There is always discussions on the pros and cons of print versus eBook, but to be able to travel light, an e-reader makes vacation reading much easier. Some traditionalists, like myself, take our printed versions. However, I just finished reading an eBook collection of short stories, which was really enjoyable. Most of the stories were paranormal in theme so obviously they appealed to me!
Insomnia by Kelly Covic
What a wonderful collection of paranormal stories. The author takes you into a world of each character with expert ease. I particularly enjoyed Music Box, it has a great twist and Idle Thursday, because its subject matter is one of my interests. I recommend losing yourself in these narratives.
And in print:
The Imposter Bride by Nancy Richler
Inter relationships, secrets, female perspective, damaged souls and brilliant storytelling. A narrative over generations of wounded women finding their path
We have all seen, read or subscribed to another author’s newsletter in one form or another. When making the decision to create our own there are a few decisions to make first.
Firstly, why do you want to produce a newsletter?
How often will you publish it?
What content will you share?
And probably most importantly – do you have the time for it?
Stick to a Schedule
Newsletters take time to create and format, so decide on a schedule that works for you and your other commitments, whether that is writing time or your personal life. Don’t make it a too frequent chore – you will quickly discard it altogether. (Or run out of content, which is disastrous). Once you have a workable schedule – stick to it! A newsletter a week is a great deal of work, so I would suggest once a month. Make sure you are not mailing out your newsletter too frequently, or it will become a chore. I send mine monthly (most of the time!) If you have a specific promotion, then you can send ‘special’ newsletters.
Create a Catchy Titleand Imageryto Make Your Newsletter Unique
To attract attention, decide on a unique and personalized title. Then create a banner or typeface that will catch your reader’s eye. Once you have it – stay with it. The more often it is seen the more people will realize this is your newsletter and become familiar with it.
Go for Quality
Always proofread and edit
Add relevant images when necessary
Limit links
Make It Easy to Read
Adding subheadings
Using bullet points
Highlight (bold or italicize) vital information
Use short sentences and paragraphs
Offer Incentives
Every now and then, offer a reward to your current and potential subscribers. The prize need not be worth a fortune but relevant to your book’s topic or theme (or somehow related to the story).
What do you put in an author newsletter?
When it came to my author newsletter, I asked my subscribers what they wanted to hear from me. I also looked at other newsletters for ideas. It is a great way to formulate how you want your newsletter to look and to give you ideas on your content and frequency of transmitting it.
Tip: You can pre-write your newsletter and schedule it. I find this gives me the ability to drop content into the draft throughout the month, so I don’t forget something.
My newsletter is Musings from Mandy Eve-Barnett – to distinguish each newsletter I add the month and a sub-title – Sneek Peeks & Glimpses.
Here is a list of possible content you can include: (it is by no means all-inclusive though).
Personal anecdotes and photos of your everyday life. You can include your writing space.
Behind the scenes peeks – what you are currently writing, ideas formulating etc.
Exclusive content like a cover reveal or a sneak peek at your next title
Excerpts from upcoming books and free bonus chapters from past books.
Launch dates of your new book
Events you are attending, whether in person or virtually.
Your writing processes.
Report writing progress on novels.
Request feedback on a current manuscript/project
Interviews you have participated in with links
Spotlights/interviews of guest authors
What you are reading
Your book reviews
Include book research and photos.
Tell what sparked book locations, plots, or characters.
Interview an author in your genre.
Recount your experiences at book events.
Recount personal experiences that appeared in a book in some form.
Include a photo of your writing space.
Share writing milestones: signing an agent, book contracts, book releases, book awards.
Display book trailers.
Hold character interviews
Offer installments of short stories
Create a contest.
Remember the goal of any newsletter is to promote, so make sure to include:
Your author bio Insert links to blog, website, Amazon and other sales sites and your Goodreads author page, and reviews.
Tip: Even unpublished authors can create an author newsletter. The sooner you start to grow your subscription list, the bigger your platform will be when you have something to sell.
I took an extra day off this past week to ‘finish’ the prequel to the Rython series. Although, the manuscript has ‘the end’ on it, this is the start of the editing and revising stage. However, it is always a great sense of achievement to get a story completed.
I hope that my readers will enjoy this part of the Rython series, which is now officially a trilogy. When I first wrote The Rython Kingdom, I had no intention of continuing the story of a traveling troubadour in medieval England. But as we all know we should ‘never say never’, and with numerous requests from readers for more story, I, of course, obliged and Rython Legacy was born. It follows the granddaughter of the first sorceress on her own journey and how she vanquishes an evil.
The idea of a prequel telling the story of the evil witch came to me unexpectedly, but then became an insistent ear worm, so to speak. So much so, I abandoned the final book in my crime trilogy, to quieten the voices. Of course, I will get back to that project once this prequel is published, sometime in the fall/autumn. I had so much fun tracing Malgraf’s character and the darkness within her soul. Watch this space for more on Malgraf’s Dawning in the months to come.
As for my current reading, I am 3/4 through The Imposter Bride by Nancy Richler, which I am really enjoying and am also reading a short story collection called Insomnia by Kelly Covic.
This week’s literary birthday is: 2/22 – Edward Gorey – he wrote more than 100 books. (That is an exception number!) He was also a talented artist and illustrator.
A coloring book designed to cultivate imagination, inspire, build confidence and foster a positive-self image by Takiyah Smith
Colourful and Creative: An Empowering Coloring Book Series for Boys and Girls
This carefully crafted coloring book series was designed to cultivate imagination, inspire, build confidence and foster a positive-self image.
This revolutionary book teaches children to love the skin they’re in. I Love ME! Colorful and Creative. A boy or girl can be a leader, quirky, brainy, brilliant, sporty, inventive, entrepreneurial, musical, artsy, strong, or all of the above. Being a child is limitless and knows no bounds. Children color outside of the lines, should they see fit. This book reinforces the notion, that children can be and do whatever they choose.
Words are Powerful.
Every coloring page includes an “I am”, affirmation statement or words of empowerment. There are no drawings on the back so that children can have a space to create and dream. The back sides of each coloring page feature words of influence and elevation, such as, “Well-read and well-versed. A winning combination. Now that’s Powerful. or A boy or girl is happy and confident.
Imagery is Influential.
Every single image was crafted with care and intention. This book highlights hundreds of well-thought-out images with a focused theme for each page such as: entrepreneurship, traveler, music, science, art, math, sports, travel, prince, etc. Some of the beautifully crafted imagery includes: camping scenes, space ship, doctor, astronaut, scientist, microscope, beakers, math problems, musical instruments, art supplies, King, gymnast, rock climber, golfer, skateboarder, soccer player, basketball, runner, nature, rainbow, super hero’s, dogs, cats, lizard, snake, turtle, bunny, deer, birds, candy, flowers, pyramids, books, cars, hearts, music notes, stars, crowns, and so much more.
I Love ME! Colorful and Creative coloring book, is strength and talent at its finest.
Positive. Educational. Fun.
An amazing gift any boy, girl, AND parent are sure to love.
Takiyah Smith is a native San Franciscan. She studied business and merchandise product development at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (commonly known as FIDM). Girl power and women empowerment has long since been a passion for Takiyah.
There are approximately 10 million moms parenting alone, according to the Census Bureau. Today 1 in 4 children under the age of 18 are being raised without a father.
Parenting information is available in a ton of different locations from books, blogs, websites, articles, YouTube videos, workshops, and conferences to name a few. But, what single mom really has time for that? It’s on the job training time! Takiyah felt it would be so much easier if women could find information, community and inspiration all in one trusted location. That’s when Takiyah founded, Single Mom and the City, an exclusive resource for single moms.
Takiyah is grateful for the knowledge that has been imparted through thousands of hours of research and reading, family and friends, colleagues and strangers alike, that have been ever so gracious to share their parenting secrets, life experiences and wisdom. Takiyah wants to share this information with the world.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Takiyah Smith, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925. We look forward to the coverage!
We all read books that resonate with us in one way or another. Some of us have a favourite genre, others more eclectic tastes jumping from one genre to another (me included). As many of my followers will attest, I love a novel called Ferny by James Long. It is essentially a love story, but across time and has a reincarnation theme, much like my own homage to this book, The Twesome Loop. Similar to the novels, The Time Travelers Wife or My Names is Memory or Mariana.
In all stories there are plots that propel the characters on a journey. Some are easy to follow, others trick us into one way of thinking only to shock us with an unexpected outcome. There are novels whose plots cause sensations in their creativity, this list includes many, although you (and I) may have our own favourites.
Gone Girl by Gilliam Flynn
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Lost Ground by Ulla Jordan
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
1984 by George Orwell
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Of course, many of these novels we have heard of, and indeed read, they are great literature from our youth and others more modern. We became involved with the characters and their plight and their essence remains with us, months, sometimes years after we’ve read the book. That is the true test of a great story.
Which plot resonated the most with youand why?
For me, Ferney, put into a story context a fascination I have in reincarnation. It is a topic I have researched and been interested in for decades, ever since working as a nurse. But not only that, it is the finding of their soulmate after years of searching – one with the certainty of prior knowledge, the other from an unknown soul deep longing.
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 