Jo Michaels's Blog, page 22
July 25, 2016
Cover Reveal - Cloverfield Collections Werewolves - Jez & Cole
Happy Monday, everyone! Today I have an awesome cover reveal for you all. Don't worry, I'll be back on the radio with you tomorrow, and I have a super amazing announcement, so be sure you're listening!
Ready? Let's get going!
Cloverfield Collections Werewolves – Jez & Coleby L. C. Miller
Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Jez Parker knows what Hell is like. She spends ten months a year in it in the form of a life with her abusive mother and stepfather. Two months out of the year, she lives with her werewolf dad and twin brother.
Abused and beaten she’s ordered by her mother and stepfather to find information on her dad’s werewolf pack – The Small Town Pack. Vowing to protect her dad, brother, and newly bonded mate, Jez asks for help from the Cloverfields, a supernatural clan that helps those in need.
Cole Patrick thought his life ended when he was told Jez had died in a house fire. Now that she’s alive and back in his life, he believes he can keep his feelings for her a secret from his best friend, who happens to be her twin, as well as from her dad. He soon realizes something weird is happening within his pack and that Jez is being targeted. He knows she’s hiding something and he vowed to protect her.
But when secrets are revealed and lives are betrayed, will they have a future together?
Ready for that cover? I know you are! Well, here it is!
How awesome is that?
About L. C. Miller:
I have loved reading since I was old enough to do it. I started writing in my down time in 2006 and have been doing it ever since.
Reading, writing, and hanging out with my family are some of my favorite things - along with hot chocolate and pizza (not together, of course).
With a bachelors in Accounting, writing has been a great way to unwind and let my imagination fly.
Stalk her on all the places!
FacebookGoodreadsAnchor Group Fan Club
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
Ready? Let's get going!
Cloverfield Collections Werewolves – Jez & Coleby L. C. Miller
Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Jez Parker knows what Hell is like. She spends ten months a year in it in the form of a life with her abusive mother and stepfather. Two months out of the year, she lives with her werewolf dad and twin brother.
Abused and beaten she’s ordered by her mother and stepfather to find information on her dad’s werewolf pack – The Small Town Pack. Vowing to protect her dad, brother, and newly bonded mate, Jez asks for help from the Cloverfields, a supernatural clan that helps those in need.
Cole Patrick thought his life ended when he was told Jez had died in a house fire. Now that she’s alive and back in his life, he believes he can keep his feelings for her a secret from his best friend, who happens to be her twin, as well as from her dad. He soon realizes something weird is happening within his pack and that Jez is being targeted. He knows she’s hiding something and he vowed to protect her.
But when secrets are revealed and lives are betrayed, will they have a future together?
Ready for that cover? I know you are! Well, here it is!
How awesome is that?
About L. C. Miller:I have loved reading since I was old enough to do it. I started writing in my down time in 2006 and have been doing it ever since.
Reading, writing, and hanging out with my family are some of my favorite things - along with hot chocolate and pizza (not together, of course).
With a bachelors in Accounting, writing has been a great way to unwind and let my imagination fly.
Stalk her on all the places!
FacebookGoodreadsAnchor Group Fan Club
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
July 22, 2016
Cover Reveal - Deadly Hunt
COVER REVEALDEADLY HUNTbyK.L. HUMPHREYS
BLURB
Sophia Dallas has recently been discharged from the Army after suffering at the hands of the enemy. On her journey to healing, she has finally started to live her life, but the past never really stays in the past.Nathan Slade, a former FBI agent, now owns his own P.I business, has taken on a case that could make or break him. In all the chaos, he meets the love of his life.What happens when the man Nathan's hunting also happens to be a man on the hunt himself - only his target happens to be the love of Nathan's life?Lives will be lost, leaving pain and suffering in the wake of destruction while Nathan and Sophia learn the hard way that the future is never promised – especially theirs.Join The Facebook Release Party
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KL Humphreys was born in London, England but now lives in Ireland with the love of her life. In a way, the world has him to thank for her Debut Novel. After years of thinking about writing the story that had been dying to get out of her head, she finally confided in her other half. He gave her an enthusiastic "Go for It!" and she started writing it the very next day.Miss Humphreys loves music, especially pop, R'n'B and rap and if she's writing you will find it playing somewhere nearby. She also loves all romance novels but of course, Romantic Suspense is her go to genre. When she isn't writing it...it's a good bet she is curled up somewhere reading one. If she doesn't have a book in her hand, you might want to check to make sure she isn't sick. When not reading or writing, she loves to spend time with her loved ones especially while watching a football game (that's soccer for you Americans)... COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!AUTHOR LINKSFacebook | GoodReads | Twitter | QuotesRainHosted by SASS
July 21, 2016
Author Earnings - Indie, Indie Press, and Big 5
Happy Thursday, everyone! It's a radio show day. *grin* Join me on A Daily Cup of Jo at 11AM EST!
Linky
Here's what I'm talking about today:
Author Jo Michaels discusses earnings of Indie authors and those published with a small press as well as those published with one of the big five.
If you've ever wondered why you should go Indie, this radio show gives you one reason: author payouts. If you take marketing and all the other jazz out of publishing, and just focus on the earnings numbers, it might give you some insight into just how many books you have to sell in order to make a certain amount of money.
I'll be breaking it down for you. Be sure you have pen and paper handy. This is going to be fun!
Our base numbers will be $4.99 for the ebook against earnings of $5k. I will NOT be factoring in KU pages read numbers or earnings.
Book mentioned on the show can be found here: Bean Counting for Authors: Helping Writers and Creative Business Owners Grasp Accounting and Taxes by Christina Mercer
I do hope you all check it out! Listen closely, and have a pen nearby.
What do you think? Did you know all this? Does it change anything for you?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
Linky
Here's what I'm talking about today:
Author Jo Michaels discusses earnings of Indie authors and those published with a small press as well as those published with one of the big five.
If you've ever wondered why you should go Indie, this radio show gives you one reason: author payouts. If you take marketing and all the other jazz out of publishing, and just focus on the earnings numbers, it might give you some insight into just how many books you have to sell in order to make a certain amount of money.
I'll be breaking it down for you. Be sure you have pen and paper handy. This is going to be fun!Our base numbers will be $4.99 for the ebook against earnings of $5k. I will NOT be factoring in KU pages read numbers or earnings.
Book mentioned on the show can be found here: Bean Counting for Authors: Helping Writers and Creative Business Owners Grasp Accounting and Taxes by Christina Mercer
I do hope you all check it out! Listen closely, and have a pen nearby.
What do you think? Did you know all this? Does it change anything for you?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
July 20, 2016
Cover Reveal - Locked Away
Blog TourLocked AwaybyRiann C. Miller
GoodReads
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00038]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1469091173i/19778287._SX540_.jpg)
Blurb:Kiran Clark has kept his love life simple: no commitments, no relationships, no attachments of any kind. Lately, his reputation has left a lot to be desired, and his guilt is more than he is willing to admit.Moving to a new town, Kiran vows to start fresh and let go of his old ways, but life did not prepare him for Belle Paasch.Belle lived most of her life locked away from the world, but when she collides with Kiran, she is unprepared for what he has in store. When the shadows of Belle’s past threaten the only people she has ever cared about, she is forced to sacrifice her new life for the sake of those she loves.
Exerpt #1 “You need to relax. You act like the idea of dating translates into something bigger. We’re not getting married, and while we more or less live together, it won’t be for long. So I’m asking you to relax.” His facial features soften and he steps even closer. He reaches out and runs his hand through my wet hair. Feeling bold, I reach up and run my fingers over the stubble on his chin, which causes him to smile.“Do you really start a job tomorrow?” he asks. I square my shoulders and drop my hand, ready to fight him if he tries to talk me out of working. “Yes. It’s at a bookstore downtown.”He nods his head and grins. “I’ll drive you to and from. Let me know your work schedule, and if I can’t be there, I’ll check with Kate.”I tilt his chin down and look into his eyes. “I’ll be fine. I promise.” He starts to open his mouth to argue, but I place my finger over his lips. “I’ll tell you my schedule. I’ll let you know when I need a ride, I promise, but that doesn’t mean you can hover.” Our eyes lock together and the flutters I usually feel when I look at him are at an all-time high. His eyes nervously dart down to my lips. His breathing picks up as he looks back into my eyes. Kiran’s arm slowly wraps around my waist, pulling me even closer to him.Neither of us does anything for several long moments until Kiran brings his hands up and cups my face. Our eyes remain locked as he brings his mouth down to mine. I feel an unexpected jolt pass through my body when our lips connect.His lips feel soft and silky, a delicious contradiction to his stubble that rubs against my chin.His mouth starts moving faster, greedier. His tongue pushes against my lips until I open up and allow him in. Kiran groans into my mouth, sending a wave of lust throughout my body. His tongue continues to move passionately with mine. Seconds later, I feel my towel drop to the floor. Kiran grips my hair in his hand and starts to dominate my mouth. His need for me overrides the self-control he showed moments ago. I whimper into his mouth, wanting to do so much more than just kiss him, but all too soon, Kiran pulls away. Both of our chests heave as we stare into each other’s eyes.Exerpt #2 I slide out from under Isabelle and walk to the bathroom. I quietly close the door and flip on the light to look at myself in the mirror. “What the fuck is wrong with me?” I mumble. I splash water on my face as uneasiness settles in. Somehow, I’ve allowed Isabelle to get under my skin, and I have no idea what I can do to keep her. If I even want to keep her. Shit, of course I want to keep her, that’s the problem. When it comes down to it, though, what I want doesn’t matter.Every damn time she talks about her life in Mexico, I do my best not to act disappointed that she plans to return to her old life, but it’s getting harder every second I’m with her.I walk back into the bedroom where Isabelle is sound asleep. Her blonde hair is spread across her pillow. Her back slowly rises and falls. My heart speeds up just from looking at her. I pull the chair up next to the bed and I continue to watch her peacefully sleep.I’m twenty-five years old, and I’ve spent my entire adult life avoiding the exact situation I’m in: feeling vulnerable and powerless to another person. Even though she knows she means something to me, Isabelle has no idea the control she wields over me, and for my peace of mind, I hope she doesn’t discover how much she really means to me before I discover if I have what it takes to keep her.AmazonBeneath The Lies (Living With Lies, Book 1) → $1.99Available on KU
About the Author
Hi, I'm Riann. I've been obsessed with reading romance novels for close to five years. I love getting to know new people in the book community and I've met several people along the way that I consider true friends.I'm happily married with two children. When I'm not reading or writing, I'm usually spending time with my family, friends or watching baseball.Author LinksWebsite | Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | FacebookHosted by SASS
July 19, 2016
Cover Reveal - Friction (Frenzy #4)
Title: Friction (Frenzy, #4) Author: Casey L. BondGenre: YA ParanormalCover Designer: Cover Me DarlingModel: Daniel WellsCover Photography: Cassy Roop of Pink Ink DesignsExpected Release Date: Early August 2016Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb: A cure has been found for both the Infection and Vampirism, and Porschia Grant must take this news out of the colony. Between her friends volunteering to go with her and a well-planned route, the first journey should be easy. But when they make it to Mountainside, things are strange. The people are frightened of female night-walkers and won’t say why.When the excursion takes a wrong turn, Porschia’s friends make a decision that will impact the rest of their lives. They expect to save Porschia from the evil contained in The Manor; they don’t expect to have to save her from herself.When everything goes wrong, who will be left to pick up the pieces and save Ford from a threat no one could have seen coming?What will happen when they risk everything to save one?
Award-winning author Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction. You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links: Website: www.authorcaseybond.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcaseybond
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorcaseybond
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212486.Casey_L_Bond
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caseyb007
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PmE0pg
Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1032678336804562/
Newsletter: http://authorcaseybond.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e812bbce406a10776c6a28162&id=79850847f2Buy Links: #Free with #KindleUnlimited
Frenzy: http://amzn.to/29P92Jg
Frantic: http://amzn.to/29P9cGp
Frequency: http://amzn.to/29VpTxG
July 18, 2016
Book Review - The Girl in 6E
Happy Monday, everyone! Today, I'm giving you all a book review over on A Daily Cup of Jo! This time, it's for A. R. Torre's The Girl in 6E. My whole shebang about the characters and what I didn't like is available over on my radio show here.
Here's a little about the book up for review today:
Title: The Girl in 6E (Deanna Madden #1)
Author: A. R. Torre
Genre: Psychological Erotic Thriller
Length: 336 printed pages
Buy Link: Amazon Hardcover $4.99
Blurb:
I haven't touched a human in three years. That seems like it would be a difficult task, but it's not. Not anymore, thanks to the internet.
I am, quite possibly, the most popular recluse ever. Not many shut-ins have a 200-member fan club, a bank account in the seven-figure range, and hundreds of men lining up to pay for undivided attention.
They get satisfaction, I get a distraction. Their secret desires are nothing compared to why I hide... my lust for blood, my love of death.
Taking their money is easy. Keeping all these secrets... one is bound to escape. What if you hid yourself away because all you could think of was killing? And what if one girl's life depending on you venturing into society? Enter a world of lies, thrills, fears, and all desires, in this original thriller from A. R. Torre.
****Will not appear in review elsewhere. OMG at this cover! Hello! It totally speaks to the novel inside, and once you read it, you'll probably agree it's freaking perfect. So freaking perfect. I love the bright red, too. Perfect for murder.****
I grabbed this book at Utopia con in Nashville a couple weeks ago after having a little chat with the author over our favorite genres. She recommended The Girl in 6E, so I snapped it up and made her sign it. But that's how I came about owning a copy. Let's get to what I thought.
From a Reader's Perspective:
I was so in awe of the characters and how well they were developed. Torre did a fantastic job communicating the truly twisted nature of the main character, Deanna, that I was rooting for her at the same time I despised her. It takes some serious talent to make a reader both love and hate a character that way. There were a couple of other characters I liked, too, but those I discuss on my podcast review so I'm not going to repeat them here. Pacing was bang on. I think a book like this needs a quick pace to keep the tension amplified, and this one was beautifully done. Plot was twisted and perfect. Couldn't have happened any other way. World building... Well, there wasn't a ton because of the limited world of the MC, but what was done was described well without needling me to DEATH with unnecessary details. Loved it.
From an Editor's Perspective:
It was amazing. Seriously well done.
Rating:
1 Star for an excellent plot that kept me engaged
1 Star for pacing
1 Star for leaving some things to my imagination
1 Star for making me love and hate Deanna at the same time
1 Star for editing
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars. Thrilling to the last page. Recommended if you enjoy a good thriller where you're not sure what the MC will do next.
Other books in the Deanna Madden series are linked on the episode's page over on BTR.
Have you read it? Do you plan to? Did you enjoy the show?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
Here's a little about the book up for review today:
Title: The Girl in 6E (Deanna Madden #1)
Author: A. R. Torre
Genre: Psychological Erotic Thriller
Length: 336 printed pages
Buy Link: Amazon Hardcover $4.99
Blurb:I haven't touched a human in three years. That seems like it would be a difficult task, but it's not. Not anymore, thanks to the internet.
I am, quite possibly, the most popular recluse ever. Not many shut-ins have a 200-member fan club, a bank account in the seven-figure range, and hundreds of men lining up to pay for undivided attention.
They get satisfaction, I get a distraction. Their secret desires are nothing compared to why I hide... my lust for blood, my love of death.
Taking their money is easy. Keeping all these secrets... one is bound to escape. What if you hid yourself away because all you could think of was killing? And what if one girl's life depending on you venturing into society? Enter a world of lies, thrills, fears, and all desires, in this original thriller from A. R. Torre.
****Will not appear in review elsewhere. OMG at this cover! Hello! It totally speaks to the novel inside, and once you read it, you'll probably agree it's freaking perfect. So freaking perfect. I love the bright red, too. Perfect for murder.****
I grabbed this book at Utopia con in Nashville a couple weeks ago after having a little chat with the author over our favorite genres. She recommended The Girl in 6E, so I snapped it up and made her sign it. But that's how I came about owning a copy. Let's get to what I thought.
From a Reader's Perspective:
I was so in awe of the characters and how well they were developed. Torre did a fantastic job communicating the truly twisted nature of the main character, Deanna, that I was rooting for her at the same time I despised her. It takes some serious talent to make a reader both love and hate a character that way. There were a couple of other characters I liked, too, but those I discuss on my podcast review so I'm not going to repeat them here. Pacing was bang on. I think a book like this needs a quick pace to keep the tension amplified, and this one was beautifully done. Plot was twisted and perfect. Couldn't have happened any other way. World building... Well, there wasn't a ton because of the limited world of the MC, but what was done was described well without needling me to DEATH with unnecessary details. Loved it.
From an Editor's Perspective:
It was amazing. Seriously well done.
Rating:
1 Star for an excellent plot that kept me engaged
1 Star for pacing
1 Star for leaving some things to my imagination
1 Star for making me love and hate Deanna at the same time
1 Star for editing
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars. Thrilling to the last page. Recommended if you enjoy a good thriller where you're not sure what the MC will do next.
Other books in the Deanna Madden series are linked on the episode's page over on BTR.
Have you read it? Do you plan to? Did you enjoy the show?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
July 15, 2016
New Release - Fortune's Favor
Fortune’s Favor (HoA #2)Heroes of Arcania TrilogyRELEASE DAY BLITZJuly 14th, 2016
Nova will learn it takes more than sheer strength to be a superhero. Her world implodes when Fortune strikes back for all the trouble she's caused. His dangerous games put everyone around her at risk, especially when he decides to turn Arcania against its precious Heroes. Nova wants to protect Arcania, but how does she save a city that doesn't want her help? Cole has no idea how to deal with his sister Penelope, especially now that she's learned the truth about their family secret. Thanks to Fortune, she's headed down a dark path, one with no return. Torn between helping Nova and protecting his sister, Cole will be forced to make a choice. Tensions rise as Cole and Nova discover war will come to Arcania if they don't get Fortune off the streets...or preferably six feet under.
Nova and Cole might have each other, but will they lose everything else in their mission to save Arcania?
BUY IT ON AMAZON
~*~ABOUT LIZ~*~
Liz Long is a proud graduate of Longwood University. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her day job includes writing for a magazine publisher in Roanoke, VA.
The Donovan Circus series has best been described as "X-Men meets the circus." Adult horror story Witch Hearts tells the tale of a serial killer hunting witches for their powers. New Adult PNR A Reaper Made is about a teen Reaper who gets caught between falling in love or saving her sister's soul. All titles are available for paperback or ebook on Amazon.
To learn more about Liz (including more information on her books, plus writing, marketing, and social media tips), visit her website: http://lizclong.com.
OH YEAH! You must check it out!
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
July 14, 2016
Book Review on the Air - Chasing Eternity - Plus, Publishing World Talk
Happy Thursday! Today, we're over on my radio show at 7AM EST. Here's a brief rundown:
LINK TO SHOW
Your host, Jo Michaels, of the Jo Michaels blog, dives into the number skewing happening in the book world by the big publishing houses, and she warns you why you shouldn't believe everything you read.
Prefacing all serious discussion is a book review of the fourth and final novel in the Award-Winning, YA, Tala Prophecy series by Tia Silverthorne Bach.
In the series are:
Chasing Memories (book one) FREE ON AMAZON
Chasing Shadows (book two)
Chasing Destiny (book three)
Chasing Eternity (book four)
Chasing Forgiveness (the companion novella)
I mention my reviews for the previous books during the show. You can find them on my here via the following links:
Chasing Memories
Chasing Shadows
Chasing Forgiveness
Did you listen? What did you think?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
LINK TO SHOW
Your host, Jo Michaels, of the Jo Michaels blog, dives into the number skewing happening in the book world by the big publishing houses, and she warns you why you shouldn't believe everything you read.
Prefacing all serious discussion is a book review of the fourth and final novel in the Award-Winning, YA, Tala Prophecy series by Tia Silverthorne Bach.
In the series are:
Chasing Memories (book one) FREE ON AMAZONChasing Shadows (book two)
Chasing Destiny (book three)
Chasing Eternity (book four)
Chasing Forgiveness (the companion novella)
I mention my reviews for the previous books during the show. You can find them on my here via the following links:Chasing Memories
Chasing Shadows
Chasing Forgiveness
Did you listen? What did you think?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
July 13, 2016
New from the Ferocious Five - Authors of Fractured Glass and 7
OMG it's hump-day! If you make it to lunch today, that means you'll have made it halfway through the workweek! Hang in there. I know you can do it.
Today, I'm telling you all a little about the Ferocious 5 (how we met, and how you may find our fan group on Facebook) and teasing you about our upcoming project. Ready? Let's get going!
As you all may know, I write with a group of four other women. I'll introduce you here really quickly, and then we'll move on to how we started writing together (clicking their names will take you to their Facebook pages).
Casey L. Bond - Our marketing, bad-ass trailer making, social media dominating sweetie.
Kelly Risser - Our romantic, motivating, killer swag master darling.
N. L. Greene - Our enthusiastic, party planning like a boss, keeping everyone on task sweetheart.
Tia Silverthorne Bach - Our no-nonsense editing, bad-ass accounting, pep-talking dearest.
Me? I do the art! Oh yeah, baby. Groovy. (That was to be read in an Austin Powers voice. Seriously, go back and read it again the right way.)
But the one thing ALL these ladies have in common is: They're all amazing writers . I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to work with them. Each and every one brings something special to the table.
I found them by putting out a call for entries to an anthology. Itching to do something different, I proposed a collection of novellas (no one was doing anything of the sort back then) rather than short stories. They all sent me a writing sample, and it grew from there.
What we ended up with was far beyond anything I'd hoped for.
We met face-to-face for the first time at UtopYA (now Utopia--tickets for 2017 here) 2014 to brainstorm our first collaborative. Many of us had never seen one another, but that one meeting forged a bond that's lasted through two full-length novels, Fractured Glass and 7. For some reason, we just clicked.
We've won awards.
We've been there through ups and downs in life.
We've become very close friends.
We even went as far as to name ourselves, get a logo, and form a fan group over on Facebook. Join us!
When we wrote Fractured Glass, I wondered how in the hell we'd ever top that. Then we wrote 7, and I was positive we'd written the best thing ever (seriously, it's that good). Now, our new project, while fun, stands to be the most amazing thing we'll have accomplished as a team.
It's going to be a lot of work, but I promise you, it'll be FUN for you, as the reader, too!
I'm not going to reveal the title just yet, but I am going to tell you that you've never read anything like it. It's totally unique, but it's also reader interactive.
I can't wait to share the details with you.
For now, why not check out the trailer for 7 and listen to an interview we all did with the one and only Ethan Gregory! You'll hear more about us, and you'll get some insider scoop.
Are you excited? What are you hoping to see out of us this time?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
Today, I'm telling you all a little about the Ferocious 5 (how we met, and how you may find our fan group on Facebook) and teasing you about our upcoming project. Ready? Let's get going!
As you all may know, I write with a group of four other women. I'll introduce you here really quickly, and then we'll move on to how we started writing together (clicking their names will take you to their Facebook pages).
Casey L. Bond - Our marketing, bad-ass trailer making, social media dominating sweetie.
Kelly Risser - Our romantic, motivating, killer swag master darling.
N. L. Greene - Our enthusiastic, party planning like a boss, keeping everyone on task sweetheart.
Tia Silverthorne Bach - Our no-nonsense editing, bad-ass accounting, pep-talking dearest.
Me? I do the art! Oh yeah, baby. Groovy. (That was to be read in an Austin Powers voice. Seriously, go back and read it again the right way.)But the one thing ALL these ladies have in common is: They're all amazing writers . I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to work with them. Each and every one brings something special to the table.
I found them by putting out a call for entries to an anthology. Itching to do something different, I proposed a collection of novellas (no one was doing anything of the sort back then) rather than short stories. They all sent me a writing sample, and it grew from there.
What we ended up with was far beyond anything I'd hoped for.
We met face-to-face for the first time at UtopYA (now Utopia--tickets for 2017 here) 2014 to brainstorm our first collaborative. Many of us had never seen one another, but that one meeting forged a bond that's lasted through two full-length novels, Fractured Glass and 7. For some reason, we just clicked.
We've won awards.
We've been there through ups and downs in life.
We've become very close friends.
We even went as far as to name ourselves, get a logo, and form a fan group over on Facebook. Join us!
When we wrote Fractured Glass, I wondered how in the hell we'd ever top that. Then we wrote 7, and I was positive we'd written the best thing ever (seriously, it's that good). Now, our new project, while fun, stands to be the most amazing thing we'll have accomplished as a team.
It's going to be a lot of work, but I promise you, it'll be FUN for you, as the reader, too!
I'm not going to reveal the title just yet, but I am going to tell you that you've never read anything like it. It's totally unique, but it's also reader interactive.
I can't wait to share the details with you.
For now, why not check out the trailer for 7 and listen to an interview we all did with the one and only Ethan Gregory! You'll hear more about us, and you'll get some insider scoop.
Are you excited? What are you hoping to see out of us this time?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
July 12, 2016
Your Author Banner - One Time Investment, or Break the Bank Recurring Charge?
Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm talking about author banners. You know, those things you put up behind your table at conferences. I get a lot of questions about mine when I put it up because of the way I created it. Because it's come to my attention that several authors might like to do something like this, I figured I'd share here. Ready? Grab those pens and notebooks and let's get going!
So, my author banner is 2.5' x 6' Vertical and looks like this:
I got it at VistaPrint for $100 with a stand. If you wait on a sale, you can get them cheaper (from what I hear), but I needed one in a hurry for RAI this past April.
I know what you're thinking: That's so plain! There are no book covers or anything on there!
You're right. There aren't. But keep reading!
So, $100 is a significant investment, right? I thought: How can I do this just one time, and NEVER have to do it again (unless my clumsy self damages the actual vinyl)?
I went to this site: MPIX and ordered all my covers (8 of them) at 8X12 on single weight matboard and E-surface paper for a little over $60 with shipping. They were around $7 each.
If you're keeping up, that's a $160 investment so far.
Well, I needed a way to make those images interchangeable on the banner (and a way to make them stick). I headed to Amazon and snagged a roll of 75 5/8" white Velcro dots for about $10.
Now comes the fun part!
I designed my layout on the banner with nothing sticky (this step is very important). Then, I flipped the prints over and put the dots on the four corners (the soft side, not the hook side), and then I stuck the hooked side to the soft and removed the covering from the adhesive.
Keep up, this is the MOST important part.
Very carefully, I flipped the first print over and stuck it to the banner where I wanted it.
Then, I detached the dots from one another and removed the image.
I then attached new hook dots to the soft dots ON THAT IMAGE and repeated the process twice, putting it where I had the other two laid out.
Now, my banner has dots that will hold that image in three places, but I want to be able to stick any of the images anywhere .
I then attached soft dots to ONE of the patterns on the banner and removed the adhesive cover. After lining up a new image and gently pressing it down, I had a second image that would fit ALL THREE places on my banner. I repeated this action until all my images had soft dots on the corners.
I used the soft dots on the images so I can stack them and not worry about them scratching one another.
*****IMPORTANT: I know it's time consuming to do it this way, but if you just stick dots on willy-nilly, there's a chance they won't line up with the ones on the banner. Take the time to do it right.
My banner can now display ANY of my covers, and I don't have to spend another $50 (banner with no stand) each time I want to update it, just $7. Here's a picture:
Total investment: $170
If I ever change my branding (colors or WriteJoMichaels), I'm screwed, but I like it enough that I plan to stick with it forever.
You can leave space at the top, bottom, or wherever! It's your design. Do with it what you will.
I'll get into those nifty little stands that are holding my books next week. They're my favorite EVER!
What do you think? Will you try it?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
So, my author banner is 2.5' x 6' Vertical and looks like this:
I got it at VistaPrint for $100 with a stand. If you wait on a sale, you can get them cheaper (from what I hear), but I needed one in a hurry for RAI this past April.
I know what you're thinking: That's so plain! There are no book covers or anything on there!
You're right. There aren't. But keep reading!
So, $100 is a significant investment, right? I thought: How can I do this just one time, and NEVER have to do it again (unless my clumsy self damages the actual vinyl)?
I went to this site: MPIX and ordered all my covers (8 of them) at 8X12 on single weight matboard and E-surface paper for a little over $60 with shipping. They were around $7 each.
If you're keeping up, that's a $160 investment so far.
Well, I needed a way to make those images interchangeable on the banner (and a way to make them stick). I headed to Amazon and snagged a roll of 75 5/8" white Velcro dots for about $10.
Now comes the fun part!
I designed my layout on the banner with nothing sticky (this step is very important). Then, I flipped the prints over and put the dots on the four corners (the soft side, not the hook side), and then I stuck the hooked side to the soft and removed the covering from the adhesive.
Keep up, this is the MOST important part.
Very carefully, I flipped the first print over and stuck it to the banner where I wanted it.
Then, I detached the dots from one another and removed the image.
I then attached new hook dots to the soft dots ON THAT IMAGE and repeated the process twice, putting it where I had the other two laid out.
Now, my banner has dots that will hold that image in three places, but I want to be able to stick any of the images anywhere .
I then attached soft dots to ONE of the patterns on the banner and removed the adhesive cover. After lining up a new image and gently pressing it down, I had a second image that would fit ALL THREE places on my banner. I repeated this action until all my images had soft dots on the corners.
I used the soft dots on the images so I can stack them and not worry about them scratching one another.
*****IMPORTANT: I know it's time consuming to do it this way, but if you just stick dots on willy-nilly, there's a chance they won't line up with the ones on the banner. Take the time to do it right.
My banner can now display ANY of my covers, and I don't have to spend another $50 (banner with no stand) each time I want to update it, just $7. Here's a picture:
Total investment: $170
If I ever change my branding (colors or WriteJoMichaels), I'm screwed, but I like it enough that I plan to stick with it forever.
You can leave space at the top, bottom, or wherever! It's your design. Do with it what you will.
I'll get into those nifty little stands that are holding my books next week. They're my favorite EVER!
What do you think? Will you try it?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
