Ask the Author: Nadine Brandes
Answered Questions (27)
Nadine Brandes
I was born December! Holiday baby! :-)
Nadine Brandes
Hello Kim! First off, can I just say I'm really impressed with how many books you manage to read a month? Teach me your ways! ;-)
Unfortunately it is not my call on whether or not my books are available on Kindle Unlimited, so I can't say if they'll ever be on there. It's up to my publisher. Sorry I can't be more helpful! I'm honored that you read my books all the same!!! <3
Unfortunately it is not my call on whether or not my books are available on Kindle Unlimited, so I can't say if they'll ever be on there. It's up to my publisher. Sorry I can't be more helpful! I'm honored that you read my books all the same!!! <3
Nadine Brandes
Haha! Well I'm probably a terrible source because I rarely update my Goodreads books. But when I'm looking for a good book I usually go on Instagram and surf the bookstagrammers to see what they recently loved. I have a general list in my head of bookstagrammers and booktubers and Goodreads reviewers who tend to have the same book likes and dislikes as I do. So I'll usually follow their recommendations.
And if you don't have time for that, there's always just asking a friend for a list of recommendations! :)
And if you don't have time for that, there's always just asking a friend for a list of recommendations! :)
Nadine Brandes
Hey Ivie! The paperbacks are being restocked because of a high Christmas demand. You can find them on most online retailer stores like Amazon (even if it says Out of Stock, you can order the books and Amazon tends to ship it pretty quickly). You can also find them at Lifeway bookstores or request them from any other bookstore.
If you're still having trouble finding them, please send a message through my contact page (http://nadinebrandes.com/contact).
If you're still having trouble finding them, please send a message through my contact page (http://nadinebrandes.com/contact).
Nadine Brandes
Yes, I loved editing! I got into it by writing and having my own work edited by professionals. I observed and learned what they did, and I joined critique groups where I honed my editing skill in helping others. Learned from their feedback and learned how to better my feedback. Eventually I launched my own editing business and loved every second of it until I had to let it go so I could focus on writing. :) My advice would be...join a critique group--ideally of other authors who also want to be good editors. (Or, at least, of other authors.) Read a TON. And one of the biggest things you can do to learn as an editor is to have your own writing edited by a professional. (This isn't really applicable if you're not a writer.)
Does that help? :-)
Does that help? :-)
Nadine Brandes
Aww your'e so sweet! I use a Nikon D3200 with a 35mm lens. I started without any special lens and just used the lens that came with it. Then, once I felt like I had learned all I could with that one, I bought a new lens and now I'm learning with that one! :)
There is very minimal editing done--usually upping the lighting, sharpness, and tweaking the tone.
There is very minimal editing done--usually upping the lighting, sharpness, and tweaking the tone.
Nadine Brandes
NO BUT WHAT IS THIS MAGIC?!?!? I love Owl City! He has a song about Oreos? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS?! *runs to Spotify*
Nadine Brandes
They're certainly not out of print for good! :) They've just gone through a few paperback hang-ups (the ebooks have always been available.) The paperbacks should be available again ANY. DAY. Seriously, that's how close they are to being back in stock. Yippee! :)
When they ARE back in stock, I'll be making an announcement via my newsletter, so if you want to make sure you'll be notified, then be sure you're signed up for my newsletter! --> http://nadinebrandes.com/my-newsletter
When they ARE back in stock, I'll be making an announcement via my newsletter, so if you want to make sure you'll be notified, then be sure you're signed up for my newsletter! --> http://nadinebrandes.com/my-newsletter
Nadine Brandes
Frogs. :P And then probably ermines.
Nadine Brandes
SNAKES! Give me snakes any day any where over ticks. :P
Nadine Brandes
Next year! (2018) :-)
Nadine Brandes
I don't think it's been announced yet, but you can keep up to date on their website (realmmakers.net) or Facebook page! :)
Nadine Brandes
I'm so glad you loved it! I definitely hope to dabble in some short stories or novellas someday, but new projects are keeping me pretty busy! My next book (different world and story) will release sometime in 2018! :)
Nadine Brandes
I love this question because "what if" questions are the prompts behind almost all of my ideas. They key to mine is just always asking the "what if" question any time I can.
When I watch movies: "What if instead of true love's kiss saving the princess, it caused her to lose all her memories?"
When I'm listening to a sermon: "What if I turned this story into a fantasy adventure?"
When I'm taking a walk and trip over my shoelace: "What if someone had a machine that could turn gravity on and off in certain places?"
When I'm reading a book: "What if instead of this character finding a lamp with a genie, she joined the genie in the lamp and discovered another realm?"
See what I mean?
And every time you dare to ask the question, "What if?" go write it down. In a notebook of ideas. Even if it seems silly. Because someday you might find yourself meshing two seemingly crazy ideas -- "What if a giant wall encircled the entire Earth, splitting it in half?" + "What if everyone had a Clock telling them the day they'd die?" -- and ending up with a story called A Time to Die. 😉
Fill that notebook with your ideas. A year from now, you might read an idea and then take it a completely different direction than you originally thought.
Just. Keep. Asking. "What if?"
When I watch movies: "What if instead of true love's kiss saving the princess, it caused her to lose all her memories?"
When I'm listening to a sermon: "What if I turned this story into a fantasy adventure?"
When I'm taking a walk and trip over my shoelace: "What if someone had a machine that could turn gravity on and off in certain places?"
When I'm reading a book: "What if instead of this character finding a lamp with a genie, she joined the genie in the lamp and discovered another realm?"
See what I mean?
And every time you dare to ask the question, "What if?" go write it down. In a notebook of ideas. Even if it seems silly. Because someday you might find yourself meshing two seemingly crazy ideas -- "What if a giant wall encircled the entire Earth, splitting it in half?" + "What if everyone had a Clock telling them the day they'd die?" -- and ending up with a story called A Time to Die. 😉
Fill that notebook with your ideas. A year from now, you might read an idea and then take it a completely different direction than you originally thought.
Just. Keep. Asking. "What if?"
Nadine Brandes
Sadly not this year. :/ Hopefully in the future, though! :)
Nadine Brandes
I wouldn't dream of telling you one or the other, because each of them have their pros and cons. It really depends on the writer's vision and preference for their book.
Self-Publishing allows a writer to have complete control over the entire publishing process--from writing the book to picking a cover to formatting it to pricing, etc. I've seen a lot of authors do very well with self-publishing and it often means a greater percentage of profit on each book sale. However that means that the writer has complete control over the entire publishing process. :P That means that instead of just being a writer, they also have to figure out how to get books printed, where to hire a cover designer, how to find a good editor. Self-publishing also requires you to front the bill on all those things. Phew! It can be overwhelming and self-publishing can be a complete flop if the author doesn't take the time to educate themselves on how do to those things properly.
So, for the author who wants complete control and doesn't mind doing the whole enchilada...then self-publishing is a good fit.
Now Traditional Publishing I am more familiar with because that is how my Out of Time Series was published. The author relinquishes control on a lot of things -- such as having to figure out formatting and printing and such. But the publisher also chooses the cover designer, the editors, the pricing, etc. However, in my experience (and from a lot of stories I've heard from author friends), the author's opinion is taken into account. The publisher will not (usually) just slap a cover on your book and say, "Deal with it." They want you to be happy, too.
However, publishers often have a lot of contacts--with bookstores, with sales, with designers. Publishers also tend to know the market much better than we do because they see what books are successful and what flops, they see what readers are buying and what's getting rejected. They provide a lot of knowledge and wisdom in this area.
The larger publishing houses also often have some sort of marketing team or plan or publicist. They can help get your books in front of audiences that you can't reach, or they can get you interviews with big magazines, or they can get your books into the hands of well-to-do reviewers.
However, with traditional publishing, the percentage of profit off of each book that you get is usually significantly smaller than when you self-publish.
Personally, that cost is worth it to me because I don't want to deal with the behind-the-scenes. I want to focus on writing and connecting with my fans. But some authors prefer--and enjoy--the depth of involvement that goes into self-publishing.
So all that to say, I don't think one is better over the other in general. But one is better than the other for each individual author, depending on their preferences, goals, skills, and visions. It's up to the author to figure that out. :)
Does this help?
Self-Publishing allows a writer to have complete control over the entire publishing process--from writing the book to picking a cover to formatting it to pricing, etc. I've seen a lot of authors do very well with self-publishing and it often means a greater percentage of profit on each book sale. However that means that the writer has complete control over the entire publishing process. :P That means that instead of just being a writer, they also have to figure out how to get books printed, where to hire a cover designer, how to find a good editor. Self-publishing also requires you to front the bill on all those things. Phew! It can be overwhelming and self-publishing can be a complete flop if the author doesn't take the time to educate themselves on how do to those things properly.
So, for the author who wants complete control and doesn't mind doing the whole enchilada...then self-publishing is a good fit.
Now Traditional Publishing I am more familiar with because that is how my Out of Time Series was published. The author relinquishes control on a lot of things -- such as having to figure out formatting and printing and such. But the publisher also chooses the cover designer, the editors, the pricing, etc. However, in my experience (and from a lot of stories I've heard from author friends), the author's opinion is taken into account. The publisher will not (usually) just slap a cover on your book and say, "Deal with it." They want you to be happy, too.
However, publishers often have a lot of contacts--with bookstores, with sales, with designers. Publishers also tend to know the market much better than we do because they see what books are successful and what flops, they see what readers are buying and what's getting rejected. They provide a lot of knowledge and wisdom in this area.
The larger publishing houses also often have some sort of marketing team or plan or publicist. They can help get your books in front of audiences that you can't reach, or they can get you interviews with big magazines, or they can get your books into the hands of well-to-do reviewers.
However, with traditional publishing, the percentage of profit off of each book that you get is usually significantly smaller than when you self-publish.
Personally, that cost is worth it to me because I don't want to deal with the behind-the-scenes. I want to focus on writing and connecting with my fans. But some authors prefer--and enjoy--the depth of involvement that goes into self-publishing.
So all that to say, I don't think one is better over the other in general. But one is better than the other for each individual author, depending on their preferences, goals, skills, and visions. It's up to the author to figure that out. :)
Does this help?
Nadine Brandes
The most popular one is #Hawkin, but I've also seen #Solovin and #BlackHawke. Take your pick! ;) As for "official"? I like letting people use their favorite. Which do you like best?
Nadine Brandes
I have things that help me get more in the writing mood, like listening to soundtracks, making tea, and watching some of my favorite movies.
BUT, recently, I've been trying to write by hand or on a device that's non-electronic (like a typewriter) and it's kept me more focused on writing instead of jumping on Facebook every time I get an alert. ;)
I try to make April, July, and November ONLY writing months (and no editing!) since there's Camp NaNo and NaNoWriMo.
I feel like I'm not answering this question the way you were hoping. LOL.
BUT, recently, I've been trying to write by hand or on a device that's non-electronic (like a typewriter) and it's kept me more focused on writing instead of jumping on Facebook every time I get an alert. ;)
I try to make April, July, and November ONLY writing months (and no editing!) since there's Camp NaNo and NaNoWriMo.
I feel like I'm not answering this question the way you were hoping. LOL.
Nadine Brandes
Not yet! But it's on my list! :D
Nadine Brandes
I have many tips and suggestions! :D
1. Attend a writer's conference. If you're thinking of traditionally publishing, this is an excellent way to meet and connect with publishers, agents, and editors. It's also a great way to learn about the industry. If you're thinking of independently publishing, a conference can still connect you with geniuses who have indie published. They can give advice and workshops can teach you about the process. Overall...you should attend a conference! :D
2. Really study the publishing process and what it entails. A lot of this can be done through online research or asking authors. Many writers will jump into publishing before knowing the steps the should take, and the end up self-publishing a book too soon (and no one buys it) or submitting to agents and publishers too soon (and getting rejection after rejection.) No matter which publishing road interests you, it's important to know the industry AND to better yourself as a writer as much as possible....which is point #3 -
3. Grow as a writer. Read every writing craft book you can get your hands on. Take online courses. Find critique buddies. Hire a freelance editor. What it all comes down to in the end...is your writing. If your writing is strong, the book will reach readers.
4. READ. Read in the genre you want to write! I write YA and adult spec-fic so that's what I read 70% of the time. You need to keep up on what's being published in your field of interest. Follow those authors, see what makes their books successful. Watch and learn. Read and learn. ;)
If you have any specific questions, you can always shoot me an email! http://nadinebrandes.com/contact
1. Attend a writer's conference. If you're thinking of traditionally publishing, this is an excellent way to meet and connect with publishers, agents, and editors. It's also a great way to learn about the industry. If you're thinking of independently publishing, a conference can still connect you with geniuses who have indie published. They can give advice and workshops can teach you about the process. Overall...you should attend a conference! :D
2. Really study the publishing process and what it entails. A lot of this can be done through online research or asking authors. Many writers will jump into publishing before knowing the steps the should take, and the end up self-publishing a book too soon (and no one buys it) or submitting to agents and publishers too soon (and getting rejection after rejection.) No matter which publishing road interests you, it's important to know the industry AND to better yourself as a writer as much as possible....which is point #3 -
3. Grow as a writer. Read every writing craft book you can get your hands on. Take online courses. Find critique buddies. Hire a freelance editor. What it all comes down to in the end...is your writing. If your writing is strong, the book will reach readers.
4. READ. Read in the genre you want to write! I write YA and adult spec-fic so that's what I read 70% of the time. You need to keep up on what's being published in your field of interest. Follow those authors, see what makes their books successful. Watch and learn. Read and learn. ;)
If you have any specific questions, you can always shoot me an email! http://nadinebrandes.com/contact
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Mar 08, 2022 03:16PM · flag