Laura Susan Johnson's Blog, page 13

Book Club Press Release for Crush/Youtube Chapter 12 of Bright

I just wanted to share that earlier this month, I submitted Crush to BookLaunch PR and Book Club Reading List. I had originally prepared a more thorough description of what Crush is about, but as I went back and changed a couple of things about my contact info, the press release was shortened. Oh well...Crush is listed on both the fiction and gay/lesbian fiction list. I added a message below the article about how to contact me and my websites.

http://bookclubreading.com/crush/

Also, I posted chapters 11 and 12 for my in progress book, Bright. Then I made a youtube video about some concerns I have about Chapter 12. The way I wrote chap 12 is based only on my own personal experiences with this religious topic.

The character Helena (2 characters have names that mean "light", Helena and Lucienne) is based on 2 people I know. I am not attempting to paint any particular religions, including Christianity, as "bad" or "evil." I am only relating my own life experiences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usG90x...

Questions and comments are welcome.

Ch 11 & 12 of Bright added today

http://bright-the-book.snack.ws/excer...

The songs I listened to while writing Crush

These are the songs I listened to on radio or CDs or mp3s while writing Crush from Aug. 2010 to May 2012:

http://www.showcasefreedom.com/music/...

There's also a playlist on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=...

Ch 9 & 10 of "Bright" available to read

Please post feedback too if you wish :)

http://bright-the-book.snack.ws/excer...

Avast thar, me hardeez! I think I'm being pirated!

While doing a google search this AM, I stumbled upon this: a PDF of "Crush", uploaded by an unknown party, to a free "ebook sharing" site. I registered for this site because that was what was required for me to even be able to access the PDF.

http://www.superiorz.org/sec229-m-m-b...

Until I would have been approved for membership, there was no way of seeing the PDF file or whether or not the party who uploaded is now profitting from MY hard work and pride.

Shortly after I registered to this "Superiorz.org" I received an email. "You did not meet our membership requirements, so your account has been deleted. Sorry."

I then proceeded to fill out a copyright complaint form on their "contact us" section. I wonder if they'll reply or delete my complaint. I also corresponded with the U.S. Copyright Office.

While researching copyright infringement, I found this article naming Superiorz.org as one of MANY ebook pirating/sharing sites:

http://cambriahebert.com/2012/07/eboo...

Is there any way to stop these sorts of things? In this day and age, I'm doubtful. I think the one effective action is to warn all authors and readers about these sites and ask them to spread the word about them. Don't support "share" sites because unless you get the book from an authorized retailer, you're not paying the author. You're might just be paying an imposter.

YouTube Frequently Asked Questions about "Crush"

This youtube series is where a lot of my "blogs" occur. I answer questions that friends and readers have sent to me. A warning: some of the videos discuss/debate about potentially offensive content/topics.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?feat...

My first one * review!

I appreciate all reviews. I wish I could "like" the one star one I got today, but there's no like button. I think like buttons only appear when the reviewer writes text to go with their rating.

Either way, I am thankful to see reviews, even one star reviews.

Thank you all for giving Crush a chance and a read :)

HAPPY 2013!!

Thank you to all my friends and fans for reading and rating "Crush"!!! Reviews and feedback are invaluable.

If you can, please also post your reviews on B&N, Amazon and Smashwords too!!!

Have a happy new year :)

Laura Susan Johnson

LAST CHANCE to get Crush on Smashwords FREE!!!

You have till midnite!!! Use code DH39Y when you checkout!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Sneak Peak at Chapter 9 of "Bright"

http://bright-the-book.snack.ws/excer...