Year In Review and a Thank You

Hello again, dear readers!

I've been remiss in posting regularly to my blog this year, mainly because I've been so focused on getting as much writing done as possible.  And I succeeded in hitting my goal of releasing three novels this year in my Bartender Babe Chronicles series.  Yay!!!

Another 2016 milestone target was to start a podcast, which I have done with fellow author William Brian Johnson (see Podcast tab above).  We've been having a blast just feeling our way through some of the in's and out's of that whole mess, but I think we're beginning to find our stride (finally).  I was pleased to hear from a listener about how helpful he found Episode 6 to be, where we talked about reviews, how to find reviewers, and how to professionally ask for reviews.  Since I forgot to post the data mentioned there, I will do so below for the indie authors in the audience:

Review List Sites:
1.  indiebookreviewer.wordpress.com
2.  theindieview.com
3.  bookrevieweryellowpages.com
4.  bookbloggerlist.com
5.  tweetyourbooks.com

Also in said podcast Episode 6, I mentioned my top ten pet peeves of things authors do wrong when requesting a review from reviewers.  I talk about this repeatedly in the podcast, but the first thing to remember is to always, ALWAYS follow each individual reviewer's guidelines on their website/blog when sending out that initial request for review.  Then be professional in your request.

Top Ten Pet Peeves:
10.  Not addressing your email request to a real person - instead using Sir/Madam/To Whom It May Concern, etc.
9.    Asking for an "honest" review - as if all reviews we've written before yours are less than honest
8.    Piles request with positive comments of other reviewers - we'll make our own decisions, thank you
7.    Listing personal accomplishments that have absolutely nothing to do with NOVEL writing
6.    Sending the book and/or a bunch of other attachments with your initial request - some want it up front while most don't, and you can find this out by reading each reviewer's guidelines (see above for a reminder if you've already forgotten)
5.    Including a bunch of links for reviewers to discover your book blurb, cover, author bio, etc. - you want the review so don't expect the reviewer to do your work for you
4.    Unrealistic expectations - i.e. expecting a reviewer to read and review your book within days or even weeks of submitting a request when we're usually running months out on our TBR piles
3.    Not including the book title, author name, or book blurb - and the sender's email address gives no clue as to who they are because it's cutsie or disturbing
2.    A request to review a novel outside of specified genres - again, read the guidelines of every reviewer
1.    Expecting reviewers to BUY their book to review - ain't gonna happen

So with those out of the way, podcast Episode 7 is now live if you'd like to listen.  Again, find it under the Podcast tab above.

Another thing I really wanted to do in 2016 was to begin treating my writing more like a business instead of a hobby.  One of those ways I succeeded this year was to write and release more books. Even though this took me away from my more in-depth stories, it did allow me to branch out into other genres I enjoy reading and writing.  However, even though I'm going to spend time in 2017 writing these lighter books, I'll also be working behind the scenes on some deeper and more complex stories I've got percolating around in my head.  When they'll release is uncertain at this time, but for those of you who prefer something more along the lines of the Deepest Darkness series, trust that I'll have more for you again from my publishing quiver.

So continuing with the business model mindset, though I have yet to incorporate, I did begin to keep better track of income and expenses, created a variety of spreadsheets, tracked promotions and their effectiveness, and have started a newsletter in 2016.

I realized a little late in the game how important newsletters are to keeping in touch with fans and followers and the impact that has on growing sales of new releases.  When I ran a BookBub promotion back in 2014, I could've been much more ahead of the game by now if I'd have had this one little piece in place.  So instead of spending so much time and energy on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads this coming year, I'm going to expend more energy with my newsletter.  Just remember to be patient with me as I better learn these rather complicated ropes.  Hey, I'm teaching myself as I go (and for an older dog, it's a little harder to learn new tricks).

The other thing I've done is to start updating front and back matter of my book backlist.  One thing I'd never done was to incorporate a page at the end of each book asking for reviews. After talking with several more successful authors through Kboards.com (if you're an author and haven't spent time there, I highly recommend you do), I figured it was high time I grit my teeth, swallow my squirms with this well-used trope, and go ahead and do this too.  It goes back to that aspect of treating my writing like a business - and like a business, I need reviews to sell books, and to sell books I need reviews.  This makes it easier for a reader to click the link and leave a few kind words if they are so inclined.  Already I've gotten several new reviews these last couple of days (and a couple of signups for my newsletter too).

All in all, I'm still not exactly where I wanted to be by the end of 2016, but I have accomplished most of my goals for this year - and I have you, dear readers, to thank for what successes I've achieved.  From the bottom of my heart, please know I appreciate you sticking with my writing and thank you immensely for your support and for the encouraging words so many of you have passed along.

Now I'm on to finalizing new goals for 2017.  Fingers crossed!

Announcing a New Series!

Hello, dear readers!

A personal post to you tonight - and an update on the status of my upcoming humorous mystery series.

The first in the Before and After series entitled LOOK BEFORE YOU JUMP is coming along nicely. I'm nearing completion and have already begun first round edits with my critique group, as the critiquing process can be time consuming.  Once they've had a chance to thoroughly vet the manuscript, then my second round of edits will begin.

With some of the problems I had with the pre-order process of RISING FROM THE DARKNESS, the finale of the Deepest Darkness series, I've really debated whether or not I will go the pre-order route again.  We'll see what kind of time-frame I'm looking at once the initial round of edits are in and I have a better idea of exactly when I'll schedule LBYJ for release.

In the meantime, you can follow some of the quotes and tidbits of my new series by running over to my Facebook page HERE.  I really enjoy the direct and real-time interaction with fans that outlet provides.  Ask questions, comment, or just follow updates concerning my writing process.

Then watch soon for information on the cover reveal for LOOK BEFORE YOU JUMP.

War on the Horizon in "Shattered Advances"

Today we have TC Squires' young adult novel on tap, something that would garner the attention of your average middle schooler.  It's got action.  It's got sacrifice.  A touch of sci-fi with a bit of intrigue.  Join me in exploring Shattered Advances: The Struggle for Probana.

Book Blurb:
The attacks are becoming more frequent. More calculated. More precise. The Shrouds. They are relentless. Obstinate. Unfamiliar.

And beyond deadly.

Born into the fuming battleground of Probana, Kaene Young is caught in the same treacherous war that claimed his brother six years earlier. His world has betrayed him. His dreams and thoughts are not far behind. The world he once knew has been replaced by this bewildering war, which has transformed a peaceful people into warring machines and wedged them into a slaving state of survival.

This is routine. This is life.

Mystery and misfortune surround the isle of Probana, though some may quickly come to light as scrutiny of the Council matures. The ceaseless combat has given reason for them to call for additional legionnaires and continue the Guard’s rapid expansion, making adamant room for criticism.

Kaene finds himself stuck in the thick of things and must overcome his besieged world or have his life devastated by the coming onslaught. His heartfelt motivation and equaling persistence could be Probana’s only hope in ending this struggle.

The nation is burning. Communication failing. The Guard’s advances seemingly useless against the Shrouds. Will there be peace for Kaene and Probana? Or will the tragedies created by this war leave everything shattered?

An emotionally equipped tale of a character’s dynamic journey into reality, Shattered Advances brings great elegance and richness into the fictional dystopian genre. A new twist on a never-ending story. We learn that war carries great loss but uncovers our priorities and our resolve to change what we have been given for the better.

My Review:
Kaene's life centers around his family and friends - Mom and Dad, older brother Daiv, younger sister Aery, and best friend Jacob - until the war with the Shrouds.

The Shrouds invaded the northern territory years before.  Every attack since is the same: their ships show up suddenly, wipe everything and everyone out, then disappear without a trace.  No one knows where or when they'll strike next.  The rare survivor can't help understand because they're always found in a coma-like state from which they never awaken.

But a coma might be better than death.  Sixteen year-old Kaene, along with buddy Jacob, are preparing to enter service in order to prepare for the next Shroud attack - whenever that might be.  And Kaene's only hope is to make it out alive, unlike his brother Daiv six years earlier.  No matter how long it has been, Keane is still haunted by dreams of roaring flames and choking smoke.  Is that the fate awaiting him too?

Shattered Advances started out promising but soon became a convoluted tale without direction, making me feel as if Kaene was the one in the coma.  Once Kaene and Jacob head to their training facility, the storyline became disjointed, with scenes thrown in here and there that didn't seem to have anything much to do with the overall story.  It nearly felt like separately written short stories with the same characters were simply thrown together to create a full-length novel.

Kaene meets Cassi and falls immediately in love with her, even though she acts repulsed by him.  Every chance he gets, Kaene tries to woo Cassi only to stumble over himself in the process.  Then Cassi is gone until the end.  Jacob and Kaene have fights and arguments over strange and mundane topics, with reactions so over the top they inadvertently are comical.  Communications are knocked out at the training facility, wait they're back on, no they're back off - off, on, off, on - sequencing and flow were so far off at times I wanted to scream in frustration.

Then several times in the midst of fighting, when the small, rag-tag survivors are completely surrounded by Shrouds with no hope of escape, Kaene passes out and then when he comes to the group miraculously has safely escaped.  The spatial jumps were erratic, jarring, and rather off-putting.

Then there are the Shrouds and this mysterious Council.  The Shrouds are supposed to be the antagonists but we really never see them, never get any sort of idea about why they attack - so much happens with no real sense of motivation.  This Council of Probana is referenced yet never shown either, the elites running the show apparently but so far off in the periphery they don't seem to have any purpose here except for the occasional mention.  I realize this is planned as a series, but if this Council needs to be mentioned in the first book at all, I'd have appreciated a little bit more foreshadowing.  Otherwise, it feels more like blips of filler.

The novel could use some additional editing.  Several times near the beginning Kaene's name was spelled Keane so that I wasn't sure which was correct.  There were constant missing small words within a sentence (a, and, but, the, etc) and some not-so-small missing words or incorrect words (like where instead of went).  There were several moments of telling but for the most part the action sequences were shown in real-time as they were happening, which I did appreciate.  Point-of-view was a constant, with Kaene being the POV character throughout the novel, though there were a few tense shifts that could easily be corrected with simple wording changes.

Once I wrapped my mind around the fact that Shattered Advances was written more toward the middle school age range, I actually enjoyed the early part enough that I was thinking of offering up four stars.  It was once the characters traveled to the training facility, however, the disconnect grew so severe and the character actions, reactions, incidents, and involvements became so convoluted I simply wanted to finish reading so I could move on - and this made me want to give it one star.  Maybe Kaene is one of the coma victims, and he's actually only dreaming, which would explain a lot here.  Ultimately, I have no interest in continuing with the series.  For the promising beginning, I'll compromise and give it two and a half stars.

To purchase click here on Amazon.

Author Bio:

A recent graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, T.C. Squires is an emerging star in the vastly expanding

world of fiction writing. Drawing inspiration from the children he teaches, he has released his first two books in the series, The Struggle for Probana, a remarkable tale of epic scope that will bring you hours of entertainment. As a part time writer, T.C. spends his days teaching Outdoor Education at a non-profit camp in East Texas, while his nights are spent enjoying and writing about the beautiful creation that surrounds him.

Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/book/show/17566003-shattered-advances

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/theprobanaseries

It's Time For Blood - Meet Author Kate Martin

My next interview was probably one of the most fun I've had in awhile, mainly because I felt an immediate kinship to this author after reading of her adventures into the world of marketing her book and technology snafus.  As many of you know, my own limitations of technology savvy are well documented.

Needless to say, I don't feel so alone now! :-)  I sooo appreciated her candor and fun-loving attitude about it all.  So please welcome to the blog author Kate Martin.

DAB:  Tell us more about growing up in the middle of nowhere and how that spurred on your desire to write.

KM:   There really wasn't all that much to do.  No cell phones, no internet - though I remember the awesomeness of three-way calling.  Haha.  If I wanted to get together with friends, it had to be planned in advance since it required getting a parent to drive me 20 minutes into town.  Though being alone never bothered me.  I was always quite willing to just sit around and daydream.  There's quite a bit of open land around my house, with a picturesque river, my father's horses, and the farmers' cows.  I used to go out and sit on a giant rock in the middle of the river and just watch the small fish, keep an eye out for Herons, and the occasional dangerous snapping turtle.  As for the actual writing - that's something I've just always done.  Whether or not it was tied to my need to self-entertaining, I may never be certain.  The first time I remember consciously writing for myself (outside of school assignments) was High School, when a friend and I would create fanfiction during study hall.  However, I recently ran into the third grade teacher from the classroom next door to mine (I worked as a substitute teacher for a while) and when she saw me she exclaimed, "Little Kate Martin?  Who used to write pages and pages?  And good writing too!"  I was amazed.  I don't remember writing so young, and this was a woman who wasn't even my teacher and that's how she remembered me.  I guess I need to do some more digging and see what I can find from elementary school.

DAB:  What does fan correspondence do for you and your writing?

KM:   There's nothing better than hearing how people are effected by what you wrote - especially when they love it.  I like to be a fan, so I certainly enjoy having some of my own.  Reader responses will get me writing more, faster.  It's the absolute best motivation.

DAB:  What are some other good writing motivators for you?  Music?  Driving?  Reading?

KM:   Music is always good - though oddly enough the last book I wrote I often did so in silence.  For Eternal Shadows I had a lot of Paramore, Flyleaf, and other angsty or teen-sounding music.  However, there were also a few songs that were more classical or old fashion sounding.  I'm planning on getting the playlist up on my website soon. 

I get some of my best thinking and brainstorming done while driving.  A good ride in the car is a great way to break any slumps or writing blocks.  The only downside is then I have to do a lot of furious scribbling in notebooks when I reach my destination.

Reading is a bit of a toss-up.  I love to read to get ideas on how to go about different things, or what kind of feelings I want to dredge up, but when I get deep into writing a novel I tend to stop reading so I don't fall into copying, or get influenced in ways I don't intend.  It's hard to read something brilliant and not want to do it yourself!

DAB:  ETERNAL SHADOWS is a YA paranormal novel - do you write in other genres as well or do you plan to make the YA genre your "go-to" grouping?

KM:   Eternal Shadows is actually the only YA I've ever written - and it's the only one currently in my head.  I have no immediate plans to write any others, though I do love YA and I wouldn't be surprised if I wrote another somewhere down the line.  My main genre is Fantasy, either epic or urban or paranormal.  Hopefully soon I'll be able to talk about some of those too.

DAB:  Oh, I love reading fantasy!  It is my first love.  What is your favorite fantasy novel and why?

KM:   Gosh, not sure if I have just one favorite. :)  Wizard's First Rule, by Terry Goodkind (and all it's siblings) was the book that made me realize I could write a novel myself.  Other favorites are The Last Herald Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare (along with The Infernal Devices) and The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop.  There are so many others - I actually have a list of all my favorites on my website.

DAB:  What is your typical writing routine like, and do you write on a daily basis?

KM:   Every morning I roll out of bed, change from pajamas to sweats and a tee-shirt (or whatever is weather appropriate) and wander to whatever place in the house has the honor of being the current writing spot.  Each series I've written has been done in a different spot - the desk, the bed, the couch, leather recliner, etc.  Eternal Shadows was written on the couch, and I'll probably need to plunk myself there again in order to complete it's sequel, Darkest Whispers.

For the most part, I write every day.  Lately, I've been taking the weekends off, but that's new.  If I go long periods of time (a few days) without writing, I tend to get grumpy...and then no one wants to be around me, so I make sure I get at least something in most days.

DAB:  How long did ETERNAL SHADOWS take to write from first draft to final edit?

KM:  Hmm, this is a somewhat complicated answer.  The first draft took 4 months to complete, after that, I did edits, etc for another 3 months.  Somewhere in there I also started playing with Darkest Whispers.  After that, I queried it for a while, though I don't know exactly how long, and I don't know when I stopped.  Then, this past summer, on a whim, I submitted it to Cool Well Press and they accepted it!  They wanted to get it out in time for Valentine's Day (given the romance) and so we did a mad dash to get all the edits done in 3 months.

So in total, Eternal Shadows was begun in April of 2008, and was completed for publication in December of 2011.

DAB:  Endless querying played with my mind alot and made me wonder at times if I should just give up.  Was the query process a bit of a roller coaster for you?

KM:   At times, yes.  But I always remember one of the first things I was ever told:  That you'll probably have enough rejection letters to wallpaper your office before you finally get that magical acceptance.  Knowing that, each rejection was just one step closer, rather than a depressing setback. ^_^

DAB:  Do you ever encounter dreaded stumbling blocks to your writing?

KM:   Of course, I think everyone does, though it can be different for everyone, and for different books.  For me, I tend to start off knowing how the book begins, and how it ends, so even when I get "stuck" it's usually just that I don't know what happens immediately next, or that a certain scene is just giving me trouble.  When that happens, I consider a different POV (if possible), or I simply work on the scene even if I have to fight for every word.  Oddly enough, the scenes I think are coming out awful are often some of the best.  If none of that works, naps and walks do the trick.

DAB:  Where do you come up with ideas for your short stories and novels like ETERNAL SHADOWS?

KM:   Short stories are a different breed for me, because I tend to find anthologies looking for stories, then write something that will fit their needs - at the whim of my imagination.  If a topic doesn't spark something, then I don't write.  My biggest problem here is that I'm really no good at doing things short...and I often end up with another novel on my hands.  Haha.

Novels come from a number of places, I suppose.  Sometimes from an attempt at a short story, sometimes from something I've watched or read recently.  I don't know if I can pinpoint the spark that inspired each of them, most of the time it feels like characters just walk into my head, introduce themselves and then start chattering away.  I know the most recent novel I just finished drafting came from watching and reading two different animes, and then just the desire to read something dark and different - I couldn't find anything, so I started writing.

DAB:  I know what you mean.  I've started short stories from time to time and end up writing a novella - more if I let myself go.  So what are you reading right now?

KM:   Right now?  ::stares at piles of books threatening to fall over on her::  Well, I just finished City of Lost Souls, by Cassandra Clare, which was wonderful and deliciously evil.  Just what I like in a book.  Next, I think The Broken Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin will win my attentions.  I loved her first book, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, and I can't wait to get back to that world.

DAB:  Okay, one of my favorite questions to ask my victims - I mean my interviewees - do you outline your stories and novels or do you not outline?

KM:   I am a pantser to the end!  No outlines for me, no siree.  The second Eternal Shadows novel had the unfortunate luck of being the first book I tried outlining and writing out of order with - as a result, it is an unfinished mess.  There has been no deviating from the non-plan since then.  I start at the beginning and just enjoy the ride. ^_^

DAB:  Me too!  Me too!  I know the purists preach outlines, but I find them too constricting.  Have you ever tried working from an outline?  If so, what was it like?

KM:   Nope.  No outlines for me.  I did a sort of storyboard thing with Darkest Whispers, and it was just a mess, as I said.  Now I like to storyboard when I'm finished - it's a great way to see everything in one spot, and a great way to jump start the synopsis - but I won't do it before again, and I don't think outlines will ever be able to capture my attention.  I think if I planned the book out beforehand, my brain would consider it written, the adventure lived, and the book would never get done.  For me, the whole fun is living the events as if they were happening first hand.

DAB:  What are you currently working on for your next release?

KM:   My next release will most likely be Darkest Whispers (pending the go-ahead from my editor), which will pick up where Eternal Shadows left off.  It needs a bit of work, and a few more scenes to be a finished draft, but it shouldn't take me too long.  I hope.

DAB:  Well here's to hoping!  Thank you for visiting the blog - please give us the final plug for ETERNAL SHADOWS.

KM:   Thanks so much for having me!  And for giving Kass and Rhys the chance to reach more readers!  Anyone who enjoys vampires, adventure, romance, blood, and a little twist on a beloved old myth won't be sorry they spent some time with Eternal Shadows.  Besides, who hasn't wondered what it would be like to wake up one morning, immortal and with a taste for blood?

And that's a wrap, dear readers!  I look forward to having Kate back to celebrate the release of Darkest Whispers when that time comes.  In the meantime, check out ETERNAL SHADOWS from Cool Well Press http://www.coolwellpress.com/ , Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  Since school is out, Kate also has a little more time on her hands, so feel free to contact her at her website, Facebook fan page, or tweet her at her Twitter account below.

Links:
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eternal-Shadows/245686275498248
Twitter-- @katewmartin
Website:  http://www.kate-martin.com/   
Publisher:  http://www.coolwellpress.com/

Author Bio:

Kate Martin is an adjunct professor by day, a dance teacher by night, and a writer every minute in between. Growing up on the side of a Connecticut mountain in the middle of nowhere wasn’t much good for afterschool shenanigans with friends, but it was spectacular for building an over-active imagination. She spent her childhood weaving intricate plots for her dolls--none of which were ever without fantastical elements. After getting her B.A. in Elementary Education, with a minor in Psychology, she found Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction Program, graduating with her M.A. in June ‘08. Her first story was published in July ’09 in Rage of the Behemoth, and a second and third are forth coming. You can visit her website at http://www.kate-martin.com/.

Techie Challenged

Welcome to the New Year!

Personally, I'm not much on those pesky New Year's Resolutions - who really keeps them anyway?  However, for 2012 I've made some personal (what I like to call) goals when it comes to my writing. 

Last night I stayed up until - well I guess you could say instead - this morning I stayed up until 1:30 trying to spend time getting more comfortable with the world of social media marketing.  Technology and I don't get along as well as we perhaps should - I call that being "Techie Challenged".  Part of my problem has been the fact that I normally just don't have the time to sit at a computer (unless I'm doing something I consider productive - namely writing) scrolling through websites, reading a ton of information, and just chatting with unknowns.

But last night I was invited to join an author's group on Goodreads, which is thus far my favorite social networking site.  For hours I read many of the threads of conversation, started a thread about critique groups and editing, and interacted with several fellow authors from across the country (heck, maybe even around the globe).  It was a blast!

Plus I learned alot about the importance of just making acquaintences without trying to push my story.  Perhaps that's a mistake I've made through other social sites.  However, I'm finding Goodreads to be my site of choice, mainly because it is comfortable corresponding with fellow authors in a relaxed setting, whereas on Facebook and Twitter it "feels" more like marketing and is missing that sense of connectedness.

So for the New Year, I'm making Goodreads my focus for interacting with and learning from my fellow authors about this mess called technology.

Then there's also that writing goal.

Now Available - Get It While It's Hot!

Hey dear readers!

Just a quick note tonight to let you know that Running into the Darkness has been accepted to the Amazon Kindle Edition site and is live.

How awesome is that?

Just run over to http://www.amazon.com/ and pull up Running into the Darkness under their Kindle store.  As soon as I figure out a way to attach the link via the cover image to both Amazon and Smashwords I will do so.

I'm just not that technologically savvy yet, but I'll get there soon. :-)

The eBook edition is $1.99 at either store, a great bargain if I do say so myself.

You can also find me now on Twitter and Facebook under D A Bale.  If I have time available tomorrow, I will also figure out how to link directly to these sites as well, that is if I can get Mighty Bri to assist.

It's that pesky techie issue again.

Just a reminder again - this story is not for the faint of heart (nor the young).  It takes the depravity of the human mind and soul and displays it for all to see (or read).  Definitely an "R" rating.

You can't say you weren't warned.

Even if you don't own a Kindle, you can download the Kindle reader application directly to your PC - best of all it is FREE!

The application download, that is.

So please visit Amazon this weekend if you've a mind to do so.  Get it while it's hot (smokin')!