Kristen Martin's Blog, page 5
November 10, 2015
Goodreads Giveaway for The Alpha Drive
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Goodreads is hosting a giveaway for one first edition, autographed copy of my debut novel, The Alpha Drive. The giveaway will run from November 10-November 17. Have you entered to win?
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Alpha Drive
by Kristen Martin
Giveaway ends November 17, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway
Goodreads is hosting a giveaway for one first edition, autographed copy of my debut novel, The Alpha Drive. The giveaway will run from November 10-November 17. Have you entered to win?
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Alpha Drive
by Kristen Martin
Giveaway ends November 17, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway
November 2, 2015
NaNoWriMo
November 2, 2015
First things first: It's November! Finally!
My debut novel, The Alpha Drive, is available for pre-order on Amazon right now! I would love for you to check it out. If you'd like to pre-order, you can do so by clicking here.
Secondly, it's NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. A beta reader of mine turned me on to NaNoWriMo, and I'm happy to say that I am participating this year! The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. While this sounds daunting, it's perfectly manageable as long as you take it day by day (for you math nerds, that's about 1,667 words per day). I'm using NaNoWriMo to help write the final installment in The Alpha Drive series. Yesterday was the first day, and I wrote 1,699 words. Today is the second day (obviously) and I've written 0 words - but in my defense, it's only 9AM and it's the Monday after Halloween weekend.
My strategy is to write half in the morning and half in the evening (so ~835 words for each session). If I'm feeling it and the creative juices are flowing, then by all means, I'm going to write, write, write until I can't anymore. But I know from personal experience that I work best when I write in semi-sprints. One long writing session for me normally means I end up with a lot of excess, well, junk. And I don't want that!
I'm thinking about filming two videos: one about my strategy for NaNoWriMo going into it as a newbie, and then a Lessons Learned video at the end. What do you guys think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Until next time...
First things first: It's November! Finally!
My debut novel, The Alpha Drive, is available for pre-order on Amazon right now! I would love for you to check it out. If you'd like to pre-order, you can do so by clicking here.
Secondly, it's NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. A beta reader of mine turned me on to NaNoWriMo, and I'm happy to say that I am participating this year! The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. While this sounds daunting, it's perfectly manageable as long as you take it day by day (for you math nerds, that's about 1,667 words per day). I'm using NaNoWriMo to help write the final installment in The Alpha Drive series. Yesterday was the first day, and I wrote 1,699 words. Today is the second day (obviously) and I've written 0 words - but in my defense, it's only 9AM and it's the Monday after Halloween weekend.
My strategy is to write half in the morning and half in the evening (so ~835 words for each session). If I'm feeling it and the creative juices are flowing, then by all means, I'm going to write, write, write until I can't anymore. But I know from personal experience that I work best when I write in semi-sprints. One long writing session for me normally means I end up with a lot of excess, well, junk. And I don't want that!
I'm thinking about filming two videos: one about my strategy for NaNoWriMo going into it as a newbie, and then a Lessons Learned video at the end. What do you guys think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Until next time...
October 20, 2015
Release Date for The Alpha Drive
In my latest video, I announced the release date for my debut novel, The Alpha Drive. Mark your calendars because my novel will be available in paperback and ebook on Amazon on:
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Less than a month away!
The publication of this novel has been a long time coming - 5 years in the making. It's surreal that there is finally a release date and I couldn't be more excited. I would love for you to check it out!
Also, Goodreads is hosting a giveaway for one first edition, autographed copy of The Alpha Drive. The giveaway starts on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 and ends on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. So be sure to come back to my page (or visit my author page on Goodreads) to enter to win.
Happy reading!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Alpha Drive
by Kristen Martin
Giveaway ends November 17, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Less than a month away!
The publication of this novel has been a long time coming - 5 years in the making. It's surreal that there is finally a release date and I couldn't be more excited. I would love for you to check it out!
Also, Goodreads is hosting a giveaway for one first edition, autographed copy of The Alpha Drive. The giveaway starts on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 and ends on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. So be sure to come back to my page (or visit my author page on Goodreads) to enter to win.
Happy reading!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Alpha Drive
by Kristen Martin
Giveaway ends November 17, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway
October 13, 2015
Cover Reveal - The Alpha Drive
Today in my YouTube video, I announce the winner of the October giveaway, talk about escalation and . . . reveal the cover for my debut novel, The Alpha Drive. Check the video out here.
This book has been five years in the making and it feels incredible to be so close to the finish line. There's still more to do, but I am beyond ready to have that paperback copy in my hands for the very first time. The release date will be sometime in November (yes, next month!), so keep an eye out for that.
Without further ado, here is the cover for The Alpha Drive by yours truly.
What do you guys think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
This book has been five years in the making and it feels incredible to be so close to the finish line. There's still more to do, but I am beyond ready to have that paperback copy in my hands for the very first time. The release date will be sometime in November (yes, next month!), so keep an eye out for that.
Without further ado, here is the cover for The Alpha Drive by yours truly.
What do you guys think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
October 8, 2015
October Giveaway
I'm hosting a giveaway for the month of October for a "So Many Books So Little Time" tote bag! It's perfect for carrying your laptop around, using as a beach tote, or an everyday tote. It's super easy to enter to win and it's absolutely free!
In the entry box below, enter your name and email address. Get an extra entry and boost your chances by following me on Twitter @kristenmwrites. And get yet another entry for tweeting about the giveaway! Like I said, super easy.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday, October 13th on Twitter and I will also send the winner an email asking for their shipping address.
Good luck and happy October!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 2, 2015
Beta Reader Update
September 2, 2015
If you saw my post on Instagram a couple of weeks ago, you're probably aware that I started recruiting beta readers for my novel, The Alpha Drive. The response was overwhelming, and I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered their time to do this. It really means a lot to me!
So far, my beta readers have been i n c r e d i b l e. I'm not just saying that. They've pointed out things that I completely missed during my multiple editing phases. From plotholes to grammar fixes, they've had my back every step of the way. It really is terrifying to put your work out there for others to read, especially when it hasn't been professionally edited. I'm amazed at how kind and supportive my beta readers have been during this process. Not only are they making my MS better, they're also making me want to be a better writer!
I'm excited for what's in store in the coming months. Writing is such a whirlwind and adventure. I discover new things about myself everyday. Sticking to your passion is well worth it, even during those times of self doubt. From my experience, self doubt only helps you grow.
If you saw my post on Instagram a couple of weeks ago, you're probably aware that I started recruiting beta readers for my novel, The Alpha Drive. The response was overwhelming, and I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered their time to do this. It really means a lot to me!
So far, my beta readers have been i n c r e d i b l e. I'm not just saying that. They've pointed out things that I completely missed during my multiple editing phases. From plotholes to grammar fixes, they've had my back every step of the way. It really is terrifying to put your work out there for others to read, especially when it hasn't been professionally edited. I'm amazed at how kind and supportive my beta readers have been during this process. Not only are they making my MS better, they're also making me want to be a better writer!
I'm excited for what's in store in the coming months. Writing is such a whirlwind and adventure. I discover new things about myself everyday. Sticking to your passion is well worth it, even during those times of self doubt. From my experience, self doubt only helps you grow.
August 21, 2015
Beta Readers Wanted
August 21, 2015
I am currently seeking beta readers for a young adult science fiction entitled The Alpha Drive, complete at 66,000 words
Premise:
It's the year 2055. In order to build a world-class society, an anarchist organization has induced a worldwide coma. All of mankind is unknowingly living in an alternate reality called Dormance . . . and there are no plans to wake them up.
Sixteen-year-old introvert Emery Parker is one such dormant. An academic scholar who avoids ruffling feathers at all costs, Emery finds herself transferring to a boarding school on the outskirts of Arizona. Little does she know, a family secret has the power to change the course of the future. When she's approached with an opportunity to do just that, she reluctantly accepts, seeing as failure could mean having her memory wiped clean.
But when tech-savvy Torin Porter reaches out to her from the other side, Emery begins to question everything she was told about Dormance. If her family's secret falls into the wrong hands, the world as she knows it will be faced with irreversible consequences. Now Emery must play both sides to uncover the truth about her family's past or risk leaving mankind to live in an unconscious reality.
If you are interested in being a beta reader for my work, please leave a comment below or email me at authorkristenmartin(at)gmail(dot)com
Note: If you choose to become a beta reader, your name will appear in the acknowledgements section once this book is published :)
Thank you!
I am currently seeking beta readers for a young adult science fiction entitled The Alpha Drive, complete at 66,000 words
Premise:
It's the year 2055. In order to build a world-class society, an anarchist organization has induced a worldwide coma. All of mankind is unknowingly living in an alternate reality called Dormance . . . and there are no plans to wake them up.
Sixteen-year-old introvert Emery Parker is one such dormant. An academic scholar who avoids ruffling feathers at all costs, Emery finds herself transferring to a boarding school on the outskirts of Arizona. Little does she know, a family secret has the power to change the course of the future. When she's approached with an opportunity to do just that, she reluctantly accepts, seeing as failure could mean having her memory wiped clean.
But when tech-savvy Torin Porter reaches out to her from the other side, Emery begins to question everything she was told about Dormance. If her family's secret falls into the wrong hands, the world as she knows it will be faced with irreversible consequences. Now Emery must play both sides to uncover the truth about her family's past or risk leaving mankind to live in an unconscious reality.
If you are interested in being a beta reader for my work, please leave a comment below or email me at authorkristenmartin(at)gmail(dot)com
Note: If you choose to become a beta reader, your name will appear in the acknowledgements section once this book is published :)
Thank you!
July 28, 2015
DFW Writers' Conference 2015
July 28, 2015
This past weekend, July 25th-26th, I attended the DFW Writers' Conference. First off, let me just say that it was an incredible experience altogether. I met a number of authors and agents, and gained a lot of insight attending different workshops and panels. If you're a first-time writer, I highly recommend attending a writers' conference. While they can be a bit pricey, it's 100% worth it. The networking opportunities, as well as the feeling of community, pay for themselves. Being able to approach agents, publishers, editors, and other authors in the hallways or mingle during breaks isn't something you get to do everyday.
I also had a one-on-one pitch session with an agent on Saturday morning. She had some great feedback for the first three chapters of my manuscript and brought to light some things I hadn't even thought of. If you want to get your creative juices flowing, have someone (actually, multiple people) review your work! It's scary to put your words out there, but you'll gain more ideas and ways to improve your writing. Yes, it's terrifying, but it's worth it.
Since I've been back, I've been working on revising and editing my first novel with the input I received from the literary agent I met with at DFW Con. I've had other things come up this past month, but I'm looking forward to getting back on the writing horse!
This past weekend, July 25th-26th, I attended the DFW Writers' Conference. First off, let me just say that it was an incredible experience altogether. I met a number of authors and agents, and gained a lot of insight attending different workshops and panels. If you're a first-time writer, I highly recommend attending a writers' conference. While they can be a bit pricey, it's 100% worth it. The networking opportunities, as well as the feeling of community, pay for themselves. Being able to approach agents, publishers, editors, and other authors in the hallways or mingle during breaks isn't something you get to do everyday.
I also had a one-on-one pitch session with an agent on Saturday morning. She had some great feedback for the first three chapters of my manuscript and brought to light some things I hadn't even thought of. If you want to get your creative juices flowing, have someone (actually, multiple people) review your work! It's scary to put your words out there, but you'll gain more ideas and ways to improve your writing. Yes, it's terrifying, but it's worth it.
Since I've been back, I've been working on revising and editing my first novel with the input I received from the literary agent I met with at DFW Con. I've had other things come up this past month, but I'm looking forward to getting back on the writing horse!
June 4, 2015
#PitMad
June 4, 2015
Today, I'm participating in #PitMad on Twitter. #PitMad is an event for writers to pitch their completed novels in 140 characters. If it snags an agent's interest, they'll favorite it and the writer sends over their query, synopsis, sample pages, etc. I was skeptical at first, but after reading more about it on Brenda Drake's website, and reading through some of the success stories, I figured I'd give it a shot. I got my first favorite about five minutes ago and nearly fell out of my chair. I immediately researched the literary agency and sent over my query and first 50 pages.
I'm truly impressed by the Twitterverse and how supportive those participating in #PitMad are, including other writers. I've had my pitch retweeted more than a dozen times by aspiring authors. It's so exciting to read everyone's pitches-there are truly some good stories out there waiting to be agented and published!
#PitMad continues through 9PM EST tonight. Sending positive vibes to all the writers out there!
Today, I'm participating in #PitMad on Twitter. #PitMad is an event for writers to pitch their completed novels in 140 characters. If it snags an agent's interest, they'll favorite it and the writer sends over their query, synopsis, sample pages, etc. I was skeptical at first, but after reading more about it on Brenda Drake's website, and reading through some of the success stories, I figured I'd give it a shot. I got my first favorite about five minutes ago and nearly fell out of my chair. I immediately researched the literary agency and sent over my query and first 50 pages.
I'm truly impressed by the Twitterverse and how supportive those participating in #PitMad are, including other writers. I've had my pitch retweeted more than a dozen times by aspiring authors. It's so exciting to read everyone's pitches-there are truly some good stories out there waiting to be agented and published!
#PitMad continues through 9PM EST tonight. Sending positive vibes to all the writers out there!
April 20, 2015
DFW Writer's Convention 2015
April 20, 2015
So, I'm all signed up for Dallas Fort Worth's Writer's Convention in July. I've received some positive responses from literary agents, but none that are head-over-heels in love with my manuscript. While this can lower my spirits at times, I choose to maintain a positive outlook and continue my search for the ideal literary agent. I am beyond excited for the writer's convention because not only do I get to meet and talk to like-minded individuals and learn from the pros, I also get a one-on-one pitch session with the agent of my choice. I wish July would just get here already!
In the meantime, I've outlined my sequel to The Alpha Drive, and I've already started writing. I think I'm close to 6,000 words, which isn't very far, but it's a start! In May, I plan to reread and revise (for the third time) the manuscript for The Alpha Drive.
I'm crossing my fingers that everything works out. It would be amazing for my passion and my career to come together as one.
Until next time...
So, I'm all signed up for Dallas Fort Worth's Writer's Convention in July. I've received some positive responses from literary agents, but none that are head-over-heels in love with my manuscript. While this can lower my spirits at times, I choose to maintain a positive outlook and continue my search for the ideal literary agent. I am beyond excited for the writer's convention because not only do I get to meet and talk to like-minded individuals and learn from the pros, I also get a one-on-one pitch session with the agent of my choice. I wish July would just get here already!
In the meantime, I've outlined my sequel to The Alpha Drive, and I've already started writing. I think I'm close to 6,000 words, which isn't very far, but it's a start! In May, I plan to reread and revise (for the third time) the manuscript for The Alpha Drive.
I'm crossing my fingers that everything works out. It would be amazing for my passion and my career to come together as one.
Until next time...
