Month: July 2009

Writing Prompt Friday

[If you hate writing prompts, don’t come visit me on Fridays.]

I’m done with Fatuous Friday. Bored, now.

Here’s a new feature that I will continue until I get bored with it—Writing Prompt Friday.

Each Friday, I’ll post a writing prompt. Why? To help encourage writing. Writing prompts can be very useful for the following reasons:

  • Prime the Pump—to get you warmed up for a writing session or to help break through writer’s block.
  • Practice—like any skill, it’s important to practice writing creatively. Prompts can help your brain stretch a bit.
  • Drills—like practicing the piano, but you’re writing instead
  • Habit—to get you in the habit of writing regularly. Even if you’re not working on a current project, it helps to write a bit every day.
  • New Skills—sometimes a prompt causes you to develop a new skill or to look at a different style of writing. That’s always good.
  • Fun—do I really need to define this?
  • Low Stress—because no one cares, a prompt is low stress writing.
  • Promise—sometimes a prompt will start you on the road to a new novel. It’s like heaven when that happens.

Okay, so enough justification. Here’s today’s prompt, stolen from Writer’s Digest.com (Stolen because after wasting so much time on yesterday’s post, I now have to hurry to get to my “day job”.)

You’re a pizza delivery driver and it’s your last stop of the night. The house is on an unlit, unfamiliar street. As you ring the doorbell, you’re greeted by an unusual character who invites you in while he gets cash—and abruptly knocks you out cold. When you wake up, you’re tied to a chair. What happens next?

Limit your response to 500 words or fewer.


If you participate in this prompt, leave a comment and let us know how it went. If you post your response to this prompt on your blog, leave the link in your comment.

Writing Conferences—The Lazy Way

(I’m sitting here pre-writing this week’s posts because I’ve got a horrendous schedule this week. And honestly, I’ve been looking at this screen for over an hour with no idea what to write about! I do so much better answering your questions. Please, SEND QUESTIONS.)

For today, I’m linking to a post by Chip MacGregor, literary agent, who is discussing writing conferences and how important they are to those who want to publish.

A Dozen Questions about Writing Conferences

Uncut Diamonds by Karen Jones Gowen


Title: Uncut Diamonds

Author: Karen Jones Gowen

Publisher: WiDo Publishing

Release Date: July 30, 2009

ISBN: 978-0979607011

Size: 386 pages, 6×9, softcover

Genre: General

It is the late Seventies. Gold medallions and disco dancing, bell bottoms and bushy sideburns, Star Wars and Saturday Night Fever are all the rage. Jimmy Carter is President during a frightening recession, with mortgage interest rates at 13% and fuel bills higher than house payments. In the heartland of the nation, a young Mormon couple, Marcie and Shawn McGill, struggle to save their home, family and marriage, during these uncertain times. And they find help in unexpected places…

Follow the lives of Marcie and her two sisters as their lives intertwine. Beautiful Cindy who is single and dating, often the wrong guy. Linda who married rich and lives in Denver with her husband and young daughter. And their parents, the kindly Methodist minister and his cheerful wife, who do what they can to help everyone out.

1st or 3rd POV?

I know you’ve discussed POV before, but how do I know whether I should use first-person or third-person in my novel?


First-person limits your writing in many ways. Because the story is being told by the main character (usually), you can only disclose what they experience. So if you need a scene that does not involve your main character, you have to have someone tell them what happened. Also, your secondary and supporting characters are a little harder to develop because you don’t get inside their heads. We learn about them as they interact with your narrator. Some readers really hate first-person. (The woman who gives me pedicures refuses to read anything in first-person.)

The advantages of first-person is it often brings the reader in closer to the main character, letting them identify with them more. First-person goes in and out of style, but it is currently the favored POV for middle grade and YA novels. A very popular example of first person is the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.

Third-person omniscient allows you to share the experience of a variety of characters. You can look at events from various viewpoints and listen in on the inner thoughts of almost anyone in the book—including the antagonist. This often makes it easier to show motivation and add dimension to all your characters. The difficulty with third person, however, is that it can distance the reader from the main character. It also lends itself to “telling” rather than showing. A popular example of third person done well is the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.

How do you know which is right for your book? Depends on the mood you’re trying to create. Read several popular books in your genre that use different POVs and analyze how it makes you, as the reader, feel. Then use the POV that does best what you want to accompolish in your book.

Another option is to write the first chapter in both first and third POVs. Which one do you like best? Share the chapters with a few friends or in your critique group. Which did they like best and why? That should give you the answer to your question.

Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia


Title: Monster Hunter International

Author: Larry Correia

Publisher: Baen

Release Date: July 28, 2009

ISBN: 978-1439132852

Size: 736 pages, 4×6, softcover

Genre: Military Science Fiction

Five days after Owen Zastava Pitt pushed his insufferable boss out of a fourteenth story window, he woke up in the hospital with a scarred face, an unbelievable memory, and a job offer.

It turns out that monsters are real. All the things from myth, legend, and B-movies are out there, waiting in the shadows. Officially secret, some of them are evil, and some are just hungry. On the other side are the people who kill monsters for a living. Monster Hunter International is the premier eradication company in the business. And now Owen is their newest recruit.

It’s actually a pretty sweet gig, except for one little problem. An ancient entity known as the Cursed One has returned to settle a centuries old vendetta. Should the Cursed One succeed, it means the end of the world, and MHI is the only thing standing in his way. With the clock ticking towards Armageddon, Owen finds himself trapped between legions of undead minions, belligerent federal agents, a cryptic ghost who has taken up residence inside his head, and the cursed family of the woman he loves.

Business is good . . .

Welcome to Monster Hunter International.

Writing Tip Tuesday: Regular Doses of Inspiration

I am sure that there are writers out there who can write in a vacuum. They don’t need a how-to book or a critique group. They don’t need support or encouragement or inspiration. And they certainly don’t need to be spending their money on anything that might give them a leg up in the publishing industry.

I’m not one of them.

If you’re not one of them either, I suggest subscribing to a writing magazine or newsletter. You can get one that specializes in your area of writing or a generic one.

I personally love Writer’s Digest. Eight times a year I get a little dose of writing inspiration—personal stories of successful writers, how-tos, industry info and more. I don’t just read the magazine, I actually try out their tips. If you don’t have the $$ for a subscription, go browse their site. They’ve got all sorts of freebies there, from articles, to tips and writing prompts, to links to other great sites and blogs.

I also used to subscribe to The Writer (although when I had to make a choice due to my budget, I dropped this one and kept Writer’s Digest). This mag also has tips and pointers and it comes monthly. The website has lots of free info, as well.

There’s another one I just heard about called Writer’s Journal. I haven’t actually read this one but it looks like it may have some good information. (Anyone out there subscribe? Let us know what you think in the comments.)

So, what’s the writing tip? If you need some regular inspiration and tips to keep you writing, subscribe to a good writing magazine and/or visit a writing website on a regular basis.

Are there other good magazines or newsletters you’d recommend? Let us know in the comments section.

LDSBA Less Than Two Weeks Away

The annual LDS Booksellers Association Convention is coming up very soon. Booth set-up starts on Monday, August 3rd, as well as Booksellers University, which is a training meeting for retailers.

The actual convention goes Wednesday through Friday, August 5-7th. And yes, I’ll be there.

That’s one of the reasons I’ve been so busy not posting here. Not that I’ll have a booth, or a book signing this year. But deciding which of my many disguises to wear to the event is consuming my every waking moment!

Should I wear my turquoise business suit with faux peacock collar and matching hat, purse and pumps? (I had to make a little inset because it was too low cut for the LDSBA but I think it looks rather fetching.)

Or should I wear my super-spy undercover suit?

I think the flower makes the whole thing, don’t you?

So. Who is going to the convention? Who has a book coming out or a signing there? When? Where?

Also, any questions about the convention?

David and the Bear Lake Monster by Linda Weaver Clarke

Title: David and the Bear Lake Monster

Author: Linda Weaver Clarke

Publisher: American Book Publishing

Release Date: July 20, 2009

ISBN: 978-1589825321

Size: 280 pages, softcover

Genre: Historical Romance

Deep-rooted legends, long family traditions, and a few mysterious events—Bear Lake Valley is a wonderful home to the Roberts family. Once again the Roberts family is reunited with David trying to solve personal issues and overcome his troubles! Without meaning to, David quickly becomes one with the town and its folk and finds himself entranced with one very special lady and ends up defending her honor several times. After a few teases, tricks, and mischievous deeds, David begins to overcome his troubles and figure out what he needs to do, but will it be too late for David? Will he lose the one thing that will help him get over his worries? Will David be happy again?

Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright


Title: Eyes Like Mine

Author: Julie Wright

Publisher: Covenant

Release Date: July 28, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-59811-625-0

Size: 288 pages, 6×9, softcover

Genre: YA Speculative/Historical

A story of family that transcends time. William has been missing for two days. And even though the rest of the wagon company has decided they must continue on to Zion, Constance Brown refuses to go any further until she finds her husband. All she can think about is the last time she saw him—he lovingly touched her face and then sang their baby girl to sleep. Will that memory be all Constance has to hold on to?

In a future time and place, Liz King is a teenager struggling with her identity in the modern world. The embarrassment she feels because of her parents’ divorce and her family’s newfound financial problems turns to bitterness.

Through an inexplicable twist of fate, Constance and Liz are brought face to face. Liz recognizes Constance’s name from her mother’s endless lectures on their family history, and she also recognizes her eyes—they are exactly like her own. Were these distant relatives brought together in order to help each other?

Will Constance be able to return to her own life and find William, and will Liz be able to keep from telling Constance how her story ends? In this irresistible novel filled with gripping adventure and heartfelt emotion, two young women from drastically different times and settings learn that the challenges life holds for them are not so different after all.

Recommended by Moi—Does Anyone Care?

What are your favorite LDS novels? Which do you recommend?

Over the years that I’ve been doing this blog, I’ve gotten this question many, many, many times—at least a few times a month. Another variation on theme that I get several times a year is, would I consider creating an LDSP award for the best books?

I’ve mostly ignored these questions because I have a hard enough time finding and reading all the Whitney nominees. The task of finding and reading every novel by an LDS author would be outside my current resources—both in time and finances.

Then there’s the possible backlash—accusations of favoritism to friends and genres; promoting books I’ve worked on, blah-blah-blah. If I give an award to one book, will people think I’m dissing all others? Also, there are a select few individuals who know my secret identity, and I might not give an award to them. Will they hate me forever?

Therefore, my answer has always been No.

But recently I’ve gotten a deluge of people asking me about this, which has caused me to do some rethinking. I want to be seen as a trusted source of general and unbiased information here on these sites—and I think I’ve accomplished that for the most part. Any LDS author can get their novel and author events listed for free, simply by letting me know about it. The networking is open to any LDS author, publisher or group (it is just taking me some time to get them posted). The only site that has judgment or opinion attached is the LDS Fiction Review site, and there are a variety of reviewers there.

So a few questions for you are:

  • Do you really care which books I’d recommend?
  • If I came out with an award for the best of the best (IMHO), would that skew the value of any other information I post on these sites?
  • Would you be willing to send me a copy of your book to read—knowing that it may not be chosen for the award, but that by sending a copy you were guaranteed to:

    —be considered for the award

    —have it passed along to one of the LDS Fiction Review reviewers for review

    —get its spot on LDS fiction

    —move you up on the “Add to LDS Author Network site” list?

    —get you listed on the LDSP Good Reads shelf (which does not yet exist but will be created if I decide to do this)

    —get you added as a friend on the LDSP Facebook account (which does not yet exist but will be created if I decide to do this)

What do you think? Great idea or one to be tossed in File 13? Ideas? Suggestions?

Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena

Title: Illuminations of the Heart

Author: Joyce DiPastena

Publisher: Leatherwood Press

Release Date: June 22, 2009

ISBN: 978-1935217268

Size: 425 pages, 6×9, softcover

Genre: Historical Romance

Her heart is lost in that first embrace, her world shaken to its foundations. There is just one problem: her name is not Clothilde. It is Siriol de Calendri.

Trained in the art of illumination in the far-off city of Venice, she is directed by her late brother’s will to the county of Poitou in France, where she enters the guardianship of her brother’s friend, Sir Triston de Brielle. Once in Poitou, Siri hopes to find employment in an illuminator’s shop — until Triston unexpectedly snatches her heart away with a kiss.

Triston is a man of quiet honor and courage, but the guilt he carries for the death of his late wife, Clothilde, has left him numb and hesitant to love again. Worse yet, Siri bears an uncanny resemblance to his lost love. Or does she? Her merry laughter and twinkling eyes are very different from his late wife’s shy smiles and quiet ways. Yet when he gazes into Siri’s face, all he sees is Clothilde.

Then Triston’s past returns to threaten them both. Will his tragic life with Clothilde be repeated with Siri? Trapped between the rivalry of the king’s sons on the one hand and a neighbor out for vengeance on the other, Triston realizes it would be safer to send Siri away. But how can he bear to lose her again?

Siri is determined not to be cast off and not to live in another woman’s shadow. She has illuminated many a priceless book with pen and paint. But can her own vibrant spirit illuminate the darkness in Triston’s soul and make his heart beat for her alone?

Writing Your Book Club Questions

I’ve seen some book websites (and sometimes published books) with kits for book clubs—everything from discussion questions to activities to refreshment ideas. What makes for a “good” book club kit?


Having book club questions as part of the printed book is becoming very popular. You’re more likely to find/need to provide these questions for women’s books and Middle Grade/YAs. Discussion questions depend on the type of book and should be more than just a book content trivia quiz.

Personally, I like questions that relate things that happen in the book to the reader’s real life.

From a book club perspective, get some ideas HERE and HERE and HERE. You’ll want to customize them for your book.

As far as a book club kit, the more you provide, the better. You could do themed party ideas and provide suggestions for anything from decorations and invitations, to games and other activities, to refreshments and door prize ideas—your imagination is the limit.

Is this necessary? No. But as someone who attends a couple of book clubs and often finds them tedious, it is lots of fun to turn it into a party. (Which I do when it’s my turn to host.)

English Trifle by Josi S. Kilpack

Title: English Trifle

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: July 11, 2009

ISBN: 978-1606411216

Size: 6×9, softcover

Genre: Mystery

Series: Lemon Tart

Things to Do in England:

  • Visit Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the London Zoo
  • Take the Jack the Ripper tour (creepy!)
  • Sample authentic English scones and crumpets
  • Discover a dead body

What begins as a holiday trip for amateur sleuth and cooking aficionado Sadie Hoffmiller and her daughter, Breanna, turns into a bizarre mystery when they discover a dead body in the sitting room of an English manor.

Breanna’s boyfriend, Liam, is heir to both the family title and the family estate of Southgate, where everyone seems to have a secret . . . or two. When the body in the sitting room disappears, Sadie and Breanna are stranded at the estate until the police can clear them to leave.

With their departure delayed, they might as well solve the murder. Armed with a jogging whistle, her personal recipe collection, and an unfailing sense of American justice, Sadie begins her own investigation to find the killer. But as Sadie uncovers layer after layer of misdirection, secrets, and outright lies, she wonders if anyone is telling the truth or if the case is really as hopeless as it appears to be.

Take a missing family history, toss in a secret romance, mix with a mysterious murder, and this is one vacation Sadie will never forget.

Fatuous Friday: What I Do All Day

You say you’ve gone into semi-retirement. What exactly does that mean? What is your basic day like now?

I wake up around noon. Watch TV all day. Eat bon bons. Around 7:00 p.m., I eat some fast food, then get all spiffied up and hit the local dance bars until 2:00 a.m. Wash, rinse and repeat.

Oh, wait. That was college.

I basically do the same thing as I did before, but freelance and on a project by project basis. A publisher will call me up and ask if I’m interested in managing a project. If I have the time and the interest, I take it on. If I hate the book or need a break, I pass.

I take the project from manuscript submission to press ready—sometimes doing the work myself, sometimes outsourcing it to other contacts. I do the same thing for self-publishers.

I mostly work from home, rather than at an office, although sometimes I’ll go onsite for a project. Just depends on the needs of the project.

I don’t really have a basic day. It changes depending on the project. If I’m not too busy, I get caught up here on these LDSP sites. If I miss posting here, or post late in the day, it’s usually because I’ve got a deadline I’m rushing to meet.

Publishing Artwork—Beats Me

Do you have any suggestions on getting artwork “published” or to a distributor? Do you recommend any sites with this info?

Uhmmm, I have no idea. Here are some places that I’ve seen at LDSBA. I don’t know if they all publish or if some just distribute.

Altus Fine Art

Foundation Arts

Granite

Sounds of Zion

Readers, if you know anything about this, please chime in.

The Fob Bible by Eric W Jepson, et al


Title: The Fob Bible

Author: Eric W Jepson, Danny Nelson, Arwen Taylor, Samantha Larsen Hastings, B.G. Christensen, Sarah E. Jenkins, Ryan McIlvains, William C. Bishop

Publisher: Peculiar Pages

Release Date: June 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9817696-9-1, 0-9817696-9-1

Size: 6×9 hardcover 265pp / seven ebook formats (EPUB, HTML, IMP, LIT, LRF, PDF, PRC)

Genre: Literary

This book is NOT eligible for a Whitney award; it is a collection of short stories.

The Fob Bible is a collection of short stories, poetry and drama based on the Old Testament. Some feature classic characters like Solomon and Jonah while others focus on side characters such as Goliath’s mother or Job’s wives. The startling power of some of these works balances with moments of hilarity such as in “A Travel Agent’s Description of Egypt, Circa Moses” and “From the Desk of Baal’s Secretary.” Together they create a thoughtful and provocative volume inspired by the foundational text of our civilization, proof that it continues to inspire and inform us in these latter days.

(All proceeds from the sales of this book (less publication costs) are donated to LDS Humanitarian Services. Purchasing directly from http://peculiarpages.com results in nearly double the donation given when purchasing through Amazon or other fine retailers.)

Also available: Plain and Precious Parts from the Fob Bible is electronic-only selections from the full Fob Bible available to read online (http://b10mediaworx.com/peculiarpages/fobbible/pppfobbible.htm) or in seven ebook formats (EPUB, HTML, IMP, LIT, LRF, PDF, PRC). Plain and Precious is free with the exception of the Kindle version which costs 99 cents. It consists of four short stories and fourteen poems and runs from humorous to thought-provoking to inspiring.

I’m Not Ignoring You. Promise.

If I sent you the info for my book but it never appeared on LDSF, to what should I attribute that? Will you be offended if I resend?

You should attribute it to the probability that I didn’t get it. PLEASE DO resend.

I get a LOT of junk mail at the ldsp hotmail account. So much, in fact, that I’m considering closing down that email and opening a new one. Just haven’t gotten around to it.

The first thing I do when I check my email is to weed out the obvious junk mail—you know the ones, where I’ve won the lottery or someone wants to pay me a million dollars to help them sneak their money into the U.S. If there’s a question in my mind, I usually open it, but if you’ve put something really odd in your subject line, I might have accidentally deleted your email without opening it.

The best way to make sure I know it’s a legit email is to think about that subject line. Good ones are:

  • Question for LDSP
  • Book for LDSF
  • Contest for LDSP
  • Author Event (or Book Signing or Workshop or. . .)
  • From an LDS Author
  • Will you review my book
  • or anything else that makes it obvious you’re a legit blog reader and not a mail-order-bride from Uzbekistan.

Sorry, Th. Yes, resend.

And about that Christmas Story Contest. Good suggestions everyone. I’m going to update the rules right now.

Dream Walk by Meg Allison


Title: Dream Walk

Author: Meg Allison

Publisher: Samhain

Release Date: July 07, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-60504-317-3

Size: 288 pages, Trade paperback

Genre: Paranormal romance

Caution: This book may contain objectionable content.

Some nightmares are deadly real.

Camille Bryant is a gifted medium being slowly driven insane by terrifying dreams. When she is forced to accept help from a Sentinel—a mysterious warrior of her race—her comfort zone is quickly invaded. Try as she might, she can’t seem to stop the erotic visions that fill her mind when her rescuer is near.

Ian Spain is a dream walker who’s been assigned to banish the dream demon from Camille’s restless nights. But complications quickly ensue. This is no ordinary demon and Camille is no ordinary woman: both are far stronger than anyone realizes. So strong, Ian suddenly isn’t sure he has the power to vanquish her demon—not when his own hound his every step.

Their passion ignites even as the body count rises and their courage is put to the test in a battle as old as time. Winner takes all.

Christmas Story Contest

Updated 07/08/09 (see bolded purple info below)

Writing Tip Tuesday: Enter contests. Like this one. . .

Remember that Christmas Story Contest I mentioned last month? Well, here it is.

LDSP’s 2009 Christmas Story Contest

Prize: Publication in a Christmas collection that will be published and ready for sale in October.

Submission Rules:

  • FOLLOW rules carefully! In the past, I’ve let some of you slide a little. But since this is for a publication, I’m going to be as sticky-picky as I am when receiving real submissions. Why? Because this is a REAL submission!
  • Write a short Christmas story in any genre. Stories should be positive and family friendly. I reserve the right to refuse any story I deem inappropriate for this blog/book.
  • Maximum word count: 2,000; no minimum.
  • Story must be previously unpublished. Stories published anywhere other than your personal website or blog are ineligible. (That includes books, magazines, e-zines or other contests.)
  • Stories submitted for previous years’ contests are also ineligible for this contest. (But may be selected for publication in the book.)
  • Paste entire story into an e-mail. NO ATTACHMENTS, please.
    —Put “Contest: Title of Story” in the subject line of your e-mail. (Example: Contest: A Christmas Gift for Mary)

    —At the top of the body of your e-mail, type your name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, word count and whether you are a published or unpublished author (defined below). (Example:

    LDS Publisher
    123 My Street
    My Town, ST 00000
    123)456-7890
    ldspublisher@hotmail.com
    word count: 1990
    published author

    —Skip a line, then put the title of your story

    —Skip a line, then paste in your story.

  • “Published”—as in published author—is defined as someone paid you money or comp copies (in the case of magazines) for any story or book written by you. (So either a publisher paid you, or you self-published and people bought your book.)
  • If you are a published and/or agented author, check with your publisher and/or agent before submitting. They will want to know the information listed under “Book Details”.
  • You may submit more than one story. Send each submission in a separate e-mail. Include all your info, as outlined above, with each e-mail/story.
  • SUBMIT your story any time between NOW and Saturday, August 15, 2009.
  • I will post the stories beginning on August 1st, in the order that they arrive.
  • We will have Reader Voting for the best stories, as we have done in previous contests. The winners are guaranteed a spot in the book. Voting will take place August 16–22nd. I will post voting rules then.
  • You may tell your friends that you’ve submitted a story and to please go vote, but DO NOT tell them which story is yours. We want the stories to win on merit, not personal popularity.

PRIZE: Publication in the Christmas Collection

  • There will be four winners:
    Readers’ Choice/Published Author
    Readers’ Choice/Unpublished Author
    Editor’s Choice/Published Author
    Editor’s Choice/Unpublished Author.

    These four winners are guaranteed a spot in the book.

  • As usual, I reserve the right to not award one of the Editor’s Choice awards if I feel none of the stories deserve it.
  • Other stories in the book will include my choices from this and previous Christmas contests held on this blog, selected based on providing a variety of stories and book size.
  • All authors to be included in the book will be notified by the end of August, 2009.

Book Details (Read Carefully):

  • By submitting a story to this contest, you are agreeing to all the conditions below.
  • Authors shall give LDS Publisher One-Time Publishing Rights for inclusion of story in the as yet untitled Christmas story compilation. This is the non-exclusive right to publish your story in this compilation, in various formats, and to retain your story in the compilation until LDS Publisher takes the compilation out of print.
  • Authors shall retain all other rights and copyrights to their stories and may sell this story to any other party with a publication date after December 25, 2009.
  • Compensation for use of story in this compilation shall be: one free e-book copy of the published book sent to author upon publication; author’s name listed in the Table of Contents and on the first page of the story; and rights to use this compilation as a publishing credit. No royalties, advances or other monetary compensation will be given to any author. Author may not print or sell the e-book files.
  • Compensation exception: If sales of the book exceed costs to produce it, LDS Publisher shall notify authors and arrange an equal royalty split between all authors. Conditions and terms of royalty and payment shall be determined at that time.
  • LDS Publisher shall assume no rights to any future works by author.
  • LDS Publisher shall have full editorial rights to the stories included in the compilation, including, but not limited to, title changes, editing for space and content, design and layout of book, title of book, and book cover.
  • The compilation will be available for purchase online in both print and e-book formats by October 31, 2009.
  • The compilation may or may not be made available to bookstores at discounted pricing, but in any case, no marketing will be done by LDS Publisher to guarantee placement in any bookstore.
  • Authors agree to help spread the word about the contest and the book by any or all of the following methods:

    —Word of mouth to friends and family

    —Website/blog buttons, links, posts, etc

    —Facebook, My Space, Twitter, or other networking sites or forums

I think I’ve covered everything. If I update any of the above, I’ll post a notice and mark it in bolded purple. I’ll have buttons created later this week that you can post on your blogs/websites.

Help spread the word! Post about the contest on your blog, in your forums, and e-mail all your friends.

Buttons for your blogs:

Standard Sidebar (220px)

Smaller Sidebar (125px)

Beyond the Mask by Kae D. Jacobs


Title: Beyond the Mask

Author: Kae D. Jacobs

Publisher: Granite

Release Date: March 11, 2009

ISBN: 978-1599360324

Size: 700 pgs, 6×9, softcover

Genre: Romance

Beyond the Masque is Kae’s first novel, and one where the importance of believability was all encompassing in uniting word with page. It is a sequel to Gaston Leroux’s beloved story of The Phantom of the Opera.

The book opens with a devastated Phantom (Erik) just returned from his final interview with the Persian, as referred to in the closing pages of Leroux’s work. Christine left days ago with Raoul de Chagny, having made her choice after being given her freedom by Erik to do so. Erik is resigned to dying, contented and gratefully happy for the ‘taste’ of consideration Christine bestowed upon him. Then the once predictable becomes twisted when she returns to him as the unimaginable begins to form a foundation of possibility. Beyond the Masque ignites the late 1800s through inclusion into the historical places of Paris, Amiens, and the Breaton coast of France. And from there, the story develops into one of redemption, trust, friendship, forgiveness, and ultimately, love. Change is a constant as Erik Gautier strives to deserve the woman who has finally seen past the surface—his monstrous face and past—to realize her love of the man.

Creating the Buzz

My first novel was just released and I’d like to get some buzz going (my publisher doesn’t do much) but I don’t know where to start? Any ideas? Can you give me some step-by-step suggestions?

If I had a new novel coming out, I’d start with the free/cheap stuff first. I also would have started a few months ago, but that’s okay. You can still do all these things now.

  • Set up a blog or website with info about yourself and your book.
    (Good examples: Josi S. Kilpack [love the visually attractive details on her books; her site probably cost money, but you can do similar things with content for cheap] and the “Crusty Old Broads” who wrote The Company of Good Women series [good info on books, authors & upcoming events, visually attractive] )
  • Use the LDS Publisher sites to their full advantage. Take a look at what I do here and send me the needed info:

    —Send me info about your book, so I can post it HERE.

    —Send me info about yourself, so I can post it HERE.

    —Send me a review copy so one of my reviewers can post it HERE.

    —If you have book signings or other appearances set up, send me the info so I can post it HERE.

    —Offer to sponsor either the LDS Publisher blog or the LDS Fiction/Fiction Review blogs.

    —Start commenting on the blogs to get your name recognized (if you have a Blogger blog, your comments will auto link back to your profile, where you will have links to your website and/or blog about your book.)

  • Do the same things above at other sites and forums that allow it.
  • Offer to speak at schools, book clubs, libraries, etc. on a topic related to your book.
  • Tell everyone you know how excited you are about your new book.

Now for the things that cost a little more money.

  • Make business cards with the cover of your book on one side and your contact info on the other (including your website/blog URLs).
  • Make postcards with the same info and send them out to announce book signings and other events. Be sure to include URLs to where the book can be purchased online.

Readers, what am I forgetting? Feel free to share what you’ve done, with links to where you did it.

Within the Flame by LeeAnne Hanks


Title: Within the Flame

Author: LeeAnne Hanks

Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing

Release Date: June 17, 2009

ISBN: 978-1608601165

Size: 196 pages, 6×9, hardcover

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Annali Grey is the skeptical new girl in town who suddenly finds herself thrust into the midst of a war with phantoms of the ancient past. Shawn is a local Navajo boy whose family has been fighting a never-ending battle with evil spirits for thousands of years.

As Annali finds herself captivated by the brave, young boy, Shawn falls equally hard for the doubting, beautiful Annali. But when the raging battle threatens their very lives, will their unyielding desire for each other help in the fight against evil, or will it prevent them from finally putting the spirits to rest?

Discover legendary secrets based on ancient tales of Navajo Skin Walkers in this blazing thrill-ride of an adventure.