On the Hunt Now that a book is published and for sale, the next step is marketing, which involves finding professional reviewers. With my latest release, I am now officially “on the hunt” for those critters. There are several sources for finding reviewers, such as newspapers in your state (they love touting local authors), clubs that feature your genre of writing, magazines, etc. The tricky part is getting them to agree to review the book. I’ve spent several hours making up a request letter as well as a sell-sheet to send to these various people. Now, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for positive feedback. Wish me luck, y'all!

It's finally available! My newest work, Kuy Syan Joshua, is finally for sale, both on my website and at Amazon. I have to say, it showed up on Amazon several days before I actually got the books here. That was a nice surprise! Now I'm going through the process of finding reviewers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will be relatively quick and painless. If you have a few minutes and are interested, you can read the excerpts here.

To self-publish or not I have seen on several writers forums a raging debate about the best route to take for new authors. Do you find an agent and pray a big publishing house signs you on, or do you take the risk of self-publishing? Some people have made their decisions and chosen their route. Many, though, are still trying to make up their mind. This is written for them. As in every choice, there are pros and cons of each. Traditional publishing is much like winning the lottery. You might be a great writer, but can you catch their eye? So many manuscripts that are sent in go unread and tossed to the side. It can take years, if ever, to find the right agent/publisher combination. Even then, much of the publicity is left to the author, for book signings, etc. On the plus side, ten percent of a publishing house’s marketing efforts far outweigh 100% of a self-publisher’s efforts. They have contacts and venues already in place. A self-publisher rarely has the funds available for a major marketing campaign. Self-publishing allows an author complete control over the project, not just the story. Book cover artwork, formatting, sales price, etc. are all the individual’s decision. There is a stigma attached with POD (print on demand) and vanity press, however. Many new authors aren’t skilled in the craft and put out awful work, unable to even distinguish between active and passive voice. There is no quality control in place, like there is in a publishing house. There are some associations formed for self-publishers, much in the way of co-ops. Groups of authors purchase blocks of advertising and split the cost, or purchase a spot at a national book fair, again sharing the cost, making it a bit more affordable. I don’t know if there is an equivalent of the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” for self-published authors in the U.S., letting the consumer know the book has passed at least basic quality criteria. If there isn’t, there probably will be soon. This blog doesn’t offer any answers, only some insight into the choices before new authors. We’d all love to be the next J.K. Rowling, but, short of that, we are all called to patience.

A blogger returns After a long absence from blogging, I have decided to give this another try. My latest novel, "Kûy Syân Joshua", the second in the T'on Ma series, is being released this month. Since the last time I blogged, I've also published the second novel in my Black Wolf series, "Black Wolf at Rosebud", as well as a stand-alone novel, "Tascosa". Finally, I am co-author of a two-part series, Miko and Lil, a madcap tale of talking mice on the Los Lonely Boys tour bus. Feel free to look around on my website and to read excerpts. Have a great weekend! Belle

When Angels Wept Stunned — shocked — silent. Ash-covered faces turned skyward, horror searing their eyes. News stations starred that day on my relentless TV. Red-eyed, grim anchormen, with shouting earpieces, tried to decipher chaos. Alone in my den, I rocked back and forth crying. What happened? Why? Who did this? The Pentagon? What?!? Oh, dear God. What?!? Where is the President? Where is Air Force One? Pennsylvania? Now what’s happened? Cell phone terror about terrorist cells. “Let’s roll,” say the heroes. And their cell phones die. Triage centers set up crisp, white cots that no one needed. They were all dead, buried in twisted metal coffins. The whole world reeled that day. Black smoke glutted the heavens, choking the angels who folded their wings across their faces and wept. © 2006 Magnolia Belle

T’on Ma for sale Trafford Publishing has got my latest novel, “T’on Ma”, for sale as of earlier this week. The sale page also has seven pages of excerpts, if you’re interested in reading them. I’ve taken orders for those who want autographed copies, and should have those in hand in a couple of weeks. I think the most fulfilling part of writing is hearing people’s responses after they’ve read the book. That is what I’m looking forward to after all the writing, editing, rewrites, graphics, and waiting, waiting, waiting. The next step, business-wise, is to contact reviewers. Fortunately, I have a good list from my first book. So, here’s to the weekend and whatever it may bring!

T’on Ma galley is in I received the galley proof to “T’on Ma” this afternoon. I’m halfway through the final read and so far, I haven’t found anything to prevent it from going to print. What a nice way to end the weekend. Even though the book is substantially longer than “Black Wolf: Lakota Man”, the cost is the same. That is partially because I declined the laminated cover this go-round. While it looks gorgeous, it added over $2 to the printing cost. The colors on the cover turned out amazingly well. My illustrator, Ken Faulks, is going to be so pleased! My web designer, Kirk Osburne, is making progress in updating the web site as well to include “T’on Ma”. Also, the timing is perfect to have the book listed on Amazon before Christmas. I should also have copies in my grubby little hands for the Sept. book fair I’ve committed to. Woohoo!