Lauryn’s Comments (group member since Mar 14, 2012)

Lauryn’s comments from the Connecting Readers and Writers group.

The list is posted. http://laurynapril.blogspot.com/p/the... I've added all the books from this forum that fit the requirements (independently published in 2017 or 2018). If I missed you, or if you'd still like to add a book to the list please use the form on my blog as I do not plan to be able to check this thread again for submissions.

If you're on the list please share it on your social media sites!

Thank you to everyone participating in the #IndieBookGoal2018

Yes, I did limit it to books published in 2017 or 2018 so the list would stay a manageable size.

For the New Year, I'm challenging readers to set a reading goal for Indie Books. I plan to read at least 10 Indie Books this year and I need some suggestions!

I'm hoping there are some readers out there looking to participate and make a pledge.

And, I'm hoping there are some Indie Authors who would be interested in adding their book to our list of books to review.

Read more here: http://laurynapril.blogspot.com/2018/...

#IndieBookGoal2018

I've heard that Pinterest Group boards can be a great way to get more traffic on your blog. I've started a group board for Writing Tips, and I'd like to add other authors or bloggers as contributors. Your pins get more views in group boards because they can be seen by the followers of every contributor (if those followers follow all your boards).

You can view the board here: https://www.pinterest.com/laurynapril...

If you are an author or blogger who would like to contribute to this group board, just follow the board and send me a message on Pinterest with your e-mail address (the one you signed up for Pinterest with) and I will send you an invite.

If you have a Pinterest Group board and are looking for contributors, I have about 270 followers and am looking for other boards to join, so please include a link to your board below.

Do you write reviews for indie books (self-published or books published by a small press) on your blog?

Phantom Owl Press has a page where you can link up to your reviews. http://www.phantomowlpress.com/#!indi...

Just go to the link above and type in the title of your review and its link. Phantom Owl will be taking the list that's generated at the end of every month and posting it on their blog.

Phantom Owl Press (www.phantomowlpress.com) is currently looking for authors interested in writing a guest post. I just submitted mine.

Here's a link to their blog with more info. http://phantomowl.blogspot.com/2014/0...

I think if you try too hard to make your novel have a lesson it will come across as forced. If you're going to write a YA novel where you have characters that are dealing with being bullied odds are your novel will have a lesson to it just by nature of what it is. I would focus on writing a novel that's entertaining and something teens want to read and if it doesn't say what you want it to you can always tweak it in the end.

I decided to go with a pen name for two reasons. First my real last name is long and impossibly hard to pronounce. And, second I wanted to keep my writing a separate from the rest of my life. I write YA Paranormal Romance so no worries about telling my family and friends about that. But, I didn't want to have any fans I may have commenting on my personal facebook page, or through my personal e-mail which I use to connect with family and friends.

I'd be willing to offer a copy of my book Into the Deep in exchange for a review. It's a YA PNR/Suspense. If you're interested (Or if there are any other bloggers out there who would like a copy) PM me or e-mail me at laurynapril@gmail.com

Rinelle wrote: "I was rather anti-Facebook initially, hated it, it was too confusing (and I'm into computers and the Internet, so me saying it was confusing is something). But these days, I'm so busy, it's so much..."

I'm the same way. I've kept my writing persona separate from my personal life. However this has made some things harder as I haven't used the connections I'd already made in my personal life to help me promote. I've had to build an entire new platform from scratch, which is incredibly hard. But I think a good place to start is to reach out and connect with other authors and grow from there.

I understand the idea of focusing on "word of mouth" because in the end I do believe that that truly is how sales are made, but I think it's important to realize that the way "word of mouth" gets around these days is less through actual speaking and more through networking and media sites like twitter, facebook, blogs, ect...

I don't think it's necessary to be constantly promoting on these sites, and in fact I think it's better not to be, as this can be seen as annoying by followers. But I do think it is important for authors to have their books, or author profiles on these sites (and to update them as they work on new material) so that your readers can find them and share them.

These sites may not be how you communicate, but they are very likely how your readers communicate, and that's what makes them important. Readers will read their next book because of a recommendation, but they might get that recommendation from a friend who sends them a link to an author's blog/facebook/twitter via facebook.

I'm working on the sequel to my first novel Into the Deep, and getting close to being ready to seek out Beta readers. I've also got a few other side projects that I'm bouncing back and forth between. I get sidetracked too... sometimes you just have to write what pops in your head.

Considering it's a novella,and that it's shorter I suppose I could see that being possible. For me though I spent months and months editing and revising, and I think I'd be too nervous to announce a release date that soon. Even if I could get it done and sent to my editor by then I wouldn't be confident that it was ready. It doesn't seem to leave much room for having beta readers and revising.

Before I had my e-reader I would do this a lot more. Though still not very often. I always have my Kindle on me so I can read whenever I have time, where as I wouldn't bring my paperbacks with me all the time and so it would take me longer to finish a book, and it was easier to forget about the storyline and then just put it down and forget about the book all together.

Now, I almost always finish a book I start, if for nothing more than I like to write reviews. The only exception being that when I'm chosing to buy a book I'll read the "sample" or first few chapters first and then decide to continue. So I suppose there's been a number of books that I've just read the sample of and then decided not to buy.

Hello everyone Into the Deep is FREE TODAY on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008SG0ACQ and will be so until the 11th of September.

YA, Paranormal Romance, Suspense

Hello everyone my YA Paranormal Romance, Into the Deep, will be available for FREE the 9th 10th and 11th of September.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008SG0ACQ

Ivy Daniels is a high school junior still learning who she is. After almost drowning, Ivy finds herself with an ability she doesn’t want, an ability to uncover secrets which quickly begins to redefine what she thinks about the people around her as well as herself. Because of this ability, Ivy becomes the one thing that stands between an angry teen and the death of every student on campus. The only problem is she doesn’t know who wants everyone dead. Will she figure out whose secret is that they’re planning to blow up her school, or will she fail to find him in time?

Through her search to do the right thing, Ivy discovers that knowing the thoughts and secrets of those around her may just tear her apart.

Into the Deep is a parnormal romance for mature young adults, that looks at how we define who we are, and what it means to feel alone. It contains minimal use of strong language and mild sensuality.

Hello everyone I am currently hosting two giveaway contests for my YA PARANORMAL ROMANCE, Into the Deep

http://laurynapril.blogspot.com/p/pro...

I am giving away 3 ebook copies, and 2 signed paperback copes. Click the link above for more information.

I have a novel that I just released in Kindle format, and it will be available in paperback this friday. It's a YA Paranormal Romance called Into the Deep

I would be willing to gift a few kindle copies if anyone was interested in offering an honest review. And, I would also be interested in a trade. If there are any authors out there who find my book interesting and think I might like their book. I'd be willing to offer up a review in exchange for one.



Ivy Daniels is a high school junior still learning who she is. After almost drowning, Ivy finds herself with an ability she doesn’t want, an ability to uncover secrets which quickly begins to redefine what she thinks about the people around her as well as herself. Because of this ability, Ivy becomes the one thing that stands between an angry teen and the death of every student on campus. The only problem is she doesn’t know who wants everyone dead. Will she figure out whose secret is that they’re planning to blow up her school, or will she fail to find him in time?

Through her search to do the right thing, Ivy discovers that knowing the thoughts and secrets of those around her may just tear her apart.

Please message me on Goodreads if you are interesting in reviewing or trading for a review.

I am going to look into your blog right away. If anyone else knows of a blogger who does interviews I would love to know.

I have a YA paranormal romance coming out this week, it's called Into the Deep and you can find out more about it here.

I loved Samantha Young's Fire Spirits series


I had some issues in the first one with some of the editing and language choice, but the story is wonderful and worth reading. I can't wait for the next book to come out this fall.