E.J. Wesley's Blog, page 11

Character Closeups: The Heroes & Villains of Vallar, Pt 1

Gang! Today I'm introducing a fun new way to share books and authors on the Open Vein called Character Closeups. 

The idea is simple: 3 days, 3 different character profiles/interviews, 1 great author. So throughout this week (today, tomorrow, and Friday), you'll have a chance to really get to know three major characters from Cindy Borgne's YA/Sci-fi Vallar Series.

Hope y'all enjoy!


The Heroes & Villains of Vallar, Pt 1 (Author Note: These interviews take place between books 1 and 2)



Character Name: Kayla Merceir

Hero or Villain: Hero


Who are you? I’m Kayla Merceir. I’ve been a spy and a Jr. Diplomat, but now I’m biosphere engineer. 
Where do you live? I live on Mars at the mine, which is located in the Noctis Labyrinthus. Here we mine for platinum and sell it to an Earth organization to gain important supplies. Mostly miners live here in small rooms. I’ve been here for a while working on a new biosphere. This will make it possible for the miners to live in homes, which will be inside a contained area, simulating an Earth-like environment.

Do you have any special talents: I’m an artist. Mostly, I draw pictures of Earth-like oceans and tropical paradises. I have to go by what’s in our databanks because I’ve never seen Earth.

What are you afraid of? I’m afraid of having a relationship with Ian Connors and something going wrong. You see, two years ago, my fiancé was killed in battle. I find it hard to get close to someone again in fear of losing them. What makes it worse is that Ian is wanted by Marscorp for killing their admiral. Plus he’s a psychic and I just don’t know what is going to happen to him. But I care about him.

What is your problem in the story? Ian has a vision of our people being destroyed by Marscorp, so I’m helping him to stop this war.

How do your enemies, these Marcs, see you? I was once a spy within their walls, so I’m on their kill list, but they don’t know what happened to me. 
What do you regret? My mother passed away recently, and I regret not having spent more time with her. 
What makes you happy? I get some small enjoyment out of drawing or playing with my dog, and I know this is going to sound bleak, but not much has made me real happy lately. I feel unsatisfied with just about everything. My people for example we’re just stuck and not making any real progress. Our ancestors came to Mars to find a way to reach Hinun an Earth-like planet. We’ve made no real progress thanks to all the years of war.

Do you have a hero? I know this will sound silly, but Ian is my hero. He risked his life to escape Marscorp. Admiral Beacon was a menace to our people, but they don’t know Ian is the one who killed him.

Read more about Kayla in The Seer of Mars, Vallar book1!

At sixteen, Ian Connors happens to be the secret weapon of a powerful military faction bent on conquering all humans who have colonized Mars. His job is to use his psychic ability to uncover secrets or hidden bases of other factions. Ian not only uncovers a valuable hidden mine through his visions, but also Kayla, a woman he sees himself with in the future. The only problem is she's on the enemy side.

Ian heads out into a battle to save Kayla. Instead, he discovers the death and destruction his visions can bring when in the wrong hands. Ian vows to never let anyone use him again. His goal is to escape and live in peace, but his superiors monitor him closely and defectors are known to mysteriously disappear. Deep down, he longs to be with Kayla. Despite his age, inexperience and few allies, he refuses to give up. He must outwit a cunning admiral and save Kayla from his own people or he will remain a pawn and forever separated from those he loves.

Seer of Mars is available here: Amazon/Amazon UK/Paperback
About the Author:
Cindy Borgne lives in the Detroit, Michigan area with her two kids and one stubborn, yet somehow lovable basset hound. She has worked a freelance editor, web-designer and computer instructor.

Prior to Vallar being published, Cindy won an honorable mention for short fiction from Writer's Digest. Her short story "ThunderSnow" was chosen as an editor's pick at Eloquent Stories. In 2011, Seer of Mars was a finalist in the Readers' Favorite contest.

Connect with Cindy Borgne: Blog/Facebook/Twitter 
Want to check out some of Cindy's work for free? 

Two shape shifters compete with each other by imitating humans in difficult situations. This time they become soldiers and face combat. The loser is the first to give up and convert back into shifter form. Adelya impersonates a male soldier and grows tired of the game, but she does not want to lose again. When her platoon is attacked, a soldier's courage shows her there is more to being human than she realized. Soon she falls in love with him and is faced with a choice between an immortal existence or being with the man she loves.

TransShifter is a fantasy light romance.
This novelette is 11,500 words long. (52 pages in paperback) TransShifter is available for free: Amazon/Nook/Smashwords

Overcoming Adversity - A Very Special Book Launch

Hey gang! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. 

You may recall a few weeks back I (and many others) took part in the Overcoming Adversity bloghop by writing a piece of short fiction. The event was set in motion by fellow writer and blogger Nick Wilford as a clever way to help raise money for his son's (Andrew) unique educational needs. It was a great honor to be able to help out, and now I'd like to extend the offer to help to all of you.

Nick has compiled all of the stories into one volume, and is selling it as an eBook (and soon as a paper copy as well). Proceeds from the book will go toward Andrew's educational expenses. 

So you can help, too, by simply purchasing a copy of the book. (And getting others to do the same.) It's definitely a win/win, because I've read many of the stories and essays within the volume, and they're just outstanding. Some will evoke a few tears, and others will just entertain.

You'll likely see this book all over the place this week, so please share the news as you can.

Here's what it's all about, and where you can get the book:

Cover design and concept by DRC & EllaA collection of seventy moving and uplifting original pieces - real life, flash fiction, and poetry - about battling against the odds and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. The contributors include Amazon bestselling authors Alex J. Cavanaugh and Kyra Lennon, and the cream of upcoming talent.

The anthology is part of a fundraising effort to send the editor's stepson, Andrew McNaughton, to a specialist college in England. Andrew has cerebral palsy, and is a remarkable young man with a promising future. However, the free further education options offered in his own country of Scotland will not challenge him and allow him to progress. In order to access the education he deserves, Andrew will have to pay exorbitant fees, thus creating a situation of discrimination.

Help us get Andrew to college by buying a book that runs the full gamut of human emotions, ultimately leaving you inspired and glad to be alive. Whatever struggles you are going through, our sincere hope is that this book will help.

Where you can purchase:

Amazon UK 
Amazon US 
Smashwords 
Goodreads


Editor Bio: Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those rare times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction. When not writing he can usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning something. He has four short stories published in Writer’s Muse magazine. Nick is also co-running a campaign to get a dedicated specialist college built in Scotland. Visit him at http://nickwilford.blogspot.co.uk/.

Modern Author Problems: Solving For ne-X-t

Hey gang! First, I'll applaud all of you writer-types who overcame your math phobias to click on this link. Confession: I kind of threw up in my mouth a little just typing it. I'm better now...

If you're one of those sick people who gets a kick out of math jokes--we're watching you. Closely.

Anyway, this post isn't about math at all. So feel free to relax and put the calculators away.


Solving For ne-X-t
"STORY PROBLEMS RULE!" Mathletes in the wild.
Photo curtesy of Lisa L. Wiedmeier, WANA Commons
Be you an Indie, traditional, big press, small press, or no press author, there's a modern dilemma you should be wrestling with: 

What am I going to try to publish next?

Not that the authors of yesteryear weren't concerned with their next projects. I think most of us struggle to keep the idea bunnies out of our mental gardens long enough to harvest the current crop/story before the little varmints can devour it. But I'm not talking about the artistic desire to start something new. This a practical matter created by changes in the publishing industry, but we'll get to that in a second.

First, some semantics before we begin. You'll notice I said 'should'. That's because I believe forward thinking is an essential part of the author formula nowadays. (Okay, I said this wasn't about math, but you have to allow me a few math terms--it's what makes the title of the post clever!) 

You might also notice I said 'publish', not write. I make that distinction, because if you're in the business of writing as a business (see what I did there), I believe publication is the ultimate goal.

If you're writing just to write, and maybe get published--maybe not--this post might not be strictly relevant to you. However, I think most published authors will tell you that once that ball starts-a-rollin, she doesn't slow down easily. 

Plus, when even a few readers (who aren't your mother or aunt) suggest they want to read more of your work, trust me when I say it's like freaking writer-nip. You'll go to high places--maybe even spaz out and claw up the furniture--and do pretty much anything to get that feeling back. It's that cool and special.

Times are changing...



So let's assume you're going to be published, and that once you are, you're going to be a junky who'd  shank your Gran-Gran for another fix. (Sorry, I've been watching a lot of Breaking Bad lately ... apologies to Gran-Gran.)

Now, this isn't one of those, "YOU NEED TO WRITE A BOOK A WEEK AND BECOME THE PUBLISHING EQUIVALENT OF A PUPPY MILL!" kinds of posts. No, you won't find me suggesting anything but putting your best, most thoughtful work out as consistently as you can.

But here's the somewhat scary reality of what I'm seeing out there in the trenches (i.e., Goodreads and book blogs): Readers are becoming very impatient. They don't necessarily care about the things authors have to care about--like the staggering amount of time it takes to write a good story, the expense of editing and promotion, the publishing house's release schedule, yada-yada-yada. 

They want content, and they aren't really compelled to wait for it. 

Digital distribution has fundamentally changed the game for all of the consumable arts--music, movies, visual art, and books. Bands are going back to the EP and singles model, because it allows them to provide a steady stream of content without big breaks in between albums. Visual artist aren't waiting to collect a number of pieces to display in an exhibition, but are instead showing their offerings as quickly as they are created on sites like Deviant Art, Pinterest, and the like.

There's also the financial accessibility provided by digital distribution to the creators of the content. You don't need expensive, downtown storefronts to display your art. You don't need the support of a large publisher to find readers. You don't need a million dollars worth of equipment to produce a record or shoot a webisode. 

The proverbial doors have been opened, and thousands of talented people are running through them every day.

Couple the steady stream of content being provided with the sheer volume of what's being created now, and you get a perfect storm of production and consumption. And make no mistake, if you're a creator, it's a storm that will churn you under and leave you drowning in its wake if you aren't a strong swimmer.

In this instance, treading water--staying visible--is going to keep your career alive. 

That's true for every kind of author. Traditionally published folks aren't immune to it--unless you're the Stephen King, James Patterson, and J.K.R. type of traditionally published folk. In fact, it might be more important to traditional authors, because the time between finished story and publication is typically longer for them. The gaps are larger, and not typically within their control.

I don't think this is a revelation to most authors. We all feel the pressure of needing to move onto the next thing. In fact, most of us are already well into the next thing when the current thing is just crowning its head into the world. 

Unfortunately, just like when you're solving for X in Algebra, figuring out what to publish next depends on a number of variables. 

What have you done so far/what's your brand? Is it going to tick off your publisher/agent if you want to self-publish short stories? Is it going to tick off your fans if you delay the next book in your series to write something new? Do you have the momentum of an expensive (in time, money, or both) blog tour that needs to be sustained? Can you financially afford to self-publish (it can get expensive, fast)? If not, can you, or are you willing to, write for a market enough to make traditional publication an option?

All things that can factor into the decision. 

I'm actually at one of those 'NEXT' crossroads myself. I write an ongoing series, that I plan on continuing, but I've come to a natural transition period. I made a goal last year to see the first three Moonsongs books published. I'm on the cusp of doing that. Now I need to make new goals. 

More Moonsongs books are definitely part of those goals. But I've got other projects I want to see get off the ground, too. I'd like to finish this dark-YA-lovestory-thing I've been working on forever. I've got an idea for another New Adult novella series (techno thriller FTW!) I'm so excited about it keeps me up at night. And more...

Anyway, I decided to throw this dilemma of solving for ne-X-t out there, because I think many of you will relate. Maybe you can help me figure it out, or talk me through your process. And as I said above, I do think it's worth some deliberation. 

~EJW~

Join The Uprising! And Various Updates...

Hey gang! I have yet another fabulous book release to share with you today, but first:
Moonsongs Tour Update

I've been all over the place since my last update. I had an exclusive Witch's Nocturne excerpt over at the Bookhounds blog. I received a couple of awesome reviews for the stories over at Buried In Books. And today, the Paperback Princess blog made me blush a little with the kind things they said about them. All are fine blogs for the readers out there, so be sure to check them if you have time.

I'm entering the home stretch of the tour as things will come to a close next Monday. It has been a lot of fun, a little tiring, and very worth it. I haven't been able to get around to comment on as many of my blog friend's blogs (at least regularly) this month as I would like, but know I've been lurking/reading. Things will soon be back to normal, so you can expect me to hassle you with comments again in the near future. :-)
Moonsongs Books Update
I just sent the third story off to the editor Friday! Yes, I was my usual neurotic mess when I hit 'send', but I'm better now. Writers understand this inevitable, downward spiral of highest-high, crippling doubt, and defeated acceptance. But for the uninitiated, it goes something like this: 

STEP 1 - Highest-high: I FINISHED IT JUST IN TIME FOR THE DEADLINE! Who has two arthritic thumbs, temporary computer blindness, and writer slouch? This hard-writing mf, that's who!

STEP 2 - Crippling Doubt: Oh hell, I shouldn't have sent her that piece of flaccid excrement ... I should've asked for more time ... it wasn't ready. Maybe she didn't get it... 

*incoming email bing sound* 

Son of a motherless goat, she got it! I'll just tell her I wrote the last half of it while recovering from meningitis. She'll feel obligated to give it back to me!

*scans email* 

For-the-love-of-Hebrew, she's already reading the damn thing! She's only had it like six seconds. Who starts reading something in the first minute?! Terminator robots, that's who. My editor is a vicious Terminator robot who has been sent back in time to kill my writing before I can destroy the world with its crappy-crapness.

*Google searches "how to change your identity and hide from Terminator robots"*

STEP 3 - Defeated Acceptance: You've written worse, EJ, and you know it. She'll probably ask you to re-wrtie the entire thing, and maybe request that you take an ESL class or two, but you can do it. You've got some time to think about the depth of your suck and to figure out how to un-suck. You've got time... 

*throws head back and dances the Snoopy dance*

I'VE GOT TIME!!

This all happens in about 10 minutes realtime...

Neumarian Uprising 



We need your help! Thanks to our spy, Ciara Knight, we are able to communicate with you today via blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

The Neumarian uprising has begun. We are fighting for freedom and equality for all, but we need your help. Ciara informed us that you might want to know more about the uprising and why we ask you to risk your lives for our cause. To answer these questions I’ve agreed to let Ciara tell my sister’s, Raeth’s, story about her captivity. It will be free for you on a site called Amazon until March 1, 2013.

Our spies have told us this will help spread the word and find more recruits for our rebellion against the tyrannical queen. You can help by simply downloading a free copy of Weighted, a prequel to the Neumarian Chronicles. If you are intrigued and wish to follow our uprising, Escapement, book I of The Neumarian Chronicles, will be available for only $2.99 until March 1, 2013.

Escapement is told by Princess Semara. Don’t hold the fact Semara is a princess against her like I did, there is more to her than you can possibly imagine.

Here is a brief explanation of her telling of our uprising:

Ten years after the great war of 2185 the queen’s reign is threatened by uprisings and fear. In celebration of my sixteenth birthday it is my duty as princess to sacrifice a slave to be initiated into the ruling council, solidifying my mother’s empire. When my own erratic powers surface I’m captured and tried for treason. Slaves hate me, my mother wants me executed, and my only chance of survival rests in the hands of a young man, Ryder Arteres, whose sister I sentenced to death.

What people are saying about Escapement:

“A heady mix of action adventure and steampunk -- leavened with a dash of romance -- ESCAPEMENT offers up its fair share of thrills, horrors and heart-pounding moments. A strong start to a captivating new series.”

-- Jana Oliver, author of The Demon Trapper's Daughter

“A riveting tale of justice, mercy, honor and love. Take a deep breath and hold on, because you'll be turning the pages of Escapement quickly. Three unlikely comrades, Princess Semara, Ryder, and his sister Raeth, embark on a journey that will alter their lives forever. The beautiful love story nestled into these action-packed scenes will make you sigh and remember why you love to love. After reading the prequel Weighted, I knew this story would be amazing, and it was. Ciara Knight truly has a gift for creating awesome worlds and characters you won't forget.”

--Lindi Peterson--Award winning author of Summer's Song.

“Betrayal, secrets, and a rebellion send readers on a grand adventure, caught in the plight to discover Semara’s gifts and purpose.”

--Alex J Cavanaugh, author of Amazon best sellers CassaStar and CassaFire

“The most unmissable series ever! I couldn't stop reading, the action and romance too breathtaking to break the spell!”

--ARC review by Sudah on Goodreads

"A courageous heart-stopping journey by young people to save their kind."

--Hildie McQueen, bestselling author of Where the Four Winds Collide

If you’d like to see a peak into our world, please view this short clip on You Tube. 

If you are now ready to join our fight, please add Escapement to your TBR shelf on Goodreads here.

Shout out on all your social media sites, and tell everyone you know to stand up and fight.

Be Bold.

Be Brave.

Be Free.

In the name of the rebellion,
Ryder Arteres

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CassaStorm Cover Reveal

Hey gang! Hope you've all had a fabulous week, and are ready to take the weekend by storm (see what I did there?). Or maybe just sleep a lot...

Today, a man who needs no introductions (who I'm going to introduce anyway, because that's just what we do around here), has a brilliant new cover to reveal.

I'm excited to share that our Ninja Captain, Alex Cavanaugh, is finally putting the bow on his epic, sci-fi trilogy with the release of the third Cassa book, CassaStorm. 

The good news: The cover rocks ALMOST as hard as the Ninja Rocker himself.

The bad news: We're going to have wait a bit to read it.

Nonetheless, let's all wish Alex a resounding 'HUZZAH', and let our eyes indulge in this tasty treat:


CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaughhttp://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, his only struggles are occasional rogue pirate raids and endless government bureaucracies. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.
After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, shaking Bassan to the core and threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could be on its way back. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Release date: September 17, 2013

Science Fiction - Space Opera/Adventure

Print ISBN 9781939844002

E-book ISBN 9781939844019

Secondhand Shoes

Hey gang! Absolutely thrilled to share yet another awesome author with you today. My pal (and many of yours as well) Shelly Arkon has published her debut novel, Secondhand Shoes. *WOLF WHISTLES & CLAPS*
I'm going to tell you how you can get your hands on a free eCopy of Secondhand today and tomorrow. Plus, there's a fun giveaway to enter!

But first, here's a little about the author and book:

Meet the Runaway Bride

The shoes didn’t fit. It was an omen. Eighteen year old psychic-medium-germ-a-phobe Lila should have listened to her ghostly Gram’s advice the morning of her wedding, “Take off that dress and those shoes. And run.” 
En route to the honeymoon, she decides to listen after too many disagreements with her groom. It doesn’t pay to go along to make everyone happy.

Still in her wedding dress and shoes, she escapes out a diner’s bathroom window into the Florida woods despite her fear of snakes and germs with her dead Gram’s direction. So she begins a journey of finding her inner strength, putting her on a deadly run from her psychotic groom and his deranged friends.

Will she ever get past her fear of germs and snakes? Will she survive her honeymoon?

Meet Shelly

When she was nine, Shelly Arkon's mother advised her not to write a novel because no one would publish it...but she wrote it anyway.
Shelly Arkon has never stopped writing since she wrote that first novel as a child. In spite of more family drama than most of us could handle—as the mother of five daughters, drama is unavoidable--she's been writing most of her life. She says most of these stories, written in longhand in spiral notebooks, have been about vampires.
She now lives in New Port Richey with her husband and two dogs. She’s also a member of Florida Writer’s Association and Writer’s of Mass Distraction.

Currently, she’s working on a book series. It’s’about two grandmothers, one a New Age hippie, and the other, a Southern Baptist, their grandbaby, their grown children who are pill heads, their extended dysfunctional family, and a dangerous drug dealer.
GET SECONDHAND SHOE FREE TODAY & TOMORROW (2/20-21) FREE FOR KINDLE!

Spread the News and Cheer on the Run-Away-Bride Give-Away
Shelly is giving away two $15.00 Amazon cards and two autographed paperback copies of Secondhand Shoes. All she asks is for you to leave the best advice you can give someone on their wedding day and promise to spread the news. On March 1st, I’ll announce the winners on my Secondhand Shoes blog, http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/

His Allure, Her Passion

Hey gang! I'm honored to share the latest offering of blog pal Juliana Haygert, His Allure, Her Passion. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post to enter the giveaway. But first...


Moonsongs Tour Update
The tour is rocking along! I'm back over at the Bookhounds blog today (readers, seriously check this baby out--fabulous reviews, giveaways, and info on new reads DAILY). 

Plus: Today you can get a copy of Blood Fugue, Moonsongs Book 1 on me. She's free on the Amazon for a limited time, so if you haven't read it yet, I'd love for y'all to check it out. 

More Free Goodness
You can snag a copy of Givin' Up The Ghost by Gwen Gardner (one of my FAVORITE author-bloggers) free today as well. So be sure to get your copy of this fabulous tale of 'ghost whispering'.  

Gwen is also doing a giveaway for signed copies, which you can check out HERE.

In MORE Gwen news, she is joining forces with the rocking Melissa Bradley for a Writers4Writers event of epic proportions. What is W4WS? Basically, it's a way for writers to help other writers. Click HERE for the dirty.

So if you see either of these ladies blowing up the Internet in the next two days, give them a hand with the destruction, and help your fellow authors to boot. :-)

His Allure, Her Passion




by Juliana Haygert 
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publication date: February 2013 by Decadent Publishing

In his father’s eyes, Dylan Deveraux is just a playboy spending the family fortune on prostitutes, alcohol, and fast cars. And it isn't even with the cars his father produces. Because of that, his father forbids his presence at the ball that will mark the launch of the US plant of his company, strategically scheduled on Valentine’s Day.

Hayley Allen is a failing model with the worse luck in the world. She always ends up in the hands of cruel designers and photographers. At least, that’s what she tells herself. Better than admit having a weak nervous system that always reacted during her gigs. Desperate, she would do anything to help her career.

Dylan shows up at her door, wasted as usual. Friends for a long time, Hayley is the only one able to put up with Dylan’s bullshit, and he appreciates that, but not the way her heart wants.

Even though he doesn't believe in Valentine's Day, Dylan has an idea for his father's ball. When he suggests a deal to Hayley, a deal that could finally put her in the spotlight of success and help him impress his father, she doesn't hesitate. Even if it means hurting her heart a little more.

Goodreads

Purchase:
Note that these are not the direct purchase links but author profile where the book will be listed as soon as it's released on February 14th.
Barnes & NobleAmazon

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter

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Interviews & Blood Fugue Is Free Today

Hey gang! Just a very quick note to give a couple of Moonsongs tour updates:

Today I'm over at Candace's Book Blog for an in-depth interview. I talk about Indie Vs Traditional publishing, dealing with reviews, the Moonsongs covers, and more. You can check it HERE.

Candace runs a massive book blog with reviews, giveaways, etc., so it's a great one-stop-shop for book lovers. Plus, she's my tour organizer, and I can tell you there's not a bigger supporter of authors and good books out there. Definitely check her out.

It's a double stop day, so I'm also over at Free eBooks Daily for another interview. This one is shorter, but was a lot of fun. I got to talk about my favorite aspect of the Moonsongs books. (Those of you who've read them, can you guess? :) You can read it HERE.

If you HAVEN'T read the books yet, here's your chance to try the first one, Blood Fugue, for free on Kindle. It'll stay free all day, and I'd be honored to have you give it a read. (It's a novella, and a fast read to boot, so it might be the perfect thing for a bit of quick weekend fun/distraction.)

You can snag your free copy HERE, and as always, if you know of people who enjoy paranormal, horror, New Adult literature, and/or action packed reads, I'd love for you to share this with them.

Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day and have a better weekend,

~EJW~

Indie Life - Control Vs Freedom

Hey gang! Time for another Indie Life post...


What is Indie Life?
How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page
When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month

What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie.

Grab: The banner below to include in your posts!


Control Vs Freedom
Ask any child who has been allowed to sit at the BIG KIDS table for the first time, any teen who has driven solo for the first time, or any eighteen year old who has just spent her first month at college away from home: Being independent kicks all ass.
Understanding the degree varies by culture, it's safe to say most humans crave autonomy. We yearn to define our own boundaries. We pine to show our worth. We hustle to mark our unique spots in the world like an overactive male puppy in a fire-hydrant factory. 
I'll submit to you today that I think creative artist are the worst ME seekers of the lot. And justifiably so. After all, self-expression is our business, and doing-things-our-own-way is the only real product we have offer.
"Why buy my painting of trees when there are thousands of other tree paintings out there? Because my painting was done by me, and only I can see the trees this way. Now you can, too--every morning above your sofa for the small sum of $500 US ... cash."
But, I believe this is also why artists struggle so much with security issues, finances, and the like. We're conflicted, and here's why:
Writing is not a business, so you can (and probably should) throw all of the restraints out the window and do it all your way. Writing allows--encourages, in fact--us to think independently.
Writing feeds our habit. It feels good, even when it might be a little unhealthy.
Being an author, however, is a business. A business with boundaries, a business with rules. Yes, you can break rules and still be successful, but you usually have to be damn good at following them first. 
Being an author can be like going to rehab for our habit. It hurts like hell, but sometimes it's the best thing for us.
So what happens when you stick a group of highly independently-minded folks in a constrained environment with the provision of, "you can do anything you want, but you can't leave this area"? 
Imagine sticking a couple-dozen two year olds in an empty room and giving them the same orders. You'd return a few hours later to find: Poop. Blood. Tears. Little people trying to gnaw through walls to escape ... we're talking straight up Lord of the Flies level chaos.
"Where's Timmy?"
"We sent him through the air ducts to find freedom and haven't seen him since."
"Why Timmy?"
"Because I'm holding the LEGO, and the LEGO holder must be obeyed."
If that all sounds a bit too much like your writing routine/journey (poop, tears, blood, teeth gnashing, etc.), or your online writing group (Lord of the Flies), for comfort, trust me, you're not alone.
In the end, if you want to be a SUCCESSFUL published author, you might have to cash in some of that independence. You'll be asked to write in a way that is pleasing to a broad range of readers, agents, and editors. You'll probably need to understand terms like 'markets', 'genre', and 'metadata'. Heck, you might even have to change the names of your characters.
(I know, you LOVE Zartan and Estes, but readers think they're stupid names...) 
And here's the trick for Indies: All of the 'business' stuff applies more to you than it does other authors.
Ain't that a kick in the Dungarees?! You became an Indie to have fewer constraints and boundaries, not more, and now EJ is telling you that isn't going to happen. *harumph harumph harumph*


Being an Indie DOES mean more control, but sometimes that comes with less freedom than you might think. 

You get to choose your own editor! But you have to pick one who isn't illiterate that you can also afford. You get to decide which book cover you want! But you have to be willing to follow the rules of good design and marketing--yes, even if you liked the one with the cats more.

Why not just do what you want? After all, there's no one wagging a finger at you saying, "Fix this or it won't be published." 

You follow the business rules, because if the product sucks you're going to get ALL of the blame. That's why.

Your cover stinks: that's your bad, not the publishers. There are typos: that's your bad, not the editors. (Even they miss things, and your the last one to push the 'publish' button = your bad.) No one knows your book exists: that's your bad, not the marketing department at Random House. 

I guess all of this is to say: Don't become an Indie because of any pre-conceived ideas of total freedom. Total control, perhaps, but not freedom. Not if you want to be good at it.

It's still publishing, and publishing is still a business.

~EJW~

How To Publish & Promote Your Book

Hey gang! Happy Friday, and to all of my Northeastern US friends: Bundle up and stay safe.

Today I'd like to announce the launch of a book that I think many of us might benefit from reading. It's authored by our good blogging buddy, L. Diane Wolfe, and it's all about getting your writing out there and into the hands of the folks who want to read it. (And maybe a few who DIDN'T know they wanted to read it. ;)

If you don't know Diane, she's an accomplished public speaker and motivator, as well as an ace blogger. Definitely check her out!


HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW!

By L. Diane Wolfe

Publishing and promoting made simple!

Have you always dreamed of publishing a book but didn’t know where to begin? This book walks you through the steps of identifying markets, budgeting, building an online presence, and generating publicity. Get the whole story on:

· Traditional publishing· Self-publishing· Print and e-book setup, formatting, and distribution· Finding your target audience· Generating reviews and media interest· Networking and developing an online presence· Promotional materials and appearances
Uncover your ideal publishing path and numerous marketing options before you begin. Writing is your dream. Give it the best chance for success!

Available February 5, 2012Publishing/Marketing, 214 pages, Dancing Lemur Press LLC$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Amazon Kindle


“She gives an unbiased take on the advantages and disadvantages of traditional publishing and self-publishing and publishing paths that combine the two… It's the perfect book for those who want an overview to begin the decision-making process.”

- Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning series of how-to books for writers http://howtodoitfrugally.com/

“A must-read for writers planning on self-publishing or any writer who wants the ultimate how-to on promoting. Tons of links, advice, and how-to, whether you're going for print or e-publication.”
- Helen Ginger, author of Angel Sometimes http://helenginger.com/


Bio: L. Diane Wolfe
Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and a motivational speaker. She’s conducted seminars on book publishing and promoting for five years and assisted writers through several author services. Her other titles include “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK!” which ties her goal-setting and leadership seminar’s information together, and a YA series, “The Circle of Friends.” Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a dozen websites & blogs, and contributes to several other sites and newsletters.
Connect with L. Diane
Blog - Spunk On A Stick’s Tips
Website - Spunk On A Stick
Twitter - @SpunkOnAStick
Facebook - L. Diane Wolfe