Thursday, June 29, 2017
2017 New York Book Festival Winner
So thrilled to learn that Looking Glass Friends has won another award. It's so nice when a surprise like this just lands in your inbox. The novel is the winning romance in the New York Book Festival.
Friday, June 16, 2017
I wrote this poem years ago
Suddenly I remembered it in the night. Maybe a dream recalled it to my mind. So I edited the bits I didn't like in the original, and here it is.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Audiobook & Signed Paperback Giveaways
In honor of the two awards the book has won, I created two new giveaways. Check out the giveaway tab on this blog.
This will be the first signed paperback I offer publicly. As to the audiobook I wanted to narrate and produce the book myself, because I think an author has a special connection with her story, and that intimate feeling runs through the performance. It took me 3 months of trial-and-error to arrive at the sound quality I wanted from my home studio in the closet under the stairs. And a total of 6 months to complete the book.
If you enjoy literary love stories, I hope you'll enter. Best of luck!
If you enjoy literary love stories, I hope you'll enter. Best of luck!
Sunday, June 4, 2017
My Wonderful Experience with New Apple Literary's Unbiased Free Book Reviews
All authors love to hear that readers enjoyed their books. As Mark Twain said, wittily (of course,):
"There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1. To tell him you have read one of his books; 2. To tell him you have read all of his books; 3. To ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book. No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart."—Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar.
Yet I find it hard to convince readers to share their thoughts on paper, for all to see. With my first novel, a children's fantasy, it was easier (The Sound & the Echoes, published under Dew Pellucid). Maybe because Looking Glass Friends won two awards and is more cerebral, readers are more hesitant.
Which is why I appreciate the story-lovers at New Apple Literary. I reached out to them under their "Unbiased Reviews Network" for authors, which connects authors with readers who are happy to leave reviews, at no cost to the author, though with the caveat that the review will be entirely "unbiased". What a gift this is: an honest opinion from a reader, which the author does not feel she had to pay for. It's pure joy.
If you're an author, be patient when you submit your book. It's the least you can offer in return. Last week three, thoughtful, in-depth and entirely unique reviews appeared on Goodreads, by three readers New Apple Literary put in touch with my story. I am very grateful and highly recommend the program to other authors. New Apple Literary also offer paid reviews, for authors who are in a rush.
I wrote this post to help other authors who are looking for free reviews for their books. But it occurs to me that readers who love to receive free books in exchange for an honest review will also benefit from hearing about New Apple. So happy reading to all!
"There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1. To tell him you have read one of his books; 2. To tell him you have read all of his books; 3. To ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book. No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart."—Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar.
Yet I find it hard to convince readers to share their thoughts on paper, for all to see. With my first novel, a children's fantasy, it was easier (The Sound & the Echoes, published under Dew Pellucid). Maybe because Looking Glass Friends won two awards and is more cerebral, readers are more hesitant.
Which is why I appreciate the story-lovers at New Apple Literary. I reached out to them under their "Unbiased Reviews Network" for authors, which connects authors with readers who are happy to leave reviews, at no cost to the author, though with the caveat that the review will be entirely "unbiased". What a gift this is: an honest opinion from a reader, which the author does not feel she had to pay for. It's pure joy.
If you're an author, be patient when you submit your book. It's the least you can offer in return. Last week three, thoughtful, in-depth and entirely unique reviews appeared on Goodreads, by three readers New Apple Literary put in touch with my story. I am very grateful and highly recommend the program to other authors. New Apple Literary also offer paid reviews, for authors who are in a rush.
I wrote this post to help other authors who are looking for free reviews for their books. But it occurs to me that readers who love to receive free books in exchange for an honest review will also benefit from hearing about New Apple. So happy reading to all!
2017 Pacific Book Awards Finalist
This award is especially close to my heart because it looks at books published by authors on the West Coast (of the United States) where I live. I think our surroundings affect our writing. For me, rainy days are inspirational. So it's ideal that I live in the rainiest state in the country (which is where Looking Glass Friends is set, in the year 1997, when email communication was relatively new for most people.)
Friday, June 2, 2017
New 5 Star Review on Goodreads, by Jesse Toen
I was so happy to find a few new review on Goodreads.
Here's a sample from Jesse Toen's review: "As I began the book, I was unable to understand which direction the author was intending to take her characters. Was she sympathizing with Ellie and would this be about her pursuit of happiness or was she hoping to explore the theme of finding what you need in those around you, already in your heart? I was pleasantly surprised with how the book resolved this conflict and felt it was the most compelling part of the read." Continue reading on Goodreads.
Here's a sample from Jesse Toen's review: "As I began the book, I was unable to understand which direction the author was intending to take her characters. Was she sympathizing with Ellie and would this be about her pursuit of happiness or was she hoping to explore the theme of finding what you need in those around you, already in your heart? I was pleasantly surprised with how the book resolved this conflict and felt it was the most compelling part of the read." Continue reading on Goodreads.
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