Writer’s Corner: Writing for Children
Posted: November 4, 2024 Filed under: Book Promotion, Book Sales, Books, Children's Books, My Backyard Friends | Tags: Children's Books, Collaborations, My Backyard Friends series, Writer's Corner, Writing to be Read 10 Comments
Language and content
Don’t write down to children: This is the number one piece of advice I heard about writing for children, and of course, it is true. It doesn’t mean to write about adult subjects filled with sex and cuss words, but they’re trying to get through the idea that kid’s are smart and you don’t have to dumb things down for them.
I think this is one of the biggest differences in writing for children. Children’s minds are like sponges that absorb information. While you probably don’t want to use a lot of scientific jargon to explain the workings of the solar system, plain layman’s terms are usually simple enough for kid’s to digest and understand.
In her writer’s refence book, Word By Word, Kerrie Flanagan offers snippets from interviews with three different teen and young adult authors who tackle sensitive issues in their books and have all taken heat for doing so, about handling real life issues in their writing. Jay Asher, author of the young adult novel Thirteen Reasons, which deals with the issue of suicide says,
“Yes, I shaped the story to reveal the things I wanted to say, but it had to be revealed through the words of my characters, not me. I also knew, out of respect for the seriousness of what needed to be written, that I couldn’t hold back any detail that would make the scenes feel however raw they needed to feel. That caused my book to be challenged, but I know it’s also what made it connect to so many readers.”
And New York Times bestselling adult and young adult author, Ellen Hopkins says,
“Every teen is faced with choices, and without understanding possible outcomes, they often rush headlong in the wrong direction. As authors, we can’t tip-toe around hard truths, because those truths, because those truths are part of the human condition, and fearing a challenge is a sure way to make your writing fall flat.”
When asked for advice to new writers dealing with a sensitive topic, Cheryl Rainfield, author of the award-winning novel, Scars, and other teen novels which deal with the issue of abuse and incest says,
“I think using some of your own emotion and honesty in writing is so important; readers will sense if you’re not being honest or you’re holding back or you’re afraid of the topic….”
I believe this advice is true when writing for younger children, as well. In the My Backyard Friends series, which are aimed at four to eight year olds, I deal with issues such as being lost and alone, and situations where you need the help of others, and the possibilities of self-indulgence, but the message comes through through the words and actions of the characters, and all serves the story, and there’s a lesson in each one. For a small child, being lost can be a scary experience, it can be difficult to ask for someone’s help with a problem when a child is struggling to feel grown up, and children may need help to see the consequences of their actions. My hope is that children can learn through my characters, how to cope in similar situations.
Illustrations
Many children’s books are illustrated, where adult books are usually not. This makes every illustrated children’s book a collaboration, and all parties involoved need to be on the same page about the goal. This is extremely important, and finding the right illustrator, one who understands your vision, can be a daunting process. Finding an illustrator you want to work with who has prices that fit your budget is even more challenging.
Back in 2010, I found an illustrator who met both of these criteria to do Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend, and the rest of the My Back Yard Friend series. I was thrilled with her cover design and sample illustrations, and the price she gave me was reasonable, as well. She even matched me up with a small independent publisher who was willing to publish my book. I was ecstatic.
But, like traditional publishing for adult literature, publishing children’s books takes time, five years or more, and during that time, things can and do change. My illustrator ran into health issues which made it impossible for her to continue doing the beautiful illustrations by hand, and I was forced to accept first, digital illustrations, and then, a whole different illuistrator who I knew nothing about. When I requested the money I had paid for my illustrations five years previous, since they had never been completed and I would not be able to use them, the illustrator refused my refund and the publisher dumped me, and I found myself back at square one. It was enough to sour me on traditional publishing, and set aside my dreams of having my children’s books published.
This was a tough decision. I shopped around for another illustrator for a short time, I found that illustrations had become quite expensive, far beyond my budget at the time. So, the books of the My Backyard Friends series were shelved, filed away in the archives of my files for many years. You can imagine how excited I became when I learned that the talented Robbie Cheadle had taken up drawing and painting, and was actually illustrating some of her own books. Having written and illustrated her Sir Chocolate books, Robbie also had experience inside the arena of children’s literature, so it seemed to me to be a perfect fit. I was ecstatic when she agreed to my proposal to illustrate the first three books in the series in 2023, to be published through WordCrafter Press. And what a feeling of satisfaction to see them released this past July.
Robbie may live on a different continent, and her hummingbird is a different breed with different coloring than the hummingbirds in my neighborhood, but her Heather is absolutely gorgeous. Readers are not aware of the differences. All of Robbie’s illustrations are wonderful, bringing my characters to life with vivid imagry and brilliant colors. But this lead me to yet, another tough decision.
WordCrafter Press publishes wide, through D2D, and while I enjoy many of the advantages this offers, their print books are not illustration friendly, and they only publish in black and white. I did not feel that black and white would do Robbie’s beautiful illustrations justice, and thus chose not to offer them in print until I could afford to publish through other channels that of color options. Originally, I planned a Kickstarter, but circumstances in my personal life made the Kickstarter platform not a viable option for me, and I tried to do my own fund raiser during the blog tour, but the funds just weren’t there. And so, as disappointing as it may be, the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series is only available in digital format for now.
Marketing Children’s Books
Marketing is the area where some would say children’s and adult literature differ the most. I’ve heard it said, “I just don’t know how to market to children.” But that’s the thing. Children are not your marketing audience, adults are. Kid’s aren’t going to care that the My Backyard Friends series was inspired by the birds and animals that visit my backyard, but their parents might find it interesting enough to buy a book for their childMarketing children’s books really isn’t all that different from marketing adult literature. You just need to look at the value offered from a parent or educator’s point of view, because that’s who you are marketing to.
I haven’t had a lot of success using the same digital marketing strategies I use with my adult books, which blog tours and social media promotion, with the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series. According to Jason Chen, founder of Story Bundle, “We’ve done a children’s bundle once and it did really poorly. Overall parents aren’t looking for digital ebooks for their kids in my experience (yours may be different!)” But, my experience has been similar. I think children’s books fall into an area where print books are still preferable to digital ones. That’s one of the reasons I am so disappointed to be unable to offer my children’s books in print.
With that in mind, I’m thinking maybe in-person selling, which is a bit more personal, might be more effective in selling children’s books. Speaking at your child’s school, or doing a reading and book signing at your local library might just be the way to go. But that’s just my thoughts on the matter. I’d love to hear about what has worked and what hasn’t to sell your children’s books in the comments below.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
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; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, and her kid’s book series, My Backyard Friends. 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.
___________________________________________
Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
___________________________________________
This post is sponsored by the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series and WordCrafter Press.
The My Backyard Friends kid’s book series is inspired by the birds and animals that visit the author Kaye Lynne Booth’s mountain home. Beautiful illustrations by children’s author, poet, and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, bring the unique voices of the animal characters to life.
Get Your Copy Now.
Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-HeatherHummingbird
Timothy Turtle Discovers Jellybeans (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-TimothyTurtle
Charlie Chickadee Gets a New Home (Ages 6-8): https://books2read.com/MBF-CharlieChickadee
Share this:
Everyone is a Critic: Anacondas
Posted: October 31, 2024 Filed under: Everyone is a Critic, Film Review, Horror, Movies, Review | Tags: Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Anacondas: Trail of Blood, Everyone is a Critic, horror, Kaye Lynne Booth, Movie Review, Writing to be Read Leave a comment
Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004)
Anaconda: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid is predictable, following all the horror tropes, but it’s done well and I found it quite entertaining, with plenty of action. This movie is a stand alone sequel to the original Anaconda (1997) movie.
Bill Johnson is the boat captain, played by Johnny Messner, leading a group of scientists including Sam Rogers, played by KaDee Strickland, Dr. Jack Byron, played by Matthew Marsden, Dr. Ben Douglas, played by Nicholas Gonzalez, Intern Cole Burris, played by Eugene Byrd, and Gail Stern, played by Salli Richardson-Whitfield into the jungles of Borneo. In search the mythical black orchid, which can supposedly grant eternal life, which can only be accessed every seven years.
This film has all the elements you’d expect to find in a horror flick, including the greedy scientist who will go to any length to retrieve the precious flower, which is worth millions, who bribes the captain to take them into dangerous territory to save time. When their boat goes over a waterfall, the scientists land right in the middle of the territory where massive anacondas have been feeding on the legendary orchids for years, proving that the mythical powers of the flower are true, and they quickly find themselves fighting for their lives amoung the monstrous snakes.
I thought that surely the teeth in the enormous snakes’ mouths, were just special effects to make our monster snakes look more fierce, but nope. I looked it up and anacondas actually do have rows of razor sharp hook-like teeth, used to help secure their prey while they wrap around them before the squeeze, and also to guide the prey down the snake’s throat pushing it back. Exposing this fact elevates these snakes, in my mind, from slightly fakey special effects to truly scary monsters which our expedition members will have to be strong and cunning to overcome.
Anacondas: Trail of Blood (2009)
Anacondas: Trail of Blood is the forth movie in this franchise and a sequel to the third. There wasn’t as much money thrown at this msde for television movie as there was thrown into the first two cinematic movies and it shows.
In this movie, a genetically created baby anaconda is experimented on, cut in half and injected with a serum made from the blood orchid, cultivated by a scientist, who is killed by the snake he has created in the opeining scene. The serum not only has properties of longetivity, but also those of regeneration, creating a monster snake which is almost impossible to kill. Much of the action is running through the jungle to escape the monstrous beast.
The snake, itself is more fakey looking than the monster snakes seen in previous movies in the franchise, looking to me, as if it were made of cheap plastic.
Also, I felt this movie had too many players to keep track of. We have a member of a science team, Amanda Hayes, played by Crystal Allen, who is out to stop the dastardly plan of their employer, Murdough, played by John Ryes-Davies, to harvest and create the serum for his own selfish purposes, and she aims to keep him from getting his hands on the research. It is her goal to destroy everything to do with the serum, as she sees the evil purposes the serum could be used for. She initially arrives with two cops, and a lone teen hiker joins their ranks.
Then we have a group of archelogists intent on excavating a recently discovered dig in the area and a group of mercenaries hired by Murdough to retrieve the serum and the research and eliminate Amanda. Quite frankly, the snake didn’t seem to care which group its victims were from, as a side effect of the serum is apparently an insatiable appetite and fierce aggressiveness. There are so many characters that I found it difficult to relate to any single one. Without some type of connection to make me care about these characters, I wasn’t as invested in the outcome as I might have been.
_______________________________
About Kaye Lynne Booth
_______________________________________
This post is sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services
Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need, WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.
Stop by and see what we have to offer today: https://writingtoberead.com/readings-for-writers/wordcrafter-quality-writing-author-services/
Share this:
Everyone is a Critic: The Woman in Black
Posted: October 31, 2024 Filed under: Everyone is a Critic, Film Review, Ghost Stories, Horror, Movies | Tags: Everyone is a Critic, Ghost Stories, Gothic Horror, Kaye Lynne Booth, Movie Review, Writing to be Read Leave a comment
The 2012 film The Woman in Black is the second adaption of a 1983 novel of the same title, by Susan Hill. This gothic supernatural horror is the best recent example I have seen of a good, old-fashioned ghost story.
In 1906, Attorney Arthur Kipps, played by Daniel Radcliffe, is called to the village of Crythin Gifford to collect the papers of the deceased owner of a place called Eel Marsh House, located on the other sid eof the marsh from the village. He recieves a strange reception from the villagers, and the village attorney is downright hostile, but Arthur is deteremined to see his task through.
During his stay at Eel Marsh House, strange things happen: unusual noises, a bolted door, toys that wind up on their own, a rocking chair that rocks by itself, and a woman dressed in black out on the marsh, as he uncovers the truth of local legend of a vengeful spirit which plagues the village, preying on their children for many decades. All who see her lose a child. He finds himself on a new mission, to reunite mother and child, in order to save his own son, who is enroute to join him.
The house has a really spooky feel, set in the foggy marsh which is only accessible during certain times of day due to periodical flooding by the tide. And the lady in black gives off a truly menacing feeling, as we learn how she lures the village children to their deaths.
While formulaic, as most horror films are, this was is very well-executed to make the beats fit together seamlessly as the story unfolds. It has a good plot with just enough special effects to make it believable and draw you into the story, and a surprising ending that isn’t what you’d expect. (No spoilers here.) There are still those scenes where you feel that the character is making the stupidest choice possible, because any sane person would turn tail and run, but if the characters didn’t do dumb things, there would be no story. But they managed to tell this story without all the blood and gore, which I found refreshing. Overall, I truly enjoyed this suspenseful gothic horror story. It’s been a while since I watched a movie which kept me on the edge of my seat.
_________________________________
About Kaye Lynne Booth
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; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, her the first three books in her kid’s book series, My Backyard Friends, her poetry collection, Small Wonders, and her writer’s resource, The D.I.Y. Author. 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.
______________________________
This post sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services.
Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need, WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.
Stop by and see what we have to offer today: https://writingtoberead.com/readings-for-writers/wordcrafter-quality-writing-author-services/
Share this:
Everyone is a Crtic: The Mummy (2017)
Posted: October 31, 2024 Filed under: Action/Adventure, Everyone is a Critic, Film Review, Horror, Movies, Review | Tags: Action, Everyone is a Critic, horror, Movie Review, The Mummy (2017), Writing to be Read Leave a comment
I’m always leary of remakes, especially of first movies which I really enjoyed. Such was the case with 2017 remake of The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise, Russell Crow and Annabelle Wallace. I loved the original 1999 take on this story, with Brandon Frasier and Rachel Weisz. As with any remake, it is impossible for me to judge the newer version without referring back to the original, especially if they are similar. So, let me just say right now that I didn’t find the humor of the first movie, which I enjoyed, in the 2017 remake, and although the stories are somewhat similar in that they both unearth a mummy and unleash a curse on mankind which must be stopped, the two are really nothing alike.
A cross between Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Mission Impossible, the 2017 movie is pretty much non-stop action. From tomb raiding to underwater adventures, Tom Cruise’s character, Nick Morton, doesn’t get a moments rest and the character of Jenny Hasley, played by Anabelle Wallace, is the classic damsel in distress. There are even parts where you have to question who the good guys really are, and nothing is clear cut.
What is an Egyptian princess doing buried in the middle of the Middle Eastern dessert, entombed for thousands of years? And what happens when her resting place is discovered and her slumber disturbed? The special effects are superb and the mummy, played by Sophia Boutella, is wicked. Imotep has got nothing on Princess Ahmanet as she unleashes her rage on the city of London. Apparently, Egyptian princesses awaken in a really bad mood.
The 2017 version of The Mummy is a great action movie with enough horror blended in to bring a mythological monster to life once more. I really enjoyed watching this film.
______________________________________
About Kaye Lynne Booth
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; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, 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.
________________________________________
Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can show your support with a small donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
________________________________
This post sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services.
Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need, WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.
Stop by and see what we have to offer today: https://writingtoberead.com/readings-for-writers/wordcrafter-quality-writing-author-services/
Share this:
WordCrafter News: Gearing up for NaNoWriMo & the 2024 Novel Writing Story Bundle
Posted: October 28, 2024 Filed under: Book Promotion, NaNoWriMo, Nonfiction, Science Fiction, Story Bundle, Time travel, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press, Writing Resource | Tags: 2024 Novel Writing Story Bundle, Kaye Lynne Booth, NaNoWriMo, The D.I. Y. Author, The Rock Star & the Outlaw, Time travel, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press, Writing Resource Leave a comment
2024 NaNoWriMo
One of the methods I use of becoming more prolific in my writing is to use NaNoWriMo each November as a sort of spring board to get a good start on a novel, and hopefully, complete and publish it the following year. I’ve found it to be an effective way to help meet my writing goals. I have my own method of time blocking, which is more like grab every minute you can to write because I have a busy life, but even when I don’t reach my daily wordcount goals, I get on writing streaks where I more than make them up. And even in situations like last year, when my computer crashed with a week and a half left to go, so I was unable to make the 50,000 word goal, I come out with a healthy start to my novel, offering me a descent foundation to build on. (You can learn more about my NaNoWriMo strategies in my writing reference, The D.I.Y Author.)
This year is no exception and I’ve been busily outlining the sequel to The Rock Star & the Oulaw in preparation for next month’s NaNoWriMo challege to pound out at least 50,000 words of a new novel. Come next Monday, I will be up to my elbows in the writing of book 2, and I can already tell you, it’s going to be a wild ride. The ending of the first book was such that there has to be a second. My readers will be expecting and anticipating it. In this book, Amarylis will be expanding her horizons as she changes and grows, and my inspiration will expand beyond the music of The Pretty Reckless, which served as inspiration for her character in the first book.
I have most of my November blog posts written and scheduled, so my writing efforts can be focused on the book. The dark anthologies are launched in time for the Halloween season and their initial promotions have come to an end. In order to meet those daily wordcounts, I will be doing a minimal amount of promoting, so I won’t be as visible on social media as I usually am, and it may take me a bit longer to respond to email correspondence. The only promotions I will be making are my normal promotions of blog posts on Writing to be Read, and the 2024 Novel Writing Story Bundle, which includes The D.I.Y. Author and runs through the end of November.
The 2024 Novel Writing Story Bundle – Currated by Kevin J. Anderson
This year’s Writing Tools StoryBundle, curated by bestselling author and publisher Kevin J. Anderson, is another treasure chest of vital handbooks covering aspects of the writer’s craft, business, and way of life. We have thirteen titles on a range of subjects, plus a 12-month subscription to Indie Author Magazine, your best source to stay up-to-date on the industry.
On writing craft, there’s The Illustrated Super Secrets of Writing, Vol. 1—Wulf Moon’s award-winning system on how to write stories and does so with creativity, fun, and humor. Tara Grace Ericson presents Romance Character Tropes—far more than your average trope list; this is an encyclopedia packed with info to help you use and leverage each trope successfully.
Freelance editor Joshua Essoe teaches about Mood and Atmosphere in his series of special-edition writing guides, each examining the most-common issues he encounters from writers he works with. Word by Word by award-winning author Kerrie Flanagan, shows you how to unlock your creativity and transform your writing. This is an essential guide for writers that offers inspiration, genre-specific strategies, and practical tips.
Jana S. Brown gives you Steps to Self-Editing. You’ve finished your novel! Now learn the self-editing steps to smooth off the rough edges and really make it shine!
And in the new revised edition of On Being a Dictator: Revised Edition, by Kevin J. Anderson, Martin Shoemaker, and Greg Vose—available exclusively in this StoryBundle,—you’ll learn how to use dictation to increase your productivity. One of the foundational books on a popular writing method, On Being a Dictator will help you think outside the box and up your game in the fast-paced ever-changing world of publishing.
Now, on to the writing business. Dollar by Dollar by Kerrie Flanagan is a comprehensive guide packed with proven strategies to help writers boost book sales, increase income from writing, and succeed in both traditional and self-publishing. Mark Leslie’s Author’s Guide to Branding for Success shows you how to make your Author Brand into one of your best long-term Intellectual Property assets!
Matty Dalrymple and Michael La Ronn provide guidance and inspiration to share your message with the world from the stage in Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker.
And Booking the Libraries by Jessica Brawner is tailored for authors, speakers, storytellers, musicians, puppeteers, and all living-wage entertainers. This guide is your key to unlocking fresh markets, cultivating a dedicated fanbase, and revolutionizing your livelihood.
And finally, on the writing life, these titles will help you stay inspired and remain strong as a creative.
The D.I.Y. Author by Kaye Lynne Booth shows you the ropes in the business of being an author.
Wit and Wisdom by Craig Martelle—exclusive first release in this StoryBundle—is chock full of quips and snippets to help authors stay focused on the right things to accelerate their business.
And Falling to Fly by Todd Fahnestock is a deeply personal exploration into the creative process and the publishing industry. This is truly the book to read before you give up on your writing dreams.
In addition in this StoryBundle, you will receive full year’s subscription to Indie Author Magazine, your go-to resource for news, tips, and advice on self-publishing. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry.
A note on the designated charity for this StoryBundle, the Neil Peart Brain Cancer Research Fund from Cedars Sinai. In 2020 we lost Neil Peart, legendary drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush, to glioblastoma. He was my mentor, friend, and collaborator on numerous books, and his loss affected me deeply. Neil’s friends and colleagues and fans worldwide have contributed to this glioblastoma research fund in Neil’s name, and we are proud to add our efforts on this Writing Tools StoryBundle as well. – Kevin J. Anderson
* * *
For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you’re feeling generous), you’ll get the basic bundle of four books in .epub format—WORLDWIDE.
- Romance Character Tropes by Tara Grace Ericson and Jessica Barber
- Dollar by Dollar by Kerrie Flanagan
- Essoe’s Guides to Writing: Mood and Atmosphere by Joshua Essoe
- Booking the Library by Jessica Brawner
If you pay at least the bonus price of just $20, you get all four of the regular books, plus 9 more books, for a total of 13 (with 3 StoryBundle Exclusives), plus a year’s subscription to Indie Author Magazine!
- Super Secrets: Illustrated by Wulf Moon
- Falling to Fly by Todd Fahnestock
- From Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker by Matty Dalrymple and Michael La Ronn
- A Writer’s Guide to Branding for Success by Mark Leslie Lefebvre (StoryBundle Exclusive)
- On Being a Dictator by Kevin J. Anderson (StoryBundle Exclusive)
- Word by Word by Kerrie Flanagan
- The D.I.Y. Author by Kaye Lynne Booth
- Steps to Self-Editing by Jana S. Brown
- Wit and Wisdom by Craig Martelle (StoryBundle Exclusive)
- Indie Author Magazine: One Year Subscription by Indie Author Magazine
This bundle is available only for a limited time via http://www.storybundle.com. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get a DRM-free .epub for all books!
It’s also super easy to give the gift of reading with StoryBundle, thanks to our gift cards – which allow you to send someone a code that they can redeem for any future StoryBundle bundle – and timed delivery, which allows you to control exactly when your recipient will get the gift of StoryBundle.
__________________________________________
You can learn more about Story Bundle on “Writer’s Corner” in my interview with Story Bundle founder, Jason Chen.
_____________________________________
About Kaye Lynne Booth
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; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource. 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.
___________________________________
Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
________________________________________
This post is sponsored by The Rock Star & The Outlaw and WordCrafter Press.
A time-traveler oversteps his boundaries in 1887. Things get out of hand quickly, and he is hanged, setting in motion a series of events from which there’s no turning back.
In 1887, LeRoy McAllister is a reluctant outlaw running from a posse with nowhere to go except to the future.
In 2025, Amaryllis Sanchez is a thrill-seeking rock star on the fast track, who killed her dealing boyfriend to save herself. Now, she’s running from the law and his drug stealing flunkies, and nowhere is safe.
LeRoy falls hard for the rock star, thinking he can save her by taking her back with him. But when they arrive in 1887, things turn crazy fast, and soon they’re running from both the outlaws and the posse, in peril once more.
They can’t go back to the future, so it looks like they’re stuck in the past. But either when, they must face forces that would either lock them up or see them dead.
Purchase your copy today: https://books2read.com/RockStarOutlaw
Share this:
Chatting with New Blood: D. Cowart
Posted: October 26, 2024 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Chatting with New Blood, Historical Fiction, Historical Inspiration, Interview, Review | Tags: Chatting with New Blood, D.Cowart, Elkabel, Historic Fiction, Writing to be Read Leave a comment
My guest today is author D. Cowart, who has recently released her second novel, Elkabel: A Life Spared, A Destiny Rewritten.
About D. Cowart
D Cowart, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, began her writing journey as a young girl. She’s written poetry, children’s stories, songs, song lyrics, a short story, and family skits. A Prison of Silk is her first novel. It’s a story of subjugation in ancient times when girls and their mothers were controlled and owned by men.
Males in other countries today still have rights denied to females. One’s gender reigning supreme over the other is unjustifiable in any era. The premise of this book came to her over thirty years ago. A Bible passage she read showing the low value placed on women infuriated her when she read it.
The author’s stories are character and plot-driven with a new slant on old ideas.
Interview
Kaye: Would you begin by telling us about your author journey? How long have you been writing? What inspires you to write?
D. Cowart: I’ve been a storyteller since childhood. Once I terrified my cousins with a ghost story I told them. They had trouble sleeping that night. Since then, I veered from scary tales forever. 
Through the years I created many, many children’s stories but never tried publishing. I’ve written poems, song lyrics, two songs with tunes, a short story, many articles on topics of interest to me, and a couple of skits for my grandkids to act out.
Kaye: Elkabel is actually your second novel. This one and your first, A Prison in Silk, both take place during the same time period, when women weren’t valued very much. Can you tell us about what inspired you to write these stories?
D. Cowart: I was a third daughter to parents who wanted a boy. Before I was 2 years old, they had a son! I saw the privileges afforded a male child that females had to work for. The time period of the Bible shows beyond question the way women were devalued. The injustices of then and since inspired me to write A PRISON OF SILK.
Kaye: Where do you find information about the time period of these books? What type of research do you do?
D. Cowart: Historical articles of all kinds, even the Bible. If I have any questions, and I always do, I spend as much time as it takes to get a better understanding of that topic even if it’s to write a short sentence. Research keeps me interested and sort of focused as I write my book. This time period has interested me for as long as I can remember and it’s an enjoyable part of my writing process.
Kaye: Is there a third book planned at this time?
D. Cowart: Yes. The third one picks up where the first book ended. I’m excited about the character in this book and his journey.
Kaye: You write historical fiction. Who would you say is your favorite historical character?
D. Cowart: In a broader sense my books are historical fantasy. In my first book, the king is a combination of Alexander the Great, King Solomon, and King Nebuchadnezzar. Even Hannibal with his use of elephants in war.
Kaye: What author or poet (dead or alive) would you most like meet and visit with?
D. Cowart: So many come to mind that I’ll pass on this question.
Kaye: What other outlets do you find for your creativity besides writing?
D. Cowart: I’ve had many hobbies, refinishing furniture was one (loved seeing the wood shine through layers of gunk). I did genealogy work long before it was available online, and dabbled with drawing and acrylic painting. I also sang in a community chorus and loved to line dance.
Kaye: What traits in your main characters do you most identify with?
D. Cowart: I think when you don’t have a lot of support growing up, you have to be resourceful, even brave, and you become stronger in the process because you must.
Kaye: What is the best piece of writing advice that you have ever received?
D. Cowart: When I decided to write a novel, I tapped into wonderful help online. Author Jerry Jenkins’ articles and tips guided me when I first began and countless others since. I guess the thing I want most to achieve is writing a strong beginning, a strong middle, and a strong ending for my stories.
Kaye: Where do you hope to see yourself as a writer in ten years?
D. Cowart: At my age, I just hope to be alive in ten years.
About the Book
In an ancient world when females had little to no power, fifteen-year-old Elkabel becomes an orphan. Family, friends, and all other inhabitants of her province have been slaughtered. She survives only because Medeba, an enemy soldier, defied the royal command and saved her.
Elkabel’s resilience and resourceful attributes take her from one strange life to another. She experiences customs, places, and people a farm girl never knew existed. Never belonging, uprooted again and again, she struggles to make a life of her own.
Will the constant challenges make or break her? And how will helping her change the young soldier’s fate? Don’t miss reading ELKABEL, A Life Spared, A Destiny Rewritten, a fast paced and unpredictable story of survival.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Elkabel-D-Cowart-ebook/dp/B0DCM145MQ
My Review
I did a final proofread of the manuscript for Elkabel, A Life Spared, A Destiny Rewritten, by D. Cowart and immediately knew that I wanted to write this review. All opinions stated here are my own.
This story has all the elements of a tragic romance. In the aftermath of a raid to wipe out their people, with orders to spare no one, Medeba finds a young girl, still alive amoung the carnage and can’t bring himself to end her life, although it could mean his own life, should his disobedience be discovered. That girl was Elkabel, and although circumstances rake them both in very different directions, the bond between them remains and can’t be denied.
Elkabel faces trials that make her stronger, while Medeba abandons the only life he knows to find the girl he saved and loves, even before his feelings are realized in his own mind. But it seems fate is determined to keep them apart, as each makes their own way through the world and carries them away from each other.
The descriptive language Cowart uses places the reader in the times and settings of the story, where one can’t help but root for the lovers unrecognized to find one another and allow their love to be realized. Her research and knowledge of the times is evident in every scene.
This historic fantasy is delightful and entertaining, and you won’t want to put it down once you pick it up. I give Elkabel five quills.
__________________________________________________
Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
_______________________________________
This post is sponsored by the Women in the West adventure series and WordCrafter Press.
Delilah: https://books2read.com/DelilahWiW1
Sarah: https://books2read.com/Sarah-Women-in-the-West
Marta: Coming Soon
Share this:
Book Review: The Theory of Anything
Posted: October 25, 2024 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Crime, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Review, Writing | Tags: Book Reveiw, Greg Hickey, psychologicl thrillers, The Theory of Anything, Writing to be Read 4 Comments
About The Theory of Anything
A brilliant professor. A shocking murder.
When Dr. David Solon walked out of the coffee shop on the afternoon of May 3, 2011, he didn’t expect to foil an attempted robbery in a nearby alley. He didn’t expect to recognize the would-be perpetrator of the crime. And he didn’t expect to shoot that man to death.
An hour earlier, he was sharing a breakthrough mathematical discovery with a colleague. A day earlier, he was unraveling a puzzle with implications for the events that shape our lives. And a week earlier, he was falling asleep beside his beloved wife of twenty-two years.
After a year of frustrated effort, a horrific tragedy sparks David’s incredible discovery about mathematical randomness. Still reeling from this crime, he latches onto a theory that will reshape his field and change the way everyone thinks about mathematics, physics, history and basic laws of cause-and-effect.
Told in reverse, The Theory of Anything is an intellectual crime novel that takes readers back through the previous seven days to uncover the crime and subsequent events—random or predetermined—that will define David’s mathematical career and ruin his life.
A unique short crime novel that explores the mysteries of love, loss and mathematics, in addition to a senseless murder, The Theory of Anything follows one man’s harrowing journey through grief and discovery. It’s the perfect book for fans of Memento and A Beautiful Mind.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Anything-Greg-Hickey-ebook/dp/B087F5R75G/
My Review
I received a free copy of The Theory of Everything through a newsletter offering. All opinions stated here are my own.
The Theory of Everything is a short psychological crime novel about a man out for vigilante justice after his wife was murdered. In the description, the author notes the unusual style of story telling, beginning at the end and going backwards to the event that sent him on his quest for vengence, but I found it to be rather off putting and confusing. Also, I did not feel as if anything was resolved at the end, probably because this brief tale is a part of a larger picture and he wants readers to seek out the next book, but it left me very unsatisfied.
The story begins with the main character, a brilliant scientist who loves mathematical theory, stalking a man and moves backwards through the previous days to explain why he is stalking the man who murdered his wife and show how his loss has affected him. At the end of the book we know the why of things, but we don’t know if he is successful in his quest. Does he kill the perpetrator? Does he get away with it? Or perhaps the police are secretly watching and take him down before he reaches his goal? The author leaves us wondering.
This tale was okay, but felt incomplete to me. I give The Theory of Anything three quills.
____________________________________________
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 on the Book Review tab above.
_____________________________________________
Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter.
Share this:
Writer’s Corner: Using Story Bundle to Sell Books
Posted: October 21, 2024 Filed under: Book Sales, Nonfiction, Story Bundle, Writer's Corner, Writing, Writing Business, writing craft, Writing Life, Writing Resource | Tags: 2024 Novel Writing Story Bundle, book marketing, Book Sales, Books, Self-Publishing, Story Bundle, The D.I. Y. Author, Writer's Corner, Writing 9 CommentsAs many of you may know, if you follow Writing to be Read, The D.I.Y. Author is included in the Novel Writing Story Bundle, organized by Kevin J. Anderson. But what you may not know is how useful Story Bundle is as a marketing tool. The fact is, it’s a great way to sell books.
This is the second Story Bundle in which I have had a book included. Back in 2022, Ask the Authors 2022 was included in the Writer’s Toolkit Story Bundle, also organized by KJA. That bundle sold quite well and WordCrafter and the contributing authors made a little bit of money from it. This year, the Novel Writing Story Bundle promises to do just as well, if not better, so I highly recommend it.
What is Story Bundle?
What Story Bundle is, is a platform that gathers together several authors with books in the bundle category, whether it is writing references, such as the two I’ve had books in, fantasy books, science fiction books, or romances, etc…, and they all get together virtually and cooperatively market and promote the whole bundle. This extend’s the reach of single authors immensely, and I can testify to the fact that their efforts are effective. By using the power of the masses, promotions are found on all of the social media sites, not just those of any one single author, and it gets your book in front of the readers of every author in the bundle. But I’m just an author with a couple of books in a couple of Story Bundles, and I’m still learning, too. So to give you all the details, I chatted with Story Bundle founder, Jason Chen, to let him tell you what Story Bundle is, how it works, and what the advantages are.
Interview with Jason Chen
Kaye: What inspired the idea for Story Bundle?
Jason: I started StoryBundle all the way back in 2012 because back then, the concept of bundling similar books in one package hadn’t been done yet! Selfishly, I wanted somebody to make bundles of similar books—if you like this book/author, then you’ll like all THESE—and because nobody had, then I saw the need for it. Also, in 2012, the indie authors were lacking for a place to reach more readers, which made it a perfect fit for letting folks discover authors they would have a hard time finding otherwise.
Kaye: Story Bundle uses the power of numbers, gathering many authors together and offering their books as a group, rather than individually. Could you explain the advantages of having a book included in a Story Bundle?
Jason: Not only does being part of a StoryBundle get you in front of the StoryBundle fans, but the core concept is that it gets you readers from other authors who write in similar genres as you. Because all our bundles are curated, the books in them make sense together, which means that if you like one author in it, you’re more than likely to like another. So getting awareness of your books out to fans who already like the genre is a big plus.
Kaye: What determines whether a book is included in the original bundle for the minimum amount , or as a bonus book for a larger donation?
Jason: There’s no secret to the sauce. The curator and I work together to make sure both the regular bundle and the bonus bundle are balanced for the amount that they cost. Sometimes an author will be in the bonus bundle and if they’re in another bundle, they’ll be in the regular bundle. It depends on what makes sense for that particular bundle.
Kaye: The Novel Writing Story Bundle is the second Story Bundle which I’ve been a part of, mainly because I am fortunate enough to know Kevin J. Anderson, who organizes the ones I’ve participated in. I know other big authors like Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Katheryn Rusch organize them, too. But how do you get into a Story Bundle if you don’t know someone organizing one? Can you create your own?
Jason: Yes! The only caveat we have is that (99% of the time) the bundles are curated by someone who’s been in a bundle before. Once you’ve been in a bundle, you understand what the bundle is about and what makes for a good bundle and what works for participating in a bundle. This way you know which authors to look for when you’re assembling one. You work with us to figure out a genre that you want, and we refine the idea and can help you get in touch with some other publishers if you need to.
Kaye: Both Story Bundles I’ve had books in are writing resource bundles. Can you make a story bundle of any genre?
Jason: Yes, any genre is fine, but to get a little inside baseball, there are a couple of genres that don’t do well on StoryBundle. The biggest one is romance, which for whatever reason doesn’t appeal to StoryBundle readers. But even more of a surprise is that romance authors’ own fans don’t really enjoy the bundling concept—at least on StoryBundle. We’ve tried all types of romance bundles in all varieties of flavors, but none of them ever have good uptake.
Kaye: Is there a cost to organize your own Story Bundle?
Jason: There’s no cost to curating a bundle!
Kaye: Now I know why as an author, I might want to have my books in a story bundle. But why would readers wnat to buy books through Story Bundle? What are the benefits to readers in purchasing a Story Bundle?
Jason: As a reader, there are a few benefits. First, there’s just the core concept of vetting—we choose our books carefully with our curators, and they have to meet a certain bar of quality to get in. Of course, it’s impossible to guarantee that you’ll like all the books in the bundle, but if you already like one or two of the authors in it, you’re likely to enjoy the rest.
There are other tangible benefits, such as getting DRM-free copies of books that you can load on any ereader, tablet or phone without having to worry about compatibility. You’ll also support indie authors and be able to donate to a worthy cause!
Kaye: Does every Story Bundle donate to charity?
Jason: Every bundle has a charity donation, but it’s up to each person if they want to donate part of their purchase to charity. If they don’t, that’s perfectly fine!
Kaye: What types of charities does Story Bundle support?
Jason: We have a long list of charities that we’ve supported before, from literacy charities, animal charities, science and gaming charities, to health and medicine and worldwide refugee focused charities, so there’s no real limit to what can be a charity target for StoryBundle. If there’s a specific one that a curator would like to have in their bundle, we can make it work!
Would you like your book to be in a Story Bundle?
Now that I know what it takes to currate a Story Bundle, I’m thinking of trying one of my own, because I know that they sell books. Since I’m a multi-genre author, I could do western, women’s fiction, paranormal, science fiction, dark fiction, or children’s books. If you’re interested let me know and tell me what genre(s) you write in. Either let me know in the comments, or email me at KLBWordCrafter@gmail.com. Let’s see if we can get together and sell some books.
About the Novel Writing Story Bundle
The Novel Writing Story Bundle features writing references on writing craft, writing business, and the writing life, which should be on every author’s bookshelf. In addition to my own The D.I. Y. Author, which is a bonus book, there are also featured Dollar by Dollar and Word by Word, by Kerrie Flanagan; Romance Character Tropes, by Jessica Barber and Tara G. Ericson; Booking the Library, by Jessica Brawner; Kevin J. Anderson’s On Being a Dictator; Steps to Self-Editing, by Jana S. Brown; A Writer’s Guide to Branding Success, by Mark Leslie Lefabvre; Mood & Atmosphere, by Joshua Essoe; From Page to Platform, by Matty Dalrymple and M.L. Ronn; Wit & Wisdom, by Craig Martelle; Wulf Moon’s Illustrated Super Secrets of Writing, volume 1; Falling to Fly, by Todd Fahnestock; and a year’s subscription to Indie Author Magazine. That’s 13 writing references plus the magazine subscription. What a deal!
A note on the designated charity for this StoryBundle, the Neil Peart Brain Cancer Research Fund from Cedars Sinai. In 2020 we lost Neil Peart, legendary drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush, to glioblastoma. He was my mentor, friend, and collaborator on numerous books, and his loss affected me deeply. Neil’s friends and colleagues and fans worldwide have contributed to this glioblastoma research fund in Neil’s name, and we are proud to add our efforts on this Novel Writing StoryBundle as well. – Kevin J. Anderson
You can get in on this great Story Bundle here: https://storybundle.com/writing
About Author Kaye Lynne Booth
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; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, 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.
______________________________________________
This post is sponsored by The D.I.Y. Author and WordCrafter Press.
Being an author today is more than just writing the book. Authors in this digital age have more opportunities than ever before. Whether you pursue independent or traditional publishing models, or a combination of the two, being an author involves not only writing, but often, the publishing and marketing of the book.
In this writer’s reference guide, multi-genre author and independent publisher, Kaye Lynne Booth shares her knowledge and experiences and the tools, books, references and sites to help you learn the business of being an author.
Topics Include:
Becoming Prolific
Writing Tools
Outlining
Making Quality a Priority
Publishing Models & Trends
Marketing Your Book
Book Covers & Blurbs
Book Events—In Person & Virtual
And more…
Purchase your copy today: https://books2read.com/The-DIY-Author
Share this:
Book Review: Wild Blackberries
Posted: October 18, 2024 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Paranormal, Review | Tags: Book Review, Lorrie Unties-Struiff, Wild Blackberries, Writing to be Read Leave a commentMy Review
I purchased a digital copy of Wild Blackberries, by Lorrie Unites- Struiff, on Freebooksie. All opinions stated here are my own.
Wild Blackberries is a short paranormal story about a woman kidnapped by her ex-husband and she survives in an unexpected way. It is very brief. So short, in fact, that I was unable to find it on Amazon for a cover image or description. It was an interesting tale, but it didn’t really grab me. For a short read, while waiting in the doctor’s office or maybe on a break at work, I give it four quills.
_________________________________________
Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter.
Share this:
Chatting with the Pros: Jenifer Ruff
Posted: October 12, 2024 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Chatting with the Pros, Fiction, Interview, Review | Tags: Book Review, Chatting with the Pros, Interview, Jenifer Ruff, Kaye Lynne Booth, The Bad Neighbor, The Victoria HEslin Thriller Series, Writing to be Read 8 Comments
My “Chatting with the Pros” guest for October is crime fiction author Jenifer Ruff. She was a guest back when
I first ran the blog series, and I am delighted to have her back for the renewel of the series. (You can see our original interview here.) I am a big fan of her Agent Victoria Heslin Series and I’ve also read the first book in her FBI & CDC series. (You’ll find the links to those reviews in the interview below.)
About Jenifer Ruff
USA TODAY bestselling author Jenifer Ruff writes dark and twisty thrillers, including the award-winning Agent Victoria Thriller Series. Jenifer lives in North Carolina and the mountains of Virginia with her family and a pack of greyhounds. If she’s not writing, she’s probably devouring books or out exploring trails with her dogs. For more information you can visit her website at Jenruff.com or join her at Facebook at facebook.com/authorjruff/
Interview
Kaye: Your books are published under Greyt Companion Press, which is your independent press. Why did you choose to publish independently? Did you try traditional publishing first?
Jenifer: Honestly, I didn’t know what I was doing at first. I didn’t look for an agent, I just started with a small publisher a friend had used. They were great, and it didn’t cost me a penny, but I soon realized I wanted more control over my books. Over the past few years, working full-time as an author and publisher, my writing opportunities grew to a bit more than I could handle alone. Now I have a literary agent who is helping me with some traditional opportunities, foreign rights, and sub rights.
Kaye: As an independent author, can you tell us about your author journey and how you became a U.S.A. Today bestselling author?
Jenifer: Since my first book was published almost ten years ago, I’ve written and published sixteen more books, learned as much as I could about the craft of writing, publishing, and book marketing. I love all of it, and with the industry and tools constantly changing, it’s impossible to ever get bored.
Kaye: I have to say I love your Victoria Heslin thriller series, and I’ve read and reviewed all but two of them. But that series isn’t the only one you write. You also write the FBI & CDC series, and the Brook Walton series. Can you talk a little about each series, so readers might get an idea of each one?
Jenifer: First, thank you so much for reading and reviewing my books. I’m so grateful! Here is a little about each series. All of my books are dark and twisty, but clean (no sex, no swearing.)
The Agent Victoria Thriller Series – The Numbers Killer, Pretty Little Girls, When They Find Us, Ripple of Doubt, The Groom Went Missing, Vanished on Vacation, The Atonement Murders, The Ones They Buried, The Bad Neighbor
Victoria is an introverted special agent with the FBI. She is also an heiress, which allows her to pursue her passion of rescuing animals. She is smart, determined, selfless, and courageous. Victoria’s investigations include tracking serial killers, spree killers, and several missing person cases. She also survived a plane crash and its harrowing aftermath, an incident that made global headlines as rescuers struggled to find the missing jet.
The Brooke Walton Series – Everett, Rothaker, The Intern
This dark psychological thriller series features Brooke Walton, an Ivy League psychopath, on her journey through college and medical school. Brooke is the most determined woman ever. She won’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of her goals. Her stories give you a chilling look inside her mind. Brooke is my favorite creation. Readers either love her, want to see her locked up for life, or can’t quite decide.
The FBI & CDC Thriller Series – Only Wrong Once, Only One Cure, and Only One Wave: The Tsunami Effect
This series features infectious disease expert Dr. Madeline Hamilton and FBI Anti-Terror Agent Quinn Traynor. They’ve dedicated their lives to preventing epidemics and terrorism. I’ve placed them in terrifying situations, forcing them to risk their own lives again and again to protect the rest of us.
Kaye: Most stories are not non-stop action. What are some tips you can offer rising authors for keeping the tension going and holding readers’ interest?
Jenifer: If you’re bored with what you’ve written, readers probably will be too, so scrap the bits that don’t excite you. Always have a central question that needs answering (Who did it? What is the motive? What is the connection?) to keep readers turning the pages.
Kaye: There is some of you in the character of Victoria Heslin, for sure. For one thing, she has a bunch of greyhounds, and you do, as well. Although I don’t think you have as many as she does. What other aspects of Jenifer Ruff went into the creation of Victoria Heslin?
Jenifer: Besides her love for animals, Victoria is an introvert. She’s not shy, but the act of socializing drains her energy, while quiet activities and alone time fill her up – and that is totally me. In most of the Victoria books she picks up a mystery-thriller to read on her Kindle when she has downtime. That’s something I do every day.
Kaye: A current hot topic in the writing and publishing worlds is the use of generative AI in writing and imagery, and even AI narration for audiobooks. Where do you stand on the use of AI?
Jenifer: I think AI is amazing, and I’d prefer it not get any better at writing or narration for the sake of everyone currently making a living in those occupations! I don’t think it could ever push authors and audio book narrators out of the market completely, since so much of a book’s success is related to marketing efforts, and of course luck. But who knows. It’s exciting and also scary.
Kaye: What is the best advice you have for aspiring authors of Crime Fiction?
Jenifer: Read as much as you can in the genre. If you simply enjoy writing and are happy to see your book in print, there are many stress-free ways to accomplish that goal. If sales are important, you must be on social media promoting your books, constantly making an effort to reach new readers. There’s really no way around that these days, unless you have an amazing publishing team doing it for you.
Kaye: Would you like to tell us about your latest book?
Jenifer: The Bad Neighbor is book 9 in my Victoria series but written as a standalone like the rest of them. I just finished proofing the audiobook—narrator Kate Handford just blew me away with her recording—and it’s fresh in my mind. Writing villains is my absolute favorite, getting into their heads and creating their motives, and this one was especially interesting to me. Here’s a taste of what it’s about.
In the idyllic Mountain Meadows neighborhood, a fresh start can quickly become a fatal ending.
For newcomers Chris and Zoey Hamilton, the affluent community seems like the perfect location to build a life together. Instead, history repeats itself when Zoey vanishes without a trace—just like the previous homeowner five years ago.
The secrets in Mountain Meadows run deep, and the greatest threats aren’t lurking in the shadows…they’re hosting dinner parties, attending parent-teacher conferences, going to yoga, and waving hello from behind their perfectly trimmed hedges. One of those polite, smiling individuals will stop at nothing to keep the past buried.
Kaye: Where can interested readers find out more about you and your books?
Jenifer: All my books and audiobooks are available on Amazon or through my website Jenruff.com. Print and audiobooks can also be ordered from any major retailer. If my books aren’t in your local library, you can always request them. Libraries are usually very accommodating to requests.
Thank you so much for interviewing me and for your thoughtful questions. I really appreciate it!
My Review of The Bad Neighbor
I received a digital copy of The Bad Neighbor in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
That being said, and as already stated, I am a big fan of Jenifer Ruff’s Agent Victoria Heslin Thriller series, of which this is book 9. Each book tells of a different case or situation in which our protagonist, Victoria Heslin, finds herself in. Usually, it’s an accounting of a case that she’s working as a government agent, but occassionally, as in When They Find Us, Heslin is off duty and the situation occurs in her personal life.
In The Bad Neighbor, Heslin finds trouble brewing right in her own neighborhood when a new neighbor turns up missing, and Victoria and her lover, Ned, join in the search to find her and uncover hidden secrets about her neighbors which make them all look a little guilty. It seems that everyone has something to hide and one of them is a killer.
As all the other books in this series, The Bad Neighbor is well written, masterfully leading the reader through twists and turns which eventually lead to a solution to the mystery. This book is everything that a crime fiction thriller should be and makes one wonder how much we really know about our neighbors, and how much do we really want to know. I give it five quills.
_______________________________________
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 on the Book Review tab above.
________________________________________
Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter.
