Dragon Shaman: Book Two The Smoky Mirror available on Amazon

It has taken a while to get the book over there, but Dragon Shaman book two is finally available on Amazon.  The paperback version is even cheaper on there, considerably.

Paperback
Kindle

It is also available on Smashwords, and still available through Lulu.  Due to Lulu's higher costs, books through that print facility will still retain their higher price, so I suggest purchasing your copy on Amazon (either paperback or Kindle) or Smashwords (several ebook formats).

The second edition of Dragon Shaman: Book One Taming the Blowing Wind is also currently available at Smashwords.  Right now that has a version of the original cover.  When Victoria Davis is finished with the recover, I will upload the new cover, and those that purchase it now on Smashwords will then be able to have both the new and old covers.

Editing and Housecleaning

Something that I personally have noticed a connection between is the editing process and house cleaning.  I don't know how many people have noticed this, so maybe, if you're one of those lucky people that don't have trouble with keeping things clear and spiffy, this won't apply to you.

A big thing is clutter.  Excess toys and knicknacks.  Some people like this and won't feel comfortable if the room they are in isn't filled with these things.  Other people detest them and get nervous if there are more than a few.  So it is a matter of personal taste, unless it's at a level where one can't even move.  Now, these can equate to points, plots, and subpoints in your story  For example, I get bored if a story is too simple.  Children's books usually need to be, unless you're writing for older children... advanced kids will be picking up advanced books early.  So when I'm reading for personal pleasure, I want something intricate, full of plot turns, and if there are plot holes, I like to see those apparent holes get filled in later on in ways that make me go "Holey Moley, that is AWESOME, well played."  You want enough to keep things interesting, but if you're going to have tons, then it is a good idea to pare down or make separate books.  You want a good flow and a good challenge.  Also, how well these are handled is important as well.

Then you've got your typos and the little grammar problems, such as there, their, and they're.  These are important, and nothing looks worse (at least to me) than misusing a word.  There are lots of people with spelling problems.  That is what the proofing process is for.  If you are a terrible speller or know you confuse those (and even if not) then once you finish and have proofread and edited your own work, have someone else look at it that you know IS good with these, several when possible.

This is why every title submitted to me is required to go through editing with either myself or Faith (often, both, though the time-fee stays the same unless it's an intensive revision/proof).  Those things are like the dust that slip through the cracks and the dustbunnies under the couch.  They are everywhere, but need to be looked for.  Our brains have auto correct, and an author isn't going to catch them all.

So what makes for an easier to follow book?

• Reduce the unnecessary
• Dust out your typos
• Make sure things flow properly

If something has to be moved from kitchen to living room, do so.  If you've got this great subplot, use it by all means, but if it would work better in another spot, try rewriting that section.  This applies for not just your stories, but if you are a college or university student writing papers every two weeks (or spaced out more if you're lucky), do not be afraid to revise.  If I were to put all the essays that I have written for university to date into one project folder, I'd have enough to write a textbook of my own in Asian Studies.  Granted, even with most of them receiving A grades, they are not perfect and could still stand some revision.

Finally, one more similarity between housecleaning and editing.  Most people don't like to do it.  But it is necessary to make things look their best.

Thank you for listening to today's post.  I encourage conversation, so if there is anything you would like to add, or something you'd like to debate a bit, feel free to comment.

Chapter 13 of Selkies' Skins now available

Chapter 13: Out in the Storm from the free to read web serial novel "Selkies' Skins" is now live on LiveJournal, Dreamwidth, and the serial stories site.

Join Kirsty Makay as she balances her school life, friends, and special training for her role as a waterwitch and future priestess of the waters and life under Mara and the mysterious Lady of the Well.  In this episode, she must steal her way out to care for David during his transformation.  Will she make it to the sanctuary?  Or will something go awry?

If you like the story, don't forget to send a tip (if you can) or cast a vote for it at top web fiction, via the vote link at the bottom of the installment.  There are also other works from other authors on the web fiction guide.

Read chapter 13 now at:
LiveJournal
Dreamwidth
Teresa Garcia Serials

or navigate the story via chapter listing.

More things today!

Today has been a busy day.  In addition to having migrated both of Steven Disney's books to Smashwords for distribution (to make for more formats for our readers, not just the main two in ebooks), Elizabeth Buckley's work has also been migrated.

Call of the Kami has been opened up for audiobook narration, and I am still working on getting Dragon Shaman: The Smoky Mirror over to ACX for audiobook production as well.  Later on, Call of the Kami will also be migrated to the Smashwords distribution page.

I am looking forward to getting back to working on the Selkies' Skins webserial and Dragon Shaman: The Forge and Well again though.

Dragon Shaman: Taming the Blowing Wind audiobook

Still looking for someone to record the audiobook version of Dragon Shaman: Taming the Blowing Wind.  This is a good opportunity to start an at home career and get residual royalties for a long term income, and there are many other titles from other publishers and authors that are available at this creation site.  Become part of our team!

Follow the Link to audition for our first audiobook.  Other titles will be opening too, eventually.
https://www.acx.com/titleview/A3JNQQVYL01C0W

Hmmm

It feels a bit odd that, when I open the publishing mailbox, to think "This is where I look for submissions, supplies, and book proofs."  It is even odder to see that yellow slip of paper telling me to go into the office and get a box of something that was too big to fit, and know "this is that new proof I was waiting on.  It's here."  Odder yet is to go in and say "Hey guys, how's it going?  I do believe you've got a book proof for me to look over."

I handed daughter her mail from our personal box, and I opened the box for work right there in the car in front of the post office.  I like the book from the Createspace printer better than the Lulu.  The paper feels better, and the volume actually is thinner, though the book is the same...  Even the cover has a better feel to the touch.  I can ask lower prices for something that just feels better.  So, though I will keep Lulu as a printer and distributor, it is looking very like this other one is preferable now (despite the entity it is connected with).  Lower prices is more likely to mean more sales.  I even like this ink better that was used, it looks crisper.

*sigh* Migrations though...  However, with this in mind, the new edition of the Dragon Shaman's book one that was intended just for ebook looks very like I will do print as well, then launch that together once Salaiek is done with the recover.

This just feels weird.

It was very nice to be stopped by the neighbor currently reading the first book to be told how much he is enjoying it.  He made me blush when he told me how excited he was that he had learned a new word that he had needed to look up.  It makes me happy to know that my intentions are being met and appreciated.

It's just getting the book to those in the niche.

At the Fiesta

So, Fiesta is over, and I'm BUSHED.

Sales were not as high as I'd hoped, but well enough considering the area, and where our booth was located.  I got to talk to a lot of people and promote not only my books, but the books of the others, including the ones I currently didn't have stock with me for but are available online.  I got to talk to several people about the audiobook opening and the anthology, and passed out flyers on that.  There were also free bookmarks and bumper stickers (I want to clear out current stock of bumper stickers to make way for new ones).  All in all, it was not a bad event for us, all things considered.  I learned some valuable lessons that will help out, and we experimented with table layouts and how they either drew or repelled people.  Sam and I want to save up to go to one of the cons, and are thinking about what would need to be done to organize an art and book expo in this area.

I'm thinking bookboards for next time to display books.  Anyone out there that has gone to expos, cons, etc before to sell/promote their books and wares, tips that worked for you would be welcome so we can try them next time.

Yes Vad, there's going to be a next time.  Sorry dear.  Publisher hat means I've got to wear the Marketing hat too for myself and the other authors with me.  Publisher hat is heavy...

I wish my sister's cake booth had done better, but there are other events.  She was not properly sited, and we don't know why.  She had lots of cake left over at the end which she passed out, so people ended up with free samples and are looking forward to more for next time.  One lady bought almost a whole cake after eating her free slice.  I'm thinking that if there were some way we could do free samples and keep track of who already had some, that might help...

Yesterday was my brother's birthday also.  I still have to get pictures off my phone to the computer (which is a hassle because it's a trackfone phone, and they don't do the internet, and it won't let me email pics to myself...).  He was not enjoying working on his birthday, and I can't blame him.  Working the gas station had to be insane.