We've Got That Covered

by Jean C. Gordon

I've found that readers often think we authors have more control over our books' covers than we do. That's not to say we don't have input. I fill out screens of art sheets to help the art department create my covers. I have to describe all of my characters, scenes I think might make a good cover, notable landmarks in my story and I'm encouraged to send pictures of how I see my hero and heroine.

I thought it would be fun to show you the the pictures I sent for a couple of my books and the book covers. What do you think?

Midwife Autumn Hazard and Dr. Jonathan Hanlon from Small-Town Midwife 

Neal Hazard from Small-Town Dad 

This one is Jared Donnelly from Winning the Teacher's Heart, the first book in my new Love Inspired Romance series, The Donnelly Brothers. It's due out in May 2015. Can't wait to see the cover.

Back to Basics

It amazes me sometimes how the small things bring the greatest joy. But these little joys are easily overlooked in this fast paced world in which we live. Fortunately, every now and again, we are reminded by these little things that we need to stop and smell the roses before they fade away forever.

I was lucky enough to get one of these reminders last week after shopping for groceries.  I was taking my haul back to the car, fretting about how many other things I still had to do that day, when I saw an older gentleman, I'd guess he was in his 70's, get out of his car, walk around to the passenger side and open the door for his lady inside.  He held out his hand, and she took it, sliding out of the seat and into his smile.  One might think that would be all, but from that minute on, they continued to hold hands as they walked to the store.

I watched them until they disappeared inside the department store and realized I was tearing up.  They reminded me so much of my mom and dad who also held hands all the time.  I imagine they are still holding hands in heaven as they walk among the clouds.

I tried to remember the last time I saw anyone hold hands, but couldn't.  My husband and I do when we are out. I caught that from mom and dad.  But I can't say I have seen many other couples enjoy a little PDA every now and then. Even my sons and their significant others seem to walk apart when we are all out. I started to wonder why, or should I say why not let the world see a little Public Display of Affection between two people who know what forever really looks like.

A touch is wonderful .  Now I don't mean the groping, pawing, and hand down one's blouse touches of passion.  I mean the hand holding, brushing the hair from one's forehead, and the hand on the small of your back that tells you "I'm here with you and always will be, and I don't care who sees me let you know that I love you." I think we've lost that somewhere along the way, and it makes me sad.

For me, love isn't the great big diamond on my left hand, or roses on Valentine's Day or the dinner on our anniversary.  For me love is the hand holding when we walk down the street, warming up the car for me when it is ten degrees outside before he leaves for work, or bringing me home a chocolate covered donut on a Wednesday night because he saw a Dunkin Donuts and thought I might like it.  It's the little things that really show a person's true heart; not the giant gestures on birthdays or holidays.  We all know those are coming. Surprise me by writing me a note on the chalkboard or sending me a thinking-of-you text at lunch. 

I challenge you all.  Look around.  You'll see these little acts of love in your life too.  Recognize them, embrace them.  Next time you are out with the Hub, grab his hand and walk into the restaurant or the movie theater or the grocery store together, telling everyone who sees you guys "we're together and always will be."

Happy Hand Holding!!!

SELF-e For Authors

by Victoria M. Johnson

I first heard about SELF-e at a literary festival I recently participated in.  Our town's librarian was handing out SELF-e flyers to everyone and I was intrigued about this new platform.

SELF-e 

According to the Library Journal website, "SELF-e is an innovative collaboration between Library Journal and BiblioBoard that enables authors and libraries to work together to expose notable self-published ebooks to voracious readers looking to discover something new."

Many people already know that Library Journal is a highly respected periodical used by librarians across the country.  You may not know that BiblioBoard is a platform for libraries to license and deliver digital content for unlimited multi-user access.  So upon hearing of this collaboration, I was eager to learn more about it and how it can benefit authors and readers.

What is SELF-e?

Currently libraries pay a high fee to publishers for an ebook and only one user can have it checked out at a time.  As you can imagine, it is costly to libraries and readers may have to wait weeks and sometimes months to read a new release.  The SELF-e collaboration will provide vetted self-published ebooks to readers who are hungry for more content.  Also, any number of readers can check out the ebook at the same time.  

Who will do the vetting?

Library Journal will curate the collection; selecting those ebooks they believe represents the best in that book's genre.  If your ebook is selected, your ebook will be part of Library Journal's curated modules for each genre, and you'll have a potential nationwide audience.  If your book is not selected, you have the option of submitting for the statewide modules with other local authors. 

 

How does SELF-e benefit authors?

There is no cost to authors, but authors will not make any money when their books are selected or read.  Authors gain readers and exposure.  They get their ebook in a curated collection promoted by a journal that has national recognition.  It's an opportunity to be discovered.  I asked Los Gatos Town Librarian, Henry Bankhead, his thoughts about SELF-e.  "It's a pathway to get your self-published writing read by professionals in the industry and possibly being included in a curated collection for your entire state or the country," he said.  "If you're in the state modules California readers will have access to California material, while Massachusetts readers can access Massachusetts material, and so on."  (Click the Biblioboard link below to see authors who endorse SELF-e).

How do readers access SELF-e?  

It's not available yet.  When it becomes available readers will access SELF-e through their library, using their library card--the same way you get ebooks from your local library now.  Your library subscribes to it.  (You might ask your local library if they will subscribe or if they are collecting self-published ebooks from local authors for this project).

How do authors submit their ebooks for consideration or find out more? 

Library Journal site: http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/self-e/

Biblioboard site: http://biblioboard.com/authors.html

FAQs for libraries and FAQs for authors: http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/self-e/self-e-faq/

Submission Page: https://library-journal.biblioboard.com/

If, after checking out the websites, you decide this opportunity is right for you, it looks like it will only take a few minutes to submit your ebook for consideration.  Have your metadata handy (keywords).

The only deadline information I found says: Submissions through the Fall

That means if you're unsure if you should submit, don't take too long to decide or the first round submission period may be over.  Who knows when the next period will come?  Also, don't stall if you're not sure if your ebook is among the best in the genre.  The Library Journal website says, "All that is required is an engaging story, and your ebook file."

BiblioBoard's website says, "We believe indie authors, libraries and patrons will work together to play a major role in the future of publishing and the culture of reading."

--> Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma, (A 2012 Bookseller’s Best double finalist).  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.

That Blessed Crane

Happy First Friday! Typically on First Fridays, I do some sort of craft project involving the dismantling and mangling of books... and today is no exception, but it's serving double purpose. Today, I'm using the pages of books to create paper cranes for decorative purposes as well as contemplative and calming.

You see, I've got this fish pond in my yard. Okay, I had a fish pond. Now I've only got a pond, thanks to one visit from one crane, er...heron, er... whatever. Cranes are supposed to be harbingers of good things. Really, this one was a harbinger of a wide-spread fish-kill. (We're talking complete destruction.) But even telling you about this is making me lose my good juju. Ohmmmm. Back to paper crane folding and while I fold, (and regain my calm), I'll tell you a little bit about paper cranes.

Firstly, it is a contemplative task, folding paper cranes. I won't go into the whole long, drawn out tutorial here. There are far better tutorials on youtube, such as this one: Paper Crane Tutorial And for those who already know how to fold them, you'll appreciate my mnemonics: "square, kite, bird mouth, fat man, skinny man, book-fold, fox, open-wide, book-fold, bird." (You'll get it after you master the art of paper crane folding.)

In some parts of the world, the crane is regarded as a messenger from the gods. In Asian cultures, the crane represents long-life, (not, apparently, for my fish), health, wisdom and prosperity. And who couldn't use a little more health, wisdom and prosperity?

At the very least, they make great packing material for a box being sent to my daughter who is away at college. That, and they're fun dangling all around my desk.

Got my good juju back, so I'm back to working on the WIP, the first in my new mystery series, The Wicked Step-Mothers Mysteries. Happy folding!

Stretch Those Muscles...

by Janis Susan May

No, my dear friends, I have not gone over to the dark side and become an exercise freak. My main idea of exercise is pushing my luck and jumping to conclusions.

No, I'm talking about a more cerebral form of exercise – writing. Yeah, a writer regarding writing as exercise – weird, huh? Only those who do not write would think so. Writing can be as demanding and exhausting physically as any calisthenic, but just in a different way. Between the demands of the body having to stay still, except for the hands and fingers which work double and triple time, and the mind constantly laboring to create, writing is downright draining.

The only thing worse is not being able to write.

Oh, I haven't had writers' block or physical problems or anything like that. I've had work. My book-every-two-weeks 30 June-30 October publishing blitz is winding down (Hallelujah!) but it has been an insane amount of work. Every book is freshly edited – the re-releases by me, the two new ones first by me, then by a professional (and very tough!) editor. Then it's on to my wonderful formatter, who is a delight and puts up with all my weird fits and starts and – let's be honest – mistakes, and my extremely gifted cover artist who tries to make my weird ideas reality. All that, plus all the normal duties of life like family and laundry and cooking. The Husband has been kind and very supportive, but he's so anxious for me to get back into the kitchen. Man cannot be expected to live on frozen pizza alone!

I have always been a writer – wrote my first 'book' at the tender age of four, and no, it's not part of this publishing blitz! The creation of stories, of lives and worlds beyond that of my own rather mundane existence, is like air to me. Deprivation of it is a hardship.

But deprived I was during this work-filled summer. New ideas and half-finished manuscripts – I always work on a minimum of three projects at once – jammed up in my brain, demanding the release of being written. I tried, but there are only so many hours in the day and only so much energy, both of which seem to decrease as I age. Most nights I was too tired even to read. That, thankfully, is passing, and once more on most days I can give a short time to my bulging Kindle.

Once more, too, I can begin to write again. Despite the urgency of the clamoring characters in my head, the process is slow and tentative, like stretching and then walking before running. Hesitantly, the words are starting to creep out from my fingers, almost as if unsure of their welcome. The stories are coming, building in strength and complexity. I feel almost as if I were waking from a long sleep.

It is a welcome feeling.

UPDATE :

Believe it or not, my publishing blitz is still right on schedule. And that schedule is getting shorter – after this book there are only two more in this particular round. The Husband is insistent that once this is done I am to take some time away from the computer and – according to him – reacquaint myself with the kitchen. He does like frozen pizza and takeaway, but even the mildest mannered man has his limits!

This fortnight's offering is THE OTHER HALF OF YOUR HEART, a romantic adventure set in the jungles of Mexico – not far from Puerto Vallarta, where I lived for a short but happy while. None of the wild escapades that befall the heroine ever happened to me (drat!) but writing about a country I love was great fun.

A weekend in a Mexican resort with the man she loves quickly becomes a nightmare of fear and danger for Cara Walters. If she can just survive being lost in the jungle, captured by the army, hunted by drug lords and a man who wants to kill her, all the while being held prisoner by the man who has stalked her, she just might find out who is the other half of her heart.

And – for all you calorie lovers – my super-special dessert recipe called Chocolate Sin (try it and you'll know why it's named that!) was chosen for inclusion in the new book of desserts called BAKE LOVE WRITE, a wonderful compendium of calories and advice.