Micalea Smeltzer's Blog, page 10

BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT

Many of you know that I absolutely LOVED writing When Stars Collide. I fell in love with Xander and Thea and wanted to know more of their story. Luckily, they weren’t done with me yet either, and coming in spring 2017 they’re getting a second book! Below is the title announcement.

What’s the reading order for your books?

I get asked this a lot, especially since a lot of my books crossover. So I’ll do my best to list them and how they crossover so you know—and please keep in mind, it’s usually very minimal crossover. I miss my characters so they tend to pop up in other books, haha. It’s not like characters from one series play a HUGE part in another, but if you have read them then it’s like seeing an old friend.

 

Fallen Series

Fallen

Forbidden

Forever

(series is complete, doesn’t crossover anywhere)

 

Outsider Series

Outsider

Insider

Fighter

Avenger

(Series is complete. Caeden makes a brief appearance in Finding Olivia…I think. I think he’s playing guitar or something. Bryce also makes a few appearance in Saving Tatum)

 

Second Chances Series

Unraveling

Undeniable

(series is complete. No crossover.)

 

Trace + Olivia Series

Finding Olivia

Chasing Olivia

Tempting Rowan

Saving Tatum

(Series is complete. Alba from Finding Olivia/Chasing Olivia shows up in Beauty in the Ashes. Bryce from the Outsider series is in Saving Tatum. These characters crossover into Willow Creek series)

 

Willow Creek Series

Last To Know

Never Too Late

In Your Heart

Take A Chance

(Series is complete. These books crossover into the Trace + Olivia world. So if you want to read both series then read Trace + Olivia first.)

 

Us Series

The Road That Leads To Us

The Lies That Define Us

The Game That Breaks Us

(Series not complete. Can be read as standalones. About the kids from Trace + Olivia Series and Willow Creek series)

 

A Love Like Ours

(About characters from The Lies That Define Us. That book should be read first so you have a better understanding)

 

Beauty in the Ashes

(standalone. Alba from Finding Olivia/Chasing Olivia makes a brief appearance.)

 

Bring Me Back

(standalone. Cyrus from Beauty in the Ashes makes an appearance)

 

Hush

(Standalone. No crossover)

 

Light in the Dark Series

Rae of Sunshine

When Stars Collide

Dark Hearts (releasing soon)

Xander and Thea’s second book (title coming soon)

(Series not complete. No crossover.)

The post What’s the reading order for your books? appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Dark Hearts Teaser Tuesday #2

Look at me remembering to do #TeaserTuesday here on the blog two weeks in a row! Whoop! Whoop! I cannot wait for this book to be in your hands. I’m honestly OBSESSED with it and feel it’s my best book. It’s rare for me to write and be like, “Ooh, damn girl, that was good!” But I kept doing it with this one. If you’re someone that loves to highlight as you read, you’re going to go nuts for this book. There were so many lines that I had to save because I loved them so much. I’ll talk more about Jace and Nova’s story as we get closer to release. One month to go!

^^Can we talk about that photo?! HOT! HOT! HOT! *fans self*

You can preorder now everywhere except Amazon. The Amazon link will be available on January 13th with the cover reveal–which is being revealed exclusively on the HEA USA Today blog, so watch for that!

PREORDER NOW 

iBooks: hyperurl.co/uz3usm

Kobo: hyperurl.co/iq8qsi

B&N: hyperurl.co/06vqfk

Add on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31366491-dark-hearts

And if you haven’t joined my facebook group yet you might want to join that. I usually post stuff early there, plus behind the scenes things, and other fun things. https://www.facebook.com/groups/370997336425131/

The post Dark Hearts Teaser Tuesday #2 appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

How I Market

One of the things I’m asked about the most is, how to market.

Let me preface this by saying I am by no means a marketing expert. In fact, I feel pretty clueless about the whole thing. But this was the top thing I was asked to talk about on my blog so I wanted to discuss it. I’m going to go over things that have and haven’t worked for me—but keep in mind, something that worked for me might not work for you and something that didn’t might be your holy grail. My biggest piece of advice is don’t be afraid to experiment.

 

Okay…let’s just jump right in.

(P.S. I didn’t edit this so don’t judge me. It’s my blog so it’s supposed to be raw, right? RIGHT?!)

I think the biggest thing you need to do with marketing is remain genuine and true to yourself. I know that probably sounds crazy, but I’m serious. The person you portray on Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, Twitter, and wherever else you post needs to be YOU. People want genuine. Don’t be afraid to be silly or weird. People like that, trust me, but if you’re not that way then don’t act that way. People will be able to see through you if you’re faking it and that’s not good. Always be yourself.

 

Pick your platform and build it. If you prefer facebook over twitter, then use that (but hook your Facebook to Twitter so you’re still posting there. That’s what I do). Same if you prefer Instagram or Snapchat. Pick one thing and give it all your attention so that way you’re always active and people see you. If you hate facebook and never want to use it that’s fine just use SOMETHING. I personally use Facebook the most—particularly my group since posts on my page are no longer seen very much. I used to use my blog as my #1 thing and honestly, I think I might go back to that…or at least Facebook won’t be my #1 anymore. It’s not working so I’m going to find a new platform.

 

Which leads into…

 

If it’s not working, move on. If you post non-stop on Facebook and NOBODY is seeing you (story of my life) then try Instagram or something. When something isn’t working you can’t force it to work. So it’s better to cut your losses and move on. Social Media is always changing and you have to adapt with it.

 

Also, once you pick your platform, make sure you post, post, POST. Don’t feel like you’re being annoying. I’m not saying you need to post the same thing every five minutes, but just remain active. You can’t sell a book if people can’t see you. I’ve always made the mistake in the past of feeling like I’m annoying and then not posting about my book—said book ALWAYS then flops. But if I really promote one actively for 2+ weeks then it usually sells really well and the minute I stop talking about it then the sales start dropping. I’ve noticed this happen with several books so I definitely feel like posting sells books.

 

Don’t be afraid to try different things. Reach out to other authors, bloggers, etc, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. I get asked a lot “How did you get to share about your book?” Um….I built a relationship with them. I talk to lots of authors and share their stuff when I see it. I SUPPORT my fellow authors. Now, I’m not saying you need to share and talk to every single author—nobody has time for that—but pick a couple that you genuinely like their books and comment on their posts, message them about liking their books, share stuff, etc. After a while you notice frequent liker’s and commenters so interacting really can help you. Messaging people and being like “Want to read my book?” isn’t the way to go about it. Make friends. Don’t be shy—author’s don’t bite. Usually.

Dark Hearts Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is something I used to do with every release–and I always made sure to post here, on my blog. In fact, early on I hardly used facebook or any other social media, and solely used my blog for posts and to communicate with you guys. Sometimes, I miss it, especially since if you check here regularly I KNOW you’re going to see my posts. Unlike how Facebook hides everything. So I’m really trying to post here more. It’s a struggle to get back on a schedule but I feel like my blog deserves more focus. I think I’ll do a more in depth post on blogging and why I’m sick of Facebook, haha.

ANYWAY, what you really want. Teaser Tuesday. For a long time I’ve just been randomly uploading teasers when I feel like it, but I’m going to back to Teaser Tuesday. I miss it. The plan is every Tuesday leading up to the release of Dark Hearts I’m going to share a teaser with you.

Enjoy!

I’ve learned that not everything is what it seems. If you start to look too close, you uncover things people don’t want you to see. It’s why I hide. It’s why no one knows the real me. But he sees me. He sees the darkness in my heart but he’s not afraid, because he’s like me. They say opposites attract, but we’re proof that like-and-like are a far more potent combination.

Novalee Clarke is hiding from a past she wants to leave behind, and Jacen Kensington is running from his.

The thing about hiding and running is eventually the thing you’re trying to escape catches up to you.

And when it does?

It changes everything.

PREORDER NOW 

iBooks: hyperurl.co/uz3usm

Kobo: hyperurl.co/iq8qsi

B&N: hyperurl.co/06vqfk

Add on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31366491-dark-hearts

Amazon preorder is coming with the cover reveal.

The post Dark Hearts Teaser Tuesday appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Beauty in the Ashes RELEASE

Beauty in the Ashes finally re-released last week and now that I have all the buy links I’m sharing here! It’ll be .99 cents for a few more days and then the price is going up!

Some stories are a fairytale…but this isn’t one.

Caelan Gregory’s life fell apart the night he went home and opened the door to find his whole family murdered. Since then, his life has held no meaning. He’s angry. He’s bitter. He’s barely human anymore. There’s nothing left to remind him of the straight A student, and football quarterback he once was…but he wasn’t a good person then, and he’s certainly not a good person now. He’s retreated into a world where all that exists is numbness and his passion for painting.

When Sutton Hale moves into the apartment across the hall from Caelan she’s not prepared for her reaction to him. Something in his broken blue eyes calls to her—after all she’s always had an irrational need to fix everything.

But Caelan doesn’t do relationships or feelings. He does drugs and alcohol. However, he can’t ignore his desire to get to know the raven-haired woman across the hall.

Two broken souls trying to mend one another.

But not everything can be fixed.

In the end, Caelan and Sutton will have to learn that there is beauty in the ashes.

Amazon: hyperurl.co/5fqy3u

iBooks: hyperurl.co/htrt37

B&N: hyperurl.co/r7jmq3

Kobo: hyperurl.co/ifpxh5

The post Beauty in the Ashes RELEASE appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Beauty in the Ashes: PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

Caelan

Life is like a flame.

It burns bright for a while then it flickers and fades, until finally, one small breath extinguishes it and we’re left with the ashes.

 

The house was quiet, but I still waited ten more minutes to leave, making sure I heard the sounds of my dad snoring.

I’d gotten grounded for a month the last time I got caught sneaking out.

I wasn’t going to make the same mistake again.

I crept over to my bedroom window, sliding it up as quietly as I could. It squeaked, and I halted my movements, holding my breath to make sure no one in the house stirred.

I all but jumped out of my skin when the door to the bathroom that connected my room to my sister’s opened.

“Cael, what are you doing?” she asked, standing there in pajama shorts and a tank top. Her eyes were wide, reminding me of a doll.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I whispered, nodding at my half open window.

“Mom and Dad are going to kill you if you get caught,” she hissed, padding into my room like she owned the place. Nosy little sisters were good for nothing. I missed the days when I could bribe her to keep quiet with candy.

“I can’t miss this party, Cayla,” I groaned. “I’m the quarterback. I have to be there,” I reasoned.

“I want to go.” She squared her shoulders defiantly.

“No,” I hissed through my teeth. No fucking way was I bringing my sixteen-year-old sister to a senior party. It wasn’t because of her age that I wanted her to stay behind, but the way I saw my friends looking at her. Cayla was too sweet and innocent to get wrapped up in one of those fuckers. I’d kill them if they touched my sister.

“Fine, then I’m going to wake up Mom.” She turned on her heel to stalk out of my room.

I reached out and grabbed her arm, my fingers digging into her skin. “No,” I said sternly. “don’t be a little tattle-tale bitch.”

Her eyes widened at my harsh words. Yeah, Cayla and I bickered like most siblings, but we also got along better than most too. She wasn’t used to me being so rude.

“Let go of me.” She yanked her arm from my grasp. “You can be such a dick, Caelan.” She headed back toward the bathroom and stopped in the doorway. “I won’t say anything to Mom and Dad about this, but you owe me.”

“Deal.” I smiled.

She started to leave, but something in me made me say her name. “Cayla?”

“Yeah?” She stopped, her blonde hair swishing around her shoulders.

I swallowed thickly. “I love you, you know that, right?”

She rolled her clear blue eyes at me. Cayla and I looked a lot alike—so much alike that many people believed we were twins.

“I see what you’re doing here, but you still owe me, dickwad.”

I chuckled. “Believe me, I know.”

I was surprised she hadn’t put up much fight. I think she knew the real reason I didn’t want her to go, and probably wanted to avoid me getting in a fight—which would result in our parents finding out that we had both snuck out.

“Have fun.” She smiled, closing the bathroom door.

“Night, Cayla-belle,” I said softly, so low that she couldn’t hear me.

I eased the window up completely and eased outside, crouching on the roof. I waited a minute to make sure Cayla wasn’t going to reappear—or one of my parents—then closed it.

I tiptoed down the eave of the roof, spotting the taillights of Kyle’s car waiting down the street for me.

I lowered to my stomach, sliding over the edge, and grabbing on. I dropped down to the ground, careful to tuck my body so I didn’t injure myself.

Getting down was the easy part of sneaking out. Getting back up … Now that was a different story.

I jogged down the street to Kyle’s white car.

“Dude, what the fuck took so long?” he asked when I finally slid into the passenger seat.

“My sister caught me,” I muttered.

Kyle grinned, and I didn’t like his smile one bit. “Why didn’t you bring her? She’s hot, I’m sure someone could’ve had some fun with her.”

I glared at him, my fists clenched. “Don’t talk about my sister like that.”

Kyle raised his hands in mock surrender, a smirk playing on his thin lips. “It’s the truth. A lot of the guys would love to have a piece of—”

I punched the side of his face.

I didn’t care if he was my friend or not.

No one talked about my baby sister like that. Hopefully, he’d learn from this and so would the other guys.

“Fuck, Caelan, did you really need to punch me?”

“Yeah, I really did. Maybe that will teach you that running your mouth about my sister is a bad idea,” I retorted. “Would you want me to make comments about your sister?”

“My sister is fourteen,” he countered.

“Mine’s only sixteen,” I continued to pin him with a glare.

“Fine, whatever, dude. She isn’t worth getting punched over for no-fucking-reason,” he hissed.

He finally pulled away from the curb.

“Where’s this party at?” I asked.

After we’d won the football game, I had to head home for dinner—my parents were really big on family time. Sometimes “family time” could be a major pain in the ass since it kept me from doing stuff with friends, but when I heard some of them talk about how messed up their families were I was silently thankful for my overbearing parents.

“The Cove,” he answered, winding around a turn too fast. I knew better than to complain—he’d only speed up.

The Cove wasn’t really a cove at all. It was a rock formation near the lake that provided great shelter from the surrounding neighborhoods. As long as we kept the noise level reasonable, most people didn’t know we were out there.

“Leah is going to be there,” Kyle said casually, watching me out of the corner of his eye for a reaction.

I’d been going after Leah for a few weeks. She always tried to blow me off, but I could tell I was breaking down her walls. It wouldn’t be long until I had her right where I wanted her. She was enjoying playing hard to get, and I was enjoying the chase, but it ended tonight. I’d have her.

Kyle parked a block over from The Cove and we walked from that point. People would get suspicious if a bunch of cars were parked too close.

“Cael?”

I turned at the sound of my name, my lips curling up as I spotted Leah.

Her shiny red hair was curling down her back, and her lips were coated in some kind of shiny gloss that I was desperate to taste.

“I’ll see you later … I guess.” Kyle winked, heading on without us.

“You know,” I told Leah, “you shouldn’t be standing out here all by yourself where anyone could get you.”

“Oh,” she purred, striding forward, “is the big bad wolf going to eat me?” she asked, purposely letting her breasts brush against my shoulder.

“Maybe.” I smirked, staring down at her.

“And maybe—” she stared brazenly up at me “—I want him to.”

Aw, hell.

I’d been waiting weeks for this moment, and I wasn’t going to let it pass me by.

I reached out for her, my hands finding the curve of her butt, and pressed my lips to hers.

She let out a soft little moan that stirred something inside me. I pressed more firmly against her as her fingers pulled at my hair. I knew she was a feisty little thing. I nipped at her bottom lip and then plunged my tongue inside her mouth. I wanted her, and I wanted her bad, but we were standing on the street, and I did value my life. If I got caught, my dad would be pissed enough to string me up by my balls and leave me to die, so I broke away.

“That’s hardly over,” I warned her.

She giggled, reaching for my hand. “I hope not … and it certainly doesn’t feel like it’s over.” She bit her lip, running her fingers over the hard-on pressing against my jeans.

My breath hissed through my teeth as she felt me up.

I led her through the tall grass and around the large rocks where the party was roaring. A small fire provided warmth, but it wasn’t large enough to attract unwanted attention. Someone played music from their iPod dock and bodies swayed.

“Dance with me,” Leah pleaded, pulling me toward everyone else.

I wasn’t a dancer, but I agreed just for the pleasure of watching her sexy little body move.

She grinded against me, and I closed my eyes, tilting my head back.

“If you keep doing that,” I warned her, grabbing her stomach and rubbing my thumb against the underside of her breast, “I’m going to haul you out of here and make you scream my name.”

She looked up at me, her green eyes sparkling in the moonlight. My throat tightened as her tongue flicked out to moisten her pouty lips. “I wouldn’t complain.”

“Fuck,” I growled, my hands tightening against her.

I wanted her, and I wanted her bad.

“Come on.” I pulled her away from everyone else and into the tall grasses. I kept dragging her until we were far enough away that we wouldn’t be found easily.

I sunk down on the ground, pulling her with me onto my lap.

“You’ve been teasing me for weeks.” I lifted her shirt off her head. “This ends tonight.”

“Just make it good,” she challenged.

“Oh, trust me, baby, you don’t need to worry.”

⌘⌘⌘

When we returned—clothes and hair mused, but completely satisfied—the party had grown even larger. It seemed like everyone in our senior class was in attendance.

People wanted to talk and congratulate me on the game. I smiled and nodded—but, honestly, I didn’t really care. Football was fun, but it wasn’t my whole life.

I sat down on the ground, beer in hand, with Leah between my legs. Her head rested against my chest.

When the sun started to peek above the edge of the lake, we all knew it was time to leave.

I said goodbye to Leah, giving her a long lingering kiss. Tonight had been good, and I wasn’t ready to let her walk away just yet.

“Come on, Lover Boy.” Kyle pried me away from her lips.

I laughed, calling to Leah, “See you later?”

She nodded, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

Kyle dropped me off at the same spot he’d been waiting for me earlier. I walked slowly toward my house, my head bowed.

When I finally looked up, ready to cut across the side yard to the back, so I could get back to my room, I noticed that the front door was slightly ajar.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Oh, shit.

My parents had woken up and found me gone. I was in so much trouble it wasn’t even funny.

I swallowed thickly, my heart pumping in my chest as I made my way up the front steps into the house. There would be no point trying to sneak in. I had been caught and I had to face this.

When I pushed open the front door, I was surprised to find the house in disarray. Drawers were open, lights smashed, and our belongings strewn about everywhere.

“What. The. Hell,” I gasped.

My heart raced even faster.

Something bad had happened. It looked like someone had broken in and tried to rob us.

I walked to the back of the house, to the kitchen, expecting to find my mom and dad there calling the police, but it was empty.

“Mom!” I called. “Dad!”

Silence greeted me.

Maybe they had run to the neighbors’ house? Or were at the police station? Or—?

Something told me that neither of those things had happened.

Dread settled over me, sliding through my body like toxic sludge.

I swallowed thickly, heading for the main staircase.

I took the steps slowly and came to a standstill when I reached the top.

Blood.

Blood everywhere.

My shoes were growing damp with it.

“Dad!” I dropped to my knees, not caring that his blood now soaked my jeans. “Dad!” I screamed again and again—willing him to answer. I rolled him over, choking on a sob as his lifeless eyes met me. There was so much blood. God, it was fucking everywhere, seeping out of a series of knife wounds on his chest.

I released him, running for my parents’ room.

“No!” I yelled, when my eyes took in the sight of my mom lying on a blood-soaked mattress, her eyes focused on the ceiling. There were cuts and slashes all over her. I couldn’t mistake the sound of her blood dripping from the bed onto the hardwood floors.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

I ran to Cayla’s room next, praying that she had hidden and was okay—or better yet, hoping I’d wake up and find this to all be a nightmare.

“Cayla!” I shouted, clutching my stomach as it heaved violently.

Like my mom, she was lying in her bed. Her eyes stared straight at me—the color so light it was almost white. Her normally rosy complexion was now a grayish-blue color. Her throat had been slit open, the blood coating her, the bed, and the floor. Her mouth was open in a never-ending silent scream.

I fell to the ground, sobbing hysterically.

“Cayla,” I cried, crawling on my hands and knees over to her bed. “Cayla, please! You can’t die! Cayla!” I smacked her cheeks, shook her, yelled at her, and none of it did any good.

She was gone.

They were all gone.

I pulled my phone out, fumbling to press the right buttons.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“Help! You have to help me! They’re dead! They’re all dead!”

“Who’s dead, sir?” the calm voice asked me.

“My family! They’re dead! God, they’re all dead!”

“Sir, what’s your address?”

I couldn’t answer the woman. I had lost all capability of speaking. A strange noise was escaping me—half crying, half screaming.

I shook Cayla some more, hoping in vain what I saw would disappear and she’d wake up and tell me I was crazy.

I’d rather be losing my mind than face this reality.

When I knew that Cayla wasn’t going to wake up, I sat on the floor beside her.

I rocked back and forth, sobbing, my blood-covered hands running through my hair. I kept muttering under my breath, “This isn’t real, this isn’t real, this isn’t real.”

That’s how the police found me.

Even five years later, I still felt like I was stuck in that room rocking back and forth beside Cayla.

Only now, I said, “This is real.”

The post Beauty in the Ashes: PROLOGUE appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Beauty in the Ashes Cover Reveal

Some stories are a fairytale…but this isn’t one.

Caelan Gregory’s life fell apart the night he went home and opened the door to find his whole family murdered. Since then, his life has held no meaning. He’s angry. He’s bitter. He’s barely human anymore. There’s nothing left to remind him of the straight A student, and football quarterback he once was…but he wasn’t a good person then, and he’s certainly not a good person now. He’s retreated into a world where all that exists is numbness and his passion for painting.

When Sutton Hale moves into the apartment across the hall from Caelan she’s not prepared for her reaction to him. Something in his broken blue eyes calls to her—after all she’s always had an irrational need to fix everything.

But Caelan doesn’t do relationships or feelings. He does drugs and alcohol. However, he can’t ignore his desire to get to know the raven-haired woman across the hall.

Two broken souls trying to mend one another.

But not everything can be fixed.

In the end, Caelan and Sutton will have to learn that there is beauty in the ashes.

Release Date: December 6th

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33136999-beauty-in-the-ashes

Cover Design: Regina Wamba/Mae I Design and Photography

The post Beauty in the Ashes Cover Reveal appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

Unraveling & Undeniable Bundle .99 cents!

SURPRISE! 

In honor of Black Friday/Cyber Monday I have a major surprise for you. Unraveling and Undeniable is bundled together and on sale for a limited time! It’s .99 cents everywhere. Please share and spread the word. I wanted to get this out to you yesterday but it didn’t go live in time and it probably won’t be live on other retailers until Tuesday or Wednesday since they’re slow. But you can get it on Amazon.

Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/tsbb6p

Other links coming soon.

Cover Design by Emily Wittig Designs and Photography

The post Unraveling & Undeniable Bundle .99 cents! appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.

I wrote a book–What do I do next?

I said I was going to start blogging more and one of the topics I’m asked about most is what do after you’ve finished writing a book so I figured I’d start here.

 

(P.S. I’m not reading through this so if there’s misspellings…well, I’m human.)

 

I am by no means an expert on publishing and every experience is different—this has just been my personal experience.

 

My number one piece of advice would be—don’t publish the first book you write.

 

But it’s my baby!

 

I know. Believe me, I know, because I felt the exact same way. But now, having written nearly 30 books, I look back on my first books and I cringe at how awful they are. At the time I was blinded by my love for the story, characters, and writing in general and I couldn’t separate myself and look at it with an unbiased eye. Don’t get me wrong, I still love those books and characters…I just wish no one would ever read them. I can write a lot better now.

That being said, even though I wish those books weren’t out there, I don’t regret it. If I hadn’t published those I don’t think I would’ve had the guts to publish anything.

 

Moving on, once you’ve completed your book I suggest converting it to a .mobi file and putting it on a kindle (if you have a kindle) and reading it as a book. You could always print it out the old fashioned way, but I prefer the kindle because I can make the words bigger and it’s easier for me to read (my eyes suck) and then as I’m reading I have the word document up on my computer and I can change things as I go. I’ve formed a very critical eye of my own work over the years and I find that reading it on a kindle as an actual book makes me even more critical vs. reading it straight from the computer. No book is perfect, and you have to be willing to make changes and cuts.

 

After you’ve read it and made any changes you want you can read it again—but I never do that. By that point my eyes are crossing and my brain has turned to mush and I’m useless and not going to be able to further the story.

 

This means it’s time for beta readers. I have my betas read it as I write, but that’s only because I now don’t ever have any major plot changes. But when you’re just starting I suggest using betas once you’re done and have read it yourself. When picking a beta reader DO NOT (I repeat DO NOT) use family or your best friend or that person I know that was an English Major. Seriously, DON’T DO IT. I mean it. Betas are there to help guide your story and you want them to be critical but also point out things you do well. Family and friends will tell you it’s great when it’s not and that person I know that was an English Major will think they know everything and screw up your story. So who do I use as a beta reader then? If you’ve already built an online audience (maybe online friends that are also readers) reach out to one or two of them. Your end goal is getting your books out to readers so why not have beta readers that are actually readers? Also, beta readers are supposed to be critical. You don’t want them to say, “I love this!” When it really sucks. Once your book is published readers aren’t going to lie and tell you they love it, they’re going to be brutally honest, so it’s better to hear it sooner rather than later. Oh, and quick note—try not to have too many beta readers limit yourself to no more than three.

 

Once you’ve gone through the beta reading process it’s time to start looking for an editor. Most editors will offer a sample edit so you can see if you like their style of editing and it also helps to have an editor that you mesh well with. I was lucky enough to accidently end up with my editor because she started out as my formatter and we click very well. We have similar personalities so it works, which is great since I release a book approximately every other month.

 

One of the biggest questions I’m asked is how?

How do I find an editor?

How do I find a formatter? A cover designer?

 

It’s easier than you think. Facebook is your best ally. Stalk your favorite authors and see if they mention who their editor or formatter is. See a cover you love? Find out who the designer is. Chances are if you don’t easily find that information then the author will be happy to answer you in a comment or message. I know it can be scary reaching out to your favorite authors but we’re people and most of us are pretty kind. (I’ll post links down below for people I use that you can check out)

 

Finding a good editor, cover designer, and formatter can be difficult and cost a lot of money. But remember this is your baby and you don’t want to skimp on it. INVEST IN YOUR DREAM. If you don’t believe enough in your book to do it right, then no one is going to believe in you enough to buy it. That sounds harsh, but it’s true. Chances are you’re going to have to save up for months when you’re first starting out in order to get a good cover designer and editor. (Formatting isn’t as expensive) But trust, me it’s worth every penny. A cover is your first impression—it’s the first thing that tells a reader hmm this is something I might like and you want to make them stop and look long enough to read the blurb. Then, you want to make sure you have a good editor because the last thing you want is a jaw-droppingly amazing cover and the inside sucks. Readers will remember if your book is poorly edited. TRUST ME. And readers talk. Word of mouth is your best ally but it can also be your foe. Formatting is one thing I see a lot of people leave off but it’s just as important as editing and having a good cover. If the book isn’t formatted right it can totally be screwed up on someone’s reading device and they might think it’s defective. You want to make sure your book is completely professional all the way around. Every aspect is important.

 

Once your book is edited, formatted, and has a cover, what do you do?

It’s time to publish! For self-publishing to kindle you will use Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. For everything else I personally use Smashwords—they then publish to Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and more. There are other websites you can use like Draft 2 Digital, but I personally have no experience with that one. Createspace is the big one for paperbacks. I have used Ingram Spark (Lightning Source) and I don’t recommend them. It’s very easy to set up an account and you give them your bank account information so they can deposit your money.

 

After all that is set up it’s time to pick a publishing date if you haven’t already and start marketing. (I will do another blog post on marketing)

 

When it’s time to publish you log into your accounts and follow the steps. Most websites now offer preorders too, if that’s something you want to do.

 

Then you simply press PUBLISH and watch your baby grow up and go out into the world.

 

Don’t forget to breathe, because while you might be scared, it’s going to be okay.

 

If you have any questions because I’m sure I’ve forgotten to touch on something, feel free to comment below and I’ll answer. If your comment doesn’t show up immediately it’s because I have to approve it. I get a lot of spam comments so I have to approve most of them.

 

 

Cover Designers I recommend: 

My go-to is Regina Wamba with Mae I Design. She also does custom photography. She’s amazingly talented and awesome to work with. She has some of the most recognizable covers in the indie world. http://www.maeidesign.com/

Hang Le is also an amazing cover designer. She did my re-do’s for Unraveling and Undeniable. But you probably know my Bring Me Back cover over those and she did that one as well. Hang is incredibly sweet with a distinct style. http://www.byhangle.com/

Emily Wittig is an up and coming young designer. I’m blown away by her talent at such a young age and I know she’s just going to get better and better. She did the new covers for my Fallen Series as well as something else I haven’t revealed yet.