__sharing your 500 words

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500 words exercise, authors, editing, editor, exercise, self-publishing, stories, think polish edit write, writers, writing

While I have gripes about some aspects of my creative writing class (mainly directed at the professor), one thing I really enjoyed was bringing 500 word workshop writing pieces. Even though the feedback was coming from other inexperienced students and then a single ‘experienced’ teacher, the idea was fantastic. Think about it, if you had to show only 500 words of your story, what 500 words would you show?

As soon as I had that word limit, I found myself fussing over the 500 words. It was 500 words that was somehow meant to intrigue, inform, and ‘show off’ what writing ability I had. I wanted feedback but I wanted to give my best. After all, this was the first time I was showing a group of people like this my work. I edited those 500 words many times. I felt like the 500 words I ended with was better than the 500 words I had SIMPLY because I was fussing over it.

That’s the editing fever that every author needs. If we treated each 500 words of our story as a segment, would our stories become stronger over all? I think so. When you’re writing novels especially, you can get lazy at moments or slide in lazy transitions. I also liked how the 500 words made me question each scene I had. If I wasn’t proud to read it out loud, should it be included?

__who publishes more: self published or traditional authors?

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aspiring authors, author survey, authors, data on authors and self publishing, hybrid authors, self-publishing, should i go down the self publishing route, stories, traditionally publishing, what are the reasons why authors self publish or traditionally publish, what type of author earns the most, what type of author published the most manuscripts, writing

I found this blog post with some fascinating data. The writer Beth ran a survey this year and interviewed nearly 5,000 authors. It turns out, that hybrid authors (who self publish and traditionally publish) have the greatest median number of published manuscripts.

I wonder why this is the case? Hybrid authors are the most productive in not only traditionally published works (when compared to traditionally published only authors) but also in their self published works (when compared to self published only authors). So, maybe the debate about which form of publishing is redundant. They are both useful for different reasons and that maybe incorporating the two ways of publishing is the new way to go.

In regards to reasons for publishing, hybrid and traditionally published authors were most motivated to making money. Whereas, self-published and aspiring author’s main reasons were to satisfy a lifelong ambition. All four author types included ‘to build my career as a writer’ as a top priority for getting published.

In regards to income, after the $1-$4,999 brackets hybrid authors made just as much money as traditionally published or more. In the last three brackets encompassing $60,000 – $100,000 +, there were more hybrid authors who reported earning that much than traditionally published.

Fascinating stuff, eh? I think that maybe these trends can be attributed to the fact that hybrid authors want to make writing a living and they use every avenue available to them. They publish more. They earn more. Their reasons for publishing are often money-related. What do you make of it all?

Check out Beth’s posts which includes more information and data about the trends she found for author’s income, number of manuscripts and reasons for publishing.

– Ermisenda Alvarez

__free book covers 7

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authors, battle, books, cheap book covers, contemporary, cubiertas de libros gratis, diseño de libros gratis, drama, epic fantasy, ermisendadesign, free book covers, free novel cover, freebies, historical fiction, horse, knight, landscape, marketing, photography, romance, self-publishing, sunset, YA

Hola!
Want some free book covers?

I have created some more free book covers using my own photography and free stock images from sxc.hu! Sunset Kisses can fit drama, romance, or contemporary fiction. While The Knight’s Circle could fit historical fiction or epic fantasy.

Authors with all budgets deserve to have a winning cover representing their hard work. This is why I have created free and QUALITY book covers to share with all those writers out there. These graphics can be used for their intended purpose, as a book cover, but can also be used to introduce stories on your blogs, etc.

Visit Ermisenda’s official book cover page on Ermiliablog here to see how you can grab one for your own novel.

I also create unique covers for your novel for an affordable fee, my email address is ermisenda@live.com. I can help with any graphic design job; book covers, website/blog banners, magazine covers, etc. Just send me an email or leave a comment below with your question or request.

Because your novel deserves to look its best. ErmisendaDESIGN.

Freebie Table

Name:
Email:
Freebie of choice: 
Author Name:
Book Title:
Quote: [keep it short]
Comments: [if any]

Traducción en español: Estos cubiertas de libro son gratis por todo el mundo. Hablo español y entonces me pueden enviar un mensaje a mi correo ermisenda@live.com. Alli me puedes decir cual cubierta te gusta mas, el nombre de tu libro, y tu nombre autor. Tambien hago cubiertas por un precio razonable si quieres algo unico.

– Ermisenda Alvarez

Novel Publicity Review: Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

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blind characters, blind protagonist, blog host, blog tour, debut author, Emlyn Chand, Farsighted, fiction, foresight, indie publishing, Novel Publicity, paranormal YA, reviews, self-publishing, young adult

Please note, this review was written before I became a Novel Publicity employee and has not been altered since.  I was not given anything other than an ARC copy of Farsighted for this review.

Farsighted
by Emlyn Chand

genre: paranormal young adult

Review:
Each chapter starts with a rune and a premonition about what the hero will face in that chapter.  Most were obvious given the premise of the story, but it was still a neat way to start each chapter.

I enjoy well read authors who can meld the classics with modern literature, so no one should be surprised that I love Farsighted main character Alex, a blind fortune teller based on Tiresias from Oedipus Rex and Antigone who narrates the story.  Farsighted follows him as he develops his abilities to see with other senses, both in the present and future.

Excerpt from Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

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blind characters, blind protagonist, blog host, blog tour, debut author, Emlyn Chand, excerpt, Farsighted, fiction, foresight, indie publishing, Novel Publicity, paranormal YA, self-publishing, young adult

Tomorrow is Eliabeth’s review of Farsighted  by Emlyn Chand.  Today, we’re posting a related excerpt.  It is a particularly interesting book for us because the narrator is blind.  In this paranormal young adult novel, Alex Kosmitoras can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

an excerpt from Farsighted, chapter 3

I sulk into school the next day, irritated about the way my brain’s been malfunctioning lately and embarrassed by how I’ve been around Simmi. The last thing I need is more problems. I head into first period attempting to disappear. No such luck.

“You better watch yourself, Kosmitoras,” Brady Evans growls. I wasn’t even aware he had entered the class, but now here he is, uncomfortably close to my desk.

Adopt an Indie Month

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Adopt an Indie Month, Eolyn, indie publishing, Karin Rita Gastreich, self-publishing

Just a quick announcement.  November is Adopt an Indie Month.  Authors contribute free copies of their book in order to get feedback from readers and bloggers.  Eliabeth has adopted Karin Rita Gastreich and will be reviewing her book Eolyn. 

To adopt your own indie author, follow this link: http://adoptanindie.bookbagsandcatnaps.com/about/

Let us know who you get.