Okay, so below are two screen shots of an awesome new website I found. Check out Kidlit 411. This website has everything you could possibly want as an author. I could list them, but you can see them below. I recently used the “Manuscript Swap,” which led to their Facebook group where I found my first beta reader. Enjoy, you guys! It’s got everything from writing to illustration!
#writing #illustration #amwriting #amdrawing #everythingbooks #books
This is a great-looking website for librarians looking to order books with free shipping. From newsletters, webcasts, and promotions, book talks, and events, this sight appears spot-on. Definitely worth checking out.
They have awesome Top-Shelf picks for Middle School Readers with descriptions and images, along with categories for easy identification. Check it out here.
#librarians #books #library
Hello! So after several cover changes, it’s finalized and the release date is set for “Forces and the Malachite Stone.” This middle-grade debut about a boy on the run in hopes to end a terrible transforming curse is set to release June 5th, Tuesday, 2018!
Mark your Calendars! Tell your friends and share this post!
As always, Happy Reading!
#indiepublishing #juvenilefiction #childrensfantasy #ilovebooks
Thanks to Kindle Create, here is a sample picture of my upcoming book, “Forces and the Malachite Stone.” It is finally formatted for Kindle and I am so excited. The process was easy and didn’t take that long at all. I highly recommend them over Calibre, just because of formatting and ease. Find them here.
#kindle #selfpublish #formattingbooks #indieauthor
Haha, thanks, Ingram. I’m working my tail off.
Have you gone to the Ingram Spark web-page? If not, go to their get-started page and take your quiz!
#selfpublishing
I really enjoyed reading Jenkins tips on self-editing. Definitely worth checking out as it’s always good to remind yourself of these simple, yet effective things to avoid. He has a free download, too. Here’s his link.
#editing #publishing #bookediting
In my previous post I mentioned that I would write about why it’s difficult to land a traditional publisher. Here is one snippet from Jerry Jenkins stating just how difficult it is. Granted, this wasn’t his point of his article; it’s actually about editing, but I wanted to share this to confirm my statement. He writes,
You can check out his blog, here.
With that in mind, I decided that I might as well get it edited myself; that is, after all, his point. Make it the best you can before submitting it. With that said, I’m already putting in the work. That is one reason I’m choosing to self-publish, and one reason out of many as to why traditional publishing can be very difficult.
There’s more to come, so stay tuned. Comment below with questions, thoughts, but as always, negativity isn’t needed.
Happy Writing!
#selfpublishing #publishing
I absolutely LOVE this new journal I purchased from Target today. It’s funny and great for writing positive things (or not so positive) with an encouraging quote on every other page. I also loved the forward on the inside. Basically, I’m learning to embrace the now as I reach for the future.
Take a look. I’m in love.
#journals #amwriting #journaling #writers
I’m so glad I made the decision to self-publish. Before, I was searching the net, looking for what I felt was the “right” agent (which was very few and far in-between) only to find an email rejection, or nothing in return. I queried about 25 agents for “Forces and the Malachite Stone” and was still in the process of searching for Mr. or Mrs. Right, when I found out that author Jamie McGuire (I taught her niece, by the way; neat fact there) self-published her own novel. I had just read her book, “Red Hill,” and loved it. I watched an interview where she talked about her publishing process, and it just clicked. I knew then and there that what I needed to do. I was going to self-publish, something I’d been against for the most part.
Side note: I know that some people believe that those who self-publish only do so because they can’t get traditionally published. But this is short-sighted. There are *many reasons why it is more than difficult, if not impossible, at times, to get traditionally published. In fact, I’ll do a post on that soon so it’s out there – I’d love to debunk that myth.
Today, I was roaming on over at Holly Black’s website, when I stumbled on a post she shared about getting an agent; “Q: Do I need an agent and how do I get one?” The link I followed from there just solidified my decision in self-publishing; you can skim it here, Click Me. As I was reading about the previous questions and her answers, I was enjoying the content, but as I got to the sections about writing the perfect query letter, finding agents, on whether or not to send an SASE, as well as having a synopsis, getting a say in our covers (which we don’t), etc, I just realized how… grateful I am that I am self-publishing. I was like, “Wow, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that anymore.” Plus, now days getting traditionally published is no more likely to make you a best seller than if you’re self-published. Either way, the marketing and promotion has heavily fallen on the author.
Do you have questions? Just ask. But, please keep negativity away. There’s just no need.
Also, here’s the cover for, “Red Hill,” by Jamie McGuire; a great, descriptive read with vivid imagery and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it. You can watch her interview here.
#selfpublishing #traditionalpublishing #authors #publishing
Here it is, my friends, the new cover for Forces and the Malachite Stone. It was designed specifically for grades 6-8 with a fantastical feel in mind. The projected book release date is June 1st, 2018. Hope you enjoy!
Cover art by: Bre-miche.com
#bookcovers #middlegradefantasy #fantasy #bookrelease
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