#Excerpt from Autumn’s Child by Nicole Murray @LNMCreative #Fiction #GoodReads #Women

Aunt Libby slept through most days. The only thing she really enjoyed to do was eat grapefruit and watermelon. Bottles of pills with names I couldn’t pronounce cluttered her dresser and remained filled. She stopped going to her meeting once a week and after a month of avoiding anyone who called, there was a knock at the front door. I opened it and twelve strangers stood there like disciples in the doorway demanding to speak to Aunt Libby. They were polite but stern. People from all walks of life, a businessman in a high-priced black suit dressed with an undeserved sense of importance. An Asian lady with so many track-marks on her arm you could have rode a train on it. Five of them were white and out of place in our neighborhood and the others were just confused.

“Stay right there. I’ll see if she is home.”

The man in the business suit was the leader of the crew: “Come on, let us in. We know she’s in there.”

“Just wait one minute.” I turned around and Aunt Libby was standing in the doorway leading to the house.

“Go upstairs to Shay’s for a while,” Aunt Libby said as she waved me towards the stairs. Before the door to our apartment closed the Asian lady said, “You don’t have to run from us. We are all in this together.”

I wouldn’t dare ask what that cult was all about but after that I paid a little more attention to her. She was dropping weight like she had spent most of her days doing Bikram yoga. Aunt Libby’s makeup went from non-existent to having so much on you would have thought she was ready to lie in a casket and play dead. One coat after another she applied, piled it on but I didn’t know why because she never went out, just lounged around the house in her robe and face paint. She didn’t have many friends, and a boyfriend or a fuck buddy was obsolete those days so the purpose of clown-like preparations baffled me. Bottles of foundation next to bottles of vodka and she consumed them both.

I pieced it all together after I took a midnight trip to the bathroom one night, only to find Aunt Libby there in the dark. The light from the hallway snuck in and captured her face, framed it and she spoke the words, “Don’t look.” But it was too late. It was already revealed to me what she was hiding. Lesions dominated her skin; foundation concealed them by day but at night the mask had been washed away and her sins showed their ugly face.

I stood there as she sat on the toilet, Aunt Libby’s once plump body had withered away with her spirit. I knew that she needed me but I didn’t know why. So that’s why I stayed there under the darkness shadowed by secret. Looking at her moved me to want to sprint to get her makeup and cover up the skin of this stranger. To paint her face and arms back to normal or at least close to. I wanted to hide her, as she tried to hide herself. If only I could go back into the hallway, walk back into my room, get back under my sheets and hold in this urge to pee until she returned to her room.

“I am hurting. Fractured in places stitches can’t heal.” Autumn’s Child tells the desperate story of Layla, as a young and naive twelve year-old girl. Over ten critical years, her life quickly changes like the colors of the trees in autumn. The accidental death of her parents forces her to abandon her religious, middle-class lifestyle. She moves to the inner city of Chicago with her grandmother and aunt, her only living relatives. Layla tries to approach her new life with optimism, but the perfections of her past life haunt her tormented journey. After coming to grips with the reality over the years that her only aunt despises her, Layla soon discovers that she may secretly hold the keys to helping her aunt’s diminishing health in her hands. 

Layla’s faith and sanity are continuously tested as she matures throughout each season of her life. She stumbles through her newfound reality while learning how to play the distinct set of cards she’s been dealt. Layla’s neighbor and best friend, Shay, helps guide her from adolescence into adulthood. Autumn’s Child chronicles a life on the opposite side of the coin; where friendships grow out of tragedy, and the pressure of a marginalized life weighs heavily on pure souls. Layla must make many compromising decisions, all while perpetually asking the reader, What would you do? View Autumn’s Child Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM1HsapHNDc

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Genre – Fiction

Rating – R

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@GaryTroia's 5 Things You Didn't Know About Being A Published Author #WriteTip #Fiction

So, you’ve written your book, found an agent, your agent has matched your book with a publisher. What next?

1. It can take one year before your book is in print. Throughout the year you will receive two or three rounds of edits, then copyedits, then line edits. You’ll be asked to proof the cover copy of your book. A bio and a professional headshot will be created. Blurbs need to be written. At least 3 months before publication your book will be sent to reviews and the press for pre-publication reviews and to bookshops. 
2. You may or may not be lucky enough to have a publicist, either way you still have to market your own book. If you are fortunate enough, you might have a book tour. But touring Authors around the country is expensive, don’t expect any-more travelling by coach! You need to market yourself in any way possible, talk to local papers, radio shows, apply to be a guest at local conferences or speak at libraries, book clubs or schools. And don’t forget social media twitter, Facebook etc… 
3. You get to select your book cover. This is very unlikely, the book cover is usually the work of an art department, with the opinions of everyone from the editor, publisher, marketing and PR departments. Everyone has their say but you!
4. You still get rejections. It’s true. Just because you have a publisher doesn’t mean that your new manuscripts or proposals won’t be rejected. 
5. You will still be poor. If you are extremely lucky your book will make enough money so you can quit your job, the average book advance is a mere £3,000-£5,000 then you have to wait a year until it is in print-then if you’re fortunate enough to sell tens of thousands of copies you may be in a position to quit your day job.

For the first time ever, this collection of short stories by Gary Troia brings together, in chronological order stories and memoirs from Spanish Yarns and Beyond, English Yarns and Beyond and A Bricklayer’s Tales into one complete volume.

“Excellent! A collection of short stories about depression, alcoholism and drug use. Very compelling reading. I read this short story collection all in one go.” (Maria, Goodreads.)

A Bricklayer’s Tales is the ultimate “I hate this job” story, written as a collection of short stories and memoirs, each one revealing a snapshot in the life of Ray. Troia captures the tedium of working in a low paid, menial job and living hand to mouth. This book of short stories is sad and questions the reader to ask questions about their own life. This book achieves clarity without trying.

Ray has three expensive hobbies: drinking, drugs, and running away. Without the income that Bricklaying provides, he would not be able to maintain his chosen lifestyle, so he compromises his principles and continues with his trade.

A collection of short stories and memoirs that include:

The Cuckoo’s Egg. Boyhood antics lead to tragedy.

My Grandfather’s Shed. The making of an English key

No Comb on the Cock. Gypsies, champion fighting cocks, and career choices.

What I Did In My Summer Holidays In 1000 Words. Could having an idea ever be considered a criminal act?

My Best Mate’s Head. Did a weekend of boozing save Ray from certain death?

The Shetland Isles. A trip to sunny Benidorm, a chance meeting with some Glaswegians, and a cold, miserable job in Lerwick.

Pointing a House in Islington. Too much alcohol and cocaine don’t mix well on building sites!

Angel Dust. The peculiar story of a man whose new life in America leads to conversations with Ancient Greek philosophers

Peyote. Hippies, LSD and an idyllic refuge

Return Ticket. Handcuffed and ready for deportation. A sad departure from the States

When I Joined a Cult. Sober dating as Ray discovers religion.

Bilbao. How very, very English!

Teaching Other People. The grass is always greener-the escape from bricklaying.

A Week in the Life of Ray Dennis. With the prospect of no money for food or alcohol this Christmas, Ray has to find work quickly.

Catania. A meeting with a Sicilian fox, some Neapolitans, and a man with a camel haired coat.

Advert In The Art Shop Window. Will a new building job in Spain be the start of a new life?

Gaudi. A flight to Barcelona for a kebab, and a look at the Sagrada Familia.

The Day My Soul Left Me. “To be or not to be? That is the question”

How Not to Travel to The Alhambra. Hung-over, the wrong fuel, the car breaks down. Will they ever make it to Granada?

The Road To Ronda. A terrifying drive to Ronda, was it worth it?

Poking A Carob Tree. A new home and new neighbours, just in time for Christmas.

Spain Reborn.No more commuting to London. Lets celebrate!

Home From Home. A parallel world where the Spanish have taken over Weymouth.

Three Common Carp.An epic battle with a whale and marlin it is not.

Mrs. McClintock. An absurd farce in which a Glaswegian couple retire to Spain

Steak, Egg and Intensive Care. A harmless dinner leads to hospitalisation.

The Unchangeable Chameleon. Can a leopard change it’s spots?

A Bricklayer’s Tale. The story of a disillusioned, alcoholic bricklayer

A collection short stories and memoirs of British dark humour.

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Genre - Fiction, Short Stories

Rating - PG-16

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Getting to Know T. D. Von Dohren @tdvondohren #Fantasy #Fiction #MustRead

What are you most proud of in your personal life?

Over the past year or so, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know myself. Who I am, where my limits are and the kind of life I want to lead. I also discovered ‘The Secret’ and so far, appreciating life and keeping my dreams and goals in my mind on a daily basis has seen me meet more new (and fantastic!) friends in my new Country in 6 months than I previously had in more than a year, I also met my now publisher after winning a seat at her workshop in a lucky draw at a networking lunch and I’m blissfully happy with my life every day because I take the time to appreciate the little things (like the calmness of a clear spring morning as I walk my dog).

What books did you love growing up?

I was a huge horror nut growing up and couldn’t get enough of the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. I also read a lot of Christopher Pike and as I grew older, Anne Rice. I love the way she changed the perception of vampires from these dark monstrous creatures hidden in shadows to almost sad beings who have witnessed so much in their long lives and lost even more.

Who is your favorite author?

I have to say, despite my love of horror, I’m a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. He has such a heart wrenching way of writing love stories that are so upliftingly beautiful, yet they always have an element that is so achingly tragic. A box of tissues is always a must have accompaniment for one of his books.

What genre of books do you adore?

I love a good thriller but will always choose a good romantic story with a strong female character. It’s my way of reassuring myself that strong independent women do have happy endings with perfect men who aren’t intimidated by them.

What book should everybody read at least once?

The Bride Stripped Bare is such a great insight into the internal struggle that all human beings go through between who they truly are and who society thinks they should be. It helped give me the courage to forget what society thinks and just do what makes me happy. We only live once.

What do you hope your obituary will say about you?

That I fulfilled my dreams to live a full life, full of true experiences and inspired at least one person to do the same.

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

I was born and grew up in Queensland in Australia in a moderate sized coastal area called the Sunshine Coast, with sandy surf beaches, sunshine almost all year round and a laid back touristy feel. To be honest, I couldn’t wait to get out, which leads most people to think I’m a little crazy but for someone who doesn’t know how to surf, only likes sand when it stays in the hotel room on vacation and doesn’t end up all through your car and who dreams of nights at the theatre and seeing the world, it was suffocating. When everyone knows everyone and they are all living the same lives, it makes it hard to step out on your own and be your own person without attracting judgement. I started to find that each time I travelled I grew more as a person, until eventually I just didn’t fit the Sunshine Coast at all. My career had plateaued with no opportunity to go any further despite me being a valued employee, I’d even been trying for two years to move to a larger city in Australia with no luck. Now, living in Vancouver, Canada, I’m living the metropolitan life I always wanted, in a dream job that took me just three months to secure, surrounded by people who accept rather than judge and I’ve published my first book! The whole experience too of being away from the influences of my parents and family has given me the freedom to be who I am, to only worry about making myself happy rather than those closest to me. And you know what? My parents couldn’t be more proud.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

Despite my media background and current role in the field I have to say marketing. I have no trouble marketing external products but am the worst for marketing myself. I only recently reached a stage where I will allow myself to be proud and open about my successes, but I still have a lot of trouble marketing myself without feeling like I’m holding a big sign saying ‘Look at me, look at me!!’.

Do you plan to publish more books?

In my mind, ‘Daughter of the Moon’ has always been part of a series and the more I wrote, the more that series started to take form. So stay tuned… ☺

What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…

I think initially, yes, it’s hard to make enough from book sales to not work. I currently work full time in radio promotions but it’s my goal to turn writing into a full time career that will allow me to travel and learn more about the topics I write about such as European mythology, religion and history. So help a writer out and buy my book… pretty please?

What do Jesus Christ, a Greek Goddess, and a thousand-year-old Vampyre have in common? This intriguing and thought provoking story will make you question everything you think you know about myth and religion. Chhaya, a vampire born over a millennium ago, discovers she is the descendant of an ancient bloodline-the blood of Christ. As the power in her awakens, Chhaya must use her new gifts as the Daughter of the Moon to fight against the corrupt coven leader Khai in order to protect the doors to heaven and hell and prevent the end of days on earth. Whether a fan of fantasy, religious theories, or mythology, you'll be inspired to ask what is good and what is evil.

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Genre - Fiction Fantasy

Rating – PG

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#Excerpt from Elan Carson's "The Willow Tree" @WillowTreeNovel #Fiction #AmReading

Everything seemed lost in shades of perpetual dimming light, fluttering between dusk, the moon, and hell. There had been no heavenly grace period, or spell of good luck with a happy ending like in the movies.

All that I had learned to love I had lost, and the precision of the misfortune that had snatched everything from my fingers seemed to hold there…paused…as if waiting to seize another ember of something good. The ghoulish heartbreak—rapidly beating chests, sullen cheeks, and sickly morning sunlight—everything was always out of place after he left my bedroom.

I wondered where every slur of “Why me?” sobbed to an indignant God went? Probably teetering upon some hopeless bank, a lonesome stream of faith floating right past me, seemingly out of sight to those looking for it.

Palms muddy in the thickness of reality that never quite felt real, I had started to sink. It was all too violent and out of my control. Now every relationship, vow of intimacy with a stranger, or sentiment itching to be shared had been consumed by the presence of Adam. I had never known what I was fighting for…to let go of his love or to salvage my own.

What I had wanted was to be loved, and I had wanted a father’s love after losing my dad. But what my stepfather Adam and I shared was different. It had crossed boundaries, over my breasts, down past my zipped jeans, and into the striking nerve of my inner being, bearing the brunt of its weight on every fleeting relationship I would later yearn to nourish.

I had asked myself what was consciousness when everything seesawed between the nightmare of his snarling voice, the hinges of his fingers pulling me violently toward him, and the whispers of the willow tree accompanied by her name, the wife he had lost. The two phrases had always accompanied each other, a dance partner forever on the turntable of my nightmare: the willow tree and her name stuck in the silo of my eardrum.

Something would switch in Adam when he had retreated to the inner space of his long lost thoughts, memories, and dreams. There was nothing stopping him from taking me as if we had belonged together forever. Yet, it was all so terribly wrong.

The pit of my stomach often heavy with the sinking feeling of his body on mine, unexplainably stuck in a moment of time I didn’t want to be real—those moments had become more frequent, elusive, and mystifying. The only thing that I had known was that Adam was always there stripping me of my confidence…and mostly of everything else—my youthfulness that only God would want kept holy, my mom’s long hug goodnights, even the waning hope that I would finally have another dad.

And when Adam woke up from the reality he had created with me, it was a thunderstorm of rage and blunt fists. My tiny body kneaded and destroyed, because it was always my fault for triggering him. Mom didn’t want to believe it.

So I had done what any fourteen year old could do: fight until the flames went out. The fire in my eyes darkened to ink, a pitch-black blindness. I was slowly dying, my bones, flesh, and soul a sanctified trifecta withering, always fighting, but losing pieces of itself with each tumultuous battle. And so my struggle had begun…

The Willow Tree is a heartbreaking coming-of-age story similar to White Oleander and with profound introspection akin to that of The Bell Jar. Emma must learn to fight for her emotional stability and life after her mother remarries. She engages in a stormy relationship with her abusive step-father, while her mom slips away to depression. Both book-smart and painfully awkward, she struggles to connect with her peers and eventually finds friends with students who are considered outcasts. Outside of school, her home life becomes more and more turbulent. The bond between Emma and her mother dwindles to only occasional encounters, while her step-father remains present in her waking life and nightmares. Fraught with hiding the stress from deep concerns about her friends’ misjudgments, Emma hides the torment of her step-father’s unrelenting sexual abuse. After his sudden suicide, her feelings she developed for him dangerously lead her down her own self-destructive path.

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Genre - Fiction

Rating –  PG-13

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#Christian - Donald J. Amodeo Explains How To Take Charge of Your Cover Art @DonAmodeo

Taking Charge of Your Cover Art

In the world of traditional publishing, authors typically have little say over what goes on their cover. While this may sound scary (it certainly did to me), there’s a good reason for it. Most writers have a poor grasp of graphic design.

Yes, there are exceptions, but even with all the great tools we have at our fingertips today, browsing indie bookshelves often means having to sift through a sea of bland and amateurish cover art. An eye-catching cover can make an enormous difference in getting readers to crack open your book, so what’s a self-published author who isn’t a professional graphic designer to do?

Knowing your way around Photoshop never hurts, but don’t get cocky. When it came time to get the cover art created for Dead & Godless, I started by slapping together a mockup using my own design skills. While it wasn’t the Mona Lisa, it did give the pro whom I hired a clear picture of what I was going for. And don’t hesitate to hire a professional artist. It’s almost always worth the investment.

Whether or not you create a mockup, the artist you hire is very likely going to listen to your ideas, even if your ideas are terrible. As such, you would do well to understand some key principles of design.

For most potential readers, their first glimpse of your book will be in the form of a thumbnail. You’re going to need an image that stands out and a title that stays crisp and legible, despite being shrunk down to a mere 90 pixels in width. Contrast is your friend. Use a face if appropriate, as studies show that nothing draws the eye more than a person’s face. As for your fonts, try to resist getting too artsy. Big, bold and instantly readable is the way to go.

If you’re publishing a print edition of your book, be aware that there are a few issues that the ebook-only crowd don’t have to worry about. Does your cover art make heavy use of dark colors or black? Printed images always turn out darker than the native graphics on your computer screen, which means that unless you want to lose a ton of detail, you need to lighten up the print version of your cover. With Dead & Godless, I cranked the brightness up thirty percent. Only then did the paperback match the look of the ebook original.

Blue hues can also be a problem, since the switch to CMYK color (the color setting used by most printers) has a tendency to turn deep blues into purples. There’s no perfect solution for this, and it may not bother you at all, but if you want to lessen the effect, try tossing the image into Photoshop and editing the color balance, strengthening the greens. The result may look a bit turquoise on your monitor, but it helps preserves the blues when printing.

Lastly, if you’re using a print-on-demand publisher such as CreateSpace, keep in mind that the cut of your book will vary. What this means is that elements which appear perfectly centered on your native graphic may be slightly off-center on your paperback. You want art that allows for some wiggle room. Avoid design elements such as frames or borders around the outer edges of your cover, as it will be very noticeable when an uneven cut leaves one side shorter than the rest. Also, keep your text a safe distance away from those edges.

So does the process of getting your cover art created may sound like a hassle? Does it sound fun? Hopefully these guidelines will help you make the most of your book’s presentation!

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Christian Fiction

Rating – PG-13

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