Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 21

WRITER 2 WRITER: 5 KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL SELF-PUBLISHING

SUCCESSFUL SELF-PUBLISHING, PART III

In part one of this series, I posed this question: Should I Self-publish? In part two, I shared the pros and cons of self-publishing . Assuming you have made the decision to self-publish your next book, now it’s time to talk about how to do it right.

Publishing today is easier than ever. Once a book is written, it is pretty simple to format and upload it to CreateSpace and present it to the world, but the ease of the process can be deceptive. Just like it is easy to publish your own book, it is even easier to fail. What I mean by fail is this…

You’ve spent months, maybe years, writing your book. You’ve poured your heart and soul into it. You want people to read it. You want people to buy it. But here is where too many authors sell themselves, and their books, short. The fact is they often don’t want to spend the time or the money to “do it right.” The result is a poorly crafted book that no one wants. And these authors wonder why they can’t sell any books.

If you want to create a book that sells, you must put as much care into the finished product as you did the story. This means that you need to invest in your book , both with time and money.

Here are the five most important ways to give your book its best shot…

1.     EDIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT – Get your book edited by a professional. Asking your friend who happens to teach high school English to give it a read-through isn’t good enough. There are thousands of top notch editors out there. Your book should go through several edits, including a developmental edit, line edit, and proofread.

2.     CREATE A “WOW!” COVER – I’ve seen way too many books whose covers scream “Self-published!” That’s because the authors have either designed the covers themselves or, even worse, asked a friend who they think is an artist to do it. Your cover is your book’s first impression. Many readers will buy a book based solely on its cover. You can’t afford a crappy one.

3.     DESIGN A SNAZZY INTERIOR – While the cover is the first impression, the book’s interior is the second. I’ve seen plenty of knockout covers only to be let down by a sloppy or boring layout. Font size and style, margins, page numbers, graphics should all contribute to a striking interior, which makes the reading experience all the better. This applies equally to print and digital.

4.      DRAFT A MARKETING PLAN – Maybe up to this point you’ve done everything right. You’ve hired a terrific editor, have an explosive cover, and the interior is amazing! But if you don’t tell people about your book, how will they know to buy it? Putting a solid marketing plan together, months before your book is ready to be published, is essential. This can be time consuming and costly. Again, hiring someone who knows marketing can not only assure a strong launch but can also free up more time for you to write your next book.

5.     HIRE A TEAM – You are a writer. That’s what you’re good at. Unless you have thousands of hours of experience in graphic design or editing, work with others who are good at what they do. Yes, doing it right does cost time and money, but remember, you are investing in your book. And your story deserves to become the very best it can be.

If you’re ready to invest in your book, Skyrocket Press offers competitive rates on editing and design services for authors, but we aren’t the only ones out there. It is vital to assemble a team of editors and designers who are the right fit for your book. Take as much time as necessary to research their previous projects, check out their references, and compare prices. Fees vary enormously. I suggest avoiding the very expensive and the very cheap. The very expensive may not be able to deliver on their promises and might be out to take your money. The very cheap…well, you get what you pay for.
Of course, I hope you’ll consider Skyrocket Press for your next project. But we can also recommend some amazing professionals if we are not the right fit for you. In the meantime, check out The Book Designer blog and download Joel Frielander’s guide, 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING .

Next week, I’ll begin delving a little deeper into each of the tips mentioned into today’s post. We’ll start with editing.

$20 GIVEAWAY - LIVE ON TV 3 by Bill Evans

Live on TV3: Palm SpringsThe Broadcast Murder Series Book 2by Bill EvansGenre: Thriller, Mystery
California’s Palm Springs was a hotbed for movie stars, big money and high crime, making it a great town to be a TV news reporter and police detective in the '80s and '90s. There, we see the explosive Sonny Bono rise to mayor before he becomes a US Congressman, we meet Frank Sinatra and his wife at exclusive dinner parties, and journey with a hard-nosed cast of police and newsroom personalities mingling among the stars while trying to solve a pyramid scheme and murders. Evans provides a candid insider's view of newsroom operations and scheming TV personalities who will do anything to get ahead. Palm Springs is the prequel to Evan's first novel,  Murder at Broadcast Park . Learn how Stewart, Lisa, and the ever unsuspecting Dugan built a broadcasting empire.
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Bill Evans is a 45 year broadcast veteran who has turned writer. His first novel, Murder at Broadcast Park, was released in October, 2017 by Koehler Books. His second book in the Broadcast Murder series will be released in the summer of 2018. Both books are being considered for TV Movies. Bill writes with a lot of dialogue and in the words of his publisher, "doesn't use a lot of word calories."

With his experience and insight of what goes on behind the scenes in the broadcast world, Bill's novel is able to paint a vivid picture of what really happens when the cameras are off. Leaving you on the edge of your seat, you will not want to put "Murder at Broadcast Park" down. The story is fiction with so much non-fiction thrown in you might not know the difference by the time you finish.
Currently Bill resides on California's beautiful Central Coast. He continues to have a passion in the broadcast world and working in local media. Bill has developed a love of writing and is excited about the launching of his writing career.



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$15 GIVEAWAY - THETIS by Greeg Boose

ThetisThe Deep Sky Saga Book 2by Greg BooseGenre: YA Sci-fi FantasyPub Date: 10/8/18
Lost meets The 100 in this action-packed YA science fiction series.
AchillesThe Deep Sky Saga Book 1
Young colonists find themselves stranded on an unpopulated moon—and not as alone as they thought—in a series debut from the author of The Red Bishop.
The year is 2221, and humans have colonized a planet called Thetis in the Silver Foot Galaxy. After a tragic accident kills dozens of teenage colonists, Thetis’s leaders are desperate to repopulate. So Earth sends the Mayflower 2—a state-of-the-art spaceship—across the universe to bring new homesteaders to the colony.For orphaned teen Jonah Lincoln, the move to Thetis is a chance to reinvent himself, to be strong and independent and brave, the way he could never be on Earth. But his dreams go up in smoke when their ship crash-lands, killing half the passengers and leaving the rest stranded—not on Thetis, but on its cruel and unpopulated moon, Achilles.Between its bloodthirsty alien life forms and its distance from their intended location, Achilles is a harrowing landing place. When all of the adult survivors suddenly disappear, leaving the teenage passengers to fend for themselves, Jonah doubts they’ll survive at all, much less reach Thetis—especially when it appears Achilles isn’t as uninhabited as they were led to believe.


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The fourth of six kids, Greg Boose grew up on a large produce farm in northeast Ohio. He received his undergraduate degree from Miami University, and then later received his M.F.A. at Minnesota State University Moorhead where he focused on screenwriting and fiction. He lives in Santa Monica with his two young daughters.
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EBOOK GIVEAWAY: ONE LAST DANCE by Linda Weaver Clarke

ONE LAST DANCE
Linda Weaver Clarke
Red Mountain Shadows Publishing
Romance

Felicity Brooks is a talented artist but her career is cut short when her father passes away. Realizing the importance of family, she travels home to care for her mother. When Felicity meets their new neighbor, a fine-looking bachelor, she soon discovers that he is hiding his true identity. Nicholas Adams is on a quest. But that is not all. When she finds out that someone is after a valuable heirloom…a precious treasure that her father discovered in his attic, her life takes a new turn. 

FROM THE AUTHOR:


Books are an important part of life. This is where we learn and grow. Many times our everyday lives can overwhelm us and we desperately need a break. Being a wife, mother, and homemaker can be a challenge and some days are discouraging. That's the time when we would like to enter the world of "Make-Believe." Perhaps after doing the dishes, changing a diaper, and putting the kids down for a nap, there is time to read a novel and slip into that make-believe world; a world of escape when our frustrations are high and we need some quiet time just to relax. In that little corner is a world that can fill us with wonder, where dreams can come true, where we can go on an adventure, or even fall in love all over again.
Lucy Montgomery once said, "While solitude with dreams is glorious, solitude without them has few charms." Jerome Kern had a similar feeling. He wrote, "The game of just supposing is the sweetest game I know. Our dreams are more romantic than the world we see." Perhaps the world we see is full of dirty dishes, soiled diapers, and arguing teenagers. After a big day, curl up with a book and enter the Make-Believe World of fantasy and adventure. Remember that "if the things we dream about don't happen to be so, that's just an unimportant technicality." I enjoy writing stories that have adventure and romance with good old fashioned values. 

WEBSITE: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/ 






 A Historical Mystery Romance: One Last Dance One Last Dance: Felicity Brooks is a talented artist but her career is cut short when her father passes away. Realizing the importance of family, she travels home to care for her mother. When Felicity meets their new neighbor, a fine-looking bachelor, she soon discovers that he is hiding his true identity. Nicholas Adams is on a quest. But that is not all. When she finds out that someone is after a valuable heirloom…a precious treasure that her father discovered in his attic, her life takes a new turn. This Historical Romance is set in 1835.
Awesome Reviews:
“One thing that always keeps me reading this author’s books is her characters; they are engaging, funny and passionate. I especially liked Mr. Adams’ character as he was both witty and charming with an air of mystery about him. I was impressed by Felicity’s character. She was a strong woman who had seen some of the world, only to end up back home where everything feels different. I liked the quirky bond between Mr. Adams and Felicity. He has her pegged from the start and from the moment they meet you can tell at some point sparks will fly, and they will challenge each other’s perspectives on the problem at hand, which made this book rather gripping. One Last Dance kept me guessing until the end and left me wanting to read this book all over again. If you like Historical Romance with a mysterious touch and well-developed characters, this book is a must-read.” --Author Katrina Hart
“One Last Dance is a historical romance with a mystery to add to the tale. Felicity has always been a strong and independent woman. Amongst mystery, loss, paintings, and a career, she is going to have to decide if love has a place in her heart.” --Author Anna Del C Dye
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Willow-Valley-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B07GVNWSP9
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-last-dance-linda-weaver-clarke/1129427291
Linda Weaver Clarke’s links:Linda’s Website: www.lindaweaverclarke.comLinda’s Books: https://lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.comLinda’s Audiobooks: https://family-friendly-audiobooks.blogspot.comLinda’s Blog: http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com
About Author: Linda Weaver Clarke was raised among the Rocky Mountains of southern Idaho and now lives among the red hills of southern Utah. Linda is the author of 24 books. She has written in several different genres, which include: historical romances, romantic cozy mysteries, a mystery suspense series, children’s book, and non-fiction. All her books are family friendly.To learn more, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com.

GIVEAWAY
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BOOK REVIEW: NEIL ARMSTRONG - A LIFE OF FLIGHT

NEIL ARMSTRONG: A LIFE OF FLIGHT
Jay Barbee
Tantor Audio
Biography

Much has been written about Neil Armstrong, America's modern hero and history's most famous space traveler. Yet shy of fame and never one to steal the spotlight, Armstrong was always reluctant to discuss his personal side of events. Here for the first time is the definitive story of Neil's life of flight he shared for five decades with a trusted friend-Jay Barbree.

Barbree writes about Neil's three passions-flight, family, and friends. This is the inside story of Neil Armstrong from the time he flew combat missions in the Korean War, to when he saved his Gemini 8 by flying the first emergency return from Earth orbit, to when he flew Apollo 11 to the moon's Sea of Tranquility. Through his friendship with Neil and his dedicated research, Barbree brings us the most accurate account of his friend's life, the book he and the famed astronaut planned together for twenty years.

MY REVIEW:

What an astounding life Neil Armstrong led. Barbee's close and personal biography of one of America's greatest heroes and the first man on the moon is compelling and memorable. Because of Barbee's friendship with Armstrong, we get glimpses into Armstrong that other authors simply cannot give, such as the depth of his anguish with the death of his baby daughter, his tenacity to get things right, his humility in the face of international fame.

This biography takes us from the earliest days of Neil Armstrong's life through his years as a World War II fighter pilot, serving his country as one of its first astronauts to his moon landing, to the the Challenger and Columbia tragedies to the end of his amazing life.

Not only is the story itself fantastic, but so is Barbee's writing. A veteran reporter, Barbee is a master at language and keeping readers riveted. I can't imagine anyone telling this story better than he has. No American can listen or read this biography without falling in love with Neil Armstrong.

$20 GIVEAWAY - A MUDDLE OF MAGIC by Alexandra Rushe

A Muddle of Magic
Fledgling Magic #2
by Alexandra Rushe
Genre: Epic FantasyPub Date: 10/2/18

What’s a nice Southern girl doing in a place like this?
Whisked from humdrum Alabama to the fantastical land of Tandara by a mage who won’t take no for an answer, Raine Stewart finds herself tangled in a muddle of magic. A Dark Wizard is out for her blood, a demonic golem has orders to dispatch her . . . and she stinks at magic. Being a wizard, even a baby wizard, is harder than Raine thought.
Raine and her companions find sanctuary amongst the famed warriors of the snow-capped nation of Finlara, and Raine is reunited with her dear friend, the frost giant Tiny Bartog. In short order, she unearths a magic mirror, a dread curse, and a tragic, ill-fated love affair.
Safety, however, is an illusion. The dreaded Magog’s Eye is still missing, and war looms. It seems an entire world hangs in the balance, waiting to see whether Raine will be able to harness her magic. But with a little help from her friends, she’ll survive . . . she hopes.
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A Meddle of WizardsFledgling Magic #1
Welcome to Tandara, where gods are fickle, nightmares are real, and trolls make excellent bakers . . .Raine Stewart is convinced she’ll die young and alone in Alabama, the victim of a chronic, mysterious illness. Until a man in a shabby cloak steps out of her mirror and demands her help to defeat a bloodthirsty wizard.

Raine shrugs it off as a hallucination—just one more insult from her failing body—and orders her intruder to take a hike. But the handsome figment of her imagination won’t take no for an answer, and kidnaps her anyway, launching her into a world of utmost danger—and urgent purpose.

Ruled by unpredictable gods and unstable nations, Tandara is a land of shapeshifters and weather-workers, queens and legends. Ravenous monsters and greedy bounty hunters patrol unforgiving mountains. Riverboats pulled by sea-cattle trade down broad waterways. And creatures of nightmare stalk Raine herself, vicious in the pursuit of her blood.

But Raine isn’t helpless or alone. She’s part of a band as resourceful as it is odd: a mage-shy warrior, a tattered wizard, a tenderhearted giant, and a prickly troll sorceress. Her new friends swear she has powers of her own.   If she can stay under their protection, she might just live long enough to find out . . .
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Alexandra Rushe was born in South Alabama, and grew up climbing trees, searching for sprites and fairies in the nearby woods, and dreaming of other worlds. The daughter of an English teacher and a small-town judge, Rushe developed a love of reading early on, and haunted the school and local libraries, devouring fairy tales, myths, and tales of adventure. In the seventh grade, she stumbled across a worn copy of The Hobbit, and was forever changed. She loves fantasy and paranormal, but only between the pages of a book—the flying monkeys in The Wizard of Oz give her the creeps, and she eschews horror movies. A psychic friend once proclaimed the linen closet in Rushe’s bedroom a portal to another dimension, and she hasn’t slept well since. Rushe is a world-class chicken.
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$5 GIVEAWAY - THE SAND PRINCE by Kim Alexander

The Sand Prince The Demon Door Book 1by Kim AlexanderGenre: Epic Fantasy
Two worlds. Bound by magic. Divided by a door.

On the barren, war-ravaged demon world of Eriis, the fierce queen Hellne fights to keep her people alive and her son Rhuun's heritage a secret.
On the green and gentle human world of Mistra, demons have faded into myth. Only a handful of old men and fanatical children still guard The Door between the worlds.
Different and shunned by his demon kin, Rhuun finds refuge in a book that tells of a human world of water and wonder. Forced by his mother's enemies to flee Eriis, he finds himself trapped on the other side of The Door in the very place he has read and dreamed about—Mistra. 
Chained to the deadly whims of a child who guards The Door, Rhuun must balance serving and surviving, even at the risk of exposing his true identity. Riskiest of all is his task of kidnapping an infuriating young woman who is about to find out that the demons of Eriis are much, much more than just an old bedtime story.

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The Heron PrinceThe Demon Door Book 2
The Demon Door can be opened...but the price is deadly.

Prince Rhuun has found acceptance among the humans on Mistra, something he could never have in the demon realm of Eriis, not even as heir to its throne. What's more, he has even found love with the prickly, passionate heiress, Lelet va'Everly.
The idyll can't last. The prince has enemies who are after more than his throne. They are out for his blood…which holds the key to unsealing The Door between the two worlds, and the demons want in. When Rhuun is lured into a trap on Eriis, Lelet has no choice but to turn to a motley group of exiles, children, and madmen to help save him.
Lelet soon discovers that, like all things, rescuing the prince comes with a price. The secrets in Rhuun's blood may be worth killing for, but are they worth dying for?

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The Glass GirlThe Demon Door Book 3
Love opens all doors…but betrayal locks them forever.

Newly blessed (or cursed) with wings and fire, Prince Rhuun of the demon realm of Eriis sees hope for his life on the human world of Mistra with his fierce human lover, Lelet va'Everley. She literally went to hell and back to save him, and she's not about to let anything—or anyone—ruin their perfect future.
All too soon, the claims of family, duty, and justice force Rhuun and Lelet to confront new griefs and old mistakes as they attempt to restore balance to the throne of Eriis. But, with every jealous rumor and each vengeful whisper, friends turn, family schemes, and forgotten enemies creep from the shadows.
Treachery in Eriis and betrayal in Mistra jeopardize what Rhuun and Lelet have fought so hard to build, threatening to tear apart the two lovers, their families, and even their worlds.


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Kim Alexander grew up in the wilds of Long Island, NY and slowly drifted south until she reached Key West. After spending ten rum-soaked years as a DJ in the Keys, she moved to Washington DC, where she lives with two cats, an angry fish, and her extremely patient husband who tells her she needs to write at least ten more books if she intends to retire in Thailand, so thank you for your patronage.
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WRITER 2 WRITER: MY BOOK IS BEING HELD CAPTIVE

My YA novel CONTACT has been through the wringer. It was first published back in 2014, I think, with a brand new small press called Hallowed Ink. After a few months, the publisher closed its doors and I had what they call an orphan book. I considered self-publishing, and now looking back, that's what I should have done. But I naively believed the best route was to find another publisher for that book. I was thrilled when Evernight Teen agreed to take it on.

So, in February 2016, my book was reborn. But from the start, something was off. First, the cover. I've never liked it. It's just an image picked up from some photo site. In fact, there's another book on the market with the exact same cover!!!

But what really threw me was the interior of the print edition. It's terrible. There is no title page, the copyright information is a mess (some of it actually is printed on the first page of the first chapter), only every other page is numbered. The headers with my name and book title appear on every singe page, including the chapter title pages and front/end matter. The text is only left justified. And some of the chapter titles are off-center. Finally, there was no effort to design the interior to look good at all. It is as blah as you can possibly get.

When my author copies arrived in the mail, I thought there had been some mistake. These must be ARCs (review copies), because never in my whole life had I seen published printed books look this bad! I contacted my publisher about it, and even offered to design the interior myself (that's what I do!), but I didn't hear back.

The publisher is quite successful with e-books. Their other covers are really fantastic, and they have many authors who have published multiple titles with them. Was my book the only one that looked like a 2nd grader put it together?

I have several other books I've considered publishing, but I didn't dare send them to Evernight Teen for fear the quality would be just as bad. I'm literally embarrassed to sell CONTACT. As a result, Evernight Teen has sold around a dozen copies (mostly digital) in the 2+ years since they published it.

Yesterday, I emailed the publisher asking if they would consider letting me out of my 5 year contract. The contract stipulates that the publisher can end the contract for any reason, including poor sales. Well, I haven't sold a single copy of CONTACT in months. The owner, Stacey, said no. She told me that I need to write more books if I want to keep up sales.

I explained that I've been hesitant to send them more of my material because of the poor quality of the one they've got. She seemed offended. I described the problems with the interior of the book, and she responded that all their books look like that! What? Her other authors haven't complained.

Well, maybe that's because they don't know any better and are just happy to be published. I have been published by two high quality small presses before (Tanglewood Press & Hallowed Ink) who took great pride in their products. Also, when I publish my own books and other other people's books, I make sure they are just as beautiful and well-designed as any book you'd pick up in Barnes & Noble. Readers and authors deserve that. So, I guess according to Evernight Teen, my expectations are too high.

Not to give up that easily, I took two hours last night and designed a lovely interior for CONTACT and emailed the document to Stacey. I outlined the differences between their version of my book and mine:

* It has a title page
* Copyright info is on the back of the title page
* All text pages are numbered
* Headers are on proper text pages, not on front/back matter or the first pages of chapters
* Chapter titles and title pages are aesthetically decorative
* Both right and left margins are justified

I sent both a word doc and PDF. Literally, all Evernight Teen would have to do is upload my document and replace the existing one, with a few minor tweaks with cover dimensions. But so far, I've heard nothing.

I'm really astounded that a successful publisher like Evernight Teen would not take the visual appearance and overall quality of their books more seriously. I'm also disappointed and irritated that they would rather hold my book captive rather than either make my book look nicer so I can sell it in good conscience or revert the rights back to me so I can do with it what I want.

The lesson learned from this experience is NEVER AGAIN. I will NEVER AGAIN hand over any of my books to a small press. As far as "writing more", I am not in this business to crank out a slew of 2nd rate stories to be read today and forgotten tomorrow just to make a buck. I spend an average of 5-7 years on every book I write! My goal is for every story to matter, to reach readers' hearts.

In the future, my choices are either to publish with reputable publishers (for which I need an agent) or self-publish. When my book ends up in readers' hands, I want them to at least feel like they've gotten their money's worth, and also that the time they are about to invest in reading it isn't going to waste.

Advice to new authors, don't throw away your stories on publishers who produce shoddy books. Period.

$20 GIVEAWAY - RED HARVEST by Patrick C. Greene

Red HarvestThe Haunted Hollow Chronicles #1by Patrick C. Greene
Genre: Horror


In the epic tradition of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Jonathan Maberry, a chilling new masterwork of small-town evil, centuries-old traditions, and newly-risen terror…
Red HarvestEvery year at harvest time, something strange and wonderful happens in the sleepy farm community of Ember Hollow. It comes alive. Truckloads of pumpkins are sent off to be carved into lanterns. Children scramble to create the creepiest, scariest costumes. Parents stock up on candy and prepare for the town’s celebrated Pumpkin Parade. And then there is Devil’s Night . . .
But this year, something is different. Some of the citizens are experiencing dark, disturbing visions. Others are beginning to wonder if they’re losing their minds, or maybe their souls. One newly sober singer with the voice of a fallen angel is tempted to make a deal that will seal his fate. And one very odd boy is kept locked in a shed by his family—for reasons too horrible to imagine . . .
Whatever is happening to this town, they’re going to make it through this Halloween. Even if it kills them . . .
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Patrick C. Greene is a lifelong horror fan who lives in the mountains of western North Carolina. He is the author of the novels Progeny and The Crimson Calling, as well as numerous short stories featured in collections and anthologies.

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$10 GIVEAWAY - RISING TIDE By Claudette Melanson

Rising Tide: Dark InnocenceThe Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 1by Claudette MelansonGenre: YA Paranormal
Rising Tide will sink its fangs into you, keeping you awake into the wee hours of the night


Could Maura's life get any worse? ...turns out it most certainly can.Isolated and sheltered by her lonely mother, Maura's never been able to make friends. She seems to drive her classmates away—except for the odd times they pay enough attention to torture her—but she doesn’t understand why. Maura considers herself to be a freak of nature, with her unusually pale skin and an aversion to the sun that renders her violently nauseous. Her belief is only worsened by the fact that almost everyone around her keeps their distance.Even her own father deserted her before she was born, leaving Maura alone with her emotionally distant mother, Caelyn. Even though Maura is desperate for answers about her unknown parent, Caelyn remains heartbroken and her daughter can’t bring herself to reopen her mother’s wounds. Or is there a more sinister reason Caelyn refuses to utter a word about her long-lost love?When a cruel prank nearly claims Maura’s life, one of her classmates, Ron, rushes to her rescue. Darkly handsome & mysteriously accepting, Ron doesn’t seem to want to stay away, but Maura is reluctant to get too close, since her mother has announced she’s moving the two of them to Vancouver…nearly 3,000 miles away from their hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania.If life wasn’t already challenging enough, Maura begins to experience bizarre, physical changes her mother seems hell bent on ignoring, compelling Maura to fear for her own life. Vicious nightmares, blood cravings, failing health and the heart-shattering loss of Ron—as well as the discovery of a tangled web of her own mother's lies—become obstacles in Maura's desperate quest for the unfathomable truth she was never prepared to uncover.2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for YA Mystery2015 RONE Award Finalist for YA Paranormal2015 New Apple Top Medalist for Young Adult EbookChosen as one of 400 for the second round of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for 2014!!!
Praise for Rising Tide:
"This captivating and commendable work had me immersed from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional skill when it comes to storytelling.""Mrs. Melanson’s writing is so descriptive and talented. Throughout the entire story, I felt like I was watching a movie.""Melanson grabs you from page 1 and doesn't let you go until the very bitter end, only bitter because the book is finished.""I found pure delight in this book and will recommend it to other readers.""The writing by Claudette Melanson in this novel is top notch and I can see the movie rights for this being grabbed in no time."

˃˃˃ Sure to become one of the Books to Read of the year, Rising Tide: Dark Innocence isn’t the usual YA tale of vampires. Full of Mystery and Suspense, this Vampire Mystery Thriller packs just enough Romance & Humor, while delivering plenty of Dark Fantasy served with a side of the Supernatural. Maura, in the midst of her vampire awakenings is unarguably a vampire in denial. It is a novel that is certain to become one of the classic paranormal and fantasy books of its time--the series is not only for Teen & Young Adult readers, but has been well-received by many adult readers, as well. Maura doesn't live in Castle Dracula in Transylvania, but she must still discover the bloodlines constructing the creature she is destined to become, while overcoming social issues, such as bullying, that rock her world while coming of age. She is an strong Urban Scienece Fiction & Fantasy female protagonist readers love.

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Undertow: Death's TwilightThe Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 2
Maura finally found the truth she was always seeking…or has she?

After being left in the dark for all of her life, Maura’s father, Maxwell, has finally returned to reveal sinister family secrets Maura could never have dreamed possible—including his revelation that she is one of The Born. But his daughter soon discovers both he and her mother are keeping pieces of her reality hidden, still. As Maura struggles to unravel the mysteries surrounding her new existence and discover every piece of the cryptic puzzle, life appears intent on casting stumbling blocks across her path with every step forward.



Tragedy seems to stalk Maura, and those around her, as she stumbles along, altering the young changeling’s family, just when they have all come back together. The changes left in its wake could be for the better, or may threaten their existence, entirely.


With the arrival of Christmas comes the opportunity for Maura to draw close to everyone she loves—and finally reunite with Ron, the man she loves. But permanence has always eluded her, and in her current state of flux this pattern endures, as fate seems intent on snapping the threads that bind her to those she holds most dear. Maxwell’s good intentions pave a road for Maura, littered with misery, while her mother, Caelyn’s, desire to shield her family from pain may tear her away from them, altogether. The perfect happiness in the young vampire’s grasp is so easily swept away and dragged under, out of reach. Can Maura erupt from the darkness and confusion to break the surface and find the life she’s always dreamed of?
In the midst of chaos, assistance materializes in the form of another of her kind—ephemerally beautiful, yet explosively volatile, this new vampire may prove capable of unlocking the puzzle-box Maxwell seems intent on securing from her sight. Maura will discover the darkest parts of herself in her quest to understand the being she is destined to become. Her newfound friend has some shady intentions of his own—such as thwarting the love that has grown between Maura and Ron. Following in the wake of the impulsive vampire’s misguided instruction may further pull a naive Maura down into the depths of ultimate despair, heartbreak…and even destruction.

2015 Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention for YA Horror


2016 New Apple Summer eBook Solo Medalist for YA Horror
Praise for Undertow:
"This series offers so much: the heartwarming family moments, the comedic back and forth banter between characters, life lessons tragically instilled.""I actually cried during a few parts of the story.""The story is well written and gripping until the very end.""If it’s written by Claudette Melanson, you’re guaranteed to have an amazing piece of literature that anyone can enjoy."

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Riptide: Betrayal of Blood The Maura DeLuca Trilogy Book 3
Maura has never felt so alone in her life…nor has her existence ever been so overshadowed by peril…

Not only do both her parents—her distant but loving mother and recently- returned father—remain absent from her life, but due to the hideous error in judgement executed in collusion with her best friend, Valdamir, and adoptive sister, Susie, Maura has been cut off from the pair’s friendship and support, forbidden by both her father and the fallout from the dire outcome to see either of them. The heartbreak she suffers, brought on by the weight of these estrangements, is only intensified by the continued mysterious absence of her supernaturally-destined mate, Ron…whose disappearance delivers grave consequences Maura would have never dreamed possible…
Despised by her vampire cousin, Aldiva, for reasons Maura cannot yet comprehend, the young changeling will be forced to guard her back with every step, as she comes to realize this member of her vampire family would love nothing more than to bring about her demise. Aldiva’s wrath calls forth other members from both Vancouver covens, forcing them to rush to Maura’s aid—even though her father, their king, has expressly forbidden the other vampires to initiate contact with his daughter. Will her extended family on Vancouver Island obey, abandoning Maura to her doom, or will they instead rebel against Maxwell’s wishes in order to save her life? 
In addition to the menace personified in her unsolicited enemy, the unlikely vampire princess will find herself drowning as she is pulled down into the depths of a far more devastating crisis…one which may condemn her to a fate she considers much more undesirable than death. But in order to tear herself free from the deadly pull which is drawing her under, Maura must enlist the help of her preternatural family, exposing her newfound friends to a danger none of them have ever had the misfortune to face before. Can she be saved or will the riptide drag Maura under…along with those she loves the most…

2017 New Apple Solo Medalist for Summer eBook - Young Adult General Fiction
Praise for Riptide:
"I will scream it from the rooftops how much I love this series.""I can only say that Riptide is one of the best modern vampire stories I have ever read, and I read them all from Stephen King to Ann Rice to Stephenie Meyer.""Riptide was action packed and the fight scenes were well written but more than that it was the story of family and love, of taking responsibility, and dealing with hate when all sane avenues fail.""The lore is superb, as is the writing. I can't wait to catch up with Maura again!"

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Claudette Melanson writes dark fantasy, horror and children’s books in Kitchener, Ontario with seven bun babies at her side: Tegan, Pepper, Butters, Beckett, Sansa, Daenerys & Caramel. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English, BS in English Education and an MA in Literature. Harboring a deep admiration of vampires since the age of five left her with the desire to eventually become one, and now fuels the creation of her favorite paranormal characters. She hopes to one day work full time as an author, since there are many, many stories playing out inside her head.

In her very scant spare time, she enjoys watching Japanese Anime and reading vampire stories...along with other genres of great fiction, as well as riding every roller coaster she encounters in both her hometown and away at signings. An advocate for good health and ketogenic eating, her favorite foods are bulletproof coffee, cashew-flour crust pizza and treats made with xylitol and almond, coconut or cashew flours.
Future dreams include a cabin boasting a roaring fire, isolated inside a snow-filled wood in the Yukon—the perfect writing spot—and the completion of dozens of future novels and stories. A Rabbit Rescue fanatic and loving bunmom, she also hopes to help rescues all over the world save many innocent lives.

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