This is so incredible and a little surreal! Thank you all so much for the love and support. Remember, Cemetery Tours is still FREE on Kindle until Midnight tonight! Happy Halloween!
Click on the picture to download!
Monthly Archives: October 2013
Free for Halloween!
It’s official! Cemetery Tours is FREE to all Kindle readers today and tomorrow! Get your copy now!
So far, over 100 readers have downloaded Cemetery Tours! Do not pass up this opportunity!
Along with promoting the heck out of this deal, I will be continuing to read all the books I bought from my indie author friends (I’m loving it! Indie authors rule!), carving a pumpkin, straightening my hair, and watching every Halloween movie I own in preparation for tomorrow!
Happy Haunting!
Not Bad for a Tuesday
So, my mom and I jokingly refer to Tuesday as “Monday #2.” Sadly, we did not actually make this up. I actually saw it on Pinterest and thought it was funny.
For the record, here are the days of the week according to that post.
Monday = Monday #1
Tuesday = Monday #2
Wednesday = Monday #3
Thursday = Monday #4
Friday = FRIDAY!
Saturday = SATURDAY!
Sunday = Pre-Monday
All in all, I thought it was hilarious. Anyway, this Monday #2 wasn’t all that bad.
For one thing, I got another great review, this time on GoodReads!
For another thing, I had coffee with one of the writers I met at the Indievengeance Day book-signing. I had a lot of fun talking to her. She hosts a writers meeting once a month and the next one is Monday. I’m really excited about going and meeting other writers.
Finally, it’s almost October 30, which means Cemetery Tours is almost FREE on Kindle! It’s also almost Halloween, which is the best holiday except for Christmas.
Happy Haunting!
The Blood is the Life
So… I watched the premiere episode of the new Dracula starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and I have to say…
I loved it.
I love Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic, but let’s be honest here. JRM is a lot sexier than Gary Oldman. Not that I’m shallow or anything. I am a woman of great depth and substance.
Anyway, it really was beautifully done. It’s the same classic tale with the same characters, but with a slightly more modern edge.
The newly resurrected Dracula masquerades as promising young entrepreneur Alexander Grayson, and he is just as seductive, conniving, and dangerous as ever. After years of the Twilight Saga, it’s pretty refreshing to see a vampire burn in the sunlight, grow fangs, and drink some real human blood.
Needless to say, I was left very eager for next week’s episode. It also got me back into the “vampire” craze. I was never a Twi-Hard, though I will admit, I enjoyed the books when they first came out. Like all paranormal enthusiasts though, I’ve always had a thing for vampires. What’s not to like? They’re cool, they’re historic, and yeah, okay, they’re sexy. That was something I realized when I read my first vampire book, Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. I read it back in high school and one of the scenes was all about this vampire climbing through the window of someone’s bedroom. Now, under any normal circumstances, this would be very creepy. It would actually have scared me out of my wits had it not been for the description that followed. Mr. King describes this guy as being extremely attractive. Like, hot enough to be a Greek god.
Okay, Stephen King. How am I supposed to be afraid of this guy? Seriously?
So yeah, it’s stupid, and deep down, I hope most girls realize that stalking or crawling through windows is never attractive. I can’t stress that enough! Never date a stalker! I’m pretty sure I have nothing to worry about. I think most girls would freak out if a guy crawled through their window or if they woke up to find someone staring at them, no matter how hot they were.
But somehow, vampires can pull it off. Probably because we all know it’s not real… It’s just a story, ergo we can enjoy it. And boy, do we enjoy our window-creeping stalker vampire boyfriends.
I recently started watching The Vampire Diaries, and I’m seeing a lot of similarities between Stefan Salvatore and Edward Cullen. I like Stefan a lot more, by the way. But still… the resemblance is there. Self-loathing, “vegetarian diet,” crushing on small-town brunette, watching her when she doesn’t realize it. Thank God he doesn’t crave her blood or else I might have to walk away from the show. But to be honest, I’m really enjoying it. I like to think that I’d pick Stefan over Damon, but it’s really hard to resist Ian Somerhalder. Those eyes? That smirk? And he’s actually really funny, which is my ultimate weakness when it comes to guys. Well, that and dark hair + blue eyes combination and guess what? He’s got that too!
Anyway, I’d like to formally apologize to all the men who read my blog. Unless you’re gay, in which case, you’re welcome. This new vampire craze has inspired me to take another glance at the vampire novel I started back in college. I might give it another go. Which would make… four novels that I’m now working on. Awesome.
In other news, I made a Google+ account for Cemetery Tours. I’ve got to be honest. I’m not really sure what Google+ does exactly. I’m guessing it’s yet another social media side.
https://plus.google.com/100214466010311253135/posts
Also ONE DAY LEFT until the Cemetery Tours Free Halloween Giveaway! Remember on October 30 and 31, Cemetery Tours will be FREE to all Kindle readers!!!
That’s all for now. Gonna go write and watch some more Ian Smolder-Holder.
Good night, all!
Weekend Update
Hello, friends!
Well, it’s the weekend. Just a few quick updates.
1. I was invited to join the National Association of Professional Women for my work as an author and publisher! That’s pretty exciting! I’m not sure I’ll join just yet. I still have to do a little more research, but it’s such an honor to be asked!
2. My friend Jerry is a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the US Navy. He is Repair Officer onboard the USS John S. McCain. And he bought the book!
Pretty cool!
3. I just wanted to leave another reminder that Cemetery Tours will be free on Kindle on October 30 and 31! Yay!
Okay, that’s all for now. Hope you all are well! 🙂
New Goal!
Okay. We have one week until the Witching Hour begins! In honor of the 7 Days till Halloween Countdown, I am once again announcing the Cemetery Tours FREE Halloween Giveaway!
Remember: On October 30 and 31, Cemetery Tours will be FREE on Kindle! I guess you could say it will be “e-vailable as an e-book.” Hahahahaha.
Please don’t let that joke discourage you from reading.
Anyway, here is the link to the Facebook event. RSVPing is not necessary. It just serves as a reminder and as a way to spread the word! My hope is that whomever RSVPs will consider inviting all of their friends!
Link to Event -> https://www.facebook.com/events/655080944513741/
I do have another new goal, however. Cemetery Tours currently has 167 “likes” on Facebook. I want to see if I can make that number 200 by Halloween! That means I need 33 “likes” in 7 days. I think it’s totally possible. Please consider stopping by and clicking “like.” If you have a “like” page, then please, leave the link in the comments section below OR on the Cemetery Tours page.
Thank you all! Happy Haunting!
HubPages Update
Okay, so apparently I don’t know how HubPages works and my actual posting did not get published. The problem now is that I have no idea how to make it work. See, this is why writers shouldn’t be required to do anything on a computer other than WRITE.
Anyway, if you’d like to read what I wrote, here it is.
“Once upon a time, the path to becoming a published author was a one-way street. Your manuscript was either picked up by one of the big companies in the industry, or your chances of being published were slim at best. Today, options for writers and aspiring authors of all ages, from all walks of life, are endless. Resources are available to anyone and everyone who has ever dreamed of writing and publishing a book.
I’m going to stop right there, because I know what a lot of people are thinking. So thanks to the self-publishing industry, anyone can publish a book, no matter the quality. It’s true. Independent authors and publishers still have a difficult time getting the big time sellers and critics to take them seriously. Several professionals and readers will automatically presume that if a book is independently published, then it’s poorly-written, not good enough for the big publishing houses, ergo, not worth reading or even considering. For several writers, self-publishing is a last resort – something they’ll consider only if absolutely no one else will take their manuscript.
After I decided that I wanted to pursue publishing back in 2012, I realized that I knew almost next to nothing about the process. I went to the library, invested in the 2013 Writer’s Market, and consulted everyone I knew who either had or knew someone who had published a book. I was advised by several friends and family members to try to find an agent. I knew the process was going to be a long one. Agents receive thousands of query letters a week, and very few of those queries result in requests for full or even partial manuscripts.
After a few months of trying (and failing) to find an agent, I decided I had two options. I could pursue a contract with a traditional publishing house without an agent, which would have meant more months of waiting and almost inevitable rejection, or I could take matters into my own hands and get to work immediately. I ultimately decided to pursue independent publishing after consulting with a fellow author.
My decision was not solely based on my desire to see my book published quickly, although that was definitely a plus. I liked the idea of retaining all the rights to my work. I also liked the idea that I had complete control over my book and what happened to it. I put so much time and effort and love into my book, who better to publish and promote it? Unlike a big company who only cares about how much money a book can bring in, independent authors and publishers care about the integrity and well-being of their work.
Furthermore, the independent community is a wonderful place to connect with authors who are willing to share not only their passion, but their support and guidance. For every newly published independent, there are several professionals who know the steps, who’ve been through the entire process, and who can become not only tremendous allies, but also wonderful friends.
I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve done as an independent author. My journey as a publisher is one I never really expected to take, but I am so thankful for the experience. It’s given me the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to really appreciate the work not only that I’ve done, but the work of storytellers and authors and poets all over the world.”
Weekend of Productivity!
Unlike the majority of my weekends, which are usually spent on Pinterest, in pajamas, and full of chocolate, this past weekend, I actually did stuff!
1. I created the Cemetery Tours FREE Halloween Giveaway! I’ve posted about it before, but I really, really want word to spread and for as many people as possible to take advantage of it, so I’ll be posting it a lot.
https://www.facebook.com/events/655080944513741/
RSVP and SHARE! Especially if you have a KINDLE!
2. I finished another one of the books I bought last week at Indievengeance Day. It’s a book of short stories; Sandcastle and Other Stories by Justin Bog. It was excellent. Holy cow. I cannot say enough good things about this book.
Here’s my review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/739995778
Basically, I say all the same stuff there as I do here. It’s fantastic. Read it.
3. Cemetery Tours received two brand spanking new reviews! That’s not actually anything I did, but I was super excited about them and they definitely inspired me to work more, not only on the Cemetery Tours sequel, but also on the two other works I have going at the moment.
I was particularly proud of this one. I was so thrilled that Ms. Britten mentioned that Michael (my protagonist) is NOT broody. I’ve got to be honest. I hate broody male protagonist. Seriously, I want to smack them upside the head. Man up and get over it!
Anyway, yeah, that review was AWESOME. Thank you, Ms. Britten, wherever you are! 🙂
4. Meg Cabot, aka my writing IDOL, accepted my friend request on GoodReads! I kind of feel like Sheldon Cooper in that episode where he begins playing Words with Friends with Stephen Hawking!
5. Got another picture, this time from North Carolina!
6. I finally bought my tickets to the CATCHING FIRE MIDNIGHT PREMIERE!
I’ve decided that from now until the premiere, I’m going to run up to random people, show them my phone, and whisper, “It starts at midnight!”
7. I’ve already mentioned that I made progress on my writing, but I also began reading another one of the books that I bought last weekend. Confronting the Demon by Ciara Ballintyne. Review to follow shortly. 🙂
Anyway, that was my weekend. I’m actually pretty proud of myself. The only thing I didn’t get done was straightening up around the house, but seriously, with all this other stuff, I’d much rather devote 110% to reading and writing and my book than to tidying up around the house, especially when I’m the only one who sees the mess. Do I care? No. Will I ever care? Not until I find a creature living under the piles of clothes lying around.
Hope everyone is having a good Monday!
Cemetery Tours FREE Halloween Giveaway!
Kindle owners, mark your calendars for All Hallows Eve!!!
Beginning on October 30 and all the way through Halloween, Cemetery Tours will be available as a FREE Kindle download! Absolutely no cost at all! Just download and enjoy!
I am including the link to the Facebook event page. Please RSVP and invite all your friends! Spread the word! I want to see how many people I can reach!
https://www.facebook.com/events/655080944513741/
Since it’s a ghost story, I’ve been wanting to do something special for Halloween for a while. I’m hoping that everyone will take advantage of this offer! Thank you all so much!
Just Keep Writing
One of my main objectives in attending last weekend’s Indievengeance Day book-signing at Half-Price Books was that I wanted to see what I could learn from independent authors who had once been where I am now and who have made it. Of course, I ended up spending more time talking with them about what all authors tend to end up talking about: books. I did get some advice, however.
Just keep writing.
While marketing and advertising and getting the word out there is a HUGE part of being an independent author, every one of the authors I met told me the same thing.
“You have to keep writing.”
It’s a good thing to remember. It’s so easy to get caught up in how many people are (or are not) buying and reviewing your book. You want to tell the world your book. You want to fall to your knees and beg everyone who’s read it to write a glowing review that will inspire other readers to buy it. You want to market and advertise until your limbs fall off.
But here’s the thing. Independent authors are so much more likely to be successful if they have more than one book out, especially if those books are in a series together. The only way you’re going to get more books out is if you sit your butt down and write them.
I’m finally making some real progress on the Cemetery Tours sequel. I’d love to have the first draft finished by the end of NaNoWriMo (November for those who’ve never heard of National Novel Writing Month). I’ve always wanted to participate, and I hope it’s not cheating that I’m already nine chapters in (and will hopefully be at least halfway through by the time November actually gets here). The funny thing is I’ve known what would happen in the sequel much longer than I knew how I would even begin Cemetery Tours, so theoretically, this book should be a lot easier to write. Unfortunately, sometimes when you’ve built something up in your head for so long, when the time finally comes around to write it, you’re afraid that you won’t be able to do it justice. I’m pretty happy with the first nine chapters though, and I’m looking forward to what happens next, so I think I’m doing okay.
Something else I’ve learned after having just published my own book exactly one month ago is that while writers will always want to write (it is what we do, after all), we also really like to take time to kick back, relax, celebrate a little, bask in our accomplishments, drink wine, and so on. However, when it comes to being an independent author, you are doing all the work yourself. You do ten times the amount of work as an author who signed on with a fancy publishing agency and guess what? You’re barely making any money for it. What I’m trying to say is it’s good to celebrate and feel good about yourself. An accomplishment like a published book is something worth celebrating! But amidst the fun, keep one foot on the ground. Stay focused.
I usually do most of my writing at night. I’ve always been a night owl, and even though I wake up early every morning for work, I’m always up until at least 1 or 2 working on my books (or my blog). Most of the marketing and advertising I’ve done so far has been online. That’s a little tricky, however, because of how many distractions there are online. You can use Pinterest to plan out your next book or to plan out your wedding to that guy you haven’t actually met yet. You can use Facebook to get people to “like” your book, or you can use it to creep on the all the drama-mongerers whom you haven’t talked to in years but whom you secretly like to keep tabs on for entertainment purposes.
You get the idea.
I guess I’m writing this post for myself more so than anyone. I’ve been trying to figure out recently how to get (and keep) people interested in Cemetery Tours. It’s easy to get discouraged, but the thing that every independent author needs to remember is that you have to keep going. You’ve been swimming against the tide for this long. You might as well keep going. The journey doesn’t end with your first publication. That first book is just a stepping stone. A pretty awesome stepping stone, but a stepping stone nevertheless. The only way to succeed in this business is simply to keep writing and keep trying. Never give up.
I’m pretty sleepy now, because I just got back from a Bon Jovi concert. For the record, Jon Bon Jovi is an awesome guy. Great performer, very charismatic, and fun to watch. However, I would like to add just one more image so I can actually use the phrase “Superwholock” in the tag section below.
Goodnight, all!
A Platform of Sorts 