Monday, October 12, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Angusel settles a score in RAGING SEA Ch 7/Sc 5B #amwriting #Arthurverse
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| Graphic overlay (c)2015 by Kim Headlee. |
It was a necessary evil to be endured, however, because rigid discipline forges soldiers who are infinitely better equipped to handle the rigors of combat.
Doolie punishments, however, do not as a rule involve deliberate bloodshed.
The US military models much of its organization and policies upon the most famous professional armed force in history, the Roman army, but I for one was very glad that corporal punishment for "everyday" infractions didn't make the list.
Another fine ancient tradition among armies the world over involves what we cadets called hazing: the practice of bullying the newcomers to test their mettle. In combat, soldiers need to know they can rely upon each other, and hazing is a way of weeding out those individuals who aren't suited for the particular demands that define the military life.
At the Air Force Academy, the hazing officially ends upon the conclusion of "Hell Week," the period (no longer a week, alas) of the most intense hazing of doolies as a rite of passage to become recognized as bona fide members of the Cadet Wing.
In today's installment of Raging Sea, Angusel uses his punishment to effect his own rite of passage for recognition.
Previous excerpts of Raging Sea
Raging Sea Chapter 7, Scene 5b
©2015 by Kim Headlee
All rights reserved.
The grin soured as he directed his attention toward the practice field, where the rest of First Ala had gathered.
He left Stonn in his stall and, clutching the fouled tunic in his white-knuckled fist, stalked off to join his unit.
The most frustrating thing about the pranks—the humiliation and stripes aside—was that Angusel had no clue who was responsible. He would have preferred to have confronted the man or men privately; brawling was punished with ten stripes and ten days’ confinement to barracks at half pay, with no guarantee that the pranks would stop.
After what had happened to Drustanus, Angusel didn’t care what anybody thought of his actions.
“You’re late again, Optio. And this time you have forgotten your horse.” Several of the other horse-warriors snickered. Centurion Cato silenced them with his glare, though a few continued smirking. Cato dismounted and removed the whip from his belt. “That has earned you ten stripes.” He began to close the gap.
“As you will, sir.” Angusel flung the tunic at the centurion’s feet, halting the man’s advance.
“What in hell is this piece of filth?”
“When you report my punishment, you can also report that the nephew of Centurion Marcus slipped and fell in my horse’s stall because of a muck bucket that had been rigged to fall on me.”
“What!” Cato rounded on the others. The smirking men adopted serious demeanors, but not fast enough. By name he called them out of formation. They dismounted and hastened to line up before the fuming centurion. “This foolishness ends now. Ten stripes for each of you.” Cato held up a gloved fist, forestalling any protest. “I don’t give a bloody damn if you are responsible or not.” He leveled his glare on the rest of the unit. “If I hear of one more incident like this, the entire ala will get the lash. Understood?”
After a resounding chorus of, “Yes, sir!” Cato ordered the chosen men to strip to the waist and kneel. Angusel prepared to join them.
“Optio, what are you doing? This is their punishment, not yours.”
“I was late, and not mounted. I deserve ten lashes too, sir, just as you ordered.” In spite of the cost, Angusel needed the favoritism far less than he needed those damned pranks. He’d grab the whip and flay himself, if the centurion wasn’t going to wield it on him.
“Very well, then. Kneel,” said his commander, though Angusel thought he heard a note of respect as he obeyed the order.
In the moments before he shut his eyes to gird himself for the stinging blows, he saw the same sentiment glimmering on the other men’s faces.
*** The end of Chapter 7 ***
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Thursday, October 8, 2015
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
The Business of Writing: DIY Blog Tours by @Liza0Connor #ampromoting
I enjoyed it so much (and I hope you did too!) that I have invited my virtual author-friend
Liza O'Connor to discuss the…
Liza O'Connor to discuss the…
My first book got several blog tours: publisher organized, do it myself organized, and professionally organized.
It was my first book and I was certain if it could get attention it would sell like crazy. That didn’t happen, but honestly, I don’t think any blog tour has ever sent a book into the top 100.
However, a blog tour does have purpose:
It reminds your followers that you have new book out, or you have an old book that needs attention. But it has another value. Marketing wisdom says the average person doesn’t buy a book until it’s been mentioned at least 7 times.
So even though blog tours don’t sell a lot of books for the majority of us, they have a purpose. They wheedle away at the seven mentions needed to trigger a buy.
When I eventually went indie and had to pay for my own editors and covers, I needed to reconsider where my limited money should go.
Since it seemed to me that I was doing most of the work involved with a blog tour, I began there. I first began doing tour posts just as the professionals do them. But over the next two years, I questioned the value of many things.
First, I stopped offering cash gifts. I found most of the people signing up for my Rafflecopter were just looking for prizes. They had no interest in the book, and many of them never stopped by a single blog stop. They would get the link for my Rafflecopter and go directly to it. While dropping the prize meant fewer people stopped by, those that did were real followers.
Over the last two years, actual sales during a blog tour have gone up, but that could be because I’ve been doing this longer, and if the book belongs to a series, I run a 99-cent promotion for its first week.
Personally, I find visiting the exact same blog post over and over on a blog tour boring, so I take the time to personalize each and every post. No two are the same. [Note: Creating unique posts for a tour also helps the Search-Engine Optimization (SEO) rankings, and publishing identical posts across several blogs actually hurts your book in those rankings. ~kih]
I get my unique topics from my book. Some are based on questions my editor wrote in the comments. Some are facts or situations discussed in my book, and sometimes a blogger will give me a topic (like today’s blog).
At first, I tried to line up blogs for every day of three weeks, but that was exhausting. So instead I reduced the total number of blogs, placing them with three or four days between them. That way, I can continue to promote a host longer.
For example, my first post for Surviving Terranue has had over 2000 views. [And this post for Surviving Outbound on The Maze has gotten almost 3,000 views, but that is also due in part to my potential 2M Twitter reach via Triberr membership. ~kih] I wouldn’t have gotten that many if it had showed for a single day and then I moved on promoting something else. Thus, this change is a win for me and my host bloggers.
Since I now do fewer blogs, I try to snare the best bloggers I know in the genre of my book and spread the blogs over a entire month.
The professional blog tours can offer to place the same post at 50 sites in a single day. That increases the chance of reaching new readers but I would die of exhaustion contacting 50 people for blogs, so if I ever think this is worth doing, I’ll use a professional blog tour.
To ensure you are invited back for your next tour, make publishing your post easy. Don’t send 3 Word docs which your host must assemble. If you have the ability and know-how to create HTML blogs that work on various the blog types (Blogger & Word Press are different), offer those. I tried to do that, but it proved to be a disaster for many of my hosts. So now I submit one Word doc with everything laid out, and wherever I want a picture I include its label in red print. That way, they only have to drop the Word doc into their blog and attach the pics where it says they should go.
Ensure the experience is easy for your hosts and that your post is well promoted. Then, the next time you ask for blog space, they’ll probably say yes.
Ah. One last bit of advice. Active bloggers tend to fill their slots at least a month in advance, so ask for a blog slot early. If they are really popular, ask two months in advance.
There is no reason you cannot do a blog tour on your own. To be honest, even if you use a professional service, all the content still has to come from you. And I do recommend you try a professional service before you do your own so you’ll know the standard you need to set.
So get blogging to help get through the seven times a person needs to read your title before they buy.
Here’s a mini-version of what my blog posts look like:
(Banner)
To avoid being redundant, imagine everything you just read above is written here.
(Book Cover)
Surviving Sojourn
By Liza O’Connor
Blurb
An alien species is removing human colonies from planets, but to where, no one knows. Sojourn, along with the Emperor’s daughter and their crew, must find this unknown species and negotiate a treaty before the Empire’s army declares war on all non-human races. Those who do not follow the Path of Light would prefer to kill all the non-human sentient beings before they are even aware they are under attack.
Matters turn bleak for the Path of Light when Sojourn’s ship crash-lands on Terranue before their journey even begins.
Excerpt
(While the blurb stays the same,
all excerpts are different)
Brenner burned with resentment as he watched the King of Sargon, the giant bull named Blue, carry Saran to the land cruiser resting at the far edge of the valley. A parade of Sargon followed, porting Tamsarandem’s possessions to the other side.
Once the small ship whisked Dmitri and Saran away, he sensed a change in his people. Their faces pinched with fear, and they constantly whispered to one another rather than working on their assigned tasks.
His lackeys soon updated him about their worries.
He called his colonists inside for a meeting. “I understand some of you tremble like children because Tamsarandem has decided to favor the ship-people over us. First, I will tell you why that is not a concern, and second, I will tell you why they did so.”
The colonists went silent with trepidation. He loved the power he held over these people. It made his blood rush with exhilaration. “When we first arrived, we needed Tamsarandem to negotiate peace with the Sargon. After that, we took over. We determined how to survive the deadly three seasons. We brought the meat and furs of bears home to hold us over Cold Days and Angry Days. Truth is, we’ve been doing it all for two years now.”
He waited as almost everyone nodded and agreed that was true. “The reason Tamsarandem went to the other side was for personal reasons. The son they sent away last year was on that ship—but not as a baby. They did something to the boy so he turned into a man overnight.”
Their frightened looks pleased him. “Now calm down. The Gods won’t hold us responsible for their actions. They will see that we’ve cast them out. My best advice is to avoid Tamsarandem entirely. Come next year, I’ll let you know what we need to do long-term.”
(If the book is part of a series, I provide links for all prior books as well so the reader can grab the one they need.)
Sales Links
Book 4 : Surviving Sojourn
Book 3: Surviving Terranue
Book 2: Surviving Outbound
Book 1: The Gods of Probabilities
All books are free for KU subscribers
About Author
Liza is a multiple genre author of 17 novels. A Late Victorian Series, The Adventures of Xavier & Vic, plus a spinoff, A Right to Love, is an ongoing series. A Long Road to Love is a humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance series of five books. She has two single books. One is a humorous, bad boys contemporary novel with ghosts, called Ghost Lover, the other is Untamed & Unabashed, a spinoff from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.Now, she’s rolling out her Science fiction series (with romance & humor) called The Multiverses. The first four books are slotted for last half of 2015. In addition she hopes, if she hasn’t dropped from exhaustion by then, to re-release a sometimes humorous/suspense thriller called Saving Casey.
Social Networks
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
Investigate these sites:
(Insert 4 books of series here)
Thank you, Liza, for sharing your wit and wisdom today.
I wish you and everyone the best of luck with book sales and fan networking for all your tours, DIY and otherwise!
And stay tuned, Mazeites: next month I hope to have Liza back to discuss how she creates her lovely DIY Book Covers!
If anyone else has tips or tricks to share,
please post them in the comments below.
We would all love to hear about them. :)
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— 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 Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!
Monday, October 5, 2015
Announcing scads of winners, upcoming blog tours for THE CHALLENGE! #MFRWOrg
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| Public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. |
- Cindie G: An e-book of her choice by Kim Headlee.
- Amy H: An autographed copy of Liberty.
- Lisa R: A set of autographed note cards featuring art from Liberty, Snow in July, and King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court.
- Amie S, Jacky P, Mai T, Mary P, Shawn G: An e-book of his or her choice by Kim Headlee.
- Brandy D, Kathy C, Laura T, Caroline T, Katherine R, Dana L, Joy F, Nikita J, Renee G, Lenni D: One note card featuring art from Dawnflight.
Didn't win this time? Don't despair; I'll have more chances to win later this month during blog tours for Morning's Journey and The Challenge!
In fact, these two one-day tours featuring The Challenge still have plenty of openings and will feature a teaser from its forthcoming graphic novel edition:
October 27, coordinated by Goddess Fish.
October 28, coordinated by My Family's Heart.
The Challenge will be a worldwide free Kindle download both days too. It's a short 6K, standalone read, and the 27th is my birthday, so the best gift ever would be for you to sign up for either tour and write a review; thanks! :)
— 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 Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Angusel makes a friend in RAGING SEA Ch 7/Sc 5A #amwriting #Arthurverse
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| Graphic overlay (c)2015 by Kim Headlee. |
Enemies and Allies is what I plan to title Raging Sea part 2 for its Kindle run.
In this phase the hero undergoes a series of tests, through the process of discovering enemies and making allies, that forge his character to prepare him for the far more challenging, life-threatening events to come.
No journey of self discovery can be completed without enduring this phase, and in this Angusel—a.k.a. Lancelot—is no different than any other fledgling hero.
Today's excerpt features the onstage introduction of a character only mentioned in Dawnflight, Drustanus—or Tristan, as he is known to legend. The friendship Lancelot develops with Tristan is second only to that of Gawain, and that relationship gets its rather fragrant start here in Raging Sea.
Previous excerpts of Raging Sea
Raging Sea Chapter 7, Scene 5a
©2015 by Kim Headlee
All rights reserved.
Angusel, clad in a clean tunic beneath his practice gear after having discovered that the one he’d planned to wear had been fouled by one of the stray cats that lived behind the barracks—the fouling thanks to someone in his ala, no doubt—hefted Stonn’s saddle and bridle off their pegs in the tack room and hustled toward the stables. With any luck, he could make up the time he’d lost by having to change clothes, and avoid being late for the drill session. Tardiness was punished by three stripes, regardless of the reason’s validity.
“Damn!” came a muffled outburst from inside one of the stalls down the line, followed by a wet thud and ungodly clatter.
Clenching his teeth, Angusel quickened his pace. Though the marks left by his latest punishment had healed, its memory hadn’t.
Frustrated pounding sounded against the stall’s walls as Angusel drew closer, along with a string of Breatanach oaths. One of the cavalry squad’s stable hands, he guessed, had fallen victim of a soldier’s prank inside one of the stalls.
The stall was Stonn’s.
Battle-frenzy boiled up inside him. He dropped the tack and sprinted to assist the unfortunate soul.
He didn’t have to kill anybody this day, thanks be to all the gods. Stonn was fine, mouthing wisps of hay and gazing at Angusel as if to ask what all the fuss was about. The same could not be said for the young man who sat in the muck, his pitchfork all but buried beside him. He was covered from the crown down with even more of the disgusting stuff. Angusel wondered at the strangeness of that, until he glanced up and saw the tilted bucket, still dripping gooey gray-green ooze, which had been perched above the stall’s door.
That muck bucket had been meant for Angusel.
He clamped off his anger, entered the stall, and thrust his hand out. “I’m so sorry,” he said in Breatanaiche. The lad looked at Angusel’s hand as if it were an alien thing. “Come, let me help you.”
“You, sir? You’re an officer. Why should you bother with the likes of me?”
“Nobody deserves this.” He brandished his hand again. “Must I make it an order? And don’t call me sir. I may be an officer, but only just.”
“Yes—Optio?” The young man grasped Angusel’s forearm and hauled himself up. Angusel shook his head. “What, then?”
“What the duty roster reads, Ainchis Sal. And your name is—?”
“Drustanus.” He retrieved his pitchfork. Together they left the stall but paused at the pile of discarded tack. “I’ll put away Stonn’s gear and clean his stall for you after, well . . . after I’m not part of the problem.” The promise was delivered with a rueful grin.
“Drustanus—Centurion Marcus’s nephew?” Angusel had failed to recognize him under the filth. “You should be in the ala too; we’re of an age, you and I, and you look plenty strong. What did you do to draw this thankless duty?”
Drustanus shrugged and peeled off the tunic, which had begun to dry. The action showered the ground with smelly bits, revealing a muscular chest that confirmed Angusel’s assessment. “Uncle Marcus says I should earn my place based on my own merits, not upon family connections.”
Angusel gave a noncommittal grunt. He’d lived in the Pendragon’s legion long enough to keep his opinions about the decisions of his superiors to himself. However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t attempt to influence changing some of those decisions.
“I’ll see you in the old training ring after supper.” His choice was dictated by the likelihood of their not being seen; no sense in running the risk of angering a superior who stood many ranks higher, even if the officer was Drustanus’s kin. “Borrow a practice sword from the armory, and tell the soldier on duty that I ordered it.” Another idea formed. “And let me have your tunic.”
“What? Like this?” Drustanus held it out by a muck-free patch of fabric, the garment pinched between thumb and forefinger.
Angusel snatched it from him. “This should help me settle some . . . other business. Now, go visit the baths and don fresh clothes. I expect Stonn’s tack oiled and his stall to be spotless before afternoon drills are done.”
Drustanus grinned and saluted. “Yes, sir!” The grin widened. “Sorry—Ainchis Sal!”
Angusel felt his answering grin form as he watched his new friend hurry off to fulfill the commands.
***
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...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!
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Falling into News from the Dawnflier (Oct. 2015) #ASMSG #IARTG #IAN1
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| Milo, 5/29/2014 (c) Kim Headlee. |
He's thinner these days as compared with the picture taken last year, but fortunately he had the poundage to spare. We're still having to medicate him twice a day, but the course of antibiotics is done now, so he's getting only one pill every 12 hours.
If you've ever had to pill a cat—let alone having to administer two pills twice a day for weeks on end—you're welcome to offer your sympathies in the comments section!
I cannot say that Milo is the easiest cat I've ever had to treat, but we do have an understanding. He understands that he must endure these daily indignities, and I understand that I may not come away unscathed. :D
We will find out next month whether this will be a lifelong therapy for him.
Meantime, in book news:
- I have decided to release Raging Sea in installments as I push through to the end of the full-length work. The first part, titled Reckonings, will be approximately 25K words and should be available in Kindle Unlimited next month.
- I was hoping to have the first "episode" of the Kindle version of The Challenge graphic novel available this month, but the art is proceeding slower than expected. However, a teaser graphic will be unveiled during its next two blog tours, October 27 and October 28. Those tours still have room for hosts, and thank you if you have already signed up! The original Kindle edition will be free again on those two days too.
- Another tour I have scheduled for December that is looking for hosts is a review-only tour for my three standalone novels, King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court, Liberty, and Snow in July. The signup form is here, and hosts are welcome to review one, two, or all three books; thanks so much!
- Upcoming appearances include:
- Rising Star 24 (October 23-24, Bluefield State College, Bluefield, WV, $5 admission)
- The New River Valley Comic-Con (October 31, New River Community College, Dublin, VA, admission FREE)
- ChessieCon 2015 (November 27-29, Radisson North Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, MD, admission $55 (adult) until Nov. 15; $60 at door; various discounts for young adults and children)
***
— Follow Kim on Twitter
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— 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 Morning's Journey. Please enter often, and good luck!
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