BOOKS - BOOKS - BOOKS

How many books should an author release in a year? 

Writing books are time consuming. There’s developing characters, researching careers, locations, times of the year and period of the story. Then you sit at your computer, or pick up pen and paper and began to write. For some the story simply flow. For others, you put some on paper now, come back a month from now to write a little more, and so on until the book is finished. Once the book is complete, here comes the test readers. You know those objective people you select to send your story to read. When you received their feed back you make adjustments, or not. Then you send the document to your editors. Please note, I said editors, at least three in all, Proofreaders, Line Editors, then Substantive Editing. Again, you make adjustments, or not. 

While all of that is happening, a book cover has to be designed and produced. Advanced Readers Copies (ARC) have to be sent to reviewers while you pray they have good things to say about your new baby. Then there’s the marketing, and networking to get the word out. This includes trade magazines, interviews and of course the ever evolving on-line presence.

Then comes the week before the release where you make the blog tours, interviews with internet radio, live radio and if you are very, very lucky, a few television appearances. Are you ready, now it’s release day. You sit with your fingers crossed waiting for that first review to appear. Holding your breath, another appears. You allow yourself a little smile. The readers like it, they really liked it. 

NOW, START ALL OVER - AGAIN.

I like to write stories where readers connect to each character in someway, love them or hate them. Therefore, I take my time introducing each character in a way to make readers react emotionally. Some say that slows a story down. I say it gives the story depth and is time well spent. 

Writing a novels takes months out of your life. They are months well spent. I love writing and if I could I would write a book every month. Hold on, clearing throat as I rethink that. Okay, If I could, I would write a book every other month....or so. But, you get my meaning. I think 2 to 4 books a year is a good place to be. Whew, I have to get to writing. I still have 3 books to go. 

I have to end this now, I have characters to develop, and story lines to conquer up. It's all in the effort of getting the stories out to you.  

Until the next time,
Iris

www.irisbolling.net 

Time: Where Does It All Go?

Time...time...time...

How does it get away from us so quickly? 

For most of us, our "mobile office" consists of either our cell phones or tablets to check Facebook statuses, tweets or reading the latest blog like this one on a timeline or news feed. Maintaining a structured schedule is not easy when one post turns into a thirty line thread. As an author, you cannot disregard your readers, right? They are the ones we cherish and write for. 

So, with that being said...where does our time go?

Since most of us work full-time jobs, have families to take care of and oh yeah, write stories, we have to be mindful of the time we spend on social media sites. Log off (Yes, as in not seeing it or hearing your phone buzz with a new notification) those sites! Try it for a couple of hours and see how much you can accomplish. In the time you devote to your craft, be it research, writing a steamy scene or a damaging sub-plot, those notifications will pile up and not mean a hill of beans. If you're really needed, those that know you will call or send a text. Complete your goals.

In the end, you'l have made progress and your readers will thank you for it.

Until next time...
Loretta R. Walls
Author of "The Majestic Dynasty" 

Feels like the first time. . .Release day of Forces of Nature

 Ten years ago, I was waiting like a kid at Christmas for the release of my first romance novel, Revelations. Finally, my book was going to be on the shelves of bookstores and people would get to read a story that kept me awake at night, that kept me from hanging out with my friends and family while I wrote it.

Back then, there were a lot of book stores around. Borders on every corner, Books A Million was the new hot spot and Waldenbooks was my favorite place to go in the mall.

 Fast forward 10 years and I have that same feeling today as Forces of Nature hits the shelves today. I still get in the car and drive around my city to look for my book on shelves. Seeing my book beside some of my favorite authors, like Brenda Jackson, Victoria Christopher Murray and Donna Hill sends a wave of excitement through my body. I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.

Then I pull out my handy dandy Sharpie --pink of course -- and sign the books. Today, I'm carrying autographed copy stickers in my oversized purse. And yes, I'm sticking them on every book I sign. :)

So, now the real fun begins-- getting to hear what the readers think of my baby. Forces of Nature was a true labor of love. I started writing this book about four years ago. Douglas and Crystal hold a really special place in my heart. Truly fire and ice. Here's hoping that you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed telling it.



And join me and my sisters from HOT MAMA Land on May 18 as we celebrate the release of Forces of Nature.

Comfort Zone

    One thing I’ve noticed in my writing is... I create characters with attributes that reflect me and what I like. (Ooh, did I just admit that?)
   I don’t smoke, so you rarely see a character who does that, this, or anything else I don’t like (for instance, eating biscuits with gravy. YUCK!) I can admit my habit because I understand the reason. It's where I feel most comfortable. I can write what it’s like to wiggle my fat butt into a pair of skinny jeans, or swaying my hips while walking in a pair of stilettos, because it’s what this diva does.
    But what I’ve learned as an author is that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone. Now, I don’t recommend that for new authors because I’m always quick to preach, “Write what you know.” However, as a seasoned author, we have to continue to challenge ourselves as writers. Isn’t it all about growing and developing our craft? Well, of course it is.
   One of my challenges in this coming year is to create characters who aren’t anything like me (that’s hard). And especially, to create men other than the ones I find attractive (now that's even harder). LOL. But that’s what makes writing so fun.
     As an author I can escape to a tropical island and be made love to by the finest brotha, but the challenge is to create someone different, then step into that woman’s shoes (I'll try a pair of flats) and feel what it’s like to be her. Step two. I need to have an open mind so that the next time I see a man who isn’t chocolate with a beautiful smile, dark eyes, and a goatee (I’m pausing to pant), I need to identify some other attributes that another woman might find attractive.
     Hmmm, I think that’s going to be the challenge for my next book, or better yet, a novella. Remember, baby steps. I gotta master the technique first.

 

LOL,

 

Angie Daniels

Take it back to One

This year has had a lot of ups and downs for me so far. Strange considering it's only April. Yikes! The one thing that comforts me is the writing and my readers. You always pull me through when I start to doubt myself. For that, I can't thank you all enough.

So the bad. One of my publishers just sent out an e-mail to us readers that they're closing in June. :( So the homes of many of my novellas will be going away. The good news? I think I'm going to go with my strengths and rework the stories to make them BDSM (the stories that aren't already BDSM). I like the idea of pushing myself to kink up these stories. Stay tuned for that.

The REALLY good news. I've done a lot of in-person events this year: Linda Rae's Ladies Night Out, Desired Beauty Expo, Hot M.A.M.A.s Fly Hat Luncheon, and Stylelicious where the amazing Derek Hough from "Dancing With the Stars" made an appearance. Sigh. I might have to use him for inspiration for one of my heroes. Rawrrrr!

The bad news. Myself and fellow author and friend Yvette Hines had planned to write a two-author contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance anthology for the publisher that's now closing. We had big plans for the release. The really great news: the stories are still going to come out, bigger and better than ever. Although I can't talk about what we're planning yet, you all will be very, VERY surprised and, hopefully, very happy! Can't wait to share the news.

I also have a lot of stuff going on personally. It's because of that that I've had to back out of not one but two in-person event. I was going to attend a group book signing event in Richmond with author Tina Glasneck. The one that hurts the most is I had to back out of this year's Romance Slam Jam happening in Milwaukee. I love doing Romance Slam Jam and I had planned on doing a workshop with Yvette Hines on writing with all the senses. The senses I was going to cover were sight and touch. And, yes, I was going to incorporate BDSM into my presentation. I've sent Yvette my notes and having something special mailed to her. If you're going to Romance Slam Jam this year, be sure to check out that workshop.

Other than that, I'm writing my behind off. I'm working on a contemporary, interracial BDSM erotic romance novel called Licorice Whips for Phaze Books that will be out in ebook and print in November. I'm working on another contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance for another publisher. Be patient. I'm working on stuff for you readers. I promise.

Okay, I have to go. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement soon.

Stay sexy,

BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com

Riddle Me This: Reaching the Readers

Hi, Y'all,
I have recently been wondering a lot about how I interact with my readers. Each reader I gain is precious to me, because you all allow me to pursue my dream of writing for money. So, I want to be the absolute best I can when it comes to my interactions with you.
So far, I haven't had any complaints. I think folks find me pretty approachable, and I plan to keep it that way. Still, I'm not moving the number of books I'd like to, and I think this is mainly a problem of exposure- that is, I'm not effectively getting my books in front of the all the people who would be interested.
Here's what I do now:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Blogs (2)
• Personal Appearances/Events
• Passing out bookmarks to anyone who'll take them.

Apparently, these valiant efforts are not enough. I've been thinking of using direct mail- it's about the only think I haven't tried.

And so, I embark upon yet another creative Hot MAMA venture: The Hot MAMA Street Team. I want to assemble the avid readers, the die-hard book fans, to start a kind of whisper campaign to bring new readers to this group. Why? There really isn't a more effective way of spreading the word about a good book than word of mouth. I know- I have heard people going on and on about Twilight and Fifty Shades. :)

Think you might be street team material? Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

• Pass out bookmarks/promo items when you are out and about.
• Talk up the group, and our blog.
• Recommend our books to other readers you think might enjoy them.
• Promote our upcoming events, like the 2014 Fly Hat Society Luncheon, in person and via social media.

What will you get for you efforts? A super awesome Hot MAMA Street Team t-shirt, a first look at new books before anyone else, special discounts to our events, and our undying gratitude. Pretty sweet, huh?

We are only accepting (10) members per state, so get on the good foot! Send an email to me at kiannaalexanderATgmailDOTcom and let me know where you live, why you want to be on the street team, and your t-shirt size. We will launch the street team with an online party this summer, so get in while the getting's good!

Until Next Time,
Kianna

Degree or Not Degree

Okay so this morning (or rather, Wednesday morning) I was talking with a co-worker about college and students and work ethics- we're college librarians so these conversations are commonplace. Our chat shifted gears and traveled around to the concept of degrees.

     Just how necessary are they?

     My coworker had an interesting take on the degree debate. She spoke about her brother and how successful he is although he never attended college. According to her, her brother was about as far from college material as a person could get. She believes; and said he would still agree, that were he to have attended college he would have probably failed his first year.

     I pretty much agree that college is not for everyone. I saw a lot of kids wasting their folk’s money when I was an undergrad. I see even more of it now as a college librarian where I actually teach classes and work the front desk and witness the laziness and disinterest first hand. This attitude is not indicative of all students, but of enough of them to warrant concern.

     In spite of this however, I also hold to the belief that a college degree is important for a kid to have-a black kid especially. A college degree today is what a high school diploma was when my parents were students. Most employers won't even view an application if a degree isn't listed among an applicant’s level of education.

     Do I believe that a college degree makes one person better than another? NO! Some of the most intuitive dedicated and hardworking employees never saw the inside of a college classroom. There are even those who never completed elementary school who are among the most respected employees. 

     Things are so much different today than they were when my parents or even when I was a traditional student. With that in mind, a degree is definitely a tool I want to see my child equipped with. Not only to say that he has it; college teaches us many life lessons that have nothing to do with deciding on a major and meetings with professors. As it relates to my son, I hope college will provide him with that time away from the security of mom and dad, time away from the familiarity and comfort of home, time to build his- now almost nonexistent- level of responsibility. Time to understand that there is much more to college than class and papers just as there is much more to a member of society than the degree he holds...or does not.