Come See Me At The Columbus Book Festival

 Join me this weekend, July 13th and 14th, at the Columbus Book Festival. 

 

 

The festival is taking place at the main library in downtown Columbus, Ohio and in Topiary Park next door. 

 

I'll be set up in the Indie Author tent located in Topiary Park, along with 90 other indie and self published authors.

 

Outside of the authors, there will also be bookish vendors, food trucks, activities for the kids, and of course BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!

 

For more information, click HERE.

 

I hope to see you there.

Story Bibles And More - Bound By Books Podcast Episode 64

 

Keeping track of your story details is sometimes the hardest part of writing a series. Marianne Morea and Danielle Bannister are sharing how they keep track of all the character and plot details in their stories in this week's Bound by Books Podcast.

    ...

 

The Hosts 

 

Amazon

 

Amazon

Pushing Boundaries In Your Writing - Bound by Books Podcast Episode 61

 

Marianne Morea and I are discussing pushing boundaries in our writing today on the Bound by Books Podcast.

    ...

 

The Hosts 

Amazon

 

 

Amazon

Writing All The Action: Fight Scenes, Sex Scenes, And More - Bound by Books Podcast Episode 55

 

Today on the podcast, I'm chatting with Marianne Morea about writing action scenes. Listen in as we talk about writing ALL THE ACTION!

    ...

 

The Hosts 

Amazon

 

 

Amazon

Is A Small Press Right For You? - Bound By Books Podcast Episode 48

 

On the podcast this week Tina Moss and Yelena Casale are providing a behind the scenes look at their small press publishing house, City Owl Press. Is publishing with a small press right for you?

 

Click below to listen, or go to www.boundbybookspodcast.com to find out more about all the hosts of the show.

    ...

 

The Hosts 

Amazon

Amazon

Building A Relationship With Your Readers

There are so many ways to build a relationship with your readers, but one of the best ways is through your newsletter.

 

Unlike social media that controls who sees your posts and how often, newsletters give you direct access to your subscriber's inbox. They have given you permission to email them. They want to hear from you.

 

That permission, however, comes with great responsibility. The last thing you want to do is spam your readers with email after email that says BUY MY BOOK!

 

So what should you be sending to your readers?

 

When asking this question, the best thing to do is think about what you like to get from brands you love. Do you want them to notify you of a new item? A sale? What about a giveaway they might be having? Of course you do, but those options are only the tip of the ice burg.

As an author, you put a little piece of yourself in every book you write and readers, for the most part, are curious as to the person behind the vale. A newsletter is your opportunity to give them a peak of your life, of who you are. It's a way to form a connection with your readers.

 

You can also share about what you're working on. Talk about the book you're currently writing, your progress, and any research you're doing for the story. This week I shared with my subscribers how I spent a half hour watching a a tutorial on wax play for the BDSM romance I'm writing. It not only gets them excited about your story, but it also shows the dedication you have to making your story the best it can be.

 

Another way you can show your subscribers they are important to you is by providing them exclusive content. We see this a lot through newsletter magnets written with the express purpose of having readers sign up to join your list, but it doesn't have to stop there.

 

In this week's episode of the Bound by Books Podcast, my co-host, Danielle Bannister, shared how she writes a short story for her newsletter every month. Her open rates have increased as readers want to read their free story.

I've recently begun doing something similar. Each week I'm writing a short, 100 word snap shot based on a picture and sharing it in my newsletter.

 

But it doesn't have to be writing. It can be anything you want. Some more unique things I've seen have been puzzles, downloadable bookmarks, maps of fictional cities, and character family trees. All of these are great ideas for how to bring more value to your readers and to show them how much you appreciate them.

 

Do I Need A Newsletter - Bound By Books Podcast Episode 47

 

 

 

This week I'm talking with Danielle Bannister about newsletters. We're discussing why it's important for authors to have a newsletter and some of the things we do to bring value to our readers.

 

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The Hosts 

 

Amazon

 

Amazon

Boundaries And Burnout

 

In this week's episode of Bound by Books, authors Hannah Byron and Marianne Morea are having a frank discussion about Boundaries and Burnout.

 

Click below to listen, or go to www.boundbybookspodcast.com to find out more about all the hosts of the show.

   ...

 

The Hosts 

 

Amazon

 

Amazon

Should Authors Only Write In One Genre?

 

Stay In Your Lane. It's a phrase authors hear a lot, but should an author only write in one genre? That's the topic Hannah Byron and Danielle Bannister tackle in this week's Bound by Books Podcast.

 

Click below to listen, or go to www.boundbybookspodcast.com to find out more about all the hosts of the show.

  ...

 

The Hosts 

 

Amazon

 

Amazon

Holding Out For A Hero

 

 

Marianne Morea and I chatted about fictional heroes this week on the Bound by Books Podcast. We share what we love in a romantic hero and what turns us off as readers.

 

Fangs, Fur, and Fae #BoundbyBooks

 This week's episode of the Bound by Books podcast is hosted by paranormal romance authors Tina Moss and Marianne Morea and they are talking vampires, shifters, witches, and more.

 

 

 

Click on one of the links below to listen.

Spotify

Soundcloud

Blogtalkradio

Would You Write This Book For Me? #BoundbyBooks

On this week's Bound by Books Podcast, authors Danielle Bannister and Hannah Byron are talking about some of the strange questions they get asked as authors. Including...would you write this book for me?

 

Find out how they deal with these interesting, and sometimes evasive questions.

 

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Soundcloud

Listen on Blogtalkradio

Finding Writing Time #WriterWednesday

I've been publishing novels for the last ten years and writing stories for about twelve. The biggest challenge for me is finding time to write and I know that's a struggle for many authors and aspiring authors.

 

When I first started writing, I used to stay up till one or two o'clock in the morning typing away at my keyboard. That worked well for me until my husband transitioned from working for someone else to working for himself. This required a major shift for me and meant that I would not only have less time to write, but also that I couldn't stay up until all hours of the night either.

 

After years of trial and error, I've realized the biggest thing is consistency. 

 

Oh, and don't worry about what other writers are doing. You do you. 

 

Can't carve out three hours to write every day? That's okay. If writing for thirty minutes a day is all you can do, then do it. 

 

 

The important thing is getting those words in. I know authors who get up early in the morning before their kids wake up just so they can write. There are others who hold down a full time job and spend their lunch breaks huddled in a corner with their laptops.

 

For me, I've found the best time to write these days comes in the morning. Before I even eat my breakfast, I sit down on the couch with my laptop and write for at least thirty minutes. Some days I get 1,000 words in. Other days I'm lucky to get 500. Either way, I've made progress that's working toward my goal of finishing the book. For me, that's a win.

 

Is there a specific time of day when you like to write?

Announcing A New Podcast

 

 

 

Check out the debut episode of a brand new podcast.

 

Bound by Books is hosted by 5 authors who write in multiple genres. Each week two of the five authors will chat about writing, reading, and all things book related. Get a sneak peak of what we're working on, and a behind the scenes look at what goes into being an a author.

 

In this week's episode, I'm chatting with author Danielle Bannister. She writes a variety of genres from YA to steamy contemporary to paranormal. Find out how each of us started writing and the connection we never knew we had. 

Episodes go LIVE every Monday at noon Eastern Standard Time (New York, NY). 

 

Click HERE to listen to this week's episode of Bound by Books!

 

 

2015, a Year for Magic

It's hard to believe that we're at the start of another year. A new year means reflections on the year that has passed and setting goals for the year ahead. In 2014 I did something I'd never done before. I self-published my first story, Welcome to Serpent's Kiss.

Excerpt

Katrina Mayer glanced at the clock. She had a few more minutes before she needed to head upstairs. It was enough time for her to glance over the newest membership application she’d received.

The applicant’s name was Drew Parker. He was a firefighter and listed himself as submissive. Everything about him seemed fairly straightforward. He was twenty-eight. Single. And looking for a kinky relationship with a female dominant.

As she scanned the rest of his details, two Femdoms came to mind—Madi and Beth. Madi was a regular. The club was open every Friday and Saturday night, and Madi rarely missed the opportunity to have some fun. Every now and then, she’d play with one of the male subs, but it was rare. More often than not, Madi could be found on the dance floor.

Beth was another story. To be honest, Katrina was worried about her. Beth used to come to the club all the time with her longtime sub, Ben. Two months ago, Beth discovered that Ben had a secret life she’d known nothing about. It had left her shattered and heartbroken. She hadn’t been to the club since it happened. For the time being, Beth had no desire to get back on the horse. Katrina was hoping that would change with time.

It wasn’t her job to be a matchmaker, however. She’d created Serpent’s Kiss as a place where kinky people could hang out and play when the mood struck them.

Speaking of moods, Katrina was in the mood to have some fun. She pushed back from her desk and walked out into the hall. After locking the door to her office, she headed down to the main room of the club, where Ali and Brandon were getting things ready for later that night.

Brandon, her main bartender, caught her eye. She tilted her head toward the stairs, and he nodded.

Katrina rarely played while the club was open unless it was to do a demonstration. Things were too hectic, and all too often, she was needed to help with one issue or another. Plus, it was always good to mingle with the club members and make sure they were content.

It was for that reason that she tended to play before the club opened its doors to the evening crowd. Brandon and whichever submissive had signed up for the evening service arrived three hours before the club opened to prep and clean. It was the perfect opportunity for her to sneak upstairs to have a little fun while still being safe. She always kept the door open to whatever room she used, and Brandon was aware that the upstairs was off-limits during those times unless he heard someone yell red.

Ascending the stairs, she entered the first room on her right. All the rooms on the second floor had been turned into playrooms. Each was well equipped with a variety of toys that could be adapted to specific needs for whatever situation arose. She’d tried to make the rooms as versatile as possible.

Ryan was kneeling on the floor waiting. As per her instructions and their arrangement, he was waiting for her naked. His cock hadn’t been erect when she’d walked into the room, but as she stood there looking at him, she saw it stiffening.

Katrina had prepared the space earlier that day with all the items she would need for the scene. They were all placed within easy reach at the back of the room. Now, all she had to do was get her submissive in place.

“Stand,” she ordered.

Ryan rocked back on his heels and nimbly pushed himself up off the floor and to his feet. 

Self-publishing was a learning experience, but one that I've enjoyed for the most part. Working with my photographer and cover designer, Sara Eirew, was one of the highlights. We worked together to pick the right models for the photo shoot, and brainstormed why types of pictures we wanted. There was even a trip made to the hardware store to find some rope. 

In February 2015, Burning For Her Kiss will be released. 

Summary

Beth Davenport has no interest in getting involved with another man for the foreseeable future. To say her last relationship ended in disaster would be a colossal understatement. The only reason she agrees to put in an appearance at Serpent’s Kiss, a private kink club in downtown St. Louis, is because her best friend, Nicole, won’t quit nagging her. When she walks in the door that night, the last thing she expects to do is meet a man who will have her reconsidering her ban on men.

As a captain with the St. Louis Fire Department, Drew Parker is used to being in charge. His crew relies on him to make sure they know what they’re doing and return home to their families after every shift. It isn’t, however, what he wants in a relationship. Drew decides to join Serpent’s Kiss to see if what appeals to him in fantasy is something he wants to explore in the real world. He’s also hoping that he’ll be lucky enough to meet a woman with whom he can explore his desires. The night Beth walks into the club, he is intrigued. Drew has to get to know her better.

After what happened to her, Beth is reluctant to get involved with Drew. It doesn’t matter that he is sweet and charming. She’s been burned before and Beth doesn’t think she can survive having her heart crushed again. Drew, however, won’t take no for an answer. He wants a relationship and is determined to chip away at her defenses until she relents. Will she give him a chance, or did her ex leave her with scars too deep to heal?

I've also begun working on the fourth and final book in my Daniels Brothers Series. Trent's book will round out the series I began in 2011. What began as a single contemporary romance about a woman who moved into an old Victorian house and her upstairs neighbor turned into four books about four brothers that captured my heart the moment I met them.

2015 is looking to be a great year. I hope you all enjoy every moment of it. :)

Click on the links below to meet some wonderful authors who are also ringing in the new year with dreams of magic. 

Teresa Noelle Roberts

Gale Stanley

Jacintha Topaz

Jade Onyx 

Christina Mandara

Elodie Parkes

Amber Lea Easton

Dakota Skye

Glenda Horsfall

Sabrina Devonshire

Tuesday Teasers - Read/Share excerpts

Welcome to Tuesday Teasers!

This is a weekly post giving authors the opportunity to share a 100 word excerpt from a published work, or a work in progress (WIP).

Just a few simple rules.

1. Go to your blog and post an excerpt (Please limit your excerpt to no more than 100 words).
2. In the comments below, post a link to the excerpt on your blog.

 3. At the beginning of your comment, please list the title of the book, your author name, genre, and a buy link. (This will help readers find excerpts from the books that would be of most interest to them.) For example:

Crossing The Line (Daniels Brothers #3) by Sherri Hayes
Contemporary Romance
http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/161

Excerpt:

Megan took another sip of her coffee, and then nodded. “I’ll keep her

downstairs once she wakes up so you can get some rest.”

“Thanks.”

He headed toward the stairs, but she stopped him. “And Paul?”

“Yes?”

This time the smile on her face wasn’t so sleepy and innocent. “Thanks

again for the coffee.”

Even with his desperate need for sleep, Paul couldn’t help but respond to

that twinkle in Megan’s eye. She knew what she was doing. He’d give her

that.

4.  Authors only 1 excerpt per week, please. 
5. At the end of your blog post, please include "Check out more Tuesday Teasers at http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2014/08/welcome-to-tuesday-teasers-this-is.html."

To Comment, or Not To Comment

I stumbled onto a conversation over on Goodreads the other night. The discussion took several twists and turns when I brought up that the only time I comment on reviews is if the reviewer asks me a direct question such as 'when is the next book coming out?'.

To my surprise, one person wasn't happy that I responded to reviewers at all. In their view that meant I was hovering and it was a 'dangerous path' for an author to take.

I scratched my head a little on that one. It made no sense to me. Why, exactly, would you NOT answer a reader's question?

The person insisted that if a reader really wanted to know that they would message the author privately. This, again, didn't follow through with my experience. Most of the readers who do reach out to me via email or private message on Goodreads open with an apology. They feel as if they are bothering the author.

I'm curious as to what others have experienced. Readers, do you like when you ask a question in your reviews and authors respond, or do you feel that is intrusive?

And authors, do you comment on reviews? I'm not talking about negative reviews. It should be common knowledge that no good can come of that. What I'm talking about are four and five star reviews where the reader loved the book and can't wait for more.

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think?

RNC: Day 4

My last full day here in Las Vegas.

It's hard to believe. The time went quickly.

Day 4, Saturday, was the consumer book fair. The first part of the week was dedicated to classes and socializing with other conference attendees. Saturday was all about connecting with, and meeting, new readers.

The Set Up

After breakfast, I headed upstairs to where our books were being stored, and not only found my books, but also to find out where my table would be for the book fair itself.

When I found my books, I got a rather unpleasant surprise. The box of books that I'd sent via the post office had apparently busted opened, and the books had fallen out. They'd shoved most of the books back into the box and not well.

Some of the books were damaged, and at first I thought they'd lost 9 copies of Red Zone. Thankfully I did find them in another box.

The Book Fair

Finally having all my books, I set up my table, laid everything out, and got ready to meet potential readers.

Overall it was a good day. I not only sold some books to new readers, one of which bought Slave, Need, and Truth.






I was also able to meet Brandee, a blogger, who's been a fan for a couple of years now.









After the fair ended, and my books returned to my room, I joined 4 other ladies for dinner. It was a great time, and I've started friendships that will hopefully last many years to come.

Sunday I fly back home to Ohio. It's been a great trip to Las Vegas, but I'm ready to see my husband and cats again.