The Indie Author's Guide

Yesterday I wrote almost five thousand words. Drivel, unimaginative, lonely words. Why? Because I'm writing a non-fiction book. It's title is: The Indie Author's Guide to Building a Great E-Book.

Why am I writing this book? Because I've realized there's a huge need for it. Can you find a lot of the information online and in textbooks? Possibly. But I give you links for that. Consider it a book that brings all you need to create a dynamite e-book together in one place.

So, why would someone buy this book? Because of section six. I am a graphic designer and if you want to know how to create a print version of your book, I walk you through step by step. I also teach you how to avoid common pitfalls in the publishing process.

Okay, but I have no desire to create a printed version of my book, Jo! Maybe not today, but possibly tomorrow. I give you advice on how to build your book cover today so you won't be sorry tomorrow.

I give you some great marketing and branding ideas, and a collection of useful links with a number of reviews on each publishing platform. You've seen a taste of what kind of information you'll get in the book here on my blog. If you missed those posts, click here, here, here, or here to pay them a visit.

It's going to take me a few weeks to finish the book but it will be a wealth of information for any indie author. Even the most inexperienced of people will be able to build a fantastic e-book by following along with me.

Keep your eyes here for news on release dates and those great Abigale giveaways!

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Fetters for the Fourth

Today, I am chained to my desk. Tonight, I am chained to my desk. I will prepare my non-fiction book for publication and write one volume of the Mystic series by the end of this month. My fetters grow ever heavier.

Some people take the 4th of July off, but a writer's work is never done. Some days I wish my book sales would pick up and give me a reason to keep writing. But then I remember, I don't write to make money (that would be an exercise in futility). I write because I have stories to tell and I want people to read them.

When someone says my book had a strong impact on them, I have been paid. I'm the richest person in the world when I make someone else smile or stop and think. That is why I write and it keeps me going every day. Well, that and The Best Boyfriend in the World.

I'm honestly the luckiest person on the planet. I have him, five great kids, a great mom, a wonderful little dog, and my virtual besties. I'm able to do what I love every day. I couldn't ask for more.

But I do sometimes. I admit it. I wish I could think my books into existence, I wish I didn't wear my heart on my sleeve, and I wish for peace in my soul. But, I think if any of those things truly changed, I would not be able to write. I type and think about what happens next, feel very deeply everything that is said to me, and have chaos in my soul (making me a tortured artist). Escape in my words is all that keeps me sane.

You writers know how I feel.

Happy 4th of July, everyone.

Don't forget to watch my blog for the announcement of the first couple of FREE days for The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two. I won't post it anywhere else. Let's see how many of you are excited about it.

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Published and an Award!

As you all are aware, The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two published today. WOOHOO!

I will give you all a synopsis meow :)

Twelve-year-old Abigale Fontenot is struggling to figure out whether her adventures are real or imagined. After an adventure with Amazonion women in book one, Abigale and Emmett have formed a bond through mutual trust and secrets, but Kristy has turned against Abigale because of it. Now, Abigale again finds herself in a precarious situation with a city full of talking cats. Emmett is once more by her side as she faces down a vicious cat queen in an attempt to avoid certain death and restore the leadership of the city to its rightful owner. Will they succeed, or will they be roasted alive? What will happen when Kristy overhears the discussions about the adventures with Ada?

You can purchase the digital copy here:

Amazon.com

Exciting news: My book will be available for free on select days. You must visit my blog daily to find out when the free promotion begins and ends. It won't be posted anywhere else.

Yes, that's an evil laugh you hear.

Don't forget to watch my blog for the Goodreads giveaway badge you all know is coming. I may do three signed copies this time. You gotta enter to win!

I have had a lengthy discussion with my daughter about book three. I have written this synopsis based on the idea. I hope you enjoy it.

The Abigale Chronicles - Book Three

Abigale Fontenot is turning thirteen. Just when she thinks her birthday couldn't possibly get any worse, a new adventure takes hold. Abigale and Emmett are whisked away to a world of fantasy where knights, dragons, and princesses are the order of the day. Abigale is kidnapped by an evil prince in a nearby kingdom, and it's up to Emmett to rescue her. But Abigale finds that escape is not the most important thing; restoring the evil prince's kindness that has been locked away in a magical book by a wicked sorceress must come first. While Emmett is trying to rescue Abigale, she is trying to free the prince from his curse. Will she succeed in her quest before the evil prince kills Emmett, or will she fail and lose her new best friend? Will death matter if the whole thing is a dream, or are the adventures real and truly dangerous?

Now for the award!

Ms. Moonduster over at Imagine! Create! Write! gave me the one lovely blog award.

So, a huge shout out of THANKS to her! The rules of the nomination are thus:
I have to tell you seven things about myself and I have to nominate six to ten other bloggers to receive the award and then let them know they got it.

Here goes:

1. I have five children.
2. I read 300+ books in my third grade year alone.
3. I know fairy tales that no one has ever heard of.
4. I'm 5'7" tall.
5. I took 5 years to get a 2 year degree because I wanted to study everything.
6. I have a nearly photographic memory.
7. I have strict philosophies on life and living that I plan to introduce to my blog at some point.

Now you know: I'm a serious book nerd who remembers everything she has ever read.

And the award is passed on to:

Judith Cassis

Laura Orsini (a.k.a. Marcie Brock)

Lisa Cherry

Liberty Montano

Tia Bach

Merlene Fawdry

Rachel Thomas

And that's all of em!! Ladies, feel free to use that beautiful badge up top and do eet!!

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Interview with Crystal Lee Author of Canopy

Today, I bring you author Crystal Lee; the lady behind Canopy.

Author of historical fiction, romance, and her science fiction series, Canopy. Also working on some non-fiction works on organic gardening in Arizona and an informative book on breastfeeding after breast cancer. All coming soon...

1.) Tell us a little about yourself. How did you start writing? 

I grew up with a dad that wrote screenplays constantly on an old clunky typewriter. I never, ever wanted to be a writer even though I was pretty good at it. But about 2 years ago I was struggling with some personal problems I couldn’t talk to a lot of people about, and I found writing cathartic. It started out as Twilight Fan Fiction, and after I entered The Writer’s Coffee Shop original romance contest in September of 2011 and won with what is now my 2^nd story in my Canopy series, I started taking my writing seriously. It was time to publish…

2.) Do you have any other interests? 

Yes, a ton. I am an avid organic gardener and in Phoenix, Arizona that’s kind of unique since our climate is soooo hostile. I teach classes on organic gardening locally at Honeyville Farms. I’m publishing my first book on organic gardening basics next month and plan to write 2 more on the same subject geared toward our short seasons. I’m also a registered International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and have been a La Leche League leader for over a decade. I plan to write on the subject of breastfeeding after breast cancer down the road as well. I also used to be a Bradley natural childbirth instructor (also for almost a decade) and plan to write about unassisted birthing at home. A lot of my passions bleed over into my writing whether I want them to or not. They’re ingrained in me. I love helping mothers succeed with having the kind of labor, birth, and breastfeeding experience they want to have.

I also love to read and cook. Although since I started writing we’ve been having much less preparation-wise time consuming meals on the table. :D

3.) On your blog, you have a post about your Christianity. Does your religion have any bearing on your writing? 

Yes, it does. It’s not done on purpose. I actually try to keep religion out of my writing along with my convictions on childbirthing and breastfeeding but they just won’t stay out of every story. Some of them it’s easier than others, but it happens. It’s part of my passion once again, finds its way in there. I never intended Canopy to involve religion at all, but it took root and wouldn’t let up. As writers, we write about what we know. Only I like to tweak what I know and ask thought provoking questions and then present an entirely unique perspective on an answer or possibly on another question (sometimes it gets me in trouble). I, however, do not share what my religion is because I don’t think it has any bearing. I want my work to speak to anybody that reads it regardless of religious beliefs or even with an atheistic view point. I respect all opinions on religion. That’s one of the things I love about science fiction—it breaches those gaps and speaks to people on a basic level.

4.) Your Canopy books are romance novels that are based in science fiction. Do you have worries that some people will be put off by the sci-fi aspect? 

No, not really because the science fiction is in the background, the white noise behind the plot. It has an impact on the characters and the plot, but it’s not the main focus. I was writing a romance story and thought of the science fiction as the backdrop or setting. They could have been on a boat about to be devoured by a massive shark, and I still would have been writing a romance, not an action/adventure or science fiction story. But I classify it as science fiction because there are times that romances get a bad rap and get thrown in with harlequins. I have no problem with harlequin romance, but that’s not what I write. I like to think of it like the Oscars where the comedies get snubbed and aren’t taken seriously. I want this story to be taken seriously, so I put it under the category of science fiction instead of romance. I think it also gives it a little more definition so people know what to expect.

5.) I have to ask! Where did the idea of inhaling BUGS come from?

 Ha! I have a warped mind, and I’m always asking ‘what if’ questions. In the summers here in Phoenix it’s very hot (a lot of days at 110° or higher) and when it’s that blazing bake-your-skin-off hot, the only bugs besides wasps you see are usually clouds of white gnats floating along in your backyard. I remember one day looking out my back window and thinking, “if I walked right into them out in the sunlight I wouldn’t see them and could possibly breathe them in.” It grossed me out, but it also intrigued me to think about what could happen if they survived that. Would they latch onto my lungs for survival? And if they did, what would happen to me? Would I change? And the process went on and on and on and on. Then it turned into the vision of a mother dying in a hospital room and releasing those gnats into the air. Would the daughter breathe them in for her mother if she had rejected inhaling them all along based on her own principals? Would she do it to win her mother’s respect or love if that’s what all of society was doing and her mother wanted her to? The ending of book 2 was born. And I was a little more twisted than before. That was 19 years ago, and it hasn’t stopped. :P

6.) What have been the biggest challenges you've faced thus far in your writing career? 

Family opposing me. I showed one of my family members the first chapter to book 4 (the steamiest of all my books in that series) and they were appalled at what I wrote. We exchanged some heated emails and finally I gave up with them, realizing they were never going to like what I write so I stopped worrying about it.

Other issues have been gaining weight from writing so much and being too stationary. I’m normally a fairly active person but I get obsessive with my writing and have trouble stopping at times. I also struggle with having a messy house. I’m a fairly neat person.

The biggest issue though is worrying about possible backlash from the people I associate with the most that have no idea how I really think. They will be surprised at how passionate and steamy my stuff is. The people that know me best have always known I’m a very intense individual but there are some that might reject me. I’m okay with it now, but for awhile it kept me from wanting to publish. I’ve been ostracized before merely because of my childbirthing, breastfeeding and parenting choices. I survived that and can survive this too.

7.) Do you have any advice for a new author who wants to go the indie route

  Do your homework like mad. Don’t rush in. I’ve seen people do that; they go ahead and publish and have no idea how to market it or how to get an audience. You can publish any time you are ready, so why not do it right from the start? Also, develop a thick skin. People are going to love your stuff, but there will also be those that either don’t get it or hate it with a passion. That’s okay. I always think to myself that I want a reaction and the stronger the better. It means I hit a nerve somewhere, and when a nerve is hit it can mean there is truth to what I’ve said. Some people don’t want to hear the truth, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop telling it or pushing. My goal as a writer is to have an impact on the reader’s emotions. If I did that, then I succeeded (and hopefully they will love it rather than come after me with pitch forks).

8.) Do you have any other books in the works? 

Oh, you’re gonna be sorry you asked that. Here’s what I’ve got and will be publishing for the next 3 years (most of these are halfway done):

• 2 gardening books (1 for summer and 1 for winter)
• Currently writing the 6^th book in the Canopy series (should be the final book)
• Breastfeeding after Breast Cancer
• Birth Your Way (this is a 6 week class I developed and taught myself. I’m turning it into a how-to manual)
• A romance series called Swim, Tadpole, Swim (with a much older woman and younger man)
• Scrapping Tin (a science fiction romance story involving robots and genetic manipulations)
• Slick as Ides (a science fiction romance)
• Shroag 50 (a time travel science fiction romance, may turn into a short series)
• Hart Coursing: a series on Henry VIII (already wrote the 1^st book and plan to write 2 more. Told entirely in POV and we get to see how he was actually a victim in a lot of what happened in his reign. I have a very unique perspective on him.)
• Time of Salt (a science fiction apocalypse story of hidden identities and cults)
• And right now I’ve been completely absorbed and obsessed with a very steamy series I’m writing for myself alone. I’ll never publish it because frankly, it’s too darn erotic and nobody I know would ever be able to read it. Call it my own little self indulgence. 

 You can find Canopy at all major e-book sellers today!

Summary:

As Earth’s pollution problems increase in the year 2042, Jash Lepitt has decisions to make. Does he take the responsible route, fusing by inhaling DOOGS: specialized alien species of gnats that will genetically enhance him? Or does he remain flawed; be discriminated against by a society rewarding fused people? Desperate to win over Lissy Darrish, he questions it because she’s a Danat—a purist opposed to changing the body. In addition to her convictions, she’s also falling in love with a Danat, Tryst Navar. Devoting his time to protecting her from Tryst is harder than it seems for Jash. Tryst witnessed a friend of his being attacked by aggressive DOOGS while on the job building houses in the treetops. What will happen when all three of them become involved in the secrecy of the canopy’s DOOGS? And will Lissy risk being with Jash when being intimate can possibly contaminate her? 

Don't forget, The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two releases tomorrow in print and for Kindle! If you haven't read book one, go get your copy today!

Well, that's it for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON! 


Jo

Momentum and Keeping In Touch

The LAST prompt in the ABC...

What are you going to do to keep the blogging momentum going? What plans do you have to continue your connection with other Author Blog Challenge participants?

My momentum will stay the same only I will cut out two days of posting a week. I only posted 5 days a week before, I will only post 5 days a week after it's done. I write. I must write to keep myself sane. All those crazy ideas in my head have to come out or I'll go stark raving mad :)

I do hope you'll all keep up with me. I know I'll be peeking in on you!! Many of you post to my reader and I only access it about once a week (weekends) but those that come via e-mail, will continue to come via e-mail. So know, I'll be there, lurking. :)

I have a number of projects going on with participants so, I'm looking forward to that! You all know who you are!

That sounds creepy, huh? LOL!

I'll miss you all!!

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Author Blog Challenge Besties

Noooo! Tomorrow is the last prompt for the 28 Day Author Blog Challenge!!! That makes me sad :(

But, fear not! There will be a WINTER Blog Challenge! Watch http://authorblogchallenge.wordpress.com for updates on that! Moving on...

What has been the best part of participating in the Author Blog Challenge? What are your suggestions for improving the next Author Blog Challenge?

I would have to say the best part of the ABC has been the wonderful people I have gotten to know. So many lovely folks and fellow authors participated. I didn't think there were many people in the world that I had so much in common with. But, I found out that most authors are as crazy as I am. GLEE!

I feel more comfortable knowing that I'm not the only one struggling in the publishing world and wonder if we all got together and yelled, if we could be heard on Mars or Saturn...

Now, there's talk about a collaborative project!! I can't wait!!

Some of the people I have met, I will keep as very close friends and perhaps, someday, meet them in person. Some are over the pond but I just know that I'll end up in the UK one day :) I know I'll continue to peek in on the many blogs I have come to know and love as well.

I only have one suggestion for improvement for the next challenge:

I'd like to see a page for each day on a blog somewhere that I can visit so I can be sure I'm not leaving anyone out when I make my rounds of commenting. Some people joined in late and I just don't feel like they got enough attention.

While the FB group was a fantastic idea, I loathed going through and clicking because the posts opened in FaceBook's browser and not my own. I comment on the fly a lot. :)

I am saddened and a bit relieved. I know I'll not be posting 7 days a week and that's a relief but I also know that after something like this challenge is over, people tend to drift off in different directions. BUMMER. :(

We need to be there to cheer each other on. Sometimes, we all need that little section of fans :)

That's all for today, folks. Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

New Book Sneak Peek!

You are getting this sneak peek due to a prompt from the 28 Day Author Blog Challenge :)

What is/will be the subject of your next book?

Congratulations! You get a sneak peek at the rundown for Player! Enjoy the synopsis:

Richard Meretis thinks he has it all figured out. He's decided to replace his wife and use a patsy to end his marriage. A patsy is necessary because there's no way his wife, Julia, will believe he wants a divorce any other way and he can't let her know about the true object of his affections. His sights are set on a number of women as possibilities, but a chance meeting leaves him reeling.

Enter Kathy. She's trapped in a loveless marriage where she feels like a slave. Searching for evidence of her husband's debauchery online, she happens upon Richard. They meet and the electricity is off the charts. Even the L word is considered.

Emotions run high through this story of betrayal and escape. Richard might achieve his goals but the real question is: Who's playing whom?

Due to release in October 2012!

Now a sneak peek at Mystic:

X girl (yet unnamed) has a crystal ball. She sees in it the end of the world and four young girls who can stop the rise of evil and prevent that end.

But they must come together, and X girl must be the one to bring their meeting to reality.

The fourl girls' lives are riddled with problems. One is a lesbian who's afraid to admit who she really is. Another is a glutton who self-abuses because of a difficult upbringing. Every girl has a unique problem to overcome.

If X girl cannot help the young ladies overcome their fears and tap into the power that resides inside, the world will come to an end. How can she do it? Will she be able to bring the young ladies together and make them see their own power in time?

And that's the synopsis for the Mystic series!! Let me hear you say, "Ooooooh!" :) The first book is due to release in December 2012!!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo