What Writers Do

I like this quote. I liked the book, Running With Scissors. He has many more books which are on my TBR list (Herman) and I can't wait to get to them. The author's one liners, like this, are amazingly insightful. If nothing else, they show that yes, this is what writers do, they mine the depths of their own psyches in order to tell stories. Thank goodness for that. Isn't it great to live vicariously every now and then?

Romance Week Sale

Romance is in the air - in addition to the Valentine's Day Giveaway Below, you can now pick up a copy of ALL FOR LOVE for only 99¢ all week! http://tinyurl.com/cf6m3vg 5 Prince Books http://www.5princebooks.com

For the Love of Books Valentine's Day Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fill Your Kindle for Christmas Only 99¢ Each!

These five Kindle books/novellas are on sale for ONLY 99 CENTS EACH from now through Christmas. Happy shopping! http://amazon.com/author/annswann

Another Writing Tip

Another writing tip from someone wiser. But I'd finish the quote with one more line

 ... I'll bolt the door and then I'll write.

Easy to Write

Why is it easier to write when I know I have only a few minutes? Is it a form of procrastination? The Freudian flip-side, perhaps?  If I have a whole day to devote to my characters--or they to me, as the case may be--then I find a hundred little things that must be done immediately, in succession, or better yet in tandem, so that no one thing is ever completed . . . but if I have only a few minutes before I have to be out the door, the words flow like water.

So I've developed a faucet solution to a Freudian problem. It's actually very simple: I sit myself down at the computer (knowing I can only stay a moment or three), then I turn on the tap and let the letters flow. After a bit, the faucet goes off and I jump up and sweep the floor, take a walk, shampoo my hair, or a even just load the washing machine. That's when the ideas break over me in waves . . . and then I rush back to the computer and try to capture them in print. Somedays, it's as exhausting as treading water in a storm. But the words do flow. Maybe they aren't the perfect, good china words I long for, but as someone much wiser than I once said,

Only $500 What a Steal!

Just came across a paperback copy of my STEVIE-GIRL AND THE PHANTOM STUDENT on Amazon for only $500. I guess someone will snap that right up. LOL http://tinyurl.com/d47a8hs 


Now, I'm interested in readers' opinions on whether it is necessary to have the ebook cover match the paperback/print cover? I've found myself in this position for the first time and I'm wondering if it's good or bad or simply doesn't matter. What say you?

Wow - Where to Spend Money on Promos

Call to Arms: Year-long survey reveals which book advertiser offers best value for money View this email in your browser

Year-long survey reveals which book advertiser offers best value for money

Figuring out where to advertise your book is worse than standing in a betting shop, five minutes before a race. You have money in your pocket, but a limited amount of time in which to select a guaranteed winner, and the odds are not in your favor. To change this, I have been asking authors for the past 2 years to share their hard data: Where have they advertised, how much did it cost and how many books did they sell as a result? Last year I shared the results on my blog. Since then, I've continued the survey. In case you missed my relevant blog post, here are the updated findings! Many thanks to everyone who has participated in the survey. With your help, I can continue to inform you of the best ways to invest your precious, limited advertising budgets. Please help me reach more authors – just share, reblog, and share the results. Let’s help each other navigate these treacherous waters and make sure we don’t spend another dime in vain! Okay so this isn't my survey, (I shared from Jenny Burke's FB page), and I don't see my favorite promo, BOOK BUB, listed at all. I've sold thousands of books using Book Bub, but they are picky. They have only ever taken one of my books, but it was well worth it, and I intend to apply again as soon as I can. I have used a few of the ones listed here, (ENT is a fave) and they do have value so if you have used some of them, I would love to hear from you personally. Just leave a comment if you would...

TAKERS: Apocalypse in Eden Only 99¢

TAKERS review:

Well, I really enjoyed this one, despite not expecting to! I don't keep track of how many "first part" books I read and don't bother to look for the second, third, etc. in the series. But Ms. Swann's Takers is one series that I will be following and awaiting the next installments. Main character Jack is young and basically lost in the new world created by the Takers, inhabitants of Purgatory that come to earth in search of new souls. As his world crashes down around him, Jack and his deaf dog Snake make their uncertain way to safety. As his Dad's 80's tunes seem to urge him on, he finds ways to survive and take control of what is left of his life. Refreshing and entertaining!

http://tinyurl.com/grkm8ck

Stutter Creek Trilogy Winner

Congratulations to Sharon E. 

You are the winner of the STUTTER CREEK TRILOGY!

I've sent your email telling you how to claim your books. Of course I wouldn't mind a review after you've read them 

(hint, hint). 

And for the rest of you who may be thinking of starting NaNoWriMo today . . . carry on. The best writing advice I ever read was short and simple:

Put your butt in the chair and your fingers on the keys and start writing. It doesn't matter what, just write. Don't stop until your eyes blur and your fingers seize into talons.

You can always edit later. In fact, you must, so just let go and write. Go where the Muse takes you.

And when you're done, tell me how it felt.

I look forward to hearing from you!