SLEEPER Available On Kindle & Excerpt

Yay, Amazon approved of my formatting work :). You don't know how happy that makes me because me = clueless computer techie.

Anyway, SLEEPER is now available on Kindle. Here is the link:

SLEEPER (KINDLE)

Also, to read a funny sexy excerpt of Reed and Lily, SLEEPER is featured as Book of the Day at:

SLEEPER EXCERPT

Please help me share the excerpt link! Thank you.

Working on Nook format tonight. Smashwords next.

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December??! But I'm Not Done With November Yet!

Last night, I loaded up a formatted file of SLEEPER onto my Kindle Author Bookshelf and promptly fell asleep to dream about...hard returns, tabs, and backspace, backspace, backspace. Ugh. Formatting kills creativity :P. And then I woke up and found that it's December already! WTH?!

I'm nowhere near done with the writing goals I told you about a month or two ago. I have this month to finish writing DANGEROUSLY HOT, edit and format PROTECTOR and edit and format Grace's story, which I've re-titled Danger spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E (still might change that). So far, I've accomplished only three of my writing projects--the short story in SEAL of my Dreams, editing Hunter and Sleeper and getting the latter ready for different e-formats. Actually, I'm not even completed the Sleeper formatting yet because there are still Nook, Smashwords and Print formats waiting. Oh yeah, every one of these have different stuff needed done to the manuscript and it all takes time. Which I don't have. Gah.

I'm doing Kindle first because it beats my Nook sales 4-1. Smashwords represents a miniscule of my sales, so that's last. Anyway, did that last night, and I'm going to take a break and go back to writing because it's eating up my whole month. The other formats will have to wait a bit. It's all a learning process for me because I'm computer challenged. At first I had someone doing that for me but she's very busy with her clients and so I thought I'd learn as I go, hoping not to make too many mistakes.

It's a good thing to learn these days because formatting service packages cost about $500 or more, depending on how much work they have to do. My friend charges me a lot less but even that, with the cost of covers, can be expensive for a project. Getting a book ready for different e-formats (different format, cover art, edits) could cost $800. And that's why I can't sell it for 99cts like some people ask me to. It'll take me forever to make back the money I sank into the production, even though I paid less. When the production costs have been taken care of, I'll lower the price, like I did with Big Bad Wolf ebook and print.

So anyway, I was complaining about time. I might not get Grace's book done by the end of the year. It's written but needs a bit of revision and of course, the above formatting pain. I've also been entertaining the thought of creating my own cover, like I did with Big Bad Wolf, to save money. AHAHAHAHA. Maybe not. Looking at thousands of stock photos is fun but damn time-consuming. So's playing with Photoshop!

Dangerously Hot is coming along slowly but I need to speed up. 30 days or less, man! Sylvia Day is a fantastically fast writer and I don't want to disappoint her. We wanted this project done and out around Christmas/New Year to get the new Kindle owners' attention :). At least, for that one, the cover is ready. Did you guys see it?

And here's my new cover for Sleeper:

For those who asked: "why is the book renamed Sleeper? Why didn't I use the original Sleeping With The Agent?" Well, Sleeper was the original title, to go with the one-word "hunter" and "protector" theme, but the Avon marketing department wanted to change the style to use the now prevalent "active title theme." You can see it on the covers of a slew of romantic suspense the last few years (Take Me Tonight, Standing In The Shadows, Show No Mercy, etc.) but back then, it was just* starting to get hot. So I gave the marketing people at least fifty titles like that and they rejected every. single. one. and came up with...Sleeping With The Agent. My readers and friends, at the time, were astounded at how horrifying it was, LOL. I hated it when someone casually asks me about my writing and to give her the title of my newest book. Umm...Sleeping...withtheagent (yes, I said it just like that, heh).

So, now that I'm back in control of my SEAL series, I get to decide whether to abandon the original titles or not. I chose to drop the article in the title, thus "PROTECTOR," "HUNTER," and "SLEEPER." This is so that I can use "WARRIOR" for Cucumber's book (ahhhh...perked your attention, eh?).

Enough about boring production stuff. I'm sure you're all snoring away. I'll post the winner of the Thanksgiving giveaway soon (have to collect all the names from here and Facebook). And will give you another sneak peek excerpt from Dangerously Hot.

Plans, I got plans. Just slow down a bit, December!

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International Readers, Non-Kindle, Non-Nook formats

I apologize my past few posts have lately been all links all about buying my books, but my ebook publishing friends and readers keep giving me such great advice and asking for different formats etc.

Do you know about Smashwords? It's a site used by indie authors to upload their books to make them available in other formats, such as IPad, Iphone, Sony Reader, regular HTML for those who read on their computer, etc. Very good for international readers and non-Kindle/Nook owners! I have made my two indie books available there:

Big Bad Wolf (Smashwords)

Hunter (Smashwords)

My sales numbers through this site is very small but it's a good way to reach out to many readers who read in other e-formats. Hopefully, it'll catch on and expand my readership!

Do let me know in the comments whether you use Smashwords or that this is your first time hearing about it! It'd help my promo efforts.

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KINDLE sales report: Week Two of HUNTER

I didn't quite make it. I sold 99 books; 100 was my goal. It's been a good week, so I'm not complaining. Been trying to promote it a bit but still am not good at it.

HUNTER (KINDLE)

Anyway, I thought my writer friends would be interested in this information. And hey, if you have any ideas to help me promote or want me chat on your blog about SEALs, spies and writing series, etc., please do contact me!

Thank you, everyone, for buying Hunter (Kindle). Edits for Sleeper is slow but steady (3/4 done) and yeah, trying to write Dangerously Hot by deadline. Argghhhh.

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HUNTER now in Print!

HUNTER, the reissued Crossfire series book, is now available in print form at Amazon. Here's the link:

HUNTER (print)

It's for sale for $9.99 at this time. I have, for now, not opted for Amazon's distribution program, which would have upped the book to a minimum $11.50 (they set a minimum price and I add whatever I want on top. At $11.50, I'd make 25cents a book. Most trades, as you know, is around $14). Anyway, the added distribution channels are inde-bookstores and libraries, which I don't think will be ordering my books for now, anyway.

So, I'm experimenting with a more competitive price of $9.99. I hope readers will find it an attractive bargain! If not, HUNTER is also available for $3.99 in e-format for

HUNTER (Kindle)
HUNTER (Nook)
and
Hunter (Smashwords)

I'm working on the Dangerously Hot novella right now as well as doing edits for SLEEPER (old title: Sleeping With The Agent). Busy, busy, busy!

I hope you're having a great week!

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Just Romantic Suspense has chosen a nice long excerpt of HUNTER to post for their Book of the Day recommendation. This is one of my favorite scenes from the book too. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Please do feel free to share the link on your Facebook and Twitter. And thank you so much for helping me promote! It's been fun watching Hunter's #s going up on Amazon.

I'm working on Sleeper edits this week. Have you seen my new cover?

I love the abs!

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Teaser from DANGEROUSLY HOT

Sylvia Day and I are writing two novellas for an anthology titled DANGEROUSLY HOT, a romantic suspense coming out as an ebook around Christmas.

I wanted to share a teaser scene with y'all. It's not edited or revised, so be warned that it might read a little differently in its final draft. But I know you've been going without new stuff from me for a while, so I wanted to share.

Besides DANGEROUSLY HOT, I have a short story in the much anticipated SEAL anthology, SEAL Of My Dreams, coming out 11/11/11 (and already doing well on Amazon!). So, I'm slowly getting myself back into writing shape.

Here's the excerpt. Hope you like!
*********************************************************

All rights reserved

Gennita Low @2011

          The man was delicious to look at. What Americans would call “hot.” Tall. Dark-haired. Rakish-looking with that stubble. And, as always, that look in his jewel-green eyes gave her a sudden need for a long cool drink, preferably with vodka.

          She’d long passed the point of wondering why he’d affect her this way. Just that he did. And each meeting, she anticipated that gaze, so direct, so damn intimate, and each time, she couldn’t help herself. She winked at him. And then, depending on the situation, they would pick up or exchanged items in the middle or one of them back away, following the unspoken protocol of a first-come-first-serve basis.

          It was part of the game. She could play it a bit hotter but knew she couldn’t afford it.  It was just too bad they were on opposite sides because she had a feeling it’d be more than a bit hotter.

Scorching, more like.

Her superiors wouldn’t approve any consorting without their say-so. After all, she was their fixer. She couldn’t afford to be seen being friendly with someone who could use it against her.

But damn he was hot. She waited for him to step back did his usual two finger salute to acknowledge that she arrived first this time, but instead, he started walking slowly toward her.

She frowned. This wasn’t their pattern. Nowadays, their respective agencies had agreed to do things with the least casualties as possible. Yes, some peace treaties actually included secret clauses like “first come first serve,” “positional operative compromise” and “negotiable exchange.”

So civilized.

She didn’t back away as he approached. Curiosity stopped her. He had a hand in his jacket, probably a weapon. It occurred to her that she might be a target but she didn’t think so. If he’d wanted to kill her, he’d have done so already from five meters away. Or any number of times she’d bumped into him the last year.

They’d never spoken to each other directly. He’d never touched her. Their long looks at each other had been when there were no witnesses.

She watched, unable to move, as his hands came up and cupped her face. Tilted it up. His thumbs rubbed her cheeks. She didn’t do a thing as his head swooped down and his lips caught hers. His tongue swept into her surprised mouth. Tangled. Tasted. Vodka and lime. Five seconds, tops.

He stepped back and gazed down at her, those eyes cool and unreadable. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, a smile of a man who had just found a secret.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while now,” he softly said, that husky Southern twang sending a tingle down her spine.

That voice was distinct to the European underground. The Cowboy had a reputation of getting things done his way. But she had a reputation too, a lethal one.

She continued watching him as he disappeared into the shadows. Five seconds could get a man killed. Five seconds could change one’s life.

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This Book Is Doing Better Than MikiSquirrel's!

I knew it! I should have included sex.

WET GODDESS

It's an autobiographical (?) account of a taboo relationship (yes, he went there) with a live pet dolphin. Review it, someone?  Also, from Mrs. Giggle's blog:

Having worked at a Large Aquarium I have witnessed Dolphins getting frisky with trainers.

I asked if what I saw was what I think I saw was happening and the trainer said “Yes, just like a dog trying to hump your leg but they are a bit smarter and know were to go”…..I said “are you putting me on” ?
No, she explained it was quite common and that is why they wear a very strong protective wetsuit to prevent such indecent (sic). Also it could be extremely dangerous if someone was swimming with one alone in a flimsy bikini because male dolphins penises are about 12″ in length and have a cartilage like bone that could damage the insides of a person. I ask what about female dolphins and she explained it would be equally dangerous because the female dolphin can control her muscles and squeeze with such pressure that could be life threatening to a human male if one was to attempt such an act. So as outrageous as this book is it is certainly plausibly this book is true, however the author was risking his life and I would not recommend anyone to try to duplicate the actions of the author. But don’t we all risky life and limb when it comes to love ?

Oh yes, they did say it's a brave new world in publishing these days. The comments are hilarious, my favorite being #2 with the link to Chicken of the Sea.

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Writers: Quick Advice From A Long-Time Self-Employer

At RWA this year, the new religion was "self-publishing." Whether it was one's back list of books, one's book under the bed, or one's plan to release some book not popular with buying editors right now, it's "I'm going to get it out on Kindle and the Nook." There was a palpable air of excitement among the authors, that they now have some kind of new power, the ability to get their books over some magical hurdle.

I'm one of the authors who have already started this journey--have done so the last few years since the 2007 Walmart debacle, actually--and there are many things I've learned that these authors, especially those not savvy with online stuff other than hit the "buy" button, are going to stumble upon before they get their books out into the market. First, it's not just a magic button. Nothing ever is. It's really working for oneself, like owning one's roofing company, for instance, and the latter isn't a walk in the ballpark.

Yes, being a published author is essentially being self-employed, anyway, but being one's own publisher is actually a second job on top of that. Unless, of course, you have a lot of capital and can hire editors, copy-editors, book packagers and formatters, etc. etc.  But would it be called self-publishing then?

And even if you do have the cash to do that, you must still understand how it all works, that you aren't just paying somebody to take care of the work and hope that the end product will come out looking professional; this is a NEW BUSINESS and there are scammers out there, wanting to make a fast buck. There are also people out there who will give you a book that looks like you hired a 5 year-old to do all the editing and cover art. So be careful, authors.

This is the time to research like you did before you were publishing, reading up on everything you needed to know about approaching publishing houses and editors and formatting manuscripts. Your savvy ebook readers expect professional looking ebooks. Your readers paying the extra money for Print-On-Demand expect a professional looking cover--front and back, with a well-edited story between them. Anything less will just defeat the purpose of your goal.

Why am I talking about it? It's none of my business what you do with your writing, right? Not exactly true.

First, it pains me to listen to many author-friends, many of whom have decades of experience over me regarding contracts and the book business, sound so clueless about the self-publishing. E-book publishing and self-publishing are different things, for example. Kindle is NOT a format. Hiring your nephew who is computer-smart for $30 is NOT a good idea, I'm sorry; it doesn't matter how good he is at repairing your computer or how smart he is at his techy computer job. Unless he has read your book, many other ebooks, actually has some experience with romance covers and getting all the formats done correctly for different e-readers, a $30 job is what you're going to get. I could go on and on about the so many more wrong assumptions.

Second, I want this new venture to succeed, for me and my friends. I don't want it to get a bad rap that readers get wary about buying self-publishing books. As more and more writers and "writers" jump on the bandwagon, there's sure to be more and more dissatisfied rumblings and complaints from readers. Remember, more than ever before, if you self-published, your book is YOU and YOU are your book. You can't blame the publisher any more ;-). Unless, of course, you sign, hopefully not in blood, with Amazon, hahaha.

More on this coming--the other self-employment job is calling.

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An End Of Year Conversation With RS Author Buddies

I've been talking to a few author buddies lately about the general state of publishing, especially in the romantic suspense genre.  The news is rather mixed but the consensus is that romantic suspense, as one of them put it, is "no longer the darling it once was."

A few of my friends who are quite big names don't even get distributed at most Walmarts any more.  Remember in 2007, that was the beginning of the Walmart Wave of cutting off midlist and only stocking NYT bestsellers. Well, it has come to the point that some very well-known names are being cut off.  Most of the NYT newer bestsellers are in the paranormal and urban fantasy genres, so a few of these good friends are considering changing their genre. Yes, some of you might call it "jumping on the bandwagon," but for them, it is their paycheck and some of them are the main breadwinner for their families.

I was quite surprised at a few of the series that aren't being renewed.  These are by authors who have been writing for ten, fifteen years, and so have readers who faithfully buy their books.  But it seems that this isn't enough any more.  I don't know, since I haven't been in the New York school of thought these last few years.

Changing names hasn't helped at least one of my buddies; her numbers tanked in spite of online buzz.  There are just fewer physical bookstores out there. So, for a couple of them, the solution is to work harder with online recognition.

My RS for Samhain sold reasonably well in the electronic market. One author friend, a higher midlister, confided that her e-book sales are "killing it," so that's good news. But another, who had a pretty big contract from her publishing house, said numbers were down and she wasn't looking forward to the next round of contract talks.  The one who had her series canceled is now back to writing categories (series romance/Harlequin) of a different genre.  The other one, a fellow Golden Heart winner, someone whose works I really enjoy, has turned to epublishing and is now getting ready a really kickass urban fantasy for submission.

There was certainly a glut of romantic suspense authors about five to seven years ago.  I remember feeling some frustration that some of the stories had very little romance in them and were being categorized as RS.  And many of the huge names were changing genres, from historical to RS, and going hardcover. Their transitions weren't universally smooth, but most of them generally did well, making the NYT and USAtoday lists.

If you looked at the last four years, there were a few big names that started writing paranormal romance and following the pattern, there are now tons of books out in the paranormal/urban fantasy genres.  I'm not sure whether readership for RS has been waning, but certainly the economic Depression of 2008 onwards also contributed to dismal sales of books for publishing.  Books, once affordable, are being sold at $8.99 (this from $4.99$5.99 during my year I got pubbed), and people, slashing their budgets, cut back on book-buying.

Of course, this is just information gleaned from a few conversations with a few friends.  There are no facts to support our thoughts and conclusions; we can only view our publishing world through our royalty statements and contract renewals.  But I do feel that romantic suspense, although not disappearing, has been definitely getting fewer slots and less attention since 2007. Even my bookseller friend, who is not an online person and rarely venture into ebook territory, complained that she couldn't think of any new authors to recommend to her customers; most of the books in catalogues are by the big names who have one hardcover out a year. The midlisters are disappearing, she told me.

I take her comments to heart.  You'll always get the main stars, like the fantastic Cherry Adair and Cindy Gerard, at the main booksellers.  There will be some great reads ahead, but I feel that, for my other friends, the ones I'm not naming, we're preparing to change and to expect changes.  Ebooks will play a big part because sales have been rising (the main positive thing about the publishing business nowadats) but with that, authors have to focus more on online promotion as well as small used-and-new bookstores.

Why the latter? Because those owners, like my bookseller friend, know their customers and they often recommend back lists and sell new books of midlisters.  I know many online are saying they don't even buy paperbacks any more and the future is in ebooks, but there are still at least two generation of readers out there who aren't brought up techy/gadget-happy.  They like reading the way they've been for decades and many are unaware of online groups or discussions because frankly, they aren't into that.

The online community is a powerful aspect of marketing books and authors, of course. My friends think that in many ways, it's both easier and more difficult for the writer.  On one hand, there are literally thousands of new writers (self-published, e-published, etc.) online, a multitude of voices trying to be heard, and many new authors have a hard time getting noticed. The authors I spoke to don't necessary have this problem.  They have readers who find them online and social media like Twitter and Facebook are very helpful (depending on who's talking, LOL, since a couple think they really cut into their writing time). However, it is still a problem to reach new readers; everywhere we turn, we're reading that readers are hesitant to try new works not recommended by other readers, mainly because of higher price and inability to browse.

My author buddies also note that many online reviewers are favoring historicals and paranormal/urban fantasies.  Additionally, there is a growing readership for Young Adult paranormals/UF and younger readers are avid online visitors.  They are the next generation of readers that my friends have to learn to tap into.  Thus, writing in another genre is another option but a few of them feel it's just not their style.  We tossed ideas around and wonder what's in store for us in 2011 and beyond.

In conclusion, my writing buddies, some of whom I've known for a decade or more, with quite a number of books published, are worried and getting ready for changes.  At least one of them is getting her nursing license reinstated.  Another is even thinking of retirement.  Yet another is having fun writing another genre.  As for me, I'm a little off-the-road at the moment, since I was the first one to feel the Walmart and numbers pain, but I've been talking about change for years now.  My friends are just realizing it.

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BBW Factoid

For those who are interested, Big Bad Wolf's sales reached 600 copies end of Aug. June and July were the slowest months but then it started to pick up in August. Hopefully, VHers will generate some more interest. My goal is to try to sell 800 copies by end of year. Highly unlikely, but hey, it'd be cool if it did happen.

Overall, I'm pleased with what I've accomplished. The royalties are paying some of my bills, so hey, not complaining here!

Can't wait for VHers to come out next month so I can see more royalties ;-).

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