Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Crossing Genre Lines

Stop by Aubrie Dionne's blog Flutey Words to read my guest post, Crossing Genre Lines.

Don't let the world put you in a box with a genre label. Cross the line, see where you can go with your words. You may surprise even yourself.

The Sacrifice started as a short story, a fairy-tale adventure. I never dreamed it would become a children's picture book. But here it is available for purchase. I hope you enjoy Angelina's adventure as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

The Sacrifice - Available for Purchase

My children's picture e-book, The Sacrifice, is now available for purchase at eTreasures Publishing!

Blurb:
Angelina must travel to the castle to protect her sister, who is marrying the king of the land. But who will protect Angelina on her journey when she encounters a troll and other unexpected obstacles? Luckily, she carries her precious and powerful medallion. She will need it, for even after she reaches the castle, all is not as it seems.

The Sacrifice is a fairytale-like story of a young woman's journey to save her sister.

Excerpt: 
Wind gusted around her, whipping the path into a wild dirt storm. Angelina coughed against the onslaught of dust. Tears streamed from her eyes. She lifted the shawl to cover her mouth and nose. Holding the golden medallion tight, she willed away the growing wind. After a moment, the air stilled and the dust settled. She wiped her face, brushed back her hair, and continued on her journey.

Protected, guided by the medallion, she had until twilight to reach the castle and save her sister. Their village had been ecstatic to see one of their own chosen by the king as his new queen. With a wife in place, they all expected improvement in their lives. But, two days after Silvia’s departure, Madam Shernom had a vision of the king’s true intentions. Silvia would be sacrificed on her wedding night, giving the king even more power.

Bushes rustled to her left. Angelina heard Madam Shernom’s parting words: “Never leave the trail. Move quickly and beware. Not all is as it appears.” The woman’s image – grey stringy hair surrounding a smooth face – brought her comfort. She clutched the smooth medallion and turned to face the unknown.


Voices of Fiction - Traditional or Self-Publication - Part Six

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on publication choice, traditional or self-publication.

Please welcome our authors.

Born in France, award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and writes with the same ease about the future and the far away past. Her novels collected many five star reviews and literary awards. - Website, Amazon, Barnes/Noble


Cindy Cromer's first published novel earned her the title of award winning author. Desperate Measures, won the highly competitive mystery/suspense/thriller category in The Smart Writ Book Awards and was named a winner in The Authors Show contest, 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading. Website, Books/Books, Vero Beach Book Center

Nicole Zoltack loves to write whatever strikes her fancy. When she’s not writing about knights, talking unicorns, or zombies, she loves to spend time with her wonderful family. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. Blog, Website, Amazon


 
Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

What is your publishing method choice: Traditional or Self-Publication? Why?

Vijaya Schartz - I’ve done it all over the years. Nowadays, I choose to publish with small publishers. New York publishers find my stories too unconventional. They do not fit the mold. The self-publishing route is too much work. I want to write, not be a publisher. So small press publishers are wonderful for me. They like my work because it’s unconventional. And they do for me all the things a large publisher does (edit, format, hire cover artists, publish my books in eBooks everywhere, print the paperbacks, do some promotion, etc.). Frankly, with as many books as I write, I do not have the time nor the inclination to do all that stuff. So small press is a perfect fit.

Cindy Cromer - My choice is traditional publishing. During the search for an agent and publisher, I noticed many had a stipulation on their sites that they would not consider any work from an author who had previously self-published. I mean no disrespect to any self-published author as I’ve met several who have had much success.

Nicole Zoltack - Currently, I’m published through a small e-publisher. With some of my other stories, I wish to acquire an agent and purse traditional publishing. If that never happens, I will stick with small- or mid-sized publishers. Why? I think editing is very important with stories, as are covers. Authors will always need editors because authors tend to be too blinded by their own words--there’s no distance, they’re too involved with the story. Editors don’t have that problem. As for covers, I’m a writer, not an artist. A great cover can sell you copies by itself.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers and Authors, feel free to ask questions and leave comments concerning this topic in the comment section below. You may also send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Voices of Fiction - Traditional or Self-Publication - Part Five

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on publication choice, traditional or self-publication.

Please welcome our authors.


Ellen Spain is a retired Federal Investigator, now turned author, editor, and educator. She is active with EPIC, PennWriters, RWA, SCBWI, and the Pittsburgh East Writers. - Website



Joylene Butler is the author of Dead Witness and Broken But Not Dead. - Website, Blog

Joy Brooks is a Southern lady in love with the mystery and adventure associated with medieval warriors and royalty. She fills her spare time with reading, writing, cross-stitching, and playing with her seven cats. She enjoys the quiet life in a quaint, historic Georgia town. - Website, Blog

Bobbi Carducci’s book, Storee Wryter Gets a Dog, earned a GOLD Mom’s Choice Award for excellence and was named A Best Dog Book for Young Readers by Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer. She is an award winning short story writer, columnist and professional book reviewer. Bobbi will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the 26th Annual Pennwriters Conference in May 2013. - Blog, Website, Website


Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

What is your publishing method choice: Traditional or Self-Publication? Why?

Ellen Spain - I prefer to go through a traditional-type publisher, middle-sized if possible since the large publisher requires going through a literary agent to get to their submission's editor, which just adds an additional layer of adding more time and stress to the pot. The publisher must offer me a fair contract, royalties, quality editors and cover artists, no hidden fees or charges for any service to publish my book, and maybe an advance. It must maintain a good credible web site and offer both eBook and print formats and promotional presence for my book. Those are the reasons why I would only consider the traditional publishing house for my “Secrets in the Fog" series and other genre fiction I write in mystery & romance with a flair of the paranormal.

There is nothing wrong with self-publishing your family's memoirs or that local history book, but for genre fiction, I would only consider the traditional publisher. Why not self-publish everything? Writers should not self-edit. Therefore, add in the expense of paying an editor. Then there is the cost (one's own time should have a dollar figure) for promotion, getting it onto Amazon, negotiating the Amazon contract, marketing your book to other book distributors, setting up your web sites, and more of your time consumed doing what a traditional publisher does for the writer. This is the time you could have used to write more books. In the end, that extra percentage was reduced to basically nothing. Moreover, if the self-published author later wants to go thru the traditional publishing route, book, very little credit is given to them if self-edited. There are a lot of credible small traditional publishers the author can go through, so the traditional publisher just wonders why that author would go the self-publishing route.

Joylene Butler - I've been both, self-published and published with two small publishers. I prefer the onus be on the publisher and not me. It's probably my age, but I found self-publishing to be stressful, time consuming, expensive, and completely out of my comfort zone.  I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I spent 14 hours a day for 8 months marketing my first book. I started marketing my second book three months before its launch.

They say you have only 3 months shelf life, so I knew I had to make certain that my novel was in the top 10 search engines. That its presence was felt long before it became available. I'm probably like every other author when I say, I just want to write. The business of networking and marketing is overwhelming. If you do sign with a publisher, you still have to network, but having the moral and financial support of a house is very nice thing.

Joy Brooks - Traditional definitely. I think traditional publishing gives you more exposure. It brings in an expert that will edit and fine tune my work. When my books are released, I want them to be the best they can be. It also brings more opportunities with promoting. The more ideas the better.

Bobbi Carducci - I support both traditional and self-publishing with a few warnings for those choosing self-publishing the first time out. Traditional publishers require that the work be free of errors and they have a specific audience they envision buying your work.  They won’t buy it if they don’t believe they can sell it. They have relationships with distributors, library buyers, book sellers, and they can offer some help in marketing your book. You won’t have to pay for any of that. You will be paid for your work, as a professional should be paid. That’s my case for traditional publishers.

Self-publishing can be a great resource for writers but it can also be a huge disappointment for many unsuspecting writers. Marketing and distribution is very hard for self-published writers. Major book stores and libraries are still not accepting  work by self-published authors no matter how well written it is and putting it on Amazon is not going to result in huge numbers of sales if no one knows about it.

The publishing world is changing and some self-published books will sell a lot of copies, but it’s still very iffy. Add in all the books being self-published that are full of errors and bad writing and your book could end up drifting in a polluted sea never to be discovered by the readers you hope to reach.

When it comes to self-publishing it is critical to make your book as perfect as can be. If you have a great story well told you would be wise to invest in a line editor, a concept editor, a cover designer and a publicist. It’s not easy but it can be done.

I have done work with both. I am traditionally published in magazines, newspapers, anthologies. I am published on line and I used a nontraditional publisher for my book for young readers.  I paid a lot of money to have it published. Money I have not made back even after it earned a GOLD Mom’s Choice Award for Excellence and was named A Best Dog Book for Young Readers in Cesar’s Way Magazine, the official publication of The Dog Whisperer and was written positively about in the Washington Post newspaper.

Why did I go that route? I wanted it done in short amount of time and I was willing to pay the editor, book designer, and illustrator and I wanted to see how they process worked. I love the way the book turned out. But, I won’t go that route again.  I’m seeking a traditional publisher for the next book in the series.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers and Authors, feel free to ask questions and leave comments concerning this topic in the comment section below. You may also send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Interview with Clara Bowman-Jahn

We have a special guest this weekend. Clara Bowman-Jahn, author of "Annie's Special Day," joins us for a short interview. You may recognize her as one of the participating authors of the 'Voices of Fiction' series and one of eTreasures' authors.

Welcome, Clara. Have a seat and get comfortable, let's get to know you a little better.

What genre do you normally write?

Clara: I write memoir but have a published picture book out. Also have an essay in the anthology of “The I word” “Words that inspire” edited by Kate Gould and have three flash fiction stories in the anthology of “Campaigner Questions 2011” edited by Catherine Harrie.

What got you interested in writing, and what inspired you to write your first book?

Clara: Actually, funny you should ask that. That very question is the nature of the essay in Kate Gould’s anthology “ The I Word” about how I have journaled since I was fifteen years old and as Gal. says “You reap what you sow” finally seeking publication for a story I had written in my journal of a little girl hearing beautiful birds.

Who has influenced your writing and how?

Clara: My mother started me on my writing journey writing inspiring quotes down in my journal long ago. It finally grew to be my brain, remembering my daily life for me as it passed by. Reading the great authors hasn’t hurt either. I just can’t read enough to satisfy me. My reading influences me, too.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Clara: Read, read, read.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Clara: Read, read, read. And then write , write and write.

Where can people learn more about you and your work?

http://www.clarbojahn.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ClaraBowmanJahn
https://twitter.com/CBoJahn
http://clarbojahn.wordpress.com/ 
http://www.etreasurespublishing.com/pages/Clara-Bowman%252dJahn.html

Thank you so much for joining us today. It's been a delight.


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Voices of Fiction - Traditional or Self-Publication - Part Four

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on publication choice, traditional or self-publication.

Please welcome our authors.

Vicki Batman likes to kick back with a diet Coke and write crazy things for her characters. She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??" - Website, Blog, Amazon
Karenna Colcroft is the alter ego of a shy, sedate wife and mother. She has been writing since age five, and dove into erotic romance in 2006. Her first book was published in 2009, and since then she has had over thirty stories published. She lives in the northeastern US with her two children and her real-life romance hero husband. - Website, Facebook, Twitter


Carole Ann Moleti is a nurse-midwife in New York City, thus explaining her fascination with paranormal and urban fantasy. Her newest fiction is featured in Beltane: Ten Tales of Magic. Excerpts of Carole's memoir, Someday I'm Going to Write a Book: Diary of an Urban Missionary has been published most recently in the new, irreverent Not Your Mother's Book Series. - Website, Blog, Twitter


Pembroke Sinclair has had several short stories, novellas, novels, and nonfiction published in various places. She writes an eclectic mix of fantasy, science fiction, horror, some romance, and previously Westerns. - Blog, eTreasures, Amazon



Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

What is your publishing method choice: Traditional or Self-Publication? Why?

Vicki Batman - I choose a mix because it's like the stock market--don't put all eggs into one basket. If something no longer works in one area, then being in another one can be advantageous.

Karenna Colcroft - For the most part, I prefer traditional publishing. I'm not very business-minded, so having someone else deal with the paperwork and bookkeeping, as well as supporting me with promo and marketing, is very helpful to me.

Carole Ann Moleti - I am sticking to the traditional publishing method for now. I am not a good editor and can't do my own cover art. Plus, if I had to do all that formatting, uploading, and distribution, I wouldn't have time to write and market my stories.

Pembroke Sinclair - Technically, those two choices don't fit my publishing method. My publisher is an indie publisher, a small house that does both eBooks and the occasional print version. In a way, it's like traditional publishing because the books go through an editing phase and get a cover, but they aren't placed in physical book stores. I prefer this way because no traditional publisher wants me and I don't have the time to self-publish. Either way anyone chooses, though, the most important thing is to get your books in the hands of readers.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers and Authors, feel free to ask questions and leave comments concerning this topic in the comment section below. You may also send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Voices of Fiction - Traditional or Self-Publication - Part Three

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on publication choice, traditional or self-publication.

Please welcome our authors.

Cara Marsi, former corporate drone and cubicle dweller, and award-winning author, is published in romantic suspense, contemporary romance and paranormal romance. She also writes short romance stories for women’s magazines. Cara and her husband share their house with a fat black diva of a cat named Killer. - Website, Twitter, Facebook

Liz Crowe’s groundbreaking romance sub-genre, “Romance for Real Life,” has gained thousands of fans and followers who are interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”) Her books are set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch and in high-powered real estate offices. Don’t ask her for anything “like” a Budweiser or risk painful injury. - WebsiteBlog, Facebook


Terry W. Ervin II is an English and Science teacher who enjoys writing. Gryphonwood Press published the first two novels in his First Civilization’s Legacy Series (FLANK HAWK and BLOOD SWORD) and he is busy writing the third novel in the fantasy series. In November 2012 Gryphonwood Press is slated to release Terry’s first short story collection, GENRE SHOTGUN. - Website, Blog



Children’s Picture Book author, Clara Bowman-Jahn, of “Annie’s Special Day” is living the life of her dreams an hour at a time. - Website, Etreasures



Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

What is your publishing method choice: Traditional or Self-Publication? Why?

Cara Marsi - I have indie published several books and I love the control, I love writing what I want and not what a publisher's marketing department wants. I'm leaning more and more toward all indie publishing. But I always hire a professional editor to edit my indie books.

Liz Crowe - Traditional. I have been very lucky to find a small publisher who believed in my voice and has poured a ton of time and energy into getting me the best editing, best cover art and top notch promotional assistance. I am way too busy with my other business to take on all that myself. I want to WRITE the books and let experts in other fields do their part to make them successful.

Terry W. Ervin II - Traditional. There are some aspects of publishing that I prefer my publisher focus on rather than me. It enables me to have more time for writing, and life in general. Counting writing as a part-time job, I have one full-time and three part-time jobs, in addition to a family, church and other life activities. Plus, having a traditional publisher opens opportunities self-publishing doesn’t, such as participation at some book events and conventions, including panels and signings, which I may not otherwise have. As self-publishing continues to become better established over the next decade, I strongly suspect that may change.

Clara Bowman-Jahn - "Annie's Special Day" was traditionally published and I like that it went through a gate keeper of sorts. It validated me when it happened. However I have nothing against self-published books. There are some very good ones out there. No matter if one self publishes or go the traditional route one needs to get a good editor and pay for a good cover.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers and Authors, feel free to ask questions and leave comments concerning this topic in the comment section below. You may also send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)
 
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