The Writer's Life

As an author, it seems as though writing is your passion and obsession. This year I have been overbooked and extremely aggressive with my writing goals. All that, despite working another job and homeschooling my son.

So, monthly, I want to start sharing how the magic happens. Did I mention I gave up coffee? Help me. It's insane, but I am managing without it.

The month of April:

Writing: I am writing Scepter of Fire and it's a bit slow moving. I finished the outline, but find that some aspects are changing as I get into the character. I'm only about 2380 words in, so we will see how it goes.

Editing: My non-fiction book on Homeschooling while working full-time is now in editing mode. My editor tore it to pieces and for good reason. I rushed when doing my personal edits to it and it's just not as clean as other work.

Marketing: Newsletter Swaps, Blog Tour, Promo Ads in reading groups isn't even scratching the surface of what I had initially planned to do. However, what I did worked by spiking two of my books to top 10 of Amazon's best seller's list. I have some Facebook Takeover's coming up too!

Other Projects: I am working on some courses to accompany my non-fiction books. Outlining, video-taping them and promoting them is daunting, but I will do it. Marketing for this is a challenge since I have to build a mailing list and followers for a new book and the courses.

Overall, this year I got more accomplished than I thought possible.

SPRING BREAK GIVEAWAY Sponsored by Caged Fire

This Fair Has 2 Types of Daily Giveaways

Rafflecopter scavenger hunt giveaways 

These are pretty much what you expect. List of 10 questions about the books in the fair each day. Visitors must click the buy links on the books in the fair and read the book blurbs to find the answers. Prizes will be $10-$15 gift cards. Giveaways run 24 hours from midnight to midnight U.S. Mountain Time.

Amazon instant giveaways 

 KU subscribers who don’t

have to pay for books, but this fair still has a lot to offer for visitors who buy their

books. Each day a randomly picked book in the fair and give away copies via

Amazon instant giveaway. To play, visitors must click on the buy links in the fair

until they find one that leads directly to an Amazon instant giveaway.

To Participate - CLICK HERE!

And Good Luck

Sponsored by Caged Fire (on sale $1.99)

YASH SPRING SCAVENGER HUNT! Starts April 2nd

YA Scavenger Hunt

Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This bi-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck and me, LM Preston as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive one book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!

Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are SIX contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the GREEN TEAM --but there is also a red team, a gold team, an orange team, a red team, and an indie team for a chance to win a whole different set of books!

If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.

SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE

Directions: Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the GREEN TEAM, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). 

Entry Form: Once you've added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by Ends April 7th, 2019, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

SCAVENGER HUNT POST

Today, I am hosting JENNIFER BRODY on my website for the YA Scavenger Hunt! 

Jennifer Brody's award-winning novel "The 13th Continuum" sold to Turner Publishing in a 3-book deal and is being packaged into a feature film. The book is a Gold Medal Winner (Young Adult - Sci-Fi/Fantasy) from the Independent Publisher's Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. "Return of the Continuums" and "The United Continuums" complete this epic trilogy. She is a graduate of Harvard University, a creative writing instructor at the Writing Pad in Los Angeles, and a volunteer mentor for the Young Storytellers Foundation. She founded and runs BookPod, a social media group for authors. She lives and writes in LA.

Find out more information by checking out the author website or find more about the author's book here! 

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

Some Exclusive Updates from Author JENNIFER BRODY 

Hey YASH’ers! I’m thrilled to share the hot off the presses announcement of my new book deal here for the hunt. I’ve sold not one, but two original graphic novels! Not only that, but they sold in a 6-book deal to Turner Publishing. That means, each graphic novel will be built into a trilogy. They’re both high concept science fiction and should appeal to fans of my Continuum Trilogy (featured here), as well as science fiction and comic book lovers alike.

From Publisher’s Marketplace:

THE CONTINUUMS TRILOGY author Jen Brody's SPECTRE DEEP 6, pitched as in the vein of Flatliners meets The Bourne Identity, a diverse team of black ops "Spectres" - elite soldiers who died in the line of duty only to be reanimated by military scientists and brought back as actual ghosts - carry out illicit missions for the United States government in exchange for day passes to haunt their old lives and fulfill their unfinished business, and 200, about a world where people live to be immortal, but only if they pass a test on their 200th birthday - if they fail, they are euthanized, illustrated by Jules Rivera, to Stephanie Beard at Turner Publishing, by Deborah Schneider at Gelfman Schneider/ICM (world).

My amazing artist Jules Rivera and I broke these stories out and built them into graphic novels. Spectre Deep 6 came from an original idea, while 200 is adapted from a short story that I wrote as my love letter to Philip K. Dick and science fiction like Total Recall and Minority Report. I’m especially excited because I’ve always wanted to work in the medium of comics and graphic novels. I’m a huge fan, but I also wanted to tell some original stories using them.

For my exclusive content, I can reveal that Spectre Deep 6 will publish in Feb. 2020, while 200 will publish in Fall 2020. The next books will then publish every 6 months. Follow me on social media or sign up for my mailing list for exclusive info on my new graphic novels, including cover reveals and character design art. Many fun bookish things coming up in the next year! 

Jen Brody's Website

BACK TO THE SCAVENGER HUNT

And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of books by me, LM Preston, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is 6. Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the GREEN TEAM and you'll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!

This HUNT stop Sponsored by LM PRESTON's Visitors for UNBREAKABLE DARKNESS
See Excerpt Here
On Sale 99cents and Free on KU

CONTINUE THE HUNT

To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next author! LEA NOLAN HERE 
and show us some love by 

Tweet #YASH

Is Patreon A Way To Up Your Author Game?

I am creating two Patreon accounts. Yep, I'm diving in. Don't have much an idea of what I am doing yet, but I have a month to figure it all out.

FIRST SUGGESTED

By my daughter who apparently follows several authors, artist and content providers on Patreon and pays a monthly subscription for premium product releases monthly.

WHAT CAUSED MY IMMEDIATE NEED TO JOIN

Well Patreon is changing things up. They are no longer letting you join for free and get all the benefits at a premium as of May 1st 2019.

So, WHAT I'M OFFERING PATREON Fans

They will have the ability to support each new series and receive welcome gifts, character content only seen on the Patreon accounts, giveaways and monthly gifts specific to releases.

JOIN MY PATREON here: CLICK

Unbreakable Darkness Excerpt Pre-Release Blitz

Book 1.5 in the Vigilant Series

“Well, I hate to do this, but I am willing to let him go, with no charges if you can convince him to be an informant for me.”

“Excuse me?” Dex’s father responded, irritated.

“I know why you are here. Also, who you are working with and you are playing a dangerous game. I will stay out of that, but, your son is in the position to shed some light on this case and help your cause. There is something going on with the sports teams at that school. Kids going missing at the top of their prime, it’s frustrating we don’t know why.”

“I understand, but why would I put my son in danger to get you your answers?”

“Because it may help you get the answers you seek…for The Vigilant,” Detective Whalen whispered when he mentioned the last word.

“I’m not doing that. Would you put your kid in that kind of danger?”

“I’ve tried, but my son wasn’t good enough to be recruited by the elite on the team. He’s into other things, playing the guitar in a band. The Soul warriors have to be selected, it’s a process. Your son, he’s got what they are looking for, he’s strong, a bit impulsive, a fighter and not a detective’s son.”

Dex almost didn’t catch it, but had leaned in to hear every bit of their conversation.

“How about this, you put things in motion, my son doesn’t know he may be exposed to the information you seek. Let things play out, then if you need to question him, I’ll make sure he’s available for that.”

There was a pause of silence, “That’s fair and a good approach. The less he knows, the more likely he will be exposed too. You’ve got a deal.”

“And detective, don’t ever mention The Vigilant in my presence again. You can get my family and I killed if you do, and I fought too damned hard to be able to live to risk someone putting me and mine in danger.”

“Understood.”

Dex heard a slapping of hands and supposed they were shaking hands.

“Now, detective, can I see my son?”

Free on KU and 99cents PRE-ORDER

My Non-Fiction is making Quiet Ripples

My Non-Fiction Book Is Quietly Making Itself Known

I wrote this book due to many friends, family and acquaintances asking me how did I come from such challenging beginnings to have a positive spirit and never give up attitude, and well, I realized I wanted to write down how I did it. I wanted to share it with my kids, my friends and anyone that just needed a push in a positive direction.

Building Your Empowered Steps was a labor of love. There will be more non-fiction books from me like this. 

So if you just need a mentor, someone to walk you through how to change your perspective, pick up BUILDING YOUR EMPOWERED STEPS.

www.EmpoweredSteps.com

Fantasy Giveways! Don't miss out

Multi - Author Giveaways!

I love them. They are a great way to get new readers and to collaborate and learn from other authors.
Do you love them? Hate them? Or seek them?

I personally feel it has helped me become a better author, marketeer and be able to give my readers and followers something of value. Like a pleasant surprise and partnership. It is also a way to see what your readers are interested in reading and supporting.

☆ ҉ ☆ 🎉 🎈 SCI FI FANTASY GIVEAWAY #1🎈 🎉 ☆ ҉ ☆

COLLABORATIVE GIVEAWAY ~ Join the fun here!

CLICK HERE For # 1

☆ ҉ ☆ 🎉 🎈 FANTASY GIVEAWAY #1🎈 🎉 ☆ ҉ ☆

COLLABORATIVE GIVEAWAY ~ Join the fun here!

CLICK HERE For # 2

Character Roll Call for Caged Fire - The Vigilant Series

CAGED FIRE is TAKING over my READER's GROUP

Join the Facebook Reader's Group here for Giveaways, book immersion experiences and more!

Go to our new WEBSITE for DISCOUNTS here! 

ROLL CALL of CHARACTERS introduced  and TAKING OVER this Month

Is Getting Back in Book Stores Worth it?

Getting that IN STORE BOOK SIGNING Event

At one time in my publishing career, getting out there, signing books and being in a bookstore was all I wanted. It was so important that we spent months doing face to face promo and promotions. It paid off with book sales, signings and exposure.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?

Now in a year where most all of our book sales are in the ebook market, the push to be in bookstores doesn't seem as urgent. Not to mention the fact that many stores are closing. It comes down to the cost and benefits of the endeavor. Sometimes the benefit isn't in dollars and cents. I really enjoyed being around readers. I didn't enjoy the face to face, hand selling that sometimes came with book signings. It was exhausting and sometimes disappointing, yet rewarding all at once. 

WHAT IS THE COST?

It cost time, money and resources to do a book signing. Some stores want you to give them the books on loan and if it sells they will pay. Other stores are alright with buying at least 5 books at a discount of course. Then other venues for signing, the author takes the books and hand sells them. At the very least it will cost gas money, a day of potential writing time, books that have to be printed but may not make the profit until sold. Most times, the book store signing doesn't pay or cover the expenses.

GETTING BOOKS in THE STORES 

This is now even more of a challenge with the limited bookstores around. Most of them want your book to be able to get ordered from IngramSpark or Lightening Souce. Uploading your book to KDP Print won't get them in bookstores. For small presses with less than 30 titles, the cheapest option is IngramSpark. Planning to upload your Print-On-Demand (POD) books should include both KDP Print and Ingram Spark. However, doing so won't get the books in the store. Face to face time and sending the book through the distribution channels for the large retailers is the way and that's not always guaranteed either.

COMPARING TO EBOOK store sales

When you consider the money, time, and efforts to get in a bookstore to do a signing or to sell a book, it is much more expensive than ebook sales. Now you can even sign your ebook using Authograph. The last few years, we decided to focus the extra money on ebook sales and it really paid off.

DOING SIGNINGS GIVES FACE TIME TO READERS

Now we are in a place where we are planning to pursue signings in the coming year since there will be a few consecutive releases that the hope is to focus on libraries, schools, and what independent stores are left.

Your thoughts?

Staying Relevant in an Ever Changing Publishing Market

Writing and Sharing My Books Is My Passion

This year in publishing has been extremely challenging. Amazon and CreateSpace made changes which cause my books to be offline.

Print Books with Print-On-Demand (POD)

Createspace used to offer this to small press and self-published authors as a means to cheaply print books and which were affordable to readers and still allowed the author or small press to make a profit. Well, they were bought by Amazon (the ever eating giant) and the choice was to move books to Amazon platform under KDP (POD) print, then link your ebook to the paperback book from Createspace or move your books to InstagramSpark.

KDP POD tried to make it simple, but the problem is, they have mixed up many of my accounts to the point I had to call them 2 times and to be honest, they duplicated my account, but each has a different password. The ridiculous part of this is, they said they have to keep both and I just have to remember the 'new' password. That new account is also unlinked my Author Central Account. It is a mess.

Other Fall Out From Amazon Changes

There is a new law on the books about Third Party responsibility of a website. Amazon and other large platforms that have a social content to it, removed and censored many of their products, media and more. This isn't an exact science, but many websites are doing an overhaul. While doing this, amazon has kicked many, many authors off their platform, either by accident or meaningful as per their new rules.

How Phenomenal One Press Has Fared

We are updating our website to be able to take orders and deliver ebooks directly to our readers. We will still use distribution sites like Amazon, B&N, Kobo, iTunes, but will also offer sales on our webpage with incentives for our readers there that won't be at any other website. It's a way of staying relevant and servicing our devoted readers.

New and Updated Website

So on January 1st, 2019, hop over to www.phenomenalonepress.com or www.lmpreston.com for a tour. Make sure to look at the store, which will have books, fan wear and more.

Holiday Giveaway Amazon Sweepstakes

 OTOH Sponsored Amazon giveaway

Click on the Link

Below the Book of Choice

CLICK FOR Shayne Silvers' LEGEND

CLICK for LM Preston's BANDITS

CLICK for Pat Esden's HIS DARK MAGIC

CLICK for The Bounty Hunter

CLICK for Echoes of FIRE

CLICK for Magic and Myths

Arc Review Team and Pre-Order Announcement

Caged Fire 

Book 1: The Vigilant

Announcing availability for Pre-Order for the next book in The Vigilant Series drama. 

They say you can't run away from your problems. EmVee knew from experience it was true. She and her father tried to run, until the truth came and got them. Now with nothing to lose, she must confront the monster that changed her life forever. Unfortunately, she has to work with his best friend, Kayson who she is almost sure, isn't quite as nice as he seems. Kayson revealed not just why her father disappeared, but a new world of magicals that wanted the debt he left behind to be paid.



(Insatiable Darkness - Book 0, Caged Fire - Book 1, Unbreakable Darkness - Book 1.5)

Sign up for ARC Review Team here: ARC REVIEW TEAM

Pre-Order on Amazon

Read the first book in the series, on sale for 99cents

EmVee didn’t know what to think about this new town her father’s passion for boxing lured them. It was an unlikely location for her to pursue her dream of going semi-pro. Just when she started getting used to the school with gorgeous jocks and strange cheerleaders, the depth of the danger her father’s choices dangled them in front of became clear. EmVee hoped Silas and Kayson will be able to help her uncover the mystery identity of the person who is threatening her family. The question is, will she survive to expose the mystery. [Pre-quel, Vigilant Series]

Amazon

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