Diane and Shark!

Please welcome L. Diane Wolfe to the blog today!

***

Greetings to all of Jemi’s followers and fans!

 She has allowed me today to share with you the latest release in the In Darkness series – The Shark. It’s a paranormal romance novella involving Jewels the human and Clarence the great white shark. (No beastiality though!)

 

Jemi asked me to elaborate on one of five topics. But I couldn’t decide! So, I am discussing three of them and keeping it short.

 

What cool shark facts did you find when you were researching for the book?

 

“Great white sharks possess 300 sharp, triangular teeth arranged in up to seven rows.”

 

That is the first line in the story and still rather mind-blowing. Should a great white latch on to you, there is no getting out of that death grip.

 

What's your favourite shark fact and why?

 

Sharks tend to fear dolphins. Sharks are solitary hunters while dolphins form a pod that will attack anything that attacks one of its members. Orcas (members of the dolphin family) are THE apex predator of the sea and will even hunt great whites. And to top it off, dolphins are far smarter than sharks. To me, that’s just so wild that a dolphin, smaller than a great white, scares the sharks.

 

How would your cats feel about visiting an aquarium?

 

I had to answer this! Rocket would be terrified. She doesn’t like travel, new places, or new people. Star however, would love it. After his initial shock at the new accommodations, as long as there weren’t many people about, he would have a grand time watching the fishies. (Which he enjoys doing at home with my 39 gallon tank.) He would paw at them and run from one glass to the next, trying to get to the fishies. It would be so cute!

 

Thank you, Jemi!

 

 

A professional speaker and author, L. Diane Wolfe conducts seminars, offers book formatting, and author consultation. She’s the senior editor at Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and contributes to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
http://www.spunkonastick.net/ - Spunk On A Stick
http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com - Spunk On A Stick’s Tips
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ - Insecure Writer’s Support Group

 

In Darkness: The Shark
By L. Diane Wolfe

Souls shrouded in darkness…

Focused on her studies and duties at the aquarium, Jewels prefers her solitary life. Burned many times and short on trust, she has more in common with her aquatic friends than the people around her. But she never imagined coming face to face with a shark named Clarence…a shark who talks!

As their friendship grows, Jewels must overcome her deep set mistrust. There are dangers, both in the Australian ocean and on dry land. Can Jewels depend on the great white or will his animal nature betray her?

Romance/Paranormal - Fantasy/Paranormal - Fantasy/Romance
eBook ISBN 9781939844910 $3.99 

Links:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKTLKMG4 
iTunes - https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6444053123 
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940165956393 
Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844910 
Scribed - https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844910&language=0 

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63208820-in-darkness  

***

Awesome! I LOVE the pic of Star with his fishies - he would definitely love the aquarium.

That's a lot of teeth for a Great White - not something I'd like to see up close!

How about you? Any shark facts? Anyone visiting the aquariums with Star? Who's excited about Diane's latest book?

Bloo Moose On The Road with L. Diane Wolfe & Lynda Young!

Bloo Moose is visiting L. Diane Wolfe and Lynda Young today!
I hope you'll stop by and visit!

Reaching For Normal

She’s no damsel in distress. 

He’s no Prince Charming.  

But if they don’t team up it won’t 

be only wolves that’ll be dying.

Amazon.com.    Amazon.ca.    

Apple.     Kobo.    Google Play.

Barnes and Noble.    Goodreads.    

Bookbub

 Reaching For Risks

One Reno List for the B&B. 

One Risk List for herself. 

One sexy retailer who should be 

the last one she wants.

Amazon.com.    Amazon.ca.   

Apple.    Kobo.     Google Play

Barnes and Noble.     Goodreads.    

Bookbub

 Reaching For Everything

Love means nothing in tennis.

Can he prove to her that 

love means everything in life?

Amazon.com.    Amazon.ca.   

  Apple.     Kobo.     Google Play

Barnes and Noble.    Goodreads.    

Bookbub

Dancing With Dementia - Day 3 Tour Stops & IWSG

The lovely Mason Canyon has organized a tour for Dancing With Dementia throughout the week. I hope you'll visit a stop or two this week and point anyone who this book might help in the right direction.

Today's stops are:

Wednesday, April 1: 
Alex J. Cavanaugh – Guest Post
Spunk on A Stick – Feature
Circle of Friends – Feature
Rockin’ Book Reviews – Feature & Top Ten List
The Girdle of Melian – Guest Post
The Warrior Muse – Top Ten List


You can find Dancing With Dementia here

Amazon.com           Amazon.ca.         Apple Books.         Kobo           Barnes & Noble.         BookBub. 

Add it to your Goodreads shelf here!

If you know anyone who is interested, I have another blog to discuss more things dementia related and YouTube Channel devoted to Quick Tips based on ideas in the book

Thanks again to all of the amazing people who have helped out!!

***

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

April 1 question - The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the covid-19 pandemic, our optional question this month is: how are things in your world?

It's a weird time in the world and I hope all of our IWSG members are well.

We're doing well here in Northern Ontario. We've all been self-isolating since early March, only running out for essentials. It's busier in our house as we're on childcare duty for the family members working from home. We're having lots of fun and the snow is melting!!

It's a terrible time for a book release, but with dates for preorders set up well in advance, there's nothing else to be done but do it.

Sending good vibes out into our IWSG network and hoping everyone stays safe!

Wormhole Science!

Stephen Tremp, Alex J Cavanaugh & L. Diane Wolfe are hosting the 2nd Annual National Wormhole Week Blogfest ... Wormfest for short!

For this year's festivities, participants are asked to look at both sides of science and technology. How has one aspect enhanced humanity and how has another (or the same) caused us trouble.

So many to choose from!!!

One of my favourite technological advances is portable music! From the good old Walkman back in the day to the numerous iPod versions, it has made life better. Sure I could be talking about vaccines and adaptive devices and artificial limbs and other serious topics, but I LOVE having my music with me. It makes working out livable and walking so much more enjoyable! On a more serious side, the technology has also made it SO much easier for kids who live kind of on the fringes at lunches and recesses. Some kids find it incredibly difficult to find friends to hang out with at these times and the technology has helped them. Not only do they appear busy and like they're choosing to be alone but they have something to focus on other than their solitude. That's a huge plus in my book!

On the down side, I generally find it's not the technology or the science itself that causes humankind problems, but the humans who choose to abuse it. There seems to be a need to turn almost everything into a weapon of some kind. Chemical warfare and biological agents are some of the most terrifying we've managed to create. The most insidious are probably the recreational drugs that cause so much damage. While some may not agree that these are weapons, I would show as evidence the kids with the damaged psyches, injured brains & bodies, and irreparably broken hearts I've met over the years. Weapons indeed.

For other entries in the blogfest, click on the 3 links at the top of this post. Good luck to Stephen with Escalation - his 3rd book in the Chase Manhatten series! You'll love his use of wormholes in these books!!

What's your favourite or least favourite technological advance?

L. Diane Wolfe

Great guest here today! L. Diane Wolfe is here to promote her latest book HOW TO PUBLISH & PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW. I've 'known' Diane for a few years now - we met shortly after I started blogging. In fact, Diane was my very first guest poster a while back. It's a pleasure to have her here again today!

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Book Returns

 

Book returns are like a dirty secret. Authors and publishers dread them. Readers have no idea of the extent. However, book returns have been with us for over eighty years.

 

The ability of bookstores to return books began during the Depression. Desperate for book orders, publishers started promising stores that they could return books that didn’t sell. Bookstores struggling to survive no longer had to worry about being stuck with unsold merchandise and took advantage of the offer.

 

The Depression ended. Unfortunately, the return policy continued.

 

Most publishers have a 90-day window for returns. This means the store has to return books that didn’t sell within those three months or pay for them. To avoid this, stores will return books just before the 90-day grace period ends, and regardless of the condition of said books, the publisher or wholesaler/distributor has to give the store credit. Ironically, when a store does this, they will immediately place an order for the very same books since they no longer have any in stock. Now they have another 90 days to keep the merchandise on their shelves without making payment.

 

In 2004, the Association of American Publishers estimated returns for hard covers to be 31%. Paperbacks were at 18%. When one out of three hard backs and one of five paperbacks are returned, you can understand why publishers hate returns! Authors hate them, too. A returned book is credited against their royalties. And with those kinds of numbers, it’s stunning any publisher makes money.

 

The primary source of returns comes from physical bookstores and the wholesalers/distributors that deal with these stores. On occasion, library distributors return books as well. However, book clubs, retail sites, direct library sales, and other outlets don’t return books.

 

As bookstores have dwindled, so has the problem of returns. However, there is now a new source of returns.

 

E-book returns are not an issue for most. The majority of E-book sellers allow no returns, such as Apple’s iTunes store. Once you’ve downloaded it, the book is yours. A few have the fifteen-minute ‘buyer’s remorse,’ but that’s it.

 

Except Amazon.

 

Amazon allows digital returns up to seven days later. Even though a buyer could easily read a book in less than a week and return it, Amazon still gives that person a refund. Who returns a book that was only $3? Who knows?

 

But, that’s certainly an improvement over print returns.

 

Have you ever returned a book or had yours returned?

 

L. Diane Wolfe

Professional Speaker & Author

 

Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and the author of numerous books. Her latest title, “How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now,” covers her publishing seminars in depth and provides an overview of the entire process from idea to market. “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting”, ties her goal-setting and leadership seminars together into one complete, enthusiastic package. Her YA series, The Circle of Friends, features morally grounded, positive stories. Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a dozen websites & blogs, and assists writers through her author services.

www.spunkonastick.net

http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com

www.thecircleoffriends.net

 

HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW!

BY L. DIANE WOLFE

Publishing and promoting made simple!

Have you always dreamed of publishing a book but didn’t know where to begin? This book walks you through the steps of identifying markets, budgeting, building an online presence, and generating publicity. Get the whole story on:

· Traditional publishing

· Self-publishing

· Print and e-book setup, formatting, and distribution

· Finding your target audience

· Generating reviews and media interest

· Networking and developing an online presence

· Promotional materials and appearances

Uncover your ideal publishing path and numerous marketing options before you begin. Writing is your dream. Give it the best chance for success!

Available February 5, 2012

Publishing/Marketing, 214 pages

$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2

$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0

Available in all Ebook formats

Amazon    Amazon Kindle     Barnes & Noble          

 
“She gives an unbiased take on the advantages and disadvantages of traditional publishing and self-publishing and publishing paths that combine the two… It's the perfect book for those who want an overview to begin the decision-making process.”

- Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning series of how-to books for writers http://howtodoitfrugally.com/

“A must-read for writers planning on self-publishing or any writer who wants the ultimate how-to on promoting. Tons of links, advice, and how-to, whether you're going for print or e-publication.”

- Helen Ginger, author of Angel Sometimes http://helenginger.com/

***
Yikes! I had no idea so many books were returned - and I didn't know you could return an e-book at all! No wonder authors hate them!!

 

How about you, is this news to you? How have returns affected you?

 

Sad Songs Blogfest

(this pic reminds me of Ode to Billy Joe - another great sad song!)

"Sad songs say so much..."
Did anyone else hear this as soon as they saw Diane's announcement about her blogfest? I adore Elton John and this one popped right into my head! He's had a lot of great sad songs: Your Song, Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, Candle in the Wind...

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did

So, what other sad songs are my favourites?

Hallelujah - KD Lang's version at the Olympics tore at my heart. Her voice is such pure beauty!

Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It’s not a cry you can hear at night
It’s not somebody who has seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

Mandy - Barry Manilow. Yup, I'm a Manilow fan :) I think this song was my first favourite of his! Love it.

I'm standing on the edge of time
Walked away when love was mine
Caught up in a world of uphill climbing
The tears are in my eyes
And nothing is rhyming, oh Mandy

Angel - Sarah McLachlan. Such a glorious voice. She can make you feel all kinds of emotions :)

There's always some reason
To feel not good enough,
And it's hard, at the end of the day

The Rose - Bette Midler. This was one of my dad's favourite songs. He loved Bette and this song touched him. I will never, ever be able to hear it without having such strong memories of my dad.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give,
And the soul afraid of dyin'
That never learns to live.

My only quibble would be the That in the last line should be Who... My dad laughed when I pointed that out. He probably wouldn't be surprised I'm wearing an aspiring author hat these days! :)
 
I could go on ... and on... and on. I have so many favourites!! But I won't put you through that!
 
So, tell me, what's your favourite sad song?

It's a Kindle!

I got my Kindle yesterday!

It was a tough decision. The iPad looked so good, but was far out of reach price-wise. I also have troubles with my eyes and I needed something that wasn't backlit. So, no iPad.

The Nook also sounded good, but we don't have Barnes & Nobles here and I spoke with a couple of people who had troubles with them from outside the US.

So the Kindle it is. And I love it. It was super easy to set up and start using. I uploaded some gift certificates I had, clicked a couple of buttons and downloaded 2 books.

My first book to read is L. Diane Wolfe's Circle of Friends: Heather. It's really interesting to watch Heather grow and develop through the book. I'm not done yet, and I can't wait to see if Heather's going to make the choices I want her to make! Nice work Diane :)

Next up is Terry O'Dell's Nowhere to Hide. Looks like terrific romantic suspense. Can't wait!

Any suggestions for what's next? Who has their book up on Amazon?

Guest post by L. Diane Wolfe - Writing a Series

Lucky day! L. Diane Wolfe is here today from Spunk on a Stick.

I asked Diane to talk about what it is like to write a series. Her thoughts are sure to help all writers - published and yet-to-be published. Enjoy!

***

Writing a Series


Writing a five book series was a unique adventure. I never intended to write that many books! However, once I began writing, four additional stories emerged from the first. I was on a roll!

There are two types of series - those that continue one storyline throughout several books and those with a central theme or setting but the books are stand alones. (Mine is the latter.) Writing a series has its advantages. The setting is established in the first story and subsequent books build on that world. Creating a series means that writers hooked on the first book will want to read the others as well. (This is why book one must capture an audience.) A series also allows more time for character growth and development.

When does a series work? What drives the need for more books? Interesting characters can spur additional books, allowing the readers to continue on their adventures. An intricate world with numerous possibilities can foster more stories. Consider the epic novel - a perfect candidate for a series. Since publishers prefer to see manuscripts under 100,000 words from first time authors, a story two or three times that length can be broken down into several books. (Or receive mass edits!)

The secret to a series is knowing when to quit! Readers are quick to notice when a story has run out of steam even though the author continues to crank out books. Storylines grow repetitious or formulaic when pushed too far. The final book needs to end with a bang, not a fizzle! Sometimes the age of the characters determines a good stopping point. Three appears to be the magic number, but many successful series contain five, seven, or more volumes.

With my series, The Circle of Friends, I began with one storyline. As I worked, I envisioned stories concerning the main character’s two best friends. By the time I finished Book I, two additional characters demanded a turn in the spotlight. I now had four outlines, taking the series to five books. And as I completed Book V, I felt certain I’d done everything possible with the characters and was ready to lay them to rest.

So when contemplating a series, be prepared to see it to the end and say goodbye when finished. As long as there’s enthusiasm and purpose, the ride is a blast!

- L. Diane Wolfe, Professional Speaker & Author
http://www.spunkonastick.net/
http://www.thecircleoffriends.net/
http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/


Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and the American Business Women’s Association. “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting”, ties all of her goal-setting and leadership seminar’s information together into one complete, enthusiastic package. Her YA series, The Circle of Friends, features morally grounded, positive stories that appeal to both teens and concerned parents. Ten years associating with a motivation training system and experience as a foster parent gave her the in-depth knowledge of relationships, personality traits, and success principles. Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a dozen websites & blogs, manages an online writer’s group, and contributes to several other sites and newsletters

***

Thanks so much for dropping by today, Diane! I really enjoyed your insights into writing a series. I hope everyone has a chance to stop by one of Diane's sites - you'll find your time has been well spent.

For my readers out there... Do you write (or hope to write) series? What challenges have you found and overcome?