News and Reviews

Let me bring you up to speed if you haven't been around for the last few weeks:

I recently made my horror novel "Crawl" available for purchase in print or in eBook format from Lulu (you can order by clicking that stylish orange button on the right). It's also in e-format over at Amazon if you have yourself a Kindle.

The response so far has been nothing but positive and that has definitely taken the edge off of my self-publishing anxiety. You may not know this, but there is still a negative stigma attached to self-publishing, as people view it as amateurish and unprofessional. Success stories such as those of J. A. Konrath and Amanda Hocking have helped to narrow this perceived divide between the traditionally and the independently published. I guess becoming an overnight millionaire means you're doing something right.

While my ideal situation would be to make enough money to live comfortably off of only my writing, I know this won't happen any time soon...maybe ever. The above-mentioned authors have put years upon years of practice into refining their craft, increasing their volume and developing a platform. So while it may seem like an overnight success, it was only possible after many months of trials and tribulations. And that is exactly the marathon I'm just now beginning...

But, I'm off to a good start! People seem to enjoy "Crawl" and it will hopefully gain some traction in the coming months and years. Some of my favorite anecdotes so far involve my friend's husband stealing the book from her to read it before she could get her hands on it, another friend sharing "Crawl" with her cousin's horror-appreciation club (new friends + cha-ching!) and, of course, my mother pimping the book out to pretty much everyone she's ever met. I've also discovered there are literally an infinite number of ways to autograph a book, though they are definitely not created equal.

Probably the coolest thing I've seen so far is a book review of "Crawl" done by Jamie Manning over at his Writers Write, Right? blog. How do I love this review? Let me count the ways:
1) Jamie had zero reason to appease my ego. We've never met. We share no relatives in common to my knowledge. No money or free copies or promises of future payments in gold brick were exchanged. In short, it was a completely impartial review and his opinion was based solely on the merits of the work.

2) He actually liked it! Liked is too lame a word. The review was positively glowing and that, of course, made me happy. But not so happy as reason #3.

3) Jamie got it. He really picked up on the emotional range and arc I wanted the reader to achieve. His articulate review had me going "Yes. Perfect. Awesome!" with each beat he described.

4) Also, Jamie made sure to share the review both on my Lulu page and on Amazon, which was above and beyond what I had expected. He also made mention that I was self-published and, though self-published books still carry that amateur tag, he was fully in my corner. Check out Jamie's blog for my review and updates on his own project!

Also, a free copy of "Crawl" will be available through Michelle Davidson Argyle's April giveaway! I will definitely be autographing this sucker, so stay tuned! I'll have more details as spring approaches.

And, since Daylight Saving Time has addled my brains completely, I must be off.
Beware the Ides of March!

~VK

I am having an affair...

with my Kindle!

It's so pretty and sleek and functional. The days of books overflowing my shelves and weighing down my luggage are now behind me. And they know it...

I swear that since I received my Kindle, my other books have been out to get me. I had one fall off my bookcase and hit me in the head as I walked by. Another ended up under my feet and almost tripped me (possibly because I was holding my Kindle and reading while walking). And, just last night, I woke up covered in paper-cuts... Eerie stuff.

Anyway, as if my new found Kindle love isn't obvious yet, then let me just say it outright: I love my Kindle!

I had some reservations about it and held off on buying it for a long time. It's a little dangerous just how quickly I can buy books on this thing. The only thing that prevented me from spending an entire paycheck on books before was the pseudo-necessary drive to the bookstore. Now, it's a simple button click and POOF! instant book. And the prices are unbeatable...so far.

My first purchase was Hunger Games, part of Suzanne Collins' trilogy. I devoured it in two days and have already purchased the second book, Catching Fire. Before I start on the second book, however, I'll turn my attention to Cinders, by Michelle Davidson Argyle. I was very happy to purchase this novella from an author whose blog I follow. It's a pretty cool feeling to support up and coming authors, and for 3 bucks, you can't beat it!

So, in summation, Kindle excels at:
- space saving
- money saving (sorta...)
- back saving
- self-published author support!
- nifty plastic device gizmotronics! Robot revolution!

And some day soon, I hope to self-pub my own little Kindle masterpiece. Stay tuned, you'll surely be the first to know. And do yourself a favor, buy a Kindle and get to readin'!

~VK