So You Want to Write a Book

So You Want to Write a Book

I've never written a book, not even a bad one in high school. I have thought about it though. I ran across this advice and the other day. Writing a book is an exciting endeavor, but writing the book is a task in and of itself. If you have made the commitment and put pen to paper, you are half way to achieving your dream of becoming an author. Many books are submitted for publication on a daily basis, but only a few are given a deal. Then, even with aggressive marketing, even fewer become best-sellers and household staples. mrbestseller.com, for example, has narrowed down the process while seeking to help the novice writer and experienced author achieve their literary dreams. Here are three steps involved in publishing a book. The Title The title of a book is just as important as the content. The average reader who peruses the aisles of their favorite bookstore or search results of the favorite online search engine often uses...
Read More

The Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag

Thanks to Maureen at Maureen's Books for tagging me for The Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag. If you get a chance, go visit her. 1 - The Best Book You've Read So Far In 2017 The best book I’ve read so far this year is probably The End of the Day by Claire North. I loved Charlie, the Harbinger of Death, and enjoyed tagging along with him. And hated tagging along with him, because sometimes it's a really tough job, but not for the reasons you would think. 2 - Your Favorite Sequel This Year My favorite sequel I read this year so far is Stiletto by Daniel O'Malley. The world of the Checquy files is an interesting mix of fantasy, "science," and bureaucracy. In this sequel, age-old enemies are being forced to work together. 3 - A New Release You Haven't Read But Really Want To I haven't read City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett. I have copy, but it's the last of the trilogy...
Read More

February Bookish Bingo

Bookish Bingo is hosted at Chapter Break.  Here's how my February card turned out. These are all books I read at least part of in February, although all my reviews are not posted yet. 12 squares: Friends to lovers - Arena by Holly Jennings Ghost - Dead & Buried by Leighann Dobbs Dark past - City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett Royalty - City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett Cop/fireman - Dead & Buried by Leighann Dobbs Artist - Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song by Sara Bareilles Bar - Arena by Holly Jennings Jock - Arena by Holly Jennings Actor - "A" Is for Asshat by Rebecca Cantrell and Sean Black Warrior - City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett Change jobs/majors - "A" Is for Asshat by Rebecca Cantrell and Sean Black...
Read More

January Bookish Bingo

I haven't signed up for many challenges this year, but Julie and Lynn are hosting a Bookish Bingo at Chapter Break that sounds fun. The rules: Each month they'll upload a new bingo card. You download the bingo card and mark off squares as you read books each month. At the end of the month, they will post their bingo cards. Link up your post or post your own bingo card in the comments. The monthly winner will be the person with the most marked squares. None of that across, diagonal, up and down, corners stuff. Just the number of squares. Be sure to include the books you’ve read for each of the squares. Only books read during the current month count. You may use the same book to fill multiple squares. They’ll announce the winner the following month to allow everyone time to link up their posts. Here's my January card:   I didn't do too badly. 10 squares, but a couple might be a stretch. Dead body...
Read More

2016 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge

I wasn't going to sign up for any reading challenges this year - but then I saw the Cloak and Dagger challenge is being hosted by Stormi at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!  and Barb from Booker T’s Farm. I couldn't resist. Rules: You can read any book that is from the mystery/suspense/thriller/crime genres. Any sub-genres are welcome as long as they incorporate one of these genres. You don’t need a blog to participate but you do need a place to post your reviews to link up. (blog, goodreads, booklikes, shelfari, etc.) Make a goal post and link it back tp the sign-up post with your goal for this challenge. Books need to be novellas or novels, please no short stories. (At least 100 pages +) Crossovers into other challenges is fine. Challenge will be from Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st. (Sign up ends April 15th) There will be a monthly link up. If you tweet about your progress or reviews please use the hashtag #2016CloakDaggerChal so others can see...
Read More

Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge Wrap-up

I did not read as many Christmas stories as I would have liked for the  Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge, but I did complete the Mistletoe Level which is what I was aiming for. I also completed Visions of Sugar Plumbs, reading a couple of Christmas stories with my niece on Christmas Day. What I read: Advent Illustrated by Sara Laughed (review) A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton (review) 'Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement C. Moore Santa Duck by David Milgrim Happy Holidogs by Ed Heck Thanks again to Michelle for hosting this annual challenge....
Read More