Robert Gray's Blog, page 2

Eve Hallows and the Book of Shivers Updates

I've been hard at work on the third book in the Nightmare Series, which will be titled EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHIVERS (and available summer '13, by the way).  So far I've completed the first draft, and now I'm trying to figure out what the heck I wrote down—otherwise known as DRAFT #2.

This time around Eve and her friends will find themselves in Los Angeles, California.  (Yeah, and I bet you thought the monsters in all those horror and paranormal romance movies were fake, pshh.)

For the cover, I managed to get the AMAZING Scott Findlay to do the artwork.  Lately, he's been teasing me with awesome sketches.

Here's one of Eve riding Frankentrain.  Oh, and it seems nasty Mrs. Maxwell has found Eve, too.

Eve Hallows Mentioned on Journal Jabber Last Night

Journal Jabber, an online talk radio program that discusses books and features a number of spectacular author interviews, recently had a break from their regular programming and talked about some recent reads they enjoyed, which included the Eve Hallows books.  You can check out what they had to say about Eve over here.

Book Country vs. Smashwords

Book Country, an online writing community and self-publishing one-stop shop, recently announced it has lowered its prices to self-pubbed authors, which effectively puts it head-to-head against Smashwords.


If you recall, much of the self-pubbed community rallied against Book Country when they first announced the self-publishing arm of the site, mostly because the prices to create an ebook were outrageous, and the royalty rates weren't favorable to the author.

Originally, Book Country charged anywhere from $99 and up to self publish an e-book.  On top of that, they took 30% of the royalties, which meant if you had a book distributed through, say, Amazon for $2.99, Amazon would take their cut (about $0.90) and Book Country would shave off another 30% ($0.62), leaving the author with about $1.47.  It wasn't a scam, but it wasn't in any author's best interest, either.

But that's all in the past as Book Country's model has changed, allowing authors to publish and distribute an e-book for free through all the usual suspects, and to sweeten the deal, authors keep 85% of the net, which is the same as what Smashwords offers.

For the heck of it, I gave Book Country a try.  As I was already familiar with Smashwords "meat grinder" approach to creating an e-book, I was curious how it compared to Book Country's more "Do It Yourself" approach.

For starters, I attempted to upload an already-published ePub file, just to see what  Book Country's online editor thought of it.  Bzzzt!  Wrong answer.  It rejected the file with a cryptic message.  Something like Thanks for playing, please try again.  I couldn't find any help on the actual error, though for $59.00 I could've hired someone at Book Country to deal with the issue for me.  Guess it depends on what your aggravation-to-$$$ ratio is, but the price seems reasonable enough to me.

Next, I tried uploading a Word doc of my manuscript.  I had no problems with the upload, but I received something like 385 errors in the document.  Fortunately, the online editor showed me where all the errors were and even categorized them into groups, which was convenient,  but I was a little annoyed with its lack of help from there.  If the editor can find the errors, it should be able to correct them, in my opinion.  But then again, there's always that handy link next to the editor where you can pay to have someone else fix the problem for you.  This isn't a knock at Book Country, but more or less a request that they build a bigger knowledge base for common formatting issues, and possibly add a little "fix all" or even a "find & replace" button, so you don't have to perform the same fix a hundred times.  A way around this is to make all the changes in Word or whatever program you use and re-upload the file, but, hey, they went to the trouble of building an online editor, so why not make it do most of the grunt work, right?

Smashwords isn't any better when it comes to fixing formatting issues.  In fact, Book Country might even have an advantage here, because you can actually see where the errors are, but since Smashwords has been widely used for a while now, it's a lot easier to find issues on the web, and there's a nice detailed instruction manual you can read to figure out most of the problems yourself.  At Book Country, I get the feeling they're purposely being vague to get you to buy services.  Then again, I feel that way about anything that doesn't work easily the first time.

Since I didn't have the hours to correct all the issues, and I wasn't ready to throw in the towel and pay for a service to do it for me, I didn't get to the distribution part, but according to the site you can sell your e-books through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Google, Kobo, Scribd, and Sony.  (By comparison, Smashwords distributes to B&N, iTunes, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, Baker & Taylor, and Page Foundry.)  I didn't see it spelled out anywhere on Book Country's site, but I imagine you can pick and choose which sites you want to distribute to, as with Smashwords.  If that's the case, what I'd suggest is to upload to the sites that you sell the most books, and use Book Country for wider distribution.  So, for example, if you get most of your sales through Barnes & Noble and Amazon, then upload to Pubit (B&N) and KDP (Amazon) yourself.  That way you keep the bulk of the royalties.  Then, use Book Country to distribute to the other sites, so you get the benefit of the widest distribution possible.

Another feature worth mentioning is what Book Country calls BookStubs.  These are gift cards with your book cover on one side and a code on the other side to unlock one free copy of your e-book from the Book Country store.  It's a nice piece of promotion to hand out as prizes or at conferences, but the cost is a bit high.  $49.00 gets you ten BookStubs, while $69.00 gets you twenty.  For half that price and ten times the quantity, you can offer free download codes from Smashwords and make your own cards or bookmarks, but again, if you don't want to do it yourself, Book Country's got a service for that.

All in all, I'd say Book Country stepped up their game, and if you're looking for an alternative to Smashwords, you should definitely take at look at Book Country.  Because of its newness, Book Country still has some bugs to iron out, but as authors migrate over, I'm sure there will be more how-to articles to make the process easier and less expensive for everyone.  Also worth mentioning, Book Country is owned by Pearson (Penguin's parent company) though the two companies are not linked in any meaningful way that benefits the author.  It would've been nice to be able to put the little penguin logo on my books, but, yeah, that ain't happening.  Oh, well.

Happy writing, everyone.      

Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks Hits a Couple of Top 10 Lists for 2012

2012 has been a big year for Eve and I, and I'm super excited to see EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS has shown up on a couple of "best of" lists:

Word Spelunking - Best MG Books I've Read in 2012

Lili Lost in a Book - Top 10 of 2012: Best Books I've Read in 2012  

Thank you again to everyone who read, shared, and loved Eve as much as I do.  You guys rock!  

Next year, look out for book three in the Nightmare Series: EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHIVERS!

Eve Hallows Blog Tour Wrap Up

So the Eve Hallows blog tour is over and the whirlwind has ended, and it feels  a little like the morning after the ball drops with the streets littered in confetti and party hats and plastic cups.

I want to thank everyone who participated in the book blast and blog tour and give an extra special thanks to   Kathy over at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting the tour.  Also, congratulations to the winners of the  $25 and $50 giveaways. 
If you're interested, I've put all the stops on the tour below, grouped by type, i.e., guest post, reviews, etc. 


GUEST POSTSBook Flame - Writing adviceParsimonious Posh - Creating the monsters in the seriesBookworm in Love - Surviving a zombie apocalypseScribbler's Sojourn - Inspiration behind The Nightmare seriesBibliophilia, Please - Book the scared me the mostLizzy's Dark Fiction - Favorite childhood monsterMonique Morgan - On settingReadaholics's Reviews - My favorite books of 2012Stephanie Keyes, Author - Writing for childrenCici's Theories - My character relationship with Eve HallowsMom With A Kindle - Monsters I like writing about the mostVanessa Morgan - My favorite Christmas movies
REVIEWS OF BOOK OF SHRIEKS AND/OR BOOK OF SHADOWSFrom the Bootheel Cotton Patch~Oh, The Books You'll ReadGeo Librarian Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and More Val Muller's Musings of a WriterMoonshine Art SpotLizzy's Dark FictionBooks & Other Creative AdventuresMust Read FasterReading with ABCThe Solitary BookwormTurner's AnticsThe Book Mark BlogBook Cover Justice
INTERVIEWSPeace from PiecesLaurie's Paranormal Thoughts and ReviewsCuzinlogicImagine! Create! Write!Fantasy Book AddictFireStar Books
TOP TENSFade Into Fantasy - Favorite MG booksWord Spelunking - Favorite monstersHazel the Witch - Favorite witchesMk McClintock Blog - Favorite authorsEarth's Book Nook - Holiday traditionsMe, My Shelf & I - Guilty pleasuresLovely Reads - Favorite movies
EXCERPTS OF BOOK OF SHRIEKS AND/OR BOOK OF SHADOWSLaurie's Paranormal Thoughts and ReviewsBookworm LisaAn Avid Reader's MusingsRomance BookieJeanBookNerdReader GirlsA Dream Within A DreamBibliophile Mystery 
POSTS BY EVE  I Am A Reader, Not A Writer - Tour kick offFictitious Musings - How a Ouija board works in GravesvilleReading with ABC - About the book coversShort and Sweet Reviews - How would  human survive in Gravesville?Lili Lost in a Book - A petition to make Halloween a national holidayThe Solitary Bookworm - Top 10 things Eve can't live without

12 Days of Eve Hallows—Day 12

On the twelfth day of the Eve Hallows Blog Tour
My true love gave to me: 
Twelve howlers howling,
Eleven goblins gobbling,
Ten shapes a-shifting,
Nine demons dancing,
Eight ghosts a-gliding,
Seven swarms a-stinging,
Six graves for playing,
Five gargoyle wings,
Four crawling worms,
Three freakish heads,
Two purple skulls,
And a vampire bat in a dead tree ... 

Tour Schedule





Here are the previous posts if you missed them:
12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 1 12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 212 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 312 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 412 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 512 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 612 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 712 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 812 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 912 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 1012 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 11Here's where you can find me today (12/23/12):THE BOOK MARK BLOG - Reviews of Book of Shrieks & Book of Shadows. 
Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows Ebook Giveaway:

Tiffany from Book Cover Justice is offering up an ebook of Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows.  She also gave the book a horrible review.  You can check it out here: Review and Giveaway: Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows by Robert Gray.  The giveaway ends December 31.

12 Days of Eve Hallows—Day 11

On the eleventh day of the Eve Hallows Blog Tour
My true love gave to me: 
Eleven goblins gobbling,
Ten shapes a-shifting,
Nine demons dancing,
Eight ghosts a-gliding,
Seven swarms a-stinging,
Six graves for playing,
Five gargoyle wings,
Four crawling worms,
Three freakish heads,
Two purple skulls,
And a vampire bat in a dead tree ... 

Tour Schedule



Here are the previous posts if you missed them:
12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 1 12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 212 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 312 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 412 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 512 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 612 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 712 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 812 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 912 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 10Here's where you can find me today (12/22/12):TURNER'S ANTICS - Reviews of Book of Shrieks & Book of Shadows. MOM WITH A KINDLE - In which I talk about monsters.
Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows Ebook Giveaway:

Tiffany from Book Cover Justice is offering up an ebook of Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows.  She also gave the book a horrible review.  You can check it out here: Review and Giveaway: Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows by Robert Gray.  The giveaway ends December 31.


Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks Deal:

While the tour is going on, I've reduced the price of EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS to .99.  This offer ends December 23.

12 Days of Eve Hallows—Day 10

On the tenth day of the Eve Hallows Blog Tour
My true love gave to me: 
Ten shapes a-shifting,
Nine demons dancing,
Eight ghosts a-gliding,
Seven swarms a-stinging,
Six graves for playing,
Five gargoyle wings,
Four crawling worms,
Three freakish heads,
Two purple skulls,
And a vampire bat in a dead tree ... 

Tour Schedule


Here are the previous posts if you missed them:
12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 1 12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 212 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 312 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 412 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 512 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 612 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 712 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 812 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 9Here's where you can find me today (12/21/12):LILI LOST IN A BOOK - A plea from Eve to make Halloween a national holiday. THE SOLITARY BOOKWORM - You can check out a top ten list of things Eve can't live without here.  If you'd rather read another horrible review of Book of Shrieks (I mean, who wouldn't, right?)  You can check it out here.THE BUNNY'S REVIEW - Stop over here to enter for a chance to win $25.
Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows Ebook Giveaway:

Tiffany from Book Cover Justice is offering up an ebook of Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows.  She also gave the book a horrible review.  You can check it out here: Review and Giveaway: Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows by Robert Gray.  The giveaway ends December 31.


Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks Deal:

While the tour is going on, I've reduced the price of EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS to .99.  This offer ends December 23.

12 Days of Eve Hallows—Day 9

On the ninth day of the Eve Hallows Blog Tour
My true love gave to me: 
Nine demons dancing,
Eight ghosts a-gliding,
Seven swarms a-stinging,
Six graves for playing,
Five gargoyle wings,
Four crawling worms,
Three freakish heads,
Two purple skulls,
And a vampire bat in a dead tree ... 

Tour Schedule

Here are the previous posts if you missed them:
12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 1 12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 212 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 312 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 412 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 512 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 612 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 712 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 8Here's where you can find me today (12/20/12):BOOKS & OTHER CREATIVE ADVENTURES - A horrible review of Book of Shrieks.SHORT AND SWEET - Eve talks about how to survive in Gravesville.MUST READ FASTER - Reviews of Book of Shrieks & Book of Shadows.BIBLIOPHILE MYSTERY - Some excerpts from Book of Shrieks and Book of Shadows.READING WITH ABC - Another review of Book of Shrieks and a guest post from Eve.Don't forget: There's cash in them thar clicks.  

Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows Ebook Giveaway:

Tiffany from Book Cover Justice is offering up an ebook of Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows.  She also gave the book a horrible review.  You can check it out here: Review and Giveaway: Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows by Robert Gray.  The giveaway ends December 31.


Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks Deal:

While the tour is going on, I've reduced the price of EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS to .99.  This offer ends December 23.

12 Days of Eve Hallows—Day 8

On the eighth day of the Eve Hallows Blog Tour
My true love gave to me: 
Eight ghosts a-gliding,
Seven swarms a-stinging,
Six graves for playing,
Five gargoyle wings,
Four crawling worms,
Three freakish heads,
Two purple skulls,
And a vampire bat in a dead tree ... 

Tour Schedule


Here are the previous posts if you missed them:
12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 1 12 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 212 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 312 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 412 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 512 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 612 DAYS OF EVE HALLOWS—DAY 7Here's where you can find me today (12/19/12):STEPHANIE KEYES - In which I talk about some of the challenges and advantages of writing for children.EARTH'S BOOK NOOK - Yup, it's that time of year.  Here's my top ten favorite Christmas traditions.A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM - Check out this excerpt of Book of Shrieks.MK MCCLINTOCK - Here's a top ten of my favorite authors.CICI'S THEORIES - In this guest post, I talk about the special relationship I have with Eve Hallows.Don't forget: There's cash in them thar clicks.  


Bonus:

Tiffany from Book Cover Justice is offering up an ebook of Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows.  She also gave the book a horrible review.  You can check it out here: Review and Giveaway: Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows by Robert Gray.  The giveaway ends December 31.


Really, it's like .004 cents per page:

While the tour is going on, I've reduced the price of EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS to .99.  This offer ends December 23.