Thanks for all who entered The Zodiac Collector Tour! I hope you enjoyed learning about my favorite witch-y type movies and about how astrology inspired me to write the story.
I’ve emailed the winners, so be sure to keep an eye out for it.
As mentioned during the tour, I’m gifting an e-copy of my shifter short story, TSAVO PRIDE, to everyone who purchases The Zodiac Collector. Simply send proof of purchase to authorlauradiamond@gmail.com and I’ll send an e-copy of TSAVO PRIDE.
Hey gang!
Last week, Natasha Hanova shared her review of my YA paranormal romance, SHIFTING PRIDE and she hosted me for an interview where I discussed my characters and upcoming projects.
Since it’s the holidays, she’s been gracious enough to host a giveaway as well–hop on over to her blog to enter for a chance to win a book of your choice penned my moi! (Deadline is THIS FRIDAY, December 20.)
And be sure to check out Natasha’s FAB book, EDGE OF TRUTH! (It’s on sale for 0.99 December 18-20!!!)
I know I said I was on a blogging break–and I totally am–but wanted to pop in and tell you that YA/MG/PB author SA Larsen is hosting me on her blog today. Please check it out for info about me, my writing, Shifting Pride, and my upcoming YA dystopian, ENDURE!
I’d love to hear from you!
Some upcoming info:
Next Monday, I’ll have deets about Kimberly Ann Miller’s debut, TRIANGLES. I’m super excited for Kimmy. She’s written a FAB story!
I just got the final cover art for ENDURE, so might be giving all y’all a gander next week!!! SQUEEE!!!!!
(Looks like I can’t stay away even when I’m staying away, LOL!)
***hugs***
Hey gang!
I’m super stoked to share good news with ya’s!
SHIFTING PRIDE is now available in PAPERBACK!!! WOOT!!!!
Can’t wait to hold my debut YA novel in my hands. My fingers be twitchin’!
***SQUEE!***
Tell me friends, what’s it like when you hold your book baby in your hands? 😉
Send proof of purchase to: laurabdiamond@yahoo.com 😉
Please spread the word–It’s MUCH APPRECIATED!
Come back on SATURDAY, May 25 when I help Heather Van Fleet celebrate the release of her latest YA contemp romance, When It’s Least Expected! 😉
Historical romance author and poet Glynis Smy is graciously spotlighting Shifting Pride on her blog today. Thanks, Glynis!!!
Check out her work RIPPER, MY LOVE on Amazon.com.
I was thoroughly surprised and flattered by a lovely review of Shifting Pride by Ashley Torbeck and wanted to share it with you.
Click HERE if you’d like to check it out.
Here’s how to find Ashley on the interwebz:
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!!!
I’ve learned over the years that authors need a strong presence in the Interwebz. Visibility is KEY in getting the word out for your books. And there’s a TON of ways to do it.
I strongly favor my blog, website, Facebook, and Twitter. I’m having fun with YouTube book trailers.
Today, I’d like to share StoryFinds.com with you. Started up by a fellow Etopia Press YA author, Renee D. Field, StoryFinds highlights authors and their books. There’s a $20 fee to be featured on the blog, Facebook page, and Twitter.
This week, StoryFinds has featured YA paranormal books, including me (SHIFTING PRIDE) and fellow Etopia Press YA authors Sara Hubbard (BLOOD, SHE READ) & Theresa McClinton (THE STONE GUARDIAN).
Here is the direct link to Themed Week:
http://storyfinds.com/section/themed_week
Take a gander!
What sites have you found good for visibility?
Happy writing!!!
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As I mentioned on Monday, I entered the cover art for NEW PRIDE and SHIFTING PRIDE in the Houston Bay Area Romance Writers Association’s Judge A Book By Its Cover Contest. JABBIC is a fun way to share cover art and have readers vote on what attracts them to buy a book.
Click HERE to go to the JABBIC website. Click START JUDGING, then select YOUNG ADULT, and rate each book on a scale of 5 to 1, 5 means you’d buy the book based on the cover and 1 means you don’t have interest in the book.
I’d totally appreciate your votes, if you’re so inclined! THANK YOU! 😉
Voting ends on February 10th.
Shifting Pride is up for Sizzling Read of the Month at Sizzling Hot Books. Please vote!
http://sizzlinghotbooks.com/poll-sizzling-read-of-the-month/
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As I mentioned on Monday, I entered the cover art for NEW PRIDE and SHIFTING PRIDE in the Houston Bay Area Romance Writers Association’s Judge A Book By Its Cover Contest. JABBIC is a fun way to share cover art and have readers vote on what attracts them to buy a book.
Click HERE to go to the JABBIC website. Click START JUDGING, then select YOUNG ADULT, and rate each book on a scale of 5 to 1, 5 means you’d buy the book based on the cover and 1 means you don’t have interest in the book.
I’d totally appreciate your votes, if you’re so inclined! THANK YOU! 😉
This is a great topic, judging books by their covers.
Humans are fundamentally visual and anybody in the biz knows that there’s some inherent connection between the quality of cover art to the quality of story inside.
Which is why I’m totally IN LOVE with Etopia Press and the cover art Annie Melton developed for NEW PRIDE and SHIFTING PRIDE. The covers fit the stories PERFECTLY. The colors are unified. The font is rugged in a primal, feline way, capturing the werecat/shifter aspect. They also compliment one another–a MUST in a series, IMHO.
Erm, am I tooting my own horn? Sorry. My intention is to share how I see the covers from my perspective. These are things I notice when looking at covers.
How about you guys?
What draws you into a cover? What about covers makes you pick up a book or scroll down to read a book description on Amazon?
For those of you who missed yesterday’s Ephemera post as part of Kendall Grey’s JUST BREATHE WORLD TOUR, click HERE to check out my reviews of her short story series and who I’d cast for the main characters in the JUST BREATHE series. 😉
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Shifting Pride is up for Sizzling Read of the Month! Please vote!
http://sizzlinghotbooks.com/poll-sizzling-read-of-the-month/
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A few weeks back, I entered the cover art for NEW PRIDE and SHIFTING PRIDE in the Houston Bay Area Romance Writers Association’s Judge A Book By Its Cover Contest. JABBIC is a fun way to share cover art and have readers vote on what attracts them to buy a book.
I’d totally appreciate some votes, if you’re so inclined!
Click HERE to go to the JABBIC website. Click START JUDGING, then select YOUNG ADULT, and rate each book based on if you’d buy it based on the cover (5) or if you don’t have interest in the cover (1). (There’s choices between too. 😉 )
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Now, to get to unintended consequences. I think about this concept often, particularly when I see outcomes that are in direct opposition to what was planned.
The biggest example that comes to mind is the flurry of gun control laws spreading across the United States. New York prides itself in having the strictest of all of them.
I’m certain the intention of these laws is to limit the access of firearms (particularly assault-type rifles) to “The Bad Guys.”
A good idea, yes?
BUT, as a result, more guns than ever are being purchased and more ammo than ever is flying off the shelves. Many gun retailers are getting cleaned out–they’re literally selling ALL of their stock and going on back order for guns and bullets.
I’d call this an unintended consequence.
I’ve personally seen several people (who have NEVER before wanted a gun or even thought about having a gun) become OBSESSED with owning a gun.
JUST BECAUSE THEY THINK IT’S NECESSARY TO KEEP THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY SAFE.
Another unintended consequence, I’d say.
YIKES.
Lemme repeat that:
YIKES.
Taking this post in a different direction (because this forum is for writing purposes only)…
Unintended consequences can have HUGE impacts.
What if we applied this concept to our writing?
How thrilling would it be to have a character do something that they think will work out for the good of others and then twist it, focusing on the unintended consequences. Wouldn’t that cause some conflict and tension? Maybe even a disaster?
It would be totally mean.
And PERFECT.
In NEW PRIDE, Richard joins up with a rogue pride. On the one hand, he needs a group of shifters for safety. On the other, the danger of allying with them quickly becomes obvious and potentially impacts everyone Richard cares about.
Have you guys seen unintended consequences in books that you’ve read?
Author Laura Diamond--Lucid Dreamer 