Too late for this year but perhaps next…? A competition for self-published authors – Written By Bridget Whelan

Bridget Wheelan informs us about a competition for self-published authors. Unfortunately for this year it’s already too late, but maybe next? Thank you, Bridget!

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August 31st is the deadline for the Kindle Storyteller Award which Amazon celebrates the best self-published story in the UK with a £20,000 cash prize.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

 

I know that is still a month away, but you have to do an awful lot of work to make sure your story qualifies and readers are a crucial part in helping to choose the shortlist. Customer feedback is based on such factors as quality of reviews, sales and pages read in Kindle Unlimited. I underlined the word quality because Amazon seem to be flagging up that 50 ‘It’s really great‘ reviews won’t cut it. What you really need is quality AND quantity.

To qualify you need to publish on KDP, Amazon’s publishing arm in both eBook and paperback versions. The paperback version of your book must be at least 24 pages long and the qualifying period for…

CONTINUE READING HERE

5 Ways A Timeline Helps You Write Your Novel – Written By M. L. Davis

M. L. Davis provides us with an excellent article about how a timeline helps us write our novel. We can find the post published on the ‘Uninspired Writers’ blog. Thank you, M. L. Davis

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Some writers are plotters. Others are pantsers. There’s no right way to do it. There are pros and cons to plotting, and it’s up to you to decide what works best. Personally, I’m a plotter. Typically, my plotting consists of a basic outline and little else. It worked for two novels. But on my third, I was struggling. I spent ages trying to figure out why my story wouldn’t work before it hit me. I’d not sussed out the timeline, not properly. And once I had, it changed everything. As such, I’m sharing 5 ways that a timeline helps you write your novel.

Figuring out backstory
Not all backstory needs to be written. I would even go as far as to say most backstory doesn’t need to be written. But as a writer, it’s helpful to know where things started for your characters. It’s important to know what happened before the events of the first chapter. This way, you know what to include and what to omit. It also enables you to add depth to your characters, as undoubtedly their past has shaped them.

Avoiding plot holes
A number of things can cause plot holes, and time is definitely one of them. If your characters and their story are to be believable, then time must move in the way it should. Even if your fictional world has it’s own concept of time, you should adhere to the rules you set for it. Savvy readers are likely to pick up on things that don’t flow naturally.

CONTINUE READING HERE

Do You Dream About Your Story?

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When I saw this quote, I immediately felt affected. It was like Neil Gaiman ‘read my mind.’ There are times I have a hard time thinking about something else than my current story. I write in the morning, in the afternoon, and sometimes at night… means, shortly, before I go to sleep. In such a case, I may dream of my story…

Don’t expect too much of my dreams, please. I don’t remember I ever was ‘part’ of my story or found myself to be one of the protagonists. It was more like I watched a scene that I wrote before. I admit, the one or other time I had to correct some view after I woke up – but if I dream of my story (and that doesn’t happen every night), mostly, things might be a bit hazy.

My dreams are not generally the place where I get my ideas from. I think they’re more a reflection of my writing than anything else. But they also inspire me and softly ‘push’ me forward to go to my story and continue writing because that is, what I do, and that is what I want to do.

Of course, I know that Neil Gaiman did not talk about literal dreams… but the book that is in my head, is a story I’m responsible for, a story I can build, a book that can come true, that others can read; a book that may bring joy and smiles to people… and all this is in my hands. I am responsible for.

I love that thought, and that’s why I picked this quote. I think it is a unique, positive thought I would like to hold on and share with you, with readers, with other authors, with friends.

What are your thoughts about this quote? Please share them in the comments.

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Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman, (born Neil Richard Gaiman 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre, and films.

His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals.

He is the first author to win both the Newbery and the Carnegie medals for the same work, The Graveyard Book (2008). In 2013, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was voted Book of the Year in the British National Book Awards. (Source: Wikipedia)

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How to create an EPUB or MOBI file in seconds. Ebook publishing for beginner writers – Written By Louise Harnby

For those of us who do have difficulties with the conversion of our stories into EPUB or MOBI files. Thank you very much for your informative post, Louise!

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Here’s how to convert a Word document into EPUB or MOBI file format. This option certainly won’t be for everyone, but if it suits you, you can master it in seconds … and for free.

Many authors create their books directly in Microsoft Word because of its excellent suite of onboard styling tools and its compatibility with a range of plug-ins and add-ins (including macros). Pro editors love it for the same reasons.

​Once the writing, drafting, editing, and final revisions are complete, it’s time to publish. Is a Word file good enough for epublication? How about a DIY conversion to EPUB or MOBI? It depends on several factors:

• Your freebie plans
• Your budget
• Your sales and distribution platform
• The complexity of your interior design

Continue reading HERE

A New Audio Book Release – kongo.com – Written By Don Massenzio

Don Massenzio has released his new audio book kongo.com. Congratulations, Don! This is amazing!

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I’m happy to announce that my book, kongo.com, is available in audiobook format. The book is a collection of four related long-format short stories/novellas. The Audio Book is available HERE.

kongo.com cover designed by Don Massenzio

About kongo.com

In my book, kongo.com, I have pulled together four separate related stories. Three of them were published as serials on my blog over the past year. The fourth is a brand new story that weaves together the other three. This was an enjoyable exercise and I hope that those that choose to read it will enjoy it as well.

Here is a bit about each of the stories in kongo.com

CONTINUE READING HERE

The Why’s and How’s of Starting Your Blog: Part 1 – Written By Kathrin (Kat) Spinnler

Thank you very much for informing us about the Why’s and How’s of starting our blog. I hope, we can read part 2 soon. This is a great post! Thanks, Kat!

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on A Chat with Kat:

“I wish I had my own platform where I could share my views or knowledge. Maybe even build up a positive reputation in my community and an engaged audience.”

If you’ve ever thought something along those lines, you’re just like me. For many months, I read great blogs like Mr Money Mustache and listened to amazing podcasts like The Tim Ferriss Show, wishing I myself had a platform like that. But was I interesting enough? Experienced enough? Funny enough?

Welcome to my mini series on starting your own blog! In the next two weeks, we will explore why starting your own online platform is a recipe for success, no matter who you are, and the practical steps of how to start your own blog.

Continue reading HERE

 

Demon Tracker’s Second 5-Star Review

Demon Tracker’s second 5-star review was posted May 3, 2020. I’m so happy I’m actually dancing around my place. This is a great day!

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REVIEWED BY LINDA TONIS
MEMBER OF THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE GUILD REVIEW TEAM

I want to begin this review by saying if you haven’t read the first two books, I strongly recommend doing so. Book two ended with questions about Sundance, and those questions are finally answered in this book.

Zepheira (Zye) is a fighter and messenger of the Divine Army hunting demons, but a call from The Big Seven”, legendary warrior angels, sets her on a new path. A demon has stolen the soul of an angel, and it is important that they find him and release the soul; otherwise, it will be lost in Hell forever. She has only two weeks to carry out this mission, but as the best tracker and her ability to use her sense of smell, they are confident she can succeed where they have failed.

She immediately knows by using her sense of smell that the demon they are after is Faramon, the same demon that was there the night her mother was killed. Zye is the daughter of a human and Pan who like Faramon was there when her mom died, since then she has never seen or heard from her father. She is a hybrid blood creature with the same horns as her father. She offers herself as bait with a promise from Uriel the Archangel to be there to protect her.

Her mission is a success except for the fact that she finds herself Lucifer’s prisoner. Some of the funniest parts of this story take place in Hell, where Zye pits herself against the evilest creature known to mankind. She never shows fear even when she is shaking in her boots, and Lucifer has found his match. What happens with the two of them I won’t reveal because it is too priceless to give away in this review.

Uriel and Zye have no doubt that their feelings for each other go way beyond what was initially intended; after a lifetime of searching for the perfect woman, he has finally found her, but does she feel the same?
Zye is an amazing character with the kind of strength that even stunned the Council of Twelve, except for the fact that they do try on many occasions to curb her use of foul language, not always successfully.
A wonderful addition to a wonderful series.

The book can be purchased here:

https://books2read.com/u/3yEx6l

Demon Tracker’s First 5-Star Review

I’m so very excited to report that Demon Tracker got its first 5-star review on May 1, 2020. It is such a wonderful feeling to find out that readers love my book! Thank you so very much for this great review!

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In this third installment of the Council of Twelve series, the author throws us a curveball of sorts as she introduces not only a new character, but a whole new angle on the mythology of this series. It’s interesting to watch how the author is taking the over-arcing story of the series a step further with each new character introduced.

This time we get to meet a demon tracker, one of the best ever. However, her appearance could easily be mistaken for someone demonic herself, which is of course not the case. Besides those great horns on her head, what else is making her a target of the master of Hell. What is his connection to her and why is he so interested in asking questions about her parentage?

All our old friends are here such as the Council of Twelve, along with Sundance and Kate from the previous installments of the series. As well as some familiar foes and new dangers.

A jolly good read, which I highly recommend.

The book can be purchased here:

 

https://books2read.com/u/3yEx6l

 

Join The Paranormal Romance Guild!

The ‘Paranormal Romance Guild’ is a writer’s guild, offering promotional services and author services for its members.

As a premium member, you can get interviews, reviews, beta-readers, Featured Author posts, giveaways, Blog Tours, critiques and much more!

We care for our members!

MISSION STATEMENT

The sole purpose of the Paranormal Romance Guild (PRG) is to support and promote all authors of the paranormal romance genre and their works through its website and events.

WHO WE ARE

The Paranormal Romance Guild, AKA (“PRG”), was formed by the banding together of paranormal romance genre readers and writers, through the internet, with the sole purpose of supporting and promoting authors of the paranormal romance genre through the organization’s website and special events. The Paranormal Romance Guild (PRG) was officially organized and recognized on October 31,2009. PRG is a non-profit organization. All fees and dues collected are to sustain operations of the PRG. No assets of the corporation are to benefit the officers or members.

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The ‘Readers’ membership is an unlimited free membership that allows you to read what is going on within the guild. It is easy to sign up – and you can later still upgrade your membership.

The Paranormal Romance Guild accepts a limited amount of writers from other genres as well.

In June 2020, the Paranormal Romance Guild runs a ‘reduced membership’ time, where you are paying less for a one-year membership and save even more on a two-year membership.

 

SIGN UP HERE

 

Demon Tracker Blog Tour – DAY 9 – Nicholas Rossis’ Blogs

Nicholas C. Rossis is a very talented author I know mostly from his blogs. He’s an excellent blogger too and educates young writers on his blogs on how the business works. Thank you so very much for featuring Demon Tracker and me on your blogs today, Nicholas. I’m honored!

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Aurora J. Alexander is launching Demon Tracker, the third book in her Council of Twelve series.

Demon Tracker

Zepheira is the best Demon Tracker working for the Good side. With her unusual looks, her phenomenal sense of smell, and her bravery, she quickly draws ‘The Big 7’s attention to her talent. They hire her to find one of them. Leaving her familiar surroundings and regular work environment unsettles Zepheira at first. But the challenge to prove herself and to increase the reputation of her infallibility tempts her.

She is convinced she will be a great asset to ‘The Big 7’. Little does she know she will be a much greater asset in Heaven’s fight against Evil. Zepheira suddenly becomes more than a hired tracker. She finds herself an important pawn in the game of love, heat, and fire. Will her courage and sacrifice be sufficient to dance with the flames?

Book Excerpt

Less than twenty minutes later, I received a message from Michael. I was strictly ordered not to do anything but stay where I was. Andreas would pick me up a little later. In the meantime, I could work out in the gardens with some of the angels if I wanted to.

CONTINUE READING HERE OR HERE