Kory M. Shrum's Blog, page 33
October 4, 2014
October 3, 2014
Want to know how I did it? Ask me #Live tomorrow night!
I'm very excited about tomorrow!
Tomorrow night I'll be featured on blogtalkradio, 6PM EST. If you are free and want to catch me unawares with your questions, call in toll-free 1-877-404-0839 or join us in the Chat Room!
Many writers/fans have questions about the books, or the publishing process (how to get reviews, etc.) and it takes me a long time to get to those Twitter DMs/FB messages, for which I'm really sorry. So if you have a question that you don't want to wait to be answered, I hope you'll stop by tomorrow night.
Regardless, have an awesome weekend!
Kory
P.S. Congrats to those of you who won a free copy of the Dying for a Living audiobook. You're awesome for playing! And I hope to giveaway more free stuff soon!
September 29, 2014
#MondayBlogs: Don't Break The Chain! #amwriting
I was tagged by the lovely Josh Hayes to answer the following questions about my writing. It is sort of like the writing process blogs that were going around, but even better because it focuses more on the work than my narcissistic a$$.
The name of your main character that you wish to highlight. Describe how you came up with their idea.Jesse is the main character of my Dying for a Living series. Some people love her, others want to shake her to death. She is definitely a "flawed" character, but aren't we all? As to where I came up with the idea? Reading and life. I wanted a female lead who had to come to terms with her own power despite being made powerless in the past--and I couldn't help but imbue her with my own snark. ;)
When and where is the setting of their story.Present day. "Alternate reality". Nashville, TN
Tell what things you want people to know about them. Strengths, weaknesses, etc.
She's much softer on the inside. There are good reasons for that hard outer shell.
Their main conflict, and how they develop from dealing with it.The emotional conflict: She's a social outcast and reject with a really traumatic past. She's overcompensates for this sense of rejection with a "devil may care" approach to life. This false bravado is what she uses to protect herself, but she'll have to learn how to develop really accept herself by the end.
The physical conflict: Vigilantes and religious extremists (led by her father) want to kill her. She's trying not to take this personally.
Title of your work, and links to purchase it. Dying for a Living, Book 1
Dying by the Hour, Book 2
The name of your main character that you wish to highlight. Describe how you came up with their idea.Jesse is the main character of my Dying for a Living series. Some people love her, others want to shake her to death. She is definitely a "flawed" character, but aren't we all? As to where I came up with the idea? Reading and life. I wanted a female lead who had to come to terms with her own power despite being made powerless in the past--and I couldn't help but imbue her with my own snark. ;)
When and where is the setting of their story.Present day. "Alternate reality". Nashville, TN
Tell what things you want people to know about them. Strengths, weaknesses, etc.
She's much softer on the inside. There are good reasons for that hard outer shell.
Their main conflict, and how they develop from dealing with it.The emotional conflict: She's a social outcast and reject with a really traumatic past. She's overcompensates for this sense of rejection with a "devil may care" approach to life. This false bravado is what she uses to protect herself, but she'll have to learn how to develop really accept herself by the end.
The physical conflict: Vigilantes and religious extremists (led by her father) want to kill her. She's trying not to take this personally.
Title of your work, and links to purchase it. Dying for a Living, Book 1
Dying by the Hour, Book 2
September 28, 2014
Her Men: Book Spotlight & #Giveaway
Title: Her MenPublisher: Totally BoundGenre: Contemporary Erotic male-female-male romanceBook Length: 22,000 words
BLURB:
Forty-four year old Julie Weston has loved Timmy and James since her college days twenty something years ago. She's fantasized about both all these long years, never able to choose between them.
Hoping Tim and James will attend, she attends their college marching band reunion. When both men show up her dreams are answered. They're sexier than she imagined and she hopes they won't be disappointed by her older self.
It turns out both men came just to see her again and neither is happy about the other’s presence. They fight over her, confusing her more than ever. It takes a hot ménage…or two…for her heart to decide which one she’s in love with.
EXCERPT:
Oh God. She couldn’t make up her mind, just as she’d feared. They were both fulfilling her dreams and almost her fantasies. Why couldn’t she be like Connie and love just one man? “I’m single. And confused,” she admitted unhappily, hoping and praying her answer wouldn’t drive either man away before her heart could decide who it wanted. She held her breath, waiting for James to drop her on her ass and leave in disgust. But he stayed. His eyes darkened. His fingers bit into her arms, but he didn’t walk away. Instead, he kissed her again, rubbing his groin against her. When he finally released her, he promised, “Game on.” Tim stomped over and shoved James away. “What the hell was that?” James pushed him back. “What in the hell does it look like?” “Keep your hands off her.” “I don’t see a ring on her finger, and she started it.”Tim wrinkled his brow, captured her hand and yanked her to him. “She’s had too much to drink.” Again she help up one finger and repeated, “I just had one.” She thought it best not to mention the Benadryl. With sad eyes, Tim asked, “Who do you want? Me or him?” Fighting back sudden, scalding tears, she freed herself, stepped back and regarded both men. “I don’t know.” Tim’s expression grew incredulous as if she’d struck him. He echoed, “You don’t know? Since when do you like him?” “Maybe since you dumped her,” James said with a sneer. He puffed up and faced off with Tim. “If you don’t like it, back out. I’m going to fight for her—like I should have before.” Tim’s eyes grew large as saucers. “I had no idea. You were with Theresa…” “Theresa dropped me like a hot cake. And you disappeared.” “And I heard she was going out with Gus, not you.” Tim looked around as though to make sure Gus wasn’t about to pop out of nowhere. She heaved a sigh. “Gus was my friend. He fell for me, not vice versa. I feel bad if I led him on. It wasn’t intentional.” “Like me? You never realized I liked you as more than a friend,” Phil interjected as he danced nearby with Anita. She blanched and wanted to evaporate. James winked. “It seems you were quite the siren, leaving all of us shipwrecked in your wake.” Stunned, she clasped her hand to her throat. “I swear, I had no clue. I’m so sorry.” “Yet you’re still leaving us in your wake, honey.” Tim glared at all of them and fisted his hands on his hips. Honey? She didn’t like the sound of that.
BUY LINKS:Totally BoundAMAZONAReKOBO
Ashley Ladd is a disabled Air Force vet that is hard of hearing but still loves language, especially the written word. She loves a sexy man, especially one with a military background and they’ll often pop up in her stories. She also loves cats and has been known to empower a cat with the gift of speech. Unfortunately he wouldn’t shut up. J She loves to plug into Pandora and sip Diet Coke while writing, usually with a cat or kid at her side.How you can contact Ashley:
http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ashleyladdauthorhttp://www.twitter.com/ashleyladd
https://www.goodreads.com/AshleyLadd
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 27, 2014
Autographed Paperbacks For Sale
A few people have specifically asked for signed paperbacks of either/both Dying for a Living and Dying by the Hour and because I love my fans, I think I've figured out a way to accommodate you!
I believe it is feasible to send out signed books at $15 each/including shipping. (So if you wanted a copy of both Dying for a Living and Dying by the Hour, for example, it would be $30). This is competitive to the price you would pay for it because I can buy them wholesale and have them shipped to my house--which brings me to my question:
Besides the people whom I've already talked to, does anyone else want signed books? I would like to place one big order this weekend, so if I know how many people will want books that would be really helpful.
If you'd like to order a book, please send $15/book via PayPal to kory.m.shrum@gmail.com. In the comments of the sale, be sure to mention your name and which book(s) you want. You can also email me at that address (kory.m.shrum@gmail.com) and give me more details about your order--who you would like the books signed to, what message to include if any, and the shipping address.
I'll take care of the rest!
And if signed paperbacks ain't your thing, don't forget to enter the contest for a free audiobook in the post below! :)
Have a great weekend, everyone
I believe it is feasible to send out signed books at $15 each/including shipping. (So if you wanted a copy of both Dying for a Living and Dying by the Hour, for example, it would be $30). This is competitive to the price you would pay for it because I can buy them wholesale and have them shipped to my house--which brings me to my question:
Besides the people whom I've already talked to, does anyone else want signed books? I would like to place one big order this weekend, so if I know how many people will want books that would be really helpful.
If you'd like to order a book, please send $15/book via PayPal to kory.m.shrum@gmail.com. In the comments of the sale, be sure to mention your name and which book(s) you want. You can also email me at that address (kory.m.shrum@gmail.com) and give me more details about your order--who you would like the books signed to, what message to include if any, and the shipping address.
I'll take care of the rest!
And if signed paperbacks ain't your thing, don't forget to enter the contest for a free audiobook in the post below! :)
Have a great weekend, everyone
September 26, 2014
#FreebieFriday Free #audiobooks: Dying for a Living #Audible
I needed a breather between giveaways!
But I'm back!
This time, I have FIVE free audiobooks to give away because Audible gave me all these fancy codes for Dying for a Living . For those of you who don't know Jesse Sullivan's story, it starts like this:
On the morning before her 67th death, it is business as usual for Jesse Sullivan: meet with the mortician, counsel soon-to-be-dead clients, and have coffee while reading the latest regeneration theory. Jesse dies for a living, literally. As a Necronite, she is one of the population’s rare 2% who can serve as a death replacement agent, dying so others don’t have to. Although each death is different, the result is the same: a life is saved, and Jesse resurrects days later with sore muscles, new scars, and another hole in her memory.
But when Jesse is murdered and becomes the sole suspect in a federal investigation, more than her freedom and sanity are at stake. She must catch the killer herself—or die trying.
If you want to enter to win a free audiobook version of Dying for a Living , and hear Jesse's story come to life by the fabulous narrator Hollie Jackson, enter the giveaway below.
And more good news, the sequel, Dying by the Hour should be on audiobook by December! :)
You know what that means? Holiday giveaways! :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
But I'm back!
This time, I have FIVE free audiobooks to give away because Audible gave me all these fancy codes for Dying for a Living . For those of you who don't know Jesse Sullivan's story, it starts like this:
On the morning before her 67th death, it is business as usual for Jesse Sullivan: meet with the mortician, counsel soon-to-be-dead clients, and have coffee while reading the latest regeneration theory. Jesse dies for a living, literally. As a Necronite, she is one of the population’s rare 2% who can serve as a death replacement agent, dying so others don’t have to. Although each death is different, the result is the same: a life is saved, and Jesse resurrects days later with sore muscles, new scars, and another hole in her memory.
But when Jesse is murdered and becomes the sole suspect in a federal investigation, more than her freedom and sanity are at stake. She must catch the killer herself—or die trying.
If you want to enter to win a free audiobook version of Dying for a Living , and hear Jesse's story come to life by the fabulous narrator Hollie Jackson, enter the giveaway below.
And more good news, the sequel, Dying by the Hour should be on audiobook by December! :)
You know what that means? Holiday giveaways! :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 25, 2014
"Do You Still Write #Poetry?" Yes! Confessions of a Cross-Genre Writer #Writerproblems
Someone recently asked me if I still write poetry. I suppose this is because my fantasy novels are certainly getting more attention than my poetry--and goodness knows, I can write a manifesto on why poetry should be more appreciated, and why I am a mediocre poet at best. But instead, I thought I would simply share a recent poem with you.
I had a dream that I was a comet, and being a writer, wrote a poem about that experience. My goal was to have it finished for my partner by our anniversary (October 14). I finished early obviously and here I am sharing it with you. For those of you who are curious, IRAS-Araki-Alcock is the name of a comet that came very close to Earth near the time of my birth.
IRAS–Araki–Alcock
This is the dream.
I am a comet,
stardust breath,
and spectral tail ablaze.
In the blackest corner of
a starless sky,
I pace alone
through a forgotten orbit
out of desperation
for the familiar,
in loyalty to a rhythm
I cannot comprehend,
a millennium at a time.
Then you are born,
and in that instant
my comet heart knows
and sets course for Earth.
By the power of dream
logic somehow
ice is exchanged for bone.
Stardust settles into green eyes.
Still it takes me 27 years
to place your body
next to mine. But this
homecoming feels familiar,
expected—as if I’ve only
just left and come back
having forgotten something
important, until I wake
crying, begging you that I don’t
want to return to the cold
dark of space alone. That
I can’t bear to spend another
millennium out there, knowing
you may or may not be born,knowing orbits can change
and I will have to search for youagain.
In our bed, you smile. You
kiss each cheek and tell me
it was a dream. But it isn’t, I say.
This is the dream.
I had a dream that I was a comet, and being a writer, wrote a poem about that experience. My goal was to have it finished for my partner by our anniversary (October 14). I finished early obviously and here I am sharing it with you. For those of you who are curious, IRAS-Araki-Alcock is the name of a comet that came very close to Earth near the time of my birth.
IRAS–Araki–Alcock
This is the dream.
I am a comet,
stardust breath,
and spectral tail ablaze.
In the blackest corner of
a starless sky,
I pace alone
through a forgotten orbit
out of desperation
for the familiar,
in loyalty to a rhythm
I cannot comprehend,
a millennium at a time.
Then you are born,
and in that instant
my comet heart knows
and sets course for Earth.
By the power of dream
logic somehow
ice is exchanged for bone.
Stardust settles into green eyes.
Still it takes me 27 years
to place your body
next to mine. But this
homecoming feels familiar,
expected—as if I’ve only
just left and come back
having forgotten something
important, until I wake
crying, begging you that I don’t
want to return to the cold
dark of space alone. That
I can’t bear to spend another
millennium out there, knowing
you may or may not be born,knowing orbits can change
and I will have to search for youagain.
In our bed, you smile. You
kiss each cheek and tell me
it was a dream. But it isn’t, I say.
This is the dream.
September 22, 2014
#Mondayblogs: First 'Unboxing' #video #amwriting #writerprobs
I stole the idea of an unboxing video from Hugh Howey. (Sorry, Hugh! But writers are like magpies, you can't possibly be surprised?)
Anyway, Hugh always goes for the fresh-faced and washed approach when he films. However, I think this is misleading--so I decided to go for the bed-head-pajamas-I-haven't-had-enough-sleep-and-from-this angle-the-camera-makes-my-chin-look-fat approach.
Keepin' it real, ya'll
Fo Sho.
September 19, 2014
#Audible: Why Aren't You Using It? #amwriting
So my best kept secret this summer was that I produced an audiobook. I made a to fans shortly after releasing Dying for a Living in March, that I would expand distribution as soon as possible. I can now proudly say that my book is available on Audible, and you sign up for the free trial, you can listen to it for free! :)Have I ever led you astray, baby?
I was excited to use Smashwords and get my book out to Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, and other eReader users--but I was most excited about the audiobook. I know not everyone likes audiobooks, but I do. I like hearing a story read to me like when I was a kid. It's a pleasant distraction in the car during long drives, or on my bike on the way to work.
So when I found out that I could produce an audiobook for FREE--I didn't hesitate to get on that *&^%.
If you want to fork over the cash and pay someone on contract immediately, you can do that too. But I went with the royalty share, splitting the royalties down the middle with the narrator. I was more than OK with this. I know that an audiobook is only half my creation and half what the narrator's own voice lends to the book--so I opted for the royalty share (read: FREE; nothing upfront needed).
ACX allows you to hold "auditions" and choose the narrator that you like best. Also, you get to preview/approve the chapters as the narrator submits them, so it is a very hands on process--which I felt good about. I liked thinking I was involved in the project as well as making sure everything went well.
Lastly, when it is all finished and you've given approval, the book is published about 10-14 days later--and AUTOMATICALLY synced to your Amazon listing of the book, which was REALLY convenient.
Anyway, I give the whole process 4.5 out of 5 stars (-1/2 star because setting up the account and project page requires patience) and recommend it to any of you authors out there looking to expand the story experience for your readers. Hollie and I are already scheduled to start producing Dying by the Hour around Thanksgiving, and I'm psyched for that too.
If you have questions, or want tips about producing an audiobook with ACX, or if you've already used ACX and want to share your story/tips with me, please leave your comments below.
Have a great weekend everyone! :)
September 17, 2014
Rock The Book: A Rocking Interview with Kory Shrum
Rock The Book: A Rocking Interview with Kory Shrum: Today's author interview is with Kory Shrum, author of Dying by the Hour and Dying for a Living . What made you decide to g...
