Good Stuff To Know

Welcome to the March edition of Good Stuff To Know.

Because I've been holed up in my writing cave over the last few weeks, I haven't found as many articles as I usually do, but I still found some I'd really like to share.

My favourite article this month is by Mark Coker. He shared his opinion on the 5 Steps to Boost E-book Sales. I totally agreed with his opinions and thought it was an excellent post... well worth reading.

In no way am I a Twitter genius, so when I found this article - Top 10 Ways To Create Hashtags on Twitter - I jumped all over it. There are some good points here. I haven't put them into practice yet, but I plan to.

I wrote an article on Indies Unlimited last month sharing about how important I think it is to write the stories inside you and not just follow the trends of publishing. Bookshelf Muse published a similar post some time ago now. Because I think theirs was far better written, I'm going to share their version of the same message :-D Lengthening the Chain

And lastly - I have just started reading an excellent book that my friend recommended to me. Thanks Leigh K. Hunt!! 2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron. I'm only half way through it, but the author is making a lot of sense. Her advice is really easy to implement and I tried out one strategy yesterday with much success. For only $0.99, I'd say this book is definitely worth having on your e-reader.

That's me for March. Do you have any helpful tips or articles you've discovered? Feel free to share them in the comments section.

Thanks for stopping by!

Author Pages - What Do They Need To Make Them Effective?

YA writers and bloggers unite each week to share their thoughts on what it's like going indie in today's publishing world.

Today the YA Indie Carnival Sponsors are talking about their author pages.

In no way do I feel like an expert in this area. I am still learning how to make my bio sound appealing. Here are a few tips I've picked up along the way though...

- Short and sweet works well. Don't waffle on. Keep your sentences well structured and succinct.

- Include information that a reader wants to know. When you check out an author, what type of information are you looking for? Personally, I like to know where they're from, how long they've been writing for, if they've studied the craft at all. Things like that.

- Include something personal. I didn't use to do this, but I started noticing that a lot of my favourite authors were including a personal quote or something quirky about themselves and I really liked it.

- Include contact details. I use my website address, others include Twitter handles or Facebook pages. You need something that will take readers to a place where they can find out even more about you.

- Keep your information consistent and updated. I'm not saying you have to write the same bio for every place you have an author page, but you really don't want to contradict yourself. You also want to ensure that your information is not outdated. It's staying on top of little things like this, that make you come across as a professional.

I have kept my Amazon Author Page a little more formal. I still have a personal quote, but I felt that the page should be more business-like. My website page is a more personable. I don't know if that's the way you're supposed to do it, but I like that my website shares a little more of who I am.

What are your author pages like?
Do you need to update them?
What impression are you giving your readers when they check you out?


If you'd like to hear what the other YA Indie Carnival members have on their author pages, then you can check out their sites below.

You can also check out the YA Author Club for the latest updates and news on what we're all up to.

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series	4.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
5.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	6.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
7.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	8.	Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
9.	Ella James	10.	Maureen Murrish
11.	YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings	12.	A Little Bit of R&R
13.	Melissa Pearl	14.	Terah Edun - YA Fantasy
15.	Heather Sutherlin - YA Fantasy

So Many Things To Tell You!!

February disappeared on me. It seriously did! I can't believe we are in March already. This year is flying by and I'm loving every moment of it.

I had some fun in February with a giveaway running on YAlicious and this blog.

Congratulations to the Valentine's Day winners: Lindsey and Danael.
Also a big thumbs up for the Indie Author Month winner: Christelle.
I hope you enjoy some fun reading over the next few weeks.

So what do I have to tell you for the month of March...

Well - my biggest news is probably my change of plans. After much deliberation, I have decided to go for rapid fire releases of my upcoming trilogy. I was originally going for 3 months between each book, but I have changed my mind. After some tricky scheduling, I have given myself the goal to release the books June, July and August. Yikes!! No, no, it's okay. I can do this. I am going to be spending many days in my writing cave and it is a huge workload, but I am really happy about my decision. I love the fact readers will not have to wait long between instalments.

In mid-February we had the Unknown Cover Reveal, if you'd like to check it out. You can also add the book to your TBR on Goodreads.

Read an E-Book Week is currently underway at Smashwords and I have enrolled all of my books. Use coupon code REW50 to get 50% off. Golden Blood is also FREE. You can find out more on my SMASHWORDS AUTHOR PAGE.

I am gearing up to run a big sale for Betwixt. As many of you know, I am donating $1 from every sale to the charity - Love146. So at the end of March, I'll be doing a big push for the book and hopefully can earn a little more money to pass onto this amazing organisation.

On YAlicious this month, we have a huge line up of fantastic authors highlighting their books and writing a little something about them. Alivia Anders visited yesterday with her new release, Ethereal and this Thursday we have Cambria Hebert featuring Recalled! Yay!

Other than those few things, I am going to be buried in my writing cave, working on Unseen (Book 2) of The Elements Trilogy. I'm hoping to have the 1st draft finished by the end of March, and then will be straight final edits and formatting for Unknown (Book 1). Wish me luck!!

If you'd like to be kept up-to-date with my news, you can sign up for the my monthly newsletter.
SIGN UP LINK.

What are you up to in March?

Indie Author Spotlight - T. R. Graves

T. R. Graves lives along the Texas coast with her husband. Together, they raise T. R.'s beta-reading daughter and their football-loving son. Besides being blessed with a supportive family, she counts her career as a registered nurse in not-for-profit hospitals high on her list of fulfilling accomplishments.

Social Media Sites:

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

What is your all-time favorite book and why? 

I have a  - very eclectic - three-way tie that includes The Mortal Instruments Series, The Tiger Saga, and the Fifty Shades Trilogy.  

All three of these series have strong female leading characters, and they are written by authors who are amazing enough to write romance into the story in a way where it actually becomes tangible for the reader. I can't help but love stories that make me fall in love with the characters or admire the authors  who are talented enough to just that.  

Is there an author you could be compared to or popular fictional characters your book's characters could relate to and why? 

My beta-reader claims I could be compared to Colleen Houck (separated at birth were his exact words). Our similarities may be the reason I love her and her books so much. He believes we both have the ability to turn situations that could easily be unrealistic into scenes that seem absolutely real.  

Can you give us your favorite quote from one of your books and explain it? 

In Grave Bound (Secrets), Levi Bryson journals. His writing is not traditional, perfect, or by-the-book, but it sweetly shows Emily how he feels about her. Something about it is charming. Below, I've included one of his many doodles:

Facets

Her words... sweeter than any book written, poem recited, or song recorded.

Her intentions... pure as the driven snow; a wholesome schoolgirl, and a naive child.

Her beauty... perfect as an emerald's cut; stunning as a ruby's color; and timeless as a diamond's clarity.

Her essence... struck me with the force of a bolt of lightning, the power of a sledgehammer, and the command of the chosen one.

Her love... engulfed my life the way the dawn's rays swallow the darkness, the tsunami's waves ravage the coast, and the tornado's funnel plows its way through a forest.

- Levi Ian Bryson 

What types of things/people/music inspires you and makes you want to keep writing? 

Books inspire me. Not just any book. It has to have strong characters, a mission filled with action and romance, and unfathomable consequences attached to failure. 

Music inspires me. There is nothing fad-like about the artists I appreciate most. The music I listen to is embedded with so much emotion that it is palpable all the way through the song(s): Kings of Leon, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Alanis Morissette, Adele, Diana Birch, Audra Mae & The Forest Rangers, Black Eyed Peas, Eminem,.... 

People inspire me: My nineteen-year-old daughter worked hard through high school, graduated with both a high school degree and an associate's degree, and she's now trying to get into medical school. She did all of this while working and saving almost every penny of her money so she'd have a nest egg when she went away to school. That is inspiring. My eight-year-old son practices (baseball & football) four to six days a week (depending on the time of year) and turns all of that training into winning championships. He does this while maintaining A's & B's on his report card and without the first complaint. I can't help but be inspired by their dedication and commitment and work ethics. 

Describe your typical writing day or week. 

Monday thru Friday, I'm up at 5:30, writing/reading/socializing from 6:30 - 7:30, commuting from 7:30-8:30 (or 8:45), working from 8:30-5:30 (or 6:30 or 7:30), commuting from 5:30-6:45, supper/homework/miscellaneous from 7:00-8:30, and writing from 8:30-10:00. 

On Saturday/Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., I have family, errands, reading, writing, socializing, etc. 

I put in the hours I do because I'm fortunate enough to have two jobs that I'm passionate about. First, I work within a hospital system where the patients (not their ability to pay) are our priority. The nurse in me... the humanitarian in me is thankful there are still healthcare systems where curing illnesses and saving lives are the focus. Second, I'm an author. If I'm not writing, I'm planning and plotting in my mind. My goal with each new book I write is to create a great story that is thrilling, suspenseful, and romantic enough to take the reader away from their own problems/lives for a few hours. Nothing more. Nothing less.


One thing is for sure. I'd never be able to do all of this if it weren't for my husband. He does everything around our house I can't do, and he never says a word. He's supports me, loves me, and cares for me. I absolutely adore him. 

Is there a food or drink do you have to have when you're writing?  

Diet Dr. Pepper (preferably) or Diet Mountain Dew. I work, write, and drive so many hours a week that caffeine is a basic necessity. 

Can you tell us what you're working on right now (and possibly provide an excerpt and cover)? 

I'm working on my first adult contemporary, Grave Bound (Secrets) (tentative release date of 3/1/13). At the same time, I'm writing book four of my original young adult paranormal series Dark Angels of the Cross (Warrior, #4).

Grave Bound (Secrets)

Some Secrets follow you to the grave. Others send you there.

Emily Riddle has lived her entire life inside a patriarchal commune led by her father. There are many rules, but the most important one, 'keep it in the commune', is the most difficult for her to follow... especially since the only people willing to champion her cause live on the outside.

When Emily learns her father has promised her to Lorenzo, a perverted man who has plans for her that extend well beyond marriage and kids, she rebels. Regardless of the consequences, she refuses to marry someone who'd rather beat her than caress her.

A day of hooky that starts out as a tiny act of defiance - sneaking out of the commune for a swim - turns into a day filled with hope. After spending time with Levi, a man camping near the lake, she finds what true romance looks like and catches a glimpse into a future that's filled with love and admiration rather than hate and submission.

That tiny peek is enough to change the course of Emily's existence and makes it nearly impossible for her to go back to the commune and pretend she'll ever be able to tolerate the life chosen for her instead of the life she longs for. One that includes Levi.

Fighting to escape the commune, its leaders, and her fiancé proves to be more dangerous than Emily expected. The secrets she knows, as the leader's daughter, will either follow her to the grave or send her - and Levi - there.

T. R. Graves's YA Books:

Warriors of the Cross (Warrior #1)

Allison La Crosse, beginning a challenging family medicine residency, leaves the protection of her family. With the transfer, her worst nightmares come true. Her closely guarded mystical talents – those which seldom appeared before the move – unleash themselves from her confinement and reveal their presence with very little provocation.

Allison’s most terrifying power is her compulsion to cure the dying with her touch. Given her career, this gift would be valuable if she were not drawn like a magnet to the ailing person's every symptom. Some of which are fatal.

At the hospital and surrounded by life-and-death emergencies, Allison’s inability to manage her impulse turns deadly. When it does, her mentor, Brody, rescues her from her own demise. His resuscitation ignites an exciting and tempestuous bond between them.

Desperate for a cure, they join forces and embark upon a journey to uncover the origins of Allison’s lethal curse. In the midst of their adventure, Allison exposes a secret pursued by many…known by few. 

Guardians of the Cross (Warrior #2)

Allison La Crosse discovers she has several powers, including a spiritual gift to heal the dying with her touch. With the newfound awareness, she uncovers mind-boggling truths about a world, which has been hidden her whole life, thanks to her mother’s selfless actions.

The most important revelation pertains to her ordained place within The Disciples of the Cross as one of their Warriors. This position moves her even closer to her mentor, Brody Kennedy, who ends up being the only other Warrior.

Just as suddenly, it catapults her into the middle of a war between The Sect and The Disciples. Allison’s appointment to Warrior—alongside Brody—exacerbates the leader of The Sect’s malicious hunt for her.

As a result, everything about her existence is altered. With the modification of her life, she prepares to do anything necessary to save everyone loved by her… including Brody and Clark. 

Enemies of the Cross (Warrior #3)

Allison La Crosse's picture perfect world quickly becomes more of a nightmare than the fairytale she'd been expecting when she married Brody.

With enemies leading and destiny in control, she embarks upon a journey of the soul where she unearths an underwater realm that is beyond believable...beyond fantastical...beyond comprehension.

Deep within this undiscovered world, Allison is forced to battle a new breed of adversaries. Ones willing to do whatever necessary to capture her -- dead or alive. While fighting for her life, she joins forces with an exceptional team of protectors. Because they are unconditionally loyal, she sees firsthand that they are prepared to sacrifice their lives in order to guard her existence and defend the purity of their world.

Love, friendships, and unforgivable actions have Allison wondering if going home will ever be an option even if home is the only place where she can have a life with Brody.

Good Stuff To Know

I love putting this post together each month. It's fun sharing some of the great articles I've found. Feel free to join in the fun and add any more in the comments section.

Most of my "shares" this month are from Best Seller Labs. I get these via e-mail from author, Jonathan Gunson. He is a fellow kiwi and chock-a-block full of awesome advice. I always find his e-mails so helpful. Here are a few highlight articles I've read from him lately...

7 Libraries of Sensational Photographs You Can Use For Free. I have book-marked a few of them. They look really good.

How To Sell 8 Million Books. This includes a video from late author, Ray Bradbury. It is really inspiring.

7 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Book Sales. I found this article really helpful. It was great to see what I was doing right... and what I need to work on.

If you haven't yet, I highly recommend you sign up to received Jonathan's newsletter e-mails. They are always worth a read.

Another helpful article I found this month was written by Laurie Boris. How to Use Track Changes on Word. I don't know about you, but me and Track Changes are not on friendly terms. This tutorial is helping us work together :-D

That's all from me this month.
I hope you find these articles as helpful as I have.

Smashwords and Other e-book sites... are they worth it?

YA writers and bloggers unite each week to share their thoughts on what it's like going indie in today's publishing world.

Welcome to the next instalment of the YA Indie Carnival "Indie Author Series". Today we are all talking about whether it's worth having your books on multiple book sites.

I admit that Amazon is my biggest seller. They are very reader friendly. I buy most of my books through them as that "buy with 1 click feature" totally rocks.

In saying this, as an author, I think it's important to have my books on as many sites as possible. So I publish through Smashwords, which then distributes to multiple e-book chains for me. I've come to see that my next big sellers are: Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Sony and Kobo.

I think it's important that we give our readers choice so I think it is worth using multiple book sites. Sure, it does take away the advantage of being able to use KDP Select, but I have heard varied opinions on that system and for now, I'm happy to stick with having my books everywhere.

What do you think?

If you'd like to hear what the other YA Indie Carnival members think, then you can check out their sites below.

You can also check out the YA Author Club for the latest updates and news on what we're all up to.

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series	4.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
5.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	6.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
7.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	8.	Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
9.	Ella James	10.	Maureen Murrish
11.	YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings	12.	A Little Bit of R&R
13.	Melissa Pearl	14.	Terah Edun - YA Fantasy

Unknown Cover Reveal

I am skipping my "So Many Things To Tell You" post this month and instead dedicating it to my most important news.

Unknown now has a cover!!
Thank you so much to Ruth Little for modelling for me. You're gorgeous!! And thank you to the very talented Brenda Howson. What would I do without you? xx

It is with great pleasure, that I introduce you to my first YA Fantasy book. For a little fun, I'm doing a one off, old school fantasy series... and believe me, it is SO much fun. Although I am looking forward to returning to a more contemporary style next year, I am loving the swords, arrows, horse riding and adventure that comes with the series I'm creating.

I hope you will all enjoy reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing it.

Unknown is the first book in The Elements Trilogy and is due for release, June 2013.

Darkness is covering the land. As the city of Mezrah grows with power and greed, the rest of the world can only stand by and wait for their inevitable destruction. The only hope against this growing power is an ancient prophecy that people have stopped believing in.

Then a star begins to fall.

Princess Kyla of Taramon stopped believing in the power of light the day her father died. Trapped in a city she does not care for, under the watchful glare of her mother, the queen, she struggles to accept her fate.

Then a star begins to fall.

Jethro has loved Kyla for as long as he can remember. Learning that she was to marry his cousin drove a wedge between him and the feisty princess. Watching her from a distance is a torture he is unable to free himself from.

Then a star begins to fall, sparking an ember of hope and sending two seekers on a treacherous journey into the unknown.

If you'd like to add Unknown to your TBR, here is the Goodreads link.