Tag Archives | Heart of an Assassin

The why of changing covers.

By on August 28, 2013 in publishing industry

It wasn’t until I started on the publishing venture, it wasn’t until I published book 2 in my spy series, it wasn’t until I was a few months away from releasing a novella and book 3 (Fall 2013) that I understood why publishers change covers for the paperback, or even the hardcover halfway through a series. (As annoying as that is for readers.)

When I started self publishing, I had a limited budget. I knew covers were important, so I hired a designer. Problem was – I wasn’t completely happy with my paid cover. As my first time working with a designer and planning for a book release independently, I’ll take the blame for that. But money for that was used up.

So I spent hours creating my own, learning the ins and outs of Photoshop. I don’t regret that one bit because the skills I learned have been invaluable, and I continue use them with headers, photo teasers, badges…etc.

But, heading into my third book, I had money earned from profits to invest in a series of branded covers for my spy series. And with the release of the novella and book 3 – the time was now.

With no further ado, here they are!

AND

I left the old ones on the sidebar so you can see the differences. They’ll soon be changing. And I’ll soon be revealing the covers for Vanishing Point (novella) and Twist of Fate (book 3). Both to be released in the next couple of months.

And with other news, Heist will be on a book blitz tour with Xpresso Book Tours. Feel free to sign up to receive an ecopy to give away on your blog, and your choice of a guest post or excerpt. You can post between September 9th-19th.

Have their been any cover changes you haven’t been happy with? (I’ll admit it’s annoying when I planned on purchasing the print version of the series, but often times, I agree that the cover change was a good thing.)

Comments { 13 }

Indie Life and a FREE online conference!

By on February 13, 2013 in How I Write, Writing

When I made the decision to plunge into self-publishing in the fall of 2012. I felt many things. Exhilaration. Excitement. Fear.

I scoured blog posts when debating on my future. There were many helpful blog posts, but not near as many as there are today!

And something even bigger is on the horizon.

  • If you’re debating about your publishing future.
  • If you’ve started self-publishing but still have questions.
  • If you’re wondering about the best way to plan for this new venture.
  • If you’ve been winging it and need some solid business strategies.
  • Or if you’ve found success and are ready to go to the next level.

Then register for IndieRecon. Next week. February 19th-21st. A FREE online conference.

Yeah, that’s right. It’ll be nothing short of stupendous. Read the agenda here and the line up of successful Indies.

I’ll see you there with my post about middle grade and an interview with Sybil Nelson, author of the Priscilla the Great books.

And the best part? I’ll be wearing my jammies.

Head back to the Indelibles blog for other Indie Life posts!

Don’t forget to sign up for Indie-kissing blogfest for the 14th! ! Click on the picture in my sidebar to sign up! 

Comments { 10 }

Traditions.

By on February 4, 2013 in Writing

Superbowl Sunday has definitely become a family tradition for us. My kids know what to expect and if we don’t deliver, we’d be in trouble. For me, it’s precious family time that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Even if the Patriots did lose in the play offs.

The list of food is crazy (okay, not that crazy) and it’s just for my family and my dad. Chili, chicken wings, veggie dip, cheese curls. I’m not sure how the cheese curls managed to sneak into the menu. I think that was the influence of my sons.

This time my husband made homemade mozzarella sticks, and I do believe they’ll become part of the tradition.

We’ve been invited to other homes, but we turn it down. Not that it wouldn’t be fun to be with friends, but a certain member of my household likes to actually watch the game. He doesn’t like to talk while glancing occasionally at the television.

So we’re at home and will continue to be.

But it got me thinking as to how huge a role traditions play in our lives. So many of our childhood memories are based in them. They become important and how dare we try anything different or change them.

I think that’s why it was and is so hard for some writers to accept or experiment with self-publishing. We’re breaking tradition. And that’s always hard. Whether it’s trying a new revising technique, or a new genre, or…etc. The list goes on.

Favorite commercial (from the ones I saw): The old people going out and partying. I can’t even remember what the commercial was for.

And don’t forget to sign up for the Indie-kissing blogfest. Click to sign up in my sidebar!

What are some of your favorite traditions?

Comments { 18 }

Kissing + blogfest = fun promotion! Sign up today!

By on February 1, 2013 in social media

I scroll through Twitter for interesting posts to click. I sigh and yawn. Titles flash by that I’ve seen recycled in the past year. Whether it be about marketing or self publishing or the top five things you have to do to keep a pet hair-free house or have an elephant for a pet. Weighty topics like that.

Yawn.

I’ll skim marketing posts and feel so overwhelmed at the way some professionals describe what must be done, it’s a wonder anyone tries to publish a book, either traditionally or on their own. I usually say I don’t do much of any marketing, but really that’s not true.

I choose to participate in marketing and promotional events that require the least amount of effort and that will be long lasting. Like cross promotion. Like a free short story or a companion novella. Like wearing a cardboard sign with my book cover on it and walking around my local mall.

Of course, I make smaller efforts when it’s appealing to me. Like if there happened to be a blogfest that had to do with kissing. I mean what  a great idea with Valentine’s Day coming up.

Oh, wait. There is one like that! (Like how I snuck that in there?)

 

Join us for an INDIE-kissing blogfest!

Who can join?       Absolutely anyone!

When is it?     February 14th!

Head on over to the Indelible blog to sign up with the linky link.

 

Comments { 4 }

The Next Big Thing

By on January 16, 2013 in murder and mystery, social media

Yeah, I’m a little late.

Weeks ago, before Christmas, Susan Kaye Quinn tagged me in the Next Big Thing Meme. As many of you know, Susan is the author of the fantastic Mindjack Trilogy. She’s also a friend.

What is the title of your next book?

Nothing is ever certain with me until the very end. But I’m almost positive the next book will be the third book in Circle of Spies Series and will be called: SECRETS OF AN ASSASSIN.

Where did the idea come from for this book?

To be honest, I struggled a bit with this one. I’d plot and then give up. Plot and then delete the whole thing. At one point, I changed the ending of book 2 so it provided more of a closed story–but left an opening–in case I didn’t write book 3. It was not until after Christmas that when I was least expecting it, the plot came together.

What genre does the book fall under?

Contemporary young adult. But it also falls under mystery and espionage. Some of my favorite stories. For me, it’s not the genre, but the heart of the story. This one continues the story of Savvy and Malcolm.

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition.

This is a tough one that I’m going to leave alone. I never look to find actors, or daydream about who would play certain characters. That has never inspired me. Sorry. J

What is the one sentence synopsis?

Malcolm and Savvy are in hiding after their escape from Greece, but when Savvy stumbles upon Will’s phone and a series of text messages, she must choose between everything she’d fought for and breaking away to discover Will’s secrets and make amends with her past decisions.

Definitely still in the first draft phase, so the phrasing will change.

Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?

Self published. That’s an easy one.

How long did it take you to write the first draft?

Since I’m still writing I’ll refer to my production schedule. **checks schedule and returns** It should take me less than two months to finish the first draft.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I’d compare this series to Ally Carter’s Gallagher series, except different? Mine isn’t set in a prep school, my characters are older, and Savvy never started out as an official spy with training.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

How about this series? When I started writing A SPY LIKE ME, I planned on querying agents. I decided to try my hand at contemporary and I heard the advice to write something you’d love to read. So I wrote down words like: spies, adventure, humor, love, Paris…etc. The rest is history. J

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

If someone doesn’t love to read about teen spies, I’d say they’d enjoy the heart of the series, which is a girl coming to terms with her changing family and trying to find her place in a world that has been turned upside down.

***

I’d love to tag a few writer friends. Here they are:

Ansha Kotyk
Laura Diamond
Stina Lindenblatt

 

 

Comments { 12 }
Follow Me