Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "youtube"
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!
BestsellerBound has a YouTube Channel!
Those of you who follow my blog will already know that I am a moderator and resident author at the writers' forum, BestsellerBound
Author Darcia Helle created the forum a couple of years ago and invited me and author Stacy Juba to join her as resident authors on the board. The forum has become very popular over the past 2 years and we are also on Twitter, and of course we have the new blog that I announced a couple of months ago: BestsellerBound Recommends, staffed by Darcia Helle, J. Michael Radcliffe, and me. You can also find Bestsellerbound Recommends on Twitter
Darcia has recently started creating book trailers to help promote books by BestsellerBound members. You can find her YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/QuietFury...
Please take a moment to browse around the channel if you're looking for a new book to read; there are books in all genres to suit all tastes.
Among the trailers on the YouTube channel, you'll find one that features all my books: Books By Maria Savva
Thanks again to Darcia Helle for creating these trailers. Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel so you won't miss any new ones.
Author Darcia Helle created the forum a couple of years ago and invited me and author Stacy Juba to join her as resident authors on the board. The forum has become very popular over the past 2 years and we are also on Twitter, and of course we have the new blog that I announced a couple of months ago: BestsellerBound Recommends, staffed by Darcia Helle, J. Michael Radcliffe, and me. You can also find Bestsellerbound Recommends on Twitter
Darcia has recently started creating book trailers to help promote books by BestsellerBound members. You can find her YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/QuietFury...
Please take a moment to browse around the channel if you're looking for a new book to read; there are books in all genres to suit all tastes.
Among the trailers on the YouTube channel, you'll find one that features all my books: Books By Maria Savva
Thanks again to Darcia Helle for creating these trailers. Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel so you won't miss any new ones.
Getting to Know You...
Author Darcia Helle is currently producing a great series of videos on the Bestsellerbound YouTube Channel where she asks authors questions to help readers get to know more about them.
I will be answering 5 questions in the series. The first question I was asked was: 'Destiny' or 'fate' is an underlying theme in some of your books. Do you believe in destiny?
My answer is here: http://youtu.be/r2W73P1ngKk
Other authors who have taken part in this series so far are Sylvia Massara and J. Michael Radcliffe
Have a browse around the BestsellerBound You Tube Channel to check out their interviews, and you can also find lots of book trailers to help you decide on your next read.
I'll be posting links to the rest of my questions in the 'Getting to Know You' series on this blog.
I will be answering 5 questions in the series. The first question I was asked was: 'Destiny' or 'fate' is an underlying theme in some of your books. Do you believe in destiny?
My answer is here: http://youtu.be/r2W73P1ngKk
Other authors who have taken part in this series so far are Sylvia Massara and J. Michael Radcliffe
Have a browse around the BestsellerBound You Tube Channel to check out their interviews, and you can also find lots of book trailers to help you decide on your next read.
I'll be posting links to the rest of my questions in the 'Getting to Know You' series on this blog.
Getting to Know You... Part 2
The second instalment of my interview in the BestsellerBound video/podcast series, produced by author Darcia Helle, is now available on YouTube.
In this part, I was asked to talk about one of my favourite places on earth. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXinZy...
Enjoy!
In this part, I was asked to talk about one of my favourite places on earth. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXinZy...
Enjoy!
Getting to Know You... Part 3
The third instalment of my Getting To Know You interview has been uploaded onto YouTube by the multi-talented author Darcia Helle.
Find out, by follwing this link, whether I prefer the country or the city: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRkwPZ...
Darcia Helle is producing video podcasts for various authors, as well as book trailers featuring the books of BestsellerBound members. You can find lots of great interviews and book trailers on her You Tube Channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/QuietFury...
Enjoy!
Find out, by follwing this link, whether I prefer the country or the city: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRkwPZ...
Darcia Helle is producing video podcasts for various authors, as well as book trailers featuring the books of BestsellerBound members. You can find lots of great interviews and book trailers on her You Tube Channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/QuietFury...
Enjoy!
A-Z of Self-publishing and writing tips: U-Z
In this final part of my self-publishing and writing tips, I'm covering the letters U-Z.
I hope that both writers and readers have found this series helpful. I'll put links to the older blogs in the series at the bottom of the post so that you can refer to them in case you missed any.
U
Usage
Here are a few common grammatical issues that I pick up when reading independent works.
1. Blonde/blond.
The general rule here is that blonde is used when describing a female and blond when describing a male. Too often, I see indie authors using the terms wrongly.
2. Awhile/ a while
You should NEVER use awhile after you've used the word 'for'. NEVER.
Awhile means 'for a time' (hence no need to use 'for' in front of it).
3. Using a speechmark/inverted comma instead of an apostrophe. Most commonly I've spotted it when authors write 'em (shortening for them). This requires an apostrophe before the 'e' but more often than not, I see speechmarks.
V
"Very" and similar words
There's a famous quote from Mark Twain: “Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very;' your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”
I agree that the use of words, such as 'very' are often repeated too much in manuscripts. When you are editing you should look out for as many repeated words as possible, and either cut them out or think of a different word that could be used in their place.
Voting
This is a point for readers to note. Here on Goodreads, there are various 'listopia' lists, where you can vote for your favourite books. This is a good way to help your favourite writers by recommending their books to other Goodreads users. When you finish a good book, please consider adding it to a few of the current lists.
W
Website
For writers, I think it's a good idea to have your own website. I like having a website because I can use it to keep a record of all the events in my writing life, I can link to all my books, my blog, and all my networking sites. It makes it easier for readers to find out what they want to know without having to visit a hundred different places: http://www.mariasavva.com
Writer's Block
I don't think writer's block exists. Yes, writers will find that there are times when they are unable to come up with anything new, they'll maybe panic that they will never write again, but there are simple ways to combat these feelings, and the causes are usually more to do with fear than any real issue.
The concept of writer's block probably developed because someone had a deadline to meet and couldn't meet it because they had 'run out of words'.
The great thing about being self-published is that we don't have deadlines. You can take your time to perfect your writing, and shouldn't feel rushed. Despite some advice to the contrary, I don't think it's necessary to write every day, in fact, I would say that is detrimental; unless you're working on a novel and you want to keep up the flow and get the first draft written. Take your time. Be inspired by the world around you. It sounds silly, but 'wait' for the ideas to come to you and then write them, rather than chasing ideas, in a frantic rush to get some words on paper.
If you ever find yourself unable to write and you stare at a blank page for hours, the best thing to do is stop trying. Go and do something else. Your brain is probably overworked and needs a recharge, or you have probably been sitting at a computer in a room for too long and have run out of inspiration. We need to engage in the world around us as writers in order to be inspired and find things to write about.
Alternatively, if you are working on a particular project and you can't find a way to continue that, start working on another. More often than not you will soon find that you are then able to go back to your other project and continue that. Probably your brain needed time to think about it. The creative process is linked to the subconscious mind, so when we think too much we're not doing ourselves any favours. Sometimes the mind needs to work things out on its own, without our own conscious chattering.
Another suggestion when you're running low on writing fodder is that you should go and read. Read widely, lots of different genres, and read a lot. If I ever meet writers who tell me they don't read, I am always suspicious of them and of their writing skills. A typical writer is addicted to words and language, is usually a bookworm.
X
I couldn't come up with anything beginning with X, but did find this rather funny post online about a book that was written about things found inside people in X-Rays, LOL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11...
A cassette?
Back to slightly more serious stuff:
Y
Yahoo Groups
I don't really use these due to lack of time, but have joined a few writing/literary groups on Yahoo. They seem to work in the same way as groups you can join on LinkedIn or Goodreads, where writers can chat and promote etc.
YouTube
YouTube is fast becoming one of the most popular places for promotion. I make my own book trailers and upload them there: http://www.youtube.com/user/MariaSavv.... I am yet to discover the best way to get more views, so if anyone has any tips please leave them in the comments below.
Bestsellerbound has a YouTube channel, showcasing books by our members.
Darcia Helle produces those videos. She also recently started interviewing authors and producing audio videos. You may have seen those in some of my earlier blogs. Here's a link to the channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/QuietFury...
Z
As with 'X' I struggled to find something beginning with 'Z', so I'll end the series with a bit of fun (because remember, writing is supposed to be fun!).
Here's a picture of Zebedee from one of my favourite TV programmes as a child: The Magic Roundabout:
Zebedee is a magician, and book are magic, are they not?
If you're in doubt, here's a quote from one of the greatest writers:
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
― Roald Dahl
That concludes the series... I hope you enjoyed it.
Links to the other blog posts in the series:
A-C: http://nutsandcrisps.wordpress.com/20...
D-F: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
G: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
H-J: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
K-M: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
N-P: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
Q-S: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
T: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
I hope that both writers and readers have found this series helpful. I'll put links to the older blogs in the series at the bottom of the post so that you can refer to them in case you missed any.
U
Usage
Here are a few common grammatical issues that I pick up when reading independent works.
1. Blonde/blond.
The general rule here is that blonde is used when describing a female and blond when describing a male. Too often, I see indie authors using the terms wrongly.
2. Awhile/ a while
You should NEVER use awhile after you've used the word 'for'. NEVER.
Awhile means 'for a time' (hence no need to use 'for' in front of it).
3. Using a speechmark/inverted comma instead of an apostrophe. Most commonly I've spotted it when authors write 'em (shortening for them). This requires an apostrophe before the 'e' but more often than not, I see speechmarks.
V
"Very" and similar words
There's a famous quote from Mark Twain: “Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very;' your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”
I agree that the use of words, such as 'very' are often repeated too much in manuscripts. When you are editing you should look out for as many repeated words as possible, and either cut them out or think of a different word that could be used in their place.
Voting
This is a point for readers to note. Here on Goodreads, there are various 'listopia' lists, where you can vote for your favourite books. This is a good way to help your favourite writers by recommending their books to other Goodreads users. When you finish a good book, please consider adding it to a few of the current lists.
W
Website
For writers, I think it's a good idea to have your own website. I like having a website because I can use it to keep a record of all the events in my writing life, I can link to all my books, my blog, and all my networking sites. It makes it easier for readers to find out what they want to know without having to visit a hundred different places: http://www.mariasavva.com
Writer's Block
I don't think writer's block exists. Yes, writers will find that there are times when they are unable to come up with anything new, they'll maybe panic that they will never write again, but there are simple ways to combat these feelings, and the causes are usually more to do with fear than any real issue.
The concept of writer's block probably developed because someone had a deadline to meet and couldn't meet it because they had 'run out of words'.
The great thing about being self-published is that we don't have deadlines. You can take your time to perfect your writing, and shouldn't feel rushed. Despite some advice to the contrary, I don't think it's necessary to write every day, in fact, I would say that is detrimental; unless you're working on a novel and you want to keep up the flow and get the first draft written. Take your time. Be inspired by the world around you. It sounds silly, but 'wait' for the ideas to come to you and then write them, rather than chasing ideas, in a frantic rush to get some words on paper.
If you ever find yourself unable to write and you stare at a blank page for hours, the best thing to do is stop trying. Go and do something else. Your brain is probably overworked and needs a recharge, or you have probably been sitting at a computer in a room for too long and have run out of inspiration. We need to engage in the world around us as writers in order to be inspired and find things to write about.
Alternatively, if you are working on a particular project and you can't find a way to continue that, start working on another. More often than not you will soon find that you are then able to go back to your other project and continue that. Probably your brain needed time to think about it. The creative process is linked to the subconscious mind, so when we think too much we're not doing ourselves any favours. Sometimes the mind needs to work things out on its own, without our own conscious chattering.
Another suggestion when you're running low on writing fodder is that you should go and read. Read widely, lots of different genres, and read a lot. If I ever meet writers who tell me they don't read, I am always suspicious of them and of their writing skills. A typical writer is addicted to words and language, is usually a bookworm.
X
I couldn't come up with anything beginning with X, but did find this rather funny post online about a book that was written about things found inside people in X-Rays, LOL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11...
A cassette?
Back to slightly more serious stuff:
Y
Yahoo Groups
I don't really use these due to lack of time, but have joined a few writing/literary groups on Yahoo. They seem to work in the same way as groups you can join on LinkedIn or Goodreads, where writers can chat and promote etc.
YouTube
YouTube is fast becoming one of the most popular places for promotion. I make my own book trailers and upload them there: http://www.youtube.com/user/MariaSavv.... I am yet to discover the best way to get more views, so if anyone has any tips please leave them in the comments below.
Bestsellerbound has a YouTube channel, showcasing books by our members.
Darcia Helle produces those videos. She also recently started interviewing authors and producing audio videos. You may have seen those in some of my earlier blogs. Here's a link to the channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/QuietFury...
Z
As with 'X' I struggled to find something beginning with 'Z', so I'll end the series with a bit of fun (because remember, writing is supposed to be fun!).
Here's a picture of Zebedee from one of my favourite TV programmes as a child: The Magic Roundabout:
Zebedee is a magician, and book are magic, are they not?
If you're in doubt, here's a quote from one of the greatest writers:
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
― Roald Dahl
That concludes the series... I hope you enjoyed it.
Links to the other blog posts in the series:
A-C: http://nutsandcrisps.wordpress.com/20...
D-F: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
G: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
H-J: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
K-M: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
N-P: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
Q-S: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
T: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
