Harmony Kent's Blog, page 145
January 17, 2015
#amwriting: Finding Katie, Day 6
Day SixOkay folks, here we are again! I’ve had a productive day today. Not only have I written about 2000 words, but I also made my ebook and paperback book covers. You guys have to watch out for the cover reveal, ‘cos I LOVE this one!
Here is today’s first line quote:
“What idiot am I to think I can hide the kind of girl I am?”
©2015 Harmony Kent
Word Count so far: 22790
by 
January 16, 2015
#amwriting: Finding Katie, Day 5
Day Five:Today, you get another bonus, seeing as we’ve missed a couple of days
I’m showing a sneak peek to a whole page again, instead of the first line.
These are unedited first drafts you’re reading
Are you ready? …
… “BOO!” I yell, just for the hell of it.
They both jump. Too funny. Sure beats morning TV.
******
Hours later, Melanie flops down into the chair at the foot of the bed. An exasperated sigh draws my eyes to her. All I get is a hard stare. Then she rubs at her already mussed hair.
“What the hell, Kate?”
I look away, back at the TV.
Melanie snatches the remote and hits standby. I stare at the black screen instead. She slams the remote onto the table. I stare at the screen.
“You’re being discharged.”
That gets my attention. Startles me into looking at her. Just for a second. Then I go back to the TV. Too late, though—she saw. I shouldn’t ‘ave reacted at all. Now who’s the daft cow?
“Well?”
I shrug and stare at the screen.
“Don’t you care what happens to you?” …
©2015 Harmony Kent
Word Count so far: 20814 … a little behind the schedule I set for myself, but I blame the bad weather we’ve been having … computer has needed to be switched off, LOL.
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January 14, 2015
It’s Out!
Welcome one and all! Thanks for joining us today in the celebration of the Release of Concordant Vibrancy: Unity, An All Authors Anthology.
Blurb:
All Authors Publishing House, a subsidiary of All Authors Publications & Promotions, is pleased to present its first short story anthology, Concordant Vibrancy .
Concordant Vibrancy represents the interweaving of unity and uniqueness through the eyes of eleven incredible writers. Through the array of genres, all of these talents share a phenomenal love of writing which aims to leave imprints in the reader’s imagination.
Short stories in this collection:
“Butterfly Mask” by Nicola McDonagh
“Messarii’s Blood Hunt” by D. John Watson
“Seven Days” by Harmony Kent
“Touch Me” by Andrea Houtsch
“… and we” by Adonis Mann
“Til Death Do Us Part” by A. Lopez Jr.
“Coalesce” by Da’Kharta Rising
“Her A to Z” by C. Desert Rose
“Lester’s Release” by Synful Desire
“The Authentic Snap” by Queen of Spades
“Alma’s Unsung Angel” by Y. Correa.
What makes Concordant Vibrancy Different than most Short Story anthologies?
It was best described by Y. Correa, the Founder of All Authors Publications and Promotions …
Excerpt of Concordant Vibrancy:
Once upon a time I sat under a large and old tree—the tree was surrounded by many others like it, all of them contented with one another.
I marveled at the wave of wind that passed by, which like an invisible tide drew past the trees making the leaves on them swish like the perfect choreographed symphony—first one, then swiftly and smoothly the rest followed in suit. It was an inspiring thing to behold.
I thought …
There is no better demonstration of unity than that of Mother Earth. She teaches us that all things are connected—the heavens to the earth, the earth to the ocean, the ocean to the heavens—round and round it goes, dancing without squabble in absolute unison. It truly is a beautiful thing to see.
In addition I pondered …
As the matter of fact, the bigger picture is that the entire universe is connected. Whilst our planet is the size of a marble in comparison to the enormity of our universe, that by no means makes us any less valuable. She, Mother Earth, depends on the universe and vice versa. Could you imagine the impact on our solar system if just one planet became misaligned with the rest, just the smallest bit askew? We would all feel the repercussions of that micro-movement. The surface of earth would spin out of control, ravaging humanity with a cataclysm of natural devastation.
And so, I thought further, and said to myself, “Does humanity not realize the impact they have between one another? Do they not see that one action of strife can cause a wave of destruction?”
While it is true that I do not know you, I know this; you and I are linked simply because we are inhabitants of this planet.
Why do I say these things? Because unity was the foundation of the establishment of All Authors Publications and Promotions.
A year and a half ago a thought occurred to me, it was “Why are authors competing with one another? Why can’t they just work together?” Now I’m certain that I was not the first person to think that way, and certainly not the first to act on it, but I did see that while some authors were trying to work together they were doing it in a way that rivaled one another. It was around that time that the idea of the All Authors Blog Blitz crossed my mind.
I’d done some research on Blog Blitzes, their use and aim, and I thought, we can all do that together. We can create a tidal wave of recognition if we just work together.
What I did not expect was all that would follow after the All Authors Blog Blitz. In less than a year’s time, All Authors Publications and Promotions was born. A place created by an author, for authors, trying to establish unity in this market.
In time the All Authors Magazine was born, then All Authors Graphic Design, then the All Authors Certificate of Excellence, and many more projects.
Some people ask me why I chose the name All Authors. Well, that’s pretty self-explanatory, it’s because we advocate all authors, and try to reach all readers.
So, like leaves on a tree, we are all connected.
Mother Earth, the best example of unity mankind has.
Book Trailer
Today, marks the historic event of the RELEASE of Concordant Vibrancy: Unity, An All Authors Anthology. In commemoration of this wonderful day we’ve decided to give 3 lucky people a chance to win a Paperback Copy.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Concordant Vibrancy
by Adonis Mann
Giveaway ends January 31, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Also Available NOW at Amazon.com
Kindle
Paperback
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January 12, 2015
Supporting Indies: Lucky Blog Tour
Welcome back to our Lucky Blog Tour. Yesterday, I introduced the first part of my reflections on writing and marketing indie books. If you haven’t read the post, I invite you to check the schedule on the Events page at 4willspublishing and click on the previous blog stop.
Today I want to share with you my ideas on – CREATING COVERS.
You know that old saying ‘you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover’, right? Well, the thing is – most people do that. Some people do that all the time.
In my defense, let me just make it clear that I know covers can be misleading. I know a beautiful cover image does not always mean the content is to our liking. On the other hand, a plain-looking picture on t
he cover of a book may hide a treasure inside its pages.
I know all that. However, I often wonder – why not combine an excellent story and a compelling cover. Does it seem easy enough for you? Well … it’s not that simple, actually. One must have a picture they can use. I mean, the author must have taken a useful picture himself/herself to avoid facing copyright issues. If they don’t have it, they need to find an image, with good quality resolution, and appropriate dimensions, at one of the many royalty-free stock image websites available in the Internet.
Does it still sound simple? If you’re an author, you know it isn’t. If you’re a reader, let me propose an exercise. Think about a book you’ve read. Any book. Think about it’s storyline and main characters. Forget its actual cover and go online searching for an image you think portraits that storyline and those characters. How long did it take you to find it?
Great. You have your image. But, is the picture royalty-free? Is it ready to be used on the cover of your book? Do you need to edit it? Do you need to include a title and the author’s name? How do you do that? How long will it take you to finish your cover?
Phew! I’m tired already. Aren’t you? I told you it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Now, if you’re a reader, you may now have a slight idea of what we have to go through to offer you a decent-looking cover. If you’re am author and want to know more about it, I’ll tell you about my personal experience.
Editing pictures can be tricky. I’ve tried using Photoshop many times without results that satisfied me. Don’t get me wrong – it is a great program. I can’t seem to master it, though. I found an excellent website for editing images which offers user-friendly features. Mainly for those users who, like me, are leaning towards the ‘Photoshop-dumb-users’ kind. If you want to check it out, it’s called Pickmonkey. My favorite source for royalty-free stock images is Big Stock Photo because they have variety, high-resolution quality, and fair prices.
That’s all for today. folks. Tune in tomorrow, at the next stop on Lucky Blog Tour, for my musings on formatting your eBook.
Liz Gavin
Author Bio:
When Liz Gavin was in Second Grade – just a couple of years ago, really – her teacher told her mother the little girl should start a diary because she needed an outlet for her active and vivid imagination. She was a talkative child who would disrupt the class by engaging her colleagues in endless conversations. She loved telling them the stories her grandfather used to tell her.
Apparently, the teacher wasn’t a big fan of those stories, and Liz’s mother bought her a diary. She happily wrote on it for a couple of months. Unable to see the appeal of writing for her own enjoyment only, she gave up on it. She missed the audience her friends provided her in class. She went back to disturbing her dear teacher’s class.
Since then, she has become a hungry reader. She will read anything and everything she can get her hands on – from the classics to erotica. That’s how she has become a writer of erotica and romance, as well.
As a young adult, she participated in a student exchange program and lived in New Orleans for six months. She fell in love with the city and its wonderful inhabitants. NOLA will always hold a special spot in Liz Gavin’s heart. Nowadays, living in Brazil, Liz’s creativity has improved many times because it’s such a vibrant, gorgeous and sexy country.
Welcome to her world of hot Alpha males and naughty, independent women. Add a touch of the paranormal in the presence of some wicked souls and you’ll get the picture.
Book & Contact Links:
Book link on Amazon =
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MS48JO0
My blog = elessarpublishing.blogspot.com
Twitter handle = @LizGavin_author
Facebook = www.facebook.com/liz.gavin.54
Email = lizgavin@elessarbooks.com
This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com .
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#amwriting: Finding Katie, Day 4
Day Four:Today, you get a bonus. I’m showing a sneak peek to a whole page, not just the first line.
Are you ready?
“We head for the dining room in silence.
I got away with it.
Becky and I sit together at the table, and I keep up a stream of banter—anything to hide how I’m feelin’. I need to find something, and soon, but I really want to go on the trip tomorrow. Gawd, why do they have to make it so tough?
It’s not like I want to hurt myself, well … you know, not like, hurt hurt. Just a bit of a scratch will do it. That’s all. Just a bit of distraction, to keep me going. I don’t want to lose it like I did the other day.
Dinner is awful. It’s s’posed to be veggie lasagne, but I don’t recognise it. The unappetising mush covers my plate, and I push my fork around aimlessly.
Afterward, Amanda—the nurse in charge—takes me down to the clinic. I know what’s coming. Guess I didn’t fool Sally after all. Sure enough, she checks me all over for marks or cuts or bruises. And I mean all over. Freak.
Mel would’ve been nicer about it. Roll on Monday.
“Happy now?” I ask, all stony-faced and hard-eyed.
“Mmmm.” Is all I get from her.”
Words written so far: 19861.
©2015 Harmony Kent
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January 11, 2015
#amwriting: Finding Katie, Day 3
Last year, I let myself get too busy to write much. On new year’s day, I sat down and wrote. It felt good. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed making stuff up.Anyway, except for the days I have other posts up, my aim is to post the first line of each page from my newest book, FINDING KATIE.
So,watch this space! You’ll get sneak peeks, news, and release info.
See if you can guess what the book’s about as we go along!
Day Three:
“Fast as I can, I snatch off the wires and stumble for the door.”
Day Two:
“I stop moving and hold my breath.”
Day One:
“The nurse is asleep in the chair.”
Words written so far: 17912.
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January 10, 2015
#amwriting: Finding Katie, Day 2
Last year, I let myself get too busy to write much. On new year’s day, I sat down and wrote. It felt good. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed making stuff up.Anyway, except for the days I have other posts up, my aim is to post the first line of each page from my newest book, FINDING KATIE.
So,watch this space! You’ll get sneak peeks, news, and release info.
See if you can guess what the book’s about as we go along!
Day One:
“The nurse is asleep in the chair.”
Day Two:
“I stop moving and hold my breath.”
Words written so far: 14628.
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January 9, 2015
#amwriting: Finding Katie
Last year, I let myself get too busy to write much. On new year’s day, I sat down and wrote. It felt good. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed making stuff up. Anyway, except for the days I have other posts up, my aim is to post the first line of each page from my newest book, FINDING KATIE.
So,watch this space! You’ll get sneak peeks, news, and release info.
See if you can guess what the book’s about as we go along!
Day One:
“The nurse is asleep in the chair.”
Words written so far: 12057.
by
January 7, 2015
IN LOVING MEMORY & TRIBUTE TO KATHRYN C. TREAT
Kathryn C. Treat passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 2:20 am (California time). On Friday, Dec. 19, after having a wonderful time at the Rave Reviews Book Club’s virtual Christmas party, in a virtual chat room with her fellow RRBC VIP Lounge members, Kathryn informed that she was not feeling well and that she was going to leave. Shortly thereafter, she suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and then lapsed into a coma.
Kathryn was an honorary board member of the Rave Reviews Book Club, where she served as Membership Director from Dec. 2013, until October, 2014. Kathryn is the author of “ALLERGIC TO LIFE: MY BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL, COURAGE AND HOPE.” She inspired and encouraged many with this book so if you have not had the pleasure of reading it, please head to Amazon and get your copy.
Kathryn was a dedicated member of RRBC until her passing and she was one of the most supportive members the club had…not just to one, but to all. Kathryn leaves to mourn her husband, her mother, a sister, her two daughters, a son-in-law and three grand-kids (who she adored more than life), as well as her entire RRBC family.
Let us remember Kathryn and honor her memory by always being kind to one another and by always offering our support to another. It’s what she did. It’s how she lived. It’s who she was. In honor, many blogs across the world are memorializing Kathryn today with the same post that you see here. If Kathryn touched your life in anyway, please share your memories and comments below. As everyone who knew Kathryn may not yet know of her home-going, we ask that you also share this page on all your social media forums.
We have erected a memorial page on the Rave Reviews Book Club site that will remain. Please stop by to leave your comments and memories of Kathryn as well, so that her family will get a sense of just how loved she was by so many. There you will also find more information on Kathryn and how RRBC has planned to continually honor her in other ways.
THANK YOU!
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January 4, 2015
Concordant Vibrancy! It’s here!
Welcome!
Today we are happy to present you with the cover of
“Concordant Vibrancy: Unity, An All Authors Anthology“
Before we show you the cover, lets tell you a little bit about Concordant Vibrancy.
Blurb:
All Authors Publishing House, a subsidiary of All Authors Publications & Promotions, is pleased to present its first short story anthology, Concordant Vibrancy .
Concordant Vibrancy represents the interweaving of unity and uniqueness through the eyes of eleven incredible writers. Through the array of genres, all of these talents share a phenomenal love of writing which aims to leave imprints in the reader’s imagination.
Short stories in this collection:
“Butterfly Mask” by Nicola McDonagh
“Messarii’s Blood Hunt” by D. John Watson
“Seven Days” by Harmony Kent
“Touch Me” by Andrea Houtsch
“… and we” by Adonis Mann
“Til Death Do Us Part” by A. Lopez, Jr.
“Coalesce” by Da’Kharta Rising
“Her A to Z” by C. Desert Rose
“Lester’s Release” by Synful Desire
“The Authentic Snap” by Queen of Spades
“Alma’s Unsung Angel” by Y. Correa
It was important to portray both the unification and individuality of each author as well as the theme of this anthology on its cover. In the introduction of Concordant Vibrancy, Y. Correa, the creator of All Authors P&P explains it this way, “… like leaves on a tree, we are all connected. Mother Earth, the best example of unity mankind has.”
Without further ado, we present you with the cover of Concordant Vibrancy created by All Authors Graphic Design.
Now available for Pre-Order at:
http://www.amazon.com/Concordant-Vibrancy-Authors-Publishing-House-ebook/dp/B00RNKYHZE
Amazon.com
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