Author Spotlight - Bradley Convissar

What books have most influenced your life? Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Tad Williams War of the Flowers, Koontz's Watchers, Midnight, House of Thunder, Door to December, and Life Expectancy, almost everything by King, almost everything by Clive Barker, Peter Straub's Lost Boy, Lost Girl and In the Night Room

Have you ever considered anyone as a mentor? No. That was easy. No one has ever shown enough interest in me. I am alone in this large, lonely publishing world.

Who is your favorite author and why? King because he is the master storyteller and Barker because he is a master of language. But Gaiman is right up there.

Can we expect any more books from you in the future? God, I hope so. Once I've finished with the serial, I want to start on an introductory novel in an open-ended series and get back to work on another of my stand-alone projects.

Have you started another book yet? Bloodlines: A Serial. Part 1- Abomination, Part 2-Brutalization, Part 3- Corruption, Part 4- Damnation, Part 5 (if I need one)- Extinction. It is shaping up to be four 20K word episodes with a possible 5th.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Still practicing dentistry, hopefully less than now so I can dedicate another hour a day to writing, but we'll see. I don’t look to the future too much. The day-to-day is enough to keep my mind occupied.

Are you reading any interesting books at the moment? I'm always reading 2-3 books, one traditionally published books by one of my favorite authors and one or two Indie/small press books. Right now, I am reading XO by Jeffery Deaver and Long Black Coffin by Tim Curran. Once I am done with XO, I am going to be moving on to The Bride Wore Black Leaver, a Nightside book by one of my favorites, Simon Green, and when I am done with Tim Curran... well, I'll decide when I get there.  My Kindle is full of great books.

Are there any new authors that have sparked your interest and why? I'm always reading Indie and small press authors, and I've found some new fun ones, especially some of the horror authors from Dark Fuse and Nightscape Press. I'll be honest, I am MUCH more inclined to try out a new Indie author than a new traditionally published author these days because I refuse to pay $9.99 for an eBook or $10 for a paperback. Now $2.99-$4.99 for an Indie book that is usually AS good as a traditionally published book, that's what I am investing in now with new authors.

What are some of the best tools available today for writers, especially those just starting out? The internet for research and Facebook groups for advice. What more can you ask for? The good writers out there are happy to share their expertise and knowledge with those just starting out. The good writers don't view new writers as competition.

What contributes to making a writer successful? Having a professional cover done, paying for professional editing. It isn't cheap, but if you want people to take you seriously, you need to view it as an investment and put out a professional product.  Also, discipline.  Can’t worry about selling a book unless you sit and write one.

Do you have any advice for writers? Don't give up. Don't get distracted. Give yourself deadlines! Write at the same time every day. Make sure that spouses or significant others respect your writing time. Even if it is a second job, it is a job and you need to treat it like a job. Set up a space. Ask questions on Facebook. The resources are there, use them.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Go to the gym. Play video games. Read. Watch TV. I'm a simple man.

 Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Thriller / Horror

Rating – PG13 bordering on R

(Horror with some violence / Some sex, not overly graphic)

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Blog http://bradleyconvissar.blogspot.com/

Henry Mosquera – Why Book Covers are So Important

Why Book Covers are So Important

by Henry Mosquera

A lot of self-published writers confuse aesthetics with effectiveness. A good book cover is not meant to please our eyes but to garner attention. Your cover should stand out from those around it, it should stay in people’s minds, and it should generate interest. Let’s say you see a bunch of novels and one stands out because you hate the cover. You may comment about it to a friend, make fun of it and bring it up whenever an example is appropriate. Well, guess what? That hateful image is living happily inside your head, when better-executed covers have failed to make an impression. An extreme case, perhaps, but it illustrates the difference between “pretty” versus “attractive.”

A book cover has more in common with a billboard than a painting. You want to grab a potential reader’s attention; they don’t have to fall in love with the artwork. The publishing industry knows that awards, blurbs from famous authors, and reputable reviews sell novels not covers.

Of course, a cover is the first impression a reader gets of your book. So you want it to be professional, which is one of the problems most indie novels face. Just as Microsoft Word doesn’t necessarily breed good writers, Adobe’s Photoshop doesn’t make you a professional artist. These are just tools take make the work easier for the initiated. You can cut and paste all you want and play with fonts and filters, but a computer program will not transfer you the skills of a trained designer. No matter how simple it may look to you.

If you don’t have the skills, hire someone who does. The last thing you want is for a reader to look at your novel and go, “Meh, it looks amateurish and cheap,” and walk away (click away?) from your novel. You may have spent all of this money on editors, manuscript annalists and proofreaders to shape up your novel to a professional quality, but if no one picks it up, who cares? If you are self-published the odds are already against you. The stigma of unprofessionalism already mires your work, whether it’s true or not. So why position yourself on a lesser light? Invest on a professional cover. That’s right, it’s not an expense, but an investment towards your books success. As independent authors, we have to strive to do everything in our power to present our work in the highest quality possible. Otherwise we will never shake off the image of the raggedy horde of untalented creators.

If you truly posses the skill set to design your covers, here are a few tips you may find useful: artwork doesn’t have to be overtly elaborate to fulfill its purpose. Most covers out there are busy, cliché and forgettable. Spend some time thinking about your book’s cover, go to a bookstore and see what pops out from the shelves and analyze why. Search the Internet for lists of the best covers and study how the designers approached their task. Keep in mind that the artwork of your book will most likely be used in other ways like banners, social media sites, tie-in merchandising i.e. T-shirts, etc. You want your design to be able to transfer easily to whatever suits your marketing and advertising needs. Think branding. Remember, your book is not only what lies between the covers, but what is on them as well. It deserves the same kind of care and attention.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Political Thriller

Rating – R

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Website http://redroom.com/member/henry-mosquera

The Benjamin Chronicles: Relativity by Matthew DiConti

Conal Benjamin never let the love of his life Abigail Bradley know of his romantic feelings for her. Years of living with that regret haunted Conals life and left him with an emptiness in his heart. In one serendipitous moment they are reunited at an alumni science exhibit giving Conal a second chance but in a cruel twist of fate Conal’s triggers an unexpected chain of events sending Abby and himself through a wormhole to 1888 Whitechapel, London, the time and place of one of the most horrifying serial killers in history, Jack the Ripper. With the time machine lost and Conal and Abby separated, the fate of both of their lives hang in the balance. Nothing is what it appears to be and it’s up to Conal to unravel the mysteries that await him, before it’s too late.

“I could not put this cleverly crafted paranormal fiction novel down. I can’t wait to go on the next time travel journey with Benjamin! It would make for a great TV Series/Feature Film. Out of 5 stars I give it 6!”   - Kelly V. Dolan, NBC News Radio

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Genre - Paranormal Fiction

Rating – NC17

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Website http://matthewdiconti.com/

D.A. & M.P. Wearmouth – Self-publish or small press

Self-publish or small press

by D.A. & M.P. Wearmouth

After completing a novel the first thing anyone will ask is “are you published.”  Their inference that ‘published’ is generally accepted as an industry recognised validation of your work, and that it will be appealing to a market of readers.

The changes and evolution in the publishing world are well documented but fundamentally can be traced back to the ebook.  A reader can now download a book onto a device in seconds from an online store removing layers of cost to the selling price of a book.  Furthermore using KDP, anyone can upload a book for sale on Amazon.  It’s true most books do not make it into ‘brick and mortar’ stores but there is no need when print on demand can deliver a paperback.  The publishing world is opening up, but the doors to the upper publishing realm are firmly closed for the time being on the vast majority of indie authors.

In the vacuum of this change in state, small press publishers have taken advantage and offer many indie authors a form of publishing.  They are not new and most offer a valued service to their clients in steering them through the stages of publishing and marketing a book.  However for the modern media savvy author who can upload and market themselves, what do the small presses offer?

The positive spin on a small press is that they are knowledgeable industry experienced professionals who can reach more readers than the indie author alone.  They can provide guidance on editing and will usually provide book cover and copy edit services.  The authors book will be joining a list of other titles which can advertise each other in their back covers and also online.  More importantly, seemingly to some authors, is that the small presses provide a ‘warm fuzzy feeling’ of being published.

The negative spin is that some small presses have a business plan to contract c.200 books under their banner.  The books can be all uploaded to KDP in the same way an indie author would to Amazon, but the small press will take 35% royalty.  In simple terms if the book is £2, then Amazon take 60p, the small press take 70p and the author will receive 70p per ebook (worse for the author on paperback more like 10% ie 20p).  For this equal share of royalties the small press will advertise on their website and other social media.  The vast majority do not have the time or budget for any paid advertising which would be funded by the author.  Therefore out of your 70p per book, expect to spend all royalties advertising online.  The small press business plan has practically no upfront or on-going costs, they expect to be presented with a finished product.  The author pays for marketing and the small press can then upload multiple titles, all generating royalties of 35%.

Small presses play an integral and important part of the publishing industry; however the indie author should exercise extreme caution before signing up.  KDP has opened the possibility for an author to truly work independently and be as successful as mainstream publishers.  Still have that fuzzy feeling?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Horror/Science Fiction

Rating – R

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Website http://dampwearmouth.com/

Children of the Knight by Michael J. Bowler

According to legend, King Arthur is supposed to return when Britain needs him most. So why does a man claiming to be the once and future king suddenly appear in Los Angeles?

This charismatic young Arthur creates a new Camelot within the City of Angels to lead a crusade of unwanted kids against an adult society that discards and ignores them. Under his banner of equality, every needy child is welcome, regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, or gang affiliation.

With the help of his amazing First Knight, homeless fourteen-year-old Lance, Arthur transforms this ragtag band of rejected children and teens into a well-trained army-the Children of the Knight. Through his intervention, they win the hearts and minds of the populace at large, and gain a truer understanding of themselves and their worth to society. But seeking more rights for kids pits Arthur and the children squarely against the rich, the influential, and the self-satisfied politicians who want nothing more than to maintain the status quo.

Can right truly overcome might? Arthur’s hopeful young knights are about to find out, and the City of Angels will never be the same.

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Genre – Edgy Young Adult

Rating – PG13

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Website http://michaeljbowler.com/

Cleanse Fire by Anastasia V Pergakis

Pars IV

20th day of Solis Moon, 1364

Derac choked. "What?"

"He came to speak with me while I was in the bath." The amber swirls in her eyes glowed bright and betrayed her panic, but her voice was calm.

His eyebrows shot into his hairline. "Did he force himself on you?" He swallowed the bile in his throat.

"No. He stared at me in a way that made me extremely uncomfortable and," she paused and held her lips between her teeth for a moment. "He kissed my neck. He didn't press any further than that, however."

Derac's breath rushed out of his lungs. He leaned back against the sofa and forced his muscles to relax. "What did he say?"

"He told me that he had great power, greater than just being the Mission Commander. He told me I should partner with him."

Derac's eyebrows shot up again. "What did you say to that?"

She spoke in hushed tones, but the words tumbled from her lips. "I told him no. I don't care for power. He said I could have my own power if I did partner with him. Then he told me to think about it. To wait until after the mission. He said that the events of the mission would help me to make up my mind. I have the awful feeling that this mission is going to go terribly wrong, and the Commander is behind it." She paused to her catch her breath. "Centurio, I know it sounds outlandish, but my feelings have never let me down before. We have no proof, but I think at the very least we should exercise caution around the Commander until we do find out the truth."

Derac rested his chin on the tips of his fingers. The elf thought he could barge in on the elfa's bath like he was supposed to be there? He tried to feel shocked at his Commander's possible betrayal and perverted actions, but he failed.

"What should we do?"

"I trust your judgment Kie. And you're right, we don't have proof. But I think I know of a way to get it." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "We tell the Commander our plan is to stay together. During the mission however, we split up. Get one group of faeries out of the cells and have two elite lead them back to the cabin. The other four will get the second group."

"Wait. Wouldn't that make the two vulnerable handling that many faeries on a six hour trip, on foot?"

"Yes. But, even if the faeries are weak, they could offer some help. There are hundreds of them down there according to the report." He winced. "Then again, you may have a point. What if the intel is wrong, yet again?"

"Didn't I see a report about sentry rotations at night?" Her eyes roamed over the table.

"Yes. It's here." He handed her the paper.

Her amber pools scanned the list. "Let's assume this is incorrect. According to this, they cut the guards in half at night. What if they had less? That would mean less to worry about. And, two of us could easily handle a few sentries."

"What do we do if they actually double the guards at night?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Good point."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "We can't even rely on our intel. Even if it ended that Palto was not involved, we could still be walking into an ambush. How would we know for sure it was his doing or just bad intel?"

She put her hands behind her head and glanced up at the ceiling. "I don't know. I have no skill with strategy."

He snorted. "You read battle strategies for fun."

"Exactly. I'm trying to learn. Doesn't mean I can make up new ones."

"All right. Let's go over all our options again. We can enter through the front or through the secret tunnel. With any of those options, we can stay together, split in half, or split four to two. Is there any other way to get into the mines?"

She shook her head. "I've heard rumors at the very top of the mountain is a shaft that runs all the way down to the lower levels of the mine. But, I don't know for certain and the mountain side is treacherous. We could injure ourselves more just trying to gain entry."

Derac held his head in his hands and tried to predict the outcome of their mission. Kie mirrored his position as her eyes scanned the intel scattered across the table. Her spine jerked and she sat up straight.

"What if we split up into three groups of two? Two to lead the first group out like you said before, two to provide protection, the last two get the second group. Done fast enough, all six of us and all the faeries would leave right after each other, or at least within moments of each other."

"And you say you have no skill with strategy."

She chuckled. "It's still risky though."

"What part of any mission isn't?" He sucked in air and held it a few moments before he exhaled. "Again, I don't like the plan, but it'll work."

They finalized their strategy and detailed every second of their mission. Confidence filled Derac that their idea would work and he ordered Kie to sleep.

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Genre – Fantasy / Military

Rating – PG13

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Come & Meet - Mike Hartner

1. Write two truths and one lie (but don’t tell us which is which until I say so. ) A. I’m happily married B. My proudest achievement is my son. C. The next several books are planned already.

2. Tell us a bit about yourself
a. What was the first book you remember reading? HARRY THE DIRTY DOG
b. What is your greatest fear Something tragic happening to my son and/or wife
c. If you were on a deserted island what three items would you want with you? Sat phone to call for help, good book to keep me company, food.
d. Your favorite musician Bruce Springsteen
e. Your Favorite song No Surrender followed closely by From Small Things

3. Where did you find the inspiration for your most recent book? My book is inspired by my muse and some back history.

4. Do you have rituals for when you are writing? Particular place you write, music you listen to, specific drink or snack? Anything you must do when you are writing… My writing includes being seated in a comfortable surrounding, usually lounging in a part of my house, with headphones and classical music dictated by the book and the character.

5. Who is your favorite character in your book and why? It’s tough to answer that question, since all of the characters are favorites.

Rapid Answer Zone
1. What was the last movie you saw? The Dark Knight
2. What did you do last Halloween? Stayed home
3. What is the name of your car? Dah-ling.

Now, which one of the three was the lie? C. I may be privy to the name of the main character, but that’s as far as it goes. Their life events are organic and surprising, even to me.

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Genre – Historical Fiction/ Romance

Rating – PG

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