Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 29, 2012

Still looking for free ebooks?  I've come across another source, eReaderIQ.  In this one, you get to specify what types of books you're interested in, how recent you wish the listings to be, and how much information you want displayed on each page.  Pretty nifty.

In case you still don't have enough ways to find free ebooks, here's another:  OneHundredFreeBooks.com.

These sites are popping up all over the place!

MediaBistro is hosting its first Literary Festival & Workshops.  July 16 - August 1, this online, interactive event will feature author sessions, how-to sessions from agents, editors and writers, writing workshops, and peer interaction.

After the publisher gets hold to it, is your story still the story you wrote?  Editing Clauses in Publishing Contracts .

With the exception of the page counts, screenwriter Hilliard Guess's tips for writing could apply for any storyteller.  Less black on the page.  Get to the point.  Trust the reader.  Click here to read the full story.

Are romance writers romantic?  The Secret to a More Romantic Writing Life from RU's Robin Covington.

D2C?  As in, direct to consumer.  As in, as it tries to reinvent itself, will American publishing grab hold to this idea?  Harlequin, while selling through retailers, also sells direct to consumers.  Their reader subscription service sales are down, but I haven't heard the same about their website sales.  (Harlequin, by the way, is not an American publisher.  It's actually owned by Canadian firm, Torstar Corporation.)  D2C is getting attention, particularly based on this story about how well D2C is doing in Scandinavia.

Only problem I see is that, as with Harlequin's website, a reader can get better prices from other outlets...like Walmart.

Indie author J.A. Konrath has a great blog post on publishing contracts.  Very, very long, but worth the read if you have a need to know (or just find this kind of stuff interesting).

Amazon tries to get a handle on spam in the Kindle store.

I missed posting over the holiday weekend, but hope you had a great holiday and that you enjoy today's tidbits.  Lots of stuff happening out there in publishing land.  In my writing world, I'm plowing through the books I need to review, only having a couple left.  I finished my film treatment and wrote 90% of the synopsis for a new story.  I'm working on finishing that for a June pitch session.  Then, it's on to finishing my short stories, finishing my wip, then writing this new story in August.

What's doing with you?

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

How A Book Is Born

Seems to me almost all roads eventually lead to a goat farm.

From idea to book...

Infographic courtesty of weldenowen.com

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Duking It Out: Traditional Publishing vs. Indie Publishing

I've tried to present both sides of the traditional vs. indie publishing argument, although it's probably clear that the indie side intrigues me, but as the battles seem to be heating up (and getting nastier), I'm linking to less and less of the "we vs. they" stuff.

Still, there's something about the way that J.A. Konrath picks apart the arguments of folks squarely on the traditional side (with maybe a toe or two in indie publishing?) that is worth reading.

This time Konrath takes on agent Steve Laube.

Ding!  Ding! Ding! Ding!

Here's the original article from agent Steve Laube.

Here's the analysis of Steve Laube's article by Konrath.

And in case you missed it, here's the article from author Ann Vos Petersen, a guest post on Konrath's blog, about her experiences with Harlequin that kicked off the latest round of punches.  I've seen where some have implied that Petersen should have been happy to have the number of readers she had via Harlequin even if she wasn't getting paid as she thought she should.

Isn't that noble?

Until traditional publishing goes away, why does it have to be an all-or-nothing war?  Why can't the changing publishing landscape be viewed as authors having more options than ever before, and each author is entitled to pursue the option or set of options that work best for her?  Publishers still have to figure out who they are and what role they want to play in this new world.  So do agents.  Until then...

Can't we all just get along?

What does this mean for readers, the end client of the whole publishing industry?

In "Sticks and Stones:  The Changing Politics of the Self-Publishing Stigma", Huffington Post reports that booksellers are finally making it easier for self-published authors to get shelf space in stores.

Ultimately, readers will choose which authors (and publishers) they support.

More Books in More Formats = More Reader Choices

Publishing Fail?

Reader Win!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Anne Wayman's 3 Steps to Getting Published

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Feeding the Reader Beast

The New York Times recently published this article, "Writers' Cramp:  In the E-Reader Era, A Book a Year is Slacking", which understandably caught the attention of many writers.

Is a book a year too few?

Maybe yes, maybe no.

I think genre is a factor.  Right or wrong, there's a perception that genre fiction is easy to write.  If it's easy, then authors should be able to turn it out more readily, right?

Look at category romance from Harlequin.  That publishing behemoth has been increasing the number of titles in its more popular lines, from two to four to six a month.  In some cases, readers who start and like a series are fortunate enough to get the latest installment several months in a row.  No wait required.  Other series might publish at least two or three books from the author within a year's time.

Keep in mind that Harlequin books, for the most part, top out between 65 and 75,000 words.

But knowing several Harlequin authors, I know they work hard and have to push to keep up with the growing demand.

What about single titles, which typically are 80-120,000 words per book?

It used to be nothing to wait for the next book.  Readers expected to wait.  Writing was understood to be an arduous process requiring hours upon hours to complete a first draft.  Images of Hemingway, Faulkner, Twain, Baldwin and so many writers have them hemmed up in cramped quarters with cartons of wadded up paper surrounding them as they continue to scribble by hand on long, yellow pads.

Of course, the advent of the computer erased at least part of those images, but it was still thought that books took time.

Not any more.

If anyone (and some days, it seems like everyone) is churning out a novel, uploading it to Amazon and making a  wad of cash, then why should readers have to wait months for a book?

What readers don't know is how long it took to produce the books that authors are publishing.

What readers are misinterpreting is the connection between time to produce and quality of the product.

What readers are telling the market is that they're fine with lesser quality if it means greater quantity.

Not sure that's really what readers want.  I don't.

To be honest, I love when I get into a series late.  If I really love a book, I want to read the next one right away, too.  So if I'm late to the game, I'm happy.  Because then, there are likely several books to feed my reading monster while I wait for the next installment.  Once I've read two or three, I'm good with waiting because it's like cotton candy or popcorn.  After a while, no matter how much you love it, you have to take a break.

Then, I don't mind waiting a year, although much longer than that might cause a loss of interest.  If it's good story with good writing, a year is nothing.  There are plenty of other books to fill my time while I wait.

But I get it.  The same thing has happened with movies and television series.  The debut season of Scandal, the Kerry Washington series for which ABC produced aired only seven episodes and which just ended last week, is already slated for DVD release in June.

The days of waiting a year for the DVD, or even six months, are long gone.  Technology has made it so.  If I can stream content, and pick what I want when I want it, then I want what I want when I want, the author/producer/creator be damned.

I'd rather wait for the next book by a favorite author, assured that the story will be of high quality, then have a rush of sub-par titles.

Do you think writers take too long to write their stories?  What's a reasonable time, in your opinion?  Does it vary by genre?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 19, 2012

Boroughs Publishing Group is a new e-book publisher led by former Dorchester editor,  Chris Keeslar .They are seeking romance submissions, both novella and novel lengths.  Hear what Chris has to say in this RT Book Reviews interview about this new endeavor.

From that always helpful editorial blog, The Blood Red Pencil, "Cues From the Coach:  Avoiding Homonym Headaches."  Take a peek so as not to lessen the value of linking to this lesson. (Get it?) ;-)

7 Bad Habits of Successful Authors

Tension! Conflict! Action!  Creating a Compelling Book, from author Shirley Jump visiting over at Seekerville.

What have you been reading?  A new study says "You Are What You Read: How We Naturally Become Similar to our Favourite Fictional Characters."

Still not sure whether it's possible to make a good (emphasis on good) living writing?  Experience varies by writer, but often those considering this question don't have enough datapoints to now.  Author Eric Wilson shares from his ten-year experience in Getting Rich Quick as a Novelist.

Authors, want your books in audio format?  Bob Mayer offers SOP for Authors Using Audible ACX.

There's a new online writing academy, The Bestseller Society.  Led by three publishing professionals, author and editor Mary DeMuth, author and publisher Jeff Gerke, and author and marketing expert Thomas Umstattd, TBS provides videos, podcasts, blog posts, a forum, and much more to help you achieve your publishing dreams.  And right now, you can get a 30-day free trial.

Seth Godin blogs "The Real Threat to (Big Time) Book Publishing."

Have a great e-book cover?  Each month, Joel Friedlander hands out the E-book Cover Design Awards.  Thinking about what might make a great e-book cover?  Read Joel's comments on the winners as well the other submissions.

"How Do Daily Ebooks Sold Figure into Amazon and Barnes and Noble Sales Rankings? Theresa Ragan Has The Scoop!"

You CAN read ePub formatted books on a Kindle, the Kindle Fire, or so says Andrys Basten of A Kindle World Blog.

From editor Theresa Stevens, courtesy of Romance University:  Converting Backstory into Character.  Authors, you have to read this, even if you think you're pretty good at character development.

More AAU basketball this weekend.  Team is doing okay, but we've had some avoidable losses.  Hoping to turn that around this weekend.  Meanwhile, continuing to make progress on that supersized plate of writing stuff I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.

What's doing in your world?

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Getting It Done/New Book Reviews

UPDATED:  All book review links below have been added.

Lots on the plate, but I'm getting it done.

Finished my MBT Diversity in Writing column for the next ezine issue. On time.

Check!

Plowing through the pile of books and overdue book reviews.  5 reviews done.  One blog interview/review and one book review outstanding.

Check!

Completed chapter-by-chapter synopsis for film adaptation treatment.  Will finish the one-page synopsis and send out by Monday.

Check!

Reading the fourth of nine books I have to judge for a contest.  Have plenty of time for these so I'm actually a little ahead.

Check!

Did you catch my story, "Stick Me, Please" over at Midlife Collage?  If not, please hop over to read and rate it in this writing contest for the over-40 crowd.  All about my life as a science specimen for my kids.  Today's the last day!

Check!

Two short stories started but unfinished.  Pitch synopsis not started.  As long as I jump into these by the beginning of June, I'll be fine.

Check!


Looking good, right?  Riiiiiight...so we won't talk about that wip.  Not yet. Not one word.

Funny how, like busy traffic, life can feel overwhelming at times, and then, with head down and shoulder to wheel, before you know it, everything opens up and you can see your way clear down the road.

Take a moment to check out some of the books I've been reviewing. I posted Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate on the blog earlier this week.  I've also reviewed:

When Morning Comes by Francis Ray

Nitt Witt Hill by Sebastian Gibson

Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker 

The Wedding Beat by Devan Sipher

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Seriously Reading Series

I like series books.

Series are books that connected.  Although individual stories may standalone, the setting and/or characters carry over into additional, related books.

Think Harry Potter, the subject of perhaps one of the most well-known book series.

A series is different than a sequel.

With a sequel, the story is a continuation with the same characters.  Again, think Harry Potter, in which each book is a sequel to the one before it  and collectively, they are a series.  Not all sequels lead to a series, though.  In this case, the series was planned from the beginning.

Confusing?

Okay. Let's try a different example, from the movies.  Rocky.  Rocky was intended as a single movie.  It's success led to Rocky II, the sequel.  Continued success led to additional movies, transitioning the original book and its sequel to become part of a series.

Anyway, back to books.

I like series books.  I'm reading some great series.  The Grayson Family & Friends, a series that is an offshoot of another series series, The Graysons, by Francis Ray.  A whole family of smart, well-educated, high-powered, high-achieving African-Americans out of New Mexico who find love and romance in each of the book.  When she completed the stories about the children of Ruth Grayson, the family matriarch, Ray moved on to their friends and family with no dropoff.  Every story is romantic, fun and satisfying.  Most recently I read A Seductive Kiss. The next book, With Just One Kiss, is waiting in my TBR pile.  Meanwhile, because I'm such a fan of anything Francis Ray, I read the first book in her newest series, When Morning Comes.

Then there's The Bowers Files, or as I like to call it "The Chess Series" from thriller author Steven James.  Special Agent Bowers is an environmental criminologist, using geospatial analysis to hunt down deranged, demented serial killers.  Really dangerous folks.  Think the television series Criminal Minds in book format, but much, much smarter and with a touch of faith thrown in.  Great stuff.

I'm also in and out of Brenda Jackson's Madaris/Westmoreland/Steele families series.  This is actually three series about three families that are interwoven.  The Madaris and Westmoreland clans are related, and I'm not sure whether the Steeles are simply friends or family or what at this point, since there's been so many books and so many weddings.  I just can't keep up.  But Jackson is at the top of her game writing sensual AA romance.

All of these series extend well beyond three books, but most of the series I read stop at three.  This largely due to the publishing marketplace.  Often publishers will contract for a book and, then if it's success, contract two more.  Sometimes the original contract is for three.  I can't quote a study but I believe there have been a few that show sales tail off with each book (unless you're J.K. Rowling) and that after three books, there's usually not much of a market.

Loyal readers would certainly disagree.

Everyone loves to revisit their favorite characters and/or favorite settings.  Harlequin, with its many imprints, is the king of series.  Each imprint always has multiple series underway, sometimes by a single author, sometimes written by a group, each book by a different author.

I've loved series books since I was a child.  Harry and the Dirty Dog. Nancy Drew.  The Hardy Boys.  Encyclopedia Brown.  Ramona.  Pippi Longstocking.  Little House on the Prairie. Little Women.  Sherlock Holmes.  One of my all time favorites was The Happy Hollisters, a family with a large number of children who somehow always found themselves in the middle of a mystery that needed to be solved.

Do you have to begin reading at the beginning?  Sometimes I have started a series somewhere in the middle, as I did with Harry Potter.  My son and I read book three, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkeban, first.  We loved it, went back and got the first two to catch up, and then stayed caught up as each book was released in paperback.  (We also saw every movie.)

I started the Bowers series with The Bishop, book four.  I've been reading backward and forward ever since.  Even in catching up, I read them out of order.  My next one was The Knight, then The Queen, and finally The Pawn. I still need to read The Rook.  The King will be released later this year, and two additional books are expected, which obviously won't have titles related to the names of chess pieces.  Doesn't matter. I'll be reading, along with my oldest son.  We're both hooked.

What have been some of your favorite book series, now or in the past?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Transformational Fiction by Guest Blogger Nikki Arana

Ready to be transformed?

I first learned of Nikki Arana shortly after her book, The Winds of Sonoma, was released back around 2005 or 2006.  I was blown away by her romantic story of a New York lawyer who, faced with a career-ending crisis, returns home to the California wine country to start over and falls in love with a Mexican stable hand.  She goes from fighting in boardrooms to fighting her parents' prejudices while finding a way to save the family estate.  This was a time when I wanted the next book right away, and luckily, it too was available, In The Shade of the Jacaranda.  The final book in the series and the best, The Fragrance of Roses, was published later that year.

    

With that, I'll turn it over to Nikki:

-------------------------------------------

It is so good to be here. Thanks so much for a chance to tell your readers a little about myself and my writing. I like all kinds of books. Even though I write women’s fiction and suspense, I’m partial to non-fiction for enjoyment reading. I love all of Watchman Nee’s books and am a big fan of Oswald Chambers.

I write what is called fiction with a purpose or transformational fiction. (I will soon have a FB page for that. If you like to read or write those kinds of books, send me an email and I’ll let you know when it is up. Just put FWP in the subject line.) All of my books deal with social, political, and spiritual issues that Christians face today. 

Patricia came to know me through my first series. Book 1, The Winds of Sonoma, touched on illegal immigration. The hero is a Mexican laborer. It is a love story based on my own experience of meeting my husband! 

In Book 2, In the Shade of the Jacaranda, the hero and heroine in Book 1 are married, and this story deals with unplanned pregnancies and abortion. 

Book 3, The Fragrance of Roses, deals with leukemia and the need to have more minorities donating to bone marrow registries. I always try to have at least one character who would be judged “less than” by the world. A one-legged beggar, a child with Down syndrome, or a poor, illiterate stableman becomes the catalyst of the story, impacting the other characters in the book in positive, life-changing ways. I do this as a way of breaking stereotypes.

I believe that God has a plan for every life no matter what the circumstances. Sometimes it is hard to see that plan when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances. That’s why I say that in my books, quite often, things are not what they seem. I have found God’s ways to be mysterious and beautiful. I try to show through my characters that if we will approach the challenges that come to us with an eye to discern His divine hand at work, and a willingness to be a vessel of His love, we will overcome.  

My next novel, The Next Target, will be releasing June 1. It is about the need for Christians to reach out to the Muslims who live and work among us, model the love of Christ to them, and then with the leading of the Holy Spirit, give them what Islam can never give. It is also about the price Muslims pay to know Christ. It, like The Winds of Sonoma, is inspired by a true story. 

My own. 

Based on my experiences with Muslims who convert to Christianity and are under the threat of death. I work with them through my ministry, A Voice for the Persecuted.

You can learn more about me and my books by visiting my website, or by following my new blog, Words for theJourney. If you would like to help raise awareness about persecuted Christians here in America, you can get the code to put a banner about The Next Target on your website, FB or any place you think is appropriate from the Media Kit on my website.

Again, thank you so much for having me.

Nikki Arana is an award-winning author of women’s fiction, essays, poetry, and magazine articles whose work has been published in the United States and Canada. She has won several national awards, including the American Christian Fiction Book of the Year for Women's Fiction - twice, and the Beacon Award. Her book, The Winds of Sonoma was named One of the Top 20 Books of the Year by Christianbook.com. Nikki is also the recipient of the Excellence in Media Silver Angel Award.. She is an experienced speaker and has presented numerous, highly successful workshops on the craft of writing. Nikki also serves persecuted Christians who are under the threat of death through her ministry, A Voice for the Persecuted.  You can visit her website here: http://www.nikkiarana.com 

-------------------------------------------

Patricia, here.  

Now you see one reason that I love Nikki's fiction.  Stories about real people dealing with real, timely issues.  Another reason is that Nikki's prose is beautiful.  It has a grace that elevates her stories to the goosebump level.

For readers who'd like to read some of Nikki's work, you're in luck!  Nikki is offering The Winds of Sonoma FREE on Kindle, May 15 - 19.  Click here to download her book.  

And....

You can also WIN a KINDLE to read her books by visiting her FB author page, May 14 through June 4, clicking on the "Win A Kindle" button on the far right. ("And," Nikki says, "maybe LIKE it while you're there!") 

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate

Blue Moon Bay
Bethany House Publishing
By Lisa Wingate
Publication Date: February 1, 2012

Heather Hampton returns to Moses Lake, Texas, to help facilitate the sale of a family farm as part of a planned industrial plant that will provide the area with much-needed jobs. Heather's future fiancé has brokered the deal, and Heather is in line to do her first large-scale architectural design--if the deal goes through.

But the currents of Moses Lake have a way of taking visitors on unexpected journeys. What was intended to be a quick trip suddenly morphs into Valentine's week--with Blaine Underhill, the handsome banker who just happens to be opposing Heather's project. Spending the holiday in an ex-funeral parlor seems like a nightmare, but Heather slowly finds herself being drawn into the area's history, hope, and heart.

REVIEW

A woman who has all but separated herself from her family is forced to return home to facilitate the sale of the family farm.  Heather Hampton wants to get in and out of Texas, her life no longer having no connection to the people or the area.

But something about Blue Moon Bay sucks Heather into its pace, which is not nearly as fast as she would like, and its happenings, which are much more convoluted than she has patience for.  It seems not everyone at Harmony House, the family’s former funeral parlor, is keen on selling the land, and former classmate, Blaine Underhill, now the town’s banker, is helping certain family members to oppose the project.

Despite it being Valentine’s weekend and having a fiance waiting for her, Heather finds her stay extended by one thing after another.  It quickly becomes apparent that she will not be able to leave before she resolves her family issues as much as the issues around selling the property.

Wingate writes pleasant prose, although the story felt as though it dragged a bit at times.  The quirky cast of characters and ongoing mystery as to what was really going on with the family’s property kept the story intriguing enough to read on. As the mystery drew to its conclusion, the pace picked up and I found myself staying up late, rapidly turning pages to discover what had really happened with Heather’s father, why her mother was hanging around, what her brother and uncles were up to, and whether, in addition to resolving all of these issues, Heather might find the kind of romance she imagined.  Overall, occasional pace issues not withstanding, BLUE MOON BAY was a satisfying read.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 12, 2012

My mother introduced me to books and to the public library.  It was a favorite outing for many years.  I'd bring home scores of books, finish them in record time, and happily walk the half mile or so back to the library for more.  So this first tidbit is in honor of my mom, Hazel Markham:  "Exercises in Democracy: Building a Digital Public Library."  Not sure how it will work, but the concept certainly sounds cool. (That's me and mom about three years ago in the corner.)

Pocket Books is back as Pocket Star! Simon & Schuster's imprint has returned as an e-book imprint.

Lovely Christian Romance is a new short story market that I heard about. They pay from $50-200 for stories to be included in anthology collections, and are currently seeking submissions.

I always get good submissions info from RT Book Reviews.  This month, Forever Yours, the e-book only imprint of Grand Central Publishing, and the agents of BookEnds Literary Agency are seeking submissions.  For more, check out the Aspiring Author Page at RT Book Reviews.

Another good source of markets seeking submissions is the Cindi Myers newsletter.  Always includes opportunities like the Tony Hillerman Prize contest, with the chance to win $10,000 and a publishing contract with St. Martin's Press for best first mystery set in the Southwest.

The Write Integrity Press Books of Hope Contest is seeking 3-book series submissions.  The winning 3-book series will win $500 and a publishing contract.  Runners up will win receive a single-book contract.

The Association of American Publishers reports that book sales, with the exception of adult trade-sized and mass market paperbacks, are up.  Looks like there will be another banner year for submissions of children's/YA books...

Character therapist Jeannie Campbell asks how much is too much when it comes to crafting flawed characters, and offers up a list of possible flaws.  Although the list should really be entitled "disadvantages", not flaws, since things like disability, pacifist and tongue-tied are included, it's a long, comprehensive list for help in crafting interesting characters.

5 Ways to Make Your Writing Funnier (Or:  How to Bring More Laughter Into Your Life)

Margo Dill offers points for "Writing a Marketable Children's Story".

Dream of writing for Harlequin? Can you afford to? Author Ann Voss Peterson, a 10 year+ Harlequin veteran, tells her story...and why you might want to reconsider your dreams.  One woman's story, but seems like there might be many more tales out there...

Funny how the Harry Potter franchise remains HUGE news.  Pottermore, the Harry Potter specific website, has joined with Amazon to release all of the Harry Potter books for free through the Kindle Owners' Lending Library (Kindle owners who are also Amazon Prime members).

The Mixed Roots Literary & Film Festival will be held June 15-17 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.  This festival celebrates the creative works of artists who identify as racially mixed.

Big weekend.  Mil's birthday.  Mother's birthday.  Mother's Day.  If you are able, take a moment to hug and kiss your mom.  Express your love and appreciation for her.

I'll always love my mama.  She's my favorite girl.  You only get one, only get one, yeah!  (The Intruders)

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Publish No Book Before Its Time

Lit agent Rachelle Gardner penned a recent blog post that hearkened back to an old Paul Masson wine commercial with the tag line, "We sell no wine before its time."

Gardner is calling upon writers to apply this approach to writing, not self-publishing their books, particularly e-books, before they are ready, or risk losing readership permanently.  As Gardner says, "Quality Books Take Time."

Readers. what has been your experienced of late as far as the quality of indie-published e-books?

The big knock on self-publishing for years was that the books were of lesser quality, that they were released by authors who couldn't make it with traditional publishers.

As with many stereotypes, this one has some element of truth.  Some self-published authors chose the indie route because they were tired of rejection.

But that's not true for all self-published authors.  Some simply want more control and a greater share of the profits for their work.  These authors approach their writing no less professionally than they would if they were with traditional publishers, even going as far as to hire professional editors, graphic artists, etc.  Some pay for multiple edits before they release their work.

These authors should not be lumped in with those who are seeking a quick buck off their unpolished first drafts.

The bulk of my e-book reads tend to be books that were originally traditionally published and have since been released in e-book format by the publisher.  Hence, they have gone through the rigors of editing and have quality artwork.

Then there are the ones for which the author got back her publishing rights, and chose to independently publish in e-book format.  These might be equivalent of the first group, and might not.  If the author is using a version that was not the final, publisher-edited version, it may not have the same level of editorial quality.  And if the author does her own cover art, the art might not be top notch either.

The final group, which I've downloaded with increasing frequency of late, are truly independently published.  These stories have never been released by a traditional publisher, even if the author has other books that have been.  In this group, the editing and the art work, not to mention the overall storytelling, is very inconsistent and yes, tends to be of a lower quality.  I've read some really good stuff, but more not-so-good stuff.  Some I haven't bothered to finish, unable to get past the editing and/or poor story structure.  I probably won't download any more titles for those authors.

Which is exactly what Gardner is getting at.  If authors produce books that are less than expected quality, readers may get turned off.

Maybe the authors don't have the money for a professional edit.  Maybe they think they don't need one.

Maybe they don't want to lose time to market and possible revenues.

Hiring an editor will extend the time to market, but it doesn't have to cause an author to lose months and months of time.  Part of finding the right editor for you has to be a discussion about timeframes.

I don't know, but I wish more indie authors would invest in their work the way a publisher would.  If money is an issue, at worst, a strong critique by other published authors will probably help and could lead to fewer negative reviews/higher sales.

Maybe authors want to test the market, determining whether their stories have are saleable before investing the money.  I would say this is a bad strategy.  Make a good first impression and you can make another.

Make a bad first impression and...

If some authors think they don't need or don't want help, they deserve what they get.  Too bad they are pulling down the rest of the publishing segment with them.

Publishing shouldn't be like paintball.  Splatter the landscape with whatever you have, and see what happens.

Indie publishing deserves to be a viable alternative, not simply a shortcut.  Readers of indie-published books deserve the same quality as for any other book, no matter how much they pay for it.

What say you?  Do you read indie books?  How have you found them to be in terms of writing quality?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Why Do Writers Write?

“Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well.” ~ Stephen King, On Writing

What fuels your writing?  What keeps you working on the stories swirling around in your head?

I hear so many writers say they write because they can't not write.

This always seemed a bit disingenuous to me, somehow intended to be superior to those who wrote because they wanted to earn an living or extra income or to those who wrote because they choose to write, but it's just of many creative choices they make.

Writing for writing's sake?

What does that mean, "they can't not write"?  What really drives them to write when they could be doing so many other things?  Is it some higher calling?  Some type of addiction?

I'm not that writer although story ideas pop for me like popcorn in hot oil.  I can't say I've ever had writer's block.  Ever.

But I've suffered from other things.  Life busyness and a general lack of time?  Yup.  (Although this is really about priorities, isn't it?)

Procrastination?  Sure.

Fatigue?  You bet.

Mad dose of perfectionism that maybe stems from...fear?  With regularity.

So what gets me past these things that impede my writing?

A desire to tell my stories.  To see my name in print.  To leave something behind--something creative and uniquely birthed by me--when I'm gone.  

And yes, money.

Nothing wrong with an economic incentive.  Nothing at all.

But when I think about it, that's really not my driving force.

Most of all, I would like someone to be touched by my writing.  

For someone to laugh, to think, to consider, to cry, to change or affirm something in their life as a result of the words I'm inspired to cull together.

That's what I want, and in doing so, I get to feel as though I've contributed something else that mattered. (Else besides, my three amazing sons.)

For me, writing also brings a much-needed lift, a pouring out, a sense of being free and unrestrained to my spirit.

Maybe this is what writers mean when they say they can't not write.  

Maybe what they're saying is that they believe their writing has purpose, this purpose drives them, and...

...they choose to give high priority to fulfilling that purpose.

Thinking about it this way helps to make it no better or worse than any other purpose, like earning a living as a writer.

I'm still not that driven writer...not yet.  At this point in my life, raising my children is a higher priority.  As such, writing often takes a back seat.

But writing is still very important.

Now that makes sense to me.

Why do you write?  What drives you to keep at it?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Teaser Tuesdays: Cherry Blossom Capers

Daniel tried to pull his attention from the young fool across the room and back to the beautiful woman in front of him.  He sat here for her.  He didn't want to more years to go by with this friction and distance between them. -- page 143, "Dying for Love" by Cara C. Putnam from the four-in-one collection, Cherry Blossom Capers by Gina Conroy, Frances Devine, Cara C. Putnam & Lynette Sowell

Four women working in the D.C. area live in the same townhouse complex.  All find intrigue and romance amid the cherry blossoms.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting? (Even if you don't post the meme, psot a comment to tell us what you're reading!)

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

More To Do Than Hours In A Day

I'm writing.  And reading.

Boy, am I reading and writing!

I'm overcommitted.  I have books to review for ACFW's Carol Awards and books to review for FreshFiction.com, for blog tours or because the author asked and I agreed.  I've got at least five books completed for which I still have to write reviews.

I've got two short stories, for specific submission opportunities, each about 25% done, and due in July.  I've still got completion of my wip from last year's NaNo hanging over my head.

I've got a monthly column to write, the Diversity in Writing column for MBT Voices ezine.  (Been so busy I think I forgot to share that.  Here's last month's column, Multicultural Characters in Speculative Fiction.)

I've got a book adaptation treatment to finish and a synopsis to write for a pitch contest.

That's not to mention family, church, the day job, end-of-the-year school activities, AAU basketball and whatever else pops up that is not even on my radar yet.  Throw in another possible move.

I know, I know...

Not sure what happened, but I'm fixing it.

No more book review obligations beyond what I already have on my plate.  I'll finish the treatment by next week, along with my column, then write the synopsis for the June pitch contest.  That brings me to the end of May.

I'll finish the short stories by mid June. All the while I'll be pushing through the book reviews, completing all of those by the end of June.

That leaves only my wip.  To be completed by end of July.  No other obligations will be accepted until that first draft is done.

There's a small chance I'll make it to the Faith and Fiction Retreat in Dallas at the end of June.  Small.  If it happens, the trip might even help since I'll be isolated on a plane for a few hours there and back and I can always lock myself up in the hotel room, no children seeking my attention, and get a few things done.

Feels good to have a plan. What do you have going on?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 5, 2012

Happy Cinco de Mayo, folks!

Writing short stories and looking for a market?  Avon Impulse, if you're can write what they're looking for, is looking for you.

Author Mike Duran, no stranger to controversial fiction or blog topics, asks "Are You Responsible For What Your Characters Say?"  How much do you censor your characters' dialogue?  Should you?

Microsoft invests in Barnes & Noble's NOOK business, sending B&N's stock soaring.

Slate writer Barry C. Lynn reveals "The Real Bad Guy in the E-Book Price Fixing Case."  (Hint:  it's that online retail behometh that extended it's tentacles into the world of publishing to great success...and dismay.)

It's that time of the year again, author Brenda Novak's auction for the Cure for Diabetes.  Everything from books to trips, from agent/editor critiques to an iMac is up for grabs.

2-time RITA winner Sherry Thomas shares how details make a difference in world-building, character-building, character description and more for the writer.  "The Beauty Is In the Details"

At this year's Book Expo at the Jacob Javitts Center in NY, there is a special event for authors considering self-publishing, UPublishU.

Weapons expert and literary consultant Adam Firestone teaches "How to Choreograph Direct Action Scenes".  Not just for thrillers, the choreography of scenes makes sure that the action is plausible within the timeline of the action.

Agent Wendy Lawton talks "Show Me the Money" and publishing advances at Seekerville.

For those considering Amazon's KDP program, author Russell Blake shares "The Dark Side of Free."

But, if you are considering it, perhaps a few tips on "How to Become an E-book Sensation. Seriously."

By the way, "How Is Amanda Doing Now?"  You remember Amanda Hocking, e-book author who went on to phenomenal success and then signed with a traditional publisher...

For freelancers, "5 No One Tells You About How To Write for the Fortune 500."

Third weekend in a row we're doing the AAU basketball hop.  This time in Orlando.  Closer to home but still just as tiring.  All for a good cause.  (This time next year, he'll be packing up for college...)

Enjoy the weekend.  Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Romance Slam Jam's 2012 Emma Award Winners

This year's Romance Slam Jam was held last month in Little Rock, AR.   One of the highlights was naming the recipients of this year's Emma Awards, so-named for the organization's co-founder, Emma Rodgers.

COVER OF THE YEAR:  Night Hawk by Beverly Jenkins 

(NOTE:  This award goes to the cover artist.)

AUTHOR OF THE YEAR:   Evelyn Palfrey

DEBUT AUTHOR OF THE YEAR:   Chanta Rand

BOOK OF THE YEAR:   King’s Passion by Adrianne Byrd

HERO OF THE YEAR:  Al "Turk" Day from The Heart by Iris Bolling

HEROINE OF THE YEAR:  Tatiana Coles from Just One Touch by Celeste O. Norfleet

INSPIRATIONAL OF THE YEAR:  Crowning Glory by Pat Simmons

SUSPENSE OF THE YEAR:  Deadly Intentions by Candice Poarch

SEQUEL OF THE YEAR:  Imagine Us by Maureen Smith

STEAMY OF THE YEAR:  Lovin’ Blue by Zuri Day

E-BOOK OF THE YEAR:  Torn by KD King

The members of RSJ were busy also raising money for the family of slain teenager, Trayon Martin.  Over $2,000 was raised via Authors 4 Trayvon.

Finally, the Black Romance and Women's Fiction Book Club has moved to Facebook!  Last month's title was the RITA-award finalist, I'll Catch You by Farrah Rochon.  This month's book is The Highest Bidder by newly anointed Emma Award Debut Author of the Year, Chanta Rand.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

True Love And True Romance Find A New Home

Dorchester Publishing's magazines, True Love and True Romance, have a found a new online home in TruLOVEstories.com.

This new website offers a sample of a century's worth of love stories, from the 1920s through current.  In addition, there are romance stories available for purchase, like When Love Goes Bad, a TruLOVE collection of romance shorts, and Second Acts, a new romance series.

But that's not all.  There's more fun for romance readers.  Videos, recipes, celebrity love stories...romance in many flavors.

I published about 11 stories with True Romance several years back.  Don't know whether any of them will show up on this site, but it's always nice for stories to find a place to be read versus letting them die on the vine.  Since these "confessions" type stories were work-for-hire and published under pseudonyms chosen by the publisher, there's no additional revenue for me and it will be difficult to find my stories.  Still, I'm just glad there's a home for them.

I didn't see anything for writers seeking to submit new stories, but perhaps that will come.  With a hundred years' worth of titles from two magazines, they have more than enough content to keep the site going for quite some time.

Have you ever read True Love or True Romance?  What do you think of confessions short stories?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 1, 2012

Daring To Cut Off Amazon.  That's just what one small, independent publisher of 1800 titles did.  It's one salvo in the war to against Amazon's attempt at dominance.  Read on for more...

How to Give Away 500,000 Books.  Heard of World Book Night?

E-books continue to gain respect.  At the recent RT Booklovers' Convention, e-book authors shared their thoughts about e-book explosion and what stories they'd like to see.

Should I E-Publish?  Many writers are still mulling this one, weighing the pros and cons.  Author Christy Barritt shares from her experience of writing and publishing the third book in a series that the publisher walked away from.

Author Julie Leto waxes eloquently about "Ditching 'The Book of Your Heart' for 'The Book of My Voice'".  Wise words for writers working to understand their voice and find a place in publishing.

"How to Create Distinctive Character Voices" may be helpful to writers whose characters all sound the same, or could be a little more unique or colorful.

There are serious wars going on in the publishing world.  There's the DOJ lawsuit against Apple, et. al.  which Apple has offered to settle (in the UK but not here in the US). Now Amazon has yanked 5,000 titles from Independent Publishers Group off its website.  Is any of this good for the reader?  Time will tell...

For readers or writers considering getting into the publishing business--or just wanting to understand more about how publishers operate--Dean Wesley Smith offers a series based on his book, "Think Like A Publisher."

Is it a choice or a balancing act? Freelancer/ghostwriter and author Kelly James-Enger explores "For Love or Money:  Can You Write for Both?"

Essential Apps for Editors and Writers.  3 out of 4 are for iPhone users, which counts me out, but I'm a big fan of Dropbox.

Of course, Google announced Google Drive this week, in direct competition with Dropbox, offering more space for less money.

Have concerns about the quality of e-books?  Rock It Reads, a new conglomerate established by a group of traditionally published authors who are also publishing independently in e-book format and want reads to know that their books are of the highest quality.  Look for titles under the RIR label.

One author, Kristine Kathryn Rusch lambastes the publishing industry, calling out how "Publishers mishandle indie authors, fail to learn from their mistakes."  (This article is a reporting on Rusch's original article, but there is a link provided.  Go to it. Read Rusch's post, then come back to this article.  And of course, back to here.)

DRM, or digital rights management, the thing that keeps you from buying an e-book on one platform and reading it on another, has received its first blow.  Tor/Forge books has announced that it will go completely DRM-free by summer.  Good news for e-book readers!

I've dug back into my 2011 NaNo wip, reading and taking notes for the rewrite that will come once I finish the first draft.  But I'm in ATL this weekend for my son's AAU tournament.  Hope I get some work done.

Happy Readin' N Writin'!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.