D.D. Scott's Blog, page 22

The WG2E: A Fabulous Mix of Writing Journeys

Mornin', D. D. Scott-ville!

Three short days from now, you'll witness the launch of my newest labor of Pay It Forward Love The WG2E - The Writer's Guide to Epublishing!



We're set to kick-off with gusto on Saturday, January 1st at http://thewritersguidetoepublishing.com !!!

As I've been teasing you with for the last couple weeks, I've partnered with ever-fabulous authors Tonya Kappes http://tonyakappes.com/, Misa Ramirez http://misaramirez.com/ and L. A. Lopez http://irishsistersknits.com/ to give writers of all genres a destination site for Everything Epublishing.

Our Mission is simple:

To be every writer's destination – regardless of genre – for everything E-publishing and to help writers reign over the ever-changing E-business-end of their creative empires.

The Writer's Guide to E-Publishing is your destination website for practical and real information about E-Publishing romance, mystery, and everything else. We share what we've learned - the good, the bad, and the ugly - including stats and real numbers. Our goal is to do a lot of the legwork for you, to keep you informed, and empower you as you embark or continue on your own publishing journey.

We keep it positive and we keep it real. We are writers, navigating our way through the rapidly evolving world of e-publishing.

And here's one of the really cool parts...we're not just writers navigating our way through the rapidly evolving world of E-publishing, we're writers navigating our way from completely different stages and paths along all the writing-for-publication roads.

Here's the scoop:

The WG2E (The Writer's Guide to/2 E-Publishing) is a work of love. We are each at different stages of our writing careers. D.D. Scott is published exclusively in E-Books using Amazon's DTP Program and Smashwords too. Misa Ramirez / Melissa Bourbon is published in print by huge, traditional publishing houses St. Martin's Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books, as well as digitally by Diversion Books. She is also just venturing into the Indie Publishing route. Tonya Kappes is published in print and e-books by a small press, and Lee Lopez is currently un-pubbed but now preparing to go the Indie Pub/E-Pub route.

What a fabulous mix, right?! What fabulous opportunities to compare numbers - real numbers - and the experiences that go along with making those numbers from different road-to-publication paths!

We've learned tons through our adventures. Sharing our trials and errors, as well as living out loud on this site, is our way of paying it forward as writers.

We've got a ton of must-know information on Everything Epublishing to share with y'all and can't wait to get started at The WG2E this Saturday, January 1st!

Sexy Sassy Smart The WG2E Wishes --- D. D. Scott

2011 Means 5 New Releases for D. D. Scott!!!

Hello, D. D. Scott-ville!

I'm a doin' a big 'ole happy dance around our Christmas tree 'cause I'm about to spill the beans on all five (yes...5) of my 2011 new releases!!!




Here's the scoop...

Valentine's Day 2011
BUCKLES ME BABY
Book Three of The Bootscootin' Books Series
Think paparazzi-hell and Ponzi-scheme fall-out meet home-shopping and Babies "R" Us.

May 2011
THUG GUARD
A Cozy Cash Mystery

August 2011
LIP GLOCK
A Cozy Cash Mystery

November 2011
SMOOTH CRIMINALS
A Cozy Cash Mystery

December 2011
GOT TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN...MT. OLYMPUS THAT IS
The Naked Hero Christmas Anthology

***For The Cozy Cash Mysteries, think Stephanie Plum meets your Avon Lady. In other words, what if Stephanie Plum was your Avon Lady, backed up by a hot-flashin' Mom Squad of Charlie's Angels wanna-be's?

***And for GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN...MT. OLYMPUS THAT IS, hold onto your Spanx 'cause your favorite grog Goddesses of The Naked Hero are releasing their first ever Christmas Anthology, including stories featuring all your favorite characters from each of their individual series, all together in one helluva fun, LOL Christmas read!!! For more details, go to http://thenakedhero.com

How fun is all this?!

Happy Holidays to all of you!!!

And I can't wait to share all my D. D. Scott-ville Sexy Sassy Smart Stories with you in 2011!!!

Sexy Sassy Smart 2011 Wishes --- D. D. Scott

P.S. I also can't wait to hear how many of you got E-readers from Santa!!!

E-Book Country: A Writer's Goals Must Change with the Ever-Changing Publishing Industry

Happy Hump Day, D. D. Scott-ville!

I found a fabulous take on how a writer's goals must change because of our ever-changing publishing industry, and I just had to share pieces of it with you!

Thank u J.A. (Joe) Konrath!!!

You can read the entire post called "Resolutions for Writers 2011" at http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/12/resolutions-for-writers-2011.html

Joe says:

As a writer, you are part artist and part businessman.

Great artists take chances.

Successful businessmen take chances.

This means doing things you're afraid of, and things you hate, and things you've never tried before.

And wow do I sooo agree with Joe!

But it's not only that I agree, I'm acting on Joe and I's beliefs by co-founding The WG2E - The Writer's Guide to E-Publishing!

That's right...me and my partners - Tonya Kappes, Misa Ramirez and L. A. Lopez - are taking chances, doing things we may be a bit afraid of and things we've never tried before so that y'all have a new, go-to-source for all-things-Epublishing.

The WG2E officially launches January 1st at http://thewritersguidetoepublishing.com but feel free to stop by, keeping in mind that we're still adding content and fine-tuning all the features between now and then. Look for my official welcome and launch message on January 1st!

So in this way then, The WG2E is a Konrath-style "pioneer".




Here's the scoop straight from Joe:

I Will Be A Pioneer. Remember the old saying about how to recognize a pioneer? They're the one with the arrows in their backs and fronts.

I've tried to be forward-thinking in my career, rather than being content with my role as a cog in a broken machine. Your best chance for longevity is to question everything, test boundaries, experiment with new ideas, and be willing to change your mind and learn from your mistakes.

Your job is to survive, by any means necessary. So pull out the arrows and forge ahead. Discover the difference between determination and stupidity by being an example for one or the other or both.

Q: What do you call a wary pioneer? A: Still alive.

At the WG2E, we're Paying It Forward with forward-thinking and by testing boundaries as well as creating new boundaries...and we're taking y'all along for the ride!

All writers can not only survive the huge changes in the publishing industry, they can thrive! And we're gonna show you how at The WG2E!!!

Sexy Sassy Smart The WG2E Wishes --- D. D. Scott

Sweet Serendipity, My 2011 Year of The E-Book Adventure, & The WG2E

Happy Monday, D. D. Scott-ville!

It's almost 2011, and boy-oh-boy does that mean bigger-than-big, new adventures in D. D. Scott-ville!!!

Last week I christened 2011 as The Year of the E-Book and Cross-Pollination and told you I'd be sharing the details.

Well...here are a few of the details...

E-Books are sooo here to stay! And for that very reason, the Publishing Industry has been turned on its huge head!!! Which means a writer's personal life and his or her business life will never again be the same!

Here's one take on that Brave New World from amazing author Robert Walker (as interviewed by my Go-To-Guy J. A. Konrath on his blog http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/12/interview-with-robert-w-walker.html :

Rob: I found this so serendipitous that a story chockfull of technology and science fiction is being self-pubbed. In fact, my last five booklength works, one a how-to, have been Kindle original titles.

I say serendipitous because my dream as a writer had always been to publish as I produce – no nine month gestation period, no year and a half wait for print, but pubbed the day after completion, hot off the brain. Technology in the real world has caught up to my dreams...

D. D. Scott here: A great example of my Year of the E-Book claim...right?

Now check this out...and you'll also get a hint at what Cross-Pollination is all about too...

JA: But your answer does not cut to the real issue—who are you, Robert Walker, to take on the Titanic? You are known for your serial killer and police procedural and medical examiner novels and forays into the horror category.

Rob: I brought all the categories I have ever written in on this novel: mystery, history, autopsy, horror, science fiction, coming of age, suspense, generational, thriller, steampunk, romance—

JA: Sounds meaty.

Rob: The novel is meant to cut across time, space, and genres or pigeon holds and traditional publishing holes. The novel has more layers than an onion, and as they are peeled away it falls into place like a puzzle in two time zones—past and future. Drink up. You'll need it, Joe.

Robert Walker is an "old friend" of Joe's who Joe (aka J. A. Konrath) helped earlier this year get his backlist of 30+ out-of-print novels onto Kindle.

Walker now has a new ebook out...Titanic 2012 – Curse of RMS Titanic...which I just downloaded onto my Kindle, not because any of Walker's genres are my thing...but the story just sounded so damn intriguing, and I'm paying it forward by downloading writers who've had the courage, like I have, of going the E-Book route.

I mean look at this fabulous cover?! What's not to love?! Especially after you read the rest of Joe's Interview of Walker and read the novel's excerpt included in the interview!!!


http://www.amazon.com/Titanic-2012-Curse-RMS-ebook/dp/B0049U4CCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1292868747&sr=8-1


So what does Walker's "Sweet Serendipity" have to do with D. D. Scott-ville 2011?

It's called The WG2E - The Writer's Guide to E-publishing - my new, Year of the E-Book Adventure!!!

As I've been teasing you with, I'm partnering with the ever-fabulous authors Tonya Kappes http://tonyakappes.com/, Misa Ramirez http://misaramirez.com/ and L. A. Lopez http://irishsistersknits.com/ to do for all genres what J. A. Konrath and now Walker too have done for the Mystery, Thriller and Sci-Fi genres.

More details will be coming very soon...but basically, we've co-founded The WG2E to be your destination site for Everything E-Publishing.

You'll find fabulous discussions on such topics as:

*** Using the Term Indie Pubbed vs Self-Pubbed

*** How Much Do Covers Matter in E-Publishing

*** How Writer's Goals Must Change w/the Ever-Changing Publishing Industry

*** An on-going series of posts regarding the "Real" Numbers and an analysis thereof

*** Agency Pricing (9.99-11.99 plus) with a 7-30% (40% if u r lucky) royalty vs. Using the Much-Debated Kindle Price-Point of 2.99 (where you can buy three books for less than one agency priced book) and Make 70% Royalties Paid Monthly vs. Paid Twice Per Year

*** Putting Blogs Up on Kindle for 99 Cents/Month

*** How To Categorize Your Releases on Kindle to Max Your Chances of Making Amazon's Bestseller Lists

*** What Is a Kindle Nation Daily "Push" & Why Y'all Need One

*** How Sales Dramatically Increase on Days You've Found a New Audience (whether by increasing FB & twitter friends/followers or guest blogging, teaching a class, etc.)

*** Small E-Press Success vs. Indie Publishing the Amazon Way

*** E-Book Promo Ho-ing vs. Working Traditional Publishing Marketing & Publicity "Corners"


How's that for some MAJOR NEW YEAR WG2E FABULOUSNESS?!

WG2E launches on January 1st!!!

You won't want to miss it!!!

Now...here's what we at WG2E need to know...What other topics - Everything E-Publishing - do you want info and scoop on?!

Leave your Everything E-Publishing questions in my comment section here at D. D. Scott-ville, and if we don't know the answers you need, we'll help you find them!!!

Sexy Sassy Smart WG2E Wishes --- D. D. Scott

Bitchy Sign ala Maxine & The Stealing Christmas Game

Happy Weekend, D. D. Scott-ville!

How 'bout a little Bitchy Sign Fest with one of my very favorite Crabby Pants Divas - Maxine?

This little Maxine gem should get us off on the right path as I teach you one of my favorite Christmas Games - The Stealing Christmas Game!

First the cartoon...to get ya in the mood...


There a ton more of these holiday-themed Maxines at http://www.hallmark.com/online/maxine/

And now for The Stealing Christmas Game! Here's how it works:

***Note: You must have a family that's not a bunch of prim and proper, nicety-nice people. If ya got that kinda clan, the game ain't gonna work. You've gotta be blessed with several real witches and jerks to share this kinda luuuvvv. LOL!!!

Okay...so here's how to play:

1. Each person invited to your family Christmas festivities should bring a wrapped gift (either from their basement Maxine-style or in the $10 - $15 range or whatever dollar amount y'all choose) without a name on it.

2. Put the gifts under your tree.

3. Make slips of paper with the number of people you have and have each person draw a number from your favorite hat or bowl

4. The person drawing the #1 will rule this game. So whoever has #1, gets to go both first and last in this game, and soon you'll see why.

5. #1 person picks his or her choice of gift from under the tree, un-wraps it for all to see then sits like a nervous twit and waits for #2 to rear his or her nasty head.

6. #2 can either "Steal" #1's gift or choose to pick one of the other gifts under the tree...keeping in mind he or she must make the decision before picking a gift from under the tree and un-wrapping it. So, to get this straight...#2 either Steals #1's gift first and passes on his or shot under the tree of additional gifts OR lets #1 keep his or her gift and goes for any other package they want under the tree. Then #2, like #1, un-wraps the gift for all to see (if they've gone back under the tree).

7. #3 can then "Steal" #1 or #2's gift or let 'em both keep their gifts and take their shot under the tree...again, un-wrapping the gem if it came from under the tree

8. Get it so far?! See why this won't work if you're family is too damn nice?! LOL!!!

9. Now this goes on until the last gift is taken from under the tree.

10. And here's why you sooo want to be #1...'cause when you're all done, #1 can "steal" any gift they want from anyone else since he or she was the poor sucker who had to go first!!!

How fun is this game?!

And here are a couple of tips from my family to yours:

A. Starbucks Cards make for great thieve-worthy gifts

B. Buy something you won't mind keeping for yourself and hope you get a chance to steal it back!!!


Happy Holidays from my family to yours!!!

Sexy Sassy Smart Stealing Christmas Wishes --- D. D. Scott

Writer's Digest "101 Best Websites for Writers" - Vote The Naked Hero!!!

Happy Thursday, D. D. Scott-ville!

It's that time of year to spread your luuuvvv and share the resources that give you great spirit and spunk, and here's one way you can do that - in a writers helping writers way...

Every year, Writer's Digest magazine publishes a list of the "101 Best Websites for Writers."

We at The Naked Hero - Tonya Kappes, Misa Ramirez, L. A. Lopez, Heather Webber and I - work very hard to make our grog both fun and informative.



http://thenakedhero.com


So if you enjoy our site, please vote for us!

It's easy!

1. Send an email to writersdig@fwpubs.com with "101 Best Websites" in the subject line.

2. In the body of the email, simply write our blog address: http://thenakedhero.com.

Feel free to add anything you'd like about why you love TNH!

Sending tons of love from all of us at The Naked Hero for your continued support and love of archetypes. heroes, heroines, villains, and all things book!

We're looking forward to spending 2011 with you!!!

Hugs,

D. D. Scott (Tonya, Misa, Lee, and Heather too!)

My Kindle & Me...And The U.S. Supreme Court Too!!!

Mornin', D. D. Scott-ville!

I discovered this fascinating little tidbit while reading KINDLE NATION DAILY
http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com/ (on my Kindle of course)...

Our newest Supreme Court Justice - Justice Kagan - reads her Supreme Court briefs on her Kindle!!!




How cool is that?!

And the post goes onto report that Justice Scalia reads his briefs on his iPad!




Here's the link to the full post...

http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com/2010/12/kagans-kindle-vs-iscalia-at-supreme.html

I wonder if they use any of these super cool Kindle Skins?!

Check these out!!!








http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/ref=pe_70060_17911360_pe_01_head/?node=2325292011

There's something like 250 to choose from already on Amazon, and I'm sure there will be tons more very soon!!!

Sexy Sassy Smart All-Things-Kindle and E-Readers Wishes --- D. D. Scott

D. D. Scott-ville 2011: The Year of the E-Book & Cross-Pollination

Happy Winter Wonderland, D. D. Scott-ville!

I'm writing to you in the midst of a big ass blizzard!!! We haven't had one of these monsters for awhile!

I opened our side door to let our beloved Buckley out to do his bizzness, and we both were victims to the wall of snow then drifted half-way up our door! Way to start the work-week at 5 AM!!! LOL!!!

Anyhoo...

Today, I thought I'd fill you in on what's in store for D. D. Scott-ville 2011!!!

And here's a hint:

D. D. Scott-ville 2011 is The Year of the E-Book & Cross-Pollination

Y'all are in for a huge treat - beginning January 1st - when I announce a dynamic, new partnership regarding All-Things-Ebooks. Hold onto your Spanx and such here 'cause look who's joining me:

High-Class Hillbilly Writer Tonya Kappes http://tonyakappes.com/

The Amazing Lola Cruz Mystery Series Author Misa Ramirez http://misaramirez.com/

Debut Author L. A. Lopez http://www.thenanablog.com/ http://www.irishsistersknits.com/


I'm a tellin' ya, we're gonna have Everything You Ever Wanted and Now Need To Know About All-Things-Ebooks and E-publishing Too!!!

So stay-tuned for much more on that...but in the mean time, here's the scoop on all the D. D. Scott Sexy Sassy Smart Stories comin' atchya in 2011...

Here's where the Cross-Pollination comes into play!

Valentine's Day 2011 will be the release of Book Three in my Bootscootin' Books Series - BUCKLES ME BABY.

Think paparazzi-hell and Ponzi-scheme fall-out meet home-shopping and Babies "R" Us.

Manhattan-raised, marketing and promotion impresario Audrey Holtz has taken her friend's belt buckles from Music City boutique favorites to home shopping channel wait-list-only items. But she's traded in her high-power stilettos for Sketchers 'cause her feet are swollen and killing her. Pregnancy is a bitch, especially when you've assumed a false identity to dodge paparazzi on account of your Madoff-style, Ponzi-scheming parents.

Nashville TN homebuilder Damian Baker is screwed and not in the construction sense of the word. Who would have thought the first room he'd be designing and building for his dream home would be a nursery...for his and Audrey's twins? But he's hell-bent on providing well for and protecting the woman he loves plus the children he can't wait to meet.

Audrey and Damian may not be able to hide from the camera lenses, the baby blues, and belt buckle mania, although they can hide behind their love. But is their love strong enough to deflect the blinding glare of the spotlight?

What does that have to do with Cross-Pollination?

How 'bout we start with what the hell is Cross-Pollination?

Cross-Pollination is a marketing term - which I learned from one of my mentors, bestselling author J. A. Konrath http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/ - referring to a hybrid cross of material and/or products used to bring a devoted audience of one product into the devoted ranks of customers of a new product.

Okay...that's kinda my definition of the concept...but wow will I be showin' ya how that works in D. D. Scott-ville for 2011.

Here's a hint:

You'll see the concept in action, first-hand, with the release of my new Cozy Mystery Series in April 2011! Think Stephanie Plum meets your Avon Lady!!!

And to gear-up for my new Cozy Mysteries, you'll want to start by reading my Bootscootin' Books.

Why?

Because many of the Bootscootin' Books characters will cross-pollinate into my new Cozy Mystery World too!!!

Think about STOMPIN' ON STETSONS Aunt Tulip...with a gun...and her aphrodisiacs!!!


http://www.amazon.com/Stompin-Stetsons-Bootscootin-Books-ebook/dp/B004DI7N32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1292255561&sr=8-1

Or how about BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS The Mom Squad taking their Charlie's Angels routine to all new levels?!


http://www.amazon.com/Bootscootin-Blahniks-Books-ebook/dp/B003ZDO30W/ref=pd_sim_kinc_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

'Course what would you say too if me and my partners put together a big 'ole 2011 Christmas Anthology with all our crazy characters?!

How fun is all this fabulous scoop?!

Can't wait to share more with you in the days and weeks ahead!!!

'Til then...stay warm and cozy...inside...curled up with a great book...'cause it's a blizzard out there y'all!!!

Sexy Sassy Smart D. D. Scott-ville 2011 Wishes --- D. D. Scott

P.S. To learn more about me and my fabulous new partners, check out our Scavenger Hunt this week at http://thenakedhero.com !!!

Bitchy Sign Friday! It's Udder Fantastic!

TGIF, D. D. Scott-ville!

The DH and I discovered this beyond fabulous "Porking" Sign in the parking area of our favorite meat market and just had to share it with you...




Now how fun is that?!

And if you knew the butcher dude that owns the market, you'd know how very much that sign matches his fabulous personality!!!

Sexy Sassy Smart Porking and Udder Wishes --- D. D. Scott

STOMPIN' ON STETSONS Is Now An Amazon Bestseller Too!!!

More Happy Dancin' today in D. D. Scott-ville!!!

STOMPIN' ON STETSONS - book two in my Bootscootin' Books Series - has hit two different Amazon Bestseller Lists!!!



http://www.amazon.com/Stompin-Stetsons-Bootscootin-Books-ebook/dp/B004DI7N32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1291820140&sr=8-1


Here's the scoop...

Last week, STOMPIN' made the Bestseller Lists (in the top 25 titles) for books with cooking and entertaining elements as well as for books with sex therapy and aphrodisiac twists. And we're talking not just Kindle's Bestseller Lists, but Bestseller Lists for all books on Amazon - both Print and Kindle Editions included!!!

How fun is that?!

And I'm still hangin' in there!!!

WooHoo!!!

So outta my first three books on Amazon and Amazon Kindle, I've made Bestseller Lists on two of the three!!! (My MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL is also still on two Amazon Bestseller Lists...as of early this morning!!!)



http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=pd_sim_kinc_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2


How have I done it?! And how do I keep 'em on those fabulous lists?!

Well...those are fun and fabulous tidbits I'm going to be sharing with y'all real soon...as well as a ton more All-Things-EBook Must-Knows.

Stay-tuned...as 2011 in D. D. Scott-ville is gonna be The Year of the E-book and then some!!!

I'll be making a huge announcement in January with all the glorious details!!!

Sexy Sassy Smart Thanks Bunches for Helping Me Hit the Bestseller Lists Again and Happy Holiday Reading!!! --- D. D. Scott