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Awethors Event: Interview with Francene Stanley

Our third awesome author in the countdown until the Get Down With The Awethors Facebook event on April 12 is Francene Stanley. She writes every day not just as a habit but as a necessity.

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1. What will you be sharing with the group on April 12 at the Get Down With The Awethors event? Free book giveaway, sneak peek, merchandise, holding a competition, discussion?

I will be giving away an e-book copy of the dystopian Seaweed Ribbons as part of the Get Down With the Awethors event.

2. What is your latest book or work, and where can we find it?

My latest release is Shattered Shells part three of the Moonstone series. An ordinary woman wearing a moonstone ring which gives her visions, plays psychic detective.  http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00O94OHIY

Book Descriptionseaweed-99
After the great flood destroyed civilization, a newly-wed couple must prove their love, despite every opposition. Ginny gathers seaweed ribbons to mark their union. Raymond tries to settle in his young bride’s underground home, but when her matriarchal society opposes his plans, he and Ginny set out for his original town. Eric follows, hoping to divide the couple and win Ginny for himself. But there is no easy route through wild land populated by different cultures in Corn World, Britland.

3. What drives you to write? Music, an interest in the human mind, is it cathartic for you?

I write because I must. Creating in this way is part of my daily life, as important as breathing.

4. What’s your favorite book in the world? One you couldn’t imagine having lived your life without reading.

I don’t have just one favorite book. I love so many—grew up reading my grandmother’s collection of old science fiction books filled with ideas and endless possibilities.

5. When will you be at the Awethors event on April 12? All day or at a certain time?

I’ll be at Awethors several times during April 12th. I live in England so it will differ from American, Australian and other parts of the world’s time.

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Author Bio

Australia formed me. Born in sunny Adelaide, I thrived warm and free. In the nineteen fifties, I learned to make do with what life presented, to fit in with my peers whilst retaining my individuality.

Married young, my circumstances changed from a life of ease in the nineteen eighties. After three children left home, I separated from my misogynistic husband to work as a nanny and left my homeland, completely alone and friendless, for the other side of the world, where I remarried and began to write.

Connect with Francene

Francene’s published books include three from the Moonstone series, and five co-written futuristic novels set in Cornwall in the UK. See my Amazon author page. http://amzn.to/1ljAdMf

Social media:

Website: http://Francene–wordstitcher.weebly.com
Blog: http://976640989349525961.weebly.com/
Facebook page: http://976640989349525961.weebly.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/francene-stanley/
Twitter: @FranceneStanley
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/francenest/

Awethors Event: Interview with James Quinn

Our second awesome author in the countdown until the Get Down With The Awethors Facebook event on April 12 is James Quinn. His giveaway is extra special because his book won’t be published officially on Amazon until May 2015, so you could get the chance to read it early!

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1. What will you be sharing with the group on April 12 at the Get Down With The Awethors event? Free book giveaway, sneak peek, merchandise, holding a competition, discussion?

I’ll be offering a free copy of my new book A Game For Assassins as part of the giveaway bundle. I’ll also be making myself available throughout the day for people to ask questions about who I am (as a new author) and about the background to A Game For Assassins.

2. What is your latest book or work, and where can we find it?

A Game For Assassins is a Cold War thriller that introduces the character of Jack “Gorilla” Grant, a British intelligence officer. He’s a bit of a rough lad who doesn’t pull his punches. Hopefully the readers will take to him. The book is due for release at the beginning of May 2015, so this is a sneak peek opportunity for new readers.

Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 11.41.21 PM

3. What drives you to write? Music, an interest in the human mind, is it cathartic for you?

I love the creative process, and it’s something I always wanted to do since I was a child when I won my first school writing competition. Unfortunately “real life” got in the way, and it’s only now that I’ve hit the dreaded 40 that I’m in a position to make it a reality.

4. What’s your favorite book in the world? One you couldn’t imagine having lived your life without reading.

There are so many, it would be a bit like choosing your favourite son or daughter! Impossible! But probably the biggest influence for me has been John le Carré. The first book of his that I read when I was a teenager was The Honourable Schoolboy, and it’s stayed with me ever since.

5. When will you be at the Awethors event on April 12? All day or at a certain time?

Hopefully I’ll be popping in and out all day (work permitting) but probably afternoon time is when I’ll be focused on the event!

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Author Bio

James Quinn spent 15 years in the secret world of covert operations, undercover investigations and international security before turning his hand to writing.

He is trained in hand to hand combat and in the use of a variety of weaponry, including small edged weapons, Japanese Swords and Hunting Bows.  He is also a crack pistol shot for CQB (Close Quarter Battle) and many of his experiences he has incorporated into his works of fiction.

He lives in the United Kingdom and travels extensively around the globe.

Connect with James

Website: http://jamesquinn.webs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Quinn/1558765681046413?sk=info&tab=page_info
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ape101Quinn

5 Simple New Year’s Resolutions Every Writer Needs to Keep

Not sure what goals to set for yourself as a writer in 2015? Proof Positive has some ideas for you that will help keep your writing career on track whether you’re a first-time author or a highly published author.

  1. Write every day. Stop rolling your eyes. We don’t mean you necessarily have to write some of your novel every day. You could write a poem about how difficult it was to get your kids to bed that night; a haiku about the horrible/perfect/head cold-inducing/makeup-ruining weather; a dialogue between you and your character about why he or she does or doesn’t like the direction the story is going and what you could do differently in his or her favor. In other words, ANYTHING to keep your creative juices flowing and your sense of writing accomplishment high. Remember, you don’t just write, you are a writer, and writers are always writing, no matter the subject or the format.
  1. Read wisely. Of course you should read whatever books interest you, but some strategy to forward your knowledge in your field of writing is a good idea. Whether you make sure to read more books in your genre, more lit theory books, or more bestsellers, you will improve your craft by understanding it through others’ eyes. That perspective is priceless. That perspective gains you wisdom you can’t gain just by writing.
  1. Make an investment to force yourself to publish. There was a blog post in 2014 by a writer who bought himself a laptop just to force himself to write to make sure he didn’t waste the money he’d spent. It worked, and he wrote every single day at lunchtime and found that he wrote far more often because of it. You may not want to spend quite that much money, but a smaller investment, like buying a really beautiful, inspiring notebook for yourself, can force you to prove the money wasn’t a waste; it was a means to secure your writing career. And that is worth every penny.
  1. Enable yourself. Whatever inspires you, whatever gives you the jumpstart you need, don’t deny yourself, and don’t feel silly about it. Your confidence in allowing yourself to draw, take karate, eat out by yourself, take on DIY projects that are achievable, etc. will improve your confidence when it comes to writing. Even small things like making sure you have your favorite kind of pen in every desk, coat, and notebook you use will boost your belief in yourself and your investment in your writing career. Nothing is too small and nothing is ever silly.
  1. Get your name out there. You can do this in so many ways, including keeping your blog updated at least once a week, even if it’s just with your struggles as a writer; interacting with other writers via social media; starting a YouTube channel on…anything; submitting works to various publishing houses and literary journals no matter how small or large; reviewing books on Goodreads; joining a writing group in person or online. Your author platform starts by putting yourself out there, and the Internet has made that the easiest thing in the world. You’d be surprised how easy it is to get involved in your author platform once you get started.

How many of these goals are on your New Year’s resolution list? Let us know in the comments below how you plan to make 2015 your best writing year yet.

Your Holiday Gift Shortlist: Books Worth Giving

Books are the gifts that keep on giving after the holiday season is over, and what better present can you give than to support indie authors (that’s a gift to them!) and introduce your friends and family to brand new writers? Plus, you can feel good that you contributed to a writer’s dream.

Before you turn to the major publishing houses, pick out some books from these self-published authors, who are just as excellent as mainstream authors.

By genre:

Action/Thriller

Against The Clock by Charlie Moore
The Phoenix Project by DM Cain

Autobiography/Inspiration

White Bees by Amy Wilde

Erotic Romance

Bound Series by Hanna Peach *The Romance Reviews and Night Owl Reviews top pick*

Fantasy

Activation Series by Joseph Murphy
Dark Angel Series
by Hanna Peach *#1 Amazon Fantasy Bestseller*
Finding Me by Dawn Brazil
Secret of the Last Born by TC Michael
Sword of Kassandra Series
by Joseph Murphy

Literary

Crazy, Mixed-Up World by Kevin Zdrill
Just Like a Musical by Milena Veen
Parasite Girls by Tory Gates
Quiver of the Pure Heart by Burnita Bluitt

Mystery/Suspense

Her Lying Eyes by Susan Wilson

Paranormal

The New Mrs. Collins by Quanie Miller
Shifty Magic Series by Judy Teel

Romance

Fate Accompli by MM Jaye
Clean version
Spicy version

Romantic Comedy

Cinderella Heiresses Series by Judy Teel
Kindle Edition
Paperback Edition
It Ain’t Easy Being Jazzy
by Quanie Miller
The Between Boyfriends Series by Sarka-Jonae Miller *Best Books of 2014 on Amazon*

Women’s Fiction

Indiscretion by Dahlia Savage
Graduation Day by Dahlia Savage

Book Tour: The Second Coming: A Love Story

Here’s a spin on Armageddon: two messiahs emerge and are taken on as leaders of the liberals and the conservatives. Politics mixed with the end of the world? It sounds likely. Which of these saviors is God and which is Satan? Find out in Scott Pinsker’s book, The Second Coming.

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Book Description:

Two men claim to be the Second Coming of Christ. Each claims the other is Satan in disguise. But only one is telling the truth.

second coming In The Second Coming: A Love Story, the devilish new novel by Scott Pinsker, the culture war between Red America and Blue America turns shockingly real when two self-declared saviors appear on earth. The first “messiah” attracts legions of liberal and secular-progressive followers with his message of New Age brotherhood, quickly becoming the darling of the left. The second “messiah” preaches fire-and-brimstone traditional Christianity, gaining a grassroots army of conservative worshippers ready to battle to the death. It’s finally happened: Red America and Blue America are headed for Armageddon!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KT6B3G0

Book Excerpt

The only two things Nate Konrad feared were indifference and anonymity.  As America’s preeminent radio personality and/or loudmouth, he figured out long ago that he who cultivates crowds stays on the air; he who blends into crowds fades away.

Nate Konrad refused to fade away.

Many moons ago, as a longhaired radical with a penchant for rabble-rousing, he dropped out of Yale to pursue his dream of becoming a wacky, irreverent disk jockey.  Many moons later, despite leaving every radio station on rancorous terms (or with litigation pending), he always landed in a slightly larger market, until Konrad inconceivably emerged atop the radio food chain.

He began his career by attracting an audience the easiest way possible: saying outlandish, offensive things, but veiling these diatribes with just enough witticisms to deflect criticism.  Konrad referred to supermarkets in the inner cities as “Negrocery stores,” and demanded that pro-life listeners add nine months to their date of birth when people ask of them their age.  He recommended solving the homeless problem by providing the homeless with complimentary camels—so we could then refer to them not as “homeless” but as “nomads” (and if that didn’t work, he explained, the homeless/nomads could eat their camels and at least get a good meal out of it).  When a famous Mexican-American actress was photographed breastfeeding her baby, Konrad sparked a mini-boycott (and lost the El Pollo Loco sponsorship) when he called her a “Lactino.”  Of course, when anyone took offense, the longhaired radio rebel would silence the offended by claiming they “lacked a sense of humor” or “just didn’t get it.”  But as his articulation increased, along with his knowledge of all things political, he found himself moving steadily to the ideological right.  Basically, he developed the ability to shock the public with ideas rather than insults, and became one of America’s most trusted—and polarizing—authorities on current events.

His world view was simple: The government that governs best governs least; empower the military and police to the utmost possible; feminists are fat and ugly; and finally, if you don’t love the United States of America with every inch of your red-blooded heart, then get out of this country, you ungrateful socialist scumbag.

Tanning salons and Marlboro Reds rendered his boyish features a thing of the past, replacing the rosy hue of innocence with a cantankerous scowl and scaly contours.  He still donned a shiny leather jacket and jet-black sunglasses, as if trying to overcompensate for his advancing age and eight-figure income.  All in all, Konrad was desperate to demonstrate that he’s still the same unpredictable madcap rebel who’s always ready to humiliate the establishment, despite becoming a corporate icon and political kingmaker in his own right.

“Greetings across the four corners of Americana,” growled Konrad through his gold-plated microphone.  “I am the living legend of talk radio, the Deacon of Democracy, the Golden Angel of the airwaves.  My name is Nathan F. Konrad and I can run faster, jump higher, dive deeper, stay under longer and come up drier than any man, woman, or animal on God’s green earth.  And that’s all before my morning cup of Colombian coffee!  But let’s dispense with the catch-phrases for a moment.  Normally, I don’t allow guests to sit in the booth with me.  You see, I view my radio booth as sacred territory, the birthplace of freedom for modern America, and I’m careful about corrupting its purity with outsiders.  But for the first hour of today’s program, I’m making an exception.  Just like the rest of you, I’ve been following the nonstop media coverage of the two men, Joe and Israel, who both claim to be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ—and perhaps more interestingly, also claim that the other is Lucifer.

“Now, as you know, when these, uh, men first began appearing on the television dial, I predicted that it was a publicity stunt of one kind or another and the two, uh, entities were working in unison.  While I still believe such a possibility exists, I’m starting to hedge my bets.  Despite the widespread media coverage, nobody anywhere has been able to uncover any photos or documents that ‘outs’ them as being human.  Isn’t that strange?  One would have expected that a graduation picture, a birth certificate or even a mug-shot photo might be unearthed.  Now, this dearth of evidence doesn’t necessarily mean that Joe and Israel are actually God and Satan; the absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of an absence.  But it does add circumstantial credibility to their claims.

“But even if they’re both liars, they’ve raised an interesting question: How do we, as mere humans, differentiate good from evil?  We’re deceived by leftwing evildoers with such regularity—and most of the time, the lefties aren’t even that smart!  Yes, you and I can smell ‘em out, but over 50 percent of our countrymen cannot.  So think about it: If we can’t even fend ourselves from the deceivers of earthly origins, what prayer do we have against deceivers of unearthly origins?

“And I’m not trying to be an alarmist here, but let’s face facts: Every election day, millions of Americans vote for anti-Christian secular progressives.  And I’m guesstimating that the S.P.s’ median age is, oh, maybe 50 to 70.  You compare this to Satan himself, who’s spent thousands of centuries perfecting his message, and you see that we’re facing a serious experience-gap.  Realistically, what hope do we have?

“To answer these questions, as well as many more, let us welcome Miss Margaret Magdala—the apostle of the, uh, entity she believes is the one true Second Coming, Joe.  Margaret, I’m glad you could join us.”

Margaret the Apostle grinned like the Cheshire Cat.  “Thank you, Nathan!  I’ve listened to your show for so many years now—I’m a super-big fan!”

Konrad motioned for the engineer to lower Margaret’s microphone while scanning through his notepad.  “And we’re delighted as well, Miss Magdala.  My opening question for you relates to my monologue.  Assuming that Joe and Israel are both of supernatural origins, how do you know that you’re following the Son of God and not Satan?  As you may or may not be aware, according to the latest poll numbers, a greater percentage of Americans believe that Israel is the Second Coming, and by a wide margin—a whopping 17 percent.  What do these numbers say to you?”

Margaret was unfamiliar with those statistics.  Still, she knew her heart and she knew her faith.  “They say I need to become more forceful at communicating Joe’s message to the world—and appearing on influential programs such as yours is an important first step.  Joe’s message is perfect, even if my presentation, evidently, is not.  You know Nathan, there’s a reason why Christianity caught on like a wildfire and spread throughout Europe, the Americas and the entire world, becoming the dominant religion on the planet.  Islam, Judaism, Hinduism… none of them comes even close to matching the success of Christianity.  And it’s not a coincidence that the greatest scientific achievements of the past 500 years can all be traced to Christian nations.  Christianity succeeds because Christianity is right!  Eventually, Joe’s message will prevail because his message is truth.  Lies are momentary; truth stands forev—”

Konrad jackhammered his gold-plated pen on his desk, distracting Margaret.

“Yes, yes,” interrupted the radio icon. “Of this we are not in conflict. I’m not one of those pandering relativists who preach that all civilizations are of equal moral worth, for I believe in the superiority of the American way of life and our Christian system of values.  Take Islam, for example. That religion silences intellectual debate by labeling free-thinkers as heretics. As a result, I can’t think of one Muslim philosopher over the past thousand years who’s worth a damn. Can you?”

Before Margaret could answer, Konrad continued: “Now, I’m not saying that Islam is of no moral worth—you Arab listeners, don’t take my statements out of context and start blowing stuff up again.  Sheesh.  You people have to learn how to accept criticism better.   I’m simply pointing out that the Islamic faith, as interpreted by its radicalized Imams, does not promote rigorous debate in an open marketplace of ideas. As a result, its philosophy has stagnated, with the majority of Arabs lacking flush-toilets and a military that makes France look like a nation of Rambos.”

Now Konrad was really rolling: “My friends, I’ve noticed that these Arabs like to declare ‘Holy Wars’ against America, Israel and Europe.  They never actually win these Holy Wars; they just like declaring Holy Wars.  Can you remember the last time an Arab nation actually defeated a Christian—or even a Jewish—nation?  I think you have to go all the way back to the Ottoman Empire—a kingdom so pathetic, its name is used to describe furniture we rest our feet atop!  Worst kingdom ever! But while we’re not in conflict on this point, fair-minded individuals can differ on matters of faith, and in my humble opinion, therein rests the key dilemma between Joe and Israel: How do we know which of the two is speaking the word of God and which is deceiving mankind? As Shakespeare wrote long ago, ‘Even the Devil can quote Scripture for his own purpose.’”

A bright bulb herself, Margaret decided that the best way to handle Konrad and convince his audience of her message’s authenticity was to speak a bit bolder than the host—for while the meek might inherit the earth, only the assertive wins control of the microphone.  (But just to hedge her bets, she allowed her top blouse button to slip out of place.)

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About the Author:

A nationally-recognized marketing expert, Scott Pinsker has worked with a vast array of sports stars, Grammy-winners and entertainment icons, managing everything from crisis communications to film properties.  His analysis of publicity trends has been showcased multiple times on FOXNews.com, where he occasionally contributes as a marketing expert.

Official Website: http://secondcomingishere.com/

Tour Schedule

http://irresistiblereadstour.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/tour-the-second-coming-a-love-story-by-scott-pinsker/

Just in Time for Halloween: The New Mrs. Collins

Quanie Miller made a great first impression with her hilarious romantic comedy, It Ain’t Easy Being Jazzy. Her second book is considerably different – Southern Paranormal genre – and she proves that her writing is both versatile and consistently engaging. Her characters, whether funny or intense, are unforgettable, her creativity knows no bounds. This is not only an exciting read, but one you’ll want to talk about.

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Book Info

Title: The New Mrs. Collins
Author: Quanie Miller
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: October 13, 2014

Book Blurb

In the small town of Carolville, Louisiana, no one knows that Adira Collins inherited mystical powers from her great-grandmother. All they know is that she’s beautiful, poised, graceful, and ruthless — especially when it comes to love. And no one knows that more than Leena Williams, who was all set to marry the man of her dreams until Adira swooped into town and stole the man’s heart.

Being left at the altar is bad enough, but Leena and her ex share custody of their son, so she has to see the new Mrs. Collins on a regular basis.

And it burns every time she does.

But soon, Leena starts to suspect that there is more to Adira Collins than meets the eye. And it’s not because she owns some kinky lingerie shop or allegedly insulted the pastor’s wife — it’s the strange way she can make a door close without touching it, or take one look at something and make it drop dead at her feet.

Leena starts digging for answers and soon discovers that, unlike her public persona, Adira’s true nature is somewhere on the other side of grace. She also learns, a little too late, that some secrets are better left buried.

Excerpt

Even though Johnny’s house was a good ten miles away, it did not occur to Leena to put on a pair of shoes, or to comb her hair, or wash her face. She walked along Elmer Drive until she got to Stoney Way. She ambled along, not paying attention to anything in particular, when she looked up and saw a woman in a white nightgown walking towards her. There was nothing really remarkable about her except for the fact that her face was on fire. Leena stopped and pointed at the woman. She was going to ask her if she knew her face was on fire when the woman smiled at her. To Leena’s horror, the woman’s face transformed into her face. The woman was her. She looked at her reflection in a store window and saw that it was true: her face was ablaze.

Leena looked down at her fingertips and noticed that they were on fire as well. She the new mrs. collins cover imagewondered — if she touched something, would it burn? She turned her attention to a mailbox on the corner and winced when it blurred, went back into focus, disappeared, and then returned. She walked towards it, stuck her burning finger out, and was shocked to discover that the mailbox wasn’t real. Her finger went right through it as if the mailbox were made of clouds. She was stumped. She looked at her hand again when it dawned on her what she had gone to the kitchen for that morning — to cut the tips from her fingers.

She turned around, headed back to her house and wondered who left her front door wide open. When she got to the kitchen, she laid her hand on the cutting board and took the biggest knife from the cutlery set. She would start with the pinky first. She laid the little finger there, raised the knife high in the air, and just as she was coming down to slice, heard the whisper once more, and this time, it was as clear as a blue diamond sitting in a shallow pool of water: Go to McCullens Bridge.

McCullens Bridge! Well, that made sense. Her face was on fire so it was logical that she should go to McCullens Bridge and stick her head in to put the fire out. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? She walked outside and noticed that the sun was hanging lower than usual, almost on top of her neighbor’s house. She wagged her finger as she walked past it, thinking that if it fell on her head, she’d be in a world of trouble. She looked at it one more time to make sure it would stay put, then she continued walking.

Author Bio

QUANIE MILLER - PHOTOQuanie Miller grew up in New Iberia, Louisiana. She fell in love with reading at an early age and spent most of her time at the Iberia Parish Library discovering authors like R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike (she was often found walking back home from the library with a stack of books that went up to her chin). She holds degrees from Louisiana State University and San Jose State University. She has been the recipient of the James Phelan Literary Award, the Louis King Thore Scholarship, the BEA Student Scriptwriting Award, and the Vicki Hudson Emerging Writing Prize. She is the author of The New Mrs. Collins, a southern paranormal novel, and It Ain’t Easy Being Jazzy, a romantic comedy. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and is currently, as always, working on another novel. To find out more about Quanie and her works in progress visit quanietalkswriting.com.

Book Purchase Links

Amazon (US) http://www.amazon.com/New-Mrs-Collins-Quanie-Miller-ebook/dp/B00OAC362I

Amazon (UK) http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Mrs-Collins-Quanie-Miller-ebook/dp/B00OAC362I

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/483357

Social Media Links

Twitter: @quaniemiller
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuanieMillerAuthor
Blog: http://www.quanietalkswriting.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/QuanieMiller
Website: quaniemiller.com
Email: quanie@quanietalkswriting.com

Need Inspiration?

by Sandra Ardoin, Inspirational Historical Romance Author

The Shack, A Log Cabin Christmas, Into the Free, Dying to Read, the Left Behind series. Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers, Wanda Brunstetter, Terri Blackstock, Cindy Woodsmall.

What do these books and authors have in common? First, the novels are written from a Christian world view. Second, each title and author has made the New York Times Best Sellers list. And I could name more of each.

For a long time, most fiction from a Christian world view revolved around sweet romance. Then Frank Perretti (another NY Times best seller) took up where C. S. Lewis of Narnia fame ended and opened the market to fiction that dealt with stronger issues than prairie romance—namely, demons and spiritual warfare. From then on, it was no longer grandma’s Christian fiction.

Or maybe it still is.

Middle-class female adults make up the bulk of readers, and romance tops the genre list. It doesn’t matter if it’s contemporary romance, romantic suspense, or historical romance. People love love whether it’s between a fictional hero and heroine or in their own relationship with God.

I recently conducted an informal survey and asked readers why they chose Christian fiction. Here are some of the reasons they repeated over and over:

  • It’s clean – This was number one. Not everyone wants to read scenes with explicit sex or coarse language. These readers are not prudes or ostriches. They simply want G and PG stories that won’t leave certain images and words lodged in their minds. It’s the old computer philosophy of “garbage in/garbage out.” (The Biblical version can be found in Philippians 4:8. J)
  • It’s relevant – One of the biggest complaints I’ve heard against books in this market is what I call the “roses and lollipops” impression. Characters live in an unrealistic world. (See paragraph three above.)

When I asked what has changed over the last decade and what readers would like to see, I got the same basic answer: relevancy. People were happy to see that authors now tackled subjects they dealt with in everyday life—single parenting, alcoholism, divorce, etc. And they want to see more of it. But they want those topics addressed in a Biblical manner.

  • It has expanded its reach – Yes, sweet romance is still published because there is still a large market (check out the success of Harlequin’s Love Inspired imprint). Today, you’ll find suspense, thrillers—including medical and military—mystery, historicals set in various periods, Amish, contemporary women’s fiction, westerns, science fiction and speculative fiction.
  • It’s well written – In years past, these novels lacked respect writing-wise, and there was some basis for it. That’s no longer the case. Like the best mainstream authors, those who write for the Christian market are well trained. With the formation of organizations like American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) with its nearly 3,000 members in the U.S. and internationally, writers are privy to educational resources, networking opportunities, critique groups, and contests—all meant to help them improve their craft.
  • It speaks to readers, spiritually – Many times, Jesus taught through story. Readers want Christian authors to do the same—without being “preachy.” It isn’t just a matter of throwing out a verse or prayer here and there. Readers want to see a character whose struggle either teaches them something they can use in their own lives or brings them into a deeper relationship with God.

It’s little wonder that large mainstream publishers such as Hachette, Random House, and HarperCollins decided to join in on the growing popularity of the Christian (or Inspirational) publishing market by either starting their own imprints or buying existing Christian houses.

Remember, these aren’t your grandma’s novels. They’re entertaining, funny, and emotionally moving. They’re waiting for you to try them.

Bio:

Sandra Ardoin_HeadshotSandra Ardoin writes inspirational historical romance. Her Christmas novella, The Yuletide Angel, releases October 2014 and is up for pre-order on Amazon. She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

The Yuletide Angel Cover

Confessions of a Binge Word Writer

by Anita Stratos, Proof Positive Editor

I have a confession to make. I’m a binge word writer. I tend to binge on certain words or phrases when writing a first draft like they were my favorite flavor of ice cream. In fact, if the first draft of my writing was ice cream, I’d weigh 500 pounds by now.

That’s because I tend to use a particular word or phrase (or both) repeatedly, as if it’s the only way to describe a certain attitude, action, feeling, whatever. In one first draft, “raised eyebrows” were flying all over the fictitious town; in another, “sideways glances” stole the scenes. Yikes.

The binge words that attach themselves to my brain are different with every manuscript I write. For some reason, different stories bring out different binges. So it’s not like I can just watch out for a particular word or phrase with each manuscript. It’s always a surprise binge – the ice cream attacks me rather than me attacking it.

sad-laptop

Your laptop doesn’t want to read the same words over and over again either.

Train-of-thought writing is like that for me. And while anything goes in a first draft, those repetitions have to be replaced by more creative terms during the revision process.

Repetitions aren’t always obvious during the writing process because I’m so focused on the overall work or so engrossed in writing a scene. And that’s what’s most important with a first draft – getting those thoughts on paper without stopping to edit (something particularly difficult for me; the editor in me always tries to strong-arm the writer in me). But when rereading during that first revision, those binges pop off the page like hot pink Mexican jumping beans.

And that’s when the real work begins. Because sometimes a binge word just seems so perfectly suited in each and every place it appears that it’s hard to imagine any other word doing as good of a job.

At that point I have to step back from the writing and sometimes even act the dialogue or situation out, which can really help open the door for a better descriptive. In fact, sometimes the entire scene can benefit from my little impromptu plays because another dimension to the story or scene may reveal itself, or a character may surprise me with a new attitude or perspective.

You’re probably thinking, “Why doesn’t she just use a thesaurus?” Well, I do use an expanded thesaurus, but it still doesn’t always give me what I need, especially when it comes to phrases. But as a last resort, I’ll check the words it offers just in case it jumpstarts my brain.

And if that doesn’t work, I send my revised, best-as-I-can-get-it draft complete with binge words to my editor and let her work it out. 😉 (Thanks, Christie!)

Meet Author Susan Mills Wilson

Here at Proof Positive, we’re huge fans of books that have something for everyone. Susan Mills Wilson’s latest book, Her Lying Eyes, has it all: suspense, romance, mystery, murder, politics, and lies – lots of them. If you’re looking for a book you can convince all your friends to read before you get together for lunch, you’ve found “the one”. Something tells me a lot of book clubs will be starting up once you discover this book. Be sure to check it out, but first read on to find out more about Wilson herself and how she develops characters and storylines that will have you reading far past your bedtime.

~~~

How long did it take you to plan Her Lying Eyes before you began writing it?

I worked out the plot in my head about two months before I began writing a single word. I knew which direction I wanted to take it and who would be the main characters to carry the plot. Crazy as it sounds, I feel it’s important for me to develop a relationship with my imaginary characters so I will know how they will interact with each other and how they will react to situations, good or bad.

Do you mostly write in this particular genre or do you dabble in other genres? If so, which ones?

I also like to write romantic short stories. They’re always feel-good reads where the boy gets the girl or vice versa. Also, every Christmas, I write a holiday short story that I send to family and friends just for the fun of it. I write a weekly blog on my website that satisfies the nonfiction writer in me.

What do you think makes your work stand apart from other works in your genre?

Many romantic suspense books are cozy, but I like to write gritty. However, some topics are off limits for me. I don’t write about torture, child abuse, diabolical killers or erotica. What really makes my work stand apart is the complex relationships of characters where they are torn between decisions that could have dire consequences. Everyone, including my main characters, have flaws that sometimes take them over the edge. For example, Kirkus Review said this about my debut novel, GOOD GONE BAD: Like the best noir, this story puts its characters through an emotional wringer and makes the reader feel their desperation, too.

Are any of the characters in your book based on people you know or have seen/talked to in real life?

None of the characters are based on real people; however, they are a composite of certain traits I have seen in others. A minor character, newspaper editor Stu Blackmon, talks nonstop, and I feel we all know someone like that. In this novel, the head of the Reynolds empire is a rich, powerful person who abuses his wealth and influence, similar to real people we all read about in the news. Main character Jamison Jackson is an investigative reporter, a career I always wanted to have. I guess I’m living out that dream through her.

What inspires you to write? Music? Other books? Real life events? Just an incredible imagination?

My first novel (not yet published) was inspired by a Toby Keith song, “That’s My House.” Most of my inspiration comes from real life events that readers can identify with. My next novel, MELTDOWN, was inspired because I was at a concert in a park and saw a church tower across the street. I thought, “Wouldn’t that be a great place for a sniper to take shots at a crowd?” What can I say? Suspense writers are twisted.

Are you part of any writers’ groups? If so, what do you like about them? How do they help you or inspire you? If not, why not?

One of the most important things I have done, which I recommend to other writers, is to get involved in a critique group. I am coordinator of The Mystery Critique Group in my town. Their advice has been invaluable to me. I listened to what they said and accordingly made changes in writing HER LYING EYES.

Do you plan your writing out with outlines, character development exercises, and other pre-writing activities? Or do you just write as it comes to you?

The outline for my story is in my head. Sometimes I will mark up a calendar to get a timeline of when the action is to be played out. I write mock interviews with characters so I can get inside their heads and write from their point of view. I also write a personal profile of all main characters that includes their weaknesses, strength, goals, habits, how they dress, and even what their favorite drink is.

Did you do any research for this book?

The subplot of this book involves a toxic spill of chemicals, either accidental or intentional. I had to read a lot of articles and documentation to get it right. Also, I have attended three police citizens academies so that I have a clear understanding of police procedures and investigations. If there are mistakes with that part of the story, it’s on me and not the officers I consulted with.

Do you read the kinds of books you like to write? Do you watch movies similar to or the same genre as your writing?

Yes, I read mostly suspenseful books, but not necessarily romantic suspense. I like a book that is a good page-turner. I enjoy movies that keep you on the edge of your seat. I sometimes visualize certain actors in the roles of my characters.

If you could write anywhere in the world – in a fictional or nonfictional place – where would you write?

If I could write anywhere, it would be somewhere on the coast. I love the Carolina coast because it’s close to home and I know it well. Of course, laying low in a bungalow on a Caribbean island doesn’t sound like a bad gig either.

~~~

Connect with Susan Mills Wilson:
Twitter
Amazon
Goodreads
Facebook

Check out Her Lying Eyes:
Amazon

Her Lying Eyes Cover

Your Author Website Could Be Killing Your Book Sales

by Anita Stratos, Proof Positive Editor

So you’ve given your new book as much social media play as you possibly can. Your efforts have resulted in a nice, steady uptick in visitors to your author website, which is just what you wanted.

Your blog talks about things like your writing process, inspirations for your book, your characters, your favorite writing spots, real world issues related to your book – whatever you feel is relevant and interesting.

Could any of this actually be working against the sale of your book?

If your website or blog posts contain misspellings, grammatical errors, poor phrasing – all those things you’ve hopefully had edited out of your book – then your credibility will take a hit.

Your website and blog posts may very well be the first impression many potential readers computer-trapget of you and your writing, and as the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Readers view your website and blog posts as a reflection of you and your work. If your blog posts don’t show that you care enough to double and triple check for errors or write in a meaningful way, readers will understandably assume your book will be the same.

If you can’t step back from your writing far enough to see what needs fixing, ask a friend or fellow writer you trust to help, or see if your editor is willing to do it for a small fee.

One last note: choose your font carefully. This isn’t just a lot of type hype – fonts speak to readers. There are entire studies on the psychology of typography and the messages different fonts convey. Just like choosing the right name for your characters depending on their personalities (you wouldn’t name a tough, bar brawling assassin Harvey Milktoast), you also wouldn’t use a futuristic-looking font to describe a cozy, laid-back country romance story or Comic Sans font for a thriller.

With a shiny clean website, you’ll give your book a much better chance.

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