Monday, June 20, 2011

Book of the Day - Faithful Deceptions

This is really cool!



My first book “Faithful Deceptions” is being highlighted this week on Marketing Tips for Authors . Those who leave a comment will be entered into a drawing to win a free Kindle copy of the book. This is a great blog to follow.  I find endless amounts of helpful information each time I visit.

Faithful Deceptions is also The Book of the Day over at:  E-Readers News Today.

I highly recommend both these sites for promoting your books.  :)

Friday, June 17, 2011

Shattered Souls of Innocence Live TODAY!

I'm so excited to announce the release of my Short Story Prequel, "Shattered Souls of Innocence."  This is more of a Suspense/Thriller and links my two novels together.  A Bonus for those who've read "Faithful Deceptions" and a Teaser for "Target of Betrayal" due out this summer.  You can find this story on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.



Thanks for reading!
Hope you enjoy!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wacky Wednesday Links

Talk about Wacky! This picture says it all! LOL

We Love to Travel!
 These links are a bit all over the place.  Story of my life these days. LOL  Hope you find something you like and can use. :)

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that My Short Story Prequel -Shattered Souls of Innocence is due to release real soon! I must warn you though.  It's a teaser for the novel Target of Betrayal. What does that mean exactly?  Well, if I've done my job right, you'll be itching to read this next book.  LOL

Now to the links!

Niche-Marketing - Be Creative when thinking about who your readers are.

http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/07/26/boost-your-book-sales-with-the-magic-of-niche-marketing/

How about a Video Blog (Thanks to Marie for sharing this link!)
This is Not for me, but I love watching them. :)

http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/videoblogging/ht/howtovlog

Tip Sheets -Best Kept Publicity Secret?

Self Publishing Coach.com

So you are wondering about true sales numbers?  Great post by Victorine Lieske.

http://victorinewrites.blogspot.com/2011/03/sales-growth-over-time.html

How to Publish an Ebook for Multiple Platforms

The Savvy Book Marketer


How to Get Your Book Mentioned in a Newspaper - Lots of great suggestions here!

This was very interesting!  Marketing Methods that DON'T work.

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-marketing-methods-that-dont-work.html

Friday, June 10, 2011

My Guest - Suzan Harden!

I have a guest today! One of the great things about writing is getting to meet so many wonderful authors along the way.  Suzan's been working hard and now has two books released.  I've got my copies and can't wait to start reading!  Welcome Suzan! 



It’s a scary proposition to start your own business. Even scarier in today’s economy. And scariest of all? A business in arts and entertainment, one of the most unstable fields you can enter. But that’s exactly what I did in April. I started my own publishing company, Angry Sheep Publishing.

I have to give full credit for the sheep analogy to my online friend, Angela Benedetti. Angie writes for Torquere Press, an e-publisher specializing in LGBT romance. One day we were both bemoaning the current either-print-or-digital-only tug-of-war in publishing. She mentioned that it didn’t matter who she spoke with on which side of the debate. She was always accused of following the other side’s herd. And dammit, she wasn’t a sheep. She could think for herself.

I agree with Angie’s general philosophy—not every type of publishing is right for every writer and a story should be available in as many formats as possible. I also believe there’s room for everyone at the table. It didn’t help that I was getting the either-you’re-with-us-or you’re-against-attitude from some of my other writer friends as well. So after I vented to my husband later that night, he suggested I change the name of my blog from ‘Wild, Wicked & Wacky’ to ‘The Angry Sheep.’

Well, I didn’t change the name of my blog, but Angry Sheep Publishing was born.

Taking the indie publishing route has been scary, yes. I’m fully responsible for content, covers, editing and marketing. But also it’s also exhilarating. I’ve stretched myself further artistically than I thought possible.

Should every writer self-publish? Honestly, that’s up to each writer. I’m not going to lie. It’s damn hard work. But then I look at the cover for Blood Magick, the one my husband and I did all by ourselves, and I get a thrill that I made this e-book possible.

And someday, hopefully soon, I’ll have a print version of Blood Magick available as well.

***

Blood Magick is the first novel of Bloodlines, an urban fantasy series.

Blurb

It’s not the family you’re born to. It’s the Family you join.

Blood

Caesar Augustine has survived on it for millennia, but his friend Natasha believed she was close to a cure for vampirism. When she dies and her lab notes disappear, Caesar’s only chance to walk in sunlight again is finding her granddaughter Bebe, the one witch Natasha would trust with her research. But getting Bebe to trust him is another matter altogether.

Magick

Dr. Bebe Zachary has feared and mistrusted vampires for seventeen years, since the night she witnessed two of the bloodsuckers brutally murder her parents. When Caesar Augustine comes to her with an insane story that her grandmother’s death was no accident, the last thing she wants to do is believe him. Except her cousins have challenged Bebe for leadership of their coven, somebody definitely wants her dead too, and Caesar is the only the person standing between her and the grave.

Blood Magick is currently available through the following retailers:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

XinXii

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wacky Tips

Sorry I dropped the ball.  No Wacky Wednesday Tips to share this week.  I've actually been working! Really hard too! LOL 

Be sure to check back on Friday! Suzan Harden will be stopping by the blog to share her experience with self publishing.  She's on a roll.  Two books out and still more to come!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wacky Wednesday Links

It's official!  I'm now dedicating Wednesdays for Link Sharing! 

Since I can't stop myself from bouncing around the web and clicking on all the wonderful information links, I'm going to at least be productive while I procrastinate and share my finds with you. :)

It's a win, win situation as far as I can see.

Please feel free to share your favorites with me as well.  Who knows, if it's one I find really valuable there might even be a prize waiting for you.  Be sure I can contact you though, or at least check back and see if your name is in the winners box. 

I don't know how many times I've tried to give something away and then can't contact the winner. :(

So, without further rambling from me, here is what I've found this past week!  Some really cool gems!


WHERE TO -

Legally purchase photos:

http://www.dreamstime.com/

http://www.bigstockphoto.com/

http://www.istockphoto.com/

http://www.gettyimages.com/

Legally purchase music: 

http://www.shockwave-sound.com/index.html 


MobiPocket Ebook Creator

 CJs Easy As Pie Kindle Tutorials

How About a BOOK Trailer

http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2011/05/12-easy-steps-to-the-making-of-a-book-trailer/

No Returns!  I had no idea I could do this!

http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/

Gift Cards for YOUR Ebook!
Way Too cool! :)  Talk about possibilities!!

http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=4154


Looking for a Great Contest for that manuscript?

Last Day for $5.00 Early Bird Discount!!
Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star Writing Contest
Enter Here!

$15.00 for members of NWHRWA
$20.00 for non-members

But hurry! Discount ends May 25!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Sharing Secrets with Tess St. John

Good morning all!

Today I'm visiting my good friend Tess St. John!

She's an amazing writer with her very own new release out this month.  "Second Chances" is a wonderful historical romance full of great characters and emotional twists.  I highly recommend picking this one up!

Stop by her blog , say hello and see what's up next! :)

Second Chances -- Out Now
Chances Are Series -- Book One



Lady Emma Easton’s elopement to an elderly earl shields her from an abusive father, until her husband’s death leaves her vulnerable once again. When she learns her father is scheming to marry her off to a brutal man, only one man can protect her—the earl’s trusted friend, Viscount Drake.

After losing his wife, Lord Harold Drake vowed never to marry again. But his heart warms to the young widow he’s promised to protect. Emma’s love frees him from the darkness that’s consumed him. But now Drake must protect her from her father’s evil whims, or face losing her forever.

BUY E-book:
 Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

Have a Wonderful Weekend!
And don't forget to make time to READ! :)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Wild, Wicked & Wacky

Yep, that's where you can find me today! LOL

Wild, Wicked & Wacky

Stop in and see why you need to rest a bit after your book goes live.  The "What's Next" will have you running in circles if you don't have a game plan.  How do I know this?  It's my reality.  But, I'm working on a plan.  Really I am.  One that will give me the time I need to write, design covers, format, market and still keep my sanity. :)

All suggestions WELCOME!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Self Published and Lived to Tell About "IT"

So far anyway. LOL

Good morning!

I'm over at   MUSETRACKS  today!  This is Part 2 of an interview I did with my good friend, Stacey Purcell. You can find Part I here:  Self Published and Lived to Tell About It. 

She asks some tough questions let me tell ya! :)

Love to see you there!