My post for today has to deal with my newsletter. For the past two weeks I have been searching for a good book deal for my newsletter for September, however, all of the books that checked the deal box came up short in other areas. I tried reading several of them, but I kept running into a lot of unnecessary language that (I don't think) needed to be there. I tried to recommend books that are pretty clean, but it's getting harder and harder to find books (especially mystery and crime) that are not littered with language. I've never understood why "they" deem it necessary for that to be included. Whoever "they" are...authors, editors, marketers somehow think that it is necessary or that all readers want that kind of stuff in books. Maybe it's just me...or maybe not anyway the point is that I had a horrible time trying to find a book that I could recommend for my newsletter. However, I did come up with a solution, so the crisis has been adverted.... but I don't think this issue is going away so I might have to start my book deal searching a bit sooner.
Until next time....
0 Comments
I try to keep most of my posts upbeat, but I think that this one is going to be a little more realistic. I am trying to finish my next Bible Study by November, but something is always coming up to distract or just get in the way of me completing the necessary tasks to finish the book. I'm still in the editing phase and if I don't make some noticeable progress soon, I will be off my timeline and that's something I really do want to do. The weekends are when I do most of my author to-dos, but sometimes there are just too many errands, or I just need a break from the work week. Sundays are the only day when I can really catch my breath before Monday swoops in upon me. If I can just get through this editing then I think...I hope, I will be on the downside of this whole process. However, from where I'm sitting now it seems a long way off. Anyway, I'm trying to advertise my book, The Fatal Truth, publish my new Bible Study, and maintain my author website and newsletter all at the same time. My only goal, as an author, is to create books that readers love and to establish a connection with those readers. Some days are more trying than others, but in the end, I'd rather write than do anything else in the world. I hope will be succeed in my goal.....here's hoping.
Until next time.... I was looking at book review services for my new book and it got me thinking about book reviews. Lately, it has been hard to find people that will leave a review. I'm not sure if it's because they are just too busy or they don't want to post their opinion, but I have readers telling me constantly that they enjoyed my book...they just never get around to leaving that review on Amazon. So, I wonder if reviews are really that important. I know some readers who couldn't care less about reviews, if they want to read a book, they'll read it regardless of what the reviews said. Then, there are some readers who read books solely based on book reviews. So, as an author, I wonder where the happy medium is...if there is one? I tend to think that reviews are still important because it lets other readers know what a great book it is, or it isn't. However, if you can't get readers to leave reviews then you have to go to the professional reviewers which can cost quite a penny. I don't understand why reading a book and leaving a review costs so much....is it because of the effort or is it the company name you're paying for? A lot of authors repeat over and over that you shouldn't pay for reviews, but when you're an indie author with a non-existent budget, what are you supposed to do? What other options are there? I think you have to do what you have to until you can afford to do something better. Why is that so wrong? Anyway, just some thoughts I had while looking over the reviews for my new book. Maybe I should do a poll or survey about book reviews because I really would like to know how important readers think they are. Something to think about.
Until next time.... Just a thought or two I have had lately...I was scrolling on Facebook looking at the different posts and things and it just occurred to me how much bad news is out there. Whether it's crazy news headlines, the latest crazy celebrity stunt, or somebody's critical post- there's just seems to be crazy nonsense everywhere you turn. So, my remedy for this has been to escape into my books. Whether it's writing or reading, I have decided to escape into a book and maybe find some relief there. There is something wonderful about opening a book and waking into the highlands of Scotland or the streets of Paris or into a magical world that can only exist in your imagination. Just to leave all the baggage of your life behind for a little while and exist somewhere else...somewhere your troubles can't find you and everything ends the way it should. Reading really is a wonderful thing and I wish more people would realize what they're missing. Reading adds so much to your life and the stories you find in between the pages add a little something to you that is hard to describe. So, when you find that life is becoming a little too crazy, pick up a book and do what I do - escape into reading.
Until next time... This was supposed to be posted on July 29. Not sure what happened, but here it is.
I was straightening up my bookshelf in my bedroom last week when I began to look at the variety of book genres on my shelves. I would’ve have bet that there were more mystery authors in my collection...but it turned out there were not. I guess that’s a good thing that I don’t only read one genre, especially when it comes to writing. Anyway, I decided to look up the top mystery writers to see which ones I’ve checked off and which ones I haven’t read yet. There were the usual suspects like Arthur Conan Doyle (3 cheers for Sherlock Holmes!) and Agatha Christie. However, there were quite a few on that list that I’ve never read such as P.D. James, Ruth Rendell, and Dorothy L. Sayers. My usual mystery bubble includes John Grisham, Mary H. Clark with a few classics thrown into the mix. However, as I looked over the list of new authors, I decided to take a leap and try some of the authors on this list. Right now, I'm in the middle of a Sherlock Holmes novel, but I'm thinking of trying J.T. Ellison next. It's not easy, at least for me, to find a new author so here goes nothing. Who knows it might be a detective's dream. Until next time... My blog post for today is going to be a bit different. I have been searching for some more mystery authors because my regular mystery authors are not turning out books like they used to. So, I am searching for some more authors to read, and that is always an interesting process. I've tried Lisa Scottoline and Tess Gerritsen, but I haven't had any luck. Anyway, I am still searching, and, in the meantime, I am falling back on a classic until I find something new. I went to the local bookstore, and they had a copy of The Complete Novels of Sherlock Holmes. So of course, I had to get it and it is so beautiful. I can't wait to read it. My favorite Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of the Baskervilles, so I will definitely be starting with that one first. Anyway, I guess that's all I have for now so until next time...
I am very excited about today's blog post. I submitted The Fatal Truth to Reader's Favorite for a review and this past Friday I finally received their review. I have to admit that I was holding my breath while I opened the review link, and I couldn't believe my eyes. Reader's Favorite gave my book, The Fatal Truth, a 5-star review and a 5-star seal for my book! I was over the moon. I read the review several times and was so thrilled. Anyway, I feel like I have truly accomplished something, and I can't wait to order my 5-star seals for my book. If you would like to check out my book, CLICK HERE.
As a mystery writer, I try to get all of the crime details right. I mean, noone wants to read a mystery that makes no sense. I have read a mystery or two that didn't add up and I don't want to do that to my readers. So, I have bought several books about crime scenes and police methods, but while writing latest mystery I came across a website calle Forensic Sciene Simplified. This website is simply amazing it has everything a mystery writer could want to know. It has 15 different sections that expain in cool detail about fingerprints, toxicology, trace evidence, and more. I do believe I have hit the jackpot with this webiste and I can't wait to dive into all 15 different sections. I believe this will help me write better mysteries and that is something that makes me very happy and excited for the next mystery that I write.
Until next time.... My entry for today is a quick update on my reading list. I started the reading challenge on Goodreads in February this year, but I have to confess that I have had a difficult time finding the time to read. Or when I finally get done at the end of the day, I'm just too tired to read. Imagine that...I never thought I would say that but it's true. Also, I've come across several books that I have started but was unable to finish. I'm not sure if this is because I am a writer now and have a harder time reading or because the books were just not good. I really don't like when a book doesn't catch my interest from the start. Like it takes that author 12 chapters to really get into the story, which I think is ridiculous. Maybe, I'll have more time this week since I'm taking some vacation time. Anyway, I am returning to one of my favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark, and trying to finish a book series that I enjoyed book 1 of....so hopefully my luck will change.
Until next time.... |
AuthorA North Carolina author who published her first novel, Killer Deception, in 2020. She doesn't profess to be a professional blogger, just a writer with many thoughts. Archives
April 2024
Categories |