Taking a break

I was going pretty well on NanoWriMo however, between my birthday and the unexpected arrival of a 3 month old baby, things have taken a bit of a nose dive.

It has also given me an opportunity to look at the novel I just published to see if any improvements can be made to it. I'm getting a little bit of feedback, but it has led me to the question is there any mentoring programs for authors? If you know any please let me know.

I hope Nano is going well for everyone.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Goal Achieved!

I did it. I set the goal of getting my novel done and I finished it. It is up at Smashwords now. It should be up at Amazon in the next 24 hours. I'm just waiting for approval into the premium catalog for Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo, and the others.

On a side note, I did start NanoWriMo. I have my first 1600 words written. I plan on doing the next 1600 here shortly.

Are you participating? Is it going well? Leave me a comment and let me know.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Final Week

Today starts the final week before my deadline of November 1st. There is still a lot of work to do. I realized part way through last week that my point of view needed to go from first person to third. So, I have been converting it. I hope to get that finished this week. Then, I just have some formatting and a touch of editing to do.

Have you guys signed up for NANOWRIMO yet?

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

September 2011 Bestseller List

1. In My Dream     Julia Averbeck           1472
2. It's Not About You     Jennifer Zeliff                  488
3. This Summer      Julia Averbeck            477
4.Friendships Hurt     Julia Averbeck        115
5.7 Reasons to Fall in Love With Stockholm       Julia Averbeck           80
6. Dreams of Love and Loneliness       Julia Averbeck           45
7. I Love You I Hate You      Jennifer Zeliff       2

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Well Over Halfway

So, I finished editing sections 4&5 over the weekend. I printed out section 6 and started editing it, I just need to input the changes on the computer.

 It appears that I might even finish a little early, which would be a bonus. I'm really starting to get excited about my novel going up for sale.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Kissing and telling

It occurred to me that when I try to make things more complicated, I generally don't follow through very well.
So here's to the KISS method.

I have a goal to finish my novel and get it published by November 1st. Just in time for NANOWRIMO. Anywho, I have sections 1&2 just about done. Section 3 is halfway done. A friend of mine is going to edit it for me. Another friend is doing the cover art. I think, at this point barring anything major, I should make my goal. Yay!!!

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Interview with Author Jaimey Grant

1:Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I'm in my early 30s, mother of two homeschooled kids (ages 7 & 5), just celebrated my 13th wedding anniversary, blogger (http://jaimeygrant.blogpost.com), writer (www.jaimeygrant.com), book cover designer (www.anauthorsart.com), facebook addict (http://www.facebook.com/jaimeygrantauthor) and chronic procrastinator. I think that about sums me up. :O)

2: What was your favorite story to tell?

Probably Heartless, which is currently out-of-print. It's due for re-release from TreasureLine Publishing (www.treasurelinebooks.com), though, if I can ever get my act together and get the edits done. lol It's my favorite because the hero is my favorite man. Ever. Coincidentally, Heartless is my bestseller, even before my recent "bestsellerdom" (not a word, I know, but it should be) status with Smashwords (back in July for the Summer/Winter promotion).

3: Where is your favorite spot to write?

I'm limited in that as my laptop (antique that it is, lol) won't work if it's not plugged in. But the quiet of my bedroom is the ideal spot for me. Everywhere else is too distracting. 

4: What has been the toughest criticism you ever received? The highest compliment?

Strangely, there is one review that answers both of those questions. I received a review from a reader of whom I think highly. She said one of my books lacked the character depth of my others. I almost cried. Then she said that my "average" was better than most authors' "best" and I almost cried again. I took that as high praise even though one could take from her words that there is a plethora of average or worse-than-average literature out there. I choose to take it as a compliment. :O)

Tying for highest compliment would be when another reader/writer said my book, Betrayal, had a very Austenesque depth of characters. I can't really think of higher praise for a Regency author. 

5: What is the best writing advice you can give?

BETA READERS. There are so many books out there that would be so much better if they had been sent out into the world, prior to publication, specifically so readers could catch the typos, plot holes, poor characterizations, etc. I am deeply grateful to my beta readers for the fabulous catches they made in my latest Regency, Honor. 

6: What project are you working on now?

I'm very close to the release of a short story, a fantasy called The Dragon's Birth. It's related to an unpublished novel I finished two years ago, sort of a prequel to the series. Once that's out, I'm determined to get the edits for Heartless done so it can be set free again. 

7: Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate, definitely. :O)

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

August 2011 Bestseller List

1. It's Not About You    Jennifer Zeliff    1677
2. In my Dream      Julia Averbeck        1033
3. This Summer      Julia Averbeck          983
4. 7 Reasons to Fall in Love With Stockholm     Julia Averbeck      96
5. Friendships Hurt   Julia Averbeck       37
6. Dreams of Love and Loneliness       Julia Averbeck       35
7. I Love You I Hate You     Jennifer Zeliff        1




To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Author Monday

I blinked today and realized that I had not posted in over a week. Where does the time go? I am sorry for the lapse in posting. This author Monday posting features two new news items.

The first is the invention of the Kindlegraph by Evan Jacobs. This invention allows fans of authors to sign book covers in PDF format. The fan contacts the author through Kindlegraph and they receive a personal note from the author. Ways for fans and authors to connect are growing for independent authors. Fantastic!!

 The author piece of news is that if you have a Twitter account and an Amazon author account, soon they will be linked in a new program called @author. This program will allow fans to ask questions of authors either through Twitter or Amazon. The program is in beta testing right now.

I am excited to be an independent author right now.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Website Wednesday

I thought that a good way to round out the trio would be to dedicate a post every week to those websites that help us be writers. I know that there are bunches are out there. If you come across one please feel free to share it.

Today's website focus is the Endependent Publishers' Coalition. Their help with authors is twofold. First, if you have a book listed for $2.99 or less you submit information to them along with interview questions and people with blogs post your answers and where to find you. So, its a blog tour of sorts. What they ask in return is that if you have a blog you sign up to receive their newsletter and that you select authors' you are interested in and post their interview questions.

I submitted my stuff to them and signed up for their newsletter, but hadn't heard anything. So, I emailed them. The response I got was that they did not have enough entries to send out a newsletter, but they would as soon as they have enough. I think this is a great way for authors to help each other get recognition for their works.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Author Monday

I love that I keep finding exciting ways that independent authors are being promoted and supported. Over Labor day weekend in Atlanta, GA the Decatur Book Festival will be taking place. This festival is only for independent authors.

What a great way for us to support one another in our craft. I would really like to see more of this start to happen. We authors need one another.

If you happen to be in the area, here is the link to the festival www.decaturbookfestival.com/2011/index.php. Let us know what you thought.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Prompt Friday

As part of the new schedule, I thought it would be neat to post a writing prompt. Every week I will post my response and you can too if you wish.

This weeks' prompt comes from Writer's Digest. You come across a pack of matches that sets off a series of uncanny events. Start your story with “My mother always told me not to play with fire.” End it with “And that’s how I ended up in the middle of nowhere—naked.”

Have fun writing.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Author Monday

I've realized that I have been slacking in my posting. In order to change that, I've decided to put myself on a schedule. Author Monday's will feature, interviews, news stories, and just information about up and coming authors.

Today, I have a couple different items. The first is a news story that came out of England. It cites concerns that with the age of the e-book authors will make less money than with traditional print. The story does mention the success of Amanda Hocking and John Locke as counterpoints. I'm going to disagree with the point of this story. For many of us, independent publishing into e-book is giving us the opportunity to fulfill a dream. As independent authors we are also creating a say in our own success or failure in that career (with whatever your goals are in writing). We can afford to charge less for our books because we have less overhead to clear than a traditional publisher.

The other item is that up and coming author Graeme Rylee, is speculating that big chain bookstores will not last this independent stream that is going. He states that independent bookstores will gain the most from it. I don't know whether I agree or disagree. Rylee gained a spot at Vroman's bookstore in Pasadena, CA.

Whatever happens, I know most of us are here to stay in the writing and publishing world doing what we love to do best. Create.


To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

July 2011 Bestseller List

1. "This Summer"                       Julia Averbeck      1485 downloads
2. "In My Dream"                      Julia Averbeck       96 downloads
3. "I Love You I Hate You"        Jennifer Zeliff         11 downloads

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Good intentions

Have you ever started a project with the intent that you would work on it every day, and see it all the way through. This blog started that way. When I created it I had notions of posting a couple times a week, having something fantastic to say every time.

Well, life happened. With all my good intentions it didn't stop family needs, housework, or having to go to work. However, I recently joined Messies Anonymous to help me get my house more organized. Their mantra is that great goals can be achieved baby steps at a time. It works. My house is already a little cleaner. I got my post done. Plus, I decided to list one of my books permanently for free on Smashwords. Those are my baby steps for today.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Preview of August

Hello to all. What I've been working on for the last week or so is to get some author interviews. Hopefully, I can get some in August. Plus, the July Bestseller list by the 15th and whatever encouraging words I can find.


To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Independent Author Sells 1 Million Books

Have you heard? Independent author John Locke has sold 1 million e-books for the Kindle. I heard that and was impressed. In doing so, he becomes the eighth author to do it, and the first independent one.

Take encouragement fellow authors, because if he can write and sell that number of books that we can too. No longer should independent authors feel ashamed of publishing in that manner. We can and are making headlines with what we are writing. Go us!!!

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

June 2011 Bestseller List

Unfortunately, for the debut list I have no books to add. I understand if some of you may be skeptical. So, what I will do instead is share what I sold during June. I sold two books, one each of my short stories. I'm hoping July will be a better month. I'm also hoping that there will be someone else's books I can report on for July as well.

Happy Selling!!!

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Cool Indie Author Discovery

When I started this blog, I created a Google Alert for Independent Author query. I had gotten a few links that didn't really yield much until yesterday. The website I found was for an Independent Authors' Review. People can submit their books and they receive a grade based on the quality of their work.

 At first I was excited, yay something exclusively for independent authors. However, after further looking at the site they only put up one submission at a time. The other concern I have is how much traffic do they get. But, on the other hand if we all give effort to visiting then their site becomes more for everyone.

I hope I keep finding good stuff for us, to promote us.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Very Interesting Research

I'm still researching Indie author sales, reading Google alerts. I came across a very interesting post, discussing Amanda Hocking and her sudden rise to Indie Author fame, but also among that post was a list of other authors like Stephen Leather and Selena Kitt. The post gave how many book sales for the month of  December 2010 and I was blown away. So I followed the link to the monthly sales report and came across a guest blog post by author Michael Sullivan's wife Robin. In the post she breaks down exactly how much they have made. Here's the link http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2011/01/guest-post-by-robin-sullivan.html

Everything these authors have in common is they sell on Amazon Kindle. As of this posting, there is a deal in the works with Smashwords and Amazon but nothing for time frame for the linkage. Do you readers post separately on Amazon? Has it in fact increased your sales to do so? I'm rather curious to find out the answer.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

This is an Experiment

A couple months ago I published my first two short stories using an independent publisher Smashwords. I was so excited at being finally being a published author. Lately I have been looking for a way to track how my sales are doing compared to other indie authors, so I tried Googling it. There was nothing out there, unless you sell at Amazon or you want to pay someone a ton of money. An idea started to form in my brain, what if there were an Indie author Bestseller list, created and updated by and for indie authors.

So this is the experiment, send me the title, author, and how many sales each month either by comment or by email. I will formulate the list and by the 15th of each month I will post the list. Along the way I will also post other news and interviews from indie authors.

I look forward to hearing from you and together we can inspire the world.