Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "the-dream"
News about The BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology - Volume I , my new novel, and an award I would encourage you to vote in...
I have lots of news for you, but I'll start with the most exciting! I am so happy to tell you that the BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology, which includes my short story 'Flames', shot to #1 in the Amazon kindle bestseller lists for 'short stories' and 'anthologies' yesterday when Amazon.com decided to make it available free for kindle. As many of you already know, this anthology is already free to download on Smashwords and we wanted to offer it free on Amazon as well, but Amazon has a policy whereby the author must charge at least $0.99 for any kindle book. Yesterday, however, our luck was in and Amazon listed it free for a day. In that short time we had over 5000 downloads and it entered the top 10 in the free kindle downloads chart on Amazon.com!
At BestsellerBound.com, we are very proud of this achievement. Darcia Helle, Stacy Juba, and I, created BestsellerBound.com last year as a way to raise the profile of indie authors, and this Amazon success has really shown us that with a lot of hard work and determined effort it is possible to get some recognition in the publishing world whether you are published by a large publishing company, or whether you publish in your own home using just your computer.
It's all very exciting.
We are intending to publish more volumes of the BestsellerBound Short Story Anthologies as we have attracted so many talented authors at BestsellerBound, we need a way to showcase that talent. If you're an indie/small press author and would like to contribute a story for an upcoming collection, please visit BestsellerBound.com for details on how to submit.
Now to news about my soon to be published novel, 'The Dream'.
Firstly, sorry for the delay in getting the book published, this has been due to a combination of very boring reasons, such as I now finally have a full time day job so less time to spend on editing. I have now reached the final proof stage and believe the book is ready (subject to a final read-over by me).
Some of you may be aware that my good friend and fellow author Darcia Helle has a new novel coming out in July, Into The Light'. We have decided to launch our two books together as they both have a ghostly/paranormal theme. Stay tuned for news about the launch and an exciting contest where you will be able to enter to win a copy of both books!
Finally, I have news of an award "honouring brilliance and 'reach' in the world of book marketing, sales and readership" The 2011 Farthest Reach Award.
This award is the brainchild of author Jason McIntyre (my co-author for Cutting The Fat).
I would encourage you all to vote in the award. Nominations are now open, so if you know of an author, publisher, marketing professional, who has excelled in the field of book promotion, fill in the form on Jason's website and tell the world about them. I like the idea of this award because as authors (especially indie authors) we rely on word of mouth for book sales, and are eternally grateful to people who go out of their way to promote and help with marketing.
At BestsellerBound.com, we are very proud of this achievement. Darcia Helle, Stacy Juba, and I, created BestsellerBound.com last year as a way to raise the profile of indie authors, and this Amazon success has really shown us that with a lot of hard work and determined effort it is possible to get some recognition in the publishing world whether you are published by a large publishing company, or whether you publish in your own home using just your computer.
It's all very exciting.
We are intending to publish more volumes of the BestsellerBound Short Story Anthologies as we have attracted so many talented authors at BestsellerBound, we need a way to showcase that talent. If you're an indie/small press author and would like to contribute a story for an upcoming collection, please visit BestsellerBound.com for details on how to submit.
Now to news about my soon to be published novel, 'The Dream'.
Firstly, sorry for the delay in getting the book published, this has been due to a combination of very boring reasons, such as I now finally have a full time day job so less time to spend on editing. I have now reached the final proof stage and believe the book is ready (subject to a final read-over by me).
Some of you may be aware that my good friend and fellow author Darcia Helle has a new novel coming out in July, Into The Light'. We have decided to launch our two books together as they both have a ghostly/paranormal theme. Stay tuned for news about the launch and an exciting contest where you will be able to enter to win a copy of both books!
Finally, I have news of an award "honouring brilliance and 'reach' in the world of book marketing, sales and readership" The 2011 Farthest Reach Award.
This award is the brainchild of author Jason McIntyre (my co-author for Cutting The Fat).
I would encourage you all to vote in the award. Nominations are now open, so if you know of an author, publisher, marketing professional, who has excelled in the field of book promotion, fill in the form on Jason's website and tell the world about them. I like the idea of this award because as authors (especially indie authors) we rely on word of mouth for book sales, and are eternally grateful to people who go out of their way to promote and help with marketing.
Double launch day! 'The Dream' and 'Into The Light!' and a 48hr giveaway!
My excitement for my book launch today has been doubled because I am launching on the same day as my good friend and fellow author, Darcia Helle.
For those of you who might be new to my blog, I'll explain a bit about how I connected with Darcia.
Last summer I was invited by Darcia to join BestsellerBound.com as a resident author. Up until that time I didn't really know Darcia, except that I was a friend through Goodreads and maybe some other networking sites. I was very impressed by her website and blog so I agreed to join her and Stacy Juba in launching BestsellerBound. That message board is now very popular with independent/small press authors and readers. If you haven't already been there to have a look, please do join us. We love meeting new authors and readers.
A few months ago I found out that Darcia was busy writing her new novel, 'Into The Light'. As I was planning to release my new novel, 'The Dream', it made sense to launch the books together, especially as they are both books that feature ghosts!
More about the books:
The Dream:
Blurb: Lynne cannot shake her feelings of dread; her dreams tell her she is making a terrible mistake, she must not marry Adam. But, how can she believe the dream? Lynne and Adam have shared their lives for three years now. She is certain she loves him. It is not that love, which her dream warns against. It doesn't matter that she loves this man she will soon marry. If she marries him, the voice in her dream says her soul mate will die. Her true love will perish. Soon, Lynne's world is transformed and becomes almost unrecognisable, except for the déjà vu. Time doesn't seem to mean much anymore, and things are not quite as they seem. As her world spins out of control, Lynne must sort out what's real and what isn't to fulfill her destiny.
Link to the book trailer: The Dream - Book Trailer
Where you can read a sample: Goodreads
Where you can buy it! Lulu.com for the paperback version. Save 30%!
The paperback version will also soon be available on Amazon and B&N and other such sites. You can also order it from any bookstore or library quoting the ISBN: 978-0-9564101-5-3
Ebook!
Amazon Kindle
Journal-Store
Smashwords.com Where you can download in any format to suit your ereader.
Into The Light:
The blurb:
Max Paddington refuses to go into the light until he finds his killer. This presents a dilemma, since Max is even less competent as a spirit than he was as a live person. No one sees or hears him and he can't manage to get anywhere or do anything on his own.
Joe Cavelli is a private investigator, living an ordinary life. Then one day he walks across a parking lot, gets yelled at by a ghost, and his life only gets stranger from there.
Max and Joe team up to find Max's killer. In the process, they form an unlikely friendship and change each other's lives in ways they never expected.
Link to the book trailer: Into The Light - book Trailer
Where you can read a sample: Darcia's Blog
Where you can buy it! On Darcia's website (print copy pay via paypal): The Book will also soon be available on Amazon and other good book stores. You can order it from any bookstore or library quoting ISBN: 978-1463640200
Ebook version on
Amazon Kindle
Smashwords
Contest!
Darcia Helle is currently hosting a giveaway where you can enter to win a print copy of both our books! It runs until Wednesday 20th July, so be quick, this is a 48hr giveaway! Here's the link to the contest: Giveaway!
Enjoy the books!
For those of you who might be new to my blog, I'll explain a bit about how I connected with Darcia.
Last summer I was invited by Darcia to join BestsellerBound.com as a resident author. Up until that time I didn't really know Darcia, except that I was a friend through Goodreads and maybe some other networking sites. I was very impressed by her website and blog so I agreed to join her and Stacy Juba in launching BestsellerBound. That message board is now very popular with independent/small press authors and readers. If you haven't already been there to have a look, please do join us. We love meeting new authors and readers.
A few months ago I found out that Darcia was busy writing her new novel, 'Into The Light'. As I was planning to release my new novel, 'The Dream', it made sense to launch the books together, especially as they are both books that feature ghosts!
More about the books:
The Dream:
Blurb: Lynne cannot shake her feelings of dread; her dreams tell her she is making a terrible mistake, she must not marry Adam. But, how can she believe the dream? Lynne and Adam have shared their lives for three years now. She is certain she loves him. It is not that love, which her dream warns against. It doesn't matter that she loves this man she will soon marry. If she marries him, the voice in her dream says her soul mate will die. Her true love will perish. Soon, Lynne's world is transformed and becomes almost unrecognisable, except for the déjà vu. Time doesn't seem to mean much anymore, and things are not quite as they seem. As her world spins out of control, Lynne must sort out what's real and what isn't to fulfill her destiny.
Link to the book trailer: The Dream - Book Trailer
Where you can read a sample: Goodreads
Where you can buy it! Lulu.com for the paperback version. Save 30%!
The paperback version will also soon be available on Amazon and B&N and other such sites. You can also order it from any bookstore or library quoting the ISBN: 978-0-9564101-5-3
Ebook!
Amazon Kindle
Journal-Store
Smashwords.com Where you can download in any format to suit your ereader.
Into The Light:
The blurb:
Max Paddington refuses to go into the light until he finds his killer. This presents a dilemma, since Max is even less competent as a spirit than he was as a live person. No one sees or hears him and he can't manage to get anywhere or do anything on his own.
Joe Cavelli is a private investigator, living an ordinary life. Then one day he walks across a parking lot, gets yelled at by a ghost, and his life only gets stranger from there.
Max and Joe team up to find Max's killer. In the process, they form an unlikely friendship and change each other's lives in ways they never expected.
Link to the book trailer: Into The Light - book Trailer
Where you can read a sample: Darcia's Blog
Where you can buy it! On Darcia's website (print copy pay via paypal): The Book will also soon be available on Amazon and other good book stores. You can order it from any bookstore or library quoting ISBN: 978-1463640200
Ebook version on
Amazon Kindle
Smashwords
Contest!
Darcia Helle is currently hosting a giveaway where you can enter to win a print copy of both our books! It runs until Wednesday 20th July, so be quick, this is a 48hr giveaway! Here's the link to the contest: Giveaway!
Enjoy the books!
An update and news about my latest interview...
The Dream has been published for just over a week now, and I have already started writing my next novel. I told myself I would have a rest after completing The Dream as it was very hard work getting it finished! But as they say, there is no rest for the wicked, so I am on to my next project. In fact, far from feeling bogged down, I am actually enjoying it. As with all my work, it is slightly different from the other novels I have written to date... I like to try new things. This one is quite deep and deals mainly with crime and the psychology behind that and the impact of it. I shall say no more for now. With this one, I have started off with a plan, but am drifting away from that and into quite interesting territory. I have written about 12,000 words so far, although it's hard to be precise as I have gone back to writing it with pen and paper rather than typing it. It just seems to suit me better that way.
In other news, my latest short story: 'Isolation', will be featured in "The BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology-- Volume 2", which is to be released very soon... any day now I am told. Watch this space for further news.
You can read all about my new novel, 'The Dream', on Darcia Helle's blog:
Interview -- Dreaming With Maria Savva
In other news, my latest short story: 'Isolation', will be featured in "The BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology-- Volume 2", which is to be released very soon... any day now I am told. Watch this space for further news.
You can read all about my new novel, 'The Dream', on Darcia Helle's blog:
Interview -- Dreaming With Maria Savva
Music and 'The Dream'
As many of you who follow my blog know, I have a few obsessions... apart from reading and writing, I also love music. I was therefore thrilled to be invited to West of Mars to discuss my new release The Dream and to reveal what songs remind me of the book.
Click on the link, to find out which song I most associate with The Dream, and why...
West of Mars
Thanks to Susan Helene Gottfried, author of Trevor's Song, for inviting me to West of Mars!
Click on the link, to find out which song I most associate with The Dream, and why...
West of Mars
Thanks to Susan Helene Gottfried, author of Trevor's Song, for inviting me to West of Mars!
Want the chance to win a copy of The Dream?
As most of you know by now, my latest book, The Dream, a fantasy/paranormal/timeslip novel, is now out in the world.
There are two giveaways you might like to know about:
1. On LibraryThing you can enter until 14th August 2011 to win a copy in the Member Giveaways: LibraryThing
2. On The Secret Writer Blog, I have a written a guest post all about the trials and tribulations of an indie writer's life, and until 13th August 2011 you can enter to win a copy of The Dream.
The Secret Writer
Good luck!
There are two giveaways you might like to know about:
1. On LibraryThing you can enter until 14th August 2011 to win a copy in the Member Giveaways: LibraryThing
2. On The Secret Writer Blog, I have a written a guest post all about the trials and tribulations of an indie writer's life, and until 13th August 2011 you can enter to win a copy of The Dream.
The Secret Writer
Good luck!
I was recently interviewed by a fictional character :)
My latest interview can be found by clicking on the following link:
Molly Hacker's blog
I'm also giving away one paperback copy of my latest novel,The Dream(It's an international competition). Leave a comment on Molly's blog to enter!
Molly Hacker is a fictional character created by the author Lisette Brodey. Lisette has appeared on my blog in the past talking about her books. I am a fan of hers. If you haven't read her book Crooked Moon, you must go and buy it now! It's excellent.
Lisette's novel, 'Molly Hacker Is Too Picky!' is due to be released later this year.
Molly Hacker's blog
I'm also giving away one paperback copy of my latest novel,The Dream(It's an international competition). Leave a comment on Molly's blog to enter!
Molly Hacker is a fictional character created by the author Lisette Brodey. Lisette has appeared on my blog in the past talking about her books. I am a fan of hers. If you haven't read her book Crooked Moon, you must go and buy it now! It's excellent.
Lisette's novel, 'Molly Hacker Is Too Picky!' is due to be released later this year.
My New Book Trailer for The Dream
My new and improved book trailer for The Dream is currently being featured on World Versus Me's YouTube Channel!
World Versus Me on YouTube
The backing track for the trailer is 'Mansions of Thought' by World Versus Me. This is the tune I originally wanted to use for the trailer, but initially had to use a different one due to licensing problems. I think it fits the mood of my book well, and goes well with the photographs. Hope you like it!
Check out some of World Versus Me's other tunes while you're at the YouTube Channel! Find out more about their music at their official website:
World Versus Me
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World Versus Me on YouTube
The backing track for the trailer is 'Mansions of Thought' by World Versus Me. This is the tune I originally wanted to use for the trailer, but initially had to use a different one due to licensing problems. I think it fits the mood of my book well, and goes well with the photographs. Hope you like it!
Check out some of World Versus Me's other tunes while you're at the YouTube Channel! Find out more about their music at their official website:
World Versus Me
[image error]
Destiny vs. Choice
My latest novel The Dream is a fantasy tale that explores the power of fate in our lives. There is no definite answer as to whether fate determines what happens to us or whether what happens to us is a result of choices that we make. Most people will believe in something in between.
In my novel, Lynne is about to get married, but she begins to question her choice of marriage partner shortly before she is due to walk up the aisle. When the story enters the realm of fantasy, the question that arises is whether Lynne's actions caused her to follow the path she took, or whether fate was holding the cards all along.
The idea of fate and destiny is an interesting one and as there is not definitive answer I found it was a fun subject to explore in a fiction novel. In real life, great thinkers, philosophers, religious leaders, and scientists have been pondering the subject for many centuries and their findings seems to create more questions than answers.
As many of you know, I am a reviewer for Bookpleasures.com
Part of this role involves sifting through emails and choosing books to review. I recently chose to read Destiny vs. Choice: The Scientific and Spiritual Evidence Behind Fate and Free Will by Marie D. Jones. My fate decided that I should end up with two copies of the book in the post... so, as I have an extra copy I am giving one away on my blog.
Will it be your destiny to win my extra copy of 'Destiny vs. Choice'? You'll have to enter to find out :)
All you have to do to enter is click the 'Like' button on this post, or leave a comment. If you do leave a comment I'd be interested to hear your views on whether there is such a thing as destiny or do we choose our future?
A winner will be chosen at random on 8th October 2011.
In my novel, Lynne is about to get married, but she begins to question her choice of marriage partner shortly before she is due to walk up the aisle. When the story enters the realm of fantasy, the question that arises is whether Lynne's actions caused her to follow the path she took, or whether fate was holding the cards all along.
The idea of fate and destiny is an interesting one and as there is not definitive answer I found it was a fun subject to explore in a fiction novel. In real life, great thinkers, philosophers, religious leaders, and scientists have been pondering the subject for many centuries and their findings seems to create more questions than answers.
As many of you know, I am a reviewer for Bookpleasures.com
Part of this role involves sifting through emails and choosing books to review. I recently chose to read Destiny vs. Choice: The Scientific and Spiritual Evidence Behind Fate and Free Will by Marie D. Jones. My fate decided that I should end up with two copies of the book in the post... so, as I have an extra copy I am giving one away on my blog.
Will it be your destiny to win my extra copy of 'Destiny vs. Choice'? You'll have to enter to find out :)
All you have to do to enter is click the 'Like' button on this post, or leave a comment. If you do leave a comment I'd be interested to hear your views on whether there is such a thing as destiny or do we choose our future?
A winner will be chosen at random on 8th October 2011.
The Dream now available in Paperback on Amazon.com and B&N!
My latest novel The Dream is now available in paperback at Amazon US and B&N
B&N have a special price at the moment of only $6.86 for the paperback! Here's the link: The Dream at B&N
Here's the Amazon link: The Dream at Amazon
In other news, I have reduced the price of Pieces of a Rainbow, my themed collection of short stories, to just $0.99/£0.86 on Kindle at Amazon for a limited period:
Pieces of a Rainbow Amazon US
Pieces of a Rainbow Amazon UK
My books are also making their way onto Nook.
As ever, all the 'buy' links can be found on my website: Official Website: Maria Savva
You can also read excerpts from all my books on my website.
