TRADITIONAL, INDIE, AND HYBRID, OH MY! #amwriting #publishing #MASFFA

Let’s face it, publishing is not like it used to be. Thanks to innovations in ebook and marketing technology, literally anyone can upload a book and become a published author in hours or even minutes—but not everyone wants to do that, and frankly, not everyone should.

Whether or not the relative ease of self-publishing is good for the industry is a can o’ worms for another post. What we’re going to talk about today are the three broad categories of authors that the rise in self-publishing has created: traditional, indie, and hybrid.

Disclaimer: for the purposes of this article, I’m referring to publishing a novel-length work. Practices differ for other forms, therefore I advise that the writers of such works research accordingly.

Read the rest of this article on the MASFFA blog: https://masffa.com/2017/07/24/traditional-indie-and-hybrid-oh-my/

Writer Wednesday: It’s Time To Talk About NaNoWriMo #writerwednesday #amwriting #NaNoWriMo

Here we are on the last day of August, with summer winding down and the kids returning to school. Right now I'm looking ahead to November, specifically NaNoWriMo. I've written about NaNo before, but here's a description in a nutshell: You write a first draft of a novel (50,000 words, which breaks down to 1,667 words per day) in 30 days, during the month of November. Hence, National Novel Writing Month = NaNoWriMo. Sounds daunting, right? Actually, it's totally doable, and I should know. I've been participating in NaNo for years, and I always make my word count. My personal best is 66k in 19 days, but there were a few extenuating circumstances there: I didn't pay my cable bill, and I had no internet for half the month. It was a wonder Facebook survived without me. Lesson the first: reducing/eliminating distractions has a positive effect on word count. The other tip I can't stress enough is getting all of your pre-work out of the way before November 1. What is pre-work? Well, your outline, for one. Also, if your story concept needs any sort of research--be it places, dates, obscure languages--do it now. when November 1 hits you want to hit the ground running, not get bogged down reading semi-factual Wikipedia pages. Lesson the second: research now, write like the dickens later. Something else I do to keep me on track is engage a NaNo buddy. Your buddy can help you by critiquing plot points, helping you out when the story hits a rough patch, or just by commiserating and sheering you on. My NaNo buddy this year is Barry *waves* and we've already had a few chat sessions to talk about our projects. He's working on a horror novel with a fricken' AWESOME concept, and I'm going to cobble together a retelling of Medusa and other Greek myths. Which means that our projects will never, ever be in competition for the same venue. Side benefit! Lesson the third: get a support group/person/houseplant. There's no need to go it alone! Writing 50,000 words in 30 days is tough, but any serious writer can make this goal. If you feel like you need a challenge to get yourself back on track, or just want to revel in writing something new, I say give NaNo a go. You might surprise yourself. Oh, and that 66k I wrote in 19 days? It's a real book - Changing Teams! Check it out here!   See that, if I can win NaNo, and get the resulting project published, you can too :)   Are you planning on participating in NaNoWriMo this year? Tell me in the comments!  

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Facts About Me

1.  One of the first stories I ever wrote was called The Coming of Ragnarok. It was about—you guessed it—Ragnarok! In my version Baldr made a timely appearance and defeated Surtr.

2. I wrote my first novel in the eighth grade. 20 years later, I published it.

3. I’ll eat pretty much anything, as long as it doesn’t involve goat cheese, coconut, or beets.

4. I secretly want to be a linguist. Well, I guess it’s not a secret now. I’ve taken formal classes in French, Italian, and Russian. I’ve also taught myself some Latin, Gaelic, Irish, and Occitan.

5. I love research! When I’m working on a new project I jump in feet first, and research things down to minute details. For instance, for a project that took place in Scotland I spent about a year learning Scottish history, folklore, and customs.  Oh, and that’s why I learned Gaelic.

6. I have a rather interesting employment history. I’ve mapped wetlands, worked as a barista, been a publicist for a small press, and handled insurance claims. Writing is definitely my favorite occupation.

7. My first pet’s name was Felicia, and I grew up on Beaufort Circle. That means my porn name is Felicia Beaufort.

8. My urban fantasy, Copper Girl, was indirectly inspired by one of my insurance jobs. Building maintenance kept the air conditioning around fifty degrees during the summer (true fact – I checked it with an ambient thermometer) so I got in the habit of going outside at lunch to warm up. One day I was looking at this weird tree at the edge of the parking lot, and I started wondering if it was a portal to the Otherworld; maybe my brain had frostbite. Anyway, that idle wondering became the opening scene in Copper Girl.

9. I’ve done a fair bit of traveling. I’ve been to Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Czechoslovakia (back when it was Czechoslovakia ), and Lichtenstein.

10. I’ve tried, and failed, to master many instruments over the years.

What are some fun facts about you? Leave them in the comments below, and we'll see who has the wackiest response.

Heir to the Sun - available everywhere June 1, 2015. Add it to your GoodReads shelf here. 

Like it on Facebook here.

Obligatory New Year's Post, Complete With Resolutions #AmWriting #HappyNewYear #Resolutions

I don't know about ya'll, but I'm pretty excited for 2015. 2014 was...well, let's put it this way: it could have been worse. It was a much better year for me and my family than 2013, but it could have used a bit of polishing.

2015 is already shaping up to be a great year, and here are a few of the reasons:

1. The Wonder Twins will be starting school! Seriously, I have no idea where the time has gone.

Ember and Robby, two weeks old. Now they're headed into Pre-K!

2. I will be transitioning from a job that I'm especially unsuited for into a position that I've wanted for quite some time. It even comes with a salary increase :)

3. Last but not least I will have three, count 'em, THREE books coming out in 2015! The release schedule is as follows:

Heir to the Sun - Book One of The Chronicles of Parthalan: March 17, 2015
Copper Veins - Book Three of the Copper Legacy: July 7, 2015
The Virgin Queen - Book Two of The Chronicles of Parthalan: October 20, 2015

Some of you may remember Heir to the Sun when it was first released back in 2011. It's been reworked with a fresh new edit, new cover and lots of extras! I'll share the cover as soon as I can. I'm very, very happy that I'll be able to get Parthalan's stories out into the world again. In case you missed the cover reveal for Copper Veins, here it is:

Pretty, huh?

This rather intense release schedule segues nicely into the resolution portion of this post. They are, in no particular order:

1. Promote my work in new and innovative ways
2. Make connections with other authors who write in similar genres. Network, network, network.
3. Read more comic books. Watch more cartoons. Make time to play.
4. Trim down my extra assignments and concentrate only on those that can further me as an author.

The last one is going to be a long process, and it will probably take me at least half the year to figure out what works and what doesn't. I've already decided to stop a few assignments, and I may dispense with a few more.

All in all, I think 2015 is going to be great. What are you looking forward to this year?

What's This #NaNoWriMo All About, Anyway?

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

Hey All - I'll Be Facilitating A Writing Workshop November 8! And, You Should Come

Yep, you read that right: yours truly will be facilitating a writing workshop November 8, along with the equally awesome Trisha Wooldridge and Jennifer Carson. The press release is below, but if you'd like more information (or sign up) email me at jenniferaprovost@gmail.com.

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

Teaser Tuesday, GALLOWGLASS edition

In reviewing my posts over the past few months, I realized that I've been mostly doing cover reveals and blog hops, promoting others rather than myself. Now, don't get me wrong; I believe in sharing the love with my fellow authors, and will continue to do so. I just need to balance helping them with helping me.

As a result of this new mindset, today I sent off my very first query for GALLOWGLASS, and I am so fricken' excited! A little background on this project: as you may or may not know, I've always been fascinated by Celtic myths and legends. A few years ago I stumbled onto the story of Robert Kirk, a seventeenth century minister who wrote a book called The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies. (Check it out, it's a real book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4168758-the-secret-commonwealth-of-elves-fauns-and-fairies ) 

While taking a night time stroll around the fairy hill in 1692, Robert Kirk died, apparently from a stroke. Legend states that he didn't die, but that the fairies, outraged that he revealed their secrets, kidnapped him and imprisoned him in a tree atop the fairy hill. According to the rumors, he's still there today. 

Holy crap, here was a real guy, who had not only written about his dealings with fairies, but was supposedly punished for doing so. And he died on a fairy hill! Seriously, you can't make this stuff up.

So, I started making stuff up about him, what had he been doing, had he really just been standing there in a tree, did he even remember his time as a reverend? And, what would happen if he was set free?

Below is the query I sent out for GALLOWGLASS, the latest step in a project that I've been working on for over five years. I'm excited, proud, nervous...but most of all, I'd like to know what you think? Would you read it?

Here it is, the fairy hill where it all began

What would you do if you’d crossed an entire ocean to get away from your problems, only to run smack dab into the Fairy Queen’s personal assassin?

Desperate to escape a recent heartbreak, Karina Stewart accepted a research grant in the UK to work on her doctoral thesis. Along for the ride is her brother, Chris, who had been a best-selling author until his ex-fiancée sued him for plagiarism. Karina’s research brings them to Aberfoyle, Scotland, where local legend claims that seventeenth century minister Robert Kirk was kidnapped by fairies. Quite by accident, Karina frees Reverend Kirk.

Robert tells Karina that he spent the last few hundred years not as a prisoner, but as the Fairy Queen’s gallowglass, a mercenary cum assassin. Despite her brother’s warnings, Karina lets Robert accompany them on their tour of Scotland. After they’re attacked by demons sent to retrieve Robert, Karina realizes that the Fairy Queen will do anything to reclaim Robert. Only, Karina doesn’t want to let him go.