Showing posts with label Independent Authors International. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Independent Authors International. Show all posts

Sunday, November 30, 2014

iAi cover reveal: The Dark by David C. Cassidy


The multi-talented author David C. Cassidy has completed his third book. He's releasing The Dark, a very creepy, scary and riveting tale on December 15. It's available for pre-order on Amazon right now. 

What's it about?


It knows what you want. It knows what you need.
In denial over his father’s death in a horrific accident, Kelan Lisk has grown fearful and withdrawn. For this meek and bullied child, a burning desire to tame a deadly sledding hill consumes him, drawing him inside a wondrous place where anything is possible … including his father. But as this strange new realm spills into this one, twisting an innocent boy into an agent of evil, the world is forever changed, devoured by an even greater evil—the Dark.

Reviews on Amazon:

“Dean Koontz would be proud of this writer.”“Exceptional writing on a par with Stephen King.”“Readers are at the mercy of a masterful storyteller.”“Eloquent and eerie … this is how a story should be written.”


I'm thrilled about this book and doubly proud of it, because I've been a fan of David Cassidy (the author, photographer and designer, not the teen idol) since I discovered his first book, Velvet Rain, and saw several of his gorgeous cover designs. In fact, I asked David to design the covers of both One Shade of Red and Army of Work Soles.

The other reason I am so proud of The Dark is that I edited the manuscript. I'm very happy with the way that worked out.

So check it out. And if you want a scary, creepy and excellent book to read over the holidays, or if you want to give one as a present, then this is what you're looking for.
 

Monday, November 03, 2014

Two exciting new books from independent authors

I am excited that two good author friends and iAi colleagues have just released new books, Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar and Roger Eschbacher.

First, Roger Eschbacher has published Undrastormur, a children’s book about a young Viking named Eirik.

Here is the blurb:

 Eirik has a problem. A lot of problems, actually. While out gathering mushrooms, his small Norse village was overrun by nasty trolls with a taste for human flesh. Now Eirik, the last surviving descendant of Drengur Darkbeard, a powerful Viking galdrakarl or wizard, must undertake a perilous journey to find the missing half of Drengur's iron staff. Only then can he save his neighbors by calling down the undrastormur, a violent and powerful gift from Thor, the god of thunder.

Find it on Amazon









This is Roger’s third independently published book, following Dragonfriend (Leonard the Great, Book 1) and its sequel, Giantkiller. He has also written two other children’s books, Road Trip and Nonsense! He Yelled.

Visit his blog






Next, Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar has released The Opposite of Hate.

During the 1960s and 70s, more bombs were dropped on a landlocked part of Southeast Asia than in any other war — and it wasn’t Vietnam. The turbulent history of the Land of a Thousand Elephants, the Kingdom of Laos, is the backdrop for this family saga, told as a historical novel. The Opposite Of Hate opens a window onto a forgotten corner of Southeast Asia and brings little known history to life through vivid characters and settings which explore the cultural heritage of Lao history.
The Opposite Of Hate explores the intersections of family, loyalty, and nationalism as Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is being taken over by Communists. The political instability drives Seng, a widowed engineer, to marry his best friend’s teenage daughter, Neela, so they can escape re-education or even worse, death. The unlikely husband and wife cross the Mekong River into Thailand as strangers.
Life in the refugee camp brings surprises along with the grime. As they struggle for survival, romances blossoms into an unplanned pregnancy. Seng and Neela get their wish of immigrating to the United States. Succeeding in suburbia, however, presents another unique set of challenges, ones that are not black and white.This is a tale of intermingled violence, love and ambition.Seng and Neela embody the historic cultural struggle of thousands who fled the threats of communism only to face the challenges of democracy.
Find it on Amazon.

Mohana is a member of both Independent Authors International and BestSelling Reads. Her books include The Dohmestics, Love Comes Later, An Unlikely Goddess and From Dunes to DiorIn addition to print titles, she has published five e-books including a mom-ior for first time mothers, Mommy But Still Me, a guide for aspiring writers, So You Want to Sell a Million Copies, a short story collection, Coloured and Other Stories, and a novel about women’s friendships, Saving Peace, which was a semi-finalist in the Literary category of the 2012 Kindle Review of Books.


Visit her website and blog.


Thursday, July 03, 2014

Detail and action add up to a riveting read—An independent novel review

Gray Retribution, by Alan McDermott

No one writes action like McDermott.

From the first sentence, Gray Retribution delivers that combination of action and detail that few writers can manage. Not only does McDermott put us eye-to-eye with his characters, he gets the little things right, like the types of weapons and the way they all work, and the tactics that makes the difference between experienced soldiers and fighters who die on their first time.

Gray Retribution continues the saga of Tom Gray, the character that McDermott created for his first novel, Gray Justice. The initial trilogy told a complete, if complex saga about an ex-special forces soldier who sets up a private security company. Gray uses his arcane skills to seek tough justice against repeat criminals after his son is accidentally killed by one such repeat offender driving a stolen car, and Gray’s wife kills herself in depression.

The next two books sent Gray literally around the world and finally back to his home in the UK, rehabilitated socially if not fully psychologically. The fourth book, Gray Retribution, finds Gray back in charge of his company, struggling against the usual challenges facing any small business—plus clients nervous about being associated with someone as notorious as Tom Gray.

Once again, McDermott skillfully blends a personal and a global plot. Organized criminals threaten Gray’s new family, while in Africa, his friends and employees are caught in a war zone in Africa with scanty ammunition and supplies and a huge number of refugees to protect.

It’s a testament to the author’s skill at plotting that he manages to drive both plots simultaneously at his trademark breathtaking pace, without straining the readers’ credulity too much. The good guys are all crack shots and almost never make mistakes, but that’s part of the action genre. But I found myself identifying with Tom Gray—not because I am a crack soldier, but because I have found myself in those situations with two priorities clamouring for undivided attention because of huge, looming consequences coming up fast. I really felt for Gray as he tried to protect his family, rescue his friends and keep his business afloat, all at the same time.

McDermott’s attention to detail really brings the action to life. While he is never gratuitous with depicting violence, he doesn’t flinch when it comes to the more gruesome aspects of war. 

It all adds up to a book I could not put down.

I read a preliminary version of the book in manuscript form, and I’m looking forward to the final version sitting on my shelf.

Gray Retribution will be available on Amazon on July 8.

5*

Monday, June 30, 2014

Back to the beginning

Photo via NewsbiePix (creative commons)
The book launch tour comes to an end at the blog where it all began two weeks ago.

It’s been a whirlwind—well, a virtual one, anyway. Keeping up with the daily posts, as 15 different bloggers posted excerpts from the book, checking the page for the comments and entries to the giveaway.

I have said it before, but I will repeat: thank you all for your support—all the busy people who posted the excerpts, left comments and sent encouragement.

Now, to be completely honest, the pick-up on the giveaway contest wasn’t what I hoped it would be. While I appreciate those who did leave comments, there were not many of you.

So, here’s one more chance at winning a signed paperback. All you have to do is visit the blogs who participated in the tour, scroll to the end of the excerpt, past the blurb about the book, past my brief biographical note, and you’ll find a one-word clue. Write it down. Then go to the next blog on the tour and collect the clue there.

When you have all 15, unscramble them into a sentence. Leave the sentence in the Comments section below, and make sure you sign in so that I know who you are. I’ll draw the winner’s name from a hat (or maybe a mug or a bowl) and send a signed copy of the paperback PLUS a $50 Amazon gift card.

And tell your friends about it!

The blogs

Dawn Torrens’ My Books& I… 

Gary Henry’s Honest Indie


Cinta Garcia de la Rosa’s Indie Authors You Want to Read

Frederick Lee Brooke’s Author Unplugged

RS Guthrie’s Rob onWriting


Rebekah Lynn’s Books blog

Michael Lorde’s Fantastical Reads

BestSelling Reads’ Focus Friday

Wodke Hawkinson’s Find a Good Book to Read blog


Michelle Chiapetta’s Chipper Muse

Gae-Lynn Woods’ TheBig Heat

Good luck!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

It's launch day today

Image courtesy SpaceX
Army of Worn Soles, my third book, launches officially today.

It’s exclusively on Amazon, at least for three months, allowing me to take advantage of the marketing and promotional tools available through the Kindle Select program.

Go to Amazon right now for a look inside (or to buy it if you can't wait)
And in celebration of the launch, I’m putting my previous books, The Bones of the Earth and One Shade of Red, on sale for just 99 cents each on all channels, all week long:

What’s it about?

Ukraine, 1941
A Canadian is drafted into the Soviet Red Army, just in time to be thrown against Nazi Germany's invasion. Caught in the vise of the Nazi and Communist forces, Maurice Bury concentrates on keeping his men alive as they retreat across Ukraine from the German juggernaut. Now the question is: will they escape from the hell of the POW camp before they starve to death?

Follow the tour and win a signed paperback

Sixteen awesome bloggers are supporting the launch of Army of Worn Soles by posting excerpts. Coming up:

Monday, June 23: Rebekah Lynn’s Books blog
Tuesday, June 24: Michael Lorde’s M.E. Author blog
Wednesday, June 25: BestSelling Reads’ Win-a-Book Wednesday—two chances to win!
Thursday, June 26: Wodke Hawkinson’s Find a Good Book to Read blog
Friday, June 27: Seb Kirby’s New Words for New Times
Saturday, June 28: Michelle Chiapetta’s Chipper Muse
Sunday, June 29: Gae-Lynn Woods’ The Big Heat
Monday, June 30: Back to Written Words for the wrap-up.

Read each blog on its day and collect the clue. Put all the clues together and unscramble them for a chance to win a signed paperback copy.

And if you enter the clue into the comments field in the respective blog, you’re eligible to win a free e-copy. Don’t delay—enter now!

You still have a chance to go back to the previous blogs. For a list, visit my blog post from the start of the tour.

Why June 22?

June 22 is the anniversary of a key event in the book and the life of its protagonist, Maurice Bury. What is it? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out.

Get it from Amazon today!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Army of Worn Soles launches this weekend

Image source: Wikipedia
My third book comes out this Sunday, June 22.

A true story told in novel form, it presents the opening of the eastern front of World War II through the eyes of a man who lived through it: my father-in-law, Maurice Bury, a Canadian citizen drafted into the Red Army just in time to fight against Operation Barbarossa.

It’s an important book to me, and I am so gratified for the advance reviews it’s already received. You can see them in a Goodreads group, Army of Worn Soles Army.

To celebrate the launch, I’m putting my earlier books on sale for the first week of Army of Worn Soles’ publication. You can now get The Bones of the Earth and One Shade of Red for just USD $0.99 each from your choice of e-tailer—Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel or iBooks.

And because the solstice is coming, Initiation Rites, the first part of The Bones of the Earth, is free all weekend.

Don’t forget to follow the blog tour

Collect the clues, solve the puzzle and you could win a signed paperback copy (signed by me, that is; sorry if you were hoping for an autograph from a celebrity) and a $50 gift card for Amazon.

How to win:

Where can you find the clues? Follow the trail below. If you’re checking in after one of the dates shown, that means the post is already up.

The tour dates

Sunday, June 15: Dawn Torrens’ My Books & I… blog
Monday, June 16: Gary Henry’s Honest Indie
Tuesday, June 17: David C. Cassidy’s blog
Wednesday, June 18: Cinta Garcia de la Rosa’s Indie Authors You Want to Read
Thursday, June 19: Frederick Lee Brooke’s Author Unplugged
Friday, June 20: RS Guthrie’s Rob on Writing
Saturday, June 21: Writer CR Hiatt’s site
Sunday, June 22: Back here on Written Words 
Monday, June 23: Rebekah Lynn’s Books blog
Tuesday, June 24: Michael Lorde’s M.E. Author blog
Wednesday, June 25: BestSelling Reads’ Win-a-Book Wednesday—two chances to win!
Thursday, June 26: Wodke Hawkinson’s Find a Good Book to Read blog
Friday, June 27: Seb Kirby’s New Words for New Times
Saturday, June 28: Michelle Chiapetta’s Chipper Muse
Sunday, June 29: Gae-Lynn Woods’ The Big Heat
Monday, June 30: Back to Written Words for the wrap-up.

Enter now!



Monday, June 16, 2014

Not self-publishing—independent publishing

Creative Commons
I am not a self-publisher, because I did not publish my books by myself. I was part of a team of talented, dedicated, professional, skilled and very giving people, to whom I am indebted and grateful.

You know by now that my new book, Army of Worn Soles, will publish in e-book form on June 22, 2014—less than a week from the day this post goes up on the blog.

In the past few weeks, I’ve been busy with all sorts of not just last-minute details on the book itself, but also with advance promotion and publicity. I’ve been answering questions, and learning, from those answers. A question that has come up (however, not as frequently as I expected) was about “self publishing.”

I prefer the term “independent publishing,” simply because I think it’s far more accurate. I don’t publish any books by myself.

Publishing any book calls upon a wide range of skills:
  • writing—creating the story or the information for the reader
  • substantive—“story editing,” a review and critique of the overall worth of the manuscript, whether it’s complete, or there’s too much material, and whether the basic ideas make sense
  • copy-editing—ensuring it’s clear, grammatical, logical?
  • proofreading—looking out for spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes and silly little errors in logic (like setting the opening of a chapter on a spring morning and ending, without indicating any passage of time, with a winter night)
  • design—of the cover as well as the interior
  • layout—setting up the interior according to the design, and making sure that the whole book follows the same design
  • manufacturing—transferring from manuscript to e-book or print format with the highest fidelity to the final manuscript and the highest production quality affordable.
Each of this is a major task requiring specialized knowledge, and no, I don’t attempt it myself. I can do many of them, but not all—not well.

And I have always said, “You can’t edit your own stuff.”

The team

When it comes to publishing my books, I call upon a supportive team. For Army of Worn Soles, that team included:

  • Fred Brooke, Alan McDermott, Russell Blake and Cinta Garcia de la Rosa as pre-readers
  • Rebecca Dickson as my stalwart editor
  • David C. Cassidy as cover designer
  • a large team to help promote the cover and excerpts, whom you are meeting through other posts on this blog.

Army of Worn Soles, like my other books, is a truly collaborative effort.

No, I do not self-publish. Army of Worn Soles, and all books I write, followed a cooperative publishing model, one promoted and supported by Independent Authors International. Like those published by the Big Five commercial publishers, are the result of a team of talented professionals applying developed skills to producing a quality book.

 

Monday, June 09, 2014

Book launch: Inferno

Book 2 in The Drone Wars
by Frederick Lee Brooke



When 19-year-old Matt Carney saved his girlfriend, Raine, from the crossfire between the government’s increasingly ruthless Homeland Security and March22, a terrorist group taking steps to strike a new, legitimate path, he thought his work was done.

Was he ever wrong.

Kidnapped by the brutal Dark Fiber militia, Matt is shocked to discover he’s been betrayed by those he trusted most. Stranded in an isolated location in the middle of Michigan, far away from the girl he fought so hard to regain, Matt is made March22’s point man in a plot to get control over a cache of thousands of stolen ground-to-air missiles. As time runs out, he’s their last—and best—hope of sparing the country of a heinous attack on commercial aviation that could quickly turn the United States into a permanent war zone.

In this action-packed, explosive follow-up to Saving Raine, the first book in Frederick Lee Brooke’s The Drone Wars, Matt Carney finds himself at the center of a firestorm of stolen missiles, stolen drones, and stolen dirty nukes, tormented by stinging betrayals, clinging to a last hope for love. Sure, he was able to save Raine—but as the inferno rages around him, can he find a way to save the country from further violent chaos…and a way to save himself?


Inferno is available on Amazon now.


About the author

Frederick Lee Brooke launched the Annie Ogden Mystery Series in 2011 with Doing Max Vinyl and followed with Zombie Candy in 2012, a book that is neither about zombies nor sweets. The third mystery in the series, Collateral Damage, appeared in 2013. Saving Raine, the first book in Fred’s entirely new series, The Drone Wars, appeared in December, 2013.

A resident of Switzerland, Fred has worked as a teacher, language school manager and school owner. He has three boys and two cats and recently had to learn how to operate both washing machine and dryer. He makes frequent trips back to his native Chicago.

When not writing or doing the washing, Fred can be found walking along the banks of the Rhine River, sitting in a local cafe, or visiting all the local pubs in search of his lost umbrella.