I want to thank Gabriella for having me on the blog today.

There are so many cool things about being a writer. Story telling is exciting! I love exploring the lives of characters, seeing what makes them tick and watching how they grow. But today I want to talk about the world in which these characters live.

There is nothing better than reading a book that is world rich. And I’m not just talking about historical or science fiction settings either. It doesn’t matter if it’s set it downtown Toronto, or on Mars, a well thought out and described environment … Read More »

The Split-Personality of my Career as a Writer for Both Traditional and Indie Publishing

When my friend asked me to join the March Madness on her Gabriella Hewitt website, she asked if I would talk a little about the differences I face writing for both traditional and independent publishers. As the author of nearly fifty books who has written for both venues, I suppose I do have a bit of experience I could share with readers and aspiring writers.

What are the challenges and benefits for writing for both a traditional and an independent publisher? First, let me say that … Read More »

Paid Advertisements
One thing I learned from my previous book was that advertising in the wrong place can be more costly than you think.
First place to start is with your favorite authors. Look at their sites. See where they advertize. Most authors I admire have simple ads with just book covers. Reviews sites specialize in genres & readers. So see which one best suits your needs and budget. Most run monthly specials as well as two-for-one deals.

We have all heard that word of mouth is the best way to get people to read your book. bno where has this been more true than with Fifty Shades of Grey.

Don’t beleive me? Well, we have seen it with Twilight and Harry Potter but this is the first “Erotic” novel I have heard of that had this much buzz.

I got wind of this novel for the first time when a reader from Goodreads sent me her list of recommends and Fifty Shades trilogy was on her list. I read the review and had to check it out. … Read More »

John Carter is my new sci-fi hottie. Actor Taylor Kitsch portrays a Confederate captain from the Civil War who is transported to the red planet, where he becomes involved in an epic conflict with alien nations on the planet Mars. John Carter is a film adaption based on the book by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Japan takes its sports seriously. I’ve been in this country a long time and I still don’t quite get it. When I was in high school (and I’m sure it hasn’t changed) we had seasons. You might play volleyball in the fall, do basketball in winter, and then track in the spring. On the plus side, kids got to participate in a variety of sports. On the down side, if you really loved one sport, once it ended, you generally had to wait a whole year before you could play it again.

Not so in Japan. Sports are a year-round … Read More »

I love to read. I’ve been a voracious reader since I was a kid. I’d walk into the public library and walk out with 14 books that I’d read in a week. Then I’d be bugging my mom to take me back so I could get the next batch. I remember staying up all night to read Herman Wouk’s Winds of War and then telling my mom that I’d had insomina and couldn’t sleep all night, so could I please stay home. Gotta love that woman. She bought it. ( : I get car sick, but I recall finishing off … Read More »

I am so excited to reveal the March Madness line-up for 2012. We have some amazing guest stopping by the blog for two-weeks of pure mayhem and fantastic information.

March 19th—Liz Pelletier, Publisher & Senior Editor, Entangled Publishing
March 20th—Alicia Rasley, Author, Writing Instructor & Editor
March 21st—Kayelle Allen, Author & Founder of The Author’s Secret
March 22nd—Don D’Auria, Editor Samhain Horror, Samhain Publishing
March 23rd—Frazer Lee, Award-winning writer and director of short horror films & on Final Ballot for a Bram Stoker Award for best debut novel
March 24th—Sophia, Director of Fiction Vixen Inc. & Book Reviewer
March 25th—Tom … Read More »

This is the coolest image! I have to admit that I couldn’t be happier. Why? Well, in a few short weeks, Shadow Visions, the second book in the Shadow Warriors series will be released! Hopefully strring interest in Aztec/ Mayan mythology.

An awesome shot of light rising from the temple straight into outspace. Is it to contact aliens or ancient gods?

I have no clue but to me the image evokes thoughts of Aztec Gods, end of the world 2012, good versus evil, and the Aztec Calendar.

All so very prevelent in the Shadow Warrior series!

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mayan-light-beam-photo-message-gods-iphone-glitch-145401585.html… Read More »

I’m in the middle of edits for SHADOW VISIONS, scheduled for release on March 20th! Yikes, that’s close. As a writer you sweat over each word, agonizing over whether another one will do, until the time you can’t stand looking at the manuscript anymore and send it in. Once it leaves your hands and lands on an editor’s desk, well, things can change. Editors will point out repetitive language, plot holes (which hopefully don’t exist), and areas that need strengthening. An editor usually has your success in mind. If you’re smart, you listen.

That said, I am so glad I … Read More »