Archive | October, 2013

Feature Fiction Friday Presents: Jill Williamson

By on October 25, 2013 in Featured Book, Featured Fiction, Featured Fiction Fridays

This year’s Frasier Contest has come to a close. Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists, and our Grand Winner! In order to have the Frasier each year, we introduce the Judges on our blog. Its our way of giving back a little bit to the published authors who help us help YOU! So lets meet one of the Judges that made it all possible: Jill Williamson, with her new book The Safe Lands: Captives!

Q: Jill, will you tell us a little bit about your story?

A: When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancee, Jem—taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe. Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams. Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls. Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ facade before it’s too late?

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Ten Things I’ve Learned After Nine Years in Publishing

By on October 24, 2013 in Editing Basics

My first book came out in February of 2004. In fact, I had two books release that month.

A small romance from Heartsong Presents and an e-book from Writer’s Exchange.

In August, I left the corporate world to write full time.

And never looked back.

I was hopeful in August of 2004 for a budding writing career. I’d sold another Heartsong with a third on the horizon.

I’d also had interest in my chick lit from then Steeple Hill Cafe.

In September, two hurricane’s blew through our neck of the country. Frances then Jeanne.

While my husband cleaned up after Frances, I sat frantically writing the final chapters of Lambert’s Code in front of a fan, running on borrowed energy from our neighbor’s generator, and my hands were all sticky with dew and humidity.

But I finished that book.

You know, in some ways, every book faces it’s own opposition.

And we have to finish them anyway.

Now that I have a nine year perspective on publishing and full time novel writing, here are some things I’ve learned.

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Social Media Minute—Are You Guilty of Spamming?

By on October 22, 2013 in Edie Melson, How do I Promote my book?, Learn the art of Social Networking, Social Media Primer

by Edie Melson
Spam on the Internet is a big no-no. The definition has changed somewhat over the years and now includes social media posts as well as email. No average Internet user would ever dream of intentionally spamming, but without care we can be guilty of spamming.
Why is it called Spam?
There are a lot of theories about where the term SPAM originated, one school of thought is that it originated from the computer group lab at the University of Southern California. Those there applied that honorific because it has many of the same characteristics as the canned version we find in super markets.
Another accepted opinion is that it came from the Monty Python son, “Spam spam spam spam, spam spam spam spam, lovely spam, wonderful spam” since, Internet spam is often repetitious and worthless.
Regardless of where the name came from, we all try to avoid receiving it, and definitely want to avoid sending it.
5 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Spammer

1. Don’t Click on Suspicious Links. These can be found in email, as well as on social media and can infect you with a virus that sends spam to your contacts. If you get an email stating they’ve seen a funny video of you and including a link, do NOT click on the link.

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Dream the Impossible Dream

By on October 19, 2013 in 4. Writer’s Life, Inspiration and Life Coaching, Encourage Me!, Life Coaching, Nurturing Creativity, Nurturing the Soul, Writer's life, Writing Life, Writing Life Coaching

You just thought of Man From LaMancha, didn’t you? What a beautiful message. Did you know that song was recorded by artists that ran the span of genres. Jim Nabors, Elvis, Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra just to name a few.

Why? Because it is powerful. It speaks to going for it, no matter how the odds may be stacked against you. It instills the courage to face whatever challenge that stands between you and reaching your goal.

We’ve seen a lot of changes in the publishing industry this year. It’s enough to make a writer think they’ll never be a published author. It makes you want to sing, “Gloom, despair and agony on me…”

Your dream of being a writer is too important to remain unlived. You’ll face challenges, market nightmares and critics who would rather write bad reviews about your book than to go through the time and trouble to write their own.

You’ll have moments when you feel you’re attempting the impossible. Here’s the truth. You have the absolute right to and should dream the impossible dream. Besides, it’s just a word: I (a)m Possible.

Lots of people have lived impossible dreams. You can, too. Hard is hard and impossible is not as difficult as the world makes it out to be.

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