Marketing: Unfamiliar Territory

I wrote three books, currently working on number four. The problem.... I am having trouble marketing my book to others.

I love writing. It is truly my favorite hobby, but how do I spread the word?

By nature I am an introvert. So I shy away from attention. Promoting a book requires that I step outside of my comfort zone.

Am I ready for that? Of course, I have no choice. I want to have Assumptions Abound in 50,000 hands by next year. So, my ambitions are strong, now I have to work on reaching my goal.

I will be starting a series on writing and publishing your very own ebook.

It is my hope that I can encourage others to write, if that's their hope. It's easy to conceive an idea, when you literally see it come to fruition it's quite powerful.

I want to help you make your own dreams come true.

Handwritten Teacher's Pet

I just found the handwritten book that I completed when I was thirteen. It is quite interesting reading the thoughts of a teenage Sage.

I would've never guessed that I would be publishing the books that I first conceived as a teenager.

I am also amazed at my imagination at that time. If computers were as prevalent then as they are now, this book would already be typed.

I can't wait to get started. There are three full notebooks detailing the heroine's story. From the looks of it, her life is filled with twists and turns that gurantee to entertain. Keep checking back for updates on Teacher's Pet.

Stay tuned!

Meet Carlotta DeLacosta

Carlotta is hiding something. These days isn't everyone? A devoted and loving mother and grandmother, Carlotta dedicates her life to her family. Carlotta has many secrets hiding in her closet. Secrets that would destroy her child, if he were to ever find out. She is a dangerous woman with a serious ax to grind. Who is she after?

As the Black Bird Detective continues solving murders, Carlotta's story begins to unfold. What you find out will shock you!

Sneak Peak of My New Young Adult Series - Teacher's Pet

Prologue

She looked around the crowded lounge. There were more people in that place than she had ever seen. The bass and tempo of the music created a certain vibe in the club. She could hear her watch beeping through the music.

She was too afraid to look at her wrist to check the time. She continued dancing as if everything was fine. She didn’t have time to worry about what awaited her at home.

He whispered softly in her ear. Standing over six feet tall with broad shoulders and a chiseled body, she was in love. When she first met him she couldn’t help but lick her lips in anticipation. Sure he was over ten years older than her, but did that really matter?

Subconsciously she knew that it did. The fact that their relationship was forbidden only added to the excitement of things. When he leaned closer to her, she tried to kiss him. He pulled away. She knew exactly why he couldn’t kiss her. It was beyond dangerous.

She allowed her hand to linger on his large bicep as she talked to her friends. They were motioning for her to go along with them. She ignored them. She was having too much fun. This is what she dreamed about.

“It’s time to go” her friend Savannah yelled. “I’ll take you home” he said eagerly. She thought about it and then shrugged. “No, I’d better go” she said as she walked away from him. It was time to go. "Don't forget your math assignment is due tomorrow" he said with a sly grin. "I'm sure I'll get extra credit" she said winking at him.

She didn't notice the way he was looking at her.

She walked towards the club exit with her friends running eagerly in tow. As they approached the corner of the street, she heard a squeal. She turned and faced her friends. She didn’t see anyone. “Savanna! Jaden!” she called out. Her words dissipated in the night air. Savanna had disappeared. She couldn’t imagine where she would have run off too.

She stood still for a moment, thinking. Should she go back and look for her friends or should she run? Suddenly, the cool night air grew quiet. She could hear footsteps. She turned to run, but couldn’t move. Something or someone had her. She screamed out for help. “Someone Help!” she called out into the empty dark night.

The last thing she heard was his voice in her ear. “Don’t worry my sweet, we will be together forever”.  

Sweet Revenge is Now Available

It's here...Sweet Revenge is now available. Check it out at: Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Revenge-The-Trilogy-Sage/dp/1475228082

This book finds Raven running for her saftey as she tries to solve a murder in her community.

Longing for St. Thomas

I was feeling homesick so I decided to rouse up some pics of St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.  Enjoy!

New young adult series

I thought about publishing the book I wrote many years ago. Tomorrow I will post the first few pages of the book. I want your opinion.

Book Trivia

In the debut novel, Assumptions Abound Monet flew to what island for refuge. What island was it? Here's a hint:

Make the Time for Your Passion

This morning when I handed a customer my first book, I was met with an interesting question. "How do you find time to write?" After a moment, I thought about it and responded, "I enjoy writing so much, I guess I just write whenever I get the chance", I responded. Satisfied with my response, the customer grabbed their signed book and walked away.

Once they left, I thought about it longer. With a loving husband, two special needs children, a full-time career and a few side hustles (I do web design, freelance writing and blogging on the side) how do I find the time to write.

Then it hit me, I find the time because I make the time. I love writing. When you have a passion for something, you make the time to do it, no matter the cost. I am fortunate to have a supportive family that puts up with me when I decide to take on a new project or task. In fact, they do a great job of humoring me.

If there is something that you love doing, find the time to continue it. A happy life is filled with purpose not materials. We are taught that happiness is tied to financial wealth. That is incorrect. Happiness is tied to your current state of mind.

Right now, at this moment are you happy with your life? Are you happy with your accomplishments? Have you found your passion? Are you indulging it? or are you making excuses?

Take stock of your current situation. If you are not doing what moves you then you are not truly happy!

Assumptions Abound is Available at the Library

Greetings Everyone!

I am thrilled to tell you that Assumptions Abound will soon be heading to a library near you. Be on the lookout for it. If you go to your local library and they do not have the book, make sure you request it.

Website Mishap

Greetings Everyone!

My website is down today. I was trying to connect my second blog to the Black Bird Detective Series Website, but to no avail. No worries, the website should be available tomorrow. Please keep in mind that if you do a search for Assumptions Abound online you will be directed to Smashwords and Amazon. Both are fantastic websites to purchase your very own copy of Assumptions Abound!

Assumptions Abound Sneak Peek

Today I decided to show everyone a sneak peek inside the Assumtions Abound novel. Below is an excerpt. Post a comment and let me know what you think. Remember you can purchase your very own copy of Assumptions Abound from: Amazon's online book store

Alright, enjoy!

Prologue

The darkness enveloped my room as I lay in bed with my eyes shut tightly and my arms wrapped across my chest. My heart beat steadily and rapidly against my chest. I said a silent prayer that tonight would be different, but I knew in my heart that tonight would be like so many other nights before it.

            When I heard his footsteps in the distance I closed my eyes tightly and prayed that he would walk by my room. He quietly opened the door and pried the covers away from me. He lay in the bed next to me and I cried as another night passed by without an answer to my prayer. I decided that if I wanted to get away from him, I would have to take matters into my own hands.

            He kissed my cheek and whispered “good night” in my ear. I didn’t respond. I was hoping that he would die right there. He didn’t care about me. My thoughts were swirling around in my head. I realized that nobody could save me from this monster. Then suddenly I heard a voice.

The voice whispered in the darkness, “You must do it. Who else will protect you, but you?” I listened to the voice. “Have you ever killed anyone?” said the voice. “No!” I responded. I was only seven years old. I knew nothing about death. I thought to myself. The voice heard my thoughts. “True you are only seven, but we can show them that it doesn’t matter how old you are. You can still make a difference.” The voice calmly replied.

And so it began……  

Stuck in a Genre Rut?

I am sitting in bed half-listening to one of my favorite movies, "Death Becomes Her". I am a Meryl Streep fanatic. She is truly my favorite actress. I love how eerie this movie is. I like to write about things that are not necessarily eerie, but that help you explore that mysterious side of the mind. I want to open your mind to other reading genres.

When I initially began reading, I was interested in Sweet Valley High books and the Babysitter's Club. My reading taste has evolved over the years. I leapt from those types of books into the depths of V.C. Andrews interestingly twisted novels. I enjoyed them all, from erotica to thriller. I must say mystery is my favorite.

Some will immediately tell you that they do not read mystery books. For whatever reason, it doesn't interest them. That is how I felt years ago, until I opened my first mystery and fell in love. I have not looked back. I need to keep my mind active by reading mystery novels. I like to guess who the killer or the culprit is as I read along. You would be surprised how much you enjoy something when you step outside the box to explore it.

Think about it.

Check out the Trailer for Assumptions Abound

The Assumptions Abound trailer is now available on YouTube. Check it out. If you like it leave a comment. I need your input to make this better.

http://youtu.be/kIJOHV7SrtE