Being the Underdog…

I’m “taking over” Jessica Bell’s blog today, talking about what it’s like to be the Underdog. Please hop on over and share your thoughts!

~AND~

Reading To Penguins reviewed Shifting Pride yesterday. I hope you check it out!

Happy Writing!!!

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INDIE LIFE = COMMUNITY

The Indie LIfe to me means COMMUNITY.

The act of writing itself can be very solitary and when we’re alone in our heads for any extended period of time, we may lose perspective. Those doubts (they like to hide in shadows and attack when you’re alone) can run rampant.

Connecting with other Indie writers/authors allows me to extend outside of myself, commiserate with others going through the same challenges, and network/learn how to navigate the complicated publishing industry.

Being part of something keeps me going.

How about you?

What do you think about the Indie Community?

Here’s some info on how you can get involved in the Indie Life:

Starting January 2013, the Indelibles started hosting a monthly feature called INDIE LIFE. Modeled after Alex Cavanaugh’s awesome Insecure Writer’s Group, this will be a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

What is Indie Life?
How: Sign up on the Linky CLICK HERE
When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month (started 1/9/2013)
What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie.
Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!

Because being Indie doesn’t have to mean going it alone.

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Mental Health Monday–I’m A Winner

I don’t care how many writing failures you think you’ve had, I challenge you to read this post and turn things upside down!

You’re not a failure.

You’re a WINNER.

Lemme ‘splain.

At a meeting last week, the speaker focused on switching negative self-talk to positive self-talk. The concept is from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and challenges the participant to listen to that running commentary–that dialogue we all have running through our heads–identify the negative thoughts, and swap them out with positive ones. The result is improved mood and confidence.

• An example of negative self-talk: I suck at writing. I’ve written seven novels, sent hundreds of query letters, and been rejected EVERY SINGLE TIME. Yep. I suck.
• An example of positive self-talk:  My crit partner had more smiley faces than frowny faces on my latest draft. She was totally blown away by the plot twist I added. An agent (or small press) asked for a full MS. It’s been a struggle, but I’ve grown so much as a writer. I’m getting pretty darn good at it.
• Another example of negative self-talk: I’ll never get the attention of that press or that agent.
• Another example of positive self-talk: Writing is subjective. This press LOVED my MS and wants to pub it. I’ll be a published author!

Each of us has our own quibbly demons telling us how awful we are. I challenge you to grab those demons by their throats and tell ‘em where to go.

How?

• Remember the successes, no matter how small you think they are.
• Remind yourself what got you writing in the first place. Hold onto it and let it propel you forward.
• Consider how far you’ve come. Is anybody an expert the first time they do something? NO. It takes practice.
• Accept that every time you fall down and get up to try again, that’s a WIN.
• Ask yourself, if it was easy to do, would it be worth doing?
• Think about how awesome you are by writing a short story, novella, or novel. YOU ARE ACCOMPLISHED. YOU ARE AMAZING.

In the comments, I want you to share a negative self-talk statement and how you can switch it to a positive self-talk statement. 

 

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Indie-Giving Blogfest

November is a time of reflection and giving thanks to our blessings and fortunes. The Indelibles have decided to highlight that tradition by hosting a blogfest to celebrate thanks.

Right now, I’m thankful for being a published author, LOL! Time and again, I hear that while writing is a solitary endeavor, publishing is NOT. It takes a metropolitan-sized group of people to 1) identify your work as something worthy of being pubbed, 2) actually offering to publish it, 3) scrub and polish it into a glorific version of itself, 4) develop cover art, blurbs, etc, 5) help spread the word via the social networks, 6) post reviews, and 7) purchase it!

Each step has its own hurdles and learning curves and without the help of EVERY SINGLE PERSON I’ve met on the blogosphere, writing forums, social networking sites, etc, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish ANYTHING.

For that, I am THANKFUL.

To spread the Thanksgiving cheer, I will GIVE AWAY to TWO lucky commenters, an EBOOK of YOUR CHOICE! All you have to do is comment here about what makes you thankful.

YAY!

Be sure to come back on WEDNESDAY wherein I take part in the cover reveal for Jennifer L. Armentrout’s OPAL and on FRIDAY, wherein I help with a cover reveal for another fellow author. Then, next TUESDAY, November 27, I host Colin F. Barnes. He’ll be sharing info about his novel, The Techxorcist. Colin also developed Anachron Press, where several short story anthologies–ranging from horror to cyberpunk–call their home. A new Pulp Line is actively taking submissions–check it out!

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Flake-out Friday–Upheaval

Hey gang!

I wanted to direct you to the lovely February Grace’s blog, where she’s hosting me for an interview today. THANK YOU, February, for having me!

If you check it out, you may get to see a snippet of NEW PRIDE’s cover!!!!!

And do check out Bru’s FABulous novel GODSPEED. Did I mention it’s fabulous? ‘Cause it is! (I adore how February combined steampunk, romance, and victorian-esque historical elements into a rich, engaging plot.)

Hey, as a special bonus, I’ll GIVE AWAY an electronic copy of GODSPEED to one lucky commenter on today’s post!

**********

For today’s post, I wanted to comment on the ups and downs of publishing. Gosh, can they be drastic or what?

Just last week, I went from losing a publishing deal (the press that was going to pub ENDURE shut down), to hearing that a publisher wanted to talk on the phone about my middle grade adventure ZODIAC COLLECTOR! (Fingers crossed!)

WOW.

What kinds of ups and downs have you guys faced?

**********

Psst, in case you missed Wednesday’s post, I’m gathering peeps for a Release Day Blitz for my novelette NEW PRIDE. Please refer there to see how to help, if you’re so inclined. THANK YOU!!!

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I’m SO Excited SQUEE!!!!

Hey gang,

Guess what?

My Young Adult Paranormal Romance, SHIFTING PRIDE, is going to be PUBLISHED!!!!!!!

That’s right, the wonderful folks at Etopia Press are making this happen.

I just signed the contract a few days ago. Right now, I’m working on blurbs, taglines, and gearing up for edits.

***SQUEE!!!!!***

Here’s my initial pitch for SHIFTING PRIDE (to give you an idea of what it’s about):

Sixteen-year-old Nickie Leone has proof that her missing (presumed dead) father is still alive. Receiving his watch in the mail is the first in a line of clues bringing her closer to discovering his whereabouts. But clues aren’t the only new thing in Nickie’s life. There’s the Memorial Banquet her mother insists she help prepare for, there’s the new kid/hottie, Xavian, and…well, the growth of whiskers and a tail!

Filled with secrets and a new love of tuna fish, Nickie must partner up with Xavian (don’t you know he’s a shapeshifter too?) to rescue her dad before she loses him forever. Oh, and she needs to figure out how to be a cat, too.

To spread the joy, I’d like to host a giveaway.

All you have to do is leave a comment–AND I’ll count your name TWICE if you help spread the word (by Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, etc) (just let me know if you’ve done it).

How about I announce WINNERS in TWO WEEKS to give peeps time to stop by.

WINNERS will be chosen at random. THREE lucky commenters will receive a book of their choice AND a three chapter crit from ME!

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Kendall Grey Week

Welcome to Kendall Grey Week, where you’ll be immersed in The Dreaming, tantalized by sexy Fyre Elementals, and thrilled by a HOT rock star/Waeter Elemental.

INHALE debuts tomorrow. It is the first in Kendall’s Urban Fantasy JUST BREATHE Trilogy. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a special video and see what Kendall has dreamed up.

On Friday, Kendall will share the cover of JUST BREATHE.

Check out her blog here, where she tackled April’s A to Z challenge by highlighting each letter of the alphabet from something in her series.

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Flake-out Friday–WINNERS!

Whee! Boy I had fun last Friday announcing my pub contract for ENDURE. THANKS to all you guys for your support and retweeting and facebooking, etc.

Now, to announce the WINNERS!

1st place (winner of a novel of your choice):

INDIGO!!!!!!!

2nd place (winner of the necklace and earrings set symbolizing ENDURE):

ISHTA MERCURIO!!!!!!!

 

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

ENDURE Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Justin’s anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.

In the Post-Collapse world where the immortal Vie lord over the rapidly diminishing mortals, Anemies like Justin and his sister are rabidly sought after. Their blood causes the Vie to age, a powerful threat, and yet a priceless hope for the Earth’s downtrodden humans.

When Justin’s sister is kidnapped by the Vie, he vows to rescue her. He strikes a deal with the human resistance, but they’re nothing but a cult with delusions that a messianic Anemie will free them all. They think that person is Justin; whereas Justin thinks they’ll need someone stronger than a teenage boy who gets dizzy after running twenty feet.

In a race to find his sister before she dies, Justin learns that not all Vie are evil, and not all humans have his best interests at heart. Trapped with choosing between saving what’s left of humanity and saving his sister Justin can’t decide which option is going to get him killed first.

 

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Flake-out Friday: My Novel’s Gonna Be Published, Yo!!

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!

A lot of you know already, but today is my OFFICIAL announcement of signing a publishing contract!

Last week, I accepted an offer of publication by Kae Wilson Publishing. They’re a new small press, and their team is fabulous! I’m totally excited to work with them. Not only will the team help with editing, cover design, etc, but they will ALSO help with MARKETING!!

Talk about feeling supported!

I’m nervous about this (seeing as it’s my first book to be pubbed, and it’s also my baby, LOL!), but with the Kae Wilson team, my mind is set at ease.

SO, to spread the joy (and celebrate the AWESOMENESS of this occasion), I’m gonna gift TWO commenters with the following prizes:

1st place) A novel of your choice (either e-copy or paperback)

2nd place) A necklace and earring set symbolizing my novel, ENDURE

Please spread the word! The giveaway will be open until next Wednesday (March 7, 2012, at midnight EST). I’ll announce the winners next Friday!

ENDURE Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Justin’s anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.

In the Post-Collapse world where the immortal Vie lord over the rapidly diminishing mortals, Anemies like Justin and his sister are rabidly sought after. Their blood causes the Vie to age, a powerful threat, and yet a priceless hope for the Earth’s downtrodden humans.

When Justin’s sister is kidnapped by the Vie, he vows to rescue her. He strikes a deal with the human resistance, but they’re nothing but a cult with delusions that a messianic Anemie will free them all. They think that person is Justin; whereas Justin thinks they’ll need someone stronger than a teenage boy who gets dizzy after running twenty feet.

In a race to find his sister before she dies, Justin learns that not all Vie are evil, and not all humans have his best interests at heart. Trapped with choosing between saving what’s left of humanity and saving his sister Justin can’t decide which option is going to get him killed first.

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Flake-out Friday–ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

I am pleased to announce my short story CITY OF LIGHTS AND STONE will be PUBLISHED in APRIL of THIS YEAR in the DAY OF DEMONS ANTHOLOGY by Anachron Press!!!!

(This is what I looked like when I found out my story had been accepted.)

Colin F. Barnes developed Anachron Press and debuted his series of anthologies with the CITY OF HELL CHRONICLES in December 2011.

(Here’s me with my very own copy! It’s a great read, people, seriously. CHECK. IT. OUT.)

Check out his website for information on more anthologies and how you can get in on the action! 

THANK YOU, Colin! I’m honored to be a part of your anthology. Seriously, my dreams are coming true. YAY!!!!!!

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