Book Review: The Shaman
Posted: November 11, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Review, Self-Discovery, Speculative Fiction | Tags: Book Review, Joseph Carrabis, Magical Realism, The Shaman, Writing to be Read 3 Comments
About the Book
Gio Fortuna, a boy spurned by his parents for being “slow,” is raised by his grandfather in the ways of the Practice, a rich esoteric discipline drawing upon mystic traditions passed down over thousands of years from a multitude of cultures. Written in five parts chronicling Gio’s life, The Shaman sees Fortuna embark on a journey from initiate to adept, young boy to old man, as he navigates a network of teachers, each with their own unique lessons and challenges. Steeped in wisdom applicable to all, The Shaman is an inspiring story that proposes a unique path to self-discovery and growth unlike anything written before.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Shaman-Joseph-Carrabis/dp/B0CJ43GCDH/
My Review
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Shaman, by Joseph Carrabis is an adventure into the human coondition and beyond. I’ve learned more about myself from this book than I ever have from any work of fiction. A journey into the magical worlds of world cultures, this tale uses magical realism to guide us through an amazing adventure. As always, Carrabis is a master at lining his fiction with valuable lessons for all of us.
The magic of shamans lies within Gio Fortuna and Shaman is the story of his journey to discover the magic within himself, learn to use it, and teach others who are eagar to learn. But as he learns, others don’t understand, and they fear him for what he does. Feeling outcast and trying to find his place in life, Gio is on an amazing life-long journey of self-discovery. He learns something new with every interaction, whether they be teacher or student. For Gio, the incredible is ordinary, although most everyone else is left in awe.
Carrabis skillfully crafts his tale into life lessons learned by his character, Gio. As Gio ventures through life on a soul searching journey, each lesson is portrayed in a way which leaves them open to interpretation, for the reader to attach their own meanings. If you read this book, you will, too, without even realizinng that you’re doing it. I read chapters over repeatedly in order to grasp the meanings that were waiting there for me, although sometimes differing from their meanings for Gio.
I have always been interested in the mystical, but it hasn’t come naturally to me. I’ve never truly been able to meditate, and often fallen asleep during my attempts at it. Gio shows me what I need to do, but I need to learn to do it: lower – center – relax -breathe. The lessons which Gio learns and teaches are within the grasp of us all, and the author kindly lists them at the back of the book, where they can be referred to easily. As for the rest, we must each seek out our own path in our own way.
A spiritual oddesy in human nature, with so many lessons inside. I give The Shaman five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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Book Review: The Funny Business
Posted: November 10, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Review, Short Fiction, Stories | Tags: Book Reviews, Fantasy, Humor, Kevin J. Anderson, Short Fiction, Short Stories, The Funny Business, Writing to be Read 2 Comments
About the Book
Sometimes you just want to be silly.
#1 Bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson is known for his grand science fiction sagas, his epic fantasies, his fast-paced adventures, or his steampunk Clockwork chronicles.
But Kevin J. Anderson also has a lighter side. You’ll laugh so hard, brains will come out your nose.
What happens when—
A wimpy, henpecked man finds an enchanted loincloth that turns him into a real jungle Ape Man?
A stranded alien uses his advanced technology to fool audiences as a stage magician?
A frustrated monster-movie actor uses a gypsy witch’s special makeup to turn into a real werewolf when the cameras start to roll?
A group of heavy-metal fans finds a spell on the internet to raise their favorite dead rock star from the grave for a final encore?
A vampire, just minding his own business, wakes from his coffin to find he’s being stalked through his own castle by an over-enthusiastic vampire hunter?
A futuristic law firm uses time travel as a legal loophole to win their client’s case?
Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. takes on the Boogeyman for a client, or is hired out to save a sacrificial Aztec Christmas turkey?
These twenty stories cover a range of slapstick, subtle, short-short, and groaner humor. The Funny Business also includes for the very first time the scripts of the hilarious comic miniseries Grumpy Old Monsters, never before published.
Beware—silliness ahead. Open the book, and prepare to snicker!
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Funny-Business-Kevin-J-Anderson-ebook/dp/B0C2QLRKML
My Review
The Funny Business, by Kevin J. Anderson is a collection of 20 totally silly stories, which entertain and elicit chuckles, including a few that he wrote with wife, Rebecca Moesta or other co-authors.
With so many stories, I’m not going to talk about them all. But I will mention those which particularly stuck out for me.
- “Frog Kiss” is a classic fairytale turned upside down and a lesson in appreciating what life offers.
- “Special Makeup” is werewolf story that proves you should be careful what you wish for.
- “Bump in the Night” is a short Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. adventure, when Dan is hired by the Boogyman to protect him from his overbearing aunts. Dan Shamble as always, is good for a few laughs.
- “Paradox & Greenblatt, Attorneys at Law” are legal beagles specializing in time-travel dilemmas. By the time the case is through Paradox’s defense tactics may leave your head tied in ridiculous knots of possibilities and probabilities.
- “Eighty Letters, Plus One” (with Sarah A. Hoyt), tells the tale of a misguided inspector with his priorities terribly twisted. The final letter offers a final ironic twist to this tale.
- “The Sacrifice” brings us a village virgin awaiting the dragon to come for his ritual sacrifice, harboring a secret that may put the joke on the dragon.
- “Technomagic” is a story about what happens when an alien being is stranded on Earth for twenty-seven years. The report he gives upon rescue may surprise you.
- “Dark Carbucle” ( with Janis Ian), is a story of a rock stars personal hell.
- “Cold Dead Turkey” is another Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. story. Always a favorite for me. I love the antics of Dan and the antics of the unnatural quarter. In this one, an Aztec mummy hires him to track down his stolen wish turkey. ( I told you many of these tales were just plain silly… but really fun.)
- “Loincloth” (with Rebecca Moesta), is the story of a timid little man who uses Tarzan’s loincloth to bring out the beast in him.
Of course, there are many more, including a comic strip script for “Grumpy Old Monsters” (with Rebecca Moesta), which is a different kind of reading, but funny just the same.
Twenty stories that will tickle your funny bone, I give The Funny Business five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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Book Review: Three Years of Her Life
Posted: November 4, 2023 Filed under: Anthology, Book Review, Books, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Review | Tags: Book Review, C.E. Robinson, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Three Years of Her Life, Writing to be Read 6 CommentsAbout the Book
This debut novel is an indelible portrait of family love, trust, commitment, and unrelenting prejudice. A stirring tale that rides the line between historical fiction and romance., inspired by a famous musician’s hidden secret in Germany.
Three Years of Her Life, set in New England and Central Europe, is similar in concern and significant issues to bestselling America epic books of the Great Depression, The Great War and the U.S. South. People and places focused, the novel’s heartwarming and heart wrenching themes mark history in unsettled times.
My Review
The first thing that struck me about Three Years of Her Life, by C.E.Robinson, was the gorgeous cover. I was fortunate to have a print copy gifted to me by the author, which is always a treat. Most of the historical romance I read are westerns, but when well written, I have a taste for it at times. As her debut novel, C.E. Robinson has done a smashing job with this one. This novel was engaging, never losing my interest and I enjoyed every turn of the page. I found myself creating extra opportunities to read this print edition.
A romance set in the 1960s, ventures deeper into the past as Elizabeth and Erik delve into the hidden secrets of Elizabeth’s grandfather, to unravel a mystery dating back to Nazi Germany. What they uncover could unravel her whole family as old predjudices simmer just below the surface, and sometimes boil over into the public eye. Then the past reaches out to touch them both, when Erik is detained in East Germany as they raise the Berlin Wall, and Elizabeth, pregnant with their first child, journeys to West Germany to somehow bring him home. A tale of true love of the purest kind, as Elizabeth does what she must to keep the man she loves.
Mystery, intrigue and danger. Three Years of Her Life has all that and more. This historical romance is thoroughly engaging. I give it five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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Book Review: Yes, And
Posted: November 3, 2023 Filed under: Audiobook Review, Books, Commercial Fiction, Drama, Review | Tags: Ageing, Bethany Luhrs, Book Review, Cynthia Gunderson, Humor, Writing to be Read, Yes. And 2 CommentsAbout the Book
College student Toby and sharp 87-year-old Jo may sound like an unlikely pair, but the neighbors find unexpected friendship when they take on Jo’s money-hungry nursing aides and work to uncover Toby’s purpose. Together, they embark on madcap adventures and explore life’s mysteries in this touching, humorous tale that’s perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman.
My Review
I listened to the audio book, Yes, And, by Cynthia Gunderson and narrated by Bethany Luhrs. This story was different, outside of my usual reading or listening fare, but the title intrigued me, and so I picked it up with a Chirp deal. It is a heart warming, feel good story in many ways, yet it is not all smiles. It focuses on realistic situations and events that are relatable.
Jo is an older woman whose mind may be slipping some, but has it together most of the time. She believes her caregivers are stealing from her, but it is written off as paranoia, or forgetfulness by most. When young Toby moves in next door, an unlikely friendship forms as they team up to find out if Jo is right. This is a story about finding our own path in life and respecting the paths of others.
This is a touching tale of acceptance and caring, proving that everybody needs somebody. Gunderson’s dialog is spot on, and her characters are realistic and likeable. In fact, I kind of fell in love with them, just a little.
Bethany Luhrs does a nice job of differentiating characters, and somehow manages to do an eighty-something woman and a twenty-one year old man with equal conviction. Kudos on a story well read.
This book had the potential to be a really great story, with an ‘everybody needs somebody’ theme. Unfortunately, there was not enough foreshadowing, so often twists in the story came as a bigger surprise than they should have been and this reader felt like something important was missed, so I can only give it four quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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WordCrafter News: Giveaway Winners, A Halloween Book Event, NaNoWriMo and a New Blog Series
Posted: October 30, 2023 Filed under: Anthology, Blog Tour, Book Event, Books, Dark Fantasy, Dark Humor, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Giveaways, Horror, NaNoWriMo, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Stories, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Black Cauldron Book Event, Giveaway Winners, Midnight Roost, NaNoWriMo, Sarah, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press 8 Comments
Wrapping up the WordCrafter Midnight Roost Book Blog Tour
We had a great tour for Midnight Roost and many of you visited one or more tour stops and commented, for a chance to win a free digital copy of Midnight Roost. We were giving away three copies for this tour, and all that’s left to do now is to give you the winners. So, without further ado…
(Drumroll please.)
And the winners are…
- BeetleyPete
- Vera Day
- Lauren Scott
If your name appears on the above list, please contact me at KLBWordCrafter@gmail.com to claim your free digital copy of Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories.
In Case You Missed the Tour
Midnight Roost is a truly creepy anthology from 20 talented authors that you won’t want to miss. But, if you missed the tour, you can still get a copy here: https://books2read.com/u/318L0l
About Midnight Roost
20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon, and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare.
Halloween Book Event
Tomorrow is Halloween. My favorite holiday. To celebrate, WordCrafter is cohosting the author takeover during Sonoran Dawn’s Black Cauldron All Hallow’s Eve Book Event all Halloween day. Join us for promos, games, and giveaways, Halloween music and a whole lot more. Sign up and join in at the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/events/876710947358939/
Author takeover spots are available. If interested in promoting your books, artwork, or other creative projects, contact me at KLBWordCrafter@gmail.com and put Author Takeover in the subject line.
November NaNoWriMo
I’m so excited about participating in National Novel Writing Month this year because I’m itching to delve into Sarah. I’m still not prolific enough to think I’ll write the whole novel in a month, but I know from last year, with The Rock Star & The Outlaw, that participating in NaNoWriMo can offer one heck of a start.
For those who don’t know, Sarah is book 2 in the Women in the West Adventure series. Last January I ran a Kickstarter campaign for book 1, Delilah. I plan to run another Kickstarter campaign for Sarah this coming January, so it is time to write the book. In preparation, I’ve done my research and have a working outline ready. I’ve already had a lot of fun fleshing out the two supporting characters that backers got to name from Delilah’s campaign, Lillian Alura Bennett, and Owoz Crebo. One historical female character which will make an appearance in Sarah, which is a trademark of the series, is Kate Elder, a.k.a. Big Nose Kate, Doc Holiday’s infamous companion. So, I have everything I need at the starting gate, and I’m just waiting for the starting gate to open on November 1st.
New Blog Series Starting in November
I’m so pleased to be able to make this particular announcement. The first Wednesday in November, Jeff Bowles will be returning to the blog with a new blog series about pop culture, “Pop with Jeff Bowles”. He’ll be talking about the many areas of pop culture: comics and comic hero movies, video games, television, music, and more. Drop by Writing to be Read the first Wednesday of each month and check it out.
Note: Also in November and December, you may notice some extra reviews coming out on Saturdays as I try and get in all of my 2023 reads, so I can start fresh in 2024. For requested reviews, I like to post in a timely manner, and I don’t want to wait into the new year to post, as I’ve probably already passed their release date due to my back log. So, if you have requested a review and sent me an ARC copy this year, be watching, because they all should be coming up.
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Want exclusive content? Join Kaye Lynne Booth & WordCrafter Press Readers’ Group for WordCrafter Press book & event news, including the awesome releases of author Kaye Lynne Booth. She won’t flood your inbox, she NEVER sells her list, and you might get a freebie occasionally. Get a free digital copy of her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction, just for joining.
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Book Review: The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet
Posted: October 28, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Review | Tags: Book Review, Flash Fiction, M J Mallon, Poetry, The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, Writing to be Read 6 CommentsAbout the Book
The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet is a collection of poetry and flash fiction celebrating the beautiful vulnerability of the forest kingdom. It begins with the poetic tale of the kind-hearted Hedge Witch, Fern, who discovers an injured stranger in desperate need of her woodland spells and magic.
The sweet pairing learn from each other and through Fern’s guidance, Devin embraces the power of magic to leave behind his troubled past to become The Musical Poet.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Hedge-Witch-Musical-Poet-Fiction-ebook/dp/B0B56G2GHT/
My Review
The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, by M J Mallon is a lovely poetic collection which forms a lyrical tale of a man found in the forest and transformed, with the help of the Hedge Witch, into the poet the forest needs him to be. This enchanting tale unravels through a combination of flash fiction and poetry which explores magical realms and celebrates the forest. The playful, happy tone makes this tale the perfect short read for a palate cleanser after a more serious story where the fate of the world is at stake, or following a deep dive into the human psyche. It’s also a light story which can be consumed within a half hour or so, if you’ve got some time to kill. I used it as both, since I read it twice.
Delightfully entertaining, I give The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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Book Review: Snowman Shivers & Prospero’s Ghost
Posted: October 27, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Dark Humor, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Humor, Short Fiction, Stories | Tags: Book Review, Dark Humor, Free Books, Kimberly Footit, Mark Leslie, Prospero's Ghost, Short Fiction, Snowman Shivers, Writing to be Read 4 CommentsAbout Snowman Shivers
You might never build another snowman again!
If you ever cast an uncomfortable glance over your shoulder when passing the silent snowy sentinels that stand looking at you as you pass on the icy sidewalk, if you’ve ever questioned what might really happen if the old silk hat placed on Frosty the Snowman’s head was truly magic, then these two dark humor snowman tales by Mark Leslie are for you.
Amazon Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Snowman-Shivers-Humor-Tales-Snowmen-ebook/dp/B006KF67GK/
My Review
Did you ever wonder what really happens when snowmen really come to life. Snowman Shivers, by Mark Leslie offers two darkly humorous that may send shivers up your spine, or at least evoke a few chuckles, and I guaruntee you will never think about snowmen in the same way.
About Prospero’s Ghost
Decades after his death, renowned Shakespearean scholar Dr. Marshall Emerson returns from the grave to seek vengeance on those who dared disturb his fitful sleep.
Emerson, whose specialty was the bard’s The Tempest and was nicknamed “Professor Prospero” could never be spotted walking the grounds of McMaster University without the precious 1861 folio edition of Shakespeare’s works clutched in his hands.
When McMaster University library and bookstore staff begin producing replica versions of his original text on a newly acquired Espresso Book Machine, Emerson’s ghost returns, intent to put a stop to this “desecration” of his beloved text.
Amazon Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Prosperos-Ghost-Cautionary-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B008BC28NQ/
My Review
I said it before, and I will say it again. I’m just a sucker for a good ghost story. Prospero’s Ghost, by Kimberly Footit & Mark Leslie is delightful short story of haunting porportions. It seems a love of literature A tale of a haunted campus library that can be read in one sitting, this story is for ghost lovers everywhere.
Get Them Free
You can find both of these books in the “FREE Reads” on Mark Leslie’s Books2Read author page here: https://books2read.com/markleslie. (You can find them both on Amazon, too, but Prospero’s Ghost is .99 cents, instead of free.)
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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Meet the authors of “Midnight Roost”: Today, Joseph Carrabis
Posted: October 23, 2023 Filed under: Anthology, Book Release, Books, Dark Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Horror, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Stories, WordCrafter Press | Tags: "Binky", Antholoy, Dark fiction, horror, Joseph Carrabis, Midnight Roost, WordCrafter Press Leave a comment
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/MidnightRoost
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Final Stop on the Wordcrafter “Midnight Roost” Book Blog Tour
Posted: October 23, 2023 Filed under: Anthology, Audio Excerpt, Blog Tour, Book Promotion, Book Release, Books, Dark Fantasy, Dark Humor, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Giveaways, Horror, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Stories, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Anthology, C.R. Johansson, Dark fiction, Denise Aparo, Kaye Lynne Booth, Midnight Roost, Rebecca M. Senese, Robert Kostanczuk, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press, Zack Ellafy 9 Comments
It’s the final stop on the WordCrafter Midnight Roost Book Blog Tour and today we’re going to wrap things up with a reading by contributing author Denise Aparo from her haunting story, “The Pines”,and some excerpts from stories from authors who weren’t able to participate in the tour. So, kick back and enjoy the reading and peruse the excerpts, meet the authors and join in the discussion by leaving a comment and earn a chance at a free digital copy of Midnight Roost.
Meet Author Denise Aparo
Denise Aparo is a new WordCrafter Press author, so I’m just getting to know a little ab out her, too. Her story, “The Pines” wasn’t the winning story in the short fiction contest, but I still felt that its dark parnormal feel would fit into the anthology. Now that the book is compiled and I can see the finished product, I think I made the right decision. It is a perfect addition to the Midnight Roost collection. Listen to the reading below and see if you don’t agree.
Reading from “The Pines”
About Denise Aparo
Denise Aparo is a New England native, born and raised in the clockmaking city of Bristol, Connecticut. She lives with her husband, Joe, and they have five grandchildren. She is also a freelance writer who spends her time working on her novel and writing short stories. She also spends her time gardening, crafting, and crocheting.
Denise likes to write Paranormal Fiction, genre of Historical Fantasy. She recently completed her first novel, Crossbows. She has a Masters of Arts in English and a Fine Arts/Creative Writing with concentration in Fiction from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and a member of Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, and The National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi, with SNHU.
She is a member of the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association (CAPA) and the author of a new WordPress writing blog, The Write Voice, The Write Voice | The write voice at the write time, a blog that boasts, “Like multiple genres, there are many cultures – each with an individual voice.” Denise is a new addition to the WordCrafter Press authors.
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Excerpt from “Melina” by Kaye Lynne Booth
Excerpt from “She Shed Galleria” by C.R. Johansson
Excerpt from “House on the Plains” by Zack Ellafy
Excerpt from “Take Two” by Rebecca M. Senese
Excerpt from “A Visitor Comes to the Window” by Robert Kostanczuk
That wraps up today’s stop, and the whole tour. I hope you enjoyed meeting Denise and the excerpts from the other stories. Be sure to visit any stops you missed through the links in the schedule below for more chances to win a free digital copy of Midnight Roost. I will announce the winners in next Monday’s “WordCrafter News” post, here on “Writing to be Read”
Giveaway
A chance to win a free digital copy of Midnight Roost at every stop. Just leave a comment to show your support for the tour, the anthology, and all of the fantastic authors.
Tour Schedule
Monday – October 16 – Opening Day –Isabele Grey (Interview & Reading) & Joseph Carrabis (Reading) – Writing to be Read
Tuesday – October 17 – M J Mallon (Reading) & Christa Planko (Interview & Guest Post)– Undawnted
Wednesday – October 18 – Chris Barili (Guest Post) & Paul Kane (Guest Post) – Patty’s Worlds
Thursday – October 19 – Julie Jones (Reading) & Keith Hoskins (Guest Post) – Robbie’s Inspiration
Friday – October 20 – Michaele Jordan (Reading) & Mario Acevedo (Guest Post) – Writing to be Read
Saturday – October 21 – Patty Fletcher (Guest Post) & DL Mullen (Guest Post & Video) – Roberta Writes
Sunday – October 22 – Sonia Pipkin (Guest Post) & Roberta Eaton Cheadle (Reading) – Kyrosmagica Publishing
Monday – October 23 – Closing Post –Denise Aparo (Reading) & excerpts from other stories – Writing to be Read
About Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories
20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon, and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare.
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/318L0l
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Book your WordCrafter Book Blog Tour today!
Writer’s Corner: The Value of Going Wide & Books2Read Links
Posted: November 6, 2023 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Sales, Commentary, Indie Publishing, Publishing, Self-Publishing, Writer's Corner | Tags: Books2Read, Publishing Wide, Writer's Corner, Writing to be Read | 14 CommentsWhy Publish Wide?
We’ve all heard of Amazon. They are the single largest book distributors out there, but they aren’t just a book distributor, but they require exclusivity and they make authors jump through hoops for them to give us a second glance. Now, I admit, I have a problem with going exclusive with Amazon KU, although I know there are may authors out there who do quite well. But Amazon also has a habit of cancelling author accounts for percieved infractions to their Terms of Service. So, just stop and think for a moment what would happen if Amazon were to decide that something you do violates their TOS and cancels your account. You can appeal the decision, and you might even win, but in the meantime, your books are not available anywhere and you’re loosing money, or at least the potential for money.
Most of us have heard of Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Apple Books, and Rakutan Kobo. These are the larger book distributors, and books are what they do, so authors can get a little loving care when dealing with these guys, but with the exception of Smashwords, you may have to be an author with a bigger name to get noticed. But here’s the thing. Publishing on each of these platforms is possible, (with the exception of KU, which requires exclusivity, but Amazon will let you publish without being in KU), but it would be very time-consuming. Any time that I spend publishing, is time that I’m not writing, so for me, publishing once to D2D and letting them take care of the rest is appealing.
Some distributors are only available in certain countries outside the U.S. Others are subscription services, or like Overdrive, sell only to libraries. My books are available on all of them and I only have to hit publish twice: once for the digital format and once for the print book. To me extending my reach in this way just makes good sense.
Why Use Books2Read Links?
I work with a lot of authors doing WordCrafter anthologies, and I ask them all to use Books2Read links in their promotions. I’ve had several people feeling the need for an Amazon link, because that is what they’ve become accustomed to. I had to explain that the Amazon link shows up under the Books2Read link, along with links for Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Rakutan Kobo, Scribd, Smashwords, Baker & Taylor, Overdrive, Tolino, Bibliotheca, Odilo, Borrow Box, Palace Marketplace, Gardners, Vivlio, and others. Google Play is the only one I know of that D2D does not work with. If you haven’t heard of some of the above distributors, don’t be surprised. I hadn’t either until I started publishing through Draft2Digital.
Every book I publish through D2D gets a Books2Read link, so with one click readers can find links for all the distributors carrying my book and select their favorite distributor in order to make their purchase. This makes my books available on all devices, not just Kindle. Above is a screenshot of my Books2Read landing page for The Rock Star & The Outlaw. You can see the distributors where my books are available. There may be others where print is available, but print links must be added manually, so I’ve only added the two largest ones. I’ll add others down the road when I find time. There are enough distributor choices here to reach readers on any device in many different countries.
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For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Book 1 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw. Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Want exclusive content? Join Kaye Lynne Booth & WordCrafter Press Readers’ Group for WordCrafter Press book & event news, including the awesome releases of author Kaye Lynne Booth. She won’t flood your inbox, she NEVER sells her list, and you might get a freebie occasionally. Get a free digital copy of her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction, just for joining.
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