Marilyn Vix's Blog, page 8
September 24, 2019
Never Date A Vampire, Sequel to Never Marry A Warlock, is on the way!
Marilyn Vix writing dangerously at the annual 2014 NaNo Fundraiser.
So, some exciting news everyone. It is on the way. The sequel to Never Marry A Warlock is done and in the editing process as I write this. It’s called: Never Date A Vampire. In the next few weeks, it will be feverishly put through all the writing steps to get it ready for everyone by the last week of October. I am so excited to finally be bringing this to you. It has been a long time in coming, having been started in 2016. Yet, life and other writing projects have been putting a delay into the project. But that is the life of an author. But, finally, the first installment is almost done.
It will be the first of a three novella series that will be combined together into an omnibus edition, just like “Never Marry A Warlock” and the Beware of Warlocks series. I decided to stay with what I do best, and just write. A lot. Because it’s what people like the best, and I’m trying to do more of the same.
But life does get in the way. I almost didn’t finish the first series because of health problems. I mean, really big health problems. I had a heart attack, went septic and had acute pneumonia, all at the same time. So, that slowed down the last book, Never Cross A Warlock.
Now, it feels like everything has come full circle. I’m proud of that. I have gone back into teaching a little each week, as a tutor in a private educational center. I continue writing as much as I can while doing my other hubbies, such as Renaissance Fairs. Playing the Gaelic harp for folks has it’s own rewards too.
I’m so happy to finally be starting this next part of the story for Cat and her friend Cassandra. We are getting Cassie paired off with this series, and without getting too much into it, there are vampires involved, but I’m guessing you figured from the title. 
August 15, 2019
Marilyn Vix Will Be On Self-Publishing & Marketing Panels at Silicon Valley Comic Con 2019
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Just announced! Marilyn Vix will be speaking at this year’s 2019 Silicon Valley Comic Con on the Self-Publishing panels and the Marketing Your Book Panel on Sunday, August 18. The self-publishing panel will be in Rm 111 at 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Come and find out how you can start self publishing. The panel will go over all aspects, platforms, formats, what to write with, how to find editors, cover designers, and basic marketing.
The Marketing For Self-Publishers Panel will be after on the same day at 2:30pm to 3:30pm in Rm 114. We’l be going more in depth about how to get your book out there and in front of readers. How to put together a newsletter, use free books to funnel readers to your catalog, and do a book launch.
Come enjoy all our free knowledge! Our group of self-publishers want to give you enough knowledge to go out and be publishing the next day.
Link to Silicon Valley’s Schedule of Events:
https://www.svcomiccon.com/schedule/
June 20, 2019
Why Should A Self-Published Author Hire An Ebook Formatting Company?
Keep The Marketing Of Your Book Under Budget While Making Your Life Easier
Easy Steps To Help You Get Everything Under Control
Are you thinking of self-publishing? Take it from me. It can be daunting to do all that is needed. Writing, editing, formatting, cover designs. However, there is a secret to self-publishing. What is it? You don’t have to do it all yourself. You can hire out many of the steps. Today, I’d like to go over the reasons why you need to do this, and why it’s a great idea to start with formatting.
First, I’d like to start with a story. My first romance book was Never Marry A Warlock. I wanted to save some costs, because I had spent a lot of my budget on a good editor. I thought I could do the formatting myself, and I could. What I thought was a few hours project, turned into a massive headache that went on for days. I used the template available through my publishing platform. It was a very basic style. Looking back now, I could have done so much more. But this is how you learn. Sometimes it’s just better to hire the expert. Less hassle, better quality.
That’s where EBOOKIFI comes in. They can help in some of those areas where you might be rusty or just don’t want the headache. Take formatting. You’ll be able to design the platform conversion you want for your book without having to deal with the specs. A hands on approach will keep the original look of your book intact while taking on those tricky parts like Table of Contents, tables, poetry format, and Q & A formatting like in nonfiction. No need to worry about your manuscript being excepted by digital platforms such as Smashwords.
Plus, there are other services to help iron out any other problems you may be having with publishing. EBOOKIFI can help with cover design and eBook promotion. All the services are at a reasonable price to keep you at a budget you can afford. Even discount coupon codes are available for some services. Just check out on the website.
Here’s the solution to make your manuscript look its best after all your hard work. Stop having to worry about all those areas that aren’t writing. Give it over to the professionals so they can make your book look good. Hire quality, and it will reflect in your finished book product. Because that’s what you are creating, not you’re baby, but a finished, sellable product that you want to be polished and enticing to buy.
Don’t settle for low quality in any process of self-publishing. Check out EBOOKIFI and get started in formatting your manuscript without the hassle of doing it yourself. The professional decision is to hire the best to make the high quality book product you know you can sell.
Again, congratulations on writing that book. No, go out and get it ready to publish.
For more information about EBOOKIFI: visit their website at: https://www.ebookifi.com/faq/.
May 21, 2019
Author Appearance for Marilyn Vix
Marilyn Vix will be speaking on the “Self Publishing for Authors” panel on Sunday May 26, 2019 at Fanime 2019.
This weekend at Fanime Con in San Jose, Ca, Marilyn Vix will be appearing on a “Self-Publishing For Authors” panel on Sunday, May 26 at 12 p.m. This will be her second talk at Fanime, and she’ll be appearing with 3 other self-published authors. All points on how to get started as a self publishing author will be discussed including, publishing platforms, formatting, programs to use for writing, finding cover designers and editors, and how to start marketing your book.
Get there early for a seat since the last time this talk was given, there were over 100 people. It’s very exciting for Marilyn to participate and help educate other writers to jump start their careers. Please come out and you’ll receive a handout along with as many questions answered by the panel.
Fanime Con in Downtown San Jose
May 24 – 26, 2019
https://www.fanime.com/
May 13, 2019
Interview with Deidre – Ann Anderson
Deidre – Ann Anderson is the author of the debut novel, The Hunt. It is available on Amazon.com.
I love this time of year. It’s time to start thinking of summer reads. I had a chance to interview a fabulous, new author that has written a sizzling romance for your summer reading list. Deidre-Ann Anderson is a Jamaican author and freelance writer. She’s believed in hard work her whole life, and has dived into her romance writing in that regard. Deidre comes up with steamy story lines and even dabbles in culinary and nutritional non-fiction content. Her debut novel, The Hunt, is a hot interracial love story that is the first in the Consumed by Heat trilogy. I had a chance to talk to her about reading memories as a child, her writing routine, and what writing means to her.
What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?
Deidre-Ann Anderson: My favorite memory of reading as a child was my huge book of nursery rhymes. I remember taking it everywhere with me so that I could show it off to my friends and bore them with all the alternate endings that I could come up with. I would say, “I don’t want Mary to have a lamb. Why couldn’t she have a puppy or a little goldfish?” My friends would all, in turn, tell me, “Shut up and read what you see.” It was all just fun and games back then, but I guess, even at an early age, I knew that life could be a fantasy if we wanted it to be.
Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.
Deidre-Ann Anderson: Yes. I try to write something every day, whether it’s related to my current project or not. People often ask, if it’s not related to my project, what do I write? My answer, everything that pops into my head, even if it’s complete garbage. Many times we get writer’s block because we pressure ourselves to focus on the story, which is excellent when the ideas flow, but when things go blank, it just produces stress. So, create an outline and word vomit everything and anything that comes to your brain on paper until you can get back on track.
What is writing to you in one sentence?
Deidre-Ann Anderson: Writing to me is life; I’m somewhat of an introvert, so it allows me to explore adventures that I would never dream of doing in reality.
[image error]The Hunt is an explosive match between a Jamaican firecracker and a New York drug dealer. When Alexander Hunt sees Kristine, he thinks she will be his new conquest, an easy hunt like the rest. But he realizes her pursuit is the start of the uprooting of his whole life. A tornado of the past and events threaten to upheave all that they’ve created together. Will Alexander choose her, ending all his hunts? Or will it end in misery?
The Hunt by Deidre-Ann Anderson is available at Amazon.com.
Follow her at:
My Author Website: https://www.deidreannanderson.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorDeidreAnn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dee_deeandy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeidreAnnAnderson
April 16, 2019
A Love Letter to Notre Dame Paris
Marilyn Vix in front of Notre Dame on her last trip to Paris, 2010.
Dear Ole’ Friend,
I watched you burn yesterday. On Twitter. From the many people that took video standing in the streets in disbelief. I watched with horror, with them, as I saw the flames claw through your roof, take down your steeple, and rampage through the interior. It hurt to watch. And the ache won’t go away.
So, I thought I’d write a love letter. Of the memories coming back to me as I lived in Paris so many years ago. When you, Notre Dame de Paris, were my refuge from the world and brought peace of mind when I needed it.
You’re so much more than an archive of history, though that is one part of you that is important to remember. So many events have taken place within your walls. Mary Queen of Scots married Francis II inside of you. Napoleon crowned himself under your roof, and the relics of the Crusades rested as treasures of the church in your care. I remember looking at them for the first time in “ahh”.
In 1992, I lived in Paris for three months through a local college’s Paris abroad program. It was the experience of a life time. In the beginning, I would go and visit you, whenever I had the chance, just to remind myself I was living in Paris. But later, as the novelty wore off and I was starting to even get a Parisian accent (I’ve been told my French has that quality to it), I started to visit just for the peace of mind. To think. To walk around and go through the arches, sit at the pews for the quiet. I would get out of the constant stream of tourists, and sit in the middle, with my thoughts. Yes, even prayed sometimes, since I was a young girl of twenty-six on my own in the world at the time.
My favorite place was near the altar of Mary, near the center of the dais nearer to the South Rose Window, where the statue of her stood. There was something special about praying to Mary, as if she wasn’t just the mother of Christ, but of us all. I wonder if the statue of Mary survived. There were reports of the artifacts being saved, the Piece of the Cross, the Crown of Thorns, many of the paintings being carried out to safety. I hope they were able to save her too.
I’d light candles for loved ones that had passed, always making sure I’d give an offering. And it was in francs, because it was before the euro. I do miss the huge amount of yellow coins, centiemes, that you’d end up with after spending francs. It was the French version of pennies. Using Euros around Europe doesn’t feel the same. I liked how different money systems gave Europe character.
I’d go to the free organ concerts. They were the perfect price for a student. I remember sitting on one of your tall pillars, finding the only seat to be on the base. The hard, stone giving no cushion as I sat. But the thought of the hundreds and thousands of people that had maybe passed and been by this pillar. In that moment, I could hear the organ music, gothic and booming through the cathedral, as it should be. As it was written for. The sound of trumpets of angels, and sometimes maybe even like God himself, booming back through the arched stone ceilings above me.
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Picture of Notre Dame on the other side of the Seine River.
I saw you last around 2010. I walked through the corridors, looked at your windows. I took the side view picture of your expanse across the Seine, and the obligatory tourist shot outside. The light was perfect, with a recent renovation having cleaned the whole of the towers. They were spectacular. I didn’t know it was going to be our last meeting. I wish I had spent more time inside.
But the news is that your structure was saved. You will be rebuilt. Like a phoenix, you will rise from the ashes of the medieval construction that doomed you today. A new forest will be cut and fitted into place. A new roof will be raised. The stones will be cleaned, renewed and repaired so you will rise again with a new spire to reach for the heavens. But for now, we will miss you. Miss you until you open for the masses again.
I hope I am able to make a trip in ten or twenty years and hear on the tour about the fire of 2019, that destroyed much of the interior. I’ll remember the music from the organ. The hard stone of the pillar. Hopefully, there will be a new Mary statue to look at as I sit on a pew, and be glad that you are back to your glory, restored for others to visit again.
Good bye my old friend, for now. I’ll know that you’ll welcome other new students that are abroad to enjoy the peace, serenity and history that is within your walls. Soon. Soon. All we have to do now is wait. Until then my friend Notre Dame de Paris. Adieu.
Your faithful admirer,
Marilyn Vix
March 21, 2019
US Debut Romance Author: Interview with Drica Pinotti
Drica Pinotti is the author of My Crazy (Sick) Love.
I’ve found a fantastic, new author that is making her debut in the United States. She is already popular in Brazil and Portugal, and has recently released her first New York romantic fairytale novel in the US. Her name is Drica Pinotti, and her new novel is My Crazy (Sick) Love. I was able to talk to Drica about her love of writing, what inspires her, and what future projects she has in store for us.
Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?
Drica Pinotti: Jules Verne and Arthur Conan Doyle. Because I was constantly living in a fantasy world. The characters from the Sherlock Holmes series became my imaginary best friends for a long time.
Do you have a writing routine? What works for you?
Drica Pinotti: I like to write late at night. I start when everything around looks quiet.
What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?
Drica Pinotti: Always about funny women matters. I am a big fan of chick lit myself. So, I just love to observe girls around me to create my own stories.
My Crazy (Sick) Love is an intelligent, fun New York city romantic fairy tale. Amanda [image error]Loeb is a single, smart New York City lawyer nearing her thirtieth birthday. She has it all. Circle of friends, close relationship with her mom and sister. But she holds a secret that could be deadly. She’s a hypochondriac. Her medicine cabinet looks like an A-Z list from all the best doctors in NY. But when Amanda meets Brain Marshall, a handsome restaurant owner, her heard beats with a new illness. Love sickness. As their relationship develops, Amanda learns the ups and downs of love might be her medicine she needed all along.
My Crazy (Sick) Love can be found at Amazon.com.
For more information on Drica Pinotti, please visit her website at:
March 3, 2019
Marilyn Vix Books Discounted for Read An Ebook Week March 3 – 9, 2019
[image error]It’s been 10 years that Smashwords has been promoting ebooks and reading. I started participating way back in 2009 with my children’s books, and now I’m adding my romance books. Having been an elementary teacher that found herself into writing romance, I am drawn to help promote the love of reading. But you most likely know what I mean. Ebooks have made reading so much easier, and I know I increased my reading amount once I switched to my Kindle.
So, to help you load up your ereader, I’ve set two of my most popular books on sale through this whole week. There are a lot of deals on Smashwords this week. So, it’s a great opportunity to try out new authors and get through the end of this horribly, weather intense winter with some good books.
[image error]So, I’ve put my bundle of novella books, “Never Marry A Warlock” and the rest of the Beware of Warlocks series on sale for 50% off for $1.50. Just use the coupon: EBW50
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/582969
And another popular book, Everything For Love: Time Rogues Book 1. Great time travel novel from 1899 Paris to London 1914. Here is the link:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/728638
And there are even more deals. I’ve got my new release prices still up for my new releases. Get Love in One Act, A Steampunk Romantic Short and the sequel to Thankful in Vegas, Falling Into Vegas for just $0.99.
[image error]Love In One Act:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Love-One-Act-Steampunk-Romance-ebook/dp/B07CRVXYVZ
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-in-one-act-marilyn-vix/1128581127
Falling Into Vegas:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Into-Vegas-Thankful-Book-ebook/dp/B07NW9YWTH
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130638665
February 20, 2019
New Release from Marilyn Vix: Falling Into Vegas
Marilyn Vix’s new release “Falling Into Vegas” co-written with Lynda Belle.
So, I’ve had a bit of a rough patch for the last few months. My father passed away in November last year, and that put a stint into my writing schedule. I can’t even explain how hard it is to lose a parent, let alone all the arrangements, paper work, etc. that have to be dealt with. I was literally in the middle of my NaNo project, the fabulous supernatural romance I’d been speaking about writing. And well, after Daddy was gone, it killed my momentum for the project at the time.
I spent some months going through the grieving process, which I still am. But writing has always been a therapy for me and my Dad did support and love my writing career. So, I found a project that had been put to the side for awhile, the sequel to “Thankful In Vegas” and began to work on it and finished it. It helped to work on another project and get it to the published stage. So, I have dedicated it to my father. He would be so proud I’m soldiering on and still writing.
So, with that behind the scenes story of it becoming published, here is the blurb to get you interested. Plus, you don’t have to read the first story to understand, but it will add to the experience to begin with “Falling Into Vegas”. I’ve added the link to it below.
***Thank you for all of the support over the last few months. Fans, friends and extended family. It’s been a rough winter. -Marilyn
Blurb for “Falling Into Vegas“:
Is dating a gambler in Vegas a good idea?
Especially if you work for him?
Fran has fallen hard for a Las Vegas gambler, Dex Luxom. But he’s also her boss. That doesn’t stop the passionate love affair happening between them. What started as a job opportunity has sprung into a full-blown affair. But when Fran finds out she looks like his dead wife, will it put a damper on their relationship? Or will the bullets flying past her when they are taking a romantic day trip make her rethink dating a gambler was a good idea? It all comes down to the New Year’s event that may split them up or bring them closer together.
***To start the series, here is the link to the first book, “Thankful In Vegas”.
[image error]Blurb for “Thankful In Vegas“:
Do dreams really come true?
They can in Las Vegas.
Fran Hurley is a maid at a Las Vegas hotel. Her dreams of being a showgirl have not materialized after moving to Las Vegas. In the middle of her cleaning shift, she breaks down, slumping into the towels of her maid cart. Along comes Dex Luxom, the owner of the hotel. Concerned why one of his employees is having a breakdown, he whisks her to the entertainment department of his hotel and gets her placed in one of the shows.
But her luck doesn’t stop there. Dex is interested in Fran, and won’t give up easily. Haunted by the fact she looks like his deceased wife, he can’t stay away from her. When Fran discovers he is a gambler, she decides she needs to take a chance with Dex, and finally be thankful she’s in Las Vegas.
***The next book in the series is forthcoming and will wrap up the story of Fran and Dex.
For information on the co-author Lynda Belle, visit her website here: http://lyndabelle.com.
February 12, 2019
Valentine’s Day Group Giveaway: Over 70 Romance Titles for FREE-This Week Only!
I have organized a fantastic group giveaway on Prolific Works (formerly Instafreebie) of some of the top romance writers. Over 70 titles are available for you to download and get you in the mood for this Valentine’s week. Find a fabulous new author or just enjoy some limited time deals-this week only!
February 11 – 17, 2019 only!
Here is the link for you to get all your deals:
https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/tVMOqDRs73yw10HJF7aJ
***Stay tuned for more exciting releases and more giveaways.
-Marilyn Vix
