The Remarkable Journey from Traditional to Self-Publishing

doj-ebookcover copyWe are on the precipice of self-publishing our first title called The Demarcation of Jack, coming out November 7th. We are so excited to have the bulk of the formatting work done. Wow, what a learning curve on all of that. I found it crazy, frustrating, and daunting that each vendor had its own formatting requirements. On the bright side, I have learned so much that the next time should be a breeze.

We found a very reasonable editor and cover artist so our financial outlay stayed pretty low. Time wise, self-publishing was a much larger investment. However, the ability to track our sales, get the bulk of royalties and be in charge of our product is priceless.

Since my publisher didn’t offer much in the way of promotion, that outlay of time has stayed the same. Well sort of. LOL! Social media seems to ramp up on its own and these days it’s hard to stay on top of it. Of course, becoming our own publisher requires more time elsewhere so I seem to be forever falling behind on my friendship request, page likes, event invites, etc. (I promise to catch up after the release date!)

We are having an online giveaway party the day of the release and we already have over 45 prizes to give away. You can join the Release Party and Big Giveaway for The Demarcation of Jack and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

Again I must remark on all the wonderful relationships I have forge with other authors and readers as well. I have found the community to be so supportive and helpful. I can simply type a question on my Facebook wall or tweet the question and other authors will step up and offer advice. I love that we can be supportive instead of competitive like is found in other industries.

As you may have noticed, I have transferred my blog to my new website. I hope you all like it. I will still be hosting author interviews on Fridays so if you’re interested, contact me and let me know.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

Please feel free to friend me on Facebook.
And like the My Body Trilogy Facebook page.
Find me Twitter & Pinterest.

Email Me

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Michelle Muckley

Please give a warm welcome to Michelle Muckley, author of Identity X.

michelleTell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
Hi thanks for having me here.
It’s always great to learn about new authors and it’s a pleasure having you.
My name is Michelle Muckley. I am 32, born and raised in England, but now living in Cyprus. I have been a reader all of my life, but started writing about 6 years ago. About ten years ago I came up with my first concept for a novel, and made around 3000 words of notes before the idea floated away from me. It wasn’t until I was about 26 that I finally realised that in order to be a writer I had to make one fundamental change. Start writing. It was really good advice! From there onwards I haven’t really stopped.

I am working on the release of my third novel, Identity X for this September (So that means it’s already out!), and I am about 18,000 words into a new WIP which is such a good feeling after being in the editors chair for so long!

Has a dream every inspired any of your stories?
My dreams are generally very vivid, and usually more nightmarish than anything nice! Therefore lots of ideas come to me from my dreams. The only trouble is I am terrible at remembering for long enough to get them down on paper. I would say more than anything from my dreams I bring details rather than whole stories.

Do you use test readers? If so, how many?
I have a few test readers. I am actually waiting on them at the moment in order to ensure that there are no copy-editing errors before I send out the ARC files of Identity X. I have a few, but two of them I really rely on. One is my brother, and the other is a great friend. I owe them big time!

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
Write and read as much as you can fit into your time. Switch the TV off and make time. The more I read the more my writing develops, and the more I write, the more it develops. It’s like research. The other important thing to remember is that with the exception of a lucky few, the road to being a successful writer is long, and not without rejection. You might have talent, but you have to work at finding an audience.

Do you set writing goals and if so, what are they?
I think it’s always important to have a goal and a plan. In small scale that’s just about turning up at the desk each day, making sure I write. When I am working on a first draft like now, I like to make sure that I get at least 1000 words down. Ideally I like to write 2000 a day, as I find that flows with greater ease than limiting it to 1000. Sometimes it’s tough working at the weekend, and I let one day go if necessary. But I also have to manage the marketing and correspondence (which is a huge time commitment), and this is as important as the writing itself. More than anything, I still have to work my writing around being a scientist…….sometimes real life sneaks back in!

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
A little of both. I am not great at planning, so I have to work hard at editing, but I am getting better at keeping detailed notes as I create the first draft so that the process is a little easier. But I am not sure how the current WIP will end.

deskWhat does your writing space look like?
Here is a picture to show you from right now. I just ate breakfast and I haven’t cleared away yet! It’s full of stuff unrelated to writing. But it’s my stuff so it makes me feel at home.

Is being an author your dream job? If so, how long have you been chasing the dream? If not, what would be your dream job?

It is my dream job, and I would love for it to sustain my life. Whilst I have been writing for about six years I would say that I have only been dedicated for 12 months. I am working hard and watching where it is taking me.

What book are you currently reading?
I just finished You’re Next by Greg Hurwitz, and I have an Alex Barclay lined up next. Blood Loss.

What has been your best moment as a writer?
They are innumerable. The first release, the first good review from a stranger, the first sale. At the moment there are still lots of first. I got my first Amazon cheque too! That was awesome!

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming.  Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.  

  1. Griffin Hayes – Horror
  2. Jason Garrett – Horror/Thriller
  3. Cassia Leo – Romance

You can find Michelle on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Click the cover to buy Michelle’s book.

Identity X_ebook cover

 

Do-ers and Be-ers

7-lazy-in-bed-636So what do I mean by Do-ers and Be-ers? Are you a busy bee or more laid back?

I used to fall into the Be-er category. I didn’t fill my life with a lot of “things” to do. Downtime rated really high for me. I would put it in gear when it came to work and getting things done (my house could still have used more attention) but I imagine most Do-ers would’ve considered me lazy by comparison.

A Do-er is someone who is always on the go. Their lives are jam packed full of activities, events, obligations, work, etc. They love their life very full and their need for downtime is minimal. I have, at times, wondered what they are running from or running too but these days I think that’s an arrogant assumption. I recognize that we are all made up differently and there are pluses and minuses to both styles.

Since becoming a published author in the throes of writing, editing, promoting and the ever revolving treadmill of social media, I find myself more of the Do-er than a Be-er. However, I do dream of a time when I can get back to some of my Be-er ways.

One thing my husband and I have in common is that when we are in “work mode” we plow full steam ahead, pushing hard to get the project done. And when we lazy around, we rather enjoy that as well.

I wonder if a Do-er and a Be-er could be involved in a long-term relationship. I imagine they could compromise and do certain things separately. Maybe it could be good with at least one person keeping the couple on task. I think my husband and I split up that job although I do most of it (waiting to hear his comment on that!). LOL!

And you, are you a do-er or a be-er?  Or a healthy combination of both?

Are any of my readers out there in a “mixed” marriage? How do you make it work?

My husband and I are lucky because we are both do-er writers, but we can easily fall into a bed day and let our characters fend for themselves for a while. And sometimes while “being”, new cool ideas pop for the do-er part of our lives.

Hope everyone is snuggling up during this cold fall.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

Please feel free to friend me on Facebook.
And like the My Body Trilogy Facebook page.
Find me Twitter & Pinterest.

Email Me

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Harper Jewel

Please give a warm welcome to Harper Jewel, author of Trent and Trey (Inked Heat Series).

fb prof pic4Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
I’m fairly new on the scene and write short stories (10,000 – 20,000 words) only at the moment. My latest release, Trent & Trey, was the second installment in my Inked Heat Series. All the books in the series are based around a tattoo parlor and the two drop-dead sexy men that co-own it. Derek & Maks (Inked Heat #1) are cousins, and Trent & Trey Buchanan are brothers. Both books revolve around the woman the men romance and are ménages.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
I am currently working on two separate Series: Inked Heat and A Seekers Story. The Inked Heat Series are contemporary erotica and the Seekers stories are paranormal erotica. The Seekers stories revolve around a race of bird-of-prey shifters. The first book, Virgin Prey, tells the story about Aviana Byrde as she turns 18 and discovers in the tradition of their race who her life mate is. After her husband shows her all the carnal pleasures to be had in the marriage bed, fate plays a hand in tearing the pair apart until Aviana makes a startling discovery that rocks her world on its axis.

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I consider myself very lucky to have heard about Horny Devil Publishing from a friend. After writing my first short, Derek & Maks, I considered self-publishing, but decided to submit my story to HDP before attempting to do it myself. HDP has been wonderful to work with. I do not have to find or pay for editors, nor do I have to find or pay cover artists. Dee Allen, one of the cover artists for HDP has created all three of my covers to date. They are in a word: stunning! There is no way I would have been able to afford a cover artist that could create anything close to these masterpieces.

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
I always begin with an outline, yes. However, and that is a big however, there are times when my characters veer off the outline into their own direction. The original ending outlined for Trent & Trey was not how the final ending played out. In fact, after I thought I was done with the story and doing a read-through, both Trent & Trey halted me in my tracks, and I suddenly found myself rewriting the ending to please both the Buchanan brothers.

What does your writing space look like?
I feel lucky and unlucky with my writing space. I’m lucky in that my work space is located in the extra bedroom in my home. When I’m burning the midnight oil because I’m “in the zone,” and my current work is moving at a good pace, I don’t disturb either my husband or my daughter. When I’m done for the night or early morning as it is at times, I simply crawl into the bed in my workroom and call it a night. I have a great husband who doesn’t complain when he wakes to find my side of our bed empty. He understands that when things are going smoothly, I have a hard time stopping. The unlucky part of my work space is that I do not have a laptop. I still use a tower pc with a monitor. So, when we lose power, I’m shut down with no battery backup, and I can’t just take my writing with me when we travel.

Who is your favorite author and why?
My favorite author is Kate Douglas. I have read everything she has ever written all the way back to her very first e-published works. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her in person and spent a very lovely evening with her two summers ago. She was definitely the author who drew me into reading erotica. To me, she is so descriptive with her characters and her scenes that I have no difficulty picturing them in my mind as I read. Those, as well as a great plot are the things that kept me coming back for more of her books.

What project are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m working on the second installment of A Seekers Story, tentatively titled Naked Prey. Once I have finished with that, I have two other things that are on the back burner. One is a new Series that the idea for came to me while sitting in traffic one day. It is a paranormal/sci-fi idea about an alien race from the planet Venus and their race to save their people from extinction. I’ve come up with the Series name of Warriors of Venus. I have also been talking with fellow HDP author, Dan Cocker, about the possibility of collaborating on something. That is still in the very early stages, though, and nothing is definite on that front.

What book are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading, Entwined With You by Sylvia Day. I had the opportunity to meet her recently at a book signing she did at a local Barnes & Noble. There were under 100 people there, and she spent almost 3 hours talking and signing books. It was great!

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I really enjoyed writing the part of Trey in Trent & Trey. The younger of the two Buchanan brothers, he spoke the loudest to me. His southern drawl and the interplay he had with Trent was a blast to write.

Do you read your reviews and if so, how do you cope with a bad one?
As a new writer, I feel it is important to read every review, good or bad. I think constructive criticism is an important part of growing as a writer. I do understand, however, that my writing will not appeal to everyone.

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming.  Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.  

 Cleo Taurus, a fellow HDP author I feel is very talented and writes from the heart.  I also recommend checking out Oliver Lixx another HDP author as well as Bebe Balocca.  I’ve read some of their things and have thoroughly enjoyed them.

You can find Harper on her website, blog, Facebook, Facebook page, Amazon, Manic Readers, Goodreads, and The Romance Reviews.

Click the cover to buy Harper’s book:

trent & trey final cover with logo 200x300

Running from a dark past, Cassie St. Cloud wonders if it’s even possible to escape her worst nightmares. Regardless, the fiery redhead refuses to be a victim and does just that. While secrecy is key to her survival, Cassie inadvertently finds herself squashed inside a triangle of lust, threatening to expose her darkest desires.

Sexy brothers, Trent and Trey Buchanan, own the hottest Tattoo Parlor and Ranch in town. Kings of their own castles, both are pleasantly shocked when a tiny female brings them to their knees.

A silent enemy looms in the background, waiting for the right moment to strike. When things take an unexpected turn for the worse, dark secrets and an unforgiving past send Trent, Trey, and Cassie running for their lives…

Does Love Affect Your Sense of Smell?

SmellAs writer of erotica and romance, I work hard to include all the senses in the act of making love throughout my novels. Lying in bed this morning, snuggling with my husband, I pondered if loving someone amplifies the pleasure that comes from smelling their natural fragrance. I love my husband’s smell and prefer it over colognes, soaps and the over use of laundry soap fragrance. Go unscented! I could rant a whole blog on the over use of fake fragrances, but let’s not. 🙂

It could just be me, because I’m very olfactory sensitive, but I do think love changes how someone smells to you. Back in my twenties I remember how my ex-boyfriend’s smell altered as soon as we broke up. And in all honesty, I’ve wondered over the years how some of the people put up with their spouse’s breath and body odor.

There have been a few colognes that I’ve been fond of, but never more than my lover’s natural aroma. Most perfume (which I do not wear) and aftershaves make me sneeze so I tend to stay away from the stuff.

I do believe that as we’ve evolved, us humans, we have learned to rely less on our sense of smell. I think that’s a huge mistake. I can tell if my husband, or our cat for the matter, is stressed out based on their scent. Maybe we would make better love matches for ourselves if we didn’t douse ourselves with so many different fragrances. I’m not above it but I do keep it to a minimum. I use scented shampoo and condition and a mild smelling soap, but my deodorant and detergent are scent free.

I have known people who practically bath in perfume and their smell wafts toward you ten feet before they approach. To me it’s more like a shield than offering allure.

I, for one, could not have a lover whose aroma I didn’t enjoy. Sex for me definitely includes my olfactory system. My husband may say this is TMI, but I love the smell of sex. Such a turn on!

So back to the art of writing which is how I started this blog. When crafting a sex scene it’s important to make it very visual and easy for the reader to follow. For me it’s also important to include sound, touch, and smell which gives the setting dimension. At least for me as a reader, I have to get lost in the scene to get turned on and the more realism we can write in, the more easily accomplished.

So I’m very curious who else might have this experience with smell. Do you love your partner’s natural scent? Has that changed over the years? Do you like making love straight out of the shower or more like me, prefer it after the smell of soap has worn away?

I smell a story coming on. 😉 Please share your thoughts.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

Please feel free to friend me on Facebook.
And like the My Body Trilogy Facebook page.
Find me Twitter & Pinterest.

Email Me

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Jessica O’Gorek

Please give a warm welcome to Jessica O’Gorek, author of Gemini Rising: Ethereal Fury.

meWhat genre is your book?
YA paranormal romance

Do you write in other genres as well?
I can write in adult paranormal and horror/thriller

Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by my desire to make a living doing what I love, by my family’s faith in my ability as a writer, and by watching my dad click away on his typewriter as a child.

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I am published through Cogent Publishing, NY, but I am my own agent which has put my writing on hiatus. No time! It’s all spent promoting.

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
Do not wait until you are published to start marketing yourself- start 1-2 years in advance and build an audience who are excited about your release. Line up reviews for 3-6 months into the future and keep track of who says they will review your book, use a spreadsheet. Count on 50-70% of your reviews coming through. You can never have enough reviews, guests posts, or interviews!

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
Go with the flow, scene by scene, the plot comes to me

What does your writing space look like?
Just my laptop and me, I can write anywhere as long as it’s kind of quiet

What are your three favorite books including the authors?
Twilight saga, Stephanie Myer / Cell, Stephen King / Under the Lake, John Saul

Who is your favorite author and why?
Stephanie Meyer- because she inspired my imagination and Stephen King because he instilled a dark side in me and deep love of horror

What project are you currently working on?
Book #4 of the Gemini Rising Series

Is being an author your dream job? If so, how long have you been chasing the dream? If not, what would be your dream job?
Yes, it is my dream job. I’ve been chasing it hard for about two years now but I’ve been writing since I was 12.

What book are you currently reading?
Ella Medler– Blood Is Power

What has been your best moment as a writer?
When I found out someone wanted to publish my book!

What challenges have you faced in your writing career?
I’m facing one right now- how to get noticed amongst the slew of authors and books that the self-publishing industry has created. I feel like I’m doing so much work, I didn’t even need to go with a traditional publisher!

Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?
My upbringing taught me great respect for the earth and as a kid I always held a great contempt for what my ancestors did to the Indians and how we developed America. I remember being so angry in college when I discovered what horrible people all of our founding fathers really were. Why didn’t they teach me the truth in high school? So, yes, I would say my beliefs of how we treat the environment and how it might get even with us one day comes across loud and clear in my books.

How much time a day do you spend on social media?
4-6 hours or until my eyes bleed.

What do you do to stay sane as a writer?
I’m not sane.

Do you read your reviews and if so, how do you cope with a bad one?
I read all of my reviews and I haven’t had one under three stars yet. I have had some very good constructive criticism though. I like all feedback. If it’s bad it will most likely help me in some way to better future books in the series. If there was something I left out or didn’t make clear enough, if part of the book was too slow, or too long, it always helps to get as many opinions as possible! If I get a scathing review, well, I’ll just remind myself of Stephanie Meyer’s success despite all of those who don’t like Twilight.

Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
Yes, the Twilight Saga. It evoked my adult imagination, which was something that no other books or movies had done. I honestly thought I was done writing…

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
Serenity Now, and Later

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming.  Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.  

  1. Marilyn Phillips- YA  paranormal 
  2. Aine Massie- YA paranormal 
  3. M.C.V. Egan 

You can find Jessica on her website, Facebook page, Twitter, Goodreads, and blog.

Click on the cover below to buy Jessica’s novel:

41rqo7rUUFL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_

The Importance of a Great Book Cover

Why_I_Married_a_Murderer-FINAL_E-book_cover-640x1024Several times I’ve encountered people discussing book covers on Facebook groups or on someone’s timeline. Each time I’m shocked to find people downplaying the importance of a great cover.

We readers are visual people and make assessments based on what we see.

To the left is a cover that totally caught my attention the first time I saw it. She’s a new friend and reader of my novels. The cover is still a work in progress (she plans to make her name larger) but I thought it was an excellent example of the importance of really capturing the readers attention. Click the cover to check out Teresa’s website and information on her upcoming book release.

Another friend, who recently came to visit, made an excellent analogy. She is a foodie and wine connoisseur and she explained how she goes about selecting a new wine. She scans the labels until one peaks her interest and then she picks it up and reads about its contents. Sound familiar?

The cover really matters!

Another great example is websites. If I’m considering using a new vendor and they have an unappealing home page, I pass on them and move on.  That’s their cover.

A few months ago I attended a conference about self-publishing. Several VERY successful (millionaire) indie authors (some traditionally published as well) and authors of The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing, stressed three things that are most important for success in our publishing endeavors:

  1. Write a great story and get it professionally edited.
  2. Write series because that keeps your fans coming back for more.  AND
  3. Pay for a professional cover.  They stressed this point!

My husband and I are currently reading through their book and we highly recommend it.

This topic is on my mind today because we’ve finalized the cover for a novel that my husband and I wrote together. I can’t speak for other authors, but for me, my covers are my most successful marketing tool. My covers elicit the reader’s interest, compelling them to read the blurb and potentially buy the book.

Please don’t let people convince you that the cover is not important and that you can just slap something together in word or Photoshop, because unless you are a visual artist, it will look like something you, the author, whipped up.

Here’s to elevating our craft to the highest level possible.

I would love to read your thoughts on my blog post.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

Please feel free to friend me on Facebook.
And like the My Body Trilogy Facebook page.
Find me Twitter & Pinterest.

Email Me

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Savannah & Zeke Parker

Please give a warm welcome to Savannah and Zeke Parker, authors of Billy Scarlet.

DSCN6229Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
-Our names are Savannah and Zeke Parker. We have been writing for ten years now. We used to just come up with stories while we playing when we were little, but one day we just decided that it would be really fun to start writing then down. Right now we are promoting our story Billy Scarlet. It’s being published by Ink Smith publishing. It’s going to be coming out on September 5th. This will be our first book to get published so we are really excited about it.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
-Billy Scarlet is an Adventure/Fantasy story. That is the main genre that we write in, but we also write children’s stories and young adult fiction. We like exploring all different kinds of genres just to test our writing skills.

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
-We never really do a written outline. We talk out what our stories will be about. Mostly we just set down an outline in our minds. Sometimes we follow it, sometimes we don’t. We tried written outlines before, but then when we start writing everything just takes a different course, so now we just always talk it out and if it goes in a different direction, then, that’s just how it goes.

Who is your favorite author and why?
-We have different favorites most of the time, but the one writer we can really agree on is Tolkien. His writing has influenced ours in so many ways. His stories are about adventure, different worlds, and unlikely heroes. He could put so much into one story that just makes you want to read it over and over. We hope to capture a bit of Tolkien’s style of adventure in our stories.

What project are you currently working on?
-We are currently working on getting our story “Billy Scarlet” published. We are also working on revising some of our other stories that go along with “Billy Scarlet”. This story is the first in a series. There are two books that follow it, “The Curse of Laquendor”, and one that doesn’t have a title just yet. It also has a prequel call “The first Beginning”. We are also working the revisions of three other books that are tied into Billy’s story, “The Secret of Nautilus Island”, “Stakes on Life and Death”, and “The Dragon’s Empress”.

What challenges have you faced in your writing career?
-I’d have to say that the biggest challenge we faced was trying to get an agent or publisher. We were basically shooting in the dark when it came to writing query letters. It was a huge challenge just to figure out what to say in the letters. We sent off to more than two hundred agents and at least sixty publishers. When you get to the point where you are getting at least four rejections a day, it’ll either do one of two things for you. It will make you give up or it will make you revise and try harder. It only takes one letter saying that they want your story and then those two hundred who didn’t really don’t matter anymore. We’re very glad to be working with Ink Smith. It’s a great company and you couldn’t ask for better people to work with.

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?
-Yes. We have a tendency to write a bit of ourselves into some of our characters. Honestly, sometimes we don’t even mean to, it just happens. It started in the first story we ever started writing “The Secret of Nautilus Island”. The character Jonny, who is also in “Billy Scarlet”, was pretty much just writing Zeke into the story. Jonny was his character from the beginning. I put a bit of myself into the character Billy Scarlet. Her story is told from a first person narrative, so it was hard not to put at least a little bit of myself into the character.

Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
-Yes. The character that was most challenging was actually from “Billy Scarlet”. The character Rafe Newheart was pretty tough to write. He is a villain in the story, but he’s almost a sidekick. We’ve never really had trouble writing the main villains like Nate Grayheart, and Rossaletta, but there was something different about Newheart, something more complex. His story runs deeper into the plot. There were so many things about him that were hidden and secret. He was just really hard to explain.

Do you base your characters on people you know?
-Sometimes. It’s a way of knowing your character better. If you know who you want them to be like, it makes it easier to know how they would react in certain situations. We never fully base a character on any one person, but we always like to have an idea of what we want our characters to be like.

Click the book cover below to buy Billy Scarlet

51mvhXlaNWL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_