours before my brain gives out. Then I grab lunch and either answer emails or sneak off to read for fun. I do have an office and I even made my husband install a chandelier (because, hey, why not?) but I never write in there. The green couch just feels better.
5. When you aren’t creating wonderful books for us to read, what do you like to do for fun?
I’m a huge reader, and have also been known to spend entire days playing Sims 3. Then my family also makes me hang out with real people. We’re active in the Mizzou alumni association and we like to take a lot of weekend trips as a family.
6. If you could pick one thing that you do not like about your career as a writer, what would it be?
Deadlines. I’m not a fast writer and even though I keep a steady schedule, I’m always wishing for more time. The kicker is, though, if I didn’t have due dates, I’m afraid I’d keep editing long past the time I should. That’s why, even with my self-pubbed books, I announce a release date, just to give myself a time limit and make sure I actually turn that book around in a reasonable amount of time.
7. Vampire Diaries or True Blood?
True Blood. Alcide can be my pool boy anytime.
8. Once Upon a Time or Grimm?
Grimm.
9. What new projects do you have coming up?
I’m going to be indie releasing My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding in May 2013. Then I just turned in the third book in the Monster MASH trilogy. That will be out in September 2013. Oh and book 2 of that trilogy is coming out on February 26. Woot!
10. What is your advice to writers who are aspiring to become traditionally published?
You know, I don’t think my advice is any different for writers who want to be traditionally published vs indie authors. The goal is the same: to do your best work and gain a readership. Write what you want to write. It sounds simple, but it’s so easy to get caught up in everything else about the business. Still, in the end, it comes down to those words on the page. Also, don’t be afraid to push your writing, to surprise even yourself. Your characters have to take bigger chances, have more to risk and lose. It’s easy to say, but a hard thing for a writer to do. It’s a vulnerable, risky place to be.
I knew The Accidental Demon Slayer was big enough to do well when instead of ending my writing sessions thinking, “I hope that’s good enough to impress an editor.” I ended them thinking, “No. I didn’t not just write that. I did not just make my character defend herself with a toilet brush and a can of Purple Prairie Clover air freshener.”
Thank you so much for joining us today!
Glad to do it. Thanks for having me!
Visit Angie at:
Website: www.angiefox.com
Twitter: @AngieFoxauthor or https://twitter.com/AngieFoxauthor
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angie-F...
January 15, 2013
Self-Publishing 101: Internet Etiquette
Welcome to Self-Publishing 101 with your hosts K.B. Miller and Jennifer Malone Wright Vlog #2 Internet Etiquette
Today we are going to discuss how social networking and marketing are a must in the self-publishing world. We are also discussing the things you should do, or not do, that could make or break your public image.
In the following year, we are going to give you the tips and tricks that we’ve learned about beta readers, editors, covers, internet etiquette, copyright, marketing, and many, many more topics!
If you have an idea for self-publishing 101, or if there is something you need help with, or if you just want to say hi, then please leave us some comments!
(Man, these videos have the worst thumbnails EVER! I am so embarrassed)
January 13, 2013
Creatura by Nely Cab Tour Stop and Giveaway
Tour stop for Creatura
by Nely Cab
Make sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post
“When seventeen year-old Isis Martin is having trouble sleeping
due to perturbing dreams of a horrific growling beast, she decides
to confront her fear. But what Isis discovers is something other
than a menacing entity.
The human-like creature offers Isis assurance that he is not a figment
of her imagination. Unwilling to accept his avowal, Isis sets his words
to contest by asking the entity to prove himself – a dare, he readily welcomes.
It is in her dreams that Isis innocently stumbles upon the silent existence of the divine lineage of those that man has long forgotten.
In a quaint town, deep in south Texas, this story leads Isis onto the path of impermissible love and captivating life-changing truths. Isis Martin’s
journey is sure to leave any reader ravenous for more.”
Excerpt
“You haven’t even asked me what my name is,” he finally spoke.
“Oh. Sorry.” My face grew bright red. I didn’t have the guts to ask him now that he had put me on the spot.
We continued walking down the hallway. Right before we turned the corner he stopped walking.
“I see you’re the shy type.” He tried to analyze me.
“Not at all.” I threw my hair back over my ear.
He started advancing toward me and pinned me against the white hallway wall. My heart started to race.
“Well, aren’t you going to ask me what my name is?” he pressed.
“Don’t…don’t try anything. I can scream.” I could feel my throat drying up. “The security guards will come right away if you pull anything.”
His laugh echoed against the hallway walls.
“I just want you to know my name.”
I took a side step, but he was quick to follow.
“I’m going to tell you my name, since you’re too shy to ask.”
My heartbeat was at my neck, while my mind sounded off all the things I should do: “I should yell. I should punch him in the gut.”
I was frozen like a deer in front of headlights.
“It’s David…” He slowly leaned in toward my face, “…and I’m real.” I suddenly recognized that voice. I opened my mouth in an effort to scream at the top of my lungs. He pressed his hand over my mouth muffling my poor attempt at crying out for help.
“I win,” he grinned.
My entire body trembled frantically as I felt the blood plummet from my head and down to my feet. I was no longer breathing. I started to feel a cold numbness. Everything turned black. My legs caved in taking my consciousness with them.
Find Nely Cab
www.facebook.com/AuthorNelyCab
Website
Amazon
embed code: a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 12, 2013
Get Your Swag On!
If you want the right gear or housewares for Vampire Hunting Season be sure to visit
The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter Swag Shop.
These are just a few of the items you can find in the swag shop!
Blitz Day Sign Ups For Love & War: Arcadia Falls Book 1
Want to help spread the word about the release of The Arcadia Falls Chronicles: Book 1, Love & War. Well, here is your chance. I am looking for reviewers, any bloggers, book pages, ect… to participate in a blitz day on Jan 29th. There is a limited number of review copies for distribution, or y
ou can choose to do a simple promo spot. It’s super easy.
In addition, there will be a rafflecopter with awesome prizes and everyone is invited to join. Please email me at jennichad217 AT gmail DOT com if you are interested in being a part of the blitz day.
Here is the blurb.
A war is brewing between the hunters and the vampires and Chloe is determined to strike against the vampires before they have a chance to attack the hunter community.
While Chloe tries to convince the hunter community, and most especially tries to convince Drew, that they should move against the vampires first instead of waiting for an attack, the group of new friends—Oscar, Alice, Drew, Chloe and Christina—are distracted by news reports of a vigilante who is saving innocent humans against what can only be vampire attacks. Fearing this vigilante will cause unwanted attention that will expose the vampire-hunter community with each person he rescues, the group attempts to discover who this mysterious potential vampire hunter is.
When they catch up with him, the group learns a shocking revelation that might just change everything for everyone in Arcadia Falls, but will have the most profound impact on Chloe herself.
The Arcadia Falls Chronicles is the continuation of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter. Following the format of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter, The Arcadia Falls Chronicles is serialized into several novella-length stories.
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Arcadia-Fa...
