Interview on Juniper Grove

Today, September 26, 2012 I am the Featured Author on Juniper Grove. It includes a giveaway of a print copy of my first book. Very exciting! Stop by and check it out.

eclectic

eclectic /iˈklektik/
adjective
1. selecting or choosing from various sources.
2. made up of what is selected from different sources.
3. not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems.
4. noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration, landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during a certain period, that derive from a wide range of historic styles, the style in each instance often being chosen for its fancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography, the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of the client.

Some people take being referred to as eclectic as an insult but it is something I have striven for all my life. I have always wanted to be different, to stand out. I do not want to be another face blending into the crowd, cattle following the herd.

I dress in what feels comfortable, I choose my clothes by what is on top of the pile. I don't like dresses, heels or makeup. Never have, it's just not who I am.

Today I am wearing a pair of light grey terry capri's with over the knee grey, red and white striped socks and a grey shirt with Tinker Bell on it. I'm warm, I'm comfortable and I am happy.

Do I care what people think of the outfit? Not really. Well except for the older gentleman who made my day this morning.

I was out with the kids waiting for the bus and saw an older guy looking at the roof of the house across the street. He is dressed in blue jeans and a navy polo shirt, hair trimmed short and neat. Yesterday morning while waiting for the bus we saw a squirrel making a nest in that particular roof, so I approached him to let him know.

So, here I am in my grey outfit, with my medium blue fleece hoodie over it and a pair of slip-ons on my feet. Dark raspberry red hair, brushed but a little wild, with a big friendly smile. Wasn't sure how he'd react but he was quite friendly and happy to chat.

We talked a little then he said "Please don't take this wrong, but I love your eclectic style. It always impresses me when someone is willing to be who they really are."

So, I finally reached my personal goal and it felt really good.

My point is, be who you are. Love who you are, and never be afraid of what others will think. You are beautiful, never forget that.

For Nook Owners

So, I know people were interested in reading the series on the Nook, so after searching their site trying to figure out how to publish to the Nook, I finally emailed them. Here is what they told me:

Thank you for writing to us about the availability of a NOOK Book format for the book "Rise of the Dark Angel" by Carol Brearley.
We know that NOOK Book enthusiasts are eager to see more and more titles in digital form, and we're adding them on a daily basis -- so if you don't see a title you're interested in, please check back often.
We will instantly notify the publisher that you have requested such title in digital format.
Ultimately, it's the publisher's call whether to offer a title in digital format. Sometimes, publishers decide not to offer a digital version, even if (or especially if) a book is popular in print. For this reason, some very popular books and series are not yet available. But we are committed to bringing you the best selection of NOOK Books anywhere.

So, it looks like it is all down to the publisher to decide, which means it will not be until at least October 22, 2012 (when my KDP contract ends) before the publisher will even consider it. For now, all I can recommend is to go to the print version on Barnes and Noble's website and click on the link "Want to read this on your NOOK? Request as NOOK Book from the publisher."

Wish there were more I could do.

Surprising discovery

So I decided to do a Google search for my book, just out of curiosity, and found it available for purchase in print formats in several different online retailers besides Amazon.com. I am both surprised and ecstatic! Here's where you can find it:

Barnes and Noble

Booktopia

AllBookstores

URead

AbeBooks

Alibris

"Who I Am" by Aingeal

Who I Am

I am the pain you cannot see in her eyes,
I am anger you cannot feel in her heart.
I am the hate in her fists,
I am the revenge in her thoughts.
I am all of this brought to you,
I am the thing you will fear.
I am me,
I am the dark angel.

~ Aingeal Ó Cuinn

Bookmark

The Dark Angel Trilogy bookmark is now available to download and print, or you can contact me and received a signed bookmark via SASE.

Working on Book Two

I've been working on book two and just finished off chapter five. Word count is currently at 19,121 total. This is just the rough draft, so I'm sure numbers will go up later, for now I am happy with the progress.

Aingeal is having some really heavy stuff thrown at her in this book. I do not even know yet how she is going to pull through it. Will have to see how it goes I guess.

Website for Trilogy is live

Feel free to stop by the new website for the Dark Trilogy Series. It's simple, it's informative, and it's live! I tried to cover all three books, and it also includes the many media websites you can find me on.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions please feel free to post them below.

Being and Indie Author

So, there are upsides and downsides of being an indie author. When I started down this path I knew it was not going to be easy, but I never imagined how difficult it really is.

So, first... Why I decided to be an indie author... Well, I looked into publishing services and went, "Holy crap! I can't afford that!" Then I looked into Amazon's free self publishing services.

First there is Kindle Direct Publishing. Here's what their site says about the service:

With Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) you can self-publish your books on the Amazon Kindle Store. It's free, fast, and easy. Books self-published through KDP can participate in the 70% royalty program and are available for purchase on Kindle devices and Kindle apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, and Android-based devices. With KDP, you can self-publish books in many languages - including English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian - and specify pricing in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, and Euros. You will also find useful information on our active community forum.

They also offer their Kindle Select service, also free:

Introducing KDP Select - a new option to make money and promote your book. When you make your book exclusive to Kindle for at least 90 days, it will be part of the Kindle Owners' Lending Library for the same period and you will earn your share of a monthly fund when readers borrow your books from the library. You will also be able to promote your book as free for up to 5 days during these 90 days. 

So, I signed up, uploaded my novel, cover and looked into their other service.

Create Space is a print-on-demand service also offered for free from Amazon. Yes, it's free, yes it lets you get your book out there in print format, but wow do they take a lot of the profits! Because of this you need to ask more for the book.

So now your book is published, here's the fun part. How do you sell it? I mean, those expensive publishing services do the work for you, but if you can't afford to do that, what can you do? Sell yourself. Here is where I am having the hardest time. Trying to get my book out there without spending money is extremely difficult, but not impossible.

So, here I am trying to write the second book in the trilogy, raise a family and promote my book. It's a trial for sure, but it is worth it. I've done one interview (stay tuned for its release) so far and hoping to do another one soon. I have an authors page and ad on Goodreads, I am now on FictFact, I tweet daily on Twitter, I even have an authors page on Facebook! Still it does not seem to be enough. All I can do though is keep trying and not give up.

If you are looking to help out please share this link to my book. Even if you can't buy it right now, if you share the link you are still doing something to help the cause, and thank you!