Tag Archives: Ann Narcisian Videan

Secrets to choosing the perfect book marketing, ALWAYS

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You’ve written and published your book. Now you must sell it. But how?

At the next authors’ Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) gathering, we’ll discuss this overwhelming topic with best-selling author and publicity guru Raleigh Pinskey.

Standing in front of shelves lined with Celestial Seasonings teas is very similar to standing in front of shelves (or Web pages) filled with book publicity options. Which do you choose to get the best bang for your book? How do you make yours stand out? Publicity, is one answer. This topic will be addressed at our August 2013 authors' ALWAYS gathering. Photo: @2013 ANVidean

Standing in front of shelves lined with myriad Celestial Seasonings teas is very similar to standing in front of shelves (or Web pages) filled with book publicity options.
Which do you choose to get the best bang for your book?
Photo: @2013 ANVidean

When:
Thurs. Aug. 15, 2013
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Where:
Tea Infusion
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281-4927
(480) 967-1141

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook page or contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com.

If you’ve RSVP’d, PLEASE show up. If you run into a conflict later, please let me know before the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group. Cheers!
…………………………………………………………….

ABOUT ALWAYS
• Need contacts to help your writing?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?
The Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) is an informal group of established fiction and nonfiction writers in the Phoenix area who want to support each other’s work, share ideas and best practices, and just discuss writing topics. I’ve led this group since 2006.
Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

Catchy writing requires a fresh reader who is not YOU

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Writing tip #10:
Catchy writing requires a fresh reader who is not YOU

I don’t care if you wrote 27 books, publish multiple corporate newsletters every month, or even edit others’ words. You cannot edit your own writing.

NO EXCEPTIONS! (Yes, that’s me stepping up on my soapbox and yelling.)

P1000845

@2011 CEVidean

Fresh eyes, peeps. That’s what it’s all about.

When you write, your brain repeatedly works through  messages the same way, and tends to gloss over words, phrases and ideas already “set” in your mind. It’s a subjective process. Someone else — and, preferably, a number of someone elses — can take a look at those same words, phrases and ideas and see something completely different. They provide a fresh, objective viewpoint.

Two quick examples:

• Writing a 68-page, four color, tabloid RealTime news magazine for computer resellers every two weeks required at least five sets of eyes on our team. Invariably, the designers would see mistakes the writer/editors missed, and vice versa.

• The professional editor of my initial Rhythms & Muse manuscript pointed out that I did not include any current-day scenes with my hero anywhere in the first half of the book. What? I couldn’t belief my oversight. Her input contributed to creating a much more complete, seamless, self-published novel, and helped make it interesting enough to rate almost all 5-star reviews on Amazon.

Sources of “other eyes,” though your #1 choice should always involve a professional editor:

  • A co-worker in your marketing department
  • Several fellow authors or editors (beta readers)
  • A critique partner or group
  • NOT solely your mother or good friends, even if they are avid readers.

OK, so did I make my point? You are not your own best editor!!!
Thank you. (I can step down off my soapbox now.]

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

P.S.  How do you get input on your writing?

Find your Dark Fae name

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Delfaerune Rhapsody antagonist Mikk Stone. Can you guess what rock star's name played muse for my antagonist's identity? Comment below.

Delfaerune Rhapsody antagonist Mikk Stone. Can you guess what rock star’s name played muse for my antagonist’s identity? Comment below.

For my pending Song of the Ocarina novel, I picked Dark Fae character names based on famous, and even some burned-out, rock and rollers. Think long hair, studded black leathers, tattoos and piercings.

Use the first letter of your first name, for either a guy or a gal, then use the first letter of your last name.

Example:
As a gal, my first name starts with A, so my Dark Fae first name is Jett.
My last name starts with V, so my so my Dark Fae surname is Rotten.
That makes me Jett Rotten.

GUYS GALS SURNAME
A       Motorhead

B       Bowie

C       Davyd Lee

D       Vynce

E       Jym

F       Skidd

G       Iggie

H       Mikk

I        Ronney

J       Keyth

K       Stevinn

L       Blackie

M      Chrys

N       Alyiss

O       Myke

P       Kert

Q       Eddy

R       Black

S       Axyl

T       Ozzy

U       Iron

V       Chryss

W      Elvish

X       Def

Y       Phyl

Z       Motley

 A       Jett

B       Nikki

C       Phair

D       Rhiki

E       Byorc

F       Siouxsie

G       Thyn Lizzy

H       Indigo

I        Boney

J       Jewyl

K       Sherr

L       Zola

M      Runaway

N       Janys

O       Inez

P       Tyna

Q       Mad Donna

R       Jhoan

S       Lyz

T       Cass

U       Exene

V       Chryssie

W      Shinayde

X       Queen

Y       Alanys

Z       Motley

 A       Morryson

B       Joplyn

C       Hendryx

D       Moon

E       Lawless

F       Winehouse

G       Crue

H       Pretender

I        Hynde

J       Osbourne

K       Banshee

L       Maiden

M      Kreeper

N       Wild

O       Whitesnake

P       Cyclone

Q       Guns

R       Thorne

S       Ness

T       Leeroth

U       Sabbath

V       Rotten

W      Distortion

X       Ratt

Y       Sixx

Z       Poison

Can you come up with a better Dark Fae name yourself? Please share.

Help create Roshambo hand symbols for NZ fae characters

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Image courtesy of Kittikun Atsawintarangkul at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Kittikun Atsawintarangkul at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

OK, friends, I could use your help again with content for my Song of the Ocarina novel. My heroine Lark has two bodyguards, Leif and Sonny, who Roshambo to decide who must carry Lark’s shopping packages. They each smack their palm twice and, on the third beat, open into a representative hand symbol. What symbols/hand gestures would these Noble Fae use?

In the U.S. we use these:

  • Rock (breaks scissors) with fist
  • Paper (covers rock) with flat palm
  • Scissors (cuts paper) with middle and index fingers extended like a peace sign

Consider:

  • My characters reside within the country of Zealynd (on a different plane, but the same geographical location as New Zealand in the human realm).
  • The fae are attuned to nature, magic, and animals.
  • They are influenced by the Maori culture.

So, maybe my fae could use fern leaves, daggers and stones? Or something more creative? What can you suggest?

In the comments below, suggest a set of symbols and hand gestures for my fae to use for this game in the realm of Delfaerune. If I use your suggestion, I’ll include your name in the Acknowledgements page of my published novel. 🙂

New music to enlighten and inspire

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41dj1GBoOvL._SL500_AA280_ I’m so thrilled for my dear friend Andrea Beaulieu, who just released this heartfelt song, “One Heart, One Mind” with Richard Palalay. Andrea wrote the lyrics and sings the lovely melody within the arrangement composed by Richard.

Honestly, this beautiful song will lighten your day. You can get it from Andrea, Amazon, or  through the iTunes store.

Fae react to iPod, in “Song of the Ocarina” excerpt

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Lark and her ever-present iPod, as illustrated by John Taylor.

Lark and her ever-present iPod, as illustrated by John Taylor.

The first time I heard about an iPod, I thought, “Great. Another electronic contraption I’ll need to manage.” [sigh] Really. I could not wait not to have one. Of course, now that I understand how the elegant and useful device truly serves me, it never leaves my side.

In the first book in my Delfaerune Rhapsody series of young-adult novels, Song of the Ocarina, my heroine Lark Tūrehu (pronounced “to-are-air-who) introduces the concept of an iPod to her sister B’rook. Here’s a book excerpt showing her reaction:

Lark’s heightened emotion pushed all thoughts from her mind, and she suddenly blanked on how to start this conversation with her sister. Reaching for calm, she merged her energy with one of the ripples on the pond, now smoothing after its choreographed orchestration. The bright flare in her aura settled it into a calm glow. With a deep breath, she reached down to turn off her iPod.

“What the heck is that thing, Lark? You’ve had it on both times I’ve seen you since I got back. Another human habit you can’t quite get rid of?”

Lark touched the iPod attached to her waistband, and smiled begrudgingly.

“Actually, you’re right, B’rook. This is an iPod, an electronic music player. It goes with me everywhere now. I can pull up any song I want, from any of my favorite artists, at any time, as long as I’ve loaded them into this device.”

B’rook frowned, but with interest. She probably wanted to hate it, but couldn’t get past her weakness for human rock music, which the girls had developed as small children in their tutored Human Culture class.

“Beatles?”

“Yes.”

“Van Halen?”

Lark nodded, smiling. “Even Linkin Park.”

B’rook’s gaze devoured the device.

“Here, give it a try.” Lark held out the ear buds to her sister, who placed them in her ears. Lark dialed up “Faint,” her sister’s favorite Linkin Park song, wondering if B’rook’s eyes could widen any further.

After a few moments, B’rook grinned and returned the earbuds. “I may just have to pick me up one of those.”

“In the meantime, sis’, I have something to distract you.”

“Oh?”

“In honor of our return, and the successful retrieval of the Sacred Pākiri drum, our Magistra of Glamour and Administrator of Protocol are planning a masquerade ball.”

How did/would you react the first time you saw an iPod work?

Mikk Stone, Final Reveal (#5)

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Delfaerune Rhapsody series’
full character profile of antagonist
Mikk Stone.

Debut of Delfaerune Rhapsody antagonist Mikk Stone, by John Taylor.

Debut of Delfaerune Rhapsody antagonist Mikk Stone, by John Taylor.

Age: 22

Stature: 6’9” tall

Race:
A Dark Fae—the tall, wingless, magical people sometimes called “Rotters” by their Noble Fae cousins in Delfaerune.

Residence:
Mikk lives on a plane parallel to Queenstown, New Zealand, in the fae land of Delfaerune.  There —in Queens’tyn, Zealynd—extinct and mythical creatures thrive, sentient foliage energize the Noble Fae, and speaking animals lend magical glamour to the Dark Fae. His current home is a cave with an every-day mosh pit concert.

Family:
Born to a well-known Dark Fae family, Mikk is the older brother to Noel who abandoned his family to join the Noble Fae. He works to magically control his brother, who defected to the Noble Fae to teach music to the future Maestra.

Job:
He’s a drummer in a band, but would rather jam and party with his friends than actually find gigs where he can play as a drummer. Power-hungry Mikk leads a group of Dark Fae in a subversive scheme to take over the human realm.

Strengths: Musical skill and powerful glamour (magic)

Flaw: Self-centered and egotistic

Quirk: Loves human rock stars, and emulates them

Animal familiar: “Eddy,” a young silver dragon (extinct in the human realm)

Love interest: Mikk likes to hang out with his groupies.

…………………………………………………

Mikk Stone is the young Dark Fae antagonist in the Delfaerune Rhapsody series—my young-adult, fantasy-adventure trilogy-in-progress. His story begins in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the series, due out in late 2013.

Watch in the coming days for more character information about the trilogy. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #4             To Noel Stone Final Reveal           To Lark Tūrehu Final Reveal

Mikk Stone, Reveal #4

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Can you tell from John Taylor's partial image Mikk is the story's antagonist?

Can you tell from John Taylor‘s partial image Mikk is the story’s antagonist?

Reveal #4: Mikk’s band of troublemakers stole forbidden magical spellbooks from the Delfaerune leadership, and their misuse is unbalancing the worlds.

All of Mother Earth’s realms—including humans, fae and “extinct” animals like the moa, dragons and phoenix—become endangered by Mikk’s attempt to use dark spells.

The Dark Fae plans unfold in Song of the Ocarina — the first book in my young-adult fantasy adventure series — due out in late 2013.

Watch for more character image reveals this week of Mikk here in my blog, and also in my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn feeds.

Back to Reveal #3                                          To Reveal #5

Mikk Stone, Reveal #3

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Reveal #3: Mikk always carries drumsticks, and uses them to control Eddy, his dragon “familiar.”

Eddy's hiding behind this partial image of Mikk by John Taylor.

Eddy hides behind Mikk in this partial image by John Taylor.

Eddy is a young silver dragon who takes battle direction from Mikk, who uses his drumsticks like conductor batons. In his direction, Mikk also incorporates legendary human rock-star moves like the windmill guitar strum, the runway strut, and others.

The Dark Fae antagonist’s story begins to unfold in Song of the Ocarina — the first book in my young-adult fantasy adventure series — due out in late 2013.

Watch for more character image reveals this week of Mikk here in my blog, and also in my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn feeds.

Back to Reveal #2                                          To Reveal #4

Mikk Stone, Reveal #2

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Reveal #2: Mikk is a drummer who loves to party. He uses his drumsticks as conductor batons to direct… something very unusual.

Mikk's drumsticks are always nearby. Illustration by John Taylor.

Mikk’s drumsticks are always tucked in a pocket. Illustration by John Taylor.

He and his rebel Dark Fae buddies stole magical tools controlled by the Noble Fae, and experiment with them to get what they want, even if the consequences lead to the breakdown of their own world.

His best friend, Axyl Thorne, is Delfaerune’s most famous—and handsome singer/songwriter.

His story begins to unfold in Song of the Ocarina — the first book in my young-adult fantasy adventure series — due out in late 2013.

Watch for more character image reveals this week of Mikk here in my blog, and also in my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn feeds.

Back to Reveal #1                                          Reveal #3