It’s almost time for Criminal Negligence!

No, I’m not talking about committing a crime.  😀 Criminal Negligence is book two in the Sydney Valentine Mystery series and will be available on Amazon on October 10th.  Currently, it’s available for pre-order.

If you’re also a  subscriber to my newsletter you’ll receive the first two chapters in my newsletter tomorrow, September 26th. Lucky you!  🙂 If you’re not a newsletter subscriber, you can sign up here or click the starburst on the right side of the page.  Don’t expect to get newsletters from me every week, or even every month.   I’ll only send them when I have news. 😉

To celebrate Criminal Negligence, I’ve reduced the price of the first book in the series, The Protector. It’s now .99 on Amazon! The regular price was $2.99 and I don’t know how long it will remain at .99.  So, if you haven’t read it yet…

I’ve been working on the third book since last year and hope to have it out in January/February 2016. Newsletter subscribers will be the first to see the book’s cover and read an excerpt.

An unidentified young woman’s bloody corpse is found in the backyard hot tub of a high-end home. Detective Sydney Valentine arrives at the scene and discovers nothing is as it initially appears—far from it.

Valentine’s pursuit of Jane Doe’s identity uncovers secrets and lies. Her investigation reveals treachery and deceit as more crimes change or end the lives of those connected to the victim.

Throughout it all, Detective Valentine must face her own personal and professional challenges.

She digs deeper to expose the truth behind the skeletons in the fancy closets before she becomes one of them.

Kindle Scout . . . will time tell?

Hey everybody, If you like to read contemporary romance, I’ve got a book for you! I read Trespassing on his Heart and enjoyed it. The novel isn’t for sale yet, but there may be a way for you to get the ebook FREE. Mary J. Hicks submitted it to the Kindle Scout program and it was accepted. If the Kindle Scout Team selects her book it will be published as an ebook and audiobook by Kindle Press. She needs nominations though. If you’re interested in helping her get noticed, here’s the link: https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/87C07RWHVU38

Mary's Moments

It seems there’s something new and exciting coming at us every day. The  saying is that opportunity knocks more often on the door that’s prepared to answer.

I’ve missed out a time or two for that reason—not prepared. Either short of being finished with my project, or I’d already committed to other plans when the knock came.

Several weeks ago I got an email encouraging me to enter my just completed manuscript to Kindle Scout. I did some research.

Everything I read about the ( Kindle Scout ) program seemed positive. Especially for the writer who’s inclined to self-publish.

All the elements lined up; this time I was prepared.The last edit on my manuscript was finished. And four paperback proofs later, I was happy with the cover, front and back. I could do this.

Why not? What did I have to lose?’ I submitted.

Kindle Scout approved my manuscript and cover. They…

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Copyright Tips and Tidbits: How and When to Register, How to Format Your Notice, and What Not to Do

Since I recently received notice that my copyright certificate of registration for my novel, The Protector, will be received within the next two weeks, I thought I’d reblog a post I read on another blog about copyright registration. The post is brief, but there’s good information here.

The POP Newsletter

Self-publishers, take note: While it’s true that you hold an inherent copyright to your work just for the fact that you wrote it, should anyone try to infringe on your copyright you will be best served by registering with the US Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov). That may sound intimidating, but it is actually a fairly straightforward process.

How to Register

Start by going to the US Copyright Office website. The Copyright Office accepts both online and paper applications, and the applications come with easy-to-understand instructions. The filing fee (as of 2015) is $35 for online registration and $85 for hard copy.

In addition to the application and the filing fee, you will be asked to provide a copy of the “deposit” — what the Copyright Office calls the work to be registered. If you file electronically you can send an electronic file or a hard copy of your…

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Get a FREE story evaluation!

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well and staying warm.

Mary Rosenblum (author/editor/indie publisher/instructor), of New Writers Interface, has a FREE offer to anyone who wants to have their story evaluated.  Mary has helped many authors in their writing endeavors. That includes me.

Mary requests a submission of 500 words or less summarizing your story. It could be a story you’ve written, plan to write, or one you’re currently writing.

This offer expires on January 31, 2015.  If you’re not sure whether your idea is interesting enough to engage readers or if you don’t know who your readers are, give this a shot. It’s FREE! What do you have to lose?

This is what Mary says:  It can be pretty hard on writers who find the book bogging down in the middle. Suddenly it’s hard work and you find yourself wondering if anyone is even going to want to read it. Here’s a New Year offer for you. Between now and Jan 31, send me a 500 word (or less) summary of the story you are writing or plan to write. I’ll send you back my evaluation of who your readers are, what your market is, and any problems I see with your story or narrative arc.

Check out Mary’s blog for more information.  She’ll tell you how to get the submission to her. Have a great day.  🙂

‘Null City’ stories – great reads that help animals too!

If you’re an urban fantasy reader, check out Barb Taub’s interview on the blog of Alison Williams. Barb writes the Null City stories and they’re on sale on Amazon. Royalties benefit a couple of No Kill shelters until January 1, 2015. If you love urban fantasy and/or love animals, go buy the books! Buy them even if you don’t love animals. Go ahead–you know you want to. I did. It’s for a good cause.

Alison Williams Writing

                                          

I’m so pleased to have the lovely writer and blogger Barb Taub on my blog today to tell you about herself, and about the wonderful way she is raising funds for animals this holiday season. Barb says:

In honor of this holiday season, my publisher, Hartwood Publishing, is offering a special gift package of my urban fantasy Null City stories. Not only are they releasing the two newest stories as a $0.99 set called Tales From Null City, but my holiday-themed Don’t Touch will also be available at the sale price of $0.99. (£0.72 in UK)

In most of my stories, an animal companion plays a prominent role—from George, the grumpy cat in Don’t Touch, to Bygul, the bitchy feline goddess of Payback is a Witch. 

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Author Solutions Steps Up Global Expansion, Penguin Random House Integration

Writer beware. Don’t be the next victim!

Got questions for me, Sydney, Mac, or Bernie?

Dear Readers,

Just a short note. I’ll now be taking reader questions via the ‘Got Questions‘ form available on the menu. The questions will be answered in one of the upcoming issues of my newsletter, Danielle’s News.

Questions for Sydney will be answered in Sydney’s Corner, a column which will be authored by our very own Detective Sydney Valentine.  It should be fun! Don’t miss out!

 

Cover reveals, contests, pre-release chapters, and book news!

Hey, everybody! Sydney here. I want to let you know Danielle is starting a newsletter! She’s going to keep you up-do-date on her books and what’s going on in her life. You won’t find out super personal stuff, like how much she weighs. BUT, you’ll be an insider on lots of other things. Trust me, it will be worth it. It’s funny, when people say ‘trust me’, you usually shouldn’t. That’s not the case here. I promise.

Would you like to get the first few chapters of her books before they’re released? I know I would! What would it mean to you to get a look at book covers before anyone else? There will also be contests that only newsletter subscribers will hear about.

She’ll also write about people who’ve overcome tough odds in their lives. Of course, there will be something on crime, punishment, and justice. I love that part!

Now, here’s the best thing I like about this  deal. I’m getting my own column! Yes, I am. I’ll do some book reviews and opinion pieces about something going on in the news that interests me. My book reviews may be similar to the one I did here in April 2014 when I hijacked borrowed this blog.  If you haven’t read it,  check it out. I may or may not reveal the title of the book. If I don’t tell you the title is it still a review? Whatever. I think you’ll enjoy it anyway. You’ll be able to ask me questions and I’ll answer them in my column. I hope you’ll be interested in Danielle’s News and Sydney’s Corner!

Remember, you won’t get to enjoy any of this if you don’t sign up for Danielle’s News. This is separate from following the blog.

Sydney Valentine, Detective – San Sansolita Police Department

A shooting a mother and her baby…

Don (of All Trades) has a way with words. He can make you feel like you were ‘there’, tug your heartstrings, or have you laughing out loud all in the same post. That’s not what’s happening here though. If he ever writes a novel he’ll have a reader in me! 🙂

You’ve got to read his latest post.

Meanwhile, just outside of ferguson…

Don,

I’m so glad you posted this. Like Barb, I’ve been wondering how you were doing. I hope it works out the way it’s supposed to.

Take care everybody. Be safe!