Samantha Combs's Blog, page 11
December 5, 2012
My Favorite Christmas...by Valerie Bowen
Hey everyone! I am fortunate to have been asked to host some cool new indie friends and I suggested the theme of telling about the best or funniest or most memorable holiday they can remember. First one to respond with an absolutely hilarious post is Valerie Bowen. If she writes her thrillers as good as this post, she can count on at least one new fan. Please enjoy a new indie!
My favorite Christmas....by Valerie Bowen
Every holiday holds a special place in my heart, and Christmas is no exception. One of my favorites has to be the first Christmas after my divorce. My children were ages sixteen and five.
The kids wanted a real Christmas tree (something they had been used to) so we gathered in the car, arranged for a friend of mine to meet us at the tree farm. My friend has one daughter; she was three at the time, so we can't really blame this comical fiasco on her. Once arriving at the farm, we let the children lead us around while they searched for the 'perfect tree'. Now my daughter and my friend both have problems with size and what a reasonable tree size should be. Every tree my daughter chose was extremely large. The image in her mind of the best tree couldn't be altered. I knew the moment she spied the massive tree, I was in for a heap of serious trouble. I swear she was like Chevy Chase in the movie 'Christmas Vacation'. Her eyes lit up and a huge smile crossed her face. I knew we were ending the monstrosity's life.
After she convinced my son it was the best tree ever, they proceeded to saw away at the trunk. At this point in the game I wasn't paying attention to my friend and her tree choice, which incidentally was the same size as my daughter's tree. As they continued, tirelessly, to chop down this beast I stood on the side lines watching. All the while I thought “How in the hell is that tree going to fit in our house?”
Once the huge beast was lying on the ground we had to drag if from the woods and get it prepared for the nine mile trip home. Standing at the baler to get the tree wrapped, I turned and noticed my friend’s tree was nearly the same size. Just to give you an image on size, I’m 5’-5” and the tree, lying down, was almost that height. The man came to prepare the tree. He took one look and started laughing…I know rude right? The tree was so massive he had to call over a few friends to help him place it on the bailing machine. At this point the man scowled. “Ma’am, this tree is too big for the baler. I’m afraid all we can do for you is to tie the branches with twine before we secure it to the car.” I smiled and nodded.
Once the two trees had been tied (my friend had the same dilemma with her tree), four men approached us (they were the men that were responsible to “secure” the trees to the roof of the cars). Right now is probably where I should mention I was driving a Toyota Camry and my friend drove a station wagon. After attempting to place my tree on top of my car, it was decided since I had the smaller vehicle and my friend had the smaller tree, her’s would be tied to the roof of my car…sounds reasonable…right? Let me tell you, both the cars looked like we were the Grinch after he had stolen everything and heaped it on his sleigh…the trees made our vehicles look like matchbox cars with great redwoods strapped to the top.
After the trees had been secured to the cars, we ventured out of the tree farms parking lot heading home. My daughter burst out laughing as she watched her precious tree being carried by another vehicle. No lie, as God as my witness, I prayed the monstrosity would fall off the car and roll into the ditch, (that little prayer went unanswered). After delivering and shoving my friend’s tree into her house, she followed me to my house and we rolled the beast off her car.
I had a small cape at the time. I looked at the door then at the tree and decided it was far to large to fit through the three foot doorway. We hopped off branches and finally was able to wrestle the tree into the house. I knew the beast was far taller than the ceilings would allow, but my daughter insisted it wasn’t. After literally shaving off inches of the tree trunk and hammering on the stand (the ring was too small), we tried to stand the tree on the corner (note, the tree is still tied at this point)…it was still too tall. Bright idea number two, my daughter called her boyfriend to come assist us with the task of standing the tree…thankfully he brought his father to help.Upon their arrival I noticed the older man was carrying a chainsaw. “Really.” I thought. “What the hell kind of people use a chainsaw to put up a Christmas tree?” To answer that question I’m going to direct your attention back to the above mentioned movie. As soon as they entered the house, the chainsaw came to life and they cut off two feet from the tree’s base. The living room was full of sawdust and pine needles. Once the ring, we had hammered onto the tree, was removed, the man proceeded to place it on the tree trunk…at this point the man started laughing uncontrollably. Stupid me had to ask, “What’s so funny?” He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and replied, “There are two trees here.” I nearly lost it. I laughed so hard I thought I would pee my pants.
After separating the conjoined twins, my kids had the look of shock on their faces. The once full, round tree was flat on one side. We placed the flat side against the wall and proceeded to decorate the half tree that took up more than half the living room.
I hope you enjoyed my little family memory as much as we enjoy the story to this day.And Valerie hopes you might enjoy one of her books too, The Drifter, available on Amazon at: http://amzn.to/TPv2F5.
She would love to hear from you and make a new friend as well. Her links are as follows:
To read the available chapters for all my books: http://www.opusnpen.com/the-drifter.htmland http://www.valeriebowen.comAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=valerie+bowenFace book author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Valerie-Bowen/140274682715104?ref=hlEmail: val2262001@yahoo.com
December 4, 2012
My Favorite Christmas....by me
I got to post in my sweet publisher's blog on Sunday about my favorite Christmas. It was a bittersweet holiday that year, yet I will always remember it for the life lessons it taught me.
If you would like to share yours with me, please do! Email me at samanthacombswrites@gmail.com or PM me on facebook. I would love to showcase you and if you're an indie writer, I can showcase your latest book as well.
Happy Christmas month!
My Favorite Christmas with Samantha Combs
I have been blessed with wonderful Christmases in my life. In fact, I became engaged to my husband of 11+ years on a memorable Christmas morning. But there is one holiday which stands out not because of what I had, but because of what I didn’t.
Four years ago this coming Christmas, my husband and I were in a very bad financial state. Hubs had lost his job, not yet found a new one, and we were barely surviving. It became clear to us sometime in November that there was not going to be any money left over for Christmas. I was despondent. How would I celebrate Christmas with my kids if there were not so many presents under the tree that you could hardly cross the living room? Having so many holidays filled with excess, I was ill-equipped and nearly incapable of having any other kind.
My husband and I sat down and tried to make a budget for at least a Christmas dinner. We discovered even that would be hard. We pared the dinner down to a turkey breast and a few vegetables. We put on a brave face and decided to be happy for what we could do. We hugged and promised it would get better and that as long as we had each other and the children, we had everything we needed.
It seems the moment we made that mental and spiritual change of attitude, things around us began to change. We went to a Christmas party with my side of the family, an annual gathering, and were stunned by the gift of cash from two uncles. We could have a lovely dinner and get the kids a few things!
Then, my husband got the call from a job he had been vying and testing for. He would be hired after the holidays! When he called with the news, I was driving. I was so overcome with emotion, I had to pull over on the side of the road. It was there that I had the first epiphany of that holiday season; I was blessed. I had never felt that before and the feeling was as powerful as a Pacific ocean wave.
Even though we knew about the new job, and had a bit of spare cash thanks to my uncles, we vowed not to spend a dime on ourselves and we didn’t. I shopped for a few bits for the kids at Big Lots instead of the huge department stores and was astonished by how many others were doing the same. It was my first inclination of where the economy was headed. While the mall parking lots were bare, parking at the local Big Lots was almost riotous. Cars in the parking spaces were another indication. Mercedes, Lexus, BMW’s. It occurred to me rich people were rich because they spent well. More enlightenment. It changed the way I shopped forever.
Christmas morning we held our breaths as the kids tore down the stairs. Would they realize it was sparse and that with the exception of two gifts, the presents were all from their grandparents? That we had none for ourselves? No, not a chance. At 5 and 2 years of age, brightly wrapped boxes and bags were too exciting to notice. This was also enlightening to me. They didn’t care! Mind-boggling.
In the quiet of the aftermath of a lovely Christmas dinner with family, and after tucking our kids into bed, my husband and I sat and hugged in front of the fire. I had no new jewelry, no new clothes, nothing from under the tree. But I didn’t care. I felt like the luckiest woman in the world. My husband and I had weathered another storm and come out stronger on the other end. I had learned the true meaning of the season. Christmas 2007 was the best Christmas I ever had.
If you would like to share yours with me, please do! Email me at samanthacombswrites@gmail.com or PM me on facebook. I would love to showcase you and if you're an indie writer, I can showcase your latest book as well.
Happy Christmas month!
My Favorite Christmas with Samantha Combs
I have been blessed with wonderful Christmases in my life. In fact, I became engaged to my husband of 11+ years on a memorable Christmas morning. But there is one holiday which stands out not because of what I had, but because of what I didn’t.
Four years ago this coming Christmas, my husband and I were in a very bad financial state. Hubs had lost his job, not yet found a new one, and we were barely surviving. It became clear to us sometime in November that there was not going to be any money left over for Christmas. I was despondent. How would I celebrate Christmas with my kids if there were not so many presents under the tree that you could hardly cross the living room? Having so many holidays filled with excess, I was ill-equipped and nearly incapable of having any other kind.
My husband and I sat down and tried to make a budget for at least a Christmas dinner. We discovered even that would be hard. We pared the dinner down to a turkey breast and a few vegetables. We put on a brave face and decided to be happy for what we could do. We hugged and promised it would get better and that as long as we had each other and the children, we had everything we needed.
It seems the moment we made that mental and spiritual change of attitude, things around us began to change. We went to a Christmas party with my side of the family, an annual gathering, and were stunned by the gift of cash from two uncles. We could have a lovely dinner and get the kids a few things!
Then, my husband got the call from a job he had been vying and testing for. He would be hired after the holidays! When he called with the news, I was driving. I was so overcome with emotion, I had to pull over on the side of the road. It was there that I had the first epiphany of that holiday season; I was blessed. I had never felt that before and the feeling was as powerful as a Pacific ocean wave.
Even though we knew about the new job, and had a bit of spare cash thanks to my uncles, we vowed not to spend a dime on ourselves and we didn’t. I shopped for a few bits for the kids at Big Lots instead of the huge department stores and was astonished by how many others were doing the same. It was my first inclination of where the economy was headed. While the mall parking lots were bare, parking at the local Big Lots was almost riotous. Cars in the parking spaces were another indication. Mercedes, Lexus, BMW’s. It occurred to me rich people were rich because they spent well. More enlightenment. It changed the way I shopped forever.
Christmas morning we held our breaths as the kids tore down the stairs. Would they realize it was sparse and that with the exception of two gifts, the presents were all from their grandparents? That we had none for ourselves? No, not a chance. At 5 and 2 years of age, brightly wrapped boxes and bags were too exciting to notice. This was also enlightening to me. They didn’t care! Mind-boggling.
In the quiet of the aftermath of a lovely Christmas dinner with family, and after tucking our kids into bed, my husband and I sat and hugged in front of the fire. I had no new jewelry, no new clothes, nothing from under the tree. But I didn’t care. I felt like the luckiest woman in the world. My husband and I had weathered another storm and come out stronger on the other end. I had learned the true meaning of the season. Christmas 2007 was the best Christmas I ever had.
December 3, 2012
How I Became a Bestselling Author... by Rachel Van Dyken
My friend Rachel Van Dyken, author extraordinaire, has done what we all dream of doing...she has broken the top bestseller lists on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, USA Today, and the New York Times. I know, right? I'm so proud of her, too. When I ask her (constantly) what her secret is, she claims not to have one. I didn't believe her until I read this blog. Her tips and tricks make perfect sense and carry all that much more credibility given her new pedigree. See if they don't help you. And look out for Rachel's new books, coming to...well, coming everywhere, and soon! The girl writes FAST!
How I becaI wish there was a formula.See, I'm already disappointing people everywhere..."Wait? There isn't a formula? No magic words?"
Sadly, no. If there was a way to become a bestseller every time you published a book, believe me, I would be all over it.
I remember when my first book hit the USA Today Bestseller list. I was like okay, so what I need to do is market a lot, pray that both Barnes and Amazon numbers match up and then market my butt off.
When the second book in the series came out, the highest it got on Amazon was 44 on the regency bestseller list, which yes of course that’s great, but I felt it was a huge let down to my readers. And then of course insecurity sets in and I think, “So it was a fluke then?”
I mean, any authors going to think that right? I was already doubting myself….and then all of a sudden that same book went to #2 on Barnes and Noble.You can imagine my surprise! It outsold Ugly Duckling, but didn’t make the lists, HUH?!?
See, no formula.
“Okay,” I told myself, “So now I know what the formula is!” You can shake your head now as you read this.
The next book came out, The Redemption of Lord Rawlings. I was SURE and I mean SURE it was going to hit a bestseller list. After all, it was my favorite of the three.
What happened? We released Wallflower at the same time and Wallflower jumped over Rawlings (probably hitting him in the face in the process because Rawlings is a deserving rake and all that), and hit the bestseller list.
Rawlings still did great, but again no USA TODAY.
Do you see where I am going with this? There is no formula, there is nothing you can measure against to try to figure out how to make one of those lists.
You will stress yourself out needlessly trying to figure things like this out. I mean it’s like watching paint dry. You’ve all done it. Watched your numbers on Amazon and Barnes, am I right? I mean I do it all the time. Seriously, I could make a killing on group therapy for watching book rankings.
“Hi, my name is Rachel and I’m a ranking addict. I hit refresh every five minutes and sometimes I read bad reviews of famous authors I look up to, to feel better.”
So….back to the original question, how did I do it?
Easy. I didn’t.
Whenever people ask me this question I have to laugh because the answer is really that simple. I did nothing. I wrote a book. A book I really believed in and sent it out into the world.
And prayed my socks off.Like literally got down on my hands and knees and prayed. Not the prayer of “GIVE ME NEW YORK TIMES.” Though, it was tempting. But the prayer of, “Expand my territory, help me to reach out to people, and do what you will with what I’ve given.”
Let me explain this, as an author it’s so easy to get wrapped up in marketing, promo, reviews, etc. Yes, these things are important but when your focus turns to sales, you lose your original purpose for writing in the first place.
I write to share my stories. I write to make people laugh. I write because I’m pretty sure I would die if I couldn’t. I write because I want to cause change.
When I'm focused on me and not on the craft, things go awry. For the last thirty days I’ve had to get up in the morning and again relinquish control of the things I cannot help or influence. I can’t call up USA Today, I can’t email New York Times, but I can keep writing and I can keep connecting with my readers, and I can offer everything that I am every single chance I am given.
So in a nutshell, here is my formula…I know, I know, I said there wasn’t one…so maybe we should call it, a day in the life of Rachel.
1. Pray. Start your morning right. Get the focus off of you and onto others. There will always be someone who’s more successful than you, has more money, is prettier, has a cooler house, dog, clothes. Etc. You get what I mean. Take the focus off of you and push it onto Him. You are here for a reason, you have a purpose beyond stalking Amazon. You were gifted with the ability to write in the first place, now honor Him with that gift.
2. Connect. I spend a lot of time on Facebook. It’s like a black hole for me. But most of the time I’m not stalking people (I did say MOST of the time..I’m not a saint, geez). Readers love to hear from the author. I always say I’m as much a reader as I am an author. I can still remember meeting Julia Quinn for the first time or Talking with Julie Lessman…you get the picture. Your readers are your voice, get to know them so you know how to build your product.
3 . Invest. Not money, but time. Invest in your writing and especially in your readers. You want more reviews? Give away free books. You want more followers on Facebook? Make it worth their while. You can’t just sit at home on your hands and hope people notice you.
4. Support other authors. Seriously. This is a big one. I would not be where I am today without the support of others. I’ve shared this with a few authors before, but I am firm believer that if you invest in others, if you give of yourself then God will bless you. That’s not WHY you do it, but the fact remains. What do you lose by supporting someone else? Um, nothing. People seem to think that if they pimp other authors that they somehow lose their fans? Weird. If anything you gain more fans because you’ve just expanded your readership. The most successful people you see in this world, the ones who are the happiest, are the ones who use their own gifts, to bless others. That’s it! In a nutshell! I love to hear from readers and of course if any of you have questions, leave a comment!
You know you want to, right? Reach and connect with Rachel here:Contact Info
Websitehttp://www.rachelvandyken.comEmailromancebyrachel@facebook.com
November 30, 2012
New Tips and Tricks - or - How There is Power in Numbers
I am FB friends with a wonderful person who has figured out the mystery of Amazon and reviews. And unlike everyone else lately, she is doing it with much integrity and not a scrap of deception. Her concept is simple: make ebooks available to people who will actually read them, then post their opinions, fabulous or not, on the Amazon site, as well as others. So brilliant you might wonder why no one else thought of it. I know why. Because Wanda Hartzenberg, the architect of this brilliance, is something many are not.
She is selfless.
She does this because she genuinely loves books, loves reading, and loves the indie author. We are blessed to know her. Please, read on and find out more about her alarmingly simple program and facebook page.
How There is Power in Numbers - by Wanda Hartzenberg of WaAR (Wanda's Amazing Amazon Reviewers)
So the ever popular and brilliant writer Samantha Combs asked me to do a blog post. The topic she asked about was relatively simple. She asked why did I start WaAr or Wanda's amazing Amazon review group and in general, why did I start assisting Indie authors.My reply, I can't write about that - My motivation for starting everything I had thus far was because I started to befriend some authors and became involved in their daily struggles. I got the impression that people sit around, waiting for a book to be offered for free, reading it, and then moving onto the next.Thus, my impression of most people on Facebook was that they were opportunist. I can't write about that, can I? As it turns out, I can. See this is how it started, step by step, breath by breath I first saw the one side of an Indie Author life. As an Indie you spend mass amount of time and effort and money to promote your book in the hopes for A SALE. A single sale makes these people jump for joy. Then to build a following and gain reviews these same authors gift the fruit of their labor to readers in the hopes of?..According to me, very few of these hopes were met.So I grew upset and made it my mission to change things.But boy was I wrong.Soon I saw that this story has another side. It became apparent that Amazon has certain specifications regarding the way they will promote authors. First the author needs 50 reviews on Amazon per Amazon site. Thus 50 in UK, 50 on .com etc. That is a lot of reviews. Then Amazon want 100 likes on that books, Amazon page and a further 50 agreed tags. This way Amazon will start to promote a book to a wider audience than we can ever reach on Facebook. So I figured?.let's see if we can do this?I started WaAr and it is a smashing success, apart from...I soon realized that my first impression of readers was wrong. Or mostly wrong. It turns out that nobody took the time to educate Indie book readers. They do not know about Amazon's review policies for books; they do not know the import of an honest review. Most still do not know about likes and tags, so it came down to educating readers as well as authors.I was delighted to find that I am wrong.So what is next for WaAr? we will be branching out to Goodreads to a greater extent than we are currently involved, taking and making WaAr and the authors we support even more known. If you are an avid reader who would love to exchange an honest review for a free copy of a book? Then look up Wanda's amazing Amazon reviewers under groups on Facebook and ask to join. We would love more reviewers. You heard the girl: If you are a reader and want to be a reviewer, Wanda wants you. Contact her here:http://www.facebook.com/groups/328607... if you are an author, make sure you tell her THANK YOU!
She is selfless.
She does this because she genuinely loves books, loves reading, and loves the indie author. We are blessed to know her. Please, read on and find out more about her alarmingly simple program and facebook page.
How There is Power in Numbers - by Wanda Hartzenberg of WaAR (Wanda's Amazing Amazon Reviewers)
So the ever popular and brilliant writer Samantha Combs asked me to do a blog post. The topic she asked about was relatively simple. She asked why did I start WaAr or Wanda's amazing Amazon review group and in general, why did I start assisting Indie authors.My reply, I can't write about that - My motivation for starting everything I had thus far was because I started to befriend some authors and became involved in their daily struggles. I got the impression that people sit around, waiting for a book to be offered for free, reading it, and then moving onto the next.Thus, my impression of most people on Facebook was that they were opportunist. I can't write about that, can I? As it turns out, I can. See this is how it started, step by step, breath by breath I first saw the one side of an Indie Author life. As an Indie you spend mass amount of time and effort and money to promote your book in the hopes for A SALE. A single sale makes these people jump for joy. Then to build a following and gain reviews these same authors gift the fruit of their labor to readers in the hopes of?..According to me, very few of these hopes were met.So I grew upset and made it my mission to change things.But boy was I wrong.Soon I saw that this story has another side. It became apparent that Amazon has certain specifications regarding the way they will promote authors. First the author needs 50 reviews on Amazon per Amazon site. Thus 50 in UK, 50 on .com etc. That is a lot of reviews. Then Amazon want 100 likes on that books, Amazon page and a further 50 agreed tags. This way Amazon will start to promote a book to a wider audience than we can ever reach on Facebook. So I figured?.let's see if we can do this?I started WaAr and it is a smashing success, apart from...I soon realized that my first impression of readers was wrong. Or mostly wrong. It turns out that nobody took the time to educate Indie book readers. They do not know about Amazon's review policies for books; they do not know the import of an honest review. Most still do not know about likes and tags, so it came down to educating readers as well as authors.I was delighted to find that I am wrong.So what is next for WaAr? we will be branching out to Goodreads to a greater extent than we are currently involved, taking and making WaAr and the authors we support even more known. If you are an avid reader who would love to exchange an honest review for a free copy of a book? Then look up Wanda's amazing Amazon reviewers under groups on Facebook and ask to join. We would love more reviewers. You heard the girl: If you are a reader and want to be a reviewer, Wanda wants you. Contact her here:http://www.facebook.com/groups/328607... if you are an author, make sure you tell her THANK YOU!
November 29, 2012
My Tips Theme Continues; Liz DeJesus Style: What to Take to Your Book Signing
My super Musaling author friend, Liz DeJesus wrote a fabulous post about the above topic, so of course, I hijacked it! LOL...Liz gave me permission to share her vital information with my blogosphere.
Even if you think you are far from a book signing, trust me, if you dream it, it will come. My first is upcoming and I found each and every one of Liz's tips priceless. At the end of the blog, thank her, comment, and check out her books. That's the best way to show gratitude to an indie author. Now, enjoy the tips!
What to Take to Your Book Signing by Liz DeJesus
Things to do: Book signing edition · Nov. 26th, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Recently went to B & N and there was a lady there having a book signing. I purchased a copy of her book because I support indie authors. But I was surprised at how completely bare her table was. No business cards. No handouts. Nothing...just her book. I can understand if she couldn't afford any of it but how are people supposed to check out her book and her other books if they don't have something to take home and at least remind them of their visit?
So in preparation of my own book signing on December 8th, here's a short list of everything I'm going to bring to Between Books.
1. Business cards. Seriously, this is a basic necessity, you can go to vistaprint.com and get 250 of them for $10. I look at it as 250 potential book sales. Sure, someone can easily toss it in the trash the moment they walk out of the store but there's that tiny chance that someone might turn around and buy a copy of your book.
2. Handouts. The last time I had a book signing I designed a really nice looking pamphlet with an excerpt of The Jackets. That actually worked for me. It gave people a moment to stop at my table or even walk around the store to read the excerpt. I had about 3-4 people come back to buy my book from that alone. And since my hubby printed them in color for me at work that didn't cost me anything so I actually made a profit. :D (See? The smartz. I haz them.)
3. The cover of your book on display. Some publishers will send the author a few pieces of cardboard with just the cover of your book. I use them and stick them by the store window and display it on the table.
4. Smile. No one will buy your book if you're a big ol' grouch. Smile. Chat with people. Be witty. Be funny. Show your personality. Don't just sit at the table staring off into space.
5. Don't write during your book signing. You're not in a zoo. No one wants to see you in your natural habitat or your natural state of being. You're there to sell your book. Don't ignore people.
6. Freebies. People love free stuff. If you can afford it have some stickers made with the cover of your book. I went to moo.com and I got some really nice ones made.
7. Talk up your book. No one knows your book better than you do. When someone asks you what your book is about don't freeze up and please don't start with 'Uh...um...it's a like..." If it helps, try and memorize the blurb in the back of the book that way it gives you something to start with. Most people want to know about your writing. How long you've been at it. Is this your first book? Etc. Talk to people. Which is funny considering how most authors are a bunch of introverts and often lack social skills but this is one area you need to work on. Especially if you wanna make it as an author.
8. Don't be nervous. People are just people. No one is going to judge you or make fun of you or anything like that. So just relax and have fun.
9. Bring a nice pen. Don't bring a large marker, or a crazy colored Sharpie. Whatever pen you use to write with, use that to sign your books. No one wants to see your name signed in neon pink. Black or blue will suffice.
10. Have fun. You're probably going to invite friends and family to your book signing. Have fun. Share your love of books and writing with them.
Hope this helps. I'll be sure to share some pictures from my upcoming book signing. :)
Be sure and let Liz know how much you enjoyed the post. There are a million ways to contact her. Here are a few:Contact InfoAddressNewark, DEScreen Nameisabellerose23(Yahoo! Messenger)Websitehttp://www.freewebs.com/lizdejesushttp://liz-dejesus.livejournal.comhttp://www.myspace.com/lizdejesus23http://www.tftanthology.webs.comEmaillizdejesus@facebook.com
Even if you think you are far from a book signing, trust me, if you dream it, it will come. My first is upcoming and I found each and every one of Liz's tips priceless. At the end of the blog, thank her, comment, and check out her books. That's the best way to show gratitude to an indie author. Now, enjoy the tips!
What to Take to Your Book Signing by Liz DeJesus
Things to do: Book signing edition · Nov. 26th, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Recently went to B & N and there was a lady there having a book signing. I purchased a copy of her book because I support indie authors. But I was surprised at how completely bare her table was. No business cards. No handouts. Nothing...just her book. I can understand if she couldn't afford any of it but how are people supposed to check out her book and her other books if they don't have something to take home and at least remind them of their visit?
So in preparation of my own book signing on December 8th, here's a short list of everything I'm going to bring to Between Books.
1. Business cards. Seriously, this is a basic necessity, you can go to vistaprint.com and get 250 of them for $10. I look at it as 250 potential book sales. Sure, someone can easily toss it in the trash the moment they walk out of the store but there's that tiny chance that someone might turn around and buy a copy of your book.
2. Handouts. The last time I had a book signing I designed a really nice looking pamphlet with an excerpt of The Jackets. That actually worked for me. It gave people a moment to stop at my table or even walk around the store to read the excerpt. I had about 3-4 people come back to buy my book from that alone. And since my hubby printed them in color for me at work that didn't cost me anything so I actually made a profit. :D (See? The smartz. I haz them.)
3. The cover of your book on display. Some publishers will send the author a few pieces of cardboard with just the cover of your book. I use them and stick them by the store window and display it on the table.
4. Smile. No one will buy your book if you're a big ol' grouch. Smile. Chat with people. Be witty. Be funny. Show your personality. Don't just sit at the table staring off into space.
5. Don't write during your book signing. You're not in a zoo. No one wants to see you in your natural habitat or your natural state of being. You're there to sell your book. Don't ignore people.
6. Freebies. People love free stuff. If you can afford it have some stickers made with the cover of your book. I went to moo.com and I got some really nice ones made.
7. Talk up your book. No one knows your book better than you do. When someone asks you what your book is about don't freeze up and please don't start with 'Uh...um...it's a like..." If it helps, try and memorize the blurb in the back of the book that way it gives you something to start with. Most people want to know about your writing. How long you've been at it. Is this your first book? Etc. Talk to people. Which is funny considering how most authors are a bunch of introverts and often lack social skills but this is one area you need to work on. Especially if you wanna make it as an author.
8. Don't be nervous. People are just people. No one is going to judge you or make fun of you or anything like that. So just relax and have fun.
9. Bring a nice pen. Don't bring a large marker, or a crazy colored Sharpie. Whatever pen you use to write with, use that to sign your books. No one wants to see your name signed in neon pink. Black or blue will suffice.
10. Have fun. You're probably going to invite friends and family to your book signing. Have fun. Share your love of books and writing with them.
Hope this helps. I'll be sure to share some pictures from my upcoming book signing. :)
Be sure and let Liz know how much you enjoyed the post. There are a million ways to contact her. Here are a few:Contact InfoAddressNewark, DEScreen Nameisabellerose23(Yahoo! Messenger)Websitehttp://www.freewebs.com/lizdejesushttp://liz-dejesus.livejournal.comhttp://www.myspace.com/lizdejesus23http://www.tftanthology.webs.comEmaillizdejesus@facebook.com
November 27, 2012
I'd Rather Be Poked in the Eye with a Flaming Hot Burning Marshmallow and Stick than Market My Book?
I have a wonderful friend who has been lucky and talented enough to do what we all want to....write full-time and make money doing it. I asked her if she would share any of her tips with my followers for the blog, and was overwhelmed with the professional quality and wealth of information she provided.
Please take the time to read all of this post.....the tips are invaluable!Welcome, Calle J. Brookes!
I’d like to say thanks for having me guest post, Samantha! I don’t do very many blog posts and I am happy to be here!
Today I am going to write about marketing.
Hiss. Boo! Reowrrrr!!!!
Every bit of my body recoils whenever I even think about marketing. And with good reason—a few years ago I spent more than fifty plus hours a week working my tail (and horns) off in the marketing industry! I started in a relatively low-level position and within a year I was the head of the marketing department. Now, I am so burned out, repulsed, and totally turned off by marketing and promotion and all that other jazz that even the thought of promoting my books has my skin crawling.
Yeah. I know. Pretty strong reaction, isn’t it? Especially for an indie author…because rumor has it, we have to market our books to make any kind of showing in this crazy Amazonian era of digital publishing. (And market, and market, and market, and market until that is all we ever do!)
Well, frankly, that rumor is a complete and total piece of…baloney. At least in my experience. Your millage may certainly vary.
So today, I thought I’d share my “Anti-Marketing” Plan with you.
First, I probably should give you a little background info about who I am, right? I am Calle J. Brookes, freelance graphic designer, freelance non-fiction writer (I love textbooks!), and content editor for Astraea Press and other clients. I am college educated in two fields—creative writing and graphic arts. I live in Indiana with my wonderful man of eight years and our two-year old, werewolf-obsessed howling daughter (not sure where she gets this obsession from…)
I am also the writer behind the Dardanos, Colorado series of paranormal romance novels/novellas, and the PAVAD romantic suspense. The first Dardanos book came out in October 2011 and the first PAVAD book in April 2012. Since then, a second PAVAD book has hit the ‘shelves’ and six more Dardanos books have found their way to the world. Most recently, I released an omnibus of the first five novellas for the Dardanos series.
My books are doing reasonably well. Well enough that I don’t have to put my child in daycare and get an out-of-the-house job to pay my share of the family bills. This is particularly important to us—our daughter has severe allergies and cannot be in a regular daycare safely.
I lucked out with the self-publishing. And I know it.
After only three months of my first book being available, I was able to completely flip my income percentages. I went from ninety percent of my income resulting from freelance work and ten percent from fiction sales to where I am now. Ninety percent of my income comes from book sales. My monthly average from sales is in the four-digit range, once all venues are tallied. (I’m not talking the two places to the right of the decimal point!) And other than the freelance projects that interest me, I don’t have to do freelance at all, anymore. This happened in less than three months.
I don’t get it. I still don’t understand exactly how this happened. But I’m glad it did.
Here’s what I did. Some of it might work for you. Some might not. One thing I learned from my time in the marketing industry is that what works sometimes won’t necessarily work all the time, or for everyone. And sometimes you’ll completely bomb on something that is the winning solution for the writer next door. Keep it in mind…
1. I wrote. And wrote. And wrote. I devoted ninety percent of my scheduled work time to…writing. I still do, actually. I write a minimum six hours each day—three throughout the day, around my daughter’s schedule and three hours after she and her daddy are asleep. Most often, my writing time is double this—my child thankfully enjoys playing independently in our home office, so I am able to accomplish quite a lot while still being able to see her at all times. I can average 6000 words per day (unless she’s not feeling well—then I may manage 500!) and the bare bones of a book in five-seven weeks, four if I’m on a roll.
2. I know my audience and what they like and look for. The people buying my paranormals are not necessarily the same people buying my romantic suspenses. I know this, and I design my covers accordingly. How did I learn who they were? Simple. Research. One thing I did take from my marketing career is researching the market I’m trying to sell in!
I looked at the Amazon “also-boughts’ list and I noticed a pattern of titles. The two series’ did not overlap greatly. (That was intriguing, as I thought I’d get quite a few cross-over buys, which hasn’t really occurred that much yet. Maybe when the next PAVAD comes out on New Years?) Then I studied the books in each genre, and took note of length, cover design, blurb, and their “also-boughts”. I also engaged people on my blog. I’ll talk about my blog in a moment. I love my blog. It’s my best friend. (No, seriously. I’m not that weird, I promise! I have a real best friend or two, I swear!)
3. I did not use social media. Ick. As an author, I do not like social media. I do have a Facebook author page and I have probably the most pathetic, sickly, weak, awful, and pitiful looking twitter account in the history of author twitter accounts. I’ve tried, half-heartedly, to get involved in the Facebook/twitter promo of my work, but I have epically failed on that front. Probably my subconscious reminding me of how huge a part of my previous marketing job FB/Twitter was. Seriously. I’m repulsed by promo-via-social-media (other than the aforementioned blog, that is!). I personally cannot stand to be on my personal Facebook page (Hey, I do have family I want to keep in touch with, so I manage!) and see an author-acquaintance plugging yet another of their books. I don’t go to my page to see someone saying “Buy me, buy me!” I wouldn’t like it in person—I don’t like it online. Can’t help it. It’s my sales-person experience coming through. I know the buy tricks and I won’t fall! I swear I won’t!!!!!!
4. My blog. This is where the vast majority of the information about my work is available. (I shut down my webs.com site because I didn’t like the setup over there—instead I direct traffic to my wordpress blog, makes far less work to take away from my writing time/family time). From the very beginning I wanted my blog to be my readers’ portal to another world or two, which are extensions of my fiction worlds.
On my blog readers will find free reads, written in a fan fiction type manner, with me posting a few chapters every so often (I aimed for 2-3 times per month. That happened sometimes, but not always). These free reads were shorter works from the same series of other books I had to offer. And they were not quick flash fiction pieces. They ended up being as long as some of my novellas that were selling on Amazon.
I actively tried to answer every commenter on my blog. It’s polite and something I enjoy doing. Because these people liked the worlds I created enough to take their valuable time to visit my blog and comment. That’s pretty special and deserving of respect. I especially love to read peoples’ reactions to the stories-in-progress. It’s definitely encouraging!
My available book info is kept as up-to-date as possible with active links to each site where the book can be purchased. (when I remember, which has been pitifully not often, lately as the kid has been ill for a while…L)
I don’t inundate my blog followers with information they don’t need or want. I keep it as book related as possible and I actively try to engage them on my blog. Nowhere else. They came to my blog to see what I have to offer. No more, no less. So I give them what they need. Period.
I also occasionally let my readers know any important release information. Many come to the blog for the first time searching for info on upcoming releases.
This brings me to my final two points:
6. I link. Everywhere I can, I link. (Within reason! Don’t get link happy!) And I excerpt. At the end of my ‘About the Author’ page in my ebooks and print books is a link to my blog. At the end of each new release I include at least two excerpts from other works of mine (and occasionally friends’, if I feel strongly enough in their writing abilities). At the end of these excerpts are buy links, if available. (This brings up an FYI point, I’ve seen many readers commenting negatively on authors who have books that are more excerpts than actual story. Keep your excerpts to less than 15% of the entire book length!)
Make finding your other offerings as easy as possible for your readers. If you think of an even easier method, change your plans and implement it. You want the impulse buys and the ‘faithful reader buys everything you’ve ever written’ buys. They are an author’s bread and butter! I also have a list in most of my books of other books I’ve written, with links in the ebook version.
And finally,
7. I write. And I write. And I write. First, because in every fiber of my professional being I am a writer. I can’t not write. I don’t function well when I don’t write. And second…having more books available means that your readers can buy more books. I wouldn’t shop in a store that only had one or two items to purchase. That’s disappointing and a waste of time; if I did visit, I’d buy those two items and never return! That’s the last thing we need as authors. We need return buyers. We need to look at them as the customer and remember that we need to give them a good product plus other or future products (and info about those products) in order to keep the customer returning to our shop! So, yeah. I write, and write, and write.
I don’t do blog tours, and I’ve only done a spare handful of guest blog posts—by choice. The guest posts I do are for friends with whom I’ve discussed writing on several occasions. Such as Samantha!
So once again, Samantha, thanks for having me. I’m sending virtual S’mores your way…I roasted the marshmallows myself…(and my eyes are completely safe, I swear!)
BIO: Calle J. Brookes has been writing professionally since the age of eighteen when she lucked into a part-time journalism position; her love and enjoyment of working with the written word has only grown throughout the years. Now, she is glad to say that she writes fiction full-time (and does part-time content editing for other authors), and self-publishes most of her works. Her current writing obsessions include her paranormal romance series featuring the Dardanos, Co. characters and her romantic suspense series featuring members of the PAVAD division of the FBI. For excerpts and free reads you can visit Calle’s blog at www.callejbrookes.wordpress.com
Her most recent release is the Dardanos, Co. Omnibus: 5-N-1, which includes four novellas and one short story. It can be found at Smashwordsand Amazon.com. The print version will be coming on Dec. 4. All stories included are previously published works, either through various ebook retailers, or through Calle’s blog.
Stories included in the Omnibus are…
THE BLOOD KING
War was cruelty, cruelty was war. Sacrifices must be made by both sides.
Rydere Dardanos was king of the Dardaptos people—the race of beings responsible for the ancient vampire legends. He’d do anything to protect his people in the war between the Dardaptoans and all those named Taniss.
Emily Taniss was the new CEO of Taniss Industries, the company her grandfather started sixty years ago. The company responsible for so many horrific acts against the Dardaptoan people. Her grandfather’s actions held many repercussions for Emily and her cousins. It would take them years to straighten it all out.
But Emily didn’t have years, she had only moments…
THE SEER'S STRENGTH
Mickey Taniss had a difficult time trusting men--of any species. And she knew she'd never be able to trust one who'd turned her from a human into a vampire! Or a Dardaptoan—or whatever he'd called her.
She knew the truth--he'd kidnappedher and taken her from the very world she knew. And now he wanted her to believe some goddess she'd never heard of had preordained them being together? He was absolutely crazy.
Theodoric Sebastos had spent the long centuries waiting for and longing for his mate, and when he found her he would do whatever he had to in order to convince her that they belonged together and that she could trust him. But how was he to do that?
THE HEALER'S HEART
Jade always knew she was different and she always knew there was a special someone waiting for her. She hadn't known he would be four hundred years old--or a vampire.
Barlaam had waited for centuries for his Rajni--his destined mate. He never expected it to be some human girl who was barely twenty-one!
The only honorable thing for him to do was step back and give her a few more years--maybe a decade--before he staked his claim!
But that's not what Jade wants... He might be resistant, but Jade was unstoppable. He was hers, and she would have him!
ONCE WOLF BITTEN
Jason Taniss was a family man, first and foremost. He loved his grown daughters and he was learning to tolerate his vampiric sons-in-law. But as a Lupoiux werewolf he longed for his own mate. She was out there waiting for him, somewhere. He just had to find her.
Dr. Annabelle Macgregor ran faster than she ever had before. Her scientific mind refused to accept what she'd seen. Werewolves did not exist.
Jason knew the rogue wolves wouldn't stop until they caught the lone female human; he knew what they would do to her if they caught her, too. As an employee of Taniss Industries, the woman was his responsibility to protect. He'd do just that.
But when Jason caught Anna's scent, one thing became clear...she was his mate...
ALSO INCLUDES THE WOLF GOD & HIS MATE
Kennera was the goddess of the Dardaptoan people; Eiophon her sworn enemy and patron god of the Lupoiux. They'd been imprisoned together for centuries, and in less than three days the walls separating them would come down. Then Kennera knew what the wolf god had planned for her and her people...
Eiophon would find her, no matter where she ran. How could he not? He'd waited centuries to claim his mate, the very enemyhe chased...
As always: show your love and let her feel it!Contact InfoWebsitehttp://Callejbrookes.webs.comEmailcallejbrookes@live.com
Please take the time to read all of this post.....the tips are invaluable!Welcome, Calle J. Brookes!
I’d like to say thanks for having me guest post, Samantha! I don’t do very many blog posts and I am happy to be here!
Today I am going to write about marketing.
Hiss. Boo! Reowrrrr!!!!
Every bit of my body recoils whenever I even think about marketing. And with good reason—a few years ago I spent more than fifty plus hours a week working my tail (and horns) off in the marketing industry! I started in a relatively low-level position and within a year I was the head of the marketing department. Now, I am so burned out, repulsed, and totally turned off by marketing and promotion and all that other jazz that even the thought of promoting my books has my skin crawling.
Yeah. I know. Pretty strong reaction, isn’t it? Especially for an indie author…because rumor has it, we have to market our books to make any kind of showing in this crazy Amazonian era of digital publishing. (And market, and market, and market, and market until that is all we ever do!)
Well, frankly, that rumor is a complete and total piece of…baloney. At least in my experience. Your millage may certainly vary.
So today, I thought I’d share my “Anti-Marketing” Plan with you.
First, I probably should give you a little background info about who I am, right? I am Calle J. Brookes, freelance graphic designer, freelance non-fiction writer (I love textbooks!), and content editor for Astraea Press and other clients. I am college educated in two fields—creative writing and graphic arts. I live in Indiana with my wonderful man of eight years and our two-year old, werewolf-obsessed howling daughter (not sure where she gets this obsession from…)
I am also the writer behind the Dardanos, Colorado series of paranormal romance novels/novellas, and the PAVAD romantic suspense. The first Dardanos book came out in October 2011 and the first PAVAD book in April 2012. Since then, a second PAVAD book has hit the ‘shelves’ and six more Dardanos books have found their way to the world. Most recently, I released an omnibus of the first five novellas for the Dardanos series. My books are doing reasonably well. Well enough that I don’t have to put my child in daycare and get an out-of-the-house job to pay my share of the family bills. This is particularly important to us—our daughter has severe allergies and cannot be in a regular daycare safely.
I lucked out with the self-publishing. And I know it.
After only three months of my first book being available, I was able to completely flip my income percentages. I went from ninety percent of my income resulting from freelance work and ten percent from fiction sales to where I am now. Ninety percent of my income comes from book sales. My monthly average from sales is in the four-digit range, once all venues are tallied. (I’m not talking the two places to the right of the decimal point!) And other than the freelance projects that interest me, I don’t have to do freelance at all, anymore. This happened in less than three months.
I don’t get it. I still don’t understand exactly how this happened. But I’m glad it did.
Here’s what I did. Some of it might work for you. Some might not. One thing I learned from my time in the marketing industry is that what works sometimes won’t necessarily work all the time, or for everyone. And sometimes you’ll completely bomb on something that is the winning solution for the writer next door. Keep it in mind…
1. I wrote. And wrote. And wrote. I devoted ninety percent of my scheduled work time to…writing. I still do, actually. I write a minimum six hours each day—three throughout the day, around my daughter’s schedule and three hours after she and her daddy are asleep. Most often, my writing time is double this—my child thankfully enjoys playing independently in our home office, so I am able to accomplish quite a lot while still being able to see her at all times. I can average 6000 words per day (unless she’s not feeling well—then I may manage 500!) and the bare bones of a book in five-seven weeks, four if I’m on a roll.
2. I know my audience and what they like and look for. The people buying my paranormals are not necessarily the same people buying my romantic suspenses. I know this, and I design my covers accordingly. How did I learn who they were? Simple. Research. One thing I did take from my marketing career is researching the market I’m trying to sell in!
I looked at the Amazon “also-boughts’ list and I noticed a pattern of titles. The two series’ did not overlap greatly. (That was intriguing, as I thought I’d get quite a few cross-over buys, which hasn’t really occurred that much yet. Maybe when the next PAVAD comes out on New Years?) Then I studied the books in each genre, and took note of length, cover design, blurb, and their “also-boughts”. I also engaged people on my blog. I’ll talk about my blog in a moment. I love my blog. It’s my best friend. (No, seriously. I’m not that weird, I promise! I have a real best friend or two, I swear!)
3. I did not use social media. Ick. As an author, I do not like social media. I do have a Facebook author page and I have probably the most pathetic, sickly, weak, awful, and pitiful looking twitter account in the history of author twitter accounts. I’ve tried, half-heartedly, to get involved in the Facebook/twitter promo of my work, but I have epically failed on that front. Probably my subconscious reminding me of how huge a part of my previous marketing job FB/Twitter was. Seriously. I’m repulsed by promo-via-social-media (other than the aforementioned blog, that is!). I personally cannot stand to be on my personal Facebook page (Hey, I do have family I want to keep in touch with, so I manage!) and see an author-acquaintance plugging yet another of their books. I don’t go to my page to see someone saying “Buy me, buy me!” I wouldn’t like it in person—I don’t like it online. Can’t help it. It’s my sales-person experience coming through. I know the buy tricks and I won’t fall! I swear I won’t!!!!!!
4. My blog. This is where the vast majority of the information about my work is available. (I shut down my webs.com site because I didn’t like the setup over there—instead I direct traffic to my wordpress blog, makes far less work to take away from my writing time/family time). From the very beginning I wanted my blog to be my readers’ portal to another world or two, which are extensions of my fiction worlds.
On my blog readers will find free reads, written in a fan fiction type manner, with me posting a few chapters every so often (I aimed for 2-3 times per month. That happened sometimes, but not always). These free reads were shorter works from the same series of other books I had to offer. And they were not quick flash fiction pieces. They ended up being as long as some of my novellas that were selling on Amazon.
I actively tried to answer every commenter on my blog. It’s polite and something I enjoy doing. Because these people liked the worlds I created enough to take their valuable time to visit my blog and comment. That’s pretty special and deserving of respect. I especially love to read peoples’ reactions to the stories-in-progress. It’s definitely encouraging!
My available book info is kept as up-to-date as possible with active links to each site where the book can be purchased. (when I remember, which has been pitifully not often, lately as the kid has been ill for a while…L)I don’t inundate my blog followers with information they don’t need or want. I keep it as book related as possible and I actively try to engage them on my blog. Nowhere else. They came to my blog to see what I have to offer. No more, no less. So I give them what they need. Period.
I also occasionally let my readers know any important release information. Many come to the blog for the first time searching for info on upcoming releases.
This brings me to my final two points:
6. I link. Everywhere I can, I link. (Within reason! Don’t get link happy!) And I excerpt. At the end of my ‘About the Author’ page in my ebooks and print books is a link to my blog. At the end of each new release I include at least two excerpts from other works of mine (and occasionally friends’, if I feel strongly enough in their writing abilities). At the end of these excerpts are buy links, if available. (This brings up an FYI point, I’ve seen many readers commenting negatively on authors who have books that are more excerpts than actual story. Keep your excerpts to less than 15% of the entire book length!)
Make finding your other offerings as easy as possible for your readers. If you think of an even easier method, change your plans and implement it. You want the impulse buys and the ‘faithful reader buys everything you’ve ever written’ buys. They are an author’s bread and butter! I also have a list in most of my books of other books I’ve written, with links in the ebook version.
And finally,
7. I write. And I write. And I write. First, because in every fiber of my professional being I am a writer. I can’t not write. I don’t function well when I don’t write. And second…having more books available means that your readers can buy more books. I wouldn’t shop in a store that only had one or two items to purchase. That’s disappointing and a waste of time; if I did visit, I’d buy those two items and never return! That’s the last thing we need as authors. We need return buyers. We need to look at them as the customer and remember that we need to give them a good product plus other or future products (and info about those products) in order to keep the customer returning to our shop! So, yeah. I write, and write, and write.I don’t do blog tours, and I’ve only done a spare handful of guest blog posts—by choice. The guest posts I do are for friends with whom I’ve discussed writing on several occasions. Such as Samantha!
So once again, Samantha, thanks for having me. I’m sending virtual S’mores your way…I roasted the marshmallows myself…(and my eyes are completely safe, I swear!)
BIO: Calle J. Brookes has been writing professionally since the age of eighteen when she lucked into a part-time journalism position; her love and enjoyment of working with the written word has only grown throughout the years. Now, she is glad to say that she writes fiction full-time (and does part-time content editing for other authors), and self-publishes most of her works. Her current writing obsessions include her paranormal romance series featuring the Dardanos, Co. characters and her romantic suspense series featuring members of the PAVAD division of the FBI. For excerpts and free reads you can visit Calle’s blog at www.callejbrookes.wordpress.com
Her most recent release is the Dardanos, Co. Omnibus: 5-N-1, which includes four novellas and one short story. It can be found at Smashwordsand Amazon.com. The print version will be coming on Dec. 4. All stories included are previously published works, either through various ebook retailers, or through Calle’s blog.
Stories included in the Omnibus are…
THE BLOOD KING
War was cruelty, cruelty was war. Sacrifices must be made by both sides.
Rydere Dardanos was king of the Dardaptos people—the race of beings responsible for the ancient vampire legends. He’d do anything to protect his people in the war between the Dardaptoans and all those named Taniss.
Emily Taniss was the new CEO of Taniss Industries, the company her grandfather started sixty years ago. The company responsible for so many horrific acts against the Dardaptoan people. Her grandfather’s actions held many repercussions for Emily and her cousins. It would take them years to straighten it all out.
But Emily didn’t have years, she had only moments…
THE SEER'S STRENGTH
Mickey Taniss had a difficult time trusting men--of any species. And she knew she'd never be able to trust one who'd turned her from a human into a vampire! Or a Dardaptoan—or whatever he'd called her.
She knew the truth--he'd kidnappedher and taken her from the very world she knew. And now he wanted her to believe some goddess she'd never heard of had preordained them being together? He was absolutely crazy.
Theodoric Sebastos had spent the long centuries waiting for and longing for his mate, and when he found her he would do whatever he had to in order to convince her that they belonged together and that she could trust him. But how was he to do that?
THE HEALER'S HEART
Jade always knew she was different and she always knew there was a special someone waiting for her. She hadn't known he would be four hundred years old--or a vampire.
Barlaam had waited for centuries for his Rajni--his destined mate. He never expected it to be some human girl who was barely twenty-one!
The only honorable thing for him to do was step back and give her a few more years--maybe a decade--before he staked his claim!
But that's not what Jade wants... He might be resistant, but Jade was unstoppable. He was hers, and she would have him!
ONCE WOLF BITTEN
Jason Taniss was a family man, first and foremost. He loved his grown daughters and he was learning to tolerate his vampiric sons-in-law. But as a Lupoiux werewolf he longed for his own mate. She was out there waiting for him, somewhere. He just had to find her.
Dr. Annabelle Macgregor ran faster than she ever had before. Her scientific mind refused to accept what she'd seen. Werewolves did not exist.
Jason knew the rogue wolves wouldn't stop until they caught the lone female human; he knew what they would do to her if they caught her, too. As an employee of Taniss Industries, the woman was his responsibility to protect. He'd do just that.
But when Jason caught Anna's scent, one thing became clear...she was his mate...
ALSO INCLUDES THE WOLF GOD & HIS MATE
Kennera was the goddess of the Dardaptoan people; Eiophon her sworn enemy and patron god of the Lupoiux. They'd been imprisoned together for centuries, and in less than three days the walls separating them would come down. Then Kennera knew what the wolf god had planned for her and her people...
Eiophon would find her, no matter where she ran. How could he not? He'd waited centuries to claim his mate, the very enemyhe chased...
As always: show your love and let her feel it!Contact InfoWebsitehttp://Callejbrookes.webs.comEmailcallejbrookes@live.com
Jumping Genres
I asked my dear, sweet, wonderful FB friend Lindsay Downs to address something I always do, and she just started doing...jumping genres. I write YA paranormal and adult horror and she used to be faithful to the suspense genre. Now, she writes, of all things, regency (which is my own idea of horror). So I asked Lindsay to write me a post about why. Thanks Lindsay!
Jumping Genres by Lindsay Downs
Most of you know me as an author of contemporary mystery with my Emily Dahill Series from Astraea Press.Well, it would seem that I’ve dived head first into a totally different genre, one that I had always said I’d never venture into. Read yes. Write no.
Oops, I guess I should never say never as not only do I have one from this genre out but am working on its sequel with at least two more waiting in the wings.I’m talking about regency. Yes, regency with all its rules and demands on the author to get everything correct.Now you might ask, why would I, who swore they’d never write one, sit down and create a Top 100, Amazon, book.
I did it for the challenge with no idea if I could even get past the first few pages. However, once I started writing the book it was impossible for me to stop.The result is a novella, A Christmas Surprise, which has garnered rave reviews and ranks in the top 100 in several regency and historical categories.
One interesting thing you’ll find with this book, I follow the style you’ll find in the Emily Dahill series. In that the heroine is the primary character who resolves the crisis.Blurb-A Christmas Surprise
If I hear one more debutante declare that they will never marry unless it is for love, well. I shall break my quill! And we all know what happens when I break my quill. Things become very upsetting and it isn’t long before I--- Well, that is quite another story. Let this author, this matriarch, this paragon of society guide you with her infinite wisdom. It is apparent that many of you have gotten this silly notion of love in your head, most likely from American influence, and please do not get me started on those savages. The point, young dears, is that love, is silly. Take for example Lady Aleece, poor young dear never stood a chance! Can you imagine being mauled in public? By a commoner no less? Although, rumors have been running rampant that this very delicious commoner is in fact the Marquess of Somerset, I have my doubts. For one thing, a Marquess should be more unfortunate looking which is clearly not the case with Somerset. Let this be a lesson dear readers. If you marry for love, there is a very big chance that you will end up with your heart broken, or in that wretched commoners case—kidnapped (though many believe he should have been killed for even breathing the same air as our fair lady). Dear readers, have I taught you nothing this holiday season?—Mrs. Peabody’s Society Papers.
A Christmas Surprise Buy LinksAmazonhttp://www.amazon.com/A-Christmas-Surprise-ebook/dp/B00A3T3BM2/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352397611&sr=1-3&keywords=Lindsay+DownsAmazon UKhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Christmas-Surprise-ebook/dp/B00A3T3BM2/ref=sr_1_10?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352602033&sr=1-10B&Nhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-christmas-surprise-lindsay-downs/1113764953?ean=2940015942637
A Christmas Surprise is currently #20 in Romance-Regency on Amazon. I wouldn't be "surprised" to see "A Christmas Surprise" makes it to the top 5 by the posting date of this blog!
November 26, 2012
How I Started as a Writer - by John Tucker
Hey all. John Tucker is a new friend I have on FB. We have been communicating back and forth and when I asked him for a post, he happily (and promptly!) replied. Please enjoy getting to know him as I have.
How I started as a writer ---- Some guys buy Lamborghini's or marry a twentyish trophy wife when they have their mid-life crisis. Instead of those dull things, I began to write. After raising my sons and seeing them leave the nest, I had to fill a hole in my life and chose to do something I always wanted to do - write a novel. I soon discovered it's hard to write at a professional level thirty years away from school. After I joined a wonderful place to hone my skills - The Internet Writers Workshop - I think I've finally grown decent enough to terrorize readers who want a little grit with their reading.
The hardest thing about writing -- Besides the computer related issues of formatting, the hardest thing for me is the last few chapters leading up to the ending. I always start a novel by developing the scenario, come up with a starting point and an ending, outline the characters, plot out a series of 'event's for my characters, and do a chapter-by chapter 'working script' that I usually deviate from once I get the novel in gear. The last few chapters - the wrap-up - are probably the most stressful and time consuming for me.
J.D. Tucker is the author of Divisive, a Psychological/Crime novel aimed at adults. The plot involves Dennis Rask, a man who insinuates himself into dysfunctional families, heals the unit, and turns them against the other using lies and manipulations. He’s ripped apart three families in the past, leaving six corpses behind him. Now, he’s focusing his newest ‘game’ on the Connors – Widowed Carolyn, snarky seventeen-year-old Elizabeth, and precocious twelve-year-old Emily. Will they make a stand against his malevolence, or fall to his wicked desires?
How did you come up with the concept of your latest novel, Divisive? Is there a little bit of the main evil character Dennis Rask in you?(Laughs) I love any book or movie that has elements of horror, suspense, action, and wicked twists that keeps the reader/viewer on the edge of their seats. With so many families being dysfunctional these days, a man who comes into their lives, pulls them together, only to tear them apart his way seemed like a good starting point. As far as Rask’s similarities to me, I’d have to say he’s the Mr. Hyde to my Dr. Jekyll. He’s a charming rogue who’s chauvinistic, brutal, appealing, and a sociopath. I’m just charming…in a totally adorkable way.
You took the chance of starting Divisive near the end of the book. Did the revelations of the first chapter, where the detective walks the reader through the crime scene before interrogating Rask ruin any suspense for the reader?I don’t think so. The biggest reveal was the death of a main character. Another is in a psych ward, and one hovers near death after a suicide attempt. As in any good mystery, the fun is how the family gets to that point and what did Rask do to cause it. If anything, the storyline of the character that’s revealed to be dead in the first chapter becomes even more poignant after the fact. While the reader knows her fate before reaching the chapter that shows what really happened to the Connors family, I toss in a few red herrings that’ll keep them wondering if it was an accident, or a cold blooded killing.
You write Divisive with two story lines alternating through the book could be confusing to readers. Why did you write the novel that way, instead of using a linear path?That’s a good question. First, I wanted to start my novel out with a bang. The current physical fate of the family is provided in the first chapter. One is dead, another in a coma, the other hospitalized in a crazy tank. Chapters Two and Three have the Connors family meeting Rask for the first time and falling under his beatific spell. Chapter Four brings the reader back to the present, where the detective starts his first day of the investigation. Each chapter has a title and a date to help the reader know if they’re in the past or present, until the time lines meet and propels the story to its shocking and devastating conclusion.
What was the toughest scene to write?The actual death scene of the character mentioned in chapter one. Up until it happens, the reader has several different reasons why the character could have hanged herself. Was it an accident? Did Rask kill her? Did her mother? The disgruntled next-door-neighbor who wanted her for himself? By the time I reached the scene, I was so invested in the character I debated changing the entire book to save her life. I’m not afraid to tell you I shed a few tears when I wrote it. In the end, I left it alone figuring if I wrote her in a way that tore out my heart, if would do so to the reader’s as well. Most novelists have an underlying theme in their books. What’s yours in Divisive?That’s easy enough. In Divisive, as in real life, everyone has evil coursing through their veins. It could be a small amount, or it could be so dark their heart has to work overtime pushing the black sludge through their system. For some, a fine line separates them from good and evil – and only a slip in the wrong or right direction stops them from acting like a saint, or living like the devil himself. Over the course of my book, one major character will surpass Rask in malevolence. When it gets to that point, the roller coaster begins and it won’t stop until it hits the brick wall of the end.
Are any of the characters in Divisive based on real life people? Yes. (smiles) Several friends and relatives. And I’d like to keep it that way.
What special piece of advice would I give a new novelist --- Make your character's three dimensional. Virtually every scenario you could ever come up with has already been done -- so make your character's unique with flaws, various temperaments, quirks, and foibles. Those are the elements that will make YOUR book something different.
BiographyA life-long Georgia native, John D. Tucker has burned through three wives, raised two sons, and has persevered despite being brought up in a wonderfully dysfunctional family. Following on the heels of his first published novel 'Divisive' he plans to release two more books over the course of the year - the suspense laden The Little Girl You Kiss Goodnight, and the first of an trilogy, the drama-romance novel Romancing The Fox. He is a proud member of The Internet Writers Workshop and Scribeslice, both of which he highly recommends to aspiring authors.
Contact JD: http://www.facebook.com/john.tucker.3... Buy his Book: http://www.amazon.com/Divisive-ebook/dp/B005GAAZW2
How I started as a writer ---- Some guys buy Lamborghini's or marry a twentyish trophy wife when they have their mid-life crisis. Instead of those dull things, I began to write. After raising my sons and seeing them leave the nest, I had to fill a hole in my life and chose to do something I always wanted to do - write a novel. I soon discovered it's hard to write at a professional level thirty years away from school. After I joined a wonderful place to hone my skills - The Internet Writers Workshop - I think I've finally grown decent enough to terrorize readers who want a little grit with their reading.
The hardest thing about writing -- Besides the computer related issues of formatting, the hardest thing for me is the last few chapters leading up to the ending. I always start a novel by developing the scenario, come up with a starting point and an ending, outline the characters, plot out a series of 'event's for my characters, and do a chapter-by chapter 'working script' that I usually deviate from once I get the novel in gear. The last few chapters - the wrap-up - are probably the most stressful and time consuming for me.
J.D. Tucker is the author of Divisive, a Psychological/Crime novel aimed at adults. The plot involves Dennis Rask, a man who insinuates himself into dysfunctional families, heals the unit, and turns them against the other using lies and manipulations. He’s ripped apart three families in the past, leaving six corpses behind him. Now, he’s focusing his newest ‘game’ on the Connors – Widowed Carolyn, snarky seventeen-year-old Elizabeth, and precocious twelve-year-old Emily. Will they make a stand against his malevolence, or fall to his wicked desires?
How did you come up with the concept of your latest novel, Divisive? Is there a little bit of the main evil character Dennis Rask in you?(Laughs) I love any book or movie that has elements of horror, suspense, action, and wicked twists that keeps the reader/viewer on the edge of their seats. With so many families being dysfunctional these days, a man who comes into their lives, pulls them together, only to tear them apart his way seemed like a good starting point. As far as Rask’s similarities to me, I’d have to say he’s the Mr. Hyde to my Dr. Jekyll. He’s a charming rogue who’s chauvinistic, brutal, appealing, and a sociopath. I’m just charming…in a totally adorkable way.You took the chance of starting Divisive near the end of the book. Did the revelations of the first chapter, where the detective walks the reader through the crime scene before interrogating Rask ruin any suspense for the reader?I don’t think so. The biggest reveal was the death of a main character. Another is in a psych ward, and one hovers near death after a suicide attempt. As in any good mystery, the fun is how the family gets to that point and what did Rask do to cause it. If anything, the storyline of the character that’s revealed to be dead in the first chapter becomes even more poignant after the fact. While the reader knows her fate before reaching the chapter that shows what really happened to the Connors family, I toss in a few red herrings that’ll keep them wondering if it was an accident, or a cold blooded killing.
You write Divisive with two story lines alternating through the book could be confusing to readers. Why did you write the novel that way, instead of using a linear path?That’s a good question. First, I wanted to start my novel out with a bang. The current physical fate of the family is provided in the first chapter. One is dead, another in a coma, the other hospitalized in a crazy tank. Chapters Two and Three have the Connors family meeting Rask for the first time and falling under his beatific spell. Chapter Four brings the reader back to the present, where the detective starts his first day of the investigation. Each chapter has a title and a date to help the reader know if they’re in the past or present, until the time lines meet and propels the story to its shocking and devastating conclusion.
What was the toughest scene to write?The actual death scene of the character mentioned in chapter one. Up until it happens, the reader has several different reasons why the character could have hanged herself. Was it an accident? Did Rask kill her? Did her mother? The disgruntled next-door-neighbor who wanted her for himself? By the time I reached the scene, I was so invested in the character I debated changing the entire book to save her life. I’m not afraid to tell you I shed a few tears when I wrote it. In the end, I left it alone figuring if I wrote her in a way that tore out my heart, if would do so to the reader’s as well. Most novelists have an underlying theme in their books. What’s yours in Divisive?That’s easy enough. In Divisive, as in real life, everyone has evil coursing through their veins. It could be a small amount, or it could be so dark their heart has to work overtime pushing the black sludge through their system. For some, a fine line separates them from good and evil – and only a slip in the wrong or right direction stops them from acting like a saint, or living like the devil himself. Over the course of my book, one major character will surpass Rask in malevolence. When it gets to that point, the roller coaster begins and it won’t stop until it hits the brick wall of the end.
Are any of the characters in Divisive based on real life people? Yes. (smiles) Several friends and relatives. And I’d like to keep it that way.
What special piece of advice would I give a new novelist --- Make your character's three dimensional. Virtually every scenario you could ever come up with has already been done -- so make your character's unique with flaws, various temperaments, quirks, and foibles. Those are the elements that will make YOUR book something different.BiographyA life-long Georgia native, John D. Tucker has burned through three wives, raised two sons, and has persevered despite being brought up in a wonderfully dysfunctional family. Following on the heels of his first published novel 'Divisive' he plans to release two more books over the course of the year - the suspense laden The Little Girl You Kiss Goodnight, and the first of an trilogy, the drama-romance novel Romancing The Fox. He is a proud member of The Internet Writers Workshop and Scribeslice, both of which he highly recommends to aspiring authors.
Contact JD: http://www.facebook.com/john.tucker.3... Buy his Book: http://www.amazon.com/Divisive-ebook/dp/B005GAAZW2
November 20, 2012
Writing Tips of Kurt Vonnegut by Jay Harding
A new friend, Jay Harding, answered my call for posts about writing tips from indies. He sent me this post and I loved it! He gave us the great words and inspiration of Kurt Vonnegut. Thanks so much, Jay, and welcome to the blog.
WRITING TIPS by Jay HardingOne of my favorite writers is Kurt Vonnegut, and on the wall right next to my writing space is a document called “Creative Writing 101”. These are his tips, and I hope they are as much an inspiration to you as they are to me:
1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.4. Every sentence must do one of two things – reveal character or advance the plot.5. Start as close to the end as possible.6. Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them, in order that the reader may see what they are made of.7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.
Kurt Vonnegut added at the bottom of this:“Great writers tend to break every one of my rules but the first.”
In addition, I would like to give one more piece of advice: Write at least two pages a day, no matter what, even if it is a blogpost, a letter, a short story, whatever. Get in the habit of writing every day and soon your mind will expect it. This is the cure for writer’s block, too. Write, write, write!!!
Thanks, Jay! I know the blog followers will all get a great deal of help from these tips. A writer of new age horror and science fiction, Jay publishes with new indie fave, Firefly and Wisp Publishing. Be sure and check him out.
Contact InfoWebsitehttp://ww.jaytharding.weebly.comFacebookhttp://facebook.com/jaytharding
Tanya Eavenson, the Accidental Author
“So when did you know you wanted to be a writer?”This is a common question for writers and one of the most common answers is, “I’ve always wanted to write.”
Not so with me. I never wanted to write. Never cared to write. But I felt the need to write, to tell a story. That was almost three years ago, and the story I felt the need to write never came to anything. For a while I felt that novel was a waste of time, but instead it was a wonderful experience. I had learned so much about myself. I could take criticism, I loved to learn, and I didn’t give up on my work or what I was supposed to be.
An author. Now, I’m not saying I don’t have doubts, but I have to remember to keep my eyes off myself and keep them on the prize. That prize for me is to show people that no matter what we go through in our lives, or what we do, God loves us.My soon- to- be released novel Unconditional shows this through a husband and wife’s relationship.
Here is the blurb: Elizabeth Roberts is distraught after her daughter’s death and a collapsing marriage. Unable to find a way out of her grief, she turns to alcohol and nightclubs to soothe the pain, wishing her life were like her past … forgotten. Chris Roberts is faced with the consequences of his affair, and blackmail is a constant reminder. But when the truth comes out, he will need to fight for his marriage at all costs before a stranger takes his place. Can Elizabeth trust God with her future or will a single decision change her life forever?
I believe, like my characters, we all have choices to make and sometimes we go through terrible pain. But as in my story, God can work things out for good and comfort us if we trust Him. As someone told me the other day about my story, “This is heart-wrenching at times, at other times funny, and good suspense throughout….” Isn’t that what life is like? And isn’t that what a writer’s life is like? Heart-wrenching, funny, and suspenseful when awaiting word if your novel is good enough to be published.
Whether you knew you were to be a writer from the start, or just felt the need to write, we writers are on a journey. Keep your eyes ahead and on the goal. And never give up. You never know who might be waiting to hear what you have to say.
***Tanya Eavenson works for a non-profit organization coordinating events for seniors 55 and older, working with state and surrounding counties. She and her husband have served in church ministry for the last 14 years. She writes for Christ to the World Ministries sharing the Gospel through Bible studies.
A semi-finalist in the 2011 Genesis Contest for her soon to be released novel Unconditional, Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee and reading a good book.
Contact Tanya here: Tanya Eavenson Unconditional ~January 2013 Tanyaeavenson.com ~Website Guided Girls ~Writers blog @Tan_eave ~Twitter Quenching Thirst With Living Water
