Monday, May 29, 2017

Butterfly Suicide--A Kindle Scout Campaign

As we all know, Amazon has become a big player in the world of publishing. It's a driving force for readers and authors. A few years ago they introduced their Kindle Scout program. The idea behind Kindle Scout is to create a place where readers can preview up and coming authors and help decide what works should get published by Kindle Press. It's a great way to get a sneak peek at some of the amazing work that's out there, but has yet to be recognized. All a reader has to do is check out the excerpt posted for a book that catches their eye and then hit the Nominate Me button. At the end of the 30 day campaign, they receive a letter indicating whether or not their choice as been selected.

I've been watching this program for a while and have decided to go for it with my latest young adult novel, Butterfly Suicide. Having published with small presses, as well as, independently, the idea of being a hybrid author who works on multiple platforms is highly appealing. I would love to work with Kindle Press!

So if you are interested in helping out writer, if you want to be what the folks in Shakespeare's time called Patrons--but without the financial commitment--please check out my book, Butterfly Suicide, on Kindle Scout starting on May 31.  Thanks!

Click here to go to the Kindle Scout Nominating Page for Butterfly Suicide which will be active on May 31: Butterfly Suicide Kindle Scout

In the meantime, here is a blurb of Butterfly Suicide:



Butterfly suicide.

The blood on the cafeteria floor has been washed away and the bullet holes plastered over, but those words carved deeply into the back of the worn auditorium chair will always be a reminder for the students of Rockingham High School of what happened there last May. For Stephen Valley, the brother of infamous school shooter Jude Valley, that day is one he will never be allowed to forget—especially since the small town blames him for the loss of the seven students killed in Jude’s rampage. Tormented by cruel late night phone calls, vandalism to his home, and a growing reputation as a bad boy, Stephen longs to escape to a place where no one has ever heard of Jude or his deeds. Unfortunately, poverty has a firm grip on his mother’s finances, imprisoning him in the bigoted town with no options to leave.

Monica Monroe, a self proclaimed Theatre Nerd, hates being known only as the sister of Jude Valley’s murdered girlfriend, Simone. The constant questions about what really happened the day of Simone’s death, the sympathetic looks from strangers, the way her parents are falling apart—it’s all become too much. Even though she’s never believed Jude killed her sister over a lover’s quarrel, she does blames herself for not seeing what a monster he was.  Her mother and father have decreed she never talk to her secret crush, Stephen Valley, but when she is partnered with him for an acting scene in Theatre class, Monica views this as an opportunity to finally get some answers. Being paired with Stephen proves to be dangerous for her emotional well being and her heart. When he is beaten up for being on her street, Monica realizes his life after the actions of Jude has been as traumatic as her own.


When they look inside Jude’s Artistic Bible—a collection of Jude’s most private and graphic art work—Monica and Stephen decipher a devastating secret which threatens to rip their families apart and destroy their blossoming secret romance. Together they must decide whether to confront the truth or keep quiet the reason for the “butterfly’s suicide.”

Friday, June 24, 2016

Writers League of Texas Manuscript Finalist

Super excited to be attending a happy hour at the Writers League of Texas Agents and Editors conference! Not only will I get to reconnect with some great writer friends, but I get to hear my name called out as a finalist in their Manuscript Contest. My latest YA manuscript, Butterfly Suicide, made it to the top five. I really love the Manuscript Contest and have found that it provides excellent feedback and encouragement!

If you've never been to this Texas conference, I highly recommend it. It's a great way to meet other writers, as well as, agents and editors. There are informative workshops and seminars on all areas of writing and some great swag, too.

If you're at the welcome happy hour this afternoon, look me up! I'd love to say hello!

By the way, the first book in my YA series set against the swamps of Louisiana and the culture of voodoo, is free for the next few days at Amazon. Get lost in the world of teenage voodoo queen Joan Renault! Click here for your copy! BAYOU MYTH FREE KINDLE COPY

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Great Summer Reads

Ah...those lazy days of summer. I just got a great email from Amazon saying I had a $58 credit because of a lawsuit settlement about price gouging for ebooks. Whatever! This just means more awesome books to purchase for my summer reading list. While it's true I've had my nose to the writing grindstone for awhile, I'm finally coming up for air to read some great young adult fiction! Here's what's on my reading list:

1. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
2. Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavksy
3. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
4. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
5. Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

That should tied me over for a week or two! And then it's back to the grind! I've got plans for Bayou Curse--the final book in the Bayou Myth series--to be completed by Spring 2017! Super excited about this!

I've also been working on several other projects which I can't wait to share with you soon!

Happy reading!

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Changes to Amazon's Publishing Program

Well, if you live in the self publishing world at all then you've probably heard about the changes KDP is making in regards to how authors enrolled in the select program will make money. Now it's based on pages read---this could be a good thing, could be a bad thing. I'm never very good at explaining royalties so I'm going to refer you to one of my fave blog sites on book marketing. I saw this woman, Penny Sansevieri, lecture last year at a writing conference. She rocks! Check out her views on this latest change!

The New Changes to Kindle Unlimited

http://www.amarketingexpert.com/the-new-changes-to-kindle-unlimited/



Monday, July 6, 2015

RWA 2015~New York!!

I attended RWA 2014 last year in San Antonio and loved it!

Unfortunately, I won't be attending this year's conference in New York. The ever dreaded finances have gotten in my way. Am I depressed about it? You bet! I think RWA is one of the best conferences you can attend if you are a romance writer.

What is RWA? It stands for Romance Writers of America and is pretty big deal to be a part of. You have to have met certain criteria in order to be considered for membership, as well as, pay the membership dues. They have two levels: PRO and PAN and each forum for those groups is a great way to find a wealth of information about romance and the publishing world.

When I attended last year, I met writers from all walks of life and who write in all genres of romance. They had great workshops that also covered different styles of writing! One of my favorite parts was attending the book signings. It was a chance to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names in the world of romance today! Not to mention all the awesome free books get as well...

Speaking of those books, I made sure to grab the ones that were nominated for RITAs. I have enjoyed reading them this past year and getting a feel for what counts as award winning material in the world of RWA. Reading them inspired me to tighten up my own work and to delve more deeply into my material.

Another great thing about the RWA conference? It's a great place to meet agents and editors. However, if you've ever been curious about the small press or wanted to dip a toe in the world of self publishing, this conference provided a lot of insight into both.

So yeah...I'm bummed about not going to New York for RWA 2015, but hey...there's always next year! I'm already saving up for RWA 2016 in San Diego!

Esmae~

P.S. The The TAMING OF THE PRUDEis free all this week at Amazon!