Month: November 2013

Featured Book: 2013 Flash Fiction Anthology

This anthology contains some work originally produced by select participants in the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge.

The 250-word flash fiction challenge each Saturday provides entrants with a picture by award-winning novelist and photographer K.S. Brooks and a written prompt by author Stephen Hise.

Waters discovered the Indies Unlimited site during the early part of 2012 and feels the site, the staff, and others have encouraged his writing and supported this and many of his other writing endeavors.

This volume includes sample chapters from his full length mystery novels, and sample chapters from his guest authors; Aron Joice and Brian Beam.

Available from Amazon.

My Journey into App Land

Mr. Pish Goes to the Farm APP CoverIt’s been an exciting few months for me. I’ve been working with a developer to convert three Mr. Pish books into apps for kids. Sound cool? Indeed. Sound scary? More like.

One has to realize that I don’t even own a smartphone. My phone is so old and so dumb that its IQ is envious of the 31 on the Baskin Robbins’ ice cream sign. What’s my point? The learning curve – more like hurdle – over a huge chasm of technology and a completely different way of thinking. Anyone have a six-year-old who can help me out with this?

First came the contract. I looked it over closely, then had two smart friends take a gander. (I can’t afford a lawyer anymore, but since I played one on TV, I figure I’m okay.) Then, I asked a developer friend to check out the company. He did a thorough investigation and came back impressed. So, I proceeded. Coincidentally, and happily, I signed the contract on my 50th birthday. Pretty cool. Continue reading “My Journey into App Land”

Finding Readers with Yasiv

We’ve located your target audience!

As authorpreneurs, I think one of the major challenges we face is finding our audience. I know I had a heck of a time figuring out my target demographic when I started writing the Kate Jones Thriller Series. Who was I aiming at…er, I mean for? Who did I think would enjoy reading about a woman who made a huge mistake in her 20s and has been on the run ever since? With guns. And explosives. And really bad guys chasing her?

Did I mention guns?

I couldn’t really market them as romances, although there’s certainly some of that in the books. I toyed with the mystery moniker, but that didn’t fit either. So, I settled on thriller and action/adventure. But when I looked at the types of books in the thriller genre, I realized my character wasn’t your typical stoic, quiet-but-lethal dude. In fact, Kate’s got some issues and isn’t real quiet about them. My other character, Leine Basso, is more along the stoic and lethal lines. Both have boatloads of courage, though, and the storylines are fast-paced and action-packed, which can be found in most thrillers.

Enter Yasiv. I just ran across this site the other day and I’m still playing with it, but I think it’s going to help quite a bit in identifying the demographic for my books. Rather than guess what my target audience might be, Yasiv gives you a visual rendering of the actual connections to a specific product on Amazon—in this case, your book. Continue reading “Finding Readers with Yasiv”

Flash Fiction Vote: Make Your Choice

There is a lot to consider before casting your vote. It’s time for readers to pick a winner for this week’s challenge.

Check out this week’s entries here. Vote for your favorite, then use those share buttons at the bottom of the post to spread the word.

All our winners will be included in the next edition of the IU Flash Fiction Anthology. Participate in this week’s voting, then  share the link to let everyone know the vote is on.

Polls close tomorrow at 5 PM.

 

Whose entry was barking up the right tree this week?

  • Maggie Rascal (31%, 14 Votes)
  • Kathy Steinemann (29%, 13 Votes)
  • Jon Jefferson (24%, 11 Votes)
  • MT Decker (11%, 5 Votes)
  • Marlin Woosley (4%, 2 Votes)
  • Annette (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 45

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NOTE: Entrants whose submissions exceed the 250 word limit are eliminated from the poll.