Let's Kick off Summer!

Welcome to Summer!

CAPE CURSED FREE JUNE 9, 10 & 11

I don't know about you, but this is my favorite time of the year.  I love waking up to birds singing and it remaining light outside until nearly bedtime.  Another thing I love about summer is reading.  I've found some great books over the years during this time of year.  Outlander, one the books I read during the summer years ago, will soon be a mini-series.

There's nothing better than sitting under a shady tree or sitting in a beach chair with the rhythm of the surf to keep you company while you enjoy a great book.  

In celebration of summer, my novel Cape Cursed is FREE from June 9-11 in the Kindle store.  It is set at the beach and is filled with hot romance and chilling suspense.

Download it now before it is no longer free, then sit back, relax, and be transported to the beach as you read Cape Cursed.  Click here to begin your download.

Breaking the Mold

If you are a writer, you know that there are standard formats for submitting articles and manuscripts for publication.  For manuscripts, it was always one-inch margins, double-spaced, header at the top with title, author, and page number.

Well, not only has the publishing world changed, but manuscipt formatting has also undergone a transformation. Finally, after schooling myself on the rapidly changing world of indie publishing, I've gotten to the point of formatting my novel St. Anne's Day for Smashwords, Kindle and CreateSpace.

I'm on Kindle!

The process was relatively painless--although I have been working with Microsoft Word forever.  For others not so familiar with word processing, it may seem a bit confusing.  However, Smashwords Style Guide was a great aid as was my "bible" Dollars and Sense:  The Definitive Guide to Self-Publishing Success.  I thought the CreateSpace instructions were a bit vague, but perhaps that is to encourage you to buy their formatting services.  With a little adjustment, I was able to upload there without much trouble as well.  Now I'm waiting on my cover from my designer so I can "go public" on Amazon.

homeaccentstoday.com photo

One thing I will do differently now that I've been through this far of the process is ditch the manuscript format.  Headers, page numbers, etc. are useless when indie publishing.  Also, when it comes to indenting paragraphs, double spacing, and page breaks, I'm no longer going to include them, because when you convert the files, you end up taking them out anyway.

So for all of you embarking on prepping a new manuscript, it's time to break the manuscript format mold. 

**Look for the debut of St. Anne's Day on the July 26, St. Anne's Day.  Please sign up for my emails so I can keep you up-to-date on my progress.   I plan free downloads for those who sign up for the newsletter!

***One bright note.  Although the book is up on Kindle and Smashwords, I'm still reading through those versions to make sure everything converted right.  But today I got my first sale through Smashwords without even letting anyone know that it was there.

Eating My Words

Well, I'm going to do it.  I'm going indie. For those of you who don't know what that means, I'm not starting an indie rock band.  No, I've decided to join the revolution and independently publish my novels.  Until recently, I would have never gone this way as I believed the acquire-an-agent-who-secures-a-publisher route was the gold standard for publication.  In fact, when I received a press release from someone promoting a self-published book at the magazine a few years ago, I dismissed it. When my coworkers, who have very little interest in the world of publishing, asked why I didn't think highly of self-published books, I explained it to them this way:  It's like paying for sex.  If a guy was really hot, he could probably hook up with any babe he wants because of his attractiveness.  But if he wasn't so hot, he'd probably have to pay for the favors.  If a book was really good, publishers would be fighting over it, but if it wasn't, the writer would have to pay to get it into print. 

But things have changed.  And I must eat my words.  Due to a very busy few years, I've not really paid attention to what was happening in the publishing industry, but with the advent of technology like the Kindle, the way we write, sell, distribute, buy, and read books is changing.  Presently, I'm trying to learn as much as possible about this exciting new opportunity.  As I progress through this process, I hope you'll join me.   I think my first release will be "Not Every Girl."

The Kindle Has Been a Godsend

Hi Readers,

If you follow this blog or the one I do for Northern Connection magazine or read my column in the magazine, you know I often wondered whether I would like a Kindle.  As I mentioned, I bought one in January, and let me tell you it has been a godsend.  I injured my knee in a freak treadmill accident and pretty much spent a week resting my injured leg.  The great thing about the Kindle was that when I needed another book to keep myself occupied, I wasn't at the mercy of my caregivers.  I just browsed the Kindle Store and downloaded the next book I wanted to read.  For anyone who likes to read and who can't get to a bookstore the Kindle is a lifesaver. 

I'm also thinking that the Kindle would be great for senior citizens who can't get out to their local bookstore or who can't wait until the delivery person brings your next selection.  It is also great for seniors because you can adjust the text size.  Too bad my late Grandmother Gert passed away before the Kindle came on the scene.  She spent her last years on earth home bound and was an avid reader.  She ordered all her books from a book-of-the-month club.

I don't think the Kindle will totally replace traditional books, but it sure is a great device for those who love to read. 

Am I the Kind to Kindle?

A while ago I wrote an article in Northern Connection magazine, where I am the Executive Editor, wondering if I would like a Kindle.  Well, I recently purchased one and am reading my first book on it.  I love books and I have this feeling while I'm reading that I'm doing something evil like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa.  The ability to publish and purchase books was such a leap for humanity, I feel as if I've turned my back on books.  Did those in previous decades experience such anxiety when they made the switch from hand-copied manuscripts to the printing press?