Friday, October 21, 2011

The New Marketing - Video Trailers - Part 5

The Last day of our 5 part series is here!  The Launch Party is coming soon!  Make sure you are ready to join the all of us authors for the launch party to celebrate the release of Melissa Foster's "Come Back to Me" on November 1st! 

In case you missed her video before, I'm putting it here for you all to make sure you see it!!!  

"Come Back to Me"
Melissa Foster
Available on Amazon on November 1st

"Blue Blood for Life"
Stacy Eaton
Now Available on Amazon

"Here, Home, Hope"
Kaira Rouda
Now Available on Amazon


"Chocolicious"
Geraldine Solon
Now Available at Amazon



The Launch Party comes soon!  Don't miss out!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

The New Marketing - Video Trailers - Part 4

We've made it to day 4 of the Video Trailers - the New Marketing week!  I hope you are enjoying the trailers that you are seeing!  

In staying with the theme of the Launch Party for Melissa Foster's, "Come Back to Me" which will be released on November 1st, I wanted to make sure that everyone knew about one of her other books, "Megan's Way". Check out the video!

"Megan's Way"
Melissa Foster
Now Available on Amazon

"Malaika"
Van Heerling
Now Available on Amazon

"Moonlight on the Nantahala"
Micheal Rivers
Now Available on Amazon


"Piercing through the Darkness"
Emerald Barnes
Now Available on Amazon

"Eternal Beginning"
Christine Cunningham
Now Available on Amazon


Don't forget to join us for the Launch Party!


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The New Marketing - Video Trailers - Part 3

Welcome to day three of The New Marketing - Video Trailers! We will continue to show off some great book trailers today as we get ready for the Launch Party to get Melissa Foster's new release, "Come Back to Me" on November 1st! 

Hope you enjoy today's videos! Of course since we are featuring Melissa's new book - We want to make sure you don't miss the video trailer, so here it is again! 

"Come Back to Me"
Melissa Foster
Available on Amazon on November 1st

"FM for Murder"
Patrica Rockwell
Now Available on Amazon

"Vision"
Beth Elisa Harris
Now Available on Amazon

"Wyndano's Cloak"
A.R. Silverberry
Now Available on Amazon

"Splitsville.com"
Tonya Kappes
Now Available on Amazon


Don't miss out on the Launch Party!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The New Marketing - Video Trailers - Part 2

Authors using Videos Trailers to help market their books continues to grow on a daily basis.  With the way technology advances so quickly it is no wonder that You Tube is one of the hotests sites out there.  Now, it is also one of the largest marketing tools to use! 

As we enter the second part of my Video Trailer series for this week, I'd like to thank everyone and hope that they take a few minutes to sit back and watch the videos that I have attached here.  There are some awesome authors, some exception books and some pretty dang cool trailers being shown this week!

Don't forget that the Launch Party Event that we are doing to help award winning author Melissa Foster get her new book, Come Back to Me off the ground on November 1st! 

"Chasing Amanda"
Melissa Foster
Currently Available on Amazon

"The Hambledown Dream"
Dean Mayes
Currently Available on Amazon

"The Black Witch"
Michael Rivers
Currently Available on Amazon

"The Last Letter"
Kathleen Shoop
Now Available on Amazon






Don't forget to visit us of the Launch Party!

Monday, October 17, 2011

The New Marketing - Video Trailers - Part 1

Video Trailers have become the new way to help market books.  Many authors have jumped on the band wagon and created book trailers to help show readers what their stories are all about.  Over the next 5 days, I plan on showing off some of those video Trailers for the authors that are involved in the "Come Back to Me" Launch Party for award winning author Melissa Foster that starts on November 1st! 

So sit back - let you mouse click the links and watch! I hope you find some trailers that really catch your eye and you add them to your "to read" list!!  Enjoy!  

"Come Back to Me"
Melissa Foster
Available November 1st


"My Blood Runs Blue"
Stacy Eaton
Now available on Amazon


"Sounds of Murder"
Patricia Rockwell
Now Available on Amazon



"In Leah's Wake"
Terri Giuliano Long
Now Available on Amazon


"Black: Beast: A Clan of MacAulay"
R.S. Guthrie
Now Available on Amazon

Hope you enjoyed the videos!  
Stay tuned all week for some more great videos!!!


Don't miss out on our Launch Party coming November 1st!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Writing Blue Haze

What is Blue Haze? 
It's a collaboration that I am writing with a good friend and fellow author John Walker. It had originally started out as a single novel that we would work on together and has quickly turned into a series that we hope will catch on. 

How did it get started?
I approached John after I had read a few of his books. I loved his writing style and our friendship had grown strong very quickly.  I asked him if he would be interested and he said yes immediately. We started right away coming up with ideas on what we could write about.  With both of us being very creative, it didn't take long to come up with the concept for this novel. It wasn't much longer before we found ourselves talking about more books dealing with the same kinds of issues. 

How do we work together? 
The funny part about this is that we are on different continents!  We have never met face to face and we have never spoken over the phone.  All of our correspondence has been through e-mails and Yahoo Messenger.  Thank god for quick messenger services because we spend a lot of time on Yahoo throwing ideas back and forth at each other. We spend time working through plot points and sharing pictures of ideas that come to us. Someday, hopefully before we publish Blue Haze we will have the opportunity to meet face to face! 

What is Blue Haze about?
Blue Haze and all the books that come after it deal with addiction.  There are so many kinds of addictions that people deal with; drugs, alcohol, money, sex and even technology.  We will be working through those different additions as we move through the series of books.  

Blue Haze is the first book in the series and will be centering mostly on the addiction of drugs. It is a dark and intense novel that will not be for the faint of heart. Centering on what drugs do  to the people who use them and what they do to the people that love them and are forced to sit back and watch it happen. 

Who are the Characters and what are they about?
There are two main characters in this series; Charlie Thaine and Serena Blake. 

Charlie is written by John.  He is a hard edged man who is a former Marine and x-cop who now works in the business world. Charlie has a huge rage issue that gets him in trouble over and over again. 

Serena is written by me. She is a detective who follows the letter of the law to a T. Because of her past, she is hard and does not allow people to get close to her. Showing emotion is a rare thing for her. 

There are two other characters in this book that are spoken about at great length, Kyle Thaine and Travis Blake.  Charlie's son Kyle gets caught up in the world of addiction when he meets Serena's brother Travis. As things go from bad to worse, Charlie and Serena have to figure out how to save them if they can or find out the truth about what really happened. 

Like I have said before, this series will not be for the faint of heart. The issue of drug abuse is deep and seedy and will carry Charlie and Serena into the world of prostitution and murder.  The laws that are upheld by police will be a fine line that Serena and Charlie will have to walk to find out the truth. 

I hope you stay tuned to what is happening with this new project.  You can also see updates on my website: http://stacyseatoncom.fatcow.com/blue-haze---working-title.html

Inspiration sits right in front of me on my bulletin board as I write.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Emerald Barnes joins us for Piercing through the Darkness

Welcome Emerald!  Thank you for joining us! 

Tell us a little about yourself

Do you work another job when you are not writing?  
No.  I’m currently trying to make my way as a writer which proves more difficult than it needs to be.  If anyone needs a writer, send them my way. ;)    


What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?  I love to spend time with my nieces and nephew, and when I’m not with them, I’m either reading or watching Doctor Who re-runs.


What is your favorite color? Why?  As ironic as it is, green.  When I first started college, I started wearing more green, specifically my green jacket with a 4-leaf clover on it, and soon, it became my color.  I’m, however, very fond of purple, so I usually switch between the two. 
  

What is your favorite season? Why?  
I can easily say, autumn.  There’s nothing like driving down the road while yellow, red, and orange leaves swirl in the air as I drive by.  The cool air is refreshing, and I believe I could live outside during the fall season if it wasn’t for the insects.    


If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why? 
Ireland.  My ancestors were Irish, and I’ve always wanted to get in touch with my Irish roots, and judging by the photos I’ve seen, Ireland looks like a beautiful place to live.  


If you could have any car, what would it be?  
A 2011 green Camaro.  I love sporty cars, and I’ve always been fond of Camaros.  The newest ones are, however, my absolute favorite. 

Tell us about your writing: 

How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?   
I’ve been writing since I was a small child.  I’ve always had an uncontrollable need to buy stationary products and carry them around with me to write anything down when inspiration struck.  My need to write a story really struck home with me when I first started high school back in 2001 though.  I wrote part of a novel when I was in the eleventh grade but stopped.  As soon as I started college in 2005, I picked writing back up, took writing courses, and decided that I would make writing not only a hobby but a dream come true. 
 

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?   
I devote as much free time as possible to my writing.  I don’t really have a routine, but I try to write at least 100 words a day which usually turns into between 1500-2000 words spread out throughout the day when I’m not doing laundry, cooking and other household duties.


Is there some place special you like to be when you write?  I like to be surrounded by my family in the living room while sitting in my recliner.  I like the quiet, but when I’m in complete silence, I don’t know what to do with it.  I thrive on chaos apparently.


Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?  I usually don’t listen to music unless I’m stressed while trying to write.  It usually calms my nerves, but with my current WIP, I have a playlist of songs that remind me of my novel, and it helps me get in the mood of my WIP. 


Tell us about your book:
What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand alone novel?   
I'm proud to say that there will be a sequel to Piercing Through the Darkness.  A lot of my readers wanted more, so I listened to my public and hopefully it will be ready by middle to end of next year.


Where did the idea come from?  The novella originated from a short story I wrote in my first creative writing class in college.  I was taking Psychology at the time, and we were studying hypnotism and repressed memories.  I had this idea of a woman being chased by a man out for revenge for an accident she didn’t remember, and the story blossomed from that idea.  


How long did it take to write?  It didn’t take too long to write.  It took about a month to write it and a lot longer than that to edit.


What is it about?   
Piercing Through the Darkness follows three characters who are in the dark metaphorically.  Kandi has repressed the memories of a tragic accident, and the memories start surfacing through dreams.  She doesn’t know that they’re actually memories.  All she knows is that the dreams are too much to handle.

Jimmy is her best friend.  He tries his hardest to protect her from the memories, but while she’s away at college, he can’t get to her.  He knows what will happen if the memories return, and he doesn’t know whether to tell her the truth or continue to let her think they’re only dreams.
Jonathan Chandler lives his life as zombie.  He’s as much of a victim of the accident as the others.  When Kandi turns up in his classroom, he doesn’t know what to do.  Eventually, his hurt and anger turn into the need for vengeance.     
 
Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published
I’m currently in the process of editing one novel.  It’s actually out to a few beta readers at the moment, and while I’m waiting for their responses, I’m working on the first book of a paranormal YA series which is something very new for me.  I’m hoping to have it out by next year if it all goes as planned.


Where can readers connect with you?   
Readers can connect with me through my Facebook fan page, my blog, Twitter, Goodreads, and Google+.


Where can we buy your books?   
My book is available through Amazon in e-book and paperback.  It’s also available on Smashwords in e-book format and CreateSpace in paperback.  


Links:

Friday, October 14, 2011

Talking with Van Heerling

Welcome Van and thank you for joining us!  
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Do you work another job when you are not writing?
Oh yes. I am no Melissa Foster… yet. (Hi Melissa, had to get that one in once more.) I am self-employed and in the field of food distribution. For the sake of losing readers to boredom I will leave it at that.
What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?
I am a big fan of “me” time. I do realize this is selfish but at least I am man enough to own it. With this said, I am not totally self absorb. I have a wife that is six months pregnant. I do my best to pamper her and try to minimize upsetting her the best I can. I realize this may sound cheesy as a cheese ball, but I figure she is doing all the work and it is the least I can do. But as soon as that little sucker pops out—It is “me” time again! Just kidding ladies, more like baby time! 
What is your favorite color? Why?
I have two depending on what mood I am in. The first is deep forest green and the other is cobalt blue. I believe my affinity for these two colors has to do with their depth and richness. 
What is your favorite season? Why?
Fall, without a doubt. I like the way it feels when I go outside. The sight of autumn leaves tumbling down along the street and the crackle underfoot during our evening walks, takes me back to my childhood.
If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?
I was going to say somewhere in the Andromeda galaxy but if we are narrowing it down to earth I would have to say maybe South Korea or Japan. Maybe one day. I have always been fascinated with the East.
If you could have any car, what would it be?
If money were no object, probably the Porsche 911 turbo, however I have become disenchanted with this car maker. When Porsche came out with a four door I think I died a little, truly heartbreaking. If you own a four door Porsche you should be ashamed of yourself. There I said it!
Tell us about your writing: 
How long have you been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?
I have been writing for about ten years. MALAIKA is the first story I have shown the world. I carry an ugly past with the writing craft. It stretches back to my childhood. I remember being eight years old and struggling in school, when I said to myself, “why on earth would anyone in their right mind ever want to write for a living?” I loathed even the idea of it. I recall thinking one hundred pages of writing may as well be tantamount to a death sentence, but something clicked in my early twenties, which changed my outlook on the subject.
How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?
I am a night owl. No set schedule. But I will say that I do my best work between 11pm and 3am, which makes for a heck of a workday, so I try not to indulge too often. 
Is there some place special you like to be when you write?
Special? No not really, just my trusty desk.
Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?
During the editing process I usually like it quiet. But if I am laying down a lot of story line generally I listen to music. I will say what puts me on edge is when my wife is doing the dishes. The clanking can really throw me off my rhythm. The one thing that tops this is when she shouts my name from another room. More often than not, she needs me at the exact same moment the Muse whispers in my ear.  That’s life I guess.
Tell us about your book:

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a standalone novel?
MALAIKA means “angel” in Swahili. It is a standalone story and a quick but powerful read. Once I had a reader tell me she read MALAIKA three times and she cried every single time. And then she gave me a big hug. I think a hardy cry is a good thing. We all need to clean the pipes out now and again. 
Where did the idea come from? 
MALAIKA came to me from the heart of the universe—where dreams are born.

How long did it take to write?
The process took about a year, although I did not work on it everyday
.
What is it about?
It might be best to share the synopsis with you:
A middle-aged man with the crushing weight of his American past seeks peace and a simpler life in rural Kenya. Armed with only his smokes and coffee he discovers a friendship with the most unlikely of friends—a lioness he rightfully names Malaika  (Angel in Swahili). But she is no ordinary lioness nor is he an ordinary man. Between them they share a gift.  But not all embrace their bond and some seek to sever it. Discover this new world rich in human truth and sensibility.
Your other work:
Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published? 
Yes. My next release will be Dreams Of Eli. Here is an excerpt:
May 1863
Eli Age 26

    During a skirmish two days ago, I lost my company while in retreat. Somewhere in the backwoods of Northern Mississippi I finish a piece of stale bread, stand up and lay my rifle against my shoulder.
    It is not the crack of the enemy Enfield rifle round that startles me. It is the sifting whispers of the bullet as it splits the wild grass in my direction. The shooter, by the sound of it, is between four hundred and five hundred yards off. I know this because I have the same standard issue. The ball strikes me hard in the lower left shin. Blazing white searing pain shreds up my leg and through the top of my head like a thunderbolt.
    I stumble. My rifle catches most of my weight as I plow it into the soft earth from where I had just risen. But the shock is too great. I lose my grip—falling hard and fast to the cool soil where I crush my face against a granite boulder—the flavors of shattered teeth, dusty vapors of bread and metallic blood wet my mouth. But all I can think about is the next eighteen seconds—just enough time for my enemy to reload. The shot that I will never hear is upon me. I knew I would die in these woods. I just did not realize I would be alone. But at this end I do not want my brothers next to me. I want her—Cora. I wait for the final shot that will take me from this life, but it never comes. Instead blackness creeps over me first.

Where can readers connect with you?
Twitter @vanheerling
Where can we buy your books?
I would like to take a moment and thank you Stacy. You are simply fantastic. And I thank you sincerely.
Very Best,
Van Heerling
In this life, seek your own answers, and quote yourself for a change. 

Note to Van:  You are quite welcome!  The Pleasure is all mine... and hopefully my readers!!! 

Don't forget to check out the Launch Party coming soon! 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Wendy Talks about Come the Shadows

Welcome Wendy and Thank You for joining us today!!!



Tell us a little about Wendy Young

Do you work another job when you are not writing?
Yes – I am a work at home mom with a full-time job. I stay very busy from 5 am to 10 pm every night!

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?
It depends on the time of year. Come December it will be baking! Right now it’s an obsession with watching Netflix episodes of the British detective drama Midsomer Murders.

What is your favorite color? Why?
Cobalt blue – it’s a beautiful, crisp color that always draws my eye. If you looked at my home, however, you would say that it’s red. It is very possible I have two favorite colors...

What is your favorite season? Why?
Fall, without any doubt. The leaves are beautiful and the air is cool, with an invigorating but not bone-chilling breeze.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?
I’m not sure it would be anywhere but where I live now – East Tennessee. I love my mountains and I can’t imagine living without them. If I had to move it would be another mountainous place. I’m very fond of Wyoming and Colorado. I find the stark beauty of the Rocky Mountains unmatched.

If you could have any car, what would it be?
I’m really not that much of a car person. I just bought my first new car this summer – a Honda CRV – and I wouldn’t trade it. It looks nice, has good room, and gets me there. That is enough for me.

Tell us a little about your writing: 

How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?
I don’t remember not writing. I’ve been at it at least 20 years. In the 5th grade I know I wrote a poem called Smile, or Smiles, and my parents had it put in a little book. I also remember writing a silly short story about my stepfather (at the time) quitting the police force because they wouldn’t let him have Christmas off of work. In middle school there were various songs I showed to no one. In High School there were poems and awards, and the rewriting of Sleeping Beauty hillbilly style. In college there were more short stories and quick notes about novels. I lost the bug for a few years after college and focused my creative tendencies on crafts like crochet and quilting but three years ago it returned with a vengeance and it’s never really left since. Only in the last 6 months or so did I decide to seriously pursue becoming a full-time novelist. It was always a part of me but now through it I have found a very fulfilling goal. 


How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?
I definitely have a routine. Most days I write for 1-2 hours and I start around 8 pm. I find it hard to write at any other time of the day. I like to feel in control of my time when I write and during the daytime there are just too many interruptions – child- and work-related, especially.


Is there some place special you like to be when you write?
Three-quarters of the time I write lying on my bed. The rest of the time I write in the living room. I pick the place I can best get the peace I want.


Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?
Absolute quiet – has to be absolutely, deathly quiet. I shut doors and warn my husband off. I get so in the zone, writing by the seat of my pants, that it is very easy to derail my train of thought.

Tell us about your book

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand-alone novel?
My novel is called Come the Shadows and it is the first in a series of books called the Campbell Creek Mysteries.


Where did the idea come from? 
Well, it has its basis in a spec script I wrote three years ago for the TV show Bones, but only about 5-10% of that story made it into the book. I started with the idea of finding completely skeletonized remains and just built from there. The way it plays out in the script is very different from how it plays out in the book, however, and I love all that extra breathing room the story can have in a novel. 


How long did it take to write?
It took ten weeks to write the first draft of the book and another two months to edit it through multiple additional drafts.


What is it about?
The story centers in Campbell Creek, North Carolina. Will Harmon is a veteran officer on the force and he and his wife Laura have raised their family in the town. It’s been a quiet place to live for a long time but things are changing. This discovery of a body – the first in suspicious death in 17 years – in an old factory  on the north side of town sets in motion a chain of events that shatters their comfortable little life.

Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published?
On November 29th I will publish the sequel to Come the Shadows – Red Sky Warning. I also have a short story out now, “One Final Night,” and plan to soon start releasing additional short stories in mystery/suspense that center on the early years when Will Harmon had just joined the police force in Campbell Creek.


Where can readers connect with you?
There are lots of ways to connect with me online. The 3 best are:


Where can we buy your books?
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Createspace, Kobo, Sony, I-books, Smashwords

Thank you Wendy for Joining us!!! What I really want to see... is that story your wrote earlier - The Sleeping Beauty Hillbilly Style!!!!   

Monday, October 10, 2011

In Awe of Reviews

Any author will tell you that a review can make or break a book. That is pretty much the truth too. Every author I know keeps a eye on what is being said about their books, and we need to.  We want to know what readers think.  We want to know what the reader liked, and also what they didn't like about it. 

Of course all reviews can't be 5 Star reviews, because not everyone likes the same kind of things.  People have personal preferences.  What one person says is great, another person can't say "I just didn't get it".  I understand that because I too have read books that people have raved about, and said "hmmmm...  Yeah this one is not for me."

So, with that said, can I tell you that I am in awe of the reviews I have received from people who have read my books.  Some of the people are friends, some of them are fellow authors, but some of them are from people I really just don't know. No matter who has written the review, I have found myself smiling and giddy inside by the words they have chosen to speak.

The fact that they have first taken the time to read my story excites me.  The fact that they took the time to review the story fills me with pride, and the fact that they liked my stories... well that just plain and simple humbles me. 

So last night I was playing on Goodreads and I found that a new review was posted for my second book, Blue Blood for Life. I read the review, and then I read it a second time and both times I found myself getting tears in my eyes as I read the words the reviewer had written.  Not only was I humbled by his words, but I was in Awe of what he said about my book. 

So with that... I'd like to share with you what he has said. 


Review of Blue Blood for Life by Tim O'Rourke - 5 Stars
I've had this book for a few weeks now and have wanted to find the time to read it - I knew that if it was going to be as good as the first book in the series then it was going to be a real page turner and once picked-up I wouldn't be able to put it down. And I was right! Once again Stacy Eaton has produced a fast paced, vampire-thriller with so many twists and turns I felt dizzy by the end of it.

It's hard to write a review without giving spoilers and I wouldn't want to spoil this great book for those yet to read it. But what I can say is that Eaton has the ability to create some great characters. I'm rather fond of Kristen (just my type of girl) fiery, strong minded, independant and is nobody's fool. This is so refreshing as a lot of female leads in this genre can moan alot and be full of self pity and self loathing - just waiting for the hunky vampire male to come along and rescue her. Not Kristen - sassy and smart to the very end. I think I have a bit of a crush! I love her heightened vampire senses!

A lot of characters from the first book come over into the is book and it was good to read about them all again. It's hard to say too much but there is a rather unpleasant character called Burke and he was so well written I could almost hear him breathing.

The thing I like about Eaton's writing is that the settings are so believable. There is not a detail missing and the police settings are most believable and researched so well I almost felt that I was riding shot-gun with Kristen and Trent.

I also like the way Eaton merges the different point of views of the different characters in this book and the first book. There are only three books that I have read where this is pulled off well as it is such a hard thing to do as I writer. The first book is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker and the other two are both of Eaton's books. Eaton has a very 'Stoker' feel to her writing and for me that is the highest compliment I can pay any writer. Stoker was a gifted writer as is Eaton. 'Blue Blood for Life' fully lived up to my expectations and they were high as the first book in the series was so good.

This a must read and not a book to be missed. I can't wait to see what Eaton serves up next. Awesome!


Thank you Tim... Thank you to all of the people who have read my books and who have taken the time to put their thoughts down as to their feelings of my work.  I hope that as I grow in my writing, I will continue to connect to people and that they will get as into my books as Mr. O'Rourke did.

To see reviews of My Blood Runs Blue - please visit here. Goodreads Reviews - My Blood Runs Blue

To see reviews of Blue Blood for Life - please visit here:Goodreads Reviews - Blue Blood for Life