Lisa Lang Blakeney's Blog, page 19
August 18, 2015
Day Four: Countdown To Cousins Release
I can’t believe it but the day has finally arrived that I’m holding my own release day blitz. Eeep! If you’d like an ARC copy of Cousins for review and to help me on release day, please sign up here: https://goo.gl/ndFu1N
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August 17, 2015
Day Five: Countdown To Cousins Release
Party Is Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/647715175364234/
See you there!
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August 15, 2015
Day Seven: Countdown To The Release of Cousins
It’s almost as frightening as giving birth for the first time! But in seven days (August 22) I will be releasing my debut novel Cousins. Eeeep!! In celebration, I’ll be basically begging and bribing you all week for to consider falling in love with Roman Masterson just as much as I have. It starts with an ARC giveaway today. By 10pm tonight I’ll select three lucky winners to receive an ARC copy of the book. All you have to do to enter is to join my VIP mailing list and you’re in.
Here’s the link>>> http://lisalangblakeney.com/VIP
I’ll announce the winners here on this post AND on Facebook.
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August 6, 2015
Cousins Teaser #3
I hear a very clear and distinct set of heavy footsteps advancing towards us. Whoever it is, isn’t panicked like the rest of us. He or she (no it was definitely a he) is moving calmly and very deliberately towards our direction. I experience a brief moment of alien-like movement in my stomach warning me of something. I’m not sure what. Maybe to be on guard or perhaps to run. Suddenly I feel five very warm, strong, and calloused fingers grasp my upper left arm and pull me up on my feet.
“Stand up,” the deep voice orders with a rumble. His lips just inches away from my ear. His breath smells of peppermint, chocolate and cognac. A yummy mixture. It’s familiar. Reminds me of Christmas.
His distinctive voice reverberates throughout my body, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, and then settles in as if making a home in between my legs. I’m shocked at my body’s reaction and frankly embarrassed. Typically I would never blindly follow the commands of a stranger, but this isn’t a usual circumstance I find myself in. So for once I decide not to over think things (like he may be a serial killer) and instead just follow his lead.
With his hand still firmly clasping my upper arm, he notices that my feet are unsteady and quickly adjusts himself to place his other hand loosely around my middle to balance me as I stand. His massive hand almost spans the entire length of my torso and although my clothing serves as a barrier, to me it feels like I have nothing on. His thumb nearly grazes my breast, which sends my nipples into a hard alert, while his pinky finger comes dangerously close to the waistband of my panties. I am so overwhelmed by all the sensations of him touching me, that my body probably feels heavy to him, as I inadvertently sway slightly forward and allow him to bear more of my weight. My heaviness doesn’t seem to be an issue though, as he effortlessly guides me upwards onto my feet with one sweeping movement.
“Easy.” He murmurs softly by my ear.
Even with all hell breaking loose in the club, that one word, the stranger’s raspy voice, and his unforgettable hands are all I can concentrate on. His touch feels personal, careful, and intimate, as if we already know each other or as if we are definitely about to. As he continues to direct me, his commands all of a sudden turn somewhat clipped, almost like he is annoyed with me for some unknown reason.
“She with you?”
“Yes.”
“Grab her hand too.”
“Wait I-” I start to protest. His terse tone throwing me off.
“Grab her.” He orders again.
As he continues to hold onto me, to help me keep my balance, I reach down to grab Sloan’s arms and lift her up with me. “Come on Sloan.”
“Walk.” Is all the stranger says next.
And we do.
ADD COUSINS TO YOUR GOODREADS “TO READ” LIST
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August 5, 2015
Snapshot of The Average Reader In America
Just wanted to share this demographic portrait of who is reading books in America and how they’re reading them. Really compelling study. I was surprised. Here’s the overall snapshot, but the article breaks things down even further. Read the full article here: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/16/a-snapshot-of-reading-in-america-in-2013/
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August 3, 2015
Scrivener Tips: Troubleshooting How To Preview Your .Mobi File On Your Kindle
One of the great things about Scrivener is that you can compile and create a .mobi file for publishing to KDP in just a few clicks. Of course you need to be able to view that document in a “real world” setting to make sure that everything looks good. You have several options to preview your .mobi file.
1. You can preview it on the web in KDP after you’ve uploaded the file. (Not my favorite choice.)
2. You could use Amazon’s previewer application to see what your document looks like in Kindle Fire, Paperwhite, etc. I use this application after I’ve compiled my file and while it is pretty accurate, there’s something about it that isn’t exactly an authentic reading experience. That’s why I prefer to use option 3.
3. Send your .mobi file to your Kindle or Kindle App.
When you send your file to your Kindle or Kindle App, your .mobi file will appear just how it will look when you finally hit PUBLISH in KDP. So this is an actual reader experience. It is here where I figure out I’ve indented things incorrectly or I didn’t break up my paragraphs enough.
Sometimes though you may have an issue sending the document to yourself. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Amazon troubleshooting my issue. Here’s what happened…
If you have the SEND TO KINDLE app on your computer or your browser, then use that. I have it, but every time I added the file, nothing would happen. I’m thinking the same thing may happen to other folks. Amazon is very particular about their .mobi files. So if this happens to you…then you can try sending yourself the file via email.
I tried that, but that didn’t work either. I received an error message back from Amazon. So that’s when I called support and they finally figured out that you need to place the word “CONVERT” in the message area of your email when you send the file to your Kindle or Kindle App (iPad, etc.)
That did the trick.
So here are the exact instructions for sending yourself the file:
1. Send the file to your KINDLE email address. Amazon gives you a specific Kindle address for each device you own (Kindles, iPads, iPhones, Androids etc.) Example: lisa.blakeney_25@kindle.com. If you don’t know it, you can find your Kindle address in the content settings area of your Amazon account.
2. Type “CONVERT” in the subject line.
3. Make sure to send it FROM a Kindle approved email address. (Using the main email of your Amazon account is the best solution.)
The file will only be viewable in that particular device, not your Amazon cloud. So open your device, refresh your book grid, and it should be there. Ready for you to read.
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July 31, 2015
July 30, 2015
Scrivener Tips: How To Save Your Compile Settings
Attention, attention. I am NOT a Scrivener expert nor do I believe that any writer who actually is trying to make a living at his or her craft should spend hours watching tutorials or paying for Scrivener workshops. I don’t knock anyone’s hustle for providing Scrivener services, but I just don’t have the time. So…I’ve decided to publish (real world) Scrivener tips and hacks as I dig further into this amazing software and publish. So here’s my first tip…
Saving Your Compile Settings In Scrivener
Before I started writing fiction, I published several non-fiction books using Scrivener and every single time I went to compile the book for Amazon, Nook, iBooks or make a PDF; I had to fiddle around with those damn compile settings. It is a nightmare when you don’t know what you’re doing, and you want your manuscript to compile a particular way.
So here’s what you do:
1. Click on COMPILE as if you were about to compile your manuscript.
2. Click on the Option Key on your keyboard and you will notice that the COMPILE button on your screen will now say SAVE.
3. When you scroll over that SAVE button it will say “Save Without Compiling” and then you will click SAVE.
Your COMPILE settings have now been saved without having to actually compile your document. Now when you go to compile this document again or another manuscript you may have, Scrivener will already have these setting saved for you. No tweaking necessary unless you want to tweak:)
Yippee!!!
Note: I am using Scrivener on a Mac; but Windows users should click Save & Close when doing step #3.
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July 28, 2015
What’s Going On With Shelfari?
As an indie writer, I’m also looking for ways to increase visibility. Many of my favorite authors have an “enhanced” Amazon author page which features details of their books, books series, etc. and is pulling the information straight from Shelfari. It makes your author page look that more enticing. Of course today though, I just found this out (excerpt from Lisa Angelettie’s writing blog)…
I just got off the phone with a very nice representative over at Amazon’s Author Central. I wanted some help incorporating Shelfari into my Author Central profile like I’ve seen on many author’s Amazon pages. I did a little Google research on how to do it but found that the instructions were outdated or just play wrong.
When I called, even the associate wasn’t sure what happened to Shelfari. She had to run and check with someone else. Sure enough, Shelfari has been eliminated as an option for adding to your Amazon author page. When I asked if it was for a certain segment of books (ex. nonfiction vs. fiction), she said “No. All books.” Her words were she thinks that allowing the option “was more trouble than it was worth.”
I’ve heard that some authors abused Shelfari. I’m not sure how. Probably only promoting their own books and not actually sharing and recommending books written by other authors. Which is really the point. Shelfari was suppose to be a book sharing and social site like Goodreads; but alas Goodreads does it so much better.
So now that Amazon owns Goodreads, I wonder how they will incorporate it (or some of it’s features) into the Amazon book marketplace? It will be interesting to see how it unfolds and hopefully will be of some benefit to us indie authors.
Oh well:) It was a good idea while it lasted.
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