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Showing posts from November, 2012

Featuring 2 books from GMTA this weekend. Have you downloaded your copies?

Buffer Both of the following books are FREE on Amazon December 1st & 2nd.

Tessa Coyle: Science Police - The Obsolete Prometheus by @GRIMACHU #scifi

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Book Bomb Book Club - good idea?

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Buffer This idea combines the concepts of a book bomb, book club, and a rewards program. How so? Read on! Before I discuss the idea itself, here are a few definitions. Book Bomb — A "book bomb" is when an author or publisher asks readers to purchase a particular book from Amazon on a specific day. If enough readers cooperate, it pushes the book up in Amazon's rankings, giving it much more exposure than it would get if the same number of copies of the book were purchased over a longer period of time. (via LDS Publisher )

For Women Only, A Novel Approach to Depression in Women: written by @londontracy44

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Buffer "THIS BOOK SAVED MY LIFE!"

Power always carries a price... Stormcaller by @rkmacpherson #fantasy

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Buffer Power always carries a price...

Did you help us with the @DianthaJones and @craigt1 blog tours last month?

Buffer It's confession time!

Teenagers unravel the clues: Unlucky Dip by @Kates_Puzzle

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Buffer FREE November 28 - 30

Dracula’s Desire by @LindaMercury1 #excerpt

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Fantasy: The Dagger of Adendigaeth by @melissagmcphail #sequel

Buffer The Dagger of Adendigaeth Written by Melissa McPhail Follow @melissagmcphail

An enjoyable escape for romance lovers: Guided by a Gypsy by @LeslieBRamey

Buffer Guided by a Gypsy Written by Leslie Ramey Follow @LeslieBRamey

A writing tip and an opinion about the publishing industry from @moonpie125

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Buffer King Biscuit By Michael Loyd Gray Follow @moonpie125 Michael will be awarding a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Let me offer a writing tip before talking about publishing: write your story or novel the way you feel it. I wish I could claim that’s totally original on my part, but it’s actually the advice Robert Duvall’s character in “Tender Mercies” gives to a struggling country band. “Play it the way you feel it,” he told them, and that applies to writing, too—write it the way you feel it. Write it your way. Writing isn’t a team sport. There’s no huddle and no quarterback telling you where to line up and where to go after that. You sit down to write and you’re alone. The story comes from you—so tell it the way you see it. Trust your conception of the story, of the characters, and see it through. Trust your instincts to write it. Tell it the way you see it.

King Biscuit by @moonpie125 - Transport yourself to 1966.

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Buffer King Biscuit By Michael Loyd Gray Follow @moonpie125 Michael will be awarding a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Indiscriminate Slaughter by @stillstorygirl #NaNoWriMo

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Buffer Indiscriminate Slaughter Written by Barbara Huffert Follow @stillstorygirl Blog: http://barbarahuffert.com/ Amazon Author Page: HERE

Drasmyr by @MatthewDRyan1 #vampire

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Buffer Drasmyr By Matthew D. Ryan Follow @MatthewDRyan1 Matthew will be awarding a set of metal miniatures: 3 Nosferatu Vampires (US only) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Runaway by @xomiragexo24 #NaNoWriMo

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Buffer Runaway Written by Jessica Harvey Follow @xomiragexo24 Blog: http://xomiragexo.blogspot.com/

Crack the Indie Author Code by @RChazzChute doesn't cost anything November 26 - 30

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Buffer Crack the Indie Author Code Writing & Publishing Series Written by Robert Chazz Chute Follow @RChazzChute

Attention Authors: I want to build an inventory of books.

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Buffer Authors, I want to " buy " your books. Well, not so much buy as I wouldn't be paying you cash. In exchange for you sending a quantity of your books to me, I'll give you advertising dollars to be used on this site.

Raised by @chettsgenie #NaNoWriMo

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Buffer Raised Written by Sharon Stevenson Follow @chettsgenie

MEET Lyn AKA @ManicScribbler, Our New Crew Member

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Buffer Tell everyone a little bit about yourself. I'm a former English teacher, which automatically makes me an avid reader! I gave up teaching a couple of years ago to focus on my writing, so when I'm not writing, I'm reading and they're two of the best things in life. Who are some of your favorite authors? Books? Too many to list. I love the classics, of course, having been brought up on them and studied them intensively at university. Jane Austen and the Brontes are cosy favourites but when it comes to modern writers, I really enjoy Ian McEwan and Audrey Niffenegger but I'm discovering new favourites every single day and lots of these are indie writers. What are your favorite genres of books to read? I have to say women's fiction - I know that's a really broad category, but then I do have very broad tastes. I generally like my stories to be rooted in reality but I don't mind the occasional supernatural twist - as lon

Do you like time travel?

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Buffer The following is syndicated from The Mad Reviewer and is posted here with permission. Giveaway: Finding Time by Steve Poling

If she follows her muse, will she lose herself? A Part To Play by @frygurl

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Buffer A Part to Play By Jennifer L. Fry

Deleted Scene from A PART TO PLAY by @frygurl

Buffer This is a scene from the first draft of my novel, A Part to Play. This actually takes place before the novel even begins, when Lucy's older sister Kate is still alive. It shows Lucy was accepted into her dream high school, her interaction with her sister, and her major insecurities that existed even before her sister's death. It was deleted because in my initial draft I provided too much back story. Instead of this scene, all the major components are integrated throughout the rest of the book.

Wicked Satyr Nights: The Cursed Satyroi, Book 1 by Rebekah Lewis #excerpt

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Buffer Wicked Satyr Nights The Cursed Satyroi, Book 1 By Rebekah Lewis

One Wild Vegas Night by S.J. Thomas - Breathless Press #excerpt

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Buffer One Wild Vegas Night By S.J. Thomas

His Prey by D. F. Krieger - Breathless Press #excerpt

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Buffer His Prey By D. F. Krieger

Caught Between by Alexis Noor - Breathless Press #excerpt

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Buffer Caught Between By Alexis Noor

Contemporary Romance: Winds of Change by @MetcalfeMary

Buffer Winds of Change Look to the Future By Mary Metcalfe Follow @MetcalfeMary

BUYING ON MARGIN by @MGranovsky #NaNoWriMo

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Buffer BUYING ON MARGIN Written by Maria Granovsky Follow @MGranovsky

Read the beginning of Higher Than Jesus by @RChazzChute using Kindle for the Web

Buffer Higher Than Jesus by Robert Chazz Chute Follow @RChazzChute FREE  on Amazon until November 23rd

Political Thriller: The Tourist Killer by @FCEtier

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Buffer The Tourist Killer Written by FC Etier Follow @FCEtier Cover links to Amazon

Higher than Jesus by @RChazzChute - No cost to you November 19 - 23

Buffer Higher than Jesus The Hit Man Series Written by Robert Chazz Chute Follow @RChazzChute

Dee and Dum by @JadeKerrion #NaNoWriMo

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Buffer Dee and Dum Written by Jade Kerrion Follow @JadeKerrion Site: http://www.jadekerrion.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jadekerrion

An untitled dark thriller by @dehelen #NaNoWriMo

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Buffer ??? Written by Sandra de Helen Follow @dehelen Blog: http://redcrested.com/

Chloe Clever, the Oracle of Delphi, chats with @DianthaJones

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Buffer Chloe comes to my house. Takes a seat on my red, suede couch, folding her legs under her. I sit across from her in an armchair with my back to the door. DJ : Thanks for doing this interview with me. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. Chloe : Guess you should’ve written it sooner then. DJ : (I stare at her) You’ve been hanging around the Prince way too much. Chloe : (She sighs, eyes twinkling) Yes. I most definitely have. DJ : (Rolling my eyes) Okay, so tell me first. How much shock are you still in from learning that the Greek gods are real? Chloe : The shock factor has kind of worn off, actually. Now I’m just tense, waiting for the next unexpected thing to happen. As I told you when I agreed to do this interview, nothing is ever as it seems in  Myth. DJ : Speaking of  Myth,  is it really as beautiful as you describe it in  Prophecy of the Most Beautiful? Chloe : What? It’s  amazing.  Scary and overwhelming at times, but aw

Overheard by @suebethsays #NaNoWriMo

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Buffer OVERHEARD Written by Susan Elizabeth Follow @suebethsays Blog: http://hearsaytheblog.wordpress.com

"This author goes straight to the top of my favourites list." #bookreview

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Buffer Domingo's Angel Written by Jenny Twist Genre: Historical Fiction Book Synopsis When Angela turns up in a remote Spanish mountain village, she is so tall and so thin and so pale that everyone thinks she is a ghost or a fairy or the dreadful mantequero that comes in the night and sucks the fat from your bones. But Domingo knows better. "Soy Angela," she said to him when they met – "I am an angel." Only later did he realize that she was telling him her name and by then it was too late and everyone knew her as Domingo's Angel. This is the story of their love affair. But it is also the story of the people of the tiny mountain village – the indomitable Rosalba - shopkeeper, doctor, midwife and wise woman, who makes it her business to know everything that goes on in the village; Guillermo, the mayor, whose delusions of grandeur are rooted in his impoverished childhood; and Salva the Baker, who risked his life and liberty to give bread

Dreams of Circumstance by @AllieJeanDS

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Buffer Dreams of Circumstance Book #2 The Dreamer Series Written by Allie Jean Follow @AllieJeanDS Site: http://alliejean.net/

Dreams of Circumstance by @AllieJeanDS #NaNoWriMo

Because of a posting failure on Triberr, I am reposting this NaNo excerpt. To read the post, click HERE . I apologize for any inconvenience.

I want [my literary adventures] as far out of this “real” world as possible. - @DianthaJones

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Buffer The following is syndicated from The Book Lover's Report and is posted here with permission from Diantha Jones. Hey Guys!! So, this blog tour stop is loaded up with tons of things: two book reviews, a guest post, and two giveaways! And, here they are:

4.5 stars for Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise by @DianthaJones, review by @YANovelties

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Buffer The following is syndicated from YA Novelties and is posted here with permission from Diantha Jones. Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise (Oracle of Delphi #2) By Diantha Jones ( Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads ) Published: November 12, 2012 eBook, 357 pages It’s official. Myth is doomed. And it’s all Chloe Clever’s fault. Still as whacked out as ever, Chloe is now faced with an even uglier truth: Not only is she the Pythia of the Great Unknown, but she is more powerful than she ever imagined and only the manifestations of her prophetic mind can save them all now.

Sexy Cover Reveal: Solar, Defeated by @DianthaJones

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If people like the message and share it, is it still spam?

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Buffer This is a very controversial topic. Why? Because no one can agree on a set definition of this dreaded word: spam . Consider this one: Send the same message indiscriminately to (large numbers of recipients) on the Internet. (Google Search Definition)

4 books from Breathless Press - part 4 of 4 - featuring @RavenMcAllan

Buffer La Bella Isabella By Raven McAllan Follow @RavenMcAllan

4 books from Breathless Press - part 3 of 4 - featuring @AnnBHarrison

Buffer A Mistress for Magnus By Ann B. Harrison Follow @AnnBHarrison

4 books from Breathless Press - part 2 of 4 - featuring @AnnSiracusa

Buffer All for a Fist Full of Ashes Tour Director Extraordinaire By R. Ann Siracusa Follow @AnnSiracusa

4 books from Breathless Press - part 1 of 4 - featuring @CarriePulkinen & @AnnSiracusa

Buffer Reawakened By Carrie Pulkinen Follow @CarriePulkinen

2 chances to get your own copy of Puppet Parade by Zeinab Alayan

Buffer The following is syndicated from The Mad Reviewer and is posted here with permission. After I read Puppet Parade and absolutely loved it, I asked Zeinab Alayan if she would like to do a giveaway with me. Obviously she said yes, but she went the extra mile and came up with a great question that relates to the whole premise of her novel. RULES: 1. You must answer the question below and provide an explanation for your answer. 2. It can be as creative/thoughtful/serious/whatever as you like. Truly, there is no wrong answer. 3. You may only enter once.

This writer hates his working title for #NaNoWriMo

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Buffer ??? Written by C.E. Schwilk Follow @ceschwilk Facebook Blog: http://ceschwilk.wordpress.com/

When Amazon becomes the only one on the mountain, what then?

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Buffer I had an interesting conversation on Twitter. It was about Amazon's current take over of the ebook market and the future. The question is, what happens when Amazon is the only one on the moutain? Many will say this is already true. Yes, Amazon is on top, but there are still other players on the moutain, in positions that could directly affect the ebook king.

A chance to get both books in the Oracle of Delphi Series plus a gift card.

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Buffer   Meet Diantha Jones, Author of the Oracle of Delphi Series

Read a sample of Since Tomorrow by @MorganNyberg using Kindle on the Web

Buffer Since Tomorrow by Morgan Nyberg Follow @MorganNyberg

#Follow @GMTALITERARY - ebook publisher I've teamed up with

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Buffer I've teamed up with GMTA Publishing (Great Minds Think Aloud) as a member of their marketing team, so I encourage you to follow their Twitter account . Follow @GMTALITERARY

Ama by @robyncorum #NaNoWriMo #Excerpt

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Buffer Ama Written by Robyn Corum Follow @robyncorum Facebook Melinda Heads West (book on Amazon)

Relate-able and a bit truthful on the woes of love, romance and dating.

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Buffer Sassy Singularity An Anthology of Short Stories Genre: Romance Book Synopsis Sassy Singularity is an anthology of short stories about the inner strength of women, edited by Sare Liz Gordy. Featuring short stories from award winning playwright Rachel Lynn Brody and award winning short story writers Sare Liz Gordy and Sandi Layne, the anthology also features the work of newcomers Anne Baker, Teresa Watson, Rhiannan Robinson, and Sarah C. Munsey. The subjects range from robots to madmen, bureau chiefs to Cupid himself. There is romance, laughter, tears, and more than a dash of sass. Our heroines are sexy, sassy, and singlehandedly re-defining what it means to be a single woman.

More On Amazon Reviews And Indie Authors

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Buffer The following is syndicated from To Become A Writer and is posted here with permission. Okay, by now I’m sure you’ve all heard about the stink with Amazon reviews and how it’s affecting indie authors. I’ve read a lot of blogs, Facebook groups, twitter feeds and more about this hot and controversial topic and here’s the latest, as I’ve heard it…and the latest from Amazon. Read on…

Brainstorming Your Way to Surprising Stories

Buffer Crack the Indie Author Code Writing & Publishing Series By Robert Chazz Chute Follow @RChazzChute

A Guide to Japanese Pop Culture written by real Japanese High School Students.

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Buffer The following is a guest post by Matthew Rowe. Follow @RoweMatthew Let's Pop Culture! If you know anything about the Japanese people’s ability to speak English, or if you search for this subject on the web, you will undoubtedly know two things. First, that English education in Japan is terrible, and secondly, that English education in Japan is terrible. Some may say that is two things, but like a fat guy at the theatre this problem is so big it takes up two seats. To be honest, it’s not entirely true. No matter the changes made or the form of the education, it does not change the core of the problem which is that Japanese people are inherently shy. They have the ability, they are just shy. I’m not being racist, I’m not being offensive, it is just true. I’ve seen university classes split apart into boy and girl groups like western elementary kids; I’ve seen adults too afraid to leave their homes because they would have to talk to... people! I’ve seen stunning

She hasn't quite figured out the title. #NaNoWriMo with @stacyjuba

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Buffer ??? Written by Stacy Juba Follow @stacyjuba http://stacyjuba.com/blog/ Facebook Amazon Author Page

Modern Day Fairy Tale: iFeel by @MarissaCarmel - no cost download Nov 7-9

Buffer iFeel Written by Marissa Carmel Follow @MarissaCarmel FREE on Amazon November 7th — 9th

Paranormal: Illuminate-Alive, She Cried by @sippingbythesea - no cost download Nov 7th and 8th

Buffer Illuminate-Alive, She Cried Written by Jamie Haden Follow @sippingbythesea FREE on Amazon November 7th & 8th

Action Thriller: Rings of Smoke by @DianewasHR - no cost to you November 7 - 11

Buffer Rings of Smoke Written by Diane O'Toole Follow @DianewasHR FREE on Amazon from November 7th to the 11th

Kira: Daughter of the Moon by @BethTrissel — comment for a chance at prizes

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Buffer Kira Daughter of the Moon Written by Beth Trissel Follow @BethTrissel

NaNoWriMo Sneak Peek: The Damsel by @rowematthew

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Buffer The Damsel Written by Matthew Rowe Follow @rowematthew http://www.mattcannotwrite.co.uk/

Has Amazon taken down any of your reviews? If so, I'd love to hear from you.

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Buffer Last week I started the discussion about the removal of reviews from Amazon. Then, I asked, " Are big publishers worried about Indies? " I mentioned in the last post that I had forgotten about one very important factor in regard to Amazon reviews. It's not that hard to game the system. It's a fairly common opinion that big publishers pay for reviews, which is possibly why you see a whole gob of reviews for a big name author on the day of the book launch, mostly positive.

NaNoWriMo Sneak Peek: All About Gwen by @bookwormlaura

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Buffer All About Gwen Written by Laura Gokey Genre: Women's Fiction/Chick-Lit Follow @bookwormlaura http://lauragokey.weebly.com//

Abandonment, Abduction, Child Abuse, Dysfuntion: Excerpt from My Sore Hush-A-Bye by @RenataFBarcelos

Buffer My Sore Hush-a-Bye Written by Renata F. Barcelos Follow @RenataFBarcelos Buy it on Smashwords

Bigger Than Jesus (The Hit Man Series) by @RChazzChute - no cost download Nov 5 -9

Buffer Bigger than Jesus The Hit Man Series Written by Robert Chazz Chute Follow @RChazzChute

NaNoWriMo Sneak Peek: Sarah's Grief by @mawauthor

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Buffer My name is Michael Allen Williamson. I am an aspiring author. I've written 2 self-published children's novelettes under the pen name, Professor MacKay. However, my NaNoWriMo work is under my real name. Sarah's Grief Written by Michael Allen Williamson Follow @mawauthor Follow @ProfessorMackay http://professormackay.com/

A great fantasy read: The Spaces Between by @MartinGibbs2 #bookreview

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Buffer The Spaces Between A Drunkard's Journey Written by Martin Gibbs Genre: Fantasy Book Synopsis A gruff mercenary believes he can somehow learn magic from an exiled warlock, and he's picked up a blundering drunk along the way. Zhy, convinced he is part of some misdirected script, agrees to follow, hoping only for a change of scenery and a new source of ale. The two men run into a trigger-happy mage and he joins the excursion. It isn't long before this combination of characters results in calamity and errors in judgment; their "quest" becomes nebulous and uncertain—that is, until it smacks them collectively from the face of the world. Guided by the spirits of the dead, an idiot man-child is close behind them. He obligingly trudges along a frozen and bitter path to stop Zhy from reaching the warlock, though he himself is only part of a devastating scheme.

Advertise your KDP Select Days with The Masquerade Crew

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Buffer Kindle Select : most either love it or hate it, right? Why do some authors swear by Amazon's Kindle Select program and others loathe it? Well, the reasons are numerous, and I won't get into all of that here. What I will say is this: if you don't work at it, Kindle Select probably won't work for you. You can't just sit back and expect your fame to rise out of the ashes. You have to beat the pavement. Otherwise, your FREE days will mean absolutely zilch.

NaNoWriMo Sneak Peek: The Custom House by @gertysk

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Buffer The Custom House (Title Subject to Change) Written by G.L. Tysk Follow @gertysk http://www.gltysk.com

Are Big Publishers worried about Indies?

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Buffer A few days ago I blogged about Amazon arbitrarily taking reviews down . Most comments about the post were positive, but there were at least two negative comments, one via Twitter and one comment on the blog post itself. Both comments mentioned my speculation that Amazon might be influenced by the desires of big publishers. Is this true? It's anyone's guess. What is certain is that Amazon, like anyone else in the business, is out to make money. Pure and simple.

Why Writing a Novel is Like Baking a Cake - guest post by @thewritershouse

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Buffer The follow is a guest post by Claire Pickering and Rebecca Richmond at The Writers' House UK and is posted here with permission. Follow @thewritershouse Writing a novel is similar to baking a cake. If you miss out vital ingredients or add them to the mix in the wrong quantities or at the wrong time in the recipe you can achieve a very different result. Below are our 14 basic ingredients to help you write a great novel that will transport your readers into the world you create in your book, taking them away from everyday hassles, dramas and problems:

Coming-of-age novel: My Sore Hush-a-Bye by @RenataFBarcelos

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Buffer My Sore Hush-a-Bye Written by Renata F. Barcelos Follow @RenataFBarcelos Cover links to Amazon Buy it on Smashwords Synopsis Camille is a young girl stuck in the past. Classic TV shows, old music, and dresses that never made it into the 21st century. After her mother left a puzzling note leaving her in the care of Uncle Bob, she had a rough go of it, not wanting to conform to his rigorous rules and this new life. But she learned. She learned to love and accept her sheltered life. That all starts to change when Camille finally goes to public school once she reaches her teenage years. She meets a friend who mysteriously disappears. She has suspicions that Uncle Bob may not be the perfect man she once thought. She starts thinking about her mother. Most important of all, she begins to grow up, and that is what changes everything… Reviews from Amazon This is a book that can be read on several levels. The writing, simple, direct, fast-paced, is cleve

NaNoWriMo Sneak Peek: Making Time by @NadineDucca

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Buffer Making Time Sequel to Serving Time Written by Nadine Ducca Deharbe Follow @NadineDucca http://nadineonwriting.blogspot.com

You could W!N a giftcard by leaving a comment. Dangerous Affairs by Diana Miller.

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I'd like to feature #NaNoWriMo participants.

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Buffer Are you one of the 300,000 who is participating in National Novel Writing Month? If so, I have a few things to say to you. You probably shouldn't be reading this blog ... unless you've reached your word count for the day. I applaud you because I can't do it. I want to feature your work if you don't mind people seeing the rawness of your NaNo first draft.

Would you like to read and review SINCE TOMORROW by @MorganNyberg?

Buffer Since Tomorrow Written by Morgan Nyberg Follow @MorganNyberg Update: The author is limiting this offer to those who are willing to receive the book as a gift from Amazon. So, it's best if you have a Kindle ... or are willing to read via a Kindle app. Also, only those who email me will be considered. Lastly, a total limit of reviews will be used to save the author some money. Thanks for your consideration. We're getting ready for a blog tour for Morgan Nyberg, author of Since Tomorrow . Is this book on your to-read list? Do you have a book blog? If you answered yes to at least the second question, you are invited to help us out.