Cyndy Aleo's Blog, page 6
November 16, 2013
Saying hello and goodbye...
As you can see, my site looks new, different, and has a new host.
This makes me both sad and happy.
I'm happy, because I'm in the process of updating my services and look.
I'm sad because I'd been with my previous web host for ELEVEN YEARS. That's like a century in Internet time.
My previous host was the amazing John Companies, and I can't say enough good things about them. They do a fantastic job hosting, have great uptime, and in the past 11 years, I can't name a single time I haven't had excellent service that went above and beyond.
But back in the day, my ex-husband handled a lot of the web stuff, and as time has gone on, I've kept less current with my Linux skills and it's simply time to simplify. I'm tired of updating my own software and maintaining my own web site, and want to make life easier by outsourcing some of that. Sure, I lose my personalized stuff, but I'm hoping to gain a little more time in my life.
But I'd be remiss in not thanking John Companies for over 11 years of superstar service. I'm definitely going to miss them.
November 5, 2013
Self-Publishing COOL-ASS STUFF
on Penny Reid's new book
I'll wait.
Are you back?
Did you actually READ THAT?
Now tell me that's not the coolest thing ever. I can't wait to see more stuff done like this!
Self-publishing COOL ASS stuff!
Stop whatever you are doing and go read Penny Watson's post today:
on Penny Reid's new book
I'll wait.
Are you back?
Did you actually READ THAT?
Now tell me that's not the coolest thing ever. I can't wait to see more stuff done like this!
October 31, 2013
No Tricks, Undying is FREE today!
I have no idea why, but I love it. I love costumes and candy and kids scaring the crap out of each other and Tim Burton movies and pumpkin seeds and everything about it.
EVERYTHING.
And I want to share my Halloween with everyone.
SO, if you are that person who’s been waiting for a price drop on my book, TODAY IS YOUR LUCKY DAY. And it’s going to be your only lucky day. For today (and today only), because it is Halloween, you can download the Kindle version of UNDYING for free. (This goes from 12 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST on 10/31. Ish. Depending on Amazon’s vagaries.)
Think of it like you coming trick or treating to my house, and I give you a book instead of a candy bar.
Of course, if you want the dead tree version, you can still buy that one, and it ALSO comes with a free Kindle version thanks to Kindle MatchBook.
If you already read it? Did you like it? Do you want other people to read it? Go ahead and gift away. Make like those parents who bring their truckloads of kids to the neighborhood where they give out full-sized candy bars instead of the fun size.
On 11/1, Dia de los Muertos, the book returns to its regular price, so move fast, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
(I’m going as Mr. Black from Diane Setterfield’s upcoming Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story. Are you dressing up?)
October 30, 2013
No tricks! UNDYING is free today!
Halloween is my very favorite day.
I have no idea why, but I love it. I love costumes and candy and kids scaring the crap out of each other and Tim Burton movies and pumpkin seeds and everything about it.
EVERYTHING.
And I want to share my Halloween with everyone.
SO, if you are that person who’s been waiting for a price drop on my book, TODAY IS YOUR LUCKY DAY. And it’s going to be your only lucky day. For today (and today only), because it is Halloween, you can download the Kindle version of UNDYING for free. (This goes from 12 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST on 10/31. Ish. Depending on Amazon’s vagaries.)
Think of it like you coming trick or treating to my house, and I give you a book instead of a candy bar.
Of course, if you want the dead tree version, you can still buy that one, and it ALSO comes with a free Kindle version thanks to Kindle MatchBook.
If you already read it? Did you like it? Do you want other people to read it? Go ahead and gift away. Make like those parents who bring their truckloads of kids to the neighborhood where they give out full-sized candy bars instead of the fun size.
On 11/1, Dia de los Muertos, the book returns to its regular price, so move fast, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
(I’m going as Mr. Black from Diane Setterfield’s upcoming Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story. Are you dressing up?)
October 29, 2013
Self-Publishing: Finding the Needle in the Haystack
The reality is that people choose to self-publish for a variety of reasons. And while, sure, there are a lot of people out there whose books weren't ready for public consumption, there are just as many who chose to self-publish for a lot of other reasons, like creative control or putting out a great book that wasn't a current market trend.
So when a recent letter to RT Book Reviews bemoaned the entire category of self-published books, I asked RT if they'd let me go talk to some self-published authors about why they do what they do, how they recommend you find great books (that are often cheaper than traditionally published books!), and give some recommendations.
As it's RT, the focus is on romance and erotica, but the advice from these authors works across genres.
Part I, featuring authors Penny Watson and Kit Rocha is up today! Self-Published Romance and Erotica: Why, Who, and Where Can You Find the Good Ones?
Self-publishing: finding the needle in the haystack
I know there are a lot of you who hear the hyphenates "self-published" or "author-publisher" and cringe. It must be crap if it didn't get published by a big publisher, right? No one wanted it.
The reality is that people choose to self-publish for a variety of reasons. And while, sure, there are a lot of people out there whose books weren't ready for public consumption, there are just as many who chose to self-publish for a lot of other reasons, like creative control or putting out a great book that wasn't a current market trend.
So when a recent letter to RT Book Reviews bemoaned the entire category of self-published books, I asked RT if they'd let me go talk to some self-published authors about why they do what they do, how they recommend you find great books (that are often cheaper than traditionally published books!), and give some recommendations.
As it's RT, the focus is on romance and erotica, but the advice from these authors works across genres.
Part I, featuring authors Penny Watson and Kit Rocha is up today! Self-Published Romance and Erotica: Why, Who, and Where Can You Find the Good Ones?
October 22, 2013
Amazon has an update!
I'm horrible about letting things go, and I kept editing AFTER I had the book edited, meaning I introduced new errors (and a few formatting issues as well).
I can't live with a book like that, however. Yes, even big publishers often have books with typos in them, but to have several errors is simply not my style. Not when people are paying for my book.
As such, I fixed them. I've been updating the file every time I caught something (or someone caught something for me), but those who purchased the book in the first few days have the most errors in their copies.
I asked Amazon if they would kindly push that update out to buyers. If you already have notes and things highlighted and can live with the errors, feel free to keep the copy you have. If you do want everything corrected, however, you have to follow the directions in the email you should have received from Amazon to download it; even having automatic updates turned on won't do it for you for this one.
As always, thank you so much for your support. Those of you waiting for the iBooks/Nook/Kobo version, please thank your Amazon-purchasing neighbors for suffering through the kinks while I put this first book out.
I have some exciting things coming up in the next couple of months, so stay tuned! I can't wait to share them with you!
Amazon has an update!
For those of you who downloaded Undying in the first few days after release, you know there were several typos and some formatting issues.
I'm horrible about letting things go, and I kept editing AFTER I had the book edited, meaning I introduced new errors (and a few formatting issues as well).
I can't live with a book like that, however. Yes, even big publishers often have books with typos in them, but to have several errors is simply not my style. Not when people are paying for my book.
As such, I fixed them. I've been updating the file every time I caught something (or someone caught something for me), but those who purchased the book in the first few days have the most errors in their copies.
I asked Amazon if they would kindly push that update out to buyers. If you already have notes and things highlighted and can live with the errors, feel free to keep the copy you have. If you do want everything corrected, however, you have to follow the directions in the email you should have received from Amazon to download it; even having automatic updates turned on won't do it for you for this one.
As always, thank you so much for your support. Those of you waiting for the iBooks/Nook/Kobo version, please thank your Amazon-purchasing neighbors for suffering through the kinks while I put this first book out.
I have some exciting things coming up in the next couple of months, so stay tuned! I can't wait to share them with you!
October 17, 2013
Undying is on a list!
The other is that Undying made its first list here on Goodreads. The best part? It's a dubious distinction; the list is Authors Who Used to Write Fan Fic.
Again, those of you who know me know how much this entertains me.
That being said, it's currently tied for 20th with the likes of Cecilia Tan and S.E. Hinton, so you know I'm going to squee even if it's an odd little list, but if you'd like to vote for FORMER FAN FIC AUTHORS, click here.
I'm happy so long as my book is higher on the list than FIFTY SHADES.
LASTLY, for those of you who are interested in, or want to learn more about, fan fiction, I have an essay in an AMAZING book coming out this December. It's edited by Anne Jamison, who is super-smart but also really good at sorting the wheat from the chaff when it comes to "need to know" information, and includes famous people and NYT and USA Today bestselling authors, and yes, little old me. So check out FIC: WHY FANFICTION IS TAKING OVER THE WORLD.
