A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 29
April 3, 2024
Writer Wednesday – Dos and Don’ts of KDP Publishing – Part One
There are scores of folks getting their books and accounts blocked on KDP because, frankly, they’ve done little or zero research, fallen prey to the scammers and charlatans or are in too much of a hurry to publish.
I’ve been publishing on KDP for over a decade and have several books on Amazon, so I consider myself a veteran. I’ve taken the time to read the help pages, the terms of service and learn the skills I need. And I’m still learning.
I’ve learned how to format for both ebook and print editions, learned how to make a cover that reasonably good, learned marketing, editing/proofreading, research and a whole host more. It’s called SELF PUBLISHING and there’s no one to hold your hand.
Publishing, even self-publishing, is a business and should be approached as such. It may be a hobby, but it’s still a binding agreement with KDP or whichever other platforms you use.
Dos and Don’ts – part 1
DO – READ THE HELP PAGES – yes, really. All of them. Most of the answers to the newbie question are there (although can be a little vague). They will most likely answer questions you didn’t know you had.
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help?ref_=TN_help
DO – READ THE TERMS OF SERVICE – publishing is a business. There’s a contract. You agree to abide by the terms the moment you publish with KDP.. It never ceases to amaze me the number of people on the KDP forum who think Amazon is stealing from them, restricting their ‘freedom of speech’, or arbitrarily blocking their accounts or books because they are mean/racist or whatever.
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200627430
Amazon/KDP is a business, they have certain rules to abide by, and can terminate the contract (as can you), or insist that publishers abide by the rules. Their house, their rules. Don’t like the terms, go elsewhere.
Keep in mind this is a BUSINESS. You’re now a publisher.
DO NOT – SHARE YOUR LOG IN DETAILS. With anyone. Ever. You CANNOT give your log in to a third party, or get a third party to create an account for you, then give you the details. You WILL get your account banned.SEE SECTION 4 of the KDP agreement –
4.3 Account Security. You are solely responsible for safeguarding and maintaining the confidentiality of your account username and password and are responsible for all activities that occur under your account, whether or not you have authorized those activities. You are responsible and may be held liable for losses incurred by Amazon due to any such activities. You may not permit any third party to use the Program through your account and will not use the account of any third party. Your acceptance of this Agreement includes and is on behalf of any other party who uses the Program under or in connection with your account, such as an employee or contractor. You agree to immediately notify Amazon of any unauthorized use of your username, password or account.
So no, you can’t give anyone else your details – there are various businesses that claim to be affiliated with KDP that will ‘set up your account’ – they aren’t and they can’t. Or at least they shouldn’t.
DO NOT – HAVE MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS. If you lose your account because you didn’t follow the rules – too bad.
From the TOS
4.2 Account Information; No Multiple Accounts. …. You may maintain only one account at a time. If we terminate your account, you will not establish a new account. You will not use false identities or impersonate any other person or use a username or password you are not authorized to use. You also consent to us sending you emails relating to the Program and other publishing opportunities from time to time.
DO – SOME RESEARCH AND LEARN SKILLS – publishing isn’t a breeze, there are skills to be learned and marketing is a must. It’s one thing uploading your book to KDP but another matter selling it. Who are your target audience? Do you have a social media following? Are you prepared to put in hours a week to promote your book(s)? Do you have the money to spend on paid advertising? Again, READ THE HELP PAGES – ensure you understand what you’re getting into and what is required.
Be prepared to do a lot of marketing. Amazon does NOT do this for you unless you use the paid ads – and that’s a host more skills to learn to do this successfully.
Not everyone has the skills involved with self-publishing, is willing or able to learn them. That’s fine, but ensure you know what’s likely to be involved and how to go about acquiring the skills or finding a reputable person to help you/hire if you don’t have the skills. If you do hire someone – check carefully if they are legit. If you aren’t sure, ask on the KDP forum, or ask for testimonials, or reviews. If you aren’t comfortable – don’t give out money.
There are good, reliable, honest formatters, editors and cover designers – but there are a lot of dodgy ones, doing shoddy work, taking the money of people who probably would have known better had they looked into it, or people who fall for the hype. Just because some guy on tiktok said it, or the website looks all shiny doesn’t mean they are reliable.
It’s better to learn to do most of these things yourself, if you can.
DO – FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE DASHBOARD – Take the time to look at the reports, and your dashboard. Familiarise yourself with how the reports work.
The 30-day report can be a little misleading – it’s a rolling report for the LAST 30 DAYS. So as a new day appears a day drops off at the other end.
The Month to Date is probably the one you use the most – but of course that resets at the start of a new month – you can check previous months on the ‘Prior Months’ Royalties’.
Honestly it’s not that complicated – and sales will show up. Print sales show up AFTER the book is printed and dispatched and for expanded distribution – this can be a couple of months later. Just because your mother, friend or acquaintance said they bought the book doesn’t mean they did… if you truly believe Amazon is stealing your royalties then why are you doing business with them?
DO NOT – KEYWORD STUFF YOUR TITLE/MAKE SPURIOUS CLAIMS – lots of publishers are finding their books being blocked and even losing their account because they keyword-stuffed their title or subtitle.
Title should be something like:
Frankenstein
Subtitle (which isn’t mandatory so if you don’t need it don’t have one).
The Modern Prometheus
NOT FRANKENSTEIN – an amateur scientist’s guide to body building, graverobbing, playing god, a novel for all ages, so long as you like gothic.
A lot of low content creators (don’t get me started on that) keyword stuff their title – Animal colouring book 6×9 for kids, women, men, adults, boys, girls.
Subtitle – calming, relaxing stress releasing, colouring book for X, Y, Z.
In this case – Animal Colouring Book – is fine for the title – everything else should be in the description – except the claims.
You can’t guarantee it is ‘stress relieving’ or will help with mental health etc UNLESS you have the credentials to back it up. KDP Amazon is very hot on not allowing ‘misleading or disappointing customer experience’.
Recently there has been a spate of people getting AI to ‘write’ travel books, using freely available images of places and trying to publish as their work. No. No. No. (Don’t get me started on AI writing either).
AI (to my understanding) takes already created work and basically adapts it. And frankly if you have no experience of the area featured in the book, and have basically swiped the info from somewhere else and used stock photos – don’t even think about publishing a travel book…. Would you buy a book, written by a robot and published by someone who knows nothing about the area? No. Thought not.
DO USE YOUR OWN MATERIAL – do not use someone else’s IP (see above). Copyrighted material isn’t available to be swiped because you found it online. If it resembles someone’s copyright or trademarked stuff don’t use it. if you aren’t totally sure or don’t have the correct license – don’t use it. No Disneyesque princesses, no cars that look a lot like a certain cat-related motor vehicle, no Harley Patter and the Philosopher’s Soap. No Taylor Swift notebook.
If it’s not yours, or you can’t prove you have the rights to it – don’t use it.
If you’ve written it, or created it, then go for it. Otherwise – don’t bother. You will be found out…
DON’T – ASSUME THE RULES DON’T APPLY TO YOU. They do. Everyone who publishes on KDP has to follow the same set of rules, guidelines etc. EVERYONE. Your book has to meet certain criteria to be published. If it doesn’t meet them it won’t be published. You can’t do anything quirky or off the wall. If you want to do something unusual then find a local printer, have the copies printed and set up as a seller, or use somewhere like Lulu.com which has more scope.
DO – BE REALISTIC – most indies sell very few books, (for all sorts of reasons). It’s unlikely you’ll make a living and it’s certainly not a passive income, despite what that guy on You tube/Tiktok said.
More on this to follow.
March 31, 2024
The Best of Lexie Bay – Release Blitz – Erotica
NOTE – Excerpt and book adult rated.
New Release: The Best of Lexie Bay – Volume Two
Introduction:
Hi, I’m Lexie and I’m so excited to share with you that I am back in the erotic writing world. I’ve been writing part time on and off since 2010 but, in 2023, after several years of focusing on my day job, I decided to quit and throw myself back into writing full time. I’m working on lots of exciting projects right now but before I release anything new, I wanted to pull together all the stories I’ve had published in different anthologies over the years. I released The Best of Lexie Bay – Volume One at the end of last year and now I’m back with Volume Two which covers the second half of my writing career, before my day job took over.
I hope you enjoy it!
Blurb:
Relive more of Lexie’s short stories in this second anthology, where you’ll discover new delights at an award ceremony after party, enjoy the heat with a hot summer fling and bring out your voyeuristic side at a masquerade ball that takes a turn to the dark side. You’ll find millionaires, Doms and bad boys, get a taste for the wild side and discover some very interesting kinks!
Lose yourself in Lexie’s fantasy world and get hot under the collar with “The Best of Lexie Bay – Volume Two”. Nine stories, originally published between 2013 and 2017, now all in one place for a whole night of pleasure.
Buy Links:
https://books2read.com/TheBestofLexieBayVolumeTwo
Also Available:
https://books2read.com/TheBestofLexieBay-VolumeOne
Excerpt from Masquerade:
Valtteri took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting her face to his. His lips were so close and Scarlett tried to kiss him. He pulled away a little, teasing her and then gave in to their mutual desire and pressed his lips gently against hers. Scarlett relaxed as his tongue explored her mouth, his familiarity making her feel safe. Valtteri would never let anyone hurt her. He might like to frighten her a little but she was his and he guarded her fiercely.
“I think you’ll enjoy tonight, little one,” he whispered. “As I said, I know exactly what you like and I am going to give it to you. Call it an early Christmas present. Of course you know that I will enjoy every minute of it too.”
“Valtteri,” she whispered, her eyes dark with longing. “Will you keep me safe?”
“My sweet baby, I will always keep you safe, you have nothing to fear from me. You are mine and somehow, I appear to be yours. No-one has ever filled my thoughts like you do.”
His admission made her smile.
“Who are these people?”
Valtteri looked around at the beautiful people gathered around them. “These Scarlett are my loyal subjects. They have been with me for a very long time and they have seen many girls come and go. I have not cared before but tonight I need you to pass the initiation. It is not enough for me to love you; I need them to accept you too.”
“I’m scared,” Scarlett said, trying to swallow the desire to run even though she knew she could not.
“Let the fear push you on to experience everything you’ve ever wanted. We will help you fulfil your desires…. and ours.”
The light flickered on the walls of the vast room and Scarlett felt a curl of fear as Valtteri walked away from her and the group started to move closer. Shadows fell across the floor and Scarlett realised that many of them were holding what at first glance looked like implements of torture. She trawled her mind to think what Valtteri could have pulled from the depths of her imagination while they had been fucking. She was sure that this was when he had been in her head. She had always felt so close to him when he was inside her, more than with anyone else. She wondered what he was. What they all were. Because as this evening unfolded it was becoming more apparent that they were definitely not human.
The mask obscured a lot of her vision as she tried to see more of her surroundings. Valtteri pulled a lever and the cross rose a couple of inches into the air and spun a slow 360 degrees. There weren’t as many… she hesitated to say people… as she’d first thought but lining the walls, where there had been huge pictures, there were now mirrors. Scarlett watched herself rotate, her tattered dress floating around her. She admired her reflection, the black of her dress and hair highlighting her ivory skin which shimmered in the firelight. But even her skin looked warm against the iridescence of the figures around her.
She caught the eye of a tall blonde standing next to a mirror. She was holding a small flogger with only a few tails and distinctive pointy ends and Scarlett held her gaze as she moved past her. A flash of fantasy made her juices flow and she hoped beyond hope that Valtteri had incorporated her desire for pain. He knew how much she enjoyed it. She could almost feel the sting of the whip on her skin and before she could even look for Valtteri to see his face, the girl was in front of her and the cross stopped spinning and tipped backwards a little, exposing Scarlett’s pussy further. The girl leaned over until she was so close Scarlett should be able to feel her breath on her face, but there was nothing but the glow of her eyes and the smooth plumpness of her pouting lips.
Author Bio:
Lexie lives in Brighton with her family. Her favourite thing is to write stories with a HEA, infused with that dizzy feeling of falling in love, but she also has a naughty side so her stories stay true to her original romantic dream while exploring the erotic, the kinky and sometimes the darker side of love and lust.
xr:d:DADfcbACgvc:206,j:3159696479265330768,t:24031113Follow Lexie:
Tweets by Lexie_Bayhttps://www.instagram.com/lexie_bay
https://www.facebook.com/lexiebay22
Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services .
March 30, 2024
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
March 28, 2024
No Way Back – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Scifi #Fantasy
A search for a way home becomes a journey into his father’s past.
No Way Back
The Underworlds Book 1
by Dennis Scheel
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
A search for a way home becomes a journey into his father’s past.
When an ancient Gate transports his son, Daniel, to another world, Denida follows, thinking it will be an easy matter to bring his son home safely.
As they travel from world to world, Denida starts to wonder just who he is and why almost everyone knows more about him than he does about himself.
At home, his wife and friends send a robot to follow Denida’s tracks but treachery undermines their efforts.
Through magic, betrayal, and Darkness Denida fights his way toward home, it’s no longer a matter of missing his wife but of preserving his home and all the Underworlds from evil.
Scroll up to start reading No Way Back: The Underworlds for free using Amazon’s Look Inside feature. This book is available in Kindle and paperback – order your copy today.
Writing about myself… oh, the horror!
As a Christmas Child, I believe magic is everywhere, especially during the winter, and I try to weave that magic into my stories. After all, my firm belief in karma and destiny has shaped who I am, so it should guide my stories, as well.
I was born and raised in Denmark, but faced many challenges during my life, one of which was my inability to write my stories in Danish! I’ve had my stories brewing in my head since I was a child and struggled for years to express them properly. After recovering from a diabetic attack that left me hospitalized, I managed to find my writer’s voice in English, and am thrilled to now have the ability to share my tales with you.
Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
March 21, 2024
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
March 13, 2024
The Other Murder – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Mystery #Suspense
Sometimes, the most dangerous thing . . . is the truth.
The Other Murder
by Kevin G. Chapman
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
“A sleek, gripping thriller that raises important questions about truth and justice.” ~Kirkus Reviews
FINALIST — 2023 CLUE AWARD
Sometimes, the most dangerous thing . . . is the truth.
For disgraced cable news producer Hannah Hawthorne, covering the shooting of a pretty NYU sophomore is a chance for redemption. When the story snowballs into a media circus, Hannah’s reporting fans the sensationalistic flames and earns her acclaim. The tragic murder, seemingly the result of random urban gun violence, prompts protests and vigils that further magnify the story.
Meanwhile, Paulo, a reporter for a small online neighborhood newspaper, is following the other murder in Washington Square Park that same night – a Hispanic teen. He discovers an unexpected connection that is political dynamite. When Hannah and Paulo team up, they uncover disturbing facts, leading them to question everything they thought they knew. Their reporting also leads them to the man who might be the killer.
When the story is ready to explode, the truth may be hotter than anyone can handle. Breaking the next scoop could ruin Paulo’s paper and wreck Hannah’s career – and it could get them both killed.
If you like David Baldacci’s page-turners, Michael Connelly’s cops, and Sara Paretsky’s quirky characters, you will love The Other Murder.
What readers are saying:
“With intelligent characters and believable dialogue, Chapman has managed to create a riveting whodunit that also speaks volumes about social issues plaguing the justice system. . . . The social issues are skillfully woven into the narrative, making readers seriously consider these problems even when they’re immersed in conversations with possible snitches and the chaos of climactic shooting scenes.” ~Kirkus Reviews
“Haunting, chilling, and heroic . . . a must-read novel.” ~Chanticleer Book Review (5-star “Best Book”)
“Chapman once again knocks it out of the park.” “The author did a superb job of developing all the essential players.” ~Feathered Quill Book Reviews
“Chapman’s attention to building a fast-paced story filled with satisfyingly unpredictable twists and turns creates a memorable, compelling saga. . . .
Worthy of a top recommendation.” ~Midwest Book Review
“The Other Murder will grip you from the start and keep you reading through all the twists and turns until the surprising end.” ~ReadorRot.com
“Magnificent.” “An excellent story, it is a must read for mystery-suspense/thriller lovers!”
~InD’Tale Magazine
“The story is a mystery that kept me involved as the different pieces of the whole story came to light. But there is also a side story that sent my thoughts off on tangents, pondering the press, what we can and should expect from them. Chapman’s story ought to get us all thinking.”
~Big Al, Big Al’s Books & Pals (5-stars)
“The writing is gorgeous, the narrative is filled with realism and mystery, and the action moves in unexpected directions.” ~The Book Commentary (5-stars)
“Absolutely chilling. It’s a gripping and harrowing storyline! A great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This is one of those books that grabs you from the start and pulls you in.”
~Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews (5-stars)
“A captivating story with a thought-provoking premise.” ~Bookpleasures.com
“Fans of a ‘whodunit?’ mystery will love trying to piece together this mystery. . . . With its suspense, mystery, and twists, this book is a must-read.” ~ Georgia Lyonhyde for Reedsy Discovery
Amazon * Audiobook * B&N * BookShop.org * Bookbub * Goodreads
Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. In 2021, Kevin finished the first five books in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series: Righteous Assassin (CLUE Award finalist), Deadly Enterprise (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Lethal Voyage, (Winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award, CLUE finalist, RONE finalist), Fatal Infraction (Best Police Procedural of the year – CLUE Award), and Perilous Gambit. In late 2022, Kevin published a stand-alone mystery/thriller titled Dead Winner (CLUE Award – Best Suspense/Thriller of the year). Kevin is a resident of Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College and Boston University School of Law. Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$30 Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
March 12, 2024
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
March 5, 2024
Athena – Blog Tour and Giveaway #YA #FantasyRomance
Even the wise can be fools in love.
Athena
Gods and Monsters Book 1
by Eva Pohler
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Even the wise can be fools in love . . .
She grows up in the belly of her oppressive father, where she watches her mother build her armor and hatches plans for escape. Once freed, she becomes her father’s favorite–a loyal subject, warrior, and advocate who stands by her father even when her favorite is sentenced for treason and chained to a rock, where his liver is eaten daily by Zeus’s eagle. Then, her hopes for a reunion with Prometheus are crushed when he disappears, and years of searching prove futile. With a hardened heart, Athena becomes a powerful leader of the Olympians.
But when Prometheus returns from the shadows, her loyalties are challenged, her heart stirs with unquenchable passion, and her immortal life is forever changed.
**Get 30% off when you preorder directly from the author HERE!**
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads
Eva Pohler earned her Ph.D. in English in the mid-nineties, specializing in twentieth-century British and American narrative strategies. She has taught writing and literature for over twenty years at a university in San Antonio, her hometown, where she lives with her husband, two of her three adult children, and three rescue dogs.
An award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels in multiple genres, Eva writes paranormal mysteries, thrillers, and young adult fantasy based on Greek mythology. Her books have been described as “addictive” and “sure to thrill”–Kirkus Reviews.
Whichever genre you read, you will find an adventure in Eva Pohler’s stories. They blur the line between reality and fantasy, truth and delusion, and draw from Eva’s personal philosophy that a reader must be lured and abducted into complete captivity in order to enjoy the reading experience.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
A signed paperback copy of Dionysus,
$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner each!
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March 4, 2024
The Guest House – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Thriller
When a young deaf entrepreneur rents a guest house from a stranger at a coffee shop, she soon finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and danger.
The Guest House
Silicon Valley Series Book 2
by Bonnie Traymore
Genre: Psychological Thriller
“This twisty, spine-tingling thriller will have you hooked to the very last page.” – Leslie Lutz, Award-winning author of Fractured Tide
Wow! What a ride. I was hooked from the first page. I did not see that ending coming. Full of suspense and intrigue. A good follow-up to book 1, but it could be read as a stand-alone. There’s an entirely new storyline, but it also returns to wrap up some unfinished business from book 1. The addition of a deaf protagonist with a cochlear implant who can sometimes hear and sometimes not was original and refreshing. It added another dimension of complexity and sense of danger. A great read. – Netgalley
He holds out his business card, and she plucks it from his fingers without touching them. “Hope to see you around, Allie Dawson,” he says. That was over a month ago. It seemed too good to be true, but Allie told herself to ignore the nagging feeling in her gut. That was her first mistake.
When she saw Laura Foster’s email welcoming her into a cohort of grant recipients, Allie literally jumped for joy. She was headed to Silicon Valley with a chance to bring her innovative product to market.
But she had no idea how tight the rental market would be, or how cutthroat the competition is for everything from housing to venture capital. So, after a futile search to find a short-term apartment she could afford, she rented a guest house from a chummy real estate agent who approached her at a coffee shop.
But it’s clear now that she should have trusted her instincts. Because there’s something off about her landlord. And his moody wife. And the cryptic Hungarian guy renting his master suite.
Are they after her technology? Did he see her, peeking out the window when he was dragging a suspicious duffel bag across the lawn? She knows what it feels like to see her life flash before her eyes, and she doesn’t need that kind of stress right now.
So why is she still living there?
And has she already seen too much?
Innovation, greed, and danger collide in The Guest House, Silicon Valley Series Book 2, a stand-alone sequel to the best-selling hit page-turner The Stepfamily.
For fans of Freida McFadden, Shari Lapena, Daniel Hurst, Shalini Boland, and Kaira Rouda.
This was such a good book! I loved the characters, and their story. The dialogue was realistic and enjoyable. I was very surprised by the ending! – NetGalley
This was a quick and easy read for me. As a reader who loves a psychological thriller it’s sometimes easy to see through the plots, but this story had me guessing for the most part until the end. Just the right level of spooky for me without the blood and gore that some authors choose to use. Would definitely recommend. – NetGalley
The StepfamilySilicon Valley Series Book 1
“I couldn’t put it down!” – Amazon
“Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. Definitely one of the best books this year.” – NetGalley
Laura Foster’s not the type to go looking for trouble. But it seems to be looking for her.
Laura’s on the verge of living the life she’s always wanted. At the age of twenty-seven, she put her career plans on hold, married handsome widower Peter Foster, settled down in his Silicon Valley home, and helped raise his two children.
Twelve years later, it’s her turn to shine. Her career is thriving, the kids are out of the house, Peter’s company is on the verge of an FDA approval that could garner a windfall in stock gains for them, and she’s training for the Kona Ironman. But when a series of freak accidents can no longer be chalked up to bad luck, it becomes clear that someone is out to get her. Is it someone from work, jealous of her promotion? Or is it perhaps someone more dangerous? Someone closer to home?
Laura has no enemies that she knows of, but she senses that husband Peter is keeping secrets. And when she starts digging into the family’s past, a twisted and unsettling story starts to slowly reveal itself. But with the walls closing in on her, she needs to find out why someone would want to harm her…and what really happened to his first wife.
Before it’s too late.
“I devoured this in a few short hours. Very easy to read and the story keeps you coming back for one more chapter.” -NetGalley
“Full of suspense and twists and turns!” – NetGalley
For fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, Shari Lapena, Shalini Boland, Miranda Rijks, or Minka Kent.
**On Sale for Only .99cents 3/1 – 3/8!**
Bonnie Traymore is the award-winning, Amazon best selling author of page-turner mystery/thrillers that hit close to home. Her books feature strong but relatable female protagonists. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She’s an active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
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What is something unique/quirky about you?
I have a lot of fears. Turns out that most of us who write these kinds of books do, which is why we come up with these crazy stories. I don’t like elevators because I’m claustrophobic, I can’t watch medical dramas because I’ll start thinking I have every disease on the planet. I’m afraid of spiders. Heights. And sharks, of course, but that’s a prudent one. I still swim in the ocean, but not too far out. But I try not to let them paralyze me, and I push myself out of my comfort zone. More importantly, I put the fears into my books and characters which is therapeutic.
Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!
I’ve been chased up a tree by a one-horned rhinoceros and circled by sharks at ninety feet depth in the ocean. As I said, I try to push myself out of my comfort zone. And both of those incidents were very uncomfortable! P.S. both of those events happened decades ago, and now most all my adventures are fictional.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I was reading a review of one of my books. I think it was The Stepfamily. And it said something like “another great book by Bonnie Traymore. I love this author.” I was like, I’m this author?? Holy crap! And no, it wasn’t my husband. I swear.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
Book 1 was inspired by one of my former students who became a successful entrepreneur. She’s from Hawaii and talked about how she had to learn to assert herself in the world of venture capital, as the culture in Hawaii is very different. Since I lived in Hawaii and Silicon Valley, I thought it would be interesting to have a protagonist who grew up in Hawaii and moved to Silicon Valley, and that was the basis for Laura Foster. My husband worked in biotech there, like Peter in the book, so I knew that world. But that’s where the similarities end as far as the husbands! All his exes are still alive and well, I promise.
Book 2 was inspired by my daughter who, like the protagonist, is deaf with a cochlear implant. In it, Allie Dawson comes to Silicon Valley after receiving a grant from Laura Foster, to bring her captioning device to market. I wanted to educate people about what it’s like to sometimes hear, sometimes not, and most of the time, not be able to hear very well. Cochlear implants have internal and external parts, and the external part can’t get wet. They don’t work as well in noisy places. I tried to pepper this into the scenes and not hit readers over the head with it. Just enough to get the feel of what it’s like. Advance reviews have been positive.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
If people only read one book of mine, I’d like it to be The Guest House. It’s important to me because of my daughter, and my desire to honor her struggles and accomplishments. I also think it makes for a great thriller read, playing with the different senses that need to compensate for not hearing. I’m most proud of this book.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
I usually spend about 3-4 months on a first draft. Then I’ll have my alpha readers give me feedback. It’s important to have people you trust enough to show them your crappy first draft and give you feedback on the plot. I don’t want to waste a lot of time perfecting the prose if I’ve somehow given away the murderer too early, or if it’s dragging, so getting that reader feedback is critical. I know some writers who feel like they need to have it perfect before they show it to anyone, but with my genre, I think it’s a waste of time. After I know the plot works, then I’ll go back and smooth out the dialogue, add more description, and make it pretty. I feel bad that the people closest to me have to read my book when it’s at its worst, but I’m lucky to have that option.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I believe in thinker’s block. When I’m stuck, it’s because the story hasn’t progressed enough in my mind. If that happens, I go for a walk or do some cardio at the gym and let it play out in my head some more. Once I can envision the scenes, I write like the wind. A bomb could go off outside my house and I’d keep going. Oh yeah, I’m afraid of bombs too. And crowds. Psychos. Clowns. Etc.
March 3, 2024
Check out the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles for a sizzling sorcery adventure
Looking for an audiobook or awesome read? Check out The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I
In a dark world where magic is illegal, and elves are enslaved a young elven sorceress runs for her life from the house of her evil Keeper. Pursued by his men and the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters she must find sanctuary. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.
18 rated (for adult content).
Available Amazon, Audible, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, Google Play, Scribd, Angus and Robertson, and more on the link below – hardback, paperback, ebook and large print editions.
#Fantasy or #FantasyRomance #Darkfantasy #Sexnsorcery Universal Link
https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1
