"I'm so glad I got this one. It was beautifully written, emotional, and hard to put down.
This is a writer to watch!"
Thank you, Nancy Brandt!
Showing posts with label M. Flagg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label M. Flagg. Show all posts
Sunday, July 3, 2011
New Review for CONSEQUENCES...
Yes. I broke down and entered Book Two in The PRISM contest a few months ago. Then I was pleasantly surprised to see a 5 STAR READER REVIEW on Amazon:
Friday, April 22, 2011
Please join me...
Part of being an author is promotion, and then, more promotion.
I'm thrilled to announce the following happenings - and all in the span of two days!
APRIL 28, 2011
Interview at http://jennafern.blogspot.com/
Ms. Nixon asks some tough questions.
Drop in and see how I do!
Blogtalk Radio interview with the lovely and gracious Daria DiGiovanni. Here's the promo for the link. The interview is slated for 11am.http://dariadigiovanni.com/2011/04/writestream-welcomes-author-mickey-flagg/
Sign in to participate, but you'll be able to access the interview later on. I'll post the link.
APRIL 29, 2011
"Don't we always write what we know?" Hum... I write vampires...
Author Chris Redding has a terrific blog.
http://chrisreddingauthor.blogspot.com/ I'll sign in from time to time and I look forward to your comments!
BOOK SIGNING with author JOANNA AISLINN
FRIDAY NIGHT 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Union High School, Union NJ
Join us for an enjoyable evening of shopping as well. Some great gift ideas just in time for Mother's Day!
Thanks for stopping by! ~ Mickey
I'm thrilled to announce the following happenings - and all in the span of two days!
APRIL 28, 2011Interview at http://jennafern.blogspot.com/
Ms. Nixon asks some tough questions.
Drop in and see how I do!
Blogtalk Radio interview with the lovely and gracious Daria DiGiovanni. Here's the promo for the link. The interview is slated for 11am.http://dariadigiovanni.com/2011/04/writestream-welcomes-author-mickey-flagg/
Sign in to participate, but you'll be able to access the interview later on. I'll post the link.
APRIL 29, 2011
"Don't we always write what we know?" Hum... I write vampires...
Author Chris Redding has a terrific blog.
http://chrisreddingauthor.blogspot.com/ I'll sign in from time to time and I look forward to your comments!
BOOK SIGNING with author JOANNA AISLINN
FRIDAY NIGHT 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Union High School, Union NJ
Join us for an enjoyable evening of shopping as well. Some great gift ideas just in time for Mother's Day!
Thanks for stopping by! ~ Mickey
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
COME VISIT MY NEW BLOG!!
Hi Everyone!
I've joined my good friend and paranormal author for a joint blog. All future postings will be there, so come visit when you get a chance: http://www.ParanormalPassion.blogspot.com
Shela Sky has sold a novella to The Wild Rose Press. It's entitled The Vampire's Touch, and if you've enjoyed Retribution! and Consequences, I'm sure you'll enjoy her author voice as much as I do! She's already gone through the edit process and is waiting for a release date. Yep. Sometimes things move really fast.
The blogspot, ParanormalPassion, will be an exciting venture. We're hoping to entice a few more authors to visit and guest blog with us. If you're interested, please email me at michele.flagg@yahoo.com.
Thanks ~ Mickey Flagg
I've joined my good friend and paranormal author for a joint blog. All future postings will be there, so come visit when you get a chance: http://www.ParanormalPassion.blogspot.com
Shela Sky has sold a novella to The Wild Rose Press. It's entitled The Vampire's Touch, and if you've enjoyed Retribution! and Consequences, I'm sure you'll enjoy her author voice as much as I do! She's already gone through the edit process and is waiting for a release date. Yep. Sometimes things move really fast.
The blogspot, ParanormalPassion, will be an exciting venture. We're hoping to entice a few more authors to visit and guest blog with us. If you're interested, please email me at michele.flagg@yahoo.com.
Thanks ~ Mickey Flagg
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Release Date
I can't believe it. Almost five years! I'll forever be grateful for her guidance, patience, and support. As a new writer (definitely not a young one) the opportunity to work with the best of the best has been thrilling!
So back to the reason for this post. Like many authors gearing up for another book signing, I labored all afternoon once I had Callie's email, and created post cards to hand out. I had to get HIS SOUL TO KEEP and its stunning cover out there, right? Along with reviews for Retribution! and Consequences... I simply typed "coming soon" for Book Three, and the promo cards arrived four days ago.
There's a reason people procrastinate. I should have, I guess.
Last night, that altogether thrilling email arrived from my editor. And with a cyber drum-roll...
HIS SOUL TO KEEP releases in ebook and print on JULY 22, 2011
Remember my post about changing the blurb? Well, here's the final one:
Destiny is rewritten for Michael Malone, a mystically enhanced vampire, with an outcome so unexpected that everyone in his world is stunned - Michael most of all. Suddenly mortal, he faces challenges unlike any he has ever experienced.
Alana, his Guardian and soul mate, questions how the evil that lived within Michael was vanquished. Lukas, his human son, doesn't trust his father's heartbeat, and Michael himself has no answers.
The bonds of their love will face the greatest test of all when the ancient demon anchored within Michael for 317 years is discovered alive within an innocent human. Can Michael, Alana, and Lukas destroy the evil unleashed in order to give Michael his soul to keep?
I'll be signing Books One and Two on March 19th at the 2011 Create Something Magical Conference
hosted by Liberty States Fiction Writers.
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Where: Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Rte.1 & Gill Lane, Iselin, NJ 08830
Come and meet some of New Jersey's finest authors :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Mickey
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Cover
So far, the blurb is as follows:
Destiny is rewritten for Michael Malone, a mystically enhanced vampire, with an outcome so unexpected that everyone in his world is stunned—Michael most of all.
“Tell me how this happened?” asks Alana, the Guardian he will always love. Lukas, his rebellious human son, is just as curious. Michael gives no explanation, believing “The why is all that matters now.”
Then, his outrage intensifies when the demon that had lived in Michael's soul for 317 years is sensed, alive and well, living within an innocent human. He'll face evil unleashed, his soul to keep.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
It's official: HIS SOUL TO KEEP
Okay. My editor warned me that I might have to change Book Three's title.
Did I listen? Nope.
The edit pass is done. We're ready to go to the next step.
Then the email comes. We have to change the title of Inheritance!
At first, panic set in along with but that's the title in my head and it's written in stone! It ends the Trilogy and maybe even provides the segue for another series.
Then I thought about it. My editor and I brainstormed, coming up with every possible one-word title to fit The Champion Chronicles and a vampire on his singular road to redemption.
As expected, every title was already taken - multiple times if you scan through Amazon.
Tucking my panic away for two days at work wasn't exactly easy. I don't have the type of job where I can share information about writing a paranormal series. One sentence, however, which came to mind the first night, had me thinking. I ran it by my daughter. She liked it. I ran it by my son. He didn't...
I thought, this fit's, it sounds intriguing. I'd read the back cover, even look inside to see what the book's about. Then I realized, not a one-word grabber like Retribution! and Consequences... but still interesting, since my vampire's soul is the heart of the matter in my series.
So now, officially, The Champion Chronicles: Book Three is ~
HIS SOUL TO KEEP
I jumped the gun by a day and referred to book three as HIS SOUL TO KEEP in an interview with Don Smith for The Wayne Patch http://wayne.patch.com/articles/wayne-resident-writes-vampire-trilogy
Please click on the link to read my interview while you're here :)
A new blurb is finished, and of course, any other revamping (yes, pun intended) requested will happily be tackled. But reading the ms once more, the title is perfection.
If you're a writer, have you had to change the title of your book? Did you experience the same kind of panic? When you wrote the novel, did you have a second title waiting in the wings?
I guess the moral of the story is keep an open mind. Sometimes, change is good.
Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for a release date!
~ Mickey
Give me a few days to change the info at http://www.mflagg-author.com, but do visit and read more about The Champion Chronicles
Did I listen? Nope.
The edit pass is done. We're ready to go to the next step.
Then the email comes. We have to change the title of Inheritance!
At first, panic set in along with but that's the title in my head and it's written in stone! It ends the Trilogy and maybe even provides the segue for another series.
Then I thought about it. My editor and I brainstormed, coming up with every possible one-word title to fit The Champion Chronicles and a vampire on his singular road to redemption.
As expected, every title was already taken - multiple times if you scan through Amazon.
Tucking my panic away for two days at work wasn't exactly easy. I don't have the type of job where I can share information about writing a paranormal series. One sentence, however, which came to mind the first night, had me thinking. I ran it by my daughter. She liked it. I ran it by my son. He didn't...
I thought, this fit's, it sounds intriguing. I'd read the back cover, even look inside to see what the book's about. Then I realized, not a one-word grabber like Retribution! and Consequences... but still interesting, since my vampire's soul is the heart of the matter in my series.
So now, officially, The Champion Chronicles: Book Three is ~
HIS SOUL TO KEEP
I jumped the gun by a day and referred to book three as HIS SOUL TO KEEP in an interview with Don Smith for The Wayne Patch http://wayne.patch.com/articles/wayne-resident-writes-vampire-trilogy
Please click on the link to read my interview while you're here :)
A new blurb is finished, and of course, any other revamping (yes, pun intended) requested will happily be tackled. But reading the ms once more, the title is perfection.
If you're a writer, have you had to change the title of your book? Did you experience the same kind of panic? When you wrote the novel, did you have a second title waiting in the wings?
I guess the moral of the story is keep an open mind. Sometimes, change is good.
Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for a release date!
~ Mickey
Give me a few days to change the info at http://www.mflagg-author.com, but do visit and read more about The Champion Chronicles
Friday, August 20, 2010
Have you ever pet a butterfly?
My vacation is at an end. I don't fully know what awaits Monday morning, but I'm sure it won't be pretty. With the unpredictability issue weighing heavily on my mind, I accepted a writer friend's invitation to spend the afternoon at her house. She's very earth-friendly, and as soon as I stepped onto her deck, the calm atmosphere had me. I stood by a pot of flowers on the deck rail, talking about my 'staycation' - the little writing I'd accomplished.
Right then a beautiful butterfly flitted around me. It settled on a bright pink flower less than a foot away. I moved closer. It didn't stop sucking sweet nectar from the little flower. I leaned in to study its black body, it's beautiful wings with yellow spots and a shade of blue I've never seen as our conversation continued.
Don't ask me why, but I reached out. With one finger, I stroked it's wing - an incredible feeling like touching a silky fine feather. Instead of zooming away, it stayed perfectly still. I pet it again and again and again. Then, it opened it's wings to reveal more shades of blue. And I continued to pet it's wing.
By now, all talk had stopped. My friend stared in disbelief. It left the flower and flitted around me once again, only to land by the next flower. Not quite sure I had experienced what I experienced, I reached out, sure it would fly away. But no. Once again, I pet it's wing, full of wonder and disbelief.
Suddenly, her daughter's friend shouted, "Oooh! Me too!" The butterfly took off with two young girls chasing it as we stood there shocked. She said she'd never seen anything like this before. I had to agree. I've never been this close to a butterfly! The feeling? Well, it's not easy to describe. I felt every little silken bristle. I saw little white spots on his body and I swear I looked into his eyes.
The inner me felt complete calm. As if time stood still or an out-of-body experience. It didn't seem real, yet three other people witnessed the moment.
I told my cousin about this last night. "I think it was an angel," she whispered.
"You think?"
"Oh yes... How many people do you know who have pet a butterfly?"
I couldn't answer.
"Have you ever heard of anyone standing next to one or a butterfly allowing someone to touch it's wings?"
"No," I replied, still unable to explain how or why it happened.
"Wow. I'll bet this is a one in a million chance." I shrugged and smiled. She shook her head and smiled back. "Leave it to you to do something so strange. I still think it was an angel."
"I have no idea," was my reply, very soft, very tentative.
The more I think about it, maybe she's right. I'll never know, but I will always remember how I felt when I touched a butterfly's wing and it didn't fly away. How serenity claimed me on a hot summer's day. I may not have had the fabulous, fun-filled vacation hoped for. But this simple unexpected experience made this one summer I'll never forget.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
RT reviews Consequences... The Champion Chronicles: Book Two
This release has been a long time coming, but it's finally HERE!!!
I learned so much as a writer while preparing this manuscript for my wonderful editor, Callie Lynn Wolfe at The Wild Rose Press. This was the first book I contracted, second in the series (of course, I do things backwards). Callie gave The Champion Chronicles it's name. Retribution! Book One debuted in March 2009. When I wrote Consequences...Book Two, the story was solid, the characters like old friends. I am pleased to announce that the last book in the Trilogy - Inheritance, Book Three is already in edits with Callie! Three books out in three years. Not bad for someone who never aspired to write a novel.
Consequences...Book Two has just been reviewed by Romantic Times Book Reviews, and here's what Donna M. Brown had to say.
CONSEQUENCES - M. Flagg - 4 Stars (Compelling - A page turner) Heat level: MILD
"Book two of the Champion Chronicles is a really wild ride. This is a story about a different sort of vampire. There are battles, tender moments, and a large dose of teen angst. Very enjoyable!"
"SUMMARY: The beast remains within. Mystically enhanced vampire Michael Malone survived a vicious assault by three evil sorcerers, only to face this one last obstacle. But he is not alone. The faithful have gathered for an exorcism.
Soon the beast is gone, but this Michael is different. It will take much more to bring him to the present. Many, including his love, the Guardian Alana and his human son Lukas, are there to pull him through. When he's back to his "normal" undead self, the Champion must atone for 300 years of transgressions. But an unlikely circumstance disturbs the malevolent Volstad, who vows to destroy Michael and turn Lukas."
Thank you Ms. Brown! I'm totally thrilled to share her words with you! ~ Mickey Flagg
Share your latest release or just leave a comment to win a copy of CONSEQUENCES.
Contest ends August 9th!! Thanks for visiting my blog!!
I learned so much as a writer while preparing this manuscript for my wonderful editor, Callie Lynn Wolfe at The Wild Rose Press. This was the first book I contracted, second in the series (of course, I do things backwards). Callie gave The Champion Chronicles it's name. Retribution! Book One debuted in March 2009. When I wrote Consequences...Book Two, the story was solid, the characters like old friends. I am pleased to announce that the last book in the Trilogy - Inheritance, Book Three is already in edits with Callie! Three books out in three years. Not bad for someone who never aspired to write a novel.
Consequences...Book Two has just been reviewed by Romantic Times Book Reviews, and here's what Donna M. Brown had to say.
CONSEQUENCES - M. Flagg - 4 Stars (Compelling - A page turner) Heat level: MILD
"Book two of the Champion Chronicles is a really wild ride. This is a story about a different sort of vampire. There are battles, tender moments, and a large dose of teen angst. Very enjoyable!"
"SUMMARY: The beast remains within. Mystically enhanced vampire Michael Malone survived a vicious assault by three evil sorcerers, only to face this one last obstacle. But he is not alone. The faithful have gathered for an exorcism.
Soon the beast is gone, but this Michael is different. It will take much more to bring him to the present. Many, including his love, the Guardian Alana and his human son Lukas, are there to pull him through. When he's back to his "normal" undead self, the Champion must atone for 300 years of transgressions. But an unlikely circumstance disturbs the malevolent Volstad, who vows to destroy Michael and turn Lukas."
Thank you Ms. Brown! I'm totally thrilled to share her words with you! ~ Mickey Flagg
Share your latest release or just leave a comment to win a copy of CONSEQUENCES.
Contest ends August 9th!! Thanks for visiting my blog!!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
It's a TRILOGY.
The release date for Consequences, Book Two in The Champion Chronicles is early August. It will be available at Amazon as well as The Wild Rose Press web site. I am so looking forward to this release, but I also have other news to share.
I've signed a contract with TWRP for the third book in this paranormal romance series. Inheritance continues Michael Malone's story of redemption and then some. Questions are answered, a new threat looms for him and Alana to battle, and Lukas discovers more about himself. All in all, the title of Book Three has many meanings.
To celebrate, I've changed my blog spot around a little. Yep. I went for the dramatic. For those of you who know me, it's no surprise. On June 21, I have a post up at http://twrpblackrose.blogspot.com on the topic of e-readers. Feel free to stop by and leave a comment. There's Kindle, the NOOK, and of course, the new Apple creation for downloading and reading ebooks. Please pardon my techno-savvy if I've left any others out. I have a SONY Reader (which suits me just fine, thank you).
So here's the treat. If you go to that post on June 21 and can come back here to http://www.mflagg.blogspot.com to tell me why I like the e-reader, you'll be entered in my celebration contest for a copy of Consequences to read.
Paperback or ebook - the choice will be yours!
Thanks for stopping by ~ Mickey
I've signed a contract with TWRP for the third book in this paranormal romance series. Inheritance continues Michael Malone's story of redemption and then some. Questions are answered, a new threat looms for him and Alana to battle, and Lukas discovers more about himself. All in all, the title of Book Three has many meanings.
To celebrate, I've changed my blog spot around a little. Yep. I went for the dramatic. For those of you who know me, it's no surprise. On June 21, I have a post up at http://twrpblackrose.blogspot.com on the topic of e-readers. Feel free to stop by and leave a comment. There's Kindle, the NOOK, and of course, the new Apple creation for downloading and reading ebooks. Please pardon my techno-savvy if I've left any others out. I have a SONY Reader (which suits me just fine, thank you).
So here's the treat. If you go to that post on June 21 and can come back here to http://www.mflagg.blogspot.com to tell me why I like the e-reader, you'll be entered in my celebration contest for a copy of Consequences to read.
Paperback or ebook - the choice will be yours!
Thanks for stopping by ~ Mickey
Sunday, January 24, 2010
But I've been busy...
Whew! Life get's busier by the month. I've been remiss with promotion, keeping up with blogs, posting updates, etc. "But I've been busy," has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Nothing bad; all good!
I'm happy to announce that Book Three of The Champion Chronicles: Inheritance is now in the hands of my goddess of an editor. Yep. I finally let it go after many, many revisions. Now the wait begins - again...
I feel very blessed to be an author who can say this. Statistics are staggering on how many individuals say they are going to write a book, and then actually do so. I've completed three in the four years I've been writing paranormal fiction. My thesis doesn't count (gotta grin here).
Now to other good news. Here's my new cover. Consequences... The Champion Chronicles: Book Two also has a release date from The Wild Rose Press: August 6, 2010. I'm very proud of this one. It was a rejection letter that forced me to write it. It was the first book my editor contracted. My sister Linda read the initial manuscript so fast that I was stunned. I poured my heart into it, wrote like a banshee on a mission for four months straight, and held my head high when I wrote the last word. I am pleased to share the cover with you :)
In February, two other Wild Rose authors, Linda J. Parisi (Noble Blood) and Christine Clemetson (A Daughter's Promise) and M. Flagg (Retribution!) will be appearing at the Pequannock Library (973-835-7460 for more details) on February 8th at 7 pm. We have a great presentation called "Three Takes on Love" which includes short examples of our love stories and a discussion session. Everyone's invited, of course.
On February 9th from 7 - 8 pm, I'll be talking at Marketing For Writers in Newton, NJ. The address is 133 Spring St. For more info, call 973-383-0027
March holds two more events and book signings. I'll keep you posted :)
So Happy 2010 to all. I hope your new year is filled with tons of good news and blessings!
Mickey
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
NOVEMBER PROMOTIONS
The trees are shedding and change is in the air. The Halloween Book signing was a hoot! Linda J. Parisi (NOBLE BLOOD) and I donned our costumes to greet over thirty guests at THE FINE GRIND in Little Falls, NJ. For all the pictures, visit http://www.facebook.com/mickey.flagg
My daughter took some great pictures!
November highlights:
I start the month off reading a passage from RETRIBUTION! on Red River Writers Live Blog Talk Radio show November 5th at Noon, Central time. I should be on the air about 12:30. We are an hour later in good old NJ. Hope you tune in. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RedRiverWritersLive/2009/11/05/Red-River-Writers-Live--Tell-April-Laurie-About-Yo
FREE READ DOWNLOAD at THE WILD ROSE PRESS!!!
Friday the Thirteenth (cover above) is a spicy hot, paranormal short story that is now available for your reading pleasure. It's free and downloads like a PDF. Just follow the link below to meet Simone and Maximilian.
FREE READ - A SWEET LOVE STORY SANS THE PARANORMAL - I PROMISE :)
November 19th - Thrifty Thursday at The Long and Short of It.
Hollow Hearts, a sweet romance between Agatha and Darby - after many years apart.
Above all else, celebrate our family and friends as we approach Thanksgiving. How blessed are we to have such love in our lives. Stay well ~ Mickey
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Halloween Happening
CONGRATULATIONS, LINDA J. PARISI!!!
Winner of NJRW's Golden Leaf for
FIRST BOOK: NOBLE BLOOD
My fellow Black Rose Author at The Wild Rose Press has won the prestigious Golden Leaf Award. Linda's speech was so very poignant and straight from her heart.
Happily, you can meet Linda this Halloween at THE FINE GRIND Coffee House, voted NJ's best coffee house for 2009. We will be together (in costume, of course) for a book signing on October 31st from 10 - Noon.
The Fine Grind is located on Rt. 23 South in Little Falls (in The Farnisi Shopping Center) In fact, Retribution! as well as Noble Blood are already on their bookshelf for purchase.
Do stop by for a great cup of coffee and the chance to win a beautiful gift basket. There will also be a tarot reader available for the event. Rhonda and Jon are terrific hosts. We hope to pack the place, so put this on your Halloween to-do list and come on over.
Hope to see you there!
Mickey
Monday, September 21, 2009
Just who on earth checks these people?
Perhaps it's the end of summer that brings out mean-spirited people. I tend to look forward to autumn - cooler nights, beautiful, vibrant color - all those warm, toasty things that beg for a fire in the hearth and hand crocheted blankets. Just when I'm settling in with a smile, out come the odd balls.
I belong to several author groups. Tales of pirated e-books, publishing houses that close, and the sudden onslaught of hurtful reviews are being mentioned on a variety of blogs.
Is it the economy? Is it the fall breezes or loud cicadas? I mean, just who on earth checks these people out before they cheat authors out of their royalties, decide to close up shop, or just simply spew such trash?
I thank the Lord every day that I'm with The Wild Rose Press. I have a great editor, an accessible publisher who puts out high-quality romance, and fellow authors that support each other. This house has integrity. It tends its garden and makes me proud to be with the Black Rose Line.
So let's skip back a paragraph; take a look at those above-mentioned charlatans.
Pirates! In the 21st century! They can find anyone's novel on the web and take what isn't theirs to take. Pay for your ebooks. Own it the same as you'd own a print copy. Don't share it, don't give it away, and above all, don't begrudge someone, who went through the process of writing a book and selling it, the royalties we work hard to earn.
Those fly-by-night houses! Imagine that! They close or don't pay a cent for your story. What!? There are places to check publishers out. Go there. Read. Think. Research before you hit the send button. It is your creation so protect it. You deserve a royalty statement you can read and understand every quarter. You deserve to be with a publisher who answers your questions, no matter how ditzy you think it sounds. There are honest houses out there. Find them and query them. Take the contract to a literary lawyer and learn what each sentence means. What rights are yours? What does the house own? These are simple questions. Learn to ask them.
Now to the reviewer. I'm proud of every review I've received - the good and the bad. What I don't get are those who decide to trash a book, not on just one site, but on many. And some of these people have the audacity to consider themselves experts because they learned to read! Do they all write a book and sweat through the process? The good ones with integrity have. They are literate persons who know the entire journey that you've taken. Others hook up with a multitude of web sites, use a variety of names, and post the exact same garbage in many places! Think about it. Now, the unsuspecting author has a plethora of trashy reviews from one person - who never should have critiqued the book in the first place. What a racket!!
I'm a music teacher. I have credentials that say I can critique a student's musical ability with a proven knowledge base. Liking a song does not mean that you can notate it or perform it correctly. So why should someone who has never penned a full-length novel, gone through the process of query, contract, and edits make or break an author's career? Why give them any credence at all?
To me, they are worse than the pirates and the pub houses that don't pay a cent in royalties. They break spirits with intentional bad manners. They don't get the plots, the characters, or the blood, sweat, and tears a writer pours into his or her work. They use words as poison instead of entertainment. In other words, they're jealous wannabees who don't have the courage to write their own story.
So these are the odd balls. They crop up in the creative arts as well as politics. Thank God they don't build the bridges and perform intricate surgeries on our loved ones. A little knowledge turns someone into an expert with power. And they tend to go on and on and on...
I mean, just who on earth checks out these people?
I belong to several author groups. Tales of pirated e-books, publishing houses that close, and the sudden onslaught of hurtful reviews are being mentioned on a variety of blogs.
Is it the economy? Is it the fall breezes or loud cicadas? I mean, just who on earth checks these people out before they cheat authors out of their royalties, decide to close up shop, or just simply spew such trash?
I thank the Lord every day that I'm with The Wild Rose Press. I have a great editor, an accessible publisher who puts out high-quality romance, and fellow authors that support each other. This house has integrity. It tends its garden and makes me proud to be with the Black Rose Line.
So let's skip back a paragraph; take a look at those above-mentioned charlatans.
Pirates! In the 21st century! They can find anyone's novel on the web and take what isn't theirs to take. Pay for your ebooks. Own it the same as you'd own a print copy. Don't share it, don't give it away, and above all, don't begrudge someone, who went through the process of writing a book and selling it, the royalties we work hard to earn.
Those fly-by-night houses! Imagine that! They close or don't pay a cent for your story. What!? There are places to check publishers out. Go there. Read. Think. Research before you hit the send button. It is your creation so protect it. You deserve a royalty statement you can read and understand every quarter. You deserve to be with a publisher who answers your questions, no matter how ditzy you think it sounds. There are honest houses out there. Find them and query them. Take the contract to a literary lawyer and learn what each sentence means. What rights are yours? What does the house own? These are simple questions. Learn to ask them.
Now to the reviewer. I'm proud of every review I've received - the good and the bad. What I don't get are those who decide to trash a book, not on just one site, but on many. And some of these people have the audacity to consider themselves experts because they learned to read! Do they all write a book and sweat through the process? The good ones with integrity have. They are literate persons who know the entire journey that you've taken. Others hook up with a multitude of web sites, use a variety of names, and post the exact same garbage in many places! Think about it. Now, the unsuspecting author has a plethora of trashy reviews from one person - who never should have critiqued the book in the first place. What a racket!!
I'm a music teacher. I have credentials that say I can critique a student's musical ability with a proven knowledge base. Liking a song does not mean that you can notate it or perform it correctly. So why should someone who has never penned a full-length novel, gone through the process of query, contract, and edits make or break an author's career? Why give them any credence at all?
To me, they are worse than the pirates and the pub houses that don't pay a cent in royalties. They break spirits with intentional bad manners. They don't get the plots, the characters, or the blood, sweat, and tears a writer pours into his or her work. They use words as poison instead of entertainment. In other words, they're jealous wannabees who don't have the courage to write their own story.
So these are the odd balls. They crop up in the creative arts as well as politics. Thank God they don't build the bridges and perform intricate surgeries on our loved ones. A little knowledge turns someone into an expert with power. And they tend to go on and on and on...
I mean, just who on earth checks out these people?
Thursday, August 6, 2009
How FAR does promo go?
Perhaps the better question is: As a new author, how far will I go to promote my book? That's a fairly loaded question. When we sit down to write, does promoting even come to mind? I never considered it. Call me naive, but the bigger picture didn't make an impression on me. At first!
Simply writing a query letter can be intimidating. You have signed a contact, survived rounds of edits and the final galley. Now you're a trooper. Anticipation grows unbearable while you await the release day.
As a recently-published author, nothing held more satisfaction than having that hot-of-the-press book in my hands. Emotions spewed forth quicker than hot lava. And nothing frightened more than knowing I had to shove myself out there to promote what I had written.
Regardless of how the story poured out of me, that it turned into a novel meant I wanted an audience. An untapped realm of readers might find entertainment in my words. Many people who I'd never consider fans of this genre turned out to be lovers of juicy vampire tales.
But promo is a tough nut to crack.
It's downright hard to sell yourself. Actors know it. Musicians, costume designers, dancers and artists of all kinds know it as well. The creative side slams into the wall of harsh reality. But I want readers. So do you. I'll continue to explore every avenue and keep looking for new ideas.
Here's what I've found that works:
1. An article in the local newspaper ~ This led to a book signing at a popular coffee house. I followed up with an article to announce the event. The newspaper published that as well. The successful event led to being asked back - on Halloween (did I mention I write paranormal??)
2. Join legitimate writers groups to network with other authors, and a host of on-line groups to listen and learn from.
3. Book signing at my local writing chapter.
4. Always carry material to hand out ~ postcards, pens, and business cards
5. Participate in group advertising and take out affordable ads alone in smaller publications.
6. Have a web site and blog.
7. Join Facebook and create a Fan Page. (Feel free to become a fan!)
8. Use every contact imaginable and encourage others to write.
9. Create a presentation with fellow authors to showcase our books together.
10. Venture out of my comfort zone a little each time.
11. Follow some great blogs like http://dayanaknight.blogspot.com
Now for something I've not done before. Here's a little bit of Retribution!
Perhaps it was the purity and the power of the blood—along with the fact that a distance now existed between Michael and those he loved. No longer drinking the life force of Lukas or Alana, the blended blood was Georgian, the contribution of all twelve Council members. Michael had clarity.
His eyes shot open at dawn, not needing to look at the alarm clock beside him. Alana still slept, lost in happy dreams. She lay curled to his body, safe and secure. As if Michael had willed Alana to turn, she sighed, head resting on the pillow. Her arm flung across the empty side of the bed. He slipped out from beneath the satin sheets… No sound, no disturbance to the lovely woman beside him.
After a quick shower, he pulled on the sweats and shrugged on an undershirt still hanging behind the bathroom door from last night. Standing at the sink, Michael picked up his toothbrush, the one Alana had purchased in Pisa the other day. The habit was hundreds of years old…An absentminded glance in an empty mirror as the vampire ran firm bristles back and forth over even white teeth. But this time, he stared in disbelief. A cloudy image peered back—one that hadn’t been seen in centuries. High cheekbones, straight nose, square chin and strong brow were unmistakably his. Leaning into the mirror, Michael couldn’t see his eyes clearly, but it was his reflection, something lost the night he’d been turned. The one thing that sets me apart from humanity, he thought, one thing that should be lost forever. The image fascinated, but also frightened. One more secret I must keep from Alana—for now.
Promotion is still the scary beast. I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts, so please leave a comment. Thanks for stopping by today.
Simply writing a query letter can be intimidating. You have signed a contact, survived rounds of edits and the final galley. Now you're a trooper. Anticipation grows unbearable while you await the release day.
As a recently-published author, nothing held more satisfaction than having that hot-of-the-press book in my hands. Emotions spewed forth quicker than hot lava. And nothing frightened more than knowing I had to shove myself out there to promote what I had written.
Regardless of how the story poured out of me, that it turned into a novel meant I wanted an audience. An untapped realm of readers might find entertainment in my words. Many people who I'd never consider fans of this genre turned out to be lovers of juicy vampire tales.
But promo is a tough nut to crack.
It's downright hard to sell yourself. Actors know it. Musicians, costume designers, dancers and artists of all kinds know it as well. The creative side slams into the wall of harsh reality. But I want readers. So do you. I'll continue to explore every avenue and keep looking for new ideas.
Here's what I've found that works:
1. An article in the local newspaper ~ This led to a book signing at a popular coffee house. I followed up with an article to announce the event. The newspaper published that as well. The successful event led to being asked back - on Halloween (did I mention I write paranormal??)
2. Join legitimate writers groups to network with other authors, and a host of on-line groups to listen and learn from.
3. Book signing at my local writing chapter.
4. Always carry material to hand out ~ postcards, pens, and business cards
5. Participate in group advertising and take out affordable ads alone in smaller publications.
6. Have a web site and blog.
7. Join Facebook and create a Fan Page. (Feel free to become a fan!)
8. Use every contact imaginable and encourage others to write.
9. Create a presentation with fellow authors to showcase our books together.
10. Venture out of my comfort zone a little each time.
11. Follow some great blogs like http://dayanaknight.blogspot.com
Now for something I've not done before. Here's a little bit of Retribution!
Perhaps it was the purity and the power of the blood—along with the fact that a distance now existed between Michael and those he loved. No longer drinking the life force of Lukas or Alana, the blended blood was Georgian, the contribution of all twelve Council members. Michael had clarity.
His eyes shot open at dawn, not needing to look at the alarm clock beside him. Alana still slept, lost in happy dreams. She lay curled to his body, safe and secure. As if Michael had willed Alana to turn, she sighed, head resting on the pillow. Her arm flung across the empty side of the bed. He slipped out from beneath the satin sheets… No sound, no disturbance to the lovely woman beside him.
After a quick shower, he pulled on the sweats and shrugged on an undershirt still hanging behind the bathroom door from last night. Standing at the sink, Michael picked up his toothbrush, the one Alana had purchased in Pisa the other day. The habit was hundreds of years old…An absentminded glance in an empty mirror as the vampire ran firm bristles back and forth over even white teeth. But this time, he stared in disbelief. A cloudy image peered back—one that hadn’t been seen in centuries. High cheekbones, straight nose, square chin and strong brow were unmistakably his. Leaning into the mirror, Michael couldn’t see his eyes clearly, but it was his reflection, something lost the night he’d been turned. The one thing that sets me apart from humanity, he thought, one thing that should be lost forever. The image fascinated, but also frightened. One more secret I must keep from Alana—for now.
Promotion is still the scary beast. I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts, so please leave a comment. Thanks for stopping by today.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Silly me...I'm still green at this!
Okay. Slowly getting the hang of this blogging thing. I listed an incorrect link to the review of Retribution!!
Go figure!
If you'd like to really read the review, please go to http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/search/M.%20Flagg
In any event, it seems that we've skipped spring here in NJ and went right to the middle of summer. I was caught off guard without AC's in my writing room, but that didn't stop me. I actually filled out my author page at ManicReaders today. As I stated, I'm still green at this. Ended up creating a page with my full name as opposed to M. Flagg, so just key in Retribution! to read an except.
Hope this Sunday is a lovely one for you!
Mickey
Go figure!
If you'd like to really read the review, please go to http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/search/M.%20Flagg
In any event, it seems that we've skipped spring here in NJ and went right to the middle of summer. I was caught off guard without AC's in my writing room, but that didn't stop me. I actually filled out my author page at ManicReaders today. As I stated, I'm still green at this. Ended up creating a page with my full name as opposed to M. Flagg, so just key in Retribution! to read an except.
Hope this Sunday is a lovely one for you!
Mickey
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