Random Thinking

Random Thinking

Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone's New Year is prosperous and filled with joy! 

Now, I wasn't planning on writing a blog post today, I have a ton of other things I SHOULD be doing. But, here I am! :)

Today's post is just about reading, writing, marketing, working, blogging and family! I would like to know how other authors do it! Especially if you have a regular job, going to school and a family to raise. Myself? I read alot! Mostly 2-3 books/week. And I also have a 4 year old who takes up most of my lovely day, everyday. On top of that, I go to school part time. Now by this time, 9pmET, I am usually blogging and writing my next novel. My day is pretty much a tight schedule and to make it even more compact, I just launched my online book reviewing business: www.ervinbookreviews.com, offering FREE book reviews and other author services. It took a long time working out the kinks, getting it registered properly and all. But now that I am finished, I'm proud of it! I love to read and what better job can offer me that, right? Well, now that my schedule is super busy, I feel that I started the New Year off with a BANG!

Not to mention my new novel releasing on January 14th! I am super excited. Any others ever feel like they took an energy pill and they just can't get to sleep, a week before your book goes worldwide?! Well, that's how I feel! Super AMPED...if you can't tell by my exclamation points!!! Haha, well today, I spoke with quite a few authors who are AWESOME, and recieved a ton of advice, which I am grateful for. Those authors sharing their knowledge and helping other authors along the way, makes it that much easier to get the right things done. So you know who you are and a HUGE thanks to you.  

Now, about the marketing....

Uh, I slowed down with the whole marketing for a week or two and have run into book publicists, publicity firms and media. I've talked to B&N, and other bookstores about hosting my book launch party. But it seems like they do not like self-published authors too much. Not to mention, it costs an arm, a leg and all the hair off your head to advertise with them! So my fellow authors, please share how you advertise without social media, that is fairly inexpensive. Any and all advice is welcome. 

Now, back to reading & writing!

Have a wonderful morning/afternoon/night!

You're gracious blog host,

E.L Ervin

A TOUCH OF MIDNIGHT

A TOUCH OF MIDNIGHT

By: Lara Adrian

First off, I want to say that this is the first post I will be talking solely about the book! I'm sure Lara Adrian is a wonderful person but I am just so anxious to tell everyone about this book! A Touch of Midnight synopsis via goodreads: 

Savannah Dupree is halfway across the country from her Louisiana bayou hometown, a freshman studying at Boston University on a full scholarship. But academic excellence is only one of Savannah’s gifts. She possesses something even more remarkable than her quick mind and insatiable curiosity for learning. With a simple touch, Savannah can see an object’s past—a skill that puts her life in danger, when her studies bring her into contact with a centuries-old English sword and the secret hidden within the blade’s history: the vicious murders of twin boys by a group of fanged creatures borne of the worst kind of nightmare.

In all his three hundred years of living as one of the Breed, vampire warrior Gideon never dreamed he’d see the blade again that spilled his young brothers’ lives ages ago on that blood-soaked night in London. Ever since the boys’ deaths, Gideon’s been on a personal quest to rid the world of Rogue vampires, but now he can’t help wondering if the brutal slayings of his only kin was something more sinister—an act perpetrated by an unknown enemy. An enemy who is apparently living in hiding somewhere in Boston. There’s one certain way to prove Gideon’s suspicion, but it will mean using innocent, gifted Savannah to help uncover the full truth—a truth that will shatter everything she knows about herself and the world around her. And with danger closing in from all sides, the passion that ignites between Gideon and Savannah will tempt them to risk their hearts and lives for a love that might just last an eternity…

This novella, a prequel to the Midnight Breed series, was previously published in its entirety in The Midnight Breed Series Companion (May 2013)

My ratings: 5 stars

My review:

I have to say, a certain vampire book series turned me off of reading vampire books, BUT, I couldn't turn this one down. I had to give it a chance. And I am glad that I did. Lara Adrian's book, A Touch of Midnight, rekindled my love for reading about vamps! The cover is enticing, the story is well written and the characters are truly amazing. Gideon, one word, *HOT*. I absolutely love this book and I will recommend it to anyone!

And I will be reading the rest of this series. :)

For more about this book and author, view: http://www.laraadrian.com/

Wildest Dreams by: Stefany Rattles

Wildest Dreams

By: Stefany Rattles

Welcome everyone, today blog post will be on a short, amazingly sweet and steamy novel called Wildest Dreams. But first, lets get to know a little bit about the author, Stefany Rattles.

Stefany Rattles published her first novel on April 1st of 2014 titled Dark Night. She recently published Bloodthirst: Dark Night Volume 2, the sequel to Dark Night. Currently she has also published a short story/prequel to Dark Night, When In The City.
The first book in her New Adult series, Wildest Dreams (Sweet Dreams Series Book 1) was released on September 28th of 2014.
Stefany is twenty four and has a full time job. On her free time if she's not writing she's reading. Her favorite authors include: Richelle Mead, Lauren Kate & Rachel Cain. 
Now, about the book Wildest Dreams, I had a lot of fun reading. The synopsis of the book:
When nineteen year old Alaina Sanders scores a position as an assistant at L&A law firm where her lifetime crush Rayden Matthews happens to work, feelings and emotions from the past resurface. With the physical attraction stronger than ever, soon they find themselves in a complicated situation. Rayden is engaged to his high school sweet-heart, but things are not what they seem and Rayden must make a choice before it's too late. 
L&A is Alaina's first professional job, needless to say that the last thing she wants is drama or to lose her job. Unfortunately she finds herself surrounded by a series of events that are out of her control... like a stalker for one. When her work and personal life intertwine, how will she be able to handle them? In a boring town like Springdale, Arkansas how much worse can things get for Alaina? 
My views on the book: Three words for this book. Short, sweet and steamy! The main characters in wildest dreams, Alaina and Rayden, are adorable, conflicted(in the best way) and downright lovable. There were moments when I wanted to reach into the book and knock some sense into a character or two, which of course meant the book was engaging for me. So, in all...Great story line!
Stefany Rattles have an intriguing series line up, so stay tuned everyone.
To know more about this author, visit: http://stefanyrattles.wix.com/strlnggry

The 11th Percent (Paranormal Fantasy) Book Review

                                                                

              The 11th Percent (Paranormal Fantasy) 

By: T. H. Morris

        Today's blog is about a paranormal fantasy novel called: The 11th Percent. But, before I get into what the novel is about, let me introduce you to its author, T. H. Morris. 

        T. H. Morris is a born and raised North Carolinian who love to read, as a child and even more so, as an adult. As a child, he often immersed himself into fables, tales and mythology of all sorts, including Greek, Roman and Norse! His love for reading "fantastical" stories lead to him writing some of his own. In 2010, T. H attempted to write his first fictional novel, which did not go well, BUT, he did not give up! After having a vivid 7-hour dream T.H had in early 2011, he began what is now an amazingly, well-written paranormal fantasy novel, The 11th Percent!

        This paranormal fantasy novel is about an exceptional character named Jonah Rowe. He has the typical, run-of-the-mill job, that makes anyone want to bang their head on the wall. However, Jonahs life is altered, one strange and eventful day, when his entire world turns blue! He has no clue what's going on and why his world has gone 'dispirited', until he sees something that the normal person does not  normally get a chance to see. Jonah finds out that he is an 11th percenter that can see and do things that the normal person who uses only 10 percent of their brains, cannot. 

        Jonah Rowe's character is very charismatic and not to mention powerful. His character is relat-able for the most part and easily liked. This novel brings Jonah's world to life and it is packed full of ghosts, action, mystery and power! The 11th Percent is a must-read  for anyone who loves a great paranormal fantasy or even for those whom 'like me' have never read anything paranormal, but loves fiction. It's a great book to have and I would recommend this book, as well as, it's sequel coming soon. 

        For more information on The 11th Percent by: T. H. Morris, click here: http://www.11thpercentseries.weebly.com

MICHAEL HANSON and the DESOLATE WOODS(Book Trailer)

Hello everyone,

Just to keep you all updated, I am uploading my book trailer and hope you all enjoy! I'll be back soon to let you all know what current books I am reading and reviewing soon, until next time!

The Sit and Wait Phase :(

     So for the past few days, I've been bombarded with many questions about how the self-publishing journey is going and whether I wished I had published traditionally. Well to all those who want to know, "I Love Selp-publishing and NO, I do not wish I had a traditional publisher."
     I love the fact that I can claim that 'I did it on my own', I am that type of person. However, I have had TONS of help from my editors, illustrators and designers. Professional editing is a MUST for me, if you can't tell already. Ha! But, seriously, I enjoy the process of learning what it takes to make a successful author. Knowing if people would enjoy my work and appreciate how open I am and how hard I work, makes the journey worth taking.
     Another thing I encountered was many who asked: Why would you do a book trailer? It's not a movie.
Well...no, it is not a movie. But, it is a way for authors to reach out to those who normally wouldn't pick up a novel to save their lives and who like watching tv/videos instead. I've received many who said just that to me and where glad they came across my book trailer on YouTube.
Here it is btw: http://youtu.be/NBu_HmeH0Sw
 
     Now, just to catch everyone up on the last week or so, I was supposed to release my novel Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods this month: December 2014, but, a minor setback has taken place and it is called: Interior book designs! Ugh, frustrations! But, the good thing is that my book will be all the better for it. I try not to rush and just have to accept that it takes time to attempt perfection. So...I will not give a specific date, no longer. I will just say that sometime in January, my novel will be on the shelves.
Wooohooo, way to start of 2015!!!

Also, I am trying a new thing: reviewing other authors in the fiction genre. I love to read, as much as I love to write.  So, if you have a novel that you would like me to read and blog about, please shoot me an email: elervin1087@gmail.com.

My favorite novels to read in the fiction genre are: fantasy, romance, YA, suspense and mystery. It normally takes me 3-5 days to read and write a review, so don't hesitate, send me your novel!

If you have any questions, please email me.

E.L. Ervin
AUTHOR
www.elervin.com

"Don't wait around for time to make you old, do everything you want with a fervor of love and adventure, while you're still young."- E.L. Ervin
     

The Road So Far...

     So, as you might know, I've been writing for some years now and getting better as times goes on. At least, I think so! 
     Naturally, the first thing I did to start my journey to becoming a self-published author was to find out what type of stories I enjoy reading about. What is my passion? Well, that part was easy...Fiction! I love to read about new worlds, magical or non-magical and travel adventurous journey's along with the characters. I've read romance, mystery, fantasy, science fiction and paranormal. So out of those types of books, I enjoy reading fantasy fiction most.
Step 1: Check!

     What I did after that was, research. I researched any and everything about writing a great fantasy series, self publishing books, what has and hasn't been written and just about anything on marketing. It was so much information, my brain was overwhelmed! So, I found one particular author whose work I loved to read and I found out what they did; what worked for them and what didn't work and set my own timeline for my books.
Step 2: Check!

     The next step I made, was to copyright my work, even though I was just starting out. I also started building my fan-base on twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other main social media sites. Honestly, I didn't really focus much on it as I should have but, it's a work in progress.
Step 3: Check!

     Next, I wrote! And wrote...and slept, and wrote, and ate and wrote. I would eat, sleep and breathe writing! Not that I didn't enjoy it, but I became...a writer. I set a time with the minimum of 30 minutes but, mostly I wrote for at least 5 hours a day or however long it would take me to write 5,000 words per day. I wrote until my first book was completed.
Step 4: Check!

     Well, what came after that, you ask? I read my own book, of course! And edited, tweaked it here and there, and read it again. I then took time to find professional editors and self publishing companies.I uploaded my novel and had them edit it professionally. I've read so many authors, self published and traditionally publish alike, say that you should skip this. And I agree 100%. Besides, you want the best for a novel, right?
Step 5: Check!

     After finding a self-publishing company, I found a professional book cover designer and had my cover made exactly the way I wanted. Many people use pre-made covers but I had a different course set for my fantasy series. I also found an illustrator for the illustrations inside of novel. Lots of intensive searching for the right illustrator but I eventually found him. Book cover, Illustrations and editing were now completed.
Step 6: Check!

     Whew!!! Who ever knew self-publishing was so exhausting? Wonderfully so, I think! Well everything is falling into place for me and my book is starting to look more and more like a shelf-worthy read. Now what? Interior! And that...is what I am currently working on!
If you are reading this, please let me know if anyone has any advice or would like to share their steps on becoming published. Everyone has different views and ways of doing their own thing, so no way is the wrong way! I'd love to hear what others are doing on their journey!

Stay tuned for more about my Journey to Becoming a Self-published Author!