Writers in the Storm

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December 24, 2014

"Pimp and Promote" Gift Exchange

Christmas packagesIt's the Holiday Season and here at Writers in the Storm we're looking forward to sneaking open some reader gifts early with a little "Pimp and Promote." Of course, this always costs us some money, because we have to go out and buy lots of books. But there will be awesome sales in a couple of days.

How does this work?

To quote the genie in Aladdin, “There are a few provisos, a couple of quid-pro-quos…"

  • Pimp out somebody else’s work – this can be a favorite author, blogger, post or book you’ve read, a wonderful teacher or just someone who had profound influence on you as a writer or a person. Please limit your comments to one work.
    OR
  • Promote one of your projects that you’re excited about – a hobby, a blog, a book, or a new direction your writing is taking you. You decide. Just tell us about it in the comments! (Please restrain your enthusiasm to just one of your WIPs.) The rest of us will jump in and “ooooh and ahh” at you, and likely promote your project even further because we’re just so darn excited today.

Better yet, do one of each! 

And please peruse the comments. You might find a few things you like in the plethora of pimping that’s about to ensue.

Thanks again for making WITS one of the top writer’s blogs! We appreciate you.

~  Jenny, Laura, Orly, and Fae 

39 comments on “"Pimp and Promote" Gift Exchange”

  1. Pimp: my WFWA friend, Leta McCreary just published her novel, High Cotton County. I can tell you she will have you in her grasp from the first bone chilling chapter. Good luck Leta, on tons of sales.

    Project: I did it. I quit my day job to write full time when I was commissioned to ghost-write a memoir. As a women's fiction writer, this is quite a challenge because I can't make it up as I go along. Tons of research, interviewing and draft writing trying to capture the scenes and tones of this young girl's life. I am thrilled, excited and terrified. Wish me luck.

    1. Will check out Leta's novel for sure, and HUGE congrats for going full time as a writer! I only wish I could go for it too!

  2. Good Luck, Jtailele!

    Pimp: My friend, Thomas A. Mays (@ImprobablAuthor), had his book, "A Sword Into Darkness," named as one of the Amazon Best Books of 2014. Congrats!

    Project: After five successful military fiction and science fiction books, I decided to jump genres and write the fantasy book that had been in my head for a while. I was very excited to release "Can't Look Back" a couple of weeks ago!

    1. A Sword Into the Darkness was just recommended to two days ago. Looks like a sign I really need to read it.
      Good luck with your latest release of "Can't Look Back" and also luck on jumping genres into fantasy. That is a hard genre in my mind.

    2. I love the title of your friend's book, Chris. And I'm going to have to check out your books, because they are in the genres I read the most!

  3. Jtailele, my hat's off to you for believing enough in yourself and your talents to make such a big move. You can do this!

    PIMP: the third book of the Wolf Creek series,WOLF CREEK FATHER, which received a really nice 4 1/2 star review from Romantic Times (yes, shameless bragging) is a January release from Harlequin Love Inspired Historical. If you like revisiting the past and a little humor you might enjoy this book about the sheriff and the spinster schoolmarm.

    PROJECT: Besides switching from contemporary romance to Inspirational historical after an 8 year break, I have an historical mystery that I hope to have out this spring. Learning the ins and outs of two new genres was a challenge to say the least.

    1. Kudos on the 4 1/2 star review from RT, Penny. Those are not easy to come by. I can't imagine moving seamlessly between your genres.

      1. Hardly seamlessly, Fae! It's been an ongoing process. About the time I think I have it ready to go, I think of something that will make it stronger. Thank God I don't have a deadline! But as we know, writing is rewriting, so I'm okay with that. Though story structure is story structure, it's like starting from scratch. Thanks for the comment.

  4. Pimp: My critique partner, Veronica Forand, is on fire this year! She sold not one but 7 (I think) books. Her first, Code Red, is a hot story (I know, I critiqued it!). (It's only .99 at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=veronica+forand ) She also co-wrote books with Susan Scott Shelley which are also wonderful stories.

    Project: I'm excited about a new historical women's fiction story/series I've started writing about famous women in history. "Becoming" these women requires much research but the resulting stories I hope will show a side of them we don't read in history books. I've submitted the synopsis and first 3 chapters to an agent who requested the proposal for the series, and I have high hopes she'll take me on as a client as a result.

    1. My hats's off to you, Betty. Research is definitely not my strong suit--there's a reason I write science fiction! Enjoy writing your series. And I'll check out your friend's sizzling read!

  5. PIMP: My good friend and RWA chapter mate, Donna Maloy, just published her first novel -- a middle-grade fantasy titled CELIA AND THE WOLF. http://www.amazon.com/Celia-Wolf-Shapeshifter-Journals-Book-ebook/dp/B00Q5JDKPC Donna is a fabulous writer, and her reviews are stellar. I'm so excited for her and eager to see more of her books on the shelves!

    PROMOTE: The novel I've been working on for a while is finally, almost, really truly almost done. And at the gentle -- and not so gentle -- urging of friends, I've entered it in The Golden Heart (RWA National contest). Which feels like a big step -- believing my novel is ready to audition on that big stage. And a personal thanks to Laura and Jenny from WITS for their amazing encouragement!

    1. I'm so proud of you for pushing "Sharing Hunter" out to the world!! Bet you final... And if you don't believe me, just ask Laura who predicted the knock-out success of "The Sweet Spot." 🙂

      p.s. See below or Fae's comment!

      1. I think Laura's still pinching herself, but her RITA was well-deserved. On what you said about my book? As they say, from your mouth to God's ears. 😉

    2. The best of luck in the contest, Julie! That's a big step. I remember how excited I felt when I passed Round 1 in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award last spring. Probably the most exciting time of the year! I hope you go all the way!

  6. Pimp: My favorite blogger is Katy Jacobs at http://www.katydidcancer.blogspot.com. She writes about her experiences as a 2 time breast cancer survivor with humour and gut-twisting honesty. She has some profound insights into cancer and life in general. A must read even if you don't have cancer.

    Promote: I started my own breast cancer blog in November called 4 Times And Counting about my reflections upon being a 4 time breast cancer survivor. You can find it at http://www.4timesandcounting.wordpress.com. There is also a Facebook version of the blog also called 4 Times and Counting. As a new blogger, I would love it if you checked my blog out.

    1. Thanks for the links, Sharon. I'll be visiting both blogs. I cannot begin to imagine 4 Times and Counting. All my best to you.

    2. Sharon -- Thank you for sharing both of these blogs -- I've bookmarked them. As someone who's faced breast cancer once and has passed the 5-year mark and now dreads the "It's baaack" news (which I know will come sooner or later), I look forward to reading posts from both of you. All the best!

  7. Best of luck in the Golden Heart, Julie. Laura and I will be there in New York to see you go on the stage for the award!

      1. Thanks for that "amazing", Julie. I don't want to burst your bubble, but I'm just an ordinary person, trying to live the best life I can. I'll see you in New York this summer!

  8. I have been quietly building a freelance career this year, and it's finally working! Now if I can just finish my edits after my mind-blowing Margie Lawson immersion class this Fall... Thanks to the WITS crew for all the support.

    If you want to hang out with me and the posse at More Cowbell:
    http://jennyhansenauthor.wordpress.com

    I'd like to pimp Courtney Milan. I just found her this year, and not only does she write fantastic historical fiction (about REAL people, not just Lords), but her website is totally fun.

    Here is a link to her favorite articles on writing life:
    http://www.courtneymilan.com/writing.php

    1. Will definitely check out your blog, Jenny! No need to pimp Courtney Milan to me, though! I love her! 🙂

      1. MM, Fae here is warning you that we're very naughty sometimes at More Cowbell. I have the humor meter of an adolescent boy, so we often talk about all the crazy stuff people put on under their clothes. 🙂

    2. Do you need a disclaimer on More Cowbell's Undie Chronicles, Jenny? I will check out Courtney Milan.

      1. Click over to her website, Fae. She tells you where to start reading. Her Turner Series was where I started and it rocked. The Sinister Brothers series was fantastic too.

  9. PIMP: I just read and reviewed Runaway Smile, a great children's book by Nicholas C. Rossis. Nicholas offers a free read of the entire book here: http://www.nicholasrossis.com/en/smile.asp It's heartwarming and inspiring.

    PROJECT: After attending Rhay's Deep PoV class in one of Margie's classrooms, I've changed the way I write. Deeply. No "she felt", "he realized", and author's intrusion stuff. I'm proud of myself! Thanks, Rhay and Margie! Will probably do the Beats course, too!

    Greetings from Greece!

    1. Isn't Deep POV wonderful, MM? And Runaway Smile is a wonderful children's book. A teacher friend told me about it.

      My godson, the Navy captain, is moving to Greece to take command of the naval base there. I'll need travel tips, because I'll be going to visit him in a year and I've never been there.

  10. Pimp: Booksandopinions.com is blog site that reviews books for free. Angie does an amazing job of giving opinions that are honest. She does this while working, going to school for her masters degree, and being a single mom. Now that's an accomplishment.

    Promote: My new blog vegaswords.wordpress.com. (Moving Words) I will be blogging, as we travel around the US in our RV. We begin our journey in May, heading to the wilds of Alaska, but I have already began posting from the purchase of the RV to our first "shakedown" trip to Yuma, AA. Yippee!!!!

  11. Pimp: Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go by Dale E Basye. It's Dante's Inferno for middle grade and it's jock full of puns and intertextuality. I love it!

    Promote: RoundRobinWrites.com a collaborative writing blog between 4 writers. We post a new chapter of a story every Saturday. We're actually about to come to the end of one round and begin a new one.

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