Saturday, March 31, 2012

Hug a Medievalist day

Happy Hug a Medievalist Day!

In honor of this day I'm posting a book review by Janette Rallison MY UNFAIR GODMOTHER. I reread this story recently as Janette is having a book giveaway. If you want to win a free copy of this book go to Janette's blog and learn how; http://janette-rallison.blogspot.com/


   


Chrysanthemum Everstar "Chrissy" is trying to enter the Fairy Godmother University by helping Tansy with her dismal life. We instantly feel empathy for Tansy. Her parents’ divorce and her father moves from New York to Arizona of all places. To show her librarian father her displeasure for abandoning them, she stops reading books and doing well in English class. When Tansy is forced to move to Arizona her senior year of high school to live with her Dad's "new" family, you can only imagine the amount of rebellion Tansy felt. (I mean who wouldn't in those circumstances.) Of course she meets the bad boy of the small town who rides a motorcycle and jumps right into a relationship, much to her father’s dismay. Tansy gets in trouble with the law and thinks life couldn't get any worse, until a Leprechaun named Clover appears along with her Fairy Godmother Chrissy and she's granted three wishes. Three wishes should be a good thing, right? Nope. When the town is overrun by Robin Hood and the Merry Men, Tansy has to make things right. Just when things couldn't get any worse for Tansy's her whole family is thrown into the Middle-Ages and they enter the fable of Rumpelstiltskin. Tansy has to escape the castle to avoid marrying King John and gets help from one of the King's guards, Hudson, another victim of Chrissy and Clover's mistakes. Tansy struggles to find the moral of her story so they can all return back home before being killed. 

Happily Ever After in fairy-tales takes on a new meaning after reading "My Unfair Godmother."  The story gives us the behind-the-scenes of fairy tales. The humor through out this story makes it an enjoyable read. Janette Rallison is a very clever writer and “My Unfair Godmother” is another great tale of reality mixed with magic.





Wednesday, March 28, 2012

CONGRATULATIONS TO ELISHA SIMMONS, JUSTIN MARTIN, and TRASI ALBRIGHT!! You won the free book giveaway of ZENOBIA - Birth of a Legend. Happy reading!  

For those of you who didn't win don't fret, you can get your copy of ZENOBIA- Birth of a Legend at www.geodepress.com (*Now available on eBook through amazon or smashwords. Check out the website for more information. Lots of sample pages to hold you over until you get your copy.) 

Move over Bella and Katniss here comes ZENOBIA!
If your looking for your next obsession after Twilight and The Hunger Games, might I suggest ZENOBIA. As a true historical figure, I think she is someone we can look up to and champion. 


As promised here is my The Hunger Games movie review.

At the midnight showing we had a lot more men then we ever do at the Twilight midnight showings. Go figure! It's an action show and not so much of a love story. The movie was fast paced and if you haven't read the book the little hints might go right over your head. My suggestion would be to read the book or see the movie more than once to catch it all. I thought Jennifer Lawrence did a great job as Katniss. We spent a lot of time in the capital and getting ready for the games. I was nervous they were going to turn book one into two movies. I think they did a great job casting and really enjoyed seeing characters come to life. Peeta grows on you just like he does in the book. My favorite part in the book gets down played in the movie and I missed that. I can't tell you what part that is as its a big spoiler alert. The killing scenes are blurry to avoid having to make it "R" rated but you get the gruesome point. This movie really hits home on what happens when the government gets to much power. The rich keep getting richer and the poor become entertainment for them. It is a sad futuristic story of what could happen after war. I wasn't disappointed at all. They stayed with the book very closely and what they changed I didn't care. I would recommend seeing it as its the next blockbuster movie and you don't want to get left behind. 
I went to a couple Twilight sites and they were all talking about the reason why The Hunger Games did so well, they feel  it's because of the hard core Twilight fans. I agree. It wasn't until Stephenie Meyer mentioned the book on her website that I read it. I gave it to my sister, mom, husband, and nephew to read and they all liked it. I think everyone has been looking for the next obsession after Twilight and The Hunger Games feeds that need. I can't say Twilight and The Hunger Games are anything like each other. It's not a team Peeta vs team Gale kind of movie. Its more of a powerful girl story. Bella vs Katniss. Of course now that Bella is a vampire. Katniss would have creamed Bella pre-vamp. 
Anybody else see the movie? What did you think? 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Interview with Joyce DiPastena

Interview with Joyce DiPastena author of Dangerous Favor

JMW- Thank you so much for letting me interview you. I’m a big fan of your books. We can’t really call Loyalty’s Web and Illuminations of the Heart a series; would you consider them spin off stories?
Some people do view my books as a series, but that's only true inasmuch as they take place in the same "story universe", so to speak. I do prefer to call them spin-offs. Instead of carrying on with one character's story over several books, I tend to take one (or sometimes two, like in Dangerous Favor) characters from a previous book and spin them off into their own stand alone romance.



JMW- I love spin off books. One of my favorite authors growing up was Jennie Hanson and she would always do spin off series. It’s always fun to get a little teaser of how a character from a previous book was doing but still have a whole new story going on. Did you plan all along to do these kinds of stories or did you decide to later explore more of their lives?
Actually, no, I didn't originally intend to write spin-off stories for these characters. When I started Loyalty's Web, I had no plans to write a story for Triston. But then I kind of fell in love with him along the way, and when his part of the story ended so sad, I found myself wanting to write him a story that would give him a happy ending of his own. So Illuminations of the Heart was born.



JMW- I know you are a big history lover and have many books to get resources from. What is your favorite website or book to get accurate information on the middle ages?
Oh, my! I can't narrow it down to just one, because it depends on what kind of information you're looking for. I've been collecting medieval history books since college, so I have quite an extensive personal library at this point. And I do still do most of my research via books, although I'm slowly getting better at internet research. If I had to choose some basic titles, I would recommend Life in a Medieval Castle, by Joseph and Frances Gies for just a good, general beginning research book on the time period. (The Gies have several other excellent books, including Life in a Medieval Town and Life in a Medieval Village.) For clothing, I LOVE 900 Years of English Costume (republished as Historical Costumes of England 1066-1968, so look for it under both titles) by Nancy Bradfield. And The Castle Explorer's Guide, by Frank Bottomley, is always near the top of my pile of research books when I'm working on a manuscript.
JMW- What’s your next book you are working on?
Okay, this involves a bit of a confession. I had actually started writing a spin-off for Acelet, from Illuminations of the Heart, when I realized I'd made a mistake in the historical timeline in that book. I'd said that Acelet's mother attended Queen Eleanor's Courts of Love when she (his mother) was a young woman. Well, I don't know how it happened, because I do try to be so careful about checking my dates and historical facts, but when I started Acelet's book, I rechecked some things and discovered that his mother wouldn't have been a "young girl" at the time the Courts of Love allegedly took place. Now, I realize the odds are probably pretty good that no one would catch that error except me, especially since Acelet's mother never actually appears in my books and is only passingly mentioned. But it really bugged me that I made such a stupid mistake. So for my own conscience sake, I am now working on what I hope will be a novella, a little romance set "in the past", that I hope will explain my own discrepancy. The romance isn't actually his mother's, but his mother is in the story. Well, you'll just have to read it if I ever get it finished. LOL!



JMW -Are we going to get another spin off? If so, can you give us a hint on who the next characters will be?
As I said, Acelet is up next. After that, it depends on who might strike my fancy. I have an idea who it might be, but you haven't met him yet. ;-)



JMW- I love that Etienne was a misguided villain from Loyalty’s Web and now we get to know him better. What made you want to expand Etienne more and give him his own story?
I enjoy exploring themes of friendship, so when I decided to write a third book, I thought it would be fun to write a dual romance for Etienne and Therri, who were best friends in Loyalty's Web. That turned into Dangerous Favor, although to control my word count (always a struggle for me), I eventually narrowed the POV character down to just Etienne and his sweetheart, Mathilde.



You are very good at painting a visual picture with your words. I think Dangerous Favor should be turned into a movie. (I’ll talk to Stephenie Meyer into producing it like she did for Austenland and then we are golden. We can dream, right?) If it turns into a movie, who would you like to play your characters?
Thank you for the compliment! That's what every author wants to hear about their books. :-D Actually, I don't envision any particular actors when I write my books. I'd have to do some hunting around to see who I could come up with. I love seeing who my readers come up with, though, the way you did. That's always fun!



JMW- Your characters are so real and beautifully flawed, any tricks of the trade on how to get into their heads? (Role play, movies, books etc…)
I wish I had a trick-of-the-trade to give you, but I don't. I write a lot by instinct, and don't really analyze how I do it. I know that nobody is perfect, though, so I never start with the premise that any of my characters are. I just try to picture them as people, rather than characters, when I write them. Characters may never make a mistake, but people do. As long as I envision them as people, they will make mistakes along the way.



JMW- When you write do you outline or write whatever scene is calling to you at the time?
I don't outline, but I'm still a very linear writer. I have to start at the beginning and write to the end. I can't write scenes out of order, like some writers do. When I start, I tend to have one or two or so scenes in my head that I know I want to write towards. I don't know how I'm going to get to those scenes, but I start writing and try to write in that direction.



JMW-I don’t want to give any spoilers away with my others questions about the love story and surprise twists. I will have to wait for a book club to discuss it all. Anybody interested in doing a book club with me? (I think we will have to start with the first two books.)



JMW -In the story, you give little hints of what was to come and it ingeniously unraveled until all become revealed. O.K., I know that isn’t a question but I wish I could pick your brain on how you do it, I’m sure it’s all natural talent. Any suggestions you can give to an aspiring writer?
It's not just natural talent. I've wondered about this myself, and I think I simply write the kinds of stories I like to read. I always loved reading books that had a lot of plot to them, so when I started writing, I think the "natural" part was to write something that had a lot of plot, because that's what I grew up reading. If you want a tip, it would be: Remember not to give everything away at once. Don't be afraid to tease your reader. As long as you play fair by laying down the clues and giving them the answer in the end, your reader will thank you for stringing them along. ;-)



JMW- Thanks again Joyce for sharing your beautiful gift with the world. Keep them coming!

To get more information or purchase any of Joyce DiPastena's books go to :  http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/


Leave a comment on this blog by April 2nd midnight PST. As a Thank you, your name will be entered in the drawing to win one Twilight collectible keepsake tin with four hardcover, 96-page journals featuring cover art from Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. Each journal has quotations from the novels, as well as quotations from some of the classic works of literature that inspired them. 

Friday, March 23, 2012

FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY ends tonight at midnight. You've got 12 hours to get your entries in. See March 9th blog for 3 ways to win Or click on this link -----> Free book giveaway



Coming soon my movie review of The Hunger Games





Zilch the Ttory-Seller at the Renaissance festival said it best. "Don't judge a book by its movie."






Thursday, March 22, 2012

Blogging for Books


Do you see my new cool link? "Blogging for books"  I'm just getting started on book reviews and have found some helpful information that I'd like to share. On www.hobbiesonabudget.com by Sharon Williams, she talks about book reviews on a budget. I do love reading but can't buy a new book all the time. I recently treated myself to my first eBook and bought "Dangerous Favor." You can read my book review on March 16th blog http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com . Back to Sharon Williams's suggestions on how to get free books. She said to contact publishers or the authors directly to get copies of their books for you to review.
I signed up for the "blogging for books" run by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group - www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/. My first book is on its way "Wildflowers from Winters" by Katie Ganshert I'm very excited to read it and post my review. For more information about the book go to:  WildflowersfromWinter.com

I've also been enterting contest for free book giveaways . I won a contest for a free book from MyJaneAustenBookClub.blogspot.com   I'm eagerly awaiting for my prize "Echos of Pemberley" by Cynthia Hensley - http://cynthiahensley.merytonpress.com/

Free book giveaways are all over the internet you can find them on   https://www.facebook.com/freebookgiveaways  ; http://hobbiesonabudget.com/book-giveaway-link-up/; or  http://www.goodreads.com . Check them out and you too can get started reading for free.

To read more information about book review on a budget see the blog by Sharon Williams:    
http://hobbiesonabudget.com/2011/06/05/book-reviewer/ 

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Free book giveaway of ZENOBIA - Birth of a Legend! Ends in 5 days, don't miss out


From my interview with Russ Wallace on March 9th blog we are doing a free book giveaway of ZENOBIA - Birth of a Legend. Don't miss out on getting a free copy. 

If you want to read the book review go to ZENOBIA - Birth of a Legend Book review

You can also read my Russ Wallace Interview 


Russ is offering three free, autographed copies of  Zenobia - Birth of a Legend  to some lucky people whose names will be drawn on March 23rd (opening day of The Hunger Games!!)There are three ways you can enter (and yes, that means you can enter three times if you do one each of the following) each way will have one book given away free with free shipping.

(1) Go to  http://geodepress.com/free-book-drawing/ , Russ Wallace’s website and comment that you read the interview. Make sure you include your email address so we can let you know you won. 

(2) "Like" Geode Press facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/geodepress (if you post a comment saying you read the interview, that will help let us know to enter your name in the drawing.) Feel free to ask any question you may have about ZENOBIA, Russ Wallace, or publishing. 

3) Leave a question or comment below about my interview with Russ Wallace, please include your email.  

That’s all there is to it! You can enter once, twice, or by all three methods. Just be sure to enter by March 23rd on the day of The Hunger Games movie release, contest ends at midnight PST. 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY 
Prize: 1 autographed copy of Zenobia- Birth of a Legend, by Russ Wallace, retail value $24.99.Winners will be selected on March 24th. Winners have 48 hours to respond to the email notifying them of their win. Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be re-rewarded. 
Admin- Jason Wallace, geodepress@gmail.com or 530 E Hunt Hwy Suite 103-199 San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

Friday, March 16, 2012

BOOK REVIEW OF DANGEROUS FAVOR

A tale of knights, tournaments, betrayal, murder, treason, unrequited love, sacrifice, and true love.......
     Book review of Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena

     Mathlide a young and innocent girl comes to watch the knight’s tournament with her brother Girard. The knights will battle for Violette’s hand in marriage. Violette is a well off widow and all the knights are chasing after her beauty and wealth. Therri who is upset over Violette’s flirting with the famous knight William Marshal, who is sure to win the tournament, bumps into Mathlide. Her mother’s necklet breaks and falls to the ground. Mathlide drops to the floor trying to search for it. When she looks up into Therri’s dreamy face she is in awe."The Vision", she nicknames him. He is a stunning knight, tall in stature with golden hair and blue eyes. His friend Etienne with green eyes and black curly hair smirks at her obvious infatuation. He’s used to all the women falling at his friend’s feet. Drawn to her innocent beauty Etienne flirts with her.He takes her silk ribbon and says he will wear it on his sleeve during the tournament and battle in her honor. Mathlide doesn’t understand why he is focusing on her when much prettier women are around. 


     Girard is outraged when he finds the ribbon missing that he let Mathlide borrow. Mathlide can’t remember the name of the knight that took it. 

     During the tournament Etieene is approached by three Knights that have real weapons instead of the tournament style weapons and request for the ribbon. Etieene refuses and in a struggle is shot in the back with a crossbow. 

     Mathlide and Girard run into an enemy that can only be a ghost, as he was suppose to be dead. Girard has to hide Mathlide to save her life. He cuts her long blonde hair off and dresses her up as a squire. He sends her to Therri to work for him. While tending to Etieene’s injuries Mathlide is suppose to get the ribbon back for her brother. 

     Etieene figures out Mathlide’s disguise and during this time together his heart is stirred. In a moment of weakness he kisses her and knows he’s in trouble. He can’t marry her, as the second son he needs to marry someone that can give him land and money. Mathlide can’t provide him any of that as her family has been shamed and lost all their land. He pushes her away even though he can’t seem to get her out of his mind.      


     When Therri figures out who his squire really is he is angered as it has put a wedge between him and Violette. Mathlide goes to meet her brother with the ribbon but instead runs into a trap.  To save the lives of those she loves she has to marry her worst enemy and give up her true love.

     This story has twists and turns all along the way. Just when all is about to be revealed something else bad happens. I love that we get to revisit all of our old friends from previous books. It was like a happy family reunion to see how they are doing. The story has true history mixed with a lovely tale that puts you right in the middle ages. I didn’t want it to end and come back to my time. Joyce's writing was genius; if you ever wanted to time travel this book is as close as it get, you really feel you are there. 


If I had to cast this into a movie here is my pick. 



Therri "the Vision"

Etienne
Mathilde
    


















Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Book Review The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


I reread The Hunger Games for the third time. It stills leaves me breathless and deep in thought. 


My book review of The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

     It takes place in the future; not a high-tech world but a world that has been beaten down by war. The 12 districts live in fear of the “Capital” which controls them all. You instantly feel for Katniss because of her tragic story of losing her father, and emotionally losing her mother. She becomes the bread winner and parent for her younger sister Prim. The first chapter gets right into the story when they draw little Prim’s name and Katniss instantly requests to take her place in the Hunger Games. The way Suzanne Collins writes is brilliant; we get back-story peppered throughout the action, never bringing us out of the story. We don’t get to spend a lot of time with Gale as the story quickly wisps us off to the Capital; we instantly appreciate him as Katniss’ best friend, who has helped her survive. Peeta is the sweet-boy-next-door type and him and Katniss are thrown together because they are from the same district. They have to face this blood-bath contest together. Katniss doesn’t know if she can trust Peeta and his so called “love at first sight” but it has helped her become one of the favorites, so she plays along. When the games begin the reality of the story settles in. It is a story of children being forced to kill each other for the sport of others. Only one can survive,  Katniss has to kill 23 people just to make it back home to a world that would allow such an event.
     What if you lived in such a time and place that used the poor and unprivileged as a source of entertainment? I love when a book makes you really think hard and long about things. It is a fast moving story that doesn't give you a moments rest. A must read but don’t plan on getting any else done until you've completed it. And lucky for you all three books of The Hunger Games series are out and you don’t have to wait for Suzanne Collins to finish the next book. Take it from me, the wait wasn't fun.

Don’t forget we are still holding our free book giveaway for Zenobia – Birth of a Legend.

Geode Press is offering three free, autographed copies of  Zenobia – Birth of a Legend  to some lucky people whose names will be drawn on March 23rd (opening day of The Hunger Games!)There are three ways you can enter (and yes, that means you can enter three times if you do one each of the following) each way will have one book given away free with free shipping.

(1) Leave a question or comment on Julie Martin Wallace’s blog at juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com about the interview with Russ, please include your email. 

(2) “Like” Geode Press facebook page, www.facebook.com/geodepress. And please post a comment saying you read the interview, that way we know to enter your name in the drawing. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about ZENOBIA, Russ Wallace, or publishing.

(3) Go to www.geodepress.com, Russ Wallace’s website and comment that you read the interview. Make sure you include your email address so we can let you know you won. 

That’s all there is to it! You can enter once, twice, or by all three methods. Just be sure to enter by March 23rd, midnight PST.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Prize: 1 autographed copy of Zenobia- Birth of a Legend, by Russ Wallace, retail value $24.99.Winners will be selected on March 23rd. Winners have 48 hours to respond to the email notifying them of their win. Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be re-rewarded. 
Admin- Jason Wallace, geodepress@gmail.com or 530 E Hunt Hwy Suite 103-199 San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

Friday, March 9, 2012

THE HUNGER GAMES celebration! Free book giveaway


In celebration of The Hunger Games coming to theaters on March 23rd, we're giving away three free books about another strong female who is also crafty with her bow and arrow -  ZENOBIA!!!





If you want to read the book review go to ZENOBIA - Birth of a Legend Book review 

Welcome Russ Wallace to my first author interview and book giveaway.

JMW - I'm always afraid to write historical fiction but I love reading it, did you find it challenging to make sure you stayed true to that time?

RW -  Some. We instinctively know our own world, naturally, since we have lived in it. I constantly had to think, What was it like in Zenobia's world? It did get easier.

JMW - What is your favorite book or website to research for your book?

RW - Google. However, I found a lot of excellent historical books.

JMW - Do you outline or do you write out of order?

RW - Out of order. I jump around according to what I feel like writing. This did create some inconsistencies that we had to edit out.

JMW - Zenobia is an amazing historical figure, and I'm surprised I never heard about her until your book, how did you first find the story of Zenobia?

RW - A Watchtower article back in 1999 originally triggered my interest. 

JMW - What made you want to become a writer?

RW - I loved fiction books even as a young child. My mother read to us a lot. In grade school I wrote some fiction, which my classmates generally liked. But for some reason, which I can't explain, I never wrote seriously. The first book I began was Deluge, a novel about Noah, his family, the pre-Flood world, and the Flood itself. I do intend to finish it eventually. Zenobia - Birth of a Legend is my first published novel.

JMW - I felt your story got into Zenobia's head very well, did you find it difficult to write from the point of a young girl?

RW - No, and I cannot explain why except that I have a vivid imagination. As you know, some authors write from the viewpoint of a dog or a cat!

JMW - I'm a horse lover and I enjoyed the strong bond that horse and rider develop, was this based off of your own experience?

RW - Only a little. Growing up we had our needs met, but not a lot of extras, so I enjoyed horses mainly in books. Also, my dad had been raised on a farm and told horse stories. We liked to watch them in parades and on visits to farms. And I got information from some cowboys I met.

JMW - The race at the end of the book was so vivid I thought I was at Churchills Downs watching a race live, how did you get yourself in that moment?

RW - Imagination. That part of writing, for me anyway, is a gift more than an acquired skill. The challenge is finding the best way to express it. I wrote and rewrote and edited and edited the race, as more ideas occurred to me.


Thank you Russ! 


Russ is offering three free, autographed copies of  Zenobia - Birth of a Legend  to some lucky people whose names will be drawn on March 23rd (opening day of The Hunger Games!!)There are three ways you can enter (and yes, that means you can enter three times if you do one each of the following) each way will have one book given away free with free shipping.

(1) Go to www.geodepress.com, Russ Wallace’s website and comment that you read the interview. Make sure you include your email address so we can let you know you won. 

(2) "Like" Geode Press facebook page, www.facebook/geodepress.com (if you post a comment saying you read the interview, that will help let us know to enter your name in the drawing.) Feel free to ask any question you may have about ZENOBIA, Russ Wallace, or publishing. 

3) Leave a question or comment below about my interview with Russ Wallace, please include your email.  

That’s all there is to it! You can enter once, twice, or by all three methods. Just be sure to enter by March 23rd on the day of The Hunger Games premier, contest ends at midnight PST. 


NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Prize: 1 autographed copy of Zenobia- Birth of a Legend, by Russ Wallace, retail value $24.99.Winners will be selected on March 23rd. Winners have 48 hours to respond to the email notifying them of their win. Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be re-rewarded. 
Admin- Jason Wallace, geodepress@gmail.com or 530 E Hunt Hwy Suite 103-199 San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW



Book Review - Zenobia - Birth of a Legend



In the 3rd century of Syria, the story begins with Zenobia’s birth. Her mother wisely hides her gender to save her life. Zenobia is raised as a boy, giving her the training and skills to become a great warrior. When her true gender is revealed, the leaders of the tribe are impressed with Zenobia's archery skills and intelligence, they let her live. This novel follows Zenobia's life in her early informative years. Her fast reflexes with her bow and arrow save her life from a tiger attack. When she competes against other skilled men in an archery competition, they are surprised that a girl can hit her target with such ease. As she grows into a beautiful woman, a budding romance with a local tribe boy develops. Her mother, like any other mother has much higher expectations for her daughter. She takes Zenobia to Egypt to broaden her mind with many thought provoking classes. Zenobia is drawn to another male dominated competition but this time in a horse race. She’s up against those who would do anything to prevent her from finishing the race. It’s a nail biting fight to the end.


I’m in awe of the main character; you can’t help root for the strong-willed girl to survive and conquer. What's also great about this story is you’re getting a history lesson and you don't even know it. Russ Wallace captures the time and shows you firsthand the challenges the people face. You’ll experience the struggles a woman has in a male dominated world. This story will motivate you to know more about the true historical person Zenobia. I can’t wait until the release of book two, Zenobia – Challenging a Legend, as this is just the beginning of the amazing life that Zenobia will lead.

To purchase the first book of the series, Zenobia - Birth of a Legend go to Geode press or purchase the eBook at smashwords or  amazon.com



Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Book Reviews

I decided since I love reading I might be interested in doing book reviews on my blog. I did a search on how to do a book review and found a great blog on this very subject; “Writing a great book review by Tristi Pinkston.” http://tristipinkston.blogspot.com/


After reading the book, give it a day to let everything you read settle in. Write a synopsis of the plot in your own words.

Make a criticism sandwich. Share something you like about the book. Then add something you feel could’ve been stronger. Then close with another thing you liked.

Talk about how the book made you feel or things it made you think about. Explain what your feelings were while reading the book.

Always put a link on how to purchase the book.

Here’s a recap: A book review should tell about the book; it should tell how you felt about the book; it should give the readers a way to buy the book when they are done reading your review.

Some reviews include a bio of the author. You can include interview questions or whatever you want to do is great.

Check back soon for a new book review. If anybody has a book they want me to review please let me know.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Working with bookstores and libraries



Gayle Shanks Owner of Changing Hands Bookstore
Thank you ladies at CHB for running a wonderful bookstore that readers and authors can find what we love!
Cindy Dach co-owner of Changing Hands Bookstore


Working with bookstores and libraries; By Dana Braccia, Kathleen Sullivan, Gayle Shanks, and Cindy Dach


When a potential reader picks up your book you have 3 seconds to get them to buy your book. The blurb on the back has to be catching. The title and graphic design of the book is what will make the reader even pick it up.

If you self publish make sure you have it look like a book. Make sure you have authors name and title of book on the side, when it sits on a bookshelf you have to be able to see it.

You have to have an ISBN to get into libraries for cataloging.

Dana Braccia- Scottsdale library has a program for reading local authors. http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/main/local_collection Download submission form. Once you are cataloged into the Scottsdale library your book is available at all Maricopa libraries.

Kathleen Sullivan – (Phoenix library) the libraries don’t have the time or employees that can host a book signings or reading at their facilities. You can rent a room on your own and promote your own book signings.

Gayle Shanks – suggests that you send her a one page query. Changing Hands Bookstore has a great program for self published writers to get your book in front of the many readers that shop at CHB. http://www.changinghands.com/page/consignment

Cindy Dach – (co owner of CHB and previous marketing manager) Suggest to take advantage of the LOCAL AUTHOR PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE - for $100 we will feature your book for one calendar month in a display at the front of the store next to our Staff Picks case, putting your book in front of hundreds more potential readers. Cindy also suggested, take a picture of you and your book at the bookstore and post it on Facebook, it’s a great way to market and motivate friends and family to go buy your book.

Being an author its 40% writing and 60% marketing.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Alternative Publishing


http://www.stormwolf.com/
http://www.mike-slack.com/
Sam Henrie
http://www.wheatmark.com/



Alternate publishing – Michael Stackpole, Mike Slack, Sam Henrie and Gwen Henson.




What are the pro’s of using alternate publishing? You have more control and more profit.

What are the cons? You have more work to do.

If you independently publish, you will have to develop business skills to be successful.

Print on demand (POD) is a great way to pay for books as needed. Less money up front.

Your e-book covers has to look good in postage stamp size

You have to build your own audience and platform. Know who your audience is- Make a daily routine to stay connected with your audience.

Create a high quality books, get editors and designers.

Cost of your book should be 7x how much it cost to print it.



Thursday, March 1, 2012

Intro to digital publishing

Digital publishing is the future and these guys are riding the wave.

http://epublishunum.com/ Evo Terra & Jeff Moriarty – Introduction to digital publishing.

5 phases of digital publishing: writing, editing, publishing, promoting, and interacting.

1.      Writing-

He said, she said in digital form is very annoying, don’t over use it.

Pacing – move it along

Know thy genre- read it to know it

Who is excelling in your genre? Follow them.

Ask yourself. What are things I’m doing and need to stop doing them? Things I’m going to start doing? and things I’m going to continue to do?

2. Editing

You should establish First readers and they should be non family or friends.

There are many tools to finding an editor. Collaborate with your editor, Skype with them.

Graphic designer is needed for your cover. Keep your brand the same on your book cover.

3. Publishing - pick one online company to work with and learn all you can about them.

Price your book at a price that will move your books. Free version of your book can get new readers.

4. Promoting

Promote yourself. Update your blog with a progress of your book. Book tours- visit as many bookstores as you can. Podcast for virtual book tours. “Bumrush the charts.” Get your family and friends to buy all at the same time and that will get you on the charts.

Reward your fans with giveaway and contests. Build 1,000 rabid fans. Have your community work for you. Don’t forget the power of email. Collect fan emails. Fans are invaluable resource.

Draft a plan for promoting yourself. Tie everything together- Brand name.

5. Interacting

Fish, where your fish are

Goodreads.com is a good website to find readers.

Decide how much you want to share of yourself with fans. Deal with feedback.

Find 3 communities to interact in. Engage with fans not just to sell your books.

Follow trailblazers.

Google + has a hang out place where you can host free discussions. Evo & Jeff have a “Beer and Book” event every Thursday at 7pm. Join in for the fun.