Nicola Marsh's Blog, page 72

Why some self-published books fail

I'm a member of NINC (Novelists INC.) a wonderful organisation of authors from various genres.

Here's a great post on their blog, 7 Reasons why Self-Published E-books fail .

Myth busting

Rachelle Gardner has been doing some agent myth busting over the last few days.

Check it out here.

When pictures match your imagination

When I had a spark of an idea for my next Riva, I had Julian McMahon in mind for the inspiration behind my hero Rory Devlin.

So I Googled the actor and the instant I saw this pic, it fit my imagination so perfectly I stared at it for ages.

This IS Rory Devlin, exactly how I see him in my mind's eye.

About to turn my heroine's life upside down.
Lucky her.

Operation Auction

I'm saddened to hear the tragic news of Fatin's (an eharlequin member and avid reviewer) loss and the senseless, horrific way she lost her husband.

Friends are putting together a series of auctions to raise money for her and her kids.



Please check it out.

THE WRITE WHISPER: Limbo land

Limbo land is that strange place writers visit between books. When we've just finished writing a story and are eager to jump into the next.When we're waiting to hear from an editor/agent on a query or submission.When we know what we want to write next but we're too scared to start. Limbo land is a tempting place to be. We get to catch up on reading and experience the joy of plucking the next must-read off our TBR pile.We get to swim and go to the park and spend hours in the museum, hours we wouldn't have while on deadline.We get to watch mindless TV just because we can. Limbo land is an essential part of being a writer. Refilling the well is a must. Clearing the mind of our old characters to allow the new to jump in there and demand their story. I love the possibilities of limbo land, love the excited tingle of new stories begging to be written. But limbo land can also be a scary place.Limbo land can sap your confidence as you wait to hear from your editor/agent.It can tempt you with the aforementioned TV/books/etc...so you'd rather be doing that than thinking about your next story.It can allow the self-doubt you usually ignore by writing 2000 words a day to rise up and make you question if you have it in you to write another book...and another...and another after that. Yes, I'm in limbo land at the moment. It has been a fun place to be over the weekend when I've refilled the well with loads of family fun and swimming and reading.But come today, when I'm back to work on Monday, those self-doubts are niggling.The solution? Write.Something.Anything.Because writing soothes and sweeps away those doubts.Because writing makes everything simpler and feel right. Goodbye limbo land, hello sparkly new idea!

The lowdown on self-publishing

I keep abreast of publishing developments.

I'm a member of several writing organisations, I'm on loops for these organisations, I read the digests.

I don't think I've been living under a rock but I hadn't heard the name Amanda Hocking until recently.

Self-publishing talk is exploding all over the Net in a big way.

Here are 2 posts you have to read.

The first, by Nathan Bransford (read 'Amanda Hocking & the 99 cent kindle millionaires', including the comments.)

Next, read Donna Ball , where she gives her real figures on self-publishing.

We live in interesting times...

Bag a bargain

If you haven't discovered the wonderful BOOK DEPOSITORY yet, do yourself a favour and check it out.

Fab books, great prices, free shipping worldwide!

And my upcoming May releases, SEX, GOSSIP & ROCK & ROLL + HER BAD, BAD BOSS are available for pre-order at 25% off!
Bargain.

Goals for writers

Guest blogger Mary Demuth had a great post on agent Rachelle Gardner's blog last week, about 3 Goals for Writers.

1. Writers should create 2 teams

2. As writers we should consider ourselves assets

3. We should resolve catastrophic thinking

Read the post here .
Much of it resonated with me.

High school French good for something

I love the French covers and this one is no exception.

THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID...is out now in France and from my Year 10 high school French, I'm guessing the title is 'Fiance for a day.'

And what's even cooler, it's a duo with my Irish buddy Trish Wylie (who needs to stop going to RWA conferences in the US and come to an Aussie conference one day soon! Trish, you listening?)

Pickled

OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED is out now in Germany.

I'm no translator, but when I first glanced at the title I chuckled, because it looks like 'So Pickled with Champagne'!!