Anna Kippling is Getting Revamped! Enter the Contest and Give Your Vote...

You might have noticed I haven't been posting much lately about anything concerning my books. Not on Facebook. Not on twitter. Not even on here. Yep, that's right. No promoting, no linking, no giveaways, no nothing.

So what have you been up to A.D.?

Well, It goes like this...

After finishing the fourth installment to my Anna Kippling Series (that in itself was a huge feat for me, she pats self on the back) I decided I just had to go back and revamp up the previous three books.  As an indie author, I have learned quite a bit since I entered the self-pub industry and have learned the hard way on how little I knew when I entered it. And sadly how much more I still need to learn.

The  #1 most important thing I have learned, for anyone to learn even,  is you want your work to be at it's absolute best or at least pretty darn close before you press the publish button. It isn't just about finishing the story, but of course that is something to feel proud about. It's quite an accomplishment to write and finish a book (now pat yourself on the back), but it doesn't end there. You then need to edit.

Edit, revamping, everything and anything to make that book of yours shine to a luster that would make any mom or pop proud. This after all is your baby.

And over the past two years this is just what I have done.

I've also had to build a tougher skin. No one likes negative reviews, but they are necessary (at least the legit ones).  This is how our readers give us feedback and our resource to improvement. So with a new layer of skin atop the other, I listened and...

worked harder,  worked a little harder, kept going,- I think I threw a tantrum here -   keep on still  and...

Yep, I'm still going.

So...

Back to the point. As I've established, there is always room for improvement.

I am very proud of this series and have a deep love for the characters within it (hey they're like family to me) and so it wouldn't be unfathomable to want their story to be at it's very best. So I've done one final revamp and then I shall lets it alone :0)

I did a while ago post a possible new cover for the series and am still on the fence about it.  I'm not sure if I should do a new cover or keep the current one.  This is where you come in.

As readers are just as important to authors as their characters. YOU, yes you, are very important to me and of course so is your opinion. So give me your opinion. Which cover do you think I should go with when I am put out my second edition (revamped) Anna Kippling Series?

Cover 1 or Cover 2?

Cover 1

Cover 2

How about a contest about it? Oooh, ooh, Yes! Of course yes!  "We's just loves a contest!"  So give your vote, cause it matters, and then enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win all four books of this series.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How awesome is that! If you haven't read my series, then this is great, now you get to without having to wait for the next book to come out! You get to keep going! If you have  already read the series (thank you by the way), that's OK too.  Now you get to read the revamped version without having to spend anymore money!  How great is that! Yay! Who doesn't like saving money?

 So the best of luck and please share  this awesome giveaway with your friends, acquaintances, everybody!

Thanks for the  drop by,

Strangers in the Gale-A Science Fiction Novel by Author Author Joseph Occchipinti- Author Spotlight

 

 

Book Description:

An unconscious girl found on a clump of floating kelp radically complicates Bernardo’s life. By all accounts, Ondas is supposed to be uninhabited. Why is the League government hiding the existence of the seafarers? In his quest for answers, the young biologist becomes entangled in a broader conflict that is about to take a recently colonized world to war. Bernardo is swept into a secret world of rebellion and espionage, and uncovers a genocidal policy by his government directed against the child’s aboriginal culture. On this water world fraught with ubiquitous storms, Bernardo, a few of his colleagues, two enslaved technicians, and an enigmatic mystic fight for the girl’s survival and that of her people, discovering a long-forgotten truth that will shake the foundations of worlds.

 

 

About the author:

 

Joe lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with his wife, Laurie, and son, Paul. As a geographer he teaches as adjunct faculty, and he also co-owns a small, independent used book store and gift shop. Joe has traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad, and has lived in Italy, Canada and Argentina. He is an avid hiker and nature lover, enjoys the practice of martial arts, and occasionally loves to get his hands dirty behind a potter's wheel, in a woodshop, or some other interesting manual endeavor.

 

Joesph kindly answered a few questions for me so that I could spotlight him on my blog. It was great getting to know him and about his book. Click the book cover above to go to the Amazon page. Joesph's book is available in both Kindle ebook and paper back.

Now onto my questions!

 

1. Where do you call home?

-- Clarion, Pennsylvania

2. What is the title of your most recent book?

-- Strangers in the Gale

3. What's your Genre?

-- Science Fiction

 

4. Plans for a next book? Is this part of a Series?

 -- Yes, Strangers in the Gale is part of a trilogy called Children of the Three Suns.  The second book is currently being edited and will be out this fall.--How exciting!

5. Are you a self published author (Indie) ?

 -- Yes

6. Who's your favorite author?

 -- Hard call, but I would have to say Ursula K. Le Guin because she is not only a great storyteller but also a cares so much for humanity.

 

7. Your favorite book?

 -- Another hard call, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

8. What book are you currently reading?

 -- Reamde by Neil Stephenson

9. A book you would recommend?

-- The Terror by Dan Simmons.  It's a great thriller set in a fantastic glacial landscape.

 

10. How do you pick your books?

-- Mostly from recommendations by friends and family.

11. Advice for other authors?

-- Be true to yourself, don't get swept away by the rush to publish and promote your book.

12. Do you write under a pen name?

-- I don't have a pen name.

13. Where do you write?

-- Sitting on an easy chair with my laptop and a cup of coffee, somewhere within view of the outdoors.

 

14. What do you wear when you write?

-- Something comfortable and cozy.

15. Do you have a pet (s)?

-- I have a beagle named Pippin, and two cats, Momo and Chipmunk.- Awww...love the names!

16. Favorite food?

-- I guess sushi -Yum!

17. If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

-- My wife Laurie, my son Paul and Survivorman. -Love it!

18. Of your characters, which one would you say is most like you and why?
-- Aicobo, a cleric who sometimes questions the theological underpinnings of his order, but always tries to do the right thing.  He is somewhat like me, but I laugh and joke more, and don't take things quite as seriously.  Still, he is like me because of his ethical stance in life and his compassion for others.

 

19. What made you want to be a writer?

-- Seeing the emotional impact of my writing on others.  Realizing I can reach people with my writing.  The amazing pleasure of creating a story and all of its characters.

20. Any weird talent?

-- writing... just kidding.  I can juggle and skip over rocks very adeptly.

21. A favorite quote?

-- "Don't sweat the smalls stuff... It's all small stuff."  Richard Carson.

22. What is the one thing you never go without?

-- respect for others -You are so awesome Joe!

23. Your biggest influence?

-- It's gotta be Laurie, I've been blessed to have her in my life for 27 years.

24. Favorite TV show?

-- Okay, I'm gonna say it... The star treck series of shows.  They are like comfort food for me.

25. A great blog you would like to recommend for others to discover?

-- to be honest I'm fairly new to blogging and I haven't had a chance to sort that out.  I've been happily surprised at how many good blogs show tremendous creativity and talent.

 

 

If you would like to connect with the author, here are his links:

 

Amazon author central page

Joe's Blog -Children of the three sons

Add Joe's book Strangers in the Gale to your to-read list on Goodreads!

Fan Joe on Goodreads

Give Joe's Facebook page your like!

Follow Joe on Twitter!

 

 

Thanks again Joesph for allowing me to spotlight you on my blog! Thanks all for the drop by and Happy Reading!

P.S. Don't forget to leave your author a review, they really appreciate them!!

 

Author Spotlight- Author Neesha Hosein of I of the Storm

The lovely author Neesha Hosein has allowed me to spotlight her on my humble little blog in this vast webverse and I just enjoyed getting to know about her! Don't forget to click her links below to connect with Neesha on Twitter & Facebook, also check out her book and blog!

Isn't she lovely!!!

1. Where do you call home?
Houston, TX
2. What is the title of your most recent book?
I of the Storm

Book Blurb:

Being struck by lightning as a child sets Kira on a path to realization. Her life becomes a riveting series of events, and her guiding light is the supernatural. Her adventurous visions lead her through some spine-tingling discoveries about her husband, the man whose rigorous rules she obediently follows in a life filled with both tribulation and triumph.

3. What's your Genre?
Adult/fiction, suspense, thriller, with a dash of supernatural and a healthy dose of mystery and crime all in one.

4. Plans for a next book? Is this part of a Series?
At first, I wasnt sure, but when I saw an amazing photo on National Geographics Facebook page, it inspired me to go for book two! It was perfect for the next book cover. And better yet, I too a wild chance and emailed the photographer about using the photo and asked the cost, and he gave me permission at no charge. So that makes me believe book two is meant to be. Its in the works.
5. Are you a self-published author (Indie) ?
Yes, and proudly so. Even my book cover is a photo I took from an airplane. Im a huge fan of do-it-yourself projects, major to minor. And I made my own book trailer, too. Here it is on Youtube 

6. Who's your favorite author?
I try not to have a favorite because there are just way too many great ones out there. I enjoy the works of Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Michael Connelly, Judy Blume, Charlotte Bronte, Khaled Hosseini and lots more.
7. Your favorite book?
Again, I feel bad to just pick one. I love The Kite Runner, A Secret Life of Bees, all seven Harry Potter books (which I read twice), A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Outsiders, A Time to Kill, To Kill a Mockingbird, Chasing the Dime, Jane Eyre, and countless more.

8. What book are you currently reading?
Next in line is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire. And I always try to read at least two indie books per month. I just finished Fairy Metal Thunder, by J.L. Bryan, which was very good.

9. A book you would recommend?
The Hunger Games
10. How do you pick your books?
All I need to know is the title, genre and a very, very brief synopsis, like one sentence. Like Its a book about a zombie apocalypse and has a mediocre romance. I like to find out the rest myself.
11. Advice for other authors?
Promote, promote, promote. Even when it seems futile, keep on going. Never stop trying and never ever stop writing.

12. Do you write under a pen name?
Nope, Im always Neesha Hosein.
13. Where do you write?
On my bed, surrounded by soft snuggly pillows, a/c on 68F and under my pink fuzzy blanket. Ambiance is everything to me. Although! If a bright idea hits me, I pull out my trusty brain book (if I dont have my laptop) and purple pen and start scribbling until Ive purged all ideas that wanted to be written.

14. What do you wear when you write?
Preferably, PJs.  Im a journalist, professional writer/editor by day, so at my job, its not possible to get THAT comfy when I write.
15. Do you have a pet (s)?
No, but I did keep my Pound Puppy stuffed toy I got for my 11th birthday. Hes the perfect pet for me. Quiet, loves to cuddle, doesnt require food and doesnt poop.
16. Favorite food?
Margherita pizza or chicken fajitas. I could eat either of those every day.

17. If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Maxwell so he could sing to me. Bill Hader of SNL to make me laugh. And J.K. Rowling so we could talk about Harry Potter all day.
18. Of your characters, which one would you say is most like you and why?
The main character, protagonist  Kira. She was born of me, my life experiences and things Ive seen and heard, many of which are embellished in the book to create the graphic scenes.

19. What made you want to be a writer?
My mom taught me how to read before age 5, so my love for words grew from then into a lifelong passion. It wasnt enough just to read. I had stories brewing in my mind, and writing felt like second nature. I wrote my first short story at age 11.
20. Any weird talent?
People always seem amazed when they find out Im ambidextrous. I can write with both hands, and I have three different handwritings (2 on the right, 1 on the left). And I can do most things with both hands, like put on make-up, brush my teeth, shoot a basketball, etc. - that is too awesome!

21. A favorite quote?
I intend to live forever or die trying. (Groucho Marx)
22. What is the one thing you never go without?
Chocolate.
23. Your biggest influence?
Motherhood. I had my oldest at 18, so he taught me responsibility, patience and how to be selfless. My youngest has autism, which has been one of my lifes greatest challenges. I have a blog series called Autism vs. Neesha where I discuss all the terrifying, funny, quirky and sometimes sad things I go through with my kiddo. (www.Novellarella.blogspot.com )

24. Favorite TV show?
Impossible to pick only one. Im hooked on Law & Order: SVU, Saturday Night Live, and The Golden Girls from the 80s. Give it a chance. Its HILARIOUS!
25. A great blog you would like to recommend for others to discover?
Aside from mine? *wink* I really enjoy reading - http://15minutelunch.blogspot.com/ It is so fun


Neesha's website
'Like' Neesha on Facebook
Follow her blog
Follow Neesha on Twitter

Thanks for dropping by and thanks again Neesha!


P.S.
Click the Giveaway link above to check out my latest and upcoming giveaways!

Author Spotlight: Author Randy Turner- Devil's Messanger

I first would like to thank Randy for allowing little ol' me to spotlight him on my blog. Randy has six books available on Amazon.com. Just click on the book covers to read about the two books below. Click here to go to Randy's Author page on Amazon to learn about his other books. Below are a few questions he answered for me and enjoy getting to know author Randy Turner.

1. Where do you call home? Joplin, Missouri
2. What is the title of your most recent book? 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado
3.What is your genre? I have bounced back and forth. My first two books were mysteries with the second being in the horror/mystery category. My last three books have been non-fiction. I have another non-fiction book coming out next month and a mainstream novel in the works.
4.Plans for a next book? Is it part of a series? My next book, Spirit of Hope: The Year After the Joplin Tornado, is a follow-up to 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado. I am also working on a novel, "No Child Left Alive" which I plan to have as the first in a series about a troubled high school campus.
5.Are you a self-published author? Yes
6. Who's your favorite author? On the non-fiction side, it is David Halberstam. Wih fiction, I enjoy Edna Buchanan and John Grisham.
7. Your favorite book? Robert Nathan's Portrait of Jennie for fiction, either Woodward and Bernstein's All the President's Men or Halberstam's The Children for non-fiction
8.What book are you currently reading? Edna Buchanan's A Dark Lonely Place and Ted Sorenson's Counselor
9. A book you would recommend? Any of Edna Buchanan's Britt Montero series or any non-fiction by David Halberstam.
10.How do you pick your books? Many of them I find through looking for materials for the classes I teach (eighth grade English). I also always pick up new books by old favorites, including Grisham and Buchanan.
11. Advice for other authors? Keep writing and find as many venues for your work as possible. I blog on a regular basis and contribute to Huffington Post (usually on educational issues) and Daily Kos, as well as writing a column for a local newspaper. All of those, (and some social networking) have helped provide a steady readership for my work.
12.Do you write under a pen name? No
13. Where do you write? Usually on the sofa or at the kitchen table in my apartment.
14.What do you wear when you write? Nothing special. It depends on whether I am writing in the morning before I go to school or after work.
15. Do you have a pet? No
16. Favorite Food? Sonic Oreo Blasts- yum!
17. If you were deserted on a desert island, who are three famous people you would want with you? Bill Clinton and whichever two people he decided to bring along. (They might not be famous, but I will bow to his judgment.)
18. Of your characters, which one would you say is the most like you and why? I would say Oscar Whittington in my novel, Devil's Messenger. He is a teacher, slightly crazy, and not particularly good in social situations.
19. What made you want to be a writer? I always liked creating stories and working with words since I was in elementary school. I spent 22 years as a newspaper reporter and editor and that reinforced my love of writing and gave me insight into people and why they do the things they do.
20. Any weird talent? Not a weird talent, but I am the lead singer in a band which has an unfortunate name considering I live in Joplin, Missouri- Natural Disaster (named after my voice, of course) -Too funny Randy!
21.A favorite quote- I think the world of you...and we all know what kind of shape the world's in nowadays.
22.What is the one thing you never go without? From my old newspaper training- inkpens, though my IPhone is a close second.
23. Your biggest influence? I would say the teachers who encouraged me during my junior high and high school years. They always encouraged me to keep writing.
24. Favorite TV Show? The original Law & Order
25. A great blog you would recommend for others to discover? Reporter Jerry Mitchell's blog at the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Journey to Justice. Mitchell is a true hero for our times since he was the investigative reporter whose ceaseless work helped bring many murderers from the civil rights era to justice.


Amazon.Author Page- Read his bio.
Huffington Post page
Randy's blog, The Turner Report


Thanks for dropping in to get to know Author Randy Turner!

P.S. Click the giveaway button at the top to check out my latest give away, three great books!

Looking for FREE Kindle Reads for you kid? Here are a few...

I just recently purchased a Kindle fire and love it. Ebooks have become the next step in technology. There is convience to them. You can sit at home and shop for them. You can buy as many as you like and they all fit on a device small enough to fit in your purse or book bag. There are also FREE ebooks. We like FREE and can always can afford that. Now how to find these FREE Kindle ebooks?
If just case you have not purchased a Kindle for your child and are debating the pros and cons of getting one, check out these links:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/the-daily-need/should-every-kid-get-a-kindle/3533/

http://wifitablets.net/kindle/kindle-for-kids

Having a Kindle I like getting FREE reads, as an author I see the benifits for authors giving them away FREE. I am familiar with Amazon's KDP FREE promo service. I use it and love it. Helps me to find readers and helps readers find me. Now that kids are jumping in on the fun, they and their parents are looking for FREE reads for them too. So where do you look? Wouldn't it be easy to go somewhere and have a list of convience just as convient as the Kindle is?

I thought this. Why because I had just published my Children's book- Molly Woodhaven- Stories of her Experiences & other Extraordinary Experiences

and had no idea where to promote. I knew where for the big boy/girl books, but for the way younger generation, I had not a clue. If I had trouble finding this, I wondered would readers have trouble too. Now that my kids have a Kindle of their own (to leave mine alone) I wanted to add some books to their Kindle library and wanted a straight shot to get there. Not everybody knows everything about the internet and where to go and how to get there.

It is a vast universe. So why not a list, even a short one helps! Here are three pretty helpful ones I found and hopefully it's useful to you. If you find another source, please post, appreciate it!

Pixel of Ink Young Edition- http://youngedition.pixelofink.com/

Amazon's Listmania!- http://www.amazon.com/gp/community-content-search/results?ie=UTF8&flatten=1&search-alias=rp-listmania&query=free
I typed Free at the top, but you can change around, this was to get you directly there.

eReaderIQ.com- http://www.ereaderiq.com/free/ This sends you to all the free books, you can scroll or do an advanced search.

Here is a link to my Children's book that happens to be free today and tomorrow (April 14 & 15th) to get you started. http://amzn.to/IXvSN4

Thanks for dropping by and Happy FREE reading!

A.D.

Amazon KDP- 7 Year Old Author Evan Moss and His Success Story

As a self-published author, I live on Amazon. Not only am I working with the KDP select that is offered to us self-publishing aspiring authors, it is also a place to purchase books and read interesting articles that are spotted on the main page. Today I noticed something very interesting. Evan Moss's Success Story.

This 7 year old boy sufferes from siezures,very violent ones. Obtaining a seizure dog would do wonders for this little guy, but we all know it comes at a price. Read this wonderful article here: http://amzn.to/HxuC5Y and see how he cleverly solved his problem!

If you would like to purchase Evan's book click here:
Kindle- http://amzn.to/IfWJW5
Paper back- http://amzn.to/HYF4g4


Thank you for stopping by to read about Evan Moss's story and have a wonderful day!

A.D.

Grimsley Hollow Series by: Nicole Storey - Awarness of Autism and a great story to boot!

I came across Nicole's book via one of Ritesh Kala's tweets on Twitter. I clicked on it and went to his blog: Ritesh Kala's Book Reviews. There I learned more about this wonderful author, her inspiring son and the heartache that comes to kids with autism. Bullying is never warranted and for the disabled children of America, bullying sometimes plays a heavy part in their lives.

 I then read about this wonderful mother, Nicole Storey and how she came up with a way to give us readers an awareness of Autism and to realize that having Autism doesn't mean your stupid. As her character Gage (using her son as her muse) discovers the world of Grimsley Hollow and the friends he makes along is first adventure, Nicole brings the spirit of her own son out in the character, giving you the reader a peek into the mind of an autistic boy.

I then went to Amazon and looked up Nicole's book and took a look inside (wonderful feature). Right from the start, you are drawn into the story and with the many raving reviews that go along with it, I was convinced this was a book worth purchasing. At a mere $2.99, it is well worth the price.  I now have  The chosen one of The Grimsley Hollow Series in my Kindle library and look foward to reading the rest of it.

Click on this link to get to know the author in this wonderful interview at Kitesh's site - http://riteshkala.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/nicoles-books-an-introduction-to-the-grimsley-hollow-series/

and click this link to go to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy of this wonderful book - http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-One-Grimsley-Hollow-ebook/dp/B005J4ZA2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330538159&sr=8-1#_

Thankyou Nicole Storey for your inspirational story and wonderful heart.

A.D.

Happy Reading!



I am still one of the many who know just a smidge of what comes with autism, but know alot about bullying and the cruelty of children. What a wondeful idea and a wonderful