This week at the Carnival we are discussing Audiobooks? What do you think about them? Do you listen to them?
To be honest, I have only listened to one Audiobook in my whole entire life. It was one of the Harry Potter books. My nephew was visiting and he brought it to listen to as we went to sleep. I enjoyed it. It's sort of like being a kid again and listening to you parents read to you.
I AM HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. I WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE WITH THIS POST LATER. BLOGGER KEEPS FREEZING UP.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
NaNoWriMo: Are You Going to Write a Novel in November?
This will be my first time. I was always doing my own thing before, but a friend mentioned it the other day and I thought it sounded exciting. What is NaNoWriMo? If you don't know, I'm sure you've at least heard it mentioned on message boards or on blogs.
November is the national writer's month, and there are a group of people that host a site to get writer's to write. This site offers forums where you can get inspiration, advice, or just a kick in the butt if you need it. Writing is usually a lonely job, so this sounds like a great opportunity to me. I've been having trouble with one particular book for years now. I've tried and failed to start it several times. Maybe participating on this site will help me to not only begin the book, but to finish it.
How does it work? You join (for Free) and agree to try to write every single day in November. They have a place for you to post your word count for each day. If you manage to do at least 50,000 words in November, you win.
What do you win? Satisfaction. And I think they give you what they call a badge for your blog or website. This last year they had a couple of extra prizes. Winners could get five free copies of their book from Createspace. In case you don't know, that is about a twenty-five dollar savings.
Will you join me in November? Will you pledge to write every day? Well, will you? :)
November is the national writer's month, and there are a group of people that host a site to get writer's to write. This site offers forums where you can get inspiration, advice, or just a kick in the butt if you need it. Writing is usually a lonely job, so this sounds like a great opportunity to me. I've been having trouble with one particular book for years now. I've tried and failed to start it several times. Maybe participating on this site will help me to not only begin the book, but to finish it.
How does it work? You join (for Free) and agree to try to write every single day in November. They have a place for you to post your word count for each day. If you manage to do at least 50,000 words in November, you win.
What do you win? Satisfaction. And I think they give you what they call a badge for your blog or website. This last year they had a couple of extra prizes. Winners could get five free copies of their book from Createspace. In case you don't know, that is about a twenty-five dollar savings.
Will you join me in November? Will you pledge to write every day? Well, will you? :)
Friday, September 21, 2012
YA Indie Carnival: Words of Wisdom
This week at the Carnival we are giving insight into our journey as Indie Writers. What have we learned? What pearls of wisdom do we have to share with future Indie Writers? What do we wish we knew then that we know now?
So here it is, what I've learned in the past two years about being Indie.
1. You Can't Please Everybody: This is a great one to start with because I went nuts in the beginning every time I read a bad review on one of my books. Even the most famous and beloved authors receive bad reviews. What I think is funny is how ten people can read the same book and totally disagree in their reviews of it. For instance, a couple will say your characters were fantastic, couldn't be better. But another person says your characters were poorly developed. A few people will say you are a great writer while others say you have no idea what you are doing. On CRUSHED I have heard several people say the pace moves fast, but others complain they were bored until chapter four or five. You just can't please everybody, so don't even try.
2. How to Create Great Covers: Some might argue that I didn't learn this lesson yet, but my covers improve with each one. Some day soon I will do a post on how to make cool covers using Gimp. It's a free download in case you are wondering and almost as good as Photoshop.
3. There Are a Lot of People Like Me Out There: This one surprised me. I used to not know a single writer. Now I know several (my fellow Carnies to name a few) and they are for the most part extremely supportive people. I love to discuss writing techniques with them and we help each other out on our blogs. It's been great getting to know so many wonderful writers.
4. What is a Blog: Not too long ago I was asking this question. I would also wonder Who needs a blog? Now I know. I have come to love blogging.
5. There are People Out There Who Want to Read My Books: When I wrote for Harlequin, I didn't have to worry about letting people know I had books out. Harlequin did it for me. People would go to stores like Wal-marts, see my book, and buy it. Now I have to find new and creative ways to get the word out because there are millions of people who still have no idea that my books exist. That is the stuff of nightmares.
So, there you have it, a few of the things I've learned as an Indie Writer. Now go visit my fellow Carnies and hear what they have to say on the subject. I know I'm going to.
So here it is, what I've learned in the past two years about being Indie.
1. You Can't Please Everybody: This is a great one to start with because I went nuts in the beginning every time I read a bad review on one of my books. Even the most famous and beloved authors receive bad reviews. What I think is funny is how ten people can read the same book and totally disagree in their reviews of it. For instance, a couple will say your characters were fantastic, couldn't be better. But another person says your characters were poorly developed. A few people will say you are a great writer while others say you have no idea what you are doing. On CRUSHED I have heard several people say the pace moves fast, but others complain they were bored until chapter four or five. You just can't please everybody, so don't even try.
2. How to Create Great Covers: Some might argue that I didn't learn this lesson yet, but my covers improve with each one. Some day soon I will do a post on how to make cool covers using Gimp. It's a free download in case you are wondering and almost as good as Photoshop.
3. There Are a Lot of People Like Me Out There: This one surprised me. I used to not know a single writer. Now I know several (my fellow Carnies to name a few) and they are for the most part extremely supportive people. I love to discuss writing techniques with them and we help each other out on our blogs. It's been great getting to know so many wonderful writers.
4. What is a Blog: Not too long ago I was asking this question. I would also wonder Who needs a blog? Now I know. I have come to love blogging.
5. There are People Out There Who Want to Read My Books: When I wrote for Harlequin, I didn't have to worry about letting people know I had books out. Harlequin did it for me. People would go to stores like Wal-marts, see my book, and buy it. Now I have to find new and creative ways to get the word out because there are millions of people who still have no idea that my books exist. That is the stuff of nightmares.
So, there you have it, a few of the things I've learned as an Indie Writer. Now go visit my fellow Carnies and hear what they have to say on the subject. I know I'm going to.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Harlequin Intrigues: Romantic Suspense Novels
Today, my second book with Harlequin has been released as an ebook!
Julia Keller's world shattered the night her beloved husband, Jack, was gunned down on her ranch. Now, two long and lonely years later, a mesmerizing stranger with Jack's face appeared on her doorstep, minus a memory. So the only way to recover the truth was to join forces with the rugged, reticent man who was either her little boy's father--or a mysterious impostor. This tough yet tender amnesiac roused churning emotions--and smoldering passions--in Julia that left her aching for answers. However, a cold-blooded killer was bound and determined to keep this case unsolved. And in a race against time to prevent the perpetrator from striking again, a deadly showdown would pit good against evil...and "husband" against wife!
This book is available at eHarlequin (dot) com and Amazon!
My first book Borrowed Identity is also available at each place.
A groggy Kelly Hall didn't understand why her dead husband was standing in front of her, telling her their wedding night that had ended in his grisly "murder" had all been a dream. Was she going insane or was someone trying to kill her? Sinister threats lurked in the melancholy halls of Moore House...and all Kelly could be certain of was that this cold, magnetic man who bore an uncanny resemblance to the Michael Taggert she vividly remembered marrying was suddenly fiercely protective, cloaked in mystery and set off a lightning bolt of desire at the merest touch. As passion and peril spiraled out of control, would Kelly trust her life to the man whose deception could shatter the only love she'd ever known?
Julia Keller's world shattered the night her beloved husband, Jack, was gunned down on her ranch. Now, two long and lonely years later, a mesmerizing stranger with Jack's face appeared on her doorstep, minus a memory. So the only way to recover the truth was to join forces with the rugged, reticent man who was either her little boy's father--or a mysterious impostor. This tough yet tender amnesiac roused churning emotions--and smoldering passions--in Julia that left her aching for answers. However, a cold-blooded killer was bound and determined to keep this case unsolved. And in a race against time to prevent the perpetrator from striking again, a deadly showdown would pit good against evil...and "husband" against wife!
This book is available at eHarlequin (dot) com and Amazon!
My first book Borrowed Identity is also available at each place.
A groggy Kelly Hall didn't understand why her dead husband was standing in front of her, telling her their wedding night that had ended in his grisly "murder" had all been a dream. Was she going insane or was someone trying to kill her? Sinister threats lurked in the melancholy halls of Moore House...and all Kelly could be certain of was that this cold, magnetic man who bore an uncanny resemblance to the Michael Taggert she vividly remembered marrying was suddenly fiercely protective, cloaked in mystery and set off a lightning bolt of desire at the merest touch. As passion and peril spiraled out of control, would Kelly trust her life to the man whose deception could shatter the only love she'd ever known?
Scavenger Hunt
On Halloween my blog is going to have a Scavenger Hunt. I will put up a post with rules and specific instructions. It will go something like this: If you want to win digital copies of Vampires Rule and Werewolves Rule, you need to write down the Halloween word that I put in bold on my Scavenver Hunt post. It will be something like Black Cat or Witch or Pumpkin. Then you will need to click on a few blog links. Visit these blogs and jot down their Halloween word. After that you just need to send the list to me at my email address (which I will supply at that time) and you will either receive a notice you've won or you won't. If you win, I will ask if you'd like a coupon code for Smashwords so you can get the books in whatever format you need including mobi for Kindle or something for your Nook or whatever. OR I can probably send you a mobi or pdf through the email, if I can find them.
Why am I hosting a Scavenger Hunt?
To celebrate the release of Shifters Rule. The third book in the Rule series will be released on Halloween, barring any unforseen incident that keeps it from happening.
So check back on Halloween for your chance to win.
Why am I hosting a Scavenger Hunt?
To celebrate the release of Shifters Rule. The third book in the Rule series will be released on Halloween, barring any unforseen incident that keeps it from happening.
So check back on Halloween for your chance to win.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Books for Halloween
Soon it will be October. Sit down with a good book about vampires, witches, or wraiths.
Vampires Rule:
Vampires Rule:
They don't call him Jackpot for nothing.
Jack has always beat the odds... until now. When a werewolf tried to kill him, vampires saved him. When he got tired of life as a vampire, another attack gave him back his mortality. Now Jack just wants to live a normal life, but what's normal about having a hunter for a girlfriend, a brother who wants to stake him to be on the safe side, and a werewolf building an army to rule the world?
Jack has always beat the odds... until now. When a werewolf tried to kill him, vampires saved him. When he got tired of life as a vampire, another attack gave him back his mortality. Now Jack just wants to live a normal life, but what's normal about having a hunter for a girlfriend, a brother who wants to stake him to be on the safe side, and a werewolf building an army to rule the world?
Don't forget Werewolves Rule is available and Shifters Rule will be released the week of Halloween.
Crushed:
The Noah sisters rule Titan High with their beauty, brains, and magical powers.
Each year they play a secret game: Crushed. The girls pick their targets carefully and blow enchanted dust into the boy’s faces, charming them, but this year Kristen makes a grave mistake. She chooses the wrong boy and almost dies that same day. Coincidence? Maybe.
But something isn’t quite right about Zach Bevian. He doesn’t behave like a boy who’s been Crushed. He goes from hot to cold, from looking at her with contempt to asking her out on a date. She doesn’t know what to think. Does he hate her or is he truly falling for her? Is he trying to kill her, or is he trying to save her?
Each year they play a secret game: Crushed. The girls pick their targets carefully and blow enchanted dust into the boy’s faces, charming them, but this year Kristen makes a grave mistake. She chooses the wrong boy and almost dies that same day. Coincidence? Maybe.
But something isn’t quite right about Zach Bevian. He doesn’t behave like a boy who’s been Crushed. He goes from hot to cold, from looking at her with contempt to asking her out on a date. She doesn’t know what to think. Does he hate her or is he truly falling for her? Is he trying to kill her, or is he trying to save her?
Witch Hunt:
A magical game of Hide n Seek begins.
Find the missing player and win.
The game resets, everyone forgets, and they start to play again.
Starr Hughes hasn’t believed in magic since her mother died. As a reporter for the school paper she’s only interested in cold, hard facts. When she hears rumors that the mysterious It-Squad members are about to play a secret game, she is determined to learn all about it, especially since she’s been in love with one of the members half her life. Hiding under the headmaster’s desk, planting bugs, and breaking into a fellow student’s locker are all on her to-do list.
Starr is about to discover that witches not only exist, but they need her help. Someone is using the game to steal their memories, their powers, and maybe even their lives.
All of these titles are available at Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords
Find the missing player and win.
The game resets, everyone forgets, and they start to play again.
Starr Hughes hasn’t believed in magic since her mother died. As a reporter for the school paper she’s only interested in cold, hard facts. When she hears rumors that the mysterious It-Squad members are about to play a secret game, she is determined to learn all about it, especially since she’s been in love with one of the members half her life. Hiding under the headmaster’s desk, planting bugs, and breaking into a fellow student’s locker are all on her to-do list.
Starr is about to discover that witches not only exist, but they need her help. Someone is using the game to steal their memories, their powers, and maybe even their lives.
All of these titles are available at Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords
YA Indie Carnival: Pictures of Where I Write
This week at the Carnival we are posting pictures of where we write. Enjoy mine below and then click on the other Carnies and check out where they write.
About the Items on K.C. Blake's Writing Desk:
➊ That is my cat Blanca. She's always on my desk, getting into stuff and keeping me from working.
➋ I have my Harlequin book covers in frames above the desk on the wall.
➌ There are words BELIEVE and WISH. I got them at Christmas and keep them out all year because BELIEVE, WISH, and DREAM are words I live by, but I couldn't find one that had Dream on it.
➍ There is my computer of course and tons of notebooks where I do my plotting, bios, etc.
➎ There is a giant pencil in front of my CD collection. My aunt gave that to me after I got published.
➏ A Writer's Digest cup has pencils and pens in it. My bff gave it to me when I was 17 and dreaming of being a writer.
➐ To the far right against the wall is my bulletin board where I use index cares to plot my books.
About the Items on K.C. Blake's Writing Desk:
 |
| Author K. C. Blake's Working, Writing, and Musing Space.... |
➊ That is my cat Blanca. She's always on my desk, getting into stuff and keeping me from working.
➋ I have my Harlequin book covers in frames above the desk on the wall.
➌ There are words BELIEVE and WISH. I got them at Christmas and keep them out all year because BELIEVE, WISH, and DREAM are words I live by, but I couldn't find one that had Dream on it.
➍ There is my computer of course and tons of notebooks where I do my plotting, bios, etc.
➎ There is a giant pencil in front of my CD collection. My aunt gave that to me after I got published.
➏ A Writer's Digest cup has pencils and pens in it. My bff gave it to me when I was 17 and dreaming of being a writer.
➐ To the far right against the wall is my bulletin board where I use index cares to plot my books.
Friday, September 7, 2012
YA Indie Carnival: All About the Swag
This week at the Carnival we are talking about Swag. You know you love it. They give it away at book signings, on blogs, etc. What is your favorite? Do you have a story connected with Swag? Let us know below in the Comments section and check out the other Carnis to see what they have to say.
1. Bookmarks: This is a favorite from when I worked at Harlequin. It's great to get a bookmark when you go to a book signing. Then you can use it to keep your place in the book you just bought.
2. Pens: A lot of people print their info on pens and hand them out. Although I love to get pens, I do not love the idea of paying to have some made.
3. Something Connected to the Book: This is my favorite. At my last book signing (it was for Crushed) I gave away a slender glass vial with pink dust in it. If you've read Crushed, you know why. If you didn't, then here's why. Because Kristen and her sisters used magical dust to put spells on certain boys at school. In my case the dust was glitter dust for your face and body. It was super cute. I kept one for myself.
So what sort of Swag do you like?
Check to see what the other Carnies like and what they have given away.
1. Bookmarks: This is a favorite from when I worked at Harlequin. It's great to get a bookmark when you go to a book signing. Then you can use it to keep your place in the book you just bought.
2. Pens: A lot of people print their info on pens and hand them out. Although I love to get pens, I do not love the idea of paying to have some made.
3. Something Connected to the Book: This is my favorite. At my last book signing (it was for Crushed) I gave away a slender glass vial with pink dust in it. If you've read Crushed, you know why. If you didn't, then here's why. Because Kristen and her sisters used magical dust to put spells on certain boys at school. In my case the dust was glitter dust for your face and body. It was super cute. I kept one for myself.
So what sort of Swag do you like?
Check to see what the other Carnies like and what they have given away.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)