Angela Colsin's Blog, page 10
June 15, 2016
World Building & Book Reviews
So, first things first; book reviews! I still haven’t updated this in a post yet, but I have a new book reviews page which is…honestly still under construction. But getting information organized can be a pain sometimes, so I’m not surprised that it’s taking me so long to hammer out the kinks. BEAR WITH ME! =| I’m also planning to add this page to my website, so stay tuned for updates about that, too! [image error]
Anywho, there’s something I’ve been thinking a lot on lately, like … a lot, a lot, which involves hammering out kinks in something besides a specific manuscript; my universe. As we all know, writers have universes of their own. It’s written down on paper, in word documents, on the walls, and sometimes, little pieces get put into blog posts like here. Some universes are more fleshed out than others, and some are built as the stories progress. Some encompass more than one book, and others are a world all their own which will never be seen in any other story ever again.
I’d be a liar if I said I hadn’t thought about exploding an entire world before, too (readers complain when their favorite characters are killed, and I’m over here plotting the potential demise of an entire realm. Does that make me least favorite author of the week or what? =|).
The reason I’ve been considering this is basically that my series has reached a point where we’ve seen more of the universe now. The Final Calling gave me the chance to show off places that had only been mentioned before, and even Fallen Hearts shed more light on that whole realm-hopping deal. A lot has finally been revealed, such as Mystikkar and parts of Ithelyon, and in turn, more questions were posed, even if the reader doesn’t automatically pick up on them.
I almost feel as if some of this world building stuff writes itself, but at the same time, there are questions to other matters that I’ve had to try to formulate an answer for. I know some of it before I go in, and other things have surprised me. World building doesn’t have to be an exact science, after all. Some might argue that it’s better to know everything before you write it, but discovery happens when you’re actually writing it, too.
For example, I’ve fleshed out numerous plots and rules, only to sit down and start writing and find it developing in ten different ways I hadn’t originally planned, and suddenly things are taking a turn I hadn’t intended! Blue Moon lay a lot of the groundwork for these types of things, though Cade and Ashley don’t actually do much traveling outside of Arkin City. In fact, thinking over everything now, I believe each book has taken my characters further and further away from their so-called point of origin. While Cade and Ashley were relatively stationary, in Light of Dawn, we generally travel across the country with Ulric and Charlotte. Strange Brew briefly takes us to another country, and in Fallen Hearts? Well, if you’ve read it, you know what we get when it comes to traveling.
On the other hand, The Final Calling spans three realms, seven countries, seven cities, and one questionable fissure. Edith and Isaac are all over the place, man!
June 11, 2016
Strange Brew by Angela Colsin (Book Review)
Oh wow! That sense of “I have no idea how to respond” has returned, and it’s even worse now. I keep saying “THANK YOU!” and it just doesn’t seem like enough! But I really do mean it, thanks so much for the glowing review! Now I need to figure out how to send a box of donuts and some confetti or something lol!
4.5 of 5
Adult Romance/Paranormal Romance
Copy provided for an honest review.
Troy is a werewolf who is losing a bit of himself every day, leading him to the brink of death. Decades and decades have past and he has yet to find his mate. His mate is the only person who can stop him from changing into a monster. After watching his brother’s long search for a mate that ended with him being executed before he was capable of murdering others, Troy has accepted the fact that he will face the same fate and die. Then one day he is told to move because his mate had been located. Moving with very little information he must find his mate before death is the only option…
Aislinn is a young witch. Working two jobs, a waitress at Blue Moon and at the family owned business, Strange Brew, she is learning…
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June 10, 2016
Light of Dawn by Angela Colsin (Book Review)
I hate how it seems like I never know what to say whenever I get a review on any of my books, and it seems like that hasn’t changed this time around either! Thanks so much, and I’m so glad you enjoyed Light of Dawn! (It’s kind of funny too, whenever I see reviews on Light of Dawn now, I always think “the good thing about reading book 2 now is that The Final Calling is out so no huge cliffhangers!” LoL!)
5 of 5
Adult Romance/Paranormal Romance
Charlotte’s love life is in shambles. Her marriage failed in less than a year because the chemistry just wasn’t there. Her body wouldn’t respond to her ex’s touch and her ex couldn’t handle the lack of intimacy. Charlotte feels that it is her fault that she couldn’t ignite the hot chemistry between them. Out of nowhere a cursed box is sent to her, followed by a hot dragon (draconian) warrior, Ulric, trying to find the box and collect a hefty reward. It seems like everything was planned for a reason….like Ulric was meant to meet Charlotte…Charlotte’s world has just been turned upside down.
Ulric had been a captive of the vampires in the past. He was forced to be a slave in many different ways but the worst was having to give his body over to others for their personal pleasures. Feeling violated and…
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June 7, 2016
The Final Calling is Now Available!
I’m a little late at posting this, but The Final Calling is now available at the following retailers:
• Nook
• Kindle
• iBooks
• Kobo
• Smashwords
Synopsis: Prophecies, tyrants, assassins, and exiled royalty aren’t the things Edith Walsh thought she’d be dealing with when her training as a mage apprentice began. Her main focus is becoming an enchantress by completing the Final Calling—a grand scavenger hunt all apprentices undertake to gather items needed to craft their coveted staff and gain eternal life.
This challenge can prove lethal if care isn’t taken to watch one’s steps. But making matters worse, Edith has also been marked for death by the Steward of the Perosian Empire, a tyrant named Rothario, all because of a pesky prophecy made centuries before her birth foretelling his demise at her hands.
So what’s a mage to do? Simple; accept the assistance of a sexy Perosian who’s dealt with Rothario’s minions for as long as he can remember. Yet Isaac wants far more than Edith’s safety—she’s his mate, and his fiery gaze, wicked tongue, and shameless seductions inflame her more intensely than she’s ever known.
Convicted of murdering the imperial family of Perosia, Isaac’s spent centuries as a fugitive hunted by a homeland he doesn’t recall. But his ruthless talent for survival serves him well, and there’s nothing he won’t do to protect Edith from the forces threatening her life, even if it means sacrificing his own.
Under the cut are a few thoughts from me. I wouldn’t say they’re anything spoilery, but just in case, click with caution :P!
Oh. Mah. Gawd. I just had to say that because The Final Calling has been kicking around in my head for a very long time now, and the fact that it’s finally been published is a real accomplishment for me. I’m hoping it’ll be an enjoyable read as well, and since it’s been a few days now, I thought I might make a few comments on some of the events that take place in the story (specifically outside of Edith and Isaac’s relationship).
For example, Chandra. We finally get to see a little more of her in a personal sense, and we learn a lot more about her past with Isaac specifically, and how they initially met. I really had a lot of fun getting that out, as well as introducing one of my personal favorite characters, Arias–and as an author, I’m going to get nitpicky now and specify that a lot of people are probably going to pronounce his name wrong. I’ve heard it said phonetically as “Ah-Ree-Ahs” before, but the I in his name is like the word “eye”, so it’s “A-rye-us”. Rye like rye bread. Okay, I’ll stop being picky now lol!
June 6, 2016
Blue Moon by Angela Colsin (Book Review)
Blue Moon has a new review on Kelly’s Book Blog! Thanks so much! It made my day knowing you enjoyed the story!
June 2, 2016
The Final Calling Release Day Sale!
With The Final Calling releasing tonight, I had to do something special to celebrate. So, for tomorrow only, all of the books in The Crucible Series will be free with a coupon code on Smashwords! [image error]
• Blue Moon – UL72Z
• Light of Dawn – HV59M
• Strange Brew – ST94U
• Fallen Hearts – XC89T
Have fun guys!
Author’s Quote
Check Me Out!
The Final Calling is Available for Preorder! (Releasing June 3rd)
Books • The Final Calling • Box Set • About the Author
May 31, 2016
An Exciting Time to be a Writer, or…?
When I first started writing this post, I’d stated that I’d been having a hectic time of things lately, though it wasn’t one of those “hectics” that bowls you over and leaves the smears of your remains staining whatever surface was unfortunate enough to bear the brunt of impact, and that I was more or less confused by things.
Man, did that turn on a dime! =|
Still, I think I figured some of it out, but I’m still piecing together the leftovers. PROMOTION! That’s the key! Or so they say, and I actually haven’t had as much time to promote the release of my next book as I’d hoped. Again, life comes atcha fast, as in, approaching warp speed! And before I know it, The Final Calling will be out and I’ll be making announcements for the release of my sixth book. Have I already written five? Wow, just wow.
So now I’m here, making note of how crazy it all is, but no matter which way the wind is blowing in that department, this is actually an exciting time to be a writer! I mean, isn’t it? Cause I’m kinda confused there, too … !
For example, the internet, which has revolutionized our entire way of life, has most certainly changed the way the writing/publishing world works. Maybe it took a little more time for that change to occur, but it’s happening everyday. I’ve read article after article now about the newer methods of self publishing and its impact on the market, and whether or not you believe that impact is beneficial, it’s turning the tide, particularly with how traditional publishing houses function on the whole.
Whenever I think about the course of these events, I usually end up imagining the traditional publishing houses as being a dam. Basically, it used to be that they were the ultimate say in what got put on a shelf and what should be left to gather dust. They were quite literally the concrete structure holding the larger lake back from flooding the valley, and regardless of right or wrong, what they stamped with a big thumbs up in approval was what we got to read–and very rarely did you ever get a book that was released by alternative means.
Then KDP came along like a giant wielding a club, and the giant hit the dam with a destructive slam whilst proclaiming, “Me give new way to publish books!”
So writers started forgoing the publishing houses, opting against waiting for acceptance or rejection in favor of putting their works up all on their own. Not only had this new method of self publishing broken the dam holding back the waters, when the lake spilled over, it created a hundred rivers leading to either new opportunities, or … they just sent you falling off a cliff.
All it took was traversing the river and seeing where it would lead, and this is a trip I think many authors are still on. Myself included.
Where’s the paddle for this boat, anyway?
Some of these rivers are long, after all. Amazon long. Oh my god, it’s a pun. Anyway, the point is that, ever since the dam burst and the ebook gold rush of 2009-2013 has passed, things are really, well, in a mess. Some of the floods have started to recede, and we’re surveying both the positive outcomes of this change, as well as the damages done (and we all know there have been some damages). Attempts to reconstruct the dam and make it better are underway, and even the giant is all like, “Okay, I need to work at controlling my impulses.”
I’ll admit, I’m not 100% certain how far those efforts have come. We still have giants and dams, and it feels like there’s a struggle going on between them that isn’t really getting anyone anywhere. While they’re fighting, a number of authors are just sitting in the background looking for ways to get their material into the hands of readers, resorting to networking on social media, sending requests to review blogs, and paying places to advertise. Basically, anything that might put a flashing neon light around their manuscript saying, “LOOK, LOOK, IT’S A BOOK!” Or something more simple like, “READ ME, SEYMOUR.”
I’ve tried all of the methods listed above, but I haven’t seen any significant results. Maybe I’m advertising in the wrong place, or maybe my networking skills aren’t up to par (like many writers, I don’t have all day to sit around looking for people to talk to). Or perhaps I lack the education needed to know exactly where to go and how to pitch my materials. But damn it, Jim, I’m a writer, not an advertiser, and while I can certainly develop marketing skills (I believe anyone can do anything they put their mind to), or just assemble a street team to spread the word for me, it gets kind of impossible when you’re already promoting, writing, editing, designing, and working a day job all at once (not to mention kids and whatever else might require your time).
And one place I think traditional publishing houses have the self publishing venue beat is in marketing.
After all, KDP and other places like it don’t actively promote your work. That’s not their job … is it? Their purpose is to publish it, but without seeking exposure for yourself, or getting 50+ reviews on Amazon, you’re not going to see your books listed anywhere unless you put it there yourself. This is really what puts the “self” in self publishing. Sure, you’ve written, edited, and done the x, y, z stuff all on your own, but your job doesn’t stop there!
Still, the more I think about it, the more I wonder if promotion shouldn’t also be a part of the self publisher’s job description. I mean, they are making money whenever someone buys our work, so you’d think they’d want to profit, and some do, but are they really going about it the right way? For example, there’s Kindle Scout; basically, KDP’s way of finding self published authors and offering them a type of traditional publishing contract. But isn’t this a step back? Returning to the ways of the dam that’s keeping the lake from flooding the valley? Or … do we need that to return?
I’m skeptical. With all of the changes that have occurred, it just doesn’t feel like this is a very practical way to capitalize, and if I’m being honest, I’ll say that I don’t believe either the giant or the dam is really working to change their models to suit the industry in its current state, or to suit the author’s needs to keep those of us working our asses off to put out quality works actually, well, doing so?
I’m not saying I wouldn’t write the best book I could possibly write just because I’m barely making sales or seeing any activity. Not. One. Bit. Writing is my passion, and I’ll keep doing it regardless of the sales I see. But sometimes, it does seem like the publishers (both traditional and self) are ignoring the little guys in favor of figuring out how to get ahead and make the most dough as soon as possible, and that maybe us authors don’t really matter all that much.
I could be very wrong (and I wouldn’t be surprised if I am). But what is everyone’s take on this? Are my fellow authors happy with their lot right now? Or are they feeling used/overlooked/frustrated with the way things are shaping up? Should self publishing platforms start offering more along the lines of promotion? Should the traditional publishing houses start accepting more manuscripts that were previously self published? It’s definitely something to discuss, so let me know in the comments!
Check Me Out!
The Final Calling is Available for Preorder! (Releasing June 3rd)
Books • The Final Calling • Box Set • About the Author
May 30, 2016
Author’s Quote
Check Me Out!
The Final Calling is Available for Preorder! (Releasing June 3rd)
Books • The Final Calling • Box Set • About the Author
May 28, 2016
I’m Back! But Still Recovering…
Just wanted to leave a quick note here saying that I’m back! But I’m definitely not going to go into the week I had in depth. In fact, the most I feel like saying about it right now is that it was hellacious. I inevitably had to have a tooth pulled, and the extraction site is still causing me pain now, but it is getting better, so I’ll be back to fully abnormal soon lol[image error]
But omg! My blog has a shiny new background! Still in the process of tweaking it because I’m not 100% keen on it, but I do like how it’s coming along so far!
