The Reading Addict: Edges by Kenzie Macallan (VBT, guest post, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT title

I have the pleasure of sharing great information from author Kenzie Macallan.

The Path to Publishing: A Starter’s Guide

by
Kenzie Macallan

Whether you want to self-publish or traditionally publish your manuscript, there are a couple things to keep in mind. I’m publishing my second book so I’m writing to you from the early stages. I’m still navigating the waters. Here are some tips that I hope are helpful.

· I went to an RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference a couple of years back. What kept coming up over and over again was the need to get on all the social media outlets right away, before your book comes out. The top sites are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Your readers want to know who you are as a person. Don’t make all your posts about your book. Let them into your world both personally and as a writer. Even traditional publishers want to know about your social media base.

· Create a website and keep it simple. My website is my name. I chose www.wix.com and there is also www.blogspot.com. Connect with both beginning and experienced authors. I know some writers that wished they would have started two years before their first book came out. These are also your connections to editors, cover design artist, proofreaders, and promotion companies. It’s a community that is willingly to give advice.

· After you write your first draft, put it away for at least six weeks. This is some great advice from Stephen King’s book On Writing. I highly recommend this book. Then come back to it and begin the editing process. I found the website www.AutoCrit.com to be very helpful. Put your manuscript through at least two more rounds of editing.

· Get into a critique group. There is www.scribophile.com as well as others. Have other writers look at your work and you can learn how to critique their work too. Learning how to critique is important because it will help you critique your own work.

· Find yourself a great editor. This isn’t easy to do considering there are many editors out there who want your business. The hard part is finding an editor who understands what you’re trying to do with your storyline. Don’t take it personally. Just listen.

· If you’re looking to go the path of traditional publishing, then you need to put together a query letter and start sending them out. There are many websites and resources that can help you put this together in a professional manner.

· If you’re self-publishing, hire a professional cover design person. Start by looking at covers that catch your eye both in your genre and in other genres. Do some research to find out who did the work.

· Once you think your book is polished, find a formatter. Formatting wasn’t something I attempted to do. If you feel technically confident in this area then go for it. But professional formatters know the little tricks, the latest trend for books, and add a professionalism you may miss. I have found it’s not that expensive and well worth it. I use http://thekilliongroupinc.com .

· Put together and ARC (Advanced Reader/Reviewer Copy) in both ePUB and mobi (kindle). Start building a reader group that will read, give feedback and write a review when the book gets published.

· Find a promotion company that has been around a while, has a strong audience base on all platforms and are professional.

· You should get ISBN numbers for both your ebooks and paperbacks. I took the plunge and bought a package of 10 directly from www.Bowker.com .

· Get your manuscript registered with the copyright office in the US. It protects you should anyone want to make another book out of your book.

· The promoting and selling of your book never ends. It’s constant. It changes over time. My suggestions include Facebook ads, Amazon ads, Goodread giveaways, Facebook Takeovers on other pages, Twitter ads promos, and making connections with your readers through newsletters and website.

· Last, but not least, it costs money. The first year cost is probably the most you’ll spend. If you plan to write for a long time then I recommend you invest in that first year. The second year will be less expensive as you navigate what worked for you and what doesn’t.

· Stay calm and write on!

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Edges

by Kenzie Macallan

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Leigha Luccenzo is a strong, confident woman who has her life perfectly under control. But her nightmares have returned after a long absence. They are kept hidden from everyone. She comes home to find her apartment in shambles, the possible doing of her ex-lover Sydney. Layers of lies start to peel away. Her world begins to shift and unravel.

Dean is a hard edge man who has an appetite for beautiful women, fast bikes, and shattered souls. His secrets bind him, keeping him from any real relationship. They latch onto him from his past like locked chains. He sees behind Leigha’s armor. Convincing her he can help becomes his mission. He hopes she’s strong enough to handle what lies beneath, unlocking his guilt.

Through events out of her control, Leigha’s forced to face her demons.

As other people’s secrets get entangled in her own, she struggles to get to the meaning of her nightmare. Can Dean help her uncover her truth?

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EXCERPT

Dean needed a distraction from the scene that just unfolded before him. Cooking would give him an escape. His hands trembled. He had been here before, only last time he completely fucked it up. The fierce connection to the beautiful, strong creature in the next room would be his undoing. His past caught up with him. Did he honestly think he could bury himself in work and one-night stands to keep him from facing his past mistakes? Every time he thought about not being able to save her, the winch tightened in his chest, cutting off his air.

Hunched over the cooking eggs, his memories flooded him. No other options presented themselves other than to keep Leigha safe. The emotions pulled at him from several directions, demanding his attention. Over the years he had tried to hammer them down, hoping they would leave of their own accord. He had even tried to drink them away without success.

“Hey, you okay?” She blew into the room like a warm Australian ocean breeze. They already had connections that only true lovers have with each other. That link that allowed you to feel and sense things about the other person.

He turned around and pasted on his model smile. “Yeah, just remembering something.”

She walked over next to him as her eyes read his lie. “The model smile doesn’t work on me and the eggs are going to burn.”

-- NOTE: The book will be $0.99 during the tour.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Kenzie lives with her husband in New England. She has been fortunate enough to travel all over the world to places like Africa, Greece, Switzerland, Holland, France, England and, of course, Scotland. Edinburgh is one of her favorite places. Creativity seems to be part of her soul as she paints portraits, takes photographs, and bakes. They have all added to her overactive imagination especially writing about strong women and alpha men. She looks forward to adding to her adventures and yours through secrets, strength, and passion.

Amazon author page