Thursday, December 27, 2012

New Year's Resolution Planning





OH Yeah does 2013 look promising! I've chucked out all excess  baggage, and am planning on focusing on my writing pile. I hope to really add to my stash of books for publishing in 2014, 2015 all to be written this year.

2013 Planned Book Releases:

Purgatory Reign (book 1 in 3 book series) - comes out in ebook Feb 1st, and print May, 18th.

Thundering Love - isn't written yet, but is book 2 in the Summer Luv series which includes (Flutter Of Luv) and will round out with one more short story.

Wastelands (Bandits series) - is written but needs to be edited by June to release in Fall.

2013 Books To Write

3rd Book and final book in The Pack series (still have no title)
3rd Book and final book in the Explorer X (Middle Grade) series (still have no title)
2nd Book in Purgatory Reign Series (still have no title)
3rd Short Story in Summer Luv series (still have no title)
YA stand alone book
The Pack (book to script adaption)
Explorer X (book to script adaption)

If I'm able to write all of those babies, then 2014 is gonna be a great year of releases!!

2013 Planned In Person Events:

Plan to have 1 event a month from April 2013 til Sept 2013. So if you'd like to have me at your school, book club, radio show, on your blog, please drop me a line. I'm booking now.

2013 Quirky Resolution:
Lose 20lbs since I'm gonna be on TV in March I've got to slim out a bit (lol!)

Finish living out my bucket list (hope to do my Hot Air Balloon Ride)

So.....what are you planning for 2013?

Saturday, December 22, 2012

It Was The Night Before Christmas


Here's a telling of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas!' from authors, C.A. Kuntz, LM Preston (that's me!), Cat Miller, Nely Cab, Jenny Phillips, L.P. Dover, JH Glaze, Willow Cross, Jennifer Malone Wright, K.B. Miller, Michelle Warren, Stacey Rourke, Stephen Zimmer, and Cameo Renea.

 CHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOU!!!

FLUTTER OF LUV (free until New Years)

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/240683
Coupon Code: LF53H

and BANDITs is just $0.99


So, with the holidays here, and the night before Christmas...I...Well... I haven't done a darn thing. I'm way behind the ball on purchasing Christmas gifts. However, this year, like the ones before, my kids and family isn't too focused on the actual 'gifting' part of the holidays.

We actually did the following in preparation for the holiday, INSTEAD, of buying presents.

- Made our own Christmas play (to be done for friends and family)
- Created our own dialogue on what Christmas means to us (to be shared on Christmas)
- And kept the present number to 3 per person
- Collected all the Christmas movies we want to watch on Christmas Eve
- Cooked some great assortment of Christmas Cookies

So, what have you done this holiday to celebrate?

Do tell, I need ideas for next year :-D

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Made My List and Checked It Twice





Yes, list. To Do List, Want to Do List, Naughty List and Nice List. I've done them all. And I want to go over my year, 2012 in review.

Stay tuned for my 2013 'Hope To Do List' of  books to write and books to release for 2014.

Well I gotta say, this year, I've pushed myself more than I've ever before. And...LOTS of unplanned things jumped out at me. MISTAKES I've made include not using the word 'No' more often and I paid dearly.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS checked off my 2012 'Hope To Get Done' List.

Books Written and Goals Met 3 books planned were written

Purgatory Reign, Flutter Of Luv, Wastelands

Ball dropped 1 book planned wasn't written

Explorer X-Gamma (last book in my Middle Grade Series) didn't get written

Unexpected Accomplishments - 2 scripts written

Purgatory Reign (book to script adaption) and Bandits (book to script adaption)

BUT...

My planning went haywire when I realized that I had overbooked myself volunteering for multiple organizations and taking on way more than I'd originally planned.

However, I've gained much from those side roads that will help me make up time (I hope) on my writing goals for 2013.

SO HOW DID I CHECK EVERYTHING OFF MY LIST?

Nope. But I think considering the circumstances, I shocked myself at what I actually accomplished. So having a list, checking it twice, finding out what you are doing that is naughty or nice helps you reach your goals and much much more.

DID YOU CHECK YOURs?

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Gravely Inanimated by Esther Wheelmaker Book Trailer Release


About Esther Wheelmaker and Gravely Inanimated,

Here is the synopsis:

Extra, extra, read all about it: Zombies Invade London!

It has been thirty years since the Voodoo Queen plagued England with the zombie disease that has since swept the world. Humans have had to learn to function around them while the dead kill innocent people. The government continues its efforts to try to contain and find a cure for the problem.

However, by the cover of night, a man who was born half zombie and half human known only as Aeron, roams the streets in search of protecting the upright citizens from the flesh eating creatures. One foggy evening Lucille Knight becomes one of these people, Aeron’s interest is instantly peeked. A woman who gets upset with him for saving her life? What is wrong with her?

But Aeron will have a little competition when Miss. Knight meets Lord Garrett Ashdown, the son of Earl Thomas or a man better known as: The Inventor. A man who builds automatons for the direct purpose of killing zombies; mysteriously understanding their blood and the way they sense humans.

Lucy is taken by the masked man known as Aeron and the equally mysterious Lord Garrett. With one concealing his true identity and the other hiding a ghastly secret, she doesn’t know which one is less dangerous. What secrets do Aeron and Garrett keep from Lucy? Will Miss. Knight be able to be with the man she chooses when she learns the awful truth?

It is still unclear. And the current edition isn’t spilling the beans just yet…

Author Bio:

My name is Esther Wheelmaker and I am the author of the upcoming series, Zombiepunk. For now my background is going to be my little secret. However, at times I may let little bits out here and there.

Let’s face it…everyone likes a girl with alittle mystery.

Every Monday you will find me here speaking about the zombiepunk books and what’s going on in my world of writing. Some will be informative and some will be me bragging.

On Wednesdays I will be updating you on Steampunk music, movies and events. Then on Friday you will get all the juicy gossip on the London elite; the people in the zombiepunk books. It’s going to be a good time had by all.

Hugs and Corsets,

Here is their AWESOME book trailer!


the pre-buy option that they can use at www.zombiepunkseries.com (right hand side).

Along with the “like” page on FB: https://www.facebook.com/zombiepunkseries

The author page on FB: https://www.facebook.com/esther.wheelmaker?fref=ts
And Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/estherwheelmake

Friday, December 14, 2012

Announcing FREE SOULS by Susan Kaye Quinn Release Day!

CAN I GET A WOOT! Woot! My daughter and I've been waiting for this baby for sometime!


Free Souls by Susan Kaye Quinn
(Book Three of the Mindjack Trilogy) Now Available!
When your mind is a weapon, freedom comes at a price.
Four months have passed since Kira left home to join Julian’s Jacker Freedom Alliance, but the hole in her heart still whistles empty where her boyfriend Raf used to be. She fills it with weapons training, JFA patrols, and an obsessive hunt for FBI agent Kestrel, ignoring Julian’s worries about her safety and repeated attempts to recruit her for his revolutionary chat-casts. When anti-jacker politician Vellus surrounds Jackertown with the National Guard, Kira discovers there’s more to Julian’s concerns than she knew, but she’s forced to take on a mission that neither want and that might be her last: assassinating Senator Vellus before he can snuff out Julian’s revolution and the jackers she’s come to love.
All Mindjack stories available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and iTunes (Note Free Souls is not yet available on iTunes)
Early Praise for Free Souls
“Quinn paints a picture of a not-too-distant America where politicians inflame the hatred of one section of the populace for another—all for their own gain—and you worry that her world is not so far off from our own.”
Dianne Salerni, author of We Hear the Dead, The Caged Graves, and the forthcoming The Eighth Day
"Free Souls starts with a bang and doesn't let up. Like a mash-up of all your favorite science-fiction adventures from Star Wars to The Legend of Korra, it blends nonstop action, nail-biting escapes, and great romance. I absolutely loved it! A great series conclusion—a must-read."
Leigh Talbert Moore, author of Rouge and The Truth About Faking
“Susan did it again. Free Souls was WOW! I expected Kira to step up to her role as heroine but not like this. Surprises kept coming until the very end which tied up more loose ends than I knew existed. Warning: Don't start reading until you have time to finish. I didn't want to put Free Souls down for a second. It's that kind of book.”
Sher A. Hart, Goodreads Review
Interview Susan's over at Amy Saunder's blog today (12.14.12), answering questions about how she came up with the mages' abilities, what kind of mage she would be, and all about her future works. Digital Box Set Since Free Souls is out, there is now a Digital Box Set of the Mindjack Trilogy for those of you who want the whole series!
Available on AmazonBarnes&Noble
Mindjack Origins Collection Want more Julian? Wondering how Sasha's ability really works? Looking for EXCLUSIVE DELETED SCENES from Free Souls? This collection of novellas, scenes, and other goodies is for those craving a bit more of the characters and drama of the Mindjack series.
Includes: Mindjack Novellas Mind Games (Raf's story) The Handler (Julian's story) The Scribe (Sasha's story) TWO EXCLUSIVE DELETED SCENES from Free Souls (published nowhere else!) PLUS Mindjack flash fiction, an (imaginary) conversation between Raf and Julian, and other goodies for readers who want just a little bit more of Kira, Julian, Raf, and the Mindjack crew.
Available on AmazonBarnes&Noble
ENTER TO WIN one of FIVE ecopies of the Mindjack Origins Collection
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Indie ReCon! Jump On Board


Hi guys!

Do I have a surprise for you! :)

A small group of indie writers has pulled together and is hosting a FREE online conference on everything INDIE in Feb 2013!

Welcome to the first INDIE ReCon - Make Indie Publishing a Mission Possible

Are you curious about Indie publishing, but don't know where to start?  Or, are you already a published Indie author looking to boost your sales or expand your reach?  Then you'll want to attend a new exciting online conference happening in 2013 - INDIE Revolution Conference.  Or as we like to call it, INDIE ReCon.

INDIE ReCon is happening online from February 12-14, 2013.

INDIE ReCon is a FREE, ONLINE conference that is modeled after the awesome annual WriteOnCon. It is designed to help any writer or author who is curious about the ins and outs of Indie publishing. 

However any author or writer can attend because we cover topics all of you may want to know more about (marketing etc)

Everything from the pros and cons of Indie publishing, essential aspects in creating a high-quality book, successful online marketing, and expanding into International markets. 

We will feature over 30 guests that include industry experts as well as some of the bestselling adult and young adult authors in the publishing industry today including: Bob Mayer, Hugh Howey, M. Leighton, and Samantha Young (just to name a few).  

For three days, INDIE ReCon will highlight new topics every hour (sometimes every half hour) for 8 hours a day which will include interviews, blog posts, vlogs, and live online chats.  You'll receive advice from authors, bloggers, marketing partners, cover designers, editors, and more.  You can check out our line up of topics and guests on our website.

Did we mention it's FREE and ONLINE? Well, there's more. Tons of Giveaways! There will be awesome giveaways from each and every speaker and partner. This will include books as well as services like free book designs, free editing, book development services, marketing prizes, and more. 

So mark your calendars for Feb 12-14th!

But, more importantly, sign up now with your email and we'll be sure to send you updates, news, and reminders as the conference gets closer so you won't forget. 

You won't find this much information (or excitement) about Indie publishing anywhere else. The hosts, partners, and presenters are all giving their time and knowledge for free for one simple reason: they're excited about being Indie and they want to help you decide if it's right for you too.  

You can already sign up on the home page to receive updates and news.

We hope you join us at INDIE ReCon - where we'll help you make Indie publishing a mission possible!

See you there!

Founders/Hosts:

Special thanks to our partners:

Monday, December 10, 2012

Sneak Peek, Extended Excerpt, Purgatory Reign

Do you want to read more of Purgatory Reign, this little excerpt isn't published. So I'm sharing it with you.

I hope you enjoy a taste of Peter's adventure.



Peter’s hand burned. “No!” What the heck was he supposed to do now? He crouched beside Hanna. Too guilty to leave her there like that, he grumbled.

Lifting his hand, he stared at the symbol she’d drawn with the blood from her face. “It is done,” she’d said. His jumbled thoughts replayed Hanna’s last words over and over. The symbol throbbed on the palm of his hand, so he rubbed at it. The blood wouldn’t wipe off, it just blazed even hotter the more he touched it.

“What did you do, crazy girl? What did you do?” Peter couldn’t stand her staring so Peter used his thumbs to close Hanna’s eyelids. Then he rubbed the palm of his burning hand on his pants. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes and he quickly wiped them away with his fist. The guilt bubbled up inside him like a burning river of lava. He dropped his chin.

“I won’t leave you, Hanna.” His voice cracked. “Not until I have to. Pastor Finn will know what to do.


Or you can become a reviewer and get your review copy in exchange for your honest review. Comment below if interested. 

 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Why Indies Rock? Me? Huh? What? Really?

Tamara's One Stop Indie Shop

My first experience purchasing an Indie book was as far back as when I was 19yrs old. Believe it or not, independent authors and publishers were around even then. And you know what esle...they had a following too.
I purchased my first Indie title directly from the author who spoke at my college. Did I know she was independently published? Nope. Did I care? Nope.

All I cared about was that she captured me with the first poem out of her book. That poem spoke to me.

As a city girl, I grew up where indie authors sold their books at vendor tables throughout the downtown district. It was one of my favorite past-times and the only way I found books that had characters of color on them that looked like me. Or stories about city-life from the author that stood right there and came to my city to talk about their books.

NOW fast forward to my journey...
When I wrote my first book, I got an offer from two small presses. But was disappointed in the lack of control and vision I had in my success or failure. My husband took on the mantel of publisher for my books and I partnered with him in doing so. And you know what, I've reached more people with my books than I ever thought possible. I've mentored others in this journey of owning a business as a publisher and looking at your writing as a business. And, humbly, I've met some authors, publishers, encouragers and readers along the way that have touched my life so deeply that I've appreciated this journey.

So you may ask me, why I rock, well I can say because with hard work, motivation and the support of so many, I've accomplished more than I've dreamed possible. AND I'm able to offer a true helping of the cultures I see mixed and books written in male pov that I was told there wasn't an audience for. Guess what, I found my audience and it's you!

Here's a sneak peek of my coming release: Purgatory Reign, if you like it and would like to be a reviewer for it, comment below.

And here's more Indies that rock!
Go check out these sites and tell them I sent ya!


December 7th- Candy Ann Little http://candylittle.wordpress.com/blog/

December 8th- Jill Cooper http://jillcooper.drupalgardens.com/

December 9th- Martina http://virginiebarbeau.wordpress.com/

December 10th- Shelly Pratt http://www.shellypratt.net/blog.html

December 11th- Kelley Grealis http://myarttoinspire.com/

December 12th- Michelle Hughes http://www.tearsofcrimson.com/

December 13th- Allison Medina http://deebestbooks.blogspot.com/

December 14th- Angela http://readingcave.blogspot.com/

December 15th- Jennifer Martinez http://booksnbrownies.blogspot.com/

December 16th- Brandi http://twistingyourmindonewordatatime.blogspot.com/

December 17th- Kristina Snyder http://everandeversight.blogspot.com/

December 18th- Jolene Perry http://www.jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/

December 19th- Stephanie Constante http://stephanieconstante.blogspot.com/

December 20th- Jessica Gibson http://www.bookonthebrightside.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Character Name Game



The name game. How do I pick the names of my characters? Well it varies. I do, however desire that my characters names have a meaning. So there are steps.

First, build your character profile. This is where you define your character. What they are like, their characteristics, ticks, issues and purpose in your story.

Their motivation. What is it? And why is it?

Some rules I’ve learned. (1) Make the name easy to read and pronounce. Yeah, yeah, I know I didn’t quite get that lesson until my critique partners pointed that out to me. (2) Make the name mean something. (3) Don’t duplicate the beginning letters of main characters. Like if your main character’s name is Sam, don’t make a support character’s name Sarah, it gets confusing for the reader. (4) Make the name fit the story you are telling. For example, don’t come up with a wildly unique name in a contemporary story. It just doesn’t fit.

After you know your character, then go to some of the online ‘baby name’ databases and find the perfect name, with meaning, for your character.

Now, as far as Purgatory Reign goes, here’s the line up of character names and how I came up with them.

Peter Saints (Truth is, the name Peter just came to me, but I wanted him to have a quirky last name that stuck, so in came the ‘Saints’, as you read it, you may get how it fits.)

Kyle (I looked this name up, and actually had another name picked for it but realized that it broke one of my rules above, the name started with a ‘P’ so I didn’t want it to compete with my main character’s name.)

Angel Ramirez (This name also, plays to the character’s role in the book. What this character means to Peter)

Gavin Steele (I totally made this name to play on the core of what this character is creating and using as a weapon against our main character.)

So think of all the characters, within all the books you’ve read, and how their name played a part in making them memorable to you.  That’s how you pick the right name for your story.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Peter Saints - Interview from Purgatory Reign

Well, you've met Gavin Steele. The evil billionaire after Peter Saints, the main character in my Young Adult Paranormal Romance with a splash of action.

Not actual Picture of Peter Saints but a fan's depiction of him
Here's my interview with Peter Saints.



1.      How old are you?
I’m seventeen years old. My birthday just past, but no gifts made it my way. Guess I ticked off Pastor Finn too much this year, and he figures making me wait for a present will make me admit to the stupidity of my wacked up ways. Not happening.
2.      Describe where you sleep.
Sleep? Man, who sleeps in an orphanage filled with kids who all got the stink of a chip on their shoulder? But if you wanna know where I lay my head, it’ll be a toss up between the hole in the cellar on a raggedy mattress or in the converted pantry closet of the orphanage.
3.      Where do you have a scar or birthmark? Describe circumstances surrounding your scars.
You would ask me about it. The scar – or gift, Hanna told me it was. But she put it there, right on the palm of my hand, as revenge I think – for causing her death. I’m not talking about it anymore, cause it’s something no one’s supposed to know about. Haven’t figured out why yet, but it scared Pastor Finn to death when he saw it.
4.      Do you have an embarrassing habit?
Well, it’s not embarrassing as I kinda do it on purpose. At the orphanage, Pastor Finn makes us speak ‘proper English’ and every once in awhile, I slip into slang. I don’t know if subconsciously, I do it to tick him off, or if it’s a bad habit. But I do know it irritates the heck out of Pastor Finn and usually gets a laugh or two out of the other kids.
5.      What is something you feel guilty about?
Guilt. Now that’s a word I’m not wanting to hear. I got a lot of it, and it all stems from the fact that I’ve caused the death of at least three people I cared about. I don’t know why, but I’m cursed or something. And even with the death of my parents, Hanna’s death, in my heart I know I caused it.
 6.      Describe yourself sitting in your favorite spot.
In the cellar. I’m alone there. And me being alone is probably the safest thing for me or anyone around me.
7.      Tell me about your family?
My father was the best dad anyone could ask for. Really he was. Now Pastor Finn ain’t bad either, and he’s all I got now. My mother, she’s an Island girl, smells like roses and loved me enough to throw herself in front of a killer to save me.
8.      What do you do to have fun?
Dancing is my thing. I love to do it. I sneak out of the orphanage all the time to go to the club, dance and joke around with the girls there. When I’m not doing that, I like to tick off Pastor Finn so him and I can fight it out, then he takes me on the back roads to drive his sports cars. Don’t let that get out about him letting me drive his cars, the other kids at the orphanage don’t know, and if they did, they’d probably start ticking him off as much as I do.
9.      What kind of girl would you fall for?
I like my girl gorgeous with some fight in her. She can’t be a pushover, but she’s got to love me – only me, cause I don’t share. Ever.
10.  What’s the next big thing?
To keep running until I find someone or something I can call - home.
 
 
I'm still looking for reviewers and bloggers to participate in the Purgatory Reign Tour! Comment below if you want to get to know PETER better.
 
BLOG TOUR Details: Click Here!