Almost a month has passed since my last post. The sequel to Silence of Souls is nearing completion, and (if things go well this week) I am still on schedule to release it sometime between Christmas and New Year's.
The novel is better than the first, or at least I think so. It's much deeper, more emotional, and far different than any other zombie novel I've read so far. Hopefully, it'll gain a lot of readers, though I'm sure there will be people who hate it because of a certain event that takes place in the novel. This one is definitely NOT for children, and I think parents should be aware of what happens before letting their teenagers read it or not. Once it's released, I will put up a fair warning (while trying my best not to give away any important plot points) on the page so that people know it has mature content.
Thanksgiving was a fantastic long weekend. I spent the long weekend camping with family and friends and didn't get on the computer at all. I didn't force myself to think about work at all either. It was a good idea, because I came home with a clear head and an imagination yearning to get to work. As my mind cleared up, new ideas came rushing to me for the rest of Resurgence as well as for my next two novels.
The next novel is a vast expansion of The Secret Room and is going to be an epic battle between good and evil. It's going to have a lot of supernatural elements in it, and my ideas keep expanding and growing, and I'm loving where this is leading to. In all likelihood, this will be another series, which I am okay with. (Don't worry, zombie fans: The Silence of Souls series will continue!) As soon as Resurgence is finished, I'm getting to work on The Secret Room novel (though it won't be called "The Secret Room"; I don't yet have a title for it, though).
Part of me is considering taking on a challenge I've never done before- writing two novels at once. One will be The Secret Room novel, and the other will be the memoir I've been considering writing for a few years now (and more and more encouragement has come from friends and family to write it). Discipline will have to be a top priority if writing two at the same time, though one being fiction and the other non-fiction might make it a little easier. We'll see how things go after Resurgence is released. :)
Showing posts with label kindle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindle. Show all posts
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Big things are happening!
Even though I was sick, this weekend turned out to be pretty awesome.
Friday morning, I went down to the local library where they were having a meet-and-greet with the new librarian (her name is Valerie, and she happens to be a friend and a wonderful woman). It was nice- Val talked about herself, her love of books, her experiences, and what she planned to do for the library.
After the introduction, there was mingling and some refreshments. The head of the Friends of the Acton Library committee was there, and she approached me and started talking about upcoming events. Long story short, she asked me to do a book signing at the end of October! I was thrilled.
Then, on Saturday, I had some major story revelations for Resurgence that I am pretty excited about.
Sunday was awesome, too. I discovered someone had posted a glowing review of my novel on a popular zombie-forum website! Here's a screenshot:
Also on Sunday, I found out that Silence of Souls has been nominated for book of the month over on a Goodreads group! Here's the screenshot of that:
It's very exciting, and I'm thrilled that Silence of Souls and Resurgence are gaining buzz!
One last thing- the Goodreads giveaway for autographed copies of both the novels is up and running. Be sure to enter and tell your friends about it!
Enter to win
Friday morning, I went down to the local library where they were having a meet-and-greet with the new librarian (her name is Valerie, and she happens to be a friend and a wonderful woman). It was nice- Val talked about herself, her love of books, her experiences, and what she planned to do for the library.
After the introduction, there was mingling and some refreshments. The head of the Friends of the Acton Library committee was there, and she approached me and started talking about upcoming events. Long story short, she asked me to do a book signing at the end of October! I was thrilled.
Then, on Saturday, I had some major story revelations for Resurgence that I am pretty excited about.
Sunday was awesome, too. I discovered someone had posted a glowing review of my novel on a popular zombie-forum website! Here's a screenshot:
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Also on Sunday, I found out that Silence of Souls has been nominated for book of the month over on a Goodreads group! Here's the screenshot of that:
 |
| Click to enlarge |
It's very exciting, and I'm thrilled that Silence of Souls and Resurgence are gaining buzz!
One last thing- the Goodreads giveaway for autographed copies of both the novels is up and running. Be sure to enter and tell your friends about it!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Silence of Souls
by Stefanie Oberhansley
Giveaway ends December 19, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Great stories.
Over the weekend, we saw ParaNorman. It was fantastic! I loved the story, the twists, the humor, the characters, and the score. Most of the time, it's fun going to a theater full of kids because you get to hear some of those incredible, totally innocent reactions to the movie.
That's also the same reason I love going to the theater to see horror movies with a packed house- you get some crazy reactions, and sometimes they're hysterical.
Both situations involve a good story and interesting characters. That's how people get drawn in. If it was boring and uninteresting, then the kids would lose interest at the animated movie showings and the adults would feel bored at the horror movie showings.
I love it when you watch a movie or read a book and become so engulfed in what's going on that you completely forget that it's a movie or a book. That moment when you fall in love with or come to completely loathe a character. When you feel intense emotions one way or another toward a character, then you feel like you are living vicariously through them. When you indulge in great books and movies, you live a thousand lives.
The beginning of Silence of Souls 2 is underway, and I'm thrilled about it. I've received so much positive feedback about the first novel, and I'm very excited about working on the second one. The story outline is nearly complete- I just need to add some more meat to it. The second installment of the series is going to be even more intense than the first; at least, I think so. ;-) I'm working on developing the characters even further, creating some interesting conflicts, and putting out a unique story.
I have a real rough idea for a third installment, but I'm not going to force it if it doesn't want to happen. The second one is a definite thing, though! I'm hoping to release it around March or April, but I'll adjust the release date as the novel comes along. ;-)
That's also the same reason I love going to the theater to see horror movies with a packed house- you get some crazy reactions, and sometimes they're hysterical.
Both situations involve a good story and interesting characters. That's how people get drawn in. If it was boring and uninteresting, then the kids would lose interest at the animated movie showings and the adults would feel bored at the horror movie showings.
I love it when you watch a movie or read a book and become so engulfed in what's going on that you completely forget that it's a movie or a book. That moment when you fall in love with or come to completely loathe a character. When you feel intense emotions one way or another toward a character, then you feel like you are living vicariously through them. When you indulge in great books and movies, you live a thousand lives.
The beginning of Silence of Souls 2 is underway, and I'm thrilled about it. I've received so much positive feedback about the first novel, and I'm very excited about working on the second one. The story outline is nearly complete- I just need to add some more meat to it. The second installment of the series is going to be even more intense than the first; at least, I think so. ;-) I'm working on developing the characters even further, creating some interesting conflicts, and putting out a unique story.
I have a real rough idea for a third installment, but I'm not going to force it if it doesn't want to happen. The second one is a definite thing, though! I'm hoping to release it around March or April, but I'll adjust the release date as the novel comes along. ;-)
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Don't be discouraged.
Silence of Souls has received its second review. Time-wise, I think it's pretty good that I've received two reviews within a week of release. The first was a 5-Star, and it was very flattering and humbling! The second one is a 3-Star review. The reviewer made some valid points, said that the story was solid, and the things he didn't care for about Silence of Souls are purely opinions and don't reflect on the quality of the work. (For example- he said he thought it was strange that the word "zombie" was never mentioned. That's something I deliberated over for a bit while I was writing, but then found that the majority of the [good] zombie fiction I read doesn't often actually use the z-word.) That being the case, this hasn't discouraged me in the least. Three-stars isn't bad, actually. Plus, he did compliment the work. (I peeked at his other reviews- he rarely gives a review above 3-stars anyway.)
To be honest, I talk a lot of talk that I don't usually walk. I am always encouraging people to reach for their dreams, to work hard, and to not let naysayers get them down. But I've found that I get discouraged pretty easily, and it's something I'm working on getting better at. When I got my first (and, thus far, only) 2-star review for The Secret Room, I was very discouraged, even though I had received several 5-star reviews prior to that. With Silence of Souls, I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback and praise, and each comment is very heartwarming. This time, I'm happy to have a 3-star review, because it means that people are reading and thinking about my work. I welcome feedback and reviews, both positive and negative.
I love doing what I do, and I enjoy it. I need to stop being so concerned about what the people who don't like what I do or who I am think, and start focusing on how I feel about myself. I wrote a novel, published it, sold it, and now I'm starting work on another one- no matter what happens, no one can take that away, and I'm proud of myself. :)
Also, on a side note: Silence of Souls is available in Kindle eBook and now in paperback!
To be honest, I talk a lot of talk that I don't usually walk. I am always encouraging people to reach for their dreams, to work hard, and to not let naysayers get them down. But I've found that I get discouraged pretty easily, and it's something I'm working on getting better at. When I got my first (and, thus far, only) 2-star review for The Secret Room, I was very discouraged, even though I had received several 5-star reviews prior to that. With Silence of Souls, I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback and praise, and each comment is very heartwarming. This time, I'm happy to have a 3-star review, because it means that people are reading and thinking about my work. I welcome feedback and reviews, both positive and negative.
I love doing what I do, and I enjoy it. I need to stop being so concerned about what the people who don't like what I do or who I am think, and start focusing on how I feel about myself. I wrote a novel, published it, sold it, and now I'm starting work on another one- no matter what happens, no one can take that away, and I'm proud of myself. :)
Also, on a side note: Silence of Souls is available in Kindle eBook and now in paperback!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Onward!
Today I started working on my newest project. It's an idea I came up with about a year and a half ago- even before I came up with the idea for Silence of Souls. It'll be a short story, though I'm not sure exactly what I think the length will end up being. I'm venturing out on a new branch in writing- it's a comedic short story, unlike my previous works which have all been horror, thriller, and/or paranormal.
We'll see how it goes. I want to stretch my legs a little as a writer and see how I do with other genres. Initially, I would have expected myself to write drama, not paranormal, and I've done well so far. Because of that, I have high hopes. If it's absolutely terrible, I won't publish it.
When I turned on my computer this morning, I was surprised to find that Silence of Souls already has a review, and it's an incredible review! Apparently, I am a "talented and seriously disturbed author." I love it! I'm taking the "seriously disturbed" bit as a compliment to my work. Either that, or I'll use it as motivation to sell enough books to pay for therapy...
Anyway, I'm going to get back to writing now. I've got a number of projects planned, so onward to writing!
We'll see how it goes. I want to stretch my legs a little as a writer and see how I do with other genres. Initially, I would have expected myself to write drama, not paranormal, and I've done well so far. Because of that, I have high hopes. If it's absolutely terrible, I won't publish it.
When I turned on my computer this morning, I was surprised to find that Silence of Souls already has a review, and it's an incredible review! Apparently, I am a "talented and seriously disturbed author." I love it! I'm taking the "seriously disturbed" bit as a compliment to my work. Either that, or I'll use it as motivation to sell enough books to pay for therapy...
Anyway, I'm going to get back to writing now. I've got a number of projects planned, so onward to writing!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
"Silence of Souls" Official Release!
Today's the day, it's finally here! I'm so very excited!
Be one of the first people to read it- click to get Silence of Souls!
Don't forget to enter the giveaway when you get your copy of Silence of Souls- click here for details!
Plus, check out Kindle Author. Silence of Souls is featured in the bargain book section on the left-hand side of the page! (The price is under $5, so it's considered a bargain! Less than $5 for 95,000+ words? Quite a deal, hehe! That's pretty close to the length of The Hunger Games, but half the price!)
Be one of the first people to read it- click to get Silence of Souls!
Don't forget to enter the giveaway when you get your copy of Silence of Souls- click here for details!
Plus, check out Kindle Author. Silence of Souls is featured in the bargain book section on the left-hand side of the page! (The price is under $5, so it's considered a bargain! Less than $5 for 95,000+ words? Quite a deal, hehe! That's pretty close to the length of The Hunger Games, but half the price!)
Friday, July 27, 2012
Gift Card Giveaway! Zombies are almost HERE!
If all goes according to plan, I'll be hitting the "Submit for Publication" button tomorrow at 7pm for Silence of Souls! If I'm estimating Amazon's review process correctly, it should be available on August 1st! I'm so excited.
As promised, I'm going to give away prizes to readers. If I sell 500 copies in the first 30 days (August 1st, 12:00am PST to September 1st, 11:59pm PST), I am going to give FIVE readers each a $20 Amazon gift card!
So here's how it's going to work:
1) Take a screenshot of the "Thank you for your purchase of Silence of Souls" page, like this one (or the mobile version, whichever you use):
OR
If you don't know how to take a screenshot, forward the email with the purchase receipt.
2) Include your name (at least first name, please) and how you heard about Silence of Souls.
3) If you "Gift" a copy of Silence of Souls to someone, you can enter that entry into the contest as well. Just be sure to send the screenshot or receipt of any purchase of Silence of Souls to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
Send the entry to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com
On September 2nd, I'll use a random generator to pick five winners. The winners will be announced (first name only) on my blog and will receive an email notification that they have won! (Your email address and all other personal information will not be shared! I will ONLY post your first name!)
If you want your name entered into the drawing more than once, there's a couple of bonus ways you can enter (each one will be one additional entry into the drawing; complete them between August 1st 12:00am PST and September 1st 11:59pm PST)):
1) Tweet about Silence of Souls using the hashtag #silenceofsouls.
2) Share Silence of Souls on Facebook and send a link to the post or a screenshot of it to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
3) This one will be worth TWO additional entires to the drawing: create a cast list! Pretend Silence of Souls is being made into a feature film, and YOU are the Casting Director! Pick the actor or actress you want to see in each role. Cast five or more roles and email your list to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
4) This one will be worth TWO additional entries to the drawing: draw/paint/create a picture of one of the characters from Silence of Souls. Email the photo to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com or post it here!
5) This one will be worth FIVE additional entries into the drawing: post a video of you acting like one of the characters in Silence of Souls! It can be anyone you want, get creative! Email the link to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com or post a link to the video in the comments section on this post.
I'd love to share some of the stuff you send, so please let me know in your email if I have permission to post your cast list, pictures, and/or video on my blog, Facebook, and/or Twitter.
Thank you everyone, and best of luck!!
As promised, I'm going to give away prizes to readers. If I sell 500 copies in the first 30 days (August 1st, 12:00am PST to September 1st, 11:59pm PST), I am going to give FIVE readers each a $20 Amazon gift card!
So here's how it's going to work:
1) Take a screenshot of the "Thank you for your purchase of Silence of Souls" page, like this one (or the mobile version, whichever you use):
OR
If you don't know how to take a screenshot, forward the email with the purchase receipt.
2) Include your name (at least first name, please) and how you heard about Silence of Souls.
3) If you "Gift" a copy of Silence of Souls to someone, you can enter that entry into the contest as well. Just be sure to send the screenshot or receipt of any purchase of Silence of Souls to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
Send the entry to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com
On September 2nd, I'll use a random generator to pick five winners. The winners will be announced (first name only) on my blog and will receive an email notification that they have won! (Your email address and all other personal information will not be shared! I will ONLY post your first name!)
**BONUS ENTRIES**
If you want your name entered into the drawing more than once, there's a couple of bonus ways you can enter (each one will be one additional entry into the drawing; complete them between August 1st 12:00am PST and September 1st 11:59pm PST)):
1) Tweet about Silence of Souls using the hashtag #silenceofsouls.
2) Share Silence of Souls on Facebook and send a link to the post or a screenshot of it to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
3) This one will be worth TWO additional entires to the drawing: create a cast list! Pretend Silence of Souls is being made into a feature film, and YOU are the Casting Director! Pick the actor or actress you want to see in each role. Cast five or more roles and email your list to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com.
4) This one will be worth TWO additional entries to the drawing: draw/paint/create a picture of one of the characters from Silence of Souls. Email the photo to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com or post it here!
5) This one will be worth FIVE additional entries into the drawing: post a video of you acting like one of the characters in Silence of Souls! It can be anyone you want, get creative! Email the link to silencegiveaway@yahoo.com or post a link to the video in the comments section on this post.
I'd love to share some of the stuff you send, so please let me know in your email if I have permission to post your cast list, pictures, and/or video on my blog, Facebook, and/or Twitter.
Thank you everyone, and best of luck!!
 |
Sunday, July 1, 2012
You're Amazing!! And I want to thank you for that. :)
Well, it's no secret that I'm über-excited about the release of Silence of Souls coming up in a month-ish. It's been completely unbelievable how well received the preview was (in this post here) and how many people have sent me messages about how much they are looking forward to the rest of the book!
It's overwhelming the amount of support I've gotten so far, and the book isn't even out yet! You are all so incredible, and I am truly thankful to each and every one of you who have said positive things to me about Silence of Souls and what I am doing.
So, as a "thank you" to you all, I am announcing a giveaway and a goal- if I sell 500 copies of Silence of Souls in the first 30 days of its release, I'm going to giveaway a $20 Amazon gift card to FIVE random readers!
More details soon. If you haven't already, please follow me on Twitter (@smober) and/or like my Stefanie Oberhansley Author Page on FaceBook. I'll be posting more details there as it gets closer.
Thank you all, and I hope you'll enjoy Silence of Souls when it comes out!!! May zombies spare your brains and refrain from biting your flesh! ;)
It's overwhelming the amount of support I've gotten so far, and the book isn't even out yet! You are all so incredible, and I am truly thankful to each and every one of you who have said positive things to me about Silence of Souls and what I am doing.
So, as a "thank you" to you all, I am announcing a giveaway and a goal- if I sell 500 copies of Silence of Souls in the first 30 days of its release, I'm going to giveaway a $20 Amazon gift card to FIVE random readers!
More details soon. If you haven't already, please follow me on Twitter (@smober) and/or like my Stefanie Oberhansley Author Page on FaceBook. I'll be posting more details there as it gets closer.
Thank you all, and I hope you'll enjoy Silence of Souls when it comes out!!! May zombies spare your brains and refrain from biting your flesh! ;)
Friday, June 8, 2012
On The Road and an Announcement
This seems to be the year of traveling. Between March 2011 and now, I've done more traveling than I did during the entire period of 2006-2011. Alaska, Washington, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado have all been very welcoming to me.
Tomorrow morning I'll be heading out on the road again. This time, it's off to Texas; driving all the way there to deliver a car, and then flying home after a week of visiting relatives. I'm looking forward to it. The plan is to drive all the way to Albuquerque tomorrow, stay the night, then finish the second half of the trip and be in Dallas Sunday evening.
Appropriately, I'm reading a book right now called On The Road. It's by Jack Kerouac, and it's fantastic. It's written in first-person POV, all about this guy Sal who travels across the United States and meets different people along the way. He and his friend Dean and Dean's wife Marylou go through all sorts of places and do lots of different things. I'm loving it, and it really captures the simplicity of driving long distances with little money and how adventurous it can feel.
For me, every trip feels like an adventure. There's always something new to see, interesting people to come across, and places that have such a unique feel to them. I love driving long distances, especially when it's at a leisurely pace and you can stop and take notice of the sights. Even a small town, dusty diner can feel like a whole new world, and each person has a different story. I've come across people who have never actually seen the coast or dipped their feet in the ocean; I've come across people who have done things I could never see myself doing.
If I ever get the chance, I want to spend four weeks on the road, just going wherever the path leads. I think it would be so much fun and such an amazing experience.
If you get a chance, take a road trip and enjoy every moment of it,even especially when you're lost. If you don't get to do that anytime soon, at least read this book:
And now time for a special announcement: I've decided on a title for my zombie novel:
It's coming along very well, and I'm excited that the completion of my novel is just around the corner. The gentleman who is doing my cover has sent me the first draft of it, and I love it. I can't wait for everyone to see it!
Tomorrow morning I'll be heading out on the road again. This time, it's off to Texas; driving all the way there to deliver a car, and then flying home after a week of visiting relatives. I'm looking forward to it. The plan is to drive all the way to Albuquerque tomorrow, stay the night, then finish the second half of the trip and be in Dallas Sunday evening.
Appropriately, I'm reading a book right now called On The Road. It's by Jack Kerouac, and it's fantastic. It's written in first-person POV, all about this guy Sal who travels across the United States and meets different people along the way. He and his friend Dean and Dean's wife Marylou go through all sorts of places and do lots of different things. I'm loving it, and it really captures the simplicity of driving long distances with little money and how adventurous it can feel.
For me, every trip feels like an adventure. There's always something new to see, interesting people to come across, and places that have such a unique feel to them. I love driving long distances, especially when it's at a leisurely pace and you can stop and take notice of the sights. Even a small town, dusty diner can feel like a whole new world, and each person has a different story. I've come across people who have never actually seen the coast or dipped their feet in the ocean; I've come across people who have done things I could never see myself doing.
If I ever get the chance, I want to spend four weeks on the road, just going wherever the path leads. I think it would be so much fun and such an amazing experience.
If you get a chance, take a road trip and enjoy every moment of it,
 | ||
| "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac |
And now time for a special announcement: I've decided on a title for my zombie novel:
"Silence of Souls"
It's coming along very well, and I'm excited that the completion of my novel is just around the corner. The gentleman who is doing my cover has sent me the first draft of it, and I love it. I can't wait for everyone to see it!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
My Blood Approves of the Paranormal Activity that was witnessed by Amanda Palmer & Grand Theft Orchestra
The Internet is so full of potential,but I never thought of it as a two-way thing as much as I do right now. I've always known the power the Internet has for the individual as a receiver of information, but it wasn't until this week that I really began to realize how much reach the individual can have as a giver.
All you readers out there have probably heard of Amanda Hocking, the indie writer from Minnesota who sold a million copies of her work when she self-published on Amazon after years of rejection from publishing companies.
You have probably seen at least one of the films in the Paranormal Activity trilogy, or at least heard of them- they're those "found footage"movies by previously unknown director/writer Oren Peli that beat out records previously held by The Blair Witch Project.
In the last couple of weeks, you may have heard of Amanda Fucking Palmer & Grand Theft Orchestra, who shattered all expectations and goals when their album and tour became the first Kickstarter funded project to receive more than $1million.
So what does Amanda Hocking's books, Oren Peli's movies, and Amanda Palmer's music all have in common? The Internet! All of them used the web to reach out, find fans, and get their work noticed. In past posts on Hocking's blog, you can read about her putting in hours and hours of marketing when she released her books. Peli and his team did a ton of internet marketing in order to get people to demand Paranormal Activity be shown in theaters near them. Palmer and her band spent loads of time Tweeting, blogging, and spreading the word about their album and tour.
Artists of all types- be they writers, film makers, or musicians- have this amazing resource at the tips of their fingers (quite literally), and many are finally starting to harness its power. We can no reach our precise audience, thousands of miles around the globe, at any time of the day or night. You can find a web forum on any topic, from something as broad as "Pet Lovers" to something as specific as "People Who Want To Visit Planet Vulcan for the Sole Purpose of Taking An Elective Class On Historical Technologies of Wild Frog-Bears and How They Were Used To Win The Amphibious Civil War of 2361" and you'll find hundreds of people in them.
But there's another thing all three of them have in common- quality. They put a lot of work and dedication in to creating something they believed in; something that other people would want to read/see/hear.
Do you want to reach an endless amount of people and share your work? There's never been a better time to do so. Before the Internet, artists (writers, film makers, musicians, et al) were limited to who they could connect to via snail mail, having to wait months to hear back, if ever, and more often than not it would be a rejection that came back. The outlook was pretty bleak- send in your work, hope it didn't get lost under the mountains of others who were hoping to be discovered just like you, and hope that the person who could do something about it (producer, publisher, etc) would be willing to take a chance on it. More often than not, it would pass through an intern first, and you'd have to hope they liked it enough to pass along to their boss. Once it got that far, you'd have to hope that the company would be willing to front the money for printing, publishing, production, and marketing. If your project was lucky enough to actually get made, you then had to hope that the right people would walk in to the right stores and go to the right section, see your work, and be intrigued enough to pick it up and buy it. A long shot, for sure. (Did you know that the majority of traditionally published authors make $300 a year? A YEAR!)
With the Internet, it's MUCH easier to get noticed. That is, if you work for it. You need a quality product, something you can be proud of, to put out there. The cost of getting it out there yourself is virtually eliminated because of the Internet. For example, publishing on Amazon does not cost the author a cent, which makes it possible for authors who would never have been discovered to become a best-seller. The downside to this is that it is completely YOUR responsibility to get yourself and your work known because you don't have a marketing team doing it for you. None of the three previously mentioned artists just sat back and *hoped* people would happen to Google the right terms to find their work- they went out and let people know about it! So go, get out there, make something incredible, and let people know about it. And please tell me about it, too- I love indie stuff!
P.S.- If you're looking for some great indie music, check out Hey Geronimo. They have a new song out called "Carbon Affair," and it's free to download. They have a great sound!
All you readers out there have probably heard of Amanda Hocking, the indie writer from Minnesota who sold a million copies of her work when she self-published on Amazon after years of rejection from publishing companies.
You have probably seen at least one of the films in the Paranormal Activity trilogy, or at least heard of them- they're those "found footage"movies by previously unknown director/writer Oren Peli that beat out records previously held by The Blair Witch Project.
In the last couple of weeks, you may have heard of Amanda Fucking Palmer & Grand Theft Orchestra, who shattered all expectations and goals when their album and tour became the first Kickstarter funded project to receive more than $1million.
So what does Amanda Hocking's books, Oren Peli's movies, and Amanda Palmer's music all have in common? The Internet! All of them used the web to reach out, find fans, and get their work noticed. In past posts on Hocking's blog, you can read about her putting in hours and hours of marketing when she released her books. Peli and his team did a ton of internet marketing in order to get people to demand Paranormal Activity be shown in theaters near them. Palmer and her band spent loads of time Tweeting, blogging, and spreading the word about their album and tour.
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| "I must tell everyone about my romance novel, Secretary Spread!" |
Artists of all types- be they writers, film makers, or musicians- have this amazing resource at the tips of their fingers (quite literally), and many are finally starting to harness its power. We can no reach our precise audience, thousands of miles around the globe, at any time of the day or night. You can find a web forum on any topic, from something as broad as "Pet Lovers" to something as specific as "People Who Want To Visit Planet Vulcan for the Sole Purpose of Taking An Elective Class On Historical Technologies of Wild Frog-Bears and How They Were Used To Win The Amphibious Civil War of 2361" and you'll find hundreds of people in them.
But there's another thing all three of them have in common- quality. They put a lot of work and dedication in to creating something they believed in; something that other people would want to read/see/hear.
Do you want to reach an endless amount of people and share your work? There's never been a better time to do so. Before the Internet, artists (writers, film makers, musicians, et al) were limited to who they could connect to via snail mail, having to wait months to hear back, if ever, and more often than not it would be a rejection that came back. The outlook was pretty bleak- send in your work, hope it didn't get lost under the mountains of others who were hoping to be discovered just like you, and hope that the person who could do something about it (producer, publisher, etc) would be willing to take a chance on it. More often than not, it would pass through an intern first, and you'd have to hope they liked it enough to pass along to their boss. Once it got that far, you'd have to hope that the company would be willing to front the money for printing, publishing, production, and marketing. If your project was lucky enough to actually get made, you then had to hope that the right people would walk in to the right stores and go to the right section, see your work, and be intrigued enough to pick it up and buy it. A long shot, for sure. (Did you know that the majority of traditionally published authors make $300 a year? A YEAR!)
With the Internet, it's MUCH easier to get noticed. That is, if you work for it. You need a quality product, something you can be proud of, to put out there. The cost of getting it out there yourself is virtually eliminated because of the Internet. For example, publishing on Amazon does not cost the author a cent, which makes it possible for authors who would never have been discovered to become a best-seller. The downside to this is that it is completely YOUR responsibility to get yourself and your work known because you don't have a marketing team doing it for you. None of the three previously mentioned artists just sat back and *hoped* people would happen to Google the right terms to find their work- they went out and let people know about it! So go, get out there, make something incredible, and let people know about it. And please tell me about it, too- I love indie stuff!
P.S.- If you're looking for some great indie music, check out Hey Geronimo. They have a new song out called "Carbon Affair," and it's free to download. They have a great sound!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Positive Results Breed Positive Motivation
When I first published The Secret Room, it was an amazing feeling to see so many people downloading and reading my work. During the first five days it was available, I put it on a free promotion in order to get the word out about it and I had about 1,800 people download it in the five-day span. Right now on this promo it's at 572 downloads, in just the first day!
When Shadows in the Window went up, I put it on a free promotion for its first five days, just like I did with The Secret Room. It sold around 1,200 copies during that time. In this promo's first day, it's already at 313 downloads!
Since it is a holiday weekend and many are off for 3 days, I decided to put both books on a free promo since Amazon gave me a few more promotion days to use. The Secret Room and Shadows in the Window both went up for free a little after midnight this morning. Now, they are currently BOTH in the Top 100 in Kindle's Horror section! Shadows in the Window is #67 and The Secret Room is #6! Having one book in the Top 100 is amazing enough, but to have TWO is completely indescribable!
I'd love to have this keep going, and if any of you would be willing to share the links to my books on your blog, FaceBook (check out the brand-new author page), Twitter (I'm @smober on Twitter), or anywhere else I would be most appreciative!
This has been such motivation for me to work more and work harder on my zombie novel. It's getting closer to completion, and I'm loving how it's flowing! Some of what's happened has even surprised me- certain elements and events just come organically when writing, seemingly out of nowhere. When that happens, I just let it come and see where it goes- if I don't like it, then I can change it, but most of the time when it "just comes to me" it seems to work much better than when I try to force something.
Even though it is a three-day weekend and most people are off, I'm spending my time writing my novel. I didn't get a chance to do any work on it on Thursday or Friday, so I've made this a work weekend. I love writing, and I'm so inspired based on what The Secret Room and Shadows in the Window are doing right now that I wouldn't want to be doing something other than writing! I am getting close to picking a title, and Danny already has some ideas for the cover. You'll all be able to read it very soon!
Maybe this will sound corny, but sometimes the story just takes you away and even though it's coming from your imagination, you're hanging on to the edge of your seat waiting to see what develops. Writing is a thrill!
When Shadows in the Window went up, I put it on a free promotion for its first five days, just like I did with The Secret Room. It sold around 1,200 copies during that time. In this promo's first day, it's already at 313 downloads!
Since it is a holiday weekend and many are off for 3 days, I decided to put both books on a free promo since Amazon gave me a few more promotion days to use. The Secret Room and Shadows in the Window both went up for free a little after midnight this morning. Now, they are currently BOTH in the Top 100 in Kindle's Horror section! Shadows in the Window is #67 and The Secret Room is #6! Having one book in the Top 100 is amazing enough, but to have TWO is completely indescribable!
I'd love to have this keep going, and if any of you would be willing to share the links to my books on your blog, FaceBook (check out the brand-new author page), Twitter (I'm @smober on Twitter), or anywhere else I would be most appreciative!
This has been such motivation for me to work more and work harder on my zombie novel. It's getting closer to completion, and I'm loving how it's flowing! Some of what's happened has even surprised me- certain elements and events just come organically when writing, seemingly out of nowhere. When that happens, I just let it come and see where it goes- if I don't like it, then I can change it, but most of the time when it "just comes to me" it seems to work much better than when I try to force something.
Even though it is a three-day weekend and most people are off, I'm spending my time writing my novel. I didn't get a chance to do any work on it on Thursday or Friday, so I've made this a work weekend. I love writing, and I'm so inspired based on what The Secret Room and Shadows in the Window are doing right now that I wouldn't want to be doing something other than writing! I am getting close to picking a title, and Danny already has some ideas for the cover. You'll all be able to read it very soon!
Maybe this will sound corny, but sometimes the story just takes you away and even though it's coming from your imagination, you're hanging on to the edge of your seat waiting to see what develops. Writing is a thrill!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
To you, I say- THANK YOU!!!
Today will probably be a bit of an emotional day. The Aungst family, a family my family has known for more than a decade (and this family is like family to us- proof that family doesn't always mean blood relative) is moving to another state. This afternoon is the going-away gathering for them. We're not calling it a "Goodbye Party," but a "See-Ya-Later Party" because we know that this is hardly goodbye. Even a state away, they'll never be able to get rid of us. ;)
It's interesting about family and the friends who become like family- they're always the ones who have seen you during your most embarrassing state, your darkest hour, and your worst moment, and yet they stick around unconditionally to help you celebrate the good times, laugh with each other, and join in on life's highest moments. Family isn't defined by blood, really. Family is defined by love, support, and encouragement. I'm super-blessed for the family I have, both the blood relatives and the friends who became like family. I'm super-blessed to have the friends I have, too. Without all those people in my life, I know I wouldn't be the person I am today. They've help me find the best in me, even when I didn't believe it was there.
And speaking of support and love, I can't begin to tell you how amazed and flattered I am. Shadows in the Window is doing so well, and I am just so grateful! Thank you to all of you (even if you haven't downloaded it yet) for the support, encouragement, and enthusiasm you all so graciously offer. You are the ones I write for! To my family, my friends, my future friends, my future family members, my readers, and everyone else- thank you, endlessly, from the greatest and most beautiful depths of my heart. Truly, without you I wouldn't be on this amazing path, and I am so grateful to get to share the journey with you all!
So now, for a little update on Shadows in the Window- Last night, I reported it was ranking #773 in Free in the Kindle Store, and #29 in the Horror genre. Here's this morning's numbers:
That's right! Can you believe those numbers?? It's #401 in Kindle Free, and #12 in Horror! I also got an amazing review:
I'm really really hoping to see Shadows in the Window reach the top 100 before the free sale is over. Can you help, please? Just share the link with someone you know likes to read- tell your mother, brother, father, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, friends, classmates, phlebotomist, swim coach, boss, coworker, favorite teller at the bank, the telemarketer who interrupts your dinner tonight, your dog, cat, zookeeper, bartender, pastor, and anyone else you can think of!
Don't have a Kindle? You can still read the book for free: click here.
Just a forewarning: as the review says, this book is not recommended for children. I'd say PG-13. Parents, if your kid wants to read it, maybe you should read it first: you're the best judge for your child.
Again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I can't thank you all enough!!! You've made me so incredibly happy! :-D :-D :-D
It's interesting about family and the friends who become like family- they're always the ones who have seen you during your most embarrassing state, your darkest hour, and your worst moment, and yet they stick around unconditionally to help you celebrate the good times, laugh with each other, and join in on life's highest moments. Family isn't defined by blood, really. Family is defined by love, support, and encouragement. I'm super-blessed for the family I have, both the blood relatives and the friends who became like family. I'm super-blessed to have the friends I have, too. Without all those people in my life, I know I wouldn't be the person I am today. They've help me find the best in me, even when I didn't believe it was there.
And speaking of support and love, I can't begin to tell you how amazed and flattered I am. Shadows in the Window is doing so well, and I am just so grateful! Thank you to all of you (even if you haven't downloaded it yet) for the support, encouragement, and enthusiasm you all so graciously offer. You are the ones I write for! To my family, my friends, my future friends, my future family members, my readers, and everyone else- thank you, endlessly, from the greatest and most beautiful depths of my heart. Truly, without you I wouldn't be on this amazing path, and I am so grateful to get to share the journey with you all!
So now, for a little update on Shadows in the Window- Last night, I reported it was ranking #773 in Free in the Kindle Store, and #29 in the Horror genre. Here's this morning's numbers:
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| click to enlarge |
I'm really really hoping to see Shadows in the Window reach the top 100 before the free sale is over. Can you help, please? Just share the link with someone you know likes to read- tell your mother, brother, father, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, friends, classmates, phlebotomist, swim coach, boss, coworker, favorite teller at the bank, the telemarketer who interrupts your dinner tonight, your dog, cat, zookeeper, bartender, pastor, and anyone else you can think of!
Don't have a Kindle? You can still read the book for free: click here.
Just a forewarning: as the review says, this book is not recommended for children. I'd say PG-13. Parents, if your kid wants to read it, maybe you should read it first: you're the best judge for your child.
Again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I can't thank you all enough!!! You've made me so incredibly happy! :-D :-D :-D
Friday, February 10, 2012
We need more cowbell!
The little things in life make me so happy: I set my ringtone to the theme song from The Walking Dead.
I've been working on my zombie novel all day, and I'm very happy with where it's going. There was a scene that popped into my head last night when I was in bed, and I wrote it out today- it won't be until later in the book, but I think that in this scene there is one sentence that wraps up the whole idea I'm trying to convey in the book. I didn't even really realize it until I wrote it, but with it in mind, I think my story just got a whole lot stronger. I still need a title for the book, but I think that will be one of the last things I create.
In between writing, I can't help but check my numbers. (I'm trying not to become obsessive with it, but I'm so excited that people are reading my work!) Here's the latest:
Please help him climb! What a dream it would be to see Shadows in the Window in the top 100!!
And now, as I get back to work, I leave you with this video, which combines two things I have a strange love for: The Walking Dead and Christopher Walken.
I've been working on my zombie novel all day, and I'm very happy with where it's going. There was a scene that popped into my head last night when I was in bed, and I wrote it out today- it won't be until later in the book, but I think that in this scene there is one sentence that wraps up the whole idea I'm trying to convey in the book. I didn't even really realize it until I wrote it, but with it in mind, I think my story just got a whole lot stronger. I still need a title for the book, but I think that will be one of the last things I create.
In between writing, I can't help but check my numbers. (I'm trying not to become obsessive with it, but I'm so excited that people are reading my work!) Here's the latest:
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| Click to enlarge |
Please help him climb! What a dream it would be to see Shadows in the Window in the top 100!!
And now, as I get back to work, I leave you with this video, which combines two things I have a strange love for: The Walking Dead and Christopher Walken.
Shadows in the Window is available now!!!
Shadows in the Window became available last night, and is on Amazon for FREE right now!! Get your copy now, there's only four copies left!!! Just kidding, there's an endless supply, but it will only be free for the next few days. Click HERE to get it! :-D I'm very happy with how it came out, and I think it's even better than The Secret Room, actually.
I was so anxious about the debut of Shadows in the Window that I barely got any writing done yesterday. I'm on it today, though, working on my zombie novel, and LOVING IT!!!!
And check it out, Shadows in the Window is on the Kindle Author Blog today!! I was so pleasantly surprised, I actually squeaked with joy when I saw it on there!
Take a look at this: out of the MILLIONS of books on Amazon, Shadows in the Window is ranking pretty high and climbing (you can click on the pictures to make them larger)-
Twenty minutes later...
Please help it climb, I'm so thrilled that it's doing so well! I would be honored if you would share the link with your friends, family, and anyone else who likes a good spooky story. :-D
I'm riding on Cloud Ten today, and feeling fantastic!!! Thank you everyone for your support, and I hope you'll enjoy Shadows in the Window! :-D THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! :-D
I was so anxious about the debut of Shadows in the Window that I barely got any writing done yesterday. I'm on it today, though, working on my zombie novel, and LOVING IT!!!!
And check it out, Shadows in the Window is on the Kindle Author Blog today!! I was so pleasantly surprised, I actually squeaked with joy when I saw it on there!
Take a look at this: out of the MILLIONS of books on Amazon, Shadows in the Window is ranking pretty high and climbing (you can click on the pictures to make them larger)-
(if it's too small to read, it says it's ranking at #1,581 of free books in the Kindle Store, and #73 in the Horror genre)
Twenty minutes later...
(#1,191 of free books in the Kindle Store, and #47 in Horror! Just twenty minutes later!!)
Please help it climb, I'm so thrilled that it's doing so well! I would be honored if you would share the link with your friends, family, and anyone else who likes a good spooky story. :-D
I'm riding on Cloud Ten today, and feeling fantastic!!! Thank you everyone for your support, and I hope you'll enjoy Shadows in the Window! :-D THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! :-D
Thursday, February 9, 2012
SNEAK PREVIEW- Just for you.
Just for my blog readers (all ten of you, haha), I posting a special preview of Shadows in the Window, which is coming out tomorrow.
Here's the cover:
And the description on Amazon:
It was the house sitting dream-job for Rachel.
For the next ten days, it was all hers: a luxurious pool, over-sized beds, her favorite foods, and all the horror movies she could watch.
But this old mansion has some secrets of its own.
Is this amazing house actually haunted? Or is it just her imagination?
And the first couple paragraphs of the first chapter:
Here's the cover:
And the description on Amazon:
It was the house sitting dream-job for Rachel.
For the next ten days, it was all hers: a luxurious pool, over-sized beds, her favorite foods, and all the horror movies she could watch.
But this old mansion has some secrets of its own.
Is this amazing house actually haunted? Or is it just her imagination?
And the first couple paragraphs of the first chapter:
The long, winding road made Rachel wonder if she had the address right. She had started her own housesitting business about a year ago, and was impressed that she was getting so many jobs. This one was almost too good to be true- large house, pool, all food included, no strange pets, and an amazing pay rate. The clients, Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy, were paying her more than double what she usually asked for. The job was for ten nights, and Rachel knew it would be one of the more luxurious jobs, considering the way Mr. Abernathy described the house over the phone.
Rachel pulled up to the house and looked up in awe. It wasn’t just a house- it was a mansion. The structure was magnificent; towering walls lined with brick and stone, countless windows, a lovely porch, two upstairs balconies- one with lounge chairs, the other with a table set- and glorious trees that looked at least a hundred years old. The mansion nearly resembled a petite castle, and Rachel felt like royalty as she parked her car on the stone driveway.
She grabbed her bag from the trunk and walked up to the double-doors, admiring the intricate designs on the tempered glass that accented the deep wood as she rang the doorbell. A moment later, a slender, well-dressed woman greeted Rachel. The woman smiled softly at Rachel, showing just a sliver of her teeth. Her eyes were deep brown and wide, her slick black hair pulled up tightly into a bun, and she wore a sleeveless, form-fitted black dress that fluttered down past her knees.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
What's your story?
If there is one thing I learned in Solo Class, it's that everyone has a story. (I actually learned a lot in Solo, but that's not the point of this post.) If you have lived, if you are alive, you have a story. Whether you are one-hundred years old, or just a few minutes old, you have a story. Of course, the person who is 100 will have a much longer, richer story, but the person who is just a few minutes old has a story as well- who are his/her parents? How was birth? Did he/she come out via natural birth, or was it a C-Section? Anyway...
Each day has its own story. Life is a story, whether it is one person's short life, or the entire existence of life itself. I think that's why people love stories so much- they are a reflection of life, meant to intrigue us and try to help us better understand the chaos we live in and contribute to every day. We search for explanations of the world around us, seek to know our inner selves, and strive to expand our intellectual horizons (at least, most of us do. If you're reading this, I'm betting you're probably one of those people just because you're reading).
Whether it's a true story, a ficticious story, an exaggerated story, or a fragmented story, we all love stories. We devour them on a daily basis, through movies, books, novelettes, FaceBook posts, Tweets, magazine articles, news reports, word-of-mouth, and so many other mediums.
I love telling stories. I love sharing my own personal story as well as writing the fictional stories I create. Writing is an addiction, a hobby, and hopefully soon a career. Days I am unable to write feel less productive, even if I've spent the entire day cleaning house, cooking, making a fort out of toothpicks, or working on other projects. I need to write, be it five words or two-thousand. I can't think of a day in recent memory where I didn't write something, even if it was only a status update or a text message.
Today I wrote some revisions for Shadows in the Window, as well as added a new chapter. I'm very excited about it! Tomorrow, Danny is going to make a cover for me. I'm not sure what I want, but I'll have to come up with something so he'll have at least a basic idea to work with. (He created the cover for The Secret Room, and I think it turned he did a fantastic job!) I feel really good about Shadows in the Window, and I hope that if you're reading this post that you will also read Shadows in the Window when it comes out. (It'll be free for the first five days of availability, so you have no reason not to. After that, it's just $0.99. You can't even get a cup of black coffee for $0.99 any more!)
With Shadows in the Window, I feel the story is strong and interesting. Well, at least interesting. Maybe. I'm not sure, I am probably a terrible judge of my own work- usually I either love it or absolutely loathe it, when it usually turns out to be somewhere in the middle in most peoples' opinion. My goal is not to just tell a good story, but to tell it well. I want characters to be interesting, events to keep the reader on the edge of the seat, and make the audience want a little more. You be the judge. :)
This week, my time is dedicated to finishing up Shadows in the Window. Next week, I'll be starting work on The Secret Room: Beginnings, and from what I have so far in my notes, I think that will be my best work yet. It'll probably also be my longest! I'm going to aim for 30,000 words on that one, make it reach novel (instead of novelette or novella) status. I can't wait!
Each day has its own story. Life is a story, whether it is one person's short life, or the entire existence of life itself. I think that's why people love stories so much- they are a reflection of life, meant to intrigue us and try to help us better understand the chaos we live in and contribute to every day. We search for explanations of the world around us, seek to know our inner selves, and strive to expand our intellectual horizons (at least, most of us do. If you're reading this, I'm betting you're probably one of those people just because you're reading).
Whether it's a true story, a ficticious story, an exaggerated story, or a fragmented story, we all love stories. We devour them on a daily basis, through movies, books, novelettes, FaceBook posts, Tweets, magazine articles, news reports, word-of-mouth, and so many other mediums.
I love telling stories. I love sharing my own personal story as well as writing the fictional stories I create. Writing is an addiction, a hobby, and hopefully soon a career. Days I am unable to write feel less productive, even if I've spent the entire day cleaning house, cooking, making a fort out of toothpicks, or working on other projects. I need to write, be it five words or two-thousand. I can't think of a day in recent memory where I didn't write something, even if it was only a status update or a text message.
Today I wrote some revisions for Shadows in the Window, as well as added a new chapter. I'm very excited about it! Tomorrow, Danny is going to make a cover for me. I'm not sure what I want, but I'll have to come up with something so he'll have at least a basic idea to work with. (He created the cover for The Secret Room, and I think it turned he did a fantastic job!) I feel really good about Shadows in the Window, and I hope that if you're reading this post that you will also read Shadows in the Window when it comes out. (It'll be free for the first five days of availability, so you have no reason not to. After that, it's just $0.99. You can't even get a cup of black coffee for $0.99 any more!)
With Shadows in the Window, I feel the story is strong and interesting. Well, at least interesting. Maybe. I'm not sure, I am probably a terrible judge of my own work- usually I either love it or absolutely loathe it, when it usually turns out to be somewhere in the middle in most peoples' opinion. My goal is not to just tell a good story, but to tell it well. I want characters to be interesting, events to keep the reader on the edge of the seat, and make the audience want a little more. You be the judge. :)
This week, my time is dedicated to finishing up Shadows in the Window. Next week, I'll be starting work on The Secret Room: Beginnings, and from what I have so far in my notes, I think that will be my best work yet. It'll probably also be my longest! I'm going to aim for 30,000 words on that one, make it reach novel (instead of novelette or novella) status. I can't wait!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Back to reality.
This last week has been so busy! In a way, I'm a little relieved that the chaos is over, but I'm sad that family and friends have gone.
We got back to California from Texas last Monday. I was certain I was going to get sick- we were surrounded by coughing passengers on the flight home and you could just taste the germs in the air. I'm pleasantly surprised that I didn't catch anything.
Tuesday, we picked up Danny's parents (whom we stayed with for a month in TX). They were in town for Grandma O's (Danny's dad's mother) funeral, and stayed with us. Vickie (my sister) came to stay Thursday and Friday night with us because it was my mom's birthday; my friend Emma (who just completed a year-long internship at Walt Disney World) was in CA for a couple weeks before going home to Australia, and stayed with us on Friday and Saturday night. Danny's parents and Emma all flew home yesterday from LAX.
I haven't had any time to write or do edits yet on Shadows in the Window, but that's what I'm working on this week. Doing a cover on Wednesday night, and I have an official release date for Shadows in the Window: February 10th!! It'll be on a free promo for the first 5 days of its availability, then will go to the regular $0.99 price on February 15th.
I don't regret that I haven't done any work for the last week; it was nice to have a break (because going back to it after a period means I'll have fresh eyes) and I would never give up time with my family. But today it's back to reality (or at least my version of it): working on writing, getting unpacked, and working at the front desk at Goddess Fitness Dance this evening. I love Goddess- it's a dance studio I work at every Tuesday (this week I'm there Monday and Tuesday) that offers amazing classes. So much fun, and after more than a month of no dancing, I'm very ready to get back to it.
The main focus this week is finishing Shadows in the Window. Sending it out to my proofreader after I make some corrections and add in a scene I feel it needs. After it goes up, I'm going to begin writing The Secret Room: Beginnings (working title, I may change it- what do you think?) which is a follow-up to The Secret Room. I've got a ton of notes for it, and I think it's going to answer the important questions that The Secret Room did not.
We got back to California from Texas last Monday. I was certain I was going to get sick- we were surrounded by coughing passengers on the flight home and you could just taste the germs in the air. I'm pleasantly surprised that I didn't catch anything.
Tuesday, we picked up Danny's parents (whom we stayed with for a month in TX). They were in town for Grandma O's (Danny's dad's mother) funeral, and stayed with us. Vickie (my sister) came to stay Thursday and Friday night with us because it was my mom's birthday; my friend Emma (who just completed a year-long internship at Walt Disney World) was in CA for a couple weeks before going home to Australia, and stayed with us on Friday and Saturday night. Danny's parents and Emma all flew home yesterday from LAX.
I haven't had any time to write or do edits yet on Shadows in the Window, but that's what I'm working on this week. Doing a cover on Wednesday night, and I have an official release date for Shadows in the Window: February 10th!! It'll be on a free promo for the first 5 days of its availability, then will go to the regular $0.99 price on February 15th.
I don't regret that I haven't done any work for the last week; it was nice to have a break (because going back to it after a period means I'll have fresh eyes) and I would never give up time with my family. But today it's back to reality (or at least my version of it): working on writing, getting unpacked, and working at the front desk at Goddess Fitness Dance this evening. I love Goddess- it's a dance studio I work at every Tuesday (this week I'm there Monday and Tuesday) that offers amazing classes. So much fun, and after more than a month of no dancing, I'm very ready to get back to it.
The main focus this week is finishing Shadows in the Window. Sending it out to my proofreader after I make some corrections and add in a scene I feel it needs. After it goes up, I'm going to begin writing The Secret Room: Beginnings (working title, I may change it- what do you think?) which is a follow-up to The Secret Room. I've got a ton of notes for it, and I think it's going to answer the important questions that The Secret Room did not.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Off To A Good Start, Now Just Have to Keep It Up
On the Anderson Cooper show today, Amanda Hocking was a guest. I had never watched the show before, but I decided to tune in after I heard she was going to be on it. She talked a lot about self-publishing, rejection, and determination to accomplish ones goals. Her goal was to be published by the time she was 26 (the age when Stephen King was first published), and when traditional publishers rejected her more than 1,000 times (she claims), she took matters into her own hands and self-published through Amazon, just like I'm doing.
She mentioned about when her books were first up that she was selling one or two copies a day, which she says, in retrospect, is pretty good for a first-time author. This gives me a lot of hope, because I've been selling an average of fifteen copies a day. I'm worried it might be a fluke, that it'll slow down or stop altogether soon, but I'm enjoying it now and determined to keep it going and increasing. I also know that there are a lot more Amazon Kindle owners now than there was a year and a half ago when Hocking first published her work, which is to my advantage. I remember hearing somewhere that there were more than a million people who received Kindles for Christmas last month.
Hopefully, this isn't a fluke- Over the last three days, I kept hearing the phrase "the cream will rise to the top." I hope I'm cream; I'm certainly pale enough to be. ;)
She mentioned about when her books were first up that she was selling one or two copies a day, which she says, in retrospect, is pretty good for a first-time author. This gives me a lot of hope, because I've been selling an average of fifteen copies a day. I'm worried it might be a fluke, that it'll slow down or stop altogether soon, but I'm enjoying it now and determined to keep it going and increasing. I also know that there are a lot more Amazon Kindle owners now than there was a year and a half ago when Hocking first published her work, which is to my advantage. I remember hearing somewhere that there were more than a million people who received Kindles for Christmas last month.
Hopefully, this isn't a fluke- Over the last three days, I kept hearing the phrase "the cream will rise to the top." I hope I'm cream; I'm certainly pale enough to be. ;)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Writer's Block! Writer's Block Everywhere!
My first post and I already have writer's block. I have no idea what I'm going to write about on this blog, but I do know it is going to center around my writing, and I do know it will be chock-a-block full of helpful information I learn along the way. (So if you're a newbie to the self-publishing world or want to soon be, follow along! I'm not new to writing, but I am new to publishing.)
I'm brand spanking new in this self-publishing world, but so far I'm enjoying it. Last Sunday, I published my first novelette on Amazon.com. It's a supernatural thriller titled The Secret Room, about a man named Jimmy who moves into this old house and discovers a hidden room in the basement, along with the ghost host that lives inside of it.
After doing a lot of research and seeing that most new Kindle authors sell between 1-3 copies a day on average, I was expecting to sell ten copies or so this month, if any at all. As soon as I published it, I enrolled in the Kindle Select program and put the novelette on a five-day free promo. Over the five days, more than 1,700 people got my book! I was amazed, and happily surprised that so many people wanted to read my novelette. The free promo ended Friday night, and I was expecting my sales to dramatically drop- I was hoping for maybe one or two a day at best, especially since I'm still figuring out how and where to market it, but thus far, over three days, I've sold 60 copies!
Currently, I'm working on another thriller story. My title (at least for now- I may change it) is "Reflections in the Window." I may change it if I decide that it sounds too much like an old woman sitting in her house reminiscing of yesteryear as she looks out through the window and dreams of being young again, but the title goes well with a key point in the story. I've done the outline, but I seem to have come to a hole in the story at the moment, so I'm trying to work out a couple of angles and get the kinks worked out. I also have a feeling that once I have more than one piece of work available, it'll be easier to market the others. We'll see, I guess.
PROJECTS UNDERWAY:
• "Reflections in the Window" (as mentioned above)
• "The Secret Room: Beginnings" (a prequel to "The Secret Room" that details how Elias, the ghost host, got to be where he is)
• Zombie Apocalypse novel, as of yet untitled. (I've been reading a lot of zombie fiction, and frankly, most of it is crap. Once in a while I find a gem, but for the most part, it is poorly written material.)
I'm brand spanking new in this self-publishing world, but so far I'm enjoying it. Last Sunday, I published my first novelette on Amazon.com. It's a supernatural thriller titled The Secret Room, about a man named Jimmy who moves into this old house and discovers a hidden room in the basement, along with the ghost host that lives inside of it.
After doing a lot of research and seeing that most new Kindle authors sell between 1-3 copies a day on average, I was expecting to sell ten copies or so this month, if any at all. As soon as I published it, I enrolled in the Kindle Select program and put the novelette on a five-day free promo. Over the five days, more than 1,700 people got my book! I was amazed, and happily surprised that so many people wanted to read my novelette. The free promo ended Friday night, and I was expecting my sales to dramatically drop- I was hoping for maybe one or two a day at best, especially since I'm still figuring out how and where to market it, but thus far, over three days, I've sold 60 copies!
Currently, I'm working on another thriller story. My title (at least for now- I may change it) is "Reflections in the Window." I may change it if I decide that it sounds too much like an old woman sitting in her house reminiscing of yesteryear as she looks out through the window and dreams of being young again, but the title goes well with a key point in the story. I've done the outline, but I seem to have come to a hole in the story at the moment, so I'm trying to work out a couple of angles and get the kinks worked out. I also have a feeling that once I have more than one piece of work available, it'll be easier to market the others. We'll see, I guess.
PROJECTS UNDERWAY:
• "Reflections in the Window" (as mentioned above)
• "The Secret Room: Beginnings" (a prequel to "The Secret Room" that details how Elias, the ghost host, got to be where he is)
• Zombie Apocalypse novel, as of yet untitled. (I've been reading a lot of zombie fiction, and frankly, most of it is crap. Once in a while I find a gem, but for the most part, it is poorly written material.)
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