Monday 22 September 2014

Pre-Order Fiasco

I recently published my debut novel, Fate's Exchange (Twisted Fate, #1), via Amazon's KDP Select. Initially, I was leery about their exclusivity clause, but after the free promotion, was happy with the sales. So I decided that since I would be publishing Fate's Return (Twisted Fate, #2), on October 27, 2014, I would release the novella, Pulled Away (Twisted Fate, #1.5), between the two novels to gain interest and maintain momentum.
Pulled Away Available for Purchase

Monday 15 September 2014

The Write Time: 5 Ways to Find out What Works Best for You


One of the biggest things I see being discussed is setting a daily word count. What does this mean? You set yourself a minimum word count (never a maximum) to meet each day - even weekends and vacation - and that's what you strive to meet. I read an interesting post recently where a man actually rewarded himself for each day that he met his minimum word count by putting a toonie into a jar and saving it. After a few months, you've got a couple hundred dollars, and you spend it on something fun. I repeat, fun. Once more - do not pay a single bill with this money. It is your reward.

So when do you write? Do you know the time that best suites your needs? How? Do you know which way is your road to being as productive as possible? Or do you do it wherever you can, whenever you can? I'm a little bit of both. Working full-time and being a single mother . . . well, if I wasn't prepared to snap up a moment of quiet, I'd have never written a word, never mind a novel and these posts. I would be a pain to be around - I seriously get grumpy when characters start yelling at me to stop ignoring them. So whether you are a busy parent, having to work to pay the bills, or so free you can stare at clouds all day, this is my top five tips for where writing can be successful.

Friday 12 September 2014

5 Ways to Use Book Reviews

In my previous post, 5 Ways to Get Book Reviews, I explained what reviews were and why, as an author, you want more. But knowing where to get reviews is just the beginning.

You've worked hard on writing the best novel that you are capable of creating, and even harder editing and creating the cover, formatting, and repeating the process over and over again until it's perfect. So for the purposes of this post, let's assume that your book is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G., void of typos and unattractive grammar and punctuation errors. If not, go back to the book. You don't want to publish anything half-heartedly and receive negative reviews that will reflect poorly on your future endeavors, forcing you to choose a pen name when you finally decide to become serious.


Saturday 6 September 2014

Book Review - Bait by Kasi Blake

Bait (Order of the Spirit Realm #1)Bait by K.C. Blake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an incredible read - I literally downloaded Kindle just to finish. I can't wait to start the second in this series!

Bay-Lee and Nick (sometimes Tyler) have such great chemistry, and the plot is so well written, it keeps you up well past your bedtime. Reapers (who knew they were ghosts?), monsters, fighting, and oh, the romance. I don't want to say anything to give it away . . . simply read it.

K.C. Blake is the perfect choice if you are looking for the next great series that makes you want to do a toe dance of anticipation waiting for the next installment.

Sasha Leigh



View all my reviews

Friday 5 September 2014

5 Ways to Get Book Reviews

Let's assume that you have the next great novel that has the potential to become an overnight success for the purposes of this post. Negative reviews can and will reflect upon other novels under your name, so when asking for reviews, make sure that the content you are providing is the best you are capable of producing - your reputation will thank you for it. Use editors, beta readers, proof-readers, and cover designers when necessary. Just because we "can" self-publish doesn't mean we can't be as good as authors who are traditionally published - or better.

Book reviews are a HUGE part of a self-publishing/indie author's marketability and internet presence. Reviews posted to sites such as Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari, Smashwords, etc., are essential to building a rapport with readers you are propositioning, which is what happens whenever you publish - a reader clicks on it (thumbnail picture, link, etc.), studies the cover, reads the blurb, and if you're lucky, checks out excerpts, if available. Is it important that your book looks good? Edited thoroughly? YES.

But good content aside, how is a reader going to know they should buy a book when they don't know the author enough to compare previously read books against?

Wednesday 3 September 2014

Vampire Academy Series

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1-6)Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a great series to read. I really enjoyed the characters and the problems they faced, and was happy to have waited to read it - when I finished the fifth installment, I took my daughter to the grocery store and saw "Last Sacrifice" on display, so it was the perfect timing! I didn't have to wait.

For me, the best part about this was that the characters - Rose, Lissa, Dimitri, and Christian - weren't "fake". They face real problems that teens and young adults (NA?) would face, human or night creature, and while sex wasn't glorified, it wasn't skipped over, either. You can really immerse yourself in the storyline, which I found to be believable, and not just "another vampire" novel. And while it definitely is about vampires and dhampirs (a half-breed guardian), it focuses more on the magics than the blood, and has multiple storylines running through each book. I loved all six, but the last novel is my favourite.

Bloodlines, the spin-off series, is also pretty great. I would recommend both to anyone who enjoys YA Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance with kiss-ass heroines.

Sasha Leigh



View all my reviews

3 Things to Consider When Picking a Title


There are title generators on the internet - even apps for phones - but how personal is that?

Aside from a great cover, choosing a title is one of the most important tools at your fingertips (for free!) that can entice readers to pick up your story. It prompts them to read the next great thing - the blurb i.e. the "short pitch" located on the back of the printed cover. But what about when readers are looking through a list which doesn't utilize images? How attractive would Twilight have been if it had been named, "The Vampire" or "Cullen: The Recluse"? Exactly!

Spiritborne (Spirit's War, #1)

Spiritborne by K.V. Wilson My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was introduced to this novel on a free platform and loved it so much, I purchased...