Zoe Belew's Blog, page 2

Rising Senior is Published- The Story of a Debut Author

 

As summer vacation gets into full swing, most young people are thinking about summer jobs, athletic camps, and catching up on sleep.  For Wilson rising senior Zoe Belew, however, summer vacation means a brief break from completing her first novel before diving into book number two.  The idea for a novel began as the result of idle talk among Zoe’s friends about surviving apocalyptic scenarios.  Three years later, she has a completed, 444-page novel entitled Decimation which will be published and available on Amazon beginning Monday, June 2.  The book is about a young girl named Lailah who is chosen to fight the evil Lucifer in the impending apocalypse.  Belew says Decimation is the first book in the Chosen trilogy. Wilson principal Gary Horton says he is honored to have a published author walking his school’s halls. “Zoe is one of the most quiet and unassuming students I have ever known.  She does what she’s supposed to do when she’s supposed to do it and excels in everything she does.” Zoe is indeed busy doing and excelling, having won Wilson’s 2014 Shoals Scholar Dollar Student of the Year award, as well as marching as a majorette with Wilson’s Regiment of Blue marching band and taking college classes at UNA as part of the Early Scholar program.

The publication of her book represents years of hard work on Belew’s part.  She estimates she spent 18 months researching things such as meanings of names and the depiction of angels in different religions and another 18 months actually writing her novel.  A team of three to six friends and acquaintances acted as editors, offering suggestions on everything from grammatical construction to storyline development.  When asked how she finds the time to write, Belew says she always has a notebook with her.  Since she likes to hand-write her first drafts, Belew was able to jot down ideas as they came, knowing that later she would be able to take the time to fully develop these bursts of inspiration.  Keeping her notebook handy also helps her battle writer’s block.  “Just one sentence can turn into an entire chapter,” she says.  

Belew approached the publication of her novel with the same meticulous eye which she had used in the creation of it.  She began her research by contacting a number of authors, some of whom had taken the traditional publication route and some who had self-published their novels.  Next came the search for the right publishing company.  “I was leery at first because there are so many self-publishing companies.  I watched a lot of videos and talked to a lot of people before deciding that Amazon was the one for me,” says Belew.  Finding the right publisher was only the beginning.  Next Belew had to work on getting the format, as well as the actual book, just right before the Amazon would agree to work with her.  When asked how many edits and revisions she had to make, Belew acknowledges that the published version of her novel is the eighth draft.  “You never really stop editing; you just reach a point where you decide it’s as clean as it will get.”

What’s next for Belew?  She says she wants to take a short break from thinking about Decimation before beginning the actual writing of its followup Cataclysm.  Does publishing her novel make her rethink her career plans?  Maybe, she says.  Belew knows she will always be a writer, whether or not everything she writes actually gets published.  So for now, she plans on majoring in business, advertising, or marketing in college, all of which will no doubt aid her in her continued writing endeavors.   

When asked about marketing and promotion ideas for Decimation, Belew smiles shyly and says her dream is to have a booth at the August First Friday event in downtown Florence, where she can sign copies of her novel.  Considering her current success rate when it comes to achieving what she sets her mind to, you can expect to see her there!

 

 

ORDER YOUR COPY OF DECIMATION: (Paperback or Kindle)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Zoe-Belew/e/B00...

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZBelewOffici...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZBelew_Official

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

IT’S HERE!

My book is now available for purchase! Take the following links to order your own copy! If you get it and like it, please drop a review on it! It would mean the world! Thanks, everyone! So happy it’s finally here! All the work has been well worth it! 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Zoe-Belew/e/B00...

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/decim...

Alibris: http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qso...#

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZBelewOffici...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZBelew_Official

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Exciting!

MY BOOK COMES OUT TOMORROW! MY BOOK COMES OUT TOMORROW!! 

Alright, now that that’s out of the way… I am incredibly excited, and I truly hope you will buy it and love it! It’s going to be awesome! No matter what happens, I am just so excited to be a published author! It’s a dream come true!

Have a good day everyone!

Hit me up, like it up, and follow, follow, follow!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZBelew_Official

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZBelewOffici...

I’M GOING TO BE ON THE RADIO!!!

Hey, guys, I will be on Q107 or WQLT 107.3 tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.!!! Be sure to tune in and hear about my book!!!

MY BOOK RELEASES ON JUNE 2, 2014!!!!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZBelew_Official

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZBelewOfficialDecimation?fref=nf

HIT ME UP, LIKE IT UP, AND FOLLOW!!

Interview!

Hello, everyone! A couple weeks ago, I was picked for an interview for a “New Author” project, and I thought you all might want to read the interview! Hope you enjoy!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What is the book about?

Lailah’s normal world is turned upside down when she is Chosen to save the world from the imminent Apocalypse. Along with her Guardian Angel, Nathaniel, she will have to gather enough power to defeat the greatest evil known to man, Lucifer himself.

 

How was the idea formed?

I was in class talking to some friends about the Apocalypse, and we began to spout theories about how the world would come to an end. Eventually, angels and demons were brought into the conversation, and I had an idea. A girl would be thrust into darkness as the world crumbled around her. From there, I began writing, and Decimation was born.

 

How long has this book been in progress?

In total, this book took three years to complete. Over a year was dedicated to researching. Another year and a half later, my small idea grew into a novel.

 

How many drafts of this book have been written and edited?

The book has been edited by several friends and professors. The final product of the book is the eighth draft.

 

Explain your process of getting published. (Be specific)

I researched as if it was a job. I emailed publishing companies, and I spoke to authors who have gone through the process, traditional and self published. As I worked on writing the last two, possibly three, drafts of my manuscript, I began promoting my book and myself as a writer. Then I began scouring into the actual publishing realm. From there, I found a way for my book to get out into the world, which is where I am now.

 

What is the hardest part of getting published?

The publishing process is not truly difficult when it comes down to specifics; however, the waiting can be extremely difficult to get through. It can take over a month to hear from the contacted publishing company. Also, editing is rather difficult because of the time consumption.

 

Has being a teenager affected your ability to be published?

I do not believe my age has placed any restrictions on my writing abilities or profitability based on others’ criteria.

List the pros and cons between self-publishing and traditional publishing?

Traditional publishing allows for the editing and detail work to be done by an employee of said company. However, self publishing allows for more creative license because there is no need to edit a book to a company’s specific qualifications. The author is responsible for creating the cover, perfecting formatting, developing publicity, etc. The main difference between the two is that self-publishing requires more work from the author while traditional publishing takes away some creative license and also a larger portion of the proceeds.

Also, a self publishing company prints through a POD (print on demand) application. Books may only be shipped as they will not be available in stores. However, they will be fresh and fairly untouched before arrival.

Describe your personal publishing process?

I first selected a publisher, an essential decision. Then, I completed and edited the final draft of my book which I sent to my publisher for review. There they made sure that my book would print in a correct format. After the files were accepted, I went into a discussion of royalties and all of the basic essentials. Lastly, I picked a release date.

 

What is the most difficult part of creating a book from start to finish?

I find that I am constantly having to make time in my busy schedule to put ideas to paper. It was from that unnerving detail that I began carrying a notebook everywhere I went. Even one line written on a page can build into a whole chapter. It is very important to keep something to write on. Besides time, there is the simple fact of having an idea. Inspiration is a beautiful thing, but writer’s block is not. Working around the days in which nothing comes to mind are definitely some of the hardest moments. Though, in the end, they pay off.

 

Who is the target audience?

Primarily young adults, however the book is appropriate for ages 13 and older. This is a tentative estimation, but the material fits this age group.

 

Why should someone read Decimation?

Decimation is different and unlike anything written before. There is never a slow moment in the novel; there is constant movement and many details that come to life. Each character is doing something vital, even if the subtlety is not noticeable to the reader. Decimation is a book about angels and demons with blood, fire, and adventure. It is dizzy with twists of pain, turns of love, and the struggle of abandonment. It makes a reader feel the character’s emotions as they grow with the protagonist during her whirlwind of a story.

 

When will your book be released?

Decimation arrives to Amazon June 2nd. It will also be available on Kindle, Nook, etc.

 

Fiction Addiction- My Manuscripts

I am Zoe Belew, and I am the author of The Chosen Trilogy. The first book, DECIMATION, comes out on June 2, 2014!!!

First Copy and Release Date Reveal!

The first official copy of my book came in!!! I have an interview coming up that will be posted here! Be sure to take the following links to keep up with me on all other social media.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZBelew_Official

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZBelewOfficialDecimation

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1EZCREATION

Q&A???

That’s right! Hello, everyone, I will be doing an advanced Q&A tomorrow on here, the official novel Facebook, and the official novel Twitter page. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZBelewOffici...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZBelew_Official

Stop by and drop a like, follow, and post a question. You can also comment on this post. The question can be about anything, though writing orientated ones are preferred. When the session is complete, I will be posting the questions and responses here in a post, as well as on my other social media. I can’t wait to hear what questions I receive. It’s going to be fun! 

Give me some good ones! 

Get ready for tomorrow, we’re gonna have a blast! 

Decimation Cover Reveal!

This is the cover and the spine. The back will be left as a surprise! I hope everyone is getting as excited for this as I am! It’s going to be amazing once this gets released! It’s gonna be fun!

THE CHOSEN TRILOGY: DECIMATION Synopsis Reveal

Revelations. 

It is a simple story to the eye, but it is more complex than one could ever imagine. It is a prophecy formed by the leader Himself. It is His wrath, His fury which He places on the earth. However, there is even more to this catastrophic story. 

This is the tale of a Chosen; a leader, a victor. 

This is the story of the Angel of Light.