Author Page

I've come to the conclusion that writing my stories is less "work" than promoting them. Luckily I come from a marketing/promotion background BC (before children) so I have some sort of clue as to the best way to do it, however, it is still time consuming. Frankly, I can't wait to get back to reading some of the many books I have on my Kindle, that aren't mine!

When you release something new, updates to websites, pages, bios, etc. become imperative. Since I just released The Valentine's Day Curse I've been busy will all that "fun stuff" while still promoting Fractured Facade. My website is still a work in progress so bear with me.

I decided it would be wise to create an author page on Facebook rather than have individual pages for all my books. I learned that lesson from having more than one blog at one time. I found I was pulling myself in too many directions and not being productive. I figure I could use the author page to make announcements, run specials, share events, and hopefully dialogue with my readers and friends.

If you care to, I would greatly appreciate you liking my author page by clicking here.



If you do, you can read the first post and see how to save 99 cents!

While the rest of you are watching the SuperBowl I will be composing a press release, compiling a contact list, and coming up with topics to speak about on my upcoming appearance on the Daytime BlueRidge Show. Anyone know how to lose 20 pounds in two weeks??? Apparently WSLS does not have a magic camera...

Live on Amazon...The Valentine's Day Curse!

Live, in the Amazon store...it's The Valentine's Day Curse -- A short story!

"When Lisa’s Valentine’s Day ritual is interrupted by a phone call, she is surprised it’s from someone she hadn’t heard from in many years. What could her ex, Joey, possibly want from her on what could have been their 25th wedding anniversary?

The Valentine’s Day Curse…A short story about stirred memories of unrequited love, revealing Valentine’s Day is not always a bed of roses."

Not everyone is a fan of Valentine's Day, and although I'm one of those as well, I just want to be clear that unlike my last book, Fractured Facade, this short story is not about me. Well, some "elements" of the tale are based on true life experiences, but not necessarily mine.

I think of this short story as the 99 cent KDP Select experiment before I begin working on the next full length novel. Since it's such a timely piece I thought it would behoove me to take advantage of Amazon's free promotion days around Valentine's Day. I will be curious to see if giving it away free will stir some folks to seek out my other book. The other possibility is what I fear most people do with free books...download them and forget about it. However, my thinking is that if I release a short story maybe they will be more likely to actually read it quickly than have it fall into the cellar of their Kindle.

The other benefit of the KDP Select program is that Prime Members can check it out for free. I can't imagine anyone would use their check-out on a 99 cent short story, so I doubt I will see any income generated from that. The drawback as I've stated in the past, is that in order to use the KDP Select Program I have to list the book exclusively on Amazon for 90 days. Fret not, Amazon does have free applications that can be downloaded so anyone can read this book on other devices. I think being it's a short story it's more likely that will happen than if it was a full length novel.

It's much easier to put a book up on KDP Select at its inception than it is after it's been published on other sites. From what I understand it could take B&N 6 weeks to remove the book, and from my personal experience I know it takes months for them to even report to Smashwords that a sale was made! The other problem with B&N is that it's very difficult for folks to find one's book unless they are specifically searching for it. I think I pretty much tapped out this valley and my friends and family, so really Amazon and their promotions are my best bet to get my name out. Still, as of right now I have no intention of removing Fractured Facade from Smashwords. I still think it's going to be a "sleeper" and I want folks to be able to read it on any of their devices.

So...if you like a "love story" haha! check out The Valentine's Day Curse. Yes, that is a noose around the groom's neck...

Getting Closer

Been busy, busy, busy! Getting closer to publishing my short story "The Valentine's Day Curse." Here's the cover we've come up with...thank you Marie Elena!



And here's the blurb...

Valentine’s Day is not always a bed a roses…

I'm still working on fine-tuning the description. I also have to re-work the author bio, and compose something for the end of the book. I'm thinking about just putting my website and e-mail address. I was going to list "Fractured Facade" but then everytime I write another book I'll have to upload a new version, so I think if I direct readers to the website they could see not only the other books I've written, but read my bio, etc.

The target date to upload is February 1st...fingers crossed.

****UPDATED****

Re-did the cover again...going with this one instead!

Here We Go Again...

Well, here we go again...

I'm excited to announce I do believe I have completed my short story entitled, "The Valentine's Day Curse." My goal is to have it up on Amazon sometime during the first week of February, so I have to get my butt in gear. If I wasn't an independent author, there's no way in hell I would reach that goal.

Over the next couple of days I will be busy formatting, creating the cover, writing a synopsis and tag-line, editing my website, creating a Facebook Author page and composing an End Stuff to include at the end of my books. Yup, it's a lot of work, but it's my work. I have complete control and final say, and I couldn't have it any other way.

I still haven't found the perfect red rose with huge thorns on its stem that I can mangle for the cover, but I know I will.

Not this one...too pretty...

ABNA? Pass...

Maybe I've been reading Joe Konrath's blog too much, but after careful consideration I have decided to pass on entering Fractured Facade in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. The grand prize is a publishing contract through Penguin Books, as well as a $15,000 advance.

When I first considered possibly entering, I clicked on the icon for more information and immediately received an email from CreateSpace, thanking me for contacting them. CreateSpace is the self-publishing and print on-demand services arm of Amazon. The email listed all the benefits I would receive by self-publishing with them, but there was not one mention of the ABNA contest. I thought, "Aha! This so-called contest is just a scam to get authors to self-publish with them." A quick Google search revealed ABNA is a legitimate contest, but I'm sure the 9,998 entrants who do not win, will forever be spammed with emails from CreateSpace urging them to create a book with them. Pass.

It's not that I feel my book would never stand a chance of winning, and that $15,000 is an amount to sneeze at, but frankly, I'm not interested in a contract with Penguin. Maybe three years ago I would have been salivating to have someone from there even glance at my manuscript, but not any longer.

I love being an independent author. I love being my own agent and my own publisher. I love only answering to myself and my readers. I love that I can set my own deadlines. In fact, I've put my research on hold for the paranormal novel I planned on writing next, so I could focus on a short story that's been yelling at me to write instead. It's an "anti-Valentine" tale that I hope to have up on Amazon before February 14th. There's no way I'd be able to do that had I been "traditionally" published.

If there are any authors who want to enter ABNA you better hurry. The submission period is open now until February 5th, but they're only accepting the first 5,000 entries each in general fiction and young adult. Best of luck to you!

Setting the Mood

I discovered something rather quickly about writing to music I haven't heard in years...I can't. Rather than writing words, I found myself singing words. I couldn't concentrate. I was too wrapped up in the Swans and Leather Nun to complete a cohesive thought. So, I forced myself to shut off the music.

I tried again, and this time discovered those index cards that a lot of authors use to "plot" their story, did not work for me. In the trash.

Next up, writing in third person. Didn't feel it. For the subject matter it wasn't natural. It didn't flow. Delete everything.

I sat there knowing I had a story inside, but couldn't pull it out of me. The mood in my office was not right. I needed to change things. I got rid of the energy saving light bulb in my desk lamp and replaced it was a 40 watt soft one. I found a lilac candle and lit it. I needed music, but nothing that I would sing along to. I pulled out Liszt.



I cleared my head, took a deep breath, let the music flow through me, and suddenly, it came. By the time the CD came to an end I was almost half-way through with my tale. Next up is Berlioz. I figure by the time Mozart joins me I will be finished with the first draft.

I wonder how other writers set their mood...

NYC...Live in Roanoke! Highlights

I awoke this morning to find this on my Facebook wall...Highlights from the Fractured Facade ebook event held in December at the Roanoke main library.

Very cool.

A couple of days ago I posted full versions of some of the songs so be sure to check them out here.

Thanks again to all the artists who participated, Ron Bergeron of Star City Fame , River Laker of Roanoke Public Libraries, and everyone who showed up. You guys rock!