Hello Spring

Finally! Spring time is here in North Carolina and I plan to enjoy as much of it as I can. I love spring. 

You see that penguin standing there?  That’s how I feel right now.  Just standing on the shore, looking at a sea of possibilities. Possibilities for what I want to do with my secret project.  While editing the first book, I’ve fallen in love with the three-book series again and can’t wait until I’m done with all of them.  Of course, I’m on the fence about self-publishing it or submitting the first one to an epub. I’d prefer to go indie with the trilogy, but the cost of editing has really taken a bite out of my finances. Sure, I’ll make that money back, but I’d prefer to have the money in my bank account before I start spending it. That’s just me.   But at the same time, there are only two epubs that I’m targeting, and if they say no, then indie I’ll go.

As for my other two short stories, one is on submission while the other is in the works. I’ve also been playing around with an idea for a second book in my vampire romance called If I Should Wake, but we’ll see. I’m still hopeful that I’ll have a total of six releases total this year with my trilogy being released as one book per month. When that will happen is anyone’s guess.  Like I said, I’m trying to get through editing the first book, so I can start editing the second one and finish writing the last half of the third.

One thing I will say is that John Saul has become my number-one favorite writer again.  Not that he ever lost it, but I haven’t been keeping up with his books.  I picked up Faces of Fear on the bargain rack in Barnes and Noble and can’t put it down. Absolutely thrilling! I cannot recommend it enough.

And before I forget, all of the books through Dusk Till Dawn Books are now on sale through Amazon!  I’ve knocked a buck off the prices because it’s spring and I wanted to do something to welcome it in.

If I Should Die Hit the “Top 100 Free” List!

We’re happy dancing at my house.   If I Should Die hit Amazon’s Top 100 Free list at #86 and the Amazon’s Paranormal Romance list at #77.  Keep in mind, it’s only free for today, which is probably why it hit the list.  I can’t imagine where it was before 10:52pm tonight.  And since others are into showing this kind of stuff off, whereas I’m normally not, here is the proof…

That’s the highest I’ve ever been on any list.  I can’t recall exactly where I was with Hazardous Environment, but it was in the hundreds on one of those Amazon lists.  Your guess is as good as mine, but someone said that it was considered a bestseller.  I don’t know what that means since you can show up as a “bestseller” at a rank of 415,000.  *shrug*

Either way, I’m thrilled beyond all belief.  It’ll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow, since it’ll go back up to $2.99.  But no worries.  It’ll be free again later next month.

Happy Release Day – IF I SHOULD DIE

It’s finally out!  If I Should Die is available on Amazon!  So, get your copy now.

Normally, I’d add the blurb again, but you can read about it in the previous blog.  It just seems redundant to list it here again.  However, I had to make sure I note that it’s only available on Amazon right now through their Select program.  That means Amazon has it for the first 90-days and then it’ll be available in other places like Kobo, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble on June 25th.  This is more so of an experiment because I want to see if what they say about the Amazon Select program is true.  That’s what this business is about.  Experimentation.  Whether or not I’ll do this with other books remains to be seen.

So, being a part of the program also means I can offer this book up for free for a day or two.  So, at some point, it’ll be available free for anyone who wants to try it out.  When that’ll happen, I don’t know because I haven’t looked at the calendar yet to figure out when is a good time.

If I Should Die is a novel short, meaning it’s only 18,000 words.  I have two more stories that will be around that same length that I hope will get bought up by a publisher.  If not, then I’ll publish those through Dusk Till Dawn Books.  One way or another, you’ll get a chance to read them.

Cover Reveal – IF I SHOULD DIE

Here’s the cover reveal for If I Should Die.  It’s an 18,000-word vampire romance that’s different from anything I’ve written in several ways.  First, it’s a short story.  Second, it’s a vampire romance, something I never thought I’d write.  Third, the heroine is a single mom with a couple of kids.  Let’s face it.  As a single mom, it’s nice to have a paranormal romance that I can relate to. 

Here’s the blurb…

Dr. Clarice Adair is a single mom with more than just a truckload of children to worry about.  Centuries ago, she was the vampire companion of a descendant from Elizabeth Bathory.  Today, she’s free and living a “somewhat” human life with all of the sensual cravings of a woman who hasn’t been touched in years.

Sebastian Bova has seen a lot in his two-hundred years.  But, he’s never seen anything as extraordinary as the serum developed by Dr. Adair that can turn a rabid vampire into a tamed pussy cat.  He wants her secret and will have it.  Temptation was never a part of the plan, especially with a single mom who has a bunch of mouths to feed.

Centuries of searching have brought the descendants of Bathory to Clarice’s front door and they’re not leaving with out her.  She’s ready to fight a losing battle to protect her loved ones, unless Sebastian can win over the protective, single-mother’s heart on time to help save them all.  An all-or-nothing battle is brewing and even the winner might not come out on top.

Release Date: 3/25/2013

Short Story Update and MystiCon News

MystiCon

I have my MystiCon schedule and it looks fabulous.  As always, they put me on panels with the wonderful Lexxx Christian, which means there will be plenty of fun to be had.

So, if you’re around the convention, here’s where I’ll be…

Fri 7:00 PM Ballroom E – WritingYA Lit: Breathing New Life Into SF/F

Fri 10:00 PM Boardroom 1 – Adult Characters with Benefits

Fri 11:00 PM ‐ 1:00 AM Rm 533 – Paranormal Erotic Paranormal Romance Reading

Sat 12:00 PM Ballroom E – Writing Making Old Stories New

Sat 7:00 PM Signing Table

Sat 11:00 PM Rm 438 – Writing Did That Really Happen?

Sun 10:00 AM Ballroom D Literature – What Will You Be Reading in 2020?

Sun 12:00 PM Rm 533 – Reading Koffee Klatch

Given that I usually bring my family to these things, I don’t have the heart to tell my mom that I’m on a 18+ panel where they’ll ID you before letting you in.  How cool is that? 

Short Story

I found another short story that I decided to resurrect.  I know I said I’d never write a vampire book, but I wanted to write this one because single moms need love, too.  Single women without kids shouldn’t have a monopoly on sexy vampire encounters.  The rest of us need some love, too.    There’s also the fact, that I’ve mentioned this book at MystiCon 2012, so it’s time to ante up.

At 17,000 words, If I Should Die is about a single mom whose first vampire encounter left her broken and battered, and a second one that dooms her to repeat a terrifying history.

Even though I’m still fiddling with the cover art, the story is in the hands of my editor.  I’m hoping to release If I Should Die on March 4th, but we’ll see.

Old Stomping Grounds

Today, I did something that I hadn’t done in so long that I forgot how to do it.  I put together submission packages and sent them out.  Yes, I actually queried a publisher again and I’m not done with my submission list yet.

I’m doing what I like to do, which is write.  However, I don’t have any beta readers and I’m not about to pay $50+ to edit a story that’s 13,157 words.  My decision to submit it (and hopefully its sequel) is more of a business decision than anything else. If it’s the right epublisher, they’ll have a larger, more established readership than I have now.  I’m willing to give up a percentage of the $0.35 I’d normally make by self-publishing on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, if it means possibly gaining a larger fan base.  Plus, epubs have the editing and cover art resources that I don’t feel like paying out-of-pocket for.  And no, I’m not a good schmoozer when it comes to rubbing elbows for favors.

Of course, if worse comes to worse, self-publishing is always an option, if things don’t pan out like I hope.  Honestly, I’m not that jaded when it comes to epubs as much as I’m with NY publishers, and that’s because of ridiculous contract clauses make me grind my teeth.  With epubs, there are more freedoms and author input.  Plus, I haven’t had any bad experiences with any of my epubs who started out as epubs.  Yes, I had to italicize that for a reason. 

Writers have so many options these days that it’s a great time to be a writer, as Dean Wesley Smith and JA Konrath would say.  In the end, I’m doing what’s best for my business and hoping it pays off.  If it doesn’t, all is not lost.  There is definitely an upside to playing both fields.

So in case you’re wondering what this story is about, it’s a fantasy romance that takes place in an alternate world of witches, elves, and vampires.  Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone decided to shelf this in paranormal romance because of the hero.  I’m fine either way.  I just hope readers enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.  Eventually, I’ll share the details, but I’ll wait until I get good news to go with it.  Although, I guess the best news of all is that it’ll be published no matter what.

Yeah, it’s a great time to be a writer. 

Double Power Do-It-Yourself Fix

My posts regarding the MD-702 Double Power (DOPO) tablet have hit an all-time high, and stunned doesn’t begin to cover what went through my head when I checked the number of comments today.  So, I added an update to the original blog post, which you MUST read, and I’m back to do a third post that I hope will offer you ”some” alleviation” if you bought a Double Power tablet and have experienced the same problem I have.

If your MD-702 Double Power won’t start or get past the Android screen before it shuts down, don’t bother with shoving a pin through the tiny hole on the side to restart it.  That won’t work and will only lead to false hope.  That’s what customer service suggested the first time I spoke with them an actually got someone on the phone.  If you’re lucky enough to get someone who will return your phone call or email and they fulfill everything they said they would do by fixing your tablet and sending it back, don’t relax just yet.  It’ll break again and you’ll spend another $50, if you’re lucky enough to get through to customer service a second time.

Rather than go through that hassle, here’s something “less” painful that you can do.  Caution: only do this if you’re fed up and willing to do a factory restore, which means you’ll have to re-install all of your apps.

1. Make sure your tablet is plugged in.

2. Reboot your tablet by sticking a pin in the side.  While the penguin is present in the corner of your screen, hold all of the buttons down.  I’m talking both volume buttons, the power button, and the back button.  ALL of them.  It might take more than one pair of hands, if your fingers aren’t as long as mine.

3. When the triangle with the exclamation symbol appears, release the buttons.

4. Press and hold all of the buttons again.  This will bring you to another screen with various options.  If you’re like me, you probably don’t have a backup.  So, don’t bother with that.  If I recall correctly, I chose something like the “factory restore” option because I thought that was the safest.  Basically that means what I cautioned about prior to starting this process.  You’ll return your MD-702 to factory condition and all of your apps will be gone.  To choose it, use your volume buttons to move through the list and select it using either your back or power button.

5. It’ll take a few minutes for your tablet to reboot, so sit it down and let it go.

6. Once the reboot is complete, your tablet should automatically come on and you’ll see that all of your icons, except for the ones the tablet came with are gone.

Wherever you’ve purchased your apps, you should be able to go back there and re-download and re-install them.  Yes, it might take a while, but it’s faster than waiting for a response from the Double Power Clueless Crew in California.  At least you can use your tablet for more than a paperweight.