Tuesday, February 28, 2012

A chat with Bk Walker and Janis Friesler, Two Authors Promoting Authors

Indie Publishing is booming and authors/promoters like Bk Walker and Janis Friesler help to make it easier to get your name and book in front of the public.

Bk Walker is a self-published author of multi-genre fiction. Bk also owns Virtual Book Tour Cafe where authors can schedule book tours, book reviews and book blitzes. 

BIO: B.K. Walker is working as a Pediatric Home Care Nurse, and has had a love for reading and writing since she was a child. B.K. also runs several blogs,  where she hosts author interviews and organizes virtual book tours for other authors, helping them to promote and market their work. She lives in Pennsylvania with her three children, a Pitbull named Rancid, a Dachshund named Sadie, a cat named Whiskers (aka Shitigan), and a goldfish named Albert.


Janie Friesler is a self-published author of non-fiction. Janis owns Assisting Authors Online which helps authors with their online presence including website traffic, book trailer videos and formatting for eBooks.

BIO: Janis Friesler was born in Milwaukee, WI. and attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison and UCLA.  Janis earned a degree in English and Education. She taught elementary and middle school for many years. She is retired from teaching but subs a few times a month to keep her knowledge up to date. Janis is married and has two dogs that are adorable, Cosmo and Gizmo, and her hobbies are playing bridge, golf, knitting, and reading books.


I'm excited to introduce these two wonderful authors who followed their dreams and are always willing to help a fellow author. Bk and Janis collaborate often between their businesses to offer the best services available.

Help me give these very busy ladies a warm welcome!

Louise: Bk and Janis, welcome to my blog! I’m so excited you two could join me for a chat. I have to say I admire the both of you and the many talents you have. When did you first decide to create your marketing/advertising companies for authors? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Bk: I decided about 2 years ago when I was finding many authors not sure what to do about promoting their work. There was so much frustration you could almost feel the tension in the air, even while sitting in front of my computer.

The Virtual Book Tour Cafe was created with authors in mind to give authors and their book the attention they deserve.

Janis: Hi Louise and all your readers.  This is a very interesting question with a rather long answer. I was a middle school English teacher for many years. After I retired, I designed websites for small businesses, most of them for my friends. I have a childhood friend, Trish Silver who I haven't talked to for many years.  We connected on Facebook like many long lost friends have done. As fate would have it, she wrote a book, When I Remember Love. When she found out I knew my way around computers, she asked me to run her website, so I did.

I have always been an idea person.  As a teacher I won quite a few awards for curricular project design.  I started getting ideas about promoting her book on her site.  I studied best practices in book promotion leading me to social media marketing with a peppering of Search Engine Optimization. I learned about video book trailers blogging, and Amazon book promotion, Linked in groups, Twitter for authors on and on. I worked on my new education for a year.  I met BK searching information about blogs and put Trish on one of her book tours.  Now I put all my authors on the tours.

Louise: Please tell us a little about your companies and your web sites.

Bk: I'm the founder of the Virtual Book Tour Cafe'. I organize virtual book tours, setting authors up with various blogs to do interviews, guest posts, giveaways and sometimes they even get a review of their book. I also offer other services, which I've deemed “Cafe' Creations', creating Book Trailers, cover art, promo ads, banners, blog headers, buttons and more. Anyone can stop in to either of my sites, both have info, www.virtualbooktourcafe.com and www.vbtcafe.com

Janis: Another interesting story.  A little over a year after I started researching my career,  a former 8th grade student of mine, David Schultz, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Physics and Computer Science.  We have kept in touch over the years because he would help me with my websites.  When he was my student, he did all the computer programming for an online interdisciplinary project I wrote on the Iditarod.  It was an amazing project that won first place in the country.  Because of it I was written up in an article for the Knowledge Loom. a US Department of Education Website at Brown University. 

By the time he graduated, I was being contacted by people in my Linked in groups to help them promote their books.  I would express some of my ideas in the groups and I people liked what I had to say.  So I decided to branch out.  I talked to David and he agreed to create all the Wordpress websites and blogs and help with other technical details.  I would run the company and do all the promoting.  That is how Assisting Authors Online was born. I had to have a blog so I decided to do series about promotions that authors could do themselves. Of course when they find out how much time it takes, some would rather I do it for them. I also give shorter tips on Facebook, We have so many services, but what I have found out that works best is a Book Launch and has structured our services to fit this blue print.  We have a pdf explaining this plan on our website.

Louise: Now Bk, you’re also an author with several books under your belt. Tell us about a typical work day for you. 

Bk: I don't get much time for writing, that's for sure lol. I normally get up and grab some coffee, gotta have my caffeine or, ya know I might actually die or something. I then sit in front of my computer, answer the thousands (literally) of emails I get daily, responding to questions about tours, writing in general, advertising. Then I hop on over to FB & Twitter, respond to those, gotta keep up social networking #goodforbusiness. I schedule tours, design banners, create media kits for the authors going on tour. I take the dogs out and feed them. Turn on channel 833 on my Satellite – Classic Rock, answer some more emails that have meandered in. Finalize schedules, send them out to authors and hosts. I'm continually updating schedules from signups. Sometimes I plug into my radio show on Blog Talk Radio for an author interview, and I constantly promo current tours. When  my muse strikes I take time to write in one of the 7 books I'm working on. That usually doesn't happen until way late at night, or maybe it's morning, like now LOL.

Louise: Please share with us without giving any spoilers a bit on your latest release Night Secrets.

Bk: Night Secrets is actually a book that I didn't think anyone was going to like at all. It turns out that everyone likes it though! *happy dancing


Keara Crosby has just lost her parents in a plane crash. She is learning to live without them while in her Senior year of High School. Her father's sister has been given legal guardianship over her until Keara graduates, but the deal is she must move from Ireland to the states to honor that. When Aingeal, (Keara's Aunt) arrives, Keara starts noticing strange things happening and finding weird items in her room, backpack, that her aunt has left her.

When a new club in town opens, her best friend Jared talks her in to going. Only going was a lot more than she bargained for. She is faced with vampires and werewolves all while learning about her true heritage. She soon comes to realize that some things of the night, just may kill you.

Louise: Janis, I see you have published Use Amazon To Promote Your Books. What kind of feedback are you getting from authors who have purchased this book? 

Janis: I wrote this book for people who sign up for my newsletter.   They get it at no cost.  It is really a compilation of blog posts with some updating.  I haven't have time to write a book to sell since I am doing so many things for my clients and to help authors.  I think they like the book.  I hope your readers will sign up for my newsletter and get the book.  If you do readers, please leave a comment on my blog or Facebook page, and let me know what you think.


Louise: Have you written other books the authors/readers should know about?

Janis: I am going to compile another book, Why Authors Should Blog from my blog posts on that topic.  I am going to give that away to all the people who "Like" our Facebook page.

Louise: Please tell us why it is important for a new author to get their name and work on social medias (Twitter, FB) and blogs/websites. 

Bk: It's the perfect way to connect with readers, promote their work, and make new friends. It’s a great platform to build on. How else are people going to know who they are?

Janis: When someone writes a book, it is like giving birth. There is a profound personal attachment to a book that has been created from the mind and heart of the author. Every author wants their book to be loved, but the problem is there are so many authors with so many books, how will their book be found? That is why social media is so important.

Here are a few things an author can do to get his/her name branded and book known.


Facebook 
Author pages can get targeted traffic.  Have a contest or a give-a-away.  Have your book trailer on your page, put up your book tour schedule and banner.  Ask questions on your wall, do surveys.  Always respond to comments.

Blog
Authors must have a blog.  I am big on self-hosted blogs (your own domain).  Then you can have an RSS feed that will feed the blog to blog directories, social media sites, and tons of other places.  Make sure that you writes posts that are related to your book but don't self- promote.

Go to other book blogs, many have author promotions, free reviews, spotlights, guest blogs.

Linked in:  Linked in has so many author groups and some give excellent tips to promote books.  Make sure that there are a lot of members in the groups for more exposure. 

Book Trailer: A book trailer is a must have.   A video book review is a great.  You can put these videos all over the place.  There are many video sites to show off your book.

There are so many sites to use to get the word out.

The bottom line is to sell a book; people have to know about it.  This takes time and a hard work so be patient.

Louise: How do each of you think eBooks have impacted books sales for authors and do you see the traditional print copies fading away?

Bk: I think the digital world has EXPLODED book sales. Why wouldn't it? It's right there available for immediate download, people can view billions of books, and never have to leave the comfort of their homes. Some books may not even be carried in retail stores.
I don't think paperbacks have faded away completely, but with technology on the rise with Kindles, Ipads, and the Kindle Fire even, it's definitely not going to see as many sales as digital. There are still those few that HATE e-readers. But, maybe they've not even tried it, because I thought I would hate them too until my kids bought me my Kindle. I love it!

Janis: I think eBooks are here to stay, but I don't think they will replace print books.  I love my Kindle.  I hate taking a ton of books on a trip especially now when they weigh suitcases.
I also like eBooks because one of the services I do is format eBooks so they can be converted for Kindle, Smashwords, IPAD,  Barnes and Noble, etc.  It is trickier than people think to make eBooks look good.

Louise: Who/what is your favorite author and genre to read?

Bk: I absolutely love JD Robb and Laurell K. Hamilton for a traditional authors, and Tina Folsom for an Indie author. I could read her work all day. I didn't think I'd like historical romance until Tina introduced me to Paranormal Historical Romance with her book, Venice Vampyr. Beautiful! 

Janis: I have a lot of favorite authors because I have fairly eclectic taste in books.  I really love books by Ken Follett.  I am really looking forward to his second book set during WWI.

Louise: Bk and Janis, thank you so much for joining me on my blog. I encourage the authors who have stopped by to utilize your services to market their books and the readers to visit your sites to find fresh and seasoned authors to follow!

BK: Thanks so much for having us today Louise. I had so much fun just taking a break and you had some pretty great questions.

Janis: Thanks Louise for inviting me to this stimulating interview.  I really enjoyed answering your thoughtful questions.  I look forward to meeting your readers.

Readers and Authors, both Bk and Janis' sites have Authors/Books to explore and great writer resources!

Visit Bk on her web sites:
BK Media  Entertainment on Facebook

BK Media & Entertainment - Blog Talk Radio


Listen to internet radio with Bk Walker on Blog Talk Radio


Visit Janis on her web sites:
Janis on 
Assisting Authors Online Facebook Fan page



Monday, February 27, 2012

True love, true pain and the truth of her own heritage: Finding Alice, Andrea DiGiglio VBT Pit Stop Feb 27


Andrea DiGiglio was born and raised in Michigan, she still resides there with her son. Andrea has always been a writer at heart. Over the last decade she has written, starred and directed in many screenplays. She recently in the last few years decided to venture in writing novels. She hasn’t looked back since, giving it her full attention. She is very excited to share the wonderful words she creates, with the world.

Andrea's new release has everything - a heroine, a hero, romance and suspense! Help me give her a warm welcome. And Readers there's a giveaway of Finding Alice to one lucky commenter!

Louise: Andrea, welcome to my blog! I’m so excited you could join me for a chat. When did you first decide to submit your work to be published? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Andrea: Great to be here! I have always been a writer but I never thought my work would be good enough to be published out there in the world. I think artists in various mediums feel that way about their work. A friend of mine Charlotte, who is a serious reader, read the beginning of Finding Alice and was instantly hooked. She was the primary encouragement in the beginning and the one who pushed me into pursuing getting Finding Alice published one way or another.

Louise: Please tell us a little about your new release Finding Alice without giving too much of a spoiler away.

Andrea: Alice is a strong young woman who faces great pain and difficult situations without complaint. She truly embraces her destiny and it is a lot easier for her to do that with the chiseled and handsome Cole standing by her side. She chooses to stand with Fallen Angels and prepares to fight God’s angels for her right to live.


Alice is cursed with an intense version of empathy; she runs from a wasted life to start a new one somewhere no one will know her, Hell, Michigan. Alice works at a hole-in-the-wall bar in the middle of nowhere mostly keeping to herself to avoid the overwhelming emotions of those around her. Alice allows her best friend to convince her into taking a few college classes without realizing it would drastically change her life forever. From her first day of class she was hooked on him; his scent, his eyes, the way he talked to her inside her head.

Throughout her struggles she learns about true love, true pain and the truth of her own heritage. Alice must quickly find out who she is because after all everyone else is out to find her. With Angels and Bounty Hunter’s in constant pursuit she finds protection within a group of Fallen Angels. These Fallen Angels vow to do anything to protect her; for it is their belief she will save their kind and all of mankind.

Louise: Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Andrea: They develop as I write. I say quite often that I feel as if I am their medium and they are the ones telling the story.

Louise: How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

Andrea: As much as I need too and sometimes more. I learned so many insane things in The Book of Enoch, which I refer to frequently in Finding Alice. The Book of Enoch was pulled from being allowed in the Bible. And the other thing I thought was cool is Enoch was Noah’s Great grandfather.

Louise: What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?

Andrea: Pantser? LOL First I just start writing so I guess yes in the beginning I write by the seat of my pants. Once I have a feel for my main character (which is usually when I get struck with writers block) I timeline. I literally hang up sheets upon sheets of paper across my wall in a timeline from the beginning of the story until wherever I am or where I think it will end. (And yes when people are over they think I am nuts.) I write out all the ideas I have and put them where I think they will go on my timeline. Ultimately it’s the characters that drive me so I use the timeline as a guide.

Louise: Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer or still do?

Andrea: Sadly, no. I work for the family business during the day and write at night. Though I have taken a break from writing screenplays and filming to pursue writing my series and giving it the attention I feel it deserves, well when my 16-month lets me.

Louise: Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

Andrea: Yes I do. Coffee and my writer’s playlist filled with just about everything. The top musicians in my 8 hour playlist; Breaking Benjamin, Florence + The Machine, Jason Walker, A fine Frenzy, Lana Del Rey, 30 Seconds to Mars, etc. (I could go on for hours!)  Those two things are all I need, writing long hand, typing on a laptop or desktop doesn’t matter as much as the music and coffee. Sometimes I prefer long hand but only in the beginning.

Louise: Describe a typical writing day for you.

Andrea: There is no such thing though I wish there were. It’s usually me chasing my toddler all day and when I finally tire him out in the evening I get to sit down and write.
Louise: Please give us a sneak peek at your future books. What’s on the horizon?
Andrea: I am currently working on book 2 in The Alice Clark Series called Alice’s Sacrifice. It picks up right where we left off except it is in 3rd person point of view and not just Alice’s POV this time. I am also working on a paranormal novel with author and friend Jessica Gibson but that is top secret at the moment.

Louise: What is your favorite genre to read and who is your favorite author?

Andrea: Paranormal anything. Are we surprised? I love anything supernatural, young adult, paranormal romance, and horror. If it has ghosts, fallen angels, vampires, werewolves, witches etc; I will probably eat it up. Favorite author, that is really tough I don’t think I have one author I love more than the other. With each book they write they bring this whole new adventure into my life and I love them all equally for sharing their work.

Louise: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

Andrea: Writing is scary thing to do, to open yourself up to complete strangers and share a piece of yourself. I’m honored to be able to do the same.

Louise: Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web?

Andrea: All of the links will be on my website www.andreadigiglio.com

Louise: Andrea, thank you again for visiting with me today!
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win an eBook copy. Please leave your email address in your comment so we can easily contact the winner. Thanks!


Excerpt

     I moved from town to town for a short while, working random jobs just to pay for my next move, until I found a place that felt like home. It was a really odd feeling for me, never having felt that before, but this place just drew me in like a magnet. This, for most people, would seem like lunacy. No sane person chooses Michigan.
I found a hole-in-the-wall bar just outside of Hell, Michigan, and convinced the owner to hire me. By “convince,” I mean I played him in a game of pool for it. He was actually pretty good—must come from owning your own bar—but I hustled him. I’ve been working there for over a year now. I spend most of my day reading or drawing, and sometimes I work extra shifts just to pass the time.
 This is where I met Camille. She was absolutely stunning to look at. She had brown hair with highlights that looked golden and her skin was pale but flawless. Her legs looked longer than they were due to her overly short shorts and the tower of heels she wore. She definitely didn’t belong in a bar like this but just the same, she loved it here. She went to a community college and came here to get away. She says she works better with a few drinks in her. Somehow she convinced me that I should go back to school, that I was too antisocial and needed to get out of this town every once in a while to mingle with real people, or something like that. I used to just laugh at her, but I began deeply considering it.
We became friends, almost like sisters after this really bad bar fight a few months back. An overly large biker came and challenged one of our regular drunks to a game of pool. I’m assuming it was for a decent chunk of change, because when he lost to Jake, he almost killed him. There I was minding my own business at the bar when this giant ass of man pulled out a pistol. Camille flew out of her seat, attempting to run toward the door, but this guy shifted his aim at her, stopping her dead in her tracks. Jake just stood there blank, refusing to give in to him, pushing Camille behind him protectively. I heard the click as the biker readied his gun. Next thing I knew, I was standing next to him with his gun in my hand, pressed against his cheek.
 “How about you get your fat ass out of my bar?” I barely recognized my cold voice leaving my lips.
Everyone stood in shock, but it was Camille’s face I noticed. I watched her eyes busily recalculating the last few seconds. I felt all the other patrons watch in terror. He spit on the floor, threw his hands up and left. Jake let out a sigh of relief and hugged me, flashing one of those “Way to make me feel like a pussy” grins. I pushed away from the hug quickly and noticed Camille leaning toward a single black feather on the ground. I snatched it up and stuffed it into my pocket. I watched for her reaction but she didn’t even notice.
      The most amazing thing was Camille never asked me how I got there so quickly, how I grabbed the gun without anyone seeing me actually do it. That is why we are such good friends. Well, that and she is so rational, I don’t have to deal with her emotions overloading my mind. I couldn’t explain it to her even if I wanted to. I couldn’t even explain it to myself.

Book Trailer Link -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1x_DvGx4CA&feature=youtu.be)

Finding Alice on Amazon 
 
 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Author Carrie Green Talks About What She Loves Best - Writing Horror, Feb 24 - 26

Carrie: Stephen King made an early impact with 'Carrie,' which was the the bane of my childhood. I can't tell you how many of my peers thought it was funny to suggest that I should run for prom queen, so that they could splatter pig's blood on me.  Anne Rice was another early influence. Tabitha King, Dean Koontz, Stephanie Meyer and Laurell K. Hamilton are other authors that I'd pick up when they publish a new book.

Carrie Green "a powerful new voice in horror and suspense" will have her first novel, 'Walk a Lonely Street,' published by McMullin Press in 2012. Set in Chicago, a jazz nightclub owner is found dead in the parking lot with a bullet to the brain. Police have written it off as a suicide, but his wife and best buddy think that it's a murder and they embark on their own investigation. Carrie is excited to build her audience, in the meantime, with the 'Roses are Red,' 'Violets are Blue,' and 'Sugar is Sweet,' trilogy of shorts stories and a novella being released as eBooks for a limited time. Born and raised in Chicago, Carrie now lives with her husband in the northern suburbs of the city. Contact Carrie or sign up to receive notification of the publication of her next book at www.CarrieGreenBooks.com  

Carrie's books are available on Amazon


Louise: Carrie, welcome to my blog! I’m so excited you could join me for a chat. When did you first decide to submit your work to be published? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Carrie:  My day job is in Public Relations and I had a client for whom I wrote a business eBook.  As part of this project, I researched eBooks and Amazon (as the leader in eBook sales).  I was intrigued by what I had discovered, especially about how Amazon has made it possible to make MORE money self-publishing than going with a traditional publisher. 

I was always passionate about writing fiction, but I had placed that dream on a shelf, since I didn't see it paying the bills (let's face it; there are more state lotto winners than there are bestselling authors).  Today, however, thanks to Amazon's online marketplace, it is feasible to make a decent income.

Louise: Please tell us a little about your new release Walk A Lonely Street without giving too much of a spoiler away. (Cover not available)

Carrie:  I'm very excited about my new release due in a few months, Walk A Lonely Street.  It picks up some of the themes displayed in my short story and novella New Blood Trilogy (Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, and Sugar Is Sweet) that true horror is most often tied to personal relationships.  In a nutshell, a man is found dead under suspicious circumstances. When the police rule it a suicide, his wife and best friend investigate on their own.  It's a journey which is all about the secrets that we hide from those who are closest to us.

Louise: Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Carrie:  I do a combination of both planning and trying to allow room for spontaneity.  Often the best scenes in a novel are tangents that were not in the original outline.  I’m sure that you've experienced that type of writer's high when the words are just flowing and your fingers can not type fast enough to transcript the sentences and paragraphs that are appearing whole and complete in your mind.  If a scene starts to turn in another direction, under those circumstances, I'll pursue it.  When I edit, later, I'll decide what I'm keeping or deleting.

Louise: How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

Carrie:  In my business life, I conduct tons of research online, stuff like competitive overviews, reading all of a reporter's articles on certain topics, but I like to go more old-school for my writing research.  Rather than depend on the Internet, I'll go to experience, in-person, and a location that is featured in my book. 

Reality serves as the best inspiration for fiction.  If the settings are true to life then what I portray happening at those locations will seem equally realistic.  It's the old adage that the best lies have an element of truth. 
 
Louise: What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?

Carrie:  Same answer as planning the characters that I answered above (I actually outline all my major characters, provide them with a back story and figure out their motivations—this is what drives the action/plot).  It's a combination.

Louise: Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer or still do?

Carrie:  I do write full time as writing is the bulk of my day job in PR.  Sadly, my fiction writing, however, is still a hobby that happens evenings and weekends.

Louise: Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

Carrie:  Since I write full-time during the day, I'm pretty business-like in my approach.  I compose directly on the computer (in college, I used to write first drafts, long-hand, in yellow legal pads).  I prefer no distractions.  While I have a window with a lovely view in my home office, I sit facing a wall and focus only on my computer screen. 

I've learned to divide writing from editing, which is the key in order to prevent writer's block from happening.  I write and then edit only when I'm finished (usually at the end of a chapter).  Writing is about being open and creative.  Editing is about following rules and being restrictive.  These are opposite goals. 

To be successful at each, I perform them at separate times.  Writer's block occurs when a writer tries to accomplish both writing and editing at the same time.  FYI, I actually spend more time editing than I do writing, because it is that important in creating a polished product.

Louise: Describe a typical writing day for you.

Carrie:  I sit at the computer all day and type.  I take break to prepare and eat meals.  I try to exercise at least once a day.  I like to write down ideas whenever they occur to me—often whole passages of text or a solution to a plot problem.  It's not very exciting, which probably why you'll never see a reality show featuring writers—not enough action, most of writing is very internal, it takes place inside your head.

Louise: Please give us a sneak peek at your future books. What’s on the horizon?

Carrie:  After 'Walk A Lonely Street,' I plan to write serial killer/ghost story for my next novel, but I'm also involved in several collaborative writing projects with other authors that will be released in-between my novels.  I really enjoy the brainstorming aspect of collaboration.  I take great pleasure in seeing a good idea, after some creative input, become great.

Louise: What is your favorite genre to read and who is your favorite author?

Carrie:  I love horror, but I also read mystery, thrillers, detective, women's literature, literature, biography, historical nonfiction, cookbooks, management and business books.  I tend to bounce around multiple genres.  My favorite author is one that writes well, whatever the genre.

Louise: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

Carrie:  To give Indie authors a chance.  There is an unfair perception that Indie authors are sub-par.  The more that I've engaged with other Indie authors, I've discovered that the most successful ones are highly professional, have their work edited, and produce books equal to anything that a traditional publisher is releasing. 

I think that there is some hostility towards Indie authors because of the misconception that they are the reason for bookstores dying.  The truth is that bookstores were a monopoly held by the top 6 publishers.  Amazon and the eBook format is actually customer driven and allowing real competition. 

For example, the top 6 have recently decided that paranormal romance is over and that military romance will be the next big publishing trend.  That is how the top 6 operate—they only publish what is bringing in the largest profit.  Due to eBooks, readers can still find thousands of Indie authors that will write and publish their favorite styles of fiction.  A niche market that the top 6 won't support, can flourish online.

eBooks are here to stay because they serve all readers, whatever genre that they like to read, and the price is right.  The customer is now actually deciding what books become bestsellers, not the publishers.  It's time to embrace this change as it actually benefits readers and authors alike.

Louise: Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web?


Carrie:  Readers can visit my Author Amazon page

Louise: Carrie, thank you again for visiting with me. Readers, Carrie is giving away an eBook copy of her first book Roses Are Red from Smashwords. Leave a comment with your email address. Good luck!




Violets Are Blue, A Novella



Newly-wed Sarah was delighted to move in with her mother-in-law, Martha, a widower who had raised her son, by herself, on an isolated Midwest farm.

A kid from a broken home who had been raised in a group house in Chicago, Sarah had struggled to put herself through college on scholarships.  She considered herself to be self-reliant and willing to work hard for her dreams.  She wanted only one thing, a real family.  Todd was the love of her life, so that she was sure that she'd love Martha, too.

It never occurred to Sarah that Martha would see her as competition, to be eliminated.

Excerpt

Sarah stood on the dirt road, staring at the six foot high stalks, at the long, rippled leaves that concealed, in seconds, the bold red of Todd’s t-shirt. The corn had swallowed him up. She hadn’t expected him to take off.

Seriously, he wanted to play tag in a corn field? Then, she thought, why not? It was as crazy as anything else that they had done together.


She remembered the time that they had walked through a snow storm, licking ice cream cones. People drove by; laughing at them, but a cone in winter had the advantage of not melting. It was the perfect weather for ice cream.


“Todd, where are you?”  She tried to sound pissed, after all, he was forcing her to play tag. She waited to hear his voice, so that she could follow him. “Todd?”


“Come and get me!” he shouted, but she heard him moving again as she ran into the field, the noise of him running was fainter than the crashing of her own elbows and legs through the corn stalks.

In the corner of her eye she saw the ears of corn which were both uglier and smaller than those in the supermarkets back home. The cobs, half eaten by the birds, had empty black sockets that resembled gap-toothed smiles. Tassels draped over the cobs like a bad comb-over.


The leaves sliced her skin. She was forced to run through random swarming circles of flies. Her hands were held out straight in front of her in a futile effort to protect her face. Sarah could hear Todd, up-ahead. He sounded closer.


She stumbled. Her feet kept getting caught in the rope-like webbing of the corn roots. The ground was rock hard and dry. Only her momentum kept her from actually falling. A glimpse, finally, of Todd’s shirt; she was gaining on him.


His dark blue baseball cap flew up above the corn. Her eyes followed its descent. Sarah almost went to pick it up, but she didn’t want to lose Todd now. It was his problem, if they couldn’t find the hat later…

Grinning, she gasped for more air, she was getting closer. Todd was too smug in his country boy superiority, condescending about her fear of chickens. They were big birds, peaking at her knees, chasing her around the pen.


They had flapped their useless wings in what she figured was their attack pose and made their warning cries, high and screechy. Fried chicken. Roasted chicken. Sweet and sour chicken. Her revenge would be tasty.


Todd was no longer a blur, but begun to take shape, again. She could see, in clear detail, the dark wave of hair at the top of his neck, formed by his constant habit of wearing baseball caps.


She was getting closer. Growing up in Chicago didn’t mean that she couldn’t run. There had been plenty of things to run from in Chicago. She liked to think that four years in college hadn’t slowed her down.


She could see Todd turn his head to check on her progress. He started quarterback dodging, going left and then right, around the rows of corn. Sarah followed, replicating his sudden turns. She steadied herself by reaching out at the corn, ripping off leaves, knocking down stalks. She was beginning to enjoy herself, exhilarated by the pounding of her heart and the heat of the sun on her head.

Carrie on Twitter  

 

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still "see" things others can't - Author Emlyn Chand VBT Pit stop Feb 23

Click on the image to visit the Meet & Greet with Emlyn at VBT Cafe

Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still "see" things others can't. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Today Emlyn Chand, YA Author, stops by to chat about her new release Farsighted and how she became a writer. 

      From an early age, Emlyn Chand has counted books among her best friends. She loves to hear and tell stories and emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). Her affinity for the written word extends to absolutely every area of her life: she has written two-and-a-half novels, leads a classics book group with over three hundred members, and, of course, runs the whole shebang at Novel Publicity.

      The book that changed Emlyn’s life is Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson. It opened her eyes to the world that could exist if only she was willing to create it—a lesson she has never forgotten. While she enjoys all types of novels, her greatest loves are literary fiction and YA. Farsighted is her first novel.


Let's give Emlyn a warm welcome!

Louise: Emlyn, welcome to my blog! I’m so excited you could join me for a chat. When did you first decide to submit your work to be published? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Emlyn: I was just ready. Farsighted is my second novel and I felt confident enough in it and the feedback from early readers was strong enough that I just decided to take the plunge.

Louise: Please tell us a little about your new release Farsighted without giving too much of a spoiler away.

Emlyn:  Farsighted tells the story of Alex Kosmitoras. Here’s my mini teaser:  Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t.  When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

      Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

      Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

Louise: The book teaser and blurb is intriguing. Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Emlyn:  Generally, I’m a planner, but for each manuscript I write, I have one minor character that refuses to remain minor. These players take over the stage and throw-out my previous plans. In Farsighted, this character was Shapri. She’s definitely the readers’ favorite as well as my own, but she was not supposed to be a main character. She demanded it, and I’m so glad I listened!

Louise: How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

Emlyn:  I spent about three months trying to talk myself out of writing Farsighted. It’s too ambitious, my inner critic pointed out. You’ll never get it done, not in the way it deserves to be done, it pressed. But there was another part of me that couldn’t resist; I knew I had to at least try before giving up. I started by reading tons and tons of books—I read about world folklore and superstitions, religions especially Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and Sikhism, psychic powers, the occult, blindness, and even Nostradamus. I learned how to cast runes and perform a ten-card Celtic Cross Tarot reading. I had nightmares for several weeks, but then they eventually stopped, and I started writing.

Louise: What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?

Emlyn:  I’m kind of both... and neither. I begin with a seed of an idea and work out from there. With Farsighted, I started with Alex and created the rest of the story and characters to fit around him. Using the runes as a structural framework for this novel created an outline for me too. I’m a numbers person as well as a word person. I love things to be organized just so. If you set a stack of papers in front of me; I’m going to fuss with them until they are lined up in a perfect stack. It’s just the way I am. Shaping each chapter around a rune gave the story order, which made me feel happy and comfortable. Whenever I got stuck and didn’t know what should happen next, I was able to learn more about that chapter’s rune and get the inspiration I needed to continue. The runes themselves tell a story, one that is successfully completed. I felt that boded well for Farsighted.

Louise: Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer or still do?

Emlyn: I don’t write full time, but books are literally my existence. I own a popular book marketing firm called Novel Publicity. That means I’m constantly reading, interacting with authors, running blog tours, and even messing around on social media as part of my job. The business has grown so quickly that now I spend most of my time managing the 15 great people I have on staff and interacting with the indie community through our various networks. It’s a rewarding existence, and I’m so pleased to be able to pursue BOTH of my passions and just live the dream.

Louise: Describe a typical writing day for you. Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? 
Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

Emlyn:  I work from whatever time I wake up (which is usually between 4 and 5 AM) to 7 PM. I work all day every day, because I truly love my job. And since I enjoy working as a publicist so much, I have to set-up strict writing times in order to work on my fiction (which I love too). I find I’m most productive when I force myself to write for a long block of time. I call this being a “writing hostage.” I just go to my local Panera when it opens at 6 AM, order a coffee and a sandwich, and start working. I stay there until around 3 or 4. I love the background noise and the constant availability of caffeine and munchies. Panera puts me in the zone!

Louise: Please give us a sneak peek at your future books. What’s on the horizon?

Emlyn: I’m currently working on Open Heart, which is the second book in the Farsighted series. I’m also beginning a new YA science fiction series called The Timewalker Chronicles; the first book is Fall Back. Both of these should be out before the year is up!

Louise: What is your favorite genre to read and who is your favorite author?

Emlyn:  I LOVE YA—I read it, write it, and love it! It all comes down to the enjoyment factor. I like the vulnerability and changeability of the characters. I love the ease of language and the connection that is created by writing in first person point-of-view. Nothing quite compares. As for my favorite author—well, I have so many favorites—but I consider JK Rowling to be “literary God.” She just masters every aspect of the craft, and she nurtured me during my first trek into YA; now I write it for myself. Thank you, JK!


Louise: Being a hardcore Harry Potter fan, I wonder if JK will release a prequel on Lily and James; such is the rumor. Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

Emlyn:  Hello, potential readers. I hope you’ll enjoy Farsighted. My primary goal is to tell an interesting story that people will find entertaining and be glad they read. Secondly, I’d like to infuse contemporary Young Adult fiction with a bit more diversity and teach readers about the beauty of other cultures and other ways of life. Hopefully, I’ve accomplished that, but it’s up to you to decide!

Louise: Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web?

Emlyn: The best place to find me is on my website, www.emlynchand.com. I’m also pretty much always available via social media. Here are the links to my favorite sites below:

Louise: I visited your web site. Love it! Emlyn, thank you for visiting with me today! This has been fun. Reader's be sure to comment, Emlyn has a surprise for a drawing.

Emlyn: Thank you for the interview *smiles* I'm thrilled to offer an eBook copy of Farsighted for a giveaway to one lucky commenter!

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Purchase Links for Farsighted:

Book Trailer Link:

Playlist Link:

Coming Soon Open Heart - follow Emlyn for updates