10 Reasons Virtual Book Tours Blow Actual Ones Away

May 14, 2012 – 11:43 am
Neurotically Yours, By Bonnie Trachtenberg

Neurotically Yours, By Bonnie Trachtenberg

Top 10 Reasons Virtual Book Tours Blow Actual Ones Away, by Bonnie Trachtenberg, Author of Neurotically Yours, A Novel

 

#10. You’ll save money. We all know how expensive flying can be and it’s not just the airfare. Expenses also include hotels, taxis, meals, and other miscellaneous incidentals. It can sure add up quickly and the worst part is that you’re not even on vacation!

 

#9. You’ll reach more people. One of the miracles of modern business was the invention of the internet, where you can reach out to new clients or in my case, new readers, on an immense scale. These days, it’s a lot more likely you’ll find people surfing the net then scouring the streets in search of goods or services. Why? Because we are lazy. Why else? Because we can!

 

#8. You won’t have to worry about people showing up to your event all at one time, in one place, or during inclement weather. It’s really a bummer when you spend the money, time and energy flying into a city for a book signing only for a snowstorm to wipe out any chance you have for attracting a crowd. Don’t like leaving your livelihood up to Mother Nature? You never have to worry about that on a virtual book tour. Blackouts, yes; snowstorms, no.

 

#7. Agoraphobics are welcome. Up until recently, you’d have a very rough time selling any books if you suffered from agoraphobia. Now, agoraphobics can be authors too. Afraid to leave your house? No problem. Order in some Chinese food and settle down at your computer. You’ll be just as productive—and save a fortune on sedatives.

 

#6. You can sleep in your own bed every night. I don’t know about you, but staying at a hotel for a couple of nights almost guarantees me a trip to the chiropractor when I return home. A virtual book tour lets you lounge in the comfort of your own home and your own bed. And if you spent as much money on yours as I did on mine, you’ll be happy to get the use out of it.

 

#5. You will avoid the anxiety of airport screening machines. Who needs to wonder if your nude image is making its way from monitor to monitor for personal viewing, while you’re on your way to Toledo? Avoid the intrusion and the humiliation (not to mention the radiation) with a virtual book tour.

 

#4. You can multitask. That’s right. While I’m answering interview questions and writing guest blogs, I can also eat lunch, answer phone calls, obsessively check my email, and even purchase some cute new summer tops…Sorry, I’m back now and you have my full attention.

 

#3. You can relax. Whether you have chronic fatigue (like me) or just general life exhaustion, it’s nice to know that you can undertake a virtual book tour with a minimal amount of physical exertion. In fact, about the worst affliction you can suffer is carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

#2. You won’t have to worry if your husband/wife remembered to feed the cats. If you don’t have cats, insert dog here. If you don’t have a dog, try goldfish, turtle, hamster—you get the picture. Notice I’m not worried about the kids.

And the number one reason a virtual book tour beats the heck out of an actual one is:

 

#1. You can do it in your pajamas!

 

BIO

Bonnie Trachtenberg is the author of the recently released romantic comedy Neurotically Yours: A Novel and the bestselling, award-winning book Wedlocked: A Novel. She writes a monthly relationship and advice column for LoveaHappyEnding.com. She was senior writer and copy chief at Book-of-the-Month Club and has written seven children’s book adaptations. Trachtenberg lives in New York with her husband, four cats and a dog.

 

 

Read all about Bonnie on her website:

http://www.BonnieTrachtenberg.com

Read her relationship column at:

http://loveahappyending.com/editor-bonnie-trachtenberg/

Find her on Facebook:

http://www.Facebook.com/BonnieTrachtenberg

Follow her on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/writebrainedny

 

 

Buy Neurotically Yours

Amazon: http://amzn.to/HY4PyF

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/IcWr0M

 

Buy Wedlocked

Amazon: http://ning.it/ovIMiw

Barnes & Noble: http://ning.it/pPRGvC

 

Bonnie Trachtenberg, Author of Neurotically Yours, A Novel

Bonnie Trachtenberg, Author of Neurotically Yours, A Novel

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Virtual Book Tours | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

Silverberry Super Book Giveaway!!!

May 14, 2012 – 11:21 am
A. R. Silverberry, Author of "Wyndano's Cloak"

A. R. Silverberry, Author of "Wyndano's Cloak"

Silverberry’s Super Book Giveaway!!!

 

May 14th through June 30th, I’m hosting a super book giveaway. Six dynamite authors, six awesome books, six fabulous genres, including fantasy, paranormal suspense, YA, romantic comedy, and historical fiction! Three chances to win! Enter Now on the Contest page of my website! If you’re already receiving my newsletter, you’re automatically entered. Six winners will be randomly selected for one of the following fabulous reads!

 

Neurotically Yours, A Novel, by Bonnie Trachtenberg. Smart, attractive, and ambitious, thirty-seven-year-old Dara Harrison is, nonetheless, still single—and on sabbatical from dating. Ironically Los Angeles’ most renowned relationship advice columnist, Dara has become a Southland sensation with her “tell-it-like-it-is” approach to the mating game. Parlaying her success into a new business, Dara launches a revolutionary dating service geared for the perennially single and romantically challenged. Its no-holds-barred theme soon makes the company a roaring success, even catapulting Dara onto the national talk show scene—until, of course, it all backfires. With her company under threat and a publicity stunt gone haywire, Dara is forced to join the ranks of her lonely heart clientele, and suddenly realizes that saving the business she cherishes, means facing her lifelong fears—and maybe even falling in love again. Witty, poignant, and immensely engaging, with sparkling dialogue, colorful characters, and a story never lets you go. Genre: Romantic Comedy.

 

After the Fog, by Kathleen Shoop. In the steel town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous 1948 “killing smog,” headstrong nurse Rose Pavlesic tends to her family and neighbors. Controlling and demanding, she’s created a life that reflects everything she missed growing up as an orphan. She’s even managed to keep her painful secrets hidden from her loving husband, dutiful children, and large extended family. When a stagnant weather pattern traps poisonous mill gasses in the valley, neighbors grow sicker and Rose’s nursing obligations thrust her into conflict she never could have fathomed. Consequences from her past collide with her present life, making her once clear decisions as gray as the suffocating smog. As pressure mounts, Rose finds she’s not the only one harboring lies. When the deadly fog finally clears, the loss of trust and faith leaves the Pavlesic family—and the whole town—splintered and shocked. With her new perspective, can Rose finally forgive herself and let her family’s healing begin? WINNER! IPPY 2012 Silver Medal! Genre: Historical Fiction.

 

Soul Herder, the highly anticipated second book in the best selling Vision trilogy, by Beth Elisa Harris. In Vision, readers are introduced to Layla and her Clear abilities—the profound capacity to read thoughts and predict events through dreams. She has a unique relationship with her mom and with a woman from Colonsay that blows the lid off her life. She discovers her connections and why she can no longer have a normal life. Soul Herder picks up following Layla’s kidnapping and bloody, near fatal airfield attack. After settling back into Cambridge life with her Guardian boyfriend Stuart and best friend Sienna, Layla’s hyper-focused mom, Liz, forces her to leave for Morocco to hone her Clear skills with the ancient mystic Najee. The plan disintegrates when Stuart receives a mysterious, last minute phone call, leaving Layla at the airport. Stuart blocks her from the hidden truth of his past while urgently dashing to Greece. When Layla learns his secrets, she is devastated, and questions not only their relationship but their ability to move on together. She continues to Morocco and meets Najee, a quirky, wise man who seems to know more than he’s saying. As Najee begins his lessons to help Layla get in touch with her inner power, troubling news arrives, and a life-threatening message in the form of a charm causes them to flee to safety. Najee leads everyone through the desert to an underground bunker, where troops prepare for Bane battle. Soon, Layla is transformed to a warrior, and must use her Clear skills to outwit enemy attacks before they can escape. Genre: YA Paranormal Thriller.

 

Read Me Dead, by Emerald Barnes. Alexia “Alex” Wheaton just wants to live a normal life. She wants to worry about what dress to wear to the homecoming dance and which boy she wants date. But as the sole witness to her parents’ murder, her life is far from normal. When an article about her parents’ death is written, stating that she has seen the murderer after years of bearing that secret, she is thrown into a world of fear, where she may be the murderer’s next victim. She’s in a race to save her life and bring her parents’ murderer to justice. Genre: YA Paranormal Suspense Thriller.

 

Verliege, by Micheal Rivers. The world of Adrian Bolt shattered as his wife lay butchered on the floor of Castle Verliege. His conviction by a German court was as swift as the sword that killed her. He maintained his silence, knowing his story would not be believed. Though his reputation was impeccable there was nobody willing to stand for him. Another world lay in wait for anyone living within the walls of the castle; waiting, watching, for eternity to keep the Mueller name upon its registers. There is only one world here for those who choose to stay. To enter its doors is an invitation you will not soon forget! Genre: Paranormal Suspense Thriller.

 

Wyndano’s Cloak, by A. R. Silverberry. Yes, I’m giving away a personalized signed copy of the limited-edition hardback! From the award-winning cover and interior design to the embossed spine and smythe-sewn binding, this book is a keepsake! And then there’s the story! –> Jen has settled into a peaceful life when a terrifying event awakens old fears—of being homeless and alone, of a danger horrible enough to destroy her family and shatter her world forever. She is certain that Naryfel, a shadowy figure from her past, has returned and is concentrating the full force of her hate on Jen’s family. But how will she strike? A knife in the dark? An attack from her legions? Or with the dark arts and twisted creatures she commands with sinister cunning. Wyndano’s Cloak may be Jen’s only hope. If she can only trust that she has what it takes to use it . . . An award-winning fantasy of loyalty, betrayal, and the yearning of the spirit. Genre: Middle Grade/YA Fantasy

 

Enter Now on the Contest page of my website! Don’t miss your chance to win one of these awesome reads!

 

You can learn more about the authors and their books below. Check out my interview of each of them!

 

Micheal Rivers served his country during the Vietnam War in the USMC. Later, his travels provided over thirty years of investigating and collecting stories of the paranormal. His genres include horror and thriller, with an element of paranormal. He’s the founder and lead investigator for the Smokey Mountain Ghost Trackersof Western North Carolina. His novels, The Black Witch and Moonlight on the Nantahala, have received rave reviews; one calling his work, “Timeless and beautiful.”

Website

Amazon

Read my Interview of Micheal Rivers!

 

Emerald Barnes has a BA in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing. She’s been writing since high school, but became serious with it after her first writing class in college. Her critically acclaimed novella, Piercing the Darkness, was described as a “Thrilling psychological drama,” that, “Leaves you wanting more!” Her short story “Wishes” was published in Blue Legs and Other Coming of Age Stories by Phyllis Scott.

Website

Amazon

Read my Interview of Emerald Barnes!

 

Beth Elisa Harris is a bestselling fiction writer who blends fantasy with humor and subtle themes of the human condition. She started writing fiction at an early age, with later detours working as a business writer and editor. Her first novel, Vision, published by eInteractive Media, Inc., is an international best seller, receiving recognition and rave reviews from readers worldwide.

Website

Amazon

Read my Interview of Beth Elisa Harris on my Blog, May 21st

 

Kathleen Shoop, PhD, is a language arts coach in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her debut novel, The Last Letter, won the 2011 IPPY Gold Medal Award for Best Regional Fiction, Midwest. She is published in four Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and regularly places articles and essays in local magazines and newspapers.

Website

Amazon

Read my Interview of Kathleen Shoop on my Blog, May 25th

 

Bonnie Trachtenberg is the bestselling, award-winning author of Wedlocked: A Novel. She writes a monthly relationship and advice column for LoveaHappyEnding.com. She was senior writer and copy chief at Book-of-the-Month Club, and has written seven children’s book adaptations.

Website

Amazon

Read my Interview of Bonnie Trachtenberg on my Blog, May 15th

 

DON’T MISS OUT on these great reads! Enter Now on the Contest page of my website!

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Book Giveaway | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

WYNDANO’S CLOAK in Children’s Book Week Giveaway

May 6, 2012 – 6:38 pm

 

Wyndano's Cloak, by A. R. Silverberry

Wyndano's Cloak, by A. R. Silverberry

Wyndano’s Cloak is included in the Children’s Book Week giveaway on Rachel Cotterill Book Reviews. She’s giving away four books she selected, including Puffling Patrol, The Absolutely Amazing Adventures of Agent Auggie Spinoze, and Intelligent Life. I’m giving away a limited edition hardback of Wyndano’s Cloak, personally signed by yours truly. To celebrate Children’s Book Week, Rachel is running the giveaway from 7th – 13th May, with five chances to win one of these fantastic children’s books suitable for kids ages 10+. This giveaway is part of a blog hop organized by KidLitFrenzy, Classic Children’s Books, Mymcbooks and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, so please check out the other giveaway links on Rachel’s blog for more chances to win great children’s literature prizes!

 

 



 

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Blog Hop, Book Giveaway | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Building Your Author Platform On Goodreads

April 15, 2012 – 6:33 pm
The Chosen One of Allivar, By EW.Greenlee

The Chosen One of Allivar, By EW.Greenlee

I recently got an intriguing tweet from author EW Greenlee. He said that he was building followers faster on Goodreads than on Facebook. Always looking to learn more about building my platform, I asked him if he would write a guest post about his experience. Happily, he agreed. EW writes fantasy, science fiction, and supernatural stories. His first published work is the epic fantasy trilogy The Chosen One of Allivar, soon to be followed by a fifteen-book series titled Chronicles, which expands upon the mythical universe and history surrounding his trilogy. Inspired by the Lord of the Rings, Dante’s Inferno, and Paradise Lost, EW’s books will keep readers entertained and revisiting his stories often. As one reviewer wrote, “Leaves you craving more.” Join me now in welcoming this imaginative writer!

 

EW Greenlee:

 

As a new and independent author, I realized prior to the release of my mythological trilogy, “The Chosen One of Allivar” that digital technology and social media marketing was going to be the most effective and cost efficient means of disseminating information on my stories. Goodreads provides readers not only information on my stories, but also the ability to post reviews and learn much more about me and my future stories. Independent authors already know about Facebook and Twitter. But these are generic social media tools. Goodreads is specifically designed for the world of readers, authors, and books. So it is a must for any author.

 

In addition to Goodreads, an author should have a website, not just for additional information or links on where to buy the books, but also as an enhancement tool for their stories. Here I can provide much more into the thought process of creating my mythology, provide audio on character pronunciations, book trailers, maps, sketches, on and on.

 

I have read that readers want to connect and converse with their favorite authors. Goodreads provides a link directly to your blog. My blog, called “Daily Thoughts” has a daily post on topics of random selection. I post my daily post to Facebook and Twitter using hashtags that draw potential readers based on topics of interest. So far, #Humor has been very successful for me. Many of my posts appear on social newspapers created under Paper.li. My posts are generating approximately 1,400 views per month. Those views and sharing by others costs me nothing. Plus, I just love to write. Blogger and Goodreads are FREE online services.

 

Technology has affected my career as a CPA / Financial Planner. So too has it altered the publishing industry. As a one-time national technology consultant, I embrace the technologies being utilized in the publishing industry. Knowledge of these technologies has allowed me and others to go independent of traditional publishing. Utilizing software such as Adobe Creative Suite – Master Edition, I have been able to maintain my website, format into Kindle and epub3 standards, and create book covers with Photoshop and book trailers with After Effects. Each day I learn something new that enhances my independence. I’d love to hear from others who may be thinking of writing. It took me ten years for my trilogy, but I never give up.

 

AR: Thanks for sharing, EW! People can find links to your website, Goodreads page, and books below.

 

Website

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon Kindle

 

Barnes and Noble Nook

 

iTunes

 

 

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Platform, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (7)

Ghosts, Paranormal, and Castle Verliege

April 8, 2012 – 9:18 pm
Verliege, By Micheal Rivers

Verliege, By Micheal Rivers

I’m thrilled to have author Micheal Rivers joining us today. His travels include over thirty years of investigating and collecting stories of the paranormal. He writes horror and thrillers, with an element of paranormal. He’s the founder and lead investigator for the Smokey Mountain Ghost Trackers of Western North Carolina. His novels, The Black Witch and Moonlight on the Nantahala, have received rave reviews; one calling his work, “Timeless and beautiful.”

 

AR: Micheal, you’re a real-life ghost hunter! What are some of the stranger experiences you’ve had?

 

MR: The experiences over the years have been fantastic to say the least. One of my favorites happened last year on an investigation in the mountains of North Carolina. The owners of the residence were standing by their house while the team was about 20 yards from them in a wooded area. There were three of us. My wife took a picture that shows myself and another investigator sitting on some rocks. Behind us was an infrared camera pointing towards my wife. In the picture you see the camera and two men and a woman who was not with us. This made four people when there were only three in the area. The infrared never picked up the fourth person, but the still camera did. Where did the fourth person come from?

 

AR: Creepy! Readers can find a pic of the ghost woman, and more about your ghost hunting below. How did your experience with paranormal phenomenon impact your writing of Verliege, and what’s the story about?

 

MR: Between the actual experiences and research over a long period of time, I have learned what can happen when the paranormal events take place. Yes, it can be very dangerous at times and you can be physically harmed in the blink of an eye. I incorporated a few of the things into the book, but most have been embellished for the sake of the reader.

 

Verliege takes place in an obscure castle in Germany. A famous writer was convicted of killing his wife and is murdered while incarcerated. A team of experts as well as his psychiatrist go to the castle and attempt to prove who killed her and clear his name. What they find is a mystery that will only be resolved with the legacy surrounding the secret of the ‘9’.

 

AR: The title, Verliege, suggests an old castle with shadows and dark secrets. How did you come up with it?!

 

MR: I have always had an avid interest in castles and the history behind them. I first developed this idea back in the 90’s. I wasn’t sure exactly how I wanted to produce the story. Castles and hauntings go hand in hand, but I wanted something to give my readers something to think about.

We have known since the beginning that spirits walk the earth and there are more things possible than we can possibly imagine. Many disagree, but a huge number claim to have had an experience of some kind. Do the spirits of those passed co-exist with us, or do we co-exist with them? Food for thought.

 

AR: If it won’t spoil anything, tell us about the story’s antagonist, and how you developed it.

 

MR: The antagonist is not a simple one, it is a question. “Can you bargain with the dead?” I posed a scenario to myself and backed it by asking people what they thought about it. The answers were amazing. Some who were not believers (or said they weren’t) actually believed it was possible.

 

AR: Themes about loss run through your writing, and is so compelling in a love story? What is it about the transcendence of space and time that grabs people?

 

MR: In Moonlight on the Nantahala, the basic theme is how some of us deal with the loss of a loved one. Most move on with their lives and find happiness again, while others try to hang on to memories and emotions that once lost can never be regained.

 

I am not sure what the exact answer would be. For some I think it would be to try and hold on to some semblance of what they once had, while with others it would be proof there is life after death. They search for the answers to life after death. It is unknown territory and as curiosity seekers we want to know the truth. It is a lot of speculation on our behalf.

 

AR: Are you a romantic at heart. Nature or nurture?!

 

MR: I don’t know for sure if I would be in the category of being a romanticist. Maybe in my personal life, but then again, with my background, sometimes I have doubts. Nature at best.

 

AR: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

 

MR: Write what you know and don’t be discouraged if your writing does not compare with the writers of great merit. At one time in their lives they were not as beloved as they are now. Practice makes perfect so they say, but not everyone was born to write.

 

AR: Thanks so much for stopping by! Links to follow Micheal and purchase his books below:

 

Links:

 

Amazon

Micheal Rivers Facebook Author Page

 

Website

Micheal Rivers Blog


Email

 

Micheal Rivers, Author of "Verliege"

Micheal Rivers, Author of "Verliege"

Micheal told me about a house on a mountain top that the owners leave for the winter. Their security is very high, with cameras everywhere. The caretaker has gone in twice and found the thermostat turned up; and there was a leather cord with three strands that had been braided and left on the table. The alarm system was on! Picture of the braided cord below.

 

 

Braided Cord left by ghost?

Braided Cord left by ghost?

 

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview, Blog Tour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (13)

Read Me Dead: Emerald Barnes Author Interview

April 2, 2012 – 2:41 am
Read Me Dead, By Emerald Barnes

Read Me Dead, By Emerald Barnes

I’m thrilled to have author Emerald Barnes join us today. Emerald is the critically acclaimed author of “Piercing the Darkness,” a young adult novella described as a “Thrilling psychological drama,” that, “Leaves you wanting more!” Emerald is stopping by on her blog tour for the launch of her new young adult novel, “Read me Dead.” It sounds like an awesome novel, and I was dying to interview her!

 

AR: I love your titles! How do you come up with them?!

 

EB: Thanks! I don’t know, honestly. They just kind of come to me.

Piercing through the Darkness was always that to me. It was never anything else. I saw this street lamp, the only light in the darkness, and my main character, Kandi, just running towards it, trying to free herself of the darkness surrounding her. Back then, it was very literal in the short story, but as the novella grew, it was her metaphorically finding herself free of the darkness overtaking her.

 

Read Me Dead was a little harder to pinpoint. I had wittily tagged it as “The Article” while writing it, but I wanted something more interesting. I thought of one line in my novel, “You might as well have written my obituary,” Alex says, and Read Me Dead was born from that line.

 

AR: What is “Read Me Dead” about?

 

EB: Read Me Dead is about my main character, Alexia “Alex” Wheaton. She just wants to live a normal life. She wants to worry about what dress to wear to the homecoming dance and which boy she wants date. But as the sole witness to her parents’ murder, her life is far from normal.

When an article about her parents’ death is written, stating that she has seen the murderer after years of bearing that secret, she is now thrown into a world of fear, where she’s afraid that his next victim will be her.

She’s in a race to save her life and bring her parents’ murderer to justice.

AR: Who is the book’s audience, and what will they find there?

 

EB: My book is generally written for Young Adults. I find that I can relate to them more on a reading level, but it can be enjoyed by adults as well, as most of my beta readers were adults and loved the book.

 

But, in the book, they will find that Alex is a relatable character. She’s just a girl wanting to be normal, but she unfortunately finds herself in a horrible situation, but it’s how she handles that situation, I believe, that will be so relatable. My goal for young adults reading the book was to find a character that they would be interested in reading about and actually feeling as if she was real.

AR: YA has taken the world by storm as a genre. What are your thoughts on why, and why now?

 

EB: It’s amazing at how YA has taken the world by storm! I think that it’s so popular now because we can re-live our young adult lives vicariously through each story that is told. It doesn’t hurt that films from popular YA books are coming to theaters world-wide! The YA genre has gone in so many different directions now. There weren’t many books back when I was in high school in the YA genre that I enjoyed (or thought I would enjoy), but now, high schoolers and adults alike can enjoy new, entertaining literature told from the point of view of middle grade to high school main characters! I know that I can’t get enough of that genre!

 

AR: What’s your approach to crafting your stories?

 

EB: Would it be bad if I said I don’t have an approach? ;)

 

I’m a pantser at heart, writing only by the seat of my pants. But, eventually, I have to tell myself that I need to plot out something. So, I’ll sit down and write by stream of consciousness what all I want to see in my stories. From there, I take it chapter by chapter, writing out each scene and bringing to life what I believe will work best for the story I’m telling. After my first draft is finished, I take a break for a week or two to wrap my head around my story, and then I begin edits. I will edit two or three times before finally deciding my story is good enough for the masses.

AR: I’ve noticed that if one looks at all of a writer’s oeuvre, there’s an overarching unity, and that each separate work is part of a whole. What trends do you see emerging in your work?

 

EB: I couldn’t agree more with that statement! I think mostly in my work, I see a theme of the damsels in distress types who eventually have to come to terms with facing their darkest secrets and pasts head on, and it makes them stronger.

 

AR: What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned on your journey as a writer?

 

EB: Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to do this on your own, and that having fellow writer friends is what will keep you sane in this otherwise insane profession.

 

At first, I believed that being a writer was solitary, and in essence, I believe that it still is some, but there are people out there who understand what you are going through when you’re about ready to have a fight with your characters for them doing something completely uncharacteristic and you having to re-think your plot. And, these fellow writer friends will help you face that head-on. They’ll help you through the writing process, offer invaluable feedback, and then, they will be generous enough to help you with promotion, marketing, etc when you finally finish the novel you wanted to chunk across the room for being so difficult. Writing no longer has to be a solitary experience.

 

AR: You have a B.A. in English, with an emphasis on creative writing. Tell us about some of the things you learned in your writing classes that have helped you.

 

EB:I do, and it helped me with a general background of what to do and what not to do in stories. My Fiction Workshop class was the best at this because we all were able to critique each others’ works. I still remember a lot of the comments written in the margins of my short stories. “This doesn’t work.” “Too much dialogue.” “Show more. Don’t always tell.” These are small comments, sure, but you learn from your previous mistakes, and when I edit, I think of what they would say about it. I also remember how my professor would mark out entire pages and say, “Rethink your beginning.” I still use that to this day. He also said something along the lines of “Grab the reader’s attention, but you don’t have to punch them in the face.” Don’t you just love that?

 

AR: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

 

EB: Believe in yourself and don’t give up. And when you don’t give up and finish that manuscript. Edit. Edit. Edit.

 

AR: What’s ahead for you?!

 

EB: Something new, I must admit! I’m dabbling in the YA Paranormal genre now and straying a bit from the suspense genre (but only a bit!). I have a trilogy in process called, Knight’s Academy, that deals with Vampires, Werewolves and the protection of humans.

I also have some ideas floating around for a sequel to Piercing Through the Darkness.

 

Thanks for having me on your blog! I wish you all the best. xoxo

 

AR: The pleasure is all my mine. I’m looking forward to diving into Read Me Dead!

 

You can follow Emerald and purchase her books at the following links:


Read Me Dead Video

More about Read Me Dead

Emerald’s Blog

Emerald’s Website

Emerald on Twitter

Read Me Dead Facebook Page

Facebook Author Page

Piercing Through the Darkness Buy Links:

 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Create Space

Smashwords

Emerald Barnes, Author of "Read Me Dead"

Emerald Barnes, Author of "Read Me Dead"

 

 

 

"Read Me Dead" blog tour!

"Read Me Dead" blog tour!

 

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (6)

Wyndano’s Cloak: New Review on Amazon!

March 22, 2012 – 3:29 pm
Wyndano's Cloak, by A. R. Silverberry

Wyndano's Cloak, by A. R. Silverberry

Wyndano’s Cloak got a rave book review on Melissa Bartell’s blog, Bibliotica! She called the book, “Unique and compelling,” called Naryfel the, “Perfect witch/hag,” and read the book in a single night! She posted the review on Amazon and Goodreads, and recommended that the book went well with a latte and a chocolate-covered croissant. Love it! You can read the whole review here —> review. And please check out the other thoughtful and insightful reviews on her site!

Wyndano’s Cloak is also featured with a long excerpt on author Kellianne Sweeney’s blog. If you haven’t read the book yet, check it out! It’s part of a blog tour I’m in called Teaser Train, which features the work of a group of talented indie writers, and represents a range of genres!

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Blog Tour, Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

New Review for Wyndano’s Cloak on Amazon!

March 20, 2012 – 8:38 pm
Wyndano's Cloak

Wyndano's Cloak

An Amazon reader posted a wonderful review of Wyndano’s Cloak, calling it, “A Book for Three Generations.” The book now has 22 five-star reviews and 5 four-star reviews out of a total of 27 reviews.

The reader’s review was am Amazon Verified Purchase. Referring to the book’s universal appeal, she also said,  “We are are all still just girls at heart, no matter what our age.” Made my day!

 

You can read all the reviews here!


 

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Making Money as an Author

March 16, 2012 – 11:35 am
Making Money as an Author

Making Money as an Author

I met author Oli Hille in a Facebook group dedicated to helping authors succeed in publishing their work. In that group, Oli has been a tireless support to the many writers striving to live their dream. I’ve read and enjoyed several of Oli’s books, so when he offered to do a guest post about his latest release, I said, “Sure!” Join him now as Oli discusses how to make money as an author. Take it away, Oli!

 

I am blessed to be an Amazon #1 Bestselling author. But…

  • there is something about us authors!

We are often reluctant to allow ourselves the luxury of the thought that we can make money from our hard work! Plumbers don’t have this problem, office workers don’t, and construction workers don’t. But somewhere along the history of writing it has become accepted that we should spend hundreds of hours creating a wonderful book and then be delighted with a few crumbs in return!

 

Oh sure, we secretly imagine hitting the big time and being that one in a million celebrity author who travels business class from book signing to book signing – but we know it is just a harmless fantasy.

 

But the reality is in fact somewhere in between.

 

The problem with the “struggling writer” mindset is that it is not a sustainable Lifestyle. If you have to work 50 hours a week plus commuting, plus family time, plus time with your spouse, and keeping fit, and seeing friends…

  • well where is your writing time? And if you do manage to snatch an hour here or there do you bring energy and excitement or exhaustion to your writing?

Ten years ago, even once you finished your book, there was still a mountain to climb – an agent and a publisher. Even if you got through dozens of rejection slips and got accepted you had an 18 month lead time until your book hit the shelves.

 

Once your book hit the shelves, you got $2 for every $25 book sold because all of the “middle men” and the publisher took their cut.

 

And worst of all, very few authors sold more than a handful of copies of their books!

Shocking Statistics

Consider these shocking statistics from an article in Publisher’s Weekly, July 17, 2006:

Of 1.2 million books in print tracked by Nielsen Bookscan:

79% of books sold less than 99 copies.

Only four percent (4%) of books sold more than 1,000 copies.

Only two percent (2%) of books sold more than 5,000 copies.

 

 

Amazon – the Solution

 

After you finish reading this post you are going to think I work for Amazon – I don’t. In fact they work for me.

 

There are 1,000,000 Ebooks on Amazon right now and 260,000,000 customers (Get that? Too many customers, not enough products – 260 to 1).

Ebooks are outselling paper books at 25:1 (yup twenty five to one).

If you want to make money from a potential 260,000,000 people, and you could write a 20 page book – get a book up on Amazon NOW.

 

This weekend you could write a 20 page ebook on:

 

  • Your knowledge base;
  • Your hobby;
  • Your passion;
  • A short story;
  • A short novella;
  • Four very short stories;
  • That book you started years ago;
  • That book that got rejected by a publisher.

Something AMAZING that only you could write – and you will make money.

Amazon – sooooo Easy
Remember the 18 month lead time I talked about if you even got a publishing deal? Now when I finish a book, it takes me under 15 minutes to upload it to Amazon and I am making money within 24 hours.

 

FREE Videos

Do you want me to show you how EASY it is to upload a book to Amazon? I do it in this video absolutely live – in 12 minutes:

www.LifestyleBook.com/blog/authors-make-money

Do you want to watch a FULL webinar, that was over subscribed, that I took down from YouTube because of the HUGE amount of IP that I revealed? Here is the one hour and 48 minute webinar:

www.LifestyleBook.com/blog/authors-make-money

Your Genre

 

No matter how small your niche/genre – there is an audience for your book. 10 years ago you could not find an audience for a book in a small niche, but now with hundreds of millions of people purchasing on Amazon – it doesn’t matter how small your niche is.

 

Passive Income

 

Last October, I had never sold a book to anyone, now I have ten books on Amazon and my author income in February was US $3,119 and it has been going up every month.

 

None of it happened by accident – it was all part of a plan.

 

The plan is laid out in detail in my new book “How to Become an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author – and Make Money!”

 

 

Your Knowledge

 

Millions of people want to read about the knowledge YOU already have! Either your know-how (non-fiction) or your imagination (fiction).

 

And I am not talking about a 300 page book! I have two books on Amazon that are under 20 pages each that I wrote in a day – that are making me money!

 

 

How To Succeed on Amazon

 

I spent two years planning my book launch after I finished writing my book. I spent five months studying Amazon’s systems. In fact, I spent 2,087 unpaid hours finding out the secrets to successfully publishing your book on Amazon.

 

The great news for YOU is that I put all of my strategies and secrets into a 116 page book that you can use to make money as an author.

 

I told Peter Adler that I would allow people who read his blog to buy the book with a US $20 discount.

 

 

You Are Not Buying a Book!

 

I don’t want you to buy a book – I want to change your future as an author.

I don’t want you to buy a book – I want you to make an INVESTMENT in your career as a writer.

 

I want to give you the opportunity to increase your book sales and MAKE MONEY.

 

 

48 Hours ONLY

 

I can only reduce the price of the book by $20 for 48 hours. So click here now to get your discounted copy of my book “How to Become an Amazon #1 Bestselling – and Make Money!”

 

www.LifestyleBook.com/amazon

 

 

Please “Like” and “Tweet” this post to help other authors.

 

Thank you.

 

Oli Hille

Amazon #1 Bestselling Author of “Creating the Perfect Lifestyle”

www.Amazon.com/author/1

 

 

 

Reviews

“Amazon #1 Bestselling author, Oli Hille, is a true master and authority on what it takes to succeed in the new world e-publishing. He has a proven track record and I found his information and expertise invaluable in helping to get my own book to #1 on Amazon. Oli Hille is someone to watch and I will continue to keep an eye on what he’s doing, because he is truly leading the pack.”
Richard Kelley, Author and MD

“Without Oli’s information, support and authors’ challenge to get my book up before Christmas, I never would have had the tools and inspiration to take action and make it happen. Little did I know, that by employing his strategies I would hit #1 within 11 hours.”
Anna Morrison, BSN, RN, CLNC – Author

“Oli helped me get my first book to #1 Amazon Bestseller Status, by providing inspiration, easily applicable practical tips and continual support during the launch.”
Lori Webb, Author

“Oli has truly figured out the logarithm to get your book to #1 on Amazon. With his strategies, I developed some tactics and had my book hit #1 for Finance Education; #2 for Women in Business; #3 for Introduction to Investing!”
Holli Rovenger, Author

“I had my book on Amazon for 3 months and felt the disappointment of nothing happening then I met Oli Hille! He taught me the techniques that he used to get his books to rise to through the ranks and become Amazon best sellers. I did not take much time and jumped on these techniques and within a week did a launch of my book. With Oli’s support my book became a best seller in two categories.”
Veronika Tracy-Smith, PhD

 

PS: Grab a heavily discounted copy of my book now:

 

www.LifestyleBook.com/amazon

 

 

PPS: See all of the 63 parts of the book here:

 

www.LifestyleBook.com/amazon

 

 

PPPS: Watch the seven FREE Videos with some of my Amazon strategies here:

 

www.YouTube.com/lifestylebook

 

Oli Hille, Author of "Creating the Perfect Lifestyle"

Oli Hille, Author of "Creating the Perfect Lifestyle"

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Self Publishing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

The One That Got Away: Teaser Train Excerpt

March 7, 2012 – 6:45 pm
The One That Got Away, By Kellianne Sweeney

The One That Got Away, By Kellianne Sweeney

Welcome to another edition of Teaser Train, bringing to you the work of talented indie authors. Today, we’ve got an excerpt from Kellianne Sweeney’s “The One That Got Away,” a story about a regular person given the opportunity to play with the big puzzle. Kellianne Sweeney has spent most of her adult life as a teacher, has also had many stories in her head for as long as she can remember. She firmly believes that imagination and creativity are what makes life three-dimensional. As the following excerpt demonstrates, she is amply endowed with both! On to the teaser!

I lost sense of time and place. I drifted in and out of reality. In actuality, I don’t even believe that I registered reality at all. There were periods when all that I could acknowledge was pure pain. Other times I was aware only of the cold and the details of the forest. During these moments it seemed as if the forest breathed and that I was merely a part of it as much as the trees, the grass, the insects and the dirt. Sometimes I would also slip into warm and comforting memories of Polly, my childhood and my budding career as a teacher. The worst periods were when my mind cycled again and again over the events of the torturous day. My soul screamed in silent despair and anguish with no voice or sense of direction.

My most lucid moment took place as evening fell. I am unable to say if it was at the end of that horrifying day, or if it was perhaps on another day. Time had no relevance or position. At this moment I was starkly awake. The cold felt harsh and my body pulsated with involuntary shivering. My mind was crazy with physical and emotional pain. All of my senses clicked into their proper places for a short while as I gazed up at two faces peering down at me. Concern and compassion radiated from them. A young girl and her mother. Indians, but with different dress and markings than the first pair I had encountered. Their expressions registered surprise at my awakening. I immediately tried to question them about my son, his whereabouts, his well being. No words formed. Only gagging and choking. I had forgotten that I no longer had a voice. The frustration and despair welled in my eyes, but no tears fell. I had no tears left to cry. How would I find my child if I couldn’t even speak? What if they had harmed him? The thought was more than I could bear. But still I could not cry. The woman lifted my head delicately and turned it to the side to facilitate my breath and expectoration of the clotted blood residing in my mouth. She gently returned my head to its’ former resting position and began to chant. The girl joined her. They placed each of their hands on me and continued in the soothing sing-song tune. Their hands permeated warmth into my being. In my mind’s eye I could almost see the warmth becoming light and twisting and twining within my body. I stared at them soundlessly, blankly. Their edges became blurred and white light seemed to be seeping slowly around them. Wearily, I let my eyes close. All was warm. All was still. Their song echoed in my brain and I drifted into comforting blackness.

I opened my eyes again. I found myself looking up at Anna and the violet eyed woman. They were not chanting, but I could still hear the faintest echo of the song receding into a corner of my mind. For a moment I thought that I could not speak. Then I remembered that I could. But then I did not know what to say. I lay there staring at them dumbly.

“Mama?” Anna ventured. She looked questioningly at the woman next to her.

“Anna, she is fine right now, my dear.”

The absolute absence of pain felt bewildering to me. The dream had felt so real, so wretchedly real.

Purchase “The One That Got Away” on Amazon

Visit Kellianne’s blog.

Visit Kellianne’s website

 

Teaser Train

Teaser Train!

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Book Excerpt | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (3)