Sandy Appleyard's Blog, page 18

If the Word Fits, Use It

Image courtesy of Inmagine.com

I recently had a comment on a previous post, and I’d like to expand on it if you’ll bear with me. The comment was regarding the use of foul language. To be fair, this person was agreeing with me when I stated that blog posts should not be a place to use foul language. But then this person extended that to books; and that it should not be used there, either.

I kindly disagreed.

The prose found in blogs is inherently different than that in books. Blog posts are more...

Book Feature: The Evil Beneath

I’m very proud to have this psychological thriller as my first book feature! Alison Waines did an extraordinary job with this book, and I can personally attest, having read and reviewed it myself.

There’s a body in the water – and she’s wearing your clothes… Impulsive and intrepid psychotherapist, Juliet Grey, can’t resist responding to an anonymous text message telling her to go to Hammersmith Bridge at dawn. But it isn’t simply the dead body in the water that disturbs her, it’s the way somet...

Now Offering FREE Advertising on my Website!

Image courtesy of Inmagine.com

For about a year now I’ve been happily doing book reviews. It’s been both rewarding and enlightening in so many ways. That’s not to say I don’t plan on continuing to do reviews, but I just need to continue trying new things.

With book reviews I enjoyed an increase in website traffic and many kind gestures from the authors for which I did the reviews for, however I’d like to offer something slightly different now.

What would you say if I offered to advertise your bo...

Heterosexuals vs. Homosexuals-An Argument I’ll Never Understand

Image courtesy of Inmagine.com

Lately I’ve read so many debates and arguments regarding heterosexuals versus homosexuals, and the fact that some heterosexuals don’t like it that homosexuals want to be able to legally marry.

I know a lot of the issue pertains to religion, and that certain faiths believe that being homosexual is a sin, or that marriage is for two of the opposite sex, otherwise it’s a sin.

I don’t get it.

When I think of God and church, I think about love, respect, strength and bel...

SoCal Author Academy-Help for Authors is Here!

One of my previous posts, ‘Has the Bar Been Lowered? Why are Indie Published Books Less-Than-Great Lately?‘ fueled aLinkedInconversation of more than 100 comments.

From that conversation, I pulled some very helpful insight into the world of Indie publishing, and how we can all help make it a better place.

Susan McBeth, founder of theSoCal AcademyandAdventures by the Book, was generous enough to provide me with details of her program to help authors. Here is her contribution to the thread:

I am i...

Have You Ever Paid it Forward?

Image courtesy of Inmagine.com

There’s something to be said about the ‘pay it forward’ phenomenon, which I learned all about during a recent trip to the doctor.

It wasn’t a big thing, but it’s often the little things that make the biggest impact.

As I sat in the waiting area at my doctor’s office, an elderly lady slowly hobbled her way into the office, leaning on a cane for support. Through the corner of my eye I watched her stop every six steps or so to wipe her brow with a tissue. My heart san...

7900 Followers and Going Strong….How?

Image courtesy of Inmagine.com

For some of you, 7900 followers is a drop in the bucket.

But for others, the number may seem overwhelming. It’s not really that difficult. The key is reciprocation and consistency.

Reciprocation says so many things about you as a Twitter user.

You’re loyal.

You’re polite (it’s a simple, yet effective way to say thank you).

Sharing quality content is important to you (and you’re not afraid to share your own knowledge).

You want to help others who have helped you.

You don...

Top Ten List of Reasons why Writers Need to Sleep

Image courtesy of Inmagine.com

As an avid reader, writer and blogger, I sometimes find myself up way past my usual bed time. I know I’m not alone as I read the comments being tweeted about how much coffee some people need to get their mojo’s working in the morning.

I performed a necessary experiment recently. Suffering from a case of writer/blogger burnout, I decided to force myself to go to bed at a decent hour, and get eight hours of sleep. Imagine that!

After days of lacklustre writing and li...

Has the Bar Been Lowered? Why are Indie Published Books Less-Than-Great Lately?

Image courtesy of Inmagine.com

I’ve been happily reviewing books for well over a year now, and I do it on my own accord, without any compensation whatsoever.

In the beginning I would review any book I enjoyed reading; whether it was a best selling author or an independently published author, established or brand new to the industry.

This past summer, however, I started reviewing strictly indie authors, simply to help them out and to gain more perspective in the indie world. In a nutshell, as an...

Guest Posts: What are They and Why Would you Want to Host Them?

Image courtesy of Inmagine.com

Guest posts, to both the guest and the host blogger, are one way to reach a different audience: each other’s.

I decided to offer my blog as a host to guest bloggers many months ago. Initially it was to get fresh ideas and new material since I had all but burned myself out. What I discovered was a whole new world of blogging.

When bloggers saw my site or my tweets “Looking to guest post on my blog?” I started becoming a stop on their blog tour. The benefits have bee...