What Makes An Author?

What makes an author? It's not the words they pen, or now days type. It's not the language they use, or what we hear from others. It's not the media written or printed upon. An author is emotion.

As the content leaps off the page and tries to expand our minds, it stirs that spark of recognition. The author makes us feel something new and different. Or perhaps they stir us to remember something we have already known. It does not matter the genre: horror, fantasy, sci-fi, or reality. Nor does it not matter the destination. It is the story, the journey of emotion, which fills our minds and hearts. Have they taken us to a place outside ourselves? Have we seen through the author's eyes?

This is the mission of an author: to make us feel. You are the surfer carried by the big wave with the taste of salt on your lips, and cool wetness of ocean spray striking your skin. You are the child staring wide-eyed at a world of blaring sounds, beautiful colors, and a dark secret you must find out. You are there.

Tell me a story that takes me away, and I will have journeyed to new realms of imagination.

So next time, when you read the cover of a book, listen to a song, or admire a piece of artwork, ask yourself, what emotion does this story give me? Am I willing to take that rollercoaster ride?

It could be the ride of your life.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

James W. Peercy

Waiting for Mary Elizabeth by Regina Puckett

http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-for-Mary-Elizabeth-ebook/dp/B005IDV2S8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1317681084&sr=8-5

Love is a promise kept...
Gregory is a world renown artist, drop-dead gorgeous and sincerely believes a promise should never be broken. At the age of twelve he promises to wait for four year old Mary Elizabeth to grow up. Every day of his life since then has revolved around keeping that promise. Now the time has finally arrived to discover if she still wants to marry him. br /> While Mary Elizabeth doesn't believe in fairy tales, she believes in Gregory. Her parents keep insisting he won't come for her, but she knows he will. At four years of age her young heart recognized the person it belonged to. But just when she believes her perfect future is coming true, a spiteful adversary causes her to doubt Gregory's sincerity. Now the future doesn't seem quite so bright or certain. Gregory and Mary Elizabeth will have to overcome many obstacles in order to stop waiting and to finally begin living and loving.
 
If you like romance, check this out. :)

Rabbits In The Garden By Jessica McHugh

http://www.amazon.com/Rabb​its-in-the-Garden-ebook/dp​/B004LZ53L6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=​UTF8&qid=1319101537&sr=8-2

Rabbits In The Garden By Jessica McHugh

Jessica McHugh weaves the pictures in your head and keeps you glued to your seat.

Check out the amazon link above and don't forget to visit her FB site!

http://www.facebook.com/pa​ges/Rabbits-in-the-Garden-​by-Jessica-McHugh/19969960​6712433

The Honest Truth About Publishers: What’s the benefit?

You've written that first story, novella, book, or poem. With a thrill of excitement, and maybe a little fear, you ask a loved one or best friend to read it.

You've put it all out there; it's all on the line. You wait impatiently as they read it. Seconds, minutes, hours, or even days can go by. In the end, you receive their answer...
Was it good? Did they like it? Was it spectacular or just okay? Did they find mistakes in your spelling or grammar? These are exactly the same answers we want from publishers, but if that's so, why don't they answer?

A publisher is an investor. Each publisher decides how much they are willing to invest in your product, i.e., story, novella, book, or poem. Some invest by giving you direction: you pay the cost. Others invest by paying to have it edited, and/or designing the book cover (yes, every story should be edited by a secondary party). Still, others invest by the markets they can place your material in.

With today's technology, the world of publishing is wide open. Publishing companies tend to be 'for profit' (just like you). That means whatever they decide to publish has to make money in order for them to stay in business.

They evaluate your loving creation in exactly those terms (Doesn’t sound very romantic, does it?). No matter how much they like it, if they can't make a profit, they either won't accept it or it won't go to print. Don't let anyone kid you, rejection hurts. But wouldn't it hurt more if they accepted it and it was never punished? Or what if it came out and no one ever bought it? That’s the first principle of most publishing firms: is it profitable?

However, when you look at a publisher, it's a two way street. You are creating a partnership with them for profit, and you should expect a profit from the sell. Just as you must answer their questions, they should be able to answer yours. Some of these questions should include:

What advertising are you, the author, responsible for?
What markets can the publisher reach? (magazines, blogs, internet, bookstores, radio, television, etc.)
What cost of advertising goes along with the book? (What do you pay for? What do they pay for?)
Can you use the artwork they design for printing your own marketing materials?
What advertising materials (bookmarks, posters, flyers, key chains, etc.) will be provided?
Do you, the author, purchase books for yourself and at what price?
Can you, the author, sell your own books apart from their marketing, and at what price?
Does the publisher have access to markets, a marketing list, etc., you do not? After all, you will be giving up certain rights along with a percentage of the sells for their help.

Additional questions to consider:
Do you have the money to get your story, novella, book, or poem edited? (More publishers are requiring you to have it proofed before they will accept it.)
Can you develop a professional cover? (Or have access to someone who can)
Do you know the marketing principles for selling your book?


In the world of publishing, even by the big publishers, bad books are published every day. The judge of a good book should be by content. However, it is the first glance at the publisher name, cover, and/or marketing techniques which tends to bring judgment.  Once an author makes a name, their name alone can be enough. That is exactly how the game is played: what about the production has the most drawing power.

There are three principles to all marketing:
Get Their Attention
Keep Their Attention
Drive Them To Action

Get Their Attention:
Advertising gets their attention. Whether it is by word of mouth, internet, magazines, radio, or television doesn’t matter.

Keep Their Attention:
Well written story backs, short descriptions, book covers, and videos help keep their attention.

Drive Them To Action:
This brings the sell. Did you place a link on that blog which takes them to Amazon or Barnes & Noble? Did that video give them the address of where to find the book? Did that radio program tell them where to purchase a copy? That is exactly what ‘drive them to action’ means.

Please remember, finding a publisher is finding a partner. Just like a marriage, there should be give and take for the benefit of both involved. If you don’t like the person and they don’t meet your expectations, don’t get married.

Thanks for listening,
James

James W Peercy has been an entrepreneur in business for over 16 years. He deals with advertising for business on a daily basis. This includes: graphic design, websites, computer and technical services. If you have any questions, please leave a comment.  He'll appreciate the feedback.

Once Upon A Fiefdom by James W Peercy

I'm not exactly sure how traditional this poem is for today.  Then again, if you were back in the 1200's this is exactly the type of song/poem you would encounter by traditional minstrel's traveling town to town and telling their stories.
It is written using today's language, but tells the tale of a world long ago, or perhaps tomorrow.  In today's world, you never know what's going to happen next.  :)   If you would like to leave some feedback, I'd appreciate it.  And now, Once Upon A Fiefdom:


The minstrel began,

“If you like ghost
Stories, then listen to this.
There was a goodly knight
Who made a list.

That list was long
And full of heads.
It showed those enemies
Who'd made their beds."

With one deft hand
The minstrel released
His cape,
While those in the audience
Stared and gaped.

Then from a sword
Sheath upon his back,
He pulled a great
Blade and held it aloft.

"And it's time for them to lie in it."

The crowd went to panic.
Wooden chairs, they slid back.
Benches turned over
As some thought escape.

Those of lesser blood
Cluttered the room,
Their escape stopping others
And sealing their doom.
But the noble,
He stood to face him.

Sir Norlin glared,
His gaunt thin form
Just a shadow
Of what he had been,
While around him gathered
A few of his men.

He had been caught,
And he knew it;
There was no place
To run.
The minstrel tossed down the list,
Then declared, "You’re undone."

Wide-eyed and inward
Sir Norlin spoke not,
Though the men at his side
Brought ready their arms.

The minstrel laughed,

"You fight for a liar:
A liar, a cheat, and a thief.
Will you go down in ashes
And claim his defeat?"

"Nay,"
The voice of Sir Norlin
Finally spoke,
"I do not see this list of yours.
I will not. I won't."

"And will you not before the King?"
Were the words
The minstrel said.
"Or shall you too
Try to steal from him.
What slights from you
Can we yet dredge?"

The King stepped out on the balcony,
And his shadow passed Norlin's face.

Norlin’s guards,
Hearing all,
Dropped
Their swords in disgrace.

"There is a pardon for you,"
The minstrel spoke forth.
"To all who drop arms, save Norlin himself."

They spoke in small whispers,
The men one by one,
Laid down their weapons,
And stepped away from.

Norlin just stood there,
A soul stripped, forlorn,
As the pronouncement
From above
Made its voice
So well known.

"You are banished from the Kingdom,"
The King, he declared.
"Should you ever come back,
A noose you will wear."

And so went the story,
No royal blood shed,
But should a minstrel
Ever come to your banquet,
Let the evil doer
Have dread.

 Created 09.07.11

Love: Ann and the Viking (Fate and Fangs) by Kristin Battestella

The Vampire Family has a long and torrid past, present, and future. In FATE and FANGS, the family's Occult scholar Professor A. James shares vampire vignettes of love, punishment, struggle, debauchery, lust, humanity, and resurrection. In this medieval tale, scorned vampire mistress Ann leaves vampire family patriarch Antonio behind, travels across Britain, and encounters a wayward Viking named Eric. Will Ann accept her true vampiric nature and turn her Nordic lover into a vampire?

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Viking-Fate-Fangs-ebook/dp/B005GM2DK2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319008676&sr=8-1

Kristin is excellent in the storytelling of this book series.  Her second book in this series, Punishment: Lilith's Trials, the story continues with a masterful hand.

http://www.amazon.com/Punishment-Lilliths-Trials-Fangs-ebook/dp/B005JSPC7Y/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1319009167&sr=1-2-fkmr0

If you like vampire novels, check this out!

Cage Life by Karin Cox

What happens when life doesn't turn out as planned? This collection of two evocative stories (each with a surprising twist) explores the choices and compromises we make in life and in love, and how they can trap or liberate us, depending on our mindset. Each story comes with an unexpected twist.  Check it out amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Cage-Life-ebook/dp/B005DC6AHM/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1#_