Death of The Fairy King is Now in Paperback

Yeah! “Death of The Fairy King” is now available at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and in Amazon in both eBook and printed versions!

I had done an eBook before but never a printed paperback and it was very different! It was certainly a learning experience and I’m sure the next time, it will go easier and a lot faster. There is something to be said about learning something new, such as a feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment that you have faced down the beast and conquered it. The only problem is, it left me feeling a little lost because so much of my time was spent writing, formatting, editing, etc. this book – it was my first thought on waking and my last thought before going to sleep.

It’s time to move on (another book has already formed itself in my mind!) but there is a sadness to letting go of “Death of The Fairy King” and all it’s characters. I think I’m going to allow some transition time to get my bearings before starting another book.

Does anyone else experience a feeling of loss upon completion of a book?

Here are the links to my book:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KSR3AMA

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/439091
Barnes & Noble eBook (NOOK):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-of-the-fairy-king-h-lee-holt/1119569677?ean=2940045950978

 

 

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Why Do You Write?

I recently started writing after many years and I finally figured out why it took me so long! I am something of a perfectionist and believe one of the reasons I stopped writing was because I compared myself with top writers in my field. If you compare yourself with the very best, it’s probably a given that you won’t measure up initially.

I took a step back and gave myself some slack because I am sure that even the best writers needed time to find their own voice and this probably did not happen overnight. In society today, many seek instant gratification but I believe there is something to be said for those who practice their craft, getting better and better as they learn from their  mistakes and from those who have traveled this path before, slogging through rough drafts and studies of correct grammar.

Another encouragement for me is the establishment of self-publishing – I don’t think I would have ventured back into writing without all the options available to publish my own work. It has been lots of fun to experiment with words and search inside for that book just waiting to be written!

Why exactly do you write? Is it to get a handle on your own feelings, exorcise personal demons, or share a vision with others?

 

Coming in May, 2014!
A psychological mystery

 

Saying “Goodbye” To Your Character

I need to admit it – I am having a hard time saying “Goodbye” to my main character, Jenny! This may sound strange by I have become attached to her, standing by her side through adversity and enjoying her triumphs over the protagonist who would destroy her and those she loves.

I am in the process of editing “Death of The Fairy King” and am looking for avenues to promote the book. I just recently read a Kindle eBook called “Author Publicity Pack” by Shelley Hitz & Heather Hart and found it to contain really useful information.

It’s available on Amazon so, if you get a chance, check it out!

 

 

What is Your Writing Style?

What writing style works for you? Everyone is different and I have read just about every book available on writing a novel. I am also an “addicted” reader and my favorite time of the day is when I relax and read so I know what I look for in a good novel.

There are many ways to write but I have found a system that works for me. The first thing I do is write my premise and, from there, I write out by hand about 2 pages of the story I have in my head.  I then make an outline using the 3 Act method, using just the basic points that I wish to capture for my story. Outlining my scenes and sequels come next (Goal,Conflict,Disaster and Reaction,Dilemma,Decision).

When I actually start writing the book itself, I start with the beginning and ending and then fill in the middle. Some would say that this limits creativity but I don’t agree. I feel like having a structure for my novel first is like adding the secure foundation to a house – a collapse is likely without a strong base.

What is your favorite writing method or do you have your own unique style?

 

The Terror of Corrupted eBook Files

Can you image what it would feel like if you opened your eBook files to work on your book and you got a “file corrupted” notification?
That happened to me this past week! I got a new laptop with Windows 8 and devoted 5 days to studying the process of Windows 7 versus Windows 8. After getting comfortable working with the new laptop, I opened up my Book file located on my PC to get some writing done. The message was devastating – the files were corrupted and could not be opened!

I felt like a friend had died! My backup was old – I had added about 3,000 more words and my outline was in the same folder as the book and would not open. After a crying jag, I was determined to not give up. I deleted an old version of OpenOffice.org on my PC and installed the latest update. I then opened it up, browsed to the corrupted book file location and there it was!

The moral of the story is don’t backup your eBook file in the same folder! I have since uploaded a copy to DropBox and Google Docs, where it is presently residing, waiting expectantly for me to  finish!

Becoming Friends with Your Book Characters

It never ceases to amaze me how I develop a relationship with the characters in my books! I sometimes find myself thinking about how they would handle a situation and wonder what their reaction would be to aspects of my own life. This has actually given me the strength to stand up for myself! I just think about how my protagonist would react to rudeness, etc. that I sometimes encounter – she would not put up with it for one minute!

Based on articles, blogs, and the twitter feeds of other writers, I don’t think this feeling of connectedness is uncommon. How can you expect anyone else to care about your characters if you have no feelings for them? The scary part, however, is when you put something of yourself in your protagonist. Everyone knows that we are all flawed and have our own issues but to expose yourself to the public is like a shy person walking around naked. The public can be brutal with their thoughts on your work.

 

 

BookBaby Now Has a Free Option

BookBaby now seems to have thrown their hat into the ring for publishing eBooks and they have simplified the process for those of us who like to use Amazon’s Kindle Select!

Here is a section from their facts page concerning KDP Select:

Can I work with BookBaby AND Kindle Direct Publishing Select? And can BookBaby handle my KDP eBook conversion?

The short answer: yes.

We can convert your book to the .mobi file format required by Kindle. But, due to KDP Select’s 90-day exclusivity period, you will have to wait a bit before BookBaby distributes your book for iPad, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and others.

According to Amazon’s website:
When you choose KDP Select for a book, you’re committing to make the digital format of that book available exclusively through KDP. During the period of exclusivity, you cannot distribute your book digitally anywhere else, including on your website, blogs, etc. However, you can continue to distribute your book in physical format, or in any format other than digital.

How we can convert your eBook for Kindle without violating the terms of your KDP Select Agreement:

• Sign up for BookBaby and select the eBook publishing package of your choice.
• During the signup process, do not select any distribution partners and select “no” for future distribution partners. This will prevent us from distributing your book to iBooks, B&N, etc. or to future partners if they are added to our distribution network during the exclusive period your book will be listed with Amazon.
• Email or call us to request your .mobi file. If you’ve ordered our Standard or Premium package, please wait to request the .mobi file until AFTER you’ve approved your proof.
• Sign up to KDP Select using your BookBaby converted .mobi file.
• When 90 days are up, contact BookBaby and we’ll deliver your eBook to all the other digital retailers.

It will be interesting to see how smoothly this concept works.

A Fall From Grace – The Lycan’s Lair Now Available for FREE

A Fall From Grace – The Lycan’s Lair is now available for FREE on Amazon until January 6, 2014! This is a Young Adult paranormal story about a child named “Grace” who was born a werewolf during her mother’s murder. This novel follows her as she grows into a teenage, struggling to find out who she really is and where she fits in – does she belong in human society or a werewolf clan? Her life is further complicated by a rogue member of the nearby werewolf pack, who wants her as his mate and a politically powerful human who is blackmailing her.

Grace needs to find her own inner strength to protect her family and come to terms with the mystery of her mother’s murder – was she killed by the clan or a member of the community with a secret to protect?

A bonus chapter is included from my new eBook that will be available this Summer, 2014, about two ten year old girls who go into the woods and only one girl returns with no memory of what has happened to her friend. This novel follows the mystery of the missing girl as her childhood friend grows up determined to get to the bottom of the tragedy.

If you wish to be notified when my new novel is available, just use the contact form below with the words “New Novel”.  Thanks!

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A Fall From Grace – The Lycan’s Lair eBook

My first novel, “A Fall From Grace – The Lycan’s Lair” is now in the capable hands of my editors, Paul and Sheena. This is my first book in a series I call “Dark Ruins”, which takes place in an isolated community deep in the  Southwestern Virginia forest.  The town is fictional and strange things have happened in this isolated community since it was first settled in the early sixteen hundreds.  The cover is being made and I’m very excited, especially since I have already begun Book 2 series.

I plan to have Book 2 available this summer and, if you are interested in being notified when the first book is available within the next few months, just send me an e-mail to:

 

TiltedTreePublishing @gmail.com

 

Thanks!

H. Lee Holt