News Post #3 - 2016

Happy, happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a super amazing, fabulous weekend, and you're ready to drag life, kicking and screaming, into the new week. Today is yet another news post. Boy, do I have some news for you! Grab your coffee, and get your clicking fingers ready, because here we go!

There's this movement happening on Facebook for new Indie authors. A team of awesome women have gotten together and are promoting these struggling Indies for free. Yes, I said free.

Why are they doing it? Well, because they love authors, and they love books, and they want to help those who don't know how to help themselves. There are some requisites for authors wanting to join:

• You must have less than 3k page likes on your Facebook page.
• You cannot have a street team already.

That's it! Once you hit 3k likes, they'll help you set up a street team of your own, teach them how to promote you, and push you out of the nest to make room for new/emerging authors.

Another bonus of being part of the group is the AAB (Author Advice Bureau). It's a place where members can pop in and ask publishing questions that get answered by seasoned vets (authors who've been in the game for at least 2 years and have a good following).

Pretty cool, huh?

So, who are they and how can you join as an author or promoter (PROMOTERS NEEDED)?

They're called S.A.S.S. (Struggling Author Street-team Service). You can find them here on Facebook. They vet every membership request, so please don't try to sneak in under the radar.

Their official launch is this Friday and Saturday! You can join the party here. Great books and prizes will be up for grabs, and there are tons of authors for you to get to know. It's always awesome to add to your tribe!

Current lineup (All times EST):
Friday 29th
1pm - Welcome from SASS an introduction to who we are, what we do and what we aim to do, we be throwing in some giveaways too!
2pm JN Roper presented by Shelley Custer
2:30pm SM Phillips
3pm RC Boldt
3:30pm - Laura Barnard
4pm Heather Osborne
4:30pm MA Phipps
5pm Patricia Rose
5:30pm CJ Rutherford
6pm Alisha Cole
6:30pm Kellie Wallace
7pm Caroline Gill
7:30pm SASS
1am Tricia Copeland

Saturday 30th
1pm Welcome to Part 2. A bit more about SASS and some more giveaways!
2pm NL Greene
2:30pm Brooke May
3pm RJ Craddock
3:30pm Eleanor Lloyd Jones
4pm Sahara Foley
4:30pm Tia Silverthorne Bach
5pm Nicole Author
5:30pm ML Preston
6pm Imy Santiago
6:30pm Ruth G Juliano
7pm Sophia Valentine
7:30pm Cora Graham

Giveaways sponsored by:
Rachael Brownell
Clint Thurmon
JN Chaney
Kinsey Taylor
Casey L Bond
Stevie Turner
Lynn Mullican
Cherime MacFarlane

If you apply for membership and are approved, you can join the AAB here.

It would be great to see you all at the launch event, even if you just come to give some support to a fellow Indie.

What do you think? Gonna check it out?

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

Jo

Blog Spotlight #2 - Lifestyle and Literature

Hello, everyone, and happy Thursday once again! Today, I have another awesome Indie-friendly blog to highlight. Ready? Grab your cup of Jo and let's get going!

Blog Spotlight

Lifestyle and Literature

Hi, I’m Sophia. I’m originally from the United Kingdom, but currently living in sunny Spain. I’m a (new) author, blogger, and newspaper columnist. Most of my time is spent writing, and reading. When I do manage to take time out, (which isn’t often) I like a nice glass of wine to shows such as: Sons Of Anarchy, Dexter, Gossip Girl and Sex And The City.

I started my book blog, Lifestyle & Literature, three years ago. I was eager to help authors, both traditional and self-published, in all genre’s. My blog contains: author interviews, guest posts, book reviews, fashion/lifestyle and my personal journal, including my journey to becoming a published author.

On my blog you can expect to find authors such as Lindsey Kelk, Victoria Fox, Alice Raine, Jessica Brody, Kendall Ryan, Alessandra Torre, Vina Jackson and more!

I enjoy blogging and writing more than anything, so it’s great to connect with people that have the same interests. I’m excited to be starting my author journey, my erotic romance novel, HIS CONFESSION, book 1 of The Black Door Trilogy is released on the 16th February. I look forward to meeting more bloggers, readers, and authors.

P.S. I’m seeking blog tour hosts, if you fancy joining me in helping authors promote their novels. The sign-up form is here.

Visit on social media!
Wordpress Blog
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Goodreads

I do hope you all take a moment and check out Sophia's links.

Let me know what you think.

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

Jo

Whatever Jo Wants Wednesday - New Release - Heartless

Hello, everyone! Welcome to Whatever Jo Wants Wednesday! *throws confetti* Today, I want to talk about a new release by Kelly Martin. To get us started, Kelly has written a small FYI that I think you'll enjoy. Grab your cup of Jo and let's get going!

KELLY MARTIN

Let's just get this out of the way... I'm a big wimp

I love watching horror gamers. I love watching scary movies and tv shows. I love reading scary books. I love writing creepy books.

But when it all is said and done, I'm a wimp. I won't go in haunted houses (the Halloween ones, though I'd LOVE to go into an old abandoned house and take pictures someday). I also... am scared of probably the silliest things ever.

Now, I hope you can relate. If you can, hold my hand as we go deep in my personal terrors...

The Top 3 Things I'm Most Scared Of (not counting death, something happening to my family, or food poisoning):

1) MIRRORS 

Don't laugh. I've been scared of mirrors since I watched a tv trailer for an episode of Twin Peaks where a hand reached through one. I kid you not. Do you ever look in a mirror and wonder which reality is real?

No...

Moving on.

This fear of mirrors bleeds over in Heartless. Gracen is tortured every night in her dreams by a man (or a demon or part of her mind... we don't know yet) named Hart. Above the table she's tied down on, is an antique mirror. Honestly, I'm getting shivers just thinking about it. IF Heartless ever became a movie, I can see that mirror being vintage, silver, and creepy as heck.

SHIVERS!

2) CLOWNS

In my Nerd Team group, I like to tease about clowns. I like to post scary ones because there are some that don't like them (I swear, I'm really nice. I post pictures of Jensen Ackles too. See... #immasaint )

But in reality, in my heart of hearts, I hate clowns. Hate is a strong word. If you are a clown I don't hate you—but they scare me. All that make up... painted on smile. I just... can't #beepbeeprichie

3) DEEP WATER

If I ever disappear and they find my body in deep water, know that I was murdered (REMEMBER THAT!) I don't like deep water, and by deep I mean anything over 20 feet. Now, I can handle being on the boat in 20 feet of water. That's fine. But when I go somewhere and there is a possibility of a HOUSE being under me, No... uh...uh. Nope. Can't do it... I can't.

I hope you know how much anxiety this post is giving me.

What about you? What are some things that scare you? Some fears that you don't really know why you have them (or maybe you do), but when you start to talk about it your hands get clammy and your heart feels like it is going to beat out of your chest... baboom baboom baboom!

Not that I know what that feels like right now...

Heartless is available now!

 

 

 ~*~*~*~

Wanna read about Gracen’s nightmares? Grab your blankie and hold on...

LINK TO EXCERPT

BUY LINKS

Amazon

US: http://goo.gl/8UJ9kl

UK:  http://goo.gl/DcGuZs

CA: http://goo.gl/VE7e9e

DE: http://goo.gl/CmzcGA

FR: http://goo.gl/QRCE3O

ES: http://goo.gl/fCjKC0

IT: http://goo.gl/AEWH05

NL: http://goo.gl/jJLYAr

JP: http://goo.gl/SAOJ8r

BR: http://goo.gl/IS3WRC

MX: http://goo.gl/LZlYyt

AU: http://goo.gl/JR8MV0

IN: http://goo.gl/ggGzia

KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/heartless-51

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1067603806

BN: http://goo.gl/pycg31

About Kelly Martin:

Kelly Martin writes paranormal, contemporary, historical, and YA fiction. She has been married for over ten years and has three rowdy, angelic daughters. When she's not writing, she loves taking picture of abandoned houses, watching horror gamers on YouTube-- even though she's a huge wimp-- and drinking decaf white chocolate mochas. She's a total fangirl, loves the 80s and 90s, and has a sad addiction to paranormal TV shows. {Basically, she likes creepy stuff.} Her favorite characters are the very flawed 'good guys'--and 'bad guys' who don't know they are evil. She loves giving her readers books with unexpected twists and turns, but (here's a hint) most of her books have the ending spelled out in the first chapter. See if you can figure it out.

If you ever have a question or comment, feel free to email her at kellymartin215 @ yahoo . com ♥ You can follow her writing adventure at www.kellymartinbooks.com

Links:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellymartin215/

Newsletter: http://kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com/p/subscribe-to-our-newsletter.html

"Nerd" group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1451773008377850/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Martin/e/B009O5CZL4/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyMartinAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/martieKay

Tumblr: martiekay.tumblr.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/KMBooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6552501.Kelly_Martin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSQGJ5gViQ-0ajHRvWUqaA

Intrigued? Get on over to the distributor of your choice and get your read on!

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

Jo

News Post #2 - 2016

Goooood morning, and happy Monday, everyone! Today, it's all about that news! Grab your cup of Jo and let's get rocking!

First up, you gotta see this awesome giveaway I'm running on my author page over on Facebook!

Clicky here to getee there.

It's a shot at $50 Amazon cash and a signed hardcover of EMANCIPATION before it hits the shelves for real.

On to other news!

There's a book sale happening! 

Grab Dark Bishop, a psychological thriller with a main character to rival Tobias, for just $0.99 on Amazon through Sunday, and get chapter one of Emancipation free. That's right, even if you're not on Wattpad, you can still read the first chapter of this book (UNedited) so you're ready when it hits shelves in March.

Clicky here to getee there!

Over on the IBGW blog, we have a big giveaway running! You can snag two paperbacks. One is Flesh and Stone, the other is Heartless! Get on over there and enter!

Clicky here to getee there!

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

Jo

Overhaul and New Topics

Happy Friday, good people of the blogosphere! Well, I did what I said I was going to. You now will find new topics on the Writing, Contract, Formatting and Other Tips part of my blog. There are two new sections to explore:

Blogging Tips and Blog Tours
Marketing Tips

I felt each needed their own page.

I also updated all the other pages with the links to various articles I've written over the last 12 months. There are a ton on the Writing Tips page. Woohoo! Viva la 2016!

Check them out and tell me what you think!

Are you looking forward to exploring all the new stuff happening around here?

Because I'm off writing, that's all you get here today. Be sure and check in Monday when I have my second news post of the year. Exciting times!

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

Jo

Blog Spotlight #1 - BookSmacked

Happy Thursday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I have my first Indie-friendly book blog of 2016 to share with you. Read on and ENJOY!

BLOG SPOTLIGHT:

BookSmacked

Hi, I'm Melissa, but most people call me Mel. I am from Canada and with my husband whom I married a year ago but have been with for 8 years. A huge hockey and football fan, I have tons of useless sports statistics stored in my brain. I'm a speed reader, often reading a full book in a matter of hours. If I really enjoy a book I will read it 4, 5, or a dozen times.

 

So my story of how BookSmacked became a reality. Pretty simple really. I love books, and when I read a book that I absolutely love, I wanted someone to talk to about it and share my excitement with. So, I joined an online book club. Through that book club I met some wonderful people, who I now call my friends, and some of those friends were bloggers. I discovered this online world of authors, readers, bloggers, and book pimpers and said I want to be a part of it.

 

So, I joined a street team to help promote indie authors, and from there I took it one step further and started BookSmacked. A blog that can be used for Readers, Authors, Bloggers, Pimpers to share their love of books.

I hope you come for a visit, interact and share your love of books with me.

Facebook Blog Twitter Instagram Pinterest GoodReads

I hope you all gave her blog a follow and checked out her links!

What do you think of this feature? Let me know in the comments.

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

Jo

Whatever Jo Wants Wednesday #1

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today is me posting about whatever the heck I want. I've decided to flip Wednesday and Friday for the obvious alliteration awesomeness. *grin* I'd like to talk about RAI today, so that's what I'm going to do.

First off, be sure you check out this interview with Liz Long over on A Daily Cup of Jo.

Jo and Liz have fun and discuss RAI!

Now for the details!

Roanoke Author Invasion is right around the corner! With this many authors, we are so excited to keep this a free event for readers as they meet their favorite writers and discover new ones!

Join sixty bestselling authors of contemporary and paranormal fiction and more at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood in Roanoke, Virginia on April 2, 2016 from 11pm-4pm. Signings will be split from 11-1 and 2-4p to allow a lunch break. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon of books, giveaways, and more as they get the latest releases from their favorite authors and discover new voices!

Authors include several bestsellers like #1 New York Times and International Bestselling authors such as Casey Bond (writer of the award-winning Harvest Saga); Cambria Hebert (of the popular YA Hashtag Series); Rysa Walker (2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards winner for her CHRONOS Files series); and Heather Hildenbrand, whose book Imitation has been optioned for television by NBC to be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

This free event is in its second year. With over 100 guests for the first year, attendance is expected to double as they travel from all over the country to visit Roanoke, VA. They will be able to meet their favorite authors and be introduced to new writers, win prizes, and take home swag. Free RAI tote bags will be given as first come, first serve, while RAI t-shirts will be available for purchase.

In addition, all attendees are invited back to the Holiday Inn for an afterparty from 7-10PM. Hosted by Forget the Housework, I’m Reading, City and Book and Brains, Beauty, BOOKS!

Tickets will be $20 sent to bookclubafterdark@gmail.com via Paypal. Price includes light appetizers, goodie bag and dancing. Proceeds benefit United Through Reading.

For more information, including how to get your free ticket, a full list of exhibitors, and the chance to volunteer for the event, visit http://roanokeauthorinvasion.com.

I'll be there with copies of Emancipation and 7 (plus, three of the authors will be at this signing)! *grin* I do hope to see as many of you as humanly possible.

Are you coming?

If you are, and you want to pre-order any of my books, fill out this form on Google Drive.

I'm so excited I can barely breathe! Are you excited?

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

Jo