Shelli R. Johannes's Blog, page 18

Indie Hop - IndieView with Rebecca Hamilton

I am a Reader, not a Writer and Krazy Book Lady are hosting an Indie Hop today where you can find awesome indie author books highlighted all over the net.




Here is a list of links celebrating indies you can check out later.







Today, I have a quick interview from Rebecca Hamilton (also known on Twitter as Ink Muse. She is the author of the bestselling occcult book, The Forever Girl and repped by Rossano Trentin of TZLA (Italy). 




First a little about her bestelling book, The Forever Girl. It is a "NEW ADULT" book - the genre we keep hearing does not exist :) (yeah right)









At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables in her Rocky Mountain hometown, living under religious prejudice, the shadow of her bi-polar mother, and an unsolved murder.

Sophia can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for just getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous.




One of them is a man named Charles, a centuries-old shape-shifter who Sophia falls for despite her better judgment. He has connections that can help her unveil the mystery surrounding her ancestor's hanging, but she gets more than she bargains for when she finally decides to trust him. Survival in his world, she learns, means not asking questions and staying out of the immortal council's way. It's a line she crossed long ago.

If Sophia wants to survive the council and save the people she loves, she must accept who she is, perform dark magic, and fight to the death for her freedom.




The Forever Girl is a full-length Paranormal Fantasy novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches, vampires, ghosts, paranormal mystery, and paranormal horror.
















Hi Rebecca, tell us about you and your book

Me? I'm married, have two songs and a daughter (all homeschooled at presented), 2 cats, 1 dog. Autism has touched my family's life, so it's something I often advocate for. My first novel, The Forever Girl, is a genre mash up of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and mystery. It's about a young wiccan woman who is trying to end a family curse, but instead uncovers secrets about her family's history and the supernatural history of her world.



As most of us indies, we all have publishing stories. What has been your publishing journey?

Well, nothing special here. I had some close calls with publishers in the states, but nothing went through. Readers who had already sampled my novel wanted it published, so I published initially for that small audience. While I was at it, I invited more people to read, and, in time, things sort of just fell together. It wasn't long after that that I was contacted by my now-agent, Rossano Trention of TZLA in Italy.



I see you have an agent. How is it working with an agent as a self publishing author?

It's great! It's probably a lot like working with an agent when you haven't self published, only while you wait around for a deal, you are making money. He's handling my book overseas, so I get to keep rights in the states, which I'm happy with for now.



What do you see as the "must-haves" in promoting books?

Getting people to read them!



What is your favorite word and why?

'Yes.'

While I also really like the 'no', and everyone should be able to say it, I know I often feel good in situations where I CAN say yes or where people say yes to me. It feels good to hear 'yes'. 

Can I have a bite of your chocolate cake? Yes. 

Can I have a few hundred dollars to go on a shopping spree? Yes. 

Can you wake up with the kids so I can sleep in? Yes.

Is it always a great word? No. I mean, I certainly wouldn't want someone to say yes, they are going to kick me in the face. But overall, 'yes' has been good to me. 




You can find Rebecca hanging out online at FB, twitter and her blog




Comment today and win an ebook of The Forever Girl!






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From Indie to Indie

It is no big secret that I love all bookstores but local indies are very special.



What do indies offer that big bookstores don't? They add the heart to Bookland not just a face.



1) Everyone in an indie is knowledgeable about all the books and you know they loves books as much as you do.

2) The bookstore helps the community thrive and contributes to local businesses. Most local stores give back to the community it lives in.

3) The overall ambiance is different and unique in every store. Not all the same. Books stacked to the ceiling. Some in random piles. The smell of books and newspapers. Small coffee areas. It's like reading at home.

4) They provide a physical place for book discussions and book clubs within your neighborhood.

5) They read the books they order.



So yay! Indie bookstores are slowly starting to carry indie books :) It's hard because of the risk on returns and such but some are starting to sell on consignment and a few are stocking books as well.



What a great partnership! Indie to indie.



If you have a local indie close to you - go to IndieBoung.org to find out which books you can buy.



Even though you can get books through Amazon and B&N, wouldn't it be nice to order book from indies all over the US.



Here is Untraceable's link.



Here's a chance to shout out a cheer for your local bookstore. Leave a link in the comment and tell everyone your favorite indie bookstore?




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BEA events/giveaways/contests

I'm not going to BEA (BookExpo America) but guess what - Untraceable is :)



Untraceable  (along with other Indelible's books) will be at BEA! If you're there, we're on a shelf in the New Title Showcase, Booth CPQUAD1:





Click here to see map




BEA Untraceable Contest

If you tweet, FB or pin a picture of Untraceable on it's BEA shelf, you will be entered in drawing for a copy of Uncontrollable coming in Sept 2012.



Armchair BEA Sponsor
I'm also a sponsor of Armchair BEA,a huge the book blogger event for everyone who can't go but wants to be a part of it! As a sponsor, I'm giving away copies of Untraceable and my other books today in their giveaway event. Check here for a list of all the giveaways.





Armchair BEA Agenda 2012

Monday, June 4th: Introductions First!

Tuesday, June 5th: Giveaways Everywhere!

Wednesday, June 6th: Networking ... In Real Life?!

Thursday, June 7th: Beyond the Blog

Friday, June 8th: The Future of Book Blogging




My book will see you there!

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Breaking News! IRDA winner :)

Guys - hold onto your hats!



OMG I just found our I won an award!



I was announced as the winner of the IndieReader Discovery Award for Young Adult!



They announced all the winners at BEA yesterday!



The judges were Kirkus Review, IndieReader, Huffington Post, editors at S&S and Harper Collins, agents at ICM and more.



Congrads to all the indie winners!



Holy crapola! I'm freakin' out/dying right now.



To think where I was this time last year parting with my agent, rejected by publishers, couldn't write, and had no hopes of a future in publishing, this is friggin' awesome!!!!!! Amaze-balls!



I get pretty stickers and a book feature on IndieReader. I also get to be included in some press announcements as well as consideration by a literary agency.



I'm not expecting anything major to come out of this.



But it is just another confirmation I am on the right path, especially at a time where I was starting to question it again.



Keep going after your dreams. No one can't stop you but yourself !



Just keep swimming....just keep swimming!



Thanks to everyone - again - for your support! It means everything.




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Help us celebrate INDIEpendence Day!

Hey guys,




Sorry I am MIA. My kids are out of school and I've been on a week writing retreat to work on Uncontrollable. Once kids starts camp next week, I'll be back more. :)




I'm popping to tell you about a fun blog hop the Indelibles are doing to celebrate independent authors and presses.




This INDIEpendence day, the Indelibles would like to celebrate indie authors (self-published and small-press) as a whole by holding up examples of outstanding indie works. The 25 Indelible authors all believe that amazing works of fiction can be found in indie novels. By highlighting and bringing greater awareness to quality indie books, people find great books to read, indie authors get support, and we continue to change hearts and minds about the gems that can be found among self-published and small-press novels.

WIN all around!

Will you join us?

Here's how it works:


PICK AN INDIE BOOK: Pick an indie (self-published or small press) book that you either HAVE READ AND LOVED or WANT TO READ. 
WRITE A POST: On INDIEpendence day (July 2nd), write a post about that book. It can be a review, an interview with the author, or simply a post highlighting the book. In your post, be sure to include: 1) HOW you found out about the book and 2) WHY you liked it (or WHY you want to read it). Make it easy for people to sample your indie author by providing buy links as well.
DO A GIVEAWAY (optional): You can give away swag, or a copy of the indie book you're highlighting, or don't do a giveaway at all - it's up to you! 
IMPORTANT: you may NOT highlight your own novel or one of the Indelible's novels (this is a Pay It Forward event!) We think all Indelibles books are high quality and deserving of celebration, but we can do that some other time.
GO TO GOODREADS (optional): Add the Indie book or books you're featuring to our ever-growing INDIEpendence Day List.

Easy peasy.

For extra incentive, the Indelibles will be giving away a $10 B&N gift card (to be used on Indie books!) to a random host from the participating blogs! But the real win is a chance to pay forward your love of an indie author's work while helping your friends find a great summer read.

To sign up, go to the Indelibles web site!http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...

Indelible Beach Bash: Suffocate Release (chance to win a new ereader!)

May is a banner month for new releases from the Indelibles!






Summer is just around the corner.  Are you ready for pool side READING?




How about a new Kindle or a Nook??




That's right, in celebration of our new releases, the Indelibles are giving away the winner's choice of KINDLE or NOOK along with SIXTEEN (16) new releases that includes my new novelette releasing today, SUFFOCATE!







How to Enter

1. Visit the Indelibles Website between May 21st-May25th

2. Follow the chain of links to each of the blogs on the hop,

3. Collect the SECRET WORD from each blog (psst-mine is in purple and all caps)

4. Submit the secret sentence for your chance to win.




If you're clicking through as part of the Beach Bash, my secret word is "NOOK" and the final stop on the hop is on The Indelibles page.






Since today is my new release of SUFFOCATE, for anyone who comments below, you will be entered into a drawing for  free ebook (5 available).






Suffocate is the first novelette in THE BREATHLESS series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.



For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy that affects the very air she breathes. 

If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.



The 2nd novelette in the series, CHOKE, is scheduled for Fall 2012. The 3rd, EXHALE, is scheduled for Winter 2013




You can purchase SUFFOCATE on ebook only starting today.




Amazon

Barnes and Noble 

Other ereader formats available soon.






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Marketing/Indie Round up

In breaking news, Market My Words (my blog) was a Finalist/Honorary Mention in the Goodreads Independent Blogger Awards in the Publishing category 1 of approx. 1000 blogs entered).



Woot Woot!



Thanks to everyone who voted.





Heres some great articles I came across recently:



Indie



When and why does an author decide to turn (great article but I'm biased b/c I was mentioned :)



Can you self pub and still get an agent?  (yes you can but it's tricky)



Self Pubbing as a Marketing Tool? (Trust me, there are easier ways to market than doing a whole book)



Why some Indie authors are successful and some are not (interesting take.)



Ebook Pricing - what to charge? (the age old question)





Marketing



Promotional Burnout by LM preston (we all get it!)



Seth Godin on Marketing (Radio)



5 ways to market indie books on a budget (good tips)



Product Placement in Books - Hard sellers (interesting. Hey MoonPies - call me!)



Rethinking the Book Tour (aw but we all want one, don't we :)



Titles are key (yes and covers!)



25 things that make you look dumb on Twitter (call me dumb, ha!)





Happy Reading! :)




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Pinterest - Repin my Beating Heart

Pinterest is the latest social networking site that allows you to pin and post pictures of anything you want. 




The site's popularity has exploded in recent months, making it one of the fastest-growing websites in history. Even faster than Facebook or Twitter.




It is a virtual bulletin board that you can use to find ways to redecorate your house, plan a wedding, post inspiration for books, tag meaningful quotes, keep recipes, flag books, or just keep track of random stuff that catches your eye. Kinda like a scrapbook for the Internet so you can sort through the chaos of Internet-age information overload.




It is so fun! And yes, just like Twitter, it can be a major time sucker. But did I mention fun . I love finding people because you can learn so much about them and their writing by seeing there pins.




It can make you crazy because you could honestly pin all day long. I love everything it seems.




Come join me if you are on there - it is hard to find people.




Things to know About Pinterest




You have to request an invite
You need to watch out for copyright issues
Make sure you link to a web sources for pictures - could be harming artists
You will have to sign in with Twitter or FB
Watch out for the time sucking factor
Don't just promote your book- make it a 2 way dialogue
Most users are women between 25 and 44. So not a huge teen market.
People can repin pictures on Pinterest or pin from various sites.



Ways Authors Can Use Pinterest




Get connected - another way to build a platform and meet cool people you might not normally meet. There are over 
Launch daily pinning themes around your books or writing
Run pinning contests using photos or covers
Find book inspirations
Promote your blog by linking images back to blog posts
Promote your friend's books
Create Boards for your books to give inside scoop on characters or setting



Here are a few articles on more ways to use Pinterest:




21 unexpected ways to use Pinterest



13 Things writers should know about Pinterest




10 Pinterest tips for Authors



Happy pinning!



What do you think? What else can you use Pinterest for? If you are on Pinterest, add your id to the comments. If you are not, go here to request an invite.




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The Stigma of Self Pubbing (by Lisa Nowak)

Upon
the release of my third book, Driven, I want to talk about the stigma of
self-publishing, but first I need to tell you a little about my publishing
journey. Like Shelli, I pursued the traditional route for years. I studied
hard, worked my butt off, and did everything “by the book.” I sought feedback
and revised. I queried time and again, never letting the rejections stop
me—never giving up. After five years, I finally found an agent. But she couldn’t
sell my book.




In
many ways, I don’t regret the arduous process I went through because it helped
me develop the skills I need to publish my own books. By the time they get to
my editors, they’re already in great shape. My copy editors tend to comment that
I didn’t leave them anything to correct, or that if they were charging by the
error, they’d only make a few bucks. But what I do resent is how the
traditional publishing community led me to believe it was a lack of skill and
talent that kept me from being published (mostly by saying nothing at all),
when in fact it was about marketing. It’s only through my experience witnessing
what gets accepted and what gets rejected—and my effort to market my own
books—that I’ve become enlightened. An author can have a perfectly crafted
manuscript, and if it’s not marketable in New York’s eyes, you’re not going to
get a book deal. Many writers out there would be doing themselves a favor to
recognize that and stop beating themselves up. The traditional publishing model
is a business. Businesses survive by making money. It’s a simple, brutal fact
that often has nothing to do with the human element.




So
after all those years, I came to the decision to publish my books on my own. I
won’t bore you with the details, but I will say it was a lot like losing your
religion. At first you’re sure you’re going straight to hell. But that feeling
goes away, and the sense of empowerment gets stronger until you wonder why you
were ever afraid to begin with. At first I worried I was making the wrong
choice. Fifteen months later, I can say I haven’t regretted it for a second.
It’s been a total rush.




Which
brings me back to stigma. This is something indies encounter a lot, and some of
them get angry or depressed or let themselves get bogged down in it. I don’t
have time for that nonsense. If someone disses me, I just don’t associate with
them. I’m living my dream and running a business. Why would I care what
ignorant people think?




But
I do find it amusing. Case in point—I got a gig teaching a self-publishing
class at the Oregon SCBWI Spring Conference. As an indie author, I’m not
allowed to sell my books at the event. I’m not PAL, after all. Since I’m
self-published, my books are bound to be crap, right? Forget the fact that
excerpts of them have won awards. The irony is, before I decided to go indie, I
was part of the team that founded Puddletown Publishing Group. My first book, Running
Wide Open, was scheduled to be one of Puddletown’s first releases. I parted
ways with the publisher and they went on to become PAL certified. Had I stayed
with Puddletown, I’d be Published and Listed now. And my book would be of
lesser quality for it. Why? Because I wanted it to go through one more round of
editing, so I paid a professional New York editor to read my manuscript. Then I
got another copy edit. And yes, these editors caught several things that would
have otherwise wound up in the book. When you look at the irony of this, the
sheer whimsy of the way the PAL rules work (simply because they have a blanket
approach, rather than being decided on a case-by-case basis), you realize it’s
ridiculous to take offense. This is not about skill. It’s about an organization
having a simplistic system that’s easy to implement.




Though
some indies have a problem with traditional publishing, I don’t. An
individual’s publishing journey is a personal thing, and it’s up to them to
make a choice based on their strengths and desires. Each of us has to do what
brings us the most satisfaction. But I would like to leave all writers with
this one bit of advice: don’t beat yourself up over whether or not you get an
agent or sell a book. Don’t get down on yourself because of arbitrary rules set
to make things cut and dried for an organization. Businesses and organizations
have a purpose, and it’s not to feed your ego or let you down easy. Keep that
in mind, and the whole publication process will be a lot less stressful.




About the book:




The last thing on 16-year-old Jess DeLand’s wish list is a
boyfriend. She’d have to be crazy to think any guy would look twice at her.
Besides, there are more important things to hope for, like a job working on
cars and an end to her mom’s drinking. Foster care is a constant threat, and
Jess is willing to sacrifice anything to stay out of the system. When luck
hands her the chance to work on a race car, she finds herself rushing full
throttle into a world of opportunities—including a boy who doesn’t mind the
grease under her fingernails. The question is, can a girl who keeps herself
locked up tighter than Richard Petty’s racing secrets open up enough to risk
friendship and her first romance?




“The first romance is captured beautifully—just the right
combination of natural and awkward, of eager and scared.”

 ~ Bob Martin, writing professor, Pacific Northwest
College of Art




Buy it on Amazon
Buy it on Barnes and
Noble
Buy it on Smashwords  


About the author




In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired
amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional
smartass. Though offered two deals by a small presses in 2011,
she turned them down to go indie. She writes coming-of-age books about
kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after
finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and
stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the
struggle itself is an oxymoron.




Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend
to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after
dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be
wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She
lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two
giant sequoias.

Lisa's blog
Follow Lisa on Twitter
Like Lisa's Facebook page
Subscribe to Lisa's newsletter
for upcoming releases

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Suffocate Cover Reveal and Cover Tips

I have a new novelette series starting next Monday 5/21.



It will be available on ebook only for 99 cents.




Suffocate is the first novelette in THE BREATHLESS series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.




For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy that affects the very air she breathes. 




If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.






The 2nd novella in the series, CHOKE, is scheduled for Fall 2012. The 3rd, EXHALE, is scheduled for Winter 2013.


===========



This cover is a good example of a great cover that costs less than $300. One that is not from an original photo shoot and uses a few different stock photos. You can get affordable professional covers if you use the right person and know what to look for.



You can use stock. But it has to be the right stock. The right resolution.



One major key to a good cover is in the photo shopping skills. If you are doing your own covers and you do not know photoshop, you are missing an opportunity to blend the layers and colors more effectively so the covers don't appear home-made.



Vania is great at doing photoshopping as well live the photo shoots so if you are in the market for a cover...trust me - she is worth every penny and she is very affordable. She has such an amazing eye. It's sic. But you don't have to spend 500 - 1,000 if you don't have it.



I asked Vania to give us a few tips when making a cover. She said...







1. Pick images that are clear to your story or theme and that will be interesting to look at. 

2. When photoshopping keep it simple and clean. No rough edges or busy compositions.

3. Blend, blend, blend. Don't stick images on top of each other like paper cut outs. 

4. FONT! Typography is just as important for you cover as the image itself. Pick something that fits in theme but that will also be easy to read when in small thumbnail. Nothing too thin. 

5. Ask for advice. Ask you fellow writers on what they think about your cover. Many times they can help you improve it, even if slightly. Don't be scared! They do it with love! 







Now for the cover!






What do you think? What is one of your favorite covers? Favorite indie cover? What do you look for in a cover?




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