Angela C. Castillo's Blog, page 6

Cover Reveal! Mercy's Gift by Katy Huth Jones

I am posting this for a good friend in the Indie World, Katy Huth Jones. If you would like some good books that will lift your spirits, you should give the Mercy's Prince a try.


Cover reveal for MERCY'S GIFT, Book Two in the fantasy series He Who Finds Mercy by Katy Huth Jones:Peace is fragile. Gifts have limits.
While Prince Valerian adjusts to marriage as well as his new title, conspiracy brews in the south among disgruntled lords who wish to separate from the north. The situation is made even more volatile by a charismatic rebel leader whose guerilla tactics are swift and brutal.
The clandestine efforts of a witch hired by one of the lords render Valerian's gift of Sight ineffective, and Merry's Healing gift is sorely tested.
It has become dangerous for a northerner living in the south, and if the gifted young royals fail to stop the growing rebellion, evil will reign in Levathia.
The story begins in Book One, MERCY'S PRINCE: A heart of peace in a time of war
As second son of the King of Levathia, seventeen-year-old Valerian desires the quiet life of a scholarly monk. But when he fails to save his older brother in battle, Valerian must instead become crown prince.
While a traitorous knight schemes against him, Valerian meets Mercy, a pacifist Healer with whom he can speak mind-to-mind like the great dragons. Their bond emboldens Valerian to seek out the legendary dragons and ask for their help against the monsters who killed his brother.
Can Valerian survive the traitor’s assassins long enough to find the dragons? And if he does, can he convince them to lay aside their hatred of humans and help him save the land from destruction?
Praise for MERCY'S PRINCE:
"Easily one of the best indie books I've ever read." Story Sanctuary
"A truly believable fantasy world saturated with suspense." Marcha's Two-Cents Worth
"The action is heart-stopping, the love is pure, and the emotions are real." Amazon reader
"A lovely, spiritual tale with all the adventure, mystery and romance a reader could want. Oh. And dragons!" Amazon reader

MERCY'S PRINCE will be FREE on Amazon September 17-19, and MERCY'S GIFT will be released September 25.
Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mercys-Prince-Katy-Huth-Jones-ebook/dp/B0115KNDS4
Link to Katy's website: http://www.katyhuthjones.blogspot.com

National Cat Day!

In honor of national cat day, Toby says hello. Of course, he's not technically full cat, he's a Trilby, which means he was born with cat ears and a tail. But he celebrates the day all the same.
Toby was born underground, and created by six scientists. One day, he hears a mysterious Voice who instructs him to journey to the outside world.

First book in series is FREE on Kindle!
http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Adventu...



Thaddeus Whiskers: Thaddeus has been granted eternal kittenhood by a wizard and is the pampered pet of Princess Clarice. But when the wizard tries to garner even more favor, Thaddeus finds his world turned upside down. 
This book is 2.99 on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_...

Nightcat: Nightcat is an ordinary cat by day, but at night becomes a giant cat who can talk. He lives in a castle with his prince and princess owners. Great beginner chapter books.  First book is free for Kindle on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Nightcat-Kitty-...


Jane: Adults like books about cats too! Jane is a little black cat who likes to escape into the woods near her house and climb trees. She's featured in this cozy mystery. 3.99 on Kindle! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M7OJG48


Socks: Socks is the spoiled pet of a young couple. He's in for a surprise when a new baby comes into the house. Great story from classic author, Beverly Clearly.

Socks is 6.99 on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Socks-Beverly-C...

Does anyone else have a favorite literary cat in honor of National Cat Day? Please share a link in the comments!

Prime Day Indie Writer Deals!

(This article was put together courtesy of H.L. Burke)If you are at all into Online Shopping, then I'm sure you've heard rumors of Amazon's big "Prime Day" bash. July 15th only they will be hosting what they hope will be a bigger sales event than Black Friday. . .
Well, of course most of us Indies are on Amazon anyway, so while you're grabbing up big screen TVs or Kindles or whatever floats your boat, grab some Indie Books!

Here are some free and discounted Indie Deals for July 15th (all these promotions are subject to change so please check to make sure the price is still valid before you buy):
Her Imaginary HusbandHER IMAGINARY HUSBAND will be 99 cents ~ ★★★★★ How can Nikki date the campus cop with Her Imaginary Husband hanging around? Romantic comedy. Click HERE.


Second Son (The Minstrel's Song Book 2)THE SECOND SON will be Free!  In an attempt to manipulate the future, a nation is forced to decide between brothers. A family-friendly-fantasy novel for all ages. Long before Aom-igh needed a champion, Llycaelon had a second son. Click HERE.

Turned: A Werewolf Love Story (The Regency Shifter Series Book 1)TURNED will be Free!A Sweet Shifter Paranormal Romance. Click HERE!

The Bramblewood Werebear (The Regency Shifter Series Book 2)THE BRAMBLEWOOD WEREBEAR will be Free! A Sweet Shifter Paranomral Romance. Click HERE!

A Stitch of HonorA STITCH OF HONOR will be Free!A Science Fiction short. Click HERE!

Malevolent (The Puzzle Box Series Book 1)MALEVOLENT will be Free!A YA Paranormal Romance. Click HERE!
Chronocrime (The Spacetime Legacy Book 2)CHRONOCRIME will be Free!A YA Urban Fantasy. Click HERE!
Dragon's Bride (The Dragon and the Scholar Book 4)DRAGON'S BRIDE will be Free! The fourth book in the Dragon and the Scholar Saga, a Sweet Fantasy Romance sees Dragon Prince Ewan travel into the past to regain his human form and reunite with his beloved. Click HERE!

The Place of Voices (TimeDrifter Series Book 1)THE PLACE OF VOICES will be Free! "Uplifting and entertaining" Historical Fantasy THE PLACE OF VOICES by Lauren Lynch FREE July 15! Click HERE!
KeptKEPT will be $1.99!Can a woman with a messy past find love with a good man? Reality-driven fiction filled with real issues and real hope. A Christian Romantic Suspense. Click HERE!
LINKED (The Bening Files Book 1)LINKED will be 99 cents!When a cryptic message and a string of crime brings Jordan and McKenna face-to-face, for the first time in a decade, neither anticipates their hasty Vegas nuptuals. Persuading her their relationship is worth the risk, and his protection needed, means keeping the only woman he's ever loved, alive.  A Romantic Suspense. Click HERE!

A Valley Experience (Inspirational Life Experiences Book 1)A VALLEY EXPERIENCE will be Free!“One single decision can send you careening down a path where you don’t want to go.” "Well written and focuses on real life issues even though it's fictional. Absolutely loved it!" -Undercover Book Reviews. Christian/Inspirational Romance. Click HERE!
Operation Dark Angel: The Rise of Nicolaitanes (The Apocalyse Series Book 1)OPERATION DARK ANGEL will be Free! How can one military operation bring about the downfall of the world's governments? What happens when a single man attempts to take over the entire world? Christian Thriller. Click HERE!

Sodom: A Nation On Its Knees (The Search for the Righteous Book 1)SODOM: A NATION ON ITS KNEES will be Free! If God sent his angels down to earth to find the righteous, would you be one of the chosen ones? A Christian Thriller. Click HERE!

House of Slide HotbloodHOUSE OF SLIDE HOTBLOOD will be Free!A YA/Paranormal Fantasy! Click HERE!
Whispers of a Faded DreamerWHISPERS OF A FADED DREAMER will be 99 cents!A YA Christian Fantasy! Click HERE!
Beauty Within (Riley Family Legacy Novellas Book 1)BEAUTY WITHIN will be 99 cents!Could a parking ticket signal Katherine's second chance at life and maybe even love? A contemporary Christian romance. Click HERE!
Waiting for Appa: A Science Fiction Short StoryWAITING FOR APPA will be Free!An Award Winning Christian SciFi Short Stroy! Click HERE! Liberty (Citizens of Logan Pond Book 2)LIBERTY will be 99 cents!When the financial collapse of America wipes out life as Carrie knows it, she finds the will to survive with a man determined to hate her. Dystopian. Click HERE!
The Collins Case (Heartfelt Cases Book 1)HEARTFELT CASES: THE COLLINS CASE will be Free!A Christian Suspense Novella! Click HERE!
The Kiverson Case (Heartfelt Cases Book 2)HEARTFELT CASES: THE KIVERSON CASE will be Free!A Christian Suspense Novella! Click HERE!
Forever, For AlwaysFOREVER, FOR ALWAYS will be 99 cents!Vada has been on the run with a new identity for four years now, fearing the man who killed her husband and set her up for it. Will she finally let her guard down and let herself love again even though she can't tell Isaac the truth? Romantic Suspense. Click HERE!
ShatterworldSHATTERWORLD will be 99 cents! Amish wannabees flee to another planet, only to find conflict has followed them. Christian Middle Grade Scifi! Click HERE!
My Life as an OnionMY LIFE AS AN ONION will be 99 cents!An Interracial Paranormal Romance! Click HERE!
Beggar MagicBEGGAR MAGIC will be 99 cents!This YA Steampunk Inspired Fantasy takes you into a world of musical magic where two girls from different backgrounds must fight to defend what matters most. Click HERE!
Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset (The Sunset Lands Beyond Book 1)AERISIA: LAND BEYOND THE SUNSET will be Free!In this fantasy series, Hannah Winters has gone from Earth to Aerisia, college student to prophesied savior. She must now contend with danger, betrayal, and romance, while mastering a new skill... magic. Click HERE!
The Amazing Adventures of Toby the Trilby (The Toby the Trilby Series Book 1)THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF TOBY THE TRILBY will be Free!A Middle Grade Christian Dystopian SciFi! Click HERE!

Planning Your Cover

Sara Vanderbush, my cover model for "The Comanche Girl's Prayer." Photo by Cherie HainesAs someone who has been a part of the Indie writing world for almost four years, I have learned a thing or two about book covers. The first thing is; I can't design them. I can design greeting cards, t-shirts and coffee mugs (anyone who is curious can see our Zazzle shop here) But I've tried, and it isn't my cup of tea. I am striving to NOT get my book covers on this site. 
Every genre is going to require a cover with a unique feel, composition and flavor. You wouldn't have a cartoon cat on the cover of a thriller, for instance. Here are some tips to help you with your cover planning and design.
1. Set a budget. If you are writing a book for family and friends, then you might just want to use one of your own snapshots and slap some font on it. But if you want people to take your book seriously, you should as well. My covers have cost me between $10-$170.00, and they have been worth every penny. 
2. Decide on a concept. One good way to do this is to check out Amazon listings for books in your genre. What are the top sellers? Do they use high-colored graphics? Photographs of people? Of course, you want your book to be different, but you also want people who are looking for your kind of book to want to buy it because it strikes a familiar chord with them. If you have written a clean romance, you will not want nearly-naked people on the cover. People who are looking for clean romance will look elsewhere.
3. Decide on your concept art. If you want a painting or drawing, and know a very good artist, great! But make sure you have seen their work and know the caliber of what they can do. Nothing says 'amateur writing' like amateur cover, and having to say no to someone who has spent a lot of time and effort is hurtful to both. If you want a photograph, I strongly suggest you figure out a way to use original photographs and not stock art. Countless authors (myself included) have had the unpleasant surprise of finding our cover art on someone else's cover. Yes, it's wayyyyy cheaper, but prepare yourself. Consider doing your own photo shoot with a model and a photographer. We had a lot of fun putting mine together and they turned out better than I could have ever dreamed. If you decide to do your own, remember, it's a photograph. If you're doing a historical, every detail has got to be right.
4. Find a graphic design artist. Even if you have a great original work of art, you still need someone to help with font and placement. 
5. There are also graphic design artists who have pre-made covers. You pick out the one you want, and they put in your title and name. How easy is that? Louis Wrift has some great stuff here: http://indigoforest.weebly.com/
Jimmygibbs on Fiverr has done some great ones for me, for 5.00!





My aunt, Connie Haines, painted these two: 
And my latest one was my original concept. My sister, Cherie Haines, took the photograph, and Elaina Lee of http://www.forthemusedesign.com/ created the cover and did the font design. 
All of the covers have taken time and care, and many of them are the second or even third designs I have used. But I'm happy with them, and none of them have bankrupted me. If you would like to look at the photographs for my next cover, you can find them here: http://angelacastillowrites.weebly.com/comanche-girl-sneak-peek.htmlIf you are interested in reading any of the books here, you can find them on my Amazon author page. http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Castillo/e/B00CJUELT0/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1 (two are free!)
I would love to hear any of your thoughts or hear your cover stories in the comments!

Book Signings-Not for the Faint of Heart

Most authors have probably had the dream of a table in a bookstore, filled with their books, and a long line of breathless fans waiting, with tomes in hand, for their autograph. As an author with five self-published books, who has done several book signings, I have to say I am still waiting for the long line of folks. But book signings can be fun and they are a good way to let your local community know what you have available.
I'll do my best. I've had several book signings for my self-published books, and I've also sold them at booths. Here are a few things I have learned along the way.
Think carefully about where you want to have the signing. Is it a good place with lots of foot traffic? Time of day and weather play a huge factor as well.Think outside the box. Book stores aren't always the best places to have book signings. Think about it; the people coming in probably don't know who you are, and you are surrounded by your competition. See if there's a coffee shop or cafe who would let you set up a little table. Craft shows have always been good for me. If it's a picture book, why not approach a bounce-house or child-related place? A book about outdoor adventures? Perhaps a hunting supply store. Locally owned businesses are usually pretty open.Approach the business owner during a time of day when business is slow. Let them know what you are going to do to publicize the event and bring more customers into their business. Never assume they will do the marketing. And never promise a huge crowd of people, just that you will do your best. Always agree on what percentage of sales, if any, the business owner is going to want, and if the customers are going to pay you or at the register (this is more important at book stores). Ask what you need to bring as far as table/chair etc. Don't spend too much money on ANYTHING. Bring 20-30 more books than you have set aside for family and friends who have promised to come. Put a few posters around town and create a flyer with a book excerpt and a QR code for people to find out more about the book. Maybe bring a candy dish, or something inexpensive to hand out to kids (fruit snacks work great!) Maybe a cheap tablecloth and a nice Sharpie fine point to sign with. I repeat, do not spend a ton of money! Your book should be the star of the table, anyway.Don't plan to be there too long. Make your book signing 2-4 hours, and leave a few books behind at the business or flyers letting customers who arrive too late know where they can purchase copies.Always bring information on where people can get Kindle books. Some customers only want Kindle books and you might get a sale or two by offering an easy way for them to find it.Engage. Don't just sit behind the table writing your next book. Make eye contact. Comment about something they have purchased. Ask them what their favorite kinds of books are.Don't be too disappointed if you don't sell 50 copies in one day. You never know, one customer you connect with might purchase 10 more copies later for friends and family members. The most important things are the connections. And having fun.
Do you have any tips for book signings? I would love to hear about them in the comments! 

Book Review: :Leandra's Enchanted Flute

As a writer and fan of Middle Grade fiction, I fond myself to be pretty picky when it comes to books geared toward this age group. But Katy Huth Jones has it right in this book.
Lee Ann has been fighting cancer, the same disease that took the life of her mother. She's won one battle, but is unsure if she's beaten the disease for good.
Lee Ann loves to play the flute, and she loves birds. She is taken on an amazing journey by a Carolina wren who's been singing outside her window.

I love the magical world Katy Huth Jones has created, and her amazing bird heroes that join Lee Ann (now Leandra) on her journey. I love how music is used to defeat evil. I've read hundreds of books, and it takes a lot to really touch me, but I was in tears at the end of this story.

I recommend Leandra's Magic Flute to everyone, but especially people who have dealt with long-term illnesses and their caregivers.
You can order this book on Kindle here: http://www.amazon.com/Leandras-Enchan...

Sneak Peek Chapter Excerpt from "The River Girl's Song"

As many of you know, my Christian Historical Fiction Novella, The River Girl's Song, will be released May 20th! 
In honor of the release, I wanted to share a short section of the story. If you would like a copy, you can find out how to pre-order a paperback OR Kindle copy on my website. http://angelacastillowrites.weebly.co...

Here's the section:

The river . The hem of Zillia’s filthy skirts tangled around her feet and tripped her up while she ran down the bluff. “Orrie, I’m coming.” She reached the edge of the river and pushed through tangles of vines and brush. Orrie’s footprints dug deep into the sand, then disappeared into the water.“Orrie!” she screamed.“Zilly!”Sticks and logs had gathered together in the depths of the river over time and formed an island. Orrie’s tiny face peeped out of the branches. He stood up and waved. “Zilly, duckies.”“How on earth?” How could a two-year-old child reach the center of the river? She ran along the bank, searching for a way across. A log jutted out to the island. Orrie must have crawled over, using it for a bridge. Murky water lapped and tugged at the pile of sticks. The river was unusually high and swift for this time of year.What if Orrie had been swept away? She couldn’t harbor such a terrible thought. He’s fine. I just have to figure out how to get him back on the shore. The log was too shaky to hold her weight.  Papa had taught her how to swim, but it had been years since she’d been in deep water.A few steps in, and the water already reached her waist. River mud tugged at bare toes with each movement. Closer. The water lapped against her chest and the current pulled at her dress like witches’ fingers. Why hadn’t she taken off her clothes? Her brittle, cracked corset dug into her ribs.  Orrie grinned and held up a ball of yellow fluff. “Duckies!” Indignant quacks came from the mother duck. She flapped her wings and swam in circles around the island. Finally, Zillia reached the pile of sticks. She stretched out her arms, but couldn’t touch her brother. “Orrie, please come to me. The ducks are in their nest, and we need to go to our house.” She pointed to the mother duck. “See? She’s scared of us. We should go away so she can take care of her babies.” Orrie frowned. “My ducky.” He pulled the duckling close to his chest. The tiny bird opened and closed its bill and squirmed to get away. “Come on, Orrie.” If she tugged on the logs, she risked pulling the whole island apart. “You’re going to hurt it. Maybe we can buy a little ducky next time we’re in town. Would you like that?”“My ducky.” Orrie stomped a foot and almost lost his balance.How can someone so cute be so much trouble? Zillia pulled herself closer and reached for Orrie’s ankle. “You get over here right now!”He scooted out of the way, laughing.Her thoughts raced. What could she do? “I’ll give you a peppermint stick,” she promised.Orrie’s face lit up. “Okay, Zilly.” He placed the duckling back into the nest, where it settled down among its siblings.“All right, now come over here.” Zillia tugged on his sleeve. She finally managed to pull him into the water.“Cold!” he squealed and struggled to get away.Zillia fought to hold him in one arm while she moved back towards the shore. “Just a little ways, then we’ll go home and get dry clothes.”Half way to the shore, her feet slid out from under her. She screamed and scrambled, but could not regain her hold on the rocks. In an instant she and Orrie were swept into the current. Orrie somehow managed to hang on to her neck while she kicked and struggled toward another log.Fingers slipped across the moss then held. Coughing and gasping, she clung to the wood and the little boy. Her toes felt for a surface, but this area was too deep for her to reach the bottom.“Zilly, Zilly!” Orrie’s tiny chin stuck out above the waves and he gasped for air.“Hold on, Orrie. Hold on to me.”“Help!” she called out, though it seemed a futile plea. “God, if you’re listening, please help us!”Her fingers were becoming numb as the current tugged on them. Orrie’s hands gripped her neck so tight she thought he’d choke the life out of her.What if she was being punished for lying? But Orrie didn’t do anything wrong. “God, I’m sorry. Please help us. Please!”“Zillia!” a faint voce floated from the bank. “Zillia, I’m here! I’m coming down!”She turned her head just enough to see Wylder burst through the trees along the riverbank. He pulled out a long section of thick, rope-like grapevine. His knife glinted in the sun and the vine snaked out on the ground.“Grab this!” He threw it out to her. The vine splashed into the water close by and floated up to the surface, in easy reach. With what hand? “Orrie, you have to hug me tighter.”Orrie’s grip tightened as Zillia let go of the log. Her scrambling fingers reached for the vine, and she caught it. There. She wrapped the thick vine around her arm.Wylder tugged on the other side, and peace flooded through her soul. Only a few yards over, and once more Zillia’s feet dug into the mud. The vine slid from her fingers, and she scooped Orrie into her arms.Wylder waded in to help them to shore.What a blessed relief to feel powdery sand beneath her toes. Zillia sank to the ground. “Thank you, God,” she whispered over and over, hugging Orrie close.Her brother squirmed and tried to get away. “Zillie’s wet.”  Wylder laughed. “You’ll be fine. In this heat both of you will be dry before we get to the house.” He pried Orrie from Zillia’s arms and held his hand out to her.“Thank you.” Her shaking fingers closed around his wrist and she pulled up to stand.He drew her close and let her lean on him on the way up the hill. 
Excerpt from The River Girl's Song, Copyright Angela Castillo 2015

Creating a Book Trailer

If you are an author with a book in the works, chances are you have considered creating a book trailer. You might be wondering if it's worth the time and effort, and if you are tech-savvy enough to create one.
There are several good reasons to consider creating a trailer.
A book trailer provides yet another media outlet to share your bookIt generates interest for pre-ordersIt's a good way to develop description. You can embed your video on most web sites and blogs.If you decide to take a shot at creating your own book trailer, you will need a good slideshow program. I used Adobe Elements 8. I would have used Adobe Premier 12, but it crashed both of my computers, 8 is easier to use, but Premier 12 has more options and creates a better product in the end. Please note: This is not a tutorial on how to actually create the slideshow with your program. Each program will be different and you should consult that program's guide.You will also need to join Youtube and create your own channel. This is free and only takes a few moments.
Write down what you want your trailer to convey. Think of it as a back of the book blurb mixed with movie trailer. What emotions do you want to invoke? How can you get people interested in reading? Choose the music you want for your trailer. This isn't as easy as you might think. You can't just grab a song from the top 20 chart to use, you risk getting your video banned from Youtube. I found this site for free music: http://freemusicarchive.org/ but be sure you check the license information for each song. At the very least, you should give the artist credit at the end of the slideshow.Choose the photos you want to place with each line of text. You can use your book cover, photos you have personally taken, or photos with Creative Commons licenses. This is a good resource: http://www.morguefile.com/. Again, always check for licenses and give credit where credit is due.Make sure you always include where to purchase the book and information on when the book will be out.Play your slideshow through several times to check for clarity and flow. Make sure each slide lasts long enough for relevant text to be read. Add tags to your Youtube video relevant to the book, such a genre and subject.Share your trailer! Post on Facebook, your blog, website, and forums!

Lands of Ash by H.L. Burke... Cover Reveal!

Super excited to reveal the cover for my good friend, H.L. Burke's new book, Lands of Ash.

I met H.L. on Scribophile, and we've been reading each other's stuff ever since. I always look forward to reading her new books.Those of you familiar with H.L.'s work know she usually keeps with lighter-hearted fairy tale type stories, but as this cover suggests, Lands of Ash is a bit more intense... but every bit as good as her other work. 
After decades of Elemental Invasions, the once flourishing Kingdom of Forra has been reduced to ruins. A band of survivors pulls together in one last attempt to defend their homes and families as the Elementals make a push to wipe them out completely.


About H.L. Burke:
Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.

An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.

Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.

She self-published her four part fantasy/romance series "The Scholar and the Dragon," followed by YA Steampunk Fantasy Beggar Magic, and a children's chapter book. She is now working on an epic fantasy trilogy.

Author Links:
Follow H. L. Burke on her website www.hlburkeauthor.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter
Twitter https://twitter.com/typativemamacat
and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7230868.H_L_Burke
Keep watching the blog to find out the release date for Lands of Ash. In the meantime, if you haven't read H.L.'s other books and you enjoy fantasy (and a few dragons), you should upload some of her other books to tide you over. 

To Thunderclap or not to Thunderclap?

I decided to try my first thunderclap for the May 20th release of my Christian Historic Fiction Novella, The River Girl's Song. In case you aren't familiar with Thunderclap, it's a site where you try to get people to participate in one big social media share for a specific date and time. The idea is that this will make a "thunderclap" to get people's attention about that event. Anyone can sign up to join your Tunderclap, which means they can agree to share your event on Tumblr, Twitter and/or FB. You have to have 100 people sign up for the event to actually happen, which isn't so hard to do if you have a good support network (which you should be building up the moment you write the first sentence of your manuscript).
Here is what you will need before you get started on your Thunderclap.

A good picture of your cover with a short description (Or 'meme')
A date when you want the Thunderclap to go out (I chose my release date, May 20)
A short bio about you and a square profile photo
A description about your book (the back blurb will work)
A twitter entry telling about your event.
Even though I've heard mixed messages about the Thunderclap effectiveness, I chose to try it for these reasons:1. It's free. What can it hurt?2. It's a great way to get family and friends interested in your book without actually asking for a sale. 3. It's a good way to network with other authors, especially those who are also looking for Thunderclap support.
Ways to find supporters:
Ask family and friends. You can do this on e-mail and through FB. Just be sure to explain why you need help and exactly what they need to do. Also, that they won't be receiving a whole bunch of spam from Thunderclap. 
Connect on author FB pages and writing groups. Most authors are more than willing to help out, especially if you return the favor. 
So, have you ever tried Thunderclap? I would love to know about your results! Please feel free to share your experience in the comments.
Also, to help me out with my Thunderclap and see how I did mine, you can go to https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/25399-the-river-girl-s-song?locale=en