Z.L. Arkadie's Blog, page 16

Book Cover Conundrum No More!

You all remember how steamed I used to get over cover artists not giving me what I wanted, right? Not only that but the bulk of them were more artists than business people. Oh goodness (massaging my temples, remembering how hard it was for some of them to deliver when they said they would.) I have some cover artists horror stories that I’ll never tell. Why never tell? Because I’m over it. And then there was the fact that the best ones, I mean those who were business-minded and knew the marketplace as well as being artistically talented, were ALWAYS booked for months or years on out. That would’ve been great but it took me so long to even pick a genre and trope and stick to them. If I had been more consistent, it would’ve been easier to book a year out, knowing exactly what sort of story I would tell. Anyway. Still… After many migraine headaches, I was forced to learn Photoshop–like REALLY learn it. Not only that but I had to learn typography and placement. I had to learn that less is more. I could also give my own covers the right amount of LOVE and time to make them exactly how I want them. Not only that, it doesn’t cost me a charge here and there to change something on them, which something many independent authors have to do a lot. I create my PSD’s I own them!

I Want To Read Romance!

I’m going straight to those who read my books. Could you help me out? I love indulging in a great story, especially a great romance. But I must say, normally I can’t get past the first page of romance novels on the best-sellers lists. I like romances that are written like mine. Here’s what I roll my eyes at: The book starts with snippy and sassy internal dialogue. BOR-ING. Starts with a horny male’s POV. CREE-PY. Starts right off telling us how much of a ten the female lead is. (Roll eyes) Starts like a cliche TV show. Not for me. I hate, more like abhor cliches. Hate these stories as well–she’s so hot and “Puritanically principled” that the dangerous crime-lord guy is going to become a pussycat because he wants her pussycat that much. (Rolls eyes). Granted, men are first attracted by what their eyes see but next comes who she is as a person. She has to have more than looks and demands. Which leads me to what I dislike next… I hate the entitled female.  She’s so hot and he’s thirsty for her vagina she gets to control him with it. I listened to an audible romance (it’s the only way I can get through some of these stories is by listening to them), where the main character criticized the way he made tea, treating him like a kid. There were many schoolmarm lover instances in the book. Believe me, no man wants to bang “mommy.” That stuff only flies in these sorts of “entitled female” romances. Which leads me to this, I hate male leads, who aren’t authentic to their real-life equivalent. For instance, I once tried to read a romance about a rockstar, who… wait for it… didn’t bang groupies! LOL! Like, really????? I had given up trying to struggle through the rest of that silly story after that. But I get it though… The female lead was a schoolmarm type of character without much going on for her other than, she wasn’t a “groupie-like” sort of person. So the hero had to buy into wanting to be with mean-mommy. Sigh… Rolls eyes. And finally, I really hate snarky female POV’s. Snarky people are miserable in real-life. Here’s what I like! I like to be eased into a story. Put me in a character’s shoes and get me moving through their world right away. No snarky, quirky or passive aggressive dialogue. Where are we at? Where are we going? Let’s keep moving to the end. I’ve tried to get through countless numbers of romances but couldn’t for the reasons stated above do it. I won’t list the titles. So, if anyone knows of romance that doesn’t have any of what I don’t like and all of what I do like without having what I don’t like (get it?), then could you suggest the book(s) and author(s) in the comments. I would love to read the stories and suggest books to others.

The Sense Behind Cliffhangers

I really believe it’s time I write this post. I don’t think many readers understand where we as independent authors stand in the great marketplace of fiction books. We can write great books but it means nothing if we don’t get eyes on them. Personally, I love writing a story in the series format. It gives me a big plot point to write toward, one that gives the story a huge dramatic reason to continue. However, just because we write a book doesn’t mean we’re going to get visibility. We used to have more of it when I first began eight years ago, then Amazon was building it’s ebook/Kindle platform so they wanted you to consume as many ebooks as possible. Plus, now, Amazon is in the publishing game and so that makes it harder to be seen on their store. Even Apple Books and Nook used to give us more visibility. These days, it takes a huge effort consisting of ingenuity and promo cash to get eyes on our books. Free and 99¢ promos help us get that visibility. We pay our bills from the work that we do. The mortgage, credit card payments, food, gas, etc. If you download a free book, then at some point you’re going to pay. Most ebooks from publishers are $11.99 for one book. You purchase the complete The Dark Christmases Trilogy, three books (book one free), the total is $7.98 for over 800 pages of a story! If we as authors are writing for a living, then we’re not doing it for free. A book one of a series is designed to get you interested in our story. If you like what you read, then you pay for the rest. If you don’t like the story or the writing style, then you as the consumer get to move on and find something you like! It’s a win/win situation. You get to test the product for free! Heck, the last series I got hooked on was Elena Ferrante’s Neopolitan series. I paid for each book. Only she had a huge platform to get my attention. I watched “My Brilliant Friend” on HBO and wanted to know what happens next. I wasn’t like, I hate cliffhangers! One star! I’m entitled to the whole series for the price I paid for book one.  I will say though, that the more I focus on one genre, writing one style of story, the less I’ll have to survive on the “series” format. BUT, I love writing trilogies. Love it!

The Future of The Christmases!

So really, you want more Christmases? That has been the consensus. I don’t want to get caught in that trap of overwriting a series, but indeed I have JUST been struck by inspiration for a new Christmas Trilogy. It picks up a year after Holly’s book is released, and will feature Spencer Christmas as the hero. Okay, yeah, I was a little, well a lot, worried that the Spencer and Asher, nor Bryn were romance hero/heroine material but I do believe in redemption and growth. I had to picture the sort of life change that would lead these people to evolve. And by George, I know I got it! I promise you, I did not expect to write this story at this time, but the inspiration I feel is so strong that I must do it. As of now, I’ll be writing The Freed Christmases, Enthrall (Book 1), as well as books two and three. But do not despair, The Dark Valentines will see the light of day. I’ll write that trilogy after I finish The Freed Christmases. The news of this extended but new series is hot off the press. I made the decision almost an hour ago. A lot of fans have asked if I was going to write continuing stories and I said, no. That wasn’t the plan, but now it is! And now, to the outline. I’m so excited! Until next time, Z

New Release! Claimed, The Dark Christmases Trilogy

Claimed, The Dark Christmases Trilogy is NOW AVAILABLE at all stores where ebooks are sold! This also means The Dark Christmases Trilogy is complete!   “The secrets, the lies, the stories all keep getting better all with a sexy strong man and a sexy stubborn woman who gives you warm tingle feelings and goosebumps all at one time.”– Google Play Reviewer   SHORT DESCRIPTION: The Christmases most shocking secret has been revealed. What does that mean for Jasper and my relationship? My lover once told me he was a man, who had obligations. He was once ready to destroy his foes to be set free from those duties, but is he prepared to ruin his powerful family for the sake of our love?   GET YOUR COPY TODAY Amazon Kindle Apple Books Google Play B&N Nook Kobo

New Release Date Announcement!

Last week I had good news but now I have even better news! Claimed, book three of The Dark Christmases Trilogy will be released on March 18, 2019. That’s next Monday! Yay!

Good News about the next New Release! Claimed

I can say for certain that Claimed, The Dark Christmases book three will be released much earlier than March 26th. It’s currently undergoing the first round of proofing! I am very happy with the story and I suspect you will be too. My mom, who is an avid romance reader, has already read in its very raw, pre-edited stage. She couldn’t put the book down. The disrupted her plans for the two days! I took that as a GREAT sign. Then, once I received the first round of edits back, I read through the manuscript, and yeah… You’re going to love it! I am literally reeling from anxiety, wanting so much to get this story in your hands now, now, NOW!!!

New Book Release! Intrigued, The Dark Christmases Trilogy

Intrigued, book one of The Dark Christmases Trilogy is now available. You don’t want to wait to get into this mouth-watering series. And the early reviews are in! “The storyline is outstandingly dark with twists and turns filled with lies and intrigue. The intimacy is searingly hot; the emotion deep and believable. With characters that drag you into their world, Z L Arkadie writes a superior literary work.”–By ManicReader Booksprout Reviewer And there’s more Great News! My editor was back with the final proof of book two this morning! You won’t have to wait until February 26th to read Desire,  book two of The Dark Christmases Trilogy! It’ll be released at all stores ASAP! You are going to love this series. And pretty soon we’re going to need to talk about where I should go next. HERE’S THE SHORT DESCRIPTION: Jasper Christmas was a beautiful but dark angel. He was intense, brooding and the epitome of sexy; danger dripped from his pores. Sources warned me to keep my distance. I should’ve listened, but I couldn’t stay away from him. And now my life will never be the same. So Don’t Delay–Get Your Copy Today! Amazon Kindle  Apple Books  Google Play  B&N Nook  Kobo 

Intrigued, The Dark Christmases Pre-order Update!

I have a quick message for you. You can now pre-order Intrigued, The Dark Christmases Trilogy at all retailers, including Amazon! The book has gone through all its editing phases, so it’s safe to load up on Amazon.com. If you want to make sure you have it on release day, then pre-order it now. The pre-order price is only 99¢.      

Coming Soon, The Dark Christmases!

Remember Find Her, Keep Her, There’s Something About Her and Say You Love  Her? Well, I’m back to those roots. Sexy, sensual and erotic romance, only better! So get ready for The Dark Christmases Trilogy, my next erotic, contemporary and billionaire romance series. Intrigued, book one will be available on February 19th and book two, Desire, will be released the same week on that Friday, February 22nd. The jury’s still out on Claimed, book three’s release date. My editing date is on March 1st. I’m trying to move that date up so that I can release closer to February 22nd, but I’ll never release a book without it being edited first so stay tuned. At the moment, you can pre-order Intrigued for 99¢. Also, read a first chapter excerpt while you’re at it. Enjoy Z