Writer’s Corner: Why I changed my Twitter(X) handle

Caracature of a woman typing on a keyboard at a very messy desk. Text: Writer's Corner with Kaye Lynne Booth

Branding is Important

I recently changed my Twitter handle, or X handle, or whatever it is we call it now. I can’t say that I like all the new changes to the platform, but honestly, although I’ve been on Twitter since 2010 as @GodsAngel1, I’ve not used it a lot, so many of the changes may have slipped my notice. Back in 2022, when I graduated, my cohorts pointed out that my Twitter handle was different than all my author social media call names, which either associated me as an author, or as a publisher with WordCrafter Press. I said that I had been @GodsAngel1 for so long that to change, well, no one would be able to find me.

But the thought of changing my Twitter handle never left me, and I knew they were right. @GodsAngel1 was a personal handle used when Twitter first came out, and you were limited to so few characters, that I couldn’t post a tweet with what I wanted to say. It didn’t really fit in with my author and publisher branding. Since 2022, I’ve been using Twitter, now known as X, more, and the idea of changing my handle kept popping into my head when using the platform. I don’t know why I kept dragging my feet on the issue, but I did until recently when a friend of mine wanted to help me out with promotions, and ask me if I could change my handle to something less personal, more professional. I decided that I couldn’t fight it any more, especially when I knew how important consistant branding is, so I gave in and changed it.

Making the Change

First, I had to figure out how to change my Twitter handle, but with some solid guidance from one of my cohorts, I found the proper channel in the app. I erased my previous handle and entered WordCrafterPress, and ws informed it was too long, as was AuthorKayeLynneBooth. So, I tried just putting in WordCrafter, and was informed that name was already in use by someone else. So much for branding.

Then, it occured to me that with the new nonfiction book on the process of becoming an independently published author, and doing it all yourself will add a new deminsion to my branding, and I could use this change to strengthen that connection, as the D.I.Y. Author. That’s what I am, and it’s what the book is about: becoming a D.I.Y. author as inexpensively as possible and still get results. So, you can now reach me on Twitter, or X, using my new handle @DIY_Author.

I hope you’ll look me up, like and follow because I need all the peeps I can get. Or does that have a new name, too? What are followers on X called? And when we post is it still a tweet? I can’t keep up with all the changes, and I’m still learning the ropes, so to speak, so please be patient with me.

Coming in 2024

Book Cover: A manual typewriter with a page of typed words visible in foreground. A shelf of books in the background. 
Text on page: Write a Book, Format the Story, Publish the Manuscript, Create an Outline, Create a Marketing Plan, Generate Reviews, Hide Under the Covers
Text: The D.I.Y. Author, Kaye Lynne Booth

How to work through the stages of the writing process on your own. The D.I.Y. Author shares the expertise I’ve spent years to acquire in one volume that will save new and aspiring authors both time and money, and inexpensive, but successful strategies for marketing and promotion.

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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.

Author Kaye Lynne Booth

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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.


Exciting News! The Rock Star & The Outlaw in Audiobook

Audiobook Cover: Huge sundial lightning and a planet in the background. Long haired girl in leather and guy dressed as cowboy stand behind gigantic guitar in forefront. 
Text: The Rock Star & The Outlaw, Kaye Lynne Booth, When a woman with a guitar meets a cowboy with a gun, it's time to travel, AI Audio Narrated

It’s here! If you’ve been waiting for The Rock Star & The Outlaw to come out in audio, it’s finally here!

I’m so excited! The Rock Star & the Outlaw is now available in AI Narrated Audio through Apple Books for only 7.99.

https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-rock-star-the-outlaw/id1722934411

The audio book is AI narrated, but don’t let that deter you without giving it a chance. The female voiced narration is actually pretty good. And there’s a button where you can listen to a sample on the book’s page at Apple Books, so you can check it out before you buy. Above is the direct link, but it’s also listed on the book’s Books2Read page with all the other distributors where it’s available, so you can get it in digital or print, if you prefer.

https://books2read.com/RockStarOutlaw

If you don’t have your copy yet, what are you waiting for?

Reviews

Still need convincing? Check out these reviews.

Kyrosmagica: https://mjmallon.com/2023/11/12/review-of-the-rockstar-the-outlaw-godsangel1-bookreview-time-travel-adventure-western-outlaw-rockstar/

Selma: https://selmamartin.com/a-book-review-the-rock-star-and-the-outlaw-by-kaye-lynne-booth/

Roberta Writes: https://roberta-writes.com/2024/01/23/roberta-writes-book-reviews-dont-lose-your-head-by-dave-williams-and-the-rockstar-the-outlaw-by-kaye-lynne-booth-bookreviews-readingcommunity/

Book Trailer

Or you can check out the book trailer here:

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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.


Had to Share This Wonderful Review of The Rock Star & The Outlaw

Thanks to M J Mallon. Check it out on her Kyrosmagica blog site.


The Final Stretch for Sarah

Book Trailer – Sarah: Book 2 of the Women in the West Adventure Series

Kickstarter Campaign Ending Soon

We’re in the final stretch of the Kickstarter campaign for Sarah as February 12th approaches, and we need your help. Kickstarters are an all or nothing deal, so all the good intentioned pledges we already have won’t mean a thing if we don’t reach the $500 funding goal, and we’re not there yet. There’s still one week to go, still time to reach the goal, but we can’t do it without your support.

I want to thank all of you who have already backed the campaign, even on the lowest tier level of $5. Every little bit helps us get closer to the funding goal and is greatly appreciated. I know times are tight right now for many of you, and for me, too. If you are in a time when you’ve had to tighten your belt and aren’t able to contribute monetarily, you can still support the project by sharing with others to help me reach those who may be better able. And I promise, I’ll appreciate any support you have to offer during this final push to make this campaign a success.

About the Project

Sarah is Book 2 in the Women in the West series of historical western women’s fiction, with strong female protagonists and fictionalized characters pulled right from the history books. At 17, Sarah discovers who she has become as she faces the dangers of the western frontier with courage and persistance when she is stolen away from the Ute tribe she has come to think of as family. When she manages to find her way to 1887 Glenwood Springs, Colorado, with her horse, Beepi and her trusted dog, Blue, she makes the acquaintance of Big Nose Kate Elder and her long time companion, Doc Holiday, as he lives out his final days, and many other colorful characters.

Your Support is Needed

Please use the link below and back this project. Help me to make the Women in the West adventure series the grand vision which I have for them. The Kickstarter campaign offers an opportunity to buy direct through the author via crowdfunding. When you buy books direct, the author makes a larger royalty than when purchased through distributors.

Plus, it offers exclusive rewards which you can’t get anywhere else: early digital copies, signed print copies, and Special Illustrated Editions of Books 1&2, not available through distributors.

Please click on the link below and help support my Kickstarter campaign for Sarah.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kayelynnebooth-wcp/sarah-3


WordCrafter News: Kickstarter Update & My Next Project

Newsprint background. WordCrafter quill logo Text: WordCrafter News

Update on Kickstarter Campaign

The Kickstarter campaign for Sarah is in full swing, but we haven’t fully funded yet. I set a $500 goal and we’re only 25% funded. The thing about Kickstarters is that they are an all or nothing deal. The campaign ends on February 12, and if it hasn’t fully funded by then, the backers pay nothing, and the author gets nothing, and all that is lost is the time and hard work put into the campaign. So, when you make a pledge, its just that and you don’t have to pay anything until the campaign ends on February 12, if it funds, and if it doesn’t, you pay nothing, and must wait until March 19th to get a copy of Sarah through distributors.

The good thing is, once funded, the author receives anything over and above the funding goal to help support the project even further. I’ve been discussing doing the series in audiobook with a talented narrator, and if this campaign funds enough above the funding goal, you will see that happen in the future.

That’s why I really want this campaign to be successful. And there’s no reason that it can’t be. We’ve got some exclusive rewards which can’t be found anywhere else: early digital copies of Sarah, signed print copies of Sarah, and Special Illustrated Editions of both Delilah & Sarah. (Special Edition covers and illustrations by DL Mullan of Sonoran Dawn Studios.) Plus both digital and signed print copies of Delilah are available as add ons.

The best piece of advice I was given when learning about Kickstarters was only do campaigns for projects that you are going to do anyway. So, if it doesn’t fund, it won’t mean the end of the project, but it will be disappointing.

You can help, and get some of those great rewards, by backing the campaign before February 12. Your support of the project could help to reach the funding goal and more. Won’t you consider supporting this project?

You can check out the Kickstarter campaign and back this project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kayelynnebooth-wcp/sarah-3/

About the Books & the Series

Bookcover for Sarah in the foreground, Indian tipis in the background.
Text: Women in the West, Historical Western Women's Fiction, storng femal protagonists, fictionalized historical characters, western frontier life brought to life, Sarah, Book 2

Sarah is Book 2 of the Women in the West Adventure Series. The series is western historical women’s fiction with strong female protagonists and historical figures from the true life turned fictional in each book.

Sarah

Sarah is a young girl trying to make a place for herself in the world.

Sarah is not the young girl who was stolen away from Delilah anymore. Now she is Hair of Fire, mate of Three Hawks, even as she blossoms into a young woman and tries to make a place for herself among the Ute tribe.

When she is stolen away from the life she’s made with the Utes, she struggles to survive in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. A streak of stubbornness and determination take this tough, feisty heroine up against wild beasts of the forest and the rugged mountain landscape to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where she receives a less than welcoming reception by some.

Will this young woman find her way back to the Ute tribe which she’s come to think of as family, or will she discover a place among the colorful inhabitants of the Colorado hot springs and mining town?

Follow along on her journey to learn who she truly is and where she belongs in this rough, and often hostile frontier.If you like strong and capable female protagonists, you’ll love Sarah.

Sarah on digital device
Bookcover: Monochrome Indian tipis in the background. Red-haired girl wrapped in woven blanket staring out at you with penetrating eyes.
Text: Sarah, Women in the West Adventure Series, Kaye Lynne Booth

About Delilah

Book Cover: Monochrome prison bars in background. Woman on a galloping horse and a noose in foreground.
Text: Delilah, Women in the West Adventure Series, Kaye Lynne Booth

Delilah is a woman haunted by her past.

Her homecoming from prison quickly turns into a quest for vengeance when she is brutally raped and left for dead, and her fourteen-year-old ward is abducted. Sheer will and determination take this tough and gritty heroine up against wild beasts of the forest, Indians and outlaws to Leadville.

Can the colorful inhabitants of the Colorado mining town work their way into Delilah’s heart, offering a chance for a future she thought she’d lost along with her innocence?

If you like strong and capable female protagonists, you’ll love Delilah.

A New W.I.P.: The D.I.Y. Author

Book Cover: Manual Typewriter below a shelf of books. Paper in typewriter reads: Write a Book, Format The Story, Publish the Manuscript, Create a Marketing Plan, Generate Reviews, Hide Under the Covers
Cover Text: The D.I.Y. Author, Kaye Lynne Booth

In February, I’ll begin the actual writing of The D.I.Y. Author, my first writing reference book, and I’m excited to tell you about it.

I’ve put together writing reference anthologies in the past, drawing on the expertise of many authors, but The D.I.Y. Author will be the first writing reference book I’ve ever created solo, so I’m very excited, (and a bit nervous), about it. The biggest problem with putting out a reference book such as this one, is imposter syndrome. I mean, reference books are written by experts, aren’t they? So to create a book like this, you must consider yourself to be an expert and be able to convince others that you are so they will read it. I’ve never considered myself to be an expert, in fact I spend a good amount of time learning whatever I can from others whom I consider to be experts. So, looking at myself as the expert is a different point of view for me, a different mindset, but I’m learning. And that is how this book came about.

This book is about a subject that I am an expert about: doing it all yourself on a very limited budget. That’s me. It’s what I do. And in The D.I. Y. Author, I’ll be sharing all the tips and tricks that I’ve picked up along the way. I’ll share with you how I do it, from planning the book, to writing the book, to publishing and marketing the book. And it’s all stuff that you can do, too!

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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.


Kickstarter Campaign for Sarah Starts Today

Back the Kickstarter Campaign Here

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kayelynnebooth-wcp/sarah-3

About the project-Sarah: Book 2 of the Women in the West Adventure Series

It’s finally here! Sarah is book 2 in my Women in the West adventure series. Some of you may have been waiting for this book since last year’s Kickstarter campaign for Delilah, which is the first book in the series.

In case you are just hearing about this book and the Women in the West adventure series, let me tell you about both. In the Women in the West adventure series, each book features a strong female protagonist braving the American frontier in the late 1800s, and fictionalized versions of true life historical characters. Delilah met Baby Doe and H.W. Tabor, who were instrumental in turning the mining camp of Leadville into a bonified town, and Sarah befriends Doc Holiday and Big Nose Kate.

Sarah is the second book in the series. Those following the series were introduced to the girl of 14 in Book 1: Delilah, when she was abducted and sold to the Ute Indians. Now as a 17 year old, she’s made a life for herself as a Ute squaw, and mate to the chief’s brother, becoming a valuable member of the tribe, until a mysterious Sioux warrior appears and turns her world upside down. Stolen away from those who she’s come to call family, she must face not only her abductor, but the dangers of the American frontier in a constant fight for survival.

Book Trailer

Book Trailer – Sarah: Book 2 of the Women in the West Adventure Series

Why Back This Campaign?

You mean beside the fact that you think I’m awesome and you can’t wait to read everything I write?

Just kidding. I know you all love me. 🙂

Seriously, we have some excellent rewards for this Kickstarter campaign which you can’t get anywhere else. You can get an early digital copy or a signed print copy of Sarah, or a Special Ilustrated Editions of both Delilah and Sarah. And you can get both digital and print copies of Delilah as add ons for less than you would pay through distributors. You can back the project for as little as $5 or as much as $100, depending on the reward teir that you choose.

The goal is $500, and if funded, your support of the campiagn will go toward the wonderful covers for the Special Illustrated Editions, by DL Mullan and Sonoran Dawn Studios, and help to keep me afloat as I work on Book 3: Marta, scheduled to come out in 2025, and all the projects that are lined up for the coming year. It would be great to fund the campaign in the first 24 hours and move it onto the favorite projects lists over at Kickstarter, maybe funding even more than the $500 goal. I’ve been thinking of making this series available in audio, and I’d love to raise enough to get my narrater for that. All support is appreciated.


Sarah Kickstarter Coming Soon

The Campaign

The Kickstarter Campaign for Sarah: Book 2 in the Women in the West adventure series is set to launch on January 21, 2024, and I’m excited to tell you about it.

This will be a 21 day campaign and the goal is $500. Remember, Kickstarter campaigns are all or nothing, so if we don’t reach the goal, you don’t owe your pledge and I walk away with nothing. But, I ran two successfully funded campaigns in 2023, including Book 1 of this series, Delilah, and I’m hoping this one will do even better. If I raise enough over and above the goal, it will enable me to make this series available in audiobook – something I’ve been wanting to do for at least three years.

What’s in it for you?

We’ve got some great rewards for this campaign. As with other campaigns, backing at the $5 tier offers an early digital copy of Sarah, and backing at the $25 tier offers a signed print copy of the book, not available anywhere else. In addition, there are Special Illustrated Editions of both Sarah and Delilah, and an opportunity to name a character in Book 3: Marta. And in case you missed the first Kickstarter, for Book 1 of this series, Delilah is also available in digital and print as add ons.

Pre-Launch Page

The launch isn’t until the 21st, but you can show your support now by signing up on the pre-launch page at the URL below. Following on the pre-launch page will result in receiving a reminder on the day of the actual launch, so you can be one of the first to back this project. All support is greatly appreciated.

Pre-launch URL: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kayelynnebooth-wcp/sarah-3

About the book

Print edition of Sarah

Sarah is a young girl trying to make a place for herself in the world.

Sarah is not the young girl who was stolen away from Delilah anymore. Now she is Hair of Fire, mate of Three Hawks, even as she blossoms into a young woman and tries to make a place for herself among the Ute tribe.

When she is stolen away from the life she’s made with the Utes, she struggles to survive in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. A streak of stubbornness and determination take this tough, feisty heroine up against wild beasts of the forest and the rugged mountain landscape to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where she receives a less than welcoming reception by some.

Will this young woman find her way back to the Ute tribe which she’s come to think of as family, or will she discover a place among the colorful inhabitants of the Colorado hot springs and mining town?

Follow along on her journey to learn who she truly is and where she belongs in this rough, and often hostile frontier.

If you like strong and capable female protagonists, you’ll love Sarah.

About the Women in the West Adventure Series

The Women in the West adventure series is historical western women’s fiction featuring strong female protagonists and fictionalized historical characters brings the American western frontier to life.

  • Book 1: Delilah – A young woman returning to her family home after serving a two year prison sentence for defending her mother and sister, and killing her abusive step-father sets out on a return journey to the family home, which ends up being a quest for revenge.
  • Book 2: Sarah – A young woman, abducted and sold to the Utes, trying to find a place for herself on the western frontier
  • Book 3: Marta (Coming in 2025) – A Mormon woman who has lost her family and been abducted in an Indian attack performs courageous feats as she makes her way on the western frontier.

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About the Author

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.


My Interview on “Write Any Genre”

Mary Deal was kind enough to interview me on Write Any Genre. Drop by and check it out. It’s pretty awesome.


Spread the Love! Leave a Review.

The above meme is found in the back matter of all WordCrafter Press books because it is true. Reviews are the best way to spread the love for authors that you read.

Not everyone can afford to buy a book, or back a Kickstarter campaign, or support a Patreon author. I get that. But it doesn’t cost anything to leave a review. You’ve already got the book in hand, so all it takes is a small amount of time to go onto your blog, or your favorite book site and leave a review, or both.

I do book reviews here on Writing to be Read. And although I’m not real timely about it, I also post my reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub. Now that actually does take some time, but if I use copy/paste from blog to booksite, it isn’t too bad. I do them in batches, after the reviews have posted on my blog. I’ll be doing the last batch for the year in December, so I can start fresh with my January reviews in 2024.

I do that because I think reviews are important for authors, and I appreciate the work that goes into the books that entertain and inform me. I started doing reviews on my blog as a way to show my support for my fellow authors, and free books were just icing on the cake. I’ve never been able to afford my vorocious reading habits, so blogging reviews has been a win-win.

An article by Chuck Wendigg over at Terrible Minds offers good reasons for authors wanting reviews and for leaving reviews. https://terribleminds.com/ramble/2023/10/27/psst-leave-a-review-and-why-leaving-a-review-matters He points out the ‘word of mouth’ value of getting reviews for your books, and he also talks about the all-mighty algorythm, how reviews can affect it, and how it affects your standing with distributors and your book’s visability.

Let’s face it. In today’s marketplace, people check reviews on everything, not just books. Reviews are not a new thing for books, which have been riding on reviews, even when traditional publishing was the only option available to authors. So it should be no surprise that reviews are so very important. And as indie authors in a sea of competing books, they can be hard to come by.

I put a lot of time and effort into getting reviews for my own books and for those of WordCrafter Press, too. Reviews don’t usually fall from the sky, you have to ask for them. I send out review requests to reviewers who might be interested in each book, and offer up ARCs (Advance Review Copies). And I put the above meme in the back of each book to remind readers to leave a review right after they finish the book.

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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; her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; her time-travel adventure, The Rock Star & The Outlaw; and book 1 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah. 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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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.


Final Stop on the Wordcrafter “Midnight Roost” Book Blog Tour

Tour Banner
Spooky graveyard background with one-eyed bird roosting in a tree.
Foreground: Print copy of Midnight Roost and WordCrafter logo
Text: Wordcrafter Book Blog Tours Presents Midnight Roost Weird and Creepy Stories, Contributing Authors, Zack Ellafy,Chris Barili, Joseph Carrabis, DL Mullan, Christa Planko, Paul Kane, Sonia Pipkin, C.R. Johansson. Roberta Eaton Cheadle, Patty Fletcher, Keith J. Hoskins, Denise Aparo, Isabel Grey, Rebecca M. Senese, Mario Acevedo,Kaye Lynne Booth, Michaele Jordan, Robert Kostanczuk, M J Mallon
WordCrafter Midnight Roost Book Blog Tour

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”

Reading from “The Pines” by Denise Aparo

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

Dark and Scary Graveyard in the background. One eyed owl and print copy of Midnight Roost are perched in branches of old, scraggly trees.
Text: From WordCrafter Press, "Melina" by Kaye Lynne Booth - "Not gonna do it," Ralph says, crossing his arms and planting his feet. "No way, no how. That's Augie's corpse floating in the pool. Uh-uh."
Melina had thought Ralph might come to her aid, yet now it seems he would be the one to block her escape. But she can't let that happen. Not when she is so close. Her skin is searing in a fiery rage. She must get out of this pool now.
She raises her head and opens her mouth, letting her siren song pour out. Ralph's eyes glaze over, as Augie's had, and he turns and starres directly at her. A blank stare crosses Eddie's face, and he turns toward her , as well. Did not expect that.

Excerpt from “She Shed Galleria” by C.R. Johansson

Dark and Scary Graveyard in the background. One eyed owl and print copy of Midnight Roost are perched in branches of old, scraggly trees.
Text: From WordCrafter Press, "She Shed Galleria" by C.R. Johannson - "You're an artist." He sipped some of the wine, surprised by its fruity flavor. His wine experience went only as far as a box of bitterness from the corner grocery store.
"It's a Zweigelt," she said as if reading his mind.
He looked at her. Something in her gaze. He fidgeted in his seat. A sudden twinge of panic rushed through him, driven by a primitive intuition deep within him, driven by a primative intuition deep within him, and like a dog who squeezes in between the washing machine and the wall only to find itself trapped. He suddenly wished he hadn't got in the car.

Excerpt from “House on the Plains” by Zack Ellafy

Dark and Scary Graveyard in the background. One eyed owl and print copy of Midnight Roost are perched in branches of old, scraggly trees.
Text: From WordCrafter Press, "House on th Plains" by Zack Ellafy - “I just needed somewhere new and quiet, away from drama. I saw this was a place out of the way and the houses were cheap. Oh, sorry - I hope I didn’t offend you.”
“Oh, no ma’am. We like it that way. You married? Husband didn’t come in with you?”
“No. No husband. Recently divorced, but nope,” Madison said. 
“Really? I don’t want to alarm you, ma’am, but why is there someone sitting in your car?” Jeff asked.
“What?” Madison said as her head turned towards the large windows at the front of the store. There wasn’t a perfect line of sight to her car, so she slowly inched back for a better view. A chill ran up Madison’s spine - she could make out someone sitting in the backseat. His back was turned, but she thought she could make out some sort of hat on his head. It can’t be him, she thought. I covered all my tracks. No one except my family knows I’m even here.

Excerpt from “Take Two” by Rebecca M. Senese

Dark and Scary Graveyard in the background. One eyed owl and print copy of Midnight Roost are perched in branches of old, scraggly trees.
Text: From WordCrafter Press, "Take Two" by Rebecca M. Senes - Sondra handed her mother a mirror.
“What do you think?”
Her mother caught her breath, mouth opening a little. “Oh my,” she breathed. “I never… I had no idea.”
Sondra grinned. “Want to learn how to do it?” 
Her mother glanced up, almost sheepishly. “Could I?”
“You sure could,” Sondra said. She turned to the camera. “What do you think of Florence’s new look? Let me know in the comments! And join us in future videos where I teach Florence, and you, how to achieve this look. It’s easier than you think. Until next time!” 
She waved and turned off the camera.

Excerpt from “A Visitor Comes to the Window” by Robert Kostanczuk

Dark and Scary Graveyard in the background. One eyed owl and print copy of Midnight Roost are perched in branches of old, scraggly trees.
Text: From WordCrafter Press, "A Visitant Comes to the Window" by Robert Kostanczuk - This time, the winged thing was in the center windowpane, middle row. As it stalked about his window, the glass seemed to move with slight waves—undulate—as the mysterious thing methodically crawled from pane to pane.
It was an odd, mesmerizing visual. He felt a pane that was not occupied by the bug, but there was nothing abnormal; the surface was smooth. Then, the vision of the interloper on an adjacent pane caught his eye. The surface seemed to ripple ever so slightly.

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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