Jen McConnel's Blog, page 56
October 4, 2012
Three Things
This has been a big week for me! The Burning of Isobel Key released on Monday, and I’ve been on tour with Bewitching Book Tours ever since. In the whirlwind, I am thankful for so much.
Here are my three things (although today I feel like I could post three million!)
1. The enthusiasm everyone in my community (both in-person and online) has shown for the release of my first book. Thank you!
2. Time spent soaking up wisdom and energy from other writers at the SCBWI conference last weekend.
3. October: it’s my favorite month, and it’s finally here!
What are your three things?
October 3, 2012
Writers on Wednesday: Thomas Winship, author of the Væmpires series
My guest this week is Thomas Winship, an excellent paranormal author I’ve met through an online writing group. I’ve asked him to talk about the way his writing influences his reading. Enjoy!
Reading, Writing, and (Even Some) ‘Rithmetic
Hello everyone. I’m so excited to be Jen McConnel’s guest today! I’m Thomas Winship, author of Væmpires: Revolution, Væmpires: White Christmas, and the upcoming Væmpires: Zombie Rising.
It should come as a surprise to no one that I’m an avid reader. After all, what author isn’t?
I should make one thing clear, though: reading has always been truly hedonistic for me. I didn’t choose to read for knowledge (which probably explains a lot) or research (ditto) or even as part of a book-of-the-month club. I read for pleasure. Period.
And I devoured books; one after another, literally with one eye on the words I was reading and the other on the book that was next in line.
Try it yourself sometime; it takes practice, but it can be done.
Now, where was I? That’s right—describing my insatiable appetite for books.
The truth is that I want to read every single book that catches my interest. And there are a lot of ‘em. Heck, if I was in Twilight, I’d get Edward to turn me into a vampire—not because he’s dreamy and refined and oh so sparkly (although he is certainly all that … and more!), but because I’d then have the rest of forever within which to read.
How awesome would that be?
Don’t get me wrong. Some vampires would spend their time … I don’t know … going to high school, or serving drinks, or even saving the world, but not me. I’d have my nose in a book.
And as for the rest of me. Well, suffice it to say that a vampire’s gotta do what a vampire’s gotta do.
Anyway, back to reality. I once explained my love of reading to a blogger this way: I don’t leave the house without a book. I go to Disney World and read while waiting in line. I do not have a DNF pile. When I was a child I used to sneak into the hallway after bedtime to read by the nightlight. The list of things I would rather do than read is very short. Very, very short.
I’ve always loved to read. I’d often hope for a rainy day during my summer vacations so I’d have an excuse to stay inside and read.
I can’t even hazard a guess as to how many books I’ve read. I can tell you how many I’ve read since 1990, though, because I started keeping track: 2100+. Almost one hundred books per year … which is good, but not quite good enough.
Avid readers know what I mean.
Because I’m an author, many people expect me to be a critical reader. I’m not. My intent has always been to enjoy what I read, not pick it apart or compare it to some ideal.
Don’t get me wrong. When reading, I used to be as prone as the next reader was to thinking, Damn! I can write that. Or even, I can write better than that.
However, unlike the average reader, I did a bit of writing. And I came to realize that it isn’t as easy as it seems. There’s more to it than singular talent or desire or even skill.
Good writers aren’t necessarily successful writers. Successful writers aren’t necessarily good writers. And there will always be a successful writer that becomes the target of critics.
Of recent note, look at the Twilight series—which I read—or the Fifty Shades trilogy—which I didn’t. Did either author receive a Pulitzer? No (although I hear a grass roots movement to nominate the last two Fifty Shades novels for a Newbery Medal was making real headway until someone pointed out that James is a Brit) … but neither author claimed to be writing a literary novel. Instead, both authors did exactly what they set out to do: write novels that entertained a lot of people. And they sold a bunch of books while doing it. Of course, that incurred the wrath of many a critic; few of which ever authored anything beyond a scathing critique.
Still, I have become a more critical reader since I started writing. It’s an inevitable offshoot of being critical of my own writing. Yes, I still read for pleasure, but I can’t help but pay more attention to what an author does—or doesn’t do—well. It can only help improve my own writing.
And it hasn’t lessened my hunger for reading. In retrospect, I believe I always harbored a touch of fear around that point; that reading with a discerning eye would erode the pleasurable part of reading. That fear couldn’t be further from the truth.
If anything, my love of reading has increased with the addition of a critical lens. There is as much pleasure to be found in appreciating an artist’s mastery of the craft as there is in devouring the finished product.
That’s twice the pleasure, at least, for the same initial investment.
I’d like to offer a very special “thank you” to Jen for inviting me to her site. I hope everyone enjoys the post. I’d love to hear what you think of it and/or answer any questions you may have. Post comments or questions below and I’ll be sure to respond.
Feel free to stop by my website and reach out. I’d love to hear from you if you check out Vae
mpires.
Take care,
Thomas Winship
October 2, 2012
Free October 1-3: HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL by Rebecca Hamilton
I LOVE reading paranormal fiction, and Rebecca Hamilton provides a fresh, unique world that captured me. Don’t miss out on this awesome promo: even if you haven’t read The Forever Girl, you will be swept away by Her Sweetest Downfall. Grab your copy free on Kindle until October 3rd.
Her Sweetest Downfall by Rebecca Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As a fan of Rebecca Hamilton’s Forever Girl series, I eagerly downloaded this free novella. What a treat!
Ophelia is a servant in England at the turn of the nineteenth century. Her father wanted better things for her, but her father is dead and her mother is missing, so Ophelia is left to make her own choices. She goes into service not just to earn a living, however: her employers also employed her mother shortly before she vanished.
When Ophelia meets a stranger in the woods, her life changes forever. Ethan Forrester tells her that she has been chosen for a higher purpose: to bring peace to the world of dual breeds and elementals that Ophelia always thought were merely the bedtime stories of her mother. But to play her part, Ophelia must sacrifice her humanity…and her growing affection for Ethan.
Hamilton gives readers a glimpse of the background of two major players in The Forever Girl, and it’s as satisfying as getting the last piece of a puzzle to click into place. Fans of all things paranormal will love this short addition to the world of The Forever Girl.
October 1, 2012
Release: THE BURNING OF ISOBEL KEY
It’s finally here: the official release of my debut novel, THE BURNING OF ISOBEL KEY. I’m touring the web to celebrate: check out my tour schedule here.
When Lou travels to Scotland, she’s a mess. She’s twenty-six, unemployed, and unsure of herself. It doesn’t help that she’s traveling with Tammy, her best friend, who is everything Lou is not.
At first, the trip pushes Lou towards the brink of depression, but then she meets Brian, a handsome local tour guide. When Brian tells the tourists about the countless witches burned in Scotland, Lou starts to listen. And when she discovers information about Isobel Key, one of the victims of the seventeenth century, Lou finds renewed purpose.
She sets out to learn the truth of the condemned witch, but she isn’t prepared for the knowledge that waits for her. Lou must face her demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.
THE BURNING OF ISOBEL KEY, now available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
Book Extras
Official Book Website | Book Trailer | Reading Guide
Grab Your Copy
Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Goodreads
LICHGATES is Here!
It’s here! Boyce has re-released Lichgates, the bestselling first book in the Grimoire Trilogy, with Immortal Ink Publishing. This new edition has a great cover, re-edited narrative, and fun bonus content hosted on the series’ bonus site—The Grimoire Online. Go grab your copy now!
Lichgates
The Grimoire turns its own pages and can answer any question asked of it…and Kara Magari is its next target.
Kara has no idea what she’s getting herself into when she stumbles across the old book while hiking along a hidden trail. Once she opens it, she’s thrown into Ourea: a beautiful world full of terrifying beings that all want the Grimoire’s secrets. Everyone in this new world is trying to find her, but most just want to control the new-found power the Grimoire bestows upon her.
Braeden Drakonin grew up in Ourea, and all he’s ever known in life is lying. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. He has one question to ask the book—one question that can fix everything in his broken world—and he’s not letting Kara out of his sight until he gets an answer.
Kara cannot escape her new life in Ourea. There’s no going back now.
Re-Release Bonus Content
This re-release is exciting because Boyce is offering deleted chapters that never made the final edition. You can read more about key moments Like Kara’s training and Braeden’s sparring match with Gavin, all for free. Just head to the Grimoire Online—the series’ official bonus site. You can also read encyclopedia entries and see sketches from the Grimoire while you’re there!
Grab Your Copy of Lichgates
Lichgates Extras
Lichgates’ on Goodreads | Book Trailer | The Grimoire Trilogy Encyclopedia
About the AuthorS. M. Boyce writes fantasy and paranormal fiction. Boyce is a sarcastic twit, but she still has friends because some people seem to like that. Her Creative Writing degree qualifies her to sever you french fries.
She’s currently working on the YA epic fantasy series the Grimoire Trilogy. Lichgates, the first in the series, is already available. Treason (book 2) releases October 27. Feel free to connect with her online or check out her blog.
Connect with Boyce
Blog | Website | Store | Events
Google | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Youtube
Amazon Author Page | Goodreads Page
September 30, 2012
Cover Reveal: THE MAGIC WAKES by Charity Bradford
I am so thrilled to be able to share the cover for THE MAGIC WAKES with you. Charity Bradford has been one of my long-time online writing buddies, and I’m excited to show you this GORGEOUS cover. Without further ado…
WOW!! I can’t wait to read this.
Here’s the blurb:
Talia has a secret, one that will save her world and yet rip it apart. Only she can decide if the price is worth it.
Scientist Talia Zaryn has always had visions of an alien invasion and of her own death. She’s kept it a secret, hoping they are nothing more than childish nightmares. But when her face in the mirror matches that of her dreams, she fears the dreams are prophetic. Talia must prove that life exists beyond their planet, Sendek; perhaps then people will prepare to fight.
Talia’s work at the Space Exploration Foundation leaves no time for personal relationships, but Major Landry Sutton isn’t looking for a friend. He is looking for a traitor. His ability to sense emotions convinces him Talia is that traitor until a touch sizzles between them. In an instant their minds are connected and they can communicate telepathically. Just as the two begin to trust each other, the invading force arrives.
Talia and Landry must uncover the secrets of Sendek’s past if they hope to defeat these terrifying creatures. And Talia is the key—if only she can learn to trust the magic coursing through her veins.
–
Charity Bradford
The Magic Wakes–Coming Winter 2013 from WiDo Publishing
Website-charitybradford.com
Blog-My Writing Journey
Facebook Page
September 28, 2012
Reading guide: THE BURNING OF ISOBEL KEY
Squee! In just two days, I will go on tour to celebrate the release of my debut novel. It’s already available for purchase in both E-book and paperback formats. I wanted to give you a sneak peak at the reading guide (printed in the paperback version.) Also, remember to check out the official website for information about purchasing the book, signings, and other events.
Reading Guide
The Burning of Isobel Key
Why does Lou quit her job?
Describe Lou and Tammy. How are they similar? How are they different? What is unique about their friendship?
What does Lou think of Scotland at first? Do her impressions change over the course of the book? How?
When Isobel is growing up, what does she learn from her parents?
Who is Alexander Nairn, and how does he transform Isobel’s life?
Why is Lou interested in the tales of witches in Scotland?
How does Lou’s faith evolve while she is in Scotland? Does it get stronger or weaker?
How does Lou change while she is in Scotland?
What happened to Isobel Key?
Why did people so easily believe in accusations of witchcraft in the seventeenth century?
What makes the case in this book different?
Does Lou’s faith or heritage connect her more with Isobel Key? Explain.
Would you ever travel to Scotland?
Do you think Lou will return to Scotland?
What do you think will happen with Lou and Brian after the story ends?
September 27, 2012
Three Things
Today, I’m getting ready to drive across the state to an amazing writing conference. Still, in the flurry of packing and psyching myself up for three hours in the car (I’m not a fan of the highway anymore), I want to stop, step back, and remember to offer up gratitude to the universe.
Today, I am thankful for:
1. The fall equinox. This is a time of balance between light and darkness, and it’s always been one of my favorite holidays. (It was last weekend.)
2. Myth. I’ve been thinking a lot about the myth of Persephone as we head into the darker days, and I am thankful for all of the ancient stories. They still resonate for me today.
3. The ability to travel to connect with other writers.
What are your three things?
September 26, 2012
Writers on Wednesday: Kayla Curry, author of OBSIDIAN part 2
This is the second post in a series by author Kayla Curry. Last week, she talked about marketing strategies for authors. This week, she’s here to delve into the tricky world of accounting. Enjoy!
Part Two: Accounting
It’s me, Kayla Curry, again on Jen McConnel’s blog series, Writers on Wednesday! Thank you for having me back, Jen!
Okay, so you’ve got your book out and you’re starting to see your book is actually selling! (You know, since you’ve taken in the marketing advice from last week.) Now, how do you keep track of all the money you have coming in? How do you keep track of your costs? What does this mean when tax season rolls around?
Keep in mind, I’m still figuring some of this out for myself, so if you know more on the subject than I do, please leave a comment!
A disclaimer: I’m not in any way a tax professional or an accountant. This is just what I’ve figured out on my own through some research and I encourage you to consult a professional. This is just an overview on what you are getting yourself into financially.
Keeping track of your money is simple. One of the best tools for this is Microsoft Excel. I’m not going to tell you how to set it up. That is for you to decide. You need a system that works best for you. But, you can find templates pretty easily online. Just do a Google search for Excel templates or Excel financial templates. You need to keep track of all your income. Royalties, profit from print books sales, and any other income you receive. Keep in mind you will be taxed on all this income.
I set aside 1/3 of my royalty checks for taxes. It’s probably more than I need, but it’s nice to have a cushion–just in case. If the government doesn’t take all of this, then you’ll have some extra money after tax season to do whatever you want to with.
Now that you are keeping track of your income, what about all that money you’ve spent on marketing and your career as a writer?
There are plenty of costs that are tax deductible. That means, if you’ve spent money on marketing, work related travel and other expenses you can get it back by deducting it from your taxable income as a writer. Remember that 1/3 you set aside from royalties? Well, you may get to keep more of it, if you keep track of your business related expenses.
Stuff like business cards, marketing materials, advertising, legal services, work related travel expenses, and even books you buy that are related to your field may be tax deductible. That means you need to keep your receipts and keep records of those expenses and why they were necessary for your business. A tax professional can help you decide what expenses are tax deductible and which ones aren’t.
Here is a question for you: If you go on a trip with your spouse (who isn’t a writer and won’t be attending the conference) to a writer’s conference and stay in a hotel where the rate is $100 for one adult and $140 for two adults, what portion of the bill is tax deductible?
A: $100 – the amount it would have been had your spouse not come.
B: $70 – or half of the bill.
C: None of the bill is tax deductible if your spouse is in the room.
Answer in the comments and I’ll be back later to tell you the right answer! You can learn more about deductions from Julian Block’s Easy tax Guide for Writers, Photographers and other Freelancers.
Next we are going to talk about sales taxes on print books that YOU sell. Chances are if your book is in print, people in your home town want it. Therefore, you need copies to sell on your own. When you sell these, the LEGAL way to do it is to charge state sales taxes. I live in Nebraska. So I have a sales tax rate of 5.5% and a local tax of 1.5 % that I need to pay for each book I sell.
My books are selling from my publisher at 16.95 (I do receive royalties from the copies they sell) I can buy books from them at a discounted rate to sell on my own. I have decided to discount them for my local buyers to $14.02 which bring the total, with taxes to exactly $15. That mean $.98 goes to the state for sales taxes, (round to $1 if you want a bit of a cushion).
You aren’t done! Say you pay $10 for each book that you sell at $14.02 ($15 with taxes). Take $14.02 minus $10 and that is your profit ($4.02). Profit means income and you will be taxed on this amount when income tax season rolls around. That means you set aside 1/3 of that $4.02 for this (according to my system). You can set aside more or less depending on what you are comfortable with. If you think you’ll be able to pay your taxes out-of-pocket then you don’t really need to set money aside. Keeping records will help you determine this. Also, consult a tax professional. They will be able to tell you the best way to pay your income taxes. Make sure you keep records of all your sales, and check the sales tax amounts in your state and city. You may also need to acquire a sales tax permit.
Some forms you will have to fill out as an author, come income tax season:
Form 1040 (Schedule C)
Form 1040 (Schedule SE)
Familiarize yourself with these forms ahead of time so you know what to expect. There may be other forms you’ll have to fill out depending on your situation. Again, consult a professional!
Thanks for listening or, I guess, reading. I hope this gives you a glimpse of what is to come when you publish your book and the financial elements involved. Thanks for having me, Jen!
Links to Kayla Curry and Obsidian:
Obsidian Facebook Page
Obsidian on Amazon Kindle
Obsidian All Available Formats
September 25, 2012
Some initial reviews for The Burning of Isobel Key
What an exciting day! A couple of lovely authors both finished reading The Burning of Isobel Key today, and they were kind enough to post reviews.
You can read Ally Malinenko’s review here. (You might remember that she stopped by the blog and let me interview her about her debut novel, Lizzy Speare and the Cursed Tomb.)
Also, Jessie Harrell, the amazing author of Destined, had some very lovely things to say, too. BONUS: you can snag her novel for $0.99 today!
Feeling very grateful and very astonished: Isobel is no longer my story. It belongs to my readers. The official release is coming on October 1st: stay tuned for more news!
