Of Ink and Quille

As an author, especially in todays industry, you do have to have some ideas for marketing yourself, your books, your very brand. Something I hear all the time is to have a backlist of books, and I do. Currently I  have thirteen books out under my name and another seven under my pen name. Some of these books are doing well, others seem to have fallen off the reader's radar. In the hope that I can generate new interest, and thus improve my connection to my readers I'm going to try something different. Too often we forget what has come before, I can tell you what titles I have, what genres, even a bit about each of my books...but if a reader doesn't know about them what good will that do? I write for the love of it. Its part of me. But, I also have to be honest when I say the royalties are also a big reason why I continue to do this. So, each week I'm going to feature my backlist - tidbits, trivia, and more to refresh these stories in my fans' minds. This week we...

Hometown Miracles   Leanne Wilson glanced behind her at the sleeping urchin wrapped around a teddy bear, her pale hair sticking up every which way. She wiped at a tear trailing down her face and returned her attention to the road. Passing the road sign, Leanne breathed a sigh of relief. Only twenty miles until she was home. Trembling fingers twisted the dial of the radio up a notch, the sound of a cheery Christmas tune filling the car. “ Just what I don’t want.” Leanne shook her head. Any hint of holiday cheer had faded the moment she’d gotten the call. Her heart stuttered with the stirring of a memory she’d tried desperately to push to the back of her mind. “ Hello, Leanne. This is Jeanette from Doctor Heklen’s office.” Her heart in her throat, Leanne pulled out a chair from the table and sank into it. “Hi, Jeanette. Did you get the results?” The acrid taste of fear in her mouth soured the coffee she’d taken a sip of. As she said a silent prayer, the ...

I've been lucky enough to be published for over five years now, with multiple books available. It hasn't always been easy, juggling family, friends, work, and writing can be trying at the best of times but when you throw in the biggest chunk of time...well it can be trying. I'm not talking research or signings, or readings, or writing...no I'm talking about something else. Something many of us cringe at the thought of doing. Promoting ourselves. To be successful, we can't sit on our laurels and wait for readers to find us. The internet is a massive place, full of twists, turns, and black holes. To be recognized one must do whatever they can to be noticed. Many new authors hear about the latest thing in social networking - and jump on the bandwagon. I'd be the first to admit that I count myself in that club. Try it all and see what works. However, by the time you've joined, created a place for yourself, and become noticed...your readers are sitting there ...

To celebrate the season authors Patricia Bates and Ciara Lake are running a contest to give a away two free ebooks. This is how it works -- If you have purchased one of our titles on Amazon other than the books we are giving away (see below)-- we will put you in a contest to win a free ebook from us. Yes this means you could win two books. You have until December 24, 2011 to review one of our books on Amazon. You'll be entered into a draw to win a copy of Firecracker by Patricia Bates and/or The Ketchikan Man by Ciara Lake in Kindle or PDF. There will be two winners, one for whichever book (author) you reviewed. You could win twice if you are in both pots of contestants. You'll need to email Ciaralakeromanceauthor@gmail.com or patriciambates@gmail.com to let us know you have reviewed one of our books and you will be added to the pot of contestants. If you have any questions feel free to contact us to!The winners will receive a book by January 1, 2012. Come out a...