Writers and Authors

Guest Post: How do you write?

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000+01:00

Wondering how others settle down to write. Do you need a cozy corner off to yourself? Some place where you can think and put your thoughts in order? Do you sit in front of a laptop or some other form of electronic communicator? Or do you go the old route of pen and paper?

Some people say they need activity around them in order for the thoughts to flow. Like writing in a coffee shop or even in a home where there are lots of others present. Personally I can't see how anyone can get one word down with all the chaos going on.

When I started writing there were only two forms of doing it. One was to take a pad and pen or pencil whichever you preferred and write. The second was to bang it out on a typewriter. The typewriter thing was not as convenient in my mind because I might get an idea when I was out on a walk, or even in the bathtub. So having the pad and pen always nearby was the best way for me at the time. Of course after collecting my thoughts on paper, if I thought it was worthwhile then all of those notes got typed up neatly on a typewriter.

Oh yes, the typewriter. My first one was so large and so clumpy that it had to be set in one spot and never moved. It must have weighed two hundred pounds or felt like it. And be careful not to knock it because if it tipped over you could have a hole in your floor or a badly bruised floor at least. And the noise and the mess. Just when you thought you were getting somewhere and ideas were flowing freely, the ribbon got stuck, or it ran out and you had to replace it or wait until you got to a store to buy a new one. The frustrations of early typing.

Then along came the little portable typewriters. Now these guys were way easier to manipulate. You could move them easily from room to room, or take them outside on a nice day if you were so inclined to write. After that the electric typewriter. Boy was that something to get used to. Where the old typewriter keys had spaces down between them, the electric keyboard did not and everything was so close together your fingers got all jumbled up on top of each other. And be careful if you typed too fast or hit the keys too hard, you were then in for a lot of mistakes. But the hardest part was going from an electric typewriter back to a manual. If you had not been on the old manual for awhile and had hopefully forgotten all of its barbaric ways, then you were in for a frustrating surprise. Your fingers did not plunk hard enough to even make a mark on the paper, your fingers also wanted to keep falling into the crevices between each key and if that happened you could sorely hurt that finger of yours.

Then the word processor came along. Oh boy was that nice. You even actually had a screen, even though it was tiny. You could see the words that you typed, you could save it and you even had little discs to save your work on and that was a wonderful thing!

Finally we got the computer, for me that was 1997. At first I was afraid of it. Afraid if it went off accidentally I might not get it to come on again. Also I was told not to turn it off without shutting down. So if things got bad, and things got frozen and I could do no more, I didn't know what to do. I couldn't shut down properly and I was deathly afraid to just turn it off. What if it exploded or something? Then my little brain reasoned: what if the power goes off, then the computer shuts down, right? So that had happened before and it didn't blow up or get broken, so I finally calmed down and stopped being afraid of my computer.

Even though I had typewriters and word processors and finally the computer, I still continued to write my articles and novels long hand. If I were to put a piece of paper in the typewriter, or turn on a blank screen for writing, I would just stare at it, any creative thoughts that had been in my head seemed to take a hike. But give me a comfortable couch or chair in a warm and quiet spot, a pad of paper and a pencil and I was all set. As soon as I put pencil to paper the words began to flow and they never stopped. I could erase, correct, whatever I needed to do and I was at ease.

I wrote with pen/pencil and pad for many years then cleaned them up on the typewriter or computer later. It was only a few years ago that I got comfortable composing on my laptop. I can sit almost anywhere I want to, and I am officially weaned from the paper and pen. I sometimes wonder though, if I were to find a really comfortable and inspiring place and only had a pad and pen, what might come out of my fingertips. What might be lurking there behind the fingertips that gets frozen up when my fingers touch a keyboard? Someday maybe I will try and find out. Happy Writing Everyone!

Carol Marlene Smith is an author and artist living in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has four published novels and a number of short stories. She loves to write about the positive power of writing! carolstewart60@hotmail.com

Are you part of the Blogosphere?

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000+01:00

A blog is an excellent tool for a writer. It encourages you to write frequently and creates a platform for you to promote and network from. Blogging can also lead to job offers, speaking engagements and other media visibility.

"The Blogosphere is constantly changing and evolving. In 2011 we are seeing bloggers updating their blogs more frequently and spending more time blogging". technorati.com

This chart (taken from the State of the Blogosphere 2011 report at http://technorati.com gives a nice summary of why people are blogging and it's benefits.

But with so many options available how do you decide which platform to use? I personally use Blogger. The fact that Blogger is owned by the internet giant Google is a major plus point in its favor.

This infographic gives some nice statistics regarding blog platforms and their features:

Do you have a blog? Do you have multiple blogs? Which platform do you use? Share your views and the link to your blog in the comments section.

Sources: http://technorati.com/blogging/article/state-of-the-blogosphere-2011-introduction/#ixzz1iyLJa8ha

6 Reasons to join the Facebook page

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000+01:00

Did you know that Writers and Authors has a fan page on Facebook?

Here a few reasons why you should drop by and join it:

You obviously like Writers and Authors and via the page you can be one of the first to find out about the latest news regarding the project.
It's a great place to network with other members of the writing industry.
You can promote your books, website, virtual tours, latest articles, interviews etc... on the wall and even upload your books cover art.
Daily posts to the wall include quotes about writing, writing inspiration and prompts, useful articles and links to tools and applications.
Be one of the first to hear about promotional opportunities.
You can become 'fan of the week' and have the spotlight on you for a whole week.

Currently nearly 500 people have 'liked' the page and are regularly active commenting on posts, 'liking' and sharing content on the wall.

Join today!

Interview with Rae Johnson

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000+01:00

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I knew I would be an author ever since the day I finished reading Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. I lied across my bed thinking about how emotive the novel was and that’s when the thought of being an author enter my mind. From that day forward I knew I would be an author I just didn’t know during what phase of my life it would occur.

What genre do you write and why?

I write urban fiction that focuses on social and domestic issues. I like to shed light on issues going on in urban families and communities that often go unspoken.

Tell us about your latest book.

Abnormal Lives is about two cousins, Simone and Stefan, who are more like brother and sister, having been raised by their now deceased maternal grandmother. Both of their mothers abandoned them at various ages, leaving them to fend for themselves. The two turn to prostitution to make ends meet. Stefan, who is gay and also a cross-dresser, struggles with the stigma he faces because of his sexuality and Simone struggles with the task of being her own person and taking charge of her life. Although all Simone and Stefan have are each other there is constant conflict between them because Simone resents Stefan for consistently rubbing her shortcomings in her face while never admitting to his own and Stefan loathes Simone for being too weak to take responsibility for her own life.

What marketing methods are you using to promote your book? I mostly promote my book through social networking and online interviews. I also pass out handouts with information about my book whenever I’m out and about to get the word out about Abnormal Lives.

What formats is the book available in?

Abnormal Lives is available in trade paperback and e-book format

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I’m the true definition of the term homebody. I love nothing more than spending time with my loved ones and that’s what I do when I’m not writing.

Who are your favorite authors?

Two of my favorite authors are James Baldwin and Iceberg Slim. I love James Baldwin’s stirring and provocative writing style and Iceberg Slim’s raw unadulterated voice

What advice do you have for other writers?

I’m new to this so the only advice I feel confident giving is don’t let self-criticism or the criticism of others prevent you from pursuing your dream.

What's your favorite quote about writing/for writers?

I wrote my first novel because I wanted to read it –Toni Morrison.

What's the best thing about being a writer?

The best thing about being a writer is the joy of creating a story that’s never been told before.

Where can people find out more about you and your writing?

People can find out more about me and my writing by visiting me onfacebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthoressRae or by following me on twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/Itsjust_Rae.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I would like to thank everyone who has supported my venture. As a new author it really means a lot to me.

Guest post: Awards Are Publicity Gold

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000+01:00

Awards Are Publicity Gold

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson,
author of the multi award-winning book,
The Frugal Book Promoter, now in its second edition

It is the time of year to make promotion plans for 2012.

I'm hoping that my author friends will include winning (or place or show) among their goals. A book doesn't have to be a top winner for the success to be newsworthy. Media editors still see awards as anything from a sure-fire feature story to a filler. But I fear that many authors still don't utilize their awards to their fullest potential.

A list of things authors should do with their awards once they’ve won them appeared in the first edition of The Frugal Book Promoter and, because that information is so important, it appears in the just-released second edition (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo) , too. Here is the list authors (or folks in any business, really!) will want to keep for the day when they have an award they can use to help with their branding.

· Add your new honor to the Awards page of your media kit. If it’s your first award, center it on a page of its own. Oh! And celebrate!

Write your media release announcing this coup. (See Chapter Eleven of the second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter to learn to build a targeted media list and Chapter Twelve to learn to write a professional media release.)
Post your news on media release distribution sites. Find a list of these sites at howtodoitfrugally.com/mediareleasedisseminators1.htm.
Notify your professional organizations.
Notify bookstores where you hope to have a signing and those where you have had a signing.
Notify your college and high school. Some have press offices. Most publish magazines for alumni and their current students.
Add this information to the signature feature (see Chapter Twenty) of your e-mail program.
Add this honor to the biography template you use in future media releases—the part that gives an editor background information on you.
Use this information when you pitch TV or radio producers, editors of newsletters and newspapers. and bloggers. It sets you apart from others and defines you as an expert.
If your book wins an award, order embossed gold labels from a company like http://labels-usa.com/embossed-labels.htm. You or your distributor can apply them to your books’ covers. If you win an important award, ask your publisher to redesign your bookcover or dustcover to feature it a la the Caldecott medal given for beautifully illustrated children’s books. If you don’t know this medal, visit your local bookstore and ask to see books given this award. It’s one of the most famous and most beautifully designed.
If your book is published as an e-book only, ask for the contest's official badge or banner to use. If they don't have one, make one of your own using http://bannerfans.com/banner_maker.php.
Be sure your award is front and center on your blog, your Web site, your Twitter wallpaper, and your social network pages.
Your award should be evident on everything from your business card to your checks and invoices. I use the footer of my stationery to tout my major awards.
Don't forget to put your award in your e-mail signature.
Frame your award certificate and hang it in your office to impress visitors and to inspire yourself to soar even higher!

~This is just a blog-size excerpt from a complete chapter on awards in The Frugal Book Promoter (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo), including information on how to improve your chances of getting one. Carolyn brings her experience as a journalist, publicist, retailer, and author of her own books to the how-to books she writes for authors. D’vorah is helping her celebrate the release of the 2nd edition of this USA Book News and Irwin award-winning book. Learn more about the whole series at www.howtodoitfrugally.com.

Video: Google+, Explore Hangouts

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000+01:00

Hang out with up to nine friends, in real-time video, from anywhere. Pop in and out as you want. Find out more at plus.google.com.

A great way for writers to establish themselves as experts in their field. Get together to discuss writing tips, give information linked to the topic of your book or debate regarding the latest read from your book club.

How do you use hangouts? Share your view in the comments section.

The art of book reviewing

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000+01:00

As a regular reviewer, I often get asked about how to review a book so here's a look at some of the most frequently asked questions:

What should be included?

Some reviewers take their role very seriously and will write a detailed summary of what happens in the book running a fine toothed comb over every character and twist of plot. These are commonly known as spoilers and I personally don't agree with this method. After all why bother reading the book when the review tells you everything?

The summary of what the book is about should read much like that of the text on the back cover. Describe what the story is about using around 4-5 sentences. It should be informative but without giving the whole story away. You don't want to ruin a surprise ending or spoil any major plot twists.

You should then include your reactions to the book. 100-200 words is enough. What did you like/ not like about it? Was it inspiring, amusing, romantic etc...

If it's non-fiction, was it useful? Did it make you think? Was it presented well and easy to read?

And finally, would you recommend this book to others? Who do you think it would be suitable for?

What do I do if I hate the book?
Some reviewers have a policy of only writing good reviews and refusing to write one for books they didn't like. Whilst I've read a few over the years that were hard going to finish I think something positive can be found in most.

A book review must be honest. If it wasn't a great read, don't say it was or you'll just end up with people questioning your value as a reviewer. I think this quote sums it up nicely:

"A critic can only review the book he has read,

not the one which the writer wrote".

~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

I always try to find something positive about the book to help balance my negative comments. If all else falls, did the cover look nice? Was the story idea good? (in some cases the actual idea is good it just needs to be written better).

If it really was so bad you can't find anything good about it, write the author a note explaining why you can't offer a review. Be nice and try to suggest ways it could be improved.

How long should a review be?
There is no fixed length but it's best to aim for a max of around 500 words. Long reviews tend to be either boring, give too much away or just take too long to read.

Tip
Try to include a sentence or two that can be used as a testimonial for the book. The sort of phrases you see on the back of books as endorsements. As an author I love it when I get a short comment I can pick out and use on the cover and in promotional material.

Writing reviews is an excellent way to give back to other writers and increase your own chances of being able to collect a few when you need them for your own projects. If they use your review they will include your name and should link back to your site where possible. A nice way to gain extra traffic and build a reputation.

Do you review the books you read? Where do you post your reviews? Have you ever had to tell a writer you can't write a review because the book was so bad?

Image source: fahid chowdhury at Getty images

5 Tips for organizing a successful virtual tour

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000+01:00

Virtual tours are an excellent way to drum up interest in both you and your work. It's a marketing strategy that I often use and find that the results aren't just linked to better book sales.

My last tour, which I did over November and December 2011, went really well and I can consider it a huge success for a number of reasons:

I sold more books. Not just the title I was touring either.
I got 6 new clients for my freelance writing and some were for multiple assignments.
Traffic increased to all my sites by over 380%

Here's a few tips to help you to tour success:

Think about your tour goals. Knowing what you want to achieve with your tour will give you focus both for content and where you need to be hosted.
Think about types of content. To keep a tour interesting you need to make the content of your posts varied. From my own experience I find that a few interviews, a couple of reviews and a lot of guest posts is the best combination. Why mainly guest posts? They create more discussion, appeal to a wider audience and normally get more attention.
Create a banner for your tour. Not only does it make you look more professional, it also serves as an immediate publicity for you, your book, your website and your tour. Even if people don't read all the post they will have seen the most important information just by clicking on the page.

My tour banner:

As you can see, this is a very simple banner. It includes; my book cover (the item I was promoting with the tour), My photo (an 'on theme' shot of me at my computer. Putting your face allows people to feel more connected to you), Virtual tour and the dates (what I was doing and when) and lastly my website url (so people can find out more about me and my work).

This banner took me about 5 minutes to make using the program 'paint'.

4. Target hosts. Whilst it's always good to send out a general appeal for tour hosts you need to hit sites where your target audience are going to be. Do some research and find sites that fit in some way with the topic of your book and drop them a message asking to be featured. Highlight why you are a suitable guest.

Also aim for sites with larger numbers of followers. The more traffic they get to their site the greater audience your post will have.

5. ALWAYS comment on your tour stops. A thank you to the host is a must. Checking back regularly can really help to get the conversation going too. Reply to all those who take the time to comment.

Have you recently done a successful tour? Got some tips to share?

Interview with Danielle Gavan

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000+01:00

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I can't say I made a "conscious" decision to be a writer until late 2009 when I made the choice to submit a short story to a local contest. Things happened, choices were made and the story was never submitted. Instead, I chose to expand the 2,500 words into a full novel and pursue a career as an author.

Before that, I'd been writing short stories and other things for myself and friends since middle school. I filled dozens of spiral notebooks with stories of us married to our favourite actors, pop/rock stars and other celebrities. I can't tell you how many times I married Jon Bon Jovi and had a dozen kids with him, on paper anyway.

What genre do you write and why?

I write erotic romance and urban fantasy. Ardeur, my first novel, is urban fantasy and my favourite genre to write in. I love the world building involved. Creating new peoples, places and all of the details that go along with them is fun and lets my imagination flex its muscles.

Erotic romance is something I got into courtesy of my good friend, C.J. Ellisson. She put a call out in 2010 for any writers interesting in joining her with a new venture she was starting called Everything Erotic. I'm of the opinion that if you don't try it, you'll never know if you're any good at it. Of course, I jumped on the opportunity and never looked back. I've released four erotic romance novellas in the last year and have no plans to stop writing in that genre any time soon.

Tell us about your latest book.

My latest book is called, The Lists. It's an erotic romance novella with a holiday theme about one of Santa's elves, Crispin. Here's the blurb:

Ever wonder what Santa’s Elves do during the off-season? Some of them are the keepers of Santa’s infamous Naughty and Nice List.

Crispin Winters is one such elf and he’s been in love with Santa’s daughter, Rissa Claus, for longer than he can remember. He’s torn when assigned to watch a human woman, Anna, who could pass for Rissa’s twin. Pass up the opportunity to cure Anna’s naughtiness himself or go after who he really wants?

Risking everything he’s worked so hard to achieve—the cushy spot on the Naughty List night shift, his cozy apartment, and the respect of his peers—Crispin chooses his carnal path with care.

Where it leads him is more unexpected than he could ever have imagined.

What marketing methods are you using to promote your book?

My biggest marketing tool is Facebook. I have a fan page (http://facebook.com/daniegavan) where fans can come to interact with me, find about new or upcoming releases, enjoy free reads and find out what's going on in my world. I do use Twitter (@DanielleGavan) but not as much as Facebook. I'm not a fan of text speak and getting a coherent thought out in under 140 characters can be difficult. Also, fans are welcome to visit my blog (http://dgavan.blogspot.com), and my website (http://daniellegavan.net).

Another fabulous tool that I used when relaunching my first novel, Ardeur, was Virtual Book Tours. I loved the experience so much that I've since started my own publicist company, Red Hot Promotions (http://redhotpromo.com).

What formats is the book available in?

With the exception of Ardeur, which is also available in print, all of my books are available in eBook format. Readers can find my work on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and other online retailers.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

When I'm not writing I'm usually hard at work looking for bloggers to add to the list of Tour Hosts for Red Hot Promotions, researching other ways to promote myself and the authors who sign up for blog tours with my company, or indulging in some of my hobbies. I love to read, bake, listen to music and do other artsy things. I find that if one creative channel is blocked, engaging another form of creativity will help loosen things up and get the muses back on track.

Who are your favorite authors?

I'm glad the question says authors, plural. I have two favourite authors - Diana Gabaldon and Laurell K. Hamilton.

What advice do you have for other writers?

Keep writing, no matter what. Learn your craft, take classes, find yourself a wonderful critique partner (or a half dozen...lol), hire a professional editor (seriously) and cover designer (unless you've got weeks to waste perfecting your craft with photo editing software). The last two only apply if you're going the self-pub route.

What's the best thing about being a writer?

Being a writer, for me, is the best job in the world. I can be who, or whatever, I want to be. I can be when, or go wherever, I want to. A new universe, an alternate one? Nothing is off limits to my imagination and where it can take me.

Where can people find out more about you and your writing?

Fans and readers can find me on my website (http://daniellegavan.com), on my blog (http://dgavan.blogspot.com), on Everything Erotic (http://everythingerotic.blogspot.com), on Facebook (http://facebook.com/daniegavan) and on Twitter (@DanielleGavan).

Guest post: My Work Space

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000+01:00

Other writers have separate rooms, or studies, in which they do their writing, but I prefer to write in my living room. I have a computer desk on wheels that I roll out in front of my favourite easy chair. On it is my laptop, baskets full of pens and pencils and erasers, three manuscript boxes full of works-in-progress, plus bottles of herbs and other supplements I take on a regular basis, with meals. Why are these on my desk? Because I often eat off a lap tray while I work.

I also have what my son calls a “sippy cup” full of water or diet cola. The “sippy cup” is spill proof, because of the time I spilled cola all over my new laptop, then had to take it in for repairs. I was lucky it was salvageable at all.

My desk is a total mess. I have always worked better in the midst of clutter, but I’m glad there’s no picture included with this post! But the view is nice. In front of me is our bay window, looking out onto our apple tree. I like to watch the squirrels stealing apples in the fall. I like the way they twitch their tales, look all around, then grab an apple in their paws, and scamper away. The apple sometimes looks bigger than the squirrel.

Generally, one or both of my cats sit on my chair, purring or sleeping. The littlest one, a Manx, often sits in the chair with me. The bigger one, a Tonkinese mix, likes to curl up on the chair back. If my hair touches his ears, he flicks them in annoyance, but will rarely move them out of range. It’s me, of course, who has to move. I’ve often had the dubious pleasure of a furry tale waving in front of my face, or lying flat across my nose.

The Manx is quite skittish. We rescued her from the streets, and she must have been traumatized out there. She purrs loudly and easily, and is very sweet, but if you so much as breathe the wrong way, she takes off fast. She’s yanked two sets of headphones out of my computer this way, and bent them all out of shape.

The two cats also don’t like each other much. If they get too close, hissing and spitting and rushing off in several directions at once take place. None of this is particularly conducive to creativity.

So why don’t I go upstairs to the perfectly nice converted bedroom Ihave up there, where I used to do my freelance editing work on my PC? The room is too small,and I don’t like to feel shut away from the rest of my life. I do my best work in an empty house, no matter what room I’m in, but the desk in the living room makes writing seem an organic part of my life, rather than something set apart.

I also don’t feel all that comfortable in a desk chair. Right now, I am typing this on my rollout desk, in my armchair, with my legs crossed over one arm! This is probably hideously ergonomically incorrect, but it works for me. As long as I get up and walk around on a regular basis, of course. I do this quite a lot, not for health reasons, but to distract myself from the fact that I’m stuck. Again.

Sheila Dalton has written books for children, adults and teens, and has been pubished by Doubleday Canada, Dundurn and Houghton-Mifflin, among others. You can read more about her work at her website:

http://www.sheila-anne-dalton.com

Video: Google+, Explore Circles

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000+01:00

Learn how Circles in Google+ can make sharing on the web a little more like sharing in real life. Find out more at plus.google.com.

What do you think of the Google+ circles feature? Have your say in the comments section.

Creating a platform as a non-fiction author

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000+01:00

If you're a writer of a non-fiction book you need to create a platform to help you sell it. With so many to choose from, what will make people choose your book over that of another writer on your topic?

A good place to start is to think about what you as a reader look for when buying a non-fiction book.

If you have celebrity status for being an expert in the topic area covered in your book you have a slight advantage, but for the rest of us 'little people' it's important that we establish ourselves as a reference point in our topic.

Ways you can build a platform include:

Having a blog related to the topic of your book.
Speaking to audiences about the topic.
Publishing articles related about the topic both online and off.
Belonging to organizations or take part in activities related to the topic.

Obviously if you have a degree or other recognized certificate in the topic this will help too.

Image source: Flickr.com via edelgado823

Site of Interest: Online 3D Package

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000+01:00

This weeks site of interest is Online 3D Package

3d package is a 3d-box graphic generator. 3d package lets you instantly create 3d-box images online, free! Just upload pictures for cover and sides and then get 3d-box in your favorite image format (JPG, GIF, PNG supported). Post them in your blog or anywhere else.

Perfect for creating a 3D image of your book. It's simple to use and only takes a minute.

Watch the video for a step by step guide of how it works:

Interview with Riiva Williams

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000+01:00

▪ When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I have always wanted to become a writer/author since the age of twelve but I did not have anyone to push me or to guide me until I met Pastor Walter Barrett as he has two Christian book published already he is my mentor and guidance on where I should go.

▪ What genre do you write and why?

Usually I write poetry because with poetry whatever mood I am in, I am able to express myself within each poem. Currently I have embarked on a task on writing urban novels.

▪ Tell us about your latest book.

My latest books are called Stone Poetry and The Intent. Stone Poetry is a collection of poems that I have written in the last year that I have wanted to share with the world and The Intent is the soundtrack to my newest book Cruel Intentions. The Intent is four long poems that I have drawn my inspiration from for the book that I would like you all to see, to know and get familiar with.

▪ What marketing methods are you using to promote your book?

Currently the methods of promoting my books I use are just Facebook and YouTube. I sharer the links like crazy between my official page which is www.facebook.com/stonepoetry and I have created short book trailers that I have shared on YouTube.

▪ What formats is the book available in?

Currently my books are only available in paperback. I am currently working on formatting a kindle version of the books.

▪ What do you like to do when you're not writing?

There are so many things that I love to do when I am not writing since writing is not my full time job I am a chef so I cook with in a restaurant most of the time, I love reading other authors work, listening to music and the list goes on.

▪ Who are your favorite authors?

My favorite authors currently are Zane, Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter and Johanna Lindsey. Also there are a few other authors that I am trying to catch up with their work like Allison Hobbs and Cairo Black.

▪ What advice do you have for other writers?

My advice to other writers is to follow dreams keep writing although sometimes the inspiration is not there. If you cannot get a publishing deal or you decided not to go that route self publishing is always a great choice.

▪ What's your favorite quote about writing/for writers?

My favorite quote of all times by a writer is by Benjamin Franklin he said, “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” And I try to live this everyday.

▪ What's the best thing about being a writer?

The best thing about being about being a writer is that you get to share your feeling with the world and then you can sit back and hear and read their responses which can be very heart warming.

▪ Where can people find out more about you and your writing? Anything else you'd like to add?

People can find out more about me and even talk to me through one or more pages they are www.facebook.com/riiva.williams or www.facebook.com/stonepoetry. You can also find me on twitter so you can follow me @LadyStoneAngel. Also look out for my book Cruel Intentions in 2012!

Get out of your comfort zone!

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000+01:00

We all have a comfort zone where everything feels safe and familiar. This is all well and good but not venturing beyond it stunts our growth.

In order to move your writing career to the next level you need to constantly try to step out of your comfort zone. Insert new life into your writing career and try a new genre, experiment with new promotional platforms or speak at an in-person event. What ever it is you're not doing yet, give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results.

If you still need encouragement check out these quotes:

“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful”

Mark Victor Hansen

"If you remain in your comfort zone you will not go any further"

Catherine Pulsifer

"We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are"
Max DePree

"Nobody ever died of discomfort, yet living in the name of comfort has killed more ideas, more opportunities, more actions, and more growth than everything else combined. Comfort kills!"
T. Harv Eker

"We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present"

Thomas Edison

Now go do something out of your comfort zone.

How many book stores is your site linked to?

2012-01-07T07:00:00.000+01:00

When you add purchasing links to the books on your website, which sites are you linking to?

Amazon is easy to link to and one of the top players when it comes to selling online but they are not the only online retailer we should be supporting. Rumors have been going around that Barnes and Noble may choose to not carry your book if you only link to Amazon. Whether this is true or not, it does raise a valid issue.

As an author you have worked hard to get your book published and the fact that multiple sites make it available to the public can only be a good thing. If we want these other bookstores, both physical and online to survive in this business we really should be doing our bit to support them like they are supporting us.

If more writers linked their work to the so-called smaller retailers they might just find that they sell more books. After all most people like to be able to choose where to buy from and don't necessarily want it to be from the internet giant.

I'm by no means against Amazon. I thank them for listing my own books and have placed links to them on my own website and also promote those links as part of my marketing. What I am saying though is that we should give equal importance to the alternatives.

My books are available in various formats so I make sure I promote links to Barnes and Noble for nook buyers, ibookstore for ipad and smartphone readers etc...

What buying links do you include on your website? Do you show multiple purchasing options for each book?

Guest post: 12 Marketing Skills Every Writer Now Needs

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000+01:00

In a world of blogs, tweets, website comments, and Facebook status updates, everyone is a writer. That is, they are in the sense that they are communicating through the written word. But you're a writer: you know what a gerund is, and you would never mistake "it's" with "its." Of course, the proliferation of social media has only served to flood the market with content producers. If you want to make it as a writer, you will have to separate yourself from the crowd so your work can be appreciated. Here are 12 marketing skills to help you become the next Hemingway.

The ability to…

…make friends with Twitter.

As a good writer, you already have the ability to write concise, interesting, and funny prose. That's all Twitter is. It should be a breeze for you to build a following of people that includes literary agentsand book editors that can assist you in getting the word out about your work, or offer you a deal if you don't have one. Don't use this as a chance to hit them over the head with your book; just demonstrate what a good writer you are and they will want to read it on their own.
…network.

Recommending Twitter is really just a way of saying you need to be able to network. As aspiring author Julie Cantrell found, there are accomplished writers out there who are happy to give you advice on marketing your work. Email them, Facebook them, or add them on LinkedIn, just don't be too pushy or stalker-ish.
…create your own .com.

You could go the blog route, but you'll look far more professional with your own website. Pick up a copy of Teach Yourself Dreamweaver and download a free, fully-functional trial version of the software from Adobe. Consider making large chunks of your writing available for free on your site, and don't give in to the temptation to sell ads.
…e-publish.

Giving your work away may not seem like a great marketing strategy, but even the pros do it, because it works. And for an unknown like you, it might just be the best way to get your work in front of people. E-publishing is one way to get your material into a professional, digital format that can be downloaded. Learn how to use Adobe Acrobat or similar software to have your work listed on the Kindle Library, for free or for royalties, if you prefer.
…maximize web traffic.

There is an entire field of professionals who work at optimizing companies' and individuals' web traffic. Since you don't have a personal SEO employee, you'll need to learn how to maximize your visibility on search engines by using clear and accurate keywords in your site title, description, and body. The way to move to the top of the search list is to have lots of other sites linking to your page, so you'll have to submit your stuff to various sites that deal with your topic and encourage them to link their readers to you.
…speak in public.

Traditional media outlets like radio and TV are turning more and more towards the new class of internet writers and bloggers. If a major TV show or radio program comes calling wanting to interview you, you'll need to be prepared to be beamed into millions of homes around the world. Do your homework and watch how other authors and writers handle different interviewers.

…make videos.

Don't wait for the TV cameras to come to you. Pick up an inexpensive camcorder or just use your laptop webcam. Shoot an introductory video of yourself for your site and your latest book project, or upload a highlight reel to YouTube of key points in your work. You don't have to be Steven Spielberg, just keep it simple. Don't zoom in and out, don't use any lame screen wipes, and don't sound like you're reading from a script.
…know the industry.

Even after they get a book deal, many authors are surprised to find the majority of the marketingdepends on them. Know going in what kind of writing sells and can be marketed and you will save yourself a lot of time and effort in the long run. Keep up with what's hot by reading Writer's Marketor Script.
…brand yourself.

Establishing yourself and your writing as a brand involves knowing what your core strength is. It's the one thing you know more about or write better than anyone else. Take Perez Hilton: he turned a love of celebrities and gossip into a website with millions of views each month. His name/pseudonym is now synonymous with the subject. Find what you're passionate about and become laser-focused on that subject, and eventually you'll be branded as a respected authority.
…make a media kit.

Microsoft Publisher is all you need to make a professional press kit to send out to agents or publishing houses. Include in your materials the market research you've done to show how the writing can be profitable, and include the best bits of material from the work. You'll have to find the right balance between providing enough pertinent info and overwhelming the audience with data.
…be available.

If you really want to make a living by writing, you're going to have to make it your top priority. Don't be too busy to turn anything down: an interview for a blog or a neighborhood weekly, a "local authors" day at a small bookstore, or a speaking engagement across the country. It make not sound like a skill to be available, but being upbeat and on your game at all times requires work, plain and simple.
…sell online.

Financially-speaking, the most important aspect of marketing is knowing how to sell your products. With all this attention you've drawn to your website, you have to know how to operate a digital store. Paypal is the industry standard for accepting payments, but you'll also need to make arrangements to accept the major credit cards. To protect your customers, you'll have to know how to use https.

Guest post by Emma Taylor

http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/blog/2012/12-marketing-skills-every-writer-now-needs/

Publishing trends for 2012

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000+01:00

2011 was a busy and eventful year for the publishing industry. Digital publishing grew at a rapid rate and various new devices where launched including Amazon's latest offering, the Kindle Fire. Smartphones also opened up the market and contributed to the huge increase in e-book sales worldwide.

According to a recent study 63% of publishers are to go digital in 2012. Big name players like Barnes and Noble have taken their street stores to the next level with special Nook areas showing a distinct change in focus.

The e-book pricing debate seems to have reached an answer too. Price should reflect the quality of the book. E-books are after all just books in e-format. It's now just a case of whether the reader prefers paperback, hardback or e-versions of their chosen title.

Many authors are now published first in e-format before moving to print versions of their work. Some are specialized solely in the e-market whilst others make sure their work is available in on all platforms and in all formats. The number of authors publishing solely in print is becoming significantly less.

When it comes to e-books and print, which product sells best? With so many options now available, which e-reader is most popular? The below infographic produced by The Content Wrangler gives a great overlook.

Does this emphasis on e-books mean print will become a thing of the past? Not likely. Well at least not yet anyway.

“It is not important to me which reading device my daughter uses, but sometimes there is nothing like holding a physical, page-turning book.”
— Father, 6 year-old girl, Colorado (quote taken from Scholastic website)

Where do you see the future of publishing leading? What formats are your books available in?

Image resource: adspace_jp at flickr.com
Infographic resource: http://thecontentwrangler.com/2011/12/06/infographic-ebooks-publishing-industry-statistics/

Changes to the Writers and Authors site

2012-01-04T16:44:00.000+01:00

As you will have noticed, several things have changed here on the Writers and Authors site.

New logo.
As pre-announced the Writers and Authors logo has been changed. The old logo with its books gave the idea that the site was just for authors of books when Writers and Authors is much more than that. The new logo better represents the site.

A new site design and layout.
The new design is simple and easier to navigate. The layout has changed to a 3 column site in order to reduce scroll time and make the site more organized.

The store.
You will now find the official Writers and Authors store in the navigation bar. Here you can purchase a variety of merchandise with the Writers and Authors logo. A great way to help spread the word about the site and the perfect way to start conversations about your writing career.

"Nice water bottle. You a writer then?".
"Why yes I am, let me tell you about my latest project..."

You get the idea ;)

The 'about' page.
I've updated the 'about' page to include more information about myself and the aim of the site. I've added a photo too so you can see who is behind everything that happens around here.

There are a few reasons for these changes;

From the photo you can see I'm female. Seems silly but I often get emails addressed Mr.
A lot of people seem to think the Writers and Authors project has a team working on it. Not so. I'm running the gig on my own for now and have been since I founded the site in 2006. The changes make this more obvious to visitors to the site.
Part of my personal career goals for 2012 is to attract new clients for my freelance writing activities. Having my website clearly noted and a bit more background information about myself hopefully will help potential clients find me through the Writers and Authors site and lead to an increase in leads.

More to come.
I have more changes planned for the near future too. Work is under way on the construction of www.WritersandAuthors.com which will become the new home for the Writers and Authors project.

The current site will become blog only with links like resources etc being moved to the main site. The blog will then be less cluttered and allow more space for advertising opportunities.

The main site will introduce the new online workshops feature (more information coming nearer to the launch) and mean that areas like the resources section can be developed and extended to include even more.

Guest posts.
I'm always happy to have guest posts on the blog and invite writers of all genres and levels of expertise to submit articles.

A few guidelines;

Posts should be between 300 and 800 words in length. I'm flexible though and won't reject a piece because it has 809 words in it.
All posts should be sent in plain text. No indents etc.. One line space between paragraphs. Verdana 12px.
Include a byline with your full name and a link to your site/social media profile (which ever you prefer) at the end of the article.
Send article in the body of an email.
If you send a jpeg image to go with your post (including its credit link) you earn brownie points ;)
Posts should be on topics that match the site content e.g. about writing, marketing, time management etc...

Interview feature.
Writers of all genres and levels of expertise are invited to be interviewed for the blog.

Although this feature is generally dominated by authors with books to promote I'd love to have more interviews with freelance writers, illustrators and other members of the industry.

I hope you like the changes taking place and continue to actively comment on posts and contribute to the site.

Wishing you all the best for a successful 2012!

New logo for Writers and Authors

2011-12-27T19:06:00.000+01:00

2012 will see big changes for the Writers and Authors site. A few of the things that will be happening include:

a new website url http://www.writersandauthors.com
online courses and workshops
a store with W&A merchandise
an updated and expanded resources section
a new logo

Here's a sneak peak preview of the new logo

Why the logo change?

I feel that the new logo better represents the site. The old image of books made it seem limited to published authors. The new logo is better suited to represent all writers from freelance writers to authors of books.

Christmas Greetings

2011-12-23T18:55:00.002+01:00

Thank you for your continued support during 2011

CWL: A Guide to Weddings in Italy

2011-12-23T17:35:00.000+01:00

Title: A Guide to Weddings in Italy

Author: Jo Linsdell

ISBN: 978-1-4092-4489-9

Publisher: Jo Linsdell

Available formats: Print, e-book

Purchasing links:

http://www.amazon.it/GUIDE-WEDDINGS-ITALY-Jo-Linsdell/dp/140924489X

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/a-guide-to-weddings-in-italy/3855851?productTrackingContext=author_spotlight_399848_

Book blurb:

A guide to weddings in Italy' has all the information you need to organise a wedding in Italy. It includes information about types of weddings, Italian wedding traditions, Italian wedding proverbs, useful contact details, a notes section, and more....

Video trailer:

CWL: Unfinished by Suzanne Gravelle

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000+01:00

Book title - Unfinished

Author – Suzanne Gravelle

ISBN-10: 192700506X

ISBN-13: 978-1927005064

Publisher - TRUMEDIA

Formats available: Available in print and the sequel Finished, will be available in print in March 2012

Genre – memoir, self help

Purchasing link(s) - http://www.amazon.com/Unfinished-Suzanne-Gravelle/dp/192700506X

Book blurb

This is a true story of a woman who experienced such a profound awakening that she could no longer live the same way, the same life she was just one week before. She could no longer ignore the woman who was screaming to be set free from the ties that bind her to a life she no longer desired or recognized. The transformation to become the woman
she really wanted to be has propelled her upon the most remarkable self-discovery journey of her life. She sold her home, gave up her career, kissed her children, grandchildren and friend’s good bye, got into her vehicle and just drove away…ALONE. Where was she going? 30,000km later she finds herself in the most unlikely place to try to piece her life together, trying to make sense of the constant feeling of being UNFINISHED.

Review comments

“What a page-turning, knuckle-biting love story!!! A love story about one woman finding love for herself.”

“I love this book, Suzanne! I couldn't put it down and even though I was there for some of the "adventures", I couldn't wait to turn the page to read what happens next.”

About Suzanne Gravelle

Suzanne Gravelle is 49 Years old and has 3 children, 2 grandchildren who live in Nova Scotia. At the time this book goes to print she is single and homeless by choice, still travelling, seeking that place of comfort she will eventually call home.

She spent most of her life living in Nova Scotia but her formidable years aged 10-25, were spent living on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She resigned as a Real Estate Agent in Nova Scotia, to embark upon this most incredible journey, driving, exploring Canada and writing this book. To read Suzanne’s extended bio, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2011/11/10/suzanne-gravelle-bio/

CWL: Kiss Me Slowly

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000+01:00

Book Title: Kiss Me Slowly

Author Name: Amber Lea Easton

E-book ISBN: 1-61034-8987-4

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand

Formats available: Kindle, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader, Sony, Nook, HTML, Mobipocket, EPUB

genre: Romantic Suspense/Mainstream Contemporary Romance

Purchasing link: http://www.bookstrand.com/kiss-me-slowly (reviews are on the same page) or from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Slowly-BookStrand-Mainstream-Romance-ebook/dp/B0068N6FD4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321552333&sr=1-1

book blurb:

Jail or dead by Monday...Jonathan Alexander is out of time. Set up to take the fall for embezzling millions of dollars from the family company and with diamond smugglers anxious to see him take a fall, he trusts no one in his inner circle. His only hope is his ex, Grace Dupont, who he knows would rather watch him drown than throw him a life vest. Going to her feels desperate...and he is.

Grace enjoys watching Jonathan squirm. On your knees boy, she thinks as he pitches for her help in tracking down the real mastermind behind the set up. Helping him endangers her precariously balanced life of secrets, but--always a sucker for the black-haired-blue-eyed-hungery-for-your-mind types--she takes on the challenge and ends up slapping a target on her back.

Trapped in a whirlwind of conspiracy and murder, Jonathan and Grace flee to the sea to stall for more time to prove his innocence. Time is against them. Neither trusts justice. Neither believes in a fairy tale ending. Both know each kiss could be their last.

Video Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI89yCQHrHg

CWL: Double the Trouble by Roseanne Dowell

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000+01:00

book title: Double the Trouble
author: Roseanne Dowell
ISBN : 978-1-926931-70-8
publisher: MuseItUp Publishing

formats available: ebook, kindle
genre: romance, mystery

purchasing link(s)

http://bit.ly/doublethetrouble
http://amzn.to/ubguyR

book blurb When Kate Wesley returned to Twinsburg, Ohio after a five year absence, she was content with her single life. She didn't need a man, she had her florist shop. At least she didn't until Mark Westfield shows up looking for his sister and her ex fiance, who jilted her five years previously, wants to pick up where they left off. To make matters worse, she finds a dead body in the cemetery and the twin sister of the victim shows up.

video trailer (embed code)

review of book:

http://www.reviewsbymolly.com/2011/06/book-review-double-trouble-by-roseanne.html