The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

December 18, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

 Are you a perfectionist?

All authors put quite a bit of hard work into their books. Many hours are spent doing vigorous research, writing, and then rewriting. Editing, and then revising. Then there are the times when  simply deleting and starting all over again seems like the best idea.

Some of us are never quite satisfied with our work. I have found this to be true with my current work in progress, To Be Loved.

This novel was due to be released on December 26, 2013. I have cancelled the release date as I am not entirely satisfied with the finished product. Despite the editing, revising, and polished novel that stares back at me on my laptop screen, there is a pressing feeling inside of me that something is just not right.

This is because...I am a perfectionist.

I am rarely satisfied with the end product and quite regularly feel that something could have been better.

This lovely personality trait acts as a hindrance in my role as a writer.

Why?

Because there is no such thing as perfection.

So, I am telling you all, as writers, not to do what I do. How's that for advice?!

My current plan is to spend the holiday break going over my manuscript, in the hope that I will find that elusive "something" that I feel is missing. I have set myself a deadline and if I do not feel the finished product has reached it's final stage of perfection by that time then I must simply surrender to the obvious fact that it is complete, despite my worries.

At that point publication will take place.

If you too are a perfectionist, I suggest you do the same. Have a beta reader or two check it out and then make a decision.

If we all waited for perfection, nothing would ever be accomplished.

 

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

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Lindsey Gray's Christmas Short Now Available

Download your copy of Holiday Cure for the Cursed on Kindle today! http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Cure-Cursed-Melting-Snow-ebook/dp/B00HDGC44O/

December to Remember Giveaway

You can also join Lindsey Gray in her December to Remember Giveaway that runs now through December 23rd! Don't miss it, there are 40 books up for grabs! http://lindsey-gray.blogspot.com/2013/12/december-to-remember-40-ebook-giveaway.html?zx=bef8a3908db3a876

Enjoy a Free Christmas Story

Sherri Hayes is offering A Christms Proposal FREE! Download your copy today!

 

Indie Book Fair

Join T.M. Franklin along with other authors at the Indie Book Fair this weekend! Click here for more information!

R.E. Hargrave offers holiday Savings!

Sugar & Spice will be available for only 99 cents throughout the month of December! Download your copy today!

 

The 12 Days of Christmas

Join Author to Author Members as we celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with a huge giveaway! Starting December 13th you can enter to win every day for 12 days by visiting the author's Facebook pages! The details will be posted on the Author to Author Facebook page, so don't forget to check in on the first day and enter for your chance to win!

Innocence Now Available

Innocence by Elise de Sallier is now available! Order your ebook or print copy today! http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/110

Vote for Finding Anna

The Finding Anna Series is a finalist in four categories on Inner Goddess! Congrats to A2A member, Sherri Hayes! Go and vote for Sherri's book today!

Wednesday's Weird Word

Codswallop

Definition: Nonsense. (British)

Savvy Savings

Riverbend: The Collection

99 Cents

By Andrea Goodson

http://www.amazon.com/Riverbend-Collection-Andrea-Goodson-ebook/dp/B00FE5BTLK


Holiday Hijinx

99 Cents

By Roxy Queen

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZ01RRO


Sugar and Spice

99 Cents

By R.E. Hargrave

http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Spice-R-E-Hargrave-ebook/dp/B00FJRVMYC


A Christmas Proposal

FREE

By Sherri Hayes

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Proposal-Hidden-Threat-Short-ebook/dp/B00A3DZ0TU/

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

Tempting Tuesdays ~ Fruity Chicken Salad Sandwiches

From the kitchen of R.E. Hargrave

Fruity Cashew Chicken Salad Sandwiches

The holiday season is a time full of hustle and bustle while we run around for school-hosted seasonal events, office luncheons, and assorted parties. This recipe is a favorite of my family, and while I usually make it with golden raisins, I decided to put a festive twist on it by replacing them with apricots and cranberries.

What I love about this light and tasty salad is that it is easy to throw together, can be made in advance to have on hand for on-the-go meals, or can be a great addition to any potluck buffet. Maybe it'll become a new family favorite for you, too. Enjoy!

What you'll need:

*For consistent texture, prepare ingredients in same size pieces.*

• Approx. 4 cups of cooked chicken; diced. (The pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the deli department works great for this.)
• 1-2 granny smith apples; peeled and chopped.
• 1 celery stick; diced
• 1 cup dried fruit; chopped. Apricots and cranberries make this colorful and tasty!
• Approx. 2.5 cups cashews, chopped.
• Black pepper to taste; approx. 2-3 teaspoons
• Start with 1 cup of mayonnaise, add more as needed when mixing until desired consistency is reached.

What you'll do:

• As you prepare your ingredients, toss them into a large mixing bowl in layers.
• Once everything is added, stir. If not moist enough, add more mayonnaise. 
• Serve on croissants. *If you are making this for a potluck event, you can get the mini-croissants to make these as 'finger sandwiches'.
• Store in airtight container. 

Bon appetito!

Saturday Snapshots: 12/14/13

Saturday Snapshots is a picture prompt brought to you by Author to Author, meant to inspire the creative genius within you.

Maybe you'll be moved to write flash fiction for it, perhaps it will kick start an old idea for a novel, or it may inspire a new short story. Whatever it does, we hope you'll enjoy these images around the web.

If inspiration does hit, we hope you'll post a snippet in the comments.

Today's image: Winter

http://www.knowledgeoverflow.com/beautiful-winter-wallpaper-for-desktop/

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

December 11, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

 Reader Appreciation Parties

As an author, there are always times when one should let their readers know how much they are appreciated. Whether your sales are through the roof or stuck in a ditch, you should always show your gratitude to those who support your hard work.

I find the best way to do this is to host what I like to call "Reader Appreciation Parties". Though these are not actual physical parties, they can be planned on Facebook and Twitter and you might be surprised by the amount of people that will show up.

Just this past weekend I hosted one in celebration of reaching the 2000 Like milestone on my Facebook author page. I invited all of my Facebook fans and Twitter followers to an event on Facebook.

Events are easy enough to create and allow you the chance to host a party for anyone who would like to come, without clogging the newsfeed of others. An event is private, yet public. Anyone may attend, but the activity doesn't land all over Facebook and irritate or annoy those who might not be interested in participating.

I had roughly 100 attendees and did 10 giveaways that included games, Christmas questions, and tasks to visit other author's pages. Quite a few fellow authors donated books and swag to the event. As a final thank you at the end of the party, there was a Grand Prize Pack awarded to one winner.

Everyone who attended expressed their thanks and let me know how much fun they had. That made me feel as though I had accomplished my goal, which was to show my readers how much I truly appreciate their support.

Hosting these types of events is easy, fun, and a great way to connect with fans, both past, present, and future!

What types of things do you do to you show your appreciation to your readers?

 

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

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Join Author Lindsey Gray for a Chat!

Lindsey Gray is hosting an author chat on December 16th! Click here to join the fun!

December to Remember Giveaway

You can also join Lindsey Gray in her December to Remember Giveaway that runs now through December 23rd! Don't miss it, there are 40 books up for grabs! http://lindsey-gray.blogspot.com/2013/12/december-to-remember-40-ebook-giveaway.html?zx=bef8a3908db3a876

Enjoy a Free Christmas Story

Sherri Hayes is offering A Christms Proposal FREE! Download your copy today!

 

Pacific Northwest Author Event

Join T.M. Franklin along with other authors at the Barnes & Noble in Kennewick, WA on December 15th! The event runs from 12:00pm-2:00pm. Click here for more information!

R.E. Hargrave offers holiday Savings!

Sugar & Spice will be available for only 99 cents throughout the month of December! Download your copy today!

 

The 12 Days of Christmas

Join Author to Author Members as we celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with a huge giveaway! Starting December 13th you can enter to win every day for 12 days by visiting the author's Facebook pages! The details will be posted on the Author to Author Facebook page, so don't forget to check in on the first day and enter for your chance to win!

Wednesday's Weird Word

Esurience

Definition: Hunger or appetite.

Savvy Savings

Riverbend: The Collection

99 Cents

By Andrea Goodson

http://www.amazon.com/Riverbend-Collection-Andrea-Goodson-ebook/dp/B00FE5BTLK


Holiday Hijinx

99 Cents

By Roxy Queen

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZ01RRO


Sugar and Spice

99 Cents

By R.E. Hargrave

http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Spice-R-E-Hargrave-ebook/dp/B00FJRVMYC


A Christmas Proposal

FREE

By Sherri Hayes

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Proposal-Hidden-Threat-Short-ebook/dp/B00A3DZ0TU/

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!

Tempting Tuesdays ~ Christmas Pretzel Rods

This is one of those fun and easy recipes you can throw together in about twenty minutes. These yummy treats are great as gifts, school treats, or snack for your holiday get together. I did this on the fly and didn't follow a real recipe so I will just tell you what I used and suggestions for what you can substitute if need be.

Ingredients

1 pound of vanilla candy coating
         Substitutions: 1 pound of candy melts, melting chocolate, or almond bark
8 full sized candy canes
         Substitutions: Mini holiday M&M's, colored sprinkles
Pretzel Rods

This part was super easy with this Vanilla Candy Coating made by Kroger. It even came with a microwave tray.

Melt according to your directions. I melted this in the tray for one minute, then stirred and microwaved for 15 seconds and stirred again.

Next, I placed the candy canes in a ziplock bag and crushed them with a rolling pin. Try to break up the candy canes in small pieces so they will stick. The bigger pieces don't stay on as well.

Next, I set up the assembly line. This is where my daughter and two nieces went through the line several times putting their own flair on each pretzel.

Coat about half of your pretzel in the candy coating.

Dip your pretzel into your crushed candy canes and roll until completely coated.

Place on wax paper until the candy coating sets.

ENJOY!

Saturday Snapshots: 12/7/13

Saturday Snapshots is a picture prompt brought to you by Author to Author, meant to inspire the creative genius within you.

Maybe you’ll be moved to write flash fiction for it, perhaps it will kick start and old idea of a novel, or it may inspire a new short story. Whatever it does, we hope you’ll enjoy these images from around the web.

If inspiration does hit, we hope you’ll post a snippet or link in the comments.

Today’s image: War (Today is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor...never forget)

Photo from: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h86000/h86118.jpg

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

December 4, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

 

Hello, December!

The holiday season is officially upon us. No doubt we will all be very busy in the coming weeks with festivities, get-togethers, family visits, and of course, shopping!

As if we won't be busy enough with all of the day to day activities that the upcoming holidays require of us, our jobs as authors can also take on a different form during the next few weeks.

What can you do as an author to help get your readers in the holiday spirit?

There's plenty, none of which may seem as though they will get attention in the midst of the holiday madness. However, you might be surprised by what a few simple actions on your part can do to spread some festive cheer among your readers and perhaps even add a few new members to your existing audience.

1.) Have a Holiday Sale

This is easy enough to accomplish. Choose a few dates on which a novel or two of yours will be available at a discounted price. We are all looking for deals around the holidays and your readers will be thankful for the discount you are offering. Don't forget to advertise it so that you can reach as many people as possible. Work within your budget, you don't have to purchase internet ads to get attention for your sale. Spread the word to readers, other authors, and as many bloggers as you can. Most of these people will be glad to pass on the savings to their audience. Don't forget to include links and preformatted code for those willing to share. They are doing you a favor and you should make their job as easy as possible.

2.) Host a Giveaway

If people love saving money, they love freebies even more! Giveaways are a fun and easy way to gain new readership and simply make someone else's day a little brighter. Sites like www.rafflecopter.com and social media make it easy to handle a large number of entrants. As with a sale, spread the word through authors, readers, and bloggers in your network.

3.) Publish a Christmas Story

This might be a bit last minute for this year, but that doesn't mean you can't get started on a nice Christmas novella for next year while you are in the cozy holiday mood! Many readers enjoy Christmas stories that carry a sweet and heartfelt theme. Otherwise, why would Hallmark be so successful in the many ooey-gooey, make-your-heart-melt, holiday-themed movies produced each year? Don't lie to yourself, you know you love them too!

Lastly, and this one might be difficult even if it sounds easy...

4.) Be Merry!

The holidays can bring quite a bit of stress into our lives. Financial issues, family troubles, and simply being busy can drain you. Don't let that shine through to your readers. Try to remember that many people go through rough times during the holidays, your positive attitude and sense of fun might impact the mood of those around or connected to you. Spreading a positive message of cheerfulness might just make one of your readers have a better day. This is not only beneficial to you as an author, but as a human being as well. Helping others, no matter how small the act, always brings with it a sense of accomplishment. Doing the right thing never feels wrong. Don't be a scrooge!

 

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

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Sydney Logan's Giveaway & New Release

Sydney Logan has published another holiday story! The Little Drummer Boy is currently available on Amazon! Visit Sydney's website to enter her giveaway for a $10.00 Amazon gift card and a hand-crafted bracelet! The contest closes December 6th, so get moving! http://www.sydneylogan.com/2013/11/giveaway-little-drummer-boy-by-sydney.html

Win a Kindle Paperwhite

Authors Sydney Logan and T.M Franklin are hosting a giveaway for a Kindle Paperwhite or a $100.00 Amazon Giftcard! Visit their websites to enter, the contest goes until December 6th! www.tmfranklin.com www.sydneylogan.com

 

Malfunction Erotica Hosts Giveaway

Enter to win one of over 50 prizes! visit the website for your chance to win! http://houseofmalfunction.com/2013/12/01/malfunction-erotica-c-w-book-reviews-xmas-giveaway-2013/

Wednesday's Weird Word

Banausic

Definition: Mundane or simply functional.

Savvy Savings

Riverbend: The Collection

99 Cents

By Andrea Goodson

http://www.amazon.com/Riverbend-Collection-Andrea-Goodson-ebook/dp/B00FE5BTLK


Holiday Hijinx

99 Cent

By Roxy Queen

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZ01RRO

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!