Tomorrow heralds the start of National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. For those not in the know, NaNoWriMo is when writers across the globe work toward completing a novel of at least 50,000 words, between November 1 through 30. Sounds daunting, huh?
No doubt about it, writing 50k in one month is a challenge, but it’s totally doable. A basic Google search will turn up hundreds of tips and tricks for winning NaNo, ranging from setting a daily word count goal (1667 is the daily minimum you need to win), to getting your outlining and research done beforehand. However, most of these resources don’t address why you should participate in NaNo. The answer is simple: it will put you on the path to making money from your writing.
Now, I’m going to let you in on the great secret to making money with writing: you need to finish your projects. And, participating in NaNo will help you do just that.
Writers who make money have two things in common: they write regularly and meet their deadline. Participating in NaNo reinforces those two habits. Not only do you have a hard deadline to meet, you have a word count goal as well. While you’re participating in NaNo, you can tweak your writing process to see what works for you. Are 1667 words per day too much? Maybe you work better with a lower goal, with a few intensive writing days interspersed. Some write furiously at the start of a project, only to slow appreciably near the end. Some belt out 50k in a week or two. Really, the options are endless.
I promise you, the techniques and habits you use during NaNo will make you a better writer overall, whether your area of expertise is blogging, short stories or novel-length works. Best of all, when the dust clears on December 1 you’ll have a shiny new manuscript in your hand. Who knows, maybe you’ll create the next great American novel. Learn more about NaNoWriMo at nanowrimo.org
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Book Blitz: MORE THAN EXES by Elizabeth Briggs @lizwrites
More Than Exes
Elizabeth Briggs
(Chasing the Dream 0.5)
Publication date: October 28th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Elizabeth Briggs
(Chasing the Dream 0.5)
Publication date: October 28th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Blurb:
Keyboardist Kyle Cross may look like a bad boy with his tattoos and piercings, but he’s really the good guy who’s always stuck fixing his band’s problems and never gets the girl. His band is competing in a college Battle of the Bands, but when their bassist doesn’t show, Kyle must track her down with the help of the person he least expects: his ex-girlfriend Alexis Monroe.
Kyle hasn’t seen Alexis since she dumped him in high school, and she’s dropped her preppy image for fiery red hair and a bold new attitude to match. With only hours before his band goes on stage, Kyle has to be a little bad if he wants to win both the Battle and the girl he’s never gotten over. But when their old problems resurface, the good guy might just get his heart broken all over again.
Prequel to:
About The Author
Elizabeth Briggs is a full-time geek who writes books for teens and adults. She plays the guitar, mentors at-risk teens, and volunteers with a dog rescue group. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a pack of small, fluffy dogs.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Cover Reveal - THE DARKNESS WITHIN by Kelly Hashway
After dying of cancer at seventeen and being brought back to
life by an evil witch who turned her into a monster, Samantha Thompson thinks
she's finally gotten past all the tragedy in her life. Now she's part of a
coven of good witches who are helping her and her boyfriend, Ethan Anderson, learn
to use the powers they received from other witches. Aside from the fact that
Sam and Ethan are still in hiding from their old lives--the ones they had
before Sam was brought back to life--things couldn't be better. Sam and Ethan
are inseparable. What could go wrong?
Magic.
Ethan's
magic came from a witch who'd turned as evil as possible, and though his coven
thought he'd be fine, the more he uses his magic, the stranger he starts
acting. The magic inside him is changing who he is. One minute he's Sam's
sweet, perfect Ethan and the next, he's a complete stranger. Even with all her
witchy power, Sam is helpless against the magic corrupting Ethan. Can Sam find
out what's wrong with him before she loses him to dark magic forever?
Author Bio:
Kelly Hashway grew up reading R.L. Stein’s Fear Street
novels and writing stories of her own, so it was no surprise to her family when
she majored in English and later obtained a masters degree in English Secondary
Education from East Stroudsburg University. After teaching middle school
language arts for seven years, Hashway went back to school and focused
specifically on writing. She is now the author of three young adult series, one
middle grade series, and several picture books. She also writes contemporary
romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she isn’t writing, Hashway works
as a freelance editor for small presses as well as for her own list of clients.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and volunteering with the
PTO. Hashway currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and
two pets.
Hashway is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero
Literary Agency.
Title: The Darkness Within
Author: Kelly Hashway
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com)
Please feel free to use any text, images, links, etc. from our website.
Release Date: June 2, 2015
Formats: Paper, e-book
If you’d like to request an ARC, please use the reviewer
form on their website.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Hey All - I'll Be Facilitating A Writing Workshop November 8! And, You Should Come
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Learn about writing craft, editing,
publishing, and publicity with award-winning authors, editors, and publicists
at Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester.
Worcester, MA, October 1, 2014 – On Saturday,
November 8, Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester on 65 James Street will be offering
an all-day Writers Workshop from 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The workshop will have three parts: Writing
and Editing, What to Expect from Publishing (On Your Own or With a Publisher),
Marketing and Publicity of your Work.
The workshop will be run by Trisha J. Wooldridge, Jennifer Carson, and
Jennifer Allis Provost—three friends and colleagues whose experience has
covered all aspects of publishing, from writing to publicity.
Trisha J. Wooldridge is the author of two middle
grade novels (under T.J. Wooldridge) as well as nearly a dozen short stories,
two of which won EPIC awards as part of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthologies,
and one which was nominated for a Stoker award from Epitaphs: Journal of the
New England Horror Writers. Trish also is a senior editor for Spencer Hill
Press, the president of Broad Universe, and has been a freelance journalist,
reviewer, and editor for over ten years. Find out more at www.anovelfriend.com.
Jennifer Carson is the lead imprint editor for
Spencer Hill Middle Grade, an imprint of Spencer Hill Press. Before
becoming an editor for SHP, she was a freelance editor for many years. She
specializes in fantasy world building and magic systems. Jennifer is also the
author of the award-winning Hapenny Magick, and it's forthcoming sequel,
Tangled Magick, as well as an award-winning fiber artist. You can learn more
about Jennifer at her website: www.thedragoncharmer.com or
www.spencerhillmiddlegrade.com.
Jennifer Allis Provost
wears several hats, but she likes author and publicist the best. As a
publicist, she utilizes a combination of her marketing degree, ten-plus years
of corporate experience, and vivacious personality to get her client’s titles
in front of readers. She has published an urban fantasy series,
Copper Legacy, and the epic fantasy Chronicles of Parthalan. Jennifer has
also been featured in several horror and fantasy anthologies. Follow Jennifer
(and learn about her other hats) @parthalan or visit her website at
http://jenniferallisprovost.wordpress.com/.
Workshop participants
can also choose to get a critique of the first five pages of their work, the
query and synopsis submission package, or their marketing plan. Cost for the workshop is $40 or $50 with
critique. Cost includes lunch and
participants MUST pre-register. Pre-register
at the store, in-person or via telephone, or through one of the instructors.
Final deadline for registration with critique is Friday, October 31. Item to
be critiqued must be handed in at this time. Final deadline for
registration without critique is Monday, November 3rd.
Sign-up and join us for
a unique, all-day workshop on November 8th that will help you through the many
facets of publishing with three professionals in the industry.
###
Contact: Patty Cryan
508-796-5613
anniesbookstopworcester@gmail.com
508-796-5613
anniesbookstopworcester@gmail.com
Sunday, October 5, 2014
SHATTERED WORLD (#2, Broken World series) by Kate L. Mary
Shattered World (#2, Broken World series)
by Kate L. Mary
Post-Apocalyptic/Zombie Series
Kindle │Barnes & Noble │ Kobo│ Google Play
***Warning: Contains Spoilers for Broken World***
“Here goes nothin’,” Axl says, echoing my thoughts.
He leans down and fools with the wires under the steering wheel. The dead bang against the car, but even more have surrounded the sedan. I dig my nails into my legs while I wait for Axl to do whatever he has planned. He grunts, and a few sparks fly. My entire body jerks when the deafening sound of the alarm rings through the car.
The world around us explodes. The bodies go crazy and converge on the car, banging on it with their hands, their bodies, their faces. They leave thick smears of black on the windows as they desperately try to get in. The door handle rattles, and some even climb on top of the car.
They’re wild and frantic. It’s so terrifying that for a moment I can’t remember exactly why we decided to do this. My heart pounds and I cover my ears, trying to block out the sounds of the hammering and the alarm. Trying to keep the terror at bay. All I want to do is run, but there’s nowhere to go. The realization that we’re stuck hits me so hard I start to shake.
Then the sedan drives off. It turns the corner with the truck close behind it, and I relax just a little. They’re going to make it. Nathan and his wife, their daughter. Two other little boys who have years ahead of them. Trey can get back to Parvarti and Winston to his daughter. They will have food and safety. That’s why we chose to commit suicide in this horrifying way.
Axl pries my hands away from my ears and pulls me against his chest. He wraps his arms around me as the pounding continues. He doesn’t say anything, and neither do I. All I can do is watch silently as the truck pulls out of sight.
After a few minutes, he turns the alarm off, but the damage is already done. They know we’re in here, and they won’t give up until they’ve broken in. A crack starts at the corner of the windshield and travels across. Then another. A dead man hurls himself against the glass and pounds his fists. Hundreds of cracks fan out across the windshield in a frightening web pattern, and I have to stifle the urge to scream. It’s safety glass, so it doesn’t give. At least not yet.
“I won’t let them get us.” Axl’s lips brush against my head, and strands of hair fall into my face. They tickle my nose, but I can’t find the motivation to move them aside.
I nod and swallow against the lump in my throat. He doesn’t mean he won’t let them get in, because we both know there’s nothing we can do about that now. Surprisingly though, I’m okay with it. A bullet to the brain sounds a lot better than being ripped apart by the undead.
Kate L. Mary is a stay-at-home mother of four and an Air Force wife. She spent most of her life in a small town just north of 
Dayton, Ohio where she and her husband met at the age of twelve. Since their marriage in 2002, they have lived in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and California.
Kate enjoys any post-apocalyptic story – especially if zombies are involved – as long as there is a romantic twist to give the story hope. Kate prefers nerdy, non-traditional heroes that can make you laugh to hunky pieces of man-meat, and her love of wine and chocolate is legendary among her friends and family. She currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and children.
than kindness, but she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to reach her daughter.
The virus is spreading, and by the time the group makes it to California, most of the population has been wiped out. When the dead start coming back, Vivian and the others realize that no electricity or running water are the least of their concerns. Now Vivian has to figure out how to be a mother under the most frightening circumstances, cope with Angus’s aggressive mood swings, and sort out her growing attraction to his brooding younger brother, Axl.
While searching for a safe place to go, they pick up a pompous billionaire who may be the answer to all their problems. Trusting him means going into the middle of the Mojave Desert and possibly risking their lives, but with the streets overrun and nowhere else to turn, it seems he might be their only chance for survival.
Amazon │Barnes & Noble │ Kobo│ Google Play
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Waiting on wednesday: MARTYR by A.R. Kahler
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly awaiting!
Title: MARTYR (The Hunted: Book One)
Author: A.R. Kahler
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Expected Publication Date: October 28, 2014
Three years have passed since magic destroyed the world.
Those who remain struggle to survive the monsters roaming the streets, fighting back with steel and magic—the very weapons that birthed the Howls in the first place.
Tenn is one such Hunter, a boy with the ability to harness the elements through ancient runes. For years, the Hunters have used this magic to keep the monsters at bay, but it's never been enough to truly win the war. Humans are losing.
When Tenn falls prey to an incubus named Tomás and his terrifying Kin, Tenn learns there's more to this than a fight for survival. He's a pawn in a bigger game, one with devastating consequences. If he doesn't play his part, it could cost him his life, his lover and his world.
Barnes and Noble Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/martyr-ar-kahler/1119317450?ean=9781939392787&itm=1&usri=9781939392787&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10:1&r=1,%201
Alex is many things, but first and foremost, he’s a Sagittarius.
Born in Iowa and educated across the States, he’s taught circus in Amsterdam and Madrid, gotten madly lost in the Scottish wilderness, received his Masters in Creative Writing from Glasgow University, and drummed with Norse shamans. Sometimes he also walks about on stilts. Or sews. Or hammers tiny pieces of metal into pretty shapes.
When he’s not writing or climbing in the rafters, he’s probably drinking coffee. And seeing as he currently resides in Seattle, there’s coffee aplenty.
He is represented by Laurie McLean of Foreword Literary.
Alex's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARKahler
Alex's Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5393419.A_R_Kahler
Alex's Website: http://www.arkahler.com
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