Allynn Riggs's Blog, page 8

NOW!! The Blood is here.

NOW!!

Yes, the e-book is available as of May 7, 2014 – very early in the morning. Here is the direct link:  http://alturl.com/fbn43

I would love to hear what you think about The Blood. Ask me questions here at Timberdark Writer. Write reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads. If you enjoy the story let your friends know how to get the book. The print version with its magnificent cover will be available soon.

This is an unbelievable moment. Well, perhaps not really unbelievable as I have always known The Blood would be published. Until late in 2011 I thought it might get the traditional treatment with one of the medium to large publishers. Then in February of 2012 I was encouraged to join the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. This group has been fabulous. I have learned more than I thought possible about the publishing industry. Instead of someone else deciding what the cover was to look like I was able to connect with an artist who made my imagination visible. He was my personal choice. I can with him about how important covers are, to those who are buying a book, to the author and to the story between the front and back cover. Nathan Fisher (Nathan@scifibookdesigner.com) understands the impact of the cover. Several weeks of visual research focused on certain aspects of his proposed design finalized subtle elements such as seeing two of the characters from behind, designing a specialized font for the title, using the crossed blades to divide the cover into quadrants at the same time pulling the front, spine and back pieces together. If the cover is not appealing then few readers will get beyond glancing at it and shoving it back onto the shelf. By using the crash scene he chose the pivotal moment when the lives of the characters are truly changed. After reading the original manuscript Nathan had several ideas on possible covers and, though the others were good, he kept coming back to the crash. He felt it was the beginning of an epic story. There is an air of mystery about this scene. You want to find out who the girl and dog are, what are they thinking as they observe the crash site, how will this impact their lives, why did the ship crash and did anyone survive. I won’t answer those questions here – you will have to read the book.

If you are considering publishing independently you must be willing to spend time and more than a few dollars. You should have enough respect for what you have written to hire editors/writing coaches to help you hone your words as well as cover artists, proofreaders and beta readers who understand your chosen genre. I once spent hundred of dollars on an editor who told me that rocks can’t talk and I should cut that part out – turns out she had never read a science fiction or fantasy book and had no interest in either of those genres. So don’t necessarily choose the first one available. Again, respect yourself and your work. Take the time to find the right team. Don’t be in a hurry – it took you a while to write it and it will take you a while to publish it. Listen and learn from fellow writers, small independent publishers, photographers, graphic artists, editors and writing coaches. Surround yourself with experts who can do things you are not comfortable doing – they will help you create the best possible product.

Again, I invite you to read The Blood. Join me on this adventure. Leave me comments. Do you have questions?

E-book going live on May 7, 2014

One of my beta-readers told me that this story reminded him of the science fiction and fantasy books he loved reading when he was in college (in late 1960′s and early 1970′s) before those genres became harsh, cold and violent – that The Blood was just a really good story.

Endorsements from the back cover:

“I love crossover genre fiction, and Allynn Riggs’ new SF/Fantasy delivers in both categories. Through a satisfying read that’s well thought out, well-paced, and strongly character-driven, the tale combines the best of space opera with an intriguing paranormal twist that has the feel of a whole fantasy epic. That’s a good thing for us, since this is the first book in a very promising series. Sure to find an enthusiastic audience.” — Dr. Mark Todd, program director of Western State Colorado University’s MFA in Creative Writing and author of SF and fantasy, including the award-winning Silverville Saga series

“If you’re looking for alien romance, telepathic talking dogs, and other-worldly culture/religion, this story delivers . . . along with a few unexpected twists.” — Terry Wright – author – editor – publisher

My side: It has been a delight to write the stories of Renloret, Taryn, Ani and Kela. These characters have been around me for a while and I am so pleased that the first story is now available to be shared with you. The best part is knowing there are more stories coming as each character discovers what the Stones have planned. I am excited to find out if they will embrace their futures or take some other road as they have a tendency to insist on having it done their way.  Drinking cinnamon-orange tea while writing certainly puts me in the mood. You’ll have to read the Acknowledgement to find out how to get your hands on some.

Though I have been working on The Blood for what seems like years and I have reread the manuscript uncountable times, I still get drawn in and involved each time I open it up. Join us to discover two worlds with a secret and surprising connection.

Check out my Goodreads review of The Blood, which will hit Amazon as an e-book sometime in the next twelve to twenty-four hours. I will post the exact link as soon as I can. Print version will also be available soon.



https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/25077995-allynn-riggs”>View all my reviews

 

First box of THE BLOOD has arrived!

Now available directly from the author by e-mailing timberdarkpublications@gmail.com. Soon to be available in print and e-book version on Amazon.com. Still finalizing those files. If you can’t wait contact Allynn at the above e-mail address. You can go to http://www.timberdark.com to read the first chapter. Once on the page click on the Fiction tab then on The Blood. Let me know if you have any problems or want to purchase the book.

First Chapter must haves

First Chapter must haves

A great list from C. S. Lakin. Use it to set your book up for success from the very beginning. I just checked the first chapter of my scifi/fantasy book releasing next week (I hope) and I could cross off almost all of them – in the first chapter not the first page. This list will also be a big help on the second book of the series. I have the middle set up just fine but the opening chapters have been a struggle. Thank you for posting. I will use it frequently. http://storyfix.com/guest-post-the-burden-of-your-novels-opening-scene

Releasing in May 2014: The Blood

As my first novel approaches publication (early May 2014)I have been asked when and where I am going have an official launch party. Having never been to a launch party for a book I am in need of some ideas and suggestions how to launch a scifi/fantasy book aimed at YA and adults. How long should I wait after publication to hold such an event? Local book store suggested at least three months to see how the book does. Another question concerns the fact that is book is independently published so I do not have a large or even medium sized publishing house to back me up (if that was even an option). I will be doing this on my own (with the help of some enthusiastic friends and family). What are your thoughts?

Cover: The Blood

Delighted to show you the cover for The Blood, The Stone’s Blade – Book One. Due for release in May 2014.

How to Promote a Book: What They Don’t Tell You

TimberDark Writer:

Now that The Blood is getting so close to publication I need to improve on my plans for actual launching the book. Rachel Rueben’s post reminds me to add several things to my list. Expanding the networks I already have on Facebook and LinkedIn are just the beginning. For those of you at a similar point in your publishing efforts here’s a place to begin.

Originally posted on Writing By The Seat of My Pants:

Photo by Michelangelo Carrieri

Two years ago, my YA novel Hag was released and I was not prepared at all even though I had studied publishing for several years.  Sure I had a business plan but that fell apart when several unforeseen circumstances came my way.  So I ended up doing what I always do, I flew by the seat of my pants and got a crash course in book promotion that I will never forget.  Today I reveal exactly what I learned…

There’s a Difference in Clicking Publish and Having an Official Launch Date

Who knew?  I thought that when I clicked published that all I had to do was get a few ads and shares on social media then poof… instant bestseller.  ( I can hear you all snickering.)  Here’s the deal, having a launch date is more for your readers than you.  Your launch tells them where…

View original 513 more words

Trad vs Indie Publishing – which one would you choose?

Hilari Bell expresses some of the same feelings, good and bad, I have been having about the independent publishing business. Her dual experience with traditional and independent publishers is enlightening. The same things happen but when an author is able to be so close to the process (through doing it independently) they often come out of the experience with a better understanding of  the why’s and why not’s. Read her post on this topic: http://thewildwriters.com/what-to-pack-when-taking-the-road-less-traveled.

I am finding the experience of being fully involved to be invigorating and challenging. It is more expensive on the outset but with a great support group I hope to do more than break even, though that is what I  plan on for the first book. Like Ms. Bell, I am excited to see what the next book(s) I write will bring into my life. I have already experienced a large learning curve – still on that ride! – and it has been and should be exhilarating. I know there will be disappointments but the upside is that the rewards and successes of doing this on my own will far out weigh those downs. Plus I have gotten the chance to meet some remarkable and talented people.

Have you had the opportunity, like Ms. Bell, to publish in both Traditional and Indie processes? Which has been more fulfilling – emotionally and financially? Stay close by and follow this roller coaster ride of an author doing it her way.

Waiting – must practice waiting – is it ready yet?

Waiting. It’s the most difficult thing to do well. I am not very good. I want to tell everyone to hurry, hurry, hurry – move faster, skim it, just give me an answer, show me how to do it NOW. Instead of trying to coerce the experts into faster action, I talk to myself while in the shower, while driving for more than ten minutes at a stretch, while doing a treadmill workout at 3.8 miles per hour at level ten, even while trying to be still for fifteen to twenty minutes in a dry sauna. I assume all of that keeps me from being a pest via e-mail, Facebook posting, or any other way I could communicate with either the editor (who’s all done on my stuff at the moment and waiting, just like me, for the next round of layout editing), the proofreader (see the editor status), and the book designer.

He’s the one I’m waiting on. What I have seen of his work so far has been a delight with very few problems. He has been attentive to suggestions and explained the why’s when asked. I do know how much time it takes to get a project like this done well. I want him to take his time, to check every page, every paragraph, every instance of italics, which are the bane of book designers I’ve been told – and there are a lot of italics in The Blood. They are there for a reason so each one is needed. And I know that it has been barely three weeks since I received a pdf of the first four chapters. Oh, my so beautiful! I can’t wait to hold it, to page through it, to show you how he has made my imagination visible. I also know his schedule is full — I am not his only client. I must be calm (but the EVVY deadline is only six weeks away!!) and supportive (please hurry, I’m so nervous) and patient (I want it perfect right now!!).

Maybe I should take another long hot shower or a drive to Gunnison for the scenery or . . . wait. Must practice waiting.

Is it ready yet? 

Blogging Practices

Hugh Howey has a good list of do’s and don’t's for blogging. His list is pretty long and while most of them are important, I am working on a select few at a time. You can’t do a good job of writing if you are trying to do everything at the same time. Focus on a couple for a while to get comfortable before adding to your personal list. I particularly focus on Don’t #10. Don’t hit publish until after one last review. This is actually on my Do list. I do try to wait up to 24 hours before returning to a blog I’ve written to re-read it carefully. Then I push the publish button. If for some reason I can’t wait 24 hours I will take a short walk, through in a load of laundry or do some ironing or do a cycle of weight lifting and then re-read.

Check out the link below to read his Problogger post.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ProbloggerHelpingBloggersEarnMoney/~3/uXT1UaItvJE/