Chronicles of a Displaced Writer

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Since the beginning of the year, I’ve literally moved from one place to the next as things were sorted out. From time to time, I would promote my book by asking for reviews, did a radio station interview and two book giveaways on Goodreads. For those readers and writers out there unfamiliar with Goodreads, I would suggest you check it out. It’s a great place to get to know other people who enjoy books, get free books, and if you’re a writer, a great place to build an audience and promote. These are some of the ways I’ve promoted my book, Net Switch.

I have done a few guest author spots on blogs. It gives my book exposure to people who have never heard about it. Here are links to a few places I’ve been a blog guest: JLB Creatives, CMash Loves to Read (also a book giveaway), and 10 Day Book Club. The comments I have received for being a new author are wonderful, and I do treasure each one.

It’s very important as a new author to get reviews, whether it’s on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, a blog, Goodreads, etc. People do read reviews and make a decision as to whether or not they’ll like the book. As a reader, I sometimes look over the reviews and it’s what is said about the book that helps me decide. Anywhere and any way you can get reviews as a writer, you get out there and get them. Many people like to read and review sci-fi, fantasy, YA or paranormal, so I’ve had to dig a little deeper to find reviewers willing to read suspense. I reached out to a blog that does reviews, Indie Book Blog, and someone in one of my LinkedIn groups, Kaptica Book Reviews and News…and my quest for more reviews continues.

A few ways I also promoted my book was creating my book trailer, on the side bar, and a bookmark.

Free advertisement is always a great way to get the word out. I did a few Press Releases on PRLog and Press Release Point. I also did a radio interview on The Author Show, but it was only for one day. From that interview I received some wonderful responses that you can read here on my Facebook Event Page. Along with the free press releases and Facebook exposure, I also joined Pinterest and have my novel listed on the Pinterest Board of Book Junkies.

I still have the Goodreads Giveaway going until July 2. You’ll also find a link to that on the top right side bar. My Goodreads profile, Net Switch has a 4.5 star rating out of 5 with 9 ratings and 4 reviews, and 125 people have added it to one of their book shelves. 

So like I’ve asked the Goodreads community, Could you find true love in an online chat room?

My book promotions have moved from one place to another, much like I have from one location to the next…but I will always have an online imprint.

While I am still promoting, I’ve started another book and I’m in the process of finding somewhere I can settle down and catch my breath.

Displaced and Unforgettable,

Bea

Movie a Go-Go

We went to see a movie yesterday because I was craving popcorn. I can’t believe how expensive it is to go to the theaters. You’d think during today’s economic times, the movie industry would reduce costs. Luckily we had coupons to get in for free. I only had to pay for a large unsweetened ice tea (free refills) and a bucket of popcorn (no butter-free refills) for $12.00. I could buy three books at the Printers Row Lit Fest for $12.00…although I wasn’t disappointed in the bucket of popcorn, consuming majority of it.

It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a movie let alone one at a hefty cost at the theaters. We saw Snow White and the Huntsman...and I couldn’t keep my eyes off the huntsman. Even though I never heard of Chris Hemsworth, who plays the huntsman, I thought he did a great job…and I’m a sucker for accents. The big names in the movie are Charlize Theron, who plays Ravena, the Evil Queen, and Kristen Stewart, who plays Snow White.

Snow White and the Huntsman begins with Snow White’s father marrying Ravena, and on their wedding night, she kills him and locks young Snow White in the castle. Years later, Snow White escapes. When the mirror tells the evil queen that Snow White is the fairest of them all, the one who can take away her powers, the queen sends a huntsman to find and bring Snow White back to her. Once he catches her and finds out what the queen has in store for Snow White, he decides to take care of her instead and show her how to fight. During Snow White’s quest to return to the castle and defeat the evil queen, she comes across the seven dwarfs, and then convinces the people who fled the castle after her father’s death, to rise up and join her in battle.

The movie has spectacular special effects, humor and breathtaking scenery. Filming was shot in the U.S. as well as the U.K.; Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Wales. Three more places I’ll have to add to my bucket list. I've only seen Kristen Stewart in a few movies and she seems to act the same way, so I can’t applaud her for her performance. But Charlize Theron kicked ass as usual—she was wickedly wonderful.

This movie received mixed reviews. I enjoyed it for what it’s worth, a fairytale full of special effects, stunning visuals, and splashes of humor. 

Good and Evil,

Bea

For The Love of Words...

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Chicago is all about festivals, and one of my favorites is the Printers Row Lit Fest. It’s called Printers Row because this area used to be the printing center in the Midwest—two blocks between Congress Parkway and Polk Street. Now the print buildings are loft apartments, whose streets host the Lit Fest, formerly known as Printers Row Book Fair. Since I’ve been going to the fest, it has grown in size and changed to accommodate families with young children.

The Printers Row Lit Fest is this Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. There are booths setup along the streets for large and small bookstores, authors’ tents, workshops, entertainment and food. I remember the first time I went, I couldn’t get enough of the resale books, postage stamps, old posters, and the smell of books. Old pages from books smelling up the booths at second-hand stores—rare bookstores—and some wine tasting along the way. It’s just a sample of what I experienced and why I return each year.

If you happen to be in the Chicago area this weekend, I suggest you go to the Lit Fest. You will either fall in love all over again with books or start reading again. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Saturday’s Schedule

Sunday’s Schedule

Literature and Wine,

Bea

Songs of Life

Pain and recovery are like a burst of light—intense and then dulls. It’s still there except during the hibernation moments when you get to catch your breath and find life again. Now I find myself in this hibernation period.

“When you wake up with a song stuck in your head, it means an angel sang you to sleep.”

The song I have stuck in my head is Dare You to Move by Switchfoot.

What song did an angel sing to you?

Recovery and Awakening,

Bea