The start of a new series!

By on March 12, 2014 in book reviews, Writing

Most likely, you’re aware that IndieReCON happened a couple weeks ago. So many of the vlogs and articles are good reminders that I’m either on the right path or I need to tweak my path a tiny bit.

Susan Kaye Quinn talked about Facing your Fears in a nifty Prezi presentation. One thought struck home with me. That is when she mentioned how fear is present when we make ourselves vulnerable. Maybe we’re not sure how people will respond to our thoughts, presentation or our stories.

I’ll admit. I struggle with this fear on a somewhat consistent basis.

That’s why it’s about time I make myself vulnerable and reveal the title and premise of the first book in a new YA romantic comedy series. As of now, I hope to release book one in May of 2014. This spring. Just a few months away.

In fact, I added it to Goodreads last week. I loved writing this story and am truly excited to release it into the world. Okay, nervous too.

Prom Impossible

1 girl. 1 prom. 3 guys.

Cassidy decides her senior year, including prom, will be about Michael Greenwood, the boy destined to be her soul mate. One problem. He hasn’t figured that out yet.

But certain events like exploding smoke bombs—that weren’t completely her fault—introduce her to Zeke, the reformed bad boy. And cutting deals in the boys’ bathroom with Jasper, the hottest guy in school, lands her in a complicated web of half-truths that spirals out of control.

At the end of the year, she’s dateless the day before the big night but risks a lot more than her pride if she can’t find a way to fix her mistakes.

A modern-day Shakespearean-like romantic comedy in the world of teens, true love, and life.

The cover reveal will be happening on April 7th. You can sign up to help reveal it here!

And for the first time I created a trailer. Eek! Which will be revealed later on.

Another point, Sue brought up is that fear is a signal; and sometimes, if we’re a bit scared of a project, then that’s probably the one we should work on. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for that fear signal when I’m considering what project to work on next.

Have you made yourself vulnerable lately? 

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Business decisions we make.

By on February 24, 2014 in book reviews, publishing industry

Deciding to self publish, go Indie, whatever you want to call it these days was a business decision for me. And along with running a business, I have to make tough decisions when it comes to my production schedule and what I choose to write.

For a long time I focused on middle grade. The first few manuscripts I wrote were middle grade. One was published briefly last year with a small press before they closed. I’m not ready to self publish it. Maybe someday…

There are certain types of middle grade books that are just as much meant for adults as they are for kids. One such book I recently read was a beautifully written survival story. It was Ice Dogs by Terry Lynn Johnson. Maybe you’ve heard of it. Adults and kids will both love this one.

When I read middle grade I love, I end up shaking my fists at the sky and shouting (on the inside) “I will write middle grade again!” But for now, I am writing other kinds of stories that I love just as much. Business decisions.

Another great business decision is furthering our knowledge through workshops, reading, writing…etc. Here are two for you that are FREE!

Indie Recon with lots of great speakers and chats including the Indelibles’ Susan Kaye Quinn, Rashelle Workman, Chelsea Fine, and Chelsea C. Cameron. It runs this week the 25th-27th! Check it out.

And the second is a free YA science fiction thriller: Mindspeak by Heather Sunseri. Download it before the deal goes away!

I’m thinking that regardless of publishing route there are tough decisions to be made. If you want to share yours in the comments, I’d love to hear!

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Indie Life – Taking risks.

By on February 12, 2014 in publishing industry, Writing

Welcome to what is the last Indie Life post. The Indelibles have streamlined their efforts as we are all busy writing and publishing. Thank you for joining us for the last one! Visit the Indelibles for all the links.

I’ve been thinking about risks and mistakes and how it’s almost impossible not to make them.

I don’t mean obvious ones like not hiring an editor. I mean subtle decisions that arise that don’t seem to have a right or wrong answer. Like our sales are down or never took off – does that mean I need to redo the cover? What about paying big bucks for ads or joining a costly Net Galley co-op? What about investing in print books and attending a signing?

Sometimes we take risks. Sometimes they pay off. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes we have to eat the cost and try not to make that mistake again. Sometimes it wasn’t a mistake. It was just something we had no control over.

We’re going to have ups and down. We’re going to have decisions that pay off big time and vice versa. Just don’t let the ones that don’t pay off get you down.

What are some potential risks you have taken on the Indie journey?

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Cover reveal – ELEVATED by Elana Johnson!

By on January 24, 2014 in book reviews

I’ve always been a fan of Elana’s blog and her books. She’s so honest and vulnerable on her blog, which is why she’s attracted hundreds of readers. When I learned she had something new coming out and that she was Indie Publishing it – I was psyched!

I was also extremely willing to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review – and participate in the cover reveal! I’ll give you hint – I loved it!

No need to delay. If you haven’t already seen it – here it is! Click on the cover to add it to Goodreads!

About ELEVATED: The last person seventeen-year-old Eleanor Livingston wants to see on the elevator—let alone get stuck with—is her ex-boyfriend Travis, the guy she’s been avoiding for five months.


Plagued with the belief that when she speaks the truth, bad things happen, Elly hasn’t told Trav anything. Not why she broke up with him and cut off all contact. Not what happened the day her father returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. And certainly not that she misses him and still thinks about him everyday.


But with nowhere to hide and Travis so close it hurts, Elly’s worried she won’t be able to contain her secrets for long. She’s terrified of finally revealing the truth, because she can’t bear to watch a tragedy befall the boy she still loves.

You can even preorder it on Kobo!

Elana Johnson’s work, including Possession, Surrender, Abandon, and Regret, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), is available now everywhere books are sold. Her popular ebook, From the Query to the Call, is also available for download, as well as a Possession short story, Resist. School teacher by day, Query Ninja by night, you can find her online at her personal blog or Twitter. She also co-founded the Query Tracker blog, and contributes to the League of Extraordinary Writers.

Website/blog: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElanaJ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/possessionthebook
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/elanajohnson

 

 

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Marketing: What works? What doesn’t?

By on January 20, 2014 in publishing industry

Do you ever wonder why some books become bestsellers while others can barely be given away? Why some businesses succeed and others fail? How does a blog post or a YouTube video manage to go viral? Is it a matter of luck or is there some magic formula for success?

Thanks to the hosts for this marketing blog hop: Arlee Bird, Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click on any of their blogs for all the links.

I’ve asked myself the answers to these questions all the time! I’ve done a lot of observing on book launches and marketing strategies for both traditional and Indie books to see what works.

You could seriously drive yourself absolutely crazy trying to follow all the marketing advice out there, thinking that’s what will bring success.

I’ve watched traditional publishers throw thousands into a lead book title to see it completely flop and vice versa.

I’ve seen Indie authors do everything they can from blog tours, to ads, to giveaways and their book never really takes off and vice versa.

Observed truths:

1. Word of mouth is the best marketing, and we can’t control that.
2. The best marketing is more content, in my case, more books.
3. All the marketing in the world won’t sell a book that readers aren’t looking for.
4. If you have a book readers want, then most marketing will work.
5. There is no magic formula.
6. There is no magic formula.
7. There is no magic formula.

My strategies:

1. Write the next book.
2. Connect with readers. (This is much easier to do when fans seek you out, not the other way around.)
3. Build my email list. (Slowly but surely.)
4. Offer free or loss leader books. (You can download Vanishing Point, the prequel to my spy series for free.)
5. Brainstorm creative more long lasting ideas for the launch of the first book in my new series this spring. For example: a free short story with an excerpt.

Last thoughts:

I’m looking forward to what everyone else has to say, but I’ll be honest. I’ve become more of a cynic when it comes to marketing. That’s why my biggest motto will be to focus on the aspects of my writing and publishing that I can control.

Do you agree, disagree with my observations?

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