Tag Archives: author promotion

Chapters R’ Us! New Chapter Samplers from #TheWildRosePress

SO, are you looking for some new-to-you authors and books? Like Contemporary or Steamy Romance? I’ve got sumthin’ sumthin’ for you. The Wild Rose Press has two chapter samplers out now, each just 99 Cents and each with a collection of first chapters from over 20 authors.

The first, a Contemporary Romance Collection, titled FALLING FOR YOU, features the following authors, and serves all genres of contempRomance from RomComs ( me!) to Romantic suspense and more.

Sunset in Laguna by Claire Marti
Dearly Beloved by Peggy Jaeger
The Millionaire Mountain Climber by Laura Boon
Morgan’s Walk by Suzelle Johnston
Only the Beginning by Daphne Dubois
Saying Yes to the Mess by M. Kate Quinn
The Saffron Conspiracy: A Novel by Marilyn Baron
Operation Sizzle by Darcy Lundeen
Without Love by Theresa Stillwagon
Don’t Let Him Go by Kay Harris

And for those readers who like a little more spice, heat, and passion in their reads, PASSIONATE CRAVINGS is for you.

Finding Redemption by Desiree Holt
Ella’s Triple Pleasure by Anna Lores
Angel’s Collar by Anna Hague
When You Close Your Eyes by Roxanne D. Howard
Sin City Alibi by Sophia Ryan
Heaven’s Watcher by Kayden Claremont
Highland Dom by Marie Tuhart
Play A Game With Me by Cadence Vonn
Kilty Pleasures by Nancy Fraser
Through the Red Door by Sadira Stone
Better To Marry Than To Burn by Michal Scott
In Deep by Stacy Gold

More Samplers from different romance genres will be coming in upcoming months, so stay tuned!

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Filed under Author, branding, Contemporary Romance, Dearly Beloved, Romance, Romance Books, romantic suspense, Strong Women, WIld Rose Press AUthor

It’s #GoddessFish 10th anniversary and I lovelovelove a party!

 

I’m so stoked today to introduce you to two women who have become very near and dear to my heart – both the real, beating one,  and the publishing one! The powerhouse women behind one of the most successful author promotion companies out there, Marianne and Judy of Goddess Fish Promotions. This dynamic duo is celebrating 10 years in business and they’re on a month long anniversary tour promoting their author services. On a personal note, I’ve used Goddess Fish for 3 of my book releases and they have all been widely and wildly successful, mostly because of these two fab ladies! Let me introduce them to you now, and stick around because even though it’s their anniversary, they’re giving away chances to some really great gifts!

Without further ado, here are Marianne and Judy

Welcome to the Goddess Fish Promotions Tenth Anniversary Month Long Celebration!

Who is Goddess Fish Promotions? And what do we do? We’re glad you asked!

We didn’t want your visit here to be dry and boring, so we decided to have a poetry competition and put what we do into verse. Here are the initial entries:

Marianne:

Roses are Red.

Violets are Blue.

I’m awful at poetry.

Coffee.

Judy:

We can edit your book

find things you didn’t see

It will be fun to look

at the changes from me.

(Yeah, for some reason, Judy won!)

Even better, her poem is correct. We DO offer editing as one of our options. Here are a couple of testimonials from clients:

I worked with Marianne on a complete edit and was very happy with the results. Her feedback was clear, easy to follow, and she probed on things I hadn’t thought of. She was also responsive whenever I had questions and helped me work through a few issues. Her feedback and guidance improved the quality of my manuscript, all at a very fair price. I’m working on my next book and plan to use their services again.

-J B Glazer, author, In Search of Mr. Anonymous

Choosing the right editor for a project is incredibly important to an author. Let’s face it, we want the best for our books. When I was considering editors for my first indie-published book, Regenerate, I naturally thought of Goddess Fish Promotions–and I’m so glad I did.

Marianne Arkins and Judy Thomas are incredibly attentive and professional during the entire editing process. Their input was invaluable and the story is much stronger because they cared enough to help unsnarl plot points and find order in the chaos..

I can’t wait to work with them again. Truly, a top-notch editorial team! – Sarita Leone, award-winning author of Regenerate

We also offer Virtual Book Tours, Graphic Design, Social Media Promotion and more. You can see more testimonials here.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know us a little (more information is below) and we’d like to do the same. We’d LOVE to see a little poem that tells us a bit about you in the comments. We’ll be awarding random book giveaways and $5 Amazon GCs to some of the best poetry we find. It might not be at every stop, but when something really makes us smile, we’ll reward it! Come on, be daring…

And now, more about us:

 Goddess Fish Promotions

Goddess Fish Promotions was established October 14, 2008. Why? Well, when Marianne became a published author and got her the first taste of trying to promote a book on a budget, there was only one other virtual book tour company in place at the time, and their fees were simply too high for a small press author. After coordinating and running her own tour, she knew other authors could use the same service for a reasonable price. Thus, Goddess Fish Promotions was bo

Because both Judy and Marianne were authors and editors prior to running Goddess Fish Promotions, they approach the business with a unique point of view, and treat their clients how they would expect to be treated.

 

The people behind the fish

 

Judy Thomas

Judy has a college degree in English and she’s worked in retail, education, at her local library as well as an editor for a small press and for the now defunct ShadowKeep Ezine. She’s also a published author so can see things from both sides of the fence. In 2013, she “retired” and now spends her days helping authors make their dream come true—as well as working as much as she can with her local theater group.

Marianne Arkins

Grammar freak and coffee lover, Marianne wrote her first novel at ten years old, built her first commercial website in 2000, and published for the first time in 2006. She worked as a professional editor for just over a year, and knows what it’s like to write, edit and promote a book on a budget.

Connect with Judy and Marianne (aka. Goddess Fish !) here:

website // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest //Instagram //Google+ 

And now for some fun stuff: Giveaways!!!!

Click on the link(s) that pertain to you below for chances at gift cards and promotional services  

For Everyone: One $50 Amazon/BN GC, two $25 Amazon/BN GCs, Two $10 Amazon/BN GCs

For Authors: 2 $10 GC for any Goddess Fish Promotions service, Winner’s choice of either a free blurb blitz (2 wk) or book blast (5 day), 50% off any tour (excludes Review tour or Full Service Tour), 4 free 25 page complete book edit, 2 Winner’s choice of teaser or social media cover graphic design

I love a good speed round, ala Bravo’s Actor Studio questionnaire, so here goes

Napkins or paper towels?

Judy: Paper towels and paper napkins each have their place. I have some cloth napkins that I use to make the table look pretty at Christmas. Does that count?

Marianne: I honestly don’t use paper napkins… paper towels are so versatile!  They’re towels, they’re napkins, and in a pinch they can even work as facial tissue or a coffee filter.

When it comes to placing toilet paper on a roll – over or under?

Judy:  Over…unless there’s a toddler or kitten in the house

Marianne: Over. Always.  I had a roommate who was an “under” gal, and we nearly came to blows.  We finally decided whoever used the TP roll up got to put on the new one in the manner they chose and it had to stay that way for the duration of the roll. I’m pretty sure we ended up using a TON of toilet paper because whoever wasn’t happy with the way it was put on wanted to get through it as quickly as possible.

How did you two meet?

Judy:  We were in an online writer’s group together at Writer’s Village University and magic was born!  However, since we there are 1200 miles separating us, alas we’ve never had the chance to meet IRL.  Everytime we try to plan something, something happens. I have faith that one day it will happen though.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Judy: Love what you do and do what you love.  If you are miserable in a job, you are going to be miserable most of your life– and life is too short for that.  If you get up and hate the fact you are going to work, find something else to do that you enjoy better.

Marianne: Follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone steal them (especially in the name of practicality).  Do what is right for YOU and not what everyone says you should do. I had a drama scholarship for college that I gave up because it wasn’t something I could ever use to support myself realistically.  I regret that every day.

Follow these fabulous women as they take on the world for the month of October:

October 1: T’s Stuff

October 1: Let me tell you a story

October 1: White Sky Project

October 2: Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews

October 2: Harlie’s Books

October 2: Independent Authors

October 2: Bookish Reviews

October 3: Romance Novel Giveaways

October 3: Romance that’s ‘Out Of This World’

October 3: underneath the covers

October 3: Tory Richards

October 4: Kimmi Love

October 4: Notes From a Romantic’s Heart

October 4: Books,Dreams,Life

October 4: FUONLYKNEW

October 5: Author Deborah A Bailey

October 5: Rainy Day Reviews

October 5: Christine Young

October 5: Books Direct

October 8: Angel’s Guilty Pleasures

October 8: The Tired Buyer

October 8: The Layaway Dragon

October 8: Lampshade Reader

October 9: Nickie’s Views and Interviews

October 9: Bookaholic

October 9: Writing is my Oxygen  ( hey, that’s me!! HEE HEE)

October 9: Travel The Ages

October 10: Mythical Books

October 10: Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored

October 10: Wake Up Your Wild Side

October 10: Kit ‘N Kabookle

October 11: Beyond Romance

October 11: The Bibliovert

October 11: Dena Garson-Real… Hot… Romance

October 11: Harlie Williams, Writer

October 12: The Book Connection

October 12: Hope. Dreams. Life… Love

October 12: Nana Prah’s Blog

October 12: Stormy Nights Reviewing and Bloggin’

October 15: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

October 15: Danita Minnis

October 15: So Many Books

October 15: Reviews by Crystal

October 16: The Reading Addict

October 16: BooksChatter

October 16: Casey’s Corner

October 16: Locks, Hooks and Books

October 17: Just Books

October 17: The Avid Reader

October 17: Linda Nightingale … Musings

October 17: A Hippie’s Bookshelf

October 18: Jane Reads

October 18: Bayou Book Junkie

October 18: Sybrina’s Book Blog

October 18: Vickie’s Kitchen and Garden

October 19: fundinmental

October 19: All the Ups and Downs

October 19: Blog of Author Jacey Holbrand

October 22: Lisa Book Blog

October 22: One World Singles Blog

October 22: Mixed Book Bag

October 22: Books in the Hall

October 23: Fabulous and Brunette

October 23: Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer

October 23: Emily Carrington

October 23: It’s Raining Books

October 24: Erotica For All

October 24: Laura’s Interests

October 24: Book Bite Reviews

October 24: Welcome to My World of Dreams

October 25: Where Landsquid Fear to Tread

October 25: Hearts and Scribbles

October 25: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews

October 25: Straight From the Library

October 26: Bookstanista

October 26: Sharing Links and Wisdom

October 26: Jazzy Book Reviews

October 26: Readeropolis

October 29: Dawn’s Reading Nook

October 29: Regan Black

October 29: Books,Dreams,Life

October 29: Long and Short Reviews

October 30: Andi’s Book Reviews

October 30: Edgar’s Books

October 30: Iron Canuck

October 30: Deal Sharing Aunt

October 31: Bri’s Book Nook

October 31: bookish bibliophile

October 31: books are love

October 31: Two Ends of the Pen

 

 

 

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Filed under Goddess Fish Tours and Promotion

A long flight home…..

I wanted to write this blog before I finish up with all the RWA stuff I have planned to tell you all this week.

Yesterday I flew home from Denver. Due to severe storms in the Colorado area and on the eastern seaboard ( where I was heading) my flight was delayed for 2 hours, 90 minutes of it spent on the tarmac just waiting in line to lift off.

Not fun. Not even a little bit.

There were two shining lights during this waiting time, though, that made this trip home  one of my favorite ones to date of all the places I’ve traveled.

First, some backstory. My husband loves to fly on Southwest ( me, not so much) so he booked my trip through that carrier to Denver. I always sit in exactly the same seat on Southwest if I can. Last row, right before the lavatories, close to the stew crew and the kitchen. Why, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. My legs cramp when I sit down for too long and in this seat I can stretch them out fully without worrying I’m going to trip someone coming down the aisle. I can stand whenever I want ( that is if the seatbelt sign isn’t illuminated) and stretch, plus I tend to drink a lot more water on flights to stay hydrated. And when you drink more, you…..you can finish this sentence!

So, I sat in the same seat as always when I boarded. About ten minutes later the plane was almost full when two lovely women around a similar age to me came down the aisle and asked if they could sit in my row. Of course they could! And did.

Well, when you put two or more women of a similar age together, conversation will ensue, and ensue it did. While we waited FOREVER on the tarmac all three of us got to talking. They asked what I’d been doing in Denver – working or vaca, and I told them both and then explained why I was there and what I do for a living. To say they were excited would be an understatement!
By telling them I was a writer and of romantic fiction, it opened a flood gate of more questions about writing, publishing, how  I get my ideas, did I always want to write — and on and on.

It was wonderful!!! Truly wonderful!! For a few hours I actually felt like a famous author instead of the relative unknown that I am. I was so enamored with these two lovely women I gave them each a signed copy of COOKING WITH KANDY that I just happened to have in my carryon. I was never a Boy Scout but that thing about always being prepared is smart! I also gave them some swag and my business card with all my author info on it.

Now, when I was reaching up to put my carryon back into the overhead compartment, the second shining light appeared in the guise of another lovely woman who was sitting in the row in front of ours. She excused herself, told me she hadn’t been eavesdropping ( with the loud way I talk it’s  unavoidable for people around me not to!), but she was a Librarian, and could she have my card so she could look up my books?

Well, this is me, peeps, so I did one better – I gave her a copy of my newest release CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, which I also had in my carryon ( see? always  prepared!) as a donation for her library, and I gave her my  business card as well so she could look up my other titles.

Best. Trip. Ever.

I lovelovelove making new friends, and friends who happen to like reading are my absolute favorite people! So, Mary Pat and Honoree – here’s to you!

I told those lovely ladies this, so I’ll tell you, too; you can find me here if you need me:

Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triber// Book Me

 

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Filed under #RWA2018, Romance, Strong Women

Where I hangout when I want to be #social; #MFRWauthors

Until I became a professional writer ( and by that I mean, one who writes full time and actually gets paid! Yippie!) the biggest social media presence I had was on Facebook, and then it was only because my daughter was away at college and on it, and I wanted to ensure she was okay. And of course by okay I mean that I stalked her posts! She knows this so I’m not worried she’ll be mad at me.

But when my first book was contracted, the publisher suggested – heavily and often! – that all their authors needed to have a very visible social media presence to garner sales and book promo, since they did relatively little in the way of book promotion. It was all on my back. If I wanted my books to sell, I had to get the word out there, so I became a social media junkie.

I joined Twitter, Goodreads, Tumblr, Google+, LInkedIn, and of course I made my own Facebook author page in addition to my personal page I use for friends and family. In addition to Instagram and Snapchat. Oh, and how could I forget? My own website that I use for announcements and blogging 4-5 times per week.

And with the arrival of Tribber, well, I’m there, too.

Keeping these sites updated takes a lot of time… a lot of  time. Let’s read that again so you get it: A LOT OF TIME.

Time I could spending, well, writing!

One of these days I’m going to be rich and successful enough to hire a publicist and let her take care of all the updating. Ahhh….. to dream.

Here’s where you can find me most of the time when I should be writing books and not updating you on my life:

Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triberr

and since this is week 15 of the #MFRWauthors 52 week blog challenge, click on some of the names below and see how they’re faring with all this social media stuff.


 

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Filed under #Mfrwauthors, Author, Contemporary Romance, Life challenges, research

Why #writers need to #recharge.

I’ve been going at 120 miles per hour the past 3 months – ever since the New Year. I’ve got two books in final edits and galleys, I’ve got three more I’m working on for release at the end of this year and hopefully the beginning of 2018. I’ve committed to blogging more and am going to the gym 5-6 times per week. I’m doing a presentation at a conference next week, in addition to traveling 4 major times this year  ( airplanes, people!) to other conferences. I’ve got a brand new book out  TODAY and am doing promo for it as well.

This is all in addition to my normal life stuff. You know: cooking, cleaning wife-ing

Oh, and I’ve got Dancing With The Stars in 15 friggin’ days, so practice, practice, practice!

It’s only the beginning of April, but I feel like I’m burnt out already. Or I did, that is, until this past Saturday. Saturday night I did something I haven’t done in a long, looooooooooong time: I went out with friends.

Thank God and all that’s Holy for friends.

These friends don’t write.

These friends are all my age ( give or take a few months).

These friends all have children the same age as I do.

I have a history with these friends that doesn’t include plot lines, story arcs, or Capezio dance shoes!

And these friends keep me grounded while at the same time recharging my soul.

It was so wonderful to spend a few hours just talking about nothing and everything. I didn’t think once about how terrified I am of giving my presentation to a (hopefully, fingers crossed) large audience next weekend. I didn’t for one second agonize over a line of dialogue that I just couldn’t get right. I didn’t think about my feet, sore, and huddled in Merrel’s because they were so swollen from dance practice.

I didn’t do anything other than simply be, have fun, and laugh.

My hermetic existence is a given. I accept that I need to spend long stretches of time alone just so I can get my stories on the page.  I know I let world changing events float by me without so much as even a comment or a consideration just so I can finish a chapter. I get that sometimes I’m grouchy and pale and my eyes look like they’re bleeding because I spend countless hours staring at a computer screen. I accept all this and I go with it.

But it felt so blessed GOOD to not think about anything other than the conversation drifting around me.

God gave the world so many wonderful things. Free-will; faith; chocolate; wine. But the best thing he gave us was each other. People. Friends.

If you haven’t talked to or seen a friend in a while, call them TODAY! Not email, not a text, Actually put your mouth to the phone and speak to them. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did.

When I’m not wallowing you can find me here: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triberr

And as an added reminder, TODAY is the day COOKING WITH KANDY is released. If you haven’t gotten your copy yet ( and that begs the question “why not?”) here are the links:

Amazon //B&N // Kensington // Kobo // Apple // Google 

 

 

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Filed under Author, Author Branding, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Dancing with the Stars, female friends, Friends, Kensington Publishers, Life challenges, love, Lyrical Author, New Hampshire, Project Graduation, Romance, Romance Books, RWA, Strong Women

A #NewYear, a time for new #blogideas

2016 has exited the building – thank you, Jesus!  Now it’s time to figure out what I’m going to say here, in this forum, for the next 365 days.

No pressure….not!

I started this blog because I wanted to talk about writing with people who enjoyed writing as well. Over the past 2 years, it’s morphed into something more. More substantial; more funny; at times, more an internal reflection of my feelings and emotions about…stuff. I’ve been able to introduce you to new authors who are fab and promote their work. I’ve had some serious discussions about life, writing life, family stuff, and current events. I’ve veered away from anything controversial and/or political/ and negative. I’ve wanted this to be a fun place to spend a few minutes getting to know new writers, and to challenge you with ideas. I hope I’ve done my job…

So, 2017. What the heck am I gonna talk about??

Well, I do have some new author interviews lined up already and I can’t wait for you to meet these talented writers.

I’ve also got at least 2 books of my own coming out this year ( maybe 3!) and I know I’ll be going gungho with promoting them.

The publishing world seems to be changing daily, so we’ll talk about that.

I’ve got at least 4 writing trips coming up this year, so you know I’ll be showing you pictures of your favorite romance authors whom I’ll be meeting and fawning over, plus writing about my traveling experiences.

And I guess I’ll be divulging some more personal stuff – only the funny stuff, though!!!

2017 promises to be a life-changing one for me – I’ve got lots going on!!! All good and all exciting.

So, stay tuned and we’ll discuss……lots of stuff!

 

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Filed under A kiss Under the Christmas LIghts, Author, Author Branding, branding, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Cooking, Family Saga, female friends, Kensington Publishers, Life challenges, love, Lyrical Author, Netgalley Reviewer, research, Romance, Romance Books, RWA, Strong Women, The Wild Rose Press