Tara Ellis's Blog: Making Progress, page 15
December 19, 2014
Vote for Bloodline, best Indie scifi Book of the YEAR!!
I'm pretty excited about this, and I need YOUR help!
Read Freely is a decent sized site that helps to promote Indie books. In looking at last years competition, the top books seem to have had a good sales bounce, so winning this could really help me to get Bloodline (and the trilogy) out there to a larger audience.
PLEASE follow this link and vote for Bloodline. It is very fast, there is no registration required at all. It will give you the option of leaving an email address to enter a book drawing, but you don't have to!
Click here to vote for Bloodline!
Thank you all for your support!!!
Read Freely is a decent sized site that helps to promote Indie books. In looking at last years competition, the top books seem to have had a good sales bounce, so winning this could really help me to get Bloodline (and the trilogy) out there to a larger audience.
PLEASE follow this link and vote for Bloodline. It is very fast, there is no registration required at all. It will give you the option of leaving an email address to enter a book drawing, but you don't have to!
Click here to vote for Bloodline!
Thank you all for your support!!!
December 18, 2014
Bloodline Audiobook is Out!!
It seemed like a long wait, but I hope that it was worth it!
Here it is: Audible site with sample
I'm excited to be taking this new road, and I hope that it leads somewhere!!! :)
Here it is: Audible site with sample
I'm excited to be taking this new road, and I hope that it leads somewhere!!! :)
December 18th, 2014
Christmas is fast approaching!
Do you ever get a little...weary of people always asking each other if they are "ready for Christmas"? Like it's a burden, rather than a time of joy and love. I feel that a lot of people have become a bit overburdened by the holidays, due to the commercialization. So in answer: no. I am not ready. I never am, because I'm not good at time management and therefore am always the one in line at the post office on the last day that a package can be shipped out priority to get there on time. :) But I still love Christmas, because as I said, it isn't about the gifts. Right? Right.
I'm still waiting for the final production of the Bloodline audiobook to be released (drumming fingers)...should be anytime now! It's been over a week since it was approved. I am not a patient person. Have I mentioned that before?
Meanwhile, I have decided to run a Kindle Countdown on The Mystery of Hollow Inn, since sales have most definitely stalled. If I thought it was hard to find an audience for my Young Adult books, that's not near as hard as the Middle Grade genre! I guess I need to target the moms...or something. I don't know, I haven't figured it out yet! Anyway, here is the link. Only 0.99 for the firs three days of the promo. So if you haven't read it, now is a good time to pick it up, or give it as a gift! You don't have to be a middle grader to read or enjoy it. I know I have gone back and re-read my Trixie Beldon and Nancy Drews many times as an adult!
Amazon link to the Mystery of Hollow Inn .99!
I will post again before Christmas...but keep your chin up! Throw out some lights, don't spend too much on needless trinkets, and maybe donate instead to your local charity, or go give out some gift cards at your local grocery store. (I've done that a couple years in a row now...it's a great experience!)
I will leave you with a picture of our family project this year. It was a group effort, but I think I chose the worst part: painting! About 20 hrs later, after lots of tracing/cutting/nailing/painting and planning:
Do you ever get a little...weary of people always asking each other if they are "ready for Christmas"? Like it's a burden, rather than a time of joy and love. I feel that a lot of people have become a bit overburdened by the holidays, due to the commercialization. So in answer: no. I am not ready. I never am, because I'm not good at time management and therefore am always the one in line at the post office on the last day that a package can be shipped out priority to get there on time. :) But I still love Christmas, because as I said, it isn't about the gifts. Right? Right.
I'm still waiting for the final production of the Bloodline audiobook to be released (drumming fingers)...should be anytime now! It's been over a week since it was approved. I am not a patient person. Have I mentioned that before?
Meanwhile, I have decided to run a Kindle Countdown on The Mystery of Hollow Inn, since sales have most definitely stalled. If I thought it was hard to find an audience for my Young Adult books, that's not near as hard as the Middle Grade genre! I guess I need to target the moms...or something. I don't know, I haven't figured it out yet! Anyway, here is the link. Only 0.99 for the firs three days of the promo. So if you haven't read it, now is a good time to pick it up, or give it as a gift! You don't have to be a middle grader to read or enjoy it. I know I have gone back and re-read my Trixie Beldon and Nancy Drews many times as an adult!
Amazon link to the Mystery of Hollow Inn .99!
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I will post again before Christmas...but keep your chin up! Throw out some lights, don't spend too much on needless trinkets, and maybe donate instead to your local charity, or go give out some gift cards at your local grocery store. (I've done that a couple years in a row now...it's a great experience!)
I will leave you with a picture of our family project this year. It was a group effort, but I think I chose the worst part: painting! About 20 hrs later, after lots of tracing/cutting/nailing/painting and planning:
December 9, 2014
December 9th, 2014
Our weather continues to be undecided as to if it's winter or spring! Here it is, fast approaching mid-December and it's over 60 degrees. The bad news, is that it's accompanied by rain and this equates to lots of melting snow up in the mountains, and more flooding down here on the Skagit. I posted about our local flooding less than two weeks ago, and the river predictions are looking like it's going to be the same scenario by Thursday. Praying that the rain eases up, and we get by without any local damage.
This past weekend was an exciting one for our small town of Sedro Woolley! Our local high school football team took the 2A state title! This is the first time in the history of our school, so it's pretty amazing! My son played Woolley football for six years and was a first-pick conference offensive line and 2nd pick defensive line his senior year (2 years ago), so I spent plenty of time under the 'Friday night lights'! I'm so happy for these kids and I hope it ends up creating college career opportunities that they might not have had otherwise. It's hard to get noticed in football, no matter how good you are, when you're on a 2A team...unless you make it to a state game! Way to go CUBS!
Last night I played around with a unique site called, The Imagine Film List. It gives people the opportunity to make movie suggestions based on books, etc, and even match up actors to characters. Take a look at what I have going for Bloodline, and maybe give it a bump if you agree with me that it'd make a great movie! IF List
I haven't done this on my blog yet, but I know a fellow Indie Author who is running a 0.99 cent promo on her book, Dangerous Liaisons, and I'd like to give her a mention:
******
DANGEROUS LIAISONS by SARAH STUART
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M9CU1Z6
eBook & Paperback
Lizzie, daughter of a wealthy Scottish laird, inherits a Book of Hours passed down the illegitimate female line from a 16th century queen. It carries a Royal Command: find love. Lizzie, and Michael, a backstreet boy determined to escape the poverty trap with a successful career in the theater, develop a passionate relationship. Sparks, ignited by decoded secrets recorded by the queen’s unscrupulous, vengeful, granddaughter, break the bounds of marriage, the law, and the church.
19 4 & 5 star reviews on Amazon
******
I have to admit that I haven't read it yet (now that I'm working on writing The Secret of Camp Whispering Pines), I am back to my reading hiatus. I just can't mix others words around in my head while I am writing, but I have added it to my TBR pile and I plan on getting to it soon. It looks like a good story, so check it out!
Speaking of Whispering Pines, I will be doing a cover reveal soon, so be on the lookout for that!
I FINALLY finished the audio book for Bloodline!!!!! I'm just waiting for it to be approved and then processed for distribution. I am pretty excited about this. The editing process just about kicked my butt, but I learned a lot from it. (mainly that I am WAY too picky and need to lighten up if I also do Heritage and Descent)
I will let you all know when it is out, and offer up some free codes for it!
On the photography front, I still have my work up on display at out local hospital, United General, and I'm still averaging several sales a month. I've created a couple of new images for Christmas cards, so I will leave you with one of them!
This past weekend was an exciting one for our small town of Sedro Woolley! Our local high school football team took the 2A state title! This is the first time in the history of our school, so it's pretty amazing! My son played Woolley football for six years and was a first-pick conference offensive line and 2nd pick defensive line his senior year (2 years ago), so I spent plenty of time under the 'Friday night lights'! I'm so happy for these kids and I hope it ends up creating college career opportunities that they might not have had otherwise. It's hard to get noticed in football, no matter how good you are, when you're on a 2A team...unless you make it to a state game! Way to go CUBS!
Last night I played around with a unique site called, The Imagine Film List. It gives people the opportunity to make movie suggestions based on books, etc, and even match up actors to characters. Take a look at what I have going for Bloodline, and maybe give it a bump if you agree with me that it'd make a great movie! IF List
I haven't done this on my blog yet, but I know a fellow Indie Author who is running a 0.99 cent promo on her book, Dangerous Liaisons, and I'd like to give her a mention:
******
DANGEROUS LIAISONS by SARAH STUART
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M9CU1Z6
eBook & Paperback
Lizzie, daughter of a wealthy Scottish laird, inherits a Book of Hours passed down the illegitimate female line from a 16th century queen. It carries a Royal Command: find love. Lizzie, and Michael, a backstreet boy determined to escape the poverty trap with a successful career in the theater, develop a passionate relationship. Sparks, ignited by decoded secrets recorded by the queen’s unscrupulous, vengeful, granddaughter, break the bounds of marriage, the law, and the church.
19 4 & 5 star reviews on Amazon
******
I have to admit that I haven't read it yet (now that I'm working on writing The Secret of Camp Whispering Pines), I am back to my reading hiatus. I just can't mix others words around in my head while I am writing, but I have added it to my TBR pile and I plan on getting to it soon. It looks like a good story, so check it out!
Speaking of Whispering Pines, I will be doing a cover reveal soon, so be on the lookout for that!
I FINALLY finished the audio book for Bloodline!!!!! I'm just waiting for it to be approved and then processed for distribution. I am pretty excited about this. The editing process just about kicked my butt, but I learned a lot from it. (mainly that I am WAY too picky and need to lighten up if I also do Heritage and Descent)
I will let you all know when it is out, and offer up some free codes for it!
On the photography front, I still have my work up on display at out local hospital, United General, and I'm still averaging several sales a month. I've created a couple of new images for Christmas cards, so I will leave you with one of them!
December 1, 2014
December 1st, 2014
Oh my gosh, where did November go?!
I can't believe it is already December, and I sit here looking at the naked Christmas tree, waiting to be decorated.
I like the holidays, but I think that I am not alone in that there is also a certain amount of stress and pressure to get things done that come along with them. It is always this time of year that I try and slow things down and remember what the season is really all about. NOT giving and giving gifts, but LOVE.
So take a deep breath and hug someone. :)
I am STILL working on finishing up the audiobook for Bloodline, but I can see the finish line. I will cross it this week and then it should be available the following week. I'm excited to get it out there!
I am also excited about my next book: The Secret of Camp Whispering Pine (Book #2 in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries) I just got the proof for the book cover and I LOVE it! I will be planning a reveal for it in a week or so. I'm still hoping to get the book out by the end of the year, but we'll see. While I always try and keep the deadlines that I set for myself, it will never be at the cost of the story quality. I'm behind on it as of now, due to the audiobooks taking me longer than anticipated, but it will just depend on how fast the writing goes these next few weeks. Either way, it will be soon and I think readers will like this next installment!
I've had a blast doing senior pictures these past couple of months and I just completed a really fun shoot yesterday. It flooded this past week on our street, and then froze. So we took advantage of this unique setting and literally went out on the ice! The pictures turned out great, and I always feel privileged to be a part of such an important time in their lives. I continue to charge just $50 for everything (including copies of all the pictures), because I can't stand to take more. My son just graduated two years ago, and I know that the going rate for a professional photographer starts at around $250. These kids already have so many expenses, and there are a lot that can't afford the pictures. (I also do some free ones each year) I will end up doing about eight senior portraits this year, and I hope to continue it!
Happy Holidays to everyone!
I can't believe it is already December, and I sit here looking at the naked Christmas tree, waiting to be decorated.
I like the holidays, but I think that I am not alone in that there is also a certain amount of stress and pressure to get things done that come along with them. It is always this time of year that I try and slow things down and remember what the season is really all about. NOT giving and giving gifts, but LOVE.
So take a deep breath and hug someone. :)
I am STILL working on finishing up the audiobook for Bloodline, but I can see the finish line. I will cross it this week and then it should be available the following week. I'm excited to get it out there!
I am also excited about my next book: The Secret of Camp Whispering Pine (Book #2 in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries) I just got the proof for the book cover and I LOVE it! I will be planning a reveal for it in a week or so. I'm still hoping to get the book out by the end of the year, but we'll see. While I always try and keep the deadlines that I set for myself, it will never be at the cost of the story quality. I'm behind on it as of now, due to the audiobooks taking me longer than anticipated, but it will just depend on how fast the writing goes these next few weeks. Either way, it will be soon and I think readers will like this next installment!
I've had a blast doing senior pictures these past couple of months and I just completed a really fun shoot yesterday. It flooded this past week on our street, and then froze. So we took advantage of this unique setting and literally went out on the ice! The pictures turned out great, and I always feel privileged to be a part of such an important time in their lives. I continue to charge just $50 for everything (including copies of all the pictures), because I can't stand to take more. My son just graduated two years ago, and I know that the going rate for a professional photographer starts at around $250. These kids already have so many expenses, and there are a lot that can't afford the pictures. (I also do some free ones each year) I will end up doing about eight senior portraits this year, and I hope to continue it!
Happy Holidays to everyone!
November 18, 2014
Giveaway for The Mystery of Hollow Inn!
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The Mystery Of Hollow Inn by Tara Ellis
The Mystery Of Hollow Inn by Tara Ellis Giveaway ends January 15, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to winNovember 16, 2014
Making Progress
Just a little update!
As I shared in my last post, the adiobook for The Mystery of Hollow Inn is out! It's been about three weeks now and so far, I have gotten six very favorable reviews, so I've gained a little confidence in my narrating and production skills. :)
This is especially good, since I have finished narrating Bloodline and am currently editing/mixing the audio. I still hope to have it out and available before the end of this month.
On another front, I have begun the second book in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries. The title (so far) is, The Secret of Camp Whispering Pine. I'm loving this fun story and I'm excited to have a panned release date for before the end of this year!
As I shared in my last post, the adiobook for The Mystery of Hollow Inn is out! It's been about three weeks now and so far, I have gotten six very favorable reviews, so I've gained a little confidence in my narrating and production skills. :)
This is especially good, since I have finished narrating Bloodline and am currently editing/mixing the audio. I still hope to have it out and available before the end of this month.
On another front, I have begun the second book in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries. The title (so far) is, The Secret of Camp Whispering Pine. I'm loving this fun story and I'm excited to have a panned release date for before the end of this year!
Nov 16th, 2014
I did another fun, senior photo shoot yesterday in the COLD sunshine! I have a few more coming up, which will make seven senior pictures I have the privilege of doing this year. I have seen a lot of my kids friends grow up and reach this milestone over the past few years, and it's an honor to be a part of it.
Yesterday, while getting my camera ready, my daughter asked if she could use my old camera. Of course! (maybe she'll let me post one of her pictures here. She is quite good!) While going through it, and making sure it was in working order and had a memory card for her, I discovered that the old card still in it, had some images on it from our vacation at Flathead Lake a couple of years ago.
I was a bit surprised when I saw one of the images. It immediately jumped out at me as an instant favorite, but for whatever reason, hadn't done so when I took it over two years ago. Granted, there were a few others on the same card that I was drawn to back then and they are quite popular, and I believe I had close to 1,000 pictures originally taken that week...so maybe it isn't so surprising that this one got over-looked. Whatever the reason, I am SO glad to have found it. I absolutely love this picture. It immediately takes me back to those precious, treasured days as a child, when I spent time with my own dad. The world was such a simple place. (I don't know who the people in the picture are, this was a totally spontaneous moment, which kind of makes it even more...honest.)
Yesterday, while getting my camera ready, my daughter asked if she could use my old camera. Of course! (maybe she'll let me post one of her pictures here. She is quite good!) While going through it, and making sure it was in working order and had a memory card for her, I discovered that the old card still in it, had some images on it from our vacation at Flathead Lake a couple of years ago.
I was a bit surprised when I saw one of the images. It immediately jumped out at me as an instant favorite, but for whatever reason, hadn't done so when I took it over two years ago. Granted, there were a few others on the same card that I was drawn to back then and they are quite popular, and I believe I had close to 1,000 pictures originally taken that week...so maybe it isn't so surprising that this one got over-looked. Whatever the reason, I am SO glad to have found it. I absolutely love this picture. It immediately takes me back to those precious, treasured days as a child, when I spent time with my own dad. The world was such a simple place. (I don't know who the people in the picture are, this was a totally spontaneous moment, which kind of makes it even more...honest.)
November 11, 2014
November 11th, 2014
So a friend of mine shared her daughters book report that she wrote, for my middle grade book, The Mystery of Hollow Inn. THIS is why I write!!! :)
November 10, 2014
November 10th, 2014
Today's blog is pretty simple: I have got some amazing, GREAT kids that God has blessed me with!
Making Progress
Just a little update!
As I shared in my last post, the adiobook for The Mystery of Hollow Inn is out! It's been about three weeks now and so far, I have gotten six very favorable reviews, so I've gaine ...more
As I shared in my last post, the adiobook for The Mystery of Hollow Inn is out! It's been about three weeks now and so far, I have gotten six very favorable reviews, so I've gaine ...more
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