For book/ebook authors, publishers, & self-publishers

May 2008 Blog Posts (179)

Announcing the Upcoming Virtual Book Tour of MRS. LIEUTENANT

MRS. LIEUTENANT: A SHARON GOLD NOVEL is about to embark on a virtual book tour around the blogosphere.

What is a virtual book tour? Instead of book authors flying from city to city and staying in hotels (and shlepping their luggage), book authors sit in the comfort of their own homes and write guest blogs that are featured on different people’s book-related blogs.

I’m doing my virtual book tour through Dorothy Thompson’s company www.PumpUpYourBookPromotion.com – and… Continue

Added by Phyllis Zimbler Miller on May 19, 2008 at 3:30pm — No Comments

New Author, Janet Enos

Hi folks,

Hope everyone is doing well. I have received many comments from people finding my blog on the Internet. My book seems to be selling well. I have signed several copies already and have been asked by several people when Series 2 will be released. Well . . .I'm in the revision process. Take care!

Added by Janet Enos on May 19, 2008 at 2:19pm — No Comments

Win an Amazon Kindle, iPod Shuffle, or other great prizes!

As part of the promotion for my next release (BONEYARD in July) I'll

be holding a series of drawings for an Amazon Kindle, iPod shuffles,

Amazon and Starbucks gift certificates, and signed first editions of

my books. To enter just sign up for my newsletter (which I send out

VERY sporadically) at www.michellegagnon.com. (If you already signed

up, you've been automatically entered.)

By the way, this is a… Continue

Added by Michelle Gagnon on May 19, 2008 at 12:58pm — No Comments

A Number 1 Placing (of sorts) at Amazon UK

Amazon UK have a facility by which it is possible to view the positions of books within any category according to 'Average Customer Review' It doesn't mean a lot I know, but I'm gobsmackingly delighted that A Study in Red is currently number 1 when viewed in that list, which contains over 250 books on the subject.

Please see it at… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on May 19, 2008 at 11:00am — No Comments

Did You Know Flash, Videos & Music Are Killing Websites?

Too much can kill the desired results of a

website: music, videos, & flash.

A website should upload for your visitor

between 5 to 10 seconds. And if they are

waiting and waiting you may just have lost

a new reader.

Comment |…

Continue

Added by C.F. Jackson on May 19, 2008 at 9:04am — 2 Comments

Highest Amazon position so far for 'A Study in Red'

'A Study in Red - The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper' today reached number 13 in the Amazon UK bestselling Jack the Ripper book listings.

I'm delighted that the book continues to do so well and that the readers are enjoying it so much that they continue to add such great customer reviews to the sites of both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

For the latest listing please see… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on May 19, 2008 at 8:37am — No Comments

Rules for Writing Detective Stories, and Suggestions on How to Break Them

I have a copy of Sue Grafton’s text, “Writing Mysteries.” In my office. Somewhere. It is a really good reference for anyone looking for practical information on the art of writing in the mystery/detective fiction genre. In it is a chapter on the rules of mystery writing and how to break them. I was grateful that unconsciously, I followed most of her advice in my writing long before I knew she had advice. I’m still looking for the book, however. Unlike my writing, I don’t know how this… Continue

Added by Ron Adams on May 18, 2008 at 10:05pm — 2 Comments

Create a Market Survey For Your Fiction Submission

OK, here’s the problem. You are an unpublished author, and an editor has requested a complete manuscript of your novel. They read the manuscript, and they “just love it,” BUT they’re not sure of the market for the book. There is something a little quirky in the book that the editor likes because of its originality, but will it sell? So they take a pass rather than assume the risk on your work.

Why not head this problem off by including two additional items with the manuscript: a… Continue

Added by Bill Stephens on May 18, 2008 at 8:12pm — No Comments

Free Enchanting Excerpt

I have just posted the first two chapters of DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT-THE RELICS OF MERLIN on my website: http://www.KathryneKennedy.com

Come take a peak at the second book in the RELICS OF MERLIN series. Each book is connected by one of Merlin’s thirteen magical jewels, and is a different couple’s love story—here is a bit about this new enchanting journey:

DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT-RELICS OF MERLIN:

Lady Jasmina was in a world of trouble. A simple spell had gone disastrously… Continue

Added by Kathryne Kennedy on May 18, 2008 at 2:29pm — No Comments

What Writers Need To Know About Publishing

Jerry D. Simmons, the author of What Writers Need To Know About Publishing, is coming to ~~Writers in the Sky podcast~~ on June 6, 2008 to share his experience and help authors understand what goes on inside major publishers.

Jerry has worked for 25 years for Random House and Time Warner Book Group—both major New York publishing houses. His new site, NothingBinding, is an online social networking outlet where authors may sell… Continue

Added by Yvonne Perry on May 18, 2008 at 10:36am — 2 Comments

Things I hear at my book signings

Things I've heard at a signing, dressed professionally and standing behind a table with a banner on the front that reads: "Meet bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif"

(And what I sometimes wish I could say in response...but don't)

*Can you tell me where to find the book: Political Warfare and Toxicology...blah..blah

(because I so obviously look like not only a bookstore employee…

Continue

Added by Cheryl Kaye Tardif on May 18, 2008 at 9:30am — No Comments

I'm Guest at Balticon in Maryland Memorial Day Weekend

Catch me Memorial Day Weekend at Balticon, a science fiction, fantasy and horror convention held at the Hunt Valley Marriott Inn in Hunt Valley, Maryland. I'll be doing several panels and a signing, including Ghostbusting 101 Friday night at midnight. For more information on the con and membership prices: http://www.balticon.org .
Pamela K. Kinney (also a guest as Sapphire Phelan)

Added by Pamela K. Kinney/Sapphire Phelan on May 17, 2008 at 9:00pm — No Comments

For the Fathers... You have to think before you speak,, Enjoy the poem!!

Have you ever looked at a sad face and wonder "why is that child so sad?" Sometimes in school I hear the children talk and they don't know I am listening. This is a poem that speaks for those children who have fathers that are around and don't understand the power of their words to their kids. Please enjoy this…

Continue

Added by Keith B. aka K. L. on May 17, 2008 at 4:07pm — No Comments

A Poem by Glome

I'M EVERY AGE I'VE EVER BEEN

( I have put eternity in their hearts Eccl 3:11)

The first three years

were filled with tears

& laughter & colors & every sound

& sitting & standing & falling down

Then around four I focused in

Why, the world was filled with women & men

& kids & animals that all had needs

I wasn't the center, or even the… Continue

Added by Barbara Howard on May 17, 2008 at 3:59pm — No Comments

Balancing Life and Goals

A lot of people think that you have to have a balance in your life to be completely and utterly happy, however, there are some people who find the chaos in their life to be blissful. Keep in mind that there is a certain degree of life balance that you will need to have eventually. Basically, you will find that your happiness is not going to come to you overnight, however, you can work slowly on retaining your happiness and balancing out negative and positive things in your life.

When… Continue

Added by Barbara Howard on May 17, 2008 at 1:56pm — No Comments

Real Success

... so I was chatting with someone about goals and values and everyday life. And I remarked that when a person determines each day that they are going to be a success, they already are. I don't think we should wait until we accumulate a certain amount of wealth or acclaim from society to realize this. There are people all around us that lead tremendously successful lives and that will never appear on the radar screen of the media. People with poise and talent and grit and determination and… Continue

Added by Barbara Howard on May 17, 2008 at 1:54pm — No Comments

Real Friends

... so today I received another email message from someone that I don't know. Apparently, she is my "friend" on a social media network that I've joined. Hmm ...

So, I clicked on the link in the email and it took me to this community of friends. I didn't remember my login information. So I asked the system to send me the link to reset my password and gain access to my profile page. I clicked on a couple of pictures and voila! There was an entire group of "friends" that I had never… Continue

Added by Barbara Howard on May 17, 2008 at 1:53pm — No Comments

On the Way to Womanhood - Stay Sweet

On the road to womanhood, baggage collected during the teenage years can make the transition challenging. Once forgiveness of self is obtained and there is growth from the experiences, it is imperative to help the next generation of young females. During the teenage years young females from all walks of life need the support of the village. With the demands of fitting in, and the lack of support from home and the community, the majority of young females start to go down the path that will… Continue

Added by Barbara Howard on May 17, 2008 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Which successful authors are you most compared to?

I was asked this question recently and it really got me thinking about the authors I've been compared to and the authors who have inspired me in the past.

This was my answer:

Since each book I’ve written is different, it’s very interesting to see the variety of writers I am considered most like, but I have to agree with people who have made these comparisons.

For…

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Added by Cheryl Kaye Tardif on May 17, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

Depression, anxiety, confusion? How do you feel right now?

I was talking to my next door neighbor and she sighed, blew out a long puff of air, and muttered, “Things are bad all around. Gas is unbelievable. And I just know they’re trying to hint around at my job to see when I’m retiring…but I can’t afford it.”

“Look,” I said hoping to impart a bit of inspiration. “Life is not up to us…it’s up to God. He provides, guides, and comforts all who call to Him.”

OOPS…wrong thing to say. She grunted and gushed that it was easy for me to… Continue

Added by Janet Perez Eckles on May 17, 2008 at 7:19am — No Comments