Hi everyone!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and happy holidays! It was a green Christmas here, the first one I can remember in a long time. Oh well, at least the roads aren't icy! Did it snow by you?
So, I finally made a decision for Secrets and Keys. You may or may not have noticed, but I took off the link to the novel on Barnes and Noble's website. That's right, I caved and signed up for the Kindle Select. I think this will be a good thing for the novel. After researching the messaging boards on Barnes and Noble, it seems that sales for Indie authors have been very, very slow lately. Added to the fact that I haven't sold a single copy there, I figured no one would miss it- for at least the next 90 days.
Being part of the Kindle Select program, I get 5 free promotional days. This means that through the course of the next 90 days, I get to choose 5 days to offer my novel for free. I have two days set up so far. I'm not sure if I'll keep them, but I'll definitely keep one. So keep an eye out on January 12-13, as right now Secrets and Keys will be offered for free those days! I may or may not keep January 13, as I want to be able to spread out my five days. January 12 is staying though, as it will be my birthday gift to everyone (seeing people downloading my novel will be my birthday gift to myself)! =]
That's all I have for now! Keep an eye out for updates on if I decide to keep the 13th as a free day, as well as the last 3 free days I get! And in case you were wondering, Lies and Locks is coming along amazingly, and I think you will really enjoy it!
Happy New Years!
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Update: I have updated the free sale promotion days! I took away the 13th, and instead moved the date to January 6th. I've been quite impatient, and really want to see if there will be any results ASAP. So be on the lookout January 6th and January 12th for Secrets and Keys to be available for free these days! I'll announce the next three free days as soon as I pick them!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Happy Holidays!
Happy holidays everyone! I hope the weather is treating you well, where ever you are! The first thing I want to mention is that I read a 500 page novel in one day a few days ago. I read Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. It's fantastic! If you haven't read any of her novels, I definitely suggest them! I've been trying to decide on my next novel to read, but after loving Clockwork Prince so much, I'm concerned I will be disappointed by whatever I read next. If you have any suggestions, do share!
So I've been reading and thinking a lot lately on discussion boards. Apparently independent authors have been seeing higher success when raising their prices. Secrets and Keys is currently on sale for $0.99. I've been debating raising the price, in hopes that people don't take the lower price as a short work of fiction that they don't care to read. I plan to leave the price as is for now since Christmas is almost here, and people may want to fill new e-readers with cheap novels! If there is no change, I may raise the price though.
The second thing I have been thinking about is Amazon KDP Select. If I do this, I will have to take my novel off sale at Barnes and Noble for at least 90 days. While I don't necessarily want to do this, I think the 5 days of free promotion could be a good thing for Secrets and Keys. Plus, I have yet to sell anything on Barnes and Noble's site. Again, I don't plan on doing anything until after Christmas, and I probably wouldn't choose to do this until after New Years. I would love any and all feedback on what others think!!
In case you were curious, I just finished chapter eleven of the second book! It's exciting that this is coming along so much faster than the first novel. I literally spent two years writing Secrets and Keys. Though, in those two years I had months between writing anything. This past summer I became really motivated, and that's when I actually wrote almost the entire second half plus some of the novel. I'm hoping it doesn't take me forever to finish the second novel, but I gave myself a deadline of the end of summer 2012! I've finally decided on how to end the second novel, and I think you're going to like it. Well, maybe not since unfortunately it must end on a tiny cliffhanger. I know, I really hate those too. It's the only way to make the third book transition smoothly though!
That's all I have for now. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!
So I've been reading and thinking a lot lately on discussion boards. Apparently independent authors have been seeing higher success when raising their prices. Secrets and Keys is currently on sale for $0.99. I've been debating raising the price, in hopes that people don't take the lower price as a short work of fiction that they don't care to read. I plan to leave the price as is for now since Christmas is almost here, and people may want to fill new e-readers with cheap novels! If there is no change, I may raise the price though.
The second thing I have been thinking about is Amazon KDP Select. If I do this, I will have to take my novel off sale at Barnes and Noble for at least 90 days. While I don't necessarily want to do this, I think the 5 days of free promotion could be a good thing for Secrets and Keys. Plus, I have yet to sell anything on Barnes and Noble's site. Again, I don't plan on doing anything until after Christmas, and I probably wouldn't choose to do this until after New Years. I would love any and all feedback on what others think!!
In case you were curious, I just finished chapter eleven of the second book! It's exciting that this is coming along so much faster than the first novel. I literally spent two years writing Secrets and Keys. Though, in those two years I had months between writing anything. This past summer I became really motivated, and that's when I actually wrote almost the entire second half plus some of the novel. I'm hoping it doesn't take me forever to finish the second novel, but I gave myself a deadline of the end of summer 2012! I've finally decided on how to end the second novel, and I think you're going to like it. Well, maybe not since unfortunately it must end on a tiny cliffhanger. I know, I really hate those too. It's the only way to make the third book transition smoothly though!
That's all I have for now. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Hurray!
So I finally finished my exams for this semester! Do you know what that means? I have more time to work on the second novel! You should definitely get excited, because as I write, I continue to think of new twists to add that will more than likely leave you wanting more! Why do I think that? Well, as the (not yet set in stone) title says, this novel will be full of lies, and yes, you guessed it! Locks! Mostly lies though.
I have been published on Amazon and Barnes and Noble for probably about two weeks now. I love reading the community postings, but one thing really bothers me. People complaining that they're only selling a few hundred novels a week! I'm happy to have sold three... yes you read it right, THREE total novels! Not going to lie, when I saw that many people purchased my novel, I couldn't have been happier. The reason I write is to share my crazy imagination with others. Not to make profit. So to the people complaining about only selling one hundred novels this week, think of it this way: that's one hundred more people that you get to share your thoughts with. One hundred people that, for a few hours, you get to entertain, and maybe make smile. I know I love the novels I read. Okay, done with my sappy rant. Seriously though, I love that three people took a chance on me!
Promoting my novel has definitely been the hardest thing, since I'm actually very shy about my writing. This means that only two of my friends know of this novel, and that's it! No family and no other friends know about the existence of this book (for now anyways). I have written for years. I used to write fanfiction, and have two stories that had quite a lot of hits (the only two stories that I posted to fanfiction.net). When this novel came to mind though, I stopped the fanfiction- one chapter from the end of one story, and maybe 1/3 the way through the other. I feel bad that I left those people hanging, and I'm not even allowed to let them know why (I don't want what I do have up there removed because the admins think I'm trying to self promote)!
With promoting on Facebook being completely out of the question, that leaves me with little options for promoting while still maintaining anonymous. So this leaves you, my random followers that stumbled upon my page! I'm so grateful that you're here, and you've read this much! If you've already read my novel, I hope you enjoyed it, and will be on the lookout for the second! If you haven't, I hope you do choose to read it at some point! Below I will be adding a short teaser section from the novel. Hopefully you enjoy!
Dun dun dunnn.... I love this section because Haden is definitely one of my favorite characters, and it's his first appearance! This isn't my absolute favorite part of the novel though. It would spoil too much if I put that up here! So I guess you'll just have to read and guess which part is my favorite! Feel free to leave me comments too! I would love to get feedback from anyone that visits my page! Even if you haven't read the book, but maybe have a question, or even if you want to just say hi, don't hesitate to leave it! I will gladly answer (almost) any questions!! =]
I have been published on Amazon and Barnes and Noble for probably about two weeks now. I love reading the community postings, but one thing really bothers me. People complaining that they're only selling a few hundred novels a week! I'm happy to have sold three... yes you read it right, THREE total novels! Not going to lie, when I saw that many people purchased my novel, I couldn't have been happier. The reason I write is to share my crazy imagination with others. Not to make profit. So to the people complaining about only selling one hundred novels this week, think of it this way: that's one hundred more people that you get to share your thoughts with. One hundred people that, for a few hours, you get to entertain, and maybe make smile. I know I love the novels I read. Okay, done with my sappy rant. Seriously though, I love that three people took a chance on me!
Promoting my novel has definitely been the hardest thing, since I'm actually very shy about my writing. This means that only two of my friends know of this novel, and that's it! No family and no other friends know about the existence of this book (for now anyways). I have written for years. I used to write fanfiction, and have two stories that had quite a lot of hits (the only two stories that I posted to fanfiction.net). When this novel came to mind though, I stopped the fanfiction- one chapter from the end of one story, and maybe 1/3 the way through the other. I feel bad that I left those people hanging, and I'm not even allowed to let them know why (I don't want what I do have up there removed because the admins think I'm trying to self promote)!
With promoting on Facebook being completely out of the question, that leaves me with little options for promoting while still maintaining anonymous. So this leaves you, my random followers that stumbled upon my page! I'm so grateful that you're here, and you've read this much! If you've already read my novel, I hope you enjoyed it, and will be on the lookout for the second! If you haven't, I hope you do choose to read it at some point! Below I will be adding a short teaser section from the novel. Hopefully you enjoy!
Now Erin was beginning to get annoyed. Sure, she was able to wake up this morning with a feeling that she just had to come to Phoenix today. Now that she was there, the purpose wasn’t quite as clear. She slowed her pace, trying to decipher exactly why she was there. Pausing in her tracks, she wondered if maybe she was going crazy already. Maybe the feeling she had to come to Phoenix was just her hope in finding someone she knew.
That was when she saw something from the corner of her eye. Turning a little too quickly, Erin saw someone hurry behind a corner. Now she was seeing things? Was she being followed? Ugh, I really need to get a pet before I go completely insane, Erin thought to herself.
“You look lost, can I help you find something?” a voice broke her away from her silent panic.
“Uh…” Erin looked to her side to see a tall figure staring at her. “No, I’m fine. Thanks though,” Erin smiled and walked away, confused about the feeling she got when the stranger had spoken to her. Besides the strange feeling, that was the first time a human had spoken to her without her manipulating their mind. Plus, hadn’t she been making herself invisible to everyone around her? Maybe she lost focus when she was worried about going insane. Her guard was back up at full force as she continued down the street, unnoticed by the humans.
“Hello?” a husky voice answered the phone.
“It’s Haden,” a shadowy figure rounded the corner down an alley.
“Ah, Haden, I suspect this must be important for you to be calling me on this number.”
“Yes, Elder. I found the girl,” triumph was evident in his voice.
There was a long pause before the Elder spoke again. “Bring her to the Council as soon as you can.”
“Of course, Elder,” Haden shut his phone and disappeared into the shadows.
Walking in circles for over 45 minutes, Erin finally decided that there was nothing here. She actually felt quite silly, wishing she wouldn’t have given in to her gut feeling. Annoyed she had made her way out here for no reason, Erin decided to start making her way back to the car. Every once in a while she would look over her shoulder, still getting the feeling that she was being watched. Finally deciding no one was stalking her, Erin relaxed. No human around was paying her the slightest bit of attention anyway.
As she got in the car, Erin took a deep breath before putting the keys into the ignition. Once started, Erin fiddled with the radio before she pulled out. Might as well listen to something good, she thought. After going back and forth between stations with commercials, Erin finally hit the preset station number one. Her gut twisted as she settled on her favorite radio station. Looking in the rearview mirror, Erin saw nothing and shook her head.
“I’m going crazy,” Erin mumbled, pulling into the street to head home.
“No you’re not,” a voice replied from the backseat.
Erin screamed as her car swerved into the middle of the road.
Dun dun dunnn.... I love this section because Haden is definitely one of my favorite characters, and it's his first appearance! This isn't my absolute favorite part of the novel though. It would spoil too much if I put that up here! So I guess you'll just have to read and guess which part is my favorite! Feel free to leave me comments too! I would love to get feedback from anyone that visits my page! Even if you haven't read the book, but maybe have a question, or even if you want to just say hi, don't hesitate to leave it! I will gladly answer (almost) any questions!! =]
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Welcome!
Hi everyone! I hope everyone is well. First I want to thank you for checking out my blog for this series. I am very excited about the first book, Secrets and Keys, to finally be available on the Amazon and Barnes and Noble e-bookstore! Act now for the very low price of just $0.99! Why should you buy it you ask? An overview of the book:
Erin lived an ordinary life. She had good friends, family, and even a boyfriend. Life seemed pretty normal, until her sixteenth birthday. Overcome with a strange illness that left her panicked and doing strange things, like enjoying the taste of her boyfriend’s blood, Erin left. She left everything in her life behind, afraid of hurting anyone she loved, and started a new life.
Years passed, Erin living with her terrible burden, which at times could prove to be a gift. Even she couldn’t believe what had happened to her years ago. One day, after getting a strange feeling to go out, Erin decided to follow her gut. Forgetting to shield herself from the humans around, she was found. Found by someone like her. That is when her secluded, secret life ended.
Reunited with those of her past and new Immortal friends, Erin begins learning about her new world. There is something everyone is determined to keep from her, and Erin is determined to find out what that is. If things couldn’t get any worse, she learns that her first love had been cursed as well, but he was set out to destroy her kind. As she works to gain his trust, Erin learns of other threats in her new world, each more dangerous than the last.
When a trip to find the key to reversing their curse is arranged, nothing can stop Erin from sitting back as told, as her newfound friends and family take a journey that could cost them their lives. Secrets and Keys is the first novel in the Desire series, and will leave you wanting more!
Yes, it is another young adult novel about vampires. No, they do not sparkle. They are attractive though! Why did I choose to write a vampire (or Immortal as Haden prefers to call it) novel? I love reading them! I would never complete a novel if I wouldn't even care to read it. Secret and Keys has been a work in progress for a few years, and I am very excited it is finally complete! Originally, I had planned to write one novel, and leave it at that. As the story progressed, new ideas came to mind, and as I'm sure many of you would love an 800+ page novel (I know I love longer novels- less waiting time between books!), I decided to break the story up. The second novel, possibly to be named 'Lies and Locks', is in the works at the moment!
Again, thank you for checking out my blog! I will attempt to update this as much as I can, or at least when I have new and exciting things to share with you!
Erin lived an ordinary life. She had good friends, family, and even a boyfriend. Life seemed pretty normal, until her sixteenth birthday. Overcome with a strange illness that left her panicked and doing strange things, like enjoying the taste of her boyfriend’s blood, Erin left. She left everything in her life behind, afraid of hurting anyone she loved, and started a new life.
Years passed, Erin living with her terrible burden, which at times could prove to be a gift. Even she couldn’t believe what had happened to her years ago. One day, after getting a strange feeling to go out, Erin decided to follow her gut. Forgetting to shield herself from the humans around, she was found. Found by someone like her. That is when her secluded, secret life ended.
Reunited with those of her past and new Immortal friends, Erin begins learning about her new world. There is something everyone is determined to keep from her, and Erin is determined to find out what that is. If things couldn’t get any worse, she learns that her first love had been cursed as well, but he was set out to destroy her kind. As she works to gain his trust, Erin learns of other threats in her new world, each more dangerous than the last.
When a trip to find the key to reversing their curse is arranged, nothing can stop Erin from sitting back as told, as her newfound friends and family take a journey that could cost them their lives. Secrets and Keys is the first novel in the Desire series, and will leave you wanting more!
Yes, it is another young adult novel about vampires. No, they do not sparkle. They are attractive though! Why did I choose to write a vampire (or Immortal as Haden prefers to call it) novel? I love reading them! I would never complete a novel if I wouldn't even care to read it. Secret and Keys has been a work in progress for a few years, and I am very excited it is finally complete! Originally, I had planned to write one novel, and leave it at that. As the story progressed, new ideas came to mind, and as I'm sure many of you would love an 800+ page novel (I know I love longer novels- less waiting time between books!), I decided to break the story up. The second novel, possibly to be named 'Lies and Locks', is in the works at the moment!
Again, thank you for checking out my blog! I will attempt to update this as much as I can, or at least when I have new and exciting things to share with you!
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