Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "discount"

To celebrate getting all my books on kindle (well, most of them -- I still have to figure out a way of getting 'Coincidences' on kindle as I don't have a copy of the manuscript on my computer...), I'm offering my two short story collections at a special promotional price for a short time. At Amazon.com you can download 'Pieces of a Rainbow', and 'Love and Loyalty (and Other Tales)', for just $0.99! and at Amazon.co.uk for just £0.71!

Here are the links!

Amazon US: Pieces of a Rainbow
Love and Loyalty


Amazon UK: Love and Loyalty
Pieces of a Rainbow

Remember, you don't need to own a kindle ereader to read kindle ebooks. You can read them on your pc or mac, iphone, ipad, Android or Blackberry... just download the free kindle app from Amazon.

Enjoy!

Also, a reminder that 'Pieces of a Rainbow' is still the current book group read over in the Green Group here on Goodreads, so when you've downloaded your copy, why not head over to that group and join in the discussions.

Green Group

Today, I would like to introduce you to the very talented, Paul Mansfield Keefe.

I met Paul a few months ago, on BestsellerBound, a message board where indie authors can chat to readers. (I'm a resident author on the board). We have since become very good online friends.

I recently had the pleasure of reading Paul's debut novelDigger's Bones as a reviewer for Bookpleasures. You can see my review here: Review of Digger's Bones on Bookpleasures.com

I really enjoyed the book and can tell that Paul is an author to look out for in the future. It is rare that a debut novel is so well written, and I must say I was very impressed. Paul has a way of describing an action scene so that you feel as if you are actually there. His thriller, Digger's Bones, is a must read.

As well as agreeing to take part in an interview today, Paul has very kindly offered a special discount voucher to all my blog readers, so you can get your hands on a copy of the book for just $2.99. Don't miss it! More details about this are at the end of the interview.

Here are Paul's replies to a few interview questions I set him:

Is there a particular author, or book, that inspired you to start writing?
My inspiration really came from working on an animated sci-fi movie script. I had decided that I had far more to write than could be encompassed in a movie so I began writing a novel. I started writing my thriller, Digger’s Bones, after reading The Jesus Thief by J. R. Lankford, which was a very enjoyable read. Angie Cooper came to me mostly formed and I knew it was the story I needed to write.

When did you first discover your love of writing?
When I was in high school I wrote a lot of poetry and I truly loved it. However, like many people in life, I moved away from writing for many years. Now that I’ve found it again I wonder how I could have ever stopped, I’m obsessed with filling empty paper with words; even if it is electronic paper.

Your debut novel, Digger’s Bones, is a thriller dealing with subjects including archaeology and the history of religion.  How much research did you have to do and how long did it take you to write the book?
I did tons of research. Every church mentioned, every religious doctrine, every location around the world, had to be extensively researched. The last thing I wanted was for someone to say, “Boy, did you get that wrong!” I collected photos, multimedia CDROMs, read up on archaeology as much as possible, and of course consulted everyone’s favorite, Wikipedia.

It took me about two years to finish the manuscript. A lot of that time was spent working out an intricate plot and ensuring it played well with the characters. Of course, I also work full-time so that made the overall development time a bit longer.

Have you ever visited the holy lands described in the book?  As a reader, I was impressed by how detailed the description of the places was.
I’ve visited some, but not all, of the places in the book. I once lived in Virginia and worked in the Russell Senate Office Building and spent time visiting the different Smithsonian buildings. I spent time up on Bandelier looking over the ground Angie did in the novel, and the same for the Zugspitze in Germany. However, I haven’t been to the Holy Land. So, now you know the reason for the painstaking research. And let me add that I’m now dying to go!

You have been getting some great reviews for Diggers Bones.  One thing I noticed, and I think was also mentioned by another reviewer, is that you have really managed to somehow get into the mind of a female character.  Angie Cooper, the main character is very believable and she seems to think and feel just like a woman.  Was it hard for you as a man to write from a woman’s perspective?
It was important to the story that Angie be an “every woman” and not an embittered, whiskey drinking, overly masculine, female stereotype. Not that they don’t have their place in thrillers, a hard-boiled female detective can be a great character. But Angie is an innocent caught up in a powerful drama that she didn’t create. So, I set out from the start to make her believable as an ordinary person.

I grew up around many strong women, my sisters and my mother, and so I was exposed to non-stereotypical women early in life. Not thinking of women as being the “weaker” sex allowed me to better portray a woman’s perspective and emotions. Still, the first go-round a couple of woman said they didn’t “get” Angie and I had to figure out what was missing from her personality. That turned out to be a nurturing spirit and Madie was added to help round out Angie and that really seemed to do the trick.

I understand that Digger’s Bones is the first in a series, can you tell us a bit more about your plans for the series?
I can tell you that I’ve had three books planned out for some time and I am currently working on the second. I can also tell you that as long as Angie finds ways to get into, and out of, trouble, I’ll be writing about her. The last thing I can say without spoiling much—any reader of my first novel can attest to the fact that it is difficult to talk about without giving something away—is that the settings will be completely different from the first book. Yes, I have my research cut out for me.

Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their own book?
Absolutely. First and foremost, do it. Don’t worry about the difficulties involved, they are minimal. Start with Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com and create eBooks for the Kindle and Nook. Next, go to CreateSpace.com and make a print version. CreateSpace is a part of Amazon so you can link your two books together on Amazon and they will also get linked on Barnes and Noble. Finally, take a deep breath and hold on tight.

Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing that you like?
Growing up I read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy such as Frank Herbert’s Dune and the Adept series by Piers Anthony, because the settings amazed me. As an adult I read a lot of David Baldacci for his character development and great plots. Lately I’ve been enjoying John Connolly because of his fluid and descriptive writing style. I like the fact that he can pull that off without getting too flowery. You may have noticed that Angie reads a Sue Grafton novel in Digger’s Bones and you would be right in thinking she is another of my favorites. The last I’d like to mention is the late, great Tony Hillerman. I believe I’ve read all of his novels but I keep hoping there is one I missed so I can revisit Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn one last time.

Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?
Speaking of Tony Hillerman, I read a couple of his more than once—the first that springs to mind is Skinwalkers, a great novel. I also read Dune more than once as a kid.

What was the last book you read?
Right now I’m reading several at once, a somewhat bad habit of mine. The last novel I finished was by the brilliant Maria Savva, A Time To Tell. I have to say, it was a pleasure to read and even greater pleasure to get to know the author.

Thank you, Paul :)

Are you reading a book at the moment?
I’m reading several as mentioned above. One that would be of interest to lovers of the sci-fi genre is Jaleta Clegg’s Nexus Point; I’m really enjoying it. Even though the characters are young adults the book could easily be read by YA readers as well. It kind of reminds me of a Michael Crichton novel.

What do you think of ebooks?
I love them. Not that I don’t like the feel and smell of the printed page, I really do. Yet I find the convenience of eBooks, especially carrying a library around with me in my Kindle, to be quite compelling. There’s no doubt that they’re here to stay and every author should address them as a means to greater readership.

How important are reviews for you as a writer?
It’s hard to say. I had a couple of bad reviews in the beginning because I, stupidly, posted a mainly unedited version of my book accidentally. Once I righted that, the reviews got better but I can’t say that sales were directly affected. I suppose if they had all been bad it would have had a negative effect, but the reverse hasn’t proven itself out.

How did you go about choosing a cover for your book?
I created the cover art myself because I had several ideas I wanted to try out. I ended up with a skull set in a sort of blended out earthy background to make it sort of pop off the shelf. Yet, I worry that too many see the cover and assume it’s some sort of horror novel. I guess that’s why publishers have marketing departments.

What are you working on now?
Book two in the Angie Cooper Series. The one great piece of positive feedback I’ve heard more than anything else is, “When’s the next book coming out?” Readers really want to know what’s going to happen to Angie next. And I’m not going to let them down.

Where can people buy your book?
It’s available in print at:
CreateSpace
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble

For the Kindle:
Amazon.com

For the Nook:
Barnes and Noble

As an iBook For iPad, iPhone, and iPod (available in the iBookstore):
iBookstore

For the Sony Reader:
Sony

For all eReaders at Smashwords:
Smashwords

Do you have your own website or blog where people can read more about your work?
Any of these URLs will lead to my blog with more info on the book, including some review clips.
DiggersBones.com
PaulKeefe.com
PaulMansfieldKeefe.com

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes, I would like to give a special promotional offer to all readers of the Maria Savva Goodreads blog.
From now until March 31, 2011 get Digger’s Bones as an eBook for only $2.99 at Smashwords using the coupon code: TT55Q.
That’s $4 bucks off, so if you’ve been thinking of checking out the adventures of Angie Cooper, now’s the time!

Thank you, Paul, for answering my questions. I wish you every success with your books.

I met Marty Beaudet online on Bestsellerbound.com. When he first joined us on that forum, he was a newly published author, having just finished his debut novel By A Thread. He was frustrated because life as an independent author was not working out as he had hoped. Why were people not buying his book? Why wasn't he a bestselling novelist yet?

Some of us who had been networking and marketing our work for years, and still selling about 1 book a month on average, wondered whether he was just not cut out for this self-published road. Was he expecting too much? Did he really have the passion to carry on writing even when months could go by without a book sale?

Over the few months that I have known him, I have grown very fond of Marty. He does have drive and passion. He knows he has an amazing talent as an author. When I recently read his novelette, Losing Addison, there was no doubt in my mind that this author is something special.

As well as answering my interview questions, Marty has very generously offered to give away a copy of each of his books! All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment. Random winners will be picked on 15th May 2011.

Here are Marty's answers to my interview questions:


Your debut novel, By A Thread is a political thriller that has been getting some great reviews. It’s been described by many reviewers as a conspiracy novel. I haven’t read it yet, and I don’t usually read political thrillers. What would you say to a reader like me to persuade me to read it?



My decision to write a book stemmed, in part, from my dissatisfaction with many of the books I had read. I like the puzzle-solving aspects of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers, but too often those kinds of books lack any real human component. The characters are often cardboard cutouts that seem to be used over and over again. Romance in such books is frequently trite, a cynical nod to the fact that sex sells. The confines of genre labels seems to assure that mainstream novels never stray far from the "successful" template, but it also makes them boring and predictable, in my opinion.

In writing By A Thread, I was determined to tell a story that was as much about the personal lives of the characters as it was about the intrigue in which they were engaged. What's more, I chose characters who were at times antithetical to the stereotypes readers have come to expect: Mormon missionaries, gay characters, Muslims who are NOT terrorists, self-doubting intelligence agents, Americans who are NOT all good guys, a strong female leader, and so on.

Alas, in order to market the book, even in the self-publishing realm, I am forced to assign a genre label to it. So I have settled for calling it a "political thriller with a heart," in order to convey the idea that the characters' personal relationships are every bit as urgent as the suspected conspiracy that drives them to action.

How much research went into writing ‘By A Thread’, and how long did it take you to write?

A huge-—and probably inordinate—-amount of research went into the book! I wrote it over an eight-year period, with a three-year health-induced hiatus in the midst. I love novels whose details are so explicit and accurate as to both teach me something about the real world in which they purport to take place, and to keep me guessing as to which parts are actually true. I'm fond of saying, "If the reader can tell where truth ends and fiction begins, the writer hasn't done his job." Consequently, my research was so detailed as to describe the actual furnishings of the actual apartments in which the characters live! I used real-life train schedules to determine arrival and departure times. If you were to go to Vienna today, you would be able to visit every venue in the story and see it exactly as I described it. In addition, the hypothetical political crisis in the book is based on real-life disputes about the U.S. Constitution, and the book's intelligence activities are grounded in reality, as well. One appreciative reader, himself an intelligence veteran, told me he knew immediately that I had an intelligence background when he read the book.

Your latest book, a novelette, Losing Addison, was inspired by a dream. Can you tell us a bit more about how that came about?



One morning in March I awoke, struggling with myself and the bedcovers. I had been having a nightmare. As I lay there staring at the ceiling and trying to come fully awake, I drifted in and out of the nightmare again. Each time I did so, more and more details of it became clear to me. My waking mind would ask a question, and my dreaming mind would answer it. It was so explicit as to seem an actual memory to me, as though I hadn't dreamt it, but lived it at some time. Finally, I could contain myself no longer; I flew out of bed, skipped breakfast and the bathroom, and began writing. I wrote only about 1,000 words before I was exhausted. I wanted to know more, but I felt I shouldn't push myself or the story would become a contrivance. Each day after that, for fifteen days, I wrote an additional thousand words and posted it to the new Losing Addison blog I'd begun. I didn't know where the story would go each day until it flowed out of me. I was so in awe of this process that I didn't even go back and read what I'd written until the entire thing was done, for fear that somehow my conscious efforts to fiddle with it would pollute it!

I was hooked on Losing Addison from the start. It was written as an online serial, unedited, but it reads like a fine-tuned psychological thriller. It’s almost as if you were writing something from memory. Are any of the characters or events in Losing Addison based on real life?

My experience with dreams—-as I am sure is common with others—-is that events are rarely linear and details come in and out of focus. For instance, my mother in one moment will suddenly be my sister in the next; or I'll be in San Francisco in one instant, then suddenly in Portland. This dream was no different. What was different was the progressive nature of the relationship among the characters and events. This provided a framework over which I laid details based on my own life experiences. Am I making any sense?

It's like this: suppose I tell you to imagine a time when you argued with a sister and ended up throwing something at her. Then I tell you to write it down. As you do this, your mind will recall details of the setting—location, time, persons present, what they were wearing, what was said, what you threw—-information that I didn't provide you. My writing process was similar. The dream told me what the gist of the event was, but not the details. As I attempted to describe it, pictures would pop into my mind that were a product of actual persons, places, and things in my own life.

Oh, one other thing: when my mother was pregnant with me, I/we were supposed to be twins. My four older siblings had been allowed to suggest names for the twins. They were all fans of the Mickey Mouse Club on television at the time, which featured a couple of twins on the Triple-J ranch, named Spin and Marty. When I came out alone, I'm fortunate that they named me Marty, not Spin! (Though I've considered using that as a pseudonym!)

Which one of the twins from Losing Addison, Addison or Les, can you most relate to, and why?

They are both me! I see in their struggle my own inner conflicts, especially in reconciling my erstwhile Mormon faith with being gay. There's my overly analytical, second-guessing self in Les, and my devil-may-care rebel in Addison.

Is there a particular author, or book, that inspired you to start writing?

Generally speaking, no. As I said earlier, many of the books I have read inspired me by leaving me wanting more, or a different turn of events than the author had provided. As I read these, I often found my mind wandering and rewriting the story with a different outcome. In particular, I found the absence of any gay characters like myself to be disappointing. We all want to jump into the skin of a book's character once in a while. On the other hand, most books labeled "gay fiction" are pulp or borderline pornographic. I'm no prude by any means, but that's not what I'm interested in reading. I want intellectual engagement. Anyone who can do that gets my book-buying dollar.

The one author who influenced me the most at the time that I started writing was Dean Koontz. In particular, From the Corner of His Eye really grabbed me. It was an ordinary story about ordinary people caught up in a crime. But slowly a paranormal element began to expose itself in a completely unexpected turn of events. I thought it was brilliant! It crossed genres. Crime, mystery, thriller, paranormal—-all rolled up into one. I thought, yes, I can do that too!

When did you first discover your love of writing?

Very late, indeed. In high school I took a creative writing course and hated it. The idea that creativity could be yoked to assignments and schedules seemed antithetical to me. I succeeded only when I wrote about my own experiences. But I never made the connection back then that non-fiction could be made into fiction in the hands of a skilled storyteller.

In my thirties I became a political activist in San Francisco and in the Mormon community. This necessitated putting feelings into writing to promote or defend various causes. I found that my passion enabled me to do this effectively and I became a spokesperson for several causes over the next decade. I was eventually hired as a staff writer and editor for several magazines, but had still not written fiction. As an avid reader however, I found my longing to write a novel growing over the years.

Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their own book?

Yes. Beware of other writers who offer you tips! Truly, I found an overabundance of advice in the online writers' community when I was introduced to it last year. Much of it was contradictory and lead me in so many directions at once that I considered giving up completely. You might recall that when I joined Bestsellerbound my posts were so full of frustration and complaints that I got people's hackles up! (A shoutout to Joel Kirkpatrick who so graciously took me aside and cleaned up my act!) I was doing everything I'd been told on one hand, only to find that I was annoying people on the other hand.

I'm still not sure of what I'm doing! Do I tweet too little or too much? Am I required to blog about things other than writing? Or do I bore and annoy with off-topic posts? Are mentions of my books considered unwanted advertisements or useful links to something of interest to potential readers? I never know the answers to these things. And when my Twitter mentions and retweets dry up, and blog hits fall to zero for a week, I'm always second-guessing myself, wondering who I've offended and how!

So, no, I'll leave the advice-giving to those who have come before me. I'm flying by the seat of my pants out here!


Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing that you like?

Well, I've already described Dean Koontz. But even he has trailed off into commercial schlock at times, likely the result of deadlines and production quotas imposed by traditional publishers. I'm not a die-hard fan of anyone in particular. I come across books I love and books I can't finish. It doesn't seem that the author is any guarantee of the outcome. I read Stieg Larsson's first "The Girl Who…" book, but couldn't finish the overly dense, excruciatingly inner-monologue-bound, second one. Khaled Hosseini, on the other hand, thrilled me with both The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns I read The Kite Runner twice. I've liked books as random as Bel Canto (Ann Patchett) and Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts (Julian Rubenstein). I absolutely loved Middlesex (Jeffrey Eugenides), and I thoroughly enjoyed Kim Stanley Robinson's "Mars Trilogy," a gift from a friend, and the first fiction I had read in nearly a decade prior.

Since becoming an indie writer, however, I'm now committed to buying only indie titles. There are too many gems out there that I'll never have time to read. I don't need to risk formulaic commercial novels any more. I will still read a mainstream book that is loaned to me however, if it comes with a recommendation from family or friends.

Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?

The Kite Runner, Lord of the Rings, Ballad of the Whiskey Robber, The Russians, From the Corner of His Eye, On the Road,Tales of the City, and probably others I can't remember.

What was the last book you read, and are you reading a book at the moment?

I'm currently reading both Jason McIntyre's Thalo Blue and Darcia Helle's The Cutting Edge. While driving I'm also listening to Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross, loaned to me by a neighbor. I don't remember the name of the last book I finished! It was something I won on fReado's Bookbuzzr. Prior to that was Josh Bazell's Beat the Reaper.


What do you think of ebooks?

A curse and a blessing! I don't own an ereader and can't afford one. We live on very little, as I have chosen to be a writer and only work part time. As a reader I'm frustrated by the number of books by indie authors (such as those mentioned above) that aren't available in print. My only guaranteed reading time each day is at bedtime. I can't hold my computer to read ebooks in bed! Other reading opportunities are in the bath and on public transit, both places where a print book is more practical than a computer. Similarly, none of my closest friends and neighbors with whom I share reading interests own an ereader or iPad. Consequently, I can't share with them those downloaded indie titles I know they'd love.

On the other hand, as a writer I'm grateful for the opportunity ebooks give me to circulate my writing among a much larger audience than print books alone can offer. My recent novelette, Losing Addison, would never have been published in print by a traditional publisher. The cost of producing it, even as a self-published title, likely means that it will find its greatest audience in its ebook form.

Personally, I will never abandon print books. I love to hold them. And, as a graphic designer, I thoroughly appreciate good cover art. It's about the only art I can afford now! I believe that down the road, print books will experience a resurgence, just as vinyl has in the music world.

How important are reviews for you as a writer?

Would I sound too pathetic if I said "they're everything" to me? It's true, for this reason: Storytelling, like a conversation, requires two parties. I have no interest in a carrying on a monologue. I don't write to hear myself think. I write to share. Even if there were no monetary recompense for writing (and oftentimes there isn't when the books are balanced), my greatest joy is to read or hear and share the excitement of others as they discover the story that has captured my imagination in creating it. And, while I have been fortunate thus far to have had only one bad review (a Mormon who thought By A Thread was "not an LDS book"), I feel that constructive criticism will help me refine my work in the future.

How do you go about choosing a cover for your books?

I have been a part-time graphic designer for twenty-four years, so I do all my own cover work, including photography. Since the City of Vienna is a character in By A Thread, I chose an iconic symbol of that city as a focal point for the cover: the Riesenrad (Ferris wheel) at the Prater amusement park on the Danube. It has the added cachet of being an iconic symbol of the movie "The Third Man," about intrigue in post-war occupied Vienna. What better choice for my political thriller?

The cover of Losing Addison came to me as readily as the story itself did. I created it in about thirty minutes, starting with a photograph I had taken of an acquaintance several years ago. I knew it needed to be dark and mysterious, and tweaked it for that effect. The idea of a face over a face stems from the interaction of twins in the story. Creating covers is one of my favorite parts of the process! I'd love to do it for other authors, as well.


What are you working on now?

Ack! I'm going in so many directions at once now! Last November I sat down to write an entirely different, coming-of-age-in-the-high-desert story. But I had barely begun when I acceded to the requests of several fans who wanted me to write a sequel to By A Thread. The cynical, marketing-oriented part of my brain said, "strike while the iron's hot!" But I got 20,000 words into it and hit a wall. Like By A Thread, The Third Token has complex plot threads that gradually interweave. I found that, while I loved writing my protagonist, the creation of a villain was dragging me down. I don't like to get into evil people's heads! It doesn't come easily to me.

Losing Addison was such a refreshing and unexpected break from The Third Token, that I decided to explore some other ideas that were bubbling to the surface. I wrote three chapters of a new psychological thriller, but balked when I delved further into Jason McIntyre's Thalo Blue, because I found too many similarities between the two, even though I'd written mine before reading his. I then began another project, but am second-guessing myself on it now because it would likely find only a limited audience. I'm wondering if I should go back to my other projects first. As you can see, there is no method to my madness!


Where can people buy your books?

Readers wanting print editions can get the best deal by watching for my oft-tweeted discount codes and going to CreateSpace to use them. Currently, code DKAYY424 offers a $3 discount on By A Thread.
Code NGD939PC offers $2 off of Losing Addison.
Amazon doesn't allow author discounts, but has the advantage of free or combined shipping if you're buying multiple books. Both By A Thread and Losing Addison are available for Kindle at Amazon, as well.
Losing Addison is also available in all digital formats at Smashwords. (Readers of this blog may use code EW27M for a 50-percent discount there through the end of May.) By A Thread is on Smashwords, as well.
European buyers can also purchase my ebooks from XinXii (the price includes a VAT tax).

Do you have your own website or blog where people can read more about your work?

By A Thread has a website that offers reviews, as well as insights into both my background and the novel's, including links to the real-life counterparts to the story's elements and characters. There is also a By A Thread blog where I post related stories, occasional contests, and discount offers. Losing Addison has its own blog, where I post reviews and discounts.

Thank you, Marty.

Remember to win a copy of either By a Thread or Losing Addison, leave a comment below. Good luck!!

I am very excited that Fusion, my latest collection of short stories is now available on Smashwords.com This means that anyone with any type of ereader can download and enjoy the stories.
In order to celebrate this, I have a special promotional discount of 50% off for those of you who would like to download the book. Use code: LX99Y at the checkout, to get the entire collection for just $1.50 (coupon expires 16th July 2011). That has to be a bargain! There are 22 stories in the collection, in a variety of genres.
I hope you'll try the book.
Enjoy!

Until the end of August you can get my Kindle books at Amazon for just $0.99 or £0.86 (except for my latest novel The Dream which remains at $2.99/£2.10)

Enjoy!

Amazon US

Amazon UK

I've just been told that Lulu.com have a site wide sale at the moment (through 7th October 2011). If you're in the UK and purchase any books through that site, just use the coupon code: TANGOUK305 and you'll get 15% of any order (save up to £200)!
If you're in the mood to shop, you can get 20% off any purchase over £200 by using code: DANCEUK305






If you check out my author spotlight, you'll see that most of my books are on sale at the moment (up to 40% off!). You can take the extra 15% off the discounted price. I hope this will entice more of you to shop at Lulu. It really is a great site where many independent authors publish their books. I have found many of my favourite books there :)

Here's a link to my book page at Lulu:

Maria Savva: Author Spotlight

I would also like to recommend the following Lulu.com authors to you:

Julie Elizabeth Powell

Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick

Ami Blackwelder

Bill See

Scott M. Liddell

Paul Mansfield Keefe

Susan Helene Gottfried

Mark Rice

Jess C. Scott

Alex Sumner

Happy browsing, shopping, and reading!!

Lulu.com is currently running a promotion where you can get 25% off any purchase until 6th January 2012 using the code ONEMORETHINGUK at the checkout.

I am only able to access the UK site so I am unsure whether there is a similar promotion for US customers, but I assume there must be. You just need to go to the Lulu.com homepage to check out the details of the discount code.

I also currently have a promotion running with up to 50% off my print books at Lulu, so if you use the special discount code you can get even more of a bargain!

Here's a link to my Lulu author page: Maria Savva -- Lulu Spotlight

Whilst you're there why not browse some other author pages. Here are some authors & books that I recommend:

Julie Elizabeth Powell -- Lulu Spotlight



Julie writes across the genres. She has written children's books, murder/mystery, fantasy, chick lit, short stories, poems. She is a very versatile writer and I enjoy her books immensely

Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick-- Lulu Spotlight



I can't say enough good things about Breathing into Stone, which is the only book I have read by this author. I love it! I am looking forward to reading his other books.

Alex Sumner-- Lulu Spotlight



I recently read The Magus, a murder/mystery with a paranormal twist. Definitely one of my favourite books of 2011. I am about to start the second book in the series.

Mark Rice-- Lulu Spotlight



Metallic Dreams is one of the best books I've ever read, I would highly recommend it; especially to music lovers and in particular rock/heavy metal fans.

Susan Helene Gottfried-- Lulu Spotlight



Susan Helene Gottfried writes rock n' roll fiction. After reading her short story Mannequin: A Short Story, I'm looking forward to reading her other work.

Bill See-- Lulu Spotlight




I would definitely recommend 33 Days: Touring In A Van. Sleeping On Floors. Chasing A Dream. by Bill See, former lead singer in '80s rock band Divine Weeks. It's an insightful memoir, and one of my favourite books of 2011.

Scott M Liddell-- Lulu Spotlight



Scott is a photographer, and in fact his photograph appears on the front cover of my novel Second Chances. When I contacted him to ask permission to use the photo, I discovered that he is also an author. I really enjoyed his novel The Beatle Man

Happy Reading!

I already have great discounts available on my print books on Lulu; up to 40% off some titles. In addition to those savings you can get an extra 25% off any of my books using code: LULUBOOKUK305 at the checkout.

The coupon code can be used internationally, and is valid until 31st January 2012. You can get a maximum saving of £50 off your order.

So, now's the time to stock up on all those books you've been meaning to buy from Lulu :)

Here's a link to my author page: Lulu Author Spotlight -- Maria Savva

If you buy any books from Lulu up until 6th April 2012 you will get a mystery discount. The way it will work is that you don't need a coupon or special code, just browse and place the books you wish to purchase in your basket and a discount will be automatically applied by Lulu.com.

To find out how much you can save, visit Lulu today!

Here's a link to my author page on Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mariasavva

Here are some other authors on Lulu:

Julie Elizabeth Powell http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/julizpow

Mark Rice http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/metalli...

Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kirkpat...

Paul Keefe http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/thrille...

Jess C Scott http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jesscscott

Susan Helene Gottfried http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/susan1134

Alex Sumner http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/alex_su...

Cindy Bauer http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/cindybauer

Great news for those of you who prefer print books... Haunted is now available to buy as a paperback from Lulu.com!

Here's the link you need: http://www.lulu.com/shop/maria-savva/...

For the next few days, to celebrate the launch, there is also a 20% discount available for anyone who buys it.

Enjoy!