Category Archives: Writing & Self Publishing
“Flight of the Aguiva” Update
Well, we’re almost there. “Flight of the Aguiva” has moved into the second wave of editing and beta reading. From the author’s point of view, that’s like beating it on a rock to see if it’ll break. Once it’s past that, we’re pretty much home free. A big shout out to the beta readers, you guys rock! I truly believe it’s harder to edit a book than it is to write one. Without the editing staff, no one’s book would ever make it to the light of day, so thanks again guys.
I’ll put up the release date just as soon as the editors tell me, so check back often. Thank you for the continued support of the Dragomeir Series.
Solitaire . . .
Happy Holidays – Merry Christmas!!!
It’s that time of year again. . . The Holidays! The Christmas tree, THE Christmas tree went up in Commons at Mt. Drago. This one is special, and has been decorated differently for the first time ever. We thought it was time to honor the very creatures that we hold stewardship to. They love everything about Christmas and take part in all of the festivities. This year we asked the kids of Mt. Drago to pick their favorite dragon and create a Christmas ornament for them. At the end of the season all of the ornaments will be gathered up and boxed for next year’s season. Hopefully we’ll do that again in all the years to come. We snapped a photo so you could see this year’s tree as well. We hope you enjoy it!
~ Happy Holidays from Mt. Drago ~
I am in the final stretch of Book Two in the Dragomeir Series, “Flight of the Aguiva.” It will be coming out in the spring of 2015, so get ready for more adventure and excitement with the people and creatures of Mt. Drago. Here are some of my favorite quotes from “Flight of the Aguiva.” Have a wonderful Holiday Season Everyone!
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Holidays at Mt.Drago
In The Dragomeir Series, Book One – “The Emerald Dragon,” most of the dwellers of Mt. Drago are technically not from around Arizona or even from earth for that matter. The ones that are from here celebrate holidays in the same way as those who live in the smaller world. Good examples of that would be people like Bob Harris, and Ivory McNeil, both of whom came to the mountain from known places like Chicago and New York. During holidays like the one coming up, Thanksgiving, they celebrate in the same traditional ways that other people have for decades. Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and all of the trimmings served by the resident Stewards will be held this year at Mt. Drago on November, 27th 2014 at around noon. Hope to see you there! Turkey roasted over an open fire . . . nothing better!
DRAGOMEIR SERIES – Creature Features – “Nata, the Grey Lunarian”
Nata was one of the first people Tanis met on his entrance to Mt. Drago. Nata had crash landed outside of Phoenix in the Arizona desert. Near death, he began hearing a voice calling him. Following the voice, Nata eventually found Mt. Drago and the dragon he calls Fellona, or Fe for short. His race is referred to by Tanis as having a tiny stature. Tanis went on to say that Nata’s voice sounded just like the Munchkins from “The Wizard of Oz,” and his body was roughly the same size. He had an enormous head, large black eyes, and the tiniest mouth he had ever seen on a living creature.
Nata’s technology is only surpassed by that of Tanis and his suit. The mountain regularly uses the little alien’s anti-gravity to carry larger objects and even dragons at times. The Lunarians are war- like, and have been space faring and nomadic since their home planet was attacked and stripped of its atmosphere.
Below you can see a portrait of Nata of the Lunarian race.
Nata makes a second appearance in Book Two of the series, “Flight of the Aguiva.”
How to Build Better Books – Awesome Site!
Tired of hunting for information?
If you want to find out how to do just about anything pertaining to writing, publishing and marketing books, this is one of the most comprehensive websites I have found yet. It is run by Joel Friedlander, and there are links to information you may not even have thought you would need. I have found it to be incredibly helpful in so many areas and thought I would pass it along. Definitely check it out. You’ll be glad you did!
Here is the link –
Who is Warren Murphy?
Warren Murphy has written movies and books with sales of 50 million copies. He has won a dozen national awards including two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America.
“He has served as a mentor and teacher to a whole generation of crime and thriller writers.”
For all you mystery writers out there, check out his Online Writing Class where you can learn how to go about writing a mystery novel. He shares his expertise in a series of lessons. Here’s the link –
Social Media – A Different Approach
Some months ago, I came across a post written by Tom Conrad, from The Indie Pedant called “Selling an ebook – is it a little like begging on the street?” His satirical point of view on how we as self-published authors are using social media as our “cardboard plea” struck me as funny, but also made me wonder about my approach to marketing.
Is my method one that will improve sales and stats, but not leave me looking like the character “Puss In Boots”…you know, those big sad eyes, luring you in…”pa pa pa please buy my book!” Ha!
With the advent of indie authors/self publishing, we have found that we alone are our sole promoters. If we don’t get out there and plaster the many social media sites with our name and product, we are just as unknown and unheard of as ever! And of course there’s the “etiquette” one must follow to avoid being blacklisted as a spammer of sorts. Everyone’s looking for the next hook or gimmick to stand out above the rest. It all does begin to seem like one massive sales pitch!
In essence it is, but for the author it begins merely as a love of writing and the hope that someone else out there will enjoy reading what you have to offer. While many of us still work a full time job and dream of the day when we can give our two weeks notice, oh hell, our 2 minutes notice and gallivant off on our ticket to fame…we humbly climb back down to reality and trudge on. Our approach may mirror at times the bum on the streets begging for change, but I think I speak for everyone…the truth is, we all know deep down that we’re the next superstars! We just have to convince everyone else!
The strategy I have adopted is certainly not the most original, but it is one I believe in most! So what is it, you ask? To help others. To quote Nick Thacker of LiveHacked.com, “You’re in charge of your own career, and you know that helping people is a major reason why successful writers, creators, and entrepreneurs are successful.” There are tons of ways to help others online:
- Tweeting someone’s link or post
- Commenting on a great post
- Reviewing someone’s book
- Participating in an online forum
- Writing an awesome guest post
- Sending an email
Nick’s post called “Why You Should Start Doing My Work For Me”, states that “If you think of these tasks as doing someone else’s work for them, you’ll be making a great step toward building a reputation as someone who helps others first.” That’s not to say that you don’t promote yourself at all…but instead of a post touting your novels and why people should buy them, include a link back to your website or blog instead. The content within your post will do the promoting for you and you’d be surprised how many people will actually click through! As far as posts on your own blog…put more emphasis on posts that will help and/or entertain your reader in some way. These will not only bring quality content to your blog, but will consistently draw readers back to your blog.
I don’t claim to be an expert, but I will continue to share what I have learned and I hope that it will help in some way! 🙂
Be sure to visit LiveHacked.com – excellent site for writers and bloggers!
Nick Thacker also has an excellent ebook available on Amazon – “Building A Blog For Readers”…a manifesto that will help you ask the right questions!
What Was My Inspiration For Becoming a Writer?
Happy Friday everyone! The weekend is upon us and we’re all breathing a big sigh of relief! As far as we’re concerned (we being authors) that doesn’t really mean much other than the possibility of sleeping in (if the kids comply, of course) and at least the option of staying in your pj’s all day long if you want to! Otherwise, it’s back to work at the computer typing just as fast as our fingers will allow in hopes of reaching the day’s writing goal. I know I’ll be doing just that! Guilty as charged! Whether you have an amazing ten page day, you write an inspired blog post or even just manage to jot down an idea, keep in mind what inspired you to become a writer in the first place…don’t allow yourself to become discouraged! Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t lose sight of your ultimate goal! I wish you all a wonderful and relaxing weekend!
I wrote a guest post about my inspiration for becoming a writer, and it is featured on “Moonlight Gleam’s Bookshelf”. You can click on the image below or the link http://www.moonlightgleam.com/2012/06/author-guest-post-with-solitaire-parke.html to read the post.
*** Fellow Indie Authors and friends…what was your inspiration for becoming a writer? ***
Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 