Here's a special treat for you: a guest post about a group of Indie authors supporting charity! Please read on and help out...
ONLY 99c TO HELP SUPPORT THE INDIE AUTHOR & AN AMAZING CHARITY!
by Jessica Bell
The day
I realized I’d been obsessing over my sales figures way too much was the day I
closed my eyes and tried to think about the real reason I am an indie author.
Is my
primary goal to make money? No. So why do I keep obsessing over my sales stats?
I realized it’s because more sales means more people reading my work. What I
really really want is to be read. I
want to share the one thing in this world I would cut my fingers off for. I
know. If I didn’t have any fingers, I wouldn’t be able to physically write, but
you know what I mean.
My
passion for writing comes with a perpetual replacement button, attached to my
side seam, just in case it becomes unraveled, and falls off, after a day
gallivanting through the publishing jungle. It can be tough in there, but in
the end, being an indie author is OH SO WORTH IT.
This
made me wonder … what’s everybody else’s story?
Then Indiestructible was born.
Need motivation and inspiration to self-publish, or sign that contract with an interested small press? Have you done all the research you can, but still feel ambivalent about the idea? Indiestructible: Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle brings you the experiences of 29 indie authors—their passions, their insights, their successes—to help you make the leap into indie publishing.
This is not a how-to guide. This is the best of
the indie tradition of experienced authors paying forward what they’ve learned,
giving you information to help you on your journey. The personal essays in this
book will leave you itching to get your work into the hands of readers and
experience, first-hand, all the rewards indie publishing has to offer.
Not only is this anthology packed full of interesting, unique, and genuinely helpful information, and totally worth the 99c (only 99c!!!), 100% of proceeds will be donated toBUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education. Pretty amazing, huh? What are you waiting for?
Buy Indiestructible—support
the indie author and an amazing
charity—TODAY!
What a fantastic charity! And look at what you get for only $0.99. Get your copy now!!! Oh, and spreading the word would be great too. THX. What's the last self-help, writing-motivation book you've read?
Although cherishing the last few days of my summer blogging break, I'm glad to jump in today with a surprise for you! The awesomesaucesome C.Lee McKenzie is celebrating the release of her MG phonominon, ALLIGATORS OVERHEAD!! I read the first chapter a while back over on YAlitchat's First Pages Group. From there, C.Lee sent me the first few chapters to have a peek at. Description:Alligators, witches and a spooky mansion aren't your average neighbors unless you live at the edge of the Ornofree swamp in the backwater town of Hadleyville. The town’s bad boy, Pete Riley, may only be twelve, but he’s up to his eyeballs in big trouble, and this time he isn’t the cause. This time the trouble arrives when a legendary hundred-year-old mansion, materializes next door and the Ornofree alligators declare war to save their swamp from bulldozers. Things only get worse when Pete’s guardian aunt and several of her close friends vanish while trying to restore order using outdated witchcraft. Now Pete must find his aunt and stop the war. He might stand a chance if his one friend, Weasel, sticks with him, but even then, they may not have what it takes. Can I just say how much I HEARTmiddle grade? And with saying that, I'll stop jabbering and let you hear from C.Lee herself.
BOOK PROMOTION
There are so many ways to promote your book using media these days. Since I like the idea of using a Blog Hop, I thought I’d share how I set mine up and bore you with a few opinions, too. Sorry about the opinions.I used Mr. Linky to have followers sign up. It was easy and efficient. I created a theme that I thought would be fun and connected to my book. In my case I called it The Swamp Hop. You’ll have to read the book to find out why, or just look at the cover!
I asked each blogger how long and what topic they’d like, and I offered a choice of topics that I felt I could write about if they didn’t have one in mind.
I bundled all of my links and my post and subbed those in an email well ahead of the post date. (I think Sheri’s the only one I’ve be pokey about. Sorry, Sheri!) By having everything together it saved time for me and my host. Early subbing was good because there were a few glitches in the links and I had time to sort those out.
I showed up at the blog site while my post was active and even afterward because some comments came several days later. I responded to the comments, tweeted and announced the post on fb. I was sure to use the permalink because people often find links after new posts are up.
Because I know hosting someone does require some planning and, therefore, time I gave a gift to my hosts. In my case it was a short anthology of my short stories--some previously published and illustrated.
I did some giveaways, but I didn’t use Rafflecopter and here’s why: Warning Another Opinion Ahead. I found it annoying. If someone took the time to visit the post and leave a comment that was enough for me to give them a book. If they wanted to “like” my pages or “tweet” or give me a shout out on “fb” bless them. What I really wanted was someone to read my book and give me an honest review. That seemed like a fair exchange.
On the day of the guest post I added a note on my blog about where I’d be and what I’d be discussing along with links to the bloggers’ sites as well as their published books. It wasn’t all about my book, even though I liked to think it was. :-)
I’m not a pro at this, so let me know what I’ve left out of this Blog Hop plan. I’ll take notes.
Thanks, Sheri. Loved having the chance to be here today.
It's me who needs to thank you, C.Lee, for the awesome information. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us.
Here's a little extra treat for all you Alleywalkers! You just HAVE to watch this trailer. Honestly, it's one of the best trailers I've ever seen for middle grade. I LUV it!
Awesome, right? Want a copy? Good. Just leave a comment below, saying so, and you'll be entered to win one of two eCopies that C.Lee is generous offering as a giveaway!! Two winners to be randomly drawn and announced on September 7th! Spreading the word isn't necessary, but it would be so sweet of you!! Or, here's where you can purchase your very own copy:AMAZON KINDLE, AMAZON PAPERBACK, B & N, SMASHWORDS
C. Lee McKenzie is a native Californian who grew up in a lot of different places; then landed in the Santa Cruz Mountains where she lives with her family and miscellaneous pets. She writes most of the time, gardens and hikes and does yoga a lot, and then travels whenever she can.
She takes on modern issues that today's teens face in their daily lives. Her first young adult novel, Sliding on the Edge, which dealt with cutting and suicide was published in 2009. Her second, titled The Princess of Las Pulgas, dealing with a family who loses everything and must rebuild their lives came out in 2010. Her short stories appear in Stories for Children, The First Time and the soon to be published, Two and Twenty Dark Tales. She just published her first Middle Grade novel, Alligators Overhead, this year.
EXPERIENCE. This edition of Featherbrained Friday is rather lengthy, but that's because it's quite personal. As most of you know, over the past five months I've been preparing to compete for a State Mrs. title. The pageant was this past weekend. At the onset of my decision to enter, I promised myself I would do this for me, my writing, the issues of reading/writing, to raise awareness for Childhood Apraxia of Speech, all while remaining true to myself. I would not bend who I am for anyone or for any reason. To Thine Own Self Be True...
When researching what this particular pageant was all about, I discover that it's mission is to uphold the lives of married woman and motherhood, what we stand for, and what we've done with our lives. I thought to myself, 'Now that's me. Something I can support.' To Thine Own Self Be True...
My image in the background
Throughout the past five months, using my experience of marriage, motherhood, and career, I have exercised what I stand for, what I've done with my life, and I've shared that with others. I've done it in a respectful and enthusiastic manner, for myself, my family and friends, as well as my amazing sponsors.
I love my school kiddos!!
Participating pushed me out of my comfort zone and out into the world again. I've been on TV, interviewed by newspapers, done some modeling and been a spokeswoman, entered a nation picture book contest, given a writer's workshop for middle grade students who are sending me their work to edit, and gained the respect of my family, friends, and community.
In November, while I was in Cancun celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary, contestant numbers were chosen. I was chosen Contestant #1. To be honest, that didn't bother me. I've been a performer all my life, so I don't have much fear of the stage.
Fast-forward to the weekend before the pageant. We had a workshop to learn our opening number and go over a sequence for the bathing suit number. As our fabulous instructor (and she really is fabulous) taught us, many of the other contestants, not being trained in dance, had questions. Some turned to me for answers. I answered their questions, directing them to be their best. To Thine Own Self Be True...
Rehearsal...
During our pageant weekend rehearsals, I ended up being an intricate part of each group stage performance. Being Contestant #1, I cued the other contestants on music and when to start steps. I set the stage by entering with force to get the audience's attention. I even counted an 8-count on stage, so the contestants could catch the next step together and had an extra 4-count added to my dance to alert the other ladies when to catch the music. To Thine Own Self Be True...
On stage rehearsals...me in red skirt.
Rehearsal Day One was a long day. Walking in five-inch heels for ten hours can take it's toll. Once again, because of my vast experience, I expected this so I was prepared. Others were not. One, who ended up being the winner, needed help with blisters on her feet. I helped her pad her shoes with moleskin to keep the shoes from irritating her blisters. I was asked why I would help her. And to that, I asked myself this question: Would I want to win anything in life, knowing that an opponent wasn't up to par? To Thine Own Self Be True...
Some of you may also be thinking 'Why on Earth was she helping the other contestants?' Because that's who I am, and as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I would not bend my inner self for anyone or for any reason just to get ahead. To Thine Own Self Be True...
That decision exudes the confidence, poise, and strength I feel gives purpose to the title Mrs.
My amazing husband, Artie.
Confidence comes from muscling through life's challenges and disappointments, and coming out the other side more resilient than before.
Poise is a sense of humility, mingling with self-assurance in who you are and the ability to demonstrate that through graceful walking and posture.
Strength must be forged under pressure, steam, and heat. With each of these, new building blocks of strength are cast, giving a woman the strong foundation and ultimately walls with which to support others.
Me in blue with some of the contestants getting ready for the fitness competition.
Not being awarded the crown was perfectly okay with me. It would possess approximately three-fourths of my weekends during the upcoming year, which would have been detrimental to my large family. However, being snubbed for the top five felt very unfair. I don't hold the three directors, who organized the event responsible. Those three ladies are respectable, full of class, and had absolutely nothing to do with the end result. Also, I mean no disrespect to the amazing ladies who were chosen. I truly heart them all for their talents, strengths, beauty, and resilience. But collectively, the five didn't possess my experience of marriage for 20 years and motherhood of 18 years. Now, I can see if I wasn't a concise speaker (during my interviews, I had three of the five judges compliment me on that), was unintelligent and ugly, didn't look good in a bathing suit, or couldn't walk in heels. According to audience members other than my family and friends, none of those were the case. They were as confused as I was at the snubbing I received.
Me, leading the other ladies.
Now this is what truly stung. A few of those wonderful ladies had only been married one year, three, or four years; some had no children. How can they exude all that marriage and motherhood stands for, when their experience has been so short? (It's like undergoing heart surgery and being given the choice between a heart surgeon with 20 years of experience or the young surgeon just out of med school.) Then directly after the top five were announced, the pageant awarded me with a Marriage Longevity award. Talk about a slap in the face. That act totally contradicted what this pageant supposedly stood for and nosedived my confidence and support for the pageant. With saying that, I DO believe longevity in marriage should be recognized. It is a feat. For my experience, the timing was simply poor. To Thine Own Self Be True...
But life is not always fair, and things don't always turn out as they should for whatever reasons. People are individuals and have an array of opinions just as subjective as the publishing world. I.E. my writer friends can fully relate. I've taken this and used it as a teaching experience for my children, who span the ages of 18, 15, 13, & 8. To Thine Own Self Be True...
Throughout the two days of rehearsal, many of the contestants shared with me their gratefulness that I was Contestant #1, that I had amazing stage presence which gave them confidence to get out there, and that I was truly a leader. Isn't that what a Mrs. should be: a self-confident yet humble leader, who motivates others to strive for more and better themselves? Maybe that was my true purpose for being a part of this. No need for a pat on the back. To Thine Own Self Be True...
If the judges didn't want, at the very least, to recognize a woman who is self-sacrificing, a humble leader, a commander on stage, a wife and mother with oodles of experience to share and motivate others, an intellect willing to teach yet remain open to continued learning, a writer with the passion to aid our state through her education endeavors, and an Apraxia of Speech advocate who's already hooked up with a national organization willing to back her, then I'm okay with that. They simply decided to highlight Mrs. in a different way. I will still follow my dreams and achieve my goals.
Am I scorned? No. This experience gave me another opportunity to demonstrate how I take life off the chin, let it fuel me to become an even stronger woman and a classy example of what is truly meant by the title Mrs.
After it was all over and despite the confusion threading my family, friends, and some audience members that I didn't even know, my youngest child - CJ, my 8-yr-old with Apraxia of Speech - said, "But Ma, at least we all know and we're all here supporting you."
In my opinion, Fridays are all featherbrained and are for chatting about life, love, friendship, motherhood and my sometimes failed attempts to keep my sanity. So today, I have a special treat for you! I'm giving major props to a special friend, who happens to be an amazing writer.
I am so excited!!! One of my Oasis for YA sisters, the fabulous Jessica Souders, is releasing the cover for her YA novel! It is beautiful, my friends.
J.A. Souders was born in the heartland with an overactive imagination and an over abundance of curiosity that was always getting her into trouble. She first began writing at the age of 13, when she moved to Florida and not only befriended the monsters under the bed, but created worlds for them to play together.
Because she never grew up, she decided she’d put her imaginary friends to work and started writing. She still lives in the land of sunshine and palm trees with her husband and their two children and is an active member of the RWA, CFRW, YARWA and SCBWI.
She is represented by Natalie Lakosil of the Bradford Literary Agency. Her debut book, RENEGADE, surfaces Fall 2012 from Tor Teen.
So, you want to see the cover now? You really didn't think we'd make it that easy, did you? No worries. You don't have to do much at all. In her brilliance, Jessica has broken the cover into six equal parts, real scavenger hunt style. Simply visit the following blogs and collect a word along with the puzzle pieces and head over to the three blogs hosting the giveaway on Monday. Your STARTING POINT is Jess's blog, Angels and Demons and Portals, Oh My!
I'd like to welcome Nicki Elson, author of THREE DAVES, and member of Celery Tree. She grew up during the '80s--'nuf said--and has always known she loves to write. She shares herself through her Blog, Facebook Page, and Twitter. And today, she's here to guest blog for me. Welcome, Nicki!!
So...have ya heard of Celery Tree yet? I'm excited to be a part of this brand new on-line book store & community for independent authors, and one of the elements I'm eager to take advantage of are the forums. I see the forums as a great opportunity to take Writing and Publishing Topics that come up here at the blogs and turn them into true back-and-forth discussions. I also think it might be fun to host on-line Book Club Meetings and interactive Author Interviews.
Karen Gowen, a founder of Celery Tree, said the forums have the potential to be whatever the authors/readers want them to be. She will be available at karen@celerytree.com to answer your questions about Celerytree.com during the Big Blog Tour. Feel free to email Karen about any questions you may have at this time on joining, registering, buying books, submitting books or any other issues.
What I want to know is---what would you like them to be? What kinds of discussion threads would make you want to stop by and participate? What discussions would you like to start?
Recently, I've been involved in discussions about blogging, the how to's and reasons.
When I began blogging, my full, God-honest intention was to put myself out there. My motivation was my decision to become a serious writer, published and beyond. I figured meeting other writers and learning more about our craft was the way to forge ahead.
Over the last two years (come February, the two-year blogging birthday for Writers' Ally), I've grown as a writer. I've also grown as a blogger, a person. Writers' Ally was created for my publishing aspirations, but also to share my life and experiences through my 20 year marriage and motherhood of just over 18 years.
I'm finally making the leap to do both.
Writers' Ally will always be for writers, promotion, and such. But I'm also expanding to share the wisdom I've gained through the other aspects of my life. More details on this decision next Monday. So don't miss it!I'll be announcing a new Mem that I hope all you YA lovers will participate it.
And to get a jumpstart on my expanded outlook, I've become a contributor to a fantastic new website for new mothers called Dear New Mom. It's the brain child of my fellow Oasis for YA sister, Nikki Katz. If you don't know Nikki, go HERE now! You won't regret it. And please follow Dear New Mom on Twitter and Facebook!
My first article is up on the site. Let me know what you think!! Dear New Mom
There are many ways I could intro this piece, but I'm going to leave it simple. As I mentioned on Friday, there was a reason I wasn't around to blog during Cruising Altitudes fabulous Deja Vu Blogfest.
Most of you know that I entered the Meegenuis Picture Book contest. I'm not a big fan of writing contests via public vote, because they feel more like popularity contests than writing ones; however, when I discovered that one of the main prizes would be the entire Meegenuis Library donated to my local elementary school I just had to enter. Though the contest is over and I didn't make it into the top five, I ended up in the 32nd slot out of 300 other writers. Not bad for a little girl from a small northern town.
What this contest has brought me is just as valuable. The outpouring of support for me and my teeny picture book manuscript has been amazing. I am confident, now, that this story will find a published home. I want to thank all of YOU who voted and have shared encouraging comments with me. Participating in this contest has also enriched my pageant experience. I was interviewed about the pageant and my book via internet TV in between periods at one of my two oldest sons' hockey games. I've also been asked to speak about writing at three different schools in Maine.
This all led me to Friday and the reason I wasn't able to blog. I had to travel an hour and a half from my home to one of Maine's television stations - a FOX station. There, I was interviewed live-on air about my picture book, the contest, and my candidacy for Mrs. Maine 2012. The experience was surreal yet amazing. I guess I'll let you be the judge of that, though. Feel free to pass on watching my clip. I've yet to watch it. *shivers*
Here on the Graffiti Wall, I'm all about promoting authors. I'm a firm believer in the more you give, the more you receive. I created Writers' Ally to record my journey as author, short story writer, and mother with the hope to help, influence, and encourage others. But the Graffiti Wall is all about YOU.
Today is not your average Graffiti Wall spotlight. I have four authors sharing their splatters with us and leaving their signatures on the WALL. Even better, they are offering up a giveaway!
More holiday swag!! YES!
Four books
Two Days
Great Prizes
With this
contest, there is something for everyone and it’s SO simple to be in on the winning!
On
November 28 and/or 29, purchase 1 or all 4 of the debut author’s books listed below. Then forward proof of purchase (the receipt Amazon sends you will do just
fine) to : motionsrider@yahoo.ca and get
up to 4 entries into a draw for a
$100 Amazon gift card!
It’s that
easy, no reviews, no hoops to jump through. Just a great .99 book or two. Or
three or four. AND, if the person who wins the $100 Amazon Gift Card has
purchased all 4 books, an additional
$25 Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to the winner!
On top of
that, 2 random commenter’s picked
from 2 of our participating blogs will receive $5 gift Amazon gift cards . So, be sure to leave a comment
and let us know what you think of the promo, the books, or the authors.
Winners
will be chosen randomly, one entry per person, per book. All
winners will be announced on December 7th on Wringing Out Words.
“Between” by Cyndi Tefft
It just figures that
the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper,
complete with a dimpled smile, and Scottish accent.
After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all
but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry
through the pearly gates.
Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey
must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries. LINK to purchase.
“Until Dawn: Last Light” by
Jennifer Simas
When darkness falls, whose side will you be on?
For the past six years, Zoë has been anything but “normal.” Struggling to
accept her immortality and thrown into a war that’s been waging in the shadows
for over a thousand years, Zoë must now become who she was meant to be, joining
the other Chosen to save what’s left of humanity. When the endless night falls
over the Earth, will she be able to save the one man who reminds her of what it
is to be human, or will it be too late?
Until Dawn: Last Light is a story of death and despair, love and longing, hope
and hopelessness, and the ability to survive and keep going even when it seems
impossible – when you want nothing more than to give up. LINK to purchase.
“The
Kayson Cycle” by Jonathan D. Allen
A stranger enters a dying town and makes a desperate plea…
The Kayson Cycle introduces the Kayson Brothers, a pair of faith healers who
once wowed crowds in a traveling show but went their separate ways after a
night in which a healing took a dark turn. Jeffrey Kayson disappeared into the
wilderness and William Kayson, wracked by guilt, moved to the failing mining
town of Calico Hills to build a nice, quiet life – one that has lasted for over
ten years.
His quiet, predictable life crumbles when a mysterious stranger walks into his
tavern bearing a proposal to find his long-lost brother and do the one thing
that William has sworn to never do again - have his brother heal a woman.
William soon learns that he can’t escape his family – or his destiny.
Includes an exclusive sample chapter of The Corridors of the Dead. Please note
that this is a Kindle Single, and around 6,000 words in length. LINK to purchase.
“Sundered” by Shannon Mayer
A miracle drug, Nevermore, spreads like wildfire throughout the
world allowing people to eat what they want, and still lose weight. It is
everything the human population has ever dreamed of and Mara is no different.
Only a simple twist of fate stops her from taking Nevermore.
As the weeks roll by, it becomes apparent that Nevermore is not the miracle it
claimed. A true to life nightmare, the drug steals the very essence that makes
up humanity and unleashes a new and deadly species on the world that is bent on
filling its belly. Locked down within their small farm home, Mara and her
husband Sebastian struggle against increasingly bad odds, fighting off
marauders and monsters alike.
But Sebastian carries a dark secret, one that more than threatens to tear them
apart, it threatens to destroy them both and the love they have for each other.
Now Mara must make the ultimate choice. Will she live for love, or will she
live to survive? LINK to purchase.
QUICK ALLEYWAY SPLATTER: Please support Shelli Johannes Wells, today! She's launching her book!! And if you would be so kind to support me, head over and VOTE for my picture book!! (Thank you!!)
For those of you who are Indie published, what do you think of this way of self-promotion?
Here are the other sites helping these authors promote themselves:
This
made me wonder … what’s everybody else’s story?
