MGOC Contributor News: Shelley Adina's Magnificent Devices

Many Genres, One Craft contributor Shelley Adina has a new novel out--Magnificent Devices.

An air voyage to remember turns into a disaster no one may survive.

With her orphaned charges, Lady Claire Trevelyan joins the Earl of Dunsmuir’s family on an airship voyage to the Americas. If she can stay out of Lord James Selwyn’s way until her eighteenth birthday, she will be of age and cannot be forced into marriage. What she doesn’t know is that Lord James is in the Americas, too, with Andrew Malvern closing in on him—and the wonderful device he stole. But when a storm cripples the airship and air pirates swoop in like carrion birds, Claire and the children must live by their wits to make their way across a harsh landscape. Will Andrew ever see her again and right the wrong he believes he has done? Will Lord James succeed in his monumental thievery? And how exactly does Rosie the chicken evade the soup pot?

Tighten your goggles, pull on your gloves, and prepare yourself for stratagems and strangeness in the third book in the series, Magnificent Devices!

MGOC Contributor: Lee McClain

Lee McClain
EXCERPT from "Time Management: Creative Paths to Productivity" by Lee McClain in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Time management? Ugh. Sounds like a seminar topic at a business event.

Careful management of time doesn’t come naturally to most creative writers, but that doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. Figuring out this skill often means the difference between success and failure as a writer.

I can hear the protests now. Many writers assume that their possibilities of success depend on skill, talent, and creativity. While these qualities are important, none of them can manifest themselves unless a writer is willing and able to devote time to her craft. That means time to read in the genre, time to draft, time to revise, and time to study the market. When I directed Seton Hill’s graduate writing program, I saw many talented writers fail due to not managing their time; conversely, I saw writers who started out with what looked like very moderate talent improve and succeed—and publish—due to the massive time they devoted to their craft.

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Dr. Lee Tobin McClain happily divides her time between teaching and writing and finds that the two pursuits enrich each other. She writes romantic suspense, fiction for children and teens, and nonfiction essays and magazine articles. Among her novels are My Loco Life, My Alternate Life, and Sizzle. Her teaching interests include children's and YA literature, magazine writing, composition, and creative writing. The former Director of the Writing Popular Fiction Graduate Program at Seton Hill University, Dr. McClain now mentors graduate students. Find her on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Lee-McClain/e/B001KIDROM

MGOC Contributor: Ryan M. Williams

Ryan M. Williams
EXCERPT from "One Writer Many Genres" by Ryan M. Williams in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

In the mood for a sweet romance? Solving a fiendish murder? Taking a spaceship off to the uncharted reaches? Writing in multiple genres brings a multitude of rewards to writers, along with a few cautions.

READER EXPECTATIONS
A reader finds a mystery and falls in love with the clever cat detective, so she goes out and buys every other book the writer has written. When the new book comes out she rushes to the store for the exclusive midnight release and discovers that the cat is gone, replaced by a vampire, and it isn't even a mystery anymore, but a romance.

Does she jump up and down with a squeal of happiness?

Unlikely.

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His rap sheet reads like a small-time crook with a half-dozen aliases. As Ryan M. Williams writes the scifi Moreau Society series including Dark Matters and The Gingerbread House. Writing as Ryan M. Welch he has authored his mystery fiction, like the Poe-inspired cat cozy novelette The Murders in the Reed Moore Library. Other aliases include Tennessee Hicks (urban & dark fantasy), and R.M. Haag (horror fiction). His education includes a master of arts degree from Seton Hill University and the successful completion of the master class taught by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch. He lives in Western Washington with his wife and son.

MGOC Contributor: Susan Mallery

Susan Mallery
EXCERPT from "Writing More" by Susan Mallery in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Even those of us who don’t write Science Fiction are intrigued by the idea of controlling time. Imagine being able to do more with your day, to have extra free time to spend any way you would like. For a writer, more time means getting more work done, selling more books and making more money. Or maybe writing the same number of books in less time and being able to play more. There's a win we can all relate to.


But is that possible? And what if you could write more in a day—how would you know it was at least as good as what you’re doing now?

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Susan Mallery is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a 100 romance and women's fiction novels. Her books have appeared as high as #5 on the New York Times list, and they also consistently appear on the USA TODAY bestsellers list. Booklist has named Susan's books on their Top 10 Romances lists in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and she was the only author to appear on the list all three years. As RT Book Reviews magazine says, "Reading a Susan Mallery book is always a marvelous experience.” She has won dozens of awards including the Holt Medallion, the Colorado Award of Excellence and the National Readers Choice Award. Visit her at http://www.susanmallery.com.

MGOC Contributor News: Pictureless Books Videos

Many Genres, One Craft contributors Adrea L. Peters and Teffanie Thompson White, owners of Pictureless Books, just released some wonderful new videos:

Many Genres One Craft Virtual Book Tour (VBT)

Our recent VBT stops for Many Genres, One Craft are:

Stop: At Your Fingertips
At Your Fingertips highlights the work of author Tamela Quijas and that of her fellow authors, but isn’t only about the latest romance novels on the market. Stay for a while and you’ll find her reviews on a variety of books and movies, fantastic author interviews, sneak peeks into upcoming book releases, recipes, as well as being granted a private look into Tamela's world.
Host: Tamela Quijas
Tamela is a romance author that loves to write–from paranormal to contemporary romances and an occasional cookbook. Her work includes the novels Blood Moon, Blood of the Beast, My Lord Raven, Angel's Fire Demon's Blood.
Event: Book Review
Ratio of Romance - Crystal B. Bright
Contributor: Crystal B. Bright

Stop: Damsels in Regress
Jennifer, Emilie, and Tricia met while they were graduate students in Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction program. They bonded over their love for children's and young adult fiction, especially all types of historical fiction, and their desire to see their books in print.
Host: Patricia B. Tighe
Tricia is currently writing the sequel to a young adult historical fantasy set in 1890s Belgium. In An Inherited Evil, 18-year-old Mathieu Korsten must discover the secrets of his grandmother’s past to end a curse that could take his life.
Event: Patrice Lyle Interview
C. Coco DeYoung Interview

Stop: Free Cotton
Providing discussion, tips, and marketing for education on all levels.
Host: Teffanie Thompson White
Teffanie Thompson White played with pen in hand. When pen was absent, she scratched words on ashen legs. She either taught class or wrote books, which she still does. Her picture book manuscripts, Bug Talk and For Tents and Ribbons, have been adapted into onstage ballets. Teffanie co-authors and co-publishes pictureless books.
Event: Educational Tips
Contributor: Jason Jack Miller

Stop: Kelly A. Harmon: Moving on to Fiction...
Kelly A. Harmon shares thoughts on leaving the newspaper business to freelance and write fiction, as well as gives tips on writing and attending writing conferences.
Host: Kelly A. Harmon
Kelly A. Harmon used to write truthful, honest stories about authors and thespians, senators and statesmen, movie stars and murderers. Now she writes lies, which is infinitely more satisfying, but lacks the convenience of doorstep delivery, especially on rainy days.
Event: Many Genres, One Craft: Writing Conferences
Contributor: KJ Howe

Stop: The Secret Writer
The Secret Writer blog is an attempt to bring readers, writers and authors together from all parts of the world to one 'Virtual Place', in order to review and promote the many different types of books and other literary material that is being generated today, or that has been written in the past.
Host: Calum
Calum has always enjoyed reading and writing. He is now preparing to venture on the journey down the path of writing his first novel!
Event: Book Overview
Contributor Overview
Writing Under a Pseudonym by Dana Marton
Contributor: Dana Marton

There's still time to be a host. Email Heidi Ruby Miller at heidirubymiller@gmail.com for details!

To order a copy of Many Genres, One Craft, visit:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Powell's Books
Books A Million
and other fine book sellers!

posted by heidi

Many Genres One Craft Official Release

You can finally get your hands on Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction, edited by Michael A. Arnzen and Heidi Ruby Miller and published by Headline Books, Inc.!

Visit your local bookstore or find it online at these and many fine retailers:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books A Million
Powell's Books
Writers Digest Shop

Many Genres One Craft Virtual Book Tour

Our recent VBT stops for Many Genres, One Craft are:

Stop: Free Cotton
Providing discussion, tips, and marketing for education on all levels.
Host: Teffanie Thompson White
Teffanie Thompson White played with pen in hand. When pen was absent, she scratched words on ashen legs. She either taught class or wrote books, which she still does. Her picture book manuscripts, Bug Talk and For Tents and Ribbons, have been adapted into onstage ballets. Teffanie co-authors and co-publishes pictureless books.
Event: Educational Tips
Contributor: Sally Bosco

Stop: Seton Hill Writers
Three graduates of the Seton Hill University MFA program (Lesley L. Smith, Ann Laurel Kopchik, and Rodney Robbins discuss genre issues, give writing tips, and review books at their group blog Seton Hill Writers.
Host: Lesley L. Smith
Lesley writes SF and talks about the genre at conferences and conventions. Her latest novel is Multiple Possibilities.
Event: N is for Networking
Contributor: Michael A. Arnzen

For upcoming stops, including more from Free Cotton and Seton Hill Writers, visit our VBT page: http://manygenres.blogspot.com/p/virtual-book-tour.html

There's still time to be a host. Email Heidi Ruby Miller at heidirubymiller@gmail.com for details!

To pre-order a copy of Many Genres, One Craft, visit:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Powell's Books
Books A Million
and other fine book sellers!

posted by heidi

MGOC Extra Essay: How Writers Can Use Twitter for Self-promotion by Sally Bosco

We all know that Twitter is potentially a good self-promotion tool for writers, but how can you do that without seeming obnoxious and self-obsessed? I’ve put together a few thoughts:

1. The purpose of Tweeting isn’t really to sell books, it’s to build relationships, have a dialogue with writers and readers, to pique potential readers’ curiosity about you, and to gain their interest. They’re gaining access into your secret world. Make that a place people want to visit.

2. If you’re new to Twitter, start by following your friends. They know people who know people, and this will widen your circle. Do the same for any writers your know or writers’ associations that interest you.

3. Make sure to have the URL of your web page displayed in the profile that appears when people access your account. This seems like a no-brainer, but some people forget to do it.

4. Increase your blog readership: If you used WordPress to create your blog or web page, there is a feature that will automatically publish to Facebook and Twitter a snippet and link to anything you publish on your blog. If not, you can write a quick summary of your blogpost with a link. Twitter is searchable, so if you write a review of a (for example) Stephanie Meyers book, people who are searching for Stephanie Meyers may have your blog come up in a search. Increased traffic to your blog is always a good thing. This helps you to build your brand.

5. With that in mind, you might offer a freebee on your blog like a short story or writing article and post a quick summary and link to your Twitter account.

6. Speaking of freebies, many successful authors post giveaways of their novels on Twitter. Kelly Armstrong has weekly book giveaway contests and calls them Freebie Fridays.

7. Find groups who hit your target market and friend them. Just Google "Twitter + your subject matter." You may want to do this gradually so it won’t appear that you’re spamming people.

8. Go to search.twitter.com and search for subjects that interest you.

9. Follow people and organizations who are relevant to your writing. If you are writing a novel about, oh, I don’t know, cross dressers, try to make contact with people who are interested in that subject matter. A simple Google or Twitter search will yield that info.

10. Don’t Tweet obsessively or people might delete you. (Unless you’re Kim Kardashian, then you can Tweet as much as you want.)

11. Comment on other people’s postings so your Tweets don’t seem like one-sided conversations.

12. If you’re interested in certain publishers, agents or writers, follow them. Here is a link to publishers’ Twitter accounts: http://www.highspotinc.com/blog/2008/12/a-directory-of-book-trade-people-on-twitter

13. Get to know the book bloggers. They are the new powerhouses of online promo. Google terms like “litblogs” or “book reviews” + your particular genre or author who writes novels similar to yours.

14. Use hash tags in your Tweets to make them searchable in Twitter. i.e. #werecats

15. To the right of your Twitter feed are two columns. One has a listing of trends and the other has a list of recommendations of whom to follow. Consider adding some of the resulting people/profiles. Again, use caution in following too many people at once, because it can look like spamming and Twitter can kick you out for that.

16. Consider retweeting others’ posts. When you place your cursor over the person’s post, a Retweet link activates. This lets you retweet that message to your own followers.

17. Offer some of your own pearls of wisdom/writers advice. Make up some quotable quotes. One of mine is, "It takes a lot of procrastination time to be able to write for one hour."

18. Make sure to reply to posts that mention you. To find them, check the @YourName on the right side of your Twitter screen.

19. Reply to other messages of interest that are posted by other Tweeters.

20. Pimp other authors’ books, too. Many of them will reciprocate.

Remember that this is all for the purpose of entertainment. Have fun Tweeting, and your readers will catch your enthusiasm.

Check out Sally's books, blog and other writing at http://sallybosco.com and follow her tweets at http://twitter.com/SallyBosco. Watch for her young adult paranormal romance, The Werecat Chronicles, to be published in May.