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Debut Author Jamie Brook Thompson

New Author Blog Hop


Hello you fabulous, bookish people! Are you ready for a Major Giveaway?

Good! Because this giveaway cannot be beat:

How about getting a free e-book on your Nook or Kindle? 
Good, right?

What if I told you that Jamie Brook Thompson, debut author of Fairytale Farms, is willing to give her super-fresh e-book to FIFTY of you awesome bloggers?
Even better, right?

Let's talk about Fairytale Farms. 
I read the book, and LOVED it.
It's got a runaway teen who's into all things black, a gorgeous cowboy with killer dimples, and a secret that could turn their love for one another into one dangerous ride. 
Need I say more?

To get Fairytale Farms downloaded onto your Nook or Kindle FOR FREE, just be one of the first fifty peeps to click on this link. Put 'Fairytale Farms Free' in the subject line, then type Kindle or Nook. Easy as pie (which sounds good, by the way - just sayin'). *If link does not work, email jamiebrookthompson@gmail.com

So what's new in your world? Are you ready for the holidays? Are you avoiding the mall at all costs? Do you hate the snow as much as I do? Let's hear about it. :)

Calling New Authors and Book Lovers!

That's right, folks, it's a blog hop!

And not just any blog hop. This is a chance-to-spread-the-word-about-a-debut novel blog hop!

Is this brilliant or what? Yes. Yes it is.

Basically, you either promote your own debut novel, or help someone else spread the word about theirs. Indie or traditional - doesn't matter. This is about getting the word out. 

So let's hit the possible questions here:

Will there be giveaways involved? Oh yeah! (Though giveaways are not mandatory, they are highly encouraged.)

When does this thing take place? November 23rd - November 30th

How in the world do I join in on the awesomeness? Click on the 'New Author' Blog Hop square above and add yourself to the link.


I'll be featuring a debut author, and will be giving away at least one copy of his/her novel. But you'll have to check back on November 23rd to find out who.

Hope to see you on the link, my friends.
Until then, go eat a Krispy Kreme; it'll do you good. :)

Kill, kill, kill! The Query.

Been thinking you've got too much hair on your head? Need some incentive to pull it out by the fistfuls? (Sorry, that was morbid.)
Then try writing the perfect query. One that will highlight all the genius in your newly finished novel while making you sparkle like the morning sun. A letter that tells just enough about your story without rambling while still relaying (in a precise manner) your conflict while giving a good feel for the characters and don't forget that it should have a nice sense of voice. AGH! This can be a daunting task.
Luckily, there's a lot of help out there. Tons. There are certain blogspots I turn to while seeking advice, inspiration, support, sanity, you know.

I'll be highlighting some of my favorite "helps" every week or so. Today I want to tell you about author Elana Johnson's e-book, From the Query to the Call. A magnificent tool that teaches how to write a "killer query". This book rocks! In fact, it's so amazing that it even has samples of FULL QUERIES! Plus - it's free! Seriously, folks, it doesn't get better than this.
To get one for yourself simply go to http://www.elanajohnson.com/ and then click on 'Query to the Call'. You may also find it on her blogspot at http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ While you're there, check out what James Dashner had to say about her debut novel, Possession, which comes out on June 7th. (Can't wait for this one! I've read the first two chapters [they're AWESOME!] and you can too, through her site.)

Have some insight as to what helped you write the perfect query?
Have you mastered your query, or do you still get slightly nauseous at the mere mention?
Share! I love your comments! I would eat them up like Krispy Kremes if I could! Just sayin'.

Ira Glass on Storytelling

Hello to all of you fabulous people!
Today I thought I'd share a little gem I came across the other day.
 
I absolutely love this clip of Ira Glass and his view on storytelling. He has a way of simplifying the entire process in the most brilliant way.

There are four parts total to this clip. I'm posting only part one today, but I may post the others at a later date (they are on you tube if you want to keep going).
And hey, if you don't have time to watch it now (it's just over five minutes) then put it on your to-watch list; I really think you'll enjoy it!

So what about you? Any new thoughts on storytelling? Getting more or less done now that the kids are back in school? For me, it's a bit of a toss up.

Get On The Trail Already! Platform-Building Campaign

Hello all you fabulous blogging, incredible writing, and overall flawlessly beautiful people!
Do you remember that blog I posted a while back? The one called "Stop Whining and Do It Already! Platform Building" ?
Well guess what? Platform-building just got a whole lot easier! I just joined the wonderful Rachael Harrie's  Third Writers' Platform-Building Campaign!  This one is seriously a no-brainer, folks. You join, you meet other writers, they meet you, you help one another out. All good things. 
Want to know all about it? Click on the link above and join me! 
Hope to see you there. :)

Query Submission Guidelines - Do You Follow Them?

The latest post on QueryTracker.net's blog (which is awesome, by the way; you should read it) suggests 'A Safer Way To Get Noticed'. Noticed by agents, that is.

The wonderfully insightful Jane Lebak shows one agent's recent Twitter post that really left me thinking. She basically said that out of twenty-five random submissions received in the last twenty-four hours, only five queries followed the submission guidelines. (Further details can be found in the article.) Honestly, I was shocked.

Of course I know there are a lot of rule breakers. But rule-breaking in the query world? Yikes. No thank you. I had done enough research prior to querying that I knew exactly how crucial it was to most agents to have those (usually simple) guidelines followed to a T.

Okay, so here's the part where I admit I have broken a submission rule (on purpose!): When I first started to query I didn't include my word count even when the agent requested it because I knew it was too high. (Hey, I've cut it down since, remember?) 

So now I'm curious. Do you read every agent's submission guidelines before sending a query? Do you follow all the rules? Do you break rules? On purpose? Now's your chance to get it off your chest. Remember, this is a safe place.

Windows Open or Closed?

Okay, so Summer is here, my favorite time of year. The kids are home, the weather is hot, and the garden is freely giving. One thing I love about summer is the freedom. I love not having to bundle the kids to a ridiculous degree before loading them in the car. I enjoy stepping outside barefoot and feeling the warm pavement at my feet. Last but not least, I love driving with the windows down. I know the air conditioner can do a better job, but nothing beats the fresh air.

Now since my brain rarely takes a rest, I find myself relating this open window thing to writing (of course). I believe it's important to keep an open mind while I write. I recently blogged about how I'm No Longer a Pantser, but that doesn't mean I'm unwilling to budge. I don't even have it in me to stay on such a strict course. Sure I have plotted my scenes. Mapped out an outline of where I need to go. But I'm keeping my mental windows open. Listening to what the characters have to say. I hear their reasons for wanting to take some wild detour, and sometimes I'll even play them out. 


I think another way we can 'stay open' is by reading. I like reading a variety of great authors so that I'm constantly consuming good writing (and Krispy Kremes, but that's beside the point). I'm paying attention to what others have done, noting what works for them. I definitely think it helps us develop our craft.


Lastly, being open-minded during critiques is important, right? (Hey, I didn't say it was easy - just important.) It can help us look beyond our perspective and see how others view our book. Especially if the feedback is repeated by more than one source. 

So what about you? Do you write with your windows open? Drive with them closed? Are you depressed (like me) about the kids going back to school soon? You learned to share in kindergarten, and now's the time - share your thoughts with me. I love your comments!