Today I'd like you all to welcome author Caitlin Hensley, as she celebrates the release of book two of her Inhuman Chronicles series!

Hi Caitlin, and welcome back to my blog! It's been a while, but it is always a pleasure to have you here! Before we give our readers all the details they need to get your new book, let's help them get to know you a bit, shall we?

How does your real life interact/play a role in/interfere with your writing life?

Real life often interferes with the time I have set aside for my writing, which can be a pain, but at the same time, the events in my life sometimes provide inspiration. Also, I’ve found that when my life is busy, I have a lot more creativity to unleash in my books.

What genres have you written?

I’ve written fantasy, paranormal, post-apocalyptic, and a retold fairytale for teens. For adults, I’ve started working on a paranormal mystery.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I think I’m a loose plotter. I don’t like to write out every single thing that’s going to happen in a book, because to me, that feels like telling the story twice. Before I start working on a new project, I type a vague outline, and then go from there, expanding the plot.

How many books have you written?

I’ve finished thirteen books since I started writing seriously a couple of years ago, and I’ve also started several projects that I haven’t finished yet.

What are a few interesting things you’ve studied/researched for your latest novel?

Right now I’m working on edits for a YA book that takes place after a nuclear war that ended life as we know it. While I was writing it, I had to read up on radiation, Geiger counters, frostbite, how to help someone give birth, and different types of guns.

You just released the second book in The Inhuman Chronicles, Untold Promise. Who is your favorite character in that book? Why?

That’s a tough one, but I think Jake’s probably my favorite. He banters a lot with Haily (the main character), which is a lot of fun for me to write. And in this book, a lot more of Jake’s backstory is revealed, so I can’t wait for people to read about that.

Is there any part of writing that you don’t like?

At times, I’ll hate both writing and editing, but that’s just when I’ve reached a tricky part.

When you read, what is your favorite genre?

I’ll read just about anything, actually.

Indie publishing or traditional publishing?

I used to want to be traditionally published, but I’m really glad I chose to publish on my own. Indie all the way!

I 100% agree with you! If you could have time travel abilities and could meet anyone from any time, who would you like to meet?

I’d like to travel back to meet relatives of mine and explore the past. Checking out the future would be pretty cool, too.

 

What's the weirdest thing you've Googled?
 

Well, recently I Googled the embalming process, which I’d say qualifies as weird.

Haha, the things we authors research! Do you have any advice for other writers?

Keep writing, and never give up. ♥

Couldn't have said it better myself :) And now, Where can readers stalk you?

Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page

Fantastic. Well there you have it people! You now know a bit about Miss Caitlin Hensley, young author extraordinaire! And now, what you've all been waiting for, just click on the image below to get your copy of Untold Promise! Click here for book one of the Inhuman Chronicles, free right now!

 

Audiobook Creation Exchange

Hi there everybody! To start off another week I wanted to share with you a guest post that I wrote back in May. Author Karen Magill asked me to write about my experience using Audiobook Creation Exchange, a program run by Amazon that allows authors and voice artists to get together and create audio books. It's much like Createspace, Amazon's site for helping authors self publish paperback copies of their books. It's simple and convenient, and I am definitely a fan. Now that my first project has been finalized I will be posting my follow up thoughts later this week. Enjoy!

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As a child I fell madly in love with audio books. I had always loved reading, but there was, and still is, something about audio books that just gets to me. I love to hear different narrators and experience how they imagine the characters are and how they would react to the story. Considering my love for audio books, naturally when I began to publish my own books I wondered how I might go about getting them recorded so that people all over the world could listen to them, including me.

One day while I was online, I came across a post in one of my writing groups about audio books. They were talking about something called ACX. Out of curiosity I checked it out, and I am so glad I did. ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is a fantastic website owned by Amazon, much like Createspace. The site allows you to create audio versions of your books, and is accessible to self published authors and publishers alike.

I am now in the process of producing the audio version of my first book Through the Paper Wall, which was released everywhere in paperback and ebook formats in February. Most authors or publishers would probably wait longer than I did to pursue an audio version, but I couldn’t help myself.

Here is a little bit about the site and what you can do there:

First, you sign up, and it is completely free. Once you accept the terms you can get going. You enter the ISBN of your book and claim the book as yours and state that you have the rights, etc. Next you fill out information about your book and upload an excerpt for narrators to use as their audition. Then you have some choices:

·         Produce the book yourself – If you have the recording equipment and would like to narrate your book yourself, you are more than welcome to.

·         Enter the information about your book and wait for narrators to audition for you

·         Search the hundreds, probably thousands, of narrators on the site. You have so many options when doing this. You can select voice type, accents, age, etc. It’s really quite fantastic.

I ended up doing a combination of the bottom two bullet points. In all honesty, I would love to narrate my second book, Ontario, on my own, but I don’t have the equipment, plus, while searching for a narrator for Through the Paper Wall I came across the most perfect person for Ontario! You really never know what you will find. My mind was certainly opened as I searched through the numerous, and very talented narrators.

A word about the narrators that are available: Most of them are professionals. That’s the amazing thing to me. There is such a pool of talent available for you, depending on what you are willing to put out, and by that, I mean what you are willing to pay for.

So, let’s talk about payment. Surely this great of a thing can’t be free, right? Well, yes, and no. There are two options you can choose when it comes to payment.

·         Pay the narrator per finished audio hour. Depending on the narrator, you could have a pretty varying cost here. I’ve seen anywhere from $50 per finished hour to several hundred dollars. Again, it depends on how badly you want someone in particular. Many of these narrators are in high demand, thus they are able to charge more.

·         Pay nothing out of pocket and simply split the royalties of your audio book 50/50 (after ACX takes out their portion, of course).

I chose the second option, mostly because I don’t have any money to speak of at the moment, and also because I am not too worried about getting a ton of money from this. Creating this audio book is more of . . . a bit of indulging for me, I guess you could say.

Alright, so you’ve decided how you want to fund your project, and you find a narrator you like. Now what? Well, you can send an offer to any narrator you would like. The offer includes how you are willing to pay, your timetable, etc. Narrators can then accept your offer or reject it. I sent an offer to a narrator and we ended up talking a bit back and forth before I realized it wasn’t going to happen, because clearly this guy was top of the line and lots of people wanted him. He had little time for close to no-name projects like mine because he had so many more prominent ones that were paying him the big bucks.

Cool. I was a little bummed, but it worked out because I really liked the second guy who sent me an audition. He pronounced some things in weird ways, and made some characters sound different than I would like, but that didn’t matter. I sent him an offer, and he accepted. I have since sent him character and pronunciation notes, and he’s ready to go.

So what happens now? Well, my narrator, Andy Mack, will record the first 15 minutes of the book and then send them to me. Before anything else can happen, I have to accept and approve the first recorded 15 minutes. I can request changes and suggest things. Once I have approved that, my narrator will finish recording the entire book. I will then have the chance to listen to it all and approve it or request revisions up to two times.

I have yet to hear the first 15 minutes, since production is just starting, but I am very excited for when that time comes. Karen has requested that once the process is finished I write a follow-up post, which I am happy to do. I have found little about this site outside of trying it myself, so I hope this helps anyone who is interested in using the site!

Please Welcome G. Mitchell Baker!

Today I am happy to have author G. Mitchell Baker here on my site! Baker is an accomplished writer of paranormal mystery and contemporary fiction, and guess what? I have a little secret for you . . . his newest book, Lethal Believers: The Innocents, is now available for the special price of $.99! So, jump right in and have some fun getting to know this great author, then head on over and get your discounted e-book!

 

Good morning, and welcome to my site! Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy cycling, music, chasing around after good garage sales and flea markets. I find some of my best research in used bookstores…

I find that used things have so much more life to them. Definitely a great way to get ideas! What is your all-time favorite movie?

 

‘Taken’

Nice choice. And now, one of my favorite things to ask: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

There are many who would suggest that there are hard and fast rules to everything you attempt in the publishing industry… These absolutists intrigue me because my experience has been that there are few, if any hard and fast rules. Rather, to be flexible in the publishing industry, and to be prepared for anything and everything has been the reality and in recognizing as much, my experience has very much improved in most if not all relationships and project developments.

I completely agreed! Are there any tips you could give that you learned along your path of picking up the pen to having a published novel?

Write every day and be prepared to work hard on every level. There are a lot of people out there to listen to, but only listen to those who speak to you from your own page and who would listen to you as much as you would listen to them.  Finding respect on the many levels of consideration within the writing industry is difficult, but I believe can be done if you remain true to the reasons you started writing and the reasons you want to be in place with you finish writing.  The publishing of a novel comes in between somewhere and will Have a lot to do with how much of the beginning motivations remain in the end game.

Do you plan on being a full time writer, or do you have other career plans?

How long have you been writing?

For all intents and purpose, I am a full time writer who structures other activities around creating original and interesting stories, working with my publishing teams and promoting my work to the best of my abilities.

Is music part of your writing process? If so, what do you listen to?

Yes, but probably not what you think… I tend to use music, mostly played in the car to take a break from the storytelling… The music displaces the writing for a while and I think as much is good for balancing my attention…

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Sure ;-)  Is that kind of like ‘could be worse could be better’ scenario…? ;-)

Haha, I guess that will do for an answer! Do you have any advice for the editing process?

Yes… expect anything … And when you are assigned a good editor you will know it … immediately be thankful and keep an open mind.

 

Great advice! Now, last question: Describe yourself in one word –

Resilient

And there you have it people, now you know a bit about G. Mitchell Baker! Thanks so much for stopping by, and don't forget to check out the info below on how to stay in contact with the author and how to purchase his great pieces of work!

 

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G. Mitchell Baker enjoys living out west, from the southwest United States to western Canada. Having practiced law for more than twenty years, Baker enjoys researching and writing projects that draw him into the many genres, to include contemporary fiction, science fiction, and paranormal works of fiction. Also a writer of feature length screenplays, G. Mitchell Baker enjoys adapting his novels to screenplay and, adapting his screenplays to novels.

Baker has been fortunate to compete at the highest levels in sports to include baseball and karate.  This spirit leads to his also striving to compete at the highest levels to entertain his readership. Moreover, it is in this spirit Baker invites you to visit and re-visit his ‘Anything But a Tired Barn', and, to become familiar with his current and ongoing projects.  Please take the time to learn more about G. Mitchell Baker, his projects, and any reasonable offer for original and interesting conversation … as much will not be refused.  

VISIT THESE AUTHOR WEBSITES AND FACEBOOK FAN PAGES FOR NOVELS BY G. MITCHELL BAKER AND BOOK RELEASE AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION ALSO BY G. MITCHELL BAKER -

WEBSITE

G. MITCHELL BAKER, AUTHOR

http://gmitchellbakerauthor.com

LINKEDIN

http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/g-mitchell-baker/44/357/bb1

TWITTER

https://twitter.com/G_MitchellBaker

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/pages/G-Mitchell-Baker-Author/244572638951700

MASTER KODA SELECT PUBLISHING

http://masterkodaselectpublishing.com/

LETHAL BELIEVERS: DVM

(Paranormal Mystery) (Master Koda 2013)

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lethal-Believers-DVM-ebook/dp/B00DTJ9NT8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374505151&sr=8-2&keywords=lethal+believers

http://www.gmitchellbakerauthor.com/lethal-believers-dvm.html

https://www.facebook.com/LETHALBELIEVERSNOVELS

 

 

LETHAL BELIEVERS: THE INNOCENTS

(Paranormal Mystery) (Master Koda 2013)
Only $.99 for a limited time only!

 

Amazon Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/Lethal-Believers-The-Innocents-ebook/dp/B00BXRUU4K/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363972312&sr=1-1&keywords='G.+Mitchell+Baker'

http://www.gmitchellbakerauthor.com/lethal-believers-the-innocents.html

https://www.facebook.com/LETHALBELIEVERSNOVELS

"THE INVOLVEMENT OF EMERSON"

(Contemporary Fiction) (Brent House Books 2013)

 

Amazon Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Involvement-of-Emerson-ebook/dp/B00C0CQDKM/ref=pd_sim_b_5

Amazon paperback:  http://www.amazon.com/Involvement-Emerson-Mr-Mitchell-Baker/dp/1482632551/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372536188&sr=1-3&keywords=the+involvement+of+emerson

http://www.gmitchellbakerauthor.com/the-involvement-of-emerson.html

 

https://www.facebook.com/TheInvolvementOfEmerson

Natalie Star and Embarrassing Moments

Hi everybody! I've got a fun little treat for you today! Author Natalie Star has bravely stopped by the blog here today. Why does this make her brave? Well, after the fun we had with Arlene O' Neil's most embarrassing moment a couple weeks ago I decided we needed another one! Take it away Natalie!

I was a young adult of 19 and I was working my first “real” job in a savings bank. I’d had jobs before like a temp job at an insurance agency typing up a mailing list, babysitting, and working various positions in a movie theater, but this one was very grown up compared to those. I actually had to take a train and a bus into the city for training in the bank teller position.

Being one of the youngest employees I learned a lot from the older adults I worked with. One of those things was how to have a potluck lunch. I’ve always had a love for food, and back then at a size 7 I could afford to eat. Potluck day was my favorite, we didn’t have them often but I loved seeing the sign-up sheet.

Now I have to tell you about the little old man in the parking lot before I go on. Every morning, and I mean every single morning, there he was sitting in his car waiting. I never found out what or who he was waiting for. He parked behind the bank and I passed him on my way in each day. He was the sweetest, cutest thing. He would smile and wave each time I saw him.

Well, one potluck day as I was passing him I gave him a waveless smile because my hands were full of my purse and my casserole dish filled with yumminess for potluck day. Right at that point my skirt clasp failed and fell down my waist so fast. It was a silky fabric so it dropped like a rock. I hated wearing slips so all I had on underneath was a pair of pantyhose (I hate those too, but it was required on the job). I felt the cool air rushing across my legs the second my skirt broke free.

 I froze, and panicked so badly that I didn’t know what to do. Eventually when my brain came back to focus I slowly placed my glass dish on the ground so it wouldn’t break, and then I lifted my skirt back up and prayed after I “fixed” it, that it wouldn’t fall down again before I could get inside. When I finally had myself together I looked up to the man and he was beat red and grinning. He wouldn’t look me in the eye.

With my face flushed red, because there were others in the area too, but none as close as my morning friend, I went to work. Sad thing is, after that day I never saw the man again. Maybe he was being a gentleman in going somewhere else after my embarrassing situation, but I missed seeing him as part of my morning routine.

Have you ever had a wardrobe malfunction in public?

Oh gosh, you poor girl! Haha! Pardom me for laughing, haha. I can't say that I have had a public wardrobe malfunction. Hmm. . .yeah I can't think of one. *knock on wood* Well, anyway, thanks for sharing that Natalie! I'm sure it's given you a lot of laughs looking back on it! 

Now for you readers, head on over and check out Natalie's work! You won't want to miss out! Make sure you take a look at Natalie's book The Keeper, on sale right now! 

Blurb:

   The morning of her sixteenth birthday, Billie feels blessed despite the reoccurring nightmare that wakes her. Loving parents, a caring boyfriend, and great friends surround her until an heirloom necklace throws her into a world she never imagined.
   “Gifted” with supernatural powers and an unexpected destiny as the Keeper, Billie and a mysterious boy from her past must work together to find answers. But, as they begin to discover feelings for one another, he disappears leaving her to fight evil alone. Her life spirals out of control. She breaks up with her boyfriend, Tony, and alienates her best friends Arianna and Jocelyn to protect them from the truth.
   As dark forces pursue her, Billie longs to run away from it all, yet a need to do what’s right compels her to face the future as the keeper of more than her own fortune.

Links:

Book Trailer on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8x0K05MHWA

http://www.authornataliestar.com

http://authornataliestar.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/#!/iamjustnatalie

https://plus.google.com/u/0/116484157865842677580/posts

http://www.shelfari.com/nataliestar

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5424878.Natalie_Star

Purchase sites: http://authornataliestar.blogspot.com/2012/01/keeper-where-can-you-find-it.html  To celebrate the one year anniversary of The Keeper, the price has been reduced to $2.99.

Author Bio:

When I'm not reading or writing, I can be found with my husband supporting my two children on the soccer fields. Or maybe running around with my camera taking photos while camping and/or hiking. Or lastly, and most probable - I'm watching movies on Netflix while simultaneously perusing Facebook.

Our family resides in the state of Virginia along with our old-unintelligent-diabetic cat named Lucky.

Digitus 233 - DON'T MISS THIS!

I reviewed this book a while back, but due to it's amazing-ness I needed to bring it up again! Enjoy, then go on and get your own copy! Now! :)

Digitus 233, by author K.D. Emerson . . . well, what can I even say? I finished the book only moments ago and I am still breathless. Emerson presents a unique and incredible story that will definitely leave you wishing for more, needing more, in fact. Few books or writers have ever caught my attention as much as Digitus 233 and K.D. Emerson have.

Digitus 233 tells a story, but it isn't that simple. This is one deep story that will have you guessing and gasping at every turn. You'll want to wear your literary seat belt for this one. In this dystopian young adult thriller Emerson shines light on power, control, and life in general, all wound into one breathtaking story. The author allows you to get inside the heads of not only one main character, but of all of them, which allows for so much breadth and life.

One aspect of this book that I would like to highlight is the lack of violent description. I am far from a 
fan of dystopian stories, but I ate this one up. The author brilliantly tells the story without making it too violent, which I love. She leaves room for your imagination to fill in the gaps, and to only imagine as much as you would like to. As a visual reader I appreciate that very much. This in no way inhibits the imagery or the story though, have no fear! It adds far more than it takes away, let me assure you.

All in all, I give this book a HUMONGOUS 5 STARS! I'd give more if I was allowed to. Like, 10 out out of 5. Really people, it was that good. It took me a while to read this book, simply because I am swamped right now, what with working on my own stories and publishing one this month, but I guarantee you that if you have the time, and even if you don't, you will not be able to put this book down. It will drawn you in and your electronic pages will be flying faster than you can imagine. I highly recommend this book for all readers from early teenage years and up!

Here's how you can get your hands on a copy, only $.99 right now on Amazon!

Digitus 233

I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book. You will not be disappointed!

- Heidi Nicole Bird

Here Comes Bertha!

Today I'd like to welcome Jane Carroll, author of Bertha-Size Your Life, a fun and witty book that was actually a part of the launch party for Ontario not too long ago! Welcome to the blog Jane! I know that you have a popular blog Life According to Jane. Do you have a favorite that you’d like to share with my readers?

It’s funny…I blog almost every weekday…so it stands to reason that some of my posts are much better than others. My favorite is usually the one that was the most meaningful for me in the moment…as I am generally sharing the life lessons that Bertha is teaching me on any given day. And trust me…I am still learning plenty of lessons! But…that being said…this one is one of my all-time favorites…I hope you’ll find it meaningful as well.

Dead Women Don’t Wear Girdles…

I came up with this title…and I love it…I just can’t figure out quite what to do with it…it might help if I’d seen the movie that gave me the inspiration…but…I didn’t…

So…I’m on my own…I keep getting ideas…but they seem morbid…and perhaps insensitive…although…that would never be my intent…I’ll tread lightly…

Okay…since there are no accidents…this popped into my head for a reason…something I need to learn…something I need to say…or…I’ve finally lost that one lone marble that’s been rolling around in my head all these years…

I’m gonna go with something I need to learn…which means it will also get said…

I keep thinking…when I am a corpse…will I ask the undertaker…does this casket make me look fat…do you think you could squeeze me into a smaller size…maybe something in black…

I know…that’s irreverent…I suppose the question I am asking myself…is…am I willing to go to the grave worrying about what other people think of me…

And the answer is…I hope not…

I hope I realize that my life is bigger and fuller than that…I hope that I appreciate who I am and what I do…I hope that I realize I am more than someone else’s opinion of me…more than my size…more than my wardrobe…more than my relationships…more than my job…and even more than my writing…I hope I realize that I am all of that…and more…

I hope that I will not squeeze into a symbolic girdle even one day…ever again…

And that when I do get to that undertaker…I will only ask…do you know what an awesome life I had…it was full…it was fun…you may need a bigger casket to fit it all in…maybe something in limegreen and flamingo pink…

Thanks for sharing Linda, what an interesting post! It definitely gets me thinking. To get to know Jane and her work more, head on over to her links! 

Website: http://www.janecarrollauthor.com

Amazon: http://tiny.cc/zgaafw 

Facebook: https://facebook.com/janecarrollauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/janecarroll10

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Jane Carroll, Author of Amazon Bestselling Bertha-Size Your Life!, is a Life Coach, Registered Nurse, Reiki Master, Mother, Grandmother, and long-time student of life. She has seen the focus of her over 30 year nursing career change from illness to wellness to wholeness, a philosophy that permeates everything she does. While she enjoys all aspects of her life, writing is her passion and she is currently working on Bertha’s latest adventures.

Bertha-Size Your Life! recently received the MK Traditionally Published Best Book of 2012 Award.

Bertha-Size Your Life! reads like a series of humorous short stories but it is so much more. Bertha, a zany redhead, mysteriously appears into the narrator’s life while walking in the park. Quicker than a man can hand off a baby with a dirty diaper, she has moved into her new friend’s empty nest and the fun begins.

Bertha is always up to something and delights in standing on a soapbox while dispensing down-home wisdom and perky advice. She explains The Law of Attraction in a refreshing, humor-filled, practical way that has you going hmmm instead of humph.

Throw in a conniving nemesis, an antagonistic cat, lime green spandex, and high-heels and you’ve got a book that’s sure to tickle your funny bone and leave you wearing your thinking cap as you read and reread each vignette.

Who knew personal transformation could be so much fun? “Bertha, that was a rhetorical question. Get off your soapbox…”

"Kai's Journey" Re-launch!

Today, please help me welcome Wendy and Charles Siefken as they celebrate the re-launch of their book Kai's Journey!

Meet the authors:

Charlie will be attending college this fall for auto mechanics. He loves to read and create stories. He works full time at a local auto shop now. Charlie’s inspiration to become a writer and who got him hooked on reading books is Christopher Paolini who also started his writing career while in high school as well.

Wendy is a wife, mother and also works as a tier one tech at a local call center. She has always loved to read books and when her children were small she loved to tell them stories she would make up with the kids being the main characters. Together Charlie and Wendy create worlds and people who live in them.

Our journey started as a school project back in 2009. Charlie was given the task of writing, editing, and publishing a book. He was always writing stories and the teachers had a difficult time getting him to do his homework or doing the writing topics they wanted him to write on. Since then we have tried our hand at finding an agent with the big publishing companies before going the indie route. We had found someone to help us edit the book but they didn't quite have the same vision for the story as we did. We had also found someone to help us create a book cover but again, they didn't quite see it as we did. Since we have joined with MasterKoda Select Publishing we have had wonderful help with editing the book to make it the best story possible with characters that will stay with you long after you finish the book. Dan Peyton who is a very talented author is also a gifted artist who helped us by drawing the characters Kai and Clover for the cover. His amazing talents and beautiful work can be seen on the cover along with Rebbekah Whites background that helps bring the story to life. Together these two wonderful people have created a beautiful work of art that we are proud to display for our book cover. 

Get the book here! http://www.amazon.com/Kais-Journey-Chronicles-Clover-ebook/dp/B00D3O48DK/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370107085&sr=1-11&keywords=Kai%27s+Journey