A Roadmap For Self-Publishing by John E. Nevola Author of The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II

So you're done with your manuscript and perhaps even tried to get an agent or publisher to read your work to no avail.  And now you've decided to self-publish and are wondering what pitfalls await you and perhaps how you might do this without having to pawn your engagement ring or your Mickey Mantle rookie card.

This roadmap will help guide you through the minefield based on my hard-learned lessons in self-publishing The Last Jump.  It is by no means a comprehensive "cook book" for self-publishing and its certainly not a "Self-Publishing for Dummies" style article.  It simply points out where I stepped on a land mine and what I will or will not be doing the second time around.  I'll provide some references at the end of the article should you choose to delve into the life of an indie author and the art of self-publishing more deeply.

Let's get started.

BIGGER IS NOT BETTER

Mistake number one for me was assuming a bigger book would provide a greater value for my readers.  The fact that it would be more expensive to produce (and thus carry a more expensive cover price) eluded me.  I was compelled to reduce my manuscript by 20% to get the book into a reasonable price range.  As you know (or will find out), taking words OUT of your manuscript is the hardest thing you will ever have to do as an author.  In my case, it was a blessing in disguise as the reduction revisions tightened up the plot and improved the flow of the story.   But it took forever.  So try to keep it tight and do it right the first time.

PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL EDITING

If all you ever wanted out of life was to see your name on the cover of a book, then you can let Aunt Bertha edit your masterpiece.  But if you have any expectations of getting good reviews or perhaps getting mentioned in a book contest, you had better take the editing task more seriously.   This problem is unique to self-published authors as traditional publishing houses provide editing services for their writers.  So the final quality of your book is squarely on you.

Your worst enemy in this effort will be yourself as you become impatient to see your book published and tend to rush through this final but critical stage on getting your book out there.  Professional editing can be expensive but the final product will indeed make you proud.  And if you look hard enough, you may find people who discount their prices for any number of reasons (to get started in the business, a college student, a fellow member of the Military Writer's Society of America, etc.), which can save you some money when compared to "professional" book editors.  And since few or none guarantee their work, it may be worth a shot to take a chance on a hungry unknown.

What did I do, you ask?  I had six close relatives read and edit my book.  They found hundreds of errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling (spell check does not flag the correct spelling of a wrong word).  Then we published.  Some friends who read the book flagged another seventy errors.  The publisher required a hefty "reblocking" fee to make corrections after publishing.  We paid that fee and republished.  Then some other "friends" found another forty errors and we paid the fee once again.  I think we finally have a credible book on the market although my relatives are no longer considered "editors" nor are they even close anymore.

SELECTING A PUBLISHER

To avoid confusion, let's define how the term publisher is used in this article.

The traditional publisher dominated the field until just a few years ago.  They are extremely business oriented and therefore very selective in the manuscripts they choose.  They tend to favor established authors.  This is because they take all the risk as well as the lion's share of the profits.  Only they could afford to print ten thousand copies of a book at the same time to enjoy the economy of scale.  However, Print On Demand (POD) technology has altered the landscape.  An average size book can now be printed and bound along with its cover in about a minute.  Large print runs are no longer necessary to produce a cost-effective book.  If you're a client of one of these traditional publishing companies, you're in the wrong article.

Pure self-publishers do everything themselves including editing, formatting the book, cover design, printing, distribution, marketing and retail sales.  This requires great skill and an "insider's knowledge" of the industry.  This article is also not for you.

The third choice is the subsidy publisher, also known at one time as the vanity publisher.  These companies provide all the services of a traditional publisher for a fee.  They are capable of doing all of the specialized tasks required to build, print and distribute a book.  There are literally dozens of these companies and they all have different business models which translate into different pros and cons for the author.  The use of the term publisher in this article refers to the subsidy publisher.  So which one should you choose?

Books have been written on this topic and I will offer references at the end of this article for the ones I felt most helpful to me.  For now, I'll just point out the most important points to consider.

• You want to retain all the worldwide rights to your work
• The publisher should allow you reasonable options to price your own book
• Cover art for the book cover should be included
• They should be able to provide an eBook version in multiple formats

We'll talk a bit more about marketing later on but you should know your two biggest expenses will be your up-front publishing package fee and your editing services.  They all also try to hose you for as much "revenue" for marketing add-ons as they can squeeze out of you.

PRICING YOUR BOOK

If you are solely publishing an e-Book, skip this section.  You already have total control over every element of your book from cover to format to pricing.  However, if you are also publishing a traditional book, hang in here.

Before your price is printed on the book cover, some publishers will offer a choice of what's called the retail discount.   Typically, they will let you choose some percentage between 20% and 40%.  This represents the percentage the bookstore can discount the book and still make a profit.  Therefore, the higher the discount, the higher the book must be priced.  And you will be told bookstores will not handle any book with a retail discount of less than 40%.  You will also be told you need to purchase a returns guarantee to cover the cost of unsold books.

Don't do it!

First of all, the publishing world is undergoing a huge metamorphosis driven by POD technology and the emergence of online eBooks.   Large publishing houses are losing their clout and bookstores are going out of business left and right.  What you need to do is take the lowest retail discount allowed to keep the price of your book as low as possible.  You're competing with other books and you want as much price advantage as you can get.  Don't be bullied into the larger retail discount just to be in bookstores.   Not being in traditional bookstores won't matter.  My book, The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II, is available online in hard and softcover versions as well as an e-Book.  Seventy-five percent of my sales are for the Amazon Kindle.  So, focus on getting (a) the lowest price and on (b) the online buyer.  You won't be sorry.

One final thought.  You can still get your book in local bookstores with a 20% retail discount.  Local bookstores may be interested in stocking your book, having book signings and capitalizing on the notoriety of a local author.  You just need to send out email queries and/or make some personal visits or phone calls to aggressively pursue this opportunity on a one-on-one basis.  Doing this I was able to place my book in the Army Heritage and Education Center bookstore in Carlisle, PA and the Toccoa Military Museum in Toccoa, GA.  Exactly the kind of bookstores I want to be in.

MARKETING YOUR BOOK

Finally!  Your book is published and available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Some of you may even have it available on Smashwords.com.  If you don't, you should.  Smashwords makes your eBook available in multiple formats compatible with Sony iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm and other e-readers.  The formatting requirements are stringent but the service is FREE!

But I digress.

When you are done making your title available, it's time to market your book.  There is "old" marketing (magazine ads, radio ads, personal appearances, etc.) and "new" marketing (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).   Some marketing approaches are expensive and some are free or cheap and the benefits do not always accrue to the more expensive (the saying "you get what you pay for" does not apply to marketing a book).

Here are some of my expenditures that yielded little return along with others that I rejected out of hand.

• Banner Ads - in America in World War II magazine and in As A Mom's monthly eZine - MinuteMom. 
• Web ads - in weaslezippers.com. It is very difficult to gauge the effectiveness of magazine and web ads but I never saw that spike in sales that would justify the expense.  So, never again for me unless I get a great promo deal.
• Paid for book reviews - Book reviews are important and you should get as many as you can but avoid wasteful ways of accomplishing this.  For example, don't mail books until you get an agreement from the other party they will do a review.  Send email queries instead until you get a response committing to a review.  Even then, you won't get them all back.  I also paid a small fee for a book review "service" who was supposed to hook me up with lots of reviewers.  I'm still waiting.
• Book Contests - If you choose to enter any, contact the contest owner directly and do the work required to submit your entry.  Some publishers sell this as a "package" but it is nothing more than a rip-off.  They charge exorbitant prices to do the administrative work that you could easily do yourself. 
• Press Releases - Some publishers try to sell a service that would send/fax the press release of your book to a million contacts.  (Well, maybe not a million but they exaggerate the number too).  Don't bother.  It's a waste of money.
• Publicist - Some publishers try to sell a publicist services but their staff is typically not full time publicists.  This is one mistake I didn't make and I hope you don't either.
• Promotional Materials - Some publishers try to sell a package of business cards, posters, magnets, bookmarks, T-shirts and all sorts of unnecessary junk.  The business cards are the only item that makes sense and could be acquired much more inexpensively via online vendors like Vistaprint.
• eBook Formats - My publisher sells multiple packages designed to provide various e-Book formats for iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android etc.  Smashwords provides this service for free.  My publisher charges to provide a Nook book.  Barnes and Nobles provides this for free through their Pubit service.  My point is, do not bite on these packages from subsidy publishers until you adequately explore alternatives.  You will almost always find a less expensive option.

 FREE MARKETING (Or at least cheap)

• Website - This is a must.  It's home base.  It's where you send everyone who shows the slightest interest in your book to get more information.  It's where outsiders can contact you for comments or get information.  You can link to your book's online product page directly from your site.  You can get a website for free from WordPress.com (some upgrades may cost a little money but the basic setup is free)
• Facebook Page - This is also a must.  A Fan Page for your book to go along with your personal page will keep your book in the public eye.  Post frequent updates and expand your friend base in order to get your message "out there".  Sign up to join "groups" that share your passion for your book subject (whether it be romance, mystery, history, etc. there are likely to be more than a few groups who share your interest).  Post whatever updates you can to all of these group pages and your fan page as events transpire and things occur.  It's free.
• Twitter/LinkedIn - Social networking is just beginning to shape the world of communication and marketing.  Getting in on Facebook and Twitter as well as LinkedIn is essential for the new author.  Joining them is free but learning how to use them efficiently will take some time.  But the effort will result in more free exposure than you could have ever hoped for.
• Email Signature Line - Populate your email signature line with your book(s) names, awards, website, Facebook and Twitter addresses.  Every time you send or respond to an email, you will be promoting your book.  As you develop your persona as an author, along with your book title, your every-day interactions on the Internet will become a promotional vehicle for you and your book.
• Media Coverage - Local radio stations and local newspapers often look for local content.  I was able to successfully obtain 3 radio interviews on a local radio station just by calling the station manager.  In addition, I had 4 articles in local newspapers published shortly after my book was published.  All I had to do to get these "Local Author Makes Good" pieces published was to email the newspaper editor.  However, even though I got these goodies for free, I'm still not at all sure how much of a positive impact they had on book sales.

PAID MARKETING

• Facebook Ads - I have had some great sales months in the last year and for the most part sales have grown quarter to quarter.  Since I've tried so many different things, it's impossible to determine precisely which efforts fueled my sales growth.  But one thing has remained constant throughout and that is my paid Facebook Ads.  So I'm staying with them.  If you decide to go with this I recommend you study the guide on Facebook.  Set your demographic and interest profile to reach at least 7 million people (more if possible).  Also, use the daily expense cap to limit your expenses.  Finally, I found paying for a thousand images more effective than paying for each click-through (to my website).  And I bid well below the Facebook recommended range.  (Facebook recommends I bid in the range of .42-.62 per thousand images but I bid .10 -.15 and usually hit my $2.00 daily cap every day).  I also suggest you keep track of your impression count, and expenses alongside your sales on a spreadsheet.  Change your ad content regularly and analyze sales within the same expense periods.  This should help determine which ads work better than others.
• Business Cards - I found this to be a worthwhile investment.  When you meet new people or discuss your book with old friends, it's always helpful to leave them a card.  Make sure your website address is on the card.  I always carry a few cards in my wallet. When I go to well-traveled public places (doctor's office, automotive service, restaurants, etc) I always leave a small stack of cards.
• Appearances - Most of my appearances are at military-friendly functions.  I attend as many re-reenactment events, reunions, air shows, recognition functions, etc. as I can schedule and drive to.  There you can meet people who share your interests, take pictures for your social media sites, pass out business cards and develop relationships.  The cost is in the travel expense including an occasional layover at a Motel 6.
• Organizations - In order to stay in touch with like-minded people, you should bite the bullet and pay the dues to join organizations with people with similar interests, challenges and perhaps solutions.  Being continually "wired-in" keeps you engaged and in touch with the rapidly changing trends and technologies of  interest to the author.  The ones I recommend are the Independent Author Network, Goodreads and, of course, The Military Writers Society of America.

CONCLUSION

If you were able to secure a traditional publisher, all of these worries would be on someone else's desk.  But you decided to self-publish.  The upside is you have much more control over your writing adventure.  No one is telling you what to do, arranging your appearance and book-signing schedules or making decisions you might not agree with.  And you got your lifelong "dream book" on the market while you were still young enough to read it.

The downside is you'll be hard pressed to make great progress on that second book while you're functioning as the Marketing Executive of your own first book.  It is a demanding job with many false starts, dead-ends and dumb mistakes.  Hopefully this piece will help you prevent some of them and chart a course fraught with less danger.  Now you need to delve into the particulars and do the research necessary to utilize the tools available to you.

If you have anything you would like to add or discuss, just contact me on http://www.thelastjump.com/

All my best and good luck!

John E. Nevola - Author of The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II

See what I mean. J

REFERENCE MATERIAL AND RESOURCES

The Independent Authors Network

http://www.indieauthorsnetwork.com/

The Fine Print of Self-Publishing, Fourth Edition - Everything You Need to Know About the Costs, Contracts, and Process of Self-Publishing - Mark Levine

This book will help you select a reputable publisher for your self-published book.  Available in paperback and Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Print-Self-Publishing-Fourth-Everything/dp/1935098551/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1324590851&sr=8-4

The First Ten Steps: Ten proven steps to build a solid foundation for your e-Book using free social networking - M.R Mathias

There are some interesting tidbits of information about social networking in this book.  Even if your book is available in hard or soft cover, these tips apply.  Besides, it will like be available in eBook form some day.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Ten-Steps-foundation-networking/dp/1463606877/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1324592464&sr=8-2

How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months  - John Locke

This very popular book (see 225 reviews) provides much useful information for the indie author.  John Locke has good Internet karma.  We exchanged emails on a number of occasions as I asked him for clarification of some of his points.  This book is like panning for gold but the few nuggets in there are worth the effort.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Sold-Million-eBooks-Months/dp/1935670913/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324592756&sr=1-1

Paul Anthony: The IAN Interview

IAN. Hi Paul. Please tell us a bit about yourself.

PA. I’ve written a number of fictional novels and a poetry book and was first published in 1996 by a vanity publisher. It has been exceptionally successful for me over many years. I was in full time employment then and due to the nature of my employment, my employer preferred me  to use another name, so my first two Christian names were reversed and Paul Anthony was born. My next book was commissioned by a traditional house but they went into liquidation 6 months later and my venture recorded a nil return. When I recently retired from full time employment I adopted the independent route to publishing and self authorship. I’ve written television and film scripts either on my own, or with the award winning screenwriter, Nick Gordon who is my son in law. He won a screenplay competition hosted by Mark Cantor on behalf of Warner Bros. a couple of years ago. The son of a soldier, I settled in Carlisle before I joined the Police at the age of 19 and served throughout Cumbria. As a detective, I served with Cumbria CID, the Regional Crime Squad, Manchester, the Special Branch, the anti terrorist branch, and other national agencies in the UK. I have an Honours Degree in Economics and Social Sciences, a Diploma in Management and a Diploma in Office Management. I am the Chairman of a Registered Charity, 'Champ's Camp', and a supporter of the Dyslexia Foundation UK who recently selected 'The Fragile Peace' (my 1996 publication) to be the first book in their audio library. I am a keen promoter of 'A1 Casting North' which works with the 'Help for Heroes' Charity to provide job opportunities for ex military and ex police in the acting field, often providing both 'extras' and people with 'specific' military skills required by film and television production companies. I enjoy reading a wide range of works, reviewing same, and playing guitar badly. I also enjoy running, kettlebells, athletics, keeping fit, dining out and dining in, keeping Koi carp, and following politics, economics and social sciences. I’m married and have three adult children and five grandchildren. My adult children and wider family are all police and military figures.

IAN. Please tell us about your latest book.

PA. My latest book is entitled THE CONCHENTA CONUNDRUM. It’s set in the fictional town of Crillsea on the south coast of England. The book begins with two old friends reuniting. One is a former member of the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad (with whom I had a former connection) and the other is an army bomb disposal officer. The work opens with a bomb plot and the two men become instant heroes. But that all goes to hogwash when a number of unconnected murders are reported and the detective, Davies King, takes charge. He is thwarted by higher command at every turn and has to fight attempts to ridicule him every step of the way. Things are made worse when the bomb disposal officer, Max Fowler, is arrested and may..... or may not.... be the guilty party. As Davies King and his team dig deeply into the murders it becomes obvious that a web of corruption and power broking is in play and he needs to tackle it head on in order to win. How he tackles the case is the crux of the story. An unlikely character, Davies is a chessmaster, and runs his office from the local pub where a mix of characters, friends and suspects alike, weave through the work presenting themselves to the reader as a ‘goodie’or a ‘baddie’. It is the first of three ‘standalone’ Davies King books

IAN. How long did it take to write The Conchenta Conundrum?

PA. I crafted the book in Corralejo, Fuerteventura, during a fortnight’s holiday sitting by the pool in the sunshine with a glass of beer, a netbook, and my editor and first supporter.... My wife.

IAN. What inspired you to write the book?

PA. My first three books all centered around the detective, William Miller Boyd, (Billy Boyd) and tell the story of a Cumbrian detective who rises through the ranks into the Metropolitan police anti terrorist branch. His tales are of counter and anti terrorism, spies, bomb plots in Northern Ireland and the Middle East and the characters who make up the game. I was asked by a number of my friends and readers to write a murder mystery, mainly, I think, because I was involved in a lot of murder enquiries as a detective. So I decided to give it a go and wrote a fictional tale for readers to enjoy.

IAN. Talk about the writing process. Do you write at night or in the morning?

PA. I write when the mood takes me and at no set time. If I have a pen in my hand and I get a poem or a plot in my head, it’s on paper as soon as I sit down.

IAN. Did you use an outline or do you just wing the first draft?

PA. I write headings for chapters, For example, Chapter one - DK finds body Chapter Two - DK finds second body. Chapter Three - DK loses at chess to...?

and then build what is in my head into the book. My wife reads every 50 pages and corrects where needs be. Then we go back to the beginning. At the end I give the finished article to three friends who are all given specific editorial jobs with regards to the work. Then I take them out for a meal and a few glasses of wine. They’ve never let me down.

IAN. How is your book different from others in your genre?

PA. It’s not written as a police procedural. It’s written from first hand experience of the subject mixed with imagination.

IAN. Is The Conchenta Conundrum published in print, e-book or both?

PA. Both

IAN. What do you hope your readers come away with after reading The Conchenta Conundrum?

PA. I think pleasure more than anything.

IAN. Where can we go to buy your book?

PA. Amazon, Smashwords, Venture Book Galleries, and Lulu. All the direct links to my purchasing sites are on my IAN page and they are available in print and ebook formats.

IAN. Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand alone?

PA. The next standalone Davies King book is entitled MOONLIGHT SHADOWS. The book was also crafted whilst on holiday. It is another murder mystery but this one is about ‘spies who fall out’. The reader knows who the murderer(s) is/are from an early stage. The mystery lies in why the murders are being committed. For what reason? The answer is offered to the reader at various stages of the work, but the real motive is the real mystery. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing this one in less than three months. The words have just flowed in but I will bury it for one month, re-read/write it, and then give it to my associate editorial team to edit. I have a number of author friends I am hoping will do me the honour of reviewing the work prior to publication.

IAN. Any other links or info you'd like to share?

PA. I have a blog page where I have a giggle at times and write about the distraught author Penelope Prudence and her adventures. I had to explain to someone recently that she is a fictional character and not a real person. I share information and tit bits on the publishing process for new authors here. And, I am really lucky, and feel quite privileged, to have hosted some guest blogs on the site from a good ‘mixed’ genre authorship of friends. Mainly IAN’ people like Nicholas Rose, John Betcher, Dennis Sheehan, Elizabeth Marshall, Zoe Saadia, CC Cole, Morgan Nyberg, Wayne Zurl, all good at what they write. And I’d like to draw attention to The Writers Collection website. This is a site where professional writers write short stories on a weekly basis for their readers. It has a massive following. I’m also a member of the Famous Five Plus group as well as having links on twitter, facebook and linkedin. My good news for 2012, apart from this wonderful IAN Featured Author accolade,  is that I have recently signed a distribution contract with Venture Galleries and I’m really looking forward to developing these relationships and delivering not just more work to the reader, but alternative methods of purchase in an ever-changing environment.  

These are my main active links

http://paulanthonys.blogspot.com  

http://famousfiveplus.blogspot.com/

http://www.thewriterscollection.com/

http://venturegalleries.com

http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/paul-anthony.html

You can find excerpts from both my poetry book and The Conchenta Conundrum on my blogsite. I’m always popping in with poetry and odd paragraphs from different books I’ve written.

IAN. Anything else going on in your life?

PA. If anyone is interested in following up on The Fragile Peace, I’d like you to know that the contract is being terminated and there will be no further print runs. There are less than 50 left in the warehouse apparently. The good news is that the ebook of the same name is ready and I will be republishing it under my own imprint in print and ebook in the next month or so, and once the contract is formally concluded. So, if it’s not on your favourite website now.....it will be soon.

Railroad Man by Southern Fiction Author Alle Wells

Rail Road Man is author Alle Wells second published book.

Mickey’s job with the railroad is the best gig going in north Georgia in 1933. He’s tall, dark, and handsome and has it made in the shade. Mickey found his true love at an early age and dreams of the perfect life they will share. He roams the speakeasies and clip joints of Atlanta, looking snazzy and ready for some action. The women call him Killer. He seeks the exotic creatures of the city and the wonders they hold. What Mick finds on a cold, dark night in a lowdown speakeasy changes his life forever. Forty-five years later, Mick wonders what happened.

Praise for Railroad Man:

I think that most people can relate to Railroad Man where life's dreams and disappointments meet somewhere in the middle. I highly recommend this book for any man who dreams of days gone by. Amazon Review.

This is a story of forbidden love in the 1930's. The conflict, drama, and surprising twists in this story held my interest. The characters are so real, I feel as if I know them. This fast moving, easy read held me tight until the end. Amazon Review.

The Author

Alle Wells writes Southern Fiction set in specific time periods. Genres may include Southern Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance or Human Interest stories. Each book tells the story of one life and how society, beliefs, and culture shape the outcome of that life. The reader may find a family member, a friend, an acquaintance or themselves in her characters. Her stories are like life: funny, tragic, romantic, happy, and sad. Choose one of her titles and find yourself or someone you know.

Alle’s first book, Lame Excuses, tells the story of a young woman’s blissful love for food that leads her to a bitter end. This story addresses the crippling epidemic of food addiction in the rural South.

The new era of self-publishing opened the door for Alle to pursue the dream of sharing her stories with the world. Other interests include supporting other Indie Authors, reading, yoga, bird watching, healthy lifestyles, and a vegetarian diet. Alle lives in North Carolina.

http://www.allewells.com  

Mark Tufo is the Author of the Bestselling Zombie Fallout Series

The Zombie Fallout Series:

Zombie Fallout

It was a flu season like no other. With fears of contracting the H1N1 virus running rampant throughout the country, people lined up in droves to try an attain one of the coveted vaccines. What was not known, was the effect this largely untested, rushed to market, inoculation was to have on the unsuspecting throngs. Within days, feverish folk throughout the country, convulsed, collapsed and died, only to be re-born. With a taste for brains, blood and bodies, these modern day zombies scoured the lands for their next meal. Overnight the country became a killing ground for the hordes of zombies that ravaged the land. This is the story of Michael Talbot, his family and his friends. This is their story a band of ordinary people just trying to get by in these extra-ordinary times. When disaster strikes, Mike a self-proclaimed survivalist, does his best to ensure the safety and security of those he cares for. Book 1 - Of the Zombie Fall-Out Trilogy, follows our lead character in his self-deprecating, sarcastic best. What he encounters along the way leads him down a long dark road always skirting on the edge of insanity. Can he keep his family safe? Can he discover the secret behind Tommy's powers? Can he save anyone from the zombie Queen? - A zombie that seems by all accounts to have some sort of hold over the zombies and Mike himself. Encircled in a seemingly safe haven called Little Turtle, Mike and his family together with the remnants of a tattered community while not fighting each other, fight against a relentless, ruthless, unstoppable force. This last bastion of civilization has made its final stand. God help them all.

Zombie Fallout 2: A Plague Upon Your Family

This story picks up exactly where book one left off. The Talbot family is evacuating their home amidst a zombie apocalypse. Mankind is on the edge of extinction as a new dominant, mindless opponent scours in search of food, which happens to be non-infected humans.
In these pages are the journal entries of Michael Talbot, his wife Tracy, their kids Nicole, Justin and Travis. With them are Brendon, Nicole's Fiancee and Tommy previously a Wal-Mart door greeter who may be more than he seems. Together they struggle against a ruthless, relentless enemy that has singled them out above all others.

Zombie Fallout 3: The End.

Continues Michael Talbot's quest to be rid of the evil named Eliza that hunts him and his family across the country. As the world spirals even further down into the abyss of apocalypse one man struggles to keep those around him safe. Side by side Michael stands with his wife, their children, his friends and the wonder Bulldog along with the Wal-Mart greeter Tommy who is infinitely more than he appears and whether he is leading them to salvation or death is only a measure of degrees.

Zombie Fallout 4: The End Has Come and Gone

  

She is coming for you....

Amazon’s bestselling horror author Mark Tufo will be wishing ebook readers a Happy Holiday season with a free copy of his Zombie Fallout novel from 12/24/2011 to 12/31/2011.

Zombie Fallout has been on Amazons top 100 in horror since its release. It is followed up with Zombie Fallout 2: A Plague Upon Your Family, Zombie Fallout 3: The End and Zombie Fallout 4: The End Has Come and Gone, which are all on the top 100 in horror list. 

All of Marks books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Sony, Kobo and Diesel.

Visit Mark Tufo at http://www.marktufo.com

M R Mathias Releases The Confliction–The Dragoneer Saga Book III and Confliction Compendium

M. R. Mathias is proud to announce the official release date of The Confliction – The Dragoneer Saga Book III –AND– Confliction Compendium, an omnibus edition of the full Confliction cycle of books that will be an Amazon Kindle exclusive, and free to borrow from the Amazon lending library for members of Amazon Prime on December 23^rd.

The Confliction will be released in paperback just before Christmas. The eBook version is already available at your favorite eBook store, as are all of the other bestselling Dragoneer Saga books.

Confliction Compendium including The First Dragoneer, The Royal Dragoneers, Cold Hearted Son of a Witch, and The Confliction, as well as the first two Crimzon & Clover short stories, will be available for free borrowing and for purchase at Amazon the week before Christmas.

The Confliction - Dragoneer Saga III is the thrilling conclusion to the full Confliction cycle of Dragoneer Saga books. In this episode, The Dragoneers face the Sarax that were loosed in Book II - Cold Hearted Son of a Witch, as well as the rogue Druids of Dou, and something else that no one, not even the remaining Hazeltine Witches, expect.

Wild aerial antics, powerful magical attacks, a bit of love/romance, and a final conflict that ends in a breathtaking climax are just some of the thrills that await readers in this installment of the international bestselling Dragoneer Saga.

Don't blink your eyes, watch your back, and no matter what you do: HOLD ON TO YOUR DRAGON!

Praise for the Dragoneers Saga:

Mathias is an absolute pleasure to read. Unique storyline, fascinating characters and a fast paced novel that practically reads itself. The Royal Dragoneers easily lived up to the promise shown in the prequel. Lovers of fantasy everywhere this is a fresh, new talent with plenty of truly original ideas. Do yourself a favour and treat yourself to this book. -GoodReads Reviewer

Genuine, gritty, well-imagined, with pleasing reality and humor seasoning fantasy and fear, this second book fulfills all the promise of the first, and more, leaving me eager to move on to book three and glad I've had the chance to revisit the series. Amazon Reviewer

Praise for The Dragoneers Saga "The action is fast and furious, and the novel has the author's trademark twists on the traditional storyline and keeps one guessing where it will go. It is a fun book that I heartily recommend." Fantasy Book Critic

Mathias is a master at characterization. The dragons are magnificent in the story. The Royal Dragoneers is book one in the The Dragoneers Saga. The plot is action is fast, furious and never ending. The plot is intricately woven with twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing. The story has a mythical quality. Fans of fantasy will not want to miss this one. -Reader’s Favorite Book Reviews

M. R. Mathias is the author of the bestselling Wardstone Trilogy, The Dragoneers Saga, and the Crimzon & Clover Short Story Series. He lives in the Big Easy with his tweeting dog, Mr. Stubby Freckle Butt.  You can follow M.R.'s tweets @DahgMahn

The Dragoneers Saga

Book Review: Memory's Wake by Selina Fenech

Fairies and Fantasy Pty Ltd (July 3, 2011)

978-0987151117

328 pages

Looking for a young adult urban fantasy with enough adventure, romance, and page-turning excitement to keep even the most easily distracted teen captivated? Then look no further than Memory’s Wake by Selina Fenech.

Imagine being dropped into a strange world with nothing more than the clothes on your back. From the opening pages, this is our heroine’s reality as she finds herself in a land called Avall. Her body is bruised, she is confused about how she got there, and she cannot remember anything about her life, not even her own name. She meets a beautiful yet timid human named Eloryn who has the ability to cast magic spells.

Eloryn’s unauthorized use of magic has her on the run from the wizard hunters who will not rest until she is arrested. Despite her own predicament, Eloryn decides to help this lost girl with pink-streaked hair, piercings, and ripped jeans find her way home. First, Eloryn gives her the name Memory. Memory and Eloryn must learn to trust each other if they’re going to survive as there is no shortage of danger in Avall. The wizard hunters, fae, dragons, and even the King of Avall, all want a piece of Memory.

Roen, the son of a Duke, joins the group after a failed attempt to steal from the girls. Roen fills the role of the handsome prince to Eloryn’s beautiful princess. Playing the part of the mysterious stranger and love interest for Memory is Will. Fenech gives all four characters turns as the POV narrator to paint a clearer picture of who Memory is, and does a remarkable job of giving each character their own perspective and unique voice. 

Fenech keeps us guessing throughout. There is non-stop action and new perils to keep readers hooked. Fenech has a knack for setting up cliffhangers at the end of each chapter to make sure we can’t put down her debut offering. The setting is vibrantly described and the writing flows well; however, it’s the character development that sets Memory’s Wake apart. Memory is a strong yet flawed, believable heroine. Young readers will easily identify with the problems she faces.

If the vivid description in this novel is not enough, the author has included dozens of her own skillful illustrations. The story is wrapped up with an ending that won’t disappoint and readers will desire a sequel. Frequent POV changes may distract some readers in the early chapters, but overall, this is an exceptionally entertaining novel that I would highly recommend to tweens, teens, and adults alike. Reviewed by E.R. Hynd

Available at Amazon.com

The author.

Born in 1981 to Australian and Maltese parents, Selina lives in Australia with her husband, her baby girl, an unnamed cat, and a lorikeet who’s far too clever. During her life Selina has found ancient Roman treasure, survived cancer, had knights joust at her wedding, been mugged for doughnuts, made a living as a visual artist, and shared her imaginary worlds in paintings and now in her novels.

http://www.selinafenech.com

The IAN Interview with David George Richards

 I am a self published, or indie author from the UK with twelve titles available as Kindle or e-book editions for around $2 each. Most of these stories are between five and ten years old, and have been edited constantly, so the latest Kindle and e-book editions differ slightly from the original drafts that are still available to read on my website. Ten of my books are also published and available as trade paperbacks. Although I started writing in earnest over ten years ago, my earliest paperback edition on Amazon was published in 2005.

I was born in Manchester in the North West of England in 1957. Although I have moved around a bit, Manchester is still both my physical and spiritual home. I am married to my wife Rosanna, and have been now for over twenty years. I have an imagination that began when I was very young and never waned. I also like reading and so it was no surprise I suppose when I started writing. 

IAN. Please tell us about your writing.

DGR. I write Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Romance. I like to mix my genres and I also feature female characters very prominently in all of my stories, many of them in strong and attractive leading roles. The reason for this is that I like writing about women. It gives my stories a female bias, but I think they are better for it. So expect Romance and Fantasy in my Science-Fiction with a multitude of leading ladies. It’s just the way I am. I also like every character, even the monsters and villains, to have a realistic reason for being and doing what they do.

Three of my Science-Fiction Fantasy books have a related 'universe' or can be considered a 'story arc,' in that they are set on the same planet called Ellerkan. The Lost Girls, The Return of the Sixpack and The Tale of the Comet all feature characters at different points in their lives and at different generations. Although there are common elements and some things are only fully understood if you have read them all, any one of them can be read independently without any loss. That can’t be said for the four part Friendly Ambassador series of books that introduces the Androktones, or Destroyers. These four books can be considered to be a prequel or back story to the three books set on Ellerkan, but the story arc is totally different. The Friendly Ambassador blends Greek Myth with traditional Science-Fiction, and of course the stories are in four chronological parts that are meant to be read that way. The Friendly Ambassador was too big to self-publish in one paperback at the time (over 1300 pages), so the split wasn’t my original choice. I guess that’s life. I do hope to re-combine them into one volume in the future.

My Romance books are, well, romantic. An Affair of the Heart and The Look of Love are mainly Contemporary Romance, but some are mixed with Suspense, such as Mind Games, or Science-Fiction, such as The Dreamer. And A Fine Woman is set in the South of France during and in the aftermath of WWII. Because I am in the UK, my Contemporary Romances are set in my home city of Manchester. I must get something right with my Romance novels as one of them is my most successful book so far.

IAN. How long does it take you to write a book?

DGR. This is a piece of string question. It can take me anything from a few months to a few years. Obviously long books take longer to write than short books, but the writing process is dictated by how much I know the story and plot development beforehand. As I mention below, the more developed the story is in my head, the quicker I can write it. But I don’t always write continuously either. I have been known to take very long writing breaks between books, or even during a book.

IAN. What inspired you to write?

DGR. I started writing because I loved to read. I also loved to play stories when I was young, with a room full of soldiers and figures who I would invent characters for. I read Gone with the Wind when I was still a kid, and practically all the classic Science-Fiction authors you could find. I love space, I love adventure, I love all those classic TV series, I love women, I love Romance, and I love women in stories. As a result women feature strongly in my stories. I suppose that goes back to Gone with the Wind. Blame it on Scarlet. Anyway, I write because, like many others have said, the stories are in my head. It’s a subconscious thing that forces it out whether you want it to or not. It’s in my blood and in my soul, it’s what makes me me. To stop thinking, to stop my imagination, is to stop being me.

IAN. Talk about the writing process. Do you write at night or in the morning?

DGR. When I write I tend to do it in the afternoon until well into the early hours. But it depends on when the urge takes me. Real life dictates when I write, and it also dictates when I can think about my writing, mulling it all over in my head, so I write less these days than I used to. That also might be related to my mind unloading many of the stored ideas I needed to get down on paper. I also write because I enjoy it, like a hobby. So if it becomes a chore, I stop.

IAN. Did you use an outline or do you just wing the first draft?

DGR. I tend to mull over an idea in my head for ages before I write. Often the overall story and plot will be clear in my mind even before I start. Having said that, none of the individual details or even all of the characters will be apparent at that stage, that comes later, and nothing will be written down. Once I have the general idea in my head I can start writing quite quickly and the characters that I populate the story with begin to contribute to the plot itself. If real life interferes with that mulling over process then I tend to write less or more slowly.

IAN. How are your books different from others in your genre?

DGR. I suppose the answer to this question is that I wrote them! But on a more serious note, I would like to think that The Friendly Ambassador is a little different. This four part story mixes Greek Myth with traditional Science-Fiction, taking a different approach to the legend of Atlantis, the origination of the Amazons, and the true nature of mythical creatures such as the Cyclops and Centaurs as aliens from other worlds.

In general I like to write both Science-Fiction and Fantasy with a more realistic basis. So I need to have a realistic and logical reason for why my dragons exist. But as I like to include some Fantasy elements in my stories, and I don’t regard my Science-Fiction writing as being either hard or soft Science-Fiction, some things are still left deliberately unanswered.

With regard to my Romance stories, well, romance is part of life, and by nature it is people focused. I like to explore relationships and so I like to include Romance in all my stories. It is often the interaction and relationships between the characters that dictate the flow of the story. Does that make all my stories character driven? Maybe. But although characters can often dictate events, they also have to react to other events that overtake them.

IAN. Are your books published in print, e-book or both?

DGR. The answer is both. I like to publish in print whenever I can. I think that is because, like most people, I grew up with real paperbacks or hardbacks to read, and if you dream of publishing a book, you need to see and feel it in your hands to fulfill that dream. That I should also publish e-books is a modern practicality. As a self-published author it is essential to use digital publishing as this levels the playing field with the mainstream traditional publishers. It is also difficult to get paperbacks on bookshelves in brick and mortar stores, and pricing can also be an issue. I see digital publishing as the future.

IAN. What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your books?

DGR. First of all I want my readers to enjoy my books for what they are, fiction for entertainment. I don’t want to preach or have a hidden morality to bring out. But I do want my readers to believe and feel for the characters in my books. I want them to be engaged with them and to care about what happens to them. I hope I write well enough to do that. So even in my science-fiction stories where there are many visual action sequences, it is still the relationships between the principal characters and their understanding of each other that is the main focus of my writing. And that includes the aliens and villains. If I have any message in my writing it is that nobody is really an out and out villain, or at least not often. All my characters have different viewpoints and agendas, there are no blind killers, and the borders between the good guys and the bad guys are deliberately blurred. Real life is like that, after all.

IAN. Where can we go to buy your books?

DGR. All my books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Nobel and Google. I am also looking into publishing via Smashwords to Nook, Sony and various other handheld devices.

IAN. Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand alone?

DG. The book I am working on at the moment is another Science-Fiction Fantasy story set on Ellerkan. Although it belongs to that same overall universe, it is a standalone story that fits at the very end of the story arc so to speak, and so it features all new characters. I am about 30,000 words in, but I am taking my time and the current draft is the fourth edit.

IAN. Any other links or info you'd like to share?

DG. Apart from here on IAN you can find me on Goodreads at

http://www.goodreads.com/dgr2, or on Facebook at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Booksandstoriescom/285414364826193.

And finally there is always my website at http://www.booksandstories.com.

Excerpt from The Tale of the Comet

Science-Fiction, 754 Pages.

Published by Booksandstories.com via BookSurge, 2008.

The farm wasn’t new. It had been established on the outskirts of Jasanta for over fifteen years. It was further out than the other farms, beyond the main areas of cultivation and closer to the edge of the forest. There were other farms nearby, but none this close to the forest. It hadn’t mattered at the time and the land was unclaimed and had been fallow for a generation. The farmer and his wife had toiled hard, but progress came with the toil and the years. There were now three fields filled with wheat that grew waist high. The spacious farmhouse was supported by a large barn and two more outhouses. The farm was now the home of a family, with children, a dog, and horses in the barn. And every morning men from Jasanta would journey out to work on the farm that was now too much for a man and his young son. In this it was the same as any other farm.

But there was a difference with this farm.

There was a reason why land this close to the forest remained fallow and unclaimed. It was a reason that many in Jasanta had forgotten or no longer worried about. The land was crossed by a path. It was an unmarked path or trail that stretched from the mountains in the east, across the fields of Halafalon and deep into the forest. It was an ancient path and not often used. And because it was unmarked on any map, it was not remembered. On any day in any year, and for nearly a generation, none of that had mattered.

But this year was different.

One by one, the Androktones heading towards the forest for the coming of the ship had met on the path they always trod from their dens. At first there were only one or two, but as they neared the edge of the forest their numbers slowly increased, and by the time they neared the forest on this warm summer night, nearly all of them had gathered together. As they met they had talked and greeted one another like sisters and spoken of the deeds and events that had passed since their last meeting. There was joy at the sight of others not seen for many years, and sadness for those who had not returned. Some walked arm in arm, and many talked while others just nodded. There was no sign of animosity, only anticipation as they walked slowly and casually towards the forest.

Then they came to the farm.

It sprawled across their path where none had been there before. The lights twinkled in the windows of the farmhouse and it reeked of the incorrect. The character of the Androktones changed instantly; their expressions hardened, and they fanned out.

****

On a warm summer night a farmhouse burned. Figures ran from the house to the barn and other buildings, their figures silhouetted against the flames. Each carried a flash of silver.

For a short time the farmer and his son had fought to defend their land and their lives, but it had been a short resistance. All had been butchered, even the dog. But one still lived.

Chen-Soo ran into the barn, her bloodstained sword in her hands. There were two horses in a stall on the far side. They were already beginning to panic as smoke swirled around. Sparks from the roof of the burning farmhouse had drifted to the barn roof. It was already on fire and the crackle of the flames could be heard. But the smoke couldn’t disguise the stink that had brought her here.

The incorrect one is here! Do not let it escape! Find it! Find it and kill it!

Chen-Soo moved forward purposefully, her sword held in both hands. She kept it raised before her, ready to strike or defend. Her eyes darted from side to side, searching, scanning. But it was her nose that found the object of her search. She stopped and her eyes darted to a box resting against the far wall, just next to the stalls. Straw was heaped around it, but there was none on top.

The disgusting one is inside! Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!

Silently, Chen-Soo moved quickly towards the box. As she came closer she saw that it was an old chest, probably one that was used to bring clothes and other belongings. It was old and battered.

Sparks and burning embers began to fall from the roof as the flames took hold. The horses began to prance and rear, kicking at the wooden stalls that hemmed them in. One broke free and bolted for the barn door. As it galloped away behind her, Chen-Soo shifted her sword to one hand, holding it point downward like a long dagger as she stood over the chest. Bracing herself she reached down with her other hand and threw open the chest lid.

The young girl screamed a high-pitched scream and cowered down, holding her hands over her face.

Chen-Soo froze, her sword still held poised to strike.

Why do you hold back? Kill it! Kill the abomination! Stab it! Stab it now!

It looks like me.

You always dwell on this dream! She is not you! She is not one of your siblings! Nor is she your seed! She is incorrect! Vile! Disgusting! She must die like the others! Kill her!

I don’t want to. I can’t.

Can’t? Won’t? Where were these feelings when the man and the woman fell to our swords? You did not hang back as the others struck! Your sword bit the incorrect as theirs did! You followed the Purpose then, but now you deny it!

I don’t follow the Purpose! I kill when I decide!

Then kill her!

I decide!

You are mutated! Disgusting! You should die as the incorrect must die!

I decide! Now shut up or I will cut you off!

Anger! Silence!

Chen-Soo slammed the lid down on the chest and turned away. As she turned she swung her sword and brought it down on the wooden gate that trapped the remaining horse. The wood splintered and the horse burst out and gleefully galloped for freedom. As it shot out the door, another figure appeared.

The straw was catching fire in one corner and some of the beams that supported the roof were now burning. Smoke was everywhere and getting thicker. Hai-Fam ignored it all as she stared at Chen-Soo. Her expression was filled with anger.

Now you will die for your hesitation! She will know where the small one hides!

Shut up!

Chen-Soo lowered her sword and waited. Hai-Fam’s eyes darted to the chest near the wall and her anger increased. She immediately strode forward and held her sword dagger-fashion as Chen-Soo had done before. But she didn’t hesitate when she reached the chest. She threw open the lid and stabbed down in a sudden frenzy. Then she stopped and stared. Chen-Soo stepped forward and looked in the chest.

It was empty.