Tuesday, December 18, 2012

12 Days of Christmas Day 9

Can you believe there are only four more days in the giveaway? But some of the best books are happening now! I had three comments yesterday so those three people win a copy of Yassa! No drawing needed! I love not having to tell people they didn't win! So, congratulations to bashashhazbaz, Heather, and Andrea! I'll be sending your prizes over shortly.

Andrea, I'll be buying your book The Chosen today and I can't wait to delve in! It sounds like a wonderful story! You've won a purchase by me, a read, and a full review posted everywhere your book is available and a writeup here on my blog! Congratulations!
Now, on to the fun for Tuesday, December 18 - Nine people who comment will win a Mystic bookmark and one each of the postcards below. They look like this:

Bookmark Back


 


Bookmark Front


Postcard 1


Postcard 2


Postcard 3









Here's how to enter today: Go check out my Categorized Link List. Then come back and leave a comment telling me if there's a topic you'd like to see, as a reader or writer, that isn't there.

Don't forget! If you're an author, there's still seven purchases up for grabs. Pimp your book in part two of your comment. Tell me why you wrote it, why I should read it, and leave me a link so I can go check it out.

Good luck everyone!

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

Jo

57 comments:

  1. I reckon you should have a topic about semi-colons, and why they're a complete pain in bum from hell.

    Um, I'm an author and here's my pimping:

    My book is a thrilly thriller, with thrilly bits, funny bits, creepy bits, and other bits too.

    Also, your surname is almost the same as my first name, so I feel that an emotional bond can be formed. Perhaps we can go on the Space Mountain ride at Disney World together.

    I could then help you redecorate your garage, and give you some top tips about making the best coffee EVA.

    Lastly, I went to Mississipi a few years ago. To my silly, Limey ears, the Southern US accent is FANTASTIC on the ladies.

    My book is called Underneath, and the link to it on Amazon US is here - http://amzn.com/B008C3HIA2

    I forbid you from buying it, and will provide you with a Smashwords code for a free one.

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    1. Congratulations! That pitch won you a sale AND you were chosen by random.org to win the prize pack above.

      Besides, your book delves into something I'm very interested in: Human Thought Processes. While I don't see us on a ride at Disney together any time soon (sorry), I look forward to reading Underneath and writing a review. :) Thanks for playing along and I hope to see you join us over the next few days for more fun and prizes.

      Welcome to the blog, Michael!

      Delete
  2. My name is Jennifer Lafferty. My short story anthology, "Offbeat Love Stories and More", is actually a collection of short fiction that I wrote for homework assignments when I belonged to a writing club. The members liked the stories and were always encouraging me to publish them. Some of pieces were published in literary magazines like "The Storyteller".

    Reviewers use words like light, fun, easy read, to describe the the collection of humorous short stories. They are full of eclectic characters and unique and varied situations.

    Here is the link to the .99 cent ebook version http://www.amazon.com/Offbeat-Love-Stories-More-ebook/dp/B00ABJSM8C/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355844650&sr=1-1&keywords=offbeat+love+stories+and+more

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    1. Hi, Jennifer! I liked and tagged your book over on Amazon :) Thanks for your pitch, I look forward to reading the excerpt I picked up :)

      Welcome to the blog.

      Delete
  3. I loved your tip about flashbacks. I'd like to hear more about other kinds of departures from the narrative line--like dreams, not the prophetic ones, just the ones that reveal something about who the character is. How do you use those well, and how to tell when they're not helping the story.

    Sen No Sen -- http://amzn.com/B00860DGES -- is a YA thriller with a tough chick who knows how to fight. Her problem is how to make friends, and keep 'em safe. Lots of spies, a few high school bullies, a rescue in Kamchatka, she even has to fight her way out of a North Korean prison. And scariest of all, she has to go to her senior prom.

    I, too, am an admirer of Börte, and in some (not all) ways Emily Kane is inspired by her. I've always thought it would be a great idea to tell her story, or at least their story (Temujin's and Börte's) from her point of view.

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    1. Hello, Jacques! I liked and tagged your book, too. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be delving into the excerpt of your book today. Keep your fingers crossed! :)

      Borte was such an interesting woman and I believe she may have been the reason behind a lot of things that happened with Temujin. I've considered writing Yassa from her POV as well, but I may hold off on that for a while. I did leave the ending open for just that kind of spin off.

      Welcome to the blog.

      Delete
    2. Oh! And congrats on your win of the prize pack above! :)

      Delete
  4. I have a little horror collection that you might be interested in. Love this from a review for the book. "One of my favorite stories even has zombies, and who doesn't just love zombies, right?"

    Well, it was a lot of fun to write the all of the stories of the anthology. In these imagination excursions corpses will arise, demons will possess and there’s even the birth of a demon child. So open up the book and step into a fantastic world where fact and fiction intermingle and conjoin.

    http://www.amazon.com/Horror-Bent-ebook/dp/B00ADKIQ3U

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    1. Your collection sounds tres cool, Brian. I only recently delved into the zombie novel genre and I found it gruesomely entertaining. I'm going to pick up a sample today so, we'll see. Congratulations on your win of the prize pack and welcome to the blog!

      Delete
  5. First, I'd like to say how honored I am that you chose to read my book. I hope you enjoy it!

    Second, thank you for the prize :)

    Third, I see you have an article on setting up and maintaining a blog. What I'd love to see is a post of how to come up with blog topics for your audience.

    Thanks! Have a great Tuesday :)

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    1. I'm positive I'm going to love your book, Andrea. I truly adore fantasy. You're welcome for the prize.

      Your wish is my command. I shall create that post in the new year :) Thanks for the comment!

      Delete
  6. Wow, what a great website and a great way to bring writers into it! I've looked at your list and did not see the topic that nearly killed my first novel (and some say it did anyway :) -- Crossing gender lines. In my case,male writing a female protagonist (I tried to explain my journey here.. What do you find missing and/or wrong in a male writer's rendition of a female protagonist?

    Jo, In honor of your generous web posting, I will offer a free copy of my thriller, The Geneva Decision to anyone curious about whether I pulled it off. Of course, ultimately, I would love to hear your take.

    Here is my book PIMPED:
    Pia Sabel plays to win.

    Until a few weeks ago, she was an international soccer star. But now she’s taken the helm of her billionaire father’s private security company, and she’s playing against a whole new set of opponents – the kind who shoot to kill.

    On her first day on the job, Pia’s client is assassinated in front of her. There’s no time for training, so Pia must trust her instincts and athletic skills to unravel the complicated maze of money laundering and piracy that will take her from Swiss mansions to the jungles of Cameroon.

    Her battle-hardened employees suspect she’s just a spoiled rich girl with a mean corner kick. But Pia’s got some unexpected moves of her own. Will they be enough to bring her team through its mission? CLICK HERE to check it out.

    Many thanks again! Seeley James

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    1. Thank you, Seeley! I love supporting my fellow indies. Thank you for your generous offer! I do hope my blog followers take you up on that. If you'd allow it, I'd like to do a post on day 12 letting them know. Drop me a line at yassabook2012 at gmail dot com and let me know how they can contact you for a copy.

      I found Rick Riordan a champion at writing from the female POV. His Kane Chronicles series is amazing. I'll surely write a blog post about gender reversal roles for writers. Good topic!

      I liked and tagged your book. Will be reading a snap of it today!

      Welcome to the blog.

      Delete
  7. No need to pimp from me since Jo was nice enough to read and review my books =) I would be curious to see your thoughts on marketing as an indie writer.

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    1. Good post idea, Heather! I've gotten some great numbers for us to all crunch next month as well. Eye on our FB group, k? Thanks for the comment :)

      I can't wait to read your next two books. Get offline and go write! Sheesh! Slacker! ;)

      Delete
  8. Hi Jo! I go by the pen name LJ. I have a new New Adult Paranormal Romance called Fighting Destiny out.

    Here is my blurb:

    When Codi Reeves is forced back into her fearful past, she comes face to face with her despised but desirable destiny.

    Codi Reeves hasn't been back to Arkansas in eleven years. After her brother’s death, everyone seemed to push her away, including her parents, who didn't believe what Codi said happened. That werewolves killed her brother.

    Twelve years later, Codi is back in Arkansas to go to college. Her nightmares are back and so is the feeling that someone is watching her. When a group of students start to stalk Codi, she doesn't know where to turn.

    Bad-boy Emerson saves her from a drunken guy rambling on about Codi’s dead brother, and she feels a pull to him like she’s never experienced. Codi finds out that she isn't the only one hiding secrets. When she is thrust into a life she never expected, she finds out she will do anything to avenge her brother’s death.

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    1. Hi, LJ! Welcome to the blog. Your book sounds awesome. I love werewolves and read all of Alice Bordchart's books. I liked and tagged your book and am looking forward to reading the excerpt. Thanks for pimping :)

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  9. I think I'd love to see more along the lines of "Write from Life - Why you should bare it all on the page." To be truthful though, there were many of your topic titles that interested me. :)

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    1. I think all authors pull something from life. Congratulations on your win of the prize pack! :)

      I'm not sure if there's a fine line that we shouldn't cross or if it's better to throw it all out there and expose ourselves to the world. I'll think on that and get back to you. :)

      Delete
  10. My name is Eric Dulin, and I'm the author of Condemned.

    A crucial addition you could make is 1st vs 3rd person, when to use and which is more effective. Some people tried to make very complex novels in first person, and often it just doesn't work out well. You end up reading huge info dumps that clog everything.

    I wrote Condemned because I have been disappointed in books these days. Yes there are good ones, but overall the quality has degraded tremendously. I knew this when I went into writing, so I wrote Condemned to make it truly stand out from the crowd. I wanted to make it like an action movie in a novel, and so far I've hit well on the mark. But I also implemented much deeper thoughts, character development, story twists, and other devices that really make it stand out. Even people who don't like science fiction have loved the book. I hope you give it a shot.
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ACW37L0/

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    1. Welcome to the blog, Eric! I've had some heated debates over that very topic, thanks for pointing it out. :) One of my books is written in first person and there's a huge reason why. You're right in saying the author needs a reason.

      Your book sounds great and I can't wait to read it. Congratulations on being one of the chosen :)

      Delete
  11. Hi Jo - Coffee! My characters drink it and have their best conversations while enjoying the dark brew. My coffee usually goes cold and barely touched while I write.

    Perhaps you wrote about the language of love and I didn't see it. I find romance stories get bogged down in repetitious verbs and adverbs - gazed, gazed intently, gasped, moaned, groaned, sighed. Surely our characters can do more than that. Any suggestions on how to not get stuck in this word trap?

    My book is called Forever Love. It's a contemporary romance, a result of turning fifty and thinking that I had a story I could tell that my daughters would enjoy reading. They enjoyed it so much that I decided to publish it.

    Davina Stuart, farmer and bestselling author of Second Harvest, shares a flight to Los Angeles with Hollywood's latest heartthrob, Quinn Thomas. Three hours of in-flight speed dating and Quinn’s in love. Davina is not so sure. She’s older and wiser. She’ll settle for a one-night stand but he wants more. Davina’s cows and her children are her life. She’s not so sure about Hollywood and its glamour. Blue jeans, cowboy boots and her pickup truck are more her style. Quinn is tired of the plastic starlets, his empty bed and his lonely heart. He’d give up everything, including his career, for the love of a woman, his woman.

    Forever Love follows their whirlwind romance as the widow of two years, who thought her time for romance was over, finds love with a man who has to have her in his life, to love her forever. The book invites readers to witness how Davina learns to face her fears, and how Quinn perseveres to win the heart of his one true love in Forever Love.

    Forever Love is a fun read. If the romance doesn't grab you, perhaps reading about the Ladies, Davi's cows, may interest you.

    http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Love-ebook/dp/B007ZAN5QE/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1355864390&sr=1-1

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    1. Oh, Deb! You won me over with the coffee comment! :) Welcome to the blog and a big CONGRATULATIONS for not only being chosen as one of my reads, but also for making me want to step into a whole new genre. I don't usually read romance.

      I can't wait to get going on your book :)

      Delete
  12. Part 1: I want an ethics category. I need to know more about how much true life experience is up for grabs and available for use and what is just betrayal of one's we once loved or still love, but aren't necessarily sensitive to.

    The reason I ask for an ethical post is that I might have gone too far in my new collection of short stories and I need to go back and thing with more empathy.

    Part 2: I want you to buy Love from Planet Wine Cooler, but I want you to read it more.

    My main character Marina, the last "nice girl" on earth finds her way through a world defined by sex, music and the Internet. Somehow.

    Love From Planet Wine Cooler is more than a collection of inter-related short stories. It's an ode to a generation of women who didn't so much lose their virginity as misplace it thanks to the advent of wine coolers. Somehow, they managed to find out all about love, relationships and careers.
    http://www.amazon.com/Love-From-Planet-Cooler-ebook/dp/B0073V05UO

    Oh, and I am a Canadian writer living in Germany, but I just won a contest and am "America's Next Author 2012."

    http://www.ebookmall.com/americasnextauthor/battle


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    1. Hiya, Kate! Welcome to the blog and congratulations on winning the prize pack above!

      Ethics are a huge part of being a writer. The best part of all is: we can change the names to protect the innocent! Don't ever refuse to write the truth. You'll get your ethics post, lady :)

      I'll pick up an excerpt and see if I enjoy it today. Thanks for coming by and joining us today. I hope to see you back again.

      Delete
  13. Part 1: It seems to me you have covered more than enough topics. I'm sure more will come to you as you blog!

    Part 2: I would love for you to read Killer Protocols, book 1 in the very new Richard Paladin series. I wrote this book because the voice of the narrator kept rattling around inside my head. I had a great time writing it and have had an even better time reading feedback from readers.

    You should read this book because it is unlike any other book you will ever read. Seriously.

    Find it on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007J5T2I0

    And have a great day.

    David

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    1. I'm never at a loss for ideas ;) Welcome to the blog, David! Your series looks amazing and I can't wait to read the excerpt.

      Thanks for the great day wishes and for pimping your book! Gotta love when a character won't leave you alone, eh? :)

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    2. Except when he wakes you up in the middle of the night!

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  14. I'd like to see more links to review outlets - esp. something identifying those that are shady or otherwise not worth approaching for one reason or another.

    As for my novel SEWERVILLE, it's a Southern gangster novel about a small-time hood's struggle to escape the family crime business. The book looks at crime and drug abuse in rural America, and also exmines the ways painful memories can both inspire and haunt us.

    You can read more at www.sewerville.com

    or

    http://www.amazon.com/Sewerville-Southern-Gangster-Novel-ebook/dp/B008THOUIO/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1355870658&sr=8-1-spell

    Best of luck to you!

    Aaron Saylor

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    1. Hmmmmmm I link to those review outlets that write reviews for me. As time progresses, I'll add them to the list. Thanks and welcome to the blog!

      Your novel sounds intriguing but I'm gonna read the excerpt and see if it resonates with me. I've given it a like and a tag over on Amazon!

      Delete
  15. My book, <a src="http://www.amazon.com/Travelphan-Faith-Journey-Across-ebook/dp/B00AMDE8VM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355295438&sr=8-1&keywords=travelphan>Travelphan</a>, is a true life, non-fiction piece that reads like a novel.

    Over the last few years I found myself in a bad place. Three devastating knee injuries robbed me of my love, playing sports. After graduating with a degree in history, I found myself stuck in a crap job that made me miserable. Life wasn't good.

    Tragedy changed everything. A friend died and from that I learned about the gift of life. I decided to hell with everything, I am going to live a dream.

    From January to June of this year I traveled through Asia. I changed the lives of one girl and her family in India. I taught English as a volunteer in Thailand. A group of orphans changed my life. I lived in a kung fu academy in China. I lived a dream.

    Travelphan tells my life-story. It is intimate and transparent. It is unlike any book you have ever read. That I promise.

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    1. Hi, Ryan! Congratulations on winning the prize pack above and welcome to the blog.

      Your book sounds truly awe-inspiring. I'm sorry to hear about your friend but it seems something needed to inspire you to do more. As I read your description I thought about how wonderful it is you honoring your friend's memory in such a wonderful way.

      I'll be snagging an excerpt today. Thank you for sharing.

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  16. I would suggest some audio readings. Authors, yourself included, could read chapters or excerpts of their work. I have done a bit of this on my own Pinterest site: http://pinterest.com/temmike/#

    The book I would like you to buy, read, and review is DEADLY EYES, a Caribbean mystery, set on the idyllic island of St. Croix, where I was a professor at the University of the Virgin Islands. What is unique about DEADLY EYES is that it now offers Two alternative endings, one darker than the other, to provide for individual reading preference. It is sold as an eBook and as a paperback at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Eyes-ebook/dp/B007IO3O22/ref=la_B005E7M8CW_1_1_title_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1355873296&sr=1-1

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    1. Welcome, Mike! I've done a reading once and that post gets a lot of traffic. Seems folks like to be read to. :)

      Deadly Eyes is set in a place I've been! I'm going to grab an excerpt, give you a like and tags, and we'll see if it grabs me from there. Thank you for pimping and I hope to see you play along this week :)

      Delete
  17. Whoa! That's quite a list. I'll need more time to read all the tips and posts of interest.
    Meanwhile, please accept my pitch for "Looping in Limbo" and see if it interests you. It's about a young woman caddie in a small-town golf resort who won't pop the "$150 button" for bigger tips. In book one, "Looping for Love," she discovered that she liked the profession and decided to stay on during the winter, which isn't easy. The creepy caddies and golfers aren't even the hardest part to deal with, it's the boredom. Then there's trying to make ends meet, and handling a love life she doesn't need.
    Knowing anything about golf is not necessary, but it does help to like mouthy broads.
    I write to entertain, engage, and evoke.
    Find my books on www.ginneyetherton.weebly.com
    and http://www.amazon.com/Looping-Lainey-Tidwell-Series-ebook/dp/B00ACLZOX0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355873340&sr=8-2&keywords=looping+in+limbo

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    1. Thanks, Ginney. Welcome to the blog and congratulations on your win of the prize pack above! :)

      I love women who speak their minds and I know quite a lot about golf.

      I snagged a sample and will delve in today :)

      Thanks for taking the time to pitch your book to me and I do hope you'll return for the chance to win again!

      Delete
  18. All right. I'm hooked. You are already favorited (and my favorites list is very short). I need to read every one of the posts you've already done, then maybe I can find something you need to add. Commas! I love it and every revision I do proves that I need it.

    Please consider my book for one of your kindle purchases and reviews.

    About Longevity: The suspicious disappearance of a brilliant, evil doctor. A devious plan that threatens national stability. A near-future world where the U.S. clings to laws that have preserved it from the almost worldwide abyss of anarchy, where a man can be both 32 and 102, and where a clever woman and a uniquely smart dog can be kick-ass rookie partners.

    No longer solo, legendary detective Chris McGregor and his new partners, Livvy Hutchins and Louie, relentlessly search for the mastermind before he can complete his plan. Their opponent's only option: kill them first.

    Fast-paced, character-driven, and high-concept, Longevity is the first book in the Longevity Law Enforcement trilogy. (That's me, to quote another, "pimping." The next quote is from an Amazon UK reviewer, no relationship to me, and one who has no interest in pimping my work. "This is excellent work... adroitly juxtaposes action scenes with subtle social commentary and character development, whilst also holding up a philosophical mirror to current society." - Paul Spooner, Amazon UK reviewer

    Thank you so much for the opportunity, Sheila (S.J. Hunter)
    amazon.com/author/sjhunter
    sjhunter123@gmail.com

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    1. Hi there, Sheila! Great name, by the way. Commas are a common crux, and I shall be sure to address them! Congratulations on your win of the prize pack above and welcome to the blog! I'm very glad to find you hooked :)

      Your book has a FANTASTIC cover. Just sayin'. As a graphic designer, great covers grab me.

      I snagged the sample and will flip through today. Thanks so much for your suggested topic and for your sell. I hope to see you back!

      Delete
  19. I think some self publishing wisdom would be great! The process, marketing, how to get a fan base.

    Also, I'm pimping myself starting now.

    I recently debuted my first novel, The White Aura. It can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/The-White-Aura-ebook/dp/B00AFP3AXO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354429332&sr=8-2&keywords=the+white+aura+felicia

    I wrote this book after I kept dreaming about it and about being an author. I'm a single mom and I want to homeschool my daughter, so I thought "Why the heck am I not writing? It's what I've always wanted to do and I can be with my baby!" So I started writing. I haven't stopped since.

    I think you should check it out because it's been out for about 2 and a half weeks and I need reviews. People that have read it have loved it, so you could too :) But we'll never know if you don't read it and tell me! :D

    Felicia

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    1. Hello, Felicia! Your comments are great, by the way. I wrote the book on Self-Publishing, literally. It's called The Indie Author's Guide to: Building a Great Book. :)

      I'll amp up the marketing posts just for you though!

      I'm right there with you on having kids and wanting to write. I love working from home. :)

      I snagged a sample. We'll see if your style hits me where it needs to. The White Aura sounds interesting though. Thanks so much for your sell and for the other comments you left hither and yon. :) I hope to see you back this week for more great chances to win.

      Delete
  20. Thank you for reminding me what homophones are, because to my shame, I definitely forgot what they were back in second grade.

    Hold up wait a minute let me put some pimping in it!!!

    Okay, so I'm actually pimping this book for one of my hoes. Or authors, whatever you wanna call them. It's actually my father and step mother Anon Beauty and Brian Arthur Levene. I'm an avid reader, and have been constantly in the process of reading something since I was about six. My honest opinion of this book is that it is really a great read. It gives you suspense, drama, action, and romance all in one. I know that my stepmother thought of it because she wanted to write a book about her country Pakistan, where the heroine doesn't just take the abuse that she's put through, she stands up and fights it. The book is called The Other Girls Get Lucifer Everyday or T.O.G.G.L.E, and if you want a book about a child being trained as an assassin to take down the Al Queda and by doing so, her father, then it's your book.

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    1. This cracked me up: Hold up wait a minute let me put some pimping in it!!!

      Welcome to the blog! I picked up a sample of the book so we'll see if the style and subject matter suits me.

      Homophones are fun! Most of the posts on my blog are about things I see when reading indie novels that need improvement in one way or another. :) Thanks for the sell and for joining in the fun!

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  21. Why it's important to hire a professional editor. Always a good topic.

    My debut novel, The Elementals, can be found here:

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Elementals-ebook/dp/B009TD48BQ/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1350846296&sr=8-34&keywords=troy+jackson

    Having always been one of the many that had great ideas, but never went through with writing about it, I finally said "ENOUGH!" and began the process some 2+ years ago. It was a long, arduous project, but once complete I was excited to bring it to the public.

    The Elementals begins some 2200 years ago in ancient China during the reign of the First Emperor. Depending on who you ask, the First Emperor was either a great ruler who unified China for the first time and had many great projects erected, or he was a cruel tyrant that enslaved those he conquered to have those same projects created. This story takes on the latter view, and an insurgent group known as the Dragon's Spite looks to wrest control from the Emperor and replace him with a more just and compassionate individual. In order to tip the balance in their favor they must first locate three unknowing teenagers who hold vast supernatural powers before the Emperor finds them.

    I take elements (no pun intended) of actual history and fuse them with fantasy and the supernatural for a fun read. As one reviewer once said, "It has a little of everything in it."

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    1. Yes, Troy, always an excellent topic! Your wish = my command! Consider it forthcoming.

      Welcome to the blog. :)

      I snagged your sample. If it's half as good as I think it'll be, you've nailed a read and review. Here's hoping! Thank you so much for your sell and for participating. I do hope to see you back, trying to win something this week :)

      Delete
  22. i am impressed with all the responses today! sweet! the only thing i think might be fun to see is tough ethical choices or decisions. like in the comics when spiderman had to choose who to save: gwen stacy or the kids in the bus. he couldn't do both and it haunted him for the rest of his life about that failure. it shaped many of his decisions later on, too. not saying you HAVE to have something like this and you might have something like it under one of the other links but those kinds of difficult choices have always been interesting to see how different authors approach them. :)

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    1. I was pretty blown away, too, bas! Yours is the second request for an ethics post so I'll be producing one of those very soon. Congratulations on your win of the prize pack and thanks for coming by again and participating! :)

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  23. Woo your comments blew up on this post! Pretty fantastic. Even if I'm late I wanted to comment here. I do book editing, and what I'd really really REALLY love to see addressed is the idea of character development. In specific, making sure people can relate to your characters. Too many times I've read books where the main character is the most specialist, beautifulist, wonderfulist, bestest girl in the whole wide world, and everyone else pales in comparison. I would love to see that idea addressed and why it NEVER works in fiction.

    And if you're still looking for book purchases, I am an author of an Urban Contemporary fantasy book. I'll post the blurb and link below. Of course I think you should buy it because I think it's worth reading, lol, but don't get into it thinking it's typical fantasy/urban fantasy. It deals mostly with the mythos of different theologies and legends coupled with a detective story. I personally think it's a pretty unique idea... but who really knows :)

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AMJDAJ2

    The Awakening is a tale of immortals, ancient gods, and a Detective who doesn’t believe in any of it. Detective Ben Stanford is forced to come face to face with theology, mythos and everything he refused to believe in as his world is turned upside down by Mark, the immortal Gospel writer, who requests the detective’s help in finding his missing companion, Judas Iscariot.

    As Ben dives deeper into the world of broken Theology, ancient religions and terrifying Greek gods, he’s forced to come to terms with the world where vast forces struggle in their endless game of power. He must make his way, with the help of companions he doesn’t believe in or trust, to try and stop a potential global disaster.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Angela, I will copy/paste your comment to the next post. Anyone else who pops over, please go to the post for Day 10: http://jomichaels.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-day-10.html

    Thanks all!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi, I think I have got the hang of it.....sometimes I am just too slow, please tell me I am not alone.

    Bingo, One woman's journey through life
    http://www.amazon.com/Bingo-woman%C2%B4s-journey-through-ebook/dp/B009BK18RY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355942806&sr=1-1&keywords=bingo+one+womans+journey

    Bingo is my biography passionately composed over decades. It contains my fantasies, and desires within historical events, which have resulted in a range of emotions. A powerful journey with setbacks and disappointments along the road from abuse, depression, love, struggles ‘And Still I Rise’, as my heroin Maya Angelou has claimed throughout her life.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The topic I'd like to see is Politicking The Box - can politics and literature ever mix?

    My book is "Time After Time" a scifi romantic dark comedy. http://amzn.to/QX4th9

    The same man, the same woman, the same chat-up line, but a huge variety of different outcomes for how the seduction shakes out. And the reason the man needs to get close to the woman... is he needs to kill her. And just what is the precise role of the shadowy DJ who spins records that not only appear to soundtrack their seduction, but actually predict it? The novel comes with a link to the Spotify playlist of the 40+ songs that appear in the book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. probably should have put that my name is Marc Nash @21stCscribe on Twitter

      Delete
  27. My novel Kristen Flemings in a Ghost Story was a spur of the moment idea I had to quickly rush to come up with days before I had to take an Advanced college writing class. Up until then, I was content to have Kristen first being introduced in another novel I wrote, Genesis, the Elizabeth Chronicles, I've have no regrets writing it.
    Here's the link to the 0.99 Kindle Edition if interested.

    http://www.amazon.com/Kristen-Flemings-Ghost-Story-ebook/dp/B00AMNFVJK/ref=la_B0054EB7PY_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355962778&sr=1-2

    Kristen Flemings, age 16, cheerleader, student newspaper editor in chief, daughter, best friend, sister, and her friends find themselves embroiled in murder, witchcraft and human sacrifice over the course of a week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please give me a way to contact you. You've won a prize :)

      Delete
    2. Thank you. It's on it's way. I'm deleting your e-mail from here now to prevent spammers from hitting you. :)

      Delete
  28. Submissions on this post are now closed.

    NEWCOMERS! PLEASE GO HERE TO POST NEW COMMENTS/PITCHES:

    http://jomichaels.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-day-11.html

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Jo, I would like to see a post on using movies to sharpen your dialogue in fiction. I’ve read a lot of artificial-sounding dialogue recently, giving me the impression that the author has a tin ear. My suggestion is to pick a few representative movies from the genre in which you are writing, and practice rewriting your dialogue as those characters. The exercise might pay off.

    I have a short story called ‘Walker,’ which you can find on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RBW2AO. Here’s the description and a quote. Thanks so much!

    What is the one thing—the only thing—you must remember when someone you love sleepwalks? Don’t wake them. Ever. John Walker knows this and has so far taken all the right precautions to protect his wife, Mary Kate. But sometimes no matter what you do, no matter how vigilant you are, things go wrong.

    John is about to learn that evil is out there waiting for the right moment. And when it strikes, it hungers for more than Mary Kate. It wants their daughter, Lucy. But it’s not his fault—it’s not anyone’s fault.

    Sometimes bad things just happen.

    “‘Walker’ is well-written with vibrant characters and natural dialogue. I was only sorry it ended so soon. I don’t want to give too much away since this is a short read, but suffice to say, supernatural shenanigans are afoot. I’m glad to say I’ve found another horror writer to follow.” 5 Stars.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Jo

    Gosh, this sounds good, okay.
    My book is a paranormal romance about vampires. My vampires are special becuase they are all triplets. And unlike other vampire books, my guys are freindlier and actualy dont mind having women lord it over them every now and them. My book hinges on a 5000 year old prophecy and the main characters are Sable and Devlin. This is my first book so please be gentle!!!

    my links for my book are:
    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lynda+bester

    barns an noble :
    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s?keyword=lynda+bester&store=allproducts&page=%2Findex.asp&prod=univ&pos=&box=

    ReplyDelete

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