Authors After Dark

Reasons to Focus on Print: An authors decision in a digital age

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Mon, 09 May 2016 15:38:00 +0000

Several people have been asking me about what Jenny Trout reported about my sales in her recent blog post about returns. It’s been enough people that I figure I should probably write something up about it. So here goes.

Yes. We have all but abandoned digital releases in favor of print and audio. This wasn’t a decision we had decided lightly, so before I start getting emails from people saying I’m disparaging digital work… let me explain.

Historically we have always sold poorly in e book. We have 38 books out right now, between our SA Price, Stella and Audra Price names, my Anastasia Virgas name and my other pen name Dagmar Avery. Sales are low for us, and have always been. We have been okay with it, because we aren’t mainstream with what we write. But it’s gotten worse.

With the influx of books being uploaded to Amazon every day (I believe the last count was 700+ a day!)Our limited visibility was further cut down, and then with the advent of this returns bullshit, sales were set to nothing.

We rarely make 50 sales TOTAL in ebook a month, and during release week, hell release day, we are inundated with almost if not HALF of the sales for the released book returned. That is no way to be able to keep releasing books.

Then we looked at out print and Audio. Whereas audio sales aren’t huge, we make more on them. And print? Print we do awesome with. When you are selling double what you’re selling a month in e book in print… well it tells me some things. It tells me E books are not the medium to get our work out there with. It tells me print is not dead, and I need to focus on what works for us.

Here’s a breakdown.

We are lucky. When we put out a book, I don’t have to pay extra for formatting or Cover work, so our overhead is low… between 300-500$ for edits. Now in order to put another book out, I need to make back what I put into a release. So in e book, if a book sells for 4.99 (the majority of the books sell for this) I have to sell a minimum of 144 copies to break even. That’s not even making a profit. As the E sales we have average between 2-4 a book a month… at the high end it would take me 36 MONTHS to make that money to simply edit the work, back.

Now, in print, selling at 12.99 we would have to sell 27 copies. WHICH DO YOU THINK IS EASIER?

At Con, for a new release, I sell books at 10$. This means I need to sell between 30-38 while there. Considering we always sell well at con, this is not a hardship.

Most would say E book is the easier way to go. But not for us. No, not at all. So selling 27 print book means I have the ability to release another book in a few months.

36 months to earn out on e-book? Not feasible. At all.

I realize readers are pissed about this. Certain readers don’t read print, don’t do audio. To be quite honest, the amount of readers that only read e book and read us is so low, I can’t even count it. Yes, losing any sale is hard but consider the other side of this.

No E books means my books aren’t being pirated. It means they aren’t being read and then returned, and most importantly, it means I’m not checking KDP daily and getting more and more frustrated that for the 6^th day in a row I haven’t sold a damn thing.

I like the idea of a return to the printed word as well, digital while easier and all but immediate, can't compare to the tactile wonder of holding a book in your hands.

The 1-15 sales I get a month on a .99-4.99 book isn’t worth the stress and the feelings that I am not good enough. I know I am, and the work we do is. Shit visibility is the culprit, but that doesn’t compute when you are constantly tearing your hair out over nonexistent sales. Maybe things will change in the future, but for now, this is the best course of action for us. I always liked print better anyway.

So I'm going to open up the discussion here for those that feel the need.

Rocker romance? No. Not this bitch.

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 18:55:00 +0000

In taking Bianca Sommerland’s lead, I need to confess something.

I write Metalcore Romance.

See I’m tired of trying to lump what I do in with these ”rock” romances, because I don’t write the popular idea of a “rock star”. My guys don’t have long hair, and drug habits, they aren’t groupie crazy and they have respect for women. So many rock books out right now deal with what I call ‘peter pan syndrome” where the guys are like fucking lost boys. Well I don’t write that.

My guys are contemporary. They have tattoos and piercings. They aren’t giant gym rats that women assume rock stars look like. They aren’t practicing doms (cuz that shit is LAUGHABLE--- these guys don’t have time to sleep let alone be a practicing dom… though I know they are kinky as fuck… ), their music is heavy, and means more to their fans than anything else out there. They treat the band like a business, and while they might have wild times, they aren’t ruining their careers with drug addictions, drama and rehab.

The bands are realistic, to a fault, even though I write paranormal.

The bands I write are a direct result of the music. Bands like From Autumn to Ashes, Ice Nine Kills, The Birthday Massacre, Motionless in White, Upon a Burning Body, All Out War, Grade, Thrice, and others, are what fuel’s the words on the page. There’s NO hair bands in my work.

So if that’s what you are looking for, Hair Bands, my shit is not the shit for you. But if you are a Lover of the music I love, then you will like my books.

My boys and girls are caustic, fun, super pop culture, and above all responsible adults. NO off the cuff drama, because who the fuck wants drama in a good time?

So fuck the Rock and Roll Romance designation. I listen to Metalcore, so I'm writing Metalcore. A better tip o the hat to these amazing musicians I couldn’t ever think of.

So if you love metalcore, Like romance books, and lots of naughty sex in those romance books… I am the author for you.

If not. Cool. But I’m through trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. I'm writing a subgenre of a subgenre. And I know there are readers out there that are looking for it. So my books will now be labeled METALCORE ROMANCE on amazon.

It makes sense. If you write Metalcore bands, consider that suggestion.

BUY MY BOOKS:

Giving Up the Ghost:

The Serendipity of Karma:

This Is Forever:

The Bride wore Latex:

Made Damn Sure:

The self Importance of Lesser Beings

Pin Your Wings

Keep Her in Pieces

That's right 8 books... the band (13 Shades of Red) are Metalcore... let them show you why rock isn't as cool as metal.

Sex, Love and Metal,

Stella

Reasons to attend The Novel Experience... WATCH ME.

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 20:22:00 +0000

And yes, I even wore makeup.

Information on Authors After Dark 2016... Authors... you want this info.

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:34:00 +0000

This final year for Authors After Dark is going to be a little different, and full of fun and great times sure to make lasting memories. We are back at our favorite Savannah hotel, the Savannah Riverfront Marriott, and they cannot WAIT for us to return! We will be rocking the hotel for the even August 2-6 2016.

For those that were at the 2013 event, you know the hotel is amazing, so easy to work with and has the BEST in house staff of any hotel. Its sad AAD is ending, but we are happy to be ending our run at such a fabulous hotel.

So a lot of people are asking about author spots, and being involved. Well since it is our last year, we want it to go out with a bang, but make it easy for as many to attend and participate as possible. So read on for information.

In the interest of being completely transparent, The following information is what we have decided, based on space at the hotel, room block requirements, and of course, location. Everything below has been worked out to be not only the best for the people attending, but the best options for the convention in order to fill our contractual obligations.

Authors….

While AAD in the past has only had A Master of Ceremonies and a list of Featured authors, this year it well be a little different.

We are completely scrapping the Master of Ceremonies, as times have been changing and we have largely seen that it’s not one author that largely brings in the masses anymore, but many who are focusing on the reader, not just their writing. So, We will have instead of a MoC this year, Many more authors, in order to make the readers coming happy.

We will have Featured authors, and attending authors, as well as Debut authors. EVERYONE will be allowed to sign for the 2016 year, provided they follow the event rules. Everyone will be able to promote, set up banners, and have sponsorship opportunities (for parties, meals and events) and have an AUTHOR badge and ribbon. Due to space, however, Panel participation will be limited.

Featured Authors have already been asked to attend. We have a large number of authors that are returning to the event for its last year, and every one of them have been to AAD before, as a featured author. These authors have been with us largely from the beginning, and have become reader attendee favorites.

To attend as an ATTENDING or FEATURED or DEBUT author an author for the convention must agree to the following :

· Stay at the host hotel a minimum of 4 nights (wed-Sunday)

· Pay their OWN registration for the event

· HELP bring readers in by PROMOTING their involvement in the convention to their readers via their FB pages, WEBSITE, blog and Newsletter, allowing for readers to KNOW they will be there and encouraging them to attend.

While there is no difference in Attending or Featured author except the fact that Featured authors were given an early invite and have been to the event before, Debut authors will have a small “meet and greet” event they will have to buy into if they would like to participate in it. A Debut author for AAD is an author that’s been published less than 18 months at time of registration, and is looking to grow their readership. There will be more information on this, and the other opportunities for ALL AUTHORS after an author registers.

Promotional opportunities include:

· Mini event Sponsorships

· Offsite event sponsorships

· Blogger/ Book club event participation

· Meal sponsorships

· Swag sponsorships

· Book sponsorships

· Booksigning

· Audio book party participation

· Gift baskets

And many more!

Now here’s the kicker. We have room for 150 authors TOTAL. This will allow for readers to outnumber authors and therefore keep the integrity of the event. ALL AUTHORS NOT FEATURED are on a first come first serve basis. Once registration opens, Author hopefuls will be able to register and lock in their spots.

EVERY AUTHOR THAT REGISTERS WILL BE ABLE TO SIGN. No lotteries, no waitlists. EVERYONE* (Provided you stay at the hotel)

Registration will open September 9^th at 10am EST. Author list will be updated on the 15^th and every 15 days thereafter till the author spots are filled.

Come and join us for the last AAD on American soil. We can’t wait to party with you in Savannah!

AUTHORS AFTER DARK 2015 NEEDS 40 MORE AUTHORS!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 23:01:00 +0000

AUTHORS!

REGISTRATION IS ALMOST CLOSED! JULY 10th is SWIFTLY COMING UPON US! DO NOT BE LEFT OUT!

Registration is 275$. Includes 4 meals (2 lunches, 2 dinners), Signing space, Promotional opportunities (MANY) Access to ALL readers, Free books, giveaways, 2 AMAZING dress up balls, TONS of networking time and reader connection time with CAREER READERS (Long time readers that constantly look for new authors to read) from AROUND THE WORLD!

THIS IS A 4 DAY EVENT! August 12-16 2015 at the Sheraton Atlanta hotel

Don't wait! get your registration in today!

*All signing authors MUST reserve their OWN room at the host hotel for a MINIMUM of 4 nights, in order to get the signing table space AND get the maximum amount of face time with readers.*

MEET THE READERS YOU WANT TO CONNECT WITH... THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO KEEP READING YOUR WORK! Readers are having such a hard time cutting through the miasma of books out there now, career readers are finding their new faves and auto-buy's at book events they can connect with authors at!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-after-dark-2015-hotlanta-hijinx-tickets-12676574977

Authors. August. Atlanta! Special 2-day pass

noreply@blogger.com (Louisa Bacio) — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 18:15:00 +0000

We’re gearing up for a mega-con to close out the summer! Feel the heat of Authors After Dark 2015: Hotlanta Hijinx!

Both two-day and four-day tickets are available... and there’s SO MUCH going on it’s CRAZY! Two huge dress up balls, four meals, TONS of freebie books from Indies and Publishers alike, Giveaways, TONS of SWAG and events... And the booksigning will have 100 Featured Authors, including our Master of Ceremonies, SHERRILYN KENYON!

Plus, non-featured author spots are now available for a secondary signing. Check out the FB Group for more info.

Visit the AAD Website for more the lowdown on participating authors, and special events, and get your tickets at EventBrite.

Hope to see you there!

Louisa Bacio

Featured Author

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

https://www.facebook.com/Louisabacioauthor

THE BIG AAD VIRGIN REGISTRATION GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Fri, 01 May 2015 12:51:00 +0000

Sponsored by the amazing and talented authors:

Marianna Morea, Milly Taiden, Eliza Gayle, Sasha White, TJ Michaels, JM Gregorie, Tilly Greene, Jenny Trout, Bianca Sommerland, Diana Castilleja, Julie Morgan, Stella Price and Nicky Jayne!

Are you an AAD virgin? Wanna attend this year In Atlanta? Can you get your own room for 4 nights?

Well we want to give you a ticket!

See we thought about it, and wanted to get a few more virgins in for the event, to see how awesome it is , and how fun it is for readers. So the authors involved decided to get together and EACH pay for one Virgin to attend… so 14 VIRGINS (ooh this sounds like the makings of a horror flick) will get tickets!

Want it?

Ok here’s the details:

Reader has to be an AAD VIRGIN (IE: has never attended before)

Reader must pay their own transportation

Reader MUST get a room for 4 days (WED-Sunday) MINIMUM.

Reader cannot room with anyone that already has a ticket and cannot room with anyone else that has won a free ticket.

Reader cannot exchange the prize for money. It has no cash value.

Readers CAN invite a friend to come and stay with them, as long as they purchase a ticket for themselves.

Entering is EASY! Just fill this out:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16ASdj67nDInPtoMuiyoXwry9Qrpu01RICSb5bMqZlOk/viewform

Please note: Only fill this out if you are SURE you can get a room and get to the event. If You are not sure, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER. SERIOUS ENTRIES ONLY.

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN ON MAY 26th!

TNEE Recap, or the "Let me set records straight" post. Facts and Truth Ahoy.

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:25:00 +0000

Ahoy everyone.

I’m home, and trying to get things in order here, it was a hellish flight back and Now I’m here with a cold and possibly the beginnings of con crud. Not fun. But, I wanted to make a statement here, and on the Event page about an incident and drama that happened at the con.

If anyone has any questions about my policies and such for my events, especially TNEE, please refer to this page on the TNEE website:

http://www.novelexperienceevent.org/pages/policies.html

Because Imma drop some knowledge on you all, and while some might not want to see it and believe it, It is the truth. Remember, at least 2 sides to EVERY story…

So many know I didn’t allow an author that showed up on Saturday morning in to sign, and many are criticizing me for it. While that’s their prerogative, they obviously do not have all the facts. So lets lay them out.

And in the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that dealing with me, and trying to get one over on me when I KNOW you are WRONG gets me extremely pissed off, and I have the tendency to yell. Why? Because people need to follow the CLEARLY LAID OUT RULES, and if they don’t, if they feel they are special, well…

So lets start this shall we?

It is CLEARLY stated on the FB author group in A FILE, as well as on the TICKET PAGE, in the TICKET buying page AND in a WAIVER at the end of the ticket before the author pays, as well as PLAIN AS DAY on the EVENTS POLICIES page that there are specific times everyone needs to be in to register. You know what, lets post BOTH policies right here:

2. All Authors must be in by Thursday evening at 10 pm and registered. This will ensure that there is ample time for set up Friday. in the event that a flight is delayed or cancelled please let a staff member know.

3. Signing table setup is Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Authors MUST be set up and ready for Saturday's signing on Friday by 5pm.

Now, if you look at Policy 1 it states:

1. Failure to comply with any of the following rules will result in a complete forfeit of a spot in the signing and event, and there will be no refunds for any reason.

This has been plain as day and clear as crystal for over 8 months. That someone would try to flout that, and attempt to think it would work? Yeah no. So let’s go into excuses.

This year, we had several people that had delayed flights, or extenuating circumstances. ALL OF THEM contacted either MYSELF or the staff. All of them were handled appropriately by the staff, as we know things get in the way.

I was given several excuses by the author that didn’t get to sign including that she was “looking for a parking space” and “Driving around for a while because Valet wouldn’t let her park” around “4pm” on FRIDAY. She also claimed that when she got in at 6 no one was in the room (which is a lie, as My staff were all there till almost 715 wrangling people and putting people’s books in the office to lock up). Apparently the 17 emails I had sent out via the ticket page never reached her, and she couldn’t navigate the Author group that clearly stated that ALL AUTHORS must be registered and IN THEIR SEATS on Friday by 245pm. And while some authors decided NOT to do the VIP preview, THEY WERE REGISTERED already by that point. So the information has been out there A MONTH before this event even happened, and Every other author there had gotten the memo and followed the rules.

Then, I was treated to having to explain to a gentleman she thought that me talking with would make me give her her way. I was told by said gentleman that he was still on the phone with the author at 245pm on Friday. To which I stated, it was moot as she was 100% in the wrong.

See, I have rules for the event, and it’s very much a live by the sword, die by the sword thing with me. I do not negotiate with terrorists, and I certainly do NOT give in for someone that cannot follow very well displayed and simple rules. I’m a BIG fan of fair, and it’s not fair to let someone in when they can’t bother to follow the rules. So I stick by my guns. NO ONE will intimidate me because I will NOT be bullied into anything. And anyone that thinks to try is a god damn moron. Yes, I said it.

So let’s talk about rules… because I also understand that there’s some other authors that jumped on this band wagon to start a shit show at an event they should have been FOCUSING ON READERS AT instead of stirring a pot and creating drama.

I was accused of being unprofessional, of cursing at people and saying “Fuck” a lot. Yes. 100% true. That’s WHO I am. And I’m going to be candid here, IM NOT HERE TO KISS YOUR ASS, or BE YOUR FRIEND. I run an event you agreed to be at and agreed to follow the rules of. In corporate America people don’t like other people they work with all the time, hell 80% of the work force HATES their boss. But they DO their jobs because they are professionals. It’s no less than what I ask at my events. As a PROFESSIONAL AUTHOR you have one job: Sell yourself to the readers. As a professional AUTHOR I have the same job. As I don’t get PAID to put events on, (IE, I don’t make a dime for the 50+ hours a week I put into getting the event together, Taking time away from my CAREER and my family to make a fair and affordable event for people) and I largely end up paying out of pocket for the event at the end of the day NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DICTATE TO ME HOW I ACT. That’s why I have staff. You don’t want to deal with me and my “foul mouth”? Do your job, follow the rules and if you have issues, deal with my staff.

It’s when people think they can get over on my STAFF and my con family that the fangs come out. So, now that that’s all explained… Let’s talk about AUTHOR PROFESSIONALISM and PROFESSIONAL COURTESY.

It’s PROFESSIONAL COURTESY to ASK another event if you are ABLE to promote YOURS when you are at the event. A simple “Hey I have cards for my con, can I put them at registration or maybe pass them out?” would have been all that was needed for THAT little Fiasco to have never have happened. And just so everyone jumping on the injustice of my staff collecting them is aware, it was Bloggers, Readers AND Authors that thought it was in poor taste. In fact, several came to me and ask if the person passing them out had gotten permission, because they saw it as “Tacky” (their words not mine).

It’s not PROFESSIONAL to start shit at ANY event, latching onto an author YOU feel was dealt a bum hand (All because they didn’t follow the rules) and start sabotaging the event by posting pictures showing a “Dead” event that were CLEARLY taken from YOUR TABLE. The Staff and the other authors you disrespected KNOW it was you because YOUR BOOKS WERE SHOWING in the picture. If that’s not the goddamn MEANING of the statement “you’re not professional” I don’t know what is. Causing drama for no reason when the event and the con director and staff have been nothing but nice to you is not only unprofessional, but stupid as well. All that proves to everyone is the bottom line of an event (in this case “READERS BEING HAPPY”) is lost on you. That the authors posting to sabotage an event would do that tells me they aren’t professionals, and they don’t give a rats tinkered ass about the damage they caused the AUTHORS in attendance.

Lastly, it’s EXTREMELY unprofessional to NOT honor your word when making appointments. We had an author completely ditch on one of our tattoo artists at an 11pm appointment. The artist not only wasted his time waiting, but also wasted the opportunity to rebook. And the person in question never contacted him or the tattoo assistant past the “Ok we will see you at 11pm” text they got when they tried to move the appointment up. This cost our tattoo artist, who we at AAD and TNEE consider family, MONEY. This could have all been avoided if they just honored their appointment. I had to ban said person from ever getting a tattoo from the guys ever again. Costing my artists money when they come from NY for these events is NOT cool, especially when you confirmed. You NEVER harm my con family when they are there to give YOU opportunities.

So I also know what’s being said about me online. And while that’s a person’s prerogative to have their opinions, I firmly believe opinions should be based on FACTS, not here say spouted by authors that I was “mean” to (IE: I told them NO several times) or that didn’t like how I handled things (Because it didn’t benefit them directly.)

What I find absolutely appalling is that a person that is old enough to be my grandmother is out there spouting lies and bullshit about ME and MY EVENTS when she’s never EVER spoken to me. You know, people throw around the word “Bully” a lot, but really that’s all this is. I have been around for 8 years doing events, and it’s NOW she decides to start a smear campaign on a person and an event that is focused on being affordable, and fair, while the person running it makes no money, only a FUCK TON of grief from people for trying to remain fair. Attacking me personally when they have never met me or spoken to me is completely insane. Why am I and my events suddenly a threat to you? There are plenty of authors out there, and MY events give the ones that don’t have other options and other opportunities the ability to get in front of readers, readers that are looking for them. FACT.

I don’t think people really get that there’s ROOM in this industry for most events, and enough authors to fill them if the price and opportunity is right. Because I don’t get paid and I’m NOT LOOKING TO MAKE MONEY OFF ANYONE I can offer the cheaper prices and freebies for readers, and authors can utilize what we offer. Or not. But there’s is NO REASON to go around trying to fuck other people’s stuff up because you are having issues. What I do with my events is offer alternatives that authors and readers seem to like. If that’s what’s bothering you, maybe you should take a look at what YOU are doing and restructure, because all of this catty bullshit is making you look like a heel.

I honestly thought we had all moved past the high school bullshit, but as a lovely author told me this weekend “When you put two women in a room there’s always going to be drama.” Well multiply that by infinity and that’s the industry these days.

Look, I care about the readers LOOKING TO READ ME. ALL Authors should be that focused. Don’t sweat the bad reviews; brush it off because you obviously don’t write for that person. Don’t start drama because READERS see that and readers remember. Don’t talk smack because readers see that and readers remember. I think authors forget that events are not about THEM. The staff and the promoters don’t do this to lick your ass. They do it so the READERS are happy and they keep buying books… without readers WE WOULD ALL BE OUT OF A JOB. I think a lot of authors forget that.

It’s for those reasons that I don’t give a fig about an authors personal BS. You paid to be at an event, be there, sell yourself to readers. Gain new readers, cement relationships with old ones, sell books. But keep yourself out of the drama. I don’t care about you or your petty bullshit. What I DO care about is hearing from readers that YOU were awesome, and better in person than they could ever have hoped for, and that YOU have gained a reader for life. SERIOUSLY. That’s really all I care about. And anyone that tells me or SAYS that I’m unprofessional for not giving a shit about the author needs to REALLY think about that. It boils down to this: the AUTHORS don’t pay my bills. They aren’t paying for ME to attend events, and they aren’t PUSHING MY BOOKS. READERS do that. And those are the people I care about.

And for you out there saying “Well you went off on a reader at TNEE”…

No. I went off on a person that was supposed to be another author’s assistant. That didn’t DO HER JOB. That stirred the pot, that got all agro and expecting me to… fuck I don’t know what they expected. They weren’t MY reader, and said to the author THEY were working with (that they didn’t do shit with because they were always with the drama makers) that she didn’t read her “Shit” and she didn’t care… Which upset the author a lot because she took a chance on bringing this person in the help her. And notice, said “reader” came at me with the grievances aired above, but the authors didn’t. Funny right?

So yes, I will go off on someone that has an agenda. I always will. Because I don’t deal with bullshit.

Love it, or hate it, it’s me. You don’t like it, don’t attend my events. If you know you can act like an adult, realize that this is a goddamn business and the focus of your business should ALWAYS be the reader? I want you at my events; because the readers know what side their bread is buttered on… I can’t promise I will always handle everything with no curse words or calling people out for being assholes and not following the rules, but you will know that Readers remember the authors that care about THEM, and that show it.

So I’m sure this is going to get TONS of comments, but let me be the first to tell you--- EVERYTHING HERE IS THE GODDAMN TRUTH. YOU CAN’T ARGUE THE TRUTH SO DON’T TRY. ADMIT WHEN YOU ARE WRONG. It goes a LONG WAY.

And as always I’m open to rational discussion, and debate, but facts are facts people… and attacking ME personally is just going to get yourself banned from anything I do. Because it’s not ever about ME, fuck I LOST SALES this weekend because I couldn’t be at my table because I was dealing with everything else. You bring ME into it, it’s a banned guarantee.

And to those of you that understand that this isn’t MY way of thinking, it is a rational way of thinking… well thank you and your input is always welcome.

On events, room blocks and why promoters shouldnt pay for you to make money.

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 19:10:00 +0000

Dear Readers, Authors and industry,

A lot of stuff has been recently thrown around about events, staying at event hotels, pricing of events, etc… Well I figured it was about time for some real talk on hotels, and events, and how things all add up.

Basically, I wanna talk about staying at the hotel vs. staying somewhere else.

Now, most events have the same problems I do, with filling the room blocks, and this is not a cool situation. See room blocks ensure the events are CHEAPER on the whole for the event people to put on, and you as well. Let me break some stuff down for you, and let’s use TNEE for an example.

As authors, TNEE charges 200$ in registration. That price includes 2 people, the table and food. Rooms are 149-169 a night respectively right? Ok so let’s do some math.

200+510 (respective, at the high end of the event pricing for the room for three nights)= 710$. + Hotel taxes and fees, let’s call it 750$

750 is not a bad price right? We didn’t think so. Considering the rooms at the hotel are normally 219-290 a night.

Ok so that’s three nights towards the room block total. Which is good, as the room block is what is actually keeping the price DOWN.

With the room block, and us filling it to 80%, we get our meeting space free. Which is a godsend. Because if we didn’t, that price would be higher than 750$.

How much higher? Ok let’s see…

Our space for the event this year was: A full ballroom, a mezzanine area, three meeting rooms and a registration area. The DAILY price for these function space total was 30,000$. A DAY. 30k a day for all this space. Three days of that is 90k. Just for meeting space. So to ensure we could do this event, we would have to figure that number into registration, on TOP of the 200 (which pays for food and booze for 2 people, and table usage.) at 200 authors (which is the minimum) each author would then be charged an extra 450$. AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR ROOM.

And since there’s no room block, prices would be normal hotel prices, 219-290 a night. So let’s go the MID LEVEL for this ok?

3 rooms at the mid price of about 245$ a night =735$. That doesn’t count Fees and taxes, so let’s call it a total of 770$

770$ for three days for a room.

Add the 650$ for the Registration and meeting space fee PER AUTHOR

Authors would be paying $1420 EACH.

While it’s cheaper for readers, it would still end up around 770$ for readers, because we don’t charge for anything but the room.

Ok… So let’s talk about AAD 2015…

We have ALL the space in the hotel for this event. This is a huge deal, and the full price tag on ALL the space PER DAY is 50k. We have the space for 4 days. That’s 200k in SPACE alone.

Let’s first talk Authors. Ok? And let’s talk single occupancy, to keep the numbers true.

Authors 300$ Registration. Rooms are 149 a night, and most authors are there a minimum of 4 nights.

So 4 nights with taxes and fees is looking like 615$ for a single. + 300$ for registration, and the 250$ table sponsorship for the ball. Grand total for just being there, no travel, or promo: $1165.

READERS, 275$ registration, and a 615 single occupancy room Grand total: $890

This is with the room block.

Now, without the room block, we would have to pay the 50k a day space fee, and rooms on the average for the time are 198-250 a night.

So…

50k at 4 days is 200k.

At 600 attendees that is an extra 334$ PER PERSON for the event.

Add in the lets say 220 a night room for 4 nights, again keeping it mid-priced: $880 in rooms plus taxes and fees, say 920$

So authors would be up to: $ 1804 Just to attend the event , not including travel, extras and promo

And readers would be at: $1529, Just to attend, not including travel.

Numbers are insane right? And my events are on the LOW END of the large event spectrum prices.

This is why room blocks need to be filled. Without the attendees staying at the host hotel, the event itself has to pay the difference. And for an event like ours, which is NON PROFIT we don’t have the revenue to do that.

Charlotte AAD cost me $8000 outta pocket, including every $ I made at the signing, and that doesn’t count the over 200k starwoods points I cashed in to make it that low.

Hyatt TNEE I still owe $66,320.45. AFTER I spent 1500$ of my own money to make up the food and beverage difference. Because of this I’m being forced to do a secondary event that the hotel is demanding a minimum of 2x’s the amount owes for “loss of future revenue”.

So we come to a cross roads. Do promoters let people stay at different hotels and add the regular fees or do we make staying at event hotels mandatory? At this point, I’m of the mind to make it completely mandatory, or charge the full amount for anyone that doesn’t want to stay, because I’m personally the one getting stuck with the fees and the charges when all I’m trying to do is make it a cheaper event for YOU. It isn’t fair that all the work is done for the event, and we aren’t paid for it, and we still have to pay outta pocket for people to be able to have a good time and successful event. Right?

Staying at the hotel is the cheaper option. And I understand that people are under money constraints. Hell I am. But why should *I* have to pay your way for you to attend an event because you don’t or can’t stay at the hotel? How is it fair to the promoter, who is largely working for peanuts, and most of us working for nothing at all, except the grief we get, to pay extra for you so you can enjoy and benefit from an event?

No, it’s not a popular way to see it, but it IS the truth. So many of us do this because we love it, but that doesn’t give others the right to essentially walk all over us because they found a cheaper rate. I’m going to be super unpopular in saying this but, if you can’t afford it, maybe you shouldn’t do it, because we can’t afford to keep paying for you.

So please think on this from now on when you are signing up for events. Money is a HUGE factor, not only for you, but for the people planning these events. There is no reason we should go into bankruptcy for trying to make events fair and cost effective for all. I would hate to stop doing something I love because people have become selfish and cannot see the forest for the trees.

AAD Author J.M. Gregoire releases Speak of the Devil, the 2nd installment in the Demon Legacy series!

noreply@blogger.com (Pure Textuality (PureTextuality.com)) — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:53:00 +0000

Nearly half a year has passed since Asmodeus opened the gateway allowing an unknown number of demons to spill onto our plane of existence. A fatal standoff has left Dez on her own to hunt the stray demons down and send them back to Hell where they belong. Her life has become a never-ending cycle of violence and bloodshed, further tainted by a deepening depression and a longing for the person she had to leave behind. When Dez receives an unexpected phone call, she makes her way to the northern Arizona desert to see an old friend. Upon arrival, there is a message waiting for her from beyond the grave, and she realizes before she can go any further, she must face the one thing she’s been dreading for months. To make matters worse, the message is meant to help her mission, but it forces Dez into an impossible choice. Only Dez can decide which road to take, but will she be able to handle the consequences of her decision?

RELEASED TODAY!

KEEP READING FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE BOOK!

Speak of the Devil
by J.M. Gregoire

Series:
Demon Legacy #2

Genre:
Urban Fantasy Paranormal Romance

Publisher:
J.M. Gregoire Books

Publication Date:
January 27, 2015

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Click on the cover image to be taken to the book's Goodreads page!

PUBLISHED:

COMING SOON:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bestselling author J.M. Gregoire was born and raised in New Hampshire, USA and despite her abhorrence for any season that dares to drop to a temperature below seventy degrees, she still currently resides there with her two children and her two cats. Always a passionate reader, her love of urban fantasy books eventually morphed into a love of writing them. She is currently working on the Demon Legacy series and has a Demon Legacy spinoff series, the Killer Instinct series, coming soon.

AUTHOR LINKS
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

TNEE BLOGGER OPPORTUNITY!!!! YOU WANNA READ THIS!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 00:52:00 +0000

Hey Bloggers!

So we have something special we were just told about Seriously an hour or so ago! It seems that we have 5 (FIVE) Blogger industry tables for THE NOVEL EXPERIENCE that have been SPONSORED by a very cool media partner we have… And we are looking for 5 bloggers NOT already registered to take them.

Now there is some fine print. Please read on:

Bloggers sponsorship tables afford the blog offered:

1(one) table with two chairs

Access to the Green Room

Ability to give away 2 VIP tickets on their blog

Blogger only Review pack from a minimum of 10 authors (to include Swag, print and E books)

EACH sponsorship gets entry for 2 of the bloggers from the blog

Blog MUST get their own ROOM at the host Hotel (Planet Hollywood) for a minimum of 2 nights (FRIDAY and SATURDAY) NO EXCEPTIONS.

Blog will have their name as a sponsor on the website, and promotional items.

The earlier the blogger comes in, the more opportunities they will be afforded, including Off site parties and Author hangouts.

Wanna be considered for one of the spots? Just fill this out

We will let everyone know by January 10^th!

Deadly Alchemy by Julie Morgan cover reveal!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Manic Reader) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Deadly Alchemy, cover reveal for Julie Morgan

How do you choose who lives and who dies?

Alchemist Amelia Rimos has just discovered the cure for the Undead. Being naïve and vulnerable, she does not realize the Undead have their targets set on her.

Happening upon a tall, dark, exotic man named Michel Gauthier, he saves her from becoming a victim, thrusting her into a game of cat and mouse. Amelia realizes being an Alchemist is not in her best interest when she befriends him. Is Michel as sincere as he seems or does he have an ulterior motive?

When her life cannot be more complicated, John Hawthorne interjects himself into Amelia's life and shifts it completely upside down. He informs Amelia she has the key to their survival. Soon, she will realize the Undead are not the only monsters in the world…

Amelia will find herself in a stalemate: She will be forced to choose between destroying her evidence and saving the man she’s grown to love or destroying over half the population of the world, including the love of her life with it.

Deadly Alchemy is historical fiction with an emphasis on steampunk. It is also paranormal featuring vampires, werewolves and alchemy.

Julie is pretty excited to bring this story to life! Deadly Alchemy lived in her head for about four years before she finally put it on paper. She had a GREAT time writing it and hopes you enjoy entering into Amelia's world as much as she had creating it.

Author note: The story does cross slightly into horror.

About Julie Morgan

Julie Morgan is the best selling author of these other stories.

Chronicles of the Fallen: Fallen, Redemption, Atonement and Culmination. The ebook box set is now available, featuring short story Rapture.

Southern Roots series: Southern Roots and City Lights. Watch for the other three stories in the series coming soon!

Follow Julie on social media outlets!
Amazon www.amazon.com/author/juliemorgan

Facebook www.facebook.com/juliemorganbook

Twitter www.twitter.com/juliemorganbook

Web/Blog www.juliemorganbooks.com

The Readers are OUT THERE... you just need to realize where they go.

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 15:38:00 +0000

So much is going on in the publishing industry these days, it’s a wonder we still exist. With Shitty deals with publishers, cliques that are bullying other authors, authors that don’t know how to act, and events that are fraudulent and or extorting exorbitant prices out of the authors and readers… Is it any wonder things are going down the toilet?

I have been talking a lot recently with readers, authors and industry, especially after the recent event bru haha. They don’t feel they can trust events and their promoters. They are scared about the amount of money going out for them, especially when they aren’t guaranteed a return, or the “application” which really only boils down to “who is the most popular” and worse, they are getting really frustrated with event planners that are playing favorites with individual authors, ensuring that those authors get top billing and the best options. Then recently I had authors tell me how fucking pissed they were that promoters have been taking a % of their sales through the bookseller--- and I gotta agree there how shittastic that is. And this all happens without a reader attendance guarantee. Its not wonder Authors are pulling out of events left and right.

Well I had a weekend away from the internet, and the industry, (mostly) and after talking with a few choice people, people that respect and support events, and try to make this industry both lucrative and fair for all, and I have decided on a few things.

Everyone knows Romance Ink, my company, is non profit. All monies collected from the events we put on go right to the hotel, in order to pay for the F/B the hotel agrees upon to get the event put on. This allows for cheaper rooms and larger event space. For tnee 2015, Our F/B is 80k. Which is why registration is 200 a person for the authors. It seems like a lot… but it’s not. Actually For what TNEE gives you (Food, a FULL table, your ASSISSTANT to eat as well and attend, full promotional and next year acceptance) the price is amazing. Most other events are 150-200 a table, PLUS your assistant, PLUS their ticket for the “after” parties, AND any extras…. And that isn’t even a guarantee for readers attending. That’s CRAZY to me.

So with that background out there, let’s proceed. TNEE in Vegas can hold between 350-500 authors EACH YEAR. TNEE ATL can hold the same. At 200$ an author registration (which includes all that above that other charge you extra for) is more than fair. Actually it’s the best deal in the industry today---- especially when we guarantee career readers, the ones that are constantly looking for authors --- no, not online, but in person, ones they can connect with personally, to become part of the authors career, to becoming a fan and a friend. And we guarantee you can sign, and NOT have to pay any % of your book income to the bookseller OR a % of your book sales to the promoter THROUGH book sales.

This year TNEE is boasting 450 readers already signed on, and more signing on every day, because it’s FREE for the readers to attend... With the promotional aspect, we are expecting 1200-2000 for the event this year, even though its Easter weekend. What’s crazy is 450 readers are signed on, yet we don’t even have 150 authors signed on yet.

So… Because of all of this, and TNEE being the most affordable game in town for the next 5 years that will boast actual READERS… to fill in this year, we have decided that all authors that sign on for the 2015 year, that wish to go forward to 2016 and beyond, will be paying HALF PRICE for their tickets… that’s 100$, as a thank you for filling the event and giving the readers a reason to keep attending the event. Those authors will have first choice of panels, event parties and opportunities going forward as well. With so many readers coming for 2015, we are seriously hoping for more authors.

So heres where I get real.

If you have issue with ME, Stella Price, and THAT is what’s holding you back from attending--- Please don’t let it. At this event you deal with STAFF, not me. Several people think I’m a bitch, and a snot. While they can believe that, most just don’t like that I’m direct, I pull no punches and I believe in a FAIR industry where (just like in all other careers) people follow rules of courtesy, morality and business.

Missing an event you are all but guaranteed to sell books at, something that the majority of the events cannot even fathom because you don’t like the promoter is insane. A 200$ ticket including everything above means that selling 20 books at 10$ each (which is more than doable as at TNEE 2014 the average amount sold was 35 per author) you make back your registration price AND you reach readers that you probably won’t ONLINE. With the amount of authors getting hit hard from the KU and KDP bullshit, sales plummeting, doesn’t it make sense to hit the readers LOOKING to find new authors, ones that are buying books ALL THE TIME? The more of a connection you make with them, the more books you sell… because a writing career isn’t about YOU, it’s about THEM.

TNEE is going to be around till 2019. TNEE is the only large event that treats both indie and traditionally published authors the same, is the cheapest, and provides opportunities most others do not. As we grow, the event grows, and we would love for you to grow with us. Help us make a level playing field, one that you don’t have to worry about your money getting stolen at, and one that you don’t have to worry about the amount of readers attending. The readers are OUT THERE… but its up to you to attend the events where the readers are flocking to.

To sign up for TNEE 2015… guaranteeing a cheaper price… go HERE.

In My Veins (Albion's Circle) Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:19:00 +0000

Today I'm happy we're apart of the 2 Americans and a Canadian, Eh Blog Tour with a Review of Jessica Jarman's latest release: In My Veins (Albion's Circle, Book Two).

Blurb:

Anna is his. Merlin has failed. The Circle is broken. After being defeated in every lifetime, Mordred believes he’s finally won.

Even though Anna has little hope of gaining Merlin’s forgiveness for believing Mordred over him and the rest of the Circle, she isn’t giving up and vows to set things right. When an offer of help comes from an unlikely ally, Anna must trust her instincts—the very thing that got her into this mess in the first place.

Because more than just her survival hangs in the balance. Mordred took her for a reason. Anna is the key. The key to completing the Circle. The key to preventing unthinkable death and destruction at Mordred’s hand. They key to destroying the heart of a wizard whose love has followed her through the ages.

But Mordred has forgotten exactly what’s he’s up against—Arthur and his Knights. The most powerful Magical to ever walk the Earth. And a love a thousand years in the making.

In My Veins is the second book in the Albion's Circle series, so you'll be lost if you don't read Deepest Cut, the first book located in the Anthology: If Ever I'd Leave You (Amazon Buy Link) that being said...

I enjoyed the story immensely, the characters are captivating. Anna has been a pleasure to read as she struggles to get a hold of her magic, keeps getting visions, and just tries to cope with Arthur, Merlin, the circle and everyday friends. Additionally, I felt as though this book was a great stepping stone for Anna and Merlin relationship wise, clearing up a lot of their communication issues and getting on the same page. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next between those two and what they pull off with their magics.

What stole the book for me however was Will and Galahad (Galahad is one of Arthur's knights and Will is Anna's brother). I absolutely adored the chemistry between those two. Now I know that I've got no shot to get between them because they are gay... and that small detail of them being fictional... but they have the HOTTEST sex scene I've read I'd say all year. I'd pay to be a fly on the wall to see their parts acted out. My fingers are crossed we get to see a lot more of them in the next book.

I can't really think of anything that I wasn't a fan of while reading this book. Ms. Jarman leaves it off at another great cliff hanger but, I think it just pikes my curiosity of what is going to happen next and how they are all going to deal with this last revelation of Anna's.

Over all I think if you liked King Arthur as a kid you'll enjoy & should check out Ms. Jarman's mystical fairy-tale in the 21st century setting.

Contact Jessica Jarman at

Facebook

Twitter

Blog / Website

GoodReads

Buy In My Veins Amazon, ARe, Smashwords

Before You Go... If you are free Nov 17, 2014 swing by facebook to participate in an end of Blog Tour. Try for a chance to win some prizes & chat with the authors: https://www.facebook.com/events/513909265379107/

Blog Tour Line Up:

10/20- Ebooks Galore- promo
10/21-Undercover Book Reviews- promo
10/22- A Book Addicts Delight- promo
10/23-Shelly's Books- promo
10/24-Spreading the Word- promo
10/25-Dreamer Talks books- promo
10/26-A Bit Bookish- Review (3)
10/26- Sassy Mom Says Read Romance- promo
10/27-Midnight Angel Book Heaven- promo
10/28-To Snog or To Blog- promo
10/29-Jen's Reading Obsession- promo
10/30-Bronwyn Green's Random Thoughts- Interview (3)
10/31-Authors After Dark- review (IMV)
11/1-101 Ways to Make Love to a Spoon- promo
11/2-Sapphyria's Steamy Books- promo
11/3-2 Bibliophiles- promo
11/4-My Bookshelf Book Review- review (Mated)
11/5-Barbara Book Reviews- review (3)
11/6-Trout Nation- promo
11/7-Be My Book Boyfriend- promo
11/8-Author Sandra Love- Interview (3)
11/9-The Color of Ink
11/10-Butterflies Books Dreams- promo
11/11-Spitfire Reviews- review (mated)
11/11-Indie Book Fairy- promo
11/12-Literature Litehouse- promo
11/13-Shannan's World of Books- review (3)
11/13- Sweet Treat Reading Reviews- promo
11/13- Panty Dropping Book Blog- promo
11/14-LSK Sweetheart Reviews- promo
11/15-Amanda Hlgelmire- promo
11/16-LBM Book Blog- promo
11/17-Wicked Reads- review (3)
11/18-Carpe_Diem- review (R, M)

City Lights by Julie Morgan

noreply@blogger.com (The Manic Reader) — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:27:00 +0000

Author Julie Morgan has published the next installment in her Southern Roots series! Come check out City Lights!

Music brought them together. A gamble with love could break them apart.
Blaine has reached rock and roll stardom. After surviving an overdose, Blaine was forced into a decision; change and be a better person, or continue down the dangerous path and lose everything he has worked for. Making the decision to change, he turns his focus and attention to writing and producing music in an effort to keep the bright lights of live performances and potential drugs at an arms distance.
Bassist to the band Blaine is producing, Penelope knows all too well who he is. He’s the sexy as hell, but also drug addicted singer of the mega band, Deep Ember. As excited as she is to get her band signed, she’s none too thrilled to find out her producer is Blaine. Leaving her boyfriend back home to follow her dreams, Penelope will find herself in uncomfortable situations with Blaine. He’s expressed a genuine interest in her and she feels drawn toward him in return. Unfortunately, knowing who he is and what he’s done puts up an invisible wall between them.
Emotions will be on the line and chords will be played… but can Blaine win over the heart of a woman who’s made it clear she wants nothing to do with him? Will Penelope be able to trust her emotions and will Blaine be able to prove he is not what his reputation says he is?

Buy Links
Amazon
B&N
Kobo

Eternal Neverland: Steps Before the Fall Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 01:15:00 +0000

This weeks awesome read was Eternal Neverland: Steps Before the Fall by Natasha Rogue. It was a quick paced, drama filled tale; a bit of a modern vampire West Side Story if you will.

Here's the blurb:

Helena K. Sharpe was raised by a man who had sympathy for supernatural creatures, for the vampires his bloodline hunted for centuries. She was too young to understand how he tried to help them, but she knew it was important. Her father made her promise never to hunt them and she would do anything to keep that promise.

Until he is murdered by the very things he dedicated so much of his life to.

Orphaned and alone, Helena takes to the street, afraid for whatever's left of her life. Without her family, she doesn't know how--or even if--she can go on. Until a vagrant takes her under his wing and gives her a purpose. Revenge.

For six years she learns about the monsters, studies their habits, until, at 15 years old, she feels she's ready to find the ones responsible for her parent's death. All she has to do is become one of them. She's cute, young, innocent...

They'll never see her coming.

I enjoy when authors use pop culture and literary references. When used well, to me, it is a personal endorsement that the person has got great style and taste. Ms Rogue nailed it numerous times cause seriously any Buffy reference in a vampire tale just plain rocks, not to mention all the other references she pulled off.

Despite not being a fan of Helena/Kitt (the main character) the book still worked for me. Half the time I wanted to punch Kitt in the face. I am hoping that in future books she grows up and matures a lot more. That being said I was really intrigued by her powers, I'm hoping those will come up more in future books. I was a huge fan of the guys (all of them & there were a lot), Raven, and the triplets. I adored the Triplets and Raven for all their spunk and potential to the overall story line. I hope there is more of them in future installments.

If I had to sum up Eternal Neverland I'd use the final fight scene of the last Twilight (the movie, not book) as a starting point but caveat it with: more plot twists, edgier characters, more drama, and a more complex back-story.

I was really surprised by the ending, without giving away too much, I'll definitely read the next book to find out what happens next since it was left on such a cliff hanger.

Contact Natasha at: Facebook, Twitter, Web

PreOrder at Amazon (Releases 10/28/14)

Eventide Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 21:51:00 +0000

This past weekend I had the immense pleasure to read a new Young Adult book entitled Eventide by Chris Allen-Riley and it was amazing!

Blurb:

The driver in a tragic car accident that killed her best friend, Devon Greer is consumed by guilt. When powerful hallucinations convince her that she’s seeing Rachael everywhere, Devon thinks she’s going crazy. But her friend isn’t truly gone. To save Rachael from the faeries who stole her, Devon must pit herself against the Court of the Sidhe. Once she witnesses the true form of the fey, Devon’s life is in danger—and so are the lives of everyone she loves. Now, Devon must not only protect herself, but also Jonah Seafort, Rachael’s cousin and the only person Devon can trust to help her. While the Sidhe walk among them, no one is safe…

OR you can watch a kick-ass book trailer on youtube.

What I enjoyed most about Ms. Allen-Riley's work was her characters. To me all her characters were relate-able and enjoyable with the exception of the traditional villain and high school bitch that everyone hates, but even those were well written. My favorites besides the main H/h was the little sister, I really enjoyed the sibling dynamics and antics throughout the story.

Another thing I enjoyed was her ability to be descriptive without the story dragging on or having lulls. There were no lulls at any point that I noticed. I literally read it through in one sitting only taking moments to jot notes down. Now this was partially because I had to find out what was going down in Iron Falls, as I couldn't even begin to guess, and also because I was slightly spooked. Look with all legends there's a grain of truth so I get a pass for being creeped out by the evil fae! I adored that Ms. Allen-Riley took the evil fae route, even though I was sure I wasn't going to be able to sleep and questioned my ability ever to go camping again! I enjoyed every moment of suspense she put me through.

I was utterly enamored with the whole story. After completing it I was very pleased to hear she plans to write at least two more in the series. I think it is a wonderful read for anyone who enjoys suspense, the fae, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, or series in general ~Eventide is a fantastic start and I look forward to reading about what happens next in Iron Falls!

I will be buying this in paperback to add to my keeper shelf, not to mention I will be using it as a stocking stuff-er this holiday season!

Contact Chris Allen-Riley at:

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Buy for Kindle (Releases 10/20/14)

Buy in Print (Available Now)

Five Santinis for less than a BUCK!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:00:00 +0000

So, hi, everyone! I know I have been absent the last few months and I really apologize for that. I have been fighting some health issues and they are continuing, but we know what the problem is now. But, it doesn't mean I haven't been hard at work! We have Santinis coming and to celebrate, I have The Ultimate Santini Novella Collection! It is already up for preorder at AMAZON and will be available through Barnes & Noble and Kobo. And the best news: Until Oct 31st, it will be only .99! Get it now if you missed out on any of the books to be caught up before A Santini in Love releases on November 4th!

All FIVE novellas available for a limited time in one book! Special pricing during preorder and through the first week. Sale ends Oct 31!!!
Get everyone's favorite military family for one low price just in time before the release of the highly anticipated A SANTINI IN LOVE!

LEONARDO
Joint Base San Antonio Army Medic Leo Santini doesn’t know what hit him when he runs into prickly physical therapist Maryanne Johnson.

MARCO
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Quiet and thoughtful Navy SEAL Marco Santini doesn’t realize love is right under his nose, but once he does, nothing will stop him from capturing Alana Kailikea’s heart.

GIANNI
Moody AFB PJ Gianni Santini finds the woman of his dreams the day before a deployment. When he returns, he has one mission on his mind, conquering professor Kianna Jones.

VICENTE
Quantico MCB Vicente sees himself at the last Santini standing when he comes up close and personal with the one woman he has always loved, Jules Andrews. Now all he cares about is being that last man standing—as long as he’s her man.

A SANTINI CHRISTMAS
Join the Santinis as they gather together not for the joy of the season, but in crisis. One major event throws everything they hold dear into jeopardy, rallying the Santini brothers to support them mother and thrusting Joey back to the memories of when she and Papa first fell in love.

Melissa Schroeder doesn’t disappoint as she continues to unleash her sexy Santini brothers on us. –Ms Romantic Reads

Includes the first chapter from A Santini in Love!

COMING SOON
Book Six: A Santini in Love (NOV 4TH)
Book Seven: Falling for a Santini (early 2015)

And, don't miss out on the Johnson Brothers:
Semper Fi Marines
Book One: Tease Me
Book Two: Tempt Me
Book Three: Touch Me

TRUTHS ALL AUTHORS NEED TO KNOW... OR REMEMBER.

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 00:38:00 +0000

Okay, so here is some straight, real talk, from a 10 year veteran of this industry. You might not like me, or how I do things, but trust me when I tell you that the following information is NEED TO KNOW. Yes, it should be all a no brainer, but sadly some people need stuff spelled out to them… and I’m not one for sugar coating. So read on… and realize--- I might be a bit crass, but it’s all the truth.

This is a marathon. This isn’t a sprint. It’s a CAREER. Remember that when you are looking down on or snubbing others.

Remember where you are today may not be where you are tomorrow. Mean people suck.

Hitting a list doesn’t make you accomplished. It is 99% luck. Hitting the lists consecutively? Yeah that makes you accomplished. And it makes it less of an accomplishment hitting with a bundle or anthology.

Push for your own accomplishments, with your work alone. Might take longer, but it means MORE.

And remember List Hitters… Don’t be an asshole after you do. Remember your friends, and the people that stood by you from the beginning, because when you slip down those ladder rungs (and you will… its inevitable) those are the people that you are going to have to deal with on the way back up… and people don’t forget asshole behavior.

As with everything else in life, PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS. Writing something because its popular and you have no love for it? Yeah… no.

If you’re writing solely to make money, readers will know.

This is a hard fucking job. Take it seriously. Events are not places for you to get hammered, hit on cover models, and then run around begging people to delete incriminating photos off your phone. Have some fucking decency… You’re out there representing your brand.

Professionalism in your book dealings--- online parties, events, and in person appearances--- is key.

Readers know when you are disingenuous. The difference between a reader supporting a bitch that treats them well and an author that pretends to be nice at their table then doesn’t acknowledge the reader later? The bitch might be a bitch, but they are a real person, and they aren’t being an asshole to who matters most--- the reader.

The READER is the ONLY thing that matters. Not your relationship with who you think is cool, or the friends you have or the cliques you are a part of. THE READER IS THE ONLY ONE THAT IS GOING TO KEEP YOU WRITING BECAUSE THEY BUY YOUR BOOKS. Without the reader, you shouldn’t be publishing because it’s pointless. If you’re not interested in the reader, write and put it in a drawer.

DON’T send your street team to willfully attack other authors via reviews and goodreads because you see them as competition. If you are that stupid and childish, you have no business in this business.

As an author your focus at events should be YOUR BOOKS, not the piece of man candy you bring with you. Remember one thing, THEY DON’T HELP YOU SELL BOOKS… they look pretty and get pictures taken, but for every ONE book sale you’re looking at 3-10 pictures. WHY bring these guys along and pay for them when you’re not making the $ back in sales? You know what’s going to keep them coming back to read you? THE STORY. Focus on that… because that’s what it’s really about.

BE GOOD TO YOUR STREET TEAM. They are spending their time to help make YOUR dreams come true on a volunteer basis. An active street team is gold and they support YOU… so treat them with respect.

Remember something: WHAT WORKED FOR OTHERS WILL NOT necessarily work for you. There is no short cut to success… and if there is, its fleeting.

Attending events for any other reason than that there are readers to sell at (Except writer events, which is a totally different story) defeats the purpose of trying to sell at in person events. Just because someone on that event is popular doesn’t mean you are going to get ANY of their sales… and attending because you wanna be close to “greatness” and get into that person’s inner circle? Yeah, you’re not an author, you’re a goddamn lacky---- Care about the product you are putting out, not the “names” you can drop. In the long run, those people aren’t going to give a shit about you OR your career.

You know there’s a ton more out there, but with everything that’s going on these days… these are the most important. And remember, if your offended by ANY of these truths, maybe you should take a step back and ask yourself WHY it offends you, and what you can do to change it in your own career.

September Books Read

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:00:00 +0000

Hey Folks,

I hope everyone's September is going well!

This month has been a slow book month for me with being back in classes but here's what I've checked out this month:

Men of Calder County: Boxed set of 13 Untamed, Unleashed, Unforgettable Tales of Love
It has works by Tilly Green, Heather Long, Gayle Donnelly, and others
Buy it at Amazon (Bargain price of 2.99)

Light Me Up: Seven Steamy Series Starters
It has works by Lorelei James, M. Malone, Roxie Rivera, Vivian Arend, Elle Kennedy, Kit Rocha, Eliza Gayle, Alisha Rai. I was already a huge fan of half of these ladies but it was such a good buy I couldn't help support my favorite authors and I discovered a couple new-to-me authors in the process.
Buy it at Amazon (Waaaay under priced at .99) <-Seriously if you've never read these authors you've gotta get this box set to get introduced to them.

I finally got a chance to read the last story in the July Anthology Release: If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generation
It has works by Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green, & Abigail Barnette.
Buy it at Amazon (.99)

Sci-fi Nights: Alpha bad boys & wild girls of futuristic romance
It has tales by Bianca D'Arc, Jessa Slade, & others
Buy it at Amazon (.99)

Outfoxed by Love by the amazing Eve Langlais
Loved the comedy styling of Ms. Langlais' latest shifter & who doesn't love a Moose?!
Buy it at Amazon (3.99)

I also checked out Fly Guy Next Door (Freefall Book 2) by Brandy Walker
Cute addition to her series about the 'Boy-Next-Door'!
Buy it at Amazon (2.99)

What I'm still looking forward to in a few days is the Anthology: Hometown Heroes: Hotter Ever After (Pets for Vets Charity Bundle)
It has ~16 different authors including works by: Melissa Schroeder, Hildie McQueen, and others.
Buy it at Amazon (1.99)

Now of course there have been a few more than this that I've wanted to check out & they're in my pile but alas I don't have any house elves to help with my homework or housework so I've just run out of time.

What have you read that you've enjoyed?
What releases are you looking forward to?

All the best & be sure to keep taking your vitamins to avoid the colds that get passed around with schools being back in session.
xoCarolline

Cover Reveal: Ann Mayburn's Exquisite Danger (Iron Horse MC)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 19:33:00 +0000

For those of us that have been patiently waiting for part two of Smoke & Swan's story in Ms. Mayburn's latest series Iron Horse MC; good news, we're one step closer!

*drumroll*

Here is the cover for Exquisite Danger:

Blurb:
For the first time in my life I know what it’s like to be completely and truly adored by a man who loves me for exactly who I am, a high functioning autistic with more personality quirks than there are stars in the Texas Hill Country night sky.

Some people think my boyfriend, Smoke, is a total biker psycho, a natural born killer who will destroy anyone who threatens what he considers his. They wouldn’t be wrong, but he’s so much more than that. He’s my dark salvation, my beloved fallen angel who is trying with all of his wicked heart to save me from what seems like an entire world bent on either killing me or a fate worse than death.

We’re headed to the Denver, Colorado chapter of the Iron Horse MC, chasing after my narcissistic, junkie mother who decided to steal from some very bad men leaving her two daughters behind to pay the price for her betrayal. My twin sister, Sarah, old lady to the Iron Horse MC president, is looking for my mother as well, but Sarah’s gone rogue and has no one to guard her back which worries me deeply. To further complicate matters, there are traitors in the Iron Horse MC who are working with my mother, not only helping her to escape but also informing my enemies of my every move.

The odds are stacked against me, but I will do whatever is necessary to protect those I love, and with Smoke at my side, I just might make it out of this mess alive.

I'm beyond giddy that it's almost here!!
To tide everyone over here's a excerpt:

Chapter One

Swan

The burning Texas sun set over the distant hills in spectacular bursts of amethyst, cardinal red, and tangerine while a warm breeze moved over my skin like a caress. It was late summer nights like these, idyllic evenings when laughter and the smell of cooking food filled the air, that made me regret ever leaving the raw beauty of the Texas hill country. I took a long pull from my cold beer and gazed across the yard to where my amazing man, Smoke, stood talking with my good friend Indigo’s parents, Ron and Bettie, an older Asian couple. They looked like a couple of tie-die-wearing hippies that time had forgotten while Smoke seemed all the more dark and dangerous standing with them, like some kind of post-apocalypse War Barron…an apex predator. Except right now he looked like an amused predator conversing with two earnest chipmunks.

Ron and Bettie were actually pretty sane for preppers, but they’d talk your ear off about ‘the man’ if you gave them half a chance, and I wondered if Smoke was perplexed or amused by them. I know Indigo thought they were just batshit crazy; they drove her nuts with their ever evolving list of people they swore were trying to kill them. Funny thing was, the more you listened to them the more you started to believe that their weird conspiracy theories might have a ring of truth to them.

Memories of nights spent at Indigo’s compound flitted through my mind like sheets of paper caught in a windstorm as the years peeled back. Ron and Bettie were more than a little odd, but they treated me like one of their own and were two of the few people I trusted on sight. They were close with my parents and would often come over to play cards on our big, screened-in back porch and laugh about the world going to hell. A bolt of melancholy tightened my chest as I realized how much I missed them…though right now I was far more interested in my man than my friend’s parents.

Poor Smoke, he actually looked like he was really thinking about what they were saying with a slightly bemused smile curving his lips. Considering Ron and Bettie were conspiracy theorists he was probably getting an earful about the Vagrants, an evil political entity Ron and Bettie believed was slowly taking over the world. That was why they’d decided to stop watching cable TV. They swore mind control devices had been implanted by the Vagrants inside of cable boxes and got all their news off the Internet instead from websites of people who’s wacked out political views made Ron and Bettie look sane.

Indigo had a touch of their paranoia, but she was one of the best private investigators in the country at twenty-one so maybe that wasn’t a bad thing.

I had to laugh at myself as I watched my big, badass biker boyfriend talking with them in their faded tie-dye clothing. I swear they were roughly half his massive size, and his commanding presence made them seem even smaller. Smoke’s fist was nearly as big as Ron’s head, and the memory of those big hands on me sent rather pleasant sparks of pleasure dancing through my body.

Yum.

From the top of his head covered in curly black hair to his sexy feet—no, seriously, the man even has gorgeous feet—he was one hundred percent mine. The good and the bad. Sometimes I saw a hint of true darkness in him, the dispassionate gaze of a killer, and it scared me and aroused me at the same time. But if Smoke was the king of the jungle, I was his queen, and I had a touch of darkness myself. We were an odd couple, to be sure, but beneath our skin our hearts beat to the same savage rhythm.

Even though my sex was still sore from the hard fuck he’d given me last night I craved him to the point where I planned on throwing myself on him and tearing off his clothes the first second we were alone. When he’d taken my virginity he woke a hunger in me that bordered on ravenous. I wanted to devour him, to lock us away in my bedroom and make him give me pleasure until I passed out. I knew how good those perfect, full lips of his felt wrapped around my nipples and how his big hands could hold my body still while he bit me with little stinging nips that set my body ablaze.

He was just such a big, solid man all over. Including his magnificent cock with the piercing beneath the base that rested against his balls. A shiver raced down my spine and settled between my hips as I imagined how that wonderful bit of metal would hit my clit just right while fucking doggy style. Another wave of heat sensitized my pussy and I shifted, somehow drawing his attention to me past all the other people at the big party to where I stood leaning against a tree and watched the festivities around me..

When his dark gaze met mine I swore the world hushed for a moment, nothing existed except my pounding heart and his handsome face. The setting sun hit his cheekbones and his bold, Aztec nose just right, turning him into the living statue of a warrior. Without even trying he enchanted me and my knees weakened to the point where I had to brace myself against the tree. I was spellbound by his dark gaze, completely ensnared by his raw, masculine beauty.

That was the only way I could describe my feelings for him, that he wove some type of magical enchantment over me that held me in ethereal bondage, draining my will and replacing it with his. I gladly surrendered to him, and my breath caught at the flare of passion between us as he casually rubbed his lips while pretending to listen to Bettie yammer on about the world ending.

Despite the fact that I wore a pair of faded jeans and a black tank top with a pair of my beat up old boots, he stared at me like I was nude and had been rubbed down with oil, cranking my overwhelming arousal even higher. I didn’t like getting turned on with my parents around—it was weird—but at the same time, I loved the way the heat built between us until I was melting with it. If he slipped his long, rough fingers between my legs right now he’d find me slick with desire.

I had to tighten my grip on my beer bottle, suddenly certain that it would slip from my useless grip as my heart raced when he began to make his way across the yard to me. Yelling children ran past him while people eating burgers and ribs tried to get his attention, but he avoided the kids and ignored the adults. His attention was focused totally on me and I couldn’t help the goofy smile hurting my cheeks as he came closer. Elation filled me and I took a step away from my tree, then another, eager to bask in his presence like a cat in a patch of sunlight on a cold winter day.

When Smoke gazed at me like this I knew I was the center of his universe. He looked at me in a way no one ever had, like I was more important than air and the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. I would never, ever get tired of the way Smoke watched me. Putting a little swing in my hips I stepped up beneath the green leaves of the old tree until the toes of my battered cowboy boots were touching his black motorcycle boots. The scent of summer filled the air around us, the sun-baked earth mixing with the sharp spice of the fire and the sweet darkness of barbeque. He smelled really, really good, a hint of sweat mixed with sun-warmed skin and his soap. He’d actually brought a bar of his personal soap with him and insisted on washing me with it when we shared a shower this morning. He really, really got off on me smelling like him. Not that I was complaining, being bathed by Smoke was a decadent experience and one of the best ways in the world to greet the day.

I looked up and brushed a strand of hair from my face while we stared at each other like love-besotted fools. Tonight I actually wore my high maintenance hair down and loose at Smoke’s request. I was constantly moving it off my face, which was annoying, but totally worth every bit of irritation when Smoke ran his fingers through the long strands with a look of pure satisfaction. He cupped my cheek, leaned down and rubbed his nose along mine, then brushed a soft kiss over my lips. Even that modest touch made my skin tingle, and I sighed against his mouth, pressing my body against his even as I kept my hands at my side. If I touched him I’d either grab his magnificent ass or run my fingers through his dark, silken curls while hauling his mouth to mine in a rather wanton display that would be totally inappropriate in front of my neighbors.

The slightest hint of his tongue brushed my lips and I groaned softly, stealing a taste of him before he lifted his head and grinned down at me, still stroking my cheek in a hypnotizing rhythm. I knew I was the only person who ever got to see the soft, tender side of Smoke and I relished his open affection for me. In the world of the Iron Horse MC, where he was the Master at Arms for the founding chapter, Smoke was feared, and with good reason. I’d witnessed him losing his temper when we first met, and the pure rage he put off scared me. Even back then he’d been oddly attuned to my every need and had immediately calmed himself when he saw that his anger scared me.

“Hey, beautiful baby,” Smoke said with a rough purr in his voice. “You tryin’ to get your daddy to shoot me?”

I laughed, very aware of my father glaring at Smoke from where he sat at a picnic table near the fire pit. A hint of unease moved through me; my dad could very well be considering how to end the life of my much older boyfriend. Or, as Smoke liked me to call him, my man. Even my dad’s disapproval couldn’t quell the need coiling inside of me, and I slipped my hands into Smoke’s and gave a soft squeeze. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Mimi sit down on my dad’s lap and he glared at her for a second before his lips curved into a reluctant smile and his eyes filled with warmth. They were true soul mates and I was happy for them, happy to have been blessed with parents who could show me what true love meant.

“No, I don’t want my dad to shoot you. He might hit something important. Something I really like.” I bumped my hips to his, the press of his big erection against my body sending a shiver of electric desire down my spine and straight to my clit. Fuck, knowledge was a dangerous thing. Before Smoke I’d been totally inexperienced and I had no idea how good sex could be. I have this issue with people touching me, a sensory issue combined with a fear of strangers, and before Smoke I’d never met a man who could touch me like he could. My body belonged to him from the very start and I loved the way he made me feel.

It would be nice to relax with Smoke, once we found my sister and my mom, then keep the Mafia, the Russians, and the Los Diablos MC from killing me. Once this was all over I wanted to spend a solid week in bed with Smoke, fucking each other senseless. My body hummed with arousal and I rubbed against him again, unconsciously seeking the relief I knew he could give me, and the ability to escape my worries and fear that I could only find in his arms.

His deep chuckle vibrated against my breasts. “What naughty things are you thinking about? Is it about my tongue in your pussy, or my cock?”

I frowned up at him, trying to ignore the way my lady bits were now throbbing. Damn he had a sexy ass voice, all deep and growly. Male, primal, hot. “How do you know I’m thinking about sex?”

“Because you do these long, slow bites on your lower lip when you’re getting turned on. When I see those pretty white teeth sinking into one of my favorite places to kiss I know you’re thinking about me touching you. I could fuck you for days at a time, satisfy you until you don’t know your own name, but now is not the time or place so stop being so fuckin’ sexy. You’re killin’ me.”

I sighed and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my cheek against his chest with a low sigh. “I was just thinking that it will be nice to go home when this is over…and touching you.”

He made a happy sound and pulled me tight against him, his arms solid as a tree trunks wrapping around me and holding me close. “I can’t wait to get you home either.”

*Sigh*

While we wait for it's release be sure to check out Part One: Exquisite Trouble!
Buy it at Amazon

You can visit Ms. Mayburn at:
Her Website
On Twitter
On Facebook

Link to buy ALL her other books! ;) I am in love with her Submissive Wish (a smoking hot BDSM series), and Bondmates (a new out of this world scifi series) books, in case you need something to read this weekend. :)

The Novel Experience: SALE AND AWESOME REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:01:00 +0000

5 reasons to do The Novel Experience:

AUTHORS!

It’s Vegas. It’s cheap. Like cheapy cheap. 149-189 a night depending on the room you choose. On a hotel RIGHT ON THE STRIP! Oh and its 3 days pre and post for the prices too! Make a vacation outta it for a fraction of the price!
Over 350 readers have already signed on! We are expecting a LOT more!
Unlike AAD, we have room for 300+ authors as our ballroom is MASSIVE. If you have been trying to get into AAD, this is JUST LIKE AAD, but more author opportunities. AUTHOR SPOTS ARE STILL OPEN! Spots are 200$ and include YOU and your Assistant, food all day in the Author green room, and a Friday night welcome event! (Possibly some other goodies from the Vegas Convention Bureau--- we are working on it!)
As TNEE is in its infancy, authors are able to help us shape the event to be what THEY would like it to be with afterhours events, off sites and Daytime craziness!
Authors that sign on for 2015’s event will get first opportunities for 2016, AND a freebie VIP ticket to give to one of their readers!

READERS!

It’s VEGAS for CHEAP! Like cheapy cheap. 149-189 a night depending on the room you choose. On a hotel RIGHT ON THE STRIP! Oh and its 3 days pre and post for the prices too! Make a vacation outta it for a fraction of the price!
MANY genres will be in attendance, including Romance, Scifi/fantasy, Steampunk, YA, NA, Horror, Mystery and others!
TONS of awesome opportunities to hangout with authors ALL OVER VEGAS! Several authors are getting off site parties together for Vegas shows (like Thunder from Down under, and Absinthe) and will be offering contests for special meals and events with them--- fully paid! (But you gotta be registered with us to qualify!)
THE EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND! That’s right, FREE! Rooms are the ONLY thing you need to pay (aside from your transportation) to attend the event. Staying at the hotel is preferred, as there’s going to be awesome extras that will be cropping up at the hotel!
Readers are our focus at this event! From the big signing to the evening parties, Authors and readers will explore Vegas together!

AND GUESS WHAT? WE ARE HAVING A SALE for LABOR DAY!

That’s right!

AUTHORS! Registration from 8/27-Sept 2 is only 180$ (you save 20$!)(use AuthorsLaborDaySale for the code)

READERS! Attendance is FREE but should you want a VIP ticket, its only 62.50$ from 8/27-Sept 2!!!! That’s 50% off the VIP price! (use Labor Day Sale for the Code)

So spread the word, get registered, and get ready

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-novel-experience-las-vegas-tickets-11210544039

AAD 2015... the FINAL list of amazing Authors!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 13:32:00 +0000

Hey everyone!

So we are announcing the full list of authors for 2015's Authors After Dark, happening August 12-16 in Atlanta Georgia, at the Sheraton Downtown hotel! Registration will open SEPTEMBER 5th at Noon...

So... Ready?

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Saranna DeWylde

Rebecca Zanetti

Kiernan Kelly

Boone Brux

Rita Sawyer

Sidney Bristol

Lacie Nation

Beth Williamson

Lissa Matthews

Eliza Gayle

Jennifer Estep

T. Lynne Tolles

Tilly Greene

Alyssa Breck

Diana Castilleja/ Diana DeRicci

Bronwyn Green

Jessica Jarman

Tawdra KANDLE

Liz Schulte

Julia Talbot

BA Tortuga

Jenn LeBlanc

Ann Mayburn

Stacey Kennedy

Mina Khan

Kris Norris

C.J. Ellisson

Stephanie Julian

Heather Long

TJ Michaels

Marianne Morea

Ciara Knight

kerry adrienne

Kerrianne Coombes

Carrie Ann Ryan

MK Mancos/Kathleen Scott

Jae Lynne Davies

Sherri L. King

Jenny Trout/Abigail Barnette

Desiree Holt

Amy Gregory

Mel Schroeder

T.C. Blue

Robyn Peterman

Bianca Sommerland

Olivia Jaymes

Roz Lee

Connie Suttle

Vella Day

Sara York

A.D. Roland

Brandy Walker

Melinda Harris

S.P. Cervantes

J.M. Madden

Hildie McQueen

Julie Morgan

Milly Taiden

Teresa D'Amario

Sasha White

Tracy Wolff

ML Guida

Coreene Callahan

Suzanne Johnson

Jennifer Ashley

S.A. Price

Cat Johnson

Eve Langlais

Jennah Scott

Sahara Kelly

Jess Haines

Jodi Vaughn

Carrie Clevenger

Candace Belvins

Nancy Naigle

Jettie Necole

Joy Daniels

Chudney Thomas

Marissa Dobson

Cheryl Dragon

Kristen Painter

Taylor Law

JA Howell

Becca St. John

Lia Davis

Leanna Renee Hieber

AL Davroe

Lia Habel

Jolynne Valerie

Normandie Alleman

Kirsten Osbourne

Caryn Moya Block

Dena Garson

Andrew Grey

Yvette Hines

Lorelei James

Eve Vaughn

Louisa Bacio

Jayne Rylon

Bianca D’Arc

We cant wait to have one hell of an event next August! And if you didnt get a Featured author spot, PLEASE NOTE that there will be other limited opportunities for authors that are NOT featured to get in on, but we will not be announcing these till the day registration opens, as to better ensure we hit every possible opportunity.

Alternately, we have another event, THE NOVEL EXPERIENCE and while AAD only allows for 100 Featured authors, TNEE isnt limited as such. We have room for 500 at TNEE< and it is cheaper than AAD, and has a lot of readers attending. We are suggesting to any author that didnt make the list for AAD to sign on for that event as its the best option we have for you, and is, infact a gateway to AAD in future years.

Welcome to all authors for AAD 2015! Expect emails soon!

The Novel Experience: WHY should I Attend as an author?

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Price) — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 23:31:00 +0000

So We have been getting a very loaded question here at AAD/ Romance Ink… That question is, WHY AS AN AUTHOR SHOULD *I* DO THE NOVEL EXPERIENCE?

I’m glad people are asking that question. There are a TON of reasons why, as an author you should do it, but first and foremost this: TNEE was created to give EVERYONE, traditionally published, indie published and small press published the arena to promote and sell their books in an environment that’s fair for everyone, and won’t break an author’s bank.

There is a serious need for an event that doesn’t limit who can sign to traditionally published. Readers don’t care HOW a book is published, only that it IS and there is new stuff to read. All authors have the right to get out there to reach new readers, and TNEE is one of those events that is striving to get readers and authors together.

This event was created for YOU, to give authors every opportunity to hit readers. We chose Las Vegas because it’s a great party town, you can work, and play and connect with the readers you have for very little money.

The CVB for Vegas is even giving us some AMAZING pricing on party buses, events and Shows… so Vegas is even MORE affordable with this event. And we also have the CHEAPEST room rate available at a strip hotel for ANY event in lit…. You can’t beat that!

Some other awesome stuff?

TNEE will never take your money from your book sales. EVER. We are a nonprofit, and have made the event affordable enough that we can get lots of authors in, to pay for the event itself. We will never charge you for your books because our bookseller will never expect to sell your books for you. Event is 200$ for a table for Saturday, and gets you and your assistant in for the con, and access to the Green room (food and Booze all day on Sat!) and your name on all promo goodies (provided you sign on before January 1^st as we start printed promo then).

Room rates are actually between 149 and 189 a night depending on on peak/ off peak and what kinda rooms you get. They DO have suites, cottages and villas at special prices but you must already be registered to get them!

As TNEE is in its infancy, we will be working with the authors and the publishers that are interested in making this event something amazing. The hotel has offered some prime options (especially as we will be there for more than one year) to help mold this into an event that can rival what’s out there now. We are SUPER excited to have the options, and can’t wait to see what both author groups and publishers come up with.

As of right now, we have over 300 readers signed on for it, and more coming every day. We are expecting between 1400-2000 people over the span of the event and we have room for 500 authors in Las Vegas, and we think YOU would have a great time meeting readers and selling books. We know that the CVB is is already advertizing this event for us, and they have already helped to get our bookseller!

Oh and did I mention… Readers go FREE. That’s right, FREE. They can either WIN a VIP ticket or pay for one, and EVERY author attending gets the opportunity to give away a VIP ticket to their readers to get them excited to go. But I mean… its VEGAS so who isn’t excited to go right?

This is the cheapest biggest signing and party event in literature, one that is fostering a good time for little money. Why not try it out, become part of an event that puts you and the readers first.

Registration is already open and names will be added to the website weekly starting Sept. 1^st. Our website has more info, and the link to register for the event. Room reservation are also already open, and the info for it will be in your conformation email from the ticket site.

Check out our website: http://novelexperienceevent.org and we hope to see you this coming spring!

Cover Reveal: Southern Roots by Julie Morgan

noreply@blogger.com (The Manic Reader) — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Cover reveal for Julie Morgan

Southern Roots

Synopsis:

Returning home never looked so good...
Home from college to help her mother on the family farm, Lexi Griffin expects things to be quiet and normal. She's back in her hometown, and everything is the same as she left it, including the slowly mending broken heart given to her by her high school sweet heart, Blaine.

After years away, Robert Shaw has returned to his hometown for his father's wedding, looking forward to reconnect with old friends, but he has no clue what's in store for him when he sees Lexi again. Sparks fly between the two, and Lexi is a bit reluctant to start anything with Robert, especially when past wounds haven't healed the way they should have. Robert is determined to have her, against all odds and good sense. A girl like her came around once in a lifetime, and he never forgot her.

And then Blaine comes back to town, intent on rekindling what he had with Lexi, even though his past cheating and drug use has slightly soured him in her eyes. She still loves him, but can she forgive him?

As Lexi takes a leap of faith, she suddenly faces the ultimate betrayal from one she trusted. Will she realize the truth in time or will corruption ruin the best thing that has just walked out of her life?

So? What do you think? Do you like it? Personally, I LOVE it! Southern Roots is the story of Robert (aka: Bobby Ray) returning home, his getting (intimately) reacquainted with Lexi and the run in they both experience with Blaine, Abby and a world of disaster. Southern Roots is a contemporary romance set in modern times. It's fast paced, exciting and balls out fun as hell of a read! Remember what it felt like to fall in love with your One? Take that ride along with Bobby Ray and Lexi as they experience what love is like after a HUGE heartbreak.

About the author

Julie Morgan

Originally from Burleson, Texas Julie always had a love of books, especially paranormal stories. Julie finally took the leap and began writing with encouragement from her family.
Having worked in IT her entire career, Julie now spends her free time writing. Living in Central Florida with her husband and daughter, her favorite pastime is reading children's stories to her daughter, especially those around animals.

Julie is also the author for Chronicles of the Fallen series. Check out her other stories on Amazon and Good Reads on the links below!

Connect with Julie Morgan:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliemorganbook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieMorganBook
Blog: http://juliemorganbooks.com/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/juliemorgan
Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/juliemorganbooks