Cozy Up to Reading! Clean Indie Reads Mid-Winter Sale

Here's the sale!

Looks like our extended autumn is over as winter roared into the Hudson Valley this past weekend, dropping loads of snow and wreaking its normal havoc. We were lucky - less than three inches covered our lawn, but others in my area had more than a foot, and New York City almost broke a record at 26.8 inches. Travel on city streets was banned on Saturday into Sunday and people were urged to stay in. I have no problem with that: a snow day is a perfect day to stay in and read. 

To prepare for the next storm take a look at the titles in Clean Indie Reads Cozy Up to Reading mid-winter book sale. CIR is the home of "flinch-free fiction," which means free of offensive language, graphic violence or gore, and erotica or sexually explicit scenes. It is the best ever data base for clean books written by independent authors.

You'll find a variety of genres including children's, YA, historical, humor, inspirational, mystery, suspense, legal thrillers, paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and romance. Some are free, others are discounted. Sale ends January 30th.

This is a great way to use up that Amazon gift card or fill your new Kindle. Happy reading!

 Clean Indie Reads "Cozy Up to Winter" book sale

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Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story.  
Value 2.99. Rated 4.7 stars on Amazon, 136 reviews.

No Cake & Ice Cream for This Book's Second Birthday. Blue Hydrangeas is Getting a New Cover!

Today is the second anniversary of the release of my novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story, in paperback. My dream of one day holding my printed book in my hands was one I thought would never come true.  I can't even begin to describe how much I've grown in these past 24 months. 

Like so many authors, I suffered through the painful and demoralizing cycle of querying agents, editors, and publishers and hearing ""No." "No!" "No!!" far too many times. Not one of these people actually read my book. This led me to believe that the system was flawed. 

So I decided to go the self-publishing route, not only because I wanted to see my book for sale in the Amazon store but because I believed Jack and Sara’s story was important, and it needed to be told. Let the readers decide, I thought. I published on Kindle in April 2013. And the readers decided they liked it. A 4.7 rating on Amazon and 85 five-star reviews (out of 121) is proof. 

Immediately after the Kindle version came out people starting asking how they could get it in paperback. This was not something I'd given much thought to, but five months later I published through Create Space and had a paperback.  

Paperbacks are hard to sell. Online, I sell very few each month. But in person I sell them by the dozen. It seems people like to buy a book from the author, personally inscribed. They also like to reach out to the author after they've read it to let her know what they thought about it. Priceless. 

Now that Blue Hydrangeas paper version has reached its second birthday, I thought I'd take what I've learned in the last two years to make some improvements. My cover is homemade. I know, a big no-no in indie publishing, but I was broke and didn't know better so I created my own cover. People say they like it. At least, people who have read the book say they like it. "It's beautiful," they say. Those who haven't read it? I don't think they like it so much. The book has gotten tons of exposure, yet sales are sluggish. Those who know about these things say the reason could be an uncompelling cover, a non-specific or boring book description, lousy editing, or negative reviews. I think I'm okay with the description, editing, and reviews, so perhaps it's the self-produced cover? 

After much consideration I've decided to invest some of my profits in a new cover. I'm working with graphic designer Perry Elisabeth. My new concept includes a photograph of a couple I found that are so Jack and Sara. The woman has Sara's long white hair. They're standing on a beach. He's cradling her in his arms with a pained expression on his face while she gazes off into the distance, seemingly detached from the moment. Perfect. I also hope to include the photo of the blue hydrangeas that currently appears on the cover. Maybe a picture of the house (Blue Hydrangeas is a bed and breakfast and almost a character in the story), if I can find one I like.  And new fonts, of course.

I believe this new cover will better represent what the book is about, and may motivate readers to check it out.

I have learned a lot in two years about self-publishing, marketing, and what readers want. I don't have all the answers, but one thing I do know is that a lot of what makes a book successful (besides a professionally produced cover, compelling description, excellent editing, and awesome reviews) is luck, chance, or good fortune. 

Another thing I know- in the end, the readers will decide. 

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Planting Seeds

photo by eliaskordelakos via Dollar Photo Club

I teach classes in self-publishing at two local colleges in upstate New York. One of the lessons I give my students is the importance of planting seeds. 

As an indie author, it’s important to reach out to people who can increase your book’s discoverability or help build your reputation as a writer.  You plant seeds when you ask someone to publish your work, write a blog post about you or your book, interview you, read and review your book, or share your Facebook status and retweet your tweets. 

Anyone who has ever planted a garden knows that it takes time for the seedlings to sprout, for the fruit and the flowers to blossom.  Sometimes, nothing happens at all.  This is the nature of planting seeds, and it’s no different when planting seeds for your books. 

About two years ago, I planted a seed with the online magazine Kaleidoscope, a biannual journal dedicated to expressing the experiences of disability through literature and the fine arts. I submitted a proposal for them to publish the first chapter of my novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story.  I received a prompt response that my submission was under consideration for a future issue, but no promises.   

I went on with my life, and eventually forgot about this until the other day, when I received a message from the editor letting me know they’d chosen to publish my chapter in their next issue.  Now that was one seed I hadn't expected to flower!  Yet it did!  And, although I had forgotten to cultivate it, reaped benefits. 

In our increasingly online, instantaneous, get it right now lifestyles we often plant seeds and expect growth immediately.  But that’s not how it works.  Things happen in their own time.  Today’s efforts may not bring results until next month, next year, or years from now. Don’t give up.  Even dormant seeds can sprout new life.

July 22, 2015 UPDATE: Issue 71 is now online! Please take a moment to discover this beautiful magazine. The writings are lovely and enlightening. You'll enjoy the artwork. The artists and authors will move you. Blue Hydrangeas appears on page 52.

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Subscribe here and receive a free PDF of my Kindle short story "Ino's Love."

IndieRecon 2015 - A Not to Be Missed Online Writers Conference For Authors By Authors

Novice or pro, we can all benefit from advice and insight about indie publishing from those who have bravely gone before us and paved the way. This is the best time to be an author, and with the proper tools and training those of us with the talent and commitment to bring our work to the next level may well realize our indie author dreams. IndieReCon 2015 is one awesome tool that can put you on the path to success without having to leave your home or adjust your schedule.

IndieReCon runs April 15-17. It’s a free, three-day, 24-hour online publishing conference whose goal is to “make indie publishing a mission possible” for any writer who wants to embark on the journey. Run for authors by authors, IndieReCon meets the needs of authors in all stages and levels of self-publishing. Co-founders Ali Cross and SR Johannes started it in 2013 with the ambition to change the stigma associated with self-publishing.

“Self-publishing is hard!” says Johannes, author of the award-winning and bestselling YA thriller “Nature of Grace” series. “And many people don’t know how to get started. Ali and I decided to help the indie community learn more about how to create outstanding, high-quality books.”

They struck a nerve: More than 10,000 authors attended the first conference. In 2014, IndieReCon had 25,000 visitors.

In 2015, IndieReCon will be presented by the Alliance of Independent Authors.

“To be honest, we never expected IndieReCon to get this big, and we are thrilled that the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLI) have joined forces to help grow the conference even more,” says co-founder Cross, founder of Novel Ninjitsu and author of angsty young adult fantasies and middle-grade adventures.

ALLi Director and Founder Orna Ross says,“The indie author movement is the most important development in publishing today, and IndieRecon and ALLi are right at its heart, providing the support and information authors need to decide what’s best for them — and do it.”

The conference features an unprecedented number of the world’s most famous and best-selling independent authors and publishing professionals presenting content via blog posts, seminars, workshops, Twitter chats, Google Hangouts, and master classes. Estimated attendance is 50,000 authors from all over the globe. The conference also includes live streaming of the Indie Author Fringe Fest from The London Book Fair’s Book and Screen Week on Friday.

Here are some highlights:

Over 30 bestselling indie authors and experts covering topics that span the entire process of indie publishing, including: Porter Anderson, Futurebook; Joanna Penn, Author; Bella Andre, Author; CJ Lyons, Author; Joel Friedlander, The Book Designer; Mark Coker, Smashwords; Jane Friedman, Digital Media & Publishing; and more. A full list of speakers is available here.

Sessions: Common Mistakes New Indie Authors Make, Ali Cross; Basics of Online Retailers: Where Do You Go to Sell and Why?, Miral Sattar; How to Make a Living with Your Writing, Joanna Penn; Book Design For Authors – The Basics, Joel Friedlander; How to Approach Ad Sites & Make Your Book Desirable, Neil Baptista; The Importance of Reviews, Seth Dellon. A full schedule is available here.

Contests:

Grand Prize Giveaway - Indie authors from all over the world have donated e-books for one purpose: to be used in a library or school. With the generosity of KOBO, an e-reader will be packed full of these indie titles and one lucky library or school will win that e-reader!

A Book Cover Contest to recognize indie book covers, authors, artists, photographers and designers that have raised the bar for the rest of us. My upcoming YA novel Swim Season is one of them!

And a Book Description Contest to recognize those indie books that best capture a reader’s attention, including Swim Season. 

Sponsors: Ingram Spark, Bublish, Books Go Social, Bibliocrunch, Draft2Digital, FicShelf, Mereo, Reedsy, Rethink, Kobo

I attended last year's conference, and it was three days packed with information on all things indie. The best part is that the content remained online long after the conference ended so I could access it when it was convenient and take advantage of everything offered. There’s no need to stress out over how you’re going to manage the sessions you don’t want to miss while balancing your writing, blogging, marketing, day job, and other responsibilities. It's all online, available 24/7, and waiting for you.

To register visit indierecon.org.

IndieReCon Links:

Website: indierecon.org

Twitter: @Indie_Reon

Official hashtag: #IndieReCon2015

Media Contact: Miral Sattar miral@bibliocrunch.com

ALLi Contact: Orna Ross orna@allianceind

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Library Love and How Library Journal's SELF-e & BiblioBoard Get Indie Authors on Their Shelves.

If you saw my Jeep downtown, most likely you spotted it in the library parking lot. This is a frequent stop, and has been for just about all of my life. I owe my love of reading and the writer fire it ignited in me to all of the public libraries I’ve had the privilege to use. Without these libraries I would never have been able to read the thousands of books I’ve absorbed. I would not have discovered the beauty of the written word, nor aspired to become the creator of that beauty myself, to study and learn the craft, to challenge myself to write my own books. 

I grew up going to the library. As a child, visits to the Campello branch of the Brockton Public Library were, at the least, a weekly thing, and involved hours perusing the shelves for just the right stack of books to bring home, some titles checked out again and again because they were so good and needed to be read one more time. I even loved the school library and looked forward to Library Day. I never knew what I’d find, and, being a naturally curious and open-minded child, this was a wonderful place to explore. When I grew up and left the Campello library and all its rich adventure behind, I made it a point to become acquainted with the public libraries in my new home towns, obtain a precious library card, and avail myself of their unique offerings. 

The library has been a haven for me as a reader, and now as an author, where I am fortunate to see the copies of Blue Hydrangeas I’ve donated to my home library and to libraries on Cape Cod (where the book is set) enjoy lots of check-out action. I’ve also been invited to do book readings and signings, teach classes on self-publishing, and organize a local author and illustrator showcase at my home library. Yes, the library and I are great lifelong friends. 

So when I learned last week that Blue Hydrangeas was accepted into Library Journal’s curated SELF-e collections, I did a happy dance because now my book will be available to readers all over the United States via 2,500 public libraries subscribed to BiblioBoard Library, a service that brings quality self-published works to the attention of the librarians who stock digital libraries. This will enable me to gain readers in an area – public libraries - that has, until now, been closed to most indie authors. 

BiblioBoard provides an easy to use online library browsing system that offers readers a variety of unlimited reading material, including books, articles, and documents, as well as multimedia content such as images, video and audio from traditional publishers, indie-published authors and the library’s own special collections. BiblioBoard also creates new library business models for publishers while helping authors build a brand and reach new audiences. Upon my selection for SELF-e, I received a “badge” for my book, free marketing materials, exposure via Library Journal, and inclusion in a service that will reach millions of potential readers. 

This is a boon to indie authors who have historically been denied access to library shelves, primarily because there was little to no system in place to vet the million+ titles out there. With Library Journal (the gold-standard for library reader services) curating submissions to SELF-e, there’s no need for individual libraries to read and screen submissions. They can add to their collections with confidence the materials are suitable for their patrons. And, since the platform allows unlimited checkouts of the same book (most libraries are only allowed to loan out one copy at a time) librarians don’t have to worry that a popular book will cost them more money to keep on hand, or that long waiting times to check out a book will upset patrons. 

As an indie author, at this point in my career I’m more interested in gaining readers than royalties. The opportunity to have my book (books) available in public libraries all over the country and throughout New York State (my home state) as a "highlighted selection," will help me build a strong base of readers, some of whom may write a review of my book, post it on Facebook or Goodreads, refer it to a friend, or purchase my next title. 

The first Library Journal SELF-e curated collection will be available to libraries in mid-2015. 

To submit your book visit SELF-e.

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Guest Post: How to Write a Book in Two Months with Author Lois D. Brown

Today I welcome mystery author Lois D. Brown, who will share with us how she wrote a book in two months, something I bet all authors wish they could do. Since it takes me years to write a book, I'm especially intrigued with Lois' accomplishment. Lois also has a special contest to tell us about with a grand prize of  3 nights in a vacation townhome in Kanab, Utah, thirty minutes from Zion Natinal Park. Read on!

About Lois D. Brown

Lois Brown's love of all things fantastical began at an early age when her five older brothers made her watch television shows such as “Dr. Who” and “Lost in Space.” (Yes, the originals.) Her passion for science fiction continued when, at age 12, she spent an entire summer buying “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” collector cards. As an adult, she has appeared on television shows such as “Myth Hunters: The Curse of Montezuma's Gold” and “American Unearthed” discussing Montezuma’s treasure and Freddie Crystal in Kanab, Utah. If you’d like updates on Lois’s adventures in writing and treasure hunting, please subscribe to her newsletter at www.loisdbrown.com. Other novels by Lois include: Cycles (a top five finalist in The Kindle Book Review’s Best Young Adult Indie Books of 2012); Spaces; and Catching Katil (a tween mystery set in the 1980s.) 

Welcome to Adventures in Publishing Lois! Please tell us how you wrote your mystery Robbed of Soul in two months.

Thanks for inviting me to visit your blog, Marianne. So you want to write a book in two months. I have a little advice. (Writers always do.)

Two years ago it took me almost twelve months to write a middle grade book that was 30,000 words long. This past fall I wrote an 85,000 word adult mystery in two months. What made the difference?

Point #1: Like your book

First off, let me say that to write a book, and to write it fast, you need to like your idea. I wasn't so jazzed about writing the middle grade book. I thought it had a good premise and was marketable. However, I was completely passionate about Robbed of Soul. It’s set in a real town, Kanab, Utah, which I love to visit. It includes legends about Montezuma’s gold and historical tales from treasure hunters in the 1920's. And the protagonist is a woman who survived eight months in solitary confinement in Tehran. All of these are things that fascinate me. So much so that I've actually appeared on a television show about Montezuma's treasure. 

Point #2: Make it a competition.

I contacted a friend of mine who was about to write her second book. (If you don’t know someone personally, there are tons of online author support sites that would work too.) My friend and I made writing our books into a competition. It made all the difference. Every few days we would check up with each other. We’d send a quick text asking how many words the other had written that day. It was fun. First she was ahead. Then I was ahead. Then she was ahead. Yes, she finished the book before me, but it didn't matter. We both finished writing rather large novels in less than ten weeks.

Point 3: Get rid of distractions 

I created an atmosphere that was conducive to writing. Our family’s main computer is in the kitchen. I like it there because I can see what my kids are doing on it. But, it really makes it difficult to focus. The fridge is about six feet from my computer chair. It whispers to me all the time. I knew I had to change where I wrote Robbed of Soul. I set up a desk in the corner of my house the furthest away from my kitchen as possible.  I also put my cell phone in a different spot than where I wrote. 

Point 4: Write while you do chores

There is a free app for iPhone called Dragon Dictation. It's easy to download and it's simple to use. While it's not perfect, it does a good job of transcribing everything I say. I use it for outlining. I write dialog with it. I'm even using it to write this blog. I speak into my cell phone while I'm riding in the car, when my hands are tired of typing, even while I walk around the house picking up messes.

Point 5: Stay awake!

Caffeine does a number on me. I really don't like consuming large quantities of it. However, I found Crio Bru to drink. It has a great natural stimulant in it, tastes good, and I feel like a legit writer with my steaming mug of brown liquid at my side. Another natural stimulant I use is an orange essential oil. I like the brand doTerra. I keep a small bottle of this essential oil right next to my computer. When I started to feel drowsy, I open the lid, pour a drop on my hands, and rub them together. I then breathe in deeply and have an immediate pick me up. And it makes my keyboard smell good. (No, I don't own stock in either of the companies.)

About the contest

Do you like books? Do you like Zion National Park? 

Join the ROBBED OF SOUL book launch giveaway

 and you may win 3 nights in a vacation townhome in 

Kanab, Utah. (Thirty minutes from Zion.) A $450 value!

 (Or a $100 Amazon gift card if preferred.) 

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway 

About Robbed of Soul

Rescued but psychologically damaged from a failed mission, ex-CIA officer Maria Branson takes the job of police chief in the quiet town of Kanab, Utah. Rest and relaxation are the doctor’s orders. She gets neither. Instead, a missing mayor, the spirit of a dead Aztec warrior, and the over-confident-yet-attractive head of Search and Rescue await her in a town whose past has almost as many secrets as her own. As Maria investigates a modern-day murder, she disturbs a world of ancient legends and deadly curses. Yet most lethal of all is Maria’s fear someone will discover just how empty her soul really is.

Available at Amazon, Smashwords, and Google Play.

Follow Lois on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.

# # #  

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Subscribe here and receive a free PDF of my Kindle short story "Ino's Love."

New Release: Her Imaginary Husband by Lia London

New teacher Nikki Fallon is trying to ward off unwanted advances from the hunky football coach. She should...

a) slap him silly.

b) report him for harassment.

c) invent an imaginary husband.

Excerpt:

 

Coach laughed and took a step back. “So, you have plans this weekend?"

Is Gayle right? Does he flirt with all the women? Dang, he smells good.

“I was thinking I could show you some of the more intimate bars in Eastmont.” He leaned his elbow on the roof of the car, pulling his polo shirt taut across his pecs. His whole aura exuded virility, and it sucked all the moisture from Nikki’s mouth. A date sure would be a nice change. And he’s mighty hunky.

Something twinkling in his eyes set off a warning alarm in her brain.

“Uh.” Nikki searched the parking lot for some clue of an excuse.

Just then Officer Ross rolled up in his security patrol car and lowered his window. “Everything okay here? This is a no loitering zone, you know,” he said with a mock-serious tone. “The Friday before Labor Day, this place should be empty.”

“We’re all fine, Officer,” said Coach. He clenched his jaw and ran his fingers through his hair. “Just making plans for the weekend.”

“Oh?” Ross glanced at Nikki.

“We’re not making plans together.” She waved her arms between them. “We were just talking.”

“Right. What?” Coach looked off-balance for a moment.

“Pretty soon you’ll be married to your work here.” Ross smiled sympathetically in the way all the teachers did when they implied her life was about to be forfeit to endless grading and committee meetings.

Married. Did he say married? Nikki had a brain flash. “Yes, actually! My husband’s taking me out tonight to celebrate my new job really starting.”

“Your husband?” Coach coughed.

“Isn’t he sweet?” She grinned and bounced on her heels like a giddy teen girl. “He’s always doing such thoughtful things for me.”

“I didn’t know you were married.”

“Oh yes. Newlyweds. You know how it is.” Nikki winked knowingly. Starting her engine, Nikki beamed up at Coach. “Well, good-bye. Have a great weekend!”

And just like that, Nikki was married.

  

Available on Amazon.

I had the pleasure of being an early reader for Her Imaginary Husband. It's a cute romantic comedy, a perfect quick read for a snowy evening. 

About the Author 

Lia London was a high school English teacher. When her son was born, London came home to stay, and has since written several books in a variety of genres. In addition to writing, she is the creator and curator of Clean Indie Reads, a book blog featuring “Flinch-Free” fiction by her esteemed peers. She lives happily with her real live husband (a teacher) and two children (teens), a dog and a cat. She loves jazz music, Taekwondo, and milk chocolate. For more information on her books, please visit Lia London Books

Fall in Love With Yourself with Living Passionately Author Maria Blon

Today’s guest is a special friend of mine, a fellow author and Swim Mom whom I have been privileged to know for several years as our daughters went to school and swam together. Maria Blon and I have watched one another pursue and realize our dreams to become authors and to make a difference in the lives of others. Living Passionately: 21 People Who Found Their Purpose - and How You Can Too! is her latest book, and a source of inspiration for those searching for their purpose in life.

Maria is an international public speaker, published author, and founder of SPARKS!, an organization that focuses on empowerment through motivational speaking, books and inspirational products. She began her professional life as a holistic math teacher at the college level, teaching students and future teachers to love mathematics through hands-on, interactive learning. Her life has transformed at a number of different times, most notably when she and her daughter volunteered in Haiti after the devastating earthquake of 2010. During this time, Maria helped launch The HEART School in Haiti, where she has trained teachers and is president of the board of directors. Welcome to Adventures in Publishing, Maria! Please tell us your inspiration for this book and how it can help those longing to find their life’s passion and purpose.

It’s a pleasure to speak to your readers, Marianne. Thank

you for inviting me to visit your blog. Too many people are suffering from a lack of hope and meaning in their lives. The 21 individual stories in Living Passionately will show readers how to overcome many life challenges in order to lead a happier, more fulfilled life. From a world known healer, to successful business people, to a person who struggles to feed her family, you will read a wide range of inspirational stories which will lift you and the world from the darkness of despair to the hope of living passionately! Preview the book on my website People LivingPassionately where you can click on the chapter titles that interest you to read an excerpt, watch a video, and learn more about each author and how they might inspire you to live passionately and find your purpose. I’m thrilled to be the coordinating author for this book. The official book launch will be on Saturday, February 7th, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Orange County Choppers Cafe in Newburgh, NY, home of the nationally known Orange County Choppers. Several of the authors who have contributed to the book will be present to inspire participants to live passionately. Entertainment includes music. Food, drinks, bowling, and billiards will be available for purchase.

I was fortunate to be an early reader for Living Passionately. It is a powerful collection of stories from people of very different backgrounds and circumstances who have encountered adversity, and even tragedy, yet managed to emerge with positivity and a zest for living. One of the strongest messages within these stories is the teller's attitude toward giving, sharing, and helping in order to get more from life and to achieve his or her goals. Funny how that works. Each person featured has gone outside him or herself to discover their own inner strengths and to use these strengths to enhance and better others' lives while enriching their own. Living Passionately is a powerful book that will help its readers heal, grow, and thrive.

Living Passionately is available in print, e-book, and audio  on Amazon, and on Maria’s website People Living Passionately. Visit her website to receive three FREE gifts: 3 Mistakes to Avoid if You Want to Live a Passionate Life; LOVE Formula, and her Passion Quiz.

Follow Maria on Facebook and Twitter.