Rachael Brownell's Blog, page 15
August 22, 2015
I love my life
Before you get the wrong impression about this post let me start by saying that my life isn’t perfect. I have challenges just like everyone does. I go through ups and downs every day. I get mad and frustrated. I want to scream and shout. At the end of the day, though.. I just prefer to look at the glass as half full AND, after seeing a #Carolism on Facebook yesterday, refillable. (If you are not sure what a #Carolism is you need to search is on Facebook, then follow the amazing lady behind them.)
It’s been 5 months now since I left my full time job. In the last 5 months I’ve spent more time with my family than I was able to the entire year prior. I’m home EVERY night for dinner, to tuck my son in and relax with my fiance. I miss my old job from time to time but not as much as I thought I would. Why? Because I have time for the important things in life now – family, writing & fun.
Anyway, this post didn’t come out of nowhere. I was talking with my manager yesterday and apologizing for taking so much time off lately. She just grinned at me and laughed. Her words were something along the line of “I’m glad you’re getting a better work-life balance. Isn’t that why you quit?”
See, I still work for the same company just in a different position with less responsibility and much better hours. It’s hard not being the boss some days, but most of the time I’m happy about it, especially when I’m walking out the door after only a few hours and I know my manager has hours to go in their shift, or schedules to write, or random paperwork to do.
The moral of this long story is this…
I was scared shitless when I quit my job. The money aspect alone was enough to send me into mild panic attacks for the first few weeks. But I did it. I jumped off the bridge into the unknown. I gave up my salary, benefits and bonuses.
I didn’t let my fears stop me from going after the life I wanted – a better life with time for my family – and I’m so glad I didn’t. For the first time in 10 years I don’t feel like I’m working to live or that I’m living at work. I’m just living. (and writing of course)
Fear of the unknown can keep people from following their dreams. If you’re at the crossroads like I was… don’t look left or right, walk straight ahead towards what you want. Then, when you get there, look back and wave at the situation you left behind. It helped to mold you into the person you are today. Be grateful. Be thankful. Don’t be left full of regret.
July 30, 2015
Jake Bishop, all of him…
Are you an avid reader? Do you love serial series? Romantic Suspense? Check out Dark Bishop while the ENTIRE serial series is on sale for only $1.99!
July 9, 2015
#Next
I’ve been using the hashtag #Next for a while now. If you don’t know what’s happening, I’m releasing a new book. Let me tell you a little about it…
Next is the first in a series of 3 novels, the Kiss Series. Each book can be read on their own, in any order you choose. Characters will overlap a little but the focus will we on a different set of characters in each book.
Next is Reagan and Luke’s story. It goes a little something like this…
What if one kiss could change everything?
It did, for Reagan Brooks. Her fascination with Luke Evans went from a school-girl crush to heart-wrenching love in an instant. Then he left town, leaving a starry-eyed Reagan in his wake. No one will ever be good enough. No kiss will ever compare to his. Reagan’s standards are high. When someone doesn’t meet them, she moves on.
“Next in line, please.”
Moving through life with unrealistic expectations can be damaging. Letting those expectations go… It’s in that moment we find out who we are and what we really want.
I’m really excited about this book. I fell instantly in love with the idea and put everything else on hold to work on it. Of course, I hope you love their story as much as I do.
Earlier this week I sent Next to my editor. Once those wheels were in motion I knew that I had a few decisions that I needed to make. First, when was I going to release the book. Second, where was I going to release it. Tough decisions, both of them, but I was mainly focused on the “where” aspect.
After going back and forth, and back and forth again, I’ve decided to release Next ONLY on Amazon. For those of you that are part of Kindle Unlimited, this means you’ll be able to read Next for FREE.
The “when” part wasn’t a cake walk. I wanted to make sure that I gave my editor, myself, my formatter and my cover designer enough time. So…
September 1st is the big day!
That seems like forever away but I know that the time will fly right by. Plus, I’ll keep busy with edits and I’m still working on Saving Bliss. I promise to get that finished one day. Bliss is still being a b***h when it comes to wanting her story her way and not mine. Characters can be like that sometimes. I apologize for her, of course.
Since it’s still 8 weeks away, I thought I would give you a few teasers to tide you over. Enjoy!
As always, to get the exclusive content that you desire, from Next, Saving Bliss and other upcoming projects, you should sign up for my monthly newsletter. Don’t worry, I won’t spam you. I don’t really have the time to be honest. :)
Click HERE to sign up!
July 2, 2015
Amazon… A virtual marketplace, or Big Brother?
Check it out!
As a reader AND a writer this concerns me. I don’t often review books because I don’t get a chance to read as much as I used to. When I do, I would expect that Amazon would allow me to review my purchases, no matter how well I know the authors. After all, they send me reminder emails, asking to review their products, for all my other purchases.
Amazon… A virtual marketplace, or Big Brother?.
Thought?
June 25, 2015
I’m rich! My #utopYA2015 post
Words will never fully be able to describe how rich I feel. Being an author is rewarding in so many ways. The best part about it, for me, is the people who I get to meet, the people who I call my friends. I spend three days with them a year on average. We attempt to cram a years worth of fun into those three SHORT days.
I’ve now been home from Nashville for 6 days and I’m still not sure that I’m fully recovered from my trip. My brain has been working overtime since the moment I got in my car to make the 8 hours drive. So many idea have come to me. Some good, a few great and some that have been dismissed already. I’ve spent countless hours researching and writing since I’ve been home. It’s how I process everything.
BUT I’m ready to do it all over again!
I’ve already bought my table space for next year. I booked the hotel. The countdown is on my computer. 363 days. 2016 is a leap year.
Next year the conference will fall over my birthday. I’m excited to be able to celebrate with some of the most fun, energetic and outgoing people I know. I’m trying to convince the fiance to come with so that he can experience the magic of all things Utopia. We’ll see how that turns out.
As for #utopYA2015… here are a few highlight from my experience this year.
1. The people. I met so many that I would never be able to make a complete list without forgetting a few so I won’t try. I will say that we had some AMAZING young readers there this year and it was very refreshing to see.
Those are just a few of the FAB ladies that I spent time with.
2. Casey and I won best shared table again for our BookLeggers theme. Yes, I wore a red flapper dress with crazy high heels (most of the time) and the head-piece. It was awesomesauce!
I finally got the chance to meet Snowa Fox!
3. I got my tarot card read by the amazing Elisabeth Kauffman. It was freaking cool. I can’t wait to see her again next year and have her read them again just to see how things have changed.
4. The inspiration. Sorry – no pic will be able to capture that. This is the ONLY con that I’ve ever attended where you feel like a part of a family, no matter how big or small you really are in the publishing world. The people around you inspire greatness. You can walk up to anyone, say hello and you now have a friend for life. This was my second year and again, I came home inspired to write. I came home determined to finish my current WIP, my other WIP that’s been harassing me for the last nine month AND I have plans for two more books.
The moral of this post…
EVERYONE needs to attend this con, if only once, to experience the magic that Janet Wallace has created. It’s a blessing to be a part of it. That’s why I’m rich. Because I have the best friends a girl could ask for, a family that has my back and pushes me onward, even if I only get to see most of them once a year.
June 1, 2015
18 divided by 8 equals…
Tomorrow marks exactly 18 months since my first book was released. It also marks the end of the Holding On series. Flawed Reality releases at midnight TONIGHT!
As with every release, I’m nervous. I’ll be hiding in my office tomorrow with the internet off, beta reading for a friend. I won’t check Facebook. I won’t hop onto GoodReads or Amazon and continually hit refresh to see if new reviews pop up. Release days are the scariest for me.
So much has happened in the last eighteen months that I am thankful for. I’ve made many new friends, found my footing in the Indie community and found a bit of confidence in myself and my writing. It’s a tough road, a long road, but I am grateful for every moment and I look forward to so much more in the future.
It seems like it was yesterday when Holding On was released. I watched its rank on Amazon sit in the hundred-thousands and not move. I released A Secret Life and it did the same thing. I didn’t let it get me down. I kept writing and pushing forward. I finished Weakness, the third in the Holding On series, and Take A Gamble. I started Secrets & Lies and hit a road block.
I was burnt out. I had been writing non-stop for over a year. Editing books back to back. Sales were still minimal. I was happy if I sold a book two days in a row. I was getting down on myself and it was starting to show in my work.
I took a break and, even though I contemplated not attending, forced myself to go to a big signing in Nashville that I had already paid for. It was the best decision I could have made. UtopYA is an amazing experience, one that will stick with me for years to come. I’ll be attending again this year in only a few weeks.
I came home rejuvenated and ready to wrap up Secrets & Lies. I wrote the second half of the book in about 4 days.
I took a break after I hit publish on S&L and focused on promoting my work. Things picked up a little and so did my spirit. I started planning a book con here in my hometown and that kept me occupied. I wasn’t writing but I was still involved with books and the community and that’s exactly what I needed.
I spent some time working on a project called Saving Bliss. The entire time I was writing I was getting messages from readers wanting to know when Brad’s story was going to be released. Brad’s story wasn’t written. I hadn’t planned to write his story. I never even thought about it.
When the 1 year anniversary of Holding On’s release came around I decided that I was going to make it free. It’s been free for the last six month and ranked in the top 100 Free books in the UK and US for the first two months it was free. Over 40K people have downloaded it and it’s still ranked in the top 1,000 Free Books in the UK.
I also decided that I was going to give Brad the ending he deserved. I started Flawed Reality in January, took a break to write Dark Bishop with my bestie, and wrapped it up at the end of February.
So…
What does 18 divided by 8 equal? 2.25
Not the answer you were looking for? How about 1 book every 2.25 months. I’ve released 8 books in the last 18 months as of tomorrow morning. I have two in the works right now – #Next & #SavingBliss – both of which I hope to release by the end of this summer.
What was this post really about?
This is a HUGE Thank You to ALL of you. I write for you. I write because you want me to. I write because you love my characters. I write because I love my characters. So, Thank You for taking a chance on me. Thank You for being a part of this amazing journey that I’m on.
THANK YOU!
PS – you may want to watch for a giveaway. You know how much I like to send out signed paperbacks.
May 14, 2015
Giving Good Aural at GLBB!
It you are one of the lucky that are going to be attending the 1st Annual Great Lakes Book Bash in Kalamazoo, Mi… you are going to want to check this out.
This years panel topics have been announced and they are AMAZEBALLS! Not only are the topics fun but there is a star-studded line up presenting. You won’t want to miss a single panel!
Here’s the line-up for 2015…
The Path to Publication
Indie? Big Press? Small Press? Hybrid? There has never been a time in publishing with as many options for authors as there are right now. We will explore the pros and cons of the various avenues available to get your books where you want them most; in the hands of readers. This panel is designed for authors just penning their first book, as well as authors with multiple titles already in the marketplace.
Panel led by: Delphina Miyares
Networking & Social Media
How do you approach other authors and form a network of people who will share their talents in exchange for yours? How can you use social media to promote your work without perpetually blasting your followers with your links? Come join us for tips on working your platforms more efficiently and connecting with others to build a successful network where everyone wins!
Panel led by: Kyla Sims, Misty Provencher & Carol Kunz
Marketing 101
Marketing is something that changes almost daily. So how do we keep up with it? What are some ways to think outside the box? Marketing doesn’t have to be the dreaded task we all fear. Whether you are a seasoned author or fresh blood, marketing is your constant companion. Everything from ads, logos and branding, events, newsletters, promo, and book trailers – Learn how to tame the beast and make the market yours!
Panel led by: M.R. Polish & MJ Harty
Building your Author Brand
In the business of books writers occasionally choose to write what sells. Focusing their works on the hot market trends. Many times this means entering a market already saturated with similar works. How then do we stand out? For that answer we have to look within our work and find what is unique in our voice. Armed with that knowledge we can formulate a brand that can carry across genres and increase our base of readers.
Panel led by: Christine Wolf & Stacey Rourke
Giving Good Aural
Using Audiobooks as a Marketing Platform or Second Stream of Income
Readers are finding a solution to sneaking in their favorite books around PTA meetings, long days at the office, or endless honey-do lists: audiobooks. Over the last few years, this formerly niche-market has seen a double-digit growth in sales. Increased demand isn’t being met with supply, however, leaving audiophiles starving for content. While audiobook creation is a labor-intensive endeavor, there are methods that can make the process more appealing and manageable. An author willing to put in the effort and time can bolster their fan base and/or create another stream of income without creating new content. Killian McRae has served as the producer of several audiobooks, produced her first novel as a serialized podiobook, and is currently recording two of her other novels for 2015 release. She’ll walk you through the steps to setting up a home recording space, the different options for recording yourself or getting someone else to do it, and introduce you to some of the platforms that allow indie authors to deliver content to listeners.
Panel led by: Killian McRae
Times for each panel will be announced at a later date. If you miss the information before the event, the panels and times will be listed in this years program.
That’s all the news I have for today.
As always, if you would like to be the first to know information like what’s above, make sure you sign up for Rachael’s newsletter by clicking here.
April 30, 2015
Updates, news and more
My next signing is going to be in NASHVILLE!!! UtopYA Con is unlike any other signing I’ve ever been to. I’m amazing! If you live within driving distance, you NEED to check it out. You won’t regret it. I promise!
If you are planning on coming, please pre-order your books. Click here to place your order. You can pay ahead of time or at UtopYA.
My monthly newsletter is headed your way tomorrow. This month you get updates on Dark Bishop AND you’ll get Chapter 1 of Flawed Reality and the first look at the cover. If you haven’t signed up to receive my newsletter and would like to, click here.
Saving Bliss is back on track. Now that Flawed Reality is complete and ready to release and Dark Bishop is available, Bliss is my #1 priority. Owen and Bliss’ story is under way and I’m hoping to be able to have it in your hands by the end of summer.
I love the cover that I designed HOWEVER I’m going to have it done professionally so that may set back my release date a little. I have 2 AMAZING designers that I’m going to be choosing between and that makes it hard. They are both incredibly talented.
Keep you eyes peeled for random Bliss posts. I’m so in love with this story that I know I’ll be sharing a little bit of it as I write. I hope you don’t mind.
Lastly, I’m going to be giving the website an update here in the coming month hopefully. Please be kind as this will be the first time I’ve done this on my own. It may look a little cray cray for a minute or two.
That’s all for now. As always, feel free to email me if you ever have questions @ authorrachaelbrownell@gmail.com.
April 22, 2015
There’s going to be a PAR-TAY!!!
I’m so excited! Why? Because in 171 days there is going to be a HUGE party and it’s being held in your honor.
Yes… you! In front of the computer. The one reading this. Your honor.
Say what!
It’s the truth. There’s a party that’s going to happen. Where you ask. It’s happening at the 1st Annual Great Lakes Book Bash.
What’s this all about?
Oh! You haven’t heard of it. Well, let me tell you what it’s all about…
Great Lakes Book Bash is a first of it’s kind book con that’s being held in Kalamazoo, Michigan on October 10, 2015. There will be over 80 exhibitors – authors, bloggers, designers, cover models, etc – in attendance. There are going to be 5 panels (mini seminars) that will be held. This years keynote speaker is USA Today and NYT Bestselling Author Emily Snow (the Devoured series).
What about the party?
That’s right! Saturday night, after the signing, there is going to be a party to celebrate the readers. “Readers are our Rock Stars” is this years theme. There will be a DJ, appetizers and cash bar. Not to mention, you can hang out with your favorite authors.
I need more information!
No problem. I can help you out there too.
First, let’s talk Facebook. There is a page and a group. You should be a part of both.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/559117214221053/
https://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesBookBash
There’s also a website. Information on the event is posted here as well as any links you may need. Hotel, tickets, etc.
http://greatlakesbookbash.weebly.com/
I want a ticket? How much do they cost?
Tickets are being sold through eventbrite.com. There are different levels of tickets you can purchase depending on what you’d like to take part in. The Rock Star Pass gets you in to all events – signing, panels, party – and that’s the one I recommend. You don’t want to miss out.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-lakes-book-bash-2015-tickets-12552425643
What if I have a question?
Ask away! Your organizers – Casey Bond and (me) Rachael Brownell – will get back to you as soon as they can. You can ask in the group, on the Facebook page or you can email them at greatlakesbookbash (at) gmail (dot) com.
We hope to see some of you there.
As always, if you would like to be the first to know information like what’s above, make sure you sign up for Rachael’s newsletter.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fQ4QIQvk0WQSJEcKqr0AskSt-F-wseI1cAxuQguEhdU/viewform
April 19, 2015
FREE Chapters & a Giveaway
I’m a horrible blogger. Inconsistent. One of my new years resolutions was to blog more so I could feel more connected to all of you. I did good, for a while.
What’s my solution to get back on track?
I have to make things happen. I need to give you all something to read.
How am I going to do that?
Today I’m going to have a giveaway here, on the blog. It’s going to be an easy one too. You see, all you have to do is pop over to my profile on Wattpad and follow me. Click here.
Why would you want to do that? Well, if you’re on Wattpad already, which you should be because the site is awesome and you can read some amazing work for free, you will have access to the first chapter of each of my books.
See –> everyone wins already.
Seriously, though. I posted the first chapter to all six of my books this morning and as soon as Dark Bishop comes out in 10 days (EEEP!) I will post that one too. So, if you’re not sure if you should pick up one of my books and want to check it out first, there’s your solution. You can. There are also a TON of other amazing authors on Wattpad you can follow.
If you follow me on Wattpad, here’s what I want you to do…
Leave me a comment on this post.
Yep. I said it would be easy. I’ll randomly pick one winner Tuesday night for a signed paperback of any of my books, even Dark Bishop. I got those pretties in last week.
Not sure which book you want? Check them out on Wattpad. (See the theme?)
That’s all for today. I’ll update this post with the winner on Tuesday night so make sure you check back to see if you’ve won.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone!
Don’t forget, if you want to get your hands on exclusive content & enter newsletter only giveaways, sign up here. The next newsletter is coming out in just a few weeks and it’s going to have chapter 1 of Flawed Reality, a month before it’s released!
