Last year I discovered the world of independent publishing. Not only did I publish my fantasy trilogy, but I also started reading books by indie authors. And since I am an avid reader, last week I celebrated a kind of anniversary: I’ve read 50 indie (or published by small press) books! Among the indie books... Continue Reading →
Is it a good idea to give away your books for free
I have no idea, to be honest. Just like about any other aspect of book promotion. What I know for sure is that it is worth trying. There is no other way to check if some particular method to target your potential readers works or not. Books are not hot baguettes. The strategy for finding... Continue Reading →
In the querying trenches. Expectations VS reality
Dear Diary, Expectations vs reality – isn’t there always the deepest breach between the two? For example, take the weather. Yes, it’s incredibly trivial. Still, we can’t escape the weather – well, not completely – so why not use it to draw analogies when it suits us. Whenever we draw a pretty picture in our... Continue Reading →
Indie author’s challenges: Book reviews – getting them & losing them
Would you guess the most bittersweet word that causes a storm in every indie author’s heart? Do you know what holds the power to make shivers run down an indie author’s spine? What can bring on heat and cold in quick succession and trigger controversial emotions from sticky dread to the purest exhilaration? If you... Continue Reading →
“Lady Ellen” by J.G. MacLeod
I started reading the historical romance trilogy “Adventures of Lady Ellen Montagu” by J.G. MacLeod from the last book, “New London”. I loved the setting – the 19th century Canada – and I was intrigued by the characters' relationship dynamics and references to the setting of the previous two books. I knew even before I finished... Continue Reading →
“Here Today, Scone Tomorrow” by R.A. Hutchins
If you are on the look-out for a perfect recipe of a cozy mystery, look no further! “Here Today, Scone Tomorrow” by R.A. Hutchins is what you’ve been looking for. Ingredients: - a newly-divorced forty-something lady with a hefty check from her ex-husband on its way and a glamorous wardrobe - a quirky English village - even quirkier... Continue Reading →
Five things that newly-minted indie authors can get shocked about
Today it’s a small anniversary for me as an author. A year ago, I published “Neglected Merge”, book one in the Neglected Merge trilogy. I don’t feel like celebrating since I see it as the beginning of my journey, not a significant milestone. Only after a year, do I feel like I have gained some... Continue Reading →
“The Dinner Club” by Helen Aitchison
“The Dinner Club” by Helen Aitchison is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. This book has a soul, and this soul saturates the pages with true, deep emotions you can’t just shake off when you finish reading. Not that you’d want to. On the contrary, you’d want to continue to bathe in... Continue Reading →
“Captive Hearts” by Kelly Miller
“Captive Hearts” by Kelly Miller is an absolutely delightful “Persuasion” variation. In my opinion, among the author’s books “Captive Hearts” is the book that Jane Austen could have written herself. While reading, I was enchanted by the elegance of writing style, and I virtually could feel the stiffness of societal rules of that period. Kelly... Continue Reading →
Dear Diary,
I was raised by two feminists. Of course, neither my mom nor my aunt ever considered themselves as such, but the fact remains. They both were strong, independent women, and didn’t follow the rules society imposed on them if it didn’t suit them. They didn’t do what was expected from them, while at the same... Continue Reading →