Friday, October 30, 2015

Here we go-go-go-go!

Publishing books is expensive, if you want to do it right. Aside from the investment of time - in some cases, it takes years to write and rewrite a novel - cover art, formatting, editing, and marketing have to happen. The people who do these things deserve to be paid because "exposure", "gratitude", and "acknowledgements" don't pay the bills. Just ask Wil Wheaton - he's created quite the buzz, and rightfully so, over not giving away intellectual property for free.

With that in mind, I've created an Indiegogo project to help fund the print expenses for the re-release of Newvember. In the past, I've relied on favours from friends to get books to print. This time, I want to pay what I owe, and the only way I can do that is by raising the money in advance of printing.



I probably won't earn anything from the campaign for myself, but with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, it will help pay for the physical print books and put money into the pockets of the contributors who have already invested so much time, energy, and creativity. The primary goal is to not be out of pocket, which is what usually happens when I move books into print.

So - the details are on the Indiegogo project page. I'm grateful for any and all contributions. If you'd like to help, but aren't in a position to do so financially, sharing the campaign and leaving a review (if you've read the original book) will go a long way in helping me reach my goal.





Thursday, October 22, 2015

Newvember's Cover

It's gorgeous! 

I love it, and there's nothing more to say... except to ask for compliments in the comments, because that'd make me (and Jo the designer) happy. 


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The Little Book of Inspiration - editor's review



I wouldn't call this a review, since it's more of a reflection. The last two weeks have been busy. Really, really, really busy. Aside from editing and formatting and marketing and scheduling blog tours, there was Thanksgiving and hockey and teens' needs and any number of minor non-emergencies that needed attention. At the centre of it all was The Little Book of Inspiration by Danny Brown. 

I read the reviews, followed the interviews, and watched blabs in which this book, and its author, received praise, and a part of me smiled and carried on with the crazy-busy routine that is my life. Because, at its core, that's what Brown's book is about. He writes about recognizing moments, sharing thoughts, being honest, embracing differences, and living life. 

I could tell you all the bits and pieces that stuck in my mind as the days progressed, blended into each other, and birthed new ones... but I'll leave those gems for you to discover. The book might be small, some chapters only a sentence long, but the message is clear and the content inspiring. 

"Inspiration is all around us. All we have to do is look."

The Little Book of Inspiration by Danny Brown

Yesterday, mortality may have caught up with me. Today, I welcomed it as a future friend who will simply help me remember the present…


Life moves pretty fast and, in this always-on-the-go world that we find ourselves in, it’s becoming ever-harder to pause and reflect on what we see.

Yet, if we don’t, we miss the opportunity to experience the things that could truly change our lives.

The Little Book of Inspiration aims to be that opportunity to stop and savour not only the events around us, but the people, the experiences, the sights and sounds.

Through these inspiring stories and poems of love, redemption, and change, take a moment to really see all the inspirational treasures that are present.

"Inspiration is all around us. All we have to do is look."

About Danny Brown

Danny Brown is an award-winning marketer and blogger. His blog has been recognized as the number one marketing blog in the world by HubSpot.

Other recognitions include Social Media Examiner’s Top 10 Social Media Blog in 2011 and 2013, voted one of Canada’s Top 50 Marketing Blogs, and the Hive Award for Best Social Media Blog at the 2010 South by Southwest festival.

His publishing credentials include Influence Marketing: How to Create, Manage, and Measure Brand Influencers in Social Media Marketing and The Parables of Business. The Little Book of Inspiration is his first non-business book.

Currently, he lives in Ontario with his awesome wife, very funny son, adorable little girl, and two small Chinese Crested dogs. You can read more from Danny on his blog, or connect with him on Twitter and Google+.





Friday, October 9, 2015

It's time to choose!

The time has come to make a decision. Jo Clendening has sent me several cover concepts, and as usual, I'm having a difficult time choosing. I like them all for different reasons. Since I'm not the one selecting the book from a sea of novels on the virtual shelf, my opinion probably isn't as important as the reader's.

So...

Let me know - which is your favourite?


To help with your choice, here is the book blurb:

One dare. 30 days. 30 new experiences. Newvember is deep, investigative thinking disguised as chick lit.

When Willow decides to take the stairs, instead of the elevator, she runs into Sawyer, who knocks her off her feet, and something in her psyche shifts. She is propelled into the adventure that is her own life. Filled with twists and turns that can only come from losing her inhibitions, she makes risky decisions, bares her soul, and discovers the chaotic emotions that lurk beneath the surface. Each new event becomes a catalyst in the development of Willow's relationships with her friends, co-workers, siblings, and love interests.

Willow's life will never be the same after Newvember.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Remember, Remember the First of Newvember...

Newvember 1st is coming up fast! There's so much happening - I hope I can keep up with ALL THE THINGS!

First of all - I'll be releasing the revised edition of "Remember Newvember". It will have a new title, new content, and a new cover! I can't tell you how excited I am for all the changes. Watch this space for details - order links, blog posts, games, prizes, challenges, giveaways, and more... it's going to be a fantastic month!

Second, I'm lining up bloggers and other social media gurus to help with a virtual tour for the release. I'm open for just about anything (legal)... so if you're up for it, and want to try something new, go ahead and email me so we can work something out. 


Also - I'm working on editing Shadow Shifts, book two of the Liminals Series! I know it's been a long time in coming, but I haven't forgotten about the magic. If you want to check out the unedited version, you can read it on Wattpad - just be forewarned that it's pretty raw at this point. 

Next up: NaNoWriMo! In celebration of Newvember, I'll be writing a campy space opera complete with bunyotes, orcupuses, cheesy (and I do mean the eating kind) romance, adventure, and swashbuckling good fun. Each chapter will be posted on Wattpad as it's completed... it will be unedited, so if you plan to read along, enjoy the ride and know that it's all for the pure love of writing. Anything goes in a rough first draft!  

One last thing to announce... I'm going to (finally) try to build a proper author website. That's another Newvember event... so bear with me as I untangle the web of internet knowledge that's a bit foreign to me. I've figured out Facebook and Twitter, wandered into the depths of Google+, frolicked with Instagram and Tumblr... and now it's time to tackle a proper website with pages, and links and everything. 

This Newvember is going to be the best Newvember in the history of all Newvembers! Remember to keep your eyes peeled, your minds open, and your hearts free to explore all the good stuff.