Here's My Hand...How Can I Help?

MANY THANKS

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As seen in my previous post, I highlighted 8 other indie authors. In the process, I have found a couple of new friends and artists that I'm willing to lend my support to. I don't claim to be an expert at anything literary...though I've discovered I do pretty good at reviewing manuscripts. Honestly, I'm just learning the ropes like everybody else; reaching out in whatever direction to learn how SEO works and how to link to web addresses and how to write a decent query letter. But part of my desire when I started this blog was to reach out to others who might need a leg up. And if I can keep another writer from spending four years to get to the point of feeling like they can publish their work and be accepted by readers, I will have truly accomplished that goal.

THAT SAID
I've chosen two new authors, who have become friends, and two already self-published authors. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to review two manuscripts in the last few months. The first, Angela Scott (who I keep trying to call Anne Rice), who has written a few books. The one I got to review is entitled 'Desert Rice'. A compelling and suspenseful read. Her other works include her 'Zombie West Series' (yes, it's zombies in the old west!), and another called 'Desert Flower.'


The second is a writer from 'Down Under', Cally Jackson, The Big Smoke. Despite having just debuted her own book AND giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, Cally has been kind enough to stay in touch with me and share her journey and sales info with me. (Read an interview with Cally at a later date.)

NEWBIES
Two of the new authors I've befriended are Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo (Pie: An Old Brown Horse) and Kimberly Brockman (Raven). Check out these indie authors and look for more here in the future.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS
I receive emails from various blogs and websites that post articles with tons of helpful info on navigating this road that many of us have chosen to take. One of the sites that sends me great info is Book Baby. And here's a great article that gives indies 20 places to promote their work.

If you have any website suggestions for book promo, please leave that info here and I'll make a link to it. If you own a site that promotes indie authors, also please leave your contact info so I can share it with readers.

AGAIN AND AGAIN, MY THANKS!
Can't say thank you enough to all the beta readers, and other writers who have thrown their hat in the ring and shown their support.

The Power of Sevens

To this date: Dream Weaver has received six 5-star ratings with five glowing reviews. Thanks everybody! The Dream Weaver Giveaway on Goodreads has 279 requests and 127 people have placed it on their 'To Read' shelf.


Tag! You're it!
I've recently created my 'Author's Page' on GoodReads, and joined a group, 'Self-Publish and Indie-Authors, Promote Yourself Here!'  One of the Authors shared a great way to get the word out about your book and your blog. I tag this Author in my blog and ask 7 others to join the fun.(I found 3 new Authors to follow!) Then I post seven lines, starting at the seventh line on the seventh or 77 page of my book. And list links to the original Author and the 7 new Authors to their blogs. Sound a little confusing? I was confused. But that's not hard to do sometimes. It's not as complicated as it sounds...the tagging thing, not the confusing me thing. So here goes my attempt to follow directions.

The Author who posted this challenge was Dawn Husted. She's working on a post-apocalyptic/sci-fi story called 'diVINE Order'. Check out her 7 lines, as well as other works she has on her blog.

So Here Goes! Seven Lines from Dream Weaver!

                 “I see you,” the voice purred gruffly. I envisioned a lion crouched in tall grass. Rigid, poised for attack. His words were soft and succinct, as though masking something from me, but the smooth lacquered surface didn’t camouflage the menace that roiled underneath--like the delicate crust of cooled lava veiling the molten lake beneath.

                Blake’s eyes locked on my face as he lurched away from a rack of boy’s jeans. They followed the silent nod of my head. 

 Check out the following Authors and their books!

1.   Arthur Crandon - Writing Matters Blog 
2.   Lilly M. Love - Demons of Dreams Blog
3.   Kimberley Brockman - Raven (YA Paranormal)
4.   Lisa Orchard - The Super Spies and The Cat Lady Killer (YA)
5.   Angela Scott - Desert Rice, Desert Flower, Wanted: Dead or Undead
6.   Cally Jackson - The Big Smoke (from Down Under)
7.   Megan S Johnston - The Chimera Hunters Series

It has been my pleasure to meet and get to know each of these writers and I feel I have gained friends with each of them. This Blog Challenge has truly been that...a CHALLENGE. But it was worth it to be able to find people to stand in my corner and that I can support as well. Thank you to all of you who were kind enough to post my link on your page.

If you'd like to read the first few pages of Dream Weaver, click on 'Excerpts from Dream Weaver' on my page menu to the right!