Category: Books (Page 5 of 6)

How to Write a Book – My Way! (Part 3)

December 27, 2016 / / 0 Comments

    I have self published a book. I am an Indie (aka independent) Author and can take my book “Run For Your Life!” and hold it in my hand.  Now it is time to put on my marketing hat and learn how to sell books. Writing it was a breeze compared to marketing it. After a lot more research here is my plan of action. 

Start a web page. Search Author Linda Laughlin to see mine, although if you are reading this you have found my web page or my Facebook page. 

  Speaking of Facebook, set up an author page!

Learn to tweet. (I now have a twitter account.)

Print out business cards and posters! (I made bookmarks instead of business cards.)

If you have a friend that owns a business, get them to let you have a book signing. If there’s an  independent book store in your area, forge a relationship with them. Maybe they will put your book on their shelf and let you do a book signing in their store.

   Get on every web site you can think of to get your name out there in front of the public.

   Bribe, beg, do anything you can think of to get a review for your book.  This has been the hardest  thing for me. I gave away five books and the only thing I asked for was a book review on Amazon, I didn’t get a single one. (Amazon can tell by the IP address where the book review comes from, so don’t try to make up your own reviews!)

  I am still looking for ideas to promote my book. It isn’t easy. I have finished my second book and I am looking into a traditional publisher! I met a lady who spent a big portion of her career in New York and she is now working for a regional publishing house. I gave her a copy of “Run For Your Life!” and the first three chapters of my latest book! I have decided I am not made for marketing so I will feel blessed if she decides to represent me. My fondest wish is for her to ask me to take the first book so she can re-publish it. I still feel that it is a good book and I would like to see it get a chance at a bigger market. 

Happy reading, Linda

 

 

 

How to Write a Book – My Way! (Part 2)

December 15, 2016 / / 0 Comments

  I had my book, “Run For Your Life!” written and ready to go, now all I needed was a publisher! Let me say here that I had read everything I could get my hands on and I just knew that this was a good book. It was fast paced, like I preferred to read, and it started off with a murder, just like Hawaii Five-O. (Why didn’t I write a TV show instead?) 

Suddenly, I was the one doing the research. I found several articles telling me that a publisher would not talk to you without an agent. I found out later that this applied to the larger publishers, the smaller regional publishers will welcome your query letters. I found a list of agents listed in New York and information on what type of books they were interested in as well as how to submit a book to them. Some wanted only a letter and some wanted a letter and the first few chapters; each publish their own rules on how to submit to their web sites. Everything is electronic, no snail mail, so I started to submit letters. At first I checked all the thank you notes and dedications in my favorite books, thinking to query my favorite authors’ agents. ( No news is good news, they don’t know what they are missing.) Next, I started randomly sending out queries. In the end, I had submitted thirty to forty letters. I got some form letters and they all explained that they were not taking clients at this time. (At least they hadn’t told me I sucked at writing.)

Run For Your Life! CoverI could not give up, I just felt all the way to my bones that this book was good, so what next?  I found an article on self publishing. I have already told you in part one that I was poor but I wasn’t stupid. I never considered those publishers who charge you to publish your book. Maybe that works, I don’t know, but since I didn’t have the money to spend I decided to check into Amazon. In the end, I decided to publish through both their ebook and physical copy programs. Now my daughter became my computer guru. She put my manuscript in the correct formats and helped me design my book cover. I was convinced I could take a picture and we could do the graphics. (I thought it turned out pretty good. Someone I have met that works for a real, live publisher has told me it is awful!) Once finished, I was able to go to Amazon and see my book advertised for sale. A local store also offered to let me do a book signing and you can not imagine my pleasure when I unpacked the box containing my book. To be able to pick up MY book and hold it in my hand, it was a dream come true! 

(Watch for part 3 – How to promote yourself.)

Happy reading, Linda

How to Write a Book – My Way! (Part 1)

December 5, 2016 / / 0 Comments

 books-books I retired from banking and decided to write a book. Now this wasn’t as sudden as it seems, because this idea had been floating around in my head for several years. So I sat down and wrote a story line and then started the book. Dialog posed a problem until I figured out that you talk to yourself, then answer yourself, then write it down. Soon, you have a whole conversation flowing across the page. 

I was writing away and about half way through the story when I noticed a course on “Writing a Book” given at the local college. Now I didn’t know this at the time, but the person teaching the course had never written a book. He had a book in progress and was about half way through. (Sound familiar?)  He said he had been working on it for about five years and would be ready to submit in about five more years. It immediately occurred to me that if it took me that long, I could be dead before I finished. The course was in the college’s adult education series and did not cost much, but then, it did not teach me much. 

On finishing the book, I started thinking about an editor. I talked to a friend who taught English on the college level and asked her to read a few chapters then tell me what she thought. (A retired person can not afford to pay an editor!) Needless to say, that didn’t work out at all. She wanted to change all my sentences to proper english, not considering most people don’t speak proper English. (At least I don’t talk to myself in proper english.) It was time for another idea and I found it in my daughter. Here was someone who had inherited my love of books and reading. She made excellent grades, when she bothered to turn in her homework, and would work for free. Perfect! 

Now I don’t consider myself a lucky person, but this time I got lucky. My “New Editor” loved to research and she found out what I needed to do in order to submit my book. In short order she had corrected the manuscript, made sure the sentiences were written in the correct tense and had it formatted for a publisher to read. 

Now all I had to do was find a publisher! (Watch for Part 2 – How to Find a Publisher?)

Happy reading, Linda

Review of “With This Ring” by Patricia Kay

October 22, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Love

Love is something we all dream of finding and some never do. This author takes us on a search for the elusive emotion. But not all love is the same and sometimes we have to examine what we feel, what we need and want.   

The Author, Patricia Kay

Patricia Kay gives us a great story, keeping us entertained while showing us the different faces of love. 

With This Ring

Patricia Kay - With this RingIn “With this Ring”, Amy grew up with parents who loved her, but most of all they loved each other. Sam, a wildlife photographer, was not so lucky. When love came, Amy was ready to embrace it but Sam took a little longer to realize that Amy was the love of his life. One more assignment and they would be married but then the unthinkable happens. Sam is on assignment trying for that one in a million picture and suddenly he is falling down a mountainside. They don’t recover the body, but Amy is told there is no way Sam could have survived.  

   Justin is Sam’s best friend and he has been a little in love with Amy since Sam introduced them. It is only natural that Justin would be there for Amy and he can’t help falling more in love with this amazing woman.

   Two years later and Amy has allowed herself to move on. Sam will always be the love of her life but Sam is dead. Sweet, dependable, loving Justin wants to marry Amy and she does love him. He has been there for her, her best friend so she accepts his proposal.

   One morning Amy opens the door expecting to see Justin, only to find Sam. Does Amy marry the man who is always beside her, always ready to love and care for her, or does she go where her heart leads her, back to her one true love? 

This was a great read and gives you an insight into the many facets of love. Don’t miss this story of survival, love and friendship. 

Happy reading, Linda

A New Book Store

October 10, 2016 / / 0 Comments

When I think of a book store. 

  The book store of my dreams no longer exists, or so I thought. In my area most of the book stores are chains and cozy is not a word I would associate with them. I happened upon a book store in the nearby town of Van Buren. Chapters on Main is the store of my dreams. It is quaint, cozy and friendly with a coffee and tea bar in the back. All the things I have been missing in a book store.

They have both new and used books and a charm you won’t find in the chain book store. If you live in my area of Arkansas, drop by and take a look. I think you will find it an enjoyable place to shop.

On the local authors shelf you will find my book “Run For Your Life!” along with the book “Ozark Urchins” written by my new friend, Richard Cress. Richard gives you a look at growing up in the Ozarks during a different era.  Happy Reading, Linda 

Chapters On Mainimg_0686

Book Signing

September 14, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Chapters On Main I wanted to remind everyone that I will be at Chapters on Main in historic old Van Buren tomorrow evening between 5 and 8 o’clock. I am looking forward to meeting each of you and will be honored to sign my first book “Run For Your Life!” for everyone. Christmas will be here before you know it and if you have someone on your list that likes to read, what better than a Linda Laughlin book for their stocking stuffer. 

I am busy with rewrites for my second book. I will take you back to San Diego to visit the Burke family. Steve and Leah think that with Jefferson Randall in a Federal Prison all their problems are solved, but Jeff has other ideas. Sometimes good people are forced to do bad things. Look for “Fight For Your Life!” coming soon!

Happy reading, Linda Laughlin

Book Signing at Chapters on Main, Van Buren Arkansas

August 25, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Are you a Book Junkie?

  As an author, it is not a surprise that I am a book junkie. I always have room for a new book, and most of the time a new bookcase. “Books equal Love!” I believe in the power of reading. Books can take you on a trip around the world or teach you how to do anything. If you can read, you can find the answers you seek. Thus, the ravings of a book junkie!!!

A Place to Find your Fix

Chapters On MainThis week I visited a charming book store across the street from the train station in historical Van Buren, Arkansas. When you enter “Chapters on Main” you will see new books and used books, all displayed for your enjoyment. As you walk through the store, you will find a comfortable chair or two tucked in among the bookcases. In the back of the store is a coffee and tea bar with several small tables. This reminded me of an old fashion soda fountain, except it is for coffee drinkers. 

A Book Signing   

paperback&typewriterI will be at Chapters on Main on September 15th starting at 5:30 pm to sign my book “Run For Your Life!” It is always exciting to get to meet fellow book lovers and find out what they are reading. Like all of you, I have my favorite authors, but I also pray that one day I will become someone’s favorite author! If you haven’t given my book a read, come on out and pick up a signed copy.

I also have a new book, “Fight For Your Life!” coming out soon. Steve promised Leah a life full of happy-ever-after and then Jeff escapes from federal prison.  Sometimes, good people are forced to do bad things. ( My friend Lee assures me you cannot escape from a federal prison. What can I say except sorry, Lee, it’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)  Anyway, I hope you will watch for my new book and will enjoy a second visit with the Burke Family! 

You are Invited

 Come say hello!

Run for Your Life! book signing

September 15, 2016

Starting at 5:30 P.M.

Chapters on Main

816 Main Street

Van Buren, Arkansas

Happy reading, Linda

New book, “Fight For Your Life!”

June 20, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Coming soon!paperback&typewriter

  I just finished my second book. “Fight For Your Life!” has been sent to my editor, who will then send it back for rewrites, so hopefully it will be in print in the next month or two or three. I finished the story of Steve and Leah that I started in the first novel and told the story of a much more mature Darrin, Great Grandpa Burke’s mine and Darrin’s first love. To add some drama Jefferson Randall has to make an appearance and try one more time to kill Leah. I have to stop there so I won’t give away anymore secrets! Stay tuned for book number two and a chance to get book one for free! 

Thank you!

I love all of you who have taken the time to read my book! I have heard from so many of you how much you liked “Run For Your Life!” and you don’t know how much that means to a first time author. More than once I have heard how you didn’t want to put the book down and that was music to my ears. Thank you, again, stay tuned for the release of “Fight For Your Life!”  and as always happy reading, Linda 

The beauty of Arkansas

March 27, 2016 / / 0 Comments

  Sometimes I forget what a beautiful state Arkansas is! It was a sunny spring day where the thermometer hovered between 55 and 65 degrees. I was in Northwest Arkansas and suddenly I came upon a one way bridge. I hadn’t had this experience in a long time and had forgotten that Arkansas still has some of these bridges. Now this bridge wasn’t one of those that are about 200 feet long, this one spanned part of Beaver Lake and was at least half a block long. I eased out on the bridge and here comes a car in my direction, not exactly going at a snails pace. “Ok,” I thought, “it doesn’t look like he is going to stop.”  I put the car in reverse and backed off the bridge, which made me more than a little nervous. This car came sailing past me with a toot of his horn and a little wave.  I turned to my friend Char and commented how uneasy I was, not being able to see what was on the other side.  Now it is my turn, I hope. So I start across for a second time. I had made up my mind if anyone else started across, I was not backing up. It all worked out or I might have been setting in the middle of a one way bridge, not being able to go forward and refusing to go backward.  I exited the bridge and found myself in the little town of Beaver, Arkansas. I guess this is where Beaver Lake got it’s name. It is a beautiful small town with a interesting General Store. I would have loved to stop but was pressed for time so that is a project for another visit. 

I had went to Eureka Springs to take a course from the Village Writing School on Blogging. In the internet world it is Blogging which makes it sound complicated while in reality it is writing, which I can handle without too much trouble since that is what I do. 

If you haven’t been to Eureka Springs it is a charming town, there is only one drawback, you have to like to hike. There is little flat ground and as I am getting older, I am not fond of hills. Now Char told me we could catch the trolley and in the summer that would probably work, but the trolleys were on a spring schedule and didn’t come by all that often. Note to Linda: You need to buy a motor scooter.

   We found a charming restaurant called Fresh. It was in a converted house and the remodel was amazing. If you have to wait to be seated there is a gift shop, laid out on several levels, where you can browse. Now I don’t know if we got special treatment or if they are always this nice but they let us order a steak off the dinner menu even though it was lunch time.  We had beautiful fresh green salad with their homemade dressing. They have a limited selection of salad dressing and I wasn’t very pleased with that at first, as I am a fan of Ranch dressing, but the creamy pepper was a great substitute.  The steak was outstanding!

We stayed at the Best Western and it was one of the older style, built where you can park in front of your door. I personally like this because you don’t have very far to carry your luggage and I, like most women, I have a lot of luggage to carry. I think they may have recently remodeled, for every thing was clean and fresh. 

Eureka Springs is a town of quaint shops and interesting sites, just bring your hiking shoes. The drive through Northwest Arkansas was perfect. I love the scenery. If you live close I hope you will visit Northwest Arkansas. 

Even when I travel I have a book with me. To me books are a necessity! As always I wish you Happy Reading, Linda

 

Review for The Naked Eye by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen

January 25, 2016 / / 0 Comments

The Naked Eye - Iris and Roy JohansenIris Johansen has been writing fantastic stories for years and now she writes with her son, Roy Johansen. The two continue to create hard hitting mysteries that will keep you entertained. This is part of the Kendra Michaels series. If you have never read one of her mysteries, she was blind and with a new surgery regained her sight. Kendra learned to notice things that most people overlook, and as a result has been used by different law enforcement agencies to solve cases. She helped put serial killer Eric Colby behind bars. He was suppose to be executed, but Kendra knows that somehow he is still alive, even though no one believes her.

If you like a good mystery, you will love this one. The police finally believe Kendra when one of their own is captured by Eric Colby, then tortured and killed. Kendra almost loses a good friend to the cold blooded killer. They think they have lost him again but he has a compulsion and that is to kill Kendra. Don’t miss this one, a very outstanding story.

Happy Reading, Linda

 

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