Just as a painter requires a brush, canvas, palette, and easel, a writer needs specific tools to create a story. These days, authors use a wide variety of programs to improve almost everything about their work—from editing and plotting, to formatting and publishing.
Below, I’ve listed several basic programs useful for any kind of writing.
This was another interesting year for horror. From movies and TV to books and podcasts, it seemed like horror was everywhere. I can’t let the year slip away without talking about some of my favorite stuff. First, I’ll start out with my top ten horror movies of the year. Here we go…
So, you’ve finished your rough draft and set it aside for four to six weeks, keeping your writing juices flowing by working on another project or the beginnings of a blog, and now you’re ready to go back to your unwieldy lump of clay and begin fashioning it into something recognizable.
However, there is one thing we need to clear up right now. . .
Hey everyone! Hope your Shocktober is going great!
Thanks to everyone who picked up a free Kindle copy of Crow Creek the first week of October. It was a fantastic promotion charging my books up the horror charts for a while there. Hopefully, everyone likes what they read. Please do me a favor and leave a rating on Amazon!
Shocktober Horror Movie Challenge
I’ve been watching one horror movie or show per day throughout the month of October. Most of these films are obvious and you’ve probably seen them a time or a hundred, like me. But here are just some of my favorites I’ll be watching this month…
Crow Creek Free on Kindle Next Week
Hello all! My favorite month of the year is fast approaching and I wanted to tell you about a big promo I’ve got coming up to celebrate. The Kindle version of Crow Creek, Bettendorf Tales Book 2, will be FREE from Monday the 1st through Friday the 5th!! That’s right, it’s free!!! Zero, nada, zilch! Kindle version only.
So, you want to write a book?
Come on, you know you do, or you wouldn’t be here on my website reading this blog. You’d be doing something else with your time—something far less frustrating, and probably more entertaining. But here you are, reading this little unmistakably titled article. Heck, several of you have messaged or emailed me telling your ideas. Indeed, future authors abound on my friends list!
Before I begin, let me warn you—I am no expert. I’ve written two novels of arguable and variable quality. That’s it. The only thing that gives me the authority to pontificate on this subject is the fact that I’ve done it, which is kind of like getting advice about professional baseball from a guy who’s played a game or two. It’s better than nothing, but not the same as hearing from a big-time pro.
Still, I have successfully completed two novels and one of them was published by someone other than myself, so my advice is worth something. Just don’t take my word as the end-all, ya dig? I’ll tell you what worked for me and you can take from it what you will. After that, I advise you to go forth and read On Writing by Stephen King.
Anyway, without further ado…
Last Fall, I was looking for a narrator for my first novel, Devils Glen. Like most people, a quick Google brought me to ACX, Amazon’s audiobook creation service that hooks authors up with voice talent to create and produce audiobooks to be sold on Amazon/Audible and iTunes.
I went to ACX and set up my book for auditions and waited. Within a day or two, auditions began to roll in, and I would be generous in saying that the quality of some of the performances left a lot to be desired. The one or two great auditions I did receive, asked for a considerable amount of money up front.
As I thought about it, I decided–hey, I’ve got a pretty good voice, a theatre background, and I’ve always liked to read aloud. Why don’t I just do my own audiobook? Crazy, right?
Well, after a bit of a learning curve, and a lot of trial and error, I can honestly say I’m glad I did it. I was able to produce a pretty dang good audio version of my novel and I may have found a nice little side career to boot. I even booked a narrating gig for a steamy romance novel, which was just released on Amazon and iTunes, Hot Shade by Tamara Lush.
I’m going to share with you the most helpful information I found online. With very little money up front, you too can get going turning your own novel into an audiobook. Who knows? You may even start up your own narrating career. And remember, we’re keeping it simple.
Finally, after almost a year and a half of writing, editing, changing, rearranging and re-writing, Crow Creek is available for your reading pleasure. It feels like I’ve been working on it forever, so it’s hard to believe there’s nothing more to do. Oh, I’m sure I’ll look through it and find a missing period or some other excruciatingly frustrating mistake, but overall I feel like it’s where it needs to be and there shouldn’t be anything major to deal with…though you never know. UGH!
For the time being, the Kindle and Paperback versions are not connected together on the Amazon website. For now, you can click here for PAPERBACK, here for KINDLE.
What’s it like to be on the cusp of releasing a book?
It’s harrowing and exciting…but mostly frightening. Terrifying. When you’ve been working and living with a book for this long, you start to lose perspective, if you ever had it to begin with. Still, and I know I’m biased, I think it’s a fun little book and it’s the kind of story I would enjoy as a reader. There are some twists and turns–some creepy stuff, some magical stuff, and some comedy relief. Or at least that’s what I’ve tried to do. Hopefully, you think so too. Let me know what you think, please.
And write reviews on Amazon and Goodreads!
So, order your copy on Amazon today! The Kindle version is 3.99, currently, but if you buy the paperback (15.95) on Amazon, you can get the Kindle version for only .99 cents! You will be able to order Crow Creek at bookstores like Barnes and Noble too, so if your local store doesn’t have it, order it online or ask them to get it.
Crow Creek, book 2 of the Bettendorf Tales, is now available for pre-order for the Kindle version. Get over there to order your copy today, and it will be delivered to your Kindle account on May 29th. It would be great to see a massive surge in pre-sales to drive those Amazon algorithms crazy. Go HERE to pre-order your copy! Spread the word. The more pre-orders a book gets, the higher chance it has of winding up on Amazon/Kindle promos and emails.
Paperback pre-orders will begin within the next couple of weeks. For the time being, Crow Creek is Amazon-exclusive, but I do intend to expand distribution in the coming months. If you are with a library, message me, and we can work out getting your library some copies in the meantime.
EDITING
I continue to work with my editor on the final finishing touches, and it’s looking good. I think this book moves along briskly with some good action and a nice pace. It really sets up the storyline for book 3. There’s still a bit of work to be done, but I can say I’m starting to get excited about releasing Crow Creek. We’re not there yet but getting close, which is a good thing since I have a deadline now!
DEVILS GLEN .99 CENTS TODAY
Today is the last day to get a Kindle version of Devils Glen for .99 cents! After today, it goes back to 3.99. It’s been a nice promo from Kindle Press with a good increase in sales this past week.
Sorry for the confusion, but I wanted to fill everyone in on the Scout campaign. I have officially withdrawn my submission of Crow Creek to Kindle Scout. It was a difficult choice, but I feel it’s what’s best for Crow Creek and the rest of the series in the long run. Devils Glen will continue to be published by Kindle Press, but the rest of the Bettendorf Tales will be entirely in my own hands. So, I need all the help I can get from all of you to promote and share the books, especially once the pre-orders begin.
PRE-ORDERS
Finally!! Pre-orders for Crow Creek will be starting within the next week or two, at the latest, and I’m looking at a May 31st release date. If you’re thinking you will buy it, do a pre-order so it will be delivered to your Kindle first thing on the day of release. I think paperbacks will arrive at your home on release day too if I’m not mistaken.
Pre-order sales numbers do A LOT to help a book rise in the Amazon algorithms, which helps land it on Amazon emails and other automated advertising. So PRE-ORDER! (When it’s available)
DEVILS GLEN ONLY .99 cents!!
Now through April 19th, the Kindle version of Devils Glen is only .99 cents!
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