New Year New Books

I've been very blog laggy lately. With the holidays, and even after, I've been busy with other stuff: life, family, friends, and writing.

Meanwhile, I've added some new items to my header menu and also added a little animated gif in the sidebar featuring my book covers.

Speaking of books & covers...I have two releases planned for 2013:

 

The first is a young adult fantasy, AIRE, which you can learn about here on my site or on Goodreads. The book is currently out with my beta reader (aka The Fabulous Amber), and then onto my proofreader/copywriter (aka The Amazing Thyra). Release is planned for Spring 2013.

The second is what I'm calling a "ghostly little story"titled HAUNTING JOY, which you can learn about here on my site or on Goodreads. That release is planned for Fall 2013.

I've also been thinking a lot lately about self-publishing and what it means to be an "indie author". I've really come to love and embrace that term. (Plus, it just sounds cool, right? Like an indie recording artist. :)) I've read a lot about self-publishing and consistently follow about a dozen blogs, because I find it fascinating, but also to keep up. The publishing world is changing at such a terrific pace that it makes it difficult for published books on the topic, even ebooks, to keep up! But there are still some really good books out there.

One book I've recently been reading is Guy Kawasaki's APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book . I love what he says about self-publishing or artisanal publishing: "Self-publishing could change from stigma to bragging point--maybe we should change the term to 'artisanal publishing' and foster the image of authors lovingly crafting their books with total control over the  process."  Guy Kawasaki, APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book

That concept really resonates with me. I'm not into throwing rough drafts up on Amazon (although it's so easy to do that you could indeed upload a doc and be published tomorrow, seriously). But I want to take some time with my books. I want to to luxuriate in the process, and lovingly create a book from stories that I have lovingly written. Or, perhaps a good term for me is a book geek. That works too. lol I just love putting in the effort and care to produce the most beautiful professional looking product I can (with my skill set and budget--yes, I could do more and do it better if I had more money. Fact of life. But, you do what you can, the best you can, with what you have been given.).

And I've got a whole lot more I could say about this. In fact, I'm being interviewed over an a YA author site soon, where we will be talking about self-publishing. More on that later. And I want to put up a whole page of resources soon for other writers. There's just so much I want to do and it all takes time! :)

Book! Release! News! and a cupcake

Today is 12/12/12, which I find terribly cool. This calendar triptic will not occur again in my lifetime. I was so hoping my box of books, i.e. my very own personal copies of The Language of Souls (in PRINT!) would arrive today. But even though I keep checking my front porch, no luck yet.

But that doesn't mean I still can't celebrate, because The Language of Souls is officially out in PRINT! So exciting. :)

[Update: They came; they came! And I love them. :)]

Where to find it:

	Print	Digital
	Amazon Barnes & Noble	Nook Kobo iTunes Smashwords Kindle (USA)	Kindle Canada Kindle UK Kindle Germany Kindle Italy Kindle France Kindle Spain Kindle Japan

Also, in blog-worthy, cupcakey news, I met a lovely baker today. She makes cakes & cupcakes. I kid you not. Actual, mouth-watering cupcakes. Yummmm. I had a delicious coconut sprinkled vanilla cupcake that did the trick. (How else would you celebrate a book release if not with a cupcake???)

If you're ever anywhere near Westford, MA, you need to go to Sweetpeas Bakery at 129 Littleton Rd. stat (waves to Melissa! Thanks for the cupcake!!)

Here's a photo of Sweetpeas adorable cupcake logo. (No, I didn't get a photo of the actual coconut cupcake. It mysteriously disappeared.  ;))

  ©Sweetpeas Bakery, Westford, MA
(full of cupcakey goodness)

PS hmmm, I think I need a cupcake in my blog header...

Marley Gibson, Bestselling YA author - Three Things & a Cupcake

Marley Gibson, bestselling author of the GHOST HUNTRESS series for young adults is here to share three things with me. Marley has been a great friend to me over the years and is a truly outstanding person all around.

Secret: If you're planning a party or event--or maybe you just need some warm, friendly support--then you definitely want Marley on your team.

THE GHOST HUNTRESS SERIES

Ghost Huntress Book 6: The Journey
Now available!

Get them all!

Lena: Welcome, Marley! :) What can you tell me about The Ghost Huntress series?

Marley:

• The idea for The Ghost Huntress series came from going to the New England Romance Writers Conference and attending the "Ghost Hunting 101" session. The whole first GHOST HUNTRESS book came to me like a movie.
• My favorite scene in the story is when all the secrets, threads, strings, clues, hints...when everything comes together in that pinpoint of information for the reader. That "pay off pitch" and "booyah!" moment.
  
  (Lena: Yeah, I love "booyah!" moments too. :))
• When I first came up with Kendall Moorehead of the GHOST HUNTRESS series, I had Amanda Bynes in mind. Since then, Amanda has grown up -- and gotten into a LOT of post-teen trouble. Now, I think a good Kendall would be (and don't laugh) Miley Cyrus....but she'd have to ditch the southern accent. LOL! Also, Emma Watson and Victoria Justice come to mind, as well.

Lena: Hmmm, I think I'd like to see that movie... Thanks for visiting me on my blog, Marley! One more thing...what kind of cupcake would you like? (Shows Marley a mouth-watering tray of cupcakes...)

Marley:  In honor of my Alabama Crimson Tide making it to the college football championship again, I'd like that elephant cupcake--along with a huge ROLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!

	Lena: The elephant one, huh? (Personally, I'd go for the TIGER one -- Go, Clemson!! Go, Tigers!! -- but whatever. ;)) Anything for you, Marley. Here's an elephant cupcake especially for you!
	Marley: Thanks, hon! = )

Lena: You bet! My pleasure. (It's really sort of adorable, isn't it??)

Photo credit: (c) SweetRevelations

Giveaway, Guest post, and 99 cents! Also, PAPERBACK!

Breaking News!
That's sounds VERY important doesn't it? Actually, I just have a few links to share:

• On Tales of Whimsy today: "A Language of Souls Contest for Two"
  (Lena: That's right, we're giving away not one, but two ebooks! For the low, low price of FREE! Contest ends Dec. 17)
• I have a guest post on Lisa Amowitz's blog today on my cover design process. Wheee! :)
• The Language of Souls is still 99 cents on iTunes and Nook!

And stay tuned for more breaking news of The Language of Souls paperback release...

Paperback edition coming soon!

And...here's a little sweet cupcakey goodness to celebrate:

Photo credit: (c) SweetRevelations

xoxo :)
Lena