HBS Author’s Spotlight – Class of October 2014

This month we have a group of interesting writers with worlds of knowledge and expertise. The author interviews are a MUST read.

Be sure to check out what they have coming next for their readers. I try to pick authors who are interesting studies and ask them unique questions for our Q/A section.

Check out the Showcase feature of the HBS Author's Spotlight. I have included those authors in this class. Also, we have added the Author Bundles and Co-Authored writings we have posted this month.

Thanks to the following outstanding authors for a great month. Here is a summary of our October 2014 crew.


Elizabeth S. Craig

Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers

Author's Blog: Elizabeth Spann Craig
Website: Elizabeth Spann Craig
Twitter: @elizabethscraig
E-Mail: elizabethspanncraig (at) gmail (dot) com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: I'm currently writing "A Body at Bunco," which is a Myrtle Clover mystery (spring 2015 release).

Social media: I think most writers find social media a mixed blessing…my following is primarily other writers. I decided early on to use social media in the way I felt most comfortable. For me, this was sharing information and resources with other writers and networking with them.…I built up a nice platform for my name and my books that has provided more visibility for readers to find me online.

Reader list: In the last year I started sending out a newsletter, though, and it's been very helpful to me. I only send out when I've got a release, but that's still several times a year. I was amazed at the jump on the charts in sales that the newsletter provided for a newly launched book.

Audio books: I'm able to explore audio with one of my series--the self-published Myrtle Clover series. With the two Penguin series I, unfortunately, don't own the rights to take that route. But I've been very happy with my audio experiment for the Myrtle Clover series

Giveaways: I’ve had a great experience giving my books away for free. To me, it’s almost like advertising…except that, instead of paying for an ad, I’m simply losing money on royalties. I have had many readers to email saying that they found my series because one of the books was free.

Pen name: I’d caution everyone to carefully consider whether they want to have a pen name since it can be a tremendous time suck... I went the wrong direction initially with my promo and opened up social media accounts in that name.

Blog: I have several goals with my blog. One is sharing resources and information with other writers and having them share back in the comments. Another is connecting with other writers, since writing can be an isolating business. A third would be, frankly, channeling traffic to my blog, which is hosted on my website.

Getting reviews: With my self-published books, I’ve done nothing to get reviews on the books, actually, except for run sales. The reviews followed the sales spurts.

Author's Book List
Death Pays a Visit
Shear Trouble
A Body at Book Club
Quilt Trip
Death at a Drop-In
Knot What It Seams
A Body in the Backyard
Quilt or Innocence
A Dyeing Shame
Progressive Dinner Deadly
Pretty is as Pretty Dies


For the rest of the story...View Elizabeth S. Craig - HBS Author's Spotlight

Alicia Dean

Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Romance, Horror

Author's Blog: Alicia Dean
Website: Alicia Dean
Twitter: @Alicia_Dean_
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: Ruined: Martini Club 4 - The Twenties coming in February 2015.

Social media has increased my exposure and I have gained new readers from my activity on Twitter and Facebook. But the thing I love most is that I can interact with my readers through social media. It's opened up a whole new world.

Great covers: A few times, I have asked for reader opinions between a few cover choices. I have found readers love getting involved in that part of the process.

Bundle Book Sets: A bundle is a great way for a reader to get a discount price on more than one title by the same author and therefore, determine if this is an author they would like to start reading. They will then seek out other titles by that author. My main objective was reviving some older titles.

Free books: In the past, I have made a book free from time to time, for a limited time, in hopes of bringing in new readers. My main goal was to expose my books to a different audience. I didn't necessarily run into obstacles, but I have determined that free books are not really all that advantageous to writers or the industry as a whole.

Freelance Editing Services: [authors] can email me at AliciaMDean@aol.com. And/or they can visit this link where I provide details of my process and my fee, and a contact form: http://aliciadean.com/editing-services/.

I offer low rates, and a sample of a 10 page edit so that writers can see my work and decide if we would be a good fit. I enjoy freelance editing. It has allowed me to meet some great new friends and discover some fabulous stories.

Author's Book List
Without Mercy
Caster's Unfriendly Ghost
Liberty Divided
Liberty Awakened
Death Notice
Death Offerings
The Vampire Diaries: Divine Enemy
The Vampire Diaries: What the Heart Wants
Cupid's Beau
Soul Seducer
Thicker Than Water
Tears of the Wounded
A Knight Before Christmas
Find the Magic - How to Plot a Story in 10 Easy Steps
Nothing To Fear


For the rest of the story...View Alicia Dean - HBS Author's Spotlight

John Dolan

Author Genre: Literature & Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers

Website: John Dolan - AUTHOR, POLYMATH, SMARTYPANTS
Twitter: @JohnDolanAuthor
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: Chaos is Come Again - co-written with Virginia-based thriller writer, Fiona Quinn.

My social media relationships have been crucial. I have some amazingly supportive fellow authors from all around the world. It's heartwarming to see how generous people can be with their time

Great covers: I do all my own covers because I'm a control freak and love messing around with artwork and graphics software. I don't involve anyone in the design. That way, I have nobody to blame but myself if the covers suck. (Which I hope they don't!)

Short story: It's hard to say what impact 'Jim Fosse' has had on sales, though the short story was designed as a free giveaway to introduce folks to my writing. The first chapter of 'Everyone Burns' is included with it and hopefully tempts some people to buy the novel.

The free giveaway can work well in introducing readers to a series, and I have done free promos for 'Everyone Burns' using BookBub - each time producing a ton of downloads. I am cautious, however, as to how many further sales these events produce.

Book launch: I try to organise a promo of an existing book around launch time, plus my author and blogger buddies are always helpful with publicising the release. I've tried Goodreads giveaways too, but the jury is out on how successful that is. My launches tend to be phased.

Getting reviews: I send out some complimentary copies to interested readers, but generally rely on my reading audience. I don't pay for reviews, ever.

Author's Book List
A Poison Tree
Hungry Ghosts
Everyone Burns
Jim Fosse's Expense Claim


For the rest of the story...View John Dolan - HBS Author's Spotlight

Polly Iyer

Author Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Romance

Website: Polly Iyer Books
Twitter: @PollyIyer
E-Mail: PollyIyer at gmail dot com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: Right now, I’m working on a suspense novel tentatively titled Chain Reaction. It’s about Zoe Swan, an artist/author who meets an art history professor on the beach.

I’m a social media dabbler. My favorite is Facebook where I’ve made a lot of friends, mostly writers. Sometimes the first news I have of what’s going on in the world is on Facebook. I love the immediacy of the platform. I do a little Twitter, but I can’t say I like it much…For me, it’s too time consuming with few rewards I’ve seen personally.

Great covers: I’m a former artist, so I design and publish all my own book covers.

Doing so keeps my hand in the creative, artistic aspect of being an author. I usually have a basic idea of what I want on my covers, search through the many photo sites, and purchase the ones I want. So far, it’s worked out well.

Audio books: Collectively, they’ve sold well but not enough, but that’s always the case with writers.

It’s a very time consuming process, and I’m not sure when or if I’ll do the next one. When a book gets into the Whispersync program, anyone who has bought the book can buy the audio for $1.99.

Author bundles: I was delighted to have my short story accepted for the Carolina Crimes Anthology. That was the first short story I’d ever written. I had nothing to do with putting together the anthology. That was the brainchild of Karen Pullen, and she did an amazing job. I submitted another short story to the Sisters in Crime Guppy Anthology, titled Fish or Cut Bait. So my second-ever short story was also accepted.

Book giveaways: Giving away books has earned me readers and reviews. Reviews are the most important factor in gaining a readership. That’s, of course, if they’re good reviews. Whose book would you choose to read: one with a few good reviews or one with one hundred good reviews? People read them.

Author's Book List
Backlash
Threads
GODDESS OF THE MOON
Murder Deja Vu
Mind Games
Hooked
InSight


For the rest of the story...View Polly Iyer - HBS Author's Spotlight

Michelle Muckley

Author Genre: Literature & Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers

Author's Blog: Michelle Muckley
Website: Michelle Muckley
Twitter: @MichelleMuckley
E-Mail: michelle.muckley@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: Man in the Middle is book number four. The series follows a small population of survivors of a nuclear war. It deals with the concept of courage when it is easier to do nothing, moving past the mistakes you made in the old world, and learning to adapt as life changes. All done under the totalitarian regime called the Republic of New Omega who want to make things ‘easier’ for you, of course.

Social media: I believe social media is important, but not the most important element of being a writer. I do think it is important for making connections and being in touch with the community of writers, but I think it is much more important to focus on what you are producing. I used to be more prolific on Twitter, Facebook, and my blog, but lately I have cut it down to a bare minimum and focus solely on putting meaningful words on a page. Word count went up, sales didn’t go down.

Reader list: I do [have a reader list] because it is important to be in contact with the people who read your work. I have sign-up links on my website and in my books. I always find sign-ups increase after a promotion, and I try to get a newsletter out every six to eight weeks. These are people who actively have told you they want to hear more about you, and that makes them very valuable.

Great covers: I take little credit for them. I did create the cover for my latest short story called Containment, but for my full length novels and series I use the services of a great designer. She works with me to develop an idea, we discuss concepts, and work from her early creations.

Book trailers: I created my trailers…I love my latest trailer for The Dawn, and it still gives me goose bumps! It is an effort to achieve, but I create them with standard software, stock footage, and a lot of patience. I really enjoy the experience, but I’m not sure what level of impact it has on sales...If it doesn’t look professional, I think it is better not to have it.

Book giveaways: I verge between positive and negative thoughts on giving away my books for free. I do use the Amazon Select program, and there is no doubt that it has yielded sales and results. I think it is very important to combine free giveaways with good advertising, and this is what makes the biggest difference. Having a perma-free first in a series seems to be a good option for me. The negative is that many people who would never otherwise read your book will download it, hate it, and leave a negative review.

Blog: I try to use it as a tool to share my work and my thoughts about the publishing world, but at the same time, not make it all about my books. One thing that I like about the world of indie publishing is the willingness to share data with other writers, so I also try to put anything I think might be useful for other writers like stats after promos.

Self-publisher: Editing and book covers are predominantly outsourced. For the short story I have created my own cover because I do not expect a great return on a $0.99 quick read. Doing everything myself is not possible. Any self publisher who manages the whole load, I take my hat off to them.

Reviews: Occasionally prior to release I will seek reviewers from the book reading community and bloggers. If they have expressed an interest in my previous work or similar books, then I assume there is a chance they might like my latest. But other than that I tend to just let them roll in slowly. Real reviews are much better than anything solicited, and I have a thick skin so I can take the knocks as well as the praise. What I don’t do is trade with other authors.

Author's Book List
The Dawn: Everybody is Somebody
The Dawn: Call of Omega
The Dawn: The Bombs Fall
PSYCHOPHILIA
Identity X
Escaping Life
The Loss of Deference


For the rest of the story...View Michelle Muckley - HBS Author's Spotlight

Jill Paterson

Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Suspense, Mystery,Publishing Industry Writings

Website: Jill Paterson - The Perfect Plot
Twitter: @JillPaterson2
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: My work in progress is Lane’s End, the fourth book in the Fitzjohn Mystery Series...Lane’s End should be toward the end of 2014.

Social media: My following on Twitter has grown naturally over the past few years and I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many wonderful, supportive people along the way. I find these social media relationships very important because they enable me to converse with my readers as well as other writers.

For my book covers, I’m lucky to have a most talented cover artist by the name of Renee Barratt from “The Cover Counts”. We discuss what my book is about and I offer my ideas.

A FITZJOHN MYSTERY VOL 1-3 BOX SET: My main objective in publishing a box set of the first three books in the Fitzjohn series was to present them to readers who were looking for a new mystery series to follow. It has helped sales because it’s another way of presenting my work. Also cheaper for the reader.

Giveaways: Although I rarely do it now, I’ve had very positive results in the past from giveaways. The giveaways I’ve used are Goodreads Giveaways and the Kindle Select 5 Free Days. I’ve also used BookBub a couple of time. My main goal was visibility. Everyone loves a bargain and along the way I gained readers, so we were all happy.

Book launch process: When my book nears the release date, I put the cover image on my blog and do a post about it. On release, I Tweet its launch. This is where all my wonderful Twitter followers excel themselves because they retweet it. I also tend to do a 5 day giveaway on KDP Select because visibility is key. At the same time, I advertise that giveaway on sites such as Pixel Ink, Kindle Book Review etc.

Writes both fiction and non-fiction books: I would say that changing hats between fiction and non-fiction helps to keep my writing fresh. I spend 12 months writing a novel and become so immersed in the story that it rarely leaves my thoughts. Consequently, writing posts for my blog, guest posts and doing interviews like this, gives me a bit of space from my work in progress.

Blog providing useful information to other writers (WRITERS BOOKCASE): My goal in having a blog is to give aspiring writers and writer’s information on whatever I think might be useful to them. The posts on self-publishing have been very popular in recent times so that is why I decided to publish them together in an eBook. Self-Publishing-Pocket Guide. Even so, I’ve left all the original posts on my blog.

Reader list: I’ve recently created a subscription list for new releases on my blog but that’s as far as I’ve delved into mailing lists so far. A reader list does sound like a good idea. I guess if I created one I’d used social media to help get it up and running.

Author's Book List
Writing - Painting A Picture With Words
Self Publishing - Pocket Guide
The Celtic Dagger
ONCE UPON A LIE
Murder At The Rocks


For the rest of the story...View Jill Paterson - HBS Author's Spotlight

Aleatha Romig

Author Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Thriller

Website: Aleatha Romig
Twitter: @AleathaRomig
E-Mail: aleatharomig@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: My newest book INSIDIOUS released on October 21, 2014. It is a dark, erotic thriller. It is part of my new series: Tales from the Dark Side.

I feel my social media presence and relationships have been essential to my writing career and success.

Appearances: My events are listed on Goodreads, my Amazon Author Page, and my Facebook Author page...In November I’ll be at Indie Unmasked in Indianapolis, and in December I will be in Hollywood at Rock’n Hollywood.

Book trailers: I do have amazing trailers. I’m not sure of their impact. They have all been made by devoted fans. I am continually amazed with the professionalism and ability of my readers.

Audio books: Currently all six of my Consequences series books are available in audio. My new release Insidious has also been purchased by audible and will hopefully be available in the next few months. I LOVE the audible. I feel that the audible has opened my books to a new audience. The audible and especially the whisper-sync audience is growing daily.

Companion books: The sales of my companion books has been relatively small compared to my main books. However, I don’t in any way find that upsetting. I created the companions for the “die-hard” readers who wanted more and more. The reviews have been phenomenal

Bundling a series of novels: The main objective for bundling my series, THE CONSEQUENCES SERIES bundle only contains the first 3 of the 4 books in my series, was to give readers another option. I find it incredibly interesting that both the bundle and the individual books still sell well.

Author's Book List
Insidious
Revealed: The Missing Years
Convicted
Behind His Eyes - Truth
Truth
Behind His Eyes - Consequences
Consequences


For the rest of the story...View Aleatha Romig - HBS Author's Spotlight

M.J. Rose

Author Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers

Author's Blog: Museum of Mysteries
Website: M.J. Rose
Twitter: @MJRose
E-Mail: mjroseauthor@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: March 17 2015.

Possession. Power. Passion. A gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle Époque Paris.

Social media: In my case, and for many authors, social media hasn’t help build my following – quite the opposite. I think that readers find me and then come to FB or Twitter to stay in touch and find out what’s new and what’s next.

I think it's a great relationship builder but I dislike using social media to promote my books and definitely don’t rely on it for that. I mostly post about other people’s books I’ve read and write about or link to articles and essays that fit within the world of what I find interesting.

Reader list: I have a newsletter, yes. I think it’s critical for an author to keep one so you can alert fans when a new book is out. Like social media, it helps cement relationships. I try to send one out four times a year –no more than that - I don’t want to overstay my welcome.

Audio books: I don’t have any sense of how one has impacted the other but I’m a huge audio book listener and it matters to me a lot that my books are available in audio. I’m especially proud of the quality of the narration – my dream narrator - Phil Gigante has done all of the books – some with the amazing Natalie Ross.

Author bundles: It’s all about brand building...building a brand is all about getting out there and staying out there...And that’s the goal – stay visible.

International Thriller Writers: They offer authors all kinds of help. Our annual conference ThrillerFest offers writing and marketing and publishing help, panels and classes via Craft Fest, Master Craft Fest and Pitch Fest .

Free books: I have a very strong opinion about this. Before 2009 giving books worked great to help get buzz and word of mouth but we’ve given books away to the point that we’re in trouble.

A huge percentage of readers have learned that there are so many books given away they can pretty much read free all the time now and not bother to buy any books. As well all too often they enter to win a book they want to read but never hear back that they didn’t win and forget about the book.

AuthorBuzz: We’re at AuthorBuzz.com.
We’ve been in business since 2005 and offer the most affordable A list marketing solutions of any marketing firm. Created for authors, our goal is to supplement what their publishers as well as working with authors who don’t have publishers.

Author's Book List
What To Do Before Your Book Launch
The Collector of Dying Breaths
Seduction
The Book of Lost Fragrances
The Hypnotist
The Memorist
The Reincarnationist
Lip Service
In Fidelity
Flesh Tones
Sheet Music
The Halo Effect
The Delilah Complex
The Venus Fix
Lying In Bed


For the rest of the story...View M.J. Rose - HBS Author's Spotlight

Jess C Scott

Author Genre: Psychological Thrillers, Crime, Contemporary

Author's Blog: Jess C Scott
Website: Jess C Scott
Twitter: @jesscscott
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: I hope to get to the Survival Trilogy next year, or immediately after I complete one or two murder mystery projects.

Here's the blurb for the trilogy:

"A psychological thriller featuring a female serial killer--and her insatiable lust for vengeance with the #LoveKills murder project. What would you do to survive?"

Social media: I've made several great friendships through social media (mostly through my blog and Facebook). I have not been able to utilise social media as much as I would have liked to, because a lot of my earlier written work fell into hard-to-define niches which can make discovery of the titles a bit harder.

With social media, I tend to go for quality over quantity. I only make a post or update if I feel like I have something interesting to share or say.

Reader list: I have a small newsletter list. My main method has been to focus on creating new material and building upon what I already have. A static website has been very helpful in terms of establishing brand identity. I recently re-organised certain sections of my website since I am currently re-branding my authorial identity.

Appearances: I list my interviews/personal appearances on the press page of my website. My social media accounts will usually make some mention of them too.

Book covers: I sometimes create and design the book covers before writing the actual content. It depends on whether the book cover image I have in mind is strong enough that I can work on it straight away. I enjoy the DIY hands-on approach of creating my own book covers for now as I can maintain some level of coherence and originality (visually) that way.

I have gotten readers involved with the cover for Teen Guide. Many of them preferred the second image over the first image, so my co-author and I went with the second image.

Book trailers: I've heard from a couple of readers who said they bought a copy of my book because of the trailer. I find them fun to do because you have to distill the essence of the plot into a few slides. I usually write out what I have in mind on a piece of paper, in terms of keywords and images I'd like to associate the text with.

Novellas: My erotic novellas certainly helped sell the anthologies. I enjoy writing novellas and short stories because they require a different approach as compared to writing a novel. They can be a good form to "try out" too before working on a longer project in a similar genre.

Bundling a series of novels: [Wilde Twins Trilogy: Box Set] Many people like the idea as well. A box set can act as an incentive to try the whole trilogy or series at one go. I guess I wanted readers to have that option, instead of spending more money to buy each ebook individually.

Author's Book List
Owned
Soulmates
Bedmates
Playmates
Teacher's Pet
Jack in the Box
The Other Side of Life
4:Play
The Intern


For the rest of the story...View Jess C Scott - HBS Author's Spotlight

David VanDyke

Author Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Author's Blog: David VanDyke's Author Blog
Website: Author David VanDyke
Twitter: @DVanDykeAuthor
E-Mail: david(at)davidvandykeauthor.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook


Next: My next book to be release will be a complete departure, a private investigator mystery called Loose Ends, set in the San Francisco of 2005, probably published under a new pen name that I haven't nailed down yet…Conquest and Empire will come in 2015 , probably between April and June

Social media: Twitter and other social media was important in getting my start, but it has gradually become less about advertising and more about simply staying engaged. Anyone who thinks social media is primarily about advertising their books is making a mistake, I believe. I try to never spam my followers, only putting something related to my own books when something significant happens - there's a sale, a new release, a new cover or something like that.

Reader list: We're working on getting MailChimp and Rafflecopter set up to do some giveaways and build an internal email list. Direct opt-in email is a much more powerful way to communicate with my real fans and try to give them valuable information - again, without spamming. A small newsletter of information and observations combined with something others don't get - a free ebook or a giveaway for example - is welcomed by most fans where a "buy my books" plea is not.

Audio books: I went through ACX to get my books done for audio. We had a rough time with the first book - technical issues related to the production, timeliness, etc. I needed a narrator who would complete competently, quickly and accurately, and who was familiar with ACX procedures. I found that man in Artie Sievers, and he's doing a great job for me now.

The advice I would give for anyone turning a book into an audiobook is, choose someone who has done it before, preferably who has a strong track record with ACX and can show you completed work. He or she should be able to point to books that are out and which are rated well on Audible.

Author bundles [A Killer Thriller Collection - Eight The Hard Way]: Anthologies (several authors contributing stories) can be a great way to introduce yourself to a wider set of readers. The readers get an inexpensive collection of works and they often find at least a few stories among the many to like. Then they go on to get books from those authors. This is another great win-win for authors and readers.

Free books: I am a believer in giving away the first in a series, but no more. I have to make a living, so it makes no sense for me to do more than that. A reader will know after that first book whether he or she likes an author or not. Giving away any more than that seems counterproductive to me.

Reviews: Reviews come naturally. I put up the books and wait for them to show up. I do have a couple of strong fans I know will like my work so I often give them advance copies and ask them to post an honest review as early as I can to get the ball rolling, but it's an honest review. One way I avoid too many bad reviews is to make sure I take any feedback from those fans into account before publishing.

Writing with BV Larson: The only software we use is MS Word, the text and notes. Brian and I have a process of writing and critiquing each other that goes back and forth. Early on we will bounce ideas off each other and discuss the plot and outline the book, but after it's set and going, we do more writing back and forth, emailing mostly as we live in different places. In a way, too much unstructured discussion can muddy the waters and slow down the process.

Author's Book List
Exile
Outcast
Conquest of Earth
Tactics of Conquest
Desolator: Conquest
Planetary Assault
Comes The Destroyer
Cyborg Strike
The Orion Plague
The Reaper Plague
The Demon Plagues
The Eden Plague
Skull's Shadows
Reaper's Run


For the rest of the story...View David VanDyke - HBS Author's Spotlight

HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase


Elizabeth S. Craig
Featured Book: A Body at Book Club

Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers

Author's Blog: Elizabeth Spann Craig
Website: Elizabeth Spann Craig
Twitter: @elizabethscraig
E-Mail: elizabethspanncraig (at) gmail (dot) com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Author Description:
Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque mystery series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. She blogs at Mystery Writing is Murder, which was named by Writer's Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010--2013.

A lifelong resident of the South, she enjoys finding inspiration for her mysteries in the beautiful states of North and South Carolina.

Author's Book List
Death Pays a Visit
Shear Trouble
A Body at Book Club
Quilt Trip
Death at a Drop-In
Knot What It Seams
A Body in the Backyard
Quilt or Innocence
A Dyeing Shame
Progressive Dinner Deadly
Pretty is as Pretty Dies


For the rest of the story...View Elizabeth S. Craig - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

HBS Bundles and Co-Authored Showcase


Featured Set: Six Pack of Sleuths: Comedy Mysteries


Available at Amazon: Six Pack of Sleuths: Comedy Mysteries

Title: MIAMI MUMMIES

Author Genre: Mystery, Humor And Comedy, Romance

Website: Barb's Wire - eBooks and More
Author's Blog: Second Act Café getting even
Twitter: @barbsilkstone
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Author Description:
Barbara Silkstone is the best-selling author of the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider series ~ Mystery Comedies featuring Wendy Darlin, Miami real estate broker and part-time Tomb Raider: Wendy and the Lost Boys ~ London Broil ~ Cairo Caper~ Miami Mummies ~ Vulgarian Vamp Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Boxed Set. Silkstone's writing has been described as "perfectly paced and pitched - shades of Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen without seeming remotely derivative. Fast moving action that shoots from the hip with bullet-proof characterization." She has attended writing workshops with Stephen King, Robert B. Parker, P.D.James, and James Michener.

Title: THE PERFECT WEDDING

Author Genre: Romance, Mystery & Thrillers, Young Adult

Website: My Books - Sibel Hodge
Author's Blog: My Blog - Books & Stuff!
Twitter: @sibelhodge
E-Mail: sibelhodge@gmail.com
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Author Description:
Sibel Hodge is the Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author of Fourteen Days Later and Money, Lies, and Murder (Amber Fox Mystery). She has 8 cats and 1 husband. In her spare time, she's Wonder Woman! When she's not out saving the world from dastardly demons she writes an eclectic mix of romantic comedies, mysteries, thrillers, children's books, and non fiction. Her other books include My Perfect Wedding, The Baby Trap, Fashion, Lies, and Murder (Amber Fox Mystery), Voodoo, Lies, and Murder (Amber Fox Mystery), Chocolate, Lies, and Murder (Amber Fox Mystery), The See-Through Leopard, How to Dump Your Boyfriend in the Men's Room (and other short stories), It's a Catastrophe, Healing Meditations for Surviving Grief and Loss, A Gluten Free Taste of Turkey, and A Gluten Free Soup Opera. Her work has been shortlisted for the Harry Bowling Prize 2008, Highly Commended by the Yeovil Literary Prize 2009, Runner Up in the Chapter One Promotions Novel Comp 2009, nominated Best Novel with Romantic Elements in 2010 by The Romance Reviews, Runner Up in the Best Indie Books of 2012 by Indie Book Bargains, and Winner of Best Children's Book by eFestival of Words 2013. Her novella Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave has been listed as one of the Top 40 Books About Human Rights by Accredited Online Colleges.

Title: BEING LIGHT

Author Genre: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction

Website: Helen Smith
Twitter: @emperorsclothes
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Author Description:
Helen Smith is a novelist and playwright who lives in London. Her books have reached number one on Amazon's bestseller lists in the US, UK, Canada and Germany. They have been praised in The Times, The Times Literary Supplement, the Guardian, Time Out and Wired.com and appeared on "best of the year" lists in For Books' Sake, The Cult Den, The Independent and the Guardian. Her books have been optioned by the BBC.

Helen Smith traveled the world when her daughter was small, doing all sorts of strange jobs to support them both -- from cleaning motels to working as a magician's assistant -- before returning to live in London where she wrote her first novel. Since then, she has read at literary events and festivals in London and New York and points in between -- including, most recently, a cruise ship en route to California via the Suez Canal. Her work has been read or performed at the National Theatre, The Royal Festival Hall, the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, Amnesty International's Headquarters, The Edinburgh Festival and The University of London. She's a Literary Death Match champion and the recipient of an Arts Council of England award.

Title: DEATH BY SARCASM

Author Genre: HARDBOILED MYSTERY Novels

Website: Dani Amore
Author's Blog: Dani Amore
Twitter: @authordaniamore
E-Mail: dani@daniamore.com
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Author Description:
Dani is a award-winning mystery novelist living in Los Angeles. Her latest book is THE CIRCUIT RIDER, an Amazon Kindle Serial, which is high on the Amazon list. Dani first novel, DEATH BY SARCASM, cracked the Top 100 Mysteries on Amazon.com.

She says, 'I take a great deal of pride in writing the kind of books I like to read: incredibly fast-paced, a lot of humor, and real people in real relationships usually trying to do the right thing. My readers are the best people in the world, I love to hear from them and I answer all emails.'

Title: SADIE’S GUIDE TO CATCHING KILLERS

Author Genre:

Website: Zane Sachs-GOING DOWN
Twitter: @ZaneSachs
E-Mail: ZaneSachs@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Author Description:
Zané Sachs is the deranged twin of author, Suzanne Tyrpak. She has worked for several large corporations (including a supermarket), and those situations have, in part, inspired Sadie the Sadist. Sadly, she has found, that the current work environment in the U.S. often treats workers as expendable units, comparable to robots. Every day automated systems and machines are replacing human workers. Zané expects to be replaced by a robot any minute.

Like her characters, Sadie and Jayne, Zané grew up in New York and later ran away to the wild west. She visits the city whenever she can to hang out with friends, eat incredible food, and enjoy the stimulation of a city filled with psychopaths.

Perhaps, one day soon, the perfect novel will be written by artificial intelligence. Until then, Zané offers you her flawed perspective and hopes you find it entertaining.

Zané wrote Sadie's Guide to Catching Killers, because readers demanded information regarding Sadie's bizarre childhood. She is currently writing a novel of psychological suspense called Jayne Just Watches. Jayne believes that she is dead, and she happens to be Sadie's neighbor.

For Sadie's deadly recipes, guest inQuistions, and useful tips on topics like the Pros and Cons of killing your boss, please visit Zané's blog, Zané Sachs-Going Down, at ZaneSachs.com

Title: FOOD OF LOVE

Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Romantic Comedy, Self Help

Author's Blog: Anne R. Allen's Blog
Twitter: @annerallen
E-Mail: Annerallen dot Allen @ gmail dot com
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Author Description:
Anne R. Allen is the author of seven comic novels: THE GATSBY GAME, FOOD OF LOVE, THE LADY OF THE LAKEWOOD DINER and the Camilla Randall mysteries: THE BEST REVENGE, GHOSTWRITERS IN THE SKY, SHERWOOD, LTD., and NO PLACE LIKE HOME. She is published by MWiDP and Kotu Beach Press.

She's the co-author of HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE...A SELF-HELP GUIDE, written with Catherine Ryan Hyde and has a two-fer boxed set, CHANEL-GATSBY with NYT bestseller Ruth Harris, which combines Ruth's THE CHANEL CAPER with Anne's THE GATSBY GAME

Writer's Digest has named "Anne R. Allen's Blog...with Ruth Harris" one of the "Best 101 Websites for Writers", and the blog was a finalist for best publishing industry blog in a contest run by Goodreads and the Association of American Publishers.

Anne's short story BETTY JO STEVENSON RIDES AGAIN is available as a MWiDP single and her short fiction also appears in the SAFFINA DESFORGES PRESENTS Kindle Break anthology, MARTINI MADNESS, the INDIE CHICKS ANTHOLOGY, INDIESTRUCTIBLE and the Literary Lab anthologies GENRE WARS and NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND.

Anne is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and spent twenty-five years in the theater--acting and directing--before taking up fiction writing. She is the former artistic director of the Patio Playhouse in Escondido, CA and now lives on the Central Coast of California.



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