The Business of Writing: Creating and using QR codes for your book #ASMSG #MFRWOrg

QR code for Amazon product page
of Audiobook edition of
King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court
by Mark Twain as channeled by
Kim Iverson Headlee.

The best marketing content offers potential customers a way to buy the product straight off the advertisement, and the Quick Response (QR) code is a great way to capture those impulse buys.

What is a QR code?
A QR code (sample pictured, left) is a specialized bar code readable by smart phones. The bar code can contain text, URLs, email addresses, telephone numbers, or any other alphanumeric data.

The smart phone must have a QR reader app installed, and there are several good, free apps available for iPhones, Android devices, and other types of smart phones. My reader of choice is the "QR Droid" app.

A QR code will never expire as long as the associated link remains active.

How do I create a QR code?
Even more plentiful are the web sites that pop up when you perform an Internet search on "free QR code generator". My favorite free QR code generator site is QR Stuff. Here you can enter any URL—for example, your book's worldwide Amazon link created via Booklinker.net or other such service, or the Audible link to its audiobook edition—and the site will display the bar code for you to download and use.

There are some book-specific QR code generator sites, such as Relinks.me, but they are limited to products in the Amazon retail catalog, and they will append their Amazon affiliate ID to your book's URL. If you don't have an Amazon affiliate ID, then using Relinks.me will save you the step of creating a worldwide link prior to requesting its QR code, but you won't be able to set up QR codes for your book's Nook and other e-tailer product pages.

The QR Stuff site offers a subscription service if you want specialty items such as scalable graphics, or if you believe your dynamic (i.e., link-shortened) QR codes will receive more than 1,000 user scans per month. If all you're doing is setting up a static link to, say, your book's Kindle product page, then no limits apply to either the creation or use (scanning) of the free QR codes.

If you want to get fancy, you can embed your own branding graphic, but if you don't want your customers to be subjected to the company's ads, the ad-free version (via visuallead.com) costs a minimum of $6.25/month. I thought I might try embedding my imprint graphic for Pendragon Cove Press but decided that the cool factor wasn't worth the monthly subscription cost, and I had no intention of submitting anyone to the extra advertising.

How do I use a QR code?
The output of sites such as QR Stuff and Relinks.me is either a JPG or PNG file that may be embedded in any other image, email, web site, or publication. I have placed QR codes on promotional postcards and inside teaser booklets, in the backmatter of my free print editions of The Challenge and The Color of Vengeance, and even on designs uploaded to DiscountMugs.com for screening onto tote bags.

In every case, the key is to make sure there is a high contrast between the QR code graphic and its surrounding background; otherwise, the scan will need to be done in the brightest possible lighting conditions or else it might not work.

If you can design it, you can QR code it!

***

I'm running a giveaway for an e-copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings!
To enter, click HERE.

MailChimp subscribers to The Dawnflier receive exclusive giveaway opportunities.
Subscribe today so you don't miss out!

***

All this month, you are invited to…

— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow<

… and each action this month is good for one chance to win a copy of any of Kim's e-books.
Please enter often, and good luck!

Howling under a June moon with The Dawnflier (June 2016) #MFRWOrg #ASMSG

Visit with author Kim Headlee at Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum 6/4/16.

The Business of Writing takes a week off in deference to The Dawnflier, and there's a lot to howl about this month!

BREAKING NEWS (and a request for crossed fingers :) — King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court, which in April won the 2016 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Medal for Science Fiction & Fantasy, has cleared two hurdles toward getting a Publishers Weekly review! For those who don't know, Publishers Weekly is THE trade magazine of the publication industry, and they review just a fraction of every book they receive, especially in regard to independently published titles. Even though KASIWC is now in the hands of their review staff, there's still a chance it won't get reviewed; hence the request for crossed fingers, thanks!

MORE BREAKING NEWS and finger-crossing requests — On the heels of KASIWC's stellar showing in the Benjamin Franklin awards, I have submitted the book to several more contests, including the contest for independently published books sponsored by Writers Digest. Those finalists won't be announced till October, so if you need to use your fingers for something else until then, I totally understand. :D

EVEN MORE BREAKING NEWS — No worries; your fingers are safe for this one. I am pleased to announce the release of Episode 1 (Dilemmas & Deliberation) of my graphic novel edition of The Challenge. Get your Kindle copy today!

Subscribers to the MailChimp edition of The Dawnflier have received first crack at my latest Amazon giveaway. I run one every month, so please SIGN UP today (and claim your subscriber gift!) if you don't want to miss out; thanks!

Upcoming appearances:

• Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Family Day at Wolf Creek Indian Village, Bastian, VA.
• Wednesday, June 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Artist in Residence at Chautauqua Festival, Community Center grounds, Wytheville, VA.
• Thursday, June 23, 10 a.m. – noon. Featured Member at Black Horse Artisan Guild, 115 East Main St, Wytheville, VA.
• Friday, June 24, noon – 8:00 p.m. Chautauqua Bazaar, inside the Community Center, Wytheville, VA.
• Saturday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Chautauqua Bazaar, inside the Community Center, Wytheville, VA.

Have a safe and pleasant transition from spring to summer!

***

All this month, you are invited to…

— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow<

… and each action this month is good for one chance to win a copy of any of Kim's e-books.

Please enter often, and good luck!

The Business of Writing: May the 4th be with your publishing endeavors! #StarWars

Photo © Rodeyhamzah | Dreamstime.com Star Wars-R2D2 Photo

The Business of Writing is taking a week off for some much needed 
G & R (Geeking and Relaxation :).

Meantime, please feel free to enjoy this cultural "holiday" by popping over to Cheryl Carpinello's blog for a peek at the new e-book cover for my science fiction / fantasy crossover novel King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court. It's a continuation of Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, starring Queen Morgan le Fay (oops, Her Majesty just =hates= it when I let slip the "le Fay" bit), and written as if by Mark Twain.

KASIWC features time travel, political shenanigans, a spot of romance, and a lot of baseball, all wrapped up in humor that runs the gamut from slapstick to subtle, biting wit. If I do say so myself. :D

Have a great week with your writing and publishing, and

May the Fourth be with You!

***

All this month, you are invited to…

— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow

… and each action this month is good for one chance to win a copy of any of Kim's e-books. 

Please enter often, and good luck!

#Giveaway and more MAYhem from The Dawnflier (May 2016) by @KimHeadlee!

The Turkish Stars: Turkish Air Force national aerobatics team,
c2015 by radoslaw_maciejewski Depositphotos ID 103611144.
Photo for editorial use only.

Mayhem is indeed the operative word for my life these past few weeks, to whit:

• The hardcover edition of my Twain sequel, King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court, won a major national award, the IBPA Benjamin Franklin gold medal  for Science Fiction & Fantasy. This will score the book featured placement at BookExpo America in Chicago and a public booksigning and party, both scheduled for later this month.
• In spite of computer issues, the audiobook edition of King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court is now on sale via Audible and Amazon, with its iTunes listing in the pipeline. The e-book edition is sporting a new cover that matches the audiobook's cover.
• My narrator's computer issues rubbed off on me apparently, and my laptop decided to give up the electronic ghost last week. Switching over to the new laptop hasn't been as smooth as I'd hoped, but I am now up and running on Windows 10 and getting accustomed to working in LibreOffice, Microsoft's free competitor.
• I put the finishing touches on the paperback edition of Faith, Family, Film: A Teacher's Trek by longtime friend and fan of my work Fred Eichelman. Its Kindle edition is on sale now.

Present mayhem:

• I'm running a giveaway for an e-copy of Dawnflight! To enter, click HERE. Last month's copies of Kings got snapped up fast, so don't delay; enter today!
• MailChimp subscribers to The Dawnflier receive exclusive giveaway opportunities.
  Subscribe today so you don't miss out!

Upcoming mayhem:

• The Challenge graphic novel, episode 1 (Dilemmas and Deliberation) will be available on Kindle soon.
•  Public book signing and celebration party for King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court and all my books on Tuesday, May 24, 6-8 p.m. at the Black Horse Artisan Guild, Wytheville, VA.
• All-day signing and selling my books on Family Day, Saturday, June 4 at Wolf Creek Indian Village, 6394 North Scenic Highway Bastian, VA.

Public Service Announcement

Don't let my computer woes rub off on you. Back up your data now!

***

All this month, you are invited to…

— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow<

… and each action this month is good for one chance to win a copy of any of Kim's e-books.

Please enter often, and good luck!

#KASIWC by @KimHeadlee wins IBPA Gold and gets an e-book cover makeover! #MFRWOrg #ASMSG

Spell failed by 300 miles & 200 years!
Whatever is a queen of magic and
minions to do?
King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court
by Mark Twain as channeled by
Kim Iverson Headlee.

Thursday marks the 106th anniversary of Mark Twain's death (April 21, 1910, 6:21 p.m. ET), and in honor of the occasion I have planned something very special: a new cover for the e-book edition of King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court!

The woman on the cover is Queen Morgan le Fay —pardon me, Morgan the Wise (she gets twitchy when you call her "le Fay," and even twitchier if you call her glorious auburn hair "red"… and you might not survive the fallout :D). The Washington Monument at sunset stands proudly in the background.

Why?

Because Her Majesty tried to cast a spell to take her to 1879 Connecticut to waylay the Yankee Sir Boss before he could travel back in time to screw up her world, but she landed in Washington, DC—of 2079—instead!

This magical mishap, causing the most powerful sorceress of the sixth century to pit her considerable skills against the futuristic technology of the latter twenty-first century, makes this novel a true fantasy / science fiction crossover. As such, I am pleased to announce that…

KASIWC  has won the gold medal in the
2016 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy!

 

Given Mark Twain's famous association with Nikola Tesla, and his fascination with cutting-edge technology in general, I like to think Twain would have been proud of this sequel to A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

Four photos comprise KASIWC's new cover, including Queen Morgan's necklace and a pocket watch displaying its gears. Graphic designer Natasha Brown of Fostering Success did a marvelous job of blending all the elements, don't you agree? This new e-book cover is being revealed on several sites across the blogisphere this week.

I am also tickled to announce that I am scheduled to sign KASIWC at the Connecticut Renaissance Fair on Sunday October 16, and I'll be speaking at The Mark Twain House October 17! Yes I know it's six months off, but I've been sitting on this news for several months already, and I just couldn't keep it in any longer. Set your calendars. :D

Another spot of news brewing on the much more imminent horizon: the KASIWC audiobook edition is in final review, and it features a fantastic performance by the talented British voiceover artist Danielle Cohen.

While you wait for my announcement of the audiobook links, why not jump-start your reading pleasure and download your e-copy of KASIWC today? Queen Morgan foretells that you shall be glad you did.

***

Enter this great Rafflecopter giveaway
for a signed copy of KASIWC and more!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***

All this month, you are invited to…

— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow

… and each action this month is good for one chance to win a copy of any of Kim's e-books. 

Please enter often, and good luck!

Happy Birthday, My Sweet Baby Girl Who Now Reviews Books! #MFRWOrg

Photo (c)12/7/2013 by Kim Headlee.
Enigma Bookstore, Astoria, NY.

The Business of Writing is kicking off the holiday hiatus by celebrating the birthday of my youngest! 

Jessica is in her second year studying Marine Science, with an interest in coral reef preservation. She is an avid reader, writer, and poet, has created art for two of my novels (all the character glyphs for Snow in July, and two for Liberty), has had Snow in July art incorporated into two of the illustrations for King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court, and has begun her own book review blog called Of Books and Pen. She cross-posts her reviews on Goodreads and Tumblr.

Jessica welcomes authors' queries for reviewing e-books, print books, and audiobooks, but she will not read:

• Horror
• Erotica
• Any fiction written predominantly from the villain's perspective
• Any fiction centering on rape, incest, pedophilia, BDSM, bestiality, and other themes of this nature.

For more information, please visit her submission policy page.

She has yet to read any of my novels, even those for which she provided art—but that's okay; it took her older brother until he was well into his 20s before he read (and discovered that he liked) my books. :D

Please join me in wishing Jessica a very happy birthday!

The Business of Writing will get back to business on The Maze
Wednesday, January 6, 2016.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,
and I hope you enjoy whatever else you celebrate. :)

***

Those who aspire to greatness
must first learn servanthood.

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Raging Sea: Reckonings. Please enter often, and good luck!

November notions from The Dawnflier (Nov. 2015) #ASMSG #IARTG #MFRWOrg

Fred Franklin
Basic Training
Camp Stewart, GA
June 1944
c2015 by Kim Headlee.

Oh, my. It seems like I blinked in September, and now it's November!

Such is life as we get older.

As promised last month, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the memory of my Uncle Fred (pictured, left), who passed away on Sept. 8. The vagaries of family politics prevented me from knowing him for the majority of my life, but we were able to reconnect in July 2011, and we shared several visits, phone calls, emails, and written correspondence since that time. I even have saved a voicemail of his from a few months ago, which I plan to turn into a little video at some point.

It being November, I have shared one of his Army photos. Fred was a veteran of the WWII Burma campaign and attained the rank of sergeant. His life was filled with so much more, as a banker and husband and staunch friend and charity volunteer and man of faith.

I am blessed to have gotten to know him during the last four years of his long and fruitful life.

Another reason October flew by in a flash for me is because I was extremely busy with book-related projects, including:

• Creating a print edition of The Color of Vengeance; the digital edition is still free on Kindle, Nook, iTunes, and Kobo, and it's available as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
• Creating a print edition of The Challenge; the digital edition is free with membership in Kindle Unlimited or Amazon Prime.
• Providing feedback for the latest artwork for The Challenge graphic novel edition.
• Providing feedback for the latest audio files for The Challenge audiobook edition.
• Providing feedback for the latest artwork for King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court... and we're getting down to the wire on this project!
• Proofing the latest print layouts for King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court... and with luck I will have the hardcover in retail channels by Mark Twain's 180th birthday on November 30!
• Developing and presenting my workshop, The Business of Writing, parts 1 (An Introduction) and 2 (Diving Deeper).
• Continuing to make progress on the third full-length installment of The Dragon's Dove Chronicles, Raging Sea.
• Lining up an exciting array of personal appearances and speaking engagements in 2016, kicking off with MarsCon (Williamsburg, VA, mid-January), Farpoint (Baltimore, MD, mid-February), and the Virginia Festival of the Book (Charlottesville, VA, mid-March).

My imminent upcoming appearances:

• ChessieCon, Nov 27–29, Radisson North Baltimore Hotel, MD, where I am slated to present my Business of Writing workshop (11/27, 4:15 p.m.), as well as participating in several multi-guest panels, the mass book signing, and other events throughout the weekend.
• The Christmas craft bazaar at Prices Fork Elementary School, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Dec. 5, Christiansburg, VA.

As always, thanks for your support of my work, and I hope you enjoy the autumn before the next eye blink leaves you finding snow in your lap! :)

***

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court. Please enter often, and good luck!

Author @Jemima_Pett Reviews #KASIWC by @KimHeadlee time travel #SFF Twain sequel

Whatever is a queen of
magic and minions to do?

Next week on The Maze I am excited to introduce you to the first installment in the wonderful middle-grade kids' fantasy-mystery series, The Princelings by Jemima Pett, titled The Princelings of the East.

Jemima and I "met" this past May during my blog tour for King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court (#KASIWC), wherein she posted her terrific and amusing review, reblogged here for your reading pleasure:

May 13, 2015
I confess that my knowledge of Arthurian legend is not as good as some people’s; mine is heavily biased by the musical Camelot, by Disney’s The Sword in the Stone, and by, er, not finishing The Once and Future King.  Maybe I should finish it.  But I have the basics.  I wasn’t entirely up to speed with Morgan Le Fay’s part in proceedings.  I may be closer now.

Queen Morgan is in the middle of some critical negotiations when she gets waylaid and moved forward in time to a mediaeval pageant.  She quickly works out that this is false… in fact it’s being put on for her benefit to settle her in – she’s actually way in the future, about 2079, in fact.  I was disappointed to discover that the power suit with high heels is still the armour of the successful businesswoman, but style and practicality aside, I love the developments of both technology and society that Queen Morgan aka Morganna encounters, and her rationalisation of them to parallels with her own universe.  In fact, this rationalisation is so good, for us poor beings in the middle of UK Election fever, it leaves me positively in favour of Morganna’s solutions to all sorts of political nonsense.  Vote Morganna – or at least, vote President Malory for life!

For someone allergic to baseball (and pretty much to all overpaid sports that are worshipped by people spending too much money for a pathetic seat in a stadium for the benefit of an already superrich owner) the emphasis on the sport and its game play could be tedious.  Note the ‘could be’.  I give Kim Iverson Headlee 5 stars for managing to write a baseball book I enjoyed, let alone the superb world-building, dry wit and sarcasm of the political shenanigans, and the heady combination of gangsterism, time travel, social insight, and historical fiction.

I suspect all the people who enjoy the more offbeat books I review on my blog will love this!

Thanks again, Jemima—Vote Morganna, indeed! :)

Next week on The Maze: my review of The Princelings of the East by Jemima Pett.

***
Enter this great giveaway for an
autographed print copy of Dawnflight!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Follow Kim on Pinterest
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter, Pinterest, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Dawnflight. Please enter often, and good luck!

Announcing lots of winners! @TalkSupeBlog @FaeBooks @PalomaBeck #MFRWOrg #RLFBlog

I haven't visited the beach yet this summer, 

but I am swimming in winners to announce today on The Maze! 

Everyone has been notified. 

Please join me in congratulating them ~ and scroll down for more chances to win!

Talk Supe Blogiversary: Candace R won e-copies of my scifi/fantasy time-travel Twain sequel, King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court (#KASIWC), Hand of Miriam by Eva Gordon, and Gone for You by Jayne Frost.

#Fae20KGiveaway: Claudette M won prize pack 8, which included my paranormal medieval romance Snow in July, plus a FaeBooks.co.uk Bookmark, ebook The Unseen Promise by Ellen Mae Franklin, ebook Whispering Wind The Legend by C.J. Medley, ebook Wings of Vengeance by Kylie Price, swag and ebook Trinity - The Prophecy by Kylie Price, ebook of Veiled by L. Chapman, coffee mug & Koozies from author K.A. Young, ebook Forever on Kindle by S.A. Smith, ebook Angel Dreams by Jody A. Kessler, ebook Blood of the Eternal Moon by Simon O'Neill, ebook Deviate by Sally Slayer, and a $5 Amazon book from Indy Book Fairy. What a haul! :)

Celebrate Freedom Blog Hop (#FreedomHop): Debby G won an autographed print copy of my ancient Rome historical romance Liberty, which recently won the Books Go Social 2015 Best Self-Published Work award!

The Color of Vengeance 3-Day Blast:

• Audiobook downloads of The Color of Vengeance have been awarded to Lisa M, Sharon E, Lyka T, Nikki R, and Niki D. Nikki R also won an e-book of her choice in my monthly drawing on The Maze!
• Note cards featuring artwork from The Color of Vengeance have been awarded to Jodi C, Amie S, Mona C, Laura T, Mary P, Lee T, Mai T, Shannon O, Joey R, and Susan V.
• You may download a FREE e-book copy of The Color of Vengeance via Amazon US, Nook, iBooks, Inktera, Kobo, Oyster, Scribd, and Smashwords!
• The Color of Vengeance is also available in low-cost Spanish (El Color de la Venganza) and German (Die Farbe der Rache) editions.

Thank you all for entering, 
and here is another great giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***

To learn about Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre, hero of Snow in July, and my unique challenges in writing about him, please visit the RLF Blog. (And help me earn "Top Blogger" points there, thanks! :)

***

All this month, you are invited to...
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Snow in July. Please enter often, and good luck!

More reviews of #KASIWC and the Blog Tour winner! #MFRWOrg #BZBooks #ASMSG

“The well of our hitting was abysmally dry.”
(c)2015 by Tom Doneske
from Chapter XXII, "The Crocodiles" in
King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court.

Thank you for making the latest blog tour for King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court (#KASIWC) such a rousing success!

Please join me in congratulating Jennifer W. (already notified), winner of the $25.00 Amazon gift card.

I extend a warm welcome to all my new followers on Twitter and Pinterest, as well as the new subscribers to my monthly newsletter, The Dawnflier. Didn't win this time? Keep scrolling down to learn about another opportunity!

Latest reviews of #KASIWC:

• Liza O'Connor - Author: 5* "Wow! Just Wow! There are so many things I loved about this book."
• Just Jeanae: "I found myself laughing hysterically as I braced myself for what [Queen Morgan] would get into next."
• Bonnie of LeahSay's Views: "Fun summer read!"
• Jemima Pett, Author: 4* "Vote Morgana!"
• Angie of Sher A Hart: 4* "I loved the resurrection of Mark Twain's writing."
• Vic's Media Room: 5* "Lots and lots of fun."

Oh, and what does a knight trying to wrestle a baseball bat from a crocodile have to do with my sci-fi/fantasy futuristic time travel novel? There is an excellent reason, but I leave you to discover it for yourself. :)

BUY LINKS

Amazon Kindle:

US | UK | CA | AU | BR | DE | ES | FR | IN | IT | NL | JP | MX

EPUB format for:

Nook | iPad/iPhone | Kobo | Smashwords

***

All this month, you are invited to...
— Add Kim as a favorite author on Amazon.com
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Amazon, Twitter, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!

#MedievalMonday begins with #KASIWC (King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court) #Arthurverse

Thanks to author Ashley York I have been invited to participate in the current round of Medieval Monday, which kicks off today with all participating authors of medieval fiction introducing their books on their own blogs. In honor of the 105th anniversary of Mark Twain's death on 04/21/1910, I have chosen to feature my homage to his work, King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee. Enjoy!

TITLE – King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court (#KASIWC)
AUTHOR – Kim Iverson Headlee

GENRE – Science Fiction/Fantasy Time-Travel Romance

PUBLICATION DATE – 1 November 2014 (e-book); 30 November 2015 (audiobook); 30 November 2015 (hardcover)

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 350 pages/70K words

PUBLISHER – Lucky Bat Books

COVER ARTIST – Jennifer Doneske

INTERIOR ARTISTS – Jennifer Doneske and Tom Doneske

FEATURE-LENGTH SCRIPTS – Registered trilogy: adaptation of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, adaptation of KASIWC, and original script The Once and Future Queen; all available upon request.


SYNOPSIS
Morgan le Fay, 6th-century Queen of Gore and the only major character not killed off by Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, vows revenge upon the Yankee Hank Morgan. She casts a spell to take her to 1879 Connecticut so she may waylay Sir Boss before he can travel back in time to destroy her world. But the spell misses by 300 miles and 200 years, landing her in the Washington, D.C., of 2079, replete with flying limousines, hovering office buildings, virtual-reality television, and sundry other technological marvels.

Whatever is a time-displaced queen of magic and minions to do? Why, rebuild her kingdom, of course—two kingdoms, in fact: as Campaign Boss for the reelection of American President Malory Beckham Hinton, and as owner of the London Knights world-champion baseball franchise.

Written as though by the old master himself, King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee offers laughs, love, and a candid look at American society, popular culture, politics, baseball...and the human heart.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle:
US | UK | CA | AU | BR | DE | ES | FR | IN | IT | JP | MX | NL |

EPUB format for:
Nook | iPad/iPhone | Kobo | Smashwords

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Bee Zee Books | BookBzz | BooksGoSocial | Booksyeah! |
Book of the Day (3/3/15) | Goodreads |
Character interview of Queen Morgan on Love My Kindle |
Screenplay excerpt featured on the blog of Diana Rubino |

EXCERPT:

(from Chapter XIV: Defend the Banner!)

The wench’s smile looked indulgent, if a bit saddened. “Queen Morgan, may I offer an observation?”

“Pray, proceed, Darla, as I seem to have paid for it.”

“This is about a man—the dishy one you’re always coming in here with.”

“Brilliant. Yes, the dishy one. Dishy, and treacherous.” I took a long pull of bitters.

“Lor’ love ye, madame; but all men are treacherous! If you’re lucky, that’s all he is.”

I reflected, through another draught, upon this spot of rough wisdom. Of all the men I had ever known, biblically or not, in this century or any other, the only man I could not label as “treacherous” was Sir Galahad, and we all know what happened to him. For the couple of you who might not be privy to the story: in brief, Sir Galahad drank from the Holy Grail and fell down dead, reportedly because his soul was so pure that Our Lord God bustled him straightaway to heaven. The fact that Sir Galahad had always acted so damned self-righteous that his Grail-hunting companions had wearied of his holier-than-thou ways probably had nothing whatever to do with his demise. I said:

“You need his love… and he needs yours.”
(c)2015 by Jennifer Doneske

“I have treachery aplenty in my life, Darla.” Free agents, not-free agents, other players, managers, coaches… the list seemed endless. “I do not need more from Sandy Carter.”

“But you do need his love.”

I shook my head. “With love like that…”

She was not listening, but had looked toward the line of tall windows fronting the street, across which arched the words “nnI dleiftuO” and, in a revolving pattern of white, blue, and red tube-lights, “NEPO.” I would have taken umbrage at the offense—the server’s, not the fact that the words in the windows appeared backward to my vantage—but I had imbibed too much beer to care.

Darla said, “You need his love… and he needs yours. Look.”

***

Thank you for taking a look at #KASIWC,

And check out this YouTube video highlighting all the participating authors' works!

Meanwhile, enter this great giveaway for e-books, note cards,
and an autographed print copy of Liberty!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more chances to win, you are invited to...
— Add Kim as a Favorite Author on Amazon.com
— Follow Kim on Twitter
— Add Kim to Google+
— Subscribe to Kim's YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Amazon, Twitter, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Liberty. Please enter often, and good luck!

#KASIWC by @KimHeadlee Blog Tour and #Giveaway! #beezeebooks #MFRWAuthor #ASMSG

Please join me and 20+ other bloggers celebrating the release of King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court (#KASIWC) from now until January 23rd!

Posts are book spotlights unless otherwise noted. I will update the permalinks as they go live, so please visit often, and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post!

Tour Schedule

Monday, January 12:

• Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog
• Love Bites and Silk
• SBM Book Obsession
• Steamy book momma
• The blog of author Storm Chase

Tuesday, January 13:

• MC Simon Writes Review 5* "I had a pleasant surprise finding that the main character had to travel forward in time." (Goodreads)

Wednesday, January 14:

• Kim's Book Blog
• Lost in a Book
• Words Turn Me On

Thursday, January 15:

• Undercover Book Reviews Review: "Great read! I really enjoyed it!"

 Friday, January 16:

• Mousiey books Review: A must read for all; "25 stars out of 5!"
• sweet treat reading reviews

Monday, January 19:

• Pinky's Favorite Reads
• The blog of Traci Hayden
• Trina's Tantalising Tidbits

Tuesday, January 20:

• Tammy's Tea Time 5* Review: "Amazing"
• A Good Book Can Change Your View For Life
• The blog of Author Sandra Love
• Crop and Save Mom

Wednesday, January 21:

• Nessa's Book Reviews

Thursday, January 22:

• BookSkater
• deal sharing aunt

Friday, January 23:

• Amanda's Blog!
• I Feel the Need, the Need to Read 3 Books Review: "An enjoyable and different read."
• Cover to Cover Book Blog
• My Life, Loves and Passion 4/5* Review: "Too awesome for words!"
• Sexyways of Reading 
• Ann Marie DeGrego 4/5* Review: "Queen Morgan is quite the character!"

Enter this great giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As always, for more chances to win this month, you are invited to...
— Follow me on Twitter
— Add me to Google+
— Subscribe to my YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on my blog, especially if you have done the Twitter and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Liberty. Please enter often, and good luck!

Announcing... #KASIWC paranormal time travel romance #MFRWOrg

Greetings, Mazeites! Are you ready for December to be over yet? Of course you are; don't be ridiculous! (JK—I love this time of year in spite of all the craziness. It's so full of promise and hope and kindness and joy. :)

Speaking of joy, please take a moment to join me in congratulating the winners (already notified) of last month's contests for e-book copies of my paranormal time travel romance, King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court (#KASIWC):

Dorothy W., Lynn C., Raeline P., Lisa M., Becca, Sarah M., Tammy R., Pat W., Mary P., Victoria Z., and Katherine R.

The above (watermarked) image, created by Jennifer "The Royal Portraitist" Doneske, is but a sample of the gorgeous illustrations included in KASIWC that augment this futuristic time travel romp, featuring Queen Morgan le Fay as the fish out of very strange and wonderful (in the original sense of the word!) waters in the late 21st century.

I have another blog tour with giveaway scheduled for KASIWC January 12-23, and I would be ever grateful if you are a blogger and wish to sign up!    The link is here.
  And I have an active Rafflecopter running until December 22nd for my latest release!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more chances to win all month, you are invited to...
— Add me as a Favorite Author on Amazon.com
— Join my Street Team, Kim's All-Stars 
— Follow me on Twitter
— Add me to Google+
— Subscribe to my YouTube channel
— Leave a comment on any page of The Maze, especially if you have done the Amazon, Twitter, and/or YouTube follow
...and each action this month is good for one chance to win an e-book copy of Liberty. Please enter often, and good luck!