Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A Fellow Author is Having a Contest!!
Author Megg Jensen of the new book Anathema is currently running a contest that you can find on her blog. Now as much as I'd love to win, I love doing what ever I can to support a fellow indie. So, if you haven't already, buy her book Anathema and help spread the word.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Cover Revealed!
The long awaited moment has finally arrived! I would like to thank Robin Ludwing Design for her incredible work! When other artists told me the cover wasn't possible, Robin worked her magic and made a dream come true for me. The cover turned out better than I could have imagined and I can't wait to see what everyone thinks. If you are looking for a cover artist and you want it to look amazing, use Robin. -Shameless plug I know, but I can't stress it enough.
It's back to work for me today, I hope to finish or get close to finishing with editing 'Released' and then maybe write some more of 'Savor'. I should have a book trailer for 'Released', posted soon, so I hope you all check it out! Today is an exciting day! :-)
It's back to work for me today, I hope to finish or get close to finishing with editing 'Released' and then maybe write some more of 'Savor'. I should have a book trailer for 'Released', posted soon, so I hope you all check it out! Today is an exciting day! :-)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
What Is In A Name?
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Was Shakespeare right? I have been having this nagging thought the past few weeks and the more and more I see other people mentioning it, I thought it was time to bring the matter up for discussion myself.
Why do authors use Pen Names and should I consider it?
My hesitation lies in the fact that I am not sure I would like to have gone through all the blood, sweat and tears that I have, to not see MY name on my work. I think, in the end, good or bad, I would want to see my name written on my accomplishment To say, yes I did this, I finished it.
I struggle to understand or even comprehend any reason why someone would want to use a pen name. The concept is just not quite within my grasp. I know of only a couple indie authors who have revealed that they use pen names. Recently Aaron Niz explained on his blog that he has been secretly writing under a pen name and has been seeing more success with it than on his name. Indie Author Megg Jensen also writes under a pen name as revealed in her blog.
I have found countless reasons online, why authors use pen names, however, I have also read that using a pen name causes a big barrier in effectively marketing your book. Being an indie author is difficult enough, so why make things more complicated on yourself? Or do authors use pen names to act as a shield from critics; as some authors can save face by using a pen name for certain works. Or perhaps your name is just not very marketable or difficult to pronounce and you want something that is easier for your readers to remember.
Some very popular and well-loved authors use pen names:
Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Mark Twain, Nora Roberts, Charles Dickens, J.K. Rowling
Just to name a few. But what it looks like it boils down to is personal opinion. As much as I am flipping back and forth on the subject I most likely will not use a pen name. Finding it this difficult to just use a pen name, I can't imagine how frustrating it would be for me to have to then choose a name. Although I will most likely not join in on this trend, I do wish those who have the best of luck.
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Was Shakespeare right? I have been having this nagging thought the past few weeks and the more and more I see other people mentioning it, I thought it was time to bring the matter up for discussion myself.
Why do authors use Pen Names and should I consider it?
My hesitation lies in the fact that I am not sure I would like to have gone through all the blood, sweat and tears that I have, to not see MY name on my work. I think, in the end, good or bad, I would want to see my name written on my accomplishment To say, yes I did this, I finished it.
I struggle to understand or even comprehend any reason why someone would want to use a pen name. The concept is just not quite within my grasp. I know of only a couple indie authors who have revealed that they use pen names. Recently Aaron Niz explained on his blog that he has been secretly writing under a pen name and has been seeing more success with it than on his name. Indie Author Megg Jensen also writes under a pen name as revealed in her blog.
I have found countless reasons online, why authors use pen names, however, I have also read that using a pen name causes a big barrier in effectively marketing your book. Being an indie author is difficult enough, so why make things more complicated on yourself? Or do authors use pen names to act as a shield from critics; as some authors can save face by using a pen name for certain works. Or perhaps your name is just not very marketable or difficult to pronounce and you want something that is easier for your readers to remember.
Some very popular and well-loved authors use pen names:
Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Mark Twain, Nora Roberts, Charles Dickens, J.K. Rowling
Just to name a few. But what it looks like it boils down to is personal opinion. As much as I am flipping back and forth on the subject I most likely will not use a pen name. Finding it this difficult to just use a pen name, I can't imagine how frustrating it would be for me to have to then choose a name. Although I will most likely not join in on this trend, I do wish those who have the best of luck.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Don't Worry, Be Happy!
It was almost one of those days today - if you are a writer you know what I mean. I was in desperate need of a pick-me-up, I didn't want to let anything get me down. I've noticed that my posts have been pretty much all business, so I thought I would lighten things up a bit.
To raise my spirits I listened to one of my favorite songs and thought I would share it with everyone. To those who need it, I hope it cheers you up and to everyone else I hope it puts a smile on your face. ;-)
To raise my spirits I listened to one of my favorite songs and thought I would share it with everyone. To those who need it, I hope it cheers you up and to everyone else I hope it puts a smile on your face. ;-)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Sitting on my Hands
The first draft of Released is finally completed. I am so very happy! My plans for right now are to set Released aside for at least a week before I start my first edits and revisions.
During this week I am going to work on the final touches of my outline on Savor and maybe even get started on writing it, which I'm excited about cause I think it might be pretty darn good. I even already have some ideas for the cover.
I am also trying to nail down a cover artist as well as an artist for my book trailer of Released. I have sent out some query emails, but haven't made any concrete decisions yet. I am hoping to have both these things finalized in the next week.
Once the week is over I plan to hammer down on Released and once I finish that I want to have it go through Beta before I am willing to publish it. I am excited about being able to reveal my cover, a trailer and I am considering posting the first chapter of the book before I publish it, to give everyone a sneak peak.
So, I have a ton of things that need to be done, but I hope the wheels starting turning on them soon. This is a very exciting time and I hope things just get better from here on out.
During this week I am going to work on the final touches of my outline on Savor and maybe even get started on writing it, which I'm excited about cause I think it might be pretty darn good. I even already have some ideas for the cover.
I am also trying to nail down a cover artist as well as an artist for my book trailer of Released. I have sent out some query emails, but haven't made any concrete decisions yet. I am hoping to have both these things finalized in the next week.
Once the week is over I plan to hammer down on Released and once I finish that I want to have it go through Beta before I am willing to publish it. I am excited about being able to reveal my cover, a trailer and I am considering posting the first chapter of the book before I publish it, to give everyone a sneak peak.
So, I have a ton of things that need to be done, but I hope the wheels starting turning on them soon. This is a very exciting time and I hope things just get better from here on out.
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