Wise Words - Book Blogger

An Indie Writer isn't just for Christmas...

2012-02-01T23:14:00.000Z

You'll want to read them for life!

Find an Indie/self-pubbed works and find yourself a fresh new voice.

With kind permission from Michael James who has allowed me to copy and paste his grouped lists of Indie authors' books, painstakingly put together, so readers don't have to wade through book after book to find their desired read.

Ever wondered how prophecies are conceived and brought into reality?

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000Z

A collection of brand new prophecies about the world, about the world's economy, about disasters and wars, about terrorist attacks and about survival itself. In this book Cesar takes prophecies to the next level. Each individual prophecy comes with two interpretations for readers to analyse.

At a time where everyone still loves to talk about Nostradamus, comes this intriguing book full of clues and cryptic images that is sure to broaden the imagination of those who believe in prophecies.

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Book Depository

All about Blogging
Guest post by the author of Book of Prophecies - Cesar

I found that I had a lot of time on my hands after completing my Book of Prophecies in October, and I really wanted to research the topic of prophecies seeing as though I had filled a book with them! I was drawn to search the web on a constant basis, searching for anything to do with prophets, prophecies or ancient documents. I found plenty of sites; some with skewered ideas based upon little fact and other sites with religious perspectives. I wanted to examine the topic from a unbiased open minded approach so I opened up a blogging account for the very first time and started to eagerly post the results of my research. That was only a few short months ago but I am already addicted to posting onto my Blog.

My research has taken me to various places; to the discovery that the theory of evolution was around since Egyptians times, and to the idea that Nostradamus drew a lot of his knowledge from other books such as ‘Mirabilis liber’. My Blog was soon the centralised location for all my writing, creating page upon page, writing post after post; with the aim to come back at some point to write a book containing the complete history of prophets. But in the meantime, I hoped to create a good resource for anyone who might be interested in the subject.

That was one of the most surprising things about blogging, that using the statistics page I could see what countries my readers visited from. Yes of course, there is a fair bit of hype about the possibility of 2012 being the end of the world (not something I personally believe) but I get visits from a wide variety of countries, some of which I would not be able to locate on an atlas. There was a realisation that my simple words could reach someone on the other side of the world without me leaving my sitting room. I love that idea and I love to Blog.

Special Edition

Purchase links for the special edition:

Amazon

Createspace

Ebook: Readerstore

Cesar has a very experienced background in the spiritual world. He was brought up in a Christian family, but branched out from that base as he got older, seeking answers about the world around him, and the spiritual world around him. In his mid-twenties dramatic events occurred in his life which challenged his very existence, but he learned from these experienced and most of learned that how that life is not just in our own hands.

Now Cesar is a firm believer that everyone has their own path to walk in life, and part of that walk is all about the choices that you make. Some people choose a good life and some a wicked life, but most of us live the life in the middle, influenced by the world around us and our own upbringing, Cesar understands that life is simply not black and white.

Website: www.cesarprophecies.com

Email: cesarnostradamus@live.ie

Where can I find the RSS URL on blogspot?

2012-01-26T13:31:00.000Z

The answer simplified!

RSS is the address of the most RECENT blog post from your blog. It is NOT the same as your homepage or blog URL.

For instance my blog address is http://louisewise.blogspot.com but my LATEST post written (the address is usually found when clicked on the post title) is my RSS URL.

Still struggling?

Try adding /feeds/posts/default?alt=rss after your ordinary blog address.
Example: http://louisewise.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Letter of complaint to guest bloggers

2012-01-25T14:02:00.000Z

I don’t ask for much; a follow, a tweet or two. I don’t even mind if the article has already been published (if copyright is your own) but I am SO wound up by badly written, poorly edited posts, so much so that if I get one more I'll pull out my own eyes, and stick them in the shredder!

I’m not perfect, my blog’s not perfect either, and mistakes will probably be found if you look hard enough, but I do my utmost to keep it mistake and typo free.

I receive nicely written emails from people requesting exposure, I give them a topic and leave them to get on with it. Back it comes. The topic, well, it’s SO off-topic I don’t recognise it anymore! It’s all about THEM and their BRILLIANT book and the usual sign-off is “Enjoy”.

Ewwwwk!

This is how they start (topic should be Marketing):

Dear Lewis (who?)

My book is called Vampires and Cowboys. I wrote it when I was in Middle Grade and my Teachers thought it was Wonderfull, and had it not been for there support I would never of fiinished it. I finished my education at Disney University and from their went on to fullfill my dream of being an Doctor. Due to a accidant I had to give up my Career and my Family reminded me of my book. I published it last weak. Your readers’ will love it. Enjoy.

Please, edit your post. Write on topic, or if you don’t like the topic supplied ask for another one (I usually give a selection though). And for frigging sake, blogging works both ways. Link, Tweet, FB and blog the post URL.

Guys, together we are a force, on our own we're pitiful!

Our Mother's Recipes - Jewish Cookbook.

2012-01-24T07:30:00.000Z

Easy Jewish Recipes: Bringing Tradition to Your Kitchen

Everyone loves traditional Jewish cooking. The problem is, not everyone has the time to prepare their favorite Jewish meals. Let's face it, not many of us can spend all day in the kitchen like our mothers used to do. Fortunately it is possible to enjoy your favorite Jewish dishes without breaking a sweat. It's just a matter of finding easy Jewish recipes that fit your tastes and schedule. Have no experience whatsoever with Jewish cooking? Don't sweat it! There are great Jewish recipes that don’t take a lot of time.

Yummy and Easy

Whether you want comfort food like Jewish chicken soup or a filling meal with brisket as the main course, there are many easy Jewish recipes to try out in the kitchen. Yummy potato latkes, delectable blintz dishes and satisfying beef briskets can often be prepared with little time and effort. Don't let the taste fool you. The best Jewish dishes can be prepared quickly, so there is no reason you and your family can't enjoy them every day of the week.

Easy Jewish recipes aren't just a great resource for experienced cooks who are just looking to save time in the kitchen. Easy Jewish recipes are also a great way to prepare a delicious meal and to break into the tradition of cooking Jewish cuisine. If you've never tried Jewish cooking before and you don't want to start out with the most complicated dishes, then easy Jewish recipes is a great way to break into the Jewish cooking experience.

Satisfy Your Cravings

Now, you may be asking yourself, can easy Jewish recipes really satisfy your cravings for the best Jewish foods? Don't be fooled into thinking that dishes prepared from easy Jewish recipes don't taste as good as the more complicated ones. Some of the best Jewish dishes are very simple and easy to prepare. Our Mother's Recipes cookbook is filled with fantastic recipes that even people with the most discerning tastes can enjoy. You’ll find easy recipes not contained in the cookbook by roaming around our Web site.

There is no reason to avoid your favorite Jewish meals due to a hectic schedule or a lack of advanced cooking skills. Not all good meals take hours to prepare or a degree in the culinary arts. Easy Jewish recipes can fill your kitchen and your life with the Jewish food you've been longing for, without the hours of effort that you just don't have the time to put in. If you’re not familiar with Jewish cuisine then use our recipes to start your own family traditions.

Armin Feldman and Dorene SagerBio:

Dorene Sager and Armin Feldman are sister and brother. The idea for the cookbook sprang from the discovery of a treasure trove of their mother’s recipes after she passed away. Now Our Mother’s Recipes, Carrying On a Jewish Tradition is a website, a cookbook, a TV show and a place to learn about what the best Jewish cuisine has to offer.

Dorene Sager: Dorene represents the best of so many different things. Dorene is a cookbook author, a wife and mother, a commercial real estate broker, a devoted family member, a true friend and so much more. Dorene is a fantastic cook in her own right. She learned a lot about cooking from her mother, Helen Feldman. Dorene is married and has three children and 6 grandchildren. Dorene and her husband just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Dorene enjoys reading, movies, playing canasta, and of course cooking.

Dorene says, “I had so much fun working with my brother putting together all of the different ways to showcase our mother’s recipes.”

Armin Feldman: Armin wears a number of hats too. Armin is a cookbook author, husband, dog lover, supporter of friends and family, medical doctor and a lot more. Armin is also a wonderful cook. From the time they could reach the kitchen counter, their mother taught Dorene and Armin how to make traditional Jewish recipes. If you watch the videos on their website, http://www.ourmothersrecipesonline.com , you can feel the joy these siblings radiate while cooking their mother's recipes. You can also sign up for the recipe of the week sent right to your email address.

Armin says, “What a treat to work with the best sister ever in creating all of these venues to showcase our mother’s remarkable culinary skills.”

Description:

Add a wonderful cuisine to your everyday meals and special gatherings. Traditional Jewish cooking is flavorful, fun and hearty particularly with Our Mother's Recipes, Carrying on a Jewish Tradition. These recipes have been handed down through many generations influenced by Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Spanish, German and Eastern European styles of cooking. In our family all of these cultural influences were combined, synthesized and affected by local ingredients through the years resulting in sumptuous, rich and wonderfully fulfilling traditional Jewish dishes. Try our mother's farfel instead of noodles. Replace that tired chocolate cake with some really yummy Helen Feldman brownies or warm fruit compote. You will have the secret to Jewish penicillin, chicken soup with matzo balls. There's enough here to keep you going for years of great food, family, friends and memories to enjoy.

There will be a virtual book tour starting on December 15th. See the vtb banner, or full schedule here

The Book Launch will be on February 1. Anyone who buys the book from Amazon on February 1 will get 25 entries into the Book Launch Contest. There are other ways to get entries. One is to comment on three of the blogs on the tour days. See the schedule.

Contest

To get your entries and to find out how to get more entries visit http://www.ourmothersrecipesonline.com to access the contest form.

The prizes:

$100.00 Amazon Gift Certificate for a Kindle

Two $50.00 Amazon Gift Certifcates

Authors can choose a video book trailer or Facebook Welcome Page instead of the Kindle.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Film Director, Guy Magar, shares his behind the scenes moments of Hollywood!

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000Z

Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot is an unconventional memoir because it deals with diverse topics such as the magic of making movies and the magic of finding true love. I’ve been blessed to have had such a kaleidoscope of experiences starting as a child in Egypt and immigrating to America, growing up in New York and learning to speak English, going to college at an incendiary political time in the country (late ‘60s), and then setting myself on such an unlikely journey to become a film director in Hollywood. That career adventure was a story I always wished to share because it’s been rich with wild and crazy experiences such as my first producer turning out to be a real Mafia assassin, almost decapitating Drew Barrymore right after ET, and coming close to derailing James Cameron’s career though he is so talented I doubt anyone could have altered his storied destiny. Everyone loves to look behind the curtain of the movie world and this memoir takes you there on a very personal experience like no other.

Regarding the title, “Kiss me quick before I shoot” was my welcoming catchphrase to my wife Jacqui whenever she visited on-set, seemingly always just before I rolled cameras. And so this book is also about a deeper magic, the magic of finding your soulmate, your life partner. Finding true love for me is all about falling in love with Jacqui, and having a costumed Camelot wedding where I got to duel for her hand (a la Errol Flynn) in a romantic Renaissance celebration that has blossomed to this day, twenty-nine years later. This journey was also worthy of telling due to the extreme dramatic turn of Jacqui suddenly being diagnosed with leukemia three years ago.

That unique medical journey to heal her through a cutting-edge clinical trial was a triumphant story of the human spirit - of her great courage - that deserved to be shared with the world. Everyone knows someone with cancer, and so I wanted to write a book about our experience that would inspire folks to get through their illness. For me, the grateful feedback from caregivers and cancer patients has been the most emotionally satisfying response to this memoir and the 18-month writing journey it required. It took me longer to write this book than any movie I ever made.

I wanted this memoir to be a good friend with which you curl up with while sipping a hot chocolate because writing this memoir was a celebration of life. For me, it’s about following your dreams and making them come true. And that’s magical, as it is for all of us, and I wished to share that universal commonality. I encourage my readers to be inspired to celebrate their own unique life experiences. It was my desire and hope that by sharing my magic it would inspire folks to reflect, to take the time to appreciate their own great life journeys. We are all so busy living life and dealing with our daily challenges that most of the time we don’t take a time out to celebrate our own magic of being alive. This is why the last parting line in my book is “Dare to dream…I did. From one magician to another: Peace.”

I invite you to http://www.kissmequickbeforeishoot.com/media/book-excerpts/ and enter our weekly contest – just pick your favorite book excerpt short - and win a signed paperback mailed to you. Peace to all fellow writers and visitors.

Guy Magar was nine years old when he left Egypt in 1958. His family immigrated to the U.S., where he grew up in Middletown, NY. Graduating from Rutgers University, Guy began his film career at the London Film School. Soup Run, his first short won a Special Jury Prize at the 1974 San Francisco Film Festival.

In 1978, Guy relocated to Los Angeles to attend the American Film Institute. His first short, Once Upon an Evening (made for $500) got him a 7-year deal at Universal Studios. Guy went on to earn over 100 film production credits including episodes of La Femme Nikita, Sliders, The A-Team, Blue Thunder, Fortune Hunter, The Young Riders, Lawless, Our Family Honor, Hunter, and the CBS pilot/MOW Dark Avenger. He also directed 35 shows of the daytime drama Capitol.

Guy's feature film credits include Lookin' Italian (starring "Friends" Matt LeBlanc and singer Lou Rawls in their first film); Stepfather 3 which launched HBO's World Premiere Series; and the cult thriller Retribution which will be released for the first time on DVD on its 25th anniversary in summer 2012. His recent feature is Children of the Corn: Revelation based on Stephen King's original story.

Guy is founder of the Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminars, which for the last ten years, has provided the acclaimed "page to screen" 2-day educational industry workshop. Action/Cut has taught thousands of filmmakers during seminar tours which include most major USA cities. His seminar is available as the acclaimed Action/Cut Home Film Course 12-hour DVD Collection.

Guy is the founder of the annual Action/Cut Short Film Competition, which provides an opportunity for young filmmakers to showcase their talents. Action/Cut was one of the first to stream films on the Internet, which can be viewed year-round on its website. MovieMaker reviewed Action/Cut as one of the "Top 10 Shorts Festival in the World for Filmmakers!”

Guy has launched the marketing of his Hollywood memoir Kiss me Quick Before I Shoot and looks forward to promoting it throughout 2012. Guy writes a popular blog at the book’s website and welcomes visitors to share it, and where there are links to purchase the memoir in various formats. He lives in the Hollywood Hills with Jacqui, his beautiful wife of 28 years.

Website: www.kissmequickbeforeishoot.com
Competition website: www.actioncut.com.

America's Most Disillusioned Generation

2012-01-19T09:19:00.000Z

Generation X is all grown up, but with one hell of an inferiority complex.

Phil Stern

We were supposed to conquer the world, our first million in the bank by age 25. At worst, we’d live in plush homes, firmly established within lucrative, interesting, stable careers. Anything less was unthinkable.

Of course, running companies was more our thing. Hey, the corner office was already picked out. A couple of years of business school, a few boring years paying our dues…and then our inner genius would take care of the rest. No problem.

Divorce? Screaming and yelling over the dinner table? That was our parent’s scene. We knew better, had a far greater understanding of human nature. We’d all be in stable marriages with loving, supportive spouses, our children paragons of health and well-being.

Not so long ago, say back in the 1980s and 1990s, fame and fortune was our birthright. Now, we’re all just struggling to pay the mortgage.

With The Bull Years, I wanted to write a novel for us, for everyone who thought they had the world at their feet, but instead, often found themselves kicked to the ground. It’s harder now than for most other generations, because our expectations were never managed. We were supposed to be kings and queens, always in control of our own fate. Instead, so many of us are just scrambling to get by.

At times, the self-alienation is almost overwhelming. Sophia Danton, one of the main characters in The Bull Years, says it best:

“I’ve come to realize we’re all two different people. Our younger, innocent self that’s inevitably mangled along the highway of life, and our tougher adult persona that evolves from the wreckage. Happiness comes from juxtaposing the two, nurturing the maimed spirit within you, welcoming it into your adult life and giving it the time and understanding you never received as a child, no matter how sane and loving your parents tried to be.”

It’s my hope that The Bull Years can help provide both the perspective, and the voice, that our generation needs. I think everyone will find something of themselves in the struggles of Steve, Sophia, Dave, and Hayley. Nothing’s held back. It’s all there, raw and uncensored.

We can all reconnect with that maimed spirit within ourselves, welcoming it to the here and now. It’s there. You may just not have seen it for awhile. Because to that younger, innocent version of yourself, the future remains as bright and glorious as it ever was.

Phil Stern is the author of both Contemporary and Science Fiction.

His début novel, The Bull Years, was published in 2011. A hard-hitting commentary on both the frustrations and ultimate validation of modern-day life.

“I wanted to write about characters everyone could relate to,” Stern says.

Stern now lives in Florida, and is working on his next novel.

Buy The Bull Years: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004O0U34K

A day in the life of an Author

2012-01-16T16:30:00.000Z

but not this day!

Click to Buy

Really struggled to get out of bed. Had a late night trying to finish an awkward scene on a novel I’m working on, but ended up playing chess with the computer. This resulted in a tense stand-off with several more games until I was satisfied that the computer was sorry that it beat me in two moves on the first game.

Make coffee, and turn on computer. I can hear it groan. No, that’s my stomach. I haven’t eaten since, er, Saturday (it’s Monday). Funny, I’m as porky as ever. Must be the constant supply of Hobnobs. In the kitchen I pour flakes into a bowl, and top it with milk.

Spooning said flakes into my mouth, I open my email. Spam. Spam. Spam. And more spam. Oh! Win a holiday with one click.

I click. And read. And imagine I’ve won the holiday. I think about the new clothes I would have buy. Would have to buy a new suitcase, too. And lose weight. My dream ends, and the very nice, but very loud Chris Evans declares it’s nine. Already?

I make another coffee, the previous cold, and delete the spam and the holiday. A new email comes in. It’s from a lady whose work I was editing. She’s not happy with the edits. Thinks I was too harsh. Harsh? Learn how to punctuate, muppet!

Another email comes through from an agent I was hopeful on bagging. No, she isn’t going to pursue with my submission after all. I hit the minimize button. Too early in the morning to deal with, and I don’t feel strong enough. Insufficient caffeine circulating the blood stream for a start!

I glug the coffee, but still don’t feel like reading the agent’s email. I wonder about deleting it. If I call her and act like I haven't seen it, maybe she’ll change her mind?

I open last night’s scene. Then immediately minimize it, and click on Twitter. Ah, I’ve several messages and RT’s that I need to reply to/thank. Oh no! Kate Moss is trending. Has she died? I click and see that it’s her birthday. I wish her happy birthday.

I go into #wip to see how everyone is getting on with their writing. @Flashgit has managed 5k this morning. I unfollow @Flashgit.

@Bitchfeatures is still editing her novel. She said she wrote in the whole damn thing in the NaNoWriMo month. I don’t believe her. I report her for abuse.

I type: On second coffee and still can’t get started #wip

Click to buy

I open up The Scene and re-read aloud to see if it sounds any better. It doesn’t.

Back on Twitter I see if anyone has answered me. They have. @pruebatten suggests I go for a walk to think things over in my head. Good idea actually. The “me time” is very, very important. Note to self – make more “me time”.

I shower and dress, and immediately feel better. I grab my bag and car keys and out I go. Walk? Is she frigging joking! I head to the shops. Nothing like retail therapy for “me time”.

Several hours later, and a lots of pounds lighter (money, not weight – I wish!) I come home. I’ve bought a pair of boyfriend jeans and a T-shirt. I go to dump the bags in my wardrobe, but as I open the door a pair of jeans, with the label still on, fall out. I pick them up and remember I bought them last week. They are EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONES I’VE JUST BOUGHT!

Bugger.

Back at my computer I check my emails. The agent one is still there and I open it sulkily: “the round table isn’t keen on your concept and doesn’t think it’ll sell”. Round table? What is she, bloody King Arthur?

I open Twitter to pour out my woes: Rejected again #wip #submission #reject #author Might hit the bottle later.

I glance at clock to see if this idea is doable. Almost mid-day, a little early, even for me!

I notice I’ve lost three followers. Really depressed now. I call my friend and tell her all about my horrendous morning. She can’t really talk because her house was burgled last night, and the police are there taking statements. Still, she could have been a little more sympathetic, selfish cow.

At the computer I open The Scene.

You know, it reads really good now. Think I’ll keep it after all.

Why Book Blogs Matter, And Why They Should Matter to More People by Ellen Rhudy

2012-01-15T19:36:00.000Z

Why Book Blogs Matter, And Why They Should Matter to More People

by Ellen Rhudy

Every few months an article comes along about book blogs: about the influence blogs and bloggers can exert over internet-addicted book lovers, about the ways in which book blogs can’t meet up to the standards of ever-dwindling newspaper books pages, about the relationships between bloggers and authors and publishers. Attempts to fit book blogs into some standard narrative of bookish publicity never works, though, because book blogs are so different from (so much better than, I’d say) “traditional” venues for book publicity.

More often than there are articles and attempts to somehow chart book blogs, what they mean and what they’ll be for readers in the future, there are articles about the decline of reading: men don’t read, children don’t read, no one reads “good” books, ebooks are destroying books as we know and love them.

What book blogs show, in this age of cancelled book review sections in newspaper after newspaper, is that people do read, and that readers are increasingly passionate about sharing their reading with others. Sure, there are book clubs and there are literature courses, but only the luckiest reader has a group of friends he or she can discuss literature with on a regular basis. Book blogs, though, give a voice to the reader who before responded to books more privately, giving your average reader of literary fiction or science fiction the chance to expound on the qualities of a novel, how it fits into genre conventions or the conventions of their own reading habits (if not both).

For more go to:

Why Book Blogs Matter, And Why They Should Matter to More People by Ellen Rhudy

Children's writer and illustrator Joanna Cook with her second in the series of The Wrenolds

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000Z

The "Wrenolds," a family of wrens, have survived a tornado and rebuilt their home just in time to celebrate Grandma's birthday.

5-12 years.

This is the second story in the delightful and whimsical series about a bird community. Join the cardinals, Sir Al and Alberta, the robins, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, and the elegant hummingbirds, Tony and Mary Hummingway, and others.

See what happens when Jackie Wrenolds finds the perfect birthday gift for Grandma and the story takes a mysterious turn.

Children will delight in this charming story written from the perspective of birds - and learn something too!

Published by Mirror Publishing: www.pagesofwonder.com Written/illustrations by Joanne Cook.

Join "The Wrenolds of Elm Tree Cottage" on Facebook
Buy on Amazon

10 Novels That Nail the College Experience

2012-01-10T13:54:00.001Z

Is there one single novel that captures the college experience? Well … no. The institution you decide to attend, the subjects you choose to study, and your own predilection for hitting the books versus enjoying all of the other , ahem, distractions that college has to offer, all help to define your personal "experience" of college. But, though one novel alone doesn't tell the whole story, we've found 10 that each nail at least some aspect of the college experience. Have a look:

http://www.toponlinecolleges.com/blog/2012/10-novels-that-nail-the-college-experience/

From agents offering editing services to Amazon Jimmy Gordon offers his entertaining view of the publishing world.

2012-01-07T00:28:00.002Z

I must say I have been completely lost as far as topic for today’s post goes. But, since this seems to be more of a site for writers than readers I thought we might discuss just where we are going, where our lives in literature are concerned.

GUEST POST BY JIMMY GORDON

author of Dartboard

I often read that changes in the field of literature move along at a pretty slow pace. However, I can’t agree with that I have witnessed the dynamic of this business change, well, dynamically! Once I had blundered through that first book, upon the strike of the very last key, I really had no idea where to move from there. How does one get a book published? I turned to the internet and typed in a simple search: ‘how does one publish their first book’? Naturally, one of the vanity presses popped up, and not knowing any better, I jumped on board without any idea that an author taking that road for publishing would be scorned, dragged out into the streets, their books burned, and their backs lashed out in the courtyard just for having the nerve to ask a bookseller to sell their self-published stuff, even on consignment!

That was just ten years ago, and look what’s happening now: there are folks like J. A. Konrath setting the traditional form of publishing aside to self-publish on their own. And other big name stars seem to be following his lead. But how does that help the small fry? I’ve read Joe’s blog, and don’t get me wrong, I love the guy. In fact, his name and words are on the cover of my current book in the form of a blurb. In his blog he talks about the sales he’s making without the need to cut an agent or a publisher in on his booty. I imagine for many of us, all of us who have insulated our homes with rejection letters from publishers and agents, it offers a little bit of hope that we can make it big. But should it? After all, yes, these folks are self-publishing, but they’ve had the benefit of publishing with a large publishing house. They didn’t enter the self-publishing arena as a complete no-name starting from scratch. Their audiences had already been built. So I ask, is this new trend one to be embraced? Or should we stiffen up our backsides and keep sending out those emails and letters to publishers and agents?

Let’s talk about those agents. I already mentioned the rejection letters. How often has any writer found themselves staring at their inbox, seeing that one agent’s email address, the one that seemed interested, and not wanting to open it because you just know you’ll get the “I’m sorry, it’s not you, it’s me” routine?. I’ve been there.

Another tough spot is one that hit me twice. You think you land an agent, you even work through some edits, but eventually, “Well, Jim, there have been some big changes in the industry. If this was two years ago, I’d take you on. I just didn’t see this coming.” That sucked.Those rejects finally prompted me to take a look at the hundreds of small, independent publishers out there. In my opinion, I think this road is a mighty fine road to travel. There are so many of these small presses and each one seems to know their niche in the market. I had so many stories from my big press friends... after their book was published; they had a quick meeting with a PR person, and were patted on their behinds, and told to go sell their book. Only the bestsellers get the full boat PR treatment, does that make any sense whatsoever?

The big guys are already big, folks will buy their stuff regardless, no? Isn’t a publisher dooming their investment by sending a first timer out in the cold with nothing but a match and sheet of one-ply toilet paper to keep them warm? I’ve found it might be just as tough to land a quality small press as is it to land that agent, but there seems to be hundreds to choose from, they all seem to fill a niche or two, they know their market. I must say, I’m happy to have found a home in the small press world. I often wonder if others feel the same.

A little irony where agents are concerned: has anyone noticed, in the hard times for the book biz, that many agents have turned to offering editing, or book doctor services on the side? Andy, if you’re reading this, I’m talking about others, not you, you’re top notch! Anyhow, I think I’ve now opened my inbox three or four times now and found an agent spamming me, saying they now offer editorial services to non-clients at stellar rates; that stellar rate being something like $200.00 an hour. I’ll tell you this, it felt mighty fine to click reply and tell these folks that they are just not the right fit for me at this point in time. Has anyone else come across this?

Finally, I think my word count is running short here, so let’s talk about those brick and mortar stores and their e cousins like Amazon. The ones that sell actual printed books compared with the Kindle-type of books. Again, let’s go back ten years to when I just stepped into literature. The ebook was still considered trash. A comment like “Hey, I got an offer for a publishing contract. Yeah, it’s for an ebook.” Well, I think we all know what the reaction would look like—a kind nod and a sniff of rotten eggs.

I’m not sure that will be the case anymore. I really think e publishers/Kindle/Nook type of publishers will be a totally respected form of publishing, if it isn’t already. Of course, I’m not sure e-publishing can really be considered cheap or inexpensive publishing, the books will still need dynamite cover art and primo editing, and that’s pretty big money stuff where publishers are concerned. So there is no printing cost. Perhaps that money can be used for marketing. One of my books, Kritterkreep, is offered in ebook through Kindle and the Nook. My next kids’ book, Field of Screams, will be along shortly. There’s seems to be a new trend in marketing authors who have more than one book to peddle, giving the Kindle edition away for free a month or two prior to the release of the next book. I had several conversations with other writers about this tactic and I’ve heard nothing but good things. Has anyone out there had a similar experience to share? I am totally excited to see how it goes. I’m hoping the folks who publish my adult stuff will follow suit and offer the same.

As far as paper books go, and the brick and mortar stores, I’m thinking the book to the Nook will be like the horse to the auto. As soon as those gas-driven machines hit those old dirt roads, the horse was kicked off the path as the primary form of transportation. While I may use the hell out of my car, every now and then, from time to time, it’s a blast to jump into the saddle and hit the dusty trail. We’ve seen the death of Borders, a huge blow to the marketability of print books; think of how much shelf space was lost practically overnight. Will Barnes and Noble and other nationwide chains survive, or will we be a Kindle world with the occasional paper book read for kicks, picked up from a dusty shelf in a small downtown’s independent bookstore?

I think humans, in general, are resistant to change, but I must say, I’m looking forward to the future of this industry. I can’t wait to see where things land. Anyone else feel the same?

Genre Adult/Adventure

1776: An English payroll ship loses sight of its convoy and wrecks on the shoals of a small, remote Caribbean island during a terrible storm, marooning its crew and a small group of soldiers. After rescuing the gold and burying it on the island, they are overrun by a tribe of cannibals, leaving the treasure hidden... Today: Jimmy Quigley, a small town cop, inherits a boat and a treasure map from his Uncle Jackson, a renowned world explorer. He hooks up with Evelyn Quinn, who also received a small inheritance from his uncle. He heads to the Caribbean with Evelyn and her friend, Kristin, and his friend, Rick, for some fun in the sun and a possible treasure hunt. When the boat is ransacked by thieves not once, but twice, Jimmy wonders if his uncle's warning to watch his back has more to it than he first thought. With his friends' safety and the fate of the Lorraine gold in mind, Jimmy heads off into the biggest adventure of his life...

New to blogging is firefighter and paramedic-turned-author Jimmy (J.D.) Gordon. He was born and raised in Chicago and lives with his wife and children in Glen Ellyn IL, a suburb of Chicago. He writes in two different genres: adventure for adults and paranormal spooky stuff for middle school children from age nine until, and above, twelve years.

Unlike many writers (most seem to catch the writing bug early in life) Jimmy only began writing as a hobby ten years ago. But skip back twenty or thirty years and you’d find someone who thought they’d never write a book! Jimmy was the lousy student in the back of class, avoiding the teacher’s gaze!

Jimmy Gordon dropped into the world of literature quite literally. After falling off a train and breaking his knee Jimmy had to spend time recuperating, and his peers asked what he planned to with his new-found free time. And Jimmy said the words that he now claims to have changed his life: "I should write a book."

Despite some skepticism ("You don't even use punctuation on your run reports!"), he completed a novel, Island Bound, and made it a point to use punctuation throughout - good idea!

But then he had another accident, sustained on the job, which ended his career in the fire service and the rest, as they say, is history.

Aside from writing Gordon spends his spring and summer as an umpire for high school and youth baseball. He now lives with his wife and children in Glen Ellyn IL, a suburb of Chicago.

Website: - www.jimmygwrites.com

Email – jimmygwrites@aol.com

Purchase Link - http://www.amazon.com/Dartboard-JD-Gordon/dp/0984401369/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324752264&sr=8-1

Free paranormal novel by Lisa Graves.

2012-01-04T08:16:00.001Z

What would you do if you thought your boyfriend were a figment of your imagination? That is Lilly’s problem.

YA Paranormal Romance / Mystery
by Lisa Graves

Sure he randomly seems to appear and disappear out of nowhere.

Perhaps he is cryptic and evasive when it comes to details of his past?

But what if you can feel in your soul that you are meant to be together?

Would that tiny detail matter?

Buy Atlantis FREE from Smashwords using this coupon: XR67Y coupon expires 31st January.

Excerpt from Atlantis:

My eyes looked at the ground. I didn’t want to, but I made myself say it. “You’re not real.”

Elliott was quiet. I looked up to see what he was doing. He continued to sit on the grass but he looked shocked. “What do you mean by that?” I noticed a cautious tone in his voice.

I dove into my brain trying to find the right words to use when breaking up with yourself. I came up empty handed. The fact that I desperately wanted to stay and live in my fantasy land didn’t make it any easier. My torrent stream of emotions was giving me away. I bit my lip, trying to keep my face from exposing all of my secrets. Strangely, he did the same.

“What do you mean, I’m not real?” Elliott asked again. He gently placed his hand on mine. The usual sensation of electricity flowing through him to me, pricked my mind and made me doubt my hallucination theory. He wasn’t helping me.

It was probably a combination of my emotions keeping me an inch from tears, and his penetrating eyes bearing down on my soul, but I had overflowed. I couldn’t stop the words from pouring out.

“YOU ARE NOT REAL!” I yelled, more at myself than at Elliott.

I stood up. His mouth gapped open at me as I paced the cove and continued.

“You are too perfect. And good looking. And sweet...”

He looked as though he was going to argue, but I went on.

“No one has seen you but me.”

He whispered something to himself and shook his head.

“You appear and disappear out of nowhere.”

I turned again at the edge of the cove, racking my brain for more proof of my theory. When I resumed my pacing, he spoke.

“I know,” he said in a soft, apologetic purr and looked straight at me.

Elliott caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected my hallucination to agree with me. “What do you mean you know?"

Find out more from Lisa Graves at: http://www.lisagravesbooks.com/

52 Wonderful Twitter Chats for Writers

2011-12-28T11:42:00.000Z

Writing is often a lonely endeavor for professionals and college students alike, but it doesn't have to be. There are many places for writers to find help and inspiration for every part of the writing process. One of the newest sources of support is on Twitter, through a wide variety of writing chats. Writers on Twitter only need to use and search for a given hashtag to participate, and most groups are very welcoming to those with different interests and levels of experience. Here, we've listed some of the most popular and potentially valuable chats on Twitter. Covering a wide range of topics, you're bound to find a chat that meets your personal needs as a writer, and you may just make a few new friends in the process.

Slow Chats

These chats don't always have a set time or day that they meet. Writers and readers simply post to them whenever they come across something they'd like to share with the community.

#litchat: This group is not only a great place to get inspired to write, it can also help hook you up with some great books to read. Chats are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but if you miss a meeting there are transcripts on the group's blog.
Click below for more from this wonderful blog:

52 Wonderful Twitter Chats for Writers | Online College Tips - Online Colleges

A brand new thriller from M. D. Cliatt

2011-12-27T18:51:00.001Z

A BRAND NEW WORLD

When criminal defense attorney Maeven Dayne decides not to walk away from her job to defend a teenage girl with no family and no money, she finds herself taking on a corrupt juvenile justice system and winds up in the middle of a murder plot.

I’m brand new to the world of writing fiction, and from what I see and hear, the world has changed with the advent of ebooks and online publishing. When I started writing my novel four years ago, I had no idea how I was going to publish and market it. I just knew I wanted to write it and I’d worry about the rest later. So, when later arrived, I found myself pulling my hair out as I tried to figure out how to get it done: to publish through a traditional house or to self-publish. Both options seemed intimidating. I never really concerned myself with how my favorite books ended up in my hands; I just wanted to find the nearest hidey hole and plunge into someone else’s imagination. Well now, I wanted to share my imaginary world and story through a book, and I didn’t know how to do it. Ugh! So, I jumped on my trusty steed--my laptop of course--and galloped into the virtual new world of cyberspace looking for answers.

I discovered there’s a lot of help out there. I’m really blown away by the presence and power of the book reading and writing community. Who knew?! I certainly didn’t. From block buster plot consultants to literary agent query sharks to ebooks to YouTube marketing to virtual tours to book bloggers, an aspiring writer can get a lot of useful advice and get a lot done. As I began my research on whether to self- publish or try a literary agent and a publishing house, I learned that authors have a lot of options as well as obstacles.

Because I’m not a very patient person and I believe that I should control my dreams, I chose self-publishing. I’ll be honest and admit that I bristle a little bit at the idea of a faceless agent standing between me and my goal. I drafted a few queries, but deleted them. Trying to figure out what agents like and dislike proved maddening. With self-publishing, when I’m ready, I can upload my book online with Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Create Space, Lulu.com and others, and it’s published, I don’t have to wait a year for the publishing house.

The real source of book marketing now seems to be social media--as it should be. Social media is how word-of-mouth moves at warp speed. It allows aspiring authors to rise and fall on their own merit without some middleman or woman shaking their head at you and telling you to not even bother. With Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, blogs and etcetera, an author can tap social media on their own. I’m excited about the possibilities in this new world of writing; I’m excited about the self-empowerment it provides.

Feel free to drop me a comment on this subject on my blog at http://mdcliattbooks.blogspot.com/and I’ll send the first commenter a free digital copy of my book The Public Pretender. Meanwhile, something to whet your appetite:

The Public Pretender Synopsis 

Unlike what she thinks of her own mother, Maeven Dayne considers herself to be a great mom who loves all of her kids, but she must choose between them: the juvenile defendants at work or her sons at home. She pleases her devoted husband when she decides to quit her job as a public defender to spend more time with their sons. But, on Maeven’s last day at work in the courtroom, a juvenile probation officer she despises drags a weeping young girl before an irritated judge for an unscheduled hearing while Maeven is packing up her things to leave. She is walking out of the courtroom, fighting her urge to turn around, when she realizes the probation officer didn’t notify the girl’s parents or arrange for a public defender to represent her. Maeven can’t resist the girl’s pitiful pleas for help and decides to intervene even though she is risking her family. 

While defending this girl, Maeven discovers people are profiting from imprisoning innocent kids in juvenile placement facilities, but whom?  A juvenile psychologist who tries to expose the kids-for-cash scheme is murdered, but he’s left clues. As Maeven delves deeper into the case, she discovers, to her horror, that she is just like her mother. When her oldest son is beaten, arrested and detained on false charges, her husband receives a message proposing an offer: Maeven quits her job and the case, or they lose their son.  Her husband insists that she choose their son.  The problem? She doesn’t know if she can sacrifice one for the other.

Monica Cliatt is a wife and a mother who
loves to tell stories.  She was born and
raised in Georgia, but now lives in Central Pennsylvania. She is a staff
attorney in a law school clinical program, and is an adjunct law professor who
teaches juvenile justice and legal writing. She used to be a public defender
specializing in representing children, and for the most part, loved the work. She
thrived on the heat of courtroom battle, but the highs are very high and the
lows are very low and she burned out. Now, she spends her time grading papers,
supervising law students as they represent indigent clients in court and
reading with her sister in their long distance book club.

Email: cliatts@gmail.com

Blog: http://mdcliattbooks.blogspot.com/

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/mdcliattbooks/home

Purchase links:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1035604833?ean=2940013537675

http://www.amazon.com/The-Public-Pretender-ebook/dp/B005YR6J2W/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322427296&sr=1-1

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/thepublicpretender

I am I: The In-Dweller of your Heart - a stepping stone for spiritual education.

2011-12-18T23:03:00.001Z

Savour the Flavouring

Or should I say ‘SAVIOUR’?

David Knight

In this post I would like to give a taster of things to come with two snippets from my new book called, I am I: The In-Dweller of your Heart.

In essence ‘truth’ is simple, and as such, I feel that any spiritual guidance and education for our hearts and souls should resonate and connect within us.

ANCHORS AWAY! COME AND SAIL THE OCEAN OF LOVE.

This snippet is from a Lesson called ‘Energy’.

In fact, your physical is the only thing that was 'born' because your essence, your Atma; your Soul was never ‘born’ into the physical world as you already 'existed' and are permanent …only the impermanent fades and dies.

When stars collapse and become black holes, a change of energy has taken place yet it still exists.... just like a human being which goes through similar processes, evolving, growing, maturing; but as the body is born, it follows that it will die.

This ‘body’ is cremated or buried and it is either transmuted into another form by fire and ash or by dissolving into earth because everything is returned to me, as I am all things.

Understand though, that even those who do not remember me in their hearts, I still love ....for everyone is near and dear to me and the realization of such, one day, will happen.

All will sail on my ocean of love for I am the wind that will empower those that lay there floundering by the rocks.

I will remove their anchor (or you could say ‘anger’), that weighs them down in the false position of a make-believe harbour within the physical world …with its materialism and traits of ego, personified by lack of compassion and mistrust.

YOU ARE BRIGHTER THAN A THOUSAND SUNS!

This extract is from a Lesson entitled 'Rituals and Monuments'. I hope that these few lines can bring you strength and light on any so called dull/ darkened day or night.

Let light reflect from your very being and not what can be deemed as a mirror of darkness and decay.

You can and will succeed, so just believe in your self and enjoy the path that your life’s road has taken you… for I will by your side, knowing, nurturing, guiding, loving and watching forever over you.

Try to let your smile beam the inner joy onto someone else heart and may your hands do good, worthwhile actions that help and benefit others too.

Do not seek greater rewards than that which you actually deserve, but feel the goodness (and not ego) that shines back towards you.

Know that this is a true 'gold' that you can wear with greater value than any jewel, stone or ring that man possesses.

Realise then that you are rich in Spirit and so much more…a Soul and Light which is brighter than a thousand Suns!

I am I: The In-Dweller of your Heart is a stepping stone for all who embark upon their own quest for 'Spiritual' education and guidance. So, even if you are comfortable with your own faith and religion, you may have decided to explore new interpretations and such issues on a personal or global scale.

The author David Knight has received and transcribed these passages of text in a process known as 'Inner Dictation'. He describes this as writing from within the connection of his heart where peace, bliss, love and light reign supreme.

God's wisdom and teachings are laid out before you so you can simply choose and read whenever or whatever your heart needs or desires. They are guidelines, principles and simple directions for you to now dip your toes or dive headfirst into the waters of your own Divine essence.

These books will form the very threads of life's new tapestry, each being spun into 52 lessons from, to and through our own hearts and souls. They are like a father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, partner or personal friend who knows you better than you can ever know 'yourself'.

Part 1 is a companion for life which does not judge, condemn or scold, but hopes to encourage, guide, console, teach and remind you of who and what you are, why you live and for what purpose too!

David's book is launched on January 28th on Amazon. There is an exciting contest that is in effect from now until the launch. There are great prizes that are involved:

$100 gift certificate for Amazon toward a Kindle

Two $50.00 Amazon Gift Certificates

Authors can substitute their choice of a video book review or Facebook Welcome page for the Kindle Gift Certificate if they win.

To enter, visit David's blog: http://www.ascensionforyou,co.uk/blog and fill out the contest form. You can complete at least one task option to enter but the more tasks you complete, the more entries you will have.

DAVID KNIGHT was born into his current physical embodiment in 1964. He is married to Caroline and they live with their adopted cats Toby, Treacle, Spiky and Missy in the UK. In growing up he describes himself as a Mr. Average or like a 'Joe Bloggs'. Whilst earning a living in various types of work, (this ranged from HM Forces, Financial Services, a Care Assistant and also self-employment) his search for fulfilment changed from the exterior and without to the interior and within.

Spiritual education gained a greater momentum and at the age of 21 a more urgent sense of dedication as well as a new realization had set in. New evidence of and from God, were soon revealed through his life experiences. With the aid of Spirit guides and beings from the ethereal planes, the foundations were laid for all who wished to develop and experience their Hearts flame of love and light and to embark upon a unique opportunity for all soul's in this lifetime.

5 Ways to Kill Boring Posts

2011-12-10T10:27:00.001Z

Mary Edwards

So you have a blog. Good for you. There’s only one thing I have to say to you. Either write well or delete it. I am so sick of flipping through boring, repetitive blog posts. Really, you’d be better off just letting the poor thing die. Shoot it and relive us all of your misery. No one wants to read about what you ate last night or what little Sally did that was just so cute. Or, worse yet, your sexual exploits. Unless you’re a Kardashian, no one cares, really. Oh, but you like your blog. Fine then. Read these five tips and try to improve it. If you can.

1. You’re boring – Face it, you don’t have a passion for anything. You don’t care about your blog or what you write on it. Wait, you do? Well, that’s a shocker. I had no idea. From reading it I’d have thought you were about as enthusiastic as a wino on his fourth bottle. Don’t be afraid to show your passion then! Pour out your heart, get over-excited, may be sweat a bit as you type so furiously that the words get jumbled up on the page and grammar goes out the window because it’s just so exciting! That’s what I want to read. If you don’t love it, then why should I?

2. You’re stupid – You know nothing, you see nothing, you hear nothing, nothing! Your name is Shultz. You live in a perpetual state of blank numbness where you experience nothing that goes on around you. Better yet, what you do see/hear/feel you have no input on. You get neither aggravated nor elated. That’s not you? Then you do know something! Don’t let pesky things like facts get in your way. You’re not writing for the New York Times. You have a blog. Unless you’re giving medical advice (please don’t) then your opinion won’t kill anyone. Share. Tell. Write.

3. Blah, blah, blah – I’ve read that before. No, really, I have. Unless you’re saying something totally new and off the wall, I don’t need to hear about it again, thank you very much. Don’t be Charlie Brown’s parents. Do not repeat yourself or talk about the same topic all the time. So your blog is based on your love of roses. Shock me. Write about orchids. Or trees! Or fruit! You don’t have to go way out, but no one wants to read the same thing over and over. If you find yourself having a hard time finding a different title for your new post, don’t bother posting it. We’ll all thank you.

4. L a-La Land – Do you live on Mars? Venus? No? Then what is your excuse for this? You haven’t posted in eons and what you do post is boring. Are you just prolonging your poor blog’s misery? When are you going to shoot it? Oh, you can’t think of anything new to write about. You know what? I. Don’t. Care. Write! Just start blabbing. It’ll be stupid and pointless, I’m sure, but at least you’ll have something. If you have even a smidgen of brain power in the giant globe you call a head then you’ll eventually get a grain of truth from all that blather. Pluck it out, clean it up, and post.

5. Pass the buck – You’re a loser. You have no talent. What little you had was wasted on your blog, but it’s all gone now. But you cling desperately to your blog like a codependent ex. Fine. I’ll give you a hint. It starts with g and ends with uest. That’s right, good speller! Guest posts. The lazy, burnt-out writer’s best friend. Have someone else do the work. They’ll even think you’re doing them a service. Of course, you may have to return the favor. Or do other… favors… for them. Hmm. Might want to discuss that before they make you an offer you can’t refuse.

That’s all I’m willing to give to you, you mooch. What, you think advice grows on trees somewhere? Do what I told you and your blog might, I repeat might, survive a few months longer. I’m not responsible for resuscitations, though, so don’t come crying to me when you forget to feed it and it dies. I wash my hands.

Author Bio.

Mary Edwards is one of the contributors and editors for dating sites. She is passionate about thought leadership writing, regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting and online dating community. She can be reached at edwardsmary936 AT gmail.com

KDP Select - Amazon wants exclusivity.

2011-12-09T08:11:00.001Z

What's the deal with Kindle? They want exclusivity with our books, is this goodbye to Smashwords and other e-outlets? Will this 90 days exclusivity become indefinite?

They only want our E version, our paperbacks can be available anywhere we desire (can't help wondering for how long). But we won't be able to sell our books ourselves from our own websites any more.

This, of course, isn't conditional with Kindle Amazon. We can opt in or out.

Check out: https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/KDPSelect

This is a decision most of us have been mulling over this week.

So, questions we need to ask:

How would it work?
What would we get out of being exclusive to Kindle?
Is it easy to opt out once we opt in?
Is copyright still ours?

Who's decided already? Who's still thinking? What are your worries about this venture?

Check out Linda Rae's post who seems very opposed to the idea: http://lindaraeblairauthor.wordpress.com/blogs/new-to-be-or-not-to-be-indie-the-amazon-lending-library-program/

Writers' Beware: http://accrispin.blogspot.com/

The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/16/amazon-kindle-lending-library-contract-authors

So many people are talking about it, and so far no one has anything good to say about it. But in all honesty, no one knows how it's all going to work out. And if you've an ebook gathering cyber dust I say go for it.

Win a copy of "How to Deal with Stupid Clowns who Don't know what the Hell they're talking about!" I know. Mad title, and even crazier author!

2011-12-05T16:09:00.001Z

Hi all, I'm John Garrett of Hypertransitory.com, author of "How to Deal with Stupid Clowns who Don't know what the Hell they're talking about!"

I know it's a crazy title, and it's even crazier inside. This is a humor book combining writing and comics all written and drawn by me.

I've been drawing comics for probably as long as I could hold a pen (I used to draw them in ballpoint pen), but usually the stuff I came up with was more in the comic book super hero style, not humor comics.

Well, I started blogging about 2 years ago, and I noticed that the traffic on my humor comics was much better than any of my super-hero or sci-fi work. It surprised me, but then I decided that if this was what people wanted, I'd just go ahead and give it to them.

The only problem with this was that being funny on demand is hard work. I can only be funny maybe once or twice a week so it ended up taking me half a year to make this thing.

I always loved comic strips like Calvin & Hobbes, Boondocks and Dilbert, but instead of going wall to wall comics like them, I decided to throw in some prose -mainly made up funny stories involving my own terrifying run-ins with the stupid clowns of my past jobs.

I picked this subject because when I would tell people these stories they would always relate, then they'd start telling me their stories, and pretty soon we'd all be laughing, thinking about all the crazy people we used to know back in the day.

Of course, some of us are still burdened by the stupid clowns of TODAY. That's where my ebook comes in. It's for fun, but you can actually use *most* of the advice today in the never ending battle against stupid clowns everywhere. Some of the advice may not be physically possible...yet.

So far I've had people email me and tell me I must have been writing about them, because they knew annoying people just like this. Guys, trust me...we've ALL known people like this.

I've also had an actual clown email me, angry about the title of the book. I had to let him know I have respect for actual working clowns that make us laugh, but not the stupid clowns who hide amongst us and screw up our lives.

Also, I got a lot of flack from stupid clowns all over the internet. These guys didn't want me to reveal all my knowledge of their antics. I had to let them know that information wants to be free, and I was going to reveal that information to the masses for a reasonable price!

So as you can probably imagine, with the backlash from the stupid clown community this whole ebook was a bit of a dangerous undertaking for me. Every day this book is on sale I'm risking seltzer-water and/or pies in the face, plus bowling pins thrown at me, various type of joybuzzers, etc...

Some people might say that makes me a hero. People like me. I would say that makes me a hero, but I'd like you guys to decide that for yourselves.

One lucky commenter here can win a free copy of "How to Deal with Stupid Clowns who Don't know what the Hell they're talking about!". Plus all the rest of you losers, er, non-winners can head over to the Stupid Clowns Book Page for more info, plus you can get on my mailing list to download the first chapter for free!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the book - here's a peek at the book trailer for last laughs :)

John Garrett is an artist, writer, web designer and all around capital fellow who prefers his food in sandwich form.

Comics, Sci-fi, Fantasy and tech stuff are what hold his interest and also get him in trouble on a daily basis!

Today let’s talk about stereotyping.

2011-12-04T11:39:00.001Z

How’d you feel about stereotypes in fiction? Do they annoy you? Or do they make you smile?

You have the dramatic gay man, the lazy fat person, the sullen teenager… they are all there because they exist. So does that mean we can’t write about them? I mean, you also get the lazy thin person, the sullen middle-aged person and the ditzy Afro Caribbean (I should know, I work with her!). But the fact is if there weren’t any people to fit the mould there would be no stereotypes!

But what are stereotypes?

It’s a generalization about a group of people where we attribute a clear set of characteristics. These can be positive or negative. But I’ve learned that this “positive” and “negative” is personal to one’s own self.

Some blond haired women hate being labelled as “dumb”, others aren’t so bothered.

So why can’t we stereotype in writing?

It’s lazy - like clichés, stereotyping is too easy. Your character is blonde so she must be as thick and enjoy shopping?

It’s offensive – stereotyping evolved to be cruel towards typical groups. He’s fat so he must be lazy and love hamburgers?

In A Proper Charlie I deliberately made my gay man “typically” gay until layers were peeled away and he was revealed as being frightened of failure and very possessive. Charlie, my main protagonist, was ditzy but I gave her red hair. No, she didn’t have a temper either!

I enjoy watching reality shows and love being proved wrong about a stereotype. On the surface they exist. But dig deep and you have an individual.

A character.

Make your character an individual and you’ll have real, flesh and blood person to write about.

Support Four Début Authors and Snag $125

2011-11-28T08:16:00.001Z

Four books

Two Days

Great Prizes

With this contest, there is something for everyone and it’s SO simple to be in on the winning!

On November 28 and/or 29, purchase one or all four of the debut author’s books listed here. Then forward proof of purchase (the receipt Amazon sends you will do just fine) to: motionsrider@yahoo.ca and get up to four entries into a draw for a $100 Amazon gift card!

It’s that easy, no reviews, no hoops to jump through. Just a great .99 book or two - or three or four. AND, if the person who wins the $100 Amazon Gift Card has purchased all 4 books an additional $25 Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to the winner!

On top of that, two random commenter's picked from two of our participating blogs will receive $5 gift Amazon gift cards . So, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know what you think of the promo, the books, or the authors.

Winners will be chosen randomly, one entry per person, per book.

All winners will be announced on December 7^th on Wringing Out Words and here in the comment section.

So purchase a book, or books below, comment and you may win. Books for purchasing in order to win are:

Between by Cyndi Tefft

It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile, and Scottish accent. After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has allbut given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates.

Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.

Until Dawn: Last Light byJennifer Simas

When darkness falls, whose side will you be on?

For the past six years, Zoë has been anything but “normal.” Struggling to accept her immortality and thrown into a war that’s been waging in the shadows for over a thousand years, Zoë must now become who she was meant to be, joining the other Chosen to save what’s left of humanity. When the endless night falls over the Earth, will she be able to save the one man who reminds her of what it is to be human, or will it be too late?

Until Dawn: Last Light is a story of death and despair, love and longing, hope and hopelessness, and the ability to survive and keep going even when it seems impossible – when you want nothing more than to give up.

The Kayson Cycle by Jonathan D. Allen

A stranger enters a dying town and makes a desperate plea…

The Kayson Cycle introduces the Kayson Brothers, a pair of faith healers who once wowed crowds in a traveling show but went their separate ways after a night in which a healing took a dark turn. Jeffrey Kayson disappeared into the wilderness and William Kayson, wracked by guilt, moved to the failing mining town of Calico Hills to build a nice, quiet life – one that has lasted for over ten years.

His quiet, predictable life crumbles when a mysterious stranger walks into his tavern bearing a proposal to find his long-lost brother and do the one thing that William has sworn to never do again - have his brother heal a woman. William soon learns that he can’t escape his family – or his destiny.

Includes an exclusive sample chapter of The Corridors of the Dead. Please note that this is a Kindle Single, and around 6,000 words in length.

Sundered by Shannon Mayer

A miracle drug, Nevermore, spreads like wildfire throughout the world allowing people to eat what they want, and still lose weight. It is everything the human population has ever dreamed of and Mara is no different. Only a simple twist of fate stops her from taking Nevermore.

As the weeks roll by, it becomes apparent that Nevermore is not the miracle it claimed. A true to life nightmare, the drug steals the very essence that makes up humanity and unleashes a new and deadly species on the world that is bent on filling its belly. Locked down within their small farm home, Mara and her husband Sebastian struggle against increasingly bad odds, fighting off marauders and monsters alike.

But Sebastian carries a dark secret, one that more than threatens to tear them apart, it threatens to destroy them both and the love they have for each other.

Now Mara must make the ultimate choice. Will she live for love, or will she live to survive?

Nancy Lawson is Somewhere After Seduction

2011-11-24T11:20:00.001Z

I met a lovely lady on the Amazon forums. She did something "naughty" and spammed her book. In her defence a person was asking if there were any romances with older characters instead of the usual twenty-somethings. Somewhere After Seduction fit perfectly, and so Nancy Lawson told the potential customer about her book.

She was blasted, but kept her cool, apologised and removed her post. But I was intrigued about her book and being a nosy old bat, I wanted to know more about the person behind the book. I was moved by her story.

Read her interview below...

Betrayed by her own body, Morgan's memories of love and security were becoming a dream of her past.

What inspired you to write Somewhere after Seduction ?
My husband passed away, and I found myself back in the dating world in my retirement years. I found it difficult. It’s so much easier to fall in love when you're young and naive.

Why do you say that?
When you are young, and life is roses and popcorn you believe what you want to believe, not necessarily what the facts really might be. After some age, and experience you find it harder to bypass truth, intuition and/or the bottom line with men and relationships. Not long ago, I read an article written by an elderly man thrown back into the dating world, and he said it was hard to turn "dumb" back on. It summed up what I felt.

And that’s when you started writing?

Let’s say I’m a new writer at sixty plus lol. My first experience dating after my husband’s death was with a cheating man, and I started writing. I guess it was therapy, but then I discovered the soul of my characters. Sometimes they surprised me. I found developing my characters was like getting to know a new friend. They were not a copy of anyone I knew, they became their own souls. It was great fun getting to know them, and watching them grow.

I can relate to that. Your first book at sixty! That’s very inspirational to others reaching that milestone, although it’s a shame it took a cheating man to open your creative side!
Actually, all my life I've been involved in some type of creative work. I taught management, and that involved creating training manuals, and I was always involved in marketing. For years as a hobby, I made high fashion dolls, and all my sons high schools friends used to gather at our place, and we created stories to go with each doll. I usually had some creative hobby going along with my work. After I started my book it the characters, story and events took on a life of their own. The cheating man was a thing of the past, out of the picture, and the characters in the book were their own people and my new-found friends.

Is Somewhere after Seduction part biography?
No, but some events were inspired by real life experiences. I found that using places I lived at one time or another made it easy to write about. The characters are all fictional, but some of the story line came from things I have experienced in life. The events were not presented exactly as they happened, so I certainly wouldn't call it a bio. But because of my past experiences I was able to empathize, and understand the feelings of many of my characters.

Tell us more about Somewhere after Seduction.
It’s a contemporary romance with characters at retirement age. It’s a story about love, devotion, losing everything and starting over. My characters come with baggage, habits they are set in and ties they find hard to separate.

How many characters are there? In the blurb there are four names mentioned, do they all have parts? Is Morgan the main protagonist?
Yes, Morgan is the protagonist, and of course is drop dead gorgeous, even at retirement age. But then again, many women are today. She is married to Ben, and they have an exceptionally close loving relationship.

Where does Dr Calvin Kendall fit into the story?
He’s the surgeon who tries to save Ben's life. Later, Morgan finds out that Dr. Kendall has serious legal problems, and she fights to clear his name.

Is he the rogue of the story?
No, that’ll be Drake Taylor. For years he was a player. He never committed to a woman, but he usually had one to share his bed. He has a successful business, and likes to stay in control of his life, guarding his emotions. He is also a very confident sexual lover that likes to please a woman, and he knows how to do it. Unfortunately, Drake has baggage. Three grown kids from hell. Morgan has known Drake for years she trusts Drake. She has no idea how seriously he will impact her future.

Was there a character you struggled with?
I struggled with all of them to be their own individual. I related to what they were experiencing, but I wanted them to come alive on their own. I still had fun sneaking in a “truth” here and there, and playing with fictionalizing and dramatizing it. I rewrote scenes that sugar-coated Drake’s past, but decided that would not be honest. He was his own character, his own person so I went with my first instincts.

Honest in what way?
I thought it took something away from his character. I hesitated having him with two different women, in the book, but he was a player so it just fit his character. It was difficult not to second-guess the love scenes, they were pretty explicit. After several rewrites, I went back to my original scenes and the love scenes just fell into place. Drake is a confident lover, and sure of his sexuality. The scenes sizzle.

The cover makes the book look more erotic than romance. Is it?
The cover is probably more provocative then the story, although the love scenes in the story are hot and uninhibited. There is romance, attraction and a strong story line with the sex. The sex scenes are totally character driven, and they fit well.

How many unpublished books do you have lurking under your bed?
I have one more in the works. It’s another contemporary romance story, What Love Was...

A follow on from SAS, or totally different characters and storyline?
No, this is a totally different story. Two couples find out their baby girls were switched at birth. The story will actually touch three generations, and will probably be a series. We shall have to see.

It sounds like a disturbing theme. How’d you come up with that idea?
The inspiration came from a greeting card for a baby shower. On the front was a baby wrapped in swaddling, on the inside the card just had one line. It said, "You only thought you knew what love was." As a Mom I knew exactly what those words meant. My son is the light of my life. One of the main characters in this story has to decide to save her life, or the life of her unborn baby.

How far are you into it?
I have two chapters just about completed. I have it set up so I can change the beginning. It’s a story about Isabel and Sophia who were switched at birth, but do not discover the truth until they are grown. Their lives merge, and become intertwined where they find out the true meaning of what love really is. It’s based on loving a child more then you love yourself.

How did you find your publisher?
I didn’t. My book was a three-year project. Two years into writing it, I was diagnosed with an aggressive rare type of lung cancer. So I didn’t have time to fool with publishers or rejections, because I did not know how much time I’d left. My book kept me going (along with my love of life) so I decided to self-publish . Sixteen months after being diagnosed, I am getting clear tests. I am blessed. Every day I pray for time to accomplish all the things I still want to do, and I thank God for getting me through this.

Amen to that! So you never had the heartbreak of dealing with rejection letters?
I only sent out one query, and when the rejection letter came I decided I did not have time to fool with that. I think agents basically operate like an employment service. If they get a job order for a book that matches your query you are in luck because of timing. If not you are rejected, and the next month a job order may come in to match yours. Button line is you are a day late, or should I say early. Besides, I was not sure I had the time left in this wonderful world to deal with rejections. I think every writer needs to keep in mind that whoever is reading your book, an agent, editor or publisher, that is only one person and it might not be their cup of tea. That doesn't mean you don't have a darn good book that others will love. One person's opinion does not make a majority.

So, who did you self-publish with?
I used Createspace which is owned by Amazon who in turn owns Kindle. Create Space will let you publish on Kindle or a paperback free on the condition you do your own formatting.

And that was the downside?
No, the formatting for the paperback is relatively easy. There is a program you can get for $32 that is an add-on to Microsoft Word that will format to their specifications.

Kindle and the eBooks was another story. The formatting was confusing. But you can get an account with Smashwords for free, and they will publish your book with Sony and the other eReaders. There are about five or six formats that must be done. Each eReader is different including Kindle.

Luckily, I found a guy through Smashwords that would format my book for me for $60. It was well worth it and only took about a week. Once he completed the formatting you submit them to Kindle and Smashwords yourself.

I needed a glass of wine when that was complete!

What about pricing?
With Createspace you set your sale price, and they do print-on-demand with the paperback. You are allowed to buy your own books at cost, which is a nice benefit. They have a very easy outline to follow to complete the process. Your profit is determined by the size of the book, and where you want it sold. If you elect to let it go on the standard bookstore special order lists then your profit drops considerably. In fact, mine would have been 29 cents a sold book. With this option your book is not put in a book store, it is merely available on a special order list. Heck, a customer can do that on Amazon! The negative with Amazon is your book is so buried it is hard to get an audience, unless you do it yourself. As we know, we are not allowed to talk to the customers, not even answer a question if asked directly. The other negative I found with Createspace is some print errors in the final book that were not in the proof. They weren't a "deal killer”, but they were there.

Your cover is amazing, how did you arrange for that to be done?
Oh yes, the cover, what fun. I did it myself for a total cost of $10.00. That was like putting frosting on your cake that baked beautifully, and smells delicious. I purchased the picture on a royalty free site, and then produced the copy in Microsoft Publisher. It took me about five evenings of searching for the right picture. I knew instantly it was the right one. I saved it in a little lesser resolution then Create Space suggested because I wanted the faded illusion, and it worked.

How do your juggle a writing schedule?
I am retired, so I am fortunate to make my own schedule. I had my ups and downs with time during surgery and feeling bad, but I spend more time at it now then I probably should.

Have you never written before now? Or has it always been a dream that you never thought you’d accomplish?
I was in an executive position prior to retiring, and everyone used to ask me to write their letters. I dabbled with journals over the years, and then as my career expanded I was working Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland and had properties all over Israel. Most of them were in Jerusalem. So I wrote a book about the experience. It was not a book to publish, just a book to pass down to my grandchildren about my experience. After I retired, I got the bug and played with it. I bought every book I could find on the subject, and watched every video on the Internet. I was fascinated.

What's the best/worst part of being a writer?
Two things are bad, or at least frustrating, comas and the critics.

Comas?
The two Cs! Comas are my downfall. I use White Smoke, which is a grammar check and heaven sent. It’s cheap too! http://www.whitesmoke.com/

And the critics? Have you have many?
Writers take far too much abuse. When you think of the time, and creativity they put into a story it is mind-boggling. They deserve so much more credit than they get. Many people that review books have never written a paragraph in their life. That might be a slight exaggeration, but people should think twice before giving their critical views. One person's junk is another's treasure.

Every story isn't right for every person, so just admit it's a personal preference. Don't take the author apart.

My son said, “Mom, it’s your story if they don’t like it, they can write their own.” He’s such a sweetheart. I always taught him there were critics in the world and then there were people that did things. Be the doer, not the talker. The best thing is looking at the finished product, and knowing you did the entire creation yourself. The characters and players will always own a piece of your heart.

Fantastic advice there. And on a lighter note, what is the most productive time of the day for you to write?
I like late evening when it’s too late to do what I should have done during the day.

Do you start your projects writing with paper and pen or is it all on the computer.

Always on the computer. I do not think I know how to use a pen anymore, well except to sign a check for the monthly bills. Actually, I am learning more about technology then I ever wanted to know, but it’s so addictive I can’t stop myself. My brain gets tired sometimes.

Do you set yourself goals when you sit down to write such as word count?
No, I just follow my characters and go with the story. Sometimes I have no idea what they are up to until I finish the chapter. Did you know that Margaret Mitchell who wrote, Gone With the Wind, actually wrote the ending first. I think you have to follow the story and follow your heart.

Do you have a critique partner?
I hired a person from a book club that professed to be an excellent editor. Then I hire a guy from Australia that promised to stand side by side with me until my book was published. That was a joke. All of a sudden he had an assistant and auto-answer. That was an expensive lesson on a widow's pay.

With the editor, I am not sure who was worse, her or me. I had a few friends review it, but with them I got more feedback on the storyline than the grammar/editing. This time around I will search out to someone who knows what they are doing.

We should try to turn out the best product possible, but we take ourselves much more seriously then we should sometimes. Don't beat yourself up too bad. You can go through most bestsellers and find an error here or there.

Anything else you want to tell us?
When you have walked in the shoes of your characters, you understand what they feel.

I want to contribute something to the world while I am here. I love creating. Since my retirement, I have learned heirloom sewing, machine embroidery, quilting, dabbled in painting, spend hours with “how to” books and lots of time writing. They all inspire me to want to do more. And of course, I want to beat cancer. I have had three primaries in my lifetime. I am now sixty-seven, and have been fighting this horrible disease since I was twenty-nine. I want to live. If I keep creating, I have a reason to be here, and maybe God will let me stay. Besides, I cannot sing or play a harp, so I am hoping he thinks I would be more productive on earth.

I haven't read this novel yet, so if anyone has read it or is reading it, please drop a line to say how much you've/are enjoying it.

Visit Nancy's Bookstore: http://www.nancysbookstore.com/

or buy Somewhere After Seduction straight from Amazon

I can't perform in the sexual department.

2011-11-19T23:51:00.001Z

There, I’ve said it. Before I’m sent loads of porn-site links to “better” myself can I add that I’m talking about writing sex scenes?

I find it very hard to write a sex scene and almost always have my characters kissing one minute and then lighting a cigarette the next! They read stupid and I giggle hysterically as I read them back. When I’ve recovered enough, I reread only to cringe in embarrassment.

I stink at writing sex scenes.

There is a sex scene in A Proper Charlie but I wrote that mainly for laughs not just for romance. Romance and sex is so hard to get right.

Eden is more romantic, and I admit I cut the sex scenes because they just didn't seem right. There are only so many ways you can write about kissing, caressing and getting naked!

Can sex scenes in books be well written?

Suggestive sexy scenes are bloody hard to write! Writers (me) fall into the trap of using cliques and inappropriate names for body parts (cue a list of inappropriate names for parts of the body):

Ladies:

Special flower
Coochie
Lady garden
Silken nest
Gash
C*** (can't even bring myself to type it!)

Men:

Third leg
Junior and his twin brothers
prick
Hard appendage
Fun stick
One eyed monster
Dick
Dong

Euphemisms are OK but get it right for goodness sake! What's acceptable are usually words that can be read without flinching ie member, shaft, manhood. For a woman it's: folds, core, heat etc.

But that's my opinion as a reader, as a writer of erotic fiction I'm certainly no expert!

The fact is, I want to include a bit of how’s-your-father in my books. I want to learn how to write sexy novels! And I'm jealous of those who can!

To write juicy scenes I'm told it's best to delve outside of what you already experience as the norm. People read for escapism, so we must use our creative brain cells to dig deep; break taboos and recreate sexual fantasies that we'd otherwise be too shy to ask our partner about.

Oh-er.

Sexy romance from Nancy Lawson "for the more mature reader".

2011-11-16T18:32:00.001Z

Nancy Lawson's début novel - Somewhere after Seduction

Betrayed by her own body, Morgan's memories of love and security were becoming a dream of her past.

Slowly, his sure hands untied the red negligee, letting it drop to the floor. Forcing her to step back into the light, he took his time, devouring her body with his eyes. Watching her, he felt his body respond. He undressed. She stood frozen in place. His eyes held her body captive, the light from outside cast shadows on her curves. He held her in place, an arm’s length away, caressing her body with his hungry eyes. He whispered, “Don’t close your eyes. Look at me.”

His hand moved, dwelling over the curves of her breasts, their eyes locked on each other. He kissed her taut nipples bringing their pink tips to crested peaks. His hand slid slowly and softly up her leg, tormenting her while she stood in the dim light, until flames of passion burned within both of them.

Nancy Lawson has granted me an EXCLUSIVE interview here on Wise Words next month. So watch this space!

Somewhere After Seduction is available to buy NOW

Somewhere After Seduction...

you know you want to

Morgan Reynolds ability to overcome adversity, replacing it with optimistic dreams, put her on a course in life where she attracted success and love. Married to Ben Reynolds, together they raised their son Cam, and developed a thriving Real Estate management business. Both their careers flourished affording them a beautiful penthouse overlooking, Washington DC, monuments and a luxury yacht.

Neither realized the handsome bachelor rogue, Drake Taylor, whose yacht, docked next to theirs, would impact their future. Morgan’s naïve heart wasn’t prepared for the path her relationships would take.

Betrayed by her own body she wonders what happens “Somewhere After Seduction”.

Keeping Books Alive Conference

2011-11-15T13:12:00.001Z

Keeping Books Alive

Conference to be held on Saturday 26 November 2011

Venue: RACV Club – Melbourne (501 Bourke Street)

A professional development seminar designed to inform and inspire secondary and primary teachers, librarians and those interested in promoting literacy. Presenters include Paul Collins, Susanne Gervay, Dianne Bates, Meredith Costain, Gabrielle Wang and many others. The $110 registration fee includes the cocktail party and dinner at the RACV Club.

Enquiries should go to Rob Leonard: rob@ozkids.com.au

5 simple marketing tips from Ashley Dawn

2011-11-14T07:35:00.001Z

Shadows of Pain Book 3
by Ashley Dawn
AVAILABLE FROM TODAY!

With so much going on with books on the Internet, there are a lot of options for authors to promote their work. I’ve used several of these…some worked and some didn’t. For me it was trial and error, so I thought I would share what has worked best for me:

A Blog. This can be FREE or there are some places where you pay for the blog, either way it is useful. I have a review blog where I read and review other author’s work. It gets my name out there and I have a page on my blog dedicated just to my books. That way, when authors are out there promoting their book and send people to my blog, I have the possibility to have them check out my books as well. It isn’t a guarantee but it has worked for me.
Help other authors. This one sort of goes along with the blog idea. If you review an author’s book for them, you have made a contact that in the future (or sooner if you agree to do a swap with them) they can do a review for you. If you help other authors with reviews and promotion, they will help you.
Facebook page. It is wonderful and FREE. You can post what is going on in your writing life, upcoming releases, book covers, etc. People click ‘like’ on your page and immediately see your feed. You have to post on there for it to be useful but there is a whole lot of people on facebook that can be reached through this and it doesn’t tie up your personal account.
Blog Tour. On this, you set up a time frame (either by yourself or hire someone to do it) where on certain days you are on certain blogs either doing reviews, guestblogs, giveaways, excerpts…the possibilities are almost endless! This way, you reach a completely new audience through the blogger’s followers and at the same time, you are helping them promote their blog by promoting your book!
Twitter. It works a lot like facebook only with more limited character space. I admit I don’t utilize this one like I should but it is there as a promotion tool for us authors and once again it is FREE. You can promote yourself, gain followers, announce release dates, or just talk about what you are working on to keep people interested.

All 5 of these can be used together to help you market and promote your work. Make sure to have fun with your marketing. I know it is work and you badly want to get all the exposure you can but remember to take time to stop and see what you are accomplishing along the way. I hope this helps or at least gives a few ideas!

Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent's office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas but is currently working as a legal assistant. Ashley has been writing professionally for the past seven years and has two published books.

Her first book, Shadows From The Past, was originally published by Tate Publishing and is considered more of a traditionally published book while the second, Shadows of Suspicion, was published by self publication using AuthorHouse. She is currently working on a standalone mystery about a serial killer that remains untitled.

You can find out all about her current books and future releases on her website: www.authorashleydawn.com.

Ashley also has a review blog to share her love of reading. Ashley’s Bookshelf, where she reads and reviews books of all genres: http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com She and her family make their home in Texas.

Past Sins by Ellie Jones

2011-11-11T08:09:00.001Z

Past Sins - a story of intrigue, romance, and deceit.

Past Sins
by
Ellie Jones

When wealthy Spanish artist, Juan García, dies, he leaves his beautiful Spanish villa and riding school, to Jenny. This is bizarre because she is English, has never been there, never met him, never heard of him, and is not related to him...

Stakes are raised when in the entrance hall to the villa she discovers a painting of herself... naked.

Juan’s young brother, Eduardo, believes she is a gold-digger and is out to prove it. Jenny finds herself struggling with him on several levels; his certainty that she had an affair with Juan, his own escalating attraction towards her, his belief that she may be involved with threatening letters against him, and his absolute and unjustified dislike of her new friend... but then she starts to get threatening letters too, and it all gets out of hand.

Purchase info – $2.99

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

Nook

Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island by C.K. Volnek

2011-11-09T17:49:00.002Z

Evil haunts Roanoke Island and it’s up to young Jack Dahlgren to destroy it...before it destroys him.

Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island

C.K. Volnek

In 1587,117 colonists disappeared from Roanoke Island without a trace, leaving behind not only unanswered questions, but a terrifying evil.

Now it’s up to twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren to unravel the age-old mystery and save his family from the hateful beast that haunts the island.

With the help of newfound friend, Manny, a Native American shaman, and an elusive Giant Mastiff, Jack must piece together the clues of the Lost Colony to discover what really happened. Shrouded in ancient Native American folklore, it's up to Jack to uncover what the evil is and why it haunts his island.

But can he destroy it...before it destroys him?

Buy it now:

Amazon

MIU Book store

Smashwords

Bookstand

Find out more at: www.ckvolnek.com

Capable of Murder by Brian Kavanagh

2011-11-09T08:13:00.000Z

CAPABLE OF MURDER.
The first book introduces amateur sleuth, Belinda Lawrence and begins her adventures.

Capable of Murder
by
Brian Kavanagh

The old lady's decaying body lay at the foot of the stairs.

The police believe it was simply an accidental fall that killed great-aunt Jane.

But was it?

Young Australian, Belinda Lawrence is convinced it was murder and when she inherits her great-aunt's ancient cottage and garden on the outskirts of Bath, England, she finds herself deep in a taut mystery surrounding her legacy.

A secret room. Unknown intruders. A hidden ancient document. They all contribute to the mounting dread.

A second vicious murder by a ruthless killer intensifies the tension and Belinda, now under threat herself, is befriended by two charming men: her neighbour Jacob and real-estate agent Mark Sallinger. But can she trust them? And what interest has befuddled antique dealer Hazel Whitby in the cottage?

Could one of them be the killer?

An excellent example of a time-honoured English village murder mystery with a lively young heroine pitting her intellect against an evil killer, both bent on solving the riddle of an ancient garden. An inventive puzzle glazed with wit and the first of the Belinda Lawrence series.

Purchase: BeWrite Books

Highway to Hell by Alex Laybourne

2011-11-08T07:43:00.000Z

Heaven and Hell, Angels and Demons, these things were once considered opposites, but now you will see that they are neighbors, allies…. friends.

Marcus, Becky, Richard, Helen, Sammy and Graham. All complete strangers, different ages, backgrounds and even countries, but they all have one major thing in common…

They all must DIE.

Sentenced to offer their penance in the many chambers of Hell, their lives are nothing but a torturous experience. They are brought face to face with their past, their mistakes and the implications that had for others. Until one by one they are rescued and thrown together. Waking in a dying world, they are introduced to their rescuers who do anything but conform to their angelic stereotype.

Together, bonded by an unknown destiny the group is set on their quest; to find one individual buried deep within the many Hell worlds. Not only does the fate of their world rest on their shoulders, but that of existence itself.

Purchase Links:
Amazon.com
Amazon.de
Amazon.co.uk
Smashwords
Blog

Eternal Beginning by Christine Cunningham

2011-11-07T08:14:00.000Z

Live the life you desire

Eternal Beginnings
by
Christine Cunningham

Imagine a world that draws out your true potential.

It’s just beyond the arch.

Can you hear your guide calling you?

Heed the call and open yourself to the life that you desire.

Purchase information:

Amazon (ebook) http://amzn.to/pkBzEC

Barnes & Noble (paperback) http://bit.ly/nKy6Va Paypal (autographed paperback) http://bit.ly/o41IIO

Brilliant Prey by Brenda Wallace

2011-11-06T11:20:00.000Z

“A twisting, intense psychological thriller.”

— Best selling author Scott Nicholson, Liquid Fear

Brilliant Prey
by
Brenda Wallace

Even a genius can be played for a pawn by a cunning and deadly manipulator.

Lauren James is a former psychiatrist, still reeling from her husband’s suicide and the subsequent miscarriage that swept away her tidy life the year before. On the anniversary of his death, she opens what she hopes to be a "Welcome to Mensa" envelope and pulls out a threatening puzzle along with the identical suicide note she had burned the previous year.

Unraveling the twisted clues, Lauren embarks on a harrowing journey drawn in by a child’s neglected grave, a professor from the island of St. Croix, and a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. When Lauren discovers the reason behind her husband’s shocking death, she must struggle with her deepest convictions and whether killing is acceptable if it saves more lives.

Purchase links:

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

ALPHA ONE – THE JUMP PILOT by Chris Burton

2011-11-05T11:00:00.000Z

What lies beyond the wormhole… is the devil incarnate

ALPHA ONE – THE JUMP PILOT
by
Chris Burton.

Jake is a trainee Jump Pilot and war is rife in the galaxy...

The Sentinels are very sensitive about a region of space, light years from their territorial boundaries. They are guided by the Betanica Sect, who seek to protect the galaxy and in particular the Tri Star Region from invasion by the Kryl. The Kryl are the devil incarnate…

Jake is a final year Alpha Academy student and he has chosen Jump Ship Command to launch his career. He and Steve are two of the brightest academy pilots. They are also vying for the affection of the same girl. Carla is looking for her sister, who left home 6 years before to join the Collective, led by the sinister and mysterious Professor Winterburn. Winterburn casts a spell over everyone he meets.

The Sentinels and the Betanica Sect lock horns with Alpha in a battle to assume control of the Tri Star System. Alpha's aim is to open the Blue Worm hole; a gateway to another galaxy. The gathering masses are joined by Winterburn and his flock and by Jake and Steve whose sole intention is to rescue Carla Stevenson from Winterburn’s clutches.

Available in e-book format via Eternal Press

In Kindle and printed format via Amazon

Remember, remember the fifth of November

2011-11-02T16:20:00.002Z

This Guy Fawkes week I have SEVEN authors to show-off.

I picked seven books all with a different genre.

So, starting Saturday 5th November

Chris Burton will be spotlighting his science fiction Alpha One - The Jump Pilot.
Brenda Wallace will follow with her thriller called Brilliant Prey, then we have a spiritual novel by Christine Cunningham called Eternal Beginning.

To follow those there will be a fantasy adventure Highway To Hell by Alex Laybourne, and Brian Kavangh will be along with his crime/thriller Capable of Murder and leading up the rear is YA author C.K. Volnek with Ghost Dog of Roanoke, and last but not least, a romance called Past Sins by Ellie Jones.

So lots of colour and variety for all readers.

Remember, I am here for blog tours/interviews/spotlights.

Please see submissions for more information.

Happy Firework night!

A Tortured Path to Writing and Cartooning

2011-10-28T19:00:00.002+01:00

Philip Chen

I am, by nature and experience, a very serious man. Just look at the things that I have done and you will see no flights of fancy, no falling off the beaten path, and certainly no aspirations of the literary kind.

As the immigrant son of strict Chinese parents, there was no opportunity to indulge in anything but adhere to rules. Life from an early age was rigorous: obedience to parents, and constant studying. If you were found doing anything that was not “educational”, you could expect to be punished and not by being given time outs, either. Comic books were frowned upon and I remember that any Mad Magazine found in my room was torn up and thrown away. My purchase of an Ann-Margret album was smashed. All this was evil stuff that diverted you from your essential purpose: study and then study some more.

At an intellectual level, even at a young age, I understood why my parents were so strict. Growing up in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s as an Asian was not easy. We lived in Washington, D.C., which at that time was at the intersection of southern institutionalized racism and northern false hope. Opportunities for Chinese in America, during the time of the Chinese Exclusion laws, were few and far between. As a young child, I was resigned to the fact that I would be channeled into some technical field. Any aspiration of going into architecture, art, or other creative pursuit was, simply put, a non-starter.

There were no laws that said Chinese could not pursue these avenues, but society, reinforced by my parents, said that any attempt to do anything but pursuing a technical education was doomed to failure.

So I became a serious man.

I went to engineering school and did well. I worked as an ocean research engineer and then went into environmental and power plant engineering when funds for ocean research mysteriously dried up. Even in engineering, this notion that Chinese could not do anything but be technicians was manifest. Despite my having been educated at two very serious and highly rated universities for my bachelor and masters degrees and having had straight A's in English at university, a well-meaning engineering manager once told me, “Phil, your problem is that you don't write good.” I had to bite my tongue from correcting him that he meant “well” not “good”.

You see, the mantra of the time (and unfortunately still true to some extent today) is that non Western Europeans are unable to master English and because of that they are often relegated to analytical functions. Managerial positions (concomitant with higher pay and stature) were meant only for people who could master English.

By the mid-seventies, American society had opened up slightly, thanks in great measure to the civil rights movement led by African-Americans. As a serious man, I saw an opportunity to broaden my knowledge of the rapidly developing area of environmental law and its application to my job as an environmental engineer.

That's when it the serious life started to unravel.

Starting legal studies at night and eventually finishing full-time at a major law school, I found that I could have a career that did not box me into a strictly technical field. I became a trial attorney in 1979. Even then, I admit that not many Chinese Americans were trial attorneys, although there were many practicing patent law, the equivalent to being an engineer in the legal profession. One thing led to another and I saw myself spiraling away from the walls of my childhood imprisonment. In quick succession, I became a municipal securities attorney, an investment banker, and private equity manager in Africa. Quite a path for a young immigrant child who was told that he could never aspire to do anything except engineering calculations and drawing plans on a piece of vellum. I started to see a world that I had never dreamed about. I dined at the finest restaurants, stayed in the most luxurious hotels and resorts, had junior personnel ready to do whatever I asked, and even flew on the Concorde.

But I remained a serious man.

I did this for twenty years, pursuing the career of a serious man. I married, had two children, bought a house, bought a summer home, and planned seriously for a professional life. Although my career was eclectic, I never wavered from the path that fate had chosen for me, however tortuous it might have been. I had no intention of doing anything else.

Then it happened.

In 1990, I suffered through a long period of restless nights, triggered by violent, incredibly vivid nightmares. In these nightmares, I saw gangs of what looked like ordinary Americans rampaging through my country killing people and destroying buildings. I saw majestic skyscrapers crash to the ground in flames. Even when I would be startled awake, these images continued to play out in the darkness of my bedroom, as though I was watching some urban horror movie. These dreams haunted me during the day as well. It was as though I were trapped in an endless loop of these scenes of destruction and human tragedy.

During that same time period, I was traveling frequently to Europe for business. I remember buying a new novel by a famous author who had been paid a handsome advance. I prefer not to identify the novel or the writer, but I found the book to be so utterly pornographic in its depiction of violence against women and so mundane in its repeated details of life, that I could not finish it - and I am not a prude by any means. I threw the book away into a trash can at Heathrow Airport. As a serious man, I said to myself - I can do better than that.

I was carrying a lightweight laptop for business and on those long overseas flights, in lonely hotel rooms (mostly in the U.K.), and during weekends at home, I started to type out a novel about gangs of foreign spies who hid in plain view in America for decades and struck when ordered to do so by their masters. I did this without any formal training in writing or experience as a storyteller. My previous writing had always been serious technical, legal or financial papers.

I found that my story was easy to transcribe. It was as though my characters lined up one-by-one to tell me their tale and I merely transcribed their stories. I finished the draft in about one and one half months and produced a 560 page manuscript. My nightmares stopped upon the completion of this manuscript. It was as though the story was told.

For twenty years, I tried to get literary agents and publishers to look at this novel. For twenty years, my efforts were continually rebuffed.

In 2001, I watched aghast as jetliners were used by foreign agents in an attack on America. I was astonished to later learn that these agents had lived amongst us, some for decades, as they plotted this horrendous attack. My first action after September 11th was to take my principal character's office off of the 100th floor of One World Trade Center, because I did not want people to think that I was trying to profit off this tragedy, although the action in the story takes place in 1993.

My story still had no takers. It was as though the guardians of the sacred temple thought that my tale of foreign agents hiding in plain view for decades, marrying innocent Americans, raising children, buying homes, holding down jobs, stealing the identities of dead babies, and living the casual suburban life was preposterous. Things like that just didn't happen in this country - not in America! Of course, until it did in June 2010 when Russian spies were found to have been doing exactly what my fictional spies did for twenty years. The only difference was that my spies didn't grow hydrangeas. One of my fictional agents was even a gorgeous female who posed as a financial consultant. I started posting excerpts of this story on Scribd.com in May 2009 (see, http://scribd.com/PhilC68) and the novel was first copyrighted in 1991. I add these facts just in case anyone doubts my history.

That is when I decided to self-publish, in August 2010, just in case any more of my story was broadcast on prime time news. Like that Swedish discovery of a mysterious object buried on the floor of the Baltic Sea - a principal story line in my novel.

Remember how I reacted on September 2001 to the attack on the World Trade Center? I now believe that the skyscrapers that I saw in my nightmares crashing to the earth in flames were the Twin Towers. The reason that I was able to so accurately portray my principal character's office in the Twin Towers is because I was describing my own office as a managing director for Lehman Brothers situated above the 100th floor of Two World Trade Center in the late eighties and early nineties. I left the firm in 1992, but had I stayed there and if my office was on the same floor on that dreadful day, I would not be writing this today.

This story that the watchdogs of the dead tree book industry so roundly dismissed has now been on sale for a little more than one year. It has been purchased over 4,400 times and has received close to fifty four and five star reviews on various sites. It also has the unqualified recommendation of noted U.S. book critic Alan Caruba who concluded his review with, "If you read just one novel in 2011, make it Falling Star."

But writing a novel is not necessarily a departure from being a serious man. Writers tend to be serious about what they do. But cartooning? That is another story.

I became less serious.

When I was sixty-three, my cardiologist telephoned me and told me that under no circumstances should I pick up anything heavier than a pencil (a slight exaggeration) over a weekend until he could set up an angiogram. He was concerned that I was going to burst some pipes or something. So with absolutely nothing to do, I surfed the web and came across an interesting astronomical theory that there has to be a parallel universe filled with strange matter in order for our universe to maintain cosmic balance. Don't forget, serious men read serious stuff.

As I sat there reading that article in BBC News, I started thinking (something that tends to get me into trouble), just what kind of life could or would live in such a place? Would leaves seek help for their fear of autumnal demise? Do elephant seals sue for protection against orcas? And, for that matter, just what do the statues on East Island think about as they stand there for centuries staring out at the tranquil waters of the Pacific Ocean. So without any formal training in art or cartooning, I picked up a number two pencil and started drawing. My first cartoons appeared on a local message board where they developed a small but vocal following. Then the New York Times asked me to contribute to their experiment at local news reporting on the web, aptly called, “The Local”. Eventually, I started my own cartoon blog and posted on various forums and message boards to which I belonged.

Followers of my cartoons compare them favorably to Gary Larson's Far Side, a comparison that pleases me as Larson is one of my favorite cartoonists.

How do I reconcile being a serious man, a writer of thrillers, and cartooning?

Actually writing a novel and drawing a cartoon are not that different. In each case you are telling a story. In the first case, your story is related using only words, constructed in such as fashion that the reader is led on a journey into your mind. In the latter case, your cartoon paints the story in more visual ways and the caption is the punch line.

What the future holds.

As 2011 fades into 2012, I am working on Volume 2 of my series. In this volume, there will be more clarity in what lies at the bottom of the ocean. However, Mike must deal with another encounter of the human kind as he is assigned to stop the distribution of a new drug with a most unusual side effect. But before he can solve that mystery, one of his actions in the first volume comes back to challenge Mike's continued service to CSAC. I am also assembling volume 2 of There is Strangeness in the Universe. The tentative title is Happy Holidays? And Other Tragedies in Life.

Books by Philip Chen

http://amzn.to/Falling-Star

Only one man can save the planet; small problem he just died.

Mysterious but silent objects have been found buried deep in the murky depths of the ocean. Dormant for decades, they are now awake and sending messages to outer space. Mike, pulled back into a clandestine world to finish a job he started as a young Navy Ensign and help decipher these strange messages, is attacked by gangs of ordinary Americans and must fight for his very life.

From the deepest reaches of the abyssal plains to the arid but mystically beautiful deserts of the American Southwest, Falling Star takes you on a journey through the darkest aspects of human existence to enlightenment of mankind's soul. It is a realistically written novel and contains scenes of graphic violence and strong language.

It may be strange to you, but it is life for us.

http://amzn.to/KindleStrangeness

Philip Chen was born in China in 1944 and immigrated to the United States in 1949. Growing up in Washington, D.C., during the 1950s and 1960s, Philip learned both the pains and triumphs of American society at a crucial turning point in America's history. In the fifties and sixties, Washington stood at the crossroads of southern institutionalized racism and northern false hope; a point not lost on the young Chinese immigrant.

After receiving a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Distinction from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science from Stanford University, he worked as an ocean research engineer in the development of deep submergence systems. Part of his work dealt with vehicles that could freely dive to 20,000 feet of water depth. He also participated as a hyperbaric chamber operator for manned dives inside a pressure chamber to 1,500 feet. He holds one U.S. Patent for an underwater mooring system.

After his stint as an ocean research engineer, Philip was an environmental and energy engineer, a trial attorney, a public securities attorney, an investment banker, a corporate executive, a private equity manager (in Africa), a strategic consultant, a cartoonist, an illustrator, a website manager, and author. He received his law degree from the University of Minnesota.

One of his mentors once told Philip that it wasn't that he couldn't hold down a job; he couldn't even hold down a career! Philip's biography has been included in Who's Who in America and in Who's Who in the World for many years.

Blog:

http://fallingstar1970.wordpress.com

http://strangenessinuniverse.blogspot.com

The difference between formatting an e-Book and a "real" book.

2011-10-26T10:26:00.000+01:00

E.S Lark guest-posted an article here last month and glutton for punishment she's back!

Self-Publisher’s Diary -

Formatting the Interior of Your Book

As a self-publisher, I’m responsible for writing, finding an editor, purchasing cover art, marketing and laying out the interior of my books. Even though interior book formatting isn’t as crucial when it comes to ebooks, it’s an art form for any author looking to get their books printed.

There are a few key items a print book has that ebooks do not, and they are:

Headers and footers. The header of the document generally includes the author’s name or title of the novel along with the page number, unless it’s added in the footer.

Chapter breaks are another piece of formatting most ebooks don’t use. The reason for this is because every ereader will look at your book differently. Your chapter break might happen in the middle of a page instead of at the end of one.

Fancy fonts. Because readers can change the font type and size of their ebooks with the touch of a button, fancy fonts aren’t necessary. That’s why most ebooks come in a standard font such as Times New Roman.

Now, I know what you’re thinking—how do you format the interior files for a book you plan to print through services such as Lulu or Createspace?

One of the best pieces of software you can buy for interior formatting is Adobe Indesign. While I could format my interior files in Microsoft Word, it’s a hassle. Adobe Indesign or another piece of formatting software’s built to make our lives easier. Instead of putting the headers (author name, book title and page number) in by hand on each page, you can create what’s called a ‘Master Page’ so the program does it for you.

But the biggest thing you need to worry about when formatting your book are those widows and orphans. Widows and orphans are single lines of text from a paragraph that appear on the very bottom of a page or at the very top.

This also includes those lines at the end of one paragraph that are one word long. One word takes up an entire line on the page. This is a waste of valuable printing space. To fix this, you’ll either need to tighten the sentence or change what’s called the tracking—spacing between words, so the hanging word gets bumped up to join its friends.

Open up any book you have in your home and look at the text. Notice how the text’s in blocks? Each line of text lines up with the one before it. That’s accomplished through good formatting. Adobe Indesign allows you to work on blocks of text by changing the spacing between letters, words or even by hyphenating longer words, just so everyone lines up correctly.

I admit, this isn’t something I generally look at as a reader. However, a book that has an interior that’s formatted incorrectly screams ‘self-published’. And even though self-publishing’s become more popular over the years, there’s still a sigma about it. Take your time when formatting the interior files of your book. The cover might be what draws your readers in, but the inside text is what keeps them there.

E. S. Lark is the author of fantasy fiction such as The Waking Grove and Trueblood’s Plight. You can learn more about her and the worlds she creates by visiting her website at: http://www.eslark.com