Category: Uncategorized

Publish or perish? Re-releasing a title, minus your publisher

Author Amber Daulton decided to re-release her novel, A Hero’s Heart, herself, and so she waded into the waters of self-publishing. It’s something a lot of writers consider these days. Self-publishing has its pros and cons. Let’s hear from someone who took the plunge.

Take it away, Amber:

The rights to A Hero’s Heart reverted to me a few months back, and though I could’ve kept it with the publisher, I chose to self-publish it for a couple of reasons. The book was first released in 2013 and has been languishing with minimal sales for some time, so I wanted to refresh the metadata and give it a cover makeover, a new edit, and a new blurb. I also wanted to set my own prices, earn a higher royalty share, start and end sales at my leisure, and have the ability to update the file whenever I needed to. The freedom to control the life of my book is definitely important to me and something I’ve wanted for a while.

However, there are downsides to self-publishing. Some readers flock to publishers’ websites and buy whatever catches their eye. Those readers will no longer have access to A Hero’s Heart, so I’ll lose potential fans. The responsibility of creating the book files, cover, and metadata and uploading the files to the sometimes difficult-to-navigate retail sites have fallen solely on me. I’ve been so busy getting the book ready for publication, including taking care of the more “author/marketer stuff” like writing blog posts, articles, interviews, and creating teasers, that I haven’t written an actual book in months. I’m now wearing multiple hats—author, publisher, and marketer—so my time is precious.

Am I happy I decided to re-release A Hero’s Heart as a self-published book? Yes, and I would do it again. With luck, once the release hoopla dies down, I can better rearrange my time to work on another manuscript.

Readers, do you prefer traditionally published or self-published books? Or do you not have a preference as long as the writing quality is good? Please leave a comment below. I’d love to know.

A Hero’s Heart: Lies. Betrayal. A million-dollar bounty.
Check out A Hero’s Heart on Bookbub and it to your Goodreads page.
Find the book though this universal sales link – https://books2read.com/aherosheart

About the Author
Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

Connect with Amber via social media: https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton

Creeping Outside Your Comfort Zone

From Cathy:

I used to read a lot of Stephen King when I was a kid, so I understand the appeal of a good scary story. For me, it’s all about the buildup of suspense—the increasingly menacing ghost encounters in the Overlook Hotel, the bullying by peers and the crazed mother that sends Carrie over the edge, the tragic burden of foresight that plagues Johnny in The Dead Zone.

But I’ve never even thought about writing a scary story until I was prompted to during a flash fiction workshop. I’m happy to say that story, “You’re a Crayon this Year,” was just published as part of Necessary Fiction’s Spooky October series!

I think sometimes it’s important, and really super fun, to write outside of your comfort zone. What is your normal type of writing, and do you ever try something outside of it? I hope you’re creating great stuff, and taking risks that appeal to you, and crafting amazing pieces. And I hope I get to read some. Please hit us up here if you’ve published anything recently. We’d love to promote your work!

Oh, and NaNoWriMo began on Monday! Anyone participating this year?

Write well everyone!

Early book reviews, just in time for Halloween

Happy almost Halloween. Arborview is almost one month old, and I have to say it’s been a fun and productive month. I had a terrific Zoom launch reading hosted by my local library, and I have a few more events scheduled in coming months.

Numerous blogs and promoters have already featured Arborview, and we’ve received some really nice reviews, for which I am truly grateful.

Here are some of my favorite mentions:

A fun author interview with N.N. Lights Book Reviews.

 

“10 Things”, courtesy of Joanne Guidoccio, a fellow Wild Rose Press author.

One  sparkling book review ... and another one from two wild women

And this book spotlight with a nifty little video

Please add your voice to the review chorus. Check out Arborview and tell me what you think? Reviews are welcome on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub.

Hope all your Halloween dreams come true—the good ones, that is!

–Karen 

Fictional Women in the Wild West

Happy Monday!

Please welcome novelist Julie Howard to Write Despite. Julie’s new novel, The Three Widows of Wylder, was just released by The Wild Rose Press.

Julie writes historical fiction. Here, she treats us to a bit about her process, her inspiration, and the tough road women traveled in the American Old West.

Take it away, Julie:

Thank you, Karen, for hosting me on your blog. I’m happy to talk a bit about the inspiration for my upcoming release, The Three Widows of Wylder, a historical fiction that takes place in the American Old West. There are three main characters in this story, as the title implies, and each gets their own chapter in alternating fashion. Early on, their stories merge as they join up to escape their pasts.

I’ve had shadows of these characters in my mind for a few years, with the overarching story inspired by a few people I know. The characters are nothing like the real people I’ve known. When a real person inspires a character, the inspiration could come from a brief conversation or the way someone views life. It could be evoked by a physical quirk or the way someone laughs at their own jokes. Often, that’s enough to get my imagination into gear.

In this story, the women have complicated pasts with secrets to hide. They band together in a disharmonious goal to reach safety. In their previous lives, these are women who would never become friends, but their plights compel them to work together.

This story is part of a broader series my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, has produced, where each book is set in the fictional town of Wylder, in the old Wyoming Territory. In 1882 when my book is set, Wyoming was truly the Old West and under a huge change. The area attracted a huge mix of people, from adventurers seeking lands to explore to ranchers to outlaws. I’ve always been intrigued with how difficult women had it during this time, and how hard they had to struggle to have any independence at all. For the most part, their existence was ruled by the men in their lives. These themes, too, play a large role in this novel.

Excerpt:

Emma stood, legs apart, one hand on the pistol at her hip. The covered wagon was the type used years ago by pioneers, before trains tamed the prairie, and they still lumbered across areas where tracks hadn’t been laid. Two women sat side-by-side, too focused on their argument to yet notice the camp they entered. Their one horse, overmatched by the heavy wagon, was damp with sweat, its mouth flecked with froth. 

“We should have stayed on the main road.” The peevish one appeared much younger, curly gold hair topped by a large straw hat. She wore a light-yellow dress with lace at her wrists and throat, a perfectly inadequate outfit for travel. “Someone could have provided directions.”

The older woman had finely-drawn features, a few strands of gray threaded through her dark, uncovered hair. Dressed in sensible blue calico, she gripped the reins too tight and the poor horse gave a pathetic shake of its head. “The whole point was to avoid people,” she sniped.

Emma strode forward and seized the reins. “For God’s sake, you’re killing him.”

The two women gaped as though at an apparition. The horse, released from harsh hands, lowered its head and halted. Its sides heaved as flies drank at its sweaty flanks.

“Whomever let you two fools handle a horse should be whipped.” Tempted to dispatch the women to hell for their cruelty, Emma rested her hand on the pistol’s handle.

They two travelers spoke in tandem. “Who are you?” and “How dare you call me a fool.”

As Emma crooned into in the horse’s ear, her expert fingers undid the buckles at its shoulders and haunches. By the time the older of the two women climbed to the ground, the horse was unhitched and Emma led it to the creek.

“That’s our horse,” cried the one in yellow. “Clara, what is that insane girl doing? She’s stealing him.”

Emma halted, shoulders stiff. She turned and pointed the pistol at the one with lace at her throat. “I’m no horse thief.” She cocked the hammer. “Apologize.”

About the author:

Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime mystery series and Spirited Quest paranormal mystery series. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild and editor of the Potato Soup Journal. 

Find Julie on social media:

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Howard/e/B07D6CS4NQ/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-howard?list=author_books

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JulieMHoward

Follow her on Instagram: @authorjuliehoward 

 Buy links for The Three Widows of Wylder:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Widows-Wylder-West-ebook/

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-three-widows-of-wylder/id1585169665

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-three-widows-of-wylder-julie-howard/

Writing What We Know

–From Cathy

Hi everyone!

I have a new flash fiction story up at Fiction Attic Press, the wonderful people who brought Karen’s first book, Homing Instincts, into the world. They are a terrific bunch to work with, and I’m so grateful to them for giving this story a home. Please check it out when you have a minute:

Single Family Home, by Cathy Cruise

This story is very loosely based on a friend of mine, who is a realtor. And while she doesn’t sneak into her client’s homes (that I know of), she did go through a crappy breakup recently, and she’s been on my mind a lot. I felt like I had to give her a heads-up before this story came out, so she wouldn’t read it blindly and then be startled to see bits of her life sprinkled in here and there.

Do you write about those around you? If so, how do you handle telling them about it? How do they respond? It’s a tricky thing for writers. We’re supposed to always “write what we know” but sometimes that can get a bit close, can’t it?

I hope you’re all staying safe, writing well, and submitting all you can. In fact, if you have a new piece out, please share the link in the comments. We’d love to read it.

Take care all!

Sweet read and a recipe

Here at Write Despite, we really like baked goods and pastry, which is why Sarita Leone is a perfect guest blogger. Sarita loves happy endings—in life and on the page. The lead character of her new book? A baker.

Sarita’s story is part of The Wild Rose Press’ upcoming Christmas Cookies Series. Each book features a holiday recipe. Sarita spotlights the delectable snickerdoodle. Snickerdoodle Snowmen is available November 3. 

More from Sarita:

When I heard about The Wild Rose Press’ Christmas Cookie Series, I immediately remembered all the wonderful hours I’ve spent baking holiday cookies. Baking is one of my passions, so there was no doubt in my mind I’d submit a story to this special series. 

But how to pick just one cookie? A tough one, that. I mean, let’s face it there are so many yummy recipes to choose from! But in the end it came down to a matter of comfort. Snickerdoodles seem so warm and inviting, such a comfortable and comforting cookie. So, I pulled out my recipe and baked a batch—just for inspiration, you know. 

It worked, because the longer I rolled dough balls and pulled perfectly crinkled cookies from the oven, the more I liked the idea of writing about dreamers, the snowy Alaskan wilderness, and romance beneath the Northern Lights. Before I’d washed the cookie sheets, I had a good idea where this unlikely couple would end up. And that, the ending, is a bit of a wintery surprise! 

I loved writing this story, and I’m hoping it will bring warmth and holiday cheer to readers. It releases on November 3 but is already available for pre-order from Amazon.

And in case anyone wants to bake their own snickerdoodles, I’ve included my recipe.

Thanks so much for having me here today!  

Snickerdoodles

1 cup shortening
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs (egg substitute is fine)
2 ¾ cups sifted flour
2 t cream of tartar
1 t baking soda
½ t salt

Combine shortening and sugar until well mixed and fluffy. 

Add the rest of the ingredients, mix well. 

Roll dough between your palms to form balls. 

Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl. 

Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture. 

Bake about 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.  

Promoting time versus writing time…

Hi Friends!

Well, Arborview has officially been in the world for one week, and the reception has been heartwarming. Thanks to everyone who reached out with congratulations and who is already reading Arborview. Please share your reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

Eighteen people attended my launch reading via Zoom, which was hosted by my local library, and since then the book has been making the rounds on several Book Launch Blog Tours. 

Here are a couple. One is a little video of Arborview’s sales blurb copy, which tickled me pink. And the other is a fun “Ten Things I Never Expected to Like so Much.”

How am I feeling? Relieved, gratified, kinda tired. Arborview is being marketed much more heavily that my debut novel was seven years ago. All this blogging, and chatting, tweeting and instagramming takes time. Precious time.

Not that I’m complaining! I’m just eager to pour more of myself into my new writing project…which I am VERY excited about. My job as an author now is to divide my time between promoting Arborview and forging ahead on my new project. (Oh, and hold down my full-time paying job and raise my kid!)

Tips, anyone? How do you balance the marketing aspects with the creative aspects of being an author in this digital age? I welcome all advice.

And for anyone on NetGalley, Arborview is listed all this month. Apply to review, if you’d like. You get a free digital copy.

Cheers,

Karen

Launch Day for ARBORVIEW


It’s finally here! Arborview is in the world and officially for sale at a whole lotta outlets. Some lovely flowers arrived from my two best guys–husband and son–to mark the occasion.

Early spotlights are already rolling in from NN Lights Book Heaven and from Sparkling Book Reviews.

Wish me luck at my launch Zoom reading tonight. There’s still time to register, event will begin at 6 p.m. EST.

I’m eager for feedback! Please order a copy of Arborview and share your thoughts with me, or on Goodreads or Amazon.

Thank you, friends, for coming on this journey with me. It means so much

–Karen

Ice cream and True Love: What a Combo!

Hosting author Darlene Fredette on Write Despite was a no-brainer. The woman has written a novel about an ice cream entrepreneur who finds true love. I wouldn’t mind hanging out in this world for a while.

Darlene’s new novel, Cherry Red debuted earlier this month, published by The Wild Rose Press. With a strong female protagonist and a cool leading man, you almost don’t need the ice cream backdrop. But then again, ice cream does make everything better. Or as Darlene puts it, “Who doesn’t love ice cream?”

As you may have guessed, Darlene is something of an ice cream connoisseur herself. Her top-ten flavors:

1. Cherry Red … of course!

2. French Vanilla

3. Strawberry

4. Coconut

5. Butter Pecan

6. Pineapple

7. Strawberry Cheesecake

8. Peanut Butter Cup

9. Maple Nut

10. Pina Colada

This summer, ice cream entrepreneur Carly Redd’s only focus is expanding her business—until she’s coerced into attending her ex’s engagement party. Showing up without a date is unthinkable. She reluctantly agrees to be escorted by her brother’s co-worker, although doing so breaks her rule of not dating firefighters.

The daughter of the town’s fire chief should wear a Do Not Touch sign, but firefighter Noah Harding’s interest blazed the moment he saw Carly. Agreeing to be her fake boyfriend is a no-brainer, but convincing Carly to trust him with her heart is harder than extinguishing a fire.

Overstepping the platonic-only rule is as dangerous as fire and ice swirling into a tempting combustion.

Learn more about Darlene  on her blog, on Twitter or Amazon

One week until launch! Join us via Zoom

Hello All,

ARBORVIEW releases in just seven days! Look what arrived in the mail, my author’s copies. How I love my cover artist.

       

To commemorate the release, my local library is hosting a Zoom launch event on September 29 at 6 p.m. I’m hoping some of you can attend. Just register on the library’s site, and they’ll send you the Zoom link. 

We’ll have a short reading and then a Q&A session. It promises to be a lot of fun. Come, armed with questions for me.

More events are planned, and ARBORVIEW will be popping up on multiple blogs and book sites. Here’s an early guest spot  with some good excerpts. Feel free to Google the book’s title and my name to catch more.  My website will share larger events, as well as the ARBORVIEW buy links.

Can’t believe we’re almost there. It isn’t often you get to see a dream materialize before your very eyes. I’m walking on clouds, feeling blessed. See you on launch day!

–Karen