Allynn Riggs's Blog, page 7

“The Blood” is on The Shelves at Tattered Cover Book Store!

As an independently published author I am honored to announce that The Blood: The Stone’s Blade, #1, is on the shelves at all three locations of The Tattered Cover Book Store in the Denver, Colorado area. This independent book store supports local authors in an amazing way. They place three books at each location – one copy is prominently displayed on a special “Rocky Mountain Authors” shelf and the other two are in the appropriate genre section. Each book is vetted by their local author coordinator and must pass through a series of physical checks before it is reviewed. These physical checks include the presence of proper bar coding and price placement, industry standard copyright page, the title and author’s name must appear on the spine, and the cover should be appealing and meet visual standards for the genre. Each must have an ISBN, too. Once those have been examined then it is read/reviewed internally before they decide if the book should be requested. There is a small administrative fee to pay for the time staff members use to review and then place the information in their tracking system. The Blood passed all of these and here’s the proof on the shelves at the Highlands Ranch location.

If you live in the Denver, Colorado area or are passing through – take the time to check out all the great offerings from the local authors – and buy “The Blood” to enjoy reading on your travels.

Also, check out http://alturl.com/fbn43 for direct link on Amazon.com. Use the “Look Inside” feature to read the first four chapters. Get your hands on this beautiful book. You will find yourself wanting to read it again and again. Please take the time to review it on Amazon and Goodreads. Readers are looking for good books – this is one of them.

 

 

 

 

No Writing But Still Connecting

This one is short and sweet as I think I’m coming down with a major cold or maybe even the flu – I feel like crap and working on The Balance when I feel this way would not be a good idea. Thursday & Friday (6/19-20) through my dance network (at a callers college) the main instructor bought a coy of The Blood from me. I am the first person he has met who has actually published a book! He was fascinated by the whole process. He has a friend who is doing final edits on her romance manuscript – she called me today and we talked about my experience so far and whether or not she should continue to try to connect with an agent. She wants to get published through a particular publisher but they only take agented manuscripts. She wanted to know how many agent rejections or “black holes” she should collect before going the independent route. How many would you suggest? Would you suggest an agent – should I?

I suggested she join a local critique group, a national organization such as Romance Writers of America, and that she research self publishing. Anything else I should suggest to her?

Embedding Instructions Needed – always

Reposting a good article on exactly how to embed some spark to a writers blog and other social media outlets.

http://socialmediajustforwriters.com/integrate-social-media-embedding-posts/#wrap

What is your favorite social media source you use to brighten up your blog, website, or Facebook? Do you have instructions written down that you can refer to or do you just do it without thinking?

Denver Comic Con Adventures and Future Possibilities

Today at my youngest daughter’s invitation I had the opportunity to attend the Denver Comic Con! Totally new experience. Observed everything, talked a little, listened a lot. There was even a weapons check-in area where all kinds of weapons were okayed to be carried (or not) in the convention center. I found that I wondered how people would dress up if they wanted to “be” one or more of the characters from The Stone’s Blade series. My daughter and I speculated by picking out costumed people. I decided that dressing up as one of the Stones would be the most difficult, though of course, you could carry them around. The interesting thing is the juxtaposition of space travel technology and the weapons being mainly swords and knives (Renloret hints that lasers are considered illegal as weapons). Oh, one positive is that I may have to get another dog to take around representing Kela (I would actually love that!).

In all the following my daughter around I got the chance to talk to a couple of authors who had booths. Again, I wondered whether, someday, I might have my own booth at a Comic Con. I have always thought I had no delusions of grandeur or extreme success, that I am well grounded in reality – except that I write fantasy and science fiction ;), that all I really hope for is to break even on the expenditures of this venture and have fun doing it. Now, I wonder.

I did have an informative discussion about the publishing world with David Farland (author of “Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing” self-published, a large number of fantasy books from Tor Publishers, and several series’ from WordFire Press in Colorado Springs). After finding out I had just published my first full length novel, he encouraged me to sign up for one of his workshops and perhaps even attending his writing seminar in February 2015. I purchased “Book 1 of The Serpent Catch Series, Spirit Walker” and the “. . . Power of Resonance in Writing”. I think I have checked out several of his fantasy offerings from the library but am not sure. This “Spirit Walker” has an interesting premise and I look forward to reading it. Mr. Farland signed both books – one: “Dare to dream!”, the other: “May all your writing adventures reach a fantastic conclusion!”

Again, do I dare wonder and dream about possibilities – even though I’m a realist who writes fantasy?

Proof of attendance and having fun with Devin and 75,000 other characters.

Incredible E-book Countdown Deal Expiring!

Hey all! The Kindle Countdown Deal for The Blood (The Stone’s Blade, #1) will be expiring soon. Get a move on and download your copy to your Kindle device or app, now! Just click on http://alturl.com/fbn43 and get to the e-book directly. Don’t disappoint me or yourself by missing out on this great read. Only two more days remaining before the e-book returns to retail price of $7.99.

While you are at it, get the paperback copy at the same time. You will want to study the cover, front, back, and spine, for unique details. What do you see?

I’m thinking about running a contest what kinds of questions should be on it? Anyone else run a contest about their fiction book? How did you do it? How would you do it differently? Was there a prize? How did it go?

The Blood’s Countdown Deal & Self Promotion Questions

“The Blood (The Stone’s Blade, #1)” is halfway through its first Goodreads Countdown Deal. Today, Wednesday, June 11, 2014 the e-book is available at $4.99. Then tomorrow is goes up to $5.99 and on Friday up to $6.99. Get it today for the best current deal! I am learning so much about promotion. I spend about one hour a day checking progress, posting comments and reminders on Facebook, Goodreads, LinkedIn, and almost as important face -to-face with people I meet. I can only handle these four pieces of social media/contact as I need to spend the rest of my time working on book two of The Stone’s Blade series, The Balance. So far, including the ten book giveaway I can verify almost one hundred books sold (about fifteen of those are e-books) in the first six weeks since publication. I am fairly sure I am reaching the maximum I can sell locally through my friend and acquaintance network. So now I have to start concentrating on all the other ways to get the word out about “The Blood”. (checkout http://alturl.com/fbn43 )

For a person who is technologically challenged the past two months have been a whirlwind of decisions. At least I am doing a few things, making the effort. What I need to figure out now is how do I expand my network to include the networks and connections of all of my friends – there by increasing my efforts 100 fold. My problem with this is I have to ask you, my friends, to repost my posts and links to all of your friends on all of your social media and for some reason that seems narcissistic in a big way. Is it? Can I promote “The Blood” without being narcissistic?

I really do believe “The Blood” is a great story and I want to share it with everyone. My friends lists seem pathetically small compared to most of my friends who have 500 and way more friends (even my husband who lurks on a minimum number of social media outlets has five times the number of friends). Is my problem that I am uncomfortable promoting myself and my book rather than the overall theme of buy and read more books by independent publishers?

I even hesitate to like or comment on everyone’s posts as I think it may lessen the impact of my likes. Should I re-think this? Many would tell me that I have to let it go and just start commenting and liking when I do like or want to comment on someone’s post. I want to engage in the conversations but will my comments be seen as just noise or will I be able to say something worthwhile to someone? Do all my comments have to be studied for thirty minutes before I click on ‘Post’? I could spend all day working on only a few comments. Is this a wise thing to do? Shouldn’t I be spending my time working on book two?

 

Reviewing Restrictions – What’s taking so long?

Time flies when you are having fun, correct? Well, I am having fun but the past month seems to be dragging a bit. I keep telling myself that “The Blood” has only been available for twenty-three days so what do I have to be concerned about. I know ten e-books have been purchased – yeah! And the print version supposedly became available today, May 30th so I should not expect any type of increase in sales, yet, correct? What should my expectations be? I have not delusions of grandeur – I am fairly certain I am not the next Andre Norton or J.K. Rowling so, again, what should I expect?

I want to expect one hundred books a month. That’s just a bit over three books a day. How do I get that? I’m told to invite my friends to purchase, to read and to post their reviews of “The Blood” on Amazon, on Goodreads, on Facebook, on whatever else they are connected to. How long should I give my friends to read and then post a review? I can’t demand any action I can only request, nicely, that when they get a chance to post something honest about their reaction to “The Blood”. I’ve gotten one so far; thank you Nancy. Have the other nine readers of the e-book not finished yet? When I see a review on other books there is a statement that “This is a verified purchase”. Now, I’ve received a few e-mails from extended family members who have read it but I don’t know if they have tried to post their comments on any kind of forum. Is there a restriction on Amazon against family members commenting on my book? If yes, would this mean that any one with the last name of Riggs cannot post a review?

What about the over sixty people who have purchased “The Blood” directly from me? So far most of them have offered comments face-to-face. I love the reactions! Can they post a review on Amazon if they have not purchased a book from Amazon? I am certain that they can post reviews on Goodreads but I only have eleven ‘friends’ on Goodreads so I don’t necessarily understand how that all works. Can people comment on my book on my LinkedIn page or my personal Facebook page or my ‘business’ Facebook page (www.facebook.com/timberdarkpublications)? Do these personal sales get added anywhere other than the list I have? According to exterior social media etc. only ten people have actually acquired my book – that’s not necessarily a great showing (though it has not yet been a full month). I am planning to set a limited time sale on the e-book starting sometime in June so perhaps I’ll see an increase then.

Now that I’ve written all this I think I am overreacting. No one knows me or the story begun in “The Blood”. It takes time to build an audience and I’ve only just begun. I am technologically challenged and can only handle a bit at a time – which it probably a good thing. One step at a time, girl. I also want to wait until after the EVVY Awards in late August. “The Blood” has been entered in five categories and it may place in at least one of them so I could use that to jump start another round of advertising based on that, correct?

In the meantime check out the e-book at http://alturl.com/fbn43 if you haven’t already. Use the “Look Inside” to read a sample. Let me know what you think. Do you have any questions? I have one for you: What’s taking you so long?

Reviewing from the middle

It has been a couple of years since I’ve read one of the Gear’s books.  I am currently reading “People of the Morning Star” by Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear. I am continually fascinated how they tie all the science neatly into great stories. I am about half way through already and enjoying every word. Actually found myself taking notes this time – the one drawback to reading as an author now. Learning something new whether in real science or in fiction techniques is a good thing. Plus I’m having fun!    

How often do you return to your personal favorites? Are they in your preferred genre or some other? Why do you re-read for the umpteenth time or read the newest book out from authors you read ten or more years ago? What drew you back? Was it the setup, the writing style, the topic, the story, or all of the above? Do you take notes, write down questions and observations about writing techniques? Are you reading for pure escapism? Can you escape?

The Blood is finally off the ground.

 Today I received the proof copy from CreateSpace for approval before the print version becomes available on Amazon. I am so happy with the cover and interior designer, Nathan Fisher. His files are so well done that I can hardly tell the difference between the copy from CreateSpace and the copy from my POD printer, Snowfall Press. I am delighted that customers who order from Amazon will receive the same quality product as I can from Snowfall. It really pays off to expend time and money to find the perfect fit for your cover and the interior design of your book. I know each author who is trying to publish on their own is trying to save money but this is not the reason to do so. Treat yourself with respect – respect the work you have put into your book. Hire a great editor who is willing to coach you. Hire a great artist to create your cover. Hire a proofreader and an e-book conversion specialist to get the jobs done well. Be patient and maintain control. If this is your first or if it is your hundredth – congratulations! I am delighted to be in great company.

So, as of May 30, 2014 go to Amazon.com, type in my name, Allynn Riggs, and purchase your choice of paperback or e-book. P.S. the e-book is available right now, no waiting! If you live in the Denver, Colorado metro area you can find The Blood at the Tattered Cover Book Store in their Rocky Mountain Authors shelf or in the science fiction section. You can also find it at The Bookworm in Gunnison, Colorado.

Book signing at square dance class

Signing Nancy Koos’ book at the Plus class May 6, 2014. The e-book went live the next morning on Amazon.com. So exciting to have print copies in hand! Copies are available direct from me (Allynn) at any dance or class that Bob & Allynn Riggs are attending – Getting it direct allows me to give you a 20% discount on the print version. And you have to get a print copy because the cover is phenomenal!

If you can’t wait to read The Blood, you can download the e-book at http://alturl.com/fbn43.

I hope to have the print version available through Amazon soon. But you don’t have to wait. Just track me down at a scheduled square dance event in the Colorado front range area – look for Bob and Allynn Riggs. I will have a stack with me at special events such as the Colorado State Square Dance Festival at the Crowne Plaza DIA Hotel in Denver on June 13-14, 2014 and The Shaw Folk Rendezvous at The Outpost, 10101 E Colorado Avenue, Aurora on July 11-12, 2014. Also check the summer dance schedules for The Sunflower Squares in Castle Rock, The Red Hot Country Squares in Centennial, and Heather Twirlers in Aurora for when Bob & I will be there.

You can also check the science fiction/fantasy shelves at The Tattered Cover Book Store (any of their three Denver metro locations) and The Bookworm in Gunnison, Colorado.

If you have read it would you please post a review on either amazon.com or Goodreads.com websites? What was your favorite scene and why?