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Wow the summer just flew by, didn’t it? And if you live in the southern hemisphere, I’m sure you’re glad to see the back end of winter. Honestly, I’m going to miss the hot, humid days of this summer, and I don’t think I’m quite ready for autumn just yet. However, there are a few things I am looking forward to in the next couple of months—one of them is the cover reveal of my newest book, The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret on September 7th. I absolutely love it, and hope you do too!
I’ve also got a Goodreads Giveaway happening starting today and ending September 30th. I thought it would be a great idea to schedule a giveaway for the first book in my MG/YA time travel series, The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis to give a reader a chance to win Book #1 to catch up on the premise of the series and meet the characters before Book #2 comes out on October 17th. If you haven’t read the first book, please consider entering for a chance to escape to the past and have a blast!
Sandwiched in between my cover reveal and book release is a party worth attending if you happen to be in the Windsor/Essex area of Ontario, Canada. My publisher, Mirror World Publishing is hosting a party aptly named Worlds Collide Gala to announce their new imprint, Adventure Worlds Press which will be publishing horror, science fiction, graphic novels, and anthologies. Plus, there will be readings from authors (including yours truly), light refreshments, a cash bar, door prizes, and books for purchase. Here's the Gala link if you’re interested: https://www.facebook.com/events/1186485788080361/
Last but not least, I’ve managed to get some book reviews posted on my blog throughout the summer, so if you haven’t had a chance, check out my take on these great books by Elizabeth J. M. Walker, Rita Monette, and K.S. Jones. I’ve also started researching and planning Book #3 in The Last Timekeepers series, so it seems I’ll be juggling a lot of reading, writing, marketing, and promoting throughout the upcoming fall season. Sigh. Good-bye shorts and sandals. Hello power (yoga) pants and shoes. Cheers and thank you for reading my blog!
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| Tackle your Readers attention with a great Tagline! |
You need to hit readers hard, blindside them with an awesome tagline in order to grab their attention. I cannot overestimate the importance of this. Your tagline, blurb and excerpt are the most important sales tools you have for your book. Choose them wisely.
Every author wants people to read their book, right? Well, they aren't going to find your book unless you put it out there and MAKE them want to read it. Throwing away your tagline and blurb is just like taking your book and throwing it off a bridge in the hopes that someone will fish it out of the ocean, find it, and think it's great. So let's go over developing a tagline that will make readers care enough to pick up your book and purchase it.
A tagline is—or should be—one of the simplest things to create. A tagline is—plain and simply—a one sentence summation of the theme of your book. Something quick and catchy. If you're moving on through publishing by attending conferences and conventions, a tagline is similar to what is called an elevator pitch. What you want to do is to catch a reader's—or an agent's or an editor's—attention with a one-sentence description.
Remember, a PITCH and a TAGLINE are two different things. A PITCH is to get someone to buy your book with the intent to publish it. A TAGLINE is to get someone anonymous, in a bookstore or online, to buy your book to READ it. So your tagline should be about your BOOK.
Here’s the tagline for the first book in my middle grade/young adult time travel series, The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis:
“Children are the keys to our future. And now, children are the only hope for our past.”
Is it the best tagline ever? Nope, probably not. But it tells the reader exactly what the theme of the book is. Look at the points it covers—what it tells you about the book. What does that tagline cover?
Children. Keys. Future. Hope. Past.
That's the purpose of a tagline and how to make it work for you. Therefore—homework lesson number one. Sit down and READ your book. You may think you know what it's about, but if you're a writer like me—you don't. READ IT. As you read, jot down notes to yourself. One. Word. Notes. Hit the high points of your book. What themes, what high points do you think sell your book? No—even simpler: what tags or key words are IN your book? Because those are what will sell your book. Readers don't always know what they're looking for in something to read. Your tagline will give them clues.
A few examples of great taglines:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – It takes a graveyard to raise a child.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner – Remember. Survive. Run.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson – Two lives are bridged – and nothing will be the same.
Do you see what all of these taglines have in common? They titillated enough readers to become bestsellers.
So that's your first job after your book is written. To sit down and read your book, and to pull a tagline from it. And this is where the elevator pitch and the tagline come together. In an elevator pitch, you've got maybe thirty seconds to gain the interest of an editor or an agent—just as long as it takes the elevator to get to their floor. With a reader, you have your book cover and one sentence—just one sentence—to convince them to click through and read more. You cannot afford to throw that chance away. So a tagline that's trite or vague or boring cannot be an option.
BTW – Here’s a sneak peek at the tagline for the next book in my time travel series, The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secretset to be released on October 17th 2016:
“Only a true hero can shine the light in humanity’s darkest time.”
Hope I've done my job and piqued your interest! What are some of your favorite taglines? Cheers and thank you for your time and attention today!
By: Sharon Ledwith,
on 4/11/2016
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Since April begins with April Fools’ Day, I thought I’d write about those who make us laugh and push our buttons. In the first book of my time travel series, I introduce you to Alan a Dale—Robin Hood’s famous minstrel and part of his band of merry teens. In my version, Alan is a teenage jongleur—a.k.a. juggler— and is instrumental in helping the Timekeepers with their mission in Nottingham. Jongleurs and juggles and jesters all fall into the same category: their purpose was to entertain royalty and commoners alike. In fact, the word ‘jester’ derives from the Anglo-Norman (French) words gestouror jestour meaning storyteller or minstrel.
Jesters (or fools as they were known) held a position of power and privilege within a royal or noble household. They could get away with saying or doing anything to the king or queen or nobles—literally anyone—without being punished. Compare the antics to our modern day comedians like Tim Allen, Robin Williams (still miss him), Ellen DeGeneres, or any past or present Saturday Night Livecomedians and you get what I mean. Comedians will say and do anything (most times for the shock value) and get away with it.
Now, if you think about it, books are a huge part of the entertainment industry. We writers are present day jesters and fools too. Words are power. And like comedians, we can pretty much say whatever we want in the written form, and publish it on Amazon or any other on-line publishing site. But there’s a fine line here. Back in the day, when jesters got a free pass for their behavior (with the exception of a few who did get reprimanded or whipped), they didn’t have the social media circus that we have now. Nowadays, if someone says something out of turn, you can bet it will be tweeted or shared! The jester’s main job was to entertain through stories or music or juggling. They poked fun at others, helped them to lighten up, and made them smile and laugh. Sometimes they even stopped wars from happening by detonating a situation between royals.
Imagine if writers had that kind of power? To write a book so powerful it could stop a war. Put down prose that would allow a reader to visualize walking in a character’s shoes. Or just create a story that will take readers away from their mundane existence. Keep in mind the intent of such power, and use intention as a foundation, and you’ve probably written a generational book that will continued to be talked about and read in the future. Think To Kill a Mockingbird or Les Miserables or The Catcher in the Rye, and you know what I’m talking about. Jesters, like authors, aren’t so far apart after all. We just have to remember to lighten-up, ourselves.
So, what makes you laugh-out-loud? Do you have a favorite modern day jester? How about a book that affected you so deeply that you’d recommend your kids and grandchildren should read it? Would love to read your comments! Cheers and thank you for reading my blog!
Just a short announcement to congratulate the winners of my month long February International Goodreads Giveaways. I’m so humbled and honored to have had so many entries for each book! The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis received over 3160 readers trying to score a signed copy. Congrats to Tabitha W of the USA for beating the odds!
The prequel to the series, Legend of the Timekeepers received just over 1750 readers entering to win a signed copy, which was a record! Congrats to Pamela L, also from the USA. I want to thank all those who participated in the giveaway, as well as all the shares and tweets I received from supportive and kind followers and friends! You all rock, and I appreciate each and every one of you!
Other great news is that Mirror World Publishing is featuring my time travel series during March! They’re offering sweet deals throughout the month on both my books, plus giving me a chance to flex my guest posting skills on their blog. So if you get an opportunity, please swing by and check out the posts and savings! There’s no time like the present to load your ereaders (or bookshelves) with stories that will take you away from the mundane and into another time!
Get ready to escape to the past and have a blast! Cheers and thank you for reading my blog!
In my book, Legend of the Timekeepers—the prequel to The Last Timekeepers series—my 14-year-old protagonist Lilith is faced with the reality that Atlantis is on the brink of being destroyed, and her family must evacuate their home immediately.
While many of us look back on our lives and think—where the heck did the time go?—it doesn’t take a catastrophe like Lilith and her father had to endure to make us realize that life is indeed short, and we’d better be grateful for what we have in the present. During the month of March, the sap begins to run up here in the northern hemisphere, and I can't think of a better way to ring in Spring than with a mouth-watering treat from nature. The following recipe will make you appreciate the sweet things in your life, and is great to prepare on those cherished afternoons of baking with a loved one.
Maple Madness Butter Tarts
Tart Shells2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tsp. (5 mL) salt
¾ cup (175 mL) all-vegetable shortening, well chilled (we use CRISCO® Golden All-Vegetable Shortening)
4-8 tbsp. (60-120 mL) ice cold water
BLEND flour and salt in medium mixing bowl. Cut ½-inch (1.5 cm) cubes of chilled shortening into flour mixture using a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces remaining.
SPRINKLE 4 tbsp. (60 mL) of the ice cold water over the flour mixture. Using a fork, stir and draw flour from bottom of bowl to the top; press chunks down to bottom of bowl with fork. Add more water by the tablespoon, mixing until dough holds together.
DIVIDE dough into two balls. Flatten balls into ½-inch (1.5 cm) thick disks, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
PLACE ball of dough on lightly floured work surface. With floured rolling pin, roll out thinly from center outward. Cut out 6 rounds with 4” (10 cm) cutter. Repeat with second ball of dough. Fit rounds into 12 medium-sized muffin cups.
Filling½ cup (125 mL) packed brown sugar
¼ cup (60 mL) pure maple syrup
¼ cup (60 mL) corn syrup
¼ cup (60 mL) all-vegetable shortening
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
½ tsp (2 mL) salt
¾ cup of raisin or pecans (if desired)
PREHEAT oven to 425°F (220°C)
COMBINE all filling ingredients except raisins (or pecans); mix well.
EVENLY divide raisins (or pecans) into pastry shells.
FILL cups ⅔ full with syrup mixture.
BAKE on bottom shelf for 12 to 15 minutes or just until set. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool completely before removing from the pan.
MAKES 12 Maple Madness butter tarts.
Now, while you’re waiting for your butter tarts to cool, why not partake in an afternoon of cozying up on the couch with a good book? Ready for a trip to Atlantis?
There is no moving forward without first going back. Lilith was a young girl with dreams and a family before the final destruction of Atlantis shattered those dreams and tore her family apart. Now refugees, Lilith and her father make their home in the Black Land. This strange, new country has no place in Lilith’s heart until a beloved high priestess introduces Lilith to her life purpose—to be a Timekeeper and keep time safe.
Summoned through the seventh arch of Atlantis by the Children of the Law of One, Lilith and her newfound friends are sent into Atlantis’s past, and given a task that will ultimately test their courage and try their faith in each other. Can the Timekeepers stop the dark magus Belial before he changes the seers’ prophecy? If they fail, then their future and the earth’s fate will be altered forever.
To read an excerpt from
Legend of the Timekeepers or purchase a copy, please click a vendor's name
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Amazon CA If you haven’t already read
Sharon Ledwith's novel,
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, here’s the blurb…
When 13-year-old Amanda Sault and her annoying classmates are caught in a food fight at school, they're given a choice: suspension or yard duty. The decision is a no-brainer. Their two-week crash course in landscaping leads to the discovery of a weathered stone arch in the overgrown back yard. The arch isn't a forgotten lawn ornament but an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis.
Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers--legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from the evil Belial--Amanda and her classmates are sent on an adventure of a lifetime. Can they find the young Robin Hood and his merry band of teens? If they don't, then history itself may be turned upside down.
To read more of
the Arch of Atlantis or purchase a copy, please click a vendor's name
Mirror World Publishing -
Amazon US -
Amazon CA BONUS: Download the free PDF short story
The Terrible, Mighty Crystal HERE.
By: Sharon Ledwith,
on 2/1/2016
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What does Groundhog Day and Candlemas (a.k.a. Imbolc) have in common? Besides being celebrated on February 2nd, it’s also my birthday! And what better way to kick off the month of February than to have a Goodreads Giveaway for both my books, The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and the prequel to my young adult time travel series, Legend of the Timekeepers. It’s just one way I can thank my readers yearly, as well as give back to the reading community of Goodreads. Thank you, readers, I wouldn’t be doing what I love without you!
So here’s a little information about Candlemas/Imbolc and Groundhog Day, straight from the pages of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft (Second Edition):
“Imbolc (pronounced IM-bolk), which is often called Candlemas, is the time when Wiccans celebrate the renewing fertility of the Earth. The Goddess is seen as recovering from childbirth, and the God is a small child. This is also the time of ‘fire in the belly.’ There is the feeling that spring is coming, but a certain restlessness or cabin fever can set in. This can also be the bleakest time of the year when we start to fear that spring will never arrive. It’s no coincidence that many people celebrate Groundhog Day on this date. What is Groundhog Day but a way to let Nature reassure us that spring really will come? Sometimes, even though it is still cold, you can see early buds on trees on this date. This is another way that Nature reminds us to hang on; life is getting ready to burst forth.
Imbolc, a Greater Sabbat, is a time to celebrate with seeds, or with a newly germinating idea. Some covens like to initiate new members at this time of year. Imbolc is a holiday of purification and of the renewed fertility of the Earth. It’s a great time for some early spring cleaning, too. Get rid of the things you don’t need. Get ready for the spring season to come.”
Whatever day you choose to celebrate, here’s hoping for a short winter and early spring, so this Groundhog gal can shed her winter jacket for some lighter clothes! And if the groundhog energy moves you, please enter my Goodreads Giveaways below for a chance to win one of my autographed time travel tales. Cheers and thank you for reading my blog!
‘Tis the season to start thinking about giving and receiving, isn’t it? So what better way to kick off the upcoming holiday season with a Goodreads Giveaway and a chance to receive a Kindle full of over fifty tween reads via the Emblazon Christmas Giveaway! Sounds like Santa is coming early, doesn’t it?
The Emblazon Kindle Christmas Giveaway begins Tuesday, November 17thand ends Tuesday, December 1st. That’s two full weeks for a chance to win your adolescent a new Kindle pre-loaded with over fifty ebooks for your tween. Just visit HERE to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance win this awesome gift for your tween girl or boy! I’ve also decided to create a Goodreads Giveaway for only Goodreads members in Canada and the United States so the winner will be able to receive a signed copy of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis in time for Christmas. The Giveway commences on November 18thand ends December 9th, so there will be plenty of time to mail the winner his or her copy. Wishing you all good luck and happy holidays! Cheers!
This has been one hell of a tough year so far. It started in February when my then-publisher decided to close their doors, leaving many authors either scrambling to find a new publisher or deciding to try the self-publishing route. I was lucky. I immediately hooked up with Mirror World Publishing whom I met at the Windsor-Essex Book Expo in November 2014, and signed two contracts with them. It was truly a serendipity experience. And I am so grateful.
Both my books were polished and re-released world-wide within six months. My first book, The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantiswas re-launched in June, and Legend of the Timekeepers in August. I went from a stressful situation to relief, and yes, worked hard with my new publisher to get the books back on the shelves. It was a fresh start. A clean slate. And I am so grateful.
Then, I got the reminder that life’s too short, too precious to waste. This past July, my youngest brother succumbed to cancer. He was only 49, and was diagnosed with a double-wammy of a rare muscle disease and cancer of an unknown primary about 1 ½ years ago. You can never predict something like that is going to happen. Ever. But we know it can—and does. Who knows when life can change for us or those around us? So be grateful for your health. If life’s not what you want, go out and find a new one. If life’s great, live it to the fullest and be thankful every day for all that you’ve been fortunate to do and have. Whatever stage of life you’re in find a way to enjoy it and to maximize your circumstances. I know I’m moving forward with my life. And I am so grateful.
This past August, my hubby and I celebrated our 30thAnniversary—a milestone in this day and age. We booked a cruise to the Western Caribbean in November to mark this momentous occasion and to get a little R&R. It’s a first for us who always seem to put our needs and wants on the backburner of life. So we decided that it’s our time to enjoy what we’ve worked so hard for during the last thirty years together. And I am so grateful.
As I write this post, the combine harvester is reaping the soybeans in the field behind our home. It was a tough year, even for those soybeans with the relentless spring rains, and unpredictable elements. A reminder perhaps, that each year brings different challenges, and new life experiences. I urge you to find what gives you fulfillment, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment. Appreciate the little things and laugh at yourself. Find the courage to change, to rebound, to persist, to pursue, to seek, to speak out, to trust in others, and to cut away the relationships that cause you pain or do not bear fruit. I have. And I am so grateful.
How has your year been so far? What have you been grateful for? Would love to read your comments! Thank you for investing your time in reading my blog! I am so grateful. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!
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| Sweet Treats at my Book Launch |
Hey everyone! I’m fresh off a seven day book blog tour and book launch, and want to express how grateful I am for all the support and kindness I’ve received in the last two weeks from family, friends, fellow authors, readers, and my publisher! I’ve had three incredible reviews ranging from 4 to 5 stars. Not bad for a re-release! If you’ve missed any of the reviews, check them out at BOOKAHOLIC FIX, BOOK BABBLE, and AUTHOR SANDRA LOVE. Thanks again to Amber Marr of Sapphyria’s Book Promotions for helping me garner those reviews and reaching new readers.
During the midst of all the craziness of launching a book, my new publishers at Mirror World Publishing, Justine and Murandy decided I should flex my acting wings and make a cameo appearance in the book trailer Murandy produced. Um. Who? Me act? Although it was fun, I think I’ll stick to writing and let the professionals handle the next book trailer. Kudos go to Brieanne, the young actress who shared the spotlight with me!
See what you think:
Okay, you can stop laughing now. No really. Stop…or I’ll send you to Atlantis. Wink.
It’s finally here! The world-wide re-release of
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis through
Mirror World Publishing! I also want to thank Amber Marr of
Sapphyria’s Book Promotions for putting this tour together for me. Oh, and don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter to win some great prizes! Below is the book tour schedule, so if you get a chance, please stop by and connect with me, I’d love to hear from you. Okay, it’s time to rev up the time portal and get this party started…
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis Book Blog Tour Schedule:
June 17
Mirror World Publishing - Release Day Spotlight
T's Stuff - Guest Post
Sapphyria's Book Promotions - Spotlight
Hope To Read - Spotlight
June 18
On Writing and Riding - Guest Post
Kerry Hearts YA - Spotlight
June 19
Jojo Debrazza - Guest Post
Sapphyria's Book Reviews - Spotlight with Excertp
June 22
Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell - Guest Post
A Bookaholic's Fix: Feeding the Addiction - Guest Post
Leigh Goff - Writing Enchanting Ever-Afters - Guest Post
June 23
Clarissa Johal - Author of Paranormal, Gothic Horror and Fantasy - Guest Post
Sapphyria's Book Promotions - Spotlight
June 24
Emily Murdock: Author - Guest Post
Lakeview Times – Spotlight
June 25
Vanessa Kings' Books - Review
A Bookworm's Point of View - Review
June 26
Book Babble - Review
Sandra Love's Blog Spot - Review
Tales from the Bayou - Spotlight
Sara Daniel Romance Author - Guest Post
Sapphyria's Book Reviews - Tour Wrap Up
http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Coordinated by:
Well, it’s finally here! Book release week. Or in my case, book re-release week! On June 17th, The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis will officially be back on the market through Mirror World Publishing. There’s a Facebook Party happening that day too from noon to 9 p.m., so if you get a chance, I’d love for you to surf by and get to know me, and even enter for a chance to win some awesome prizes. Plus, I’ve hooked up with Sapphyria’s Book Promotions for a virtual book blog tour starting June 17thto June 26th (excluding the weekend), so I’m pumped about that! And just in case you didn’t know, I’ve got two signed paperbacks up for grabs through my Goodreads Giveaway for the whole month of June.
So much has happened since my former publisher closed their doors at the end of February. I was lucky enough to score a new publisher immediately. Since signing contracts with Mirror World Publishing for both my time travel books on February 26th, a lot has happened. Both books got re-edited and polished, and I decided to purchase the image rights and keep my covers because I felt they were beautiful, vibrant, and eye-catching.
I’m really looking forward to a fresh start with another publisher, and hopefully I’ll be as good a cheerleader for Mirror World Publishing as I was for Musa Publishing. As I’ve always said, “Life is a team effort. Period. Nothing is ever done without the help and support of others.” True that. I’m also excited to have an actual book launch party thrown for me! Woo hoo! So if you’re in the neighborhood, I’d love you to come and attend! Here are the details:
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis Book Launch Party
When: June 19th, 2015
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
From what I understand, my publishers Justine and Murandy will be serving coffee and baked goods (yum), and there will be plenty of chances to win some great prizes and gift baskets. They will also have copies of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis on hand which I would love to sign for you! Plus there will be a reading by yours truly, and a question and answer session. Thank goodness for all those author interviews I’ve done in the last three years—at least I’m primed!
I want to take this opportunity to thank Mirror World Publishing for investing in me and my books, and for breathing life back into my career. Seriously, thank you, Justine and Murandy. I also would like to thank all the readers I’ve got to known in the last three years who have taken the time in their busy lives to read my books, and care about my characters the way I do. Cheers and salute!
In anticipation for the upcoming re-release of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis through Mirror World Publishing, I’ve decided to giveaway two signed copies of the first book in my middle grade/young adult time travel series. I’m also throwing in a signed post card and a rubber wrist band with each paperback.
This Goodreads Giveaway starts June 1st and runs until June 30th so you have plenty of time to enter. I’m hoping whoever wins these books may choose to take them along to the cottage, beach, or wherever you’re going on your summer holiday. BTW—this contest is open WORLDWIDE, so if you’re the lucky winner who lives in the southern hemisphere and not enjoying the summer heat, then it’s a good excuse to curl up on the couch with a hot beverage and have a blast in the past!
Thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to enter to win! Cheers and enjoy your summer (or winter) season!
Well this has been an interesting 2015 so far. Never saw what has happened coming, but life is full of surprises, isn’t it? It began with the closure of my former publisher, Musa Publishing at the end of February, which took all their authors by surprise, including me. Rather than rushing to self-pub and get my two time travel books back up on Amazon and my website ASAP, I decided to contact a new publisher I met at the Windsor-Essex Book Expo last fall. My intuition paid off because I was signed within the week, and found a new home for my MG/YA series with Mirror World Publishing.
A few other Musa Publishing young adult authors have signed on board with Mirror World Publishing, so I’m looking forward to reconnecting and working with them!
Re-release Dates are as follows:
The paperback and ebook for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis will be released on June 17, 2015, through Mirror World Publishing. I will add the new buy links to my website when available.
The paperback and ebook for Legend of the Timekeepers with be released on August 1st, 2013, through Mirror World Publising. I will add the new buy links to my website when available.
NOTE: Both books will be available EVERYWHERE in the world. Yup, you read that right! So you can go into your local bookstore (chain or independent) and ask to order my paperback if you wish. Or if you’re a lover of ebooks, go to Mirror World Publishing’s Web Store or Amazon and grab your virtual copy there. Gotta love technology!
Book Blog Tour Announcement:
I’ve set up a book blog tour with Sapphyria’s Book Promotions from June 17 to June 26th to help spread the word about the re-release of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis. It should be a blast with prizes to be won (signed paperback, Babel necklace) new readers to meet, and getting back out into the published world again. Looking forward to reconnecting with my audience!
Goodreads Giveaway in June:
Love doing these! I’ll be setting up a Goodreads Giveaway for multiple copies of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis during the month of June to celebrate the re-lease of book one, so stayed tuned!
Local Stuff:
I thought I’d stretch my sales wings and join Mirror World Publishing at their book during the Art in the Parking Lotcraft show on Saturday, May 30th. Great place to meet local readers and enjoy the weather! Plus the show is only a few weeks before my book is re-released, so it’s a win-win for sharing my wares and getting back into the spotlight!
Updates:
This month has been hectic! It started out with half the family getting together for Easter dinner, followed by my hubby and I going to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs (our favorite NHL team) play the Columbus Blue Jackets. Um…yeah. Need to find another favorite hockey team. On the book business side of things, I’ve been busy tweaking and editing my paranormal romance/suspense for my agents at Walden House (Books & Stuff)due mid-April. My agents also have Lost and Found, book one of Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls series in the hands of a list of traditional publishers. Unfortunately, Disney Books passed on the series after serious consideration saying they liked my writing and the story, but it didn’t make the final cut. Oh well, I believe things happen for the best. Chin up, and keep smiling!
I’ve got edits due May 1st for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, so I’ll be busy the next two weeks getting those done for my new publisher. After finishing up with these changes, I’ll be back in the writing saddle again to work on book two of The Last Timekeepers saga, which is tentatively called The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret. I’ll be glad to start creating fresh stories for my readers who have been so patient! Big hugs to all of you! Cheers!
There are times when we just gotta clear the chess board and begin the game again with new and improved strategies. Whether it’s in your life or in your work, sometimes you need to shake things up, see what’s left standing, and bulldoze the rest.
If you haven’t already found out through the social media or other blog announcements, Musa Publishing—my publisher of 3½ years—decided to close their virtual doors for good on February 28th, 2015. It was truly a sad day indeed, not only for the scores of authors who had their books published through Musa, but for the editors, book formatters, promotion specialists, and the five owners who put their blood, sweats, and tears into the company. I will always be grateful for Musa Publishing kick-starting my writing career. ALWAYS.
Thankfully, The Last Timekeepers time travel series was picked up immediately by another publisher. Again, I’m on the ground floor of a young publishing company who will bring my books to the next level, and a wider audience. Last week I signed two contracts with Mirror World Publishing for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and the prequel to the series, Legend of the Timekeepers. Both books will be available for purchase worldwide in paperback and ebook format this summer. I’m so excited about this opportunity to reach new readers, continue on with my series, and create something of value to make people of all ages smile.
The chess board has been reset. The game has begun.
As an author I had to ask myself this question: do we sell a product (book) or an experience (memory)? I recently read a marketing post where there was a study conducted in which people were asked if they would prefer to purchase a product (car, couch, etc.) or an experience (holiday, concert, etc.), and guess what most said? Yup. You guessed it. An experience.
So this got me to thinking that authors have it pretty good. Yes, we sell a product whether it’s a book or an ebook or an audio-book or all three. We still have to market and promote these ‘products’ in order for our consumers (readers) to find them. But once our books are in the hands of readers, magic happens and they’re whisked away into another place, and another time. We authors create an experience for each of our readers. And that’s the payoff. Experiences tend to have a lasting effect on people. Sure, buy a car and you’ve got that new car smell for about a year. But I bet you remember going to your first concert, don’t you? Or maybe your first trip to Disneyland? I certainly do.
If you purchase a book, true you may lose it, but I guarantee you that story will stay with you for years to come if the tale hits an emotional cord. And isn’t that why we authors are in this vocation to begin with?
And since February is my birthday month, I’m hoping to generate lasting memories for readers by offering two Goodreads Giveways. One for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and one for the prequel to my time travel series, Legend of the Timekeepers. BTW—both giveaways are international so no one is left out in the cold! Happy Birthday to me!
This upcoming August 30th marks the 1st Anniversary for the book release of Legend of the Timekeepers, the prequel to The Last Timekeepers time travel series. In keeping with my giving nature, I’d like to mark this occasion with two Goodread Giveaways. Not only am I giving away a signed copy of each of my books: Legend of the Timekeepers and The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, but I’m throwing in two signed trading cards and a rubber wrist band with each paperback.
This Goodreads Giveaway starts August 10th (the date of my 29th Wedding Anniversary) and runs until August 31st so you have plenty of time to enter. I’m hoping whoever wins these giveaways may choose to do a book report on one of my books since back-to-school will be in full swing in just over three weeks. Hint, hint. Thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to enter to win! Cheers and enjoy the rest of your summer season!
Anniversaries should be something we celebrate. Whether it’s for a wedding anniversary, a special event, or the anniversary of a book release people need to celebrate their milestones to see have far they’ve come in life. This upcoming May 18thmarks the second anniversary not only for the release of the first book in The Last Timekeepers time travel series, but also for me as a debut author.
It took me a long time to get a publishing contract—thirteen years to be exact. I know nowadays, writers can whip up a story in the morning, create cover art, format their book, then send it out into the bookstore universe before the sun sets. That’s not my style. I prefer to be with a publishing house. I guess it comes down to the spirit, support, and cooperation I receive from being part of a team of authors writing under a brand name. Plus I don’t have to go traipsing across the internet to find an appropriate editor, cover artist, and formatter. I have enough to do with book marketing, creating an author platform, and building my back list. Yes, there have been growing pains in this business, but I’m in for the long haul, and want to learn all that I can to become a better author for my readers.
To celebrate my second anniversary, my publisher Musa Publishingis having a 2 for 1 sale on my books. Buy one, get one free! What a deal! And it’s only happening at Musa Publishing beginning May 1st and ending May 19th at midnight. So if you haven’t picked up an ecopy of either the first book, The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, or the prequel, Legend of the Timekeepers, in this MG/YA series here’s your chance to save BIG!
Don’t have an ereader yet? No problem! There’s a Goodreads Giveaway going on for both my books during the same time period. All you have to do is enter for a chance to win a signed paperback! Bonus: I’m throwing in some signed trading cards too!
And please watch for the Children’s Book Week Kid Lit Giveaway Hop I’m participating in beginning May 12th and running until May 18th. I’m setting up a Rafflecopter chock full of prizes and book swag for this hop, so don’t forget to mark these dates on your calendars! Cheers and thank you for celebrating with me, and best of luck!
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| A Celebration fit for a High Priestess |
Since the month of May is the official ‘Anniversary’ month for my first published book’s release with Musa Publishing, I thought every year in May I’d do something special to give back to my readers. This year is no exception as I’m celebrating my 2nd Anniversary as a published author! Woo hoo!
Here’s a glimpse of what I’m planning:
I’ve already set up two Goodreads giveaways, one for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis the first book in my middle grade/young adult time travel series, and for Legend of the Timekeepers, the prequel to this series. The giveaway begins May 1st at midnight and runs until midnight on May 19th, so there’s plenty of time to enter for a chance to win one of my signed paperbacks, trading cards, and bonus wrist bands.
I’m also having a book sale exclusively on Musa Publishing’s website. It’s a BOGO sale! BUY one, get one FREE! Again, this great deal starts at midnight on May 1st and runs until midnight on May 19th just like the Goodreads giveaway. Two books for the price of one? Can’t beat that!
Oh, and that’s not all! I’m going to be participating in the Children’s Book Week Kid Lit Giveaway Hop happening May 12th to May 18th. The book hop is hosted by Mother-Daughter Book Reviews and Youth Literature Reviews and the list of bloggers and authors is growing in leaps and bounds. I’ll have a special Rafflecopter set up during this week for a chance to win signed paper backs, a Babel necklace featured in The Last Timekeepers series, a Spiral pendant featured in Legend of the Timekeepers, and other book swag like signed trading cards and rubber wrist bands.
So everyone set your time portals to midnight on May 1st, 2014 and spiral in on the celebration! And please, remember to time travel responsibly…
A quick announcement to congratulate Monique Bucheger as the winner of an ecopy of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and Legend of the Timekeepers from the I Love Middle Grade Back to School Blog Hop. Kudos, Monique, and don’t forget to time travel responsibly! Thanks to everyone who participated in the Back to School Hop! Also, my thanks goes out to all those who supported me during The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis $.99 cents sale event held between August 26th and September 15th! Hopefully I was responsible for putting more smiles on faces. Hugs and Cheers!
A bunch of us brave MG Authors from our I Love Middle Gradegroup decided to get together and have a Back to School Blog Hop just for our readers and followers. The Hop will run from September 9th to the 15th, so there’s plenty of time to check out the participating authors, and maybe find a gem of a read for you and your tween. Since I’ve just released the prequel to The Last Timekeepers time travel series, I’m pulling out the stops and giving away an ecopy of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and Legend of the Timekeepers, in the format of your choice. BTW – this Giveaway is opened internationally, so everyone is included in this hop! Cheers to All!Here’s the tagline and blurb from The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis:
Children are the keys to our future. And now, children are the only hope for our past.When 13-year-old Amanda Sault and her annoying classmates are caught in a food fight at school, they're given a choice: suspension or yard duty. The decision is a no-brainer. Their two-week crash course in landscaping leads to the discovery of a weathered stone arch in the overgrown back yard. The arch isn't a forgotten lawn ornament but an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis.
Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers--legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from the evil Belial--Amanda and her classmates are sent on an adventure of a lifetime. Can they find the young Robin Hood and his merry band of teens? If they don't, then history itself may be turned upside down.Here’s the tagline and blurb from the prequel, Legend of the Timekeepers:There is no moving forward without first going back.
Lilith was a young girl with dreams and a family before the final destruction of Atlantis shattered those dreams and tore her family apart. Now refugees, Lilith and her father make their home in the Black Land. This strange, new country has no place in Lilith’s heart until a beloved high priestess introduces Lilith to her life purpose—to be a Timekeeper and keep time safe. Summoned through the seventh arch of Atlantis by the Children of the Law of One, Lilith and her newfound friends are sent into Atlantis’s past, and given a task that will ultimately test their courage and try their faith in each other. Can the Timekeepers stop the dark magus Belial before he changes the seers’ prophecy? If they fail, then their future and the earth’s fate will be altered forever.Good luck, and don’t forget to visit all the other blogs on the hop and enjoy more giveaway fun!
a Rafflecopter giveaway Terms & Conditions
§ This Blog Hop begins midnight on September 9thand runs until midnight September 15th, 2013. The draw will take place September 16th, 2013.§ The winner will chosen by Rafflecopter§ I will contact the winner via email and give the winner 72 hours to accept his/her prize.§ Prize as stated—no alternatives will be offered.
Congrats to Monique! You've won a great book in Legend. Been there, done read it. Excellent read.
Thanks for your input, CD! I'm glad you'd liked it! Cheers!
Congratulations, Monique!!
Cheers, Amaleen! I believe Monique is already starting to enjoy her winnings!