The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008

Welcome to the February edition.

Find out about new Kindle books

Pick your destination, find a comfortable seat and enjoy the view from the window.

Thank you for traveling with the Reader’s Station.

The Reader’s Station Quarterly comes out in February, May, August and November. Make sure you don’t miss your next copy.

Escape With Us

Every time we open a book we invite the author to whisk us away to a new and exciting place. It’s the common bond that unites readers and the authors who write them. Reader’s Station gives readers exclusive peeks into the worlds books inhabit. From historical to contemporary to the worlds of fantasy and pure imagination, there are many exciting places the Reader’s Station authors want to take you. So hop aboard for an adventure you’ll not forget.

 Tour guides this issue

Elena Dorothy Bowman http://elenadb.home.comcast.net

Nikki Leigh  http://www.nikkileigh.com

Donna Sunblad - http://www.theinkslinger.net/

Anne Whitfield - http://www.annewhitfield.com

Angela Verdenius http://www.angelaverdenius.com

Bryn Colvin http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin

Dorice Nelson - http://www.doricenelson.com

The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008 – Page 2

Thoughts On Writing - Let’s Pretend Characterization

Part 4

By Dorice Nelson

Mild disclaimer—to give credit where credit is due: Much of the following is my interpretation of how I have used Alice Orr’s workshops on “Writing Characters from the Inside Out,” and how I have used her book, NO MORE REJECTIONS.

            I thought this would be a good time to go over some of the characterization activities we’ve already discussed in the first three parts of this series on Characterization. I must admit that I tend to write my characters based on their adult memories (at the time of a novel’s start) of their youth. If I go all the way back and try to write it as the child they were, I find it difficult to get them where they are when my novels start, and it’s the way adults perceive childhood that make them the people they are.

                In Part 1, we discussed the biological significance of a person’s life. We considered the ramifications of the events that shaped their childhood. I’d like to introduce one of the characters I’m working on now as an example of rounding out your character and adding back story to your novel. Let’s call our character Miriam.

My full name is Miriam Riley, but I go by my birth mother’s maiden name. I was born in Kentucky to the daughter of an American Irish Traveler. I was born at the home of my aunt and, from what I have learned, I caused my mother a great deal of pain during the birth. But, don’t worry. She paid me back in spades. Within a week after my birth, my mother gave me to a Traveler family in a neighboring village and ran away. I am Irish and have learned that my unknown father was also. So, I guess I can consider myself pure-bred, whatever the hell that means other than a hearty laugh.

                While growing up, I was poor and abused. My adoptive parents—I call them that, although they never legally adopted me—were Irish Travelers, like my birth mother’s parents. They constantly moved from one town to another to do jobs of paving, roofing or any kind of construction they could manage in order to cheat people out of their funds. Most times, my so-called father would con an older couple or elderly lady, telling them they needed repairs to different parts of their house and what a wonderful job he and his supposed crew (us kids—there were six of us now—not one of us legally adopted) could do for a comparatively cheap price. Then he would tell the customer that he needed money upfront for supplies. He would even have them sign a dummy contract, but once he got the money we’d all be off to somewhere else. We went so many places and had so many surnames that I’m lucky I know who I am.

                My birth family consisted of my run-away teenage mother and an unknown father. Also my mother was already married to another when I was born, but I didn’t find out who that was until much later in my life. “Who am I?” you ask. “Damned if I know, for sure, and damned if I care.”

I am not close to anyone in my birth family—how could I be since I didn’t know who they were?—although when I found my birth mother, I tried to get to know her. She rejected me again.

                The member of my birth family I am most distant from is my birth father. To this day, I have no idea who he is, nor, to my knowledge, does he know that I exist. I have never been close to anyone in my adoptive family—neither parent treated me well. I went unfed for much of each day, walking through general stores that had food displayed all around. We stole lots of stuff, food, and anything else we thought we might need later or whatever might turn our fancy that day. I stole so much candy in those early days that I hate the sight of it or even the taste of sweets.

                God, I wish I knew who my real father was. I am estranged and alienated from most everyone I’ve ever known. I have no relationship with my birth mother, by her choice, and wouldn’t spit on the best part of the woman who called herself my adoptive mother. While the man of the house abused me and the other young girls, she did nothing, denying vehemently that it ever happened. Fat chance!

                I can’t describe my relationship with my real father. I don’t know him. I have met men in my life and wished they were my real father but few of them had fatherly feelings toward me. My adoptive father I would kill if I could find him, along with the woman who bore me.

                As you can see, I have formed a distinctive person, based on the facts of her birth and childhood, who has thoughts and feelings about her youth. That will make her a more dynamic character in the novel and force her to behave in certain ways that will seem logical to her.

                 Let’s go forward now to the fourth segment of this article on characterization by looking into Outstanding Character Traits. What might be the most important and significant thing that the “I” character has ever discovered about him or her? What might Miriam have discovered? Might she have discovered a reason to help children who are abused? Might she turn out to be an abuser? You could fashion her or one of your characters in any way that you choose. You would have to dig deep and figure out the situation in which characters discovered this thing about themselves. And here Alice Orr suggests that the author write a scene of discovery. The scene itself may or may not be pertinent or appear in the story, but it leads the author to a greater awareness of character.

                 What might your characters consider their greatest talents? Miriam will probably be an artist and perhaps, a teacher of children. Or will I make her an abuser of those same children in deep and mysterious ways? Ah, the power of the author to forge lives for others. What do your characters believe in most strongly? That can be a myriad of beliefs. Perhaps, they are very religious; perhaps, they have none at all. Maybe they believe that power and money are the true worth of a person. Here is your chance to create someone totally new and different. Of course, you must include the reasons why that character has such strong convictions. There is no limit to what you can do with your characters.

                 Let’s take up the matter of likes and dislikes. Each individual will have many likes and dislikes. As you go through these characterization activities, you will discover what likes and dislikes are, how deep they are and what caused them. It’s the feelings and emotions that the character holds within that are important here. What made them like something? What made them dislike something? As you can gather from Miriam, she hated the people who supposedly adopted her but really didn’t. You can feel her dislike—but there is little in the excerpt above to tell you what she likes, if anything.

                 Now, we come to the single most important part of any character’s life. The Goal. Every character should have a goal in a novel. When I say this, I am talking particularly about the hero, the heroine and the villain, but even secondary characters, if they play an active part in the story, should have goals. Webster’s defines ‘goal’ as an end that one strives to attain. Every character you develop should have some sort of goal, unless that character is so unimportant it doesn’t matter what part they play in your novel.

                 What is the goal your characters strive for? What part might they play? What do they think and feel? All of the back story about your characters is important. Writing about your characters as they started through their lives and discovering hidden facets, things they’ve experienced, will give you a clear set of goals for them and rich, rich characters.

The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008 – Page 3

From Novels to Graphic Novels

Bryn Colvin

Graphic novels are effectively comics for older readers – teens and adults. They tend to attract more male readers and authors than females. Perhaps part of the reason for this is the tendency towards superhero punchups, and women who have the superpower of breasts that defy gravity! However, like a significant number of other female readers, I first got into the form thanks to Neil Gaimon’s fabulous Sandman series. He made me realize that comics are a form, not a genre, and you can do anything with them.

A few years ago, I started writing for artist Tom Brown and his Copper Age project (www.myspace.com/copper_age) There are a lot of differences between writing novels and graphic novels. Having written play scripts in the past, I found the transition less painful than it might otherwise have been.

Comic scripts are dominated by speech. You can get away with odd sections of narration, but it’s not the done thing to use a narrator the same way you would in a novel. You also have to be careful handling scene changes, because ‘ten minutes later’ and ‘back at the ranch’ captions every other page look naïve and can disrupt the flow of the story. Telling your story through speech is not easy. If you are used to a third person narrator who can fill in all the gaps, then taking on this new way of working can be a bit of a system shock. When I first started writing plays I found it incredibly difficult. As with all genres, reading around will give you an idea as to how other authors handle it. All of the character’s emotion has to be conveyed by a combination of words and images, so the artist has to get what you’re doing.

The artist sorts out the page layout, and figures out how much text is depicted on each page. This means that it’s not easy to figure out how many pages of text will enable the artist to create the right number of pages of script. Some creators get round this by having the author and artist be the same person, but if you’re just writing, it’s something to watch out for. The artist is also entirely responsible for how everything looks. The means that you don’t write many descriptions. Artists benefit from not being hamstrung by overly fussy descriptions. You need to make sure they have some idea of who the characters are and what the settings are like, and any actions that matter to the story. Otherwise, you just have to trust them to portray your story. With a good artist (like Tom) this is very easy to do.

Artists dominate in the graphic novel market. If you are a writer without an artist, it is very difficult indeed to persuade a big house to take you on – or even a little one for that matter. Shadowline recently ran a contest for writers, but this is rare.

Tom and I have our first publication out with Shadowline this Autumn.

The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008 – Page 4

Nikki Leigh shares a few details about her Misty Cove Chronicles. Interview about Sara – the heroine’s best friend in the historic Misty Cove books.

I’ll include the back cover blurb for the first and second book in the series to set the stage for this book.

Widow’s Walk – Misty Cove Chronicles, Book One

First in a series of three. Days before her wedding, in October 1841, Lizbeth climbs to the widows walk atop her home, with her fiancé. They search the dark and stormy horizon for her father's fishing boat and Lizbeth notices the darkened lighthouse on the point.  In such a violent storm, her father and the other men from Misty Cove need the lighthouse to guide their boats safely into harbor. In the morning and the lighthouse lamps shine out, but it's too late. Death had come in the stormy night and the community is devastated by loss. Is love enough for Lizbeth to overcome the needless death of her father?  Mourning and an investigation into the light's failure delay the wedding. When, at last, Lizbeth and William pledge their love, will they find happiness?

Lady Lightkeeper – Misty Cove Chronicles, Book Two

Lizbeth's happy world is turned upside down. Can she move ahead with her life? Lizbeth keeps an almost obsessive vigil from the lighthouse catwalk. She must find a way to help her children. Friends help her realize she can help the townspeople and move her life ahead. The assistant light keeper helps her learn the ropes of her new job. He is a secretive man. Is he hiding a dark secret or a lifetime of hurt? Lizbeth's children grow up in a time and place where death and loss are prevalent. Can Lizbeth draw on her disappointments and help them understand and cope?

Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.

Sara is the best friend. She was hired about 15 years earlier to live in with Lizbeth and her father. Captain Sullivan brought Sara to the house to care for his young daughter while his fishing boat was at sea. (This backstory will be in a short story I hope to release before November 2007. There will be news about the story on my website. The tentative title is A Whisper on the Waves.)  Sara is in her late 40’s – early 50’s in Lady Lightkeeper. She’s proud of her Portuguese heritage and it is apparent in her appearance. She has long dark hair, an olive complexion and she is a tall woman. Sara is a very loyal person and she cares very much about Lizbeth and her family.

 Who does the "best friend" help in the book?

Sara helps Lizbeth and is her greatest supporter. However, she is also very helpful with Lizbeth’s children – Aidan and Marta.

Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?

Sara is in the story as the former caretaker for Lizbeth when she was much younger. She’s a housekeeper and friend of Lizbeth, the main character. In Widow’s Walk she devoted all her time to help the family, but I gave her some story elements of her own in this book and she even has a boyfriend.

How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?

Lizbeth loves Sara like a mother. Lizbeth lost her mother when she was very young and Sara took care of her for over 15 years. They have a very strong bond, but it is tested within the pages of Lady Lightkeeper.

How would your hero or heroine handle problems or difficulties with the best friend?

This actually happens in the book. A long hidden secret is revealed to the town gossip. This woman mistreats Lizbeth at every opportunity and she loves to harass Sara – so getting word of a big secret is bad news for my heroine and her best friend. I can’t tell you how they handle it, because it gives a lot away.

Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?

Only problems caused by Ida – the villain. But, she really stirs up some big trust issues.

 Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?

Sara will have a short story of her own. She might get more exposure in the future that depends on reader feedback for A Whisper on the Waves.

 Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?

 hadn’t really thought about this, but I have an aunt and a good friend who didn’t raise me, but they have always been there to support me. Sara doesn’t have any physical or personality traits like these two women, but their presence in my life could’ve inspired her character in some ways.

Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.

The only thing I can think of is the fact that the story would be very different without her. She contributes a lot to the story and means a lot to Lizbeth and her family. It simply wouldn’t be the same without her. She’s also been a great character to write.

More information is available on my website at www.nikkileigh.com/books_4_sale.htm.

By the way - my promotional blogs, which everyone is free to use, include all sorts of book and character interviews in case anyone wants a short cut to interviewing a character etc. All the links are included in this post  -

http://muzesmusings.blogspot.com/2007/11/are-you-interested-in-free-book.html

The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008 – Page 5

Author Book Tour From Your Easy Chair

Any author can do a book tour from the comfort of their home. Even if there are two feet of snow in your driveway, you can still have a book tour. It is critical that you have a computer, an internet connection and electricity - but it can definitely be done.

One of the authors that will tour with me in February is even going to be traveling for one week during the month, but she will still be promoting her book.

We've all had book signings where very few people attended. Sadly, book signings with authors aren't the big attraction that they used to be. It can be very expensive and disheartening to plan to book signing and to have only a handful of people attend.

But, there is another way. I suggest that you have a virtual book tour. These are also called virtual blog tours. There are a number of ways to conduct these tours. You can visit a bunch of different blogs throughout the month and encourage potential readers to chase you around. Or, there is a brand new option that I'm very excited about.

With a friend, I just launched a new and different virtual book tour website. I like new, unusual and creative promotional activities because they are more fun and more memorable. That's one of the reasons I'm excited about this new site and a new way to hold a virtual book tour.

Another reason is because this program gives the author control of their tour. Now, if you're an author who doesn't want any control, that's fine. Our authors have the choice to control their tour personally or to have me coordinate each aspect of the tour for them. The possibilities will increase over time and I'd be happy to discuss any ideas with you to customize the tour for you.

Definition of a Virtual Blog or Book Tour

1. Simply, a virtual blog tour is a cyber “tour” of various blogs and websites. These blogs and websites usually have themes that are within the book that is being promoted on the tour. This “tour” allows authors to reach many people as they travel through the blog-o-sphere.

2. A tour contains a set of blog, website interviews, reviews or guest posts that are posted on a series of blogs during a set amount of time. Various blog owners host you and many ask you interview questions about your book or they may request that you write a piece about a specific part or element of your book.

3. Virtual blog tours are a wonderful alternative to a “live” bookstore tour. A bookstore tour can be very expensive, consume a lot of your time, take you away from your family and job and there is no guarantee that it will be successful. A blog tour can be done from home and in your pajamas if that’s what you prefer.

The Virtual Book Tour Website

I'd like to invite each person to visit the new site. The address is www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion. This is a site that was created to promote and host author book tours and to make it easy for potential readers to learn more about a wide variety of books and authors.

Each touring author is given a section of the website to promote their books. For a couple of examples, feel free to visit - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/.... This page links you to each author that is touring in February and I will create a similar page for touring authors each month. In February, we have three authors touring at this point and I'm talking with several more. For more information about the February authors, visit that page and click on their name. These authors include: Earl Ofari Hutchinson, Steven Clark Bradley and Virginia Vassallo. You are invited to visit and learn more about their books.

This page takes you to Earl Ofari Hutchinson's information http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/... and all information throughout the month will be linked to this page. To visit Steven Clark Bradley’s tour, click - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising. To visit Virginia Vassallo’s tour, click http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Virginia+Vassallo. Each month we will have various authors and everyone is welcome to visit and meet new authors and to learn about new books.

In addition, the various posts will remain in our archives for people to view even after the tours are over. The site is designed in a way that attracts the search engines and that will generate links to your information.

I've written a short e-book for each of our touring authors to help them learn how to use the site, how to create a variety of items to post during their tour and ways to make the most of their tour. I'm also available to help with questions and to offer suggestions about how to make the most of your tour. Another great advantage is that each author benefits from the traffic generated by other touring authors on the site.

The site offers the chance for website, newsletter and blog owners to promote their sites to visitors. These are site "sponsors". All I ask is that the blog and website owners post a simple promotional message once a week. I'll supply a message for the sponsors to use. This is one of the ways the touring authors will be promoted around the internet. If you're a blog or website owner, feel free to contact me for more information. I can be reached at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com. I would love to talk to you about the options to promote your book.

Nikki Leigh - Author of the Book Promo 101 series
Visit www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm for more information
Tours on the virtual book tour website begin at only $105 for a full month.

The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008 – Page 6

Kindle

Kindle is a wireless, hand held reading device now on sale from Amazon. Currently they are not being shipped outside the USA but it’s probably just a matter of time before they become more widely available. To go with this new book reader, Amazon are also selling books in Kindle format – not unlike the e-books you might already have been getting though the email. Some of our Reader’s Station authors are already available in this exciting new format. Details of the Kindle books you can buy are below.

Nikki Leigh

Widow's Walk - Book One of the Misty Cove Chronicles
http://www.amazon.com/Widows-Walk/dp/B000GCFEGC/nikkileighaut-20

Lady Lightkeeper - Book Two of the Misty Cove Chronicles
http://www.amazon.com/Lady-Lightkeeper-Book-Two-Misty-Cove/dp/B000UV01K8/nikkileighaut-20

Lilah and the Locket - Cape Hatteras Series - 1954
http://www.amazon.com/Lilah-and-the-Locket/dp/B000MAH6NM/nikkileighaut-20

Elena Dorothy Bowman

The House on The Bluff: - Book 1 Legacy Series
http://www.amazon.com/House-Bluff-Book-1-Legacy/dp/B000GCFEY4/ref=sr_oe_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200260110&sr=1-1

Contact - Sarah's Landing-I
http://www.amazon.com/Contact-Sarahs-Landing-Book-I/dp/B000NO2DOY/ref=sr_oe_2_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200260110&sr=1-2

Gatekeepers' Realm = Book 2 - Legacy Series
http://www.amazon.com/Gatekeepers-Realm-Book-Two-Legacy/dp/B000MAH6KU/ref=sr_oe_3_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200260110&sr=1-3

Genesis - Sarah's Landing-IV
http://www.amazon.com/Genesis-Sarahs-Landing-Book-IV/dp/B000Q9J03I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200260110&sr=1-4

The Barbarians - Sarah's Landing-III
http://www.amazon.com/Barbarians-Sarahs-Landing-Book-III/dp/B000OI11CO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200260110&sr=1-5

The Telepaths of Theon - Sarah's Landing -II
http://www.amazon.com/Telepaths-Theon-Sarahs-Landing-Book/dp/B000N0WTV0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200260110&sr=1-6

Time Rift
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Rift/dp/B000JMKN2Y/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200260110&sr=1-7

Adams Point - Book III - Legacy Series
http://www.amazon.com/Adams-Point-Book-III-Legacy/dp/B000N2HC6K/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200260110&sr=1-8

Dorice Nelson

Lost Son of Ireland  on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Son-of-Ireland/dp/B000GCFEG2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200308114&sr=1-2

Clan Gunn: Gerek http://www.amazon.com/Clan-Gunn-Gerek/dp/B000GCFDWC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1200308156&sr=1-2

Saratoga Summer http://www.amazon.com/Saratoga-Summer/dp/B000GCFE0I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1200308156&sr=1-3

The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008 – Page 7

New Releases

The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

November 2007 – Page 8

New Reviews

Gatekeeper’s Realm http://www.onceuponaromance.net/Gatekeeper'sRealmReview.htm
http://www.onceuponaromance.net/Gatekeeper%27sRealmReview.htm

http://www.romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/paranormal/Gatekeeper_s_Realm_7970.shtml

Adam’s Point http://www.onceuponaromance.net/Adam'sPointReview.htm
http://www.onceuponaromance.net/Adam%27sPointReview.htm

http://www.romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/paranormal/Legacy_Series_Adam_s_Point.shtml

Heart of a Peacekeeper received 5 cups from Coffee Time Romances!

“…the wild west set in outer space, and I loved it! There is non-stop action, romance, and intrigue. Ms. Verdenius is a master at giving you just enough information to keep you on the edge of your seat, and primed for what is going to happen next…I gladly give this book our highest rating, and look forward to reading more by this author!”

Regina
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance                                                                       

Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

 http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Heartofapeacekeeper.html

Reviewed By the Reader’s Station

Betty Vos’ poetry collection One Bird Sings reviewed at www.druidnetwork.org by Bryn Colvin

Kevan Manwaring’s novel The Long Woman reviewed at www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin

Ruth White ‘Working with your Soul’ and Emma Restall Orr and William Melnyk’s ‘The Apple and The Thorn’ reviewed at http://www.myspace.com/Brynneth_n_colvin

Reviews for Book Promo 101 – Learn the Basics of Book Promotion by Nikki Leigh

(Currently available in e-book – available in print March 2008)

As a published author I constantly seek to increase my knowledge on how to market and promote my books. I have read hundreds of books, eBooks and reports on effective marketing ideas. One of the best, hands down, is Book Promo 101; Learn the Basics of Book Promotion. Author Nikki Leigh covers an incredible amount of information that any serious author needs to know in order to catapult book sales. This is a MUST HAVE resource. Don't think about it for another minute. Order your copy today. You will be glad you did.

Kathleen Gage - The Street Smarts Marketer

Bestselling Author - The Law of Achievement

www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

~*~

"An author can never get too much information about promotion. Book Promo 101 is a great starter. I can't think of a single aspect of promotion it doesn't address." ~ Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of The Frugal Book Promoter.

~*~

"Every author should cut his or her teeth on Book Promo 101.  The basics are all here. They'll put any author on the path to success." ~ Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers.

~*~

In Book Promo 101 of her Basics of Book Promotion Series, Nikki Leigh has done it again, she’s written a book that is invaluable. Not only is the book instructive with a surplus of useful information, it's an attitude-changing, goal-oriented dissertation on advertising, promotion and publicity. Authors, especially 'newbie' ones, could use all of the suggestions made in the book, which include how-to, why-to and where-to.

At the same time, Ms. Leigh allows the readers options to choose what suits a particular person's way of working. My hat is off to Ms. Leigh for the very beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary series--something much needed in the book industry and one I'll use again and again.

Dorice Nelson, author of: Clan Gunn: Gerek; Lost Son of Ireland; Saratoga Summer: 1863 www.DoriceNelson.com

 ~*~

“ONE OF THE BEST! Without a doubt one of the most important tools of our decade for any writer in any stage of their career. All of the contributors are experts in their field and offer tons of sensible and inspirational ideas which ,when compiled and presented in such professional manner, is simply incredible. My advise to all who has chosen our profession, get this one as soon as possible and keep it handy.”

—Carroll M. Jones, author of Murder on Margin.

 ~*~

“A book no writer should be without. Nikki Leigh’s book on promotion is the best!”

—author Arline Chase, author of How to Promote, Market, and Advertise Your Published Book.

 ~*~

This is one of the most useful promotion tools, and the most valuable addition to our library. It will become a fundamental cornerstone for our publishing company's promotional efforts, and a welcome addition to our author's libraries.

Enspiren Press/Senior Editor'

 ~*~

I believe this is the best book published in recent months for new authors who have little idea how to start their promotion. Book Promo 101 gives them a wonderful foundation and helps them to build their promotional skills through additional information and review questions in each chapter. This is a book that both new and established authors need on their writing resource bookshelf. 

Grace Publishing Media

 ~*~

Book Promotion 101, the first in a series from author Nikki Leigh, is clearly a book written by an author with that rare blend of writing talent and keen business savvy.  The book starts out by introducing the basics of promotion and tricks to help the reader develop what the author calls the "Marketing Mind" - something that doesn't always come easily for authors.  Interspersed with meaty "how to" chapters, are advice from professionals in the world of book promotion, as well as tips and tricks from Muze, her cat and writing companion.  Each chapter ends with exercises to reinforce the concepts it introduced and to help you dig deeper in your promotional efforts.

While all that is great, what makes Book Promotion 101 really unique is the depth and breadth of the subject matter covered: when to begin promoting your book, ways to promote through the development and presentation of your book, hiring and working with a publicist (and deciding if you need too!), how to develop a marketing plan, write an effective biography, build a press kit, get press coverage and book reviews, develop a brand and a website that reinforces it, ways to build your credibility as an author and why that's important, and even where to look for markets to sell it.  By the time I got to the end, it didn't seem possible that Ms. Leigh could have more tricks up her sleeve.  She does promise more, however, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment.

Nora Peterson - www.norapeterson.com

Past Imperfect, Retire Rich & Wall Street Lingo

~*~

"Excellent Book - A must for every Author... We give it a 10/10 review" - InspiredAuthor.com

 ~*~

Coffee Times - Rating: 4 Cups

To have your book sell, one cannot sit it on the shelf and stop there. There are many promotional tactics that one can use to get their name and book out to the public. The basic guidelines for promotion will help aid the author and guide them to the right place to get their book on the market.

With the flip of each page, the reader learns when to start promoting, along with the creation of blogging, brainstorming with others, and a mountain of valuable outlets that have exercises and plans to go by. There is even a checklist to evaluate and compare publicists. Ms. Leigh does a thorough search to get many enlightening data across to the author, discussing the e-book and print on demand books, along with review sites.

Inside the pages, you will learn how to overcome fear of rejection while incorporating steps about marketing and keeping an open mind about all promotion. Most of all, one should try some simple things instead of overstretching possibilities with so many promotional tactics that can spread a person thin. The first book is only the beginning of many increased opportunities for the author.

I believe Learning the Basics of Book Promotion is a great asset to anyone. There are many chapters loaded with information facts that even had me surprised with ideals that I was not aware. Very informative, educational, and comes highly recommended from this reviewer. Nikki Leigh has worked in promotion and marketing for over fifteen years and, as an author, has learned many outlets in promotion to pass on to others. This basic book of promotion is the first in a series and is greatly beneficial.

Cherokee
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Learnthebasicsofbookpromo.html

 The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008 – Page 8

Chats & Events

February 1 - Nikki Leigh to be interviewed by Melissa Alvarez http://www.blogtalkradio.com/MelissaAlvarez  (Listeners can listen to the interview, but be sure to visit www.blogtalkradio.com before the chat begins to have access to the interview. It is also posted later for people who cannot be at the chat.)

February 8th - Nikki Leigh is interviewed by Yvonne Perry The interviewed will be posted at http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com/ and available for listeners on February 8th.

Nikki Leigh participated in an interview with authors, Phil Harris and Carolyn Howard Johnson and you can listen in by visiting - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pharris/blog/2007/12/12/DECEMBER-17TH-PROMOTE-PROMOTE-PROMOTE

March 3-7, 2008 Nikki Leigh, author of Book Promo 101, is visiting the Coffee Time Romance forums to discuss her book and to talk with authors about ways to promote their books. She will visit the forums through out the week to answer your questions. The link for the forums is - http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/. For more information about the content of Book Promo 101, feel free to visit - www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm

March 26, 2008 Shri Henkel (aka Nikki Leigh) is participating in a panel for the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, VA on Wednesday March 26th at 4:00 PM. Why We Write; What We Write  Wendy Devere-Austin (Dead on Cue), Tulley Holland (Moneybags), Frank Machovec (Divine Spark), Janet A. Martin (The Christmas Swap), Shri Henkel (365 Foolish Mistakes Smart Managers Make). Hosted by Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, Piedmont Council of the Arts, and Senior Center. Moderator: Stephen Pfleiderer. Northside Library, 300 Albemarle Square, Charlottesville, VA (434)973-7893

For full details - http://www.vabook.org/site08/program/view.php?day=2008-03-26

In addition, Nikki will be in attendance at the Festival of the Book, Crime Wave sessions at the Omni Hotel on Saturday 29th, 2006.

Celebrate romance fiction at the inaugural Australian Romance Readers Convention. Meet your favourite authors, discuss your preferred sub-genres, buy books and party!

Planning has just started for the inaugural convention. To register your interest as a participant (readers and authors), sponsor or trade display please download the expression of interest form or email us at ARRC09@gmail.com

Your answers will help us to plan the best event possible. You can be added to the mailing list and we will keep you up to date with information on the convention or simply add ARRC Blog to your Favourites and come back to visit us frequently to read about the latest plans, news and to see blog updates!

http://www.australianromancereaders.blogspot.com:80/

WINGS AUTHOR DAYS are held every month.  In February it will be on the 1^st and 2^nd of February.  It commences at 6pm EST Friday 1^st Feb. and finishes at 6pm EST 2^nd Feb.  This is 24 hours to allow both authors and readers to come and go as their time zones and buys lives allow.  A variety of authors will be at the email chat, and they are ready and willing to answer your questions and share their book excerpts and blurbs with you! 

The event is held at Wings Readers.  Go here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wingsreaders/  to join. 

Any problems or queries, email Angela on angelamv@westnet.com.au

New Contracts

Bryn Colvin has a contract with Shadowline (an imprint of Image) for ‘Personal Demons’ and ‘Inheritance’ – two 64 page graphic novels, beautifully illustrated by Tom Brown. These will be published in the Autumn of 2008.

Angela Verdenius’ novel Heart of a Smuggler, book 15 in the Heart and Soul series, has been contracted with Wings ePress and is scheduled for release in Dec 2008.  More information on this book will be available at a later date on my website www.angelaverdenius.com

Awards and Recognition

Angela Verdenius’ novel Love's Beguiling Healer has been nominated as "Best Romance of 2007" in the long e-book category at the Long and Short Reviews website. So exciting!   Again, to the winners at the end of the poll - mega congrats!  Nomination is always a huge honor for us all!

 The URL to the polling site is http://www.longandshortreviews.com/poll.htm

Soul of a Predator, book 13 in the Angela’s Heart & Soul series, received the Recommended Read at ck2s Kwips and Kritiques.  ‘I am so stoked!’   

“I didn’t think Angela could write a story to affect me more than Soul of the Forgotten, but Soul of a Predator really got to me…Of course, as emotional as Soul of a Predator is, the action is through the roof. While there are some moments of calm, this novel is an adventure ride full of pirates, bounty hunters, slavers, mutants, and totally creepy bad guys. The underlying mystery is very strong, driving most of the unfolding events.”

http://ck2skwipsandkritiques.com/soulofapredator_kelley.html

Preditors and Editors Readers Poll Results - February 2008

 The Readers’ Station Quarterly

Where Readers and Authors Mingle

February 2008 – Page 9

Promotional Opportunities

Promotional Opportunities and Author Virtual Book Tour Site

Nikki Leigh has launched a new book blog tour website (www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion) where there are opportunities to learn more about writing and promoting. There are also a variety of authors to learn more about each month. There are several ways for authors to promote their books. First register on the site to create your profile page. While you're on the site, check details about being a site sponsor and feature author opportunities. Any questions, contact Nikki Leigh at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com.

For more information, visit

All Readers (fiction and non fiction) - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/?q=Readers+Are+Welcome

Feature Authors - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/featured-author

Member Authors - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/be-registered-author

Site Sponsors - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/how-and-why-be-sponsor

I want to give you a free* promotional page on my new book tour site. Its very easy and you will have a full page to promote your book, your blog, your newsletter, your business or something else. For more details, visit -
http://muzesmusings.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-want-to-give-you-free-promotional.html

READERS AND AUTHORS

READERS:  Tired of trying to find authors who write in your favorite genre but unable to track down their websites?  Wanting to try new authors who write in your fav genre but don’t know who they are?  Wanting to try other genres but don’t know where to start?  Want to join some book groups but have no idea where to go?

AUTHORS:  Want to know where to go to get your books reviewed?  Want to join some writers groups but don’t know where to start?  Wanting to find a new publisher?  Need in information on agents?  Needing resources but finding it hard to track down?

READERS AND AUTHORS, the Reader and Author website, is for you all!  It is an ongoing project, where I add new genres, author links and resources as I come across the information or it is sent to me.  Updates are towards the end of every month. 

Anyone is welcome to send me an author link, resource link - any link to do with reading or writing, and if I deem it appropriate, I will add it to the website.

*NOTE:  no porn.    

I provide the links, but it is the responsibility of the user to check out resource sites, publisher sites, etc for rules and conditions.

Reader and Author website:  www.readerandauthor.com

Contact Angela angelamv@westnet.com.au for any information in regards to this website.

Book Promo 101 - Learn the Basics of Book Promotion

Print format to be available by March 2008 - to know when t