Valentine's Day is almost here, and at Writers in the Storm, we're marking the occasion 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 let's go for it!
How does this work?
To quote the genie in Aladdin, “There are a few provisos, a couple of quid-pro-quos…"
We'll start things off by doing some P&P with the gals here at WITS...
Fae Rowen
Pimping: Sol Stein's books have helped me edit, plan, and "fix" my books. They are all great.
Promoting: P.R.I.S.M.:Prisoner Relocation Internment Security Management, my debut YA speculative book with romantic elements. I'm working on the second book in the series for a summer 2018 release.
Julie Glover
Pimpage: Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, known for their thesauri collection, host an amazing subscription service with online tools for writers — which I now consider a must-have. Check out One Stop for Writers!
Promotage: If you're in the Chicago area, or just want to come for a great conference, I'll be at the Chicago Spring Fling Conference on April 20-21. Come hear a workshop on grammar that I promise you'll find interesting and useful — dare I say it, even fun.
Jenny Hansen
This is rough, because I love what these other ladies are pimping - particularly Julie's stuff...I heart One Stop!
Pimpage: I've learned a lot from Jeff Goins, Margie Lawson and AWAI over the last several months. I have classes I'm self-studying my way through from all of them. I look to Jeff Goins for information on building a solid brand. I depend on Margie's lecture packets for great examples of body language and strong writing. And AWAI has helped me get up to speed on copywriting and how to find paying clients for my web content and social media services.
Promotage: If you're in the Orange County area, particularly Fullerton, on February 10, stop into the Orange County Chapter of RWA meeting on the Cal State Fullerton campus for an amazing session with Lisa Cron. I'll be there, helping the meeting run smooth, and I'm so excited to see Lisa speak again. She is amazing!
Laura Drake
Pimpage: Colleen Story has a great book out to help writers! Overwhelmed Writer Rescue!
Promotage: I teach classes! The most recent was 'Your First Five Pages' at Margie Lawson's Writer Academy. Check out my schedule for the rest of the year here: Laura Drake Events.
See? Easy-peasy. Only one of us wrote this, but all of us are represented — that's the spirit of P&P.
Don't be shy -- tell your pals!
We are open for as many entries as you want, and you're welcome to send anyone who reads great stuff our way. We want to hear about it! Be sure to 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!
~ Fae, Jenny, Julie and Laura
Copyright © 2024 Writers In The Storm - All Rights Reserved
Pimping out: http://allaboutwritingcourses.com/ Dr. Jo-Anne Richards and Richard Beynon are my mentors and editors. I have learnt so much from these two phenomenal people. I wholeheartedly pimp them out to anyone wanting to hone their writing craft skills.
Promoting: Second Time Around - my debut 21st century romance, written as Lacy Muircastle (My Second Life Avatar.) I'm working on the next one - Second Chance and because I suffer from writers ADD several other WIPS as well...
I have writers ADD too, Tracy!! And I hadn't heard of those two - I'll check them out. Where is the link to your new book?
I checked out the site, Tracy. Thanks for sharing it. She didn't mention they have a free twenty-page e-book on creative writing!
Oh, WOW!!!
Pimping out: The Kill Zone Blog, https://killzoneblog.com/ Although its focus leans toward mystery, this team of authors offers phenomenal craft advice, critique first pages and more. It's a required stop on my daily rounds.
Promoting: Deadly Engagement: A Mapleton Novella. This is the 6th offering in my Mapleton Mystery series, and for the month of February, I'm splitting my royalties with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of my daughter. https://terryodell.com/deadly-engagement
Congratulations on the book! SIXTH...wow. I need to bookmark The Kill Zone and add it to my rounds - I adore James Scott Bell.
Thanks for reminding me about The Kill Zone Blog, Terry! I'm with Jenny on James Scott Bell.
PIMPING: If you are a newbie Indie author and need a quick refresher on how to format your ebook for PODs such as CreateSpace, check out Brian Jackson's course on http://www.Udemy com. Clear and concise.
PROMOTING: Book 3 of my Pegasus Quincy mystery series. A small-town rookie deputy sheriff takes the law into her own hands after she's abandoned by her partner. FIRE IN BROKEN WATER, now available for pre-order at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079J5GDXM/
Oh, nice! Thanks for the Brian Jackson tip - I know lots of people who could use that. By the way, on your book? You had me at female sheriff!
Great title, Lakota!
Pimping: Jane Friedman's blog, https://www.janefriedman.com/blog/, for excellent advice on both writing and selling. And since Julie fit in 3, I'll add Writer Unboxed, http://writerunboxed.com/
Promoting: I'm querying an adult upmarket novel called Island Shell Game and find myself between a rock and a hard place; with three young adult books already published, I can't be marketed as a debut author, but haven't sold enough on my own to attract an agent's notice. Find out more about my two time-travel historicals and an Olympic love story at http://carolnewmancronin.com/books/
Both of those blogs grace my inbox every day, Carol. Thanks for sharing them.
After I publish the second book in my YA series, I'll start publishing my adult SF romance adventure series. I'm working on the marketing for it, since it's not within my YA brand, but it does fall in the SF romance adventure part of the YA brand.
Yup, those blogs are both winners. I learn so much from them!
And on your journey, I always get so bummed for authors that are in that in-between stage. Just keep going - you will get to where you need to go! And thanks for sharing the link so we can take a peek. 🙂
Thank you! I'm too stubborn to give up, but it's very nice to feel supported here.
Pimping: Colorado Romance Writers is pleased to announce the First Annual BEVERLEY CONTEST for Published Romance https://coloradoromancewriters.com/contests/the-beverley/
Promoting: Sweet Romance FINDING EDEN (Book 1 of my Eden Falls Series) is on sale for $.99 for a short time. https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Eden-Falls-Book-ebook/dp/B074RS1ZW3/
Thanks for the book sale, Tina! See why these P&Ps get so expensive for us?? 🙂
I didn't know about the Beverley - is it named after someone in your chapter? Our Charlotte is named after one of our pivotal chapter members who we lost too soon.
PIMPING: Kathy Steinemann, https://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/noses/ a great go to source for ways to describe everything from body parts to emotional tags. Blog will be off line for a bit while Kathy has some major surgery, but the archives are loaded with great word choice options.
PROMPTING: My single title Irish love story Claiming Annie’s Heart https://www.amazon.com/dp/098940367X/ After a visit to an Irish girl's boarding school, Annie Foster sprang fully formed into my head. A rare writer moment and a fun story to write with the heroine dictating in my ear. I will be splitting book sales royalties for the month with our local animal rescue group, CAP (Citizens for Animal Protection).
Judythe, I hadn't heard of Kathy Steinemann -- thank you! I've always gone to Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi for descriptions, but I love having another resource.
And don't you just LOVE it when a character whispers in your ear? That's a wonderful gift from your muse. 🙂
PIMPING: My chapter's contest The Maggie Award of Excellence for both published and unpublished. One of the oldest and most respected chapter contests. http://www.georgiaromancewriters.org/about-the-maggies/
PROMOTING: My own 2016 Maggie Award of Excellence winner for unpublished is now published! The Marine's Secret Daughter is available in print and digital from Harlequin Special Edition. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1335465596
Congratulations, Carrie!!! I hear the best stuff about the Georgia chapter - I wish I lived close enough to visit. I'm president of the Orange County chapter this year so, if you're going to RWA, be sure to wave hello to me if we pass near each other!
Pimping: K.M. Weiland's site, Helping Writers Become Authors. Full of great information. Find it here: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
Promoting:I'm pitching at the upcoming KidLitVic2018 conference in Melbourne, Australia (if you're ever down under, check it out). Just send me happy thoughts, if you could.
I LOVE K.M. Weiland...she is full of the awesome-sauce. And how exciting about the conference!!!! We are all sending you amazing thoughts and sprinking fairy pitching dust upon you. Just practice and write it out in advance. If you are like me, you will be nervous. 🙂
She is full of awesome-sauce. And thank you. I will definitely do that.
Pimping: my fabulous RWA chapter OCC, where I continue to learn so much about writing craft and business, and Margie Lawson's awesome packets I review many times during my writing process.
Promoting: well, the latest is a short story in my crit groups's wonderful holiday anthology Love for Christmas. Not timely at this moment, but available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077LS4LWV
I read your Christmas anthology and loved it. You ladies did a great job!
Yeah, Barb! We do have an awesome chapter...and new OCC president!
Fae, you sweet girl. Our chapter is awesome - I'm working hard to try to step into Tara's oh-so-capable shoes without falling out of them. 🙂
Thanks for the shout out, Laura! If anyone hasn't read her novel, "Days Made of Glass," you need to pick it up. It was my Indie Spotlight choice for 2017--grabbed me from the start and didn't let go.
Pimping: Steven Pressfield's Writing Wednesdays—his posts always give me a boost. (http://www.stevenpressfield.com/)
Promoting: If you're in Texas in June, I'd love to see you at the West Texas A&M Writers' Academy! I'll be there the 4th & 5th. (http://wtamu.edu/academics/education-on-demand-writers-roundup.aspx)
You're going to be at the West Texas Writers' Academy?? Oh, I wish I could go to that. I hear the best things about it and I always want to come and visit with Laura, of course. Wasn't DAYS MADE OF GLASS just amazing? I loved that book.
I've gotten out of the Steven Pressfield habit...this is a good reminder to get back in! His emails are going to an old email account I rarely check. I need to remedy that.
It's probably a ways for you huh, Jenny? Too bad. I'm speaking Monday and Tuesday nights. Looking forward to it! Yes, loved that book!
Pressfield has such a gift for getting the message across simply and easily. Little gold writing nuggest to take with you!
Colleen, I didn't know you were going to be there! You and Susan Donovan - that's worth the price of admission, right there!
Thanks for the DMOG shout out. My fave book baby!
Are you coming, Laura? That would be so cool! Then you could sign the book for me! :O)
I will be so jelly if you both are there, while I'm here helping my then-eight-year-old finish up second grade!
Awww...but then, second grade is important! :O)
I wish! Maybe next year... You could stop and see me on the way....
Would be cool! You're quite a ways south tho looks like?
Pimping a friend's blog I enjoy reading. Story lines and fantasy woven into an unmistakably entertaining tale. Thistledown is my favorite! http://www.teagansbooks.com
Promoting the third book in my paranormal romance series - Shadow Company - Blood & Magic. Available for pre-order until the release on the 14th. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078W2HYX2
I couldn't leave the comments without pimping Mary J. McCoy-Dressel's blog as well. She's a wonderful romance author with a hankering for cowboys. http://www.mjdresselbooks.wordpress.com. So proud of Mary and Teagan!
Promoting the first two books in my paranormal romance series - Shadow Company. Check out Beyond the Veil, https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Veil-Shadow-Company-Book-ebook/dp/B01N4FIW55 and Deliberate Intent, https://www.amazon.com/Deliberate-Intent-Shadow-Company-Book-ebook/dp/B072TNDGYJ .
Pimping Lynda Barry's books 'What it Is', 'Picture This', 'Syllabus: Notes From An Accidental Professor', and 'One! Hundred! Demons!'. Her books are a mix of word and image, and I love the way she wonders and wanders about the creative process. One hundred percent inspiration every time I open one of these books.
Promoting my blog https://catfinkKnowTrustChooseCreate.com, Stepping Stones In A
Creative Life. After the first draft of my book was done, the muse kept showing up with more words. It was, of course, good manners to accept what she brought to my door.
Pimping: The fantastic Jami Gold, her Mythos Legacy series and her invaluable tips and advice for writers https://jamigold.com/for-writers/ Every time I get an email from her, there is shared advice and resources that I can use!
Promoting: the first in our trilogy which has been published! Eden's Fall - A new romantic suspense from first-time author KR Brorman with CC Cedras and SA Young.
books2read.com/u/m0xJ9M
Book 2 - Winter's Thaw will be out in November!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Pimping: After years of writing and publishing success as an indie author, author Bette Lee Crosby (a dear friend of mine) has a new book coming out with Lake Union Publishing (Amazon) on March 27. The book is called _The Summer of New Beginnings_ and is perfect for anyone who enjoys women's fiction. So proud of Bette and all her hard work all these years!
Promoting: I'm a part of Authors' Tale, a writers group on Facebook, and our second short story anthology is releasing on March 24. I'm incredibly honored and humbled to be a part of this group as both an accepted author and an editor. Please do check it out!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1644072468969093/