New Cover Art: Persephone

Posted on 28 May 2012 by

I decided over the weekend that new cover art was in order for Persephone. This is the sex-free version of My Lord Hades that I did for my mother and siblings who really wanted a sample of my work.

The original cover art was a compilation of  a photo I took of the backyard when it was foggy and snowing, and a woman that a friend drew for me.

Now while I really wanted to keep that cover, I noticed a problem. The woman was an imitation drawing from an artist that I loved, which means it was copyrighted and truly unusable since I couldn’t afford the licensing of the picture on the paltry money I’m making right now.

So a new cover was called for and it’s making its way through the system right now to the various ebookstores that Persephone can be found in. The print book will take a little longer to find its way into stores. I’m hoping that this new cover will help sell the book a little better. Persephone is one of my lowest sellers, right next to Once a Valkyrja.

Book description and Buy Links below… Continue reading →

Posted in Book Covers | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Bleeding Heart

Posted on 27 May 2012 by

No, this is not the title of a new book I’m pedaling. All my life I’ve been called cold or flighty, I think mostly because I’m awkward around people. I think those same people would be surprised at what a bleeding heart I really am. :D

I hear about a cause that I believe in and away I go. No thoughts to the time involved and if I really have that time to spend. On whether or not it’s a lost cause before I even get there. If I should be stirring up the proverbial pot of sludge before people throw it at me.

With this new job as a book cover designer, I’m finding it very hard to say no. Don’t believe me, ask my friend Ruth. She was probably busting a gut and feeling bad for me all at once as I was struggling to create a poster for a film academy.

I’m sure there are a few of you thinking, didn’t you just say cover designer? Why are you making a poster? Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Remember when I said I have a hard time saying no?

The poster  started with me doing a book cover for a woman who runs a film academy and ended with her asking me to do a poster because she liked the book cover design….Actually, that isn’t the end. I’m now doing movie posters for her too. LOL

I’m also dealing with an elderly client who’s venturing out into the self-publishing world without a mentor to guide her and all sorts of nasties are coming out of the woodwork to take advantage of her. It makes my heart bleed for her. Also makes my nurturing nature  want to rise up and help fight a battle I already know is lost.

So for all you indy and self-published authors or any writers who are jumping into this business with both feet and no idea what you are doing, please, oh, please, do your research. Look at all your options. Study the industry. There are so many people and companies out there looking to take advantage of eager writers and authors.

If you’ve been at it awhile, I beg you to share your knowledge with others, or at least set them in the right direction. There are so many website out there that can save indy and self-published authors from the heartache and bumps that some of us have had to endure.

Posted in Business Side of Writing, From the Writer's Journal | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Next Big Thing

Posted on 27 May 2012 by

Reblogged from :

I heard this phrase on a commercial while watching Victorious with my daughter and it kinda stuck.  All of us who write, I mean seriously write, hope to be the next big thing.  Yet there are those who are absolutely oozing with talent that end up being passed over.  Why?  That is the sixty-four million dollar question.

Why is it authors can write stories for years, get rave reviews, and only sell a modest amount of books, while other authors who aren’t nearly as talented are able to rise to the top? 

Read more… 356 more words

Posted in Musings & Random Thoughts | 1 Comment

NEW RELEASE! Þrùđr: Forever Loved Shorts #1

Posted on 24 May 2012 by

She will do everything she can to protect those she loves, even if that means defying a “god.”
Þrùđr: Book 1 of the Forever Loved Shorts is now available in eBook. The Paranormal Romance is as short story of about 10,000 words or 21 pages from the Forever Loved Universe.

Below the cut  you’ll find buy links, a full description, and excerpt.

Continue reading →

Posted in New Release | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Make Changes to the Forever Loved Shorts

Posted on 24 May 2012 by

I finally got Þruðr  published last week. It was one of those stories that should have been out weeks ago, but the editing of the story came to a standstill, mostly because there was a plot point that just wasn’t working.

I changing that plot point and another cried to be fixed. So after fixing the second plotting error, I realized that I now had three characters who lives I need to touch upon with short stories and the answer to a burning question that I had for Once a Valkyrja, “If Tiwaz, the guy who was reborn over and over to be with Þruðr, was suppose to be Þruðr’s great love, why did she fall in love with Tyr? And what happens to Tiwaz now that Tyr and Þruðr are together?”

I have my answer now, which will make the writing of the next two books of the Forever Loved Trilogy so much easier. As for the changes to the Forever Loved Shorts, well, what started as one short story is not three. Each story is told by a different point of view at different times. Since the overlap of their stories only happen at the first or last of the other stories I decided it would do better as short stories than its own book.

The Forever Loved Shorts Series

Þruðr: Forever Loved Shorts #1

Þruðr became Queen of the feared Valkyr years ago when in an act of defiance she rescued them from their creator and her mother Hela. She brought them out of Hel and to Valhöll with no clear plan. Now she must decided if she will be the Queen they deserve and protect them against their greatest threat by marrying the leader of another Clan, or will she follow her heart and bring them to ruin.

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Đir: Forever Loved Shorts

Đir returns from his failed quest to a village much changed. His father has recovered from his mysterious illness. His people are breeding with the enemy, Odin’s monstrous Valkyr. Tīwaz is leading the people. And the only woman that Đir has ever loved and sought to claim, stands at his brother’s side, Queen of the Valkyr and Tīwaz’s mate. There is no way he can stay, and no way he abandon his people to the disaster he sees coming.

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Tīwaz: Forever Loved Shorts

Tīwaz is leader of a Tribe of humans tainted by the magic of the Granöll Mountains, a place safe from the god-like races of the Aseir and Vanir. While watching over the village sheep he comes face to face with a woman out of his father’s legends, the feared Queen of the Valkyr, and becomes her mate. Just as he is finding himself falling in love with his strong, fierce mate, betrayal will ends his life. But it is not the end. Hela still has need of him, as does his dearest Þrùđr.

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Þrùðr: Forever Loved Shorts #1 at Amazon Store

Posted on 23 May 2012 by

I started the uploading and publishing of Þrùðr: Forever Loved Shorts #1 to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords yesterday. As of today, Þrùðr: Forever Loved Shorts #1 is now live on Amazon. I’ll let you all know when it appears in the other stores. :D

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Þrùðr became Queen of the feared Valkyr years ago when in an act of defiance she rescued them from their creator and her mother Hela. She brought them out of Hel and to Valhöll with no clear plan. Now she must decided if she will be the Queen they deserve and protect them against their greatest threat by marrying the leader of another Clan, or will she follow her heart and bring them to ruin.

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Learn more about: Þrùðr
Buy Þrùðr at: Amazon

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Posting My Schedule to Keep me Accountable

Posted on 21 May 2012 by

After writing It’s All About Balance and I Decided on a Schedule and Now I’m Making it a Routine, I decided to Post my new schedule to keep me accountable for it. If there is one thing I’ve learned about myself, whether or not anyone else cares, if I post it I work harder to make it happen.

I found the best way to start my morning, beside my first cup of coffee or tea, is to look over my to-do list while my computer boots up. Then I jump right into writing or editing my current WIP. I should mention at that my day usually starts at 6am , M-F because I have to get my youngest ready for school and on the bus by 7am. So I start my writing time after I send her off. On Sat. and Sun. I sometimes get to sleep in, if not I have to start breakfast before I write.

I try to get at least 2 hours of writing or editing done and no more than 4 hours. I set this limit on myself because I’ve learned over the years that if I don’t, I will over do it and I’ll burn out. I’ve tried page count and word count goal, but they only made me feel like a failure when I didn’t reach them.

At the end of my writing time, I mark off all the tasks that I accomplished during that period and write down notes of what I need to do tomorrow. This way, when I start my day all I have to do is look at my schedule and know where to start. This has saved me time and useless staring at the computer screen. :D

Then I write a blog post, or a few if I’m in the mood before I check emails. If I have any emails or blog comments that I need to responded to I do that first. Business related newsletters and blogs are next. I shut down my computer for the day and start my other responsibilities and spend time with my kids.

After I get my kids off the to bed at 8pm, I’m ready to start working on book cover designs. I look at my to-do list while my computer is booting up. I check emails to see if there is anything “urgent” for me to respond to, changes that needed to be made to a cover, or new clients before I start working. I do not read blogs or business newsletters, that will wait until tomorrow.

I like to schedule tasks at the end of the day that allow me to wind down and relax from the day. I find writing at night makes it hard for me to sleep. I’ll work for an hour or two and then mark off what I accomplished and write down what I want to accomplish the next day before I head to bed.

Posted in Working Notes | Tagged , , | 2 Comments