Reader's Have Picky Taste

READERs HAVE PICKY TASTE

You ever sit and think about the types of books you read? I have, seriously considered it since getting in the publishing biz. However, prior to that, I just knew what I liked and didn't really stray too far from that.

Amazon even knew what I liked and would suggest other great books that fit in the genre, type, author, or storyline I tended to read.

Now even Netflix does that with movie selections. AMAZING!

EVALUATE WHAT YOU LIKE TO READ AND WHY? Ever do that?

I've nailed down what it is I like in each genre I read. So let's see, I dare you to do the same.

YOUNG ADULT BOOKS

I really like a coming of age story about a hard to like character, who grows in some major way, and who falls in love. I personally enjoy reading YA books with love interest and fiesty girls.

HORROR BOOKS

Action, lots of it, mixed with gore and some mystery.

ROMANCE BOOKS

I love books with the main character as a virgin. The guy has to be a rogue.  I find I really dislike weak main characters that aren't in relationships becuase they can't find anyone. I like them to be popular with guys, still have a virtue, yet is just as 'gorgeous' as the leading man.

MYSTERIES

I prefer my mystery novels to have a fast paced plot, lots of action and suspense.

MY AUTHOR and PUBLISHER HAT RESPONSE TO READER's TASTE

This evaluation of type of reader selection has made me very directed in how I select reviewers of my books. Also, how to select beta readers and critique partners.

If you have a reviewer, beta reader, critique partner that doesn't like the type of character, book, setting, or genre - there is sure to be a mitchmatch in opinion and feedback.

You are rather unlikely to change a readers taste or pallet in the types of books they prefer. So don't try.

SO  - WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GOOD BOOK?

Kingsman: The Secret Service ~ Movie Review

MOVIE REVIEW ALERT

THE KINGSMEN

IMDb Blurb:
A spy organization recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Director:
 Matthew Vaughn
Writers:
 Jane Goldman (screenplay), Matthew Vaughn (screenplay), 2 more credits »
Stars:
 Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson

MY TAKE ON IT

First off, there were a lot of cliche' type jokes here. Samuel L Jackson appeared to be a knock off version of Flava-Flav (you know the rapper). It was something I felt wasn't well done. The main character's initiation into the Kingmen seemed nice, although they did appear to be a snobby group. I probably would have enjoyed it more by seeing the kids bond.

It did remind me of snippets of an Austin Powers movie, with the underlying jokes and sliver on unecessary sexual innuedos.

However, overall - I enjoyed it. I took my 18 year old daughter and 14 year old (wish I hadn't taken her - I had to cover her eyes/ears for a few scenes I was unprepared for).

It was a fun movie, action packed, enternaining, and had some surprises. I give it 3.5 umbrellas.

C.Lee Shares her Stories

Mystery and Mayhem

Great Reads By Author

I'm a native Californian, and after living a lot of different places in the world, landed back in my native state on the edge of a redwood forest. When I'm not writing or blogging I'm hiking or practicing yoga. Then there's that half acre of garden that needs a lot of love.

Sudden Secrets(Evernight Teen 2014) is my fourth young adult novel. I wrote my first young adult novel, Sliding on the Edge, after reading a news article about "self-abuse" among ivy league students. My second novel, The Princess of Las Pulgas, deals with a young girl and her family. They have everything and suddenly nothing. Double Negative (Evernight Teen 2014) is a book that turned me into an advocate for literacy. 

Great Time Lock Disaster

Amazon:  Buy Here

Goodreads TBR/ Giveaway Ends 03/30 :https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24906424-the-great-time-lock-disaster

No YouTube, no smoothies, no Manga. Not ever again. Not unless Pete figures out how to reverse his bad spell and free Weasel and him from 1837 England.

Double Negative:

Amazon: BUY Here

Goodreads: TBR https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22733797-double-negative

Sixteen-year-old Hutchinson McQueen is a big time loser. Trapped in a dysfunctional family, his one thought is escape, but everything he does to get away lands him in trouble. The priest and Maggie have offered him the freedom he craves. All he has to do is take it.

Sudden Secrets

Amazon: BUY HERE

Goodreads:TBR/Giveaway Ends03/01 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24155632-sudden-secrets?from_search=true

Something’s strange about the abandoned house across the street—flashes of light late at night and small flickers of movement that only someone looking for them would see. Everyone says the house is deserted, but Cleo is sure it isn’t, and she’s sure whoever is inside is watching her.

Evaluating Your Exposure

EXPOSURE

Oh my! As an author, we prefer to stay tucked away writing our stories. However, when it's time to release your book baby - getting out there to spread the word is a must.

This year I'm planning on launching two books. One a full novel and part of a series. The other is a novella (which is part of a boxed set and a print book).

WHERE?

So now it seems that the trends of internet hang outs is forever moving for the genre I write for. The Young Adult crowd always moves on to the new thing and I can't seem to catch up.

So I'm getting out there and making myself known to my market in several ways that I can afford and that's consistent.

Twitter - consistent for the younger generation
Vines - a new hopping way to get exposure
Amazon - book readers tend to hang out there alot
Goodreads - book readers hangout
Book Tours - yep, in person

Blog Tours - I just love blogs so I have to do this. Finding one that's on tumbler would be good.

WORD OF MOUTH?

Trying to get this started is a challenge. But - hey, it can happen. So I'll be trying some new things this year to get this going.


ARE YOU A READER? Where do you find out about good books?

ARE YOU AN AUTHOR? Where to you share your books?

ARE YOU A PUBLISHER? Where do you sale your book?

The Search For A Good Cover

THE SEARCH IS ON

As an author who's extremely involved in the publishing of the final product. I've been rather attached to my cover art.

I go through several months of searching out that one picture or several collages of what the book represents to me.

This is a daunting task, but so wonderful when you've landed on something that just speaks to you about the novel you've created.

This year I'm searching out three potential covers.

I think I've looked that over twenty art sites.

Do you have any tips on how to make this process easier? I haven't figured it out yet, lol!

Keep Writing When It's Unpopular

Yep, this is real talk. Nowadays those booms of authors who sought to make millions are falling off like a stack of potatoes.

But there are those of us who are 'Writing On' because the passion is way too deep to stop.

WAYS TO STAY ON YOUR OWN PATH

1. Set aside your write time daily.

2. Join a writer's group or organization that puts you in front of other writers on a weekly basis. Being around other positive influences usually gives you the motivation to continue on your path.

3. Make a schedule and goal list.

4. Post your writing goals, project list, and progress. Having it in sight reminds you to redirect to writing.

5. Participate in writerly online chats (set a time limit so you don't cut into your writing time).

6. Beta read for other authors. This also keeps you motivated and sharpens your editing skills.

LASTLY, just keep writing.

On the Road Again?

You heard it all before...

......HAPPY NEW YEAR

THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT ....

.....MY RESOLUTION IS


So, in my case I'm - on the publishing road again. 

The benefit of being an author (mainly because you love it, and secondly because hey, you may get a paycheck from it) is that it flexes with life.

In my case I've had to slow out my production of novels in the last two years.

No worries though! I'm back on track.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM ME THIS YEAR?

2015 Planned Publishings

DEVIANT STORM (book 2 in the Purgatory Reign Series).

DOUBLE TROUBLE LUV (book 3 in my Summer Luv Series).

SUMMER LUV boxed set (will be released for the holidays and include: FLUTTER of LUV, THUNDERING LUV, and DOUBLE TROUBLE LUV)

Writing Plans

I am closing up some series since I have tons of ideas for new ones

3rd book in PURGATORY REIGN SERIES

3rd book in THE PACK SERIES

1st novella in my TURBELENT LUV series

TRUTH of THE MATTER

is, that I'm already behind since life is very hectic. However, I'll tackle my writing according to (1) the list (2) and what moves me the most to write.

I pushed the Publish Button on Wastelands

It happened just last week! I pushed the publish button and offered up the 2nd book in the Bandits series for sale.

Just in Time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Description:
There's nothing left for Daniel to fight for, except his father's honor, on the brutal prison planet which holds his brother. This time, he's going to do things right. He'll turn his training as a famed Zukar thief into something his father will be proud of. The only thing holding him back is the loss of Jade's love, the only girl who had the guts to put him in his place. And just one prison Warden who believes he has the power to keep Daniel away.

Buy Links:

Smashwords: Wasteslands
Amazon: Wastelands

More are being added everyday.

www.lmpreston.com

Authors Bailing Out?

THE INDIE MOVEMENT PRODUCED many people that wanted to be authors

The disillusionment with being an author is that - - - you can become rich doing it. That's always been the fantasy. Many would be writers thought that this was always the end game. The payoff. Their expectations.

THEN REALITY

For awhile, Amazon was making the Indie authors king. If they had a decent book, lots of promo, Amazon fed their gravy train. And made it rain with money. Many Indie Authors quit

Not only are Indie authors feeling the pinch, but some of my traditionally publish authors do also. They get lower advances, but hey, at least they are making some money up front.

ARE YOU IN IT FOR THE PASSION or THE PAYDAY?

This is where it truly is telling. Artist, authors, visionaries - didn't usually get paid tons of money just because they created something - even when they created something REALLY good.

But when I started writing, it was NEVER for the payday. It was because, I just can't help myself. I love it. It relaxes me, intrigues me, and make me want to write more.

THE LONG HAUL

Well authors that have paid their dues, and have the passion ... are still writing. They are. Do they care if they get the numbers? The payday? Can eat? Yes, that's why the large masses of authors ...still work a day gig.

SO ARE YOU?...in it for the PAYDAY? THE PASSION?

ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW by Jordan Elizabeth

How far into the hollow would you go?

“After losing her parents in a terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, fifteen-year-old Honoria escapes New York City to Arnn—a farming town with more legends than residents, and a history of witchcraft and secrets best left buried.

Everyone in Arnn knows the story of Witchwood Hollow: if you venture into the whispering forest, the witch will trap your soul among the shadowed trees. In the lure of that perpetual darkness, Honoria finds hope when she should be afraid, and a past of missing children and broken promises.  To save the citizens of Arnn from becoming the witch’s next victims, she must find the truth behind the woman’s madness. How deep into Witchwood Hollow does Honoria dare venture?”

ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW is Jordan Elizabeth’s first novel.  This young adult fantasy, published through Curiosity Quills Press, is now available for purchase. 

https://curiosityquills.com/books/escape-witchwood-hollow/

Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, can’t get enough of the woods, be it splashing through a stream, sitting beneath an ancient oak, or following a path up a hill.  Some of those adventures have led to abandoned foundations.  Exploring the rocks and crumbling bricks sparked Jordan to imagine who might have lived there before, and that train of thought carried her to a wicked legend and an enchanted hollow.  You can contact Jordan via her website, JordanElizabethMierek.com.

THE BOOK OF LIFE - Movie Review

I'm a sucker for an 'ethnic' centered fairytale! So... when my kids asked to see this movie there was no way I would deny them.

Here's the bio from Imdb: Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.

My Family's Review: Now do you believe there is a 'love triangle' in fairy tales? Well there was one here. I also can say we fell in love with both of the heroes. The movie was visually pleasing. Beautiful, colorful and even had symbolic meanings rather closely tucked within the Mexican culture. As an adult there were a few slow parts, but still captivating. The music was good and the story was fun. My kids (the girls) absolutely loved and gushed over it. My son said, "I liked it okay." My husband - thought it was too much singing (bah-humbug) and me, loved it. We give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Cover reveal Steam Punk! Great Authors! In one Awesome Book! Oh My!

Can you say Sexy! Sassy! Steam Punk? Anthology?

Well I've got one hot off the press.

COVER REVEAL

for 

GEARS of BRASS

Just so you know - Two AMAZING AUTHORS I know personally are in this pretty baby.

Authors who's stories are inside that I can wait to read: 

SA Larsen is represented by Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary and is the author of published short stories, community-interest stories, and magazine articles focused on children. http://www.salarsenbooks.com/

Jordan Elizabeth writes young adult fantasy for Curiosity Quills, including ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW which was published in October and the upcoming TREASURE DARKLY; she’s represented by the Belcastro Agency.

JordanElizabethMierek.com

Both starring authors are in....

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