Jaqueline Kyle's Blog
September 29, 2015
How to Pick Your Supernatural Villain
Today my blog tour made a stop with Armand Rosamilia, an author of all things horror and gory. We talked a bit about villains that are over-done in our current media and how I went about finding unique villains for my book Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter.
"...I felt like between Underworld and Twilight, vampires and werewolves were done. That’s a full spectrum of cheese-tasticness which makes it trite and a complete no-go..."
Check out the complete article here.
"...I felt like between Underworld and Twilight, vampires and werewolves were done. That’s a full spectrum of cheese-tasticness which makes it trite and a complete no-go..."
Check out the complete article here.
September 24, 2015
Three ways eBooks have Changed Publishing
And what it means for independent authors.
The publishing industry is the latest conventional business model to be thrown for a loop by the internet. The last five years have been a whirlwind of change that authors, agents, publishers and retailers are still coming to terms with.
Why?
The invention and popularization of the e-reader. These little devices have been around since 2000 but were widely ignored in their infancy. The first mass-market ebook was Stephen King’s novella Riding the Bullet in 2002, but most people read it sitting at their computers. It wasn’t until the kindle e-reader launched that ebooks gained traction. As the technology has gotten better and the prices have gotten cheaper, the ebook has become a mainstay for consumers everywhere.
Unlimited Shelf Space
Ebooks have changed the landscape for aspiring authors. Prior to the ebook reader, bookstores were limited to the inventory they could display on their shelves. When a new book was released, it had roughly three weeks to find an audience before it would be boxed up and sent back for return. It didn’t matter if the book was really good. If it didn’t sell well right out of the gate, it was out to make room for the next new release.
Fast forward to today and the ebook phenomenon, there is an unlimited digital bookshelf! There’s no reason for an independent author to be pulled off sale. Your book can live forever online, finding an audience that will enjoy it.
Lower Barriers to Bring Your Book to Market
Up until the ebook revolution, there were multiple barriers impeding independent authors from getting their book to the market place. There was the printing, the warehousing, convincing stores to carry your book and more. With the popularization of e-readers, companies like Amazon were desperate for content for their devices. To fill that void, they invented an ebook self-publishing platform. Many major retailers have followed. The middleman was entirely cut from the picture...
Find the full article here.
The publishing industry is the latest conventional business model to be thrown for a loop by the internet. The last five years have been a whirlwind of change that authors, agents, publishers and retailers are still coming to terms with.
Why?
The invention and popularization of the e-reader. These little devices have been around since 2000 but were widely ignored in their infancy. The first mass-market ebook was Stephen King’s novella Riding the Bullet in 2002, but most people read it sitting at their computers. It wasn’t until the kindle e-reader launched that ebooks gained traction. As the technology has gotten better and the prices have gotten cheaper, the ebook has become a mainstay for consumers everywhere.
Unlimited Shelf Space
Ebooks have changed the landscape for aspiring authors. Prior to the ebook reader, bookstores were limited to the inventory they could display on their shelves. When a new book was released, it had roughly three weeks to find an audience before it would be boxed up and sent back for return. It didn’t matter if the book was really good. If it didn’t sell well right out of the gate, it was out to make room for the next new release.
Fast forward to today and the ebook phenomenon, there is an unlimited digital bookshelf! There’s no reason for an independent author to be pulled off sale. Your book can live forever online, finding an audience that will enjoy it.
Lower Barriers to Bring Your Book to Market
Up until the ebook revolution, there were multiple barriers impeding independent authors from getting their book to the market place. There was the printing, the warehousing, convincing stores to carry your book and more. With the popularization of e-readers, companies like Amazon were desperate for content for their devices. To fill that void, they invented an ebook self-publishing platform. Many major retailers have followed. The middleman was entirely cut from the picture...
Find the full article here.
September 23, 2015
Researching and the Mash up Parody
For today's stop on the blog tour for Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter, I wrote an article for Reading Shy with Aly. Aly suggested the prompt: what kind of research was required to write your book? and my first thought was: No Research! But that wasn't quite true.
I took a research trip.
I read and re-read the source material.
I watched a number of movie versions of A Christmas Carol.
I researched various myths and folktales to find the right supernatural creatures to populate my story with.
I did countless google searches on "public domain" and copyright laws.
I didn't realize that it was research at the time because I was having so much fun doing it! (Except for the last one. Copyright laws and public domain isn't fun at all.) There are all sorts of ways to research your book. If you enjoy your topic and are enthusiasitc about the material, it doesn't seem like work at all!
Click here to read the full article.
I took a research trip.
I read and re-read the source material.
I watched a number of movie versions of A Christmas Carol.
I researched various myths and folktales to find the right supernatural creatures to populate my story with.
I did countless google searches on "public domain" and copyright laws.
I didn't realize that it was research at the time because I was having so much fun doing it! (Except for the last one. Copyright laws and public domain isn't fun at all.) There are all sorts of ways to research your book. If you enjoy your topic and are enthusiasitc about the material, it doesn't seem like work at all!
Click here to read the full article.
September 22, 2015
Book Review with Cubicle Blindness
Book blogger, Cubicle Blindness, was kind enough review my book during the blog tour for Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter
Here's an excerpt of what she had to say:
"It is a quick, short read and different. If you are a fan of the original story I think you'll get a kick out of this one. Great for Halloween. "
Read the full review here!
Don't forget to enter the $100 gift card contest!
Here's an excerpt of what she had to say:
"It is a quick, short read and different. If you are a fan of the original story I think you'll get a kick out of this one. Great for Halloween. "
Read the full review here!
Don't forget to enter the $100 gift card contest!
September 21, 2015
Advise for Aspiring Authors
The blog tour continues and today I'm talking with Tricia of Authors to Watch.
She asked me, What was the most challenging aspect of writing your book?
Retelling a beloved classic has peculiar challenges. How do you respect the characters and original author, but bring something new to the table? It’s rather presumptive to re-write Dickens – he’s amazing. I overcame the issue by sticking with the original style of tone and prose. That way the new content surprises and delights the reader and respects the legacy.
Another great question was, What advice would you offer to new or aspiring authors?
While I think my answer was good, I'd like to add more to my response here:
Write every day. Whether you feel like it or not. Train the muse to show up at a certain time, at a certain place and make sure you are there to meet him/her.
Click here for the full interview.
Click here to enter to win $100 Amazon gift card
She asked me, What was the most challenging aspect of writing your book?
Retelling a beloved classic has peculiar challenges. How do you respect the characters and original author, but bring something new to the table? It’s rather presumptive to re-write Dickens – he’s amazing. I overcame the issue by sticking with the original style of tone and prose. That way the new content surprises and delights the reader and respects the legacy.
Another great question was, What advice would you offer to new or aspiring authors?
While I think my answer was good, I'd like to add more to my response here:
Write every day. Whether you feel like it or not. Train the muse to show up at a certain time, at a certain place and make sure you are there to meet him/her.
Click here for the full interview.
Click here to enter to win $100 Amazon gift card
September 19, 2015
Crowdfunding and Publishing
The amazing Mary Fan of ZigZag Timeline agreed to host a stop on the blog tour for Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter. She asked a couple great questions about crowdfunding, specifically for publishing a book!
Click here to check out the full blog tour stops and enter for your chance to win a $100 amazon gift card!
Click here to check out the full blog tour stops and enter for your chance to win a $100 amazon gift card!
September 18, 2015
Author Spotlight for Blog Tour Stop #4!
Blog Stop number 4 is with Claire Loves to Read! She chose to feature Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter and my little nod to coffee, Charles Dickens and his wisdom. Enjoy!
Blog Post Here
Blog Post Here
September 17, 2015
Writing Tips with Charline
The third stop on the blog tour is with Charline's Blog and More... where she asks me about writing, exciting moments and Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter.
Here's an excerpt from our chat:
"There is a moment that all first-time writers face. A moment of “this is crap,” or “it’s too hard,” or “I don’t know what to do next.” It’s that moment when your inner demons are winning and are about to sabotage your dreams..."
Charline asked some well researched and fun questions! I really enjoyed talking with her!
The full article is available here.
Here's an excerpt from our chat:
"There is a moment that all first-time writers face. A moment of “this is crap,” or “it’s too hard,” or “I don’t know what to do next.” It’s that moment when your inner demons are winning and are about to sabotage your dreams..."
Charline asked some well researched and fun questions! I really enjoyed talking with her!
The full article is available here.
September 16, 2015
Live Q&A with Bitten by Books
I'll be doing a live Q&A with Bitten by Books this afternoon to discuss my novel, Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter. There will be a video interview to watch and you can ask me questions! I'm really excited to hear what questions my readers might have, so be sure to drop by!
September 15, 2015
Blog Tour Stop #1
Today marks the first day of my blog tour! Joyce Strand was kind enough to interview me for her blog. Click here to read the interview and enter to win $100 Amazon Giftcard!
