Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Author Blogs: Using Your Blog to Market to Your Readers Has Its Issues


Blogging for many authors is a way to communicate to their readers and market their books. However, they are finding that there are some issues. Finding time and interesting content to write about on a regular basis can be a problem.  

This post is a summary of comments from a collection of outstanding, award-winning authors interviewed at the HBS Author’s Spotlight and how they tackle the marketing of their novels and the issues involved.

To date we have conducted over 300 interviews.  (Click on the author’s name to view their complete interview.)

General question

During our interviews I will ask the authors questions about their blogs and what they are trying to do with them. The questions usually follow along these lines.

Do you want to keep readers informed or market your books or provide useful information to other writers or all of the above with your blog? Are there time issues or problems that get in your way?

Marketing to Your Readers

Many authors use their blogs to target their readers and market their novels. Their goal is to provide interesting content and keep their readers informed and coming back for more. They feel that using a blog to maintain an on-line presence is the key to selling their novels. Here is what several of the Spotlight Crew had to say about the approach.

Author Damien Boyd is the author of the The DI Nick Dixon Crime Series.

“I try to keep readers informed and involved. They have been kind enough to read my books and so it’s only fair! It’s also nice for new readers ‘checking me out’ to see a good website and an active Twitter and Facebook presence but it’s more about being available to readers who like to get in touch, as many do.”

Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author Susan M. Boyer is the author of the Liz Talbot romantic mystery series.

“Honestly, I feel as though of all the things I do, the blog is the thing that most often gets pushed to the back burner, because there are so many things to be done and a limited amount of time. My first priority has to be the books. That said, my primary goal with the blog is simply to communicate with readers. It’s sort of a postcard from my world.”

Best-Selling Author Helen Hanson writes Mystery & Thrillers and Suspense novels.

“Readers are my focus. They’re the only reason my work hit the Top 100 on Kindle. I love hearing from people who’ve read my work. It’s a total kick. I will write you back if you send something my way.

When I was writing my first novel, 3 LIES, I had no readers, but I wanted to blog. So I wrote whatever I felt like. When I published 3 LIES, being a geek, I decided to do my own ebook formatting. Consequently, I learned and blogged about the process. These were also intended to be my notes to format my next book. You forget this stuff unless you do it routinely. Consequently, a lot of writers found my site. It’s been an interesting experience conversing with them, and they’re writing some amazing stuff, so I kept the formatting series available for other writers.”

Brent Hartinger is the author of The Russel Middlebrook series. The movie version of his novel: Geography Club was released in 2013.

“I suppose it's marketing, but I honestly never think of it like that. Like any good blog, it's a way to express myself.

The bottom line is that these days most authors need to do more than write books. They need a "presence" online, and they need to make themselves available to readers. I know this makes a lot of writers uncomfortable, especially older writers who broke through under the previous system. At first it made me uncomfortable. But I've learned a few things.

First, it's not "me" out there -- it's Public Me. It's a version of me that I think readers of my books would be interested in. I share some, but not everything. I try to stay positive, I try to be interesting. I don't burden people with stuff that's only interesting to me or my partner, and I never ever bitch or complain in public. I get to do what I love for a living! Writing-wise, I have nothing to complain about, especially to my fans.

Second, it's not "work." After all these years, I now know that interacting with readers is actually one of the best parts of being an author. These are your fans, your friends! And whenever it starts to feel like "work," I stop. I move onto something else.

Sometimes it is hard to deal with the Internet -- everyone has an opinion about your work, and they don't hesitate to write about it in the most brutal way possible. Like most authors and artists, I avoid online discussions of my work, pro or con. Criticizing works of art is everyone's right -- I do it too about other books or movies. But not about or for me. It's not something I'm involved in or ever will be.”

Author John Heldt writes Romance and  Historical Fiction novels.

“I created the blog a little over a year ago to promote my published works and update readers on the progress of future projects. On occasion I use it to review books and tell people about my other interests.”

Michael R. Hicks is the Bestselling author of the IN HER NAME Sci-Fi and HARVEST Thriller novels. Mike has also written the The Path To Self-Publishing Success.

“My primary goal is just to have a virtual living room where people can come in and flop down on the sofa for a while and paw through the books scattered on the coffee table. If I was smart, I'd probably put a lot more effort into blogging like John Scalzi does, but I haven't gotten there yet. But I can't complain with 600 or so visits a day on average. I'm sure I sell at least some books through my web site, but it's really just there as a place for folks to go who want to find out more about me and my work.”

Science Fiction, Fantasy and Romance Author Katie Jennings writes the Dryad Quartet series.

“I’m trying to update my blog much more regularly these days by posting things that interest readers. I’m doing a fourteen week blog series about ghosts and ghost hunting to help promote So Fell the Sparrow, which I hope will build up lots of hype for the book. I have no idea how I have time for everything, as I always feel like I’m behind. I have a backlogged list of things to do and it seems there aren’t enough hours in the day!”

Author Brian D. Meeks is the author of the Henry Wood Detective Series.

“If I'm honest, I mostly use my blog as a daily diary of what I'm doing with my books. A couple of years ago the posts were much better. I've been blogging every day since Jan 2, 2010, and the busier I get with writing/publishing, the weaker the daily blog posts get…”

Author Ty Patterson is a Thriller & Suspense and Crime thriller writer.

“I want to make my blog as the starting point for my readers’ journey but I am nowhere near that point.

Currently my blog serves as yet another discovery platform for my books. I also use it to share my writing experiences with other authors.”

Author Michele Shriver is a Mystery & Fantasy Writer. She is noted for her Real Life Women’s Fiction novels.

“I actually just made a lot of changes to the blog and website a few days ago, so this is good timing. I want it to be a place where readers can come and learn a bit about me and about my books, but I enjoy featuring other authors on the blog as well. Lately I've had the chance to feature some new releases of other authors, and also some interesting guest posts. I like to do that because it's a way to keep the blog active even when I may not have much interesting to say or I've been too busy writing on my books to write new blog posts. I'll be blogging quite a bit about my conference coming up. As for time- it's just something else that has to be squeezed in.”

Author Richard Stephenson is the bestselling dystopian author of the New America Series.

“At the risk of sounding greedy, the primary goal of my blog is to drive sales.  I’m sure any author with a blog will agree.  The secondary goal is the satisfaction of helping my fellow indie authors so they won’t have to struggle like I did when I started out.  It also helps that I’m very tech savvy.  Before I started writing, my biggest hobby was a little side business fixing computers for friends, co-workers, and whatever business they sent my way.  Anything computer related comes natural to me so I have been fortunate enough to be proficient at it.”

Author Mike Wells is an American bestselling author including Lust, Money & Murder and Passion, Power & Sin.

“My primary goal is to be a successful writer and entertain my readers as much as possible.  My blog serves that purpose.  The information and tips for other writers is sort of a freebie every now and then I’m inspired to share what I’ve learned and write a post about it. Simple as that.”

Mystery Author Dave Zeltserman is the award-winning author of the Julius Katz mystery series.

 “Small Crimes blog: What I’m trying to do with the blog is connect with my readers, provide some interesting articles, and keep readers’ apprised to new stuff of mine coming out.”

There May Be Issues

Several of the Spotlight Crew had issues with blogging because of the time involved. They wanted to prioritize their work schedule between writing novels, social media and blogging. For some blogging had to take a backseat.
  
Author Cindy Blackburn is the author of Cue Ball Mysteries and  the Cassie Baxter Mysteries.

“I use my blog—a funny, silly poem posted every Sunday—as a way to tell folks what’s been on my mind that week. It’s my ‘news’ really. Time is a huge issue. Between writing mysteries, keeping up with my blog, twitter, and other social media, I’m almost always working. And even when I’m doing something else, I have my current work in progress and characters in my head, nagging me. Good thing I love my job!”

Best-selling Author Russell Blake is the award-winning author of The JET series, Assassin series and BLACK series.

“I view the blog as a pressure valve, to let off steam, nothing more. I write my blog mainly for other authors, so not a lot of books being sold that way. I have no goal other than to be relevant in any discourse. People will buy my books due to word of mouth, primarily, so all the social media and the rest as anything but a way to interact with readers I view as a waste of time. As to time, if you look at the hours I put in; it’s not hard to find the time if what you do is this, twelve to fifteen hours a day.”

Author Carmen DeSousa is a romantic-suspense and paranormal author of the Southern Suspense Series.

“Ahh…one of my number one questions[time]! The easiest answer: I’m a workaholic, and I love books. I wake up at five a.m. and spend three hours of my day simply blogging and chatting on social networks. I then workout on an elliptical where I am able to read for an hour. After that, I drop my son off at school and then come home and write until I have to pick him up. I try to write two thousand words a day. At night, I edit for other authors, and then right before I go to bed, I read what I wrote for the day. So…I spend about fifteen hours in my book world.”

Author Douglas Dorow is a mystery and thrillers author.

“Managing time is the magic bullet. I have a full-time job in addition to my writing, so I have to prioritize what I work on if I want to get any writing done. Blogging is something I do less frequently. I don’t know if I should do it at all since I do it infrequently, but I like to share things with readers and writers once in a while, so I post something out there once in a while.”

Author Paul Levine is the award-winning, bestselling Mystery & Thrillers author of the JAKE LASSITER and SOLOMON vs. LORD series.

“Well, now that I’m deep into the next novel, my blog has suffered.  When I’m caught up blogging, the novel suffers.  Again, I blog for fun. Yes, I’d like to pop up on search engines with readers looking for “legal thrillers” or “courtroom mysteries,” but on a time/benefit analysis, I’m not sure blogging is great marketing.”

Author Julie Anne Lindsey is the bestselling author of the Honey Creek Books and The Patience Price Mysteries.

“I feel I neglect my blog horribly these days. In the beginning I wrote daily, then three days a week, then once a week….As writing has gone from an aspiration to a deadline situation, I’ve fallen away from the dedicated schedule I began with. I started my blog the year I started writing in the hopes of publication. I thought there was enough to learn that it deserved being chronicled, so I did. I blogged about whatever I learned that week about craft, blogged industry news and contests, my personal rejections and triumphs. It was a sounding board. A place to find friends and share what I had to offer. I also used it to gain followers. Back then my followers were all writers and that was the goal – outreach and documentation.

I’m not sure who visits now, but I use the blog for continued networking, to support and encourage fellow writers and to share news related to my career. I open the blog to any writer who wants to guest post or spotlight their new release and I occasionally blog about an event or something notable in my writing journey, but overall, I’ve fallen slack. It’s tough to juggle it all with real life and meet the deadlines, so family comes first, then friends, then writing and editing.

After that, I update my social media and the blog gets my attention last. Time management is the toughest thing in this life, I think.”

Bestselling Mystery and Suspense Author Robin Mahle is an author of the Redwood Violet suspense series.

“But it is difficult and I’m not nearly as up to speed with the whole blogging thing as some of my colleagues.  I should be posting much more often, but I need to write novels or all the blogging in the world isn’t going to do me a bit of good.  My goal is to simply give readers a glimpse of who I am and tell them a little about my writing process. If they like what they read, maybe they’ll pick up one of my books.  It’s all about building relationships!”

Suspense Author Dale Mayer is a writer of Romantic Suspense, Thrillers and Paranormal Romance. Dale has written several series including the Design series, By Death Series, Family Blood Ties, and Psychic Visions series.

“My blog does touch on the industry and publishing and writing at times, but I’ve cut back on that.  I think there’s too much infighting going on and it’s counter-productive.  As Jeff Bezos [Amazon founder] notes and I just blogged about:  Complaining is not a business strategy.

I do Survival Friday posts every Friday to give readers of my blog important information they can use.

I plan on starting Who Dares Wins Wednesday after Survival Friday runs out in July.  Giving people useful tips for living.”

Author Tracy H. Meyer writes gritty, edgy Young Adult/New Adult fiction and Adult Romance.

“First of all, thank you! I enjoy writing on my blog, though I don’t do it on a schedule.
I write a blog when something comes into my mind that I want to write about. I also contribute to others’ blogs and that’s a really fun way to reach new readers. My daily priority is writing, then social media, then my blog. But if something pops up in my head that I want to blog about, nothing can stop me!”

Author C. J. Peterson is the author of the The Holy Flame Trilogy.

“I’m afraid as far as my blog that gets the least amount of attention from me. Along with the Featured Author page, that is changed out each month. When I post in my actual blog, they tend to be posts that mean something to me. I tend to post only if a thought strikes me, or a new release, or in the last two, it was poetry from my husband’s heart from his time in the military. My main passion in writing is in the books.”

It is All about Blog Content

Some of the authors interviewed on the HBS Author’s Spotlight thought blog content was important in keeping their readers involved. The idea here is to get the readers to keep coming back to the blog.

Author Giacomo Giammatteo writes Mystery and Suspense novels in which many of the scenes are taken from real-life experiences.

“…I love writing about our animals, so many of the blog posts are either about them or incorporate the animals into stories on writing or life in general. I have two blogs: one for my non-fiction website, http://nomistakes.org, where I publish weekly tips on resumes and interviews and such; and the other is my mystery blog and the topics can range from my animals, to drug addiction, to writing, anything. My goal is not to sell books, but more to just let people know who I am.”

Author Garrard Hayes writes Crime, Mystery and Thriller novels.

“Thank you, although I don’t blog as much as I used to. I post my interviews there and write about foreign policy and the Middle East. My blog is part of my website but it appears on my amazon.com author page and on my Goodreads author page automatically, and I post it on Facebook and tweet it. All my social media sites are connected, so people can easily find my website on my Twitter profile and so on. I’m passionate about writing and encouraging others, but also I like to inform people about things that affect all of us, such as the danger of militant Islam and the abuse of human rights.”

Best-selling Author Kathleen Kirkwood (pseudonym for Anita Gordon) is award-winning Romance, Historical Fiction, and Paranormal writer.

“LOL, that's another struggle and I may have to only do it every other week. We'll see. If I'm going to put time into a blog, I want it to have some "meat" to it and be of interest to the reader as well as myself since it takes me awhile to compose them. There are so many interesting facts and tidbits that come up during the writing of a novel, but that never get into it, I'd like to include them in the blog.

It's a sort of a behind-the-scenes look, an ‘author confidential’ if you will (yes, inspired by the Doctor Who Confidentials.) I also love historic recipes and am including foods my characters eat in the pages of the book (and some they don't, but still with an historic connection). I'll be focusing on Viking cooking is several blogs ahead, including Katla's skyr. Meanwhile, next week, I'll dish up some Pönnukökur með þeyttum rjóma, Icelandic Pancakes (think dessert crêpes).”

Author David Lawlor is a Historical Fiction Writer and provides an editing service for other authors.

“They are very important in that they are the only real means I use to tell people about my books. I have found many helpful people on Twitter who have been more than willing to tweet to others about my writing. I also have a blog – historywithatwist.wordpress.com  – which celebrates the bit players of history, the ordinary man or woman who may have done one extraordinary thing. There are many of them out there and their stories can be just as powerful, if not more so, than those larger historic figures. I get to interact with like-minded enthusiasts on the blog and often have stories referred to me from people who follow it.”

Chantel Rhondeau is a Romantic suspense author. Chantel writes the Agents in Love series.

“I used to spend a lot of time blogging. Now, I'm a great cheater, truthfully. Since I know my readers are interested in finding new authors and things to read, I signed up as a tour host for blog tours. Then I'm given ready-made posts, can give my readers new, interesting content, and I don't have to put a ton of work into it.

Now, of course I do try and get in some book reviews and more personal posts, but when I'm in a rush and behind schedule, my blog mostly maintains itself with the blog tour posts.”

Bestselling Author Vickie McKeehan writes romantic suspense.

“I still don’t know why I dragged my feet so long about starting a blog. I love having one now! The only problem with it is coming up with new content.

I’m the first to admit I’m not as good about writing articles as I should be. Writing books takes up most of my days. I salute those other writers like Carolyn Arnold though who can do it all and make it look effortless. Carolyn’s one who does it all.”


Takeaways from Using Your Blog to Market Your Novels


A.    Keep readers informed, involved and interested.
B.     There are time issues involved with blogging on a regular basis.
C.     You must prioritize your work load between writing, social media and blogging.
D.    Interesting content will keep the reader coming back to the blog.
E.     A blog helps you practice the art of writing.

Related posts


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From Joel Friedlander and Joan Stewart 

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Monday, May 11, 2015

Author Blogs: Helping Other Authors Has Its Benefits



Blogging for many authors is a way to communicate to their readers and market their books. But many authors are taking their blog a step further. They are using their blogs to help other authors and especially causes.

This post is a summary of comments from a collection of outstanding, award-winning authors interviewed at the HBS Author’s Spotlight. To date we have conducted over 300 interviews. 
(Click on the author’s name to view their complete interview.)

General question

During our interviews I will ask the authors questions about their blogs and what they are trying to do with them. The questions usually follow along these lines.

Do you want to keep readers informed or market your books or provide useful information to other writers or all of the above with your blog? Tell us about the time factor?
  

Let’s Help Others

We start off this post with some general ideas about blogging, getting cross-traffic to your blog by connecting with other authors and the benefits of helping others.

Romance Author Rachelle Ayala @AyalaRachelle is an author, blogger and a member of the World Literary Café.

“The blogging took off with the social networking. I couldn't possibly think of so many wise and pithy things to write about myself every single day, but I can most certainly meet and find other authors to share their wise and pithy thoughts.

My blog is heavily visited because of the Promo Site listing (a section of her blog) so it is a win-win situation for everyone who appears on my blog. The listing drives traffic to the blog, I tweet my blog posts to my Triberr tribes with almost a million reach, and the guests drive traffic to my blog by inviting their followers. Many people have met each other from being on my blog.

I like to be a connector and put people in touch with other people and information, so in that sense, I enjoy blogging. I meet people on Twitter and word seems to get around that I'm a friendly blog host.
The blogging indirectly helps my book sales because visitors see my banners and sometimes the guests buy or gift my book to their friends in gratitude for me hosting them. But book sales is not the main reason for blogging. It is meeting people and being engaged with their success. Somehow other people's success invigorates me, and it feels good to be a small part of it.”

Author Joanna Penn @thecreativepenn (J. F. Penn) is an Action-Adventure Thriller Author creating the ARKANE thriller series. Also, she is a leading consultant in the book industry.

“I started out blogging 4 years ago before I had even written fiction in order to share my lessons learned along the way. So for me, blogging wasn’t about selling my fiction, it was a means to become part of a community and help others. Back then, self-publishing wasn’t so popular but now, it’s gone mainstream and so my main blog at the CreativePenn.com picked up readers.

I think the trend for blogging and sharing right now really does stem from an honest desire to share and help others. It is the Wild West right now for indie authors so people are sharing what works, or what doesn’t and the feedback helps others. There’s an authentic community feeling amongst these indie blogs, and I love being part of that!

In terms of how blogging fits with marketing, I have a business as well as writing fiction. The Creative Penn is more about selling products and my services but I now have a fiction blog www.JFPenn.com where I write articles based on my research for the novels.

However, mainly I see blogging for fiction more as a value add, not as a sales mechanism or for marketing. I write articles that my readers would enjoy, rather than trying to attract readers through blogging.”

Author Patricia Zick @PCZick is an award-winning writer for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and fiction.

“In Living Lightly [her blog], my goal is to present information on nature, the environment, gardening, and ways to live a life with the least impact on the Earth.

In Writing Whims [another blog], I hope to share what I’ve learned about writing with my readers. I also promote other writers on Author Wednesday and Book Review Friday. I don’t know how I do it, but right now while I’m trying to put together my gardening posts into a new ebook, my fiction has taken a backseat, but I’ll get back to it in a few weeks.”

Helping Other Authors

Many of the authors I have interviewed feel that their blog’s goal is to help other authors. It is the ‘what goes around comes around’ theory. The following is from a group of outstanding authors who practice this theory.

Kelly Abell @kellyabellbooks is a best-selling Romance, Mystery & Thrillers Author. She hails from the UK and analyzes people, a great background for a successful writer.

“I began sharing writing tips on my website after I published my first book.  I am a firm believer in paying it forward and if I can offer tips and tricks that I've learned along the way, then that makes me feel like I'm contributing to someone else's success. 

This is a difficult business to navigate and we all need to help each other through it.  I'm also very active in the Florida Writer's Association and will be conducting some writing workshops through one of my publishers, Solstice Publishing.  Be on the lookout for those.”

Author Jennifer Donohoe @donohoejennifer is a Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult writer.

“As an Indie Author, I feel it is very important to help fellow authors. We all need to have a boost and look out for one another. I enjoy having an author do a guest post on my blog and they get some rewarding feedback for their post. I believe my primary goal is to keep the readers informed. If they are aware it's out there there'll be more of a chance for them to take a look or purchase it.”

Tricia Drammeh @triciadrammeh is the author of Young Adult, paranormal romance and Fantasy novels.

“I love blogging. I’m passionate about helping other writers and starting a dialogue where writers in various stages of publication can share information with each other. There are so many writers who’ve helped me, I can only try to pay it forward. Maintaining my blog never feels like a job or a chore. I absolutely enjoy it. I don’t find time to work on it—I make time.”
 
Award-winning Author Donna Fasano @DonnaFaz writes Sweet Romance novels. Her books have sold over 3.6 million copies worldwide and have been published in nearly two dozen languages.

“Offering other authors a helping hand makes me feel good. I'm a big advocate of helping others (and not just in a professional sense). Some authors like to hold onto their hard-earned lessons tightly, and I met some of those types of people back when I first began self-publishing; they know answers and secrets but refuse to tell. However, I met other authors who were generous with information and who helped me immensely. And now that I've learned how to do this successfully, I want to help others all I can. I'm a firm believer in 'what goes around, comes around'...if I help others to succeed, my own success will only be enhanced.”

Award-winning Author Susanne Lakin @CSLakin is the author of the seven-book fantasy series The Gates of Heaven. Also, Susanne is a freelance copyeditor and writing coach.

“…I love helping writers. My husband thinks it’s hilarious that I get to “criticize” people for a living. I’m not allowed to criticize him, so I guess that’s why it’s funny, right? Just kidding. I am really a great cheerleader for all my clients.

I love working with new authors who really don’t know much at all and helping them with the big learning curve. I spent two decades getting rejections on my novels because I had no one to mentor and help me, so I want to save my clients years of pain. It’s exciting to see a yucky first draft by a client, followed by a really terrific rewrite.

These new writers work hard, and when they apply what they learn, they really excel! It’s exciting for us both! I embrace their dreams and help them on the way, but I am tough and honest. One client I got together with at a conference shook his head and told everyone during introductions that ‘I kicked his butt.’ But he laughed.”

New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author C.J. Lyons @cjlyonswriter is the author of sixteen Mystery & Thrillers and Romance novels.

“I actually don't have a blog for readers, but I wanted to give something back to other writers since so many writers helped me to get where I am, so I began the NoRulesJustWRITE.com site where I share everything I know and resources that have helped me along the way.”

Christopher Meeks @MeeksChris is a Prize winning novelist who writes serious and funny fiction. Also, Chris has an outstanding author information blog

“My blog is meant to be helpful. When I became a small publisher, so much of what I did was by trial and error. I like to give back if I can, especially if it means more great books are created. Because I teach college, I tend to take an instructor’s approach. There’s also the feeling that if I can do this, so can you.”

Phyllis Zimbler Miller @ZimblerMiller is an author of Mystery & Thrillers. Also, she is a Web marketer and writer of several book industry publications.

“I have always loved to tell people what to do -- by which I mean share helpful information.  So blogging is a natural for me.  But I admit that I am doing less blogging than I did five years ago as I expand the number of book writing projects that I am doing.  And much of my author blogging is sharing with others the information I have learned for myself.  Plus I am very disciplined and do not lose track of time on social media.  I think this ability goes back to my journalism training -- blocking out everything but the task at hand.”

Terry Odell @authorterryo is an author of romance, mystery & romantic suspense novels. She is also a publishing industry blogger and hosts the Booklover’s Bench, a website for readers.

“My goal with my blog [Terry's Place] is to provide information. I like to talk about the craft of writing, but there are times I'll talk about anything. I share recipes on Wednesday, and do virtual 'field trips' on Fridays. I also host guests once a week. My goal is to interact with people, help other writers, and keep my name visible. After all, I'm only writing about 2 books a year; I want to give people something else during all the other times.”

Author Melissa Bourbon Ramirez is a Mystery & Thrillers and Romance writer. She is the author of the Magical Dressmaking Mystery Series and the Lola Cruz Mysteries.

“I don’t really blog regularly. I guest on The Naked Hero occasionally and keep my site updated with writer’s tips and other interesting articles. I was a teacher by trade and also taught writing both online at Savvy Authors and at Southern Methodist University with their CAPE program, which has given me lots of experience with the Hero’s Journey and other craft topics. I love teaching, so that’s a big motivation in keeping that information relevant and accessible on my site. I want to pay it forward and help other writers in the way that I was helped when I first started.”

Crime and Horror Author Jade Varden @JadeVarden is the creator of the Deck of Lies book series.

“I love doing the blog, yes, but sometimes I think it prevents me from getting work done on my current book project (whatever it may be at the time). I started doing the Writing 101 posts because I was noticing mistakes that I was making, and I thought maybe I could help other writers not make them.”

Helping and Supporting Indie Authors

Some author’s blogging goals are to help Indie authors specially. Here is some of their comments.

Author Leti Del Mar @leti_delmar is an indie author. She blogs about the craft of writing and indie books.

“My blog has evolved over time. I have discovered that Indies really and truly support each other. We are not each other's competition as much as each other’s support group. So I want my blog to be a resource for other writers and of course, raise awareness about my books. Because I want to make sure I present quality content and I also have a life outside of writing (including having a precocious toddler!), I only post content once a week on Mondays, and do an interview once a week, on Thursdays. I do much of it way in advance and work on it when I have time and when my toddler is napping.”

 Author Michelle Muckley @MichelleMuckley writes Mystery and Thrillers. She is the author of the DAWN Series.

 “Well, the blog has taken a bit of a backseat just lately. I try to use it as a tool to share my work and my thoughts about the publishing world, but at the same time, not make it all about my books. One thing that I like about the world of indie publishing is the willingness to share data with other writers, so I also try to put anything I think might be useful for other writers like stats after promos.

Time management is a major factor, and really it would be possible to never leave my desk and still never catch up. That is one reason I have let my blog take a backseat. Important updates still go out, but I try to focus my energies on my books.”

Author Billie Thomas @ChloeGetsAClue is a Mystery, Humor And Comedy, Chick Lit Series writer. Billie is the author of the Chloe Carstairs Mystery Series.

“I want to help promote mysteries, indie authors and my own series with my blog. In that order. I let my main character Chloe be the voice of Chloegetsaclue.com. She’s got her own distinct personality, so I let her live in the spotlight. I prefer to stay under the paparazzi’s radar. As for when I find the time… it’s a constant balancing act. I have a come apart every now and then but luckily those are getting fewer and further.”

Promote Other Authors

Some author blogs carry it one step further by promoting other author’s novels. Great, I get to chime in on this one.

Author Darcia Helle @DarciaHelle  writes Suspense Novels which includes the Michael Sykora series.

My primary goal with my blog is simply entertainment for readers. I don’t want it to be all about promoting my own books. That would be dull for me, so it would have to be dull for readers as well. I love promoting my fellow authors, particularly those whose work I enjoy and respect. And I like writing interview questions for them. It’s kind of an indulgence on my part, to be honest. Back before I was published, when I was “just” a reader, I’d always have questions after I finished a great book. Where did the idea come from? Why did the author make certain choices? Now I get to ask all those questions!

I also like to add content that is, as I categorize it, ‘General Nonsense’. This allows me to talk about my dogs, music I love, things that irritate me, and things that inspire me. And, sometimes, my writing process. I hope the mix keeps people interested and entertained and, occasionally, gives them something to think about.”

James Moushon @jimhbs is a Mystery and Espionage author. He also writes several industry blogs including eBook Author’s Corner, HBS Author's Spotlight, and HBS Mystery Readers Circle.

“I have several blogs devoted to helping other authors sell their novels, gain exposure and help them with the ever changing book publishing industry and its challenges. Here is a short description of them.

The blog’s purpose is to help authors get exposure in the book publishing industry. Each post includes the author’s bio, their contact information and picture plus a Q/A session and their book list with buy links. Also, I have a special feature of the Spotlight that showcases author’s new releases and promos. I have interviewed and showcased over 450 authors to date.

The HBS Mystery Reader's Circle provides information about the latest novels and what is coming next from a collection of Bestselling and Outstanding Authors in the Mystery, Thrillers, Historical Fiction and Crime genre.

The Corner is a collection of Author advice and studies including Marketing, Social Media and other major topics created to help writers in today’s ever changing world of book publishing.

All three blogs are designed to promote and help authors.”

Author Paul Glover @glovergroup is a writer, a Provacateur and a Coach & Change Agent dedicated to assisting individuals & organization navigate the mind fields of the WorkQuake™

“The purpose of any of my writing or speaking, including the blog, and my coaching is to share my thoughts and ideas about how to be better individually and organizational.  What good is accumulating decades of  information, knowledge and experience if I can’t share it with others to their benefit?”

Author Marla Madison @MarlaAMadison is the bestselling author of She's Not There. She writes Suspense and Mystery & Thriller novels.

“My blog is only new every two weeks now, down from weekly. I started out using it to give pointers and lament on my ongoing fight with my weight. Since then it’s become more about writing. I enjoy hearing from other writers. For me, a blog is one more way to build a following and practice your writing.”

Author Interviews

Several authors use author interviews in their blogs to give a helping hand. There is what they had to say.

New York Times Bestselling Author Caroline Leavitt @Leavittnovelist is a Literary Novelist. Caroline also is a writing teacher and book critic.

“I started the blog because I thought writers were supposed to have blogs, but then, I began to feel that just writing about myself was navel-gazing. I give it over to other writers. I did this first because, as a reviewer, I can't ethically review people I know, but I wanted to give my friends some ink.

Interviews seemed the perfect solution!  This also gave me a chance to seek out and talk to many writers I didn't know, whom I really admired. It was exciting! The blog also makes me feel as if I am building writers' community, something I dearly love. I'm not always successful in finding the time, but I try. I set up schedules for myself and I try to keep to them!”

Award-winning Author Michelle Muto @MichWritesBooks  is a YA Fantasy and  Horror Author. She is a Georgia peach, geek, writer and blogger.

“I blogged for a short time before I decided to jump into indie publishing. I decided to do author interviews because I don’t see my life as all that exciting. I don’t really see any uptick in sales, but hopefully, my fellow authors do.”

Author Paul Western-Pittard @Cerullean is a Thriller, Fantasy and Science Fiction author from Australia.

“If you’d have asked me this question prior to October, I would have said that the purpose of the blog was to provide samples of my work and promote my books. It’s changed now.

In October I began interviewing authors and learned that talking to and about other people is far more interesting than the (slightly) solipsistic focus on me and my own work. I’ll definitely continue to use the blog to provide updates and announcements - even a few more strange little stories, but the focus has definitely shifted to engaging more with the writing community…

Ultimately, I plan to expand the blog to become something of a resource to writers, including techniques, services, software etc.”

Author Guest Posts

Some author blogs feature other author’s posts. This allow their blog to get cross-action among followers and helps save preparation time.

Award-Winning Author Jade Kerrion @JadeKerrion  writes the DOUBLE HELIX series. Also, she writes a great blog featuring authors and writing.

“My blog evolved gradually. It started out a marketing tool, but then I realized I could only talk about myself for so long before getting bored. If I was getting bored with myself, surely readers were too.
So, I asked myself, what value could I create for others? Hosting authors was the obvious solution. The other was sharing the knowledge I’d gained in the process of writing, publishing, and marketing.

There is no shortage of ideas or contributors at this point. The other authors have really helped make my blog the vibrant place it is. Readers come to read about them and to find new and interesting books.

As for where I find the time…I don’t sleep. I do put in long hours, but more importantly, I’m organized and I’m fast. Those two traits help me accomplish more than one would think realistic or possible in the time I have. It’s been a massive learning curve for me, and every day, I’m finding new ways to streamline my processes and keep all the balls in the air.”

Author Cynthia Woolf @CynthiaWoolf  writes in the Sci-fi Romance and Western Romance genres. She is the author of the Matchmaker & Co. series

“I like to have guests on my blog most of the time. I may only blog myself once or twice a month. As to the time involved, I have insomnia, so I get in a lot more working time than most people. I work (writing, workshops and promo) about 18 hours a day.”

Special Help

Some authors devote their blog to helping special causes. Here are a few comments that fit into that category.

Author Teresa Burrell @teresaburrell is an author, lawyer and Child Abuse advocate who writes the The Advocate Series.

“My primary goal with my blog is to build awareness about child abuse. I think my books do that to--without being graphic. I figure if I can entertain people with a mystery and build awareness to a series social problem, I’ve given a little extra. I’ve worked with children most of my life and I’m appalled at what so many of these children have to endure. So, if I can help in even a small way, I’m thrilled.”

Author Jordyn Redwood @JordynRedwood is a Suspense writer/peds ER RN. She runs a medical blog for authors called Redwood's Medical Edge.

“Redwood’s Medical Edge is designed to help authors write medically accurate fiction so my primary goal is education. I’ve had many authors contact me for help with their stories and I often use their questions as content for the blog.”
 

Takeaways from Helping Others with Your Blog

       A.    Helping other authors, promote, publish, and gain exposure has its benefits.
B.     You can gain the synergy of cross-traffic between authors.
C.     Time management and commitment can be a problem.  Guest posts could be a solution.
D.    Helping others can indirectly help your sales.
E.     A blog helps you practice the art of writing.

Related posts


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Friday, May 1, 2015

Audio books: Let’s Hear It From These Authors – Mother’s Day 2015


One of the new avenues authors are using to publish their books is to convert them to an audio book and distribute them through Audible from Amazon. Readers can buy and download the digital audio version or they can buy the Kindle ebook and add the Whispersync for Voice audio option “which allows customers to switch seamlessly between reading a Kindle book and listening to the corresponding, professionally narrated audiobook across devices without losing their place.”

Audible audio files are compatible with hundreds of audio players, PDAs, mobile phones and streaming media devices including Windows and Mac support.

Amazon/Audible is currently offering “free audio books with a 30-day trial. After the trial, you can start a paid membership with a monthly fee. With your membership, you will receive one credit every month, good for any audiobook on Audible. You can cancel your membership at any time.”


Happy Mother’s Day

If you have read some of my posts lately you would know that I am a big supporter of book bundles with multiple authors, group events and book festivals. Today I present a Mother’s Day group event with eleven outstanding authors offering their Audio Books for Mother's Day. 


This event was organized by Uvi Poznansky. Uvi is a Contemporary writer, painter and poet. She brings her management experience into play to assemble this outstanding group of authors. You need to hear what these authors have to say.


This collection includes amazing stories, narrated by great voice actors. You can listen to voice clips from their audiobooks on-line. Check out the author’s profiles below, their audio books and follow the Audible buy links to start hearing the books from these outstanding authors.

Join this Facebook event. Just click here.




Ruth Cardello


Author Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Website: Ruth Cardello
Author's Blog: Bestselling Author Ruth Cardello Presents…
Blog: ebook experiment
Twitter: @RuthieCardello
E-Mail: minouri@aol.com
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Pinterest: Check Out Pinterest

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Ruth Cardello lives on a small farm in Northern Rhode Island with her husband, three kids, three dogs, two horses, and some assorted chickens. If there is a happier place on Earth, she hasn't found it.

Come Away with Me - The Andrades
Gio Andrade:
Rich, powerful, sexy. A man who thinks he has everything . . . until he meets Julia.

Julia Bennett:
Sweet, spontaneous, and desperate to sell her jewelry line in New York City. She takes a job as a night security guard to pay the rent.

Sparks fly when she mistakes her boss for an intruder.

He can’t get her out of his head. She can’t find the strength to deny him.

Will lies bring them together or tear them apart forever?


Order from - Audible
Sheryl Lynn Christian


Author Genre: Spirituality, Self Help, Children's

Author's Blog: C.A. Books
Twitter: @SLCMorrissey
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Essentially a teacher, author Sheryl Lynn Christian's strengths are compassion, clarity, openness, and creativity. Coming from a place of kindness and love, she listens, empathizes, and understands the issue, and she uses her intuitive skills to creatively seek and help people find their solution. This practice builds trust and mutual respect, has served many, and will remain her approach. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Psychology with a research emphasis on the cognitive processes of creative expression.

Since 1989, Sheryl Lynn Christian continues to be a lifetime scholar and "miracle worker" of A Course In Miracles (ACIM) - a psycho-spiritual guide to inner peace. For twenty-three years, she has felt that her Divinely True Purpose is to heal the world. Opening to her higher self, the inner voice, and the angelic guides who are and have been with her always, she began her journey long ago by placing her trust in God, and she asked to be led where she needed to go. By doing all things with loving intent and starting with some of the same self-love practice techniques described in this book, she achieved a true sense of wholeness and peace.

In 1990, she became a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming Therapy® and a facilitator of Time Line Therapy™. She is a Past Life Coach and Medium certified by clairvoyant, numerologist, Eastern Astrologer, and Ayurvedic healer, Prince Raja Harindra Singh, Ph.D. As an intuitive and vibrational healer, Sheryl has worked with spiritual Astrologist and vibrational healer, Eduardo J. Caldera, and she is an instructor of Western Astrology and was trained by Astrologer, Diane Ronngren.

As spirit guided her, for over fifteen years Sheryl worked in the human services field in several capacities; as a volunteer and a trainer for the C.A.S.A. program, as a Certified Mental Health Crisis Para-Professional, and for twelve years she was a Caseworker in Child Welfare. As a Child Protection Caseworker, she spent the last five years as a certified Court Ordered supervised visitation specialist. She is regarded as a Court expert witness in the areas of child welfare and protection, supervised visitation, and on the effects of domestic violence and sexual abuse on children. She is also a certified instructor for Art Innovators - an art enrichment program for children and adults.

Sheryl Lynn Christian was raised in Los Angeles. She is the mother of four beautiful and loving children who are now grown. Most of her psycho-spiritual training was attended in Los Angeles. She and her children moved from California to rural Arkansas in 1992. In Arkansas, she met "Prince" Harindra Singh, Ph.D. and studied under him. "Prince" directed her to become an author and to adopt a pen name to write under. As an author and an artist, she has published several books under her pen name, primarily romantic historical fiction, and she illustrates the covers as well as creates images of her characters. Most of her ideas have come from her past-life experiences, dreams, fantasies, and visions. She is a mentor for Classic Insights, a spiritual college with an emphasis on the arts, and she is also a member of the Spiritual Emergencies Group - Council of Imhotep and Ma'at founded by Dr. Mitchell Gibson. Ms. Christian is in the process of launching an online psycho-spiritual university - InnerPeaceUniversity.org

Twelve Steps to Inner Peace - with Empowering Spiritual Tools
This book is a powerful guide that provides a variety of spiritual tools to address your spiritual needs.

The spiritual tools provided here are proven overtime to change the quality of life. We invite you on this magical journey to discover how to put these tools to work and create the life of your dreams.

From our experience with our spiritual journey, we understood that these twelve steps are wholesome and essential to wake up to our magnificence and empower ourselves as beautiful beings of love, joy, peace, and harmony. And it is our grandest intention that we share our experience with our beloved human family at this time.

We embrace each and every one of you into the love and light of our hearts. Blessings! Namaste!


Order from - Audible
J.J. DiBenedetto


Author Genre: Paranormal, Suspense, Romance

Website: Writing Dreams
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: J.J. (James) Dibenedetto's fans would swear he's got a sixth sense when it comes to seeing into the minds of others and often wonder if his stories could possibly be fiction. He enjoys suspending disbelief with suspenseful paranormal tales that are a perfect blend of reality meets fantasy.

His popular Dream Series continues to delight readers with each and every exciting installment.

Born in Yonkers, New York, he currently resides in Arlington Virginia with his beautiful wife and a cat he is sure has taken full advantage of its nine lives. When it comes to the cat, he often wonders, but then again it might just be his imagination.

Dream Child - Dream Series, Book 3
Dr. Sara Alderson can deal with eighty-hour workweeks as a resident at Children’s Hospital. Dealing with crises in the Emergency Room or the OR is second nature to her. But now she faces a challenge that all of her training and experience hasn’t prepared her for: Lizzie, her four-year-old daughter, has inherited her ability to see other people’s dreams.

After Lizzie befriends a young boy on a trip to Washington, DC, and then wakes up in a panic that night because of a “bad funny dream,” Sara knows exactly what it means: her daughter is visiting the boy’s dreams. Complicating matters is the fact that the boy’s father is a Congressman, and he’s dreaming about a “scary man in a big black car” threatening his Daddy.

Unraveling a case of political corruption and blackmail would be hard enough for Sara under the best of circumstances. But when she has to view everything through the eyes of a toddler, it may be an impossible task.


Order from - Audible
Betty and Howard’s Excellent Adventure - A Dream Series Story
Just in time for the holidays - spend your vacation with Betty and Howard Barnes as they go on a "dream" European trip. You'll see a whole new side to two of the unsung heroes of the Dream Series in this fun and lighthearted romantic adventure...


Order from - Audible
Donna Fasano


Author Genre: Sweet Romance

Website: Author Donna Fasano, In All Directions
Author's Blog: Awesome Romance Novels
Blog: Donna Fasano - Donna Clayton
Twitter: @DonnaFaz
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Pinterest: Check Out Pinterest

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Donna Fasano is a three time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, and a Golden Heart finalist.

She is a wife, mom, spiritual seeker, blogger, avid reader, foodie, all-around-happy individual. She has two grown sons and lives with her husband on the eastern seaboard of the United States.

She is also known as Donna Clayton. Donna has written over thirty published novels with sales in excess of 3.6 million copies. Many of these novels have gone out-of-print with the rights reverting to her. She is giving them a facelift and republishing them for your favorite eReader.

Take Me, I'm Yours
Sexy single dad Derek Mitchell had learned the hard way to never trust a beautiful woman. So although he would always be indebted to Lainey Adams for thwarting a kidnapping attempt on his beloved daughter, he wasn't about to show his gratitude by offering his heart on a silver platter! But what was the brooding bachelor to do when his matchmaking millionaire father rewarded Lainey's heroism...by giving her part of the family fortune? For despite Derek's love phobia, something about the beguiling Lainey touched his soul, filling him with hope—and desire. Yet he sensed that she was keeping secrets—the kind that could shatter his world…


Order from - Audible
An Accidental Family
'I do,' the bride and groom said… and without love they wed. Jonas Winslow knew nothing about fatherhood, yet he was determined to keep his orphaned nephew. But the boy's aunt, Robin Hampstead, wasn't about to let go of her only remaining family. The solution: a temporary - strictly platonic - marriage…or so they thought. Their agreement was to share the house and all child-rearing responsibilities, which seemed an uncomplicated arrangement until…Jonas began seeing Robin in a new light, not as a pretend wife, but as a very real woman whose bedroom was enticingly close to his.


Order from - Audible
Sloan Johnson


Author Genre: Romance, Gay And Lesbian

Website: Sloan Johnson
Author's Blog: Sloan Johnson - For Writers
Twitter: @authorsloanj
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Sloan Johnson is a big city girl trapped in a country girl's body. While she longs for the hustle and bustle of New York City or Las Vegas, she hasn't yet figured out how to sit on the deck with her morning coffee, watching the deer and wild turkeys in the fields while surrounded by concrete and glass.

When she was three, her parents received their first call from the principal asking them to pick her up from school. Apparently, if you aren't enrolled, you can't attend classes, even in Kindergarten. The next week, she was in preschool and started plotting her first story soon after.

Later in life, her parents needed to do something to help their socially awkward, uncoordinated child come out of her shell and figured there was no better place than a bar on Wednesday nights. It's a good thing they did because this is where she found her love of reading and writing. Who needs socialization when you can sit alone in your bedroom with a good book?

Dance with Destiny
Tony DeLuca has to get to New York, nor’easter be damned. His older sister is getting married and it won’t matter to her if the entire east coast is shut down if it means she’s short a groomsman. She’s the only reason he’s willing to make the trip home to face a father who’s never forgiven him for wasting a perfectly good degree to become a firefighter. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything about Tony that his father will never accept.

Dominic Tricoli’s living his dream. He’s spent the past few years working to mesh his business degree and love of the outdoors into a thriving company, providing team building retreats for some of the country’s largest corporations. Unfortunately, there’s a price to pay for happiness, and having someone to come home to at night is the sacrifice Dominic made.

When Dominic overhears Tony’s plight, he’s drawn to help the man get to New York City. Little does Dominic know that one kind gesture will awaken a side of him he’s ignored for far too long. Against his better judgment, he gives in to his desires and Tony’s advances. Just for the night.

When destiny steps in, giving him another chance with the charismatic man who saved his hide, Tony’s willing to do whatever it takes to earn Dominic’s forgiveness and understanding. There may not be forever, but Tony’s determined to enjoy every single minute he’s given with Dominic.

You can’t fight fate. Whatever’s meant to happen, eventually will.


Order from - Audible
Stacy Juba


Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Romance, Young Adult

Author's Blog: Stacy Juba
Twitter: @stacyjuba
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Pinterest: Check Out Pinterest

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Stacy Juba loves to write about Characters at a Crossroads: individuals who are finding themselves and getting on the right life path after overcoming obstacles. Her goals are to entertain readers of all ages as well as inspire them through her mystery, romance and contemporary fiction books for adults, teens and children. Her titles include Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim for adults; Dark Before Dawn and Face-Off for young adults; and The Flag Keeper and the Teddy Bear Town Children's E-Book Bundle for children.

Dark before Dawn
If you could control minds...would you? A chilling teen supernatural thriller from the bestselling author of Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, Sink or Swim and Face-Off. It's hard enough for Dawn hiding that she's psychic from her new classmates and new step-family, but things gets even worse after she learns that E-S-P spells D-A-N-G-E-R. Dawn has been psychic since she was seven years old and has always considered herself an outcast. Even her own mother discourages her talent, so Dawn has kept her abilities quiet and feared a lifetime of loneliness. When she gets involved with a fortuneteller mentor and two girls who share her mysterious perception, Dawn finally belongs to a group. As her intuition strengthens, so does Dawn's self esteem. However, when she discovers her new friends may be tied to freak "accidents" in their Maine beach town, Dawn has an impossible choice to make - continue developing the talent that makes her special or challenge the only people who have ever accepted her. This blend of suspenseful psychic novel and New England mystery is aimed at young adults and at adults who enjoy supernatural YA. The Audible edition is performed by Cassandra Morris, who has also narrated books in the Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars series.


Order from - Audible
Seb Kirby


Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Literature & Fiction

Author's Blog: New Words for New Times
Twitter: @Seb_Kirby
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Seb Kirby's debut novel, Take No More, has been widely acclaimed as a first-rate mystery thriller. Drawing from his love of classic books from H G Wells to Charles Dickens, he has mastered the art of storytelling. His second novel, Double Bind, is a psychological sci-fi thriller filled with twists and turns, a hallmark of Mr Kirby's gripping imagination.

Take No More - James Blake #1
Nothing like a murder to get the blood flowing

When James Blake discovers his wife has been murdered in their London home, he is determined to find her killer. Julia, a conservator - a protector and preserver of fine art - has left him with just two clues: the words help me on her mobile phone and a strange attachment of Michelangelo's Leda and the Swan.

As the prime suspect of his wife's murder, James flees England and sets out on a trail of deception and danger across the sweeping landscapes of Venice and Florence into a dark underworld of corruption, a trail that will lead him to the killer - and the shocking truth behind the mystery.


Order from - Audible
Janet E. Morris


Author Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Website: sacredbander
Twitter: @uvmchristine
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. She has contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, in which she created the Sacred Band of Stepsons, a mythical unit of ancient fighters modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. She created, orchestrated, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell, writing stories for the series as well as co-writing the related novel, The Little Helliad, with Chris Morris. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.

Mage Blood
Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons prepare to take the Wizard War to the Mages of Wizardwall in this gripping story set "Beyond Sanctuary." With Jihan the Froth daughter at his side, Tempus and the core of the Stepsons ride into the embattled town of Tyse, where they find friends and foes among the witches, wizards, and warfighters. From the first full length novel inspired by the Thieves' World (R) series, "Mage Blood" takes you into unknown realms fraught with unimaginable peril.


Order from - Audible
The Sacred Band
The Sacred Band of Thebes lives on, a world away, in this mythic novel of love in war in ancient times. In 338 BCE, during the Battle of Chaeronea that results in the massacre of the Sacred Band of Thebes, the legendary Tempus and his Stepson cavalry rescue twenty-three pairs of Theban Sacred Banders, paired lovers and friends, to fight on other days. These forty-six Thebans, whose bones will never lie in the mass grave that holds their two hundred and fifty-four brothers, join with the immortalized Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons, consummate ancient cavalry fighters, to make new lives in a faraway land and fight the battle of their dreams where gods walk the earth, ghosts take the field, and the angry Fates demand their due.


Order from - Audible
David P. Perlmutter


Author Genre: Biography, Memoir

Author's Blog: David P. Perlmutter
Blog:
Twitter: @davepperlmutter
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Wrong Place Wrong Time is my first book and was encouraged by my family and friend/editor to put pen to paper/fingers to laptop and write. It is based on a events that happened to me when in the early 90's I visited Marbella inSpain.

The success of Wrong Place Wrong Time has been mind blowing and the reviews from readers around the world has been a wonderful surprise. Over 170 x 5* reviews across Amazon.

My second book, called MY WAY is all about book marketing and has received many 4/5* reviews from authors who have said that the tips have helped increase book sales and gain wider exposure on the social media scene.

Wrong Place Wrong Time
I would like to say that yes I made a number of mistakes during the events that took place and I hold my hands up. I look back at what happen everyday and wish I could turn back the clock but you can't.

The following story is based on true events about my trip to Marbella, Spain, where having lost everything, which was all self inflicted, including my job, apartment and self respect, I leave memories of a London police cell behind me and head for Spain with its promise of adventure and fun. Little do I know that I'm about to be thrust into the most terrifying time of my life.

WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME is a gripping true-life story of an unimaginable nightmare and how my ticket to a new life turns out to be a one way ticket to hell.


Order from - Audible
Uvi Poznansky


Author Genre: Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Poetry

Author's Blog: Uvi Poznansky
Twitter: @UviPoznansky
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Uvi Poznansky is a California-based author, poet and artist.

She earned her B. A. in Architecture and Town Planning from the Technion in Haifa, Israel. During her studies and in the years immediately following her graduation, she practiced with an innovative Architectural firm, taking a major part in the large-scale project, 'Home for the Soldier'; a controversial design that sparked fierce public debate.

At the age of 25 Uvi moved to Troy, N.Y. with her husband and two children. Before long, she received a Fellowship grant and a Teaching Assistantship from the Architecture department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she guided teams in a variety of design projects; and where she earned her M.A. in Architecture. Then, taking a sharp turn in her education, she earned her M.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan.

During the years she spent in advancing her career--first as an architect, and later as a software engineer, software team leader, software manager and a software consultant (with an emphasis on user interface for medical instruments devices)--she wrote and painted constantly, and exhibited in Israel and California. In addition, she taught art appreciation classes. Her versatile body of work can be seen online at uviart.com. It includes bronze and ceramic sculptures, oil and watercolor paintings, charcoal, pen and pencil drawings, and mixed media.

Uvi published two children books, Jess and Wiggle and Now I Am Paper. For each one of these books, she created an animation video (see Author Videos at the bottom of this page.) She won great acclaim for her novel, Apart From Love, and for her poetry book, Home (in tribute to her father. Her collection of dark tales, Twisted, and her Historical Fiction book, A Favorite Son, are both new age, biblically inspired books. Rise to Power (volume I) and A Peek at Bathsheba (volume II) of her trilogy The David Chronicles have just been published.

A Peek at Bathsheba - The David Chronicles Book 2
Against the backdrop of wars, raging within the land and without, David is growing into the mantle of leadership. Between his anointment as a tribal king and his anointment as the king of all of Israel, he uses wisdom, cunning, and his own understanding of the forces of history, aiming for high ideals: stopping the bloodshed, uniting the nation, and bringing about healing and peace.

But then, having reached his peak, David falters. He makes a serious error that threatens to undo his political success, and cost him not only the adoration of his people—but also the sense of being sustained by a divine power. That error is the most torrid tale of passion ever told: his deliciously forbidden love for Bathsheba, followed by his attempt to cover up the ensuing scandal by sending her husband—who serves him faithfully in his army—to his death.

This is volume II of the trilogy The David Chronicles, told candidly by the king himself. David uses modern language, indicating that this is no fairytale. Rather, it is a story that is happening here and now. Listen to his voice as he undergoes a profound change, realizing the magnitude of his sin, and the curse looming over his entire future.


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A Favorite Son
This story is a present-day twist on the biblical story of Jacob and his mother Rebecca plotting together against the elderly father Isaac, who is lying on his deathbed, in order to get their hands on the inheritance, and on the power in the family. This is no old fairy tale. Its power is here and now, in each one of us.

Listening to Yankle telling his take on events, we understand the bitter rivalry between him and his brother. We become intimately engaged with every detail of the plot, and every shade of emotion in these flawed, yet fascinating characters. He yearns to become his father’s favorite son, seeing only one way open to him, to get that which he wants: deceit

“What if my father would touch me,” asks Yankle. In planning his deception, it is not love for his father, nor respect for his age that drives his hesitation—rather, it is the fear to be found out.

And so—covering his arm with the hide of a kid, pretending to be that which he is not—he is now ready for the last moment he is going to have with his father.


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Rise to Power - The David Chronicles Book 1
Here is the story of David as you have never heard it before: from the king himself, telling the unofficial version, the one he never allowed his court scribes to recount. In his mind, history is written to praise the victorious—but at the last stretch of his illustrious life, he feels an irresistible urge to tell the truth. In the first volume, Rise to Power, David gives you a fascinating account of his early years, culminating with a tribal coronation. Rooted in ancient lore, his is a surprisingly modern memoir.

In an era of cruelty, when destroying the enemy is deemed a sacred directive, the slayer of Goliath finds a way to become larger than life. His search for a path to power leads him in ways that are, at times, scandalous. Notorious for his contradictions, David is seen by others as a gifted court entertainer, a successful captain in Saul’s army, a cunning fugitive, a traitor leading a gang of felons, and a ruthless raider of neighboring towns who leaves no witnesses behind.

How does he see himself, during this first phase of his life? With his hands stained with blood, can he find an inner balance between conflicting drives: his ambition for the crown, his determination to survive the conflict with Saul, and his longing for purity, for a touch of the divine, as expressed so lyrically in his psalms and music?


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Apart from Love
Secrets, passion, betrayal...

Coming back to his childhood home after years of absence, Ben is unprepared for the secret, which is now revealed to him: his mother, Natasha, who used to be a brilliant pianist, is losing herself to early-onset Alzheimer's, which turns the way her mind works into a riddle. His father has remarried, and his new wife, Anita, looks remarkably similar to Natasha--only much younger. In this state of being isolated, being apart from love, how will Ben react when it is so tempting to resort to blame and guilt? "In our family, forgiveness is something you pray for, something you yearn to receive--but so seldom do you give it to others."

Behind his father's back, Ben and Anita find themselves increasingly drawn to each other. They take turns using an old tape recorder to express their most intimate thoughts, not realizing at first that their voices are being captured by him. These tapes, with his eloquent speech and her slang, reveal the story from two opposite viewpoints.

What emerges in this family is a struggle, a desperate, daring struggle to find a path out of conflicts, out of isolation, from guilt to forgiveness.


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Barbara Silkstone


Author Genre: Mystery, Humor And Comedy, Romance

Website: Barb's Wire - eBooks and More
Author's Blog: Second Act Café getting even
Twitter: @barbsilkstone
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile




Author Description: Barbara Silkstone is the best-selling author of the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider series ~ Mystery Comedies featuring Wendy Darlin, Miami real estate broker and part-time Tomb Raider: Wendy and the Lost Boys ~ London Broil ~ Cairo Caper~ Miami Mummies ~ Vulgarian Vamp Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Boxed Set. Silkstone's writing has been described as "perfectly paced and pitched - shades of Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen without seeming remotely derivative. Fast moving action that shoots from the hip with bullet-proof characterization." She has attended writing workshops with Stephen King, Robert B. Parker, P.D.James, and James Michener.

Mister Darcy’s Christmas - Mister Darcy Series Book 2
*** A light comedy novella ***
Based on the enduring characters created by Jane Austen, this is a contemporary spin on a classic tale of love denied, and love discovered.

Christmas just became a lot more complicated for dog psychologist Lizzie Bennet and her sisters. While shopping in London they find little urchin Annie and her dog Sammy. As a fierce snowstorm takes over the city, the aloof but alluring Mister Darcy invites the girls, including Annie and Sammy, to spend the night at his penthouse.

With the best of intentions Darcy asks Annie and her seven siblings to join the Bennet sisters for a quiet Christmas Eve celebration in his London fortress. The skulduggery begins when Caroline Bingley – the villainess Austen fans love to boo – shows up acting the part of the Grinch and Scrooge combined.


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Mister Darcy’s Dogs - Mister Darcy Series Book 1
~ PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Contemporary Variation Novella ~
* A LIGHT COMEDY MYSTERY *


Jane Austen’s beloved characters return in this novella, a contemporary variation on Pride and Prejudice, one of the most popular novels in English literature. This is Book One in the Mister Darcy Series of five books by Barbara Silkstone. Each book can and does stand alone as a separate novella and yet each allows for the relationship between Darcy and Lizzie to unfold in a natural, unhurried way.

Doctor Lizzie Bennet, struggling against her conservative English countryside upbringing, determines to prove her worth as a dog psychologist. Nothing will deter her from her career until she meets the uppity and oh-so mysterious Londoner, Mister Darcy. His on-again, off-again flirtatious manner, and his pompous putdowns challenge Lizzie’s short temper. When Mister Darcy hires her to train his lovable basset hounds for an important foxhunt, Lizzie accepts the task despite knowing next to nothing about the sport and harboring an intense fear of horses.

Two of the villains Austen fans love to boo and hiss arrive to torment Lizzie: Caroline Bingley, in hot pursuit of Mister Darcy does all she can to discredit and humiliate Lizzie. Mister Darcy’s old nemesis, George Wickham, stalks the Bennet family.


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Zo White and the Seven Morphs - riminally Funny Fables Book 3
This is a Romantic Suspense featuring MORPHS. Zo White, aerial dancer and star performer in the Grimm Brothers’ Cirque is stalked by an unknown assassin. The Seven Morphs acrobatic team tumble to her rescue while preparing to leave on a covert mission. What secrets are hidden by their bright colored spandex body suits and will Zo find love with Green Morph? Romantic Suspense on the light side.Throw in outrageous plot twists, a magic mirror, 400 baby turtles, a giant python, Miami mobsters, and a few murders on the side, and it all adds up to a zany whodunit that keeps you laughing and guessing till the end.


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View my website: James Moushon – Mystery Writer
Or visit my blog: The eBook Author Corner
Take a look at my Author’s blog: HBS Author’s Spotlight
And the HBS Mystery Readers’s Circle

Check out the Jonathon Stone Mystery Novels:
Black Mountain Secrets
Game of Fire