Showing posts with label promotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label promotion. Show all posts

From the Desk of the Editor in Chief: Submissions Call -- Solstice Publishing

https://solsticepublishingbooks.blogspot.com/2020/07/from-desk-of-editor-in-chief-submissions.html

From the Desk of the Editor in Chief: Submissions -- Solstice Publishing




Good morning. Welcome to my desk and all the activity upon it. Today, we’re going to talk about submissions. I’ve had so many people ask what it takes to submit to Solstice Publishing, I think it’s time to explain the process.

You just finished your book. Beta readers are telling you it’s the best book they’ve ever read. You go over your work one more time, before deciding to start the submission process. Next, you begin the research, to find the best publisher possible for your ‘baby.’

Having done this many times myself, I know just how much research you’re now involved with. Are you considering seeking publishers that specialize in the genre you write in? Do you feel you should be with a publisher that accepts multiple genres? Do you need an agent to submit your book? Finally, just what should you include in your query/submission?

The first three questions you, the author, must answer. I have the information you need for the last question.

In order to submit to Solstice Publishing, we ask you to send us your full manuscript—this should be a completed manuscript, your final as we call it. Before submitting, you should do a thorough read of your book, to ensure there isn’t anything you missed. Your book should be in a 8.5x11 document and you should start each new chapter on a new page. The first page should include the title (and sub-title if you have one) and your name (or the pseudonym you’re using). Don’t add page numbers in the header or footer. You may have either double or single spacing. All submissions should be sent to us in .DOC format and be attached in an email. We do not read submissions that have an extension other than .DOC or .DOCX, and we do not accept submissions sent through Google docs. Please don’t insert pictures or any other type of image in your submission.

Once you have attached your file, you should insert a brief letter in the body of the email. Introduce yourself. Give us a very short synopsis of your book. You also need to include your social media sites that you’ve set up for yourself as an author. Solstice Publishing requires our authors to promote their books on social media in the contract. Not including social media information will result in us not reading your submission.

Submissions are read throughout the month and we will advise you during the last week of the month if we are interested in offering a contract or if we don’t feel your book is right for us. The staff of Solstice Publishing are all published authors. We know how it feels to have to wait, to wonder if your book will receive a contract or not. That being said, we do not accept every book that is submitted to us. We recently changed our criteria and are only accepting a few books a month.

I hope to see many new and exciting books coming our way soon!
 
 
 

Amazon Countdown Deal: Rhonda Cratty’s OUR FAMILY QUILT!

Today, we're doing something a little different. I wanted to bring a book to your attention. Rhonda Cratty, an author I met on my journey, has a great Amazon Kindle deal running right now. Let's check out the cool details, shall we?

 

Amazon Kindle Countdown for Our Family Quilt

 

 

Our Family Quilt


https://bookgoodies.com/a/B01N8WSCV7


Genre: Non-fiction/Family Life

 

Book Blurb:

 

Join and experience creativity and nostalgia through Grace, a master quilter, as she shares her creative gifts with her young granddaughter, Audrey. Together their lives unfold around their family quilt. The love between grandmother and granddaughter keep a family’s generations turning despite minor setbacks, disappointments and celebrations of life. As friends and family of this charming mountain town in Colorado come together for life’s moments. Creating an inspirational, heartwarming story to share with those you love.

Our Family Quilt immerses readers in:
•Family Life
•Contemporary Women
•Quilting ideas
•Creativity for everyday living
•The secret world of Grandmothers and Granddaughters and the people they love…

 

Here is an excerpt.

 

Prologue



The quilt folded into the box with the ease of well-worn fabric, the fibers soft from years of use, embedded with memories and love. My hand brushed over this fabric of time as I tucked the tissue gently around it and placed the lid on the box.
 

Last summer I found the perfect Christmas paper to wrap the quilt in; the paper itself is red, green, and white in a log-cabin pattern. The artist must have been quite the quilter, as tiny stitches could even be seen. I used invisible tape to secure the ends and tied the package with strips of fabric.
 
Using a piece of red fabric and a piece of green fabric approximately eighteen by twenty-two inches, I began by folding it in half, noticing that my hands now looked like my grandmother’s had the summer we made our quilt. I wanted three red and green flowers for the package. I cut the material at six and a half inches, and then in half again at three and a quarter inches. I could hear her voice reminding me to measure twice before cutting. Now, I had two pieces of fabric, one red and one green, measuring three and a quarter by twenty-two inches.
 
I started to draw my flower templates, and my eyes blurred as I thought of the hours I’d spent making templates with my grandmother. “Be accurate,” she would say. “Templates are tools, and your work will only be as good as your tools.”
 
With my fabric folded and all three flower templates pinned into place, I cut out two of each size at once, for a total of six petals.
 
As I cut out thirty-six flower petals with her scissors, I had to smile. Her sewing scissors were sacred—the only time I ever saw her speechless was when she found my son using them to cut a toy car out of its cardboard package. Her face flushed from white to pink as he busted the car out of the package, running to her with a smile and a hug. He played with his much-loved car all afternoon while I took Grandma’s much-loved sewing scissors to be sharpened.
 
Getting a needle and thread from her sewing basket, I stacked up four petals for the base of the flower, then took four petals and folded them into a heart shape. I usually don’t use a thimble, but that day I slipped hers over my middle finger as I took one of her needles and thread and tacked down a heart-shaped petal to the petal shape underneath with a simple stitch. The thimble seemed warm as I took another petal and placed it on the opposite side from the first petal and tacked it down. I tacked down the third petal and then the fourth with an X stitch—perfected with handwork we did together while the summer days sped by. Digging into the bottom of the much-used sewing basket, I found the perfect button to stitch on top of the petals.
 
I stitched all three flowers onto the strips of fabric I had tied around the box. I patted the box. This would be the last time our family quilt traveled between my grandmother and me. A lifetime of memories, good and bad. Would the life of our family quilt continue?
 
I moved the gift to the table, embedded with three light grains followed by four dark grains on a diagonal, next to my great-grandmother’s framed recipe for apple crisp, with my quilted purse, and I went to get dressed for the hospital.
 
 

There's definitely a heartwarming story here, along with a heavy dose of crafting!








 

Readers, let's see where we can find Rhonda Cratty's fascinating family life novel, Our Family Quilt...

 

https://bookgoodies.com/a/B01N8WSCV7

 

Purchase Links:
 
 

 

Don't forget to grab a copy of Our Family Quilt, which is on Amazon Kindle Countdown right now, at a mere 99 cents! :) The sale runs for a week, beginning today!


This book sounds interesting! :)


https://bookgoodies.com/a/B01N8WSCV7






About the Author:

 

Living in Colorado, Rhonda enjoys walking, hiking, and cross country skiing in the mountains. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, quilting, crocheting, cooking, reading and painting.

Find more information and work by Rhonda @ https://www.acreativespin.com
 

Author Links:


  


Rhonda's Books:
 
https://bookgoodies.com/a/B01N8WSCV7
  

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-at-Home-Rhonda-Cratty-ebook/dp/B00GMJY09K/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

  

Indie Lindy Author Blog: New Release By Marie Lavender

Indie Lindy Author Blog: New Release By Marie Lavender...: New Release By Marie Lavender Brooke Sanders just wants to get away from her life for a while. A remote cabin in Montana fits the ...

Brooke Sanders just wants to get away from her life for a while. A remote cabin in Montana fits the bill. She doesn’t expect to encounter a mysterious stranger with unusual blue eyes, or events that cannot be explained…

Colin Fielding is on a mission – scout a planet and return home to Endhivar. Simple really. What he doesn’t anticipate is that fate has a pretty twisted sense of humor. Suddenly, this human calls to him, every part of him, like the call of a true mate, and he can’t deny the connection as he gets closer to her.

Little do they know, someone is out to do them harm, as well as the world Brooke holds so dear. Can they stop what’s coming before it’s too late? Or will the universe lose a perfect gem?

Valentine's Day Cookbook!

Well, readers, Valentine's Day is coming up, and I thought it would be apropos to share a very cool cookbook available at my publisher, Solstice Publishing.

This fun cookbook offers all kinds of romantic recipes by Solstice authors. And, to make it even better, it's FREE! Yay! :)

http://solsticepublishing.com/sweets-for-my-sweet/
   

So, pick up your free copy of Sweets For My Sweet today, and get a head start on that romantic dinner you've been planning for awhile! ;)


5 Star Review for ALM on Readers' Favorite!

Yay! I just received some wonderful news that A Little Magick got a five star review on Reader's Favorite! :)


https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/a-little-magick


Star Star Star Star Star 

Book Review
Reviewed by for Readers' Favorite

A Little Magick (Magick Series Book 2) by Marie Lavender revolves around a cute little girl, Rosie, who goes to stay with her uncle. Uncle Adam's home is big and he has built a tree house in the yard for Rosie, and has also made arrangements to work from home. He knows Rosie's mother is a Wiccan and though he feels a little uncomfortable when she is around, he loves his niece. Rosie makes a lot of new friends and enemies while staying at her uncle's place. Adam and Rosie get along well, but then slowly Rosie discovers she is a witch and begins to change, and her powers start coming to the fore. This story of fantasy is not just for children, even adults will enjoy the book.

The theme of bullying also runs through the plot, apart from the romantic angle between Adam and the cook Selena. All the characters are well sketched, especially that of Rosie. The book also conveys the message that with power comes accountability. The story is neat and simple and Rosie's magick connects well with readers. The narration is detailed and descriptive, making the scenes come alive while reading.

It's a thoughtful story for kids. Books with a message and moral are always good to read as children will be able to understand them better via a story. Little Magick is a good book and it's quite interesting to read how Rosanna deals with her powers when she finds out about it.

Radio Interview!

Hi, readers! I just wanted to let you know that later today, I'll be showing up on the show, Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE! So exciting! It will be live at 6PM PST/7PM MT/8PM Central/9PM EST, and we'll be talking about my paranormal books. It should be quite the show!

For more information, you can also check out the Facebook event here, where I'm sure Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross will be providing more updates as the day progresses! I met them both on my author journey, and I can't wait to have a wonderful chat with them. I am so excited! I hope you can join in on the fun! :)


https://www.facebook.com/events/1611937015756023/


Mark Your Calendars!

Hi, readers! I just wanted to let you know about an upcoming event in July!

Awesome authors Tamara Thorne & Alistair Cross have invited me on their radio show. How exciting, right?  :)

You can catch the radio interview on Thursday, July 9th at 6PM PST/9PM EST, and ask any questions you like. We'll be talking about my paranormal books, writing paranormal stories as well as some other cool things. I'm so excited to appear on their well-reputed show! Check out the show's Facebook link here for more updates.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thorne-Cross-Haunted-Nights-LIVE/360703350753608


A Free Summer Cookbook? How Can You Possibly Go Wrong?

Hi, readers! I just wanted to drop in and bring your attention to this awesome opportunity. Solstice Publishing is giving away this very cool, new multi-author written cookbook for the summer. Yes, and you can catch a recipe by yours truly. :)

It is totally free, no obligation at all, and you can start exploring the recipes today. So, follow this link or the one linking to the cover below and you've got yourself a totally FREE summer cookbook. 

http://solsticepublishing.com/summer-thrills-summer-chills-cookbook/

Now, that wasn't hard, was it? And judging by the work of my colleagues, there are some pretty scrumptious recipes in there as well. So, enjoy and I hope your summer is awesome!  ;)



FREE BOOK!!!!

I have some wonderful news for you. Second Nature, book one of the Blood at First Sight Series, will be available for free on Amazon Kindle from May 14th to May 18th!

Yay!  :)

So, mark your calendars or leave yourself a reminder somewhere, and you can get a free copy of this paranormal romance/urban fantasy novel! Don’t forget to tell your friends! It only lasts for five days. 
;)

http://bit.ly/1y7UKIF

TOP 100 on AuthorsDB!

I just learned that I made it into the TOP 100 on Authors Database during the last week of January! How exciting!  :)


You can check out my profile on Authors Database here.


Major giveaway on two blogs!

Hi, readers! Don't miss a great opportunity on Friday! We will be having a HUGE, and I do mean huge, multi-author book giveaway this Friday, February 13th. And it's romance themed, just in time for Valentine's Day. 



The post will be placed on two different blogs, and we hope to bring in lots of participants for this contest!


Please stop by the following links on Friday and follow the instructions to participate in the giveaway. You could win some awesome books! 

http://marielavender.blogspot.com/2015/02/multi-author-romance-book-giveaway-Valentines-Day.html 

https://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/2015/02/13/can-you-resist-romance-multi-author-book-giveaway/ 

So, drop by Writing in the Modern Age and the I Love Romance Blog this Friday, leave a comment about your reading preference as well as a way to contact you (your email) and you'll be entered into this big contest!  How exciting, right?

I know I'm thrilled! With 77 titles, 42 participating authors and over 150 donations, it should be a very riveting giveaway with lots of free books! Come on by if you get a chance. We'd love to have you there. :)


Free Halloween cookbook!

I have awesome news!  Solstice has put out a Halloween cookbook with new, scary stories and recipes by both Solstice Shadows and Solstice Horizons authors!  It is totally free, and if you contact me here or via social media with your email, I can send you the free e-book.  How exciting, right?  Here is the cover for your perusal.




Jump on this opportunity.  With 48 pages of Halloween stories and recipes, you can't go wrong!  It even includes a story and recipe by yours truly. ;)

This is a great offer.  You can get some free recipes to try out this Halloween.  So, step up and I will send that to you!  

As always, happy reading, readers!  :)

A magick poem!

I thought I'd throw this in for a whimsical change.  This is a poem inspired by my current work in progress, A Little Magick, which is a children's fantasy as well as the sequel to Magick & Moonlight.  Also below you can find the cover to the upcoming story and the initial blurb.



Unbound

Blue glow afore me,
That which creates strange sights and beautiful worlds,
Causes this fear within my breast,
Causes chaos inside,
The demon takes over,
Makes me question…
Who am I?
What have I done?
Mama, teach me more,
Tell me of this strange magick inside my hands,
Inside my heart.

 






Blurb:

Little Rosanna Hamilton, or Rosie as she is called, goes to Seattle to stay with her uncle.  There she meets some new friends…and some enemies.  She doesn’t know that her emotions will trigger something unusual.  So far from home, suddenly Rosie has become a full witch like her mother, much to the dismay of Uncle Adam.  For a time, it is great fun to use her powers the way she wants, but soon it just causes more chaos.  Can Rosie figure out how to use these new-found powers for good or will she be lost to the dark side forever?


Taking a Break from MLB

Yes, readers, that's right. I'm on hiatus for a while. I know I haven't posted for a bit, and that's really the reason why I...