The Book Marketing Tips & Author Success Podcast

What kinds of authors are tuning in?
Honestly, authors in all stages of book publishing and promotion - and it’s actually really exciting (and sometimes surprising) to see who’s listening. We mostly get this info from our reviews and authors who write in with feedback. But we have authors who rely on our show while looking for agents and or publishers, authors who are finishing up their books and thinking ahead about releases, and then on the other end of the spectrum we have authors tuning in that feel stuck and don’t know what they’re doing wrong, or the opportunities they may be missing.

Is the show for marketing DIYers or for finding the right people to hire?
It’s applicable to both, and even authors that fall somewhere in between. Some authors seem to tune in assuming they’ll handle everything themselves, and then they realize they need more support, maybe in very specific areas. We get a lot of authors contacting us about a collaboration after listening to the show, but you’ll also see from our reviews that there are a lot of DIYers out there just looking to do all the right things.

What if I’m still writing my first book?
Take notes! There’s no such thing as being too prepared, and we’d encourage you to zero in on shows that are clearly about production choices, like editing, covers, publishing options, etc. And then the branding shows too, plan ahead for what your goals are as an author brand, because it will only lighten the load as you get closer to publishing that first book.

I’ve been publishing books for a while, can I still learn something?
Absolutely. We have plenty of shows for newbie authors, but things are constantly evolving in publishing and book marketing, and how to best connect with readers, that veteran authors need to stay on top of to ensure the upward momentum continues. We like to think our shows are also really great for authors who feel they’ve plateaued a bit and are looking for new ways to generate quality exposure.

How do you come up with ideas for the show?
We rely a lot on listener requests. We also pull a lot of ideas from the calls Penny does with prospective clients. And Amy likes to add in show topics based on the day-to-day challenges she knows AME clients are having. Publishing is complex, it’s very, very hard to know it all while also writing your next book, and working your everyday job, and giving much needed attention to family and friends, and other commitments, so we aim to be the insurance most authors need to check all the boxes along the way.

Do you ever do author interviews?
We don’t do author interviews, but we definitely encourage authors to send in show ideas, questions, and challenges they’re having. And please send in any successful promotions you’ve done, or let us know if you’re doing something super unique and exciting that’s working for your brand, because we’ve definitely mentioned authors that are doing positive things and will link to their Amazon Author pages in our show notes to give them some love and send traffic their way!

The Book Marketing Tips & Author Success Podcast is a game-changer for authors who want to thrive in today’s publishing landscape.

Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell blend practical advice with deep industry insights, offering something for both new and experienced authors. Authors can expect honest guidance—no gimmicks, no pipe dreams—just straightforward strategies you can actually use. And because this industry can be tough, we keep it light with a bit of humor along the way. If you’re ready to level up your author career, we’ve got you covered, no detail left unaddressed.

Our reviews to date speak for themselves, with a lot of authors raving about what they’re learning and encouraging others to get on board!

We believe in education, and creating a more savvy publishing industry – one episode at a time.

Listen to the podcast
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Author Marketing Experts:
X: @Bookgal
Instagram: @therealbookgal

Indiegogo project: Are you tired of your favorite small presses closing down?

Are you tired of your favorite small presses closing down? 

So are we.

A few years ago a large group of small press publishers came together to form a coalition in an effort to help authors who’d been affected by a press closing down. Since then we’ve taken it upon ourselves to help and inform each other, to teach those less experienced. It’s our goal to strengthen small press publishers and thereby ensure that authors are always treated fairly, paid on time, and have a good home for their books.

In an effort to support a small press publisher (who’ll remain anonymous) and prevent another press from closing their doors (leaving many authors stranded), a special group of publishers have come together to launch this Indiegogo project. We’ve all donated our time and products as perks, and would truly appreciate your support in helping us achieve the financial goal. Anything above the goal of this project will be equally shared among the supporting publishers.
Please check out the following below:

SUPPORTING PUBLISHERS
AVAILABLE PERKS

SUPPORTING PUBLISHERS

Crystal Lake Publishing:
Since its founding in August 2012, Crystal Lake Publishing (now part of Crystal Lake Entertainment) has quickly become one of the world’s leading publishers of Dark Fiction and Horror books in print, eBook, and audio formats. We strive for each book and outreach program we spearhead to not only entertain and touch or comment on issues that affect our readers, but also to strengthen and support the Dark Fiction field and its authors.

Cemetery Dance:
Founded by Richard Chizmar in 1988, Cemetery Dance Publications is a specialty press and small press publisher of horror and dark suspense. We've published Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Ray Bradbury, Peter Straub, William Peter Blatty, Clive Barker, Gillian Flynn, Scott Smith, Daphne du Maurier, Justin Cronin, Frank Darabont, Mick Garris, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Max Brooks, Joe R. Lansdale, Norman Partridge, Richard Laymon, Michael Slade, Graham Masterton, Douglas Clegg, Jack Ketchum, William F. Nolan, Nancy A. Collins, Al Sarrantonio, John Skipp, Michael Koryta, and many other horror writers, both classic and contemporary.

HellBound Books:
Created over 7 years ago by reputable, published, established authors, HellBound Books Publishing LLC is an independent publisher of horror, and all things dark: horror, horror non-fiction/reference, noir thrillers, bizarro, dark romance, poetry, and associated anthologies in paperback, eBook and audiobook formats.

Wicked House Publishing:
Founded in 2022. Wicked House Publishing publishes all things dark - horror, thrillers, suspense, science fiction, and more.

KJK Publishing:
KJK Publishing is run by Kevin J. Kennedy. KJK is a Scotland based publisher that focuses on horror. Their books are a constant in the Amazon best seller charts.

Epic Publishing:
Publisher of fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. Supporter of diversity in all things. Based in the US, and owned and operated by members of the LGBTQ and neurodivergent communities.

Grand Mal Press:
Grand Mal Press offers the best in today’s speculative fiction from notable authors such as Ryan C. Thomas, Robert Essig, Robert White, Kyle Lybeck and more. Readers can find everything from horror to mysteries to science fiction, all available in paperback, ebook and audiobook. Unlike traditional publishers, Grand Mal Press acts instead as a publishing collective that allows writers to keep all of their sales money. To peruse our selection of books and learn more about our business model please visit grandmalpress.com.

Lycan Valley Press:
Lycan Valley Press Publications publishes horror, steampunk, dark fiction, thrillers and pulp with supernatural, paranormal, occult or psychological elements. We publish anthologies, single-author collections, novels and novellas in ebook, paperback and audiobook formats with the occasional hardcover edition. We also publish a limited selection of horror/dark poetry. See you around the valley!

Monstrous Books:
Monstrous Books is an independent publisher specializing in horror. James Aquilone, the Bram Stoker Award winning editor of Classic Monsters Unleashed, Shakespeare Unleashed, Dead Detectives Society, and Kolchak: The Night Stalker’s 50th anniversary graphic novel, founded Monstrous Books in 2022.

Stitched Smile Publications:
Stitched Box is an exciting venture operated under the Stitched Smile company, which was established in 2016 as a well-known, indie publishing company. At Stitched Box, we pride ourselves on catering to the unique needs and passions of indie authors and artists. As a quarterly subscription service, we curate carefully crafted boxes filled with literary treasures, artistic features, and spooky surprises.

AVAILABLE PERKS

Shakespeare Unleashed
KJK Publishing e-Book Bundle
Lycan Valley Pulp e-Book Bundle
Wounds to Wishes Audiobook
Dead Detectives Society eBook
Dear Diary by James A. Moore
Kolchak Deluxe Graphic Novel
Epic Publishing eBook Duo
Wicked House eBook Bundle
The Dismembered by Jonathan Janz
Sallow Bend by Alan Baxter
Crystal Lake eBook Bundle
Lycan Valley Poetry Bundle
Devil’s Creek by Todd Keisling
Reflections Anthology Bundle
Four Lycan Valley Collections
Lisa Vasquez Subscription Box
The Stitched Box
Grand Mal Press Story Edit
Zoom Chat with Grand Mal Press
Lycan Valley Anthology Bundle
Artist-Drawn Cover Art – NOT AI
Short Story Audio Narration
Print Formatting in InDesign
Book Edit by Hellhound Books
Critique By Epic Publishing
Novella Audio Narration
Web Design For Upcoming Book


Please support and spread the word about our crowdfunding campaign. Not only will you enjoy some great perks, you'll also help a press in need.

Story behind the Story: Where Nightmares Come From: The Art of Storytelling in the Horror Genre

For all horror fans and writers, Crystal Lake Publishing assembled the biggest names in horror for their non-fiction collection on the art of storytelling in horror! 

(You can check out the power line-up in the blurb)

We asked three of the authors these two questions:

1. Story behind the Story (trivia about their contribution to the anthology)

2. What was your worst nightmare?

Check out what Lisa Morton, Tim Waggoner, and Elizabeth Massie had to say...

Lisa Morton
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1. Story behind the Story (trivia about their contribution to the

anthology)
Lisa: Many writers never realize that there's a big market out there for non-fiction, even in the horror genre. Because I write a lot of non-fiction, I frequently hear from magazines and webzines that are deluged with fiction submissions but get almost nothing in terms of non-fiction, despite paying the same rates for both. When I've asked writer friends why they don't try to write some non-fiction, they often tell me they don't know how to do it...and when I explain to them that it doesn't have to be approached all that differently from writing a short story, I see this light go on. I thought it might be helpful to other writers as well to hear that same thing, so this piece is about how to write non-fiction articles that disturb and effect readers in the same ways that fiction does.

2. What was your worst nightmare?
Lisa: For many years I had a recurrent nightmare involving choking around masses of material that were somehow in my throat. I could pull out handfuls of this stuff, but there was always more. I haven't had that in a while now, thank goodness! 

Tim Waggoner 

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1. Story behind the Story (trivia about their contribution to the anthology)

Tim: As both a writer and teacher, I spend a lot of time thinking about what makes fiction work and how I can help beginning writers hone their craft. And since I primarily write horror, I’m always thinking about what makes an effective horror story. What lies at the heart of every tale of terror? I wondered. If I had to boil it down to one essential element, what would it be? In other words, where does horror come from?

And the answer that came to me was consciousness, our self-awareness. Not only do our characters experience Dread, Terror, and Horror through the filter of their particular consciousness, that same consciousness is the window through which readers experience the story. Once I realized this, I knew I had to explore the concept in writing, to see what insights I could learn and share. Thus, my contribution to this book was born.

2. What was your worst nightmare?
Tim: When I was around twelve or so, I was lying in bed, in the dark, waiting to fall asleep. A sound filled my room, something like a cross behind a rattlesnake’s rattle and a cicada’s thrum. Frightened, I sat up. Next, a pair of glowing orbs the size of grapefruits appeared at the foot of my bed and began to sway back and forth, inching slowly toward me. I had the sense that the orbs were really the eyes of some large serpent-like creature, and I sat there, paralyzed with fear as the eyes – the night-eyes, as I thought of them – drew closer, closer . . .

Finally, I managed to reach up and turn on the reading lamp attached to my headboard. When the light came on, I saw there was nothing there. I was alone in my room.

At first, I thought I’d been awake during this experience, but when morning came, I realized I’d most likely had an extremely vivid nightmare. I’ve never had another dream that felt so real, and I hope I never do!

Elizabeth Massie

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1. Story behind the Story (trivia about their contribution to the anthology)

Elizabeth: Getting huge boxes of scripts from networks in order to write original novels or novelizations based on a television series proves very interesting. It offers a look into the script writer’s mind before the director got hold of it and added countless details. Like looking at a finely-crafted skeleton before the skin is draped on. And after writing the novels or novelizations, there is always that issue…what to do with huge boxes of scripts? You can’t sell them. Very little room in the closet. Such a quandary!

2. What was your worst nightmare? (looking for an actual nightmare) 
Elizabeth: I rarely have nightmares. I can’t even recall the last one I had as an adult. As a kid, though, I had recurring nightmares about tsunamis. Living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the dark, terrifying tsunamis in my dream would rise up over the top of the mountain beside my town, tower there for an excruciatingly long time, then crash down. I would try to outrun them, I would try to scream, but my legs turned to mush and I no longer had a voice. The wave destroyed much of the town but never quite reached me before I woke up.

Where Nightmares Come From: The Art of Storytelling in the Horror Genre (The Dream Weaver series Book 1)

Edited by: Joe Mynhardt & Eugene Johnson.

Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing

November 17, 2017
256 pages

Cover design: by Luke Spooner

Book one in Crystal Lake Publishing’s The Dream Weaver series, Where Nightmares Come From focuses on the art of storytelling in the Horror genre, taking an idea from conception to reality—whether you prefer short stories, novels, films, or comics.

Featuring in-depth articles and interviews by Joe R. Lansdale (Hap & Leonard series), Clive Barker (Books of Blood), John Connolly (Charlie Parker series), Ramsey Campbell, Stephen King (IT), Christopher Golden (Ararat), Charlaine Harris (Midnight, Texas), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger series), Kevin J. Anderson (Tales of Dune), Craig Engler (Z Nation), and many more.

The full non-fiction anthology lineup includes:

Introduction by William F. Nolan

*IT’S THE STORY TELLER by Joe R. Lansdale

*A-Z OF HORROR of Clive Barker

*WHY HORROR? by Mark Alan Miller

*PIXELATED SHADOWS by Michael Paul Gonzalez

*LIKE CURSES by Ray Garton

*HOW TO GET YOUR SCARE ON by S.G. Browne

*STORYTELLING TECHNIQUES by Richard Thomas

*HORROR IS A STATE OF MIND by Tim Waggoner

*BRINGING AN IDEA TO LIFE by Mercedes M. Yardley

*THE PROCESS OF A TALE by Ramsey Campbell

*GREAT HORROR IS SOMETHING ALIEN by Michael Bailey

*A HORRIFICALLY HAPPY MEDIUM by Taylor Grant

*INTERVIEW WITH JOHN CONNOLLY by Marie O’Regan

*THE STORY OF A STORY by Mort Castle

*WRITING ROUNDTABLE INTERVIEW with Christopher Golden, Kevin J. Anderson, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia

*HOW I SPENT MY CHILDHOOD LOOKING FOR MONSTERS AND FOUND POETRY INSTEAD by Stephanie M. Wytovich

*BITS AND PIECES INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN *MABERRY by Eugene Johnson

*THE REEL CREEPS by Lisa Morton

*THE MONSTER SQUAD by Jess Landry

*WHAT SCARES YOU by Marv Wolfman

*PLAYING IN SOMEONE ELSE’S HAUNTED HOUSE by Elizabeth Massie

*CREATING MAGIC FROM A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER: Del Howison interviews Tom Holland, Amber Benson, Fred Dekker, and Kevin Tenney

*Z NATION: HOW SYFY’S HIT SHOW CAME TO LIFE by Craig Engler

*LIFE IMITATING ART IMITATING LIFE: FILM AND ITS *INFLUENCE ON REALITY by Jason V Brock

*WHERE NIGHTMARES COME FROM by Paul Moore

*STEPHEN KING AND RICHARD CHIZMAR DISCUSS COLLABORATING by Bev Vincent

*CHARLAINE HARRIS DISCUSSES STORYTELLING by Eugene Johnson

*WHAT NOW? by John Palisano

This collection is perfect for…

*writers of all genres

*authors looking for motivation and/or inspiration

*authors seeking guidance

*struggling authors searching for career advice

*authors interested in improving their craft

*writers interested in comics

*authors looking into screenwriting and films

*horror fans in general

*those looking to better understand the different story formats

*authors planning on infiltrating a different field in horror writing

*artists trying to establish a name brand

*authors looking to get published

Come listen to the legends…

Brought to you by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.

Michael Okon guest post: How I Got a Publishing Deal and What’s Next

How I Got a Publishing Deal and What’s Next 

It’s a pretty incredible story that I have a hard time believing. I wrote Monsterland and self-published it in 2015. My mom is my publicity manager and she blitzed the bloggers with my book. That fall I was reading a book called Selling a Screenplay by Syd Field. In the book, there was an entertainment attorney named Susan Grode who seemed very knowledgeable about the publishing and film industry. I told myself, when I receive my first contract, I’m going to reach out to her to see if she could help me. About two months later, I received a post on Facebook from an agent in London who asked to represent me. I said sure and asked him to send me a contract. I emailed Susan and introduced myself and mentioned that I had someone who wanted to rep me and I was hoping she could read this contract. She told me before I sign with this London agent, why don’t I meet her friend in Brooklyn, an agent named Nick Mullendore with Vertical Ink Literary Agency. I met Nick for lunch and he signed me that day as his client. That evening, Susan brought me on as her client as well.

Nick began trying to sell my book Monsterland to the big publishers and, as expected, it was rejected. Throughout his attempts of selling, he had a call with a film agent and he was pitching her a romance novel. She said she wasn’t really into romance and was looking for something with monsters. He sent her my book Monsterland, she read it over a weekend, and we had a call that Monday. She told Nick and me if we get the book published, she will get it into a producer’s hands to make into a film. Nick found a publisher called WordFire Press owned by Kevin J. Anderson, who has written all the Star Wars and Dune canon books. WordFire signed me to a two-book deal for Monsterland 1 & 2. After the deal was signed, my film agent did what she promised and got my book into the hands of a billion-dollar grossing producer who is now shopping my book to certain studios.

In two years, I went from a self-published author, to a published author with a literary agent, an entertainment attorney, a film agent, a two-book publishing deal, a publicist, and a producer who is interested in turning my book to a film. It’s been one wild ride, to say the least.

Now, what’s next? Well, one may just sit back and relax, and do nothing. Not I. I’ve already completed Monsterland 2 which comes out May 26, 2018. I’m knee-deep in Monsterland 3. I’ve already started beating out the stories for Monsterland 4 and 5. It seems that the next five years are going to be extremely busy with creating stories centered on monsters. What could be wrong with that?

Monsterland

by Michael Okon
October 13, 2017
Pages: 232
Genre: Monsters
Welcome to Monsterland—the scariest place on Earth.

The last couple years of high school have not been fun for Wyatt Baldwin. His parent's divorce, then his dad mysteriously dies. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter White, either. An on-going debate with his best friends Howard Drucker and Melvin over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.

But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can rock out with vampires at Vampire Village, be chased by actual werewolves on the Werewolf River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.

With real werewolves, vampires and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

Amazon

About the Author:
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Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling is his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

Ink Well: One writer’s process explained for the reader with Andy Peloquin

Ink Well: One writer’s process explained for the reader with Andy Peloquin

Writing a short story, novella, or novel 100% free of errors is, I'd wager, COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE! I'd be willing to bet that not even the greats (Brandon Sanderson, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, and G.R.R. Martin) write novels that are perfect. There's a reason that line editors, developmental editors, and proofreaders are a part of the publishing process: more eyes = less risk of errors and mistakes.

But, as a writer, I've learned the best way to wow your publisher is to deliver work that is as clean and free of mistakes as possible. That means ironing out all the:

• Plot holes

• Character inconsistencies

• Time inconsistencies

• Grammar mistakes

• Punctuation mistakes

• Head-hopping (switching POV)

• POV mistakes

• Anachronisms

• and anything else that isn't correct…

The last book I submitted to my publisher received fewer than 20 edits. The editors were amazed at how clean the book was. 

So how did I get my book from rough first draft to clean, neat submission? That was quite a lengthy process, one that involved the steps listed below:

Step 1: Write the damned thing. This first step is always the most important. Simply use your words to paint the pictures you see in your head, and take your character along a journey from "In the beginning" to "The End". For me, it's easier to focus on the story rather than the nitty gritty details of location, so I just include the important details. The color of the palace, the specific terrain, and the other details can be fleshed out later. For now, I just need to tell the character's story.

Step 2: Send the book to alpha readers. Alpha readers are people who read the rough draft and critique the story at large. They'll look at plot, pacing, the three-act structure, and overall character progression. They point out all the mistakes (of which there will be many) in your writing. I give Alpha readers around 6 weeks to slice and dice the book, during which time I'll work on other projects.

Step 3: Draft 2. This is the second draft, the draft that I focus on making as perfect as possible. I'll edit the book according to the notes given me by my alpha readers, and I'll flesh out all the details of location, settings, surroundings, etc. This is the time to tighten up the writing as if I was going to publish it the moment I finished with the draft. I make it as complete and cohesive as possible.

Step 4: Off to the beta readers. These readers also pay attention to plot, pacing, and structure, but I have a couple who focus more on the characters, the grammar and punctuation, the showing/telling, and other nitty gritty details. I've already worked the story to where I want it to be, so now I'm looking for notes that will help me tighten up what I believe to be the final story. Once again, this is about 6 weeks of slicing and dicing, during which time I do not touch the book--instead, I work on other projects.

Step 5: Fixing it up. The beta readers always have lots of comments, most of which are focused on line by line changes rather than entire chapters that need to be excised. I take their changes and comments into account, and make the book conform to their recommendations as much as possible. Of course, I don't blindly do what they say, but I'll talk each item out to find out exactly why they recommended the change. 

Step 6: Read. I mean PHYSICALLY, not on my computer. I'll take my book to Office Depot, print it out, get it all nicely bound in a notebook, and sit on my couch with a pen and mark the heck out of it. I read each sentence to ensure the book flows nicely, with sentences neither too long nor short. I want smooth reading, not choppy or over-long paragraphs. Now that I've printed it out, I see how the book will look in its physical format, and it's easier to spot mistakes that I hadn't noticed on my computer screen. As I mark the book, I'll make the changes to the digital file, until it's as clean as humanly possible. 

Step 7: Submit.

All in all, this takes about 6-9 months of my life, with 4-6 months spent working on just that one book. But, by the time I finally click the "Send" button on my submission, it's been through four layers of preliminary edits, with 6 or 7 sets of eyes going over it and finding as many mistakes as they can. This is how I ensure my editors get as clean and perfect a manuscript as possible. 

The Last Bucelarii (Book 2): Lament of the Fallen
by Andy Peloquin

August 21, 2015

340 pages
A faceless, nameless assassin. A forgotten past. The Hunter of Voramis--a killer devoid of morals, or something else altogether? (The Last Bucelarii--dark fantasy with a look at the underside of human nature) 

The Hunter of Voramis is no more.
Alone with the bloodthirsty voices in his head, fleeing the pain of loss, he has one objective: travel north to find Her, the mystery woman who plagues his dreams and haunts his memories.

When he stumbles upon a bandit attack, something within urges him to help. His actions set him at odds with the warrior priests commanded to hunt down the Bucelarii.

Left for dead, the Hunter must travel to Malandria to recover his stolen birthright. There, he is inexorably drawn into direct conflict with the Order of Midas, the faceless, nameless group of magicians that holds the city in a grip of terror. All while struggling to silence the ever-louder voice in his mind that drives him to kill.

From feared asassin to wretched outcast, the Hunter's journey leads him to truths about his forgotten past and the Abiarazi he has pledged to hunt. His discoveries will shed light on who he really is…what he really is.

Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Brandon Sanderson, and Brent Weeks will love the Hunter…

Amazon Kindle-Amazon Paperback-Amazon Canada 

Goodreads

Book Launch Event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1756560507952924/

Join my Thunderclap:

https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/44830-the-hunter-rides-again

About the Author:

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Andy Peloquin: Lover of All Things Dark and Mysterious.

Andy Peloquin--a third culture kid to the core--has loved to read since before he could remember. Sherlock Holmes, the Phantom of the Opera, and Father Brown are just a few of the books that ensnared his imagination as a child.

When he discovered science fiction and fantasy through the pages of writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs, J.R.R Tolkien, and Orson Scott Card, he was immediately hooked and hasn't looked back since.

Reading—and now writing—is his favorite escape, and it provides him an outlet for his innate creativity. He is an artist; words are his palette.

His website is a second home for him, a place where he can post his thoughts and feelings--along with reviews of books he finds laying around the internet.

10 Things You Need to Know About Me:

1. Hot wings, ALWAYS!
2. I never forget a face, but rarely remember a name.
3. I'm a head taller than the average person (I'm 6' 6")
4. Marvel > DC
5. I was born in Japan, and lived there until the age of 14.
6. Selena Gomez, Skrillex, Simon & Garfunkel, Celine Dion, and Five Finger Death Punch are all in my writing playlist.
7. Aliens are real, but it's self-centered of us to believe that they would come to visit Earth.
8. Watching sports: suck. Playing sports: EPIC!
9. I earned a purple belt in Karate/Hapkido/Taekwondo.
10. I dislike most Christmas music, aside from Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

A Few of My Favorite Things
Favorite Books: The Gentlemen Bastards by Scott Lynch, The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson, Sherlock Holmes by A.C. Doyle, Warlord of Mars by E.R. Burroughs
Favorite Songs: Wrong Side of Heaven by Five Finger Death Punch, Prayer by Disturbed, I'm an Albatraoz by AronChupa, Look Down from Les Miserables, Shatter Me by Lindsay Sterling and Lizzi Hale
Favorite Movies: 300, Red Cliff, Shoot Em Up, Love Actually, Princess Bride
Favorite Comics: Anything with Deadpool, Wolverine or Doop in it
Favorite Foods: Hot Wings, Meat-Lover's Salad, A good sandwich (made by me), Yaki Soba, Sushi
Favorite TV Shows: The Flash, Daredevil, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Hawaii Five-0, Brooklyn 99, Firefly (too soon!), The Last Ship, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones

"Creative, gritty, and beautifully dark...fantasy addicts will love it!" -- Peter Story, author of Things Grak Hates -- http://peterjstory.com/

What Reviewers are saying...

"The fantasy world has a compelling new antihero…the Hunter will terrify and captivate you." - Eve A Floriste, author of Fresh Cut

"From the first words on the page this fantasy holds the reader spellbound even after the book is finished…his character is very well-defined even if his past is a mystery. Root for an assassin? Oh, yes, one must!" -- Carol Conley, for InDTale Magazine

"Oh the carnage! Fantastic bloodthirsty carnage! The fight scenes in this book were fast-paced, detailed and thrilling. I love a good sword fight and there is plenty of that here." -- Ami L. Hart

"One could get lost in this novel for its twisting plots, seemingly endless imagination, dark yet irresistible characters, or the mind-numbing paradox of its simultaneously dark and romantic world. One could follow the long and winding road of the dusky, fierce protagonist and fight tooth and nail not to sympathize with him. One could dance in the dizzying, intricate circles of Peloquin's neo-mythology, or even basque in the black sunlight of a well-crafted gothic novel that both entertains and enlightens." -- Jesse G. Christiansen

Release Day: #AmWriting A Collection of Letters to Benefit The Wayne Foundation

#AmWriting A Collection of Letters to Benefit The Wayne Foundation
Publisher Pure Textuality PR
Cover Art Pure Textuality PR
Publication Date June 7, 2016
Knowing what you know now of writing, publishing, and putting your art out into the world, if you could go back to the day you sat down to start typing in your very first manuscript, what words would you offer to yourself? Words of encouragement? Words of advice? Caution against certain pitfalls? Would you change anything about how you got to where you are today?

The publishing community is so much bigger than it was before the self-publishing boom and it continues to grow exponentially every day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a handbook or support group. #AmWriting is a collection of letters written by authors from all different corners of the publishing community. The letters provide words of encouragement or advice to those just starting out or those who have become discouraged in their art. At Pure Textuality PR, we believe in supporting each other as a community, and we felt this project would be a good way to bring writers together and maybe give some new artists just the right nudge to keep going. 100% of the net proceeds of #AmWriting will be donated to The Wayne Foundation, a charity dedicated to offering aid and services to young women victimized by illegal sexual exploitation and the sexual trafficking of minors. For more information about The Wayne Foundation, you can visit them on the web at http://waynefdn.org.

Goodreads-Amazon-Kobo

Nook *Coming Soon* 

iBooks *Coming Soon* 

Website

Who is involved???

#AmWriting has a great list of more than 60 authors, including NYT bestselling author Jeaniene Frost!

A.D. Ellis Amy Joy Lutchen Andrew Jericho Ashlynne Laynne Becky Flade Beth Dolgner Brandy Dorsch Brenda J. Pierson C.L. Foster Cassia Brightmore Cecilia London Cherron Riser Cithara Patra Courtney Houston Crystal Dawn E.J. Stevens Elizabeth Sharp Ella Col Emily Cyr Emma Nichols Erin Hayes Erynn Crittenden Felicia Starr Gabbie S. Duran Geri Glenn Harlie Williams J. Nichole Parkins J.B. McGee J.M. Gregoire Jamie Summer Jeaniene Frost Jess Haines Jessica Cage Jody Pardo K.c. Stewart Karina Espinosa Kasey Belle Katie Kenyhercz Kendall Grey Kory M. Shrum L A Cotton Leyla Kader Dahm Louisa Lo M. Never M.L. Steinbrunn Mary Crawford Michelle Mcloughney Mike Gonzales Misha Carver Misha Elliott Muriel Garcia Nicole Zoltack Pamela K. Kinney R.A Mizer Rachel Walter Rebecca Sherwin Renee Dyer Sara Dobie Bauer Serena Kearney Shakuita Johnson Shannon Bell T.J. Michaels T.L. Manning Tracie Podger Xandra James

About The Wayne Foundation

Board of Directors | Financials | Podcasts

Mission Statement
The Wayne Foundation is committed to spreading awareness of CSEC (Commercial Sex Exploitation of Children) DMST (Domestic Minor Sexual Trafficking) occurring within the United States.

Vision Statement The Wayne Foundation’s vision is for a world without child slavery. We are dedicated to providing direct assistance to those victimized by exploitation.

Drop in Center
The Wayne Foundation operates the third drop in center in Florida recognized by the Department of Children and Family Services. It is located in Charlotte County Florida, and serves clients throughout Southwest Florida. Our target clientele are young women aged 13-25. Our DIC is equipped to provide daily services that include, but are not limited to: Food, New Clothing, Access to Shower, Media Center, Mental Health Assistance, SNAP/ Medicare Benefit sign-up/renewal, Family Counseling, Education Assistance, and Transportation To and From the Center.

Shelter Services The Wayne Foundation continues to have the goal of providing shelter services to young women victimized by exploitation or trafficking. This is our primary long term objective.

Book Expo America 2015 Recap + Giveaway

Located in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City

BEA or Book Expo America took place May 27-29th at the Jacob Javits Center. It is the largest publishing event in North America. With over 1,000 booths ranging from Publishers, Booksellers, Agencies, and Tech start-ups.

This was my first year with access to the BEA, part of the expo is not open to the public. I was able to get in with an I Smell Sheep press pass, which made me extremely happy since the Expo will be in Chicago next year. I had lucked out and was able to get together with a group of blogger friends (Nikki from Fiction-Freak, Kelly from Effortlessly Reading, Sadja from Across the Words and Nori from Readwritelove28) so we could make “battle plans” for the event.

My first day started off very early, the doors to the Exhibit Hall did not open until 1pm, but I was there before 8am to save spots. I wasn’t all that shocked to see that there were others in line before me. Rumor was they were there at 6:30am, I couldn’t blame them, there was one book that was pretty much the “must have” for YA Bloggers/Readers, there were only 100 copies that were being given out and you needed a ticket. I lucked out with ticket #13.

The biggest highlight for me was when Kelley Armstrong was there, so that morning I made sure I was there early to get a good spot in the autograph line. Little did I know that my good spot was going to be the first one!

China was the International Guest of Honor this year (they took up the large red area on the map), they had a gorgeous set up with speakers and authors from China. The location they had was spaced out in such a great way, there were open sitting areas with white benches and bamboo planters, I wish I had time to sit in there and relax.

There were a few issues here and there, but what convention doesn’t have a few hiccups.

It was amazing how many people had heard of The Sheep while I was there. Of course they had nothing but awesome things to say about the flock!

If the expo wasn’t going to be in Chicago next year I’d definitely go again for 2016. Here is hoping that it will be back in the near future!

Illuminae stairs leading up to the main exhibit hall

Danielle D

GIVEAWAY

One winner will get some of this swag (open to Int)

One winner will get all the books you want from the stack (US only) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway