Mercy Cortez's Blog
July 22, 2017
Release and Netgalley...The Abduct Series - The Novel
Now the entire Abduct Series in one book is available on kindle.
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0745HS33...
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0745HS33F/...
Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/6815027
Read the thriller people are calling a dark surprise that is intense, emotional and violent.
The paperback will be on Amazon within a few days. I'm also planning with Xpresso to have the book available for request on Netgalley starting 24th August!
Thank you so so much for the continued support for this series. I adore it so much. I look forward to introducing you all to some new characters by the end of the year when a completely new story from me will be being released.
March 10, 2017
January 12, 2017
New author advice
I have been writing books for over five years now with a few breaks in between. I have had two bestsellers on Amazon psychology section and I've sold my fair share of books but it doesn't come easy and here are a few tips or bits of knowledge I've picked up on the way...
1. FREE
The idea of giving a reviewer a free copy of your book may scare you but it's so important. When you are first starting you think the hardest part is writing the book and editing the book. Then suddenly you're finished and you realise the hardest part is getting anyone to read it! So create buzz, join groups and giveaway ARC copies for reviews and then once they come in at least people are taking
2. The Cover
When you go on Amazon they don't show you much in the way of your first impression of a book.. you get a cover, author name, star rating and perhaps a genre. You have to actually be interested enough to click to get any more info. Your book cover is so important so don't cheap out, but also don't break the bank. Make sure it matches your story and your characters. Add tag lines or reviews to the cover as it gives a little more of what the story is about and helps select the right readers. I recommend The Cover Collection, back five years ago the e book covers were £30 which was a steal! Now they are £50 but still worth every penny and the company are so helpful.
3. Not everyone will like your book
You can't please everyone so stop trying. Remember it's your book and you wrote it for you, so if they don't like it, you do. Never write for an audience as you'll lose focus on the story you have to tell.
4. Get Grammerly and an editor!
I discovered Grammerly pretty late and it was my editor for my final book in The Abduct Series due to time constraints but I do suggest if possible use an editor. Grammerly is $30 for a one month subscription which is a bargain for what it does. It's a much more informative version of spell check.
5. Get an awesome kick ass beta reader
So you've edited it and it's got an awesome cover but how does it really flow? I have been in partnership with my wonderful Lori for almost five years now (crazy!) and she has been incredible. They really help push you and give you confidence to publish, she is the best supporter and isn't scared to tell me the truth. Choose someone you trust and know if you can.
6. Final one... KDP program
Sign up, give free copies of your book, enter kindle unlimited ... it's a great way to get new readers and new reviews.
7. Marketing
Make a website, create graphics to advertise, perhaps use a cost per click advert, maybe look into netgallery or book blogs. I have so far not spent a dime on marketing my books but I need to start and I plan to.
1. FREE
The idea of giving a reviewer a free copy of your book may scare you but it's so important. When you are first starting you think the hardest part is writing the book and editing the book. Then suddenly you're finished and you realise the hardest part is getting anyone to read it! So create buzz, join groups and giveaway ARC copies for reviews and then once they come in at least people are taking
2. The Cover
When you go on Amazon they don't show you much in the way of your first impression of a book.. you get a cover, author name, star rating and perhaps a genre. You have to actually be interested enough to click to get any more info. Your book cover is so important so don't cheap out, but also don't break the bank. Make sure it matches your story and your characters. Add tag lines or reviews to the cover as it gives a little more of what the story is about and helps select the right readers. I recommend The Cover Collection, back five years ago the e book covers were £30 which was a steal! Now they are £50 but still worth every penny and the company are so helpful.
3. Not everyone will like your book
You can't please everyone so stop trying. Remember it's your book and you wrote it for you, so if they don't like it, you do. Never write for an audience as you'll lose focus on the story you have to tell.
4. Get Grammerly and an editor!
I discovered Grammerly pretty late and it was my editor for my final book in The Abduct Series due to time constraints but I do suggest if possible use an editor. Grammerly is $30 for a one month subscription which is a bargain for what it does. It's a much more informative version of spell check.
5. Get an awesome kick ass beta reader
So you've edited it and it's got an awesome cover but how does it really flow? I have been in partnership with my wonderful Lori for almost five years now (crazy!) and she has been incredible. They really help push you and give you confidence to publish, she is the best supporter and isn't scared to tell me the truth. Choose someone you trust and know if you can.
6. Final one... KDP program
Sign up, give free copies of your book, enter kindle unlimited ... it's a great way to get new readers and new reviews.
7. Marketing
Make a website, create graphics to advertise, perhaps use a cost per click advert, maybe look into netgallery or book blogs. I have so far not spent a dime on marketing my books but I need to start and I plan to.
January 6, 2017
The Abduct Series 2/3 free until Saturday!
U.K:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Messy-Shatte...
U.S: https://www.amazon.com/Messy-Shattere...
In 2014 The Abduct Series was number one best selling book on amazons psychological fiction chart. Just after this time it was blocked for explicit content. Now three years later it is back for sale on Amazon in a special dual edition and to celebrate you can get it for free for these two special days.
**Please note that this story-line contains violence and some non-consensual sexual activity. This includes reference and some in depth discussion/imagery of battery, under-age sexual references, rape, torture and murder. This is not an exclusive list - You have been warned**
I looked at the man in front of me, he didn't look scary or threatening, to anyone else he looked harmless. He had a wide white smile that could make any girl melt, he had shaggy long blonde hair and innocent baby blue eyes. His Australian accent added to his worldly charm. He looked like a sweet and kind surfer but with a jaw gripped tight that showed anger. I looked down at the blade gripped in his palm and the blood dripping from the edges. His face read that of almost sorrow, but only almost. I looked at the floor, my voice lost in a scream.
I looked down at her soft cheeks, her auburn hair and her still green eyes. She wasn't blinking, she wasn't breathing. I saw the crimson red spread from her cut throat all over the Italian marble floor. It seeped into the cracks. This girl, this fifteen year old girl with blood staining her favourite floral dress... She couldn't be my sister, I wouldn't believe it.
I foolishly thought this would be the worst day of my life.
That was the day I was taken, that was the day I met Draco.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Messy-Shatte...
U.S: https://www.amazon.com/Messy-Shattere...
In 2014 The Abduct Series was number one best selling book on amazons psychological fiction chart. Just after this time it was blocked for explicit content. Now three years later it is back for sale on Amazon in a special dual edition and to celebrate you can get it for free for these two special days.
**Please note that this story-line contains violence and some non-consensual sexual activity. This includes reference and some in depth discussion/imagery of battery, under-age sexual references, rape, torture and murder. This is not an exclusive list - You have been warned**
I looked at the man in front of me, he didn't look scary or threatening, to anyone else he looked harmless. He had a wide white smile that could make any girl melt, he had shaggy long blonde hair and innocent baby blue eyes. His Australian accent added to his worldly charm. He looked like a sweet and kind surfer but with a jaw gripped tight that showed anger. I looked down at the blade gripped in his palm and the blood dripping from the edges. His face read that of almost sorrow, but only almost. I looked at the floor, my voice lost in a scream.
I looked down at her soft cheeks, her auburn hair and her still green eyes. She wasn't blinking, she wasn't breathing. I saw the crimson red spread from her cut throat all over the Italian marble floor. It seeped into the cracks. This girl, this fifteen year old girl with blood staining her favourite floral dress... She couldn't be my sister, I wouldn't believe it.
I foolishly thought this would be the worst day of my life.
That was the day I was taken, that was the day I met Draco.
January 4, 2017
Should Dark Fiction become a mainstream genre?
There are many books that don't go into a specific genre and this makes them difficult to describe.
A romance book can also be a thriller, and perhaps supernatural - but not young adult - what category does it then belong in?
This applies to my series (The Abduct Series), although it has romance and it is a thriller, it also has small elements of erotica, as well as suspense and physiological aspects, it could even pass as horror at some points. The main basis for me is dark fiction. This is not a genre most places will list so I wonder where I am supposed to categorise it. I look on the shelves it is listed on "gory" "capture" "Stockholm" "thriller" and "dark" just to name a few.
I wonder if perhaps we need more genres for books that are more complex than romance or thriller, or even horror and if we need a dark adult fiction genre to really showcase works like
,
and of course my own series
.
A romance book can also be a thriller, and perhaps supernatural - but not young adult - what category does it then belong in?
This applies to my series (The Abduct Series), although it has romance and it is a thriller, it also has small elements of erotica, as well as suspense and physiological aspects, it could even pass as horror at some points. The main basis for me is dark fiction. This is not a genre most places will list so I wonder where I am supposed to categorise it. I look on the shelves it is listed on "gory" "capture" "Stockholm" "thriller" and "dark" just to name a few.
I wonder if perhaps we need more genres for books that are more complex than romance or thriller, or even horror and if we need a dark adult fiction genre to really showcase works like
,
and of course my own series
.
January 3, 2017
Thank you, Lori
I saw an author do this recently and I thought it was incredibly sweet.
Today I received my first review for the final part of The Abduct Series (Jethro's Journey) and I couldn't be happier.
'I was so excited to see hat book #3 was finaly
Relased . It did not disappoint at all.
All those unanswered questions are finally brought to yo in yet another great story.
Ammie has turned into a bad### after her tragic ordel an yes jehro is by her side doing what he does best, protect her. Not hat she needs it.
Of course we have other characters at play here and with a gruesome experience just as Ammie.
Its well written and you can't stop reading once you start.
It puks you in like the rest of the series and takes you along for the ride..
A great ending to a Awesome Series'
As shown on Amazon. Thank you for your support and your reviews of all my books. Your review eased what was a worrisome doubt, I love this series and I'm glad you feel I did it justice.
I can't wait to hear everyone else's views.
Today I received my first review for the final part of The Abduct Series (Jethro's Journey) and I couldn't be happier.
'I was so excited to see hat book #3 was finaly
Relased . It did not disappoint at all.
All those unanswered questions are finally brought to yo in yet another great story.
Ammie has turned into a bad### after her tragic ordel an yes jehro is by her side doing what he does best, protect her. Not hat she needs it.
Of course we have other characters at play here and with a gruesome experience just as Ammie.
Its well written and you can't stop reading once you start.
It puks you in like the rest of the series and takes you along for the ride..
A great ending to a Awesome Series'
As shown on Amazon. Thank you for your support and your reviews of all my books. Your review eased what was a worrisome doubt, I love this series and I'm glad you feel I did it justice.
I can't wait to hear everyone else's views.
June 7, 2014
Is love temporary?
There are times in our lives that we realise we have been a fool - often this is regarding love.
We listen to sweet nothings and demand that they instead be everlasting promises, we wait and realise that the words are just that. Words.
You watch as he or she uses these same words, these promises you held so dear, with someone else.
I have not been in many relationships in my life, frankly because I think our generation of 'men' are a joke, they are disrespectful, disloyal and uncaring - and the more I know of them the more I realise my judgements are warranted.
I am not a love sick puppy - I actually am in love, I am just sharing the views I have gained over observation.
I want you to think about your male friends, really think, find one that is as good a catch as you are - good luck.
Love is a temporary emotion, it is part of an obsession and often once the smoke clears the love does too, we lie though, and claim we still love one another until we are no longer happy.
You think you know the person you have decided to spend your life with but then one day they tell you that they don't want to discuss certain aspects of the life they lived before you or why they are the way they are - you realise...What is the damn point?
We listen to sweet nothings and demand that they instead be everlasting promises, we wait and realise that the words are just that. Words.
You watch as he or she uses these same words, these promises you held so dear, with someone else.
I have not been in many relationships in my life, frankly because I think our generation of 'men' are a joke, they are disrespectful, disloyal and uncaring - and the more I know of them the more I realise my judgements are warranted.
I am not a love sick puppy - I actually am in love, I am just sharing the views I have gained over observation.
I want you to think about your male friends, really think, find one that is as good a catch as you are - good luck.
Love is a temporary emotion, it is part of an obsession and often once the smoke clears the love does too, we lie though, and claim we still love one another until we are no longer happy.
You think you know the person you have decided to spend your life with but then one day they tell you that they don't want to discuss certain aspects of the life they lived before you or why they are the way they are - you realise...What is the damn point?
March 28, 2014
Exclusive to Goodreads!!
Hi folks
The majority of my work is now going to be exclusive to Goodreads. This is due in some part to Amazons block of Messy and Shattered because of its content.
So please look for Messy and Shattered and Equivocal click read book and you will have your own copy.
Thank you so much for all the support.
The majority of my work is now going to be exclusive to Goodreads. This is due in some part to Amazons block of Messy and Shattered because of its content.
So please look for Messy and Shattered and Equivocal click read book and you will have your own copy.
Thank you so much for all the support.
March 22, 2014
Unpublishing in a week
Next weekend my books will all be pulled from sale from Amazon.
This has come from the censorship of my books and other aspects. I started writing as a way of escape and somewhere along the way - I learnt that I loved it!
The taxation system of being an indie writer is rather complicated. Not only do i need to file in the UK but also a return in the US. This is all too confusing for me and so after the weekend I plan to re publish for free elsewhere. This was never about the money for me, I wanted to list my books for free on amazon when I first started but I was not allowed.
The fact that my books will be free does not lower the value of them in any way. This also means it may be available to even more people.
Thank you so much for your continuing support. I will keep you updated.
M.
This has come from the censorship of my books and other aspects. I started writing as a way of escape and somewhere along the way - I learnt that I loved it!
The taxation system of being an indie writer is rather complicated. Not only do i need to file in the UK but also a return in the US. This is all too confusing for me and so after the weekend I plan to re publish for free elsewhere. This was never about the money for me, I wanted to list my books for free on amazon when I first started but I was not allowed.
The fact that my books will be free does not lower the value of them in any way. This also means it may be available to even more people.
Thank you so much for your continuing support. I will keep you updated.
M.
March 6, 2014
Brand new website!
It is still being build but it is nearly there. Visit my new site here http://www.mercycortez.co.uk/
New content coming soon!!
New content coming soon!!
