Good morning everyone!

It's Friday again and you know what that means.  Time for Fantasy Friday!!

This week I'm bringing in author Shanae Branham, and her book, DiSemblance.

DiSemblance
ISBN: ISBN-10: 1477527761
ISBN-13: 978-1477527764


Genre:  Techno-thriller 
Subgenres: Sci-fi, suspense, mystery, paranormal


“Branham does a brilliant job creating suspense….She ramps up the tension by keeping readers guessing over the identities of Jason’s foes and about how Jason’s situation ties in with the hunt for the killer.”

“Jason’s love for his father and his motivation to find out what happened to him are particularly refreshing.”

“The characters of Jason and Isaac are … cool enough to rise to the occasion … making readers feel like they are rooting for real young men.”~  Jill Allen, Clarion Review (4 Stars)

A Bewitching Books Tour Guest

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Labels: Bewitching Book Tours , Fantasy , fantasy author , fantasy friday , New Release , New Voices

Good morning, everyone!  Welcome back to Writer Wednesday.  Today I want to talk a little bit about cross genre writing since everyone seems to be dipping into different markets.

It's very logical for authors who have varying interests to delve into different genres, particularly when digital publishing has opened so many doors.  In fact, I am a huge supporter of exercising creative talent wherever there is a calling for it.  Goodness knows I have done so and I will continue to do so.

But there are a couple things I've been discussing with authors lately that have opened my eyes to a few hurdles that aren't always anticipated.  And if you're able to make a plan for those hurdles you're far more apt to succeed than if you suddenly find yourself facing them unprepared.



Voice

Be sure you've done some research in the new market you're looking at.  One of the biggest things I see as an editor is a writer switching into a genre that is completely unrelated to what they've been writing, and their voice won't fit.  For instance:  You can't very well write a thriller with a chick-lit voice.  Or at least it wouldn't be very easy to do so.  That would be some serious craftiness on an author's part!  It's very easy to shift within the same core genre:  historical romance to paranormal romance, for instance.  It's not so easy to shift without a little extra leg work into something that is a 180 from what you've already learned, even though the core aspects of basic craft are pretty much the same.

So study the field you want to be in and train your voice into that established expectation.  Sure, it's good to keep some of what makes you you, but keep your tone in line with what the genre expects.  Readers have expectations, and if you fall short, that makes the next book that much harder to sell.


Readership

Another very common and often overlooked hurdle is your readership.  Do not assume that because you have very strong sales as a fantasy author, that when you release a mystery your readers will follow you because they are devoted to you.  The sad fact is most readers are devoted to the story(ies) you've written and will continue to gobble you up in your established genre.  You can bank on losing about 50% of your readership, which means you'll need to make that up with more readers.  The more you divide yourself between genres, that's fewer and fewer carry-over readers.

Which directly translates to:

Marketing

If you're launching a new genre, you need to approach that first book like you approached your very first book published.  You need to have a plan, you need to connect with that new readership, you need to sell yourself all over again.  Then you may see more cross-over readers, but not likely on the initial out of the gates, unless you are already a NY Times or USA Today Bestseller--routinely.  At that point, even then, your readership is going to drop, but in those sales numbers, it isn't as obvious or impacting--usually.

Commitments

Once you've stuck your foot in the new pond and wow'd the spectators with your swan-like swimming ability, you have to keep coming back to swim in that pool.  Meanwhile, you're swimming in the pool across town.  You're bound to encounter the problem of needing to be in two places at once.  Either because your self-publishing schedule demands releases hit close together, or because your publisher has said you will have x book done by y date, and y date is the same date as your other publisher wants something else.

Think this through.  Particularly if you are in any position to discuss projected deadlines with an editor.  Have a game plan for how you intend to be in two pools at once, and keep in mind many publishers will include in their contracts that you can't release a competing work for thirty days either side of what they are putting out.

Be prepared ahead of time; have an emergency action plan.  And, even better, use your free time to get ahead of your deadlines as opposed to perhaps running off on a brand new idea.  Get the idea down so you don't forget it, then finish up what you've already planned so deadline crunch doesn't end up kicking you in the rear.  In short, know what you are capable of and be honest with that self evaluation.

Pen Names - Do I have to have a New One?

Claire is saving that discussion for the next blog post.

Sum it Up:

1.  Make sure your voice matches your new project appropriately.

2.  Readers dictate a book's expectations.  Insure your new endeavor meets and exceeds those expected elements.

3.  You can't count on the same numbers you're currently bringing in, and often, when launching into a new genre, you will lose readers.  Create a marketing plan that is specific to your new genre.

4.  Be prepared.  Don't let deadlines take you by surprise--plan for them and give plenty of room to adjust.




Looking for a freelance editor? Finish-the-story.com wants to work with you!



~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Labels: Cross-Genre Writing , Editing Tip , fiction writing , Finish the Story , Writer Wednesday , Writing Craft

It's that time of year!  And I have to admit, I am firmly convinced that the entire world has literally gone mad.  Not as in fan zany, frothing at the mouth for a victory and sitting nervously wondering if the 100.00 bet on a team is going to be lost or gained.

I'm talking plain old, out of their mind, flipping NUTS.

You see... I despise basketball.  I always have. (Probably why the basketball player I dated in high school and I didn't work. Oh wait...no, I delivered flowers to his other girlfriend that Valentines.  Ahem! Moving on.)

Why?  I can't stand the squeaky shoes.  Down the court: squeak...squeak...squeak... Up the court: squeak...squeak...squeak.  Position for a shot: squeak-squeak.  Dodge to pass around the defender:  Squeeeeak-squeak.

Drives me out of my mind!  I can't even turn the volume down because I can hear the damn noises in my head. So I've issued the edict to my demidemons, if they want to play basketball it will be when they are able to provide their own transportation to practice and games, and sorry, this is one event Mom will not stand on the sidelines and cheer for.  They seem to be okay with this.  It's not as bad as the edict that they have to wait until at least junior high to play football.

My March usually involves finding a bracket though and filling it out.  I know nothing about the teams, but those little blanks are awfully fun to fill in.  I even made it to the final four one year just randomly assigning winners based on, oh, the color of their uniform, how many vowels were in their team name, the mascot, the state... my then-husband, who was a basketball addict, was livid I outranked his carefully analyzed and chosen rankings.

But once that bracket is filled out I'm off and running on something else.  This year I'm having my own March Maddess going on, that's wholly related to writing and much more enjoyable on my end.

I have massive deadlines that, as a deadline addict myself, I'm thoroughly excited about meeting.  My agent and I are getting ready to unleash a new project to several editors, and I'm over-the-moon excited about it.


The next Black Opal book is finished and gearing up for release.  Which means during the month of March I'll have fun things hitting my email.  Did someone say new cover art?  Squee! I can tell you now that this book lays the foundation for one hero's story that you've been waiting on.  You'll have to watch the blog and so forth to find out who though!




I have a contract in the works--more new cover art!!!  And that will launch what I hope will be another three books in a new series.






Last, but in no way least (in fact this makes me very giddy and should be at the top of the list) I have not one, but TWO Templar books coming out in March:


Immortal Protector, a companion novella, March 12th
Immortal Trust, book III, March 26th.



And that's my March madness--full of writing, full of nail-biting, full of sitting on the edge of my chair for entirely different reasons.  And I'm celebrating all this in various ways throughout the month as well.  Starting with this blog hop and a 10.00 Amazon gift card.

But to be eligible to win this secondary prize, there's two things you have to do:

1.  Comment below and tell me your thoughts on Hoops and Squeaks.
2.  Pop over to my Claire Ashgrove Facebook page and hit the like button.

To be Entered in the March Madness Blog Hop Grand Prize -- fill out the little rafflecopter stuff below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 For official rules, check out the Host Site

Be sure and check out the other participating authors:

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Labels: Black Opals , Blog Hop , Claire Ashgrove , giveaway , Immortal Protector , Immortal Trust , March Madness , New Release , SnS Review , The Curse of the Templar , Tori St.Claire

Good morning everybody!

It's Tuesday, and that means teaser time!  Immortal Protector is just around the corner!  For those of you just stopping by today, this is the companion novella in The Curse of the Templars that falls between Immortal Surrender and Immortal Trust (Mar 26).

We're catching up where we left off on Chapter One last week.  Catch Up Here

Immortal Protector
The Curse of the Templars, Companion Novella
March 12, 2013
Pre-Order Now! ($1.99)





“Catherine Grady.” Catherine answered the officer’s inquiry as confidently as she could and passed him her driver’s license. But the devastatingly handsome man to her left made confidence almost impossible. He was so big, so there, her skin tingled with awareness. A feeling she hadn’t experienced in a good four years or more. And the way he’d stepped in to protect her made her heart do all kinds of flip-flops.

Iain. Iain Donnelly. His introduction played through her mind, distracting her from the embarrassing position of having to confess to this cop that the convoluted city streets confused her and she’d caused a serious accident. It also kept her from dwelling on how she was going to break this news to the sisters at Mount Saint Scholastica. Her novitiate director wouldn’t hesitate to point out this would be God’s way of handling her refusal to part with her car, the last tangible memory of the only family who’d ever loved her. On the heels of that reminder would come the piercing stare and the remark she’d heard one too many times lately: Perhaps your calling is with children, not the community.

Catherine took her driver’s license back from the officer and nervously stuffed it into her purse. The last time she’d gotten a ticket for anything, she’d been sixteen. After that DUI, she lost her license, lost her freedom, and had only regained the right to drive three years ago.

“And the man who collided with your vehicle, you say he assaulted you?” The officer changed the direction of his questioning with a severe frown.

Catherine glanced at Iain. “Not . . . exactly.”

Officer Martinez’s frown deepened as he cocked his head and squinted at Iain. “I thought—”

“We really aren’t certain what his intentions were,” Catherine rushed to explain. “He grabbed at me. He didn’t touch me physically.” Fidgeting once more, she twined her hands together at her waist. “It’s really nothing. He’s just angry. I have insurance—I’m sure it will smooth over.”

The cop scrutinized her for a moment, then offered a slow, reluctant nod. “If anything happens—”

“’Twill not,” Iain interjected. His firm, unyielding tone sent an unexplainable thrill rolling down Catherine’s spine.

“Yeah, well,” Officer Martinez continued, “If it does, you contact me. Okay?” He gave Catherine a pointed look.

“Yes, of course.”

“You have a towing company you prefer? Or are you good with these guys?” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the tow truck parked at the corner, waiting to hook on at first opportunity.

It didn’t really matter in the scheme of things. Her adoptive father’s car was toast. Insurance wouldn’t touch it. She sighed inwardly. At least she could put whatever money she received toward the classroom. For six months now, she’d been trying to persuade the school board to invest in new textbooks next fall.

“They’re fine,” she answered with a forlorn look at the destroyed convertible.

Before he wandered across the street to join his partner, Martinez waved at the driver, and in seconds the tow truck’s engine purred to life. Beeps echoed down the clogged street as it backed toward the lamppost where Catherine stood.

Iain clasped her by the elbow, pulling her gently away from the wreckage. “’Twould be my pleasure to offer you a ride, Catherine. Surely you were headed somewhere?”

Criminy, one simple touch and her head swam with newfound sensations. Tingles zinged down to her toes. Warmth flooded her veins, making her oddly dizzy. And looking him in the eye—good grief, she’d faint, she was certain of it.

Instead, she glanced at her sandals. “I was on my way back to the school where I teach.” No way would she ask this stranger to drive an hour to her home. He seemed safe enough, but that was foolish. Besides, it would be rude. Grabbing for a smile, she braved meeting his warm brown eyes. “I’ll call someone to come get me.”

Iain chuckled. “You would arrive sooner if you did not have to wait to be retrieved.” He beckoned her to follow. “Come. I must deliver this sofa to the teens’ shelter. Perhaps you could tell me how to get there, in exchange for a ride.”

Not smart—this wasn’t smart at all. She’d learned this lesson the hard way. But that stranger wasn’t anything like Iain. Not once had he seemed helpful. Certainly not in the way any normal human being would define the word.

Catherine’s gaze strayed across the street at the man whose car she’d inadvertently destroyed. Evidently too good for the first-arrival towing companies, he waited beside his Jeep—which now sat near the opposite curb—glowering at her.

That malicious stare was enough to make up her mind. She’d rather chance a ride with the man who’d prevented whatever that jerk had in store, than stand here while he was still around.

“Okay.” She blew out a hard breath. “I need to go to Atchison, though.”

“Atchison? I was there three days past.”

Catherine grinned. “It’s quaint. I like it a lot.” Falling into step behind him, she crossed the street.
Iain opened the passenger door of his silver pickup truck and gestured for her to climb inside. “You are a teacher then.” It wasn’t really a question, more a reaffirmation of what she’d already said.

“Yeah.” It was true . . . for the most part. She did teach. She held a specialist’s degree in secondary education with a specific emphasis in the needs of special circumstance children. Teens and tweens who, for whatever reason, lacked stable home environments, and in some cases, homes at all. But for some unexplainable reason, Catherine couldn’t bring herself to voice the first response that came to mind: No, actually I’m a nun.


~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Labels: angels , Claire Ashgrove , demons , Immortal Protector , Knights Templar , new fiction , New Release , Paranormal , Paranormal Romance , paranormal romance series , romance , The Curse of the Templar , Tor Romance

Hi everyone!  Back this week with seven lines from Immortal Protector.  Remember, this is available March 12th, but can be pre-ordered now for $1.99!

March 12, 2013

“Aye, mademoiselle?” he whispered.

Her voice was a quiet scrape against the stillness. “I just want you to know how much...”

Catherine’s throat clogged again. He was here, right in front of her, having just admitted he desired her as she desired him. And yet, she was still trying to force out a sensible good night, when what she truly wanted defied logic.

She took a half step forward, shivering beneath the bright burn in his dark eyes.







~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Labels: angels , Claire Ashgrove , demons , Immortal Protector , Knights Templar , new fiction , New Release , Paranormal , Paranormal Romance , paranormal romance series , The Curse of the Templar , Tor Romance

Good morning, readers!

As part of my semi-regular Fantasy Friday feature, I'm bringing you a new book that looks really intriguing to me.  You know I'm drawn to a cover, and these look awesome.  Plus, the premise sounds really, really engaging.  Please welcome D.N. Simmons who's going to give us a look at the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles!

I'm featuring these TWO books in the series today:

Desires Unleashed

Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Book One
Publisher: Rushmore Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-0615678641
ASIN: B004DCB6P4

Genre: Urban-Fantasy/Dark Urban Fantasy w/Paranormal Romance elements.

  Content warning: Multicultural and mixed genre such as gay/bisexual/straight pairings/sex scenes.Graphic language and violence. Strong sexual themes.



The Guilty Innocent

Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Book Two
Publisher: Rushmore Publishing

ISBN: 978-0615688381

ASIN: B004EPYUTY

Genre: Urban-fantasy
Subgenres: Horror, Paranormal Romance, GLBT, Multicultural, Mystery/Thriller.

D.N. Please tell us a little more about the world this series takes place in.
D.N. Simmons:  Enter the world of the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles, where supernatural beings and humans live together openly in a tenuous society. Danger lurks behind every corner as they release their darkest and deadliest desires. In an attempt to keep order, the government has created laws that govern the supernaturals and a special police force; the S.U.I.T.

(Supernatural Unit Investigation Team), are trained to keep the dangerous supernatural threat in check. But not everyone can be contained or controlled. Criminals come in all species and even the highly trained S.U.I.T. Organization needs help. It is apparent that if the world is to maintain its fragile peace, certain alliances must be formed, even if it's between enemies.

The world of the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles is dark, sexy, witty… a little twisted with a lot of action and a whole bunch of fun. If you love UF/PNR, you owe it to yourself to check out this series. It’s completely original and addictive


Well, there you have it, folks!  Sounds intriguing yes?  Thanks, D.N. for stopping in today!


About the Author:


D. N. Simmons lives in Chicago IL., with a rambunctious German Shepherd that's too big for his own good and mischievous kitten that she affectionately calls "Itty-bitty". Her hobbies include rollerblading, billiards, bowling, reading, watching television and going to the movies.

She has been nominated at Love Romances and More, winning honorable mention for best paranormal book of 2006. She has won "Author of the Month" at Warrior of Words. She was voted "New Voice of Today" at Romance Reviews and "Rising Star" at Love Romance and More.

To learn more, and have the opportunity to speak with the author personally, please visit the official website and forum at www.dnsimmons.com D.N. is always interesting in meeting new and wonderful people.

Keep in touch!  Youtube  |  Facebook  |  Blog  |  Goodreads







~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Labels: Bewitching Book Tours , fantasy author , fantasy friday , new fiction , New Release