Authors Lounge discussion

A great idea, I look forward to participating, love the rules as some discussions doe get nasty and I have left a few groups/sites because of this.

That is 'do' the active verb, not 'doe' from the animal world, sorry. Though on reflection the latter might fit some discussions I have seen going on in other places!!!

Hi Carroll, Mary, and others. This is a good idea. What are your current writing projects?

Hi Carroll,

Thanks for creating the group. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone better! Brenda, I'm currently working on a psychological/paranormal thriller. This is a completely new genre for me, so we'll see how it goes...lol. I'm having fun with it so far. What about you?

I've written the first of a series of short, humorous (I hope) stories involving characters from somewhere in Appalachia. I grew up in KY, and I'm using regional dialect and trying to use just enough to give flavor. What is your paranormal thriller about? That's a really hot genre.

Hello, I'm A. F. stewart and I'm an indie fantasy/horror author from Nova Scotia, Canada. I've written several short fiction and poetry collections, a vampire novella and I just released a new fantasy book. Now I'm trying to find time to finish a gothic horror/paranormal/sort of romance/revenge novel.

A.F., I like the sound of your gothic horror/paranormal/romance/revenge novel. It sounds like it has all the ingredients for a real page-turner.

Hello everyone. Thank you so much for the invite Carol. I am looking forward to getting to know you all.

Hi Everyone--Thanks for the invite, Carroll. Unleashed (Book 1 in my paranormal romance series) was released on 10/1/11 and four more titles will be released over the coming months. I'm published by Sourcebooks and I have a second series that is in the works. My agent is hammering out the contract details with the publisher :) I have a full-time job as Director of High Schol & Community Relations at a college here in NY but I look forward to being able to support myself fulltime as an author...sooner rather than later I hope.
Great connecting with all of you here!

One thing that I've found helpful is cross-blogging or cross-marketing. I've hooked up with folks who have podcasts or blog talk radio in the same genre that I write. It's a quid pro quo. You provide an interview for their show and they provide a blog post for your blog. It's a great way to connect with a new audience. Additionally, I've hooked up with up and coming musicians. THey've provided me with royalty free music for video trailers and I give them credit/shout outs on various social media sites.

Hi, I'm Amy. I have several books out and have been published in the US and North Korea. I have several projects outlined and am trying to decide which one I want to work on next.

Cool. Do you have anything online where folks can have a listen?

Hello to all from a Brit living in Spain.

I have 5 books available under 2 pen-names. PAST SINS was originally a paperback but my publisher went under. I took the opportunity to smooth out a few wrinkles and re-released it as an ebook.

I would like to say thanks for the invite. I look forward to an authors-only-group, I think it might develop into a valuable resource.

Hello all, and thanks to Carroll for the invitation. I may be quiet for a while since I just released the first book in my second trilogy, and I had better get cracking on the next two books. I look forward to interacting in the future. Warm regards, Brian

Hello everyone, and thanks for the invite Carroll. I am an Indie Fantasy author with several books out. When I am not writing I read a lot, so I blog about books and other authors as I am able. I also dabble in book cover design. I posted in the blogger section as well with contact info. Feel free to reach out for an interview or setting up a blog tour stop any time or a review (when I start accepting them again in January).

Good meeting you guys - Christine

Hello everyone,

Carroll, thank you for the invite. I am loving the idea of a nice, peaceful place to talk about our writing.

I am a storyteller at heart. I write women's fiction with a touch of romance. My third novel (and first in a series) is due for release November 15th, so I've been really busy lately. I'm hoping to take some time to breathe over the holidays and do some more reading for a change!

I look forward to learning more about you all. Again, it's a pleasure to be here and thank you.

Collette

Hi. I'm Cat. Thank you for the invitation. This seems like a really good idea so happy to be part of it. I also like the rules - simple, straightforward and relevant. Well done all round Carroll!

I write mainly (but not exclusively) paranormal fiction under the name Catherine Cavendish and I've also been rather busy lately. 'In My Lady's Chamber' and 'Say A Little Prayer' are already out there as ebooks and Etopia Press is publishing my paranormal/horror novella, 'Cold Revenge' on Friday 28th October (3 days to go!). 'The Demons of Cambian Street' will be out later this year as will 'The Dust Storm.

Looking forward to learning more about each of you and chatting soon. Thank you again for inviting me.

Cat

Hi, I'm Cesar
I have my book coming out in early 2012
its called
Book Of Prophecies
www.cesarprophecies.com
I love writing and have several other manuscripts waiting to be published :) Thanks for the invite and I am looking forward to getting talking with other authors :)

Carroll, thank you for the invite!

Hello, everyone. I'm Heidi.

This year I had two releases MANY GENRES, ONE CRAFT (a writing guide I co-edited with Michael A. Arznen based on the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction Program--I am adjunct faculty there) and my Science Fiction Romance novel AMBASADORA, which was my graduate thesis when I went through the program at Seton Hill.

I would like to offer all members an author interview on my blog. Should I provide the information here or start a new thread, Carroll?

Brenda wrote: "I've written the first of a series of short, humorous (I hope) stories involving characters from somewhere in Appalachia. I grew up in KY, and I'm using regional dialect and trying to use just enou..."

My husband writes Appalachian Gothic fiction, Brenda. Most of his work takes place in West Virginia. The second in his series is due out in December. The first one is THE DEVIL AND PRESTON BLACK. Maybe you two could do some marketing together?

Sara wrote: "One thing that I've found helpful is cross-blogging or cross-marketing. I've hooked up with folks who have podcasts or blog talk radio..."

I would be interested to hear more about this, Sara. Do you have a list of resources you would be willing to share? :)

Hi everyone! Carroll, thanks so much for the invite; I'll definitely be coming here for resources!
I'm Malissa. I have a few self published e-short stories up on Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords, and I'm getting ready to put up a manual on e-publishing, which I wrote as part of my MFA at Stonecoast. It's been a fascinating experience to e-publish, especially as I was probably the last person in generation Y to get on facebook and twitter! Any advice on self-promotion would be most welcome. :-)

Hey everybody! Thank you, Carroll, for inviting me! I love this! I think it's great to be able to speak with other authors and support each other! My background is historical fiction and action/adventure. I have two published novels - one historical fiction and one fantasy fiction, and I have just put out the first in a series of action/adventure fiction. I can't wait to meet you all!

Thanks for the invitation Carroll.

I'm a new author, having self-published in July 2011. My book Gray Justice has had some great reviews but dismal sales, and I'm hoping the next book is more successful. Hoping I can get some ideas for getting the book to the readers.

Hey Alan. Have you ever tried branding by perhaps writing an aricle about the book or taking a book review that you've received and posting it on various sites - like Zimbio? They allow you to contribute artices and it's free.

Thanks for that Amy. I've signed up for Zimbio and will get working on it tonight. All I need now is to find a way of cramming 72 hours into one day and I'll have time for everything :-)

Alan wrote: "All I need now is to find a way of cramming 72 hours into one day and I'll have time for everything :-)"

If you manage that, please let me know!

Thanks for inviting me to the group! I published 2 YA novels with Penguin in 07 and 08 and have the rights back. I'm relaunching them as ebooks (with new covers and their original titles), plus will follow with 4 brand new books. In this new age of publishing in which only a select few titles get all the marketing dollars, I believe authors of "smaller" stories need to take control of their properties and reach their readers on their own. At least that's what I'm doing! Cheers~

Hi All,
My name is Elle Lapraim and I write Sci-fi and fantasy short stories. I also have a Facebook page where I help support young female authors. We have almost 2,000 followers so we get some good descussions going! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elle-La...
I can't wait to meet all the great authors on this group and start some great discussions.

Hello I'm Jack Tar. I wrote a memoir / historical piece that deals with many social-historical issues. I have been told by one person that it is too complicated. As it is a true story about my complicated family from Central Connecticut which was a jewel of America before the gilded age and now many areas are considered the worst towns in America.

It deals with the destruction of natural resources - the start of industry - the death of industry and the economy - boxing - and how the media tied it all together.

It's so hard to get a story out and about...

The characters are intriguing and the story starts in my families ancestral neighborhood in Scotland...

Any suggestions would be great. Still needs some work.

Thanks Carol I will be looking forward. I just finished the book 2012 Guide to literary Agents that ordained that self publishing was a gimmick destined to keep one from getting his book picked up by agent or publisher. Awful heavy stuff in that book. Seems to a beginner like me to be another dark mark on the publishing industry. Is this true?

Hi! I am new on here. Thanks for the invite! I have written a funny pregnancy book and also a childrens bedtime book. At this time, I am really trying to promote my childrens book. Does anyone have any suggestions...I am learning a lot, but it doesn't seem to be working as much as i had hoped. Thanks!

Hello All,
thanks for inviting me to join. I'm looking for some ways to boost sales of my new book Angel's Bend. As it's not my usual chick lit genre, the sales are slow at the moment.
Anyone who has some good ideas is welcome to let me know.
LA x

Hey everyone! Thanks Carroll for the invite.

I'm Tawny Stokes, also go by the pen name Vivi Anna. I'm multi-published in paranormal romance with Harlequin, Kensington, Avon and others. I recently self-pubbed an UF under Vivi and 2 YA books under Tawny.

I love Goodreads. I love books and discussing them. I've gotten so many great book recs here its insane. It's liek having my own personal library.

Hi Carroll,

Thanks so much for the invite, Very innovative and logical idea for a group. I look forward to following and participating as part of my regular online "rounds".

Hey Joseph, Tawny & L.A.! Welcome!!

Thanks for the invite Carroll! I'm a romance writer with one book called Crushed Seraphim and another called Poughkeepsie coming out on November 22. I love connecting with readers and think goodreads, twitter and facebook really help facilitate that.

Hi everyone! I'm a 17 year old who is working on getting my novel completely ready for publication. When I'm not writing, you can find me doing school work and reading. However, I much rather do the latter. Look forward to being here! :)

Hi Carroll, Thanks for the invite. I appreciate it. Everything about me can be explained at this blogpost:
http://randyattwood.blogspot.com/2011...
Looking forward to exploring this area. I got kicked off Library Thing and it was hard work to get back on. Shame on me for promoting my own work. Also got kicked off Twitter, but now back on. I just don't understand the rules. Please tell me if I do anything wrong here!

Thanks, Carroll. Wow, you are devoting some serious time to this effort. I admire that.

How do you deal with crossovers who are authors and reviewers?

I've always admired stealth. Well done! I imagine word may leak out. But I also am guessing that entry is limited only to people that you invite. However, what keeps a person from copying posts and posting in other forums? Anyway, love the whole effort. Let me know what book of mine you might be interested in and I'll send you a free download code.

I will be an active and, I hope, helpful participant and looking to learn from my fellow authors.

Hey Randy, your blog looks good, I would not have found it without this string, and group. How could you get kicked off twitter? It seems like everyone promotes something there.
my blog is down at http://alzheimmers.blogspot.com
sort of an educational/political rant, and information about Alzheimer's and vaguely promotional for my book.

Carroll,
I think the group will grow some on its own, however 700 people is a really big supportive community, it could sort of loose some developing intimacy and become like everything else, familiarity can breed safety and people more likely to speak what's on their minds, on the other hand if the group is too small that can get old too. -Just thinking aloud

I know I feel like most everything I learned in the end has been mostly self-taught, all the aspects of publishing, DBA entity, editing, writing, large publishing houses, query letter, agents, pod, self-publishing subsidy pentities, marketing, reviews, publicity, ebooks, this is so much and it seems like information and knowlege plateaus after awhile and in the end: to sell a lot of books ie over 500, (most self publishers max) money, celebrity and conneciotns talk and I figure most of us, while at least myslef don't have all those pre-existing things, just the pasison to write.
Do you see this group being unique from places like RedRoom and Atuhors Den?

@Joseph I fear Alzheimmers beyond any other disease. I'm sure the majority of the elderly patients that were at Larned State Hospital when I was in high school in the 1960s suffered from Alzheimmers. We just called it dementia and thought it was a normal process of aging.

Joseph wrote: "Hey Randy, your blog looks good, I would not have found it without this string, and group. How could you get kicked off twitter? It seems like everyone promotes something there.
my blog is down ..."

I got kicked off twitter by searching for posts by people or groups I thought would be interested in the subject matter of my novels. In your example, it would mean that if you searched for persons or groups you thought would be interested in Alzheimmers and then told them about your book and they complained then you could be kicked off. I've been reinstated, but I really still don't know what I did wrong in the first place.

Hi I'm a published poet/ performance poet/ slam poet writing long form novels now. I have two long form projects in process on different roads.
Has anyone done Advance Release Copies as Indie self-pub authors? Thinking of publishing current work myself, although I have some offers. Just can't find the venue with the passion -everyone wants to water down the subject matter

Jack wrote: "Thanks Carol I will be looking forward. I just finished the book 2012 Guide to literary Agents that ordained that self publishing was a gimmick destined to keep one from getting his book picked up..."

Jack wrote: "Thanks Carol I will be looking forward. I just finished the book 2012 Guide to literary Agents that ordained that self publishing was a gimmick destined to keep one from getting his book picked up..."

I have trad pub before and so many small presses are BK and mid sized can't offer editorial, promotions and the teeth we need. Put it this was self pubbers who self enough to get noticed get picked up. You must have guts, marketing skills, and great writing. To trad pub you need the same three today to stay in the ring.