Angel Quotes

Guardian Angels never take vacations.

Join the weekly check in.

This is the Rogue's Angels weekly check-in. Every Thursday we encourage the Angels and visitors to let us know how their writing is going.

How well are you doing?

Had problems this week? That's ok. Just sit down this coming week and write. Whatever you do, don't let difficulties from the week before get in your way this week.

Every word is one word closer to the finished product.

Had a great week? Keep it up, the momentum is on your side.

Please Welcome Minnette Meador to our blog

Minnette, thank you so much for sharing with us today.

TAMING THE BLOG TOUR BEAST

PROS & CONS

BLESSINGS AND BEATINGS

I am on my second of three blog tours. They have been fun, exhausting, satisfying, time-consuming, thrilling, and otherwise one of the best things I’ve done to promote my books. Would I tell you they are easy? Absolutely not. Would I recommend them? Absolutely.

STARTING OUT…

I started out this year with a very specific goal in mind; get my name out there. It’s hard to sell your books if no one knows who you are, so the first thing I did was talk to the experts; successful writers. They were very kind to sit down with me and go over their own strategy for promotion and I came out knowing that the blog hop can be a very effective tool.

SETTING UP THE BLOG TOUR…

Since I work full time, write full time, and promote full time (or so it seems since I don’t sleep much) I decided to hire a blog tour company and chose Goddess Fish. There are others out there that are also very good, but these guys really impressed me with how fast they got back to me with proposals, the variety of their services, and the cost. They are the same ladies who bring us Long & Short Reviews and Whipped Cream Reviews. The fabulous thing about them is they put the tour together for me by recruiting the blog sites, coordinating with the blog site owners, and getting out promo for the tour. They even made banners and videos for me, which was a huge plus since I really didn’t have time to do that this year. All I had to do was get materials together for the book, the video, write the articles, and promote the tour.

ADVERTISING THE TOUR…

I only advertise on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter (I belong to some amazing groups over at FB that are very active, i.e. they talk a lot about books, authors, and just about anything else). In addition to the Goddess Fish Blog Stops, I added some others to the tour (places like Night Owl Romance, Coffee Time, and ARe Books, and other private blogs that invited me). I put together a complete schedule with dates, times, subjects, links, and a picture of the prize for that day. Then every morning, I edit my blog post and put up what I’m doing that day. I copy this over to FB, Twitter, and an event on Goodreads that I update everyday as well. When you set up an event over at Goodreads it sends out a reminder every day for anyone who said “yes” to the invite. You can also use this tool to invite not just Goodreads, but Facebook friends, and even your own mailing list. Then, in the evening, I do a second post along with a picture of the prize. I’ve been averaging about 20-100 comments per blog stop, and an average of about 10-30 individual commenters each day. Most of them follow along on every post, which is wonderful, but I get anywhere from 1-5 new followers during the week. They come in slow, but seem to stick. Books are sold as fans are obtained; one at a time.

MAKING FRIENDS, NOT FANS…

For me this is the most important thing of all; I take the time to answer each and every comment I get on any of the blogs. These people took time from their day to talk to me and it’s important for me to acknowledge that. You’d be amazed how many comments I get that writers don’t even say hi to people who comment on their blogs. I think I’ve gotten to know these folks because I truly care about them; it’s funny, but I don’t think I’ve gained fans as much as I’ve gained friends and that’s really a lot more important to me.

PRIZES…

In my first tour I gave out larger prizes throughout the tour… no one really knew when those would be given, so it kept their interest. This time I decided to give out smaller ones every day. Honestly, I think I got more people by keeping them larger and secret, so that’s probably what I’ll do on my next one. The large prizes (except the grand prize) are $25.00 or less. The grand prizes have been $100 GC to Amazon, Kindles or Nook readers, and themed totes costing about $100 each. Keep in mind I am using the tour to get my name out there, so I decided to invest some money to do that. I also give away copies of my books, but not the current one; I want people to buy that one, so I give away copies of other books in the series, and usually as eBooks. I did give away a couple of signed paperback books, but considered this part of my big prizes since I have to pay for these as well plus postage. Some people say I shouldn’t give prizes away because it should be about the book, but again, unless they know who I am how can I get them to my site, which is the bigger question here. I need to get them there first and I think it’s worth the investment. We’ll see in the final analysis if that’s true or not. If you don’t have a lot of money to buy prizes there are other things you can do. Bookmarks, Hero Trading Cards, eBooks (PDF copies), have lunch with the author, name the next character in the author’s book, etc. I had a small contest to rename my heroine in The Gladiator Prince and it was amazing how many people entered. I try to be creative with my giveaways and make sure it means something to my readers. I asked one group what they would like as giveaways and this is what they told me: An autographed photo of me, autographed books, T-Shirts with the book cover (which can be very cheap to make), etc. For Gladiator Prince I found a place that made amazing Roman trinkets like gladius key chains, Roman coin key chains, even a full sized wooden sword, all very reasonably priced.

IS IT WORKING…

Well, I’m selling more than I did when the other books came out and it looks like I’m still selling after the tour is over. Is it a lot of books? No. But it seems with each release I sell a few more.

INDEPENDENT VS. PUBLISHING HOUSE AUTHORS…

Keep in mind I’m doing this as an independent, not as a large publishing house book, so I’m pretty sure this would work especially well for larger house published books (and I have a couple of friends who have confirmed that for me). From what I’ve seen of other tours, if you have a self-published book from .99-2.99 you’ll do okay with a tour. My books are in the 3.99-5.99 range and are a bit of a harder sell.

BOTTOM LINE…

I’m learning a lot this year about what works and doesn’t work for selling books, but have come to the realization that recognition is, in the long run, more important, especially if you’re just starting out. The more I get it out there, the more people become interested in my books. I may not have sold a ton of books, but I’ve accomplished two things, both of which were a surprise: 1) People say, “I am seeing your name everywhere!,” which is a perfect endorsement that what I’m doing might be working, and; 2) Without solicitation, I’ve managed to gather a bunch of 4.5-5 star reviews from individuals on Amazon and other sites that I hadn’t expected. And these are not review sites, but individuals, which I think goes a little further with book readers. For me, that makes it worth it and I feel like I’m starting to build momentum as a writer because of it. I may not have 1,000 fans yet, but the two hundred or so I do have tell their friends.

COME JOIN ME…

Oh, and by the way… If you’d like to see how I do it, come on over and join us! It’s an absolute blast and you’ll meet some amazing people!

Hope this helps! Love you all… Minnette :o)

ABOUT MINNETTE…

Somewhere between thirty and dust...red hair, blue eyes...six kids, one slightly used husband, and any number of pets from time to time... wanttabe hippy... wanttheirmoney yuppie...pro musician and actress for 20 years... native Oregonian... lover of music, beauty, and all things green. Willing slave to the venerable muse. Minnette currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband, having replaced the children with one dog. The dog, Pierre, pretty much runs the show.

MOST RECENT PUBLICATION…

THE GLADIATOR PRINCE - Excerpt
a historical romance
by Minnette Meador
Book III of the Centurion Series
RELEASE DATE: September 7, 2011
Resplendence Publishing

Prince Thane is the last surviving royalty of the Trinovantes Tribe in Roman Britannia, having surrendered to the Romans to save his two young daughters, whose identities he sacrifices his freedom to protect. He is condemned by Nero himself to become a gladiator, to fight until he dies in the arena. When his two daughters are taken in a slaver's raid, Thane escapes to find them. Phaedra holds a terrible secret that would mean the death of her younger brother. Her only hope is to force the gladiator to protect them as they flee to Rome. He reluctantly agrees. Little does he know that the beautiful Syrian woman holds not only the key to his passion, but a secret that triggers a disaster that ignites the world. Will this spoiled willful girl betray him in the end or sacrifice herself to save them all?

WHAT’S NEXT…

THE BELL STALKER - Excerpt
an urban fantasy thriller
by Minnette Meador
RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2011
Resplendence Publishing

For a year, Belle Stark has struggled to conquer fears plaguing her since being attacked by a maniac who continues to roam free and the murder of her father. And she nearly succeeds, until she discovers her lover's mutilated body spread over the furniture, making Belle a prime suspect. Certain her attacker is to blame, she seeks help from her ex-husband, homicide detective Mike Cranston, the one person she swore she would never let back into her life, or heart. In their hunt for answers, the two uncover more than a lunatic: a supernatural underworld hides beneath the tall skyscrapers of the city with a secret that could kill them both. Faced with a terrible choice, Belle surrenders herself to the hands of a monster and Mike must solve an ancient mystery before it's too late to save her---

4 Angel Eyes for Wrong Number by K.J. Dahlen

Review for “Wrong Number” – K J Dahlen

Reporter Lucy Hancock gets a phone call in the middle of the night. The message is strange enough – someone tells her he received the money and will ‘take care’ of the targets…

She reports this to the local police, but of course she’s poised herself to find out what’s happening. What follows are a couple of days, filled with tension and a high body count.

Lucy finds a lead which can tie the recent murders to older ones, but from that moment her life is not safe anymore.

The author builds up the tension page by page, and although the identity of the murderer is revealed early on, the reader won’t mind as he can’t guess what will happen next.

This crime story is a perfect read for a lazy Sunday afternoon or a commute on a train or plane. I only wished the physical attraction between Lucy and FBI agent Sam Reed was more existent and a bit more graphic…

buy now at www.roguephoenixpress.com

Cheating?

So why does this feel like cheating?

Software to help you plot?

Yes, I know it's just what we used to do long hand. We'd have our whiteboards, our lists, our pages of characterization and so on and on. I know we have everything stored on our computers. I keep my calendar, my lists, my pictures etc on my desktop. But it doesn't seem to me as if this is the same thing as buying software that will plot my story for me--or does it?

Do I still have to put in all the ideas?

Do I still have to be creative on my end?

Or does this make it so any and everyone can write a book?

If you are a member of RWA and receive the RWR take a look at the article from the August edition.

Do any of you use this software and how does it work?

There is always a part of me that would like to try things that would make my life easier. I really am trying to stay up with the times and the electronics--whew--!

Some of the programs listed (for those of you who are not members of RWR):

Excel (which really isn't a program you have to buy it should already be on your computer)

Snowflake Pro

Scrivener

Writer's Blocks 4

Write Way Pro

Liquid Story Binder

Writer's Cafe

Are there any more programs out there and do they work.

Again, I know this isn't cheating--new technology is not cheating--it's just making life easier.

Look for the Lakota/Pinkerton series

Dakota's Bride just .99 at www.roguephoenixpress.com

Angel Quotes

The song of a robin is an angels voice in the garden.

check in

Hi. This has been a good writing week with an average of a page a day. Even on my long work days-at my day job-I've spent time writing.

Join the weekly check in.

This is the Rogue's Angels weekly check-in. Every Thursday we encourage the Angels and visitors to let us know how their writing is going.

How well are you doing?

Had problems this week? That's ok. Just sit down this coming week and write. Whatever you do, don't let difficulties from the week before get in your way this week.

Every word is one word closer to the finished product.

Had a great week? Keep it up, the momentum is on your side.

Angel Quotes

A kind soul is inspired by angels

4 Angel Eyes for Revealed by Julia Fellnerr

Revealed

by, Julia Fellner
RoguePhoenixPress, 2011,

262 pages (ebook)
Rating 4.0
Reviewed by Courtney Rene

Summary/Blurb:

Vampires, secret societies and first love - those are things that Anne Watson missed during her first high school experience.

Panthera Academy is not only a place for eccentric characters, but also the home of two secret societies, the panthers and the rebels. There Anne has to deal with midnight meetings, shocking confessions of dark secrets, a mysterious death and a stubborn highland cow as she experiences falling in love for the first time.

While her rebel friends and her boyfriend, who is leader of the panthers, accuse each other of murder, Anne tries to reveal the truth. But sooner or later she will have to realize that not everything at Panthera Academy is as it seems and that vampires might just be more than fictional creatures?

Review:

I enjoyed this book very much. An undercover mission with a secret to discover, first love, and murder on top, yes it was worth the read. Anna Watson was a great main character. She was quirky and girlie and very real to me. Although the beginning was a bit slow, and I didn’t quite understand the need for some of the background story, once it got moving it was a fun and entertaining read. The author did a good job of keeping me guessing all the way to the very end as to who were the bad guys and who were the good. Was it the groups of rebels or the groups of vampires? You will have to read the book to find out.

buy @ www.roguephoenixpress.com

MOVING INTO AUTUMN

Current project: LEGACY series

Status: editing book #3, finishing covers

Posted by: Amber Angel

Fall is a good season for me. Here in the Northwest, we are moving from the occasionally hot days of summer--which have me fanning my wings--to cooler days.

I've said before if we could go from spring to fall and back to spring, I'd be happy. Well, this year we almost did. "Summer" was chilly and rainy well into July. Then we had a few days with that "fall feeling" in the air before the sunshine took over and gave us a blast of heat.

We just had a rain shower, though the temperature is warm, and I'm taking deep breaths and loving the smell of damp earth.

Our weather has been unusual this year, but I'm grateful it's not been extreme like other areas that have been hit with the fury of storms and the aftermath.

I find autumn is a time of re-energizing for me. "Rebirth" of a sort perhaps, because September is my birthday month. I tend to take another look at what I want to accomplish, like many people do at the first of the year. I consider what I've already done, what's left to do before the year ends, and set some long-term goals for the next few years.

This year is easy. My LEGACY books, which will start releasing in March 2012, will be a major focus. I'm very excited about this series and will be experimenting with new-for-me ways to promote these books, including video trailers, excerpts, and an expanded Web site with bonus info.

I'm still writing and editing these books, as well as finishing the design on the covers, which is part of what I'll be doing today.

What about you? Do you have any fall rituals or ways to celebrate the changing season?

Angel Quotes

Simple moments are extraordinary . . . simple angels are divine.

Join the weekly check in.

This is the Rogue's Angels weekly check-in. Every Thursday we encourage the Angels and visitors to let us know how their writing is going.

How well are you doing?

Had problems this week? That's ok. Just sit down this coming week and write. Whatever you do, don't let difficulties from the week before get in your way this week.

Every word is one word closer to the finished product.

Had a great week? Keep it up, the momentum is on your side.

Courtney Rene gives Shattered Tomorrows 4.5 Angel Eyes

Title: Shattered Tomorrows                                                 

Author: C. L. Kraemer                                                      

Page Count: 107 Ebook

Publisher:  Rogue Phoenix Press

Reviewer:  Courtney Rene

Review rating:  4.5

Summary/Blurb:

Lucy Daniels has a secret--a deeply guarded secret.

Her life was going along just fine until she accompanied her best friend, 

Cassie, to her attorney’s suite on top of the Equitable Building in downtown 

Salem, Oregon.

Once inside the lawyer’s office, the world turned upside down and Lucy was forced to face a demon from her past. Thirty years ago, life had been different. 

Lucy had discovered Prince Charming and was headed to her 

happily ever after.

That’s when the devil intervened and because of her brush with the devil, innocent people died.

Review:

If you are looking for a good fast paced read this is the story for you. The drama jumps right to the chase without all the beginning tedium, but even with the fast start, you still get a chance to connect to the characters. Love, murder, and insanity mixed in with friendships and family dynamics, this book has it all. The main character Lucy draws you in with her mysterious sad past and you have to keep reading until you get all the heartbreaking details. Although it ends on a happy note, you are left wondering and that is a good thing in my book. I really enjoyed this read.

buy now @ www.roguephoenixpress.com

Staying cool on a HOT DAY

Today is one of those days I'm thankful of modern inventions. As we process and can our first box of peaches, of the season, my kitchen became stifling hot. With the added 90+ degrees outside we've had a very uncomfortable morning. Thankfully my husband placed a small air conditioner in the kitchen window which drastically lowered the room's temperature. Listening to Johanna Lindsey's book "The Magic of You" as we finish our work what more could you ask for. How do you stay cool on a hot day?
I do find it helpful to turn off all unnecessary lights and enjoy a good book.

Angel Quotes

Angels lend us their wings so that we may find our way home.

Angel Check in

Well, I tried three times to go through the check in pass and google decide it didn't like my answers so I'm replying here.

I've gotten a few lines in during the week and today at lunch I wrote two pages. Not lightening but not standing still either.

Onward and upward.

Sable Angel

Join the weekly check in.

This is the Rogue's Angels weekly check-in. Every Thursday we encourage the Angels and visitors to let us know how their writing is going.

How well are you doing?

Had problems this week? That's ok. Just sit down this coming week and write. Whatever you do, don't let difficulties from the week before get in your way this week.

Every word is one word closer to the finished product.

Had a great week? Keep it up, the momentum is on your side.

Wild winging and controversy

I've been winging wildly about town hovering over the post office for more books. As I noted earlier, my first book signing for Shattered Tomorrows was a roaring success. As a writer, I put my heart and soul into each bit of writing I do. If I didn't, what would turn out would be glorified garbage.

Do I want commercial success? Of course. To be honest, every good writer I've met has confidence issues about their writing. That's why most of us put words on paper. It's really a faceless kind of profession. I think the only other people less recognized than authors are movie producers. You'd probably walk past the biggest Hollywood producer and never know it. But I'm getting sidetracked.

With Shattered Tomorrows, I was fortunate to have a well written interview with the local paper that boosted my visibility in the area. All the phone orders I received were a direct correlation to those who read the article.

However, there was one dissenting voice. In the Opinion page of the local paper, a week after the article was published, was a letter from the mother of one of the murdered victims. Now, I missed the letter and wouldn't have knowledge of it had a friend not asked me if I'd seen it. To continue... the mother apparently blasted me for not having sensitivity to the issue; not recognizing how it has changed the family's lives. I'll know more when I read the full letter.

I understood when I tackled the subject [the May 7, 1981 shooting of 24 people in the Oregon Museum Tavern in Salem, Oregon] there was the possibility of stepping on toes. If everyone agreed there wouldn't be so many political parties! Yet, I stand by my choice of subject. I do know what's it's like to lose a family member suddenly and violently.

If I allow trepidation to color my choice of subjects, I'll never write another word. My father has a colorful saying--"You have the right to swing your fist as far as the tip of my nose." I always giggled when he demonstrated it but agree with him. Everyone has the freedom to believe how they will and exercise their freedom accordingly.

As for me, I'll continue to write my stories as they whisper to me. It's what writers do.

Sable Angel

Angel check-in

Well, I've been frantically getting myself together for another book signing to be held on Sept 7 at the Magoo's pub in Salem, Oregon. Scrambling to be sure I have my books in a row and pretty tunnel-visioned.
Having made that statement... I also printed out all the parts of the original Dragons Among Us having to do with the Ice dragons to get a head start on the next in the series. [I see dragonlings in the offing!]

Not actually writing but prepping.

Sable Angel

Angel Quotes

Angels help us spread our wings and fly.

Check in

This hasn't been my best week, however, I've accomplished some writing. Plan to use part of the three day weekend to write.

Join the weekly check in.

This is the Rogue's Angels weekly check-in. Every Thursday we encourage the Angels and visitors to let us know how their writing is going.

How well are you doing?

Had problems this week? That's ok. Just sit down this coming week and write. Whatever you do, don't let difficulties from the week before get in your way this week.

Every word is one word closer to the finished product.

Had a great week? Keep it up, the momentum is on your side.