Month: July 2014

Recognising a Crisis Part 2

Dont-Panic1I wrote in Recognising a Crisis Part 1 about some of the ways we prevent ourselves from processing disastrous information, this time I’m going to take a step back in time to the moment an emergency begins.

You’ll have been in a building when the fire alarm goes off…what’s everyone’s initial reaction? A test, a prank, a short-circuit. If someone collapses in public, or starts choking at a restaurant maybe, the usual first assumption is that they’re larking around. Most first responders will have had the experience, multiple times, of being met at the scene of an emergency by someone wringing their hands and repeating ,”I didn’t realise it was real.” Of course, while dealing with their guilt for being human they are now delaying you getting on with your job, but that’s a whole ‘nother article. Continue reading “Recognising a Crisis Part 2”

Back To Work

penguinI’m back after a few weeks away from Indies Unlimited. Sure does feel good to be among friends, aspiring writers, already there writers and others again. While this site is not a “I went to the store yesterday” kind of blog site, I think it’s important to share with you what’s been happening in my life. In fact, it has a lot to do with writing.

For the past 16 years, I’ve worked for myself in many different areas: sales, marketing, freelance writing, social media community manager with a few other things sprinkled in. This past January, one of my clients made the proverbial “Offer I couldn’t refuse.” Continue reading “Back To Work”

Featured Book: Triple Dog Dare

Triple Dog DareTriple Dog Dare
by K.S. Brooks and Stephen Hise
Genres: Chick-lit, humor, rom-com
Available at Amazon.

Mayhem ensues when Stu, a wealthy dog breeder, is forced to retrieve a prize pup from the woman he secretly loves. But the dog has become a celebrity, and Stu’s dream girl needs the pup to meet a publication deadline she was obligated to by her arrogant and controlling fiancé.

Excerpt

Terri then noticed Mike Gillette among the faces she knew. That ruthless little weasel. Terri now regretted her grubby attire. Dammit, Bianca, how can you be right so much of the time?! I should have listened to you.

Bianca, looking tall, splendid and lovely, beamed her million-watt smile as she fielded questions. Camera shutters were clicking away. Terri knew that Gillette would make certain to get a shot of her wearing her shapeless sweatshirt and baggy jeans, looking as sexy as a refrigerator.

Bastard! Terri started to fall in behind Bianca, thinking maybe she could just push past the feeding frenzy and meet Bianca on the other side. Maybe no one will notice me.

Bianca was about to remove her sunglasses when one of the reporters yelled, “There he is!” prompting everyone to turn away.

Seeing this as a chance to escape unwanted attention from Mike Gillette, Terri grabbed Bianca’s elbow and began gently urging her away from the throng.

What others are saying:

“If a book is written by either Hise or Brooks, you can be confident of a really good read.” – Beeshon

Amazon Forum Discussions

success_1405379462-150x150As authors and writers we are always on the lookout for more ways to bring eyes, and then buyers, to our work. Now, I don’t know about you but I don’t have hours and hours a day to spend on all the sites out there to try and find those elusive readers and buyers.

Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a discussion on Amazon about my first book, Back From Chaos. It came about from another discussion held on Facebook with members of a group I belong to. When it was my turn, I decided that, instead of holding the discussion on Facebook, where only a few friends would see it, I would use the discussion feature on Amazon. It was surprisingly easy. Continue reading “Amazon Forum Discussions”