Just a quick note. Walnut Springs Press and I have amicably parted ways. It was a mutual decision and were both happy with it. I need a wider realm of distribution for my books that the small publisher just can't provide.
Meanwhile Emergence is still with WSP and is on Amazon and other forms of distribution. I am actively searching for a new publisher. Everything is good.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Need that little nudge to make your book great?
I am happy to announce my newest project.
Metamorphosis Author Services
I've been toying with the idea for a little while now. But I am now getting requests to help authors with their plots and stories. I am now accepting clients for plot and story consulting as well as other services. If you want to see what I can do to help you e-mail me at michelle@cmichellejefferies.com
Services Available
Plot analysis and consult: $ 100.00 (aprox time, 3-5 hours)
This is where you send your synopsis and structure for your book to Mrs. Jefferies and she helps shape and mold the story into something great.
Whole Book Analysis: Starts at $ 300.00 (aprox. 15 hours)
Mrs. Jefferies takes a look at the whole book, including plot and character as well as subplots and gives you a more intense look at your work in progress. This is intended for finished manuscripts and an author who is willing to go back and revise and rewrite.
Author Mentoring: $ 100.00 for 4 weeks.
This opportunity is for writers to meet with Mrs. Jefferies in email, chat and live meeting where possible and work on perfecting your skills as an author especially dealing with plot and character arc.
6 Day Intensive Online Bootcamp: $ 200.00 This intensive online course takes you through 6 days of assignments and coaching from a Marine Corps Wife. Be prepared to drop and give her twenty pages.
Structure or Master Chapter Outline (SM) Online Class: $ 35.00 You receive a disk with the Power Point presentation, a recording of the class being presented, and the notes and worksheets included in the class.
The Writing Book: $ 5.00 The ultimate book for planning your novel. Especially once you learn Structure and Master Chapter Outline (SM).
Writers block attack: $ 10.00 for 30 minutes. Online or on the phone. I can brainstorm with you and get rid of the nasty block in no time.
Lunch with Michelle: $ 200.00 We eat, we plot, we analyze, we brainstorm and eat dessert.
Metamorphosis Author Services
I've been toying with the idea for a little while now. But I am now getting requests to help authors with their plots and stories. I am now accepting clients for plot and story consulting as well as other services. If you want to see what I can do to help you e-mail me at michelle@cmichellejefferies.com
Services Available
Plot analysis and consult: $ 100.00 (aprox time, 3-5 hours)
This is where you send your synopsis and structure for your book to Mrs. Jefferies and she helps shape and mold the story into something great.
Whole Book Analysis: Starts at $ 300.00 (aprox. 15 hours)
Mrs. Jefferies takes a look at the whole book, including plot and character as well as subplots and gives you a more intense look at your work in progress. This is intended for finished manuscripts and an author who is willing to go back and revise and rewrite.
Author Mentoring: $ 100.00 for 4 weeks.
This opportunity is for writers to meet with Mrs. Jefferies in email, chat and live meeting where possible and work on perfecting your skills as an author especially dealing with plot and character arc.
6 Day Intensive Online Bootcamp: $ 200.00 This intensive online course takes you through 6 days of assignments and coaching from a Marine Corps Wife. Be prepared to drop and give her twenty pages.
Structure or Master Chapter Outline (SM) Online Class: $ 35.00 You receive a disk with the Power Point presentation, a recording of the class being presented, and the notes and worksheets included in the class.
The Writing Book: $ 5.00 The ultimate book for planning your novel. Especially once you learn Structure and Master Chapter Outline (SM).
Writers block attack: $ 10.00 for 30 minutes. Online or on the phone. I can brainstorm with you and get rid of the nasty block in no time.
Lunch with Michelle: $ 200.00 We eat, we plot, we analyze, we brainstorm and eat dessert.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The Ability to Touch Someone
I just spent about 24 hours in the presence of other writers. This last weekend was the LDStorymakers Conference. Oh my Gosh! Talk about the most energizing, uplifting, happy and exhausting hours I've had this year.
I met new friends, saw old friends and made connections. I learned so much and had so much fun. It was awesome.
I'm not here today to brag about it though. I'm here today to tell you one of the reasons I go to these conferences.
I'm sure some people think that there's no reason to go to more than a few of these. That is the worst idea. Ever. While learning things is important, especially in this ever changing world of publishing. There's something important about writers meetings and conferences that is often overlooked.
Connections.
Every single success I've had in the publishing world has been because of a connection I've made at a meeting, workshop, or conference. Every. Single. One.
Winning contests, (the ability to call myself an award winning author). Requests from publishers, edits and crit partners, successful and not successful (but taught me some valuable lessons) pitch sessions, author pictures by professional photographers. Friends and amazing books that I've learned from. Every single moment that has brought me here. To the point of being published and maybe having an agent has been because of connections.
So next time your tempted to think that you don't need to go to the next conference or meeting you hear about. . . Stop. Think about the connections you could be making and sign up. I promise it's worth it.
I met new friends, saw old friends and made connections. I learned so much and had so much fun. It was awesome.
I'm not here today to brag about it though. I'm here today to tell you one of the reasons I go to these conferences.
I'm sure some people think that there's no reason to go to more than a few of these. That is the worst idea. Ever. While learning things is important, especially in this ever changing world of publishing. There's something important about writers meetings and conferences that is often overlooked.
Connections.
Every single success I've had in the publishing world has been because of a connection I've made at a meeting, workshop, or conference. Every. Single. One.
Winning contests, (the ability to call myself an award winning author). Requests from publishers, edits and crit partners, successful and not successful (but taught me some valuable lessons) pitch sessions, author pictures by professional photographers. Friends and amazing books that I've learned from. Every single moment that has brought me here. To the point of being published and maybe having an agent has been because of connections.
So next time your tempted to think that you don't need to go to the next conference or meeting you hear about. . . Stop. Think about the connections you could be making and sign up. I promise it's worth it.
Monday, May 13, 2013
My Awesome Weekend
I had an awesome time at LDStorymakers this last weekend.
There's so many awesome thing's that happened that I probably can't list them all, but I will share a few highlights.
The classes were awesome as always. The friends and attendees were equally awesome. I was able to meet so many people that I'd only known on facebook before then.
The food was great and the conference was well organized. My only problem, and this is minor, was I wish I could clone myself and go to every class so I didn't have to miss anything.
I was able to do my very first podcast. It was awesome. I talked about fight scenes and writing action. It was great. I talked about my experiences in Tang Soo Do and how I write my action scenes. I participated in the mass book signing and it was great too. I was actually able to sit back and enjoy Saturday's lunch because I am no longer able to compete in the First Chapter Contest. What a relief.
The two most awesome highlights for me was getting my author pictures taken by the awesome Erin Summerill. I felt like a rockstar. I can't wait to see the pictures! (I also got two pictures taken by Heather Zahn Gardner. They're awesome too.) I love all of my talented friends!
The best part was I managed to eeek into a Pitch session with Alyssa Henkin of Trident Media. I was so nervous, but she is awesome and SO NICE. I was immediately put at ease and we had a great time. She really likes my idea and asked for a full.
I love Storymakers! I am who I am because of them. I've made every contact that has forwarded my author career at this conference. I've become the author I am now because of it.
LDStorymakers. . . you have a devoted fan. For life!
There's so many awesome thing's that happened that I probably can't list them all, but I will share a few highlights.
The classes were awesome as always. The friends and attendees were equally awesome. I was able to meet so many people that I'd only known on facebook before then.
The food was great and the conference was well organized. My only problem, and this is minor, was I wish I could clone myself and go to every class so I didn't have to miss anything.
I was able to do my very first podcast. It was awesome. I talked about fight scenes and writing action. It was great. I talked about my experiences in Tang Soo Do and how I write my action scenes. I participated in the mass book signing and it was great too. I was actually able to sit back and enjoy Saturday's lunch because I am no longer able to compete in the First Chapter Contest. What a relief.
The two most awesome highlights for me was getting my author pictures taken by the awesome Erin Summerill. I felt like a rockstar. I can't wait to see the pictures! (I also got two pictures taken by Heather Zahn Gardner. They're awesome too.) I love all of my talented friends!
The best part was I managed to eeek into a Pitch session with Alyssa Henkin of Trident Media. I was so nervous, but she is awesome and SO NICE. I was immediately put at ease and we had a great time. She really likes my idea and asked for a full.
I love Storymakers! I am who I am because of them. I've made every contact that has forwarded my author career at this conference. I've become the author I am now because of it.
LDStorymakers. . . you have a devoted fan. For life!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
So you want to write a series?
Or a Trilogy.
There's a few things you need to think about as you start on this grand adventure.
Does the series or trilogy have a plot and character(s) arc? If so, good. If not what are you waiting for? There needs to be characters and plot issues that span the whole set of stories. You can't just have three different stories and lots of different characters and call it cohesive.
Similar but opposite. You can't just write one long story and break it into three parts and call it a series either. Each book has to have its one separate plot and character arcs.
Not just the good guy either. the bad guy needs an arc as well as motivation for being bad.
Details! Draw a map, or the floor plan or what creatures and characters look like. Store these drawings, pictures on your computer or in a hardbound notebook of some sort. Nothing like having a character change eye color, or names or something else in the middle of the second book.
In that notebook or document, write names dates and details. don't rely on your memory to do it for you. I promise you it will fail you and you will be scrolling through your previous MS for information. Also keep the important details in this place as well.
Lastly, have fun. A series or trilogy gives you some freedom you don't have in a stand alone. More room to develop characters and large complicated plots. Just remember a little problem prevention saves you a lot of trouble in the long run.
There's a few things you need to think about as you start on this grand adventure.
Does the series or trilogy have a plot and character(s) arc? If so, good. If not what are you waiting for? There needs to be characters and plot issues that span the whole set of stories. You can't just have three different stories and lots of different characters and call it cohesive.
Similar but opposite. You can't just write one long story and break it into three parts and call it a series either. Each book has to have its one separate plot and character arcs.
Not just the good guy either. the bad guy needs an arc as well as motivation for being bad.
Details! Draw a map, or the floor plan or what creatures and characters look like. Store these drawings, pictures on your computer or in a hardbound notebook of some sort. Nothing like having a character change eye color, or names or something else in the middle of the second book.
In that notebook or document, write names dates and details. don't rely on your memory to do it for you. I promise you it will fail you and you will be scrolling through your previous MS for information. Also keep the important details in this place as well.
Lastly, have fun. A series or trilogy gives you some freedom you don't have in a stand alone. More room to develop characters and large complicated plots. Just remember a little problem prevention saves you a lot of trouble in the long run.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Author Bling
Bling, swag, stuff.
Whatever you call it. It's the stuff that you hand out to, and display for your readers. It's supposedly there to help promote and remind the reader of who the author of the book they just bought, or want to buy is.
What am I talking about? Bookmarks, business cards, promotional items, etc.
To be honest, you don't need it. However, if you want to be remembered, chances are this kind of stuff will help. It's a way to remind someone who is interested in your work who you are and what you wrote.
One thing to think about when ordering bling, is what you wrote and are promoting, VS what you will write in the future. Imagine it this way. If you are going to write a series of books with the same feel, ordering a thousand business cards in the same style might not be a bad idea.
If you write five stand alone books in quick succession, ordering a thousand business cards with your first book cover on it is probably not a good idea.
Or if you're like me and run the gamut of genre between futuristic suspense to middle grade non fiction, book specific items are not the best idea for most of your stuff. I also imagine that some promotional choices can and should be made based on the amount of money you have to promote your books. I honestly can't go out and buy new stuff like banners for every book that I am producing. Nor do I want to. What's the point of having a closet full of items for past books?
On the other hand, book specific book marks are a good idea. Whenever someone buys a book you put a few in the book, or in the envelope or sign them and hand them out to people who don't buy your book but look like they might be interested later.
If you are displaying your book(s) at a conference or signing it's a good idea that the table reflect the book. Even if you have to split the table and use two themes. Another option is to create a general look that does well with all of the books offered. I imagine it might be as hard to do as it seems. Unless all of your books reflect your theme or genre.
So in retrospect this is what I think should be done in regards to extra stuff.
Author general:
Banners, signs, business cards, e-mail signatures, author pictures, author bios, website themes, (unless you are doing separate websites for every book, genre etc.), display tables and how an author presents themselves, all need to be more generic.
Book specific:
book marks, book related giveaways, things like pens, key chains, pins, decorations for tables and for launches, can be more specific.
Authors note: these promo items can also be ordered in smaller amounts and still be affordable. However, spending lots of money on large items for every new book can cut into profits that could be used somewhere else.
Whatever you call it. It's the stuff that you hand out to, and display for your readers. It's supposedly there to help promote and remind the reader of who the author of the book they just bought, or want to buy is.
What am I talking about? Bookmarks, business cards, promotional items, etc.
To be honest, you don't need it. However, if you want to be remembered, chances are this kind of stuff will help. It's a way to remind someone who is interested in your work who you are and what you wrote.
One thing to think about when ordering bling, is what you wrote and are promoting, VS what you will write in the future. Imagine it this way. If you are going to write a series of books with the same feel, ordering a thousand business cards in the same style might not be a bad idea.
If you write five stand alone books in quick succession, ordering a thousand business cards with your first book cover on it is probably not a good idea.
Or if you're like me and run the gamut of genre between futuristic suspense to middle grade non fiction, book specific items are not the best idea for most of your stuff. I also imagine that some promotional choices can and should be made based on the amount of money you have to promote your books. I honestly can't go out and buy new stuff like banners for every book that I am producing. Nor do I want to. What's the point of having a closet full of items for past books?
On the other hand, book specific book marks are a good idea. Whenever someone buys a book you put a few in the book, or in the envelope or sign them and hand them out to people who don't buy your book but look like they might be interested later.
If you are displaying your book(s) at a conference or signing it's a good idea that the table reflect the book. Even if you have to split the table and use two themes. Another option is to create a general look that does well with all of the books offered. I imagine it might be as hard to do as it seems. Unless all of your books reflect your theme or genre.
So in retrospect this is what I think should be done in regards to extra stuff.
Author general:
Banners, signs, business cards, e-mail signatures, author pictures, author bios, website themes, (unless you are doing separate websites for every book, genre etc.), display tables and how an author presents themselves, all need to be more generic.
Book specific:
book marks, book related giveaways, things like pens, key chains, pins, decorations for tables and for launches, can be more specific.
Authors note: these promo items can also be ordered in smaller amounts and still be affordable. However, spending lots of money on large items for every new book can cut into profits that could be used somewhere else.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)