The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

November 6, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Using Strange Words

This is part two of a three-part series on Researching and Writing Historical Fiction originally written in 2012.
 

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How to Best Use Appropriate Terminology in Historical Fiction

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As a child, I was taught to use proper terms for everything.  When I had a question about what a word meant, my mother would send me to (drumroll, please) The Dictionary.  This 1935 dictionary was about five inches thick and weighed…well, I don’t know how much it weighed, but it was heavy. And it was my best friend all the way through my undergrad studies.

 

When I began writing fiction (in my thirties, but early training can stick with one) the insistence upon using the proper terms, with full knowledge regarding their appropriate application, was important to me.  But, like most any nerdy know-it-all, I tended to overuse all that I knew at first.

Don’t Overwhelm

Readers of historical fiction want to have a flavor for the era in which they find themselves. An historical tale about the Scottish Highlands, for example, should definitely mention men in kilts.  They will want to hear a bit of an accent, too.  Some “braw shoulders” would not go amiss. Nor do “yon brogues” in the mention of footwear.  Readers want to know if the claymore is the weapon of choice in a battle. They might even be interested to know it is sometimes more accurately written as claidheamh mòr.

 

Terms like these are enough to flavor the historical fiction story.  Using too many, however, is like adding far too much cumin to your curry, garlic powder to your stuffing, or gravy to your mashed potatoes. The essence of the story is overwhelmed by the accents.  This is not a good idea.

Speaking in Tongues

Hard and fast rules about characters speaking in their “native tongues” are not to be found, but there are some common sense notions on this subject.  Remember, as a writer, that your first priority is to share a story with your readers.  To that end, your narrative should flow and dialogue (internal and external) should suit the characters.  You should endeavor not to draw a reader out of the story if possible.

 

It is fun to hear a character speaking the occasional word in “their” language.  An occasional word of Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) or Old Norse or Latin is flavorful.  Readers will enjoy knowing that a woman’s long tunic/dress is a léine, but they probably don’t need to hear an entire conversation about pulling teeth in Gaeilge.

 

Another concern some authors might find is when to use native languages. Should the reader only read the words as “foreign” when the characters speak or should the words be sprinkled throughout unspoken narrative?  This is purely author’s choice (at least until your editors get a crack at your manuscript), but remember that if one is hearing a “foreign” word, it isn’t always comprehensible.

Keep it Real

As I mentioned earlier, I tended to be a nerdy know-it-all when I first started writing historical pieces. (Some might argue that I still am!) For history geeks like myself, there is a certain kind of joy in sharing the minutiae one encounters during research.  Words that were hard to find to suit a situation, a rare term or expression indigenous to a people or place, newly-discovered slang—these things can make the true history geek giggle gleefully as they seek paths where the new information can be shared.

 

Which is fine, when it works.  A scene can be structured to include the new findings, true, but as a writer, you want to make sure (again) that the focus is on your story rather than the accents you bring to it.  Keep the flow organic, natural, not forced just to include the new information.  Historical fiction is storytelling.  Educational? Sure.  But remember that the goal is not to teach a college course in, say, Koine, a Greek language.  The goal is to tell the story about people that might speak that language.  Make sure the terms and language usage are “real” for that time and purpose, not forced to conform to some new—and extremely cool!—information you found in your research.

 

When your readers reach “The End” you want them to come away satisfied, intrigued about a different time and place.  You want them to feel as if they’ve been immersed in a new experience, but not uncomfortably so.  Bring them with you, but don’t overwhelm them with details.

 

If you find that, after your story is complete, you still have a lot you want to share?  Blog it! Because there are history geeks out there just like me who will want to read what you’ve found.  We’ll all benefit and have a good time, which is really what it’s all about.

 

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Sandi Layne. You can learn more about Sandi on her website, http://sandyquill.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Ninety-Nine in November

Author L.V. Lewis has put her first book in the Ghetto Girl Romance Quadrilogy on sale for 99 cents the entire month of November! If you are a Fifty Shades fan and would like an exciting twist from a cultural perspective, then this book is for you! Check it out! http://www.amazon.com/Shades-Jungle-Ghetto-Romance-Quadrilogy-ebook/dp/B009ZL7DJQ

 

Author Lindsey Gray's Cover Reveal

Lindsey Gray has revealed the cover to her upcoming new release, Not The Same Season. Take a look at her blog to see this fantastic cover and read an excerpt! http://lindsey-gray.blogspot.com/?zx=6b126e5e8f412c90

 

T.M. Franklin to Release The Guardians TOMORROW!

The highly anticipated sequel to MORE will be available for purchase tomorrow! Stay tuned to T.M.'s website for the buy links or to preorder a signed copy! http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Andrea Goodson to Reveal Cover for To Be Loved

Join author Andrea Goodson on Thursday, November 26th as she reveals the cover to her upcoming YA new release, To Be Loved! You can also enter for a chance to win a signed paperback! All bloggers are invited to participate. Contact Andrea via her website for more information. www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com. *Note: Cover Reveal date has been changed from 11/7/13 to 11/26/13*

Wednesday's Weird Word

Cabotage

Definition: coastal navigation; the exclusive right of a country to control the air traffic within its borders


Origin: Greek/ French

Savvy Savings

Love in Disguise

7 Romance Novel Set on Sale for 99 cents!

By Multiple Authors, take a look!

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Disguise-Romance-Boxed-ebook/dp/B00FQMZB1A

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

October 30, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Going Deep

This is part one of a three-part series on Researching and Writing Historical Fiction originally written in 2012.

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Reading an article is a grand thing, if one is doing a research paper.  Writing fiction, though, means that a writer has to be able to breathe with a character’s lungs, see with their eyes, smell with their nose, and hear with their ears.  The writer has to immerse themselves in a place that is, frankly, no longer extant. They have to go deep.

 

Know Your Era

 

 

In order to bring depth to your historical fiction, it is helpful to have an idea about the political scene (insofar as it was evident), societal norms, and artistic tastes or your era.  Reading biographies (or autobiographies, if so there be), examining the great works of art, and even studying the varieties of household furnishings can serve to enrich the world for yourself and your readers.  Do you have the opportunity to go to a museum to see artifacts from your chosen time period? Can you walk where the people walked, even though the landscape has changed since then? Do you know people who have been able to do so?

 

Studying clothing of the era is, of course, very helpful. It is not enough to just get the outer garments right, though. One should also look into undergarments (if they had them) and what the contemporaries thought of them.  And, if you can, try on costumes made to suit that era. Walk around in the breeches and waistcoats, the boots and garters, the wigs, the panniers, the leather wrapped around your legs.  How does the clothing affect the pattern of a stride?  Does the stride affect the rhythms of thought? The speed at which people moved, then?

 

Not only is this an outer thing, it’s also an inner process, the immersion. Language plays a huge role in different eras.  If one is writing about ancient Celts, for example, one can look into any surviving poetry.  Read the sagas, listen to the songs that have survived.  The heartbeat of a people is in its music and music carries history within it.

 

Reading commentary, news articles, or anything that was written near the time one is writing about is also helpful.  Getting a contemporary slant as to morals and values is important, too.  This does not always help with phrasing dialogue, however, as older cultures often wrote in a more stylized manner than they would have spoken, day to day. If the historical era in question is within the past three centuries or so, it is much easier to pinpoint social ideas and possible characterization references from contemporary sources.

 

A note: It is generally acceptable to write a quirky historical character, but make sure the quirks will fit in with the society or make sure that their quirks are noted by their contemporaries.

 

Resources You Can Use

 

One type of resource for more information about an era is finding people who are still connected with it in one way or another.  People are outstanding resources for the historical fiction writer. Do you need to internalize the religious values of a culture? Find people who know these values and can express them. You might even find practitioners!  Make very sure you approach them with respect; in trying to bring their culture to life within your story, you want to do it honor in every possible way.  Treat your living, breathing resources with respect and appreciation.

 

If you need help with languages, find experts. If you want to know how it feels to walk next to the Nile River, look around online, perhaps in travel forums.  People, I have discovered over the years, are happy to share their experiences with you.  Sometimes they appreciate being credited, other times not so much. That’s okay. You can always ask.

 

Another tool I find very helpful in writing historical fiction is Google Maps.  Shocking, but true.  You can better gauge distances over unfamiliar terrain by using this website.  I have a character, for example, who needs to walk from one location to another and I didn’t know how long it would take.  I plugged the two locations into Google Maps and asked for the walking route.  Granted, things today are quite different than they were three hundred years ago, but this gave me an estimate with which to work.

 

There is always latitude for creativity beyond this. But that is an article for another day.

 

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Sandi Layne. You can learn more about Sandi on her website, http://sandyquill.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Author to Author to Host HUGE Halloween Giveaway!

Join A2A members on Halloween as they give away up to $120.00 in Amazon Gift Cards! That's some serious Kindle Cash! Visit the Facebook page of each author and play Trick or Treat for your chance to enter! You can find the Facebook pages by visiting the A2A page on the morning of Halloween, October 31st! It's going to be BOOKtacular! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-to-Author/131653083691953

Odin's Murder $0.99 Sale

Authors Kira Gold and Angel Lawson have put their newly released book, Odin's Murder, on sale for just $0.99 until Halloween! Get it while you can! http://www.amazon.com/Odins-Murder-ebook/dp/B00F2ISDHM

 

 Lissa Bryan Hosts Ghost Story Contest

To celebrate the one year Book Birthday of Lissa Bryan's, Ghost Writer, she has hosted a ghost story contest! Find out who the winner is tomorrow! http://www.lissabryan.com/2013/09/ghost-story-contest.html

Sherri Hayes Hosts Giveaway

Stop by Sherri Hayes' blog to enter the giveaway for a signed set of Sherri Hayes' bookmarks and a Red Zone key chain! http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2013/10/big-cocks-and-broomsticks-blog-hop.html?zx=51ae08dd043eac66

Happy Anniversary, MORE!

Author T.M. Franklin is celebrating the one year book birthday of MORE by making Window, a novella, FREE from 10/7-11/2013! Be sure to get your download, only a few days left! http://www.amazon.com/Window-ebook/dp/B00BU7TYBS

 

Join Author Lindsey Gray in the Paranormal Palooza

Lindsey Gray will be featuring her novel, Redemption, with a character interview, excerpt, and giveaway. The giveaway runs until October 31st. Head on over and join the fun, you have one more day! http://writeawaybliss.com/redemption-by-lindsey-gray/

 

T.M. Franklin To Make Appearance

Join Author T.M. Franklin as she signs books and teaches about bargain book trailers at the Northwest Bookfest this weekend at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. Visit the Northwest Bookfest's Facebook page for ore information! https://www.facebook.com/NorthwestBookfest

Andrea Goodson to Reveal Cover for To Be Loved

Join author Andrea Goodson on Thursday, November 7th as she reveals the cover to her upcoming YA new release, To Be Loved! You can also enter for a chance to win a signed paperback! Visit Andrea's website to learn more about her books, www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com.

Wednesday's Weird Word

Leiotrichous

Definition: Having straight hair

This word is near extinction!

Origin: Greek

Savvy Savings

Love in Disguise

7 Romance Novel Set on Sale for 99 cents!

By Multiple Authors, take a look!

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Disguise-Romance-Boxed-ebook/dp/B00FQMZB1A

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

October 23, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Quick Self-Publishing Tips

At some point in time all aspiring writers and authors face the question, do I self-publish or go the traditional route of attaining an agent and publisher?

The answer to this seemingly simple question is, at the very least, complicated. Writing an amazing, life-changing novel is one thing, and a huge accomplishment all by itself. However, when it comes to getting published, the amount of blood, sweat, and tears you will put into marketing and promoting your book to agents and publishers will be astronomical. The amount of rejections you will most likely face? Let's just say you better have a super-human ability to shake off negativity.

For the sake of brevity and blog space, let's say you've already decided to self-publish.

What are your chances of achieving success in the book world and what factors will influence that outcome?

Subject matter seems to be of little importance. In all of the research I have done, I have found that any idea is a good idea, because there will always be other people out there who can relate to your ideas and point of view. This is true in fiction and nonfiction. Whether it be an epic tale of love and loss, a “how to” book for projects, a sarcastic comedy, reflections on life, or even a novel about space alien zombies who make cheeseburgers for breakfast, someone, and usually many more than one, will find your ideas and concepts worthwhile and entertaining. So, if you have that evil little voice of self-doubt telling you that your idea isn't mainstream or popular enough, tell it to shut up and move on.

I have found the real issues to be as follows:

Is your work complete?
Is your work edited?
Is your work refined from it’s originally inspired version?
And, for the love of all that is holy, is your work spell checked?!

This last one may seem silly but I have found that I tend to miss errors, not because I do not know that they are errors to begin with, but rather, there is so much work to do and so much going on that an error can be easily skipped over without notice.

If the answers to the above questions are yes, then you are now ready to publish your work. However, the potential reach your book can achieve will depend on many more factors than the ones listed above.

The questions you must now ask yourself is:

Will I have the energy, not just now, but into the indefinite future, to market this book?

And the answer to this question better be yes. If it is no, you will need to re-evaluate your goals and ask yourself why you wouldn't want to work to promote something you slaved away so hard on, probably for many months and even years.

There is not one author out there who writes a book, sends it in, and then simply gets paid. Well, maybe Stephen King or Anne Rice, but other than a select few, every author has to work like crazy to promote their work. Even those well known authors whose books fly off the shelves put in their dues at the beginning, why shouldn't you?

So, now that you realize you have made yourself a slave for the foreseeable future, there are a few more things to consider:

Are you comfortable using social networks (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Google+, etc..) to self promote?

If the answer is no, refer to the above.

If the answer is yes, there are a great many resources at your disposal to aid you in this venture, one of my favorites being Hootsuite. This is a site that allows you to mass schedule status updates, Tweets, etc… containing links to your books, blogs, contests, and events. It is very convenient and I find that if I devote an hour or so to scheduling posts, I can have the entire week scheduled, which allows me much more time for writing and editing.


In my efforts to self-publish my series, Riverbend: The Collection, I had to do a huge amount of research. To save you time I will post a few links here, at the bottom of this post, that may aid you in your journey and decision on whether or not to self-publish.

First of all, Smashwords is an excellent venue. It is completely free to upload your work and, if edited properly, automatically uploads to Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo, iPad, Amazon, and other venues as an ebook. Smashwords has very easy, step by step directions on how to properly format your book. Your royalties are around 60%, which is much higher than most traditional publishing royalties. Of course, you are doing all of the work yourself, so that is only fair and makes sense.

There is also a little marketing opportunity in using affiliates on Smashwords. An affiliate is someone who decides to post your work on their website or blog and, if a purchase is made through someone clicking on their link, they get a certain percentage of your sale. Mine is currently set at 20%. You can set the percentage yourself, the minimum to participate being 11%. I made mine 20% because those who pay a higher rate are likely to have more affiliates posting their links thus a wider reading base, so on and so forth.

Blogging and social networking is key to ebook success. A blog shows the world your writing, that you love to write, and serves as a tool for communication and marketing opportunities.

Hosting other authors and giveaways is another great way to get attention. Not only are you offering your readers more than your own work, but you are actively networking and helping other authors. Let's face it, you might need help at some point and what better way to get that help than to have author and blogger friends that you regularly worth with?

If you are interested in getting paperback versions of your book I would recommend Createspace. This is a site that is owned by Amazon that is easy to navigate, free to use, and your royalties are around 50%, which is again higher than many traditional contracts and more than fair to you, considering they print, bind, and ship your book on demand. There isn't any bulk ordering that you have to do and the sale never even passes through your hands, you just get your royalties from the sales.

Last, but not least, writing contests! Enter as many of them as you possibly can! The more you participate, the more you get your name and work out there. Becoming a member of a writing group is an excellent way to find out about and participate in these events.

Even if you are uncomfortable with editing and cover creation, there are very reasonably priced people out there who will do it for you. Social networking is an excellent way to find these artists and editors.

Usually, my posts are about inspiration and reflective thoughts on life but after all that I have researched in the past few months I felt it would be beneficial to share some information with all of you and perhaps save you some time! There is so much more to learn and believe me, I couldn't possibly cover it all in one post. I'm hoping this is a good starting place for you and wish you all the success in the world with your books. As well as a ridiculous amount of motivation and ambition too!

Useful links below:
http://www.smashwords.com/about/how_to_publish_on_smashwords
https://www.createspace.com/
http://www.slideshare.net/Smashwords/the-seven-secrets-of-ebook-publishing-success-7968488
www.hootsuite.com

By Author to Author Contributor Andrea Goodson. Learn more about Andrea and her books at www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Congratulations to Lissa Bryan

Lissa was recently featured and quoted in a Reader's Digest article about Henry VIII! With all of the research Lissa as been doing for her new book, Under These Restless Skies, who better to go to for interesting facts about all things Tudor? Learn more about Lissa on her website, www.lissabryan.com.

Odin's Murder Now Available in Print

Authors Kira Gold and Angel Lawson have released Odin's Murder in print format on Amazon! Click the link to get your copy! http://www.amazon.com/Odins-Murder-Angel-Lawson/dp/1492981168

 

 

Lissa Bryan Hosts Ghost Story Contest

To celebrate the one year Book Birthday of Lissa Bryan's, Ghost Writer, she is hosting a ghost story contest! You have about 2 weeks left to enter! Visit Lissa's blog for information on how to enter, rules, and bust out your notebook and pen! There are some fantastic prizes at stake and the winner will be chosen on Halloween! http://www.lissabryan.com/2013/09/ghost-story-contest.html

You can also join the TWCS Book Club on Facebook to discus Ghostwriter with Lissa the entire month of October! https://www.facebook.com/events/601835033192271/

Sherri Hayes Hosts Giveaway

Stop by Sherri Hayes' blog to enter the giveaway for a signed set of Sherri Hayes' bookmarks and a Red Zone key chain! http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2013/10/big-cocks-and-broomsticks-blog-hop.html?zx=51ae08dd043eac66

Happy Anniversary, MORE!

Author T.M. Franklin is celebrating the one year book birthday of MORE by making Window, a novella, FREE from 10/7-11/2013! Be sure to get your download, only one week left! http://www.amazon.com/Window-ebook/dp/B00BU7TYBS

 

Join Author Lindsey Gray in the Paranormal Palooza

Lindsey Gray will be featuring her novel, Redemption, with a character interview, excerpt, and giveaway. The giveaway runs until October 31st. Head on over and join the fun! http://writeawaybliss.com/redemption-by-lindsey-gray/

 

New Release Coming Up for M.B. Feeney

Join Author M.B. Feeney as she gets ready to release Honour. Find out more about the author and her book on her website, http://mbfeeney.blogspot.com/.

Join A2A Authors at The Texas Book Festival

A2A authors, Sandi Layne, T.M. Franklin, Lissa Bryan, Sherri Hayes, and Lorenz Font will be signing books and swag at the Texas Book Festival! Visit them on October 26 & 27! Find out ore here, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Book-Festival/21770258123.

Andrea Goodson to Reveal Cover for To Be Loved

Join author Andrea Goodson on Thursday, November 7th as she reveals the cover to her upcoming YA new release, To Be Loved! You can also enter for a chance to win a signed paperback! Visit Andrea's website to learn more about her books, www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com.

Wednesday's Weird Word

Bromopnea

Definition: a bad smell emanating from the mouth.

Fancy lingo for bad breath?!

Origin: Greek

Savvy Savings

Amazon is offering a sale - "The Big Deal"- which offers up to 80% off on over 350 titles! Take a look and see what delicious deals you can find. Ends October 27th!

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

October 9, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

 

Finding The Right Balance

 

Writing a good story has a lot to do with finding the right balance. What do I mean by that? Think about a story you’ve read and loved. Was there only one element to the story, or did the author mix things up to keep things interesting?

 

It’s rare that a book fits solely in one genre. Sure it typically has a main theme whether that is romance, horror, mystery, fantasy, or science fiction, but is that the end? Is that all there is to it? Doubtful. A lot of stories out there use either romance or mystery/suspense to spice things up. It keeps the reader engaged. Romance pulls on human interaction and relationships. It makes books, and characters, relatable. Mystery and suspense keep readers on their toes trying to figure out what’s going to happen next or which character is going to live or die.

 

As a romantic suspense author, I get to play with both of these themes and intertwine them. It can be challenging at times finding the correct balance, and I’ve had several people ask me how I do it so seamlessly. For me, it’s rather simple. I don’t have a formula I follow that says every so many chapters there needs to be some part of the mystery thrown in. I just write, and when it feels like it’s been a while since the ‘bad guy’ has reared his or her ugly head, I add something in to throw my characters off balance and refocus the reader’s attention on what lies in the background.

 

No matter what you’re writing, it takes practice to do it well. Writing a well-balanced story is no different. I go back and look at the first few stories I wrote, and I can see how much I’ve improved over the years. My only hope is that I continue to hone my skills as a writer, and that in another five years, I can look back at what I’ve written and see my growth as an author.

 

By Author to Author Member and Contributor Sherri Hayes. You can learn more about Sherri and her books at http://www.sherrihayesauthor.com/

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Lissa Bryan Hosts Ghost Story Contest

To celebrate the one year Book Birthday of Lissa Bryan's, Ghost Writer, she is hosting a ghost story contest! Visit Lissa's blog for information on how to enter, rules, and bust out your notebook and pen! There are some fantastic prizes at stake! The winner will be chosen on Halloween! http://www.lissabryan.com/2013/09/ghost-story-contest.html

You can also join the TWCS Book Club on Facebook to discus Ghostwriter with Lissa the entire month of October! https://www.facebook.com/events/601835033192271/

Book Birthday & Release Blitz Giveaway

Author Andrea Goodson is celebrating the one year book birthday of the first novel in The Riverbend Trilogy on Saturday October 5th! The party goes through October 11th with a Rafflecopter giveaway on her blog! Enter to win every day! www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Allie Jean and T.M. Franklin Host Vine Challenge

Are you an Instagram junkie? Don't feel bad, most of use are! Take a look at Allie Jean and T.M. Franklin's websites to enter the Vine Challenge and win a prize pack of books! The contest runs September 12th to October 17th! http://alliejean.net/ and http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Happy Anniversary, MORE!

Author T.M. Franklin is celebrating the one year book birthday of MORE by making Window, a novella, FREE from 10/7-11/2013! Be sure to get your download! http://www.amazon.com/Window-ebook/dp/B00BU7TYBS She is also running a giveaway starting 10/4/2013, visit T.M.'s website to enter! http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Book Signing with Sherri Hayes

Visit Author Sherri Hayes tomorrow, October 10th from 6:00-9:00pm at the Eldechrist Winery in Plain City, Ohio for a book signing! Learn more here, http://www.eldchrist.com/

Book Signing With Sandi Layne

If you're in the Baltimore area, be sure to stop in this Saturday and visit author Sandi Layne!

She will be at Greetings & Readings in Hunt Valley, Maryland from 1pm – 3pm. Get your books signed and have a Q&A with the author! Find out more information here: http://sandyquill.com/2013/09/28/book-signing/

Wednesday's Weird Word

Burgoo

Definition: a stew or thick soup. Also, a kind of porridge, is a nutritive dish, eaten by mariners, and much used in Scotland

Origin:  Turkish/ Persian

Savvy Savings

Take a look at the ultra low-priced reads hand picked by A2A members on Kindle! *covers are never posted without permission from the author*


Oxygen by Carol Casella

4 STARS $1.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BAJ25M


Secrets to Die For by L.J. Sellers

4 STARS $0.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089OEH4O/


The Accidental Bride by Christina Skye

4 STARS $1.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008EN405G/

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

October 2, 2013

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

- Anne of Green Gables

Happy October, everyone! There are many exciting things happening this month for Author to Author members, take a look!

Writing & Publishing Tips

Did you always want to be a writer?

 

I was doing a radio interview about a year ago and the host asked if I’d always wanted to be a writer. The simple answer to that is a resounding no. Becoming a writer was never a consideration for me growing up. Why? First of all, I suck at English. Some of you are probably laughing right about now, but it’s true. Even today, when my editor tries to explain grammar rules to me, my eyes glaze over. English is not one of my strengths.

 

As a child, I had stories in my head. I just never wrote any of them down. As an adult, I gravitated toward customer service jobs---ones where good communication was essential. I think these two things, combined with my love of reading romances, have helped to make me a better writer. I understand how to break things down and explain them to someone who may not normally understand the situation. That’s a great skill to have as an author, and one I’m forever grateful to have.

 

Although I may never understand all the technical aspects of writing, I try to concentrate on my strengths. We all have them. We all have weakness too. It’s part of life and what makes us unique.

By Author to Author Member and Contributor Sherri Hayes. You can learn more about Sherri and her books at http://www.sherrihayesauthor.com/

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Lissa Bryan Hosts Ghost Story Contest

To celebrate the one year Book Birthday of Lissa Bryan's, Ghost Writer, she is hosting a ghost story contest! Visit Lissa's blog for information on how to enter, rules, and bust out your notebook and pen! There are some fantastic prizes at stake! The winner will be chosen on Halloween! http://www.lissabryan.com/2013/09/ghost-story-contest.html

You can also join the TWCS Book Club on Facebook to discus Ghostwriter with Lissa the entire month of October! https://www.facebook.com/events/601835033192271/

Book Birthday & Release Blitz Giveaway

Author Andrea Goodson is celebrating the one year book birthday of the first novel in The Riverbend Trilogy on Saturday October 5th! The party will kickoff with a Rafflecopter giveaway on her blog and continue with a Pre-release Extravaganza on Facebook, all leading up to the new release of Riverbend: The Collection on October 8th! Join Andrea in her celebration and enter to win some great prizes! https://www.facebook.com/andreagoodsonbooks

Fall Into Reading Giveaway Winner Announced

The Fall Into Reading Giveaway was a great success with over 8,000 entries! Congratulations to Sandy Shairer on winning the $25.00 Amazon gift card. Thank you to all who participated!    

Allie Jean and T.M. Franklin Host Vine Challenge

Are you an Instagram junkie? Don't feel bad, most of use are! Take a look at Allie Jean and T.M. Franklin's websites to enter the Vine Challenge and win a prize pack of books! The contest runs September 12th to October 17th! http://alliejean.net/ and http://www.tmfranklin.com/

 

New Release for Allie Jean- Dreams of the Cursed

The long awaited sequel to Legacy of a Dreamer will be released tomorrow, Thursday October 3rd! You can preorder today through the TWCS website, http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/101 and learn all about Dreams of the Cursed on Allie's website- www.alliejean.net

Signed Paperbacks Available from Sydney Logan

Want a little bit of personalization in your book collection? Take advantage of this limited opportunity to order a signed paperback from Author Sydney Logan! Visit Sydney's website to find out more. http://www.sydneylogan.com/2013/09/signed-paperbacks-available.html

Happy Anniversary, MORE

Author T.M. Franklin is celebrating the one year book birthday of MORE by making Window, a novella, FREE from 10/7-11/2013! Be sure to get your download! http://www.amazon.com/Window-ebook/dp/B00BU7TYBS

She is also running a giveaway starting 10/4/2013, visit T.M.'s website to enter! http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Book Signing with Sherri Hayes

Visit Author Sherri Hayes on October 10th from 6:00-9:00pm at the Eldechrist Winery in Plain City, Ohio for a book signing! Learn more here, http://www.eldchrist.com/

Wednesday's Weird Word

Carwichet

Definition: a pun, a hoaxing question or a conundrum.

Origin: French

Savvy Savings

We seem to be running low on coupons this week, but take a look at the ultra low-priced reads hand picked by A2A members on Kindle! *covers are never posted without permission from the author*

As She Left It by Catriona McPherson

4.5 STARS $1.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CS73IAW

Emma's Secret by Steena Holmes

4 STARS $1.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BAZ4YBK/

Finding Bliss by Dina Silver

4 STARS $1.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BFICI6K

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!

Fall Into Reading Giveaway

Fall is in the air, and Author to Author wants to celebrate the season by offering a fantastic giveaway!  You can win a $25 Amazon gift card by entering our Fall Into Reading giveaway! The Rafflecopter is below.  Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, or Blogger. We hereby release all names listed of any liability. Winner(s) will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Let me know if you have any questions or issues by contacting me: @SydneyALogan. - Good Luck!

The Wednesday Word - September 18, 2013

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

September 18, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Picking a Title

Finding the right title for my books is something I spend a lot of time contemplating. Often a title doesn’t come to me for a particular book until I sit down to write the book blurb for my publisher.

Need and Truth, books two and three in my Finding Anna series, were like this. The right title wasn’t coming to me no matter how many minutes—hours—I spent thinking about it. I was at a total loss. I was discussing Finding Anna, Book 2 with my editor one day, and she suggested I go ahead and write book summaries for marketing, and see if a title came to me. Sure enough, after I finished, I noticed a theme. Need. Could she be what he needed? Could he be what she needed? Could they find what they needed in each other?

Red Zone, my newest novel, was the exact opposite. I knew even before I started writing what the title would be. The hero, Gage Daniels, is a professional football player. I knew I wanted to utilize a football reference in the title, I just had to find the one that would be the best fit. It’s a romantic suspense novel, and I wanted something that would reflect that. In football, the red zone is the stretch of field between the twenty yard line, and the end zone. They are the last yards that stand between the offense putting points on the board. It’s the part of the field that either makes or breaks a team. They pull together and score, or they fall apart, and lose the precious opportunity.

Every story is different, but for me, it’s important to take the time to find the right title for a book. It should say something about the story whether it be the overall theme, or something more vague. Either way, the title should mean something, and shouldn’t be rushed. It’s better to take the time to find a title that works, than to pick something generic that has no meaning.

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Sherri Hayes. You can learn more about Sherri and her book at http://www.sherrihayesauthor.com/

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Lissa Bryan Hosts Ghost Story Contest

To celebrate the one year Book Birthday of Lissa Bryan's, Ghost Writer, she is hosting a ghost story contest! Visit Lissa's blog for information on how to enter, rules, and bust out your notebook and pen! There are some fantastic prizes at stake! The winner will be chosen on Halloween! http://www.lissabryan.com/2013/09/ghost-story-contest.html

Andrea Goodson to Rerelease The Riverbend Trilogy

It's almost Riverbend's first Book Birthday! In celebration, Andrea Goodson is rereleasing the entire trilogy, Riverbend, Rapid Water, and Waking Tide, as a one-book boxed set the week of October 6th! Any bloggers interested in reviewing the entire collection prior to rerelease are invited to contact Andrea via Facebook or Website for an ARC. www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Sydney Logan's 2000 Likes Giveaway

Sydney Logan has hit 2000 Likes on her Facebook page! She is still celebrating and hosting an amazing giveaway with books and swag from some awesome authors! Visit her website to enter! http://www.sydneylogan.com/p/giveaways.html

 

Fall into Reading Giveaway!

Stay tuned to Author to Author's Blog for the upcoming Fall Into Reading Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win a $25.00 Giftcard! Giveaway takes place September 22-29. Don't miss it! www.author-to-author-blog.blogspot.com    

Sherri Hayes Hosts Newsletter Contest

Want a chance to win a bookmark from Sherri's book, Behind Closed Doors? Visit her blog and sign up for her newsletter to enter! While you're there take a look around and explore some of her other work...that is if you like sensual romance. Who doesn't? http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2013/09/weekly-update-contest-announcement.html?zx=71f71efc3854ef20

Allie Jean and T.M. Franklin Host Vine Challenge

Are you an Instagram junkie? Don't feel bad, most of use are! Take a look at Allie Jean and T.M. Franklin's websites to enter the Vine Challenge and win a prize pack of books! The contest runs September 12th to October 17th! http://alliejean.net/ and http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Allie Jean To Release New Book Trailer

Author Allie Jean is all set to release the book trailer of Book 2 in The Dreamer series...tomorrow! Visit her website to watch! http://alliejean.net

Lorenz Font Releases Tormented

The second book in Lorenz Font's The Gates Legacy has been released! Check out Lorenz's website to read the summary and check out the first book in her series, Hunted! http://lorenzfont.com

Wednesday's Weird Word

Borborygmus

This one sounds as though it should be from the world of Harry Potter!

Definition: Medical term, referring to a rumbling in the gut. Origin: French, Latin, Greek

Savvy Savings

We seem to be running low on coupons this week, but take a look at the ultra low-priced reads hand picked by A2A members on Kindle! *covers are never posted without permission from the author*

Katrina, The Beginning by Elizabeth Lorraine

4 STARS $0.99

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K1EVY6/

Gingerbread Man by Maggie Shayne

4.5 STARS FREE

http://www.amazon.com/Gingerbread-Man-ebook/dp/B00EHI1MDK/

Out in the Country by Kate Hewitt

4 STARS FREE

http://www.amazon.com/Out-In-The-Country-ebook/dp/B008EV1C9U/ref

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!

COVER REVEAL!!! Sandi Layne

At the end of Éire's Captive Moon, many of my readers were still on

Well, in the second book in the Éire's Viking trilogy, Agnarr is the hero.

Cover art by Megan Dooley, to be published by The Writer's Coffee Shop

Summary:

It’s been years since Agnarr met his wyrd on the Green Island. Years since he left Charis, his former trell and medicine woman, with her new husband in her new village. Even though he lost her, he cannot help but feel his destiny lies with her people of Éire, so he returns with his final raiding party. Once there, a chance encounter strikes him speechless and without his memory, alone in a foreign land. He is taken to Aislinn, a physician who is serving in Bangor Monastery. Born in Ragor, the village Agnarr destroyed when she was a child, she is now the adopted daughter of Charis and Cowan, and has herself trained in healing. Drawn to her tall, blond patient in a way that she never has been to a man before, she is horrified and angry to find that he is the one responsible for the loss of her home. These are turbulent times in Éire, and there are volatile tempers all around. Still, Agnarr Halvardson would stay on the island, wed, and sire sons to live in strength and plenty in his adopted home. He wants Aislinn to be his wife and the mother of his children, but she won’t marry without love. He worships Thor and Odin; she worships Jesu the Christ. Can two from such opposing backgrounds find happiness with one another? Might they even find a love that will change both their worlds?

This title will be available via NetGalley in October for reviewers, with a January, 2014 book release.

The first book of this trilogy, Éire's Captive Moon, is available here:

Amazon Kindle, Paperback

Kobo

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                September 4, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Something to Say

Many people ask these questions of a writer time and time again, “Why do you write?” “Do you just like to tell stories?” “Are you writing about people you know in real life?”

The answer to the first question is actually quite simple. Simple, but with a long and complicated history behind it. The answer is I write because I have something to say.

I suppose the larger and more important question would be, as a writer, what do you have to say and why do you need to say it?

Authors around the world write their stories, books, and sagas for many different reasons. Some are so intensely creative that they can’t seem to keep all of their wonderful ideas locked inside their minds. Some just love the feeling of using their imagination and coming up with plots that are easy for readers to closely identify with, sharing thoughts, feelings, and situations that we can all easily understand. Others might use their imagination in a different way entirely. A way that transforms the world we know so well into a place that exists only in our dreams, such as the genres of supernatural and fantasy novels. Some authors, and I am sure many at that, use writing as a tool to sort out a large heap of mixed feelings and emotions of their own, as a method of therapeutic release.

I truly believe all of the above is present in some measure inside every writer, in one way or another. However, above all the multitude of possible reasons one might want to write, I believe there is one very specific yet general feeling among all of us. It is simply that we have something to say.

That is what started my journey in the world of novel writing.

I had something to say, something to share with the world from my own experience and perspective and, whether the world actually needed to hear it or not, mattered little. What mattered was that I wanted to say it, I wanted to throw it out there and just see if somehow, someday, that general message might help another person.

My books are not self-help by any means. I do not give advice to others as to how to handle specific situations. The Riverbend Trilogy is pure fiction. They are about watching a character try to figure that out for herself. Navigating her way through the darkness of grief and finding out if she will continue to sink into the trenches of her mind or resurface stronger than when she began.

Fiction is my art medium, it is how I express myself. It is how I share what I feel needs to be said to the world, to the many readers out there who might possibly gain something from a book they read by an unknown, unheard of, small-town indie author. Books have changed my life and since I was a very young child I have had a love affair with reading. Books have helped me to learn and grow as a person, which is why I so enjoy writing.

Although I write with empathy for my main character, Lena’s story in Riverbend, Rapid Water, and Waking Tide is not actually my experience. I used my own feelings and thoughts to form what I imagine she must go through after having experienced the loss that she does. I also threw in a bit of mystery and adventure because those are the things that I enjoy in a good book, as well as the budding love story.

Lena’s story is about self-discovery and how she manages to find her way through the dense fog of grief that plagues her every waking moment. It is about strength, hope, and love. The Riverbend Trilogy exposes the universal truth that we are all stronger than we know, we are all capable of deep rooted trust and love, and eventually, the darkness will disperse. The light will come back into our lives, if we only allow it to do so.

That’s what I wanted to say to the world, the message I so desperately wanted to spread that I couldn’t possibly contain myself any longer. The Riverbend Trilogy is just how I say it and that's why I write.

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Andrea Goodson. You can learn more about Andrea and her books at www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Sydney Logan Celebrates the Anniversary of Lessons Learned

In case you missed last week's edition, it's been almost a year since Sydney Logan released her Amazon Best Seller, Lessons Learned. This novel has been described as "Very intense, highly emotional, and extremely raw." Well, isn't that what we all look for in books? To properly recognize the one year bash of Sydney's Amazon bestseller, she is holding a giveaway! Be sure to check Sydney's blog to enter to win and go ahead and pay her a visit now to read all about Lessons Learned! Happy book birthday! http://www.sydneylogan.com/

New Release for A2A author Angel Lawson

Mark your calendars because Odin's Murder is set to be released on September 10th! Angel has coauthored this book with Kira Gold. Check out Angel's blog for fun events and a teaser from the upcoming release! Congrats Kira and Angel! http://www.angellawson.com/teaser-tuesday-odins-murder/

Wednesday's Weird Word

Facinorous

Definition: Criminal, immoral, vile.

Origin: Latin facinorosus, criminal or wicked.  

Savvy Smashwords Savings

If you don’t have a Smashwords account, you can create one for free and download your ebooks in any format for any eReader device!




Charlie's Angel by Samanth Fury

FREE

Click HERE to download

Use Coupon Code: TE84U


     

Wraith by Angel Lawson

$3.99$1.99

Click HERE to purchase on Amazon

No coupon required!

 

Riverbend by Andrea Goodson

$2.99 $0.99

Click HERE to purchase

Use Coupon Code: EZ64N    

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                 August 28, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

On Writing

One of the most common questions I get asked is where do I come up with my story ideas. There’s not really a straightforward answer unfortunately. I get my stories ideas everywhere. To give you an example, my second novel, Slave, came from a random idea to mix my new interest in BDSM fiction and a national news story about a young girl who’d been held against her will as a slave. I have no idea why my brain thought to put the two ideas together, but it did, and my Finding Anna Series was born.

My Daniels Brothers Series started with the memory of a book cover I’d seen ages ago. The cover featured a winding road in the country. From there, I imagined a woman driving down that road to a new life. I had to figure out why she needed to start a new life, and what she was leaving behind.

Then of course, I had to find the man to pair her with. When I started to develop Chris’s character, I also had to create his back story, which included his family. I discovered I had three other very sexy and eligible brothers. There was no way I couldn’t give them their HEA’s, too.

As you can see these two ideas came from very different sources, and I’m sure in the future, ideas will come to me for stories from a wide variety of places. The thing to remember is always to be open to ideas when they come to you whether it comes through a news story, a book cover, a song, or a conversation.

Think of the possibilities, and run with it. The worst that could happen is that it doesn’t work and you have to either rework the idea or scrap it and find a new idea to replace it with. That’s part of creativity.

Contributed By Author to Author Member, Contributing Writer, and Author, Sherri Hayes. Originally posted on her blog, http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/ 
 

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Sydney Logan Celebrates the Anniversary of Lessons Learned

It's been almost a year since Sydney Logan released her Amazon Best Seller, Lessons Learned. This novel has been described as "Very intense, highly emotional, and extremely raw."

Well, isn't that what we all look for in books? To properly recognize the one year bash of Sydney's Amazon bestseller, she is holding a giveaway! Be sure to check Sydney's blog on September 6th to enter to win! Go ahead and pay her a visit now to read all about Lessons Learned. Happy book birthday, Sydney! http://www.sydneylogan.com/

Sherri Hayes to reveal cover of Hidden Threat

Ready for some more sensual romance with heart?

Check out Sherri Hayes' blog on August 29th for a revamped cover reveal of her novel, Hidden Threat. Sherri has authored many books, including the Finding Anna series as well as other romance and erotic romance novels. Congrats to Sherri on the new cover! http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/  

Wednesday’s Weird Word

Brimborion

Ugh, what?

Definition: A thing with little or no value or use.

Origin: French literature. Not known to be used in spoken language.

And that's a good thing because I doubt I could pronounce this one correctly!

Savvy Savings

If you don’t have a Smashwords account, you can create one for free and download your ebooks in any format for any eReader device!




Hunted by Lorenz Font
$3.50
Click HERE to purchase
Use Coupon Code: RG38V    

 

 

Wraith by Angel Lawson

$3.99

$0.99

Click HERE to purchase on Amazon

No coupon required!

 

 
Riverbend by Andrea Goodson
$2.99 $0.99
Click HERE to purchase
Use Coupon Code: EZ64N

  Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!