Two Ends of the Pen: Interview with Melissa Ohnoutka

Just in case you wanted to read more about my publishing journey. :)


Two Ends of the Pen: Interview with Melissa Ohnoutka: Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Target of Betrayal : Kathleen Landon thought her life would finally get b...

Lots of Great Links to Share

Websites for Independent Authors

• A Newbie's Guide to Publishing (Joseph A. Konrath)
• Dean Wesley Smith
• Publetariat
• Kindle Nation Daily
• Self-Publishing Review
• WG2E (The Writer's Guide to E-publishing)

• Createspace
• Pubit
• Kindle Direct
• Smashwords
• XinXii
• Infinity Publishing
• New Book Publishing 

• Dan Poynter’s Para Publishing
• Publish Your Own E-Books
• ISelfPub.com
• Books Just Books
• David Gaughran Digital

• Amanda Kelsey of Razzle Dazzle Designs 

•  Hot Damn Desings by Kim Killion  

•  Book Cover Café  

This is just a list I've made for myself and wanted to share. Check them out and use what you like. :)
Good Luck!!

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Love is Murder - It's Here!

Highly recommend this one! Seems like we've been waiting forever. LOL This is an amzaing book filled with stories from some of the best thriller/suspense author's out there today. One of which is my very good friend, William Simon. It's time to celebrate!

Lori Armstrong * Jeff Ayers & Jon Land * Beverly Barton * William Bernhardt * Allison Brennan * Robert Browne * Pamela Callow * Lee Child * J.T. Ellison * Bill Floyd * Cindy Gerard * Heather Graham * Laura Griffin * Vicki Hinze * Andrea Kane *Julie Kenner * Sherrilyn Kenyon * Dianna Love * D.P. Lyle * James Macomber * Toni McGee Causey * Carla Neggers * Brenda Novak * Patricia Rosemoor * William Simon * Alexandra Sokoloff * Roxanne St. Claire * Mariah Stewart * Debra Webb

Blurb

Prepare for heart-racing suspense in this original collection by thirty of the hottest bestselling authors and new voices writing romance suspense today.

Go on vacation with Allison Brennan's Lucy Kincaid, where she saves a man from drowning, only to discover he is in far greater danger on land. Meet Roxanne St. Claire's "bullet catcher"—bodyguard Donovan Rush—who may have met his match in the sexually charged "Diamond Drop." Debut author William Simon shows us what happens when the granddaughter of the president of the United States is kidnapped. And Lee Child's pitch-perfect "I Heard a Romantic Story" puts a whole new spin on Love Is Murder.

Bodyguards, vigilantes, stalkers, serial killers, women (and men!) in jeopardy, cops, thieves, P.I.s, killers—these all-new stories will keep you thrilled and chilled late into the night.

ALERT! DNS Changer Malware - Is Your Computer at Risk?

I heard some disturbing news a few weeks back about a computer threat and wanted to spread the word. This is another reason it is a "Must" to backup our computers. Even if we're careful, we just never know when a click on the wrong link will infect our computer with some type of virus, leaving us at the mercy of someone who understands this stuff. I learned the hard way a few years back. Had to have my laptop completely rebooted. Thankfully, I have an awesome computer repair guy, who just happens to be my baby brother. Now, I save everything. Everyday.

I'll start with the good news.  The FBI shut down an operation, called Rove Digital, last November and arrested six Estonian nationals behind it as well as shut down their malicious servers. The trojan virus, called DNS Changer, redirects your computer’s DNS queries from your ISP’s server to one created by the trojan’s creators — this essentially hijacks all Internet traffic from your comupter. The FBI set up its own DNS servers to ensure computers already infected wouldn’t be cut off from the Internet. Thank goodness.
But now the bad news. The FBI will be turning off their servers on July 9, 2012. If your computer is infected with this trojan it won't be able to access the web on or after July 9. With your Internet access cut off, installing anti-virus software to remove the virus will be a bit more difficult.

For more information about this and how to check your computer, click here:  FBI-International Cyber Ring

Memorial Day - A Day to Remember

This is a day for Americans to attend one of the thousands of parades held in large and small cities alike all over the country. We watch as marching bands march by, the overall military theme, the National Guard and other servicemen participating along with veterans and military vehicles from various wars, helping us remember the cost of our freedom.

Flags are flown at half-staff to honor the more than one million men and women who gave their lives serving this great country. It's mind boggling when you think about it. Their courage and sacrafice for others.  For us. Strangers they've never met.

So as we enjoy our day and the traditions listed below, let us remember why we are able to do so.


Indianapolis 500 - an auto race held on the Sunday preceding Memorial Day since 1911.

Coca-Cola 600 - stock car race held later the same day since 1961.

Memorial Tournament - golf event on or close to the Memorial Day weekend since 1976.

End of School Year and Beginning of Summer - usually resulting in lots of barbecue, deserts and family fun for us.

A Very Happy Memorial Day to you and yours. Don't forget to pray for our brave men and women, past and present, and thank them for giving us this opportunity to live free and proud.

Scrivener for Windows

I'm patiently waiting, if that's even possible for me, on this one! I've heard so many wonderful things from a friend who uses this Scrivener program on his Mac. So when they came out with the Windows version, I jumped on it. This program is designed to help you organize your writing. Something I've been trying to do for years. LOL So many cool options.  Check out the tutorials or even download a trial version here: 
http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php

I've been playing with the program and love what I see so far, but I'm so happy that even more help is on the way. Gwen Hernandez is a fellow blogging buddy over at www.everybodyneedsalittleromance.com and an expert in my opinion on this program. I can't wait to grab a copy of her book when it comes out in September. :)

 Check it out here: Amazon

• Walks you through customizing project templates for your project needs
• Offers useful advice on compiling your project for print and e-book formats
• Helps you set up project and document targets and minimize distractions to keep you on track and on deadline
• Explains how to storyboard with the corkboard, create collections, and understand their value
• Shows you how to use automated backups to protect your hard work along the way

Let's face it.  I need all the guidance I can get in all of these areas. LOL I've been using a program called Liquid Storybinder and it has some really nice features too. I guess it all boils down to what works best for you.

Do you use one of these programs or how about another you'd like to recommend? :)

The Lone Star Writing Contest - Don't Miss It!

Looking for a great contest for feedback on your next novel. Well look no more! :)

Lone Star Contest

The 20th Annual Lone Star Writing Competition

Entry fee: $20 NWH members; $25 non-NWH members,

Early bird entry: $5 discount on all entries submitted by midnight May 26, 2012


Deadline: Electronic entries must arrive by midnight June 9, 2012. Any entries received after the deadline will be deleted unopened.

Finalists will be announced on August 19, 2012. Non-finalists will have entries returned by August 28, 2012.

NEW !!! Special Prize !!! All entrants will be entered into a drawing for a 50 page edit by one of NWHRWA’s published authors. There will be 7 winners, one for each category.


Winners will be announced at the Lone Star Conference on October 13, 2012.

Eligibility: Unpublished may enter any category. Published may enter any category in which they’re not published, or in which they’ve not been contracted for five years. Open to RWA and non-RWA members.



Rules and Formatting: (see Rules and Entry form for more specific information.)


1) First 25 pages, including prologue, if desired.

2) All entries must be in the standard submission form: 1” margins all around, 12 pt. font, double space, 25 lines per page.

3) Save as .RTF

4) Manuscripts can be entered in only one category, however multiple manuscripts are allowed.

5) Entry form must be complete and payment made by PayPal.

Scoring: All entries will be sent to three first round judges: two published authors and one unpublished author. The lowest score will be tossed and final round contestants will be chosen by the average of the final two scores. In the event of a tie, the dropped score will be considered.

Finalists will be given one week to edit manuscript using the comments and score sheets from the first round judges before sending to final judges. Top three high scorers in each category will be category finalists. Those entries will be sent to both an agent and an editor for placement.


For more information please vist:  http://www.nwhrwa.com/

The Wicked Secrets Beneath Goes Live!

Finally! I've finished the short story prequel and it's live on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. ;)

**Short Story Prequel to Betrayals of the Heart

Robert Shaw lost his precious wife, unborn child and almost his own life protecting the innocent. Now he fights to make sense out of the chaos that is his life. A new identity means cutting all ties to his past and focusing on the future. As Ryan Carter, he can move on, start living again. A task that seems impossible--until Makayla Prichard enters the picture.

The FBI is set on bringing her down. They believe she is working alongside her husband, committing the most horrendous crimes imaginable. But Ryan Carter realizes Makayla is not the monster the FBI profiler has made her out to be. She's a victim. A prisoner in her own home with a young son she is determined to protect. Ryan Carter has found his new purpose--to help them escape or die trying.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble


Now I can finally focus on the this third novel. If all goes as planned, Betrayals of the Heart should be due out this summer. yeah!

Great Read and a Great Cause

Just have to share.

Teri Thackston, an amazing writer and chaptermate, is raising money for the Star of Hope. She is extending her double-nickels promo for the entire month of April. Please SHARE with your friends who might be interested in helping this great homeless shelter—and reading a suspense novel that features terrifying storms, kidnapped children and, of course, a bit of romance. For every copy of Onslaught that sells during April 2012, she will donate fifty-five cents to the Star of Hope Mission.

The Star of Hope Mission is a Christ-centered organization that provides food, shelter and counseling to homeless men, women and children. It is truly one of America's stars. To help out, simply order a copy of "Onslaught" by Teri Thackston from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Smashwords during April and .55 cents will go to the Star of Hope Mission. It's that easy. :)

Here are the direct links:

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7duylmk
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/756mopp
Smashwords (for PDF or other formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/140723
Star of Hope Mission (http://www.sohmission.org )

Teri
www.terithackston.com

Thanks for your support!