Author Rebecka Vigus donates book, check to not-for-profit group – mystery book vanishes into thin air, check makes it to destination

“Breaking News..... Author Rebecka Vigus’ first book in the Macy McVannel crime thriller series, Cold Case: Sleeping Dogs Lie, stolen from package destined for not-for profit group. Donation check made it to the not-for-profit, mystery novel disappears.”

or

“Cold Case: Sleeping Dogs Lie, such a great novel people are stealing it from not-for-profit groups. Donation check makes it to destination safely.”

Cold Case: Sleeping Dogs Lie, so good people steal the book from a not-for-profit.

Gotta love the irony in the title of this post, huh? You think I’m kidding? Not in the least bit am I kidding.

Our author, Rebecka Vigus, donates a portion of every sale to a not-for-profit. The not-for-profit was started by a kid for kids, filling tote bags that find a home with sick children in hospitals. It’s a great cause.

For July, she sent a paperback novel and her donation check to this not-for-profit. The check made it, the novel did not. Yup, the crime thriller (first in the series) was stolen right out of the package.

Because it was not insured, she doesn’t get her money back for the postage. I don’t understand. Someone stole the book at the post office. She mailed it from the post office, so gremlins couldn’t have eaten it while it waited in her mailbox. It never made it to the destination (the check did) so gremlins couldn’t have eaten it while waiting to be retrieved from a mailbox. So, there’s only one other logical place it could have been stolen from…..or a mystery novel vanished into thin air. Houdini would be so proud.

But how ironic! I knew it was a great book. It is such a great book, people have taken to stealing it from mail destined to a not-for-profit benefiting sick children - It’s not like you can miss a 5.5x8 paperback novel.

I really would like for this blog post to make it to the individual who stole the novel. You work for the post office. You make enough money to buy one of your own. You stole from a not-for-profit. You stole from an author. Selling books is how some writers make a living. Some writers pride themselves on giving back to the community with donations and time. You just happened to pick the one package headed to a good cause for sick children. You just happened to pick the one package sent from a writer who loves to give back to the community.

Keep your grubby mitts off things that don’t belong to you.

Seriously, what is wrong with people these days?!?!?! Didn’t their mothers teach them if it’s not yours don’t touch it?!

Kortney

unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: stealing,thieves,post office,Rebecka Vigus

C.I.N.

I got to chat with author Christina Pritchard about her new series C.I.N… Read the interview below. Thanks Christina for chatting with me.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into writing...
Before I could write, I made up fantasy worlds and tried to get my friends to believe they were real. I had notebooks and would write while my teachers lectured (since about nine years old.) I didn't consider myself an author until 4th grade...
There was a poetry contest in my fourth grade class. It was nearly a tie between Maggie and me. Her poem was by a famous poet and mine was self-written. Clayton, a boy in my class, raised his hand (I was losing by one vote) and lied, telling the teacher he didn’t get to vote yet. “I pick Tina’s!”  His second vote, tied us. That was the day I decided this was what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing.

You gotta love how childhood memories will influence us as adults, huh? How did you go from poet to novelist?
I wrote stories then too! My grandmother gave me a typewriter and I went to town on it writing mysteries for my Barbie Dolls, and chapters for my fantasy stories. I would come home from school and type up what I wrote in my notebooks during the day in class. I absolutely loved writing and typing.

Tell us a about your series C.I.N. and what genre it would fit into -
People are calling it paranormal but if anything, it is a young adult series. Book 1, C I N, is about some strange characters who live in Lynn, MA. Lisa thinks upon arriving in C I N, that she's landed in her own house of horrors but, things take a turn for the worst when she's struck by lightning.
The first 3 short stories in the C I N Series take you back in time to the 1980's and 1990's before Lisa was ever born. Back stories of her parents, her aunt and some others are revealed like, Donna and her traitorous beginning, how her parents fell in love and the ultimate sacrifice Aunt Millie's one true love would not make for her...
Book Two which was released in July, the reader learns that Alex lied to Lisa about lots of things. Like, what happens when she transforms? Her life is at stake. Will she survive and if she does, will someone else have to die?

Young adult and paranormal are popular genres these days, it seems. What age bracket would you say your books would be most appropriate for?
Many of my readers say 14+ for the C I N Series. My other books are for any age.

What about writing do you love the most and hate the most -
I love seeing the characters come to life on the printed page. I get to escape into amazing worlds and delve into the psyche of each character, wondering what they'll say and do next. It's a great adventure and since I write the worlds, I always enjoy the 'trip'!
I hate when a character no longer fits into a story. It's always disappointing to have to say good bye. (Except Frank in the C I N Series, I hate him! LOL)

ooooooooooooooooooooo characters you love to hate, and hate to love!!!! Those are the best! Do you ever get into mini battles with those characters? Who is your favorite character in the series?

Oh yes! I scream at them when I don't like what I'm writing. They can infuriate me to no end. I love all my characters except Frank. Ally is definitely a top favorite of mine. She's the kind of person you love to hate and writing her scenes always puts me in a good mood. I never know what she's going to do.

What are some points you’d give aspiring authors about the writing journey -

Don’t write what you think is popular. It should be as original as possible and reflect you. The world goes through phases. If what you write isn’t of interest now, it will be someday.

Excellent piece of advice if I do say so myself!

How can readers contact you?
Read FREE excerpts of current works!  Also, “Like” my facebook page! There will be prizes periodically here and current news/contests for readers.  Please Myspace and Twitter Me too!

CASTING CALL! Please join the raffle to be one of four new characters in upcoming C I N books! Submission Form. (No purchase necessary to win)
CASH PRIZE PHOTO CONTESTS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE! Submission Form.

http://cinseries.com/

Thanks Tina for chatting with me!

Kortney

Unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: Christina Pritchard,CIN,Author Interview

A bone to pick - unsolicited emails and messages

I have noticed an influx of unsolicited emails and messages I receive on various social and professional networks. Frankly, it’s getting really irritating.

We are not authors, we publish authors. We have no intentions of becoming authors in the distant or not so distant future.

We no longer do post production reviews, please visit our website for information on our review policy.

We are not looking for free books - we believe in paying for an author’s hard work. A bound ARC or advanced ebook copy for pre-production reviews (visit our website) are the only free books we would request - why? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FOR SALE YET…

We are not looking for another free self publishing marketing kit that appears to be the next thing an author puts out after self publishing a book or books.

We are not accepting submissions at this time (visit our website for guidelines)

Here’s a piece of advice, if the email or message was not asked for, don’t send it. We don’t want it. If you are inquiring about something - marketing, publishing, reviews, et al - make your email or message personalized.

We…..loathe…..spam. It’s like the old telemarketing calls during dinner. We don’t do it to others, we’d like the same respect - please!

It’s unprofessional, it’s annoying, and frankly we don’t want or need it. It is the easiest way to have your email or message deleted and sent into the oblivion of cyber space.

Thanks for your understanding -

BuzzNet Tags: spam,email,messages,marketing

Interview with June Spears….

When did you start writing and what authors do you enjoy reading the most?

I started writing very young. When I was in fifth grade I actually won a poetry contest and it ended up being  our school song.

Wow! That’s fantastic!! Do you have any particular genre you enjoy writing the most?

Fantasy, It takes me far away from the stresses of everyday life.

Where do you find your inspiration for writing?

It is just something that takes me away from the everyday wear and tear of life. I try to get lost in whatever story I am writing. I think my main inspiration to write as an adult is my daughter Isabella.

Are you a by the seat of your pants writer or an outline planned writer?

I never plan anything. My Novelette Series "The Blood Moon Chronicles" was done within a month. There's Five Books altogether. When I have the urge to write I just sit in front of my keyboard and let my fingers guide me through and It usually results to something great.

My Hero is My Monster is your newest writing endeavor – what provoked you to tell your story of abuse? And has it helped you cope with the years of trauma?

I don't think I cope with it, I more less drown it out with my writing. I wrote "My Hero is My Monster" because we see things everyday that we turn a blind eye too. My hopes are with telling my story people won't turn their heads the other way when they see something that screams abuse. I can't tell you how many times I was in public with my parents and wanted so badly for someone to reach out and help.

Do you think society is different than when we were kids? It seems people, now, are more apt to actually speak up and get involved than when we were younger

I surely hope this is the case. I can't imagine another child or adult living in that kind of hurt and fear.

Individuals suffering from sexual abuse – what advise would you give them to stop the abuse and cope with the aftermath?

I would tell them to be strong and get counseling. As much as that sucks (trust me, I refused counseling for months) It does help in the long run. I would tell them not to shy away from the rest of the world, because there really are some decent people out there.

Are you involved in, or do you know of any national groups someone can reach out to to assist them in the path of overcoming the trauma from sexual abuse?

Child Lures Prevention -

5166 Shelburne Road

Shelburne , VT 05482

Phone:

(802) 985-8458

Fax:

(802) 985-8418

info@childluresprevention.com

http://www.childluresprevention.com/

Child Molestation Research & Prevention Institute (CMRPI) -

1401 Peachtree Street

Suite 120

Atlanta , GA 30309

Phone:

(404) 872-5152

contact@childmolestationprevention.org

http://www.childmolestationprevention.org

Child Safe -

St. Vincent's Center/Catholic Charities

2600 Pot Spring Road

Timonium , MD 21093

Phone:

(410) 252-4000

childsafe@catholiccharities-md.org

http://www.childsafeeducation.com/

Childhelp® -

15757 North 78th Street

Scottsdale , AZ 85260

Phone:

(480) 922-8212

Fax:

(480) 922-7061

TDD:

(800) 2AC-HILD

Toll-Free:

(800) 4AC-HILD

http://www.childhelp.org/

CornerHouse -

2502 10th Avenue South

Minneapolis , MN 55404

Phone:

(612) 813-8300

Fax:

(612) 813-8330

info@cornerhousemn.org

http://www.cornerhousemn.org/index.html

Is there any advise you can offer teachers or school advisers on noticing the signs of a child being sexually abused?

Just that if you think you see a sign that something is wrong, Nine out of Ten times it probably is. At least ask the child first before going to the parents. You never know what is going on behind closed doors.

Do you think had someone asked you, as a child, you would have spoke up about the long term abuse that had been going on? We hear about children being threatened into silence all the time.... or even being petrified and it’s not until they are adults that they find the courage to speak up/speak out about what they went through as a child.

I don't know if I would have or not. I just think it is a good thing to speak up because you never know.

If you could prepare someone writing a memoir, what would it be?

Be true to yourself, don't write it if it feels wrong. I wrote my memoir from a child's point of view so that the reader could feel what I was feeling at that time in my life.

Excellent piece of advise – I read your short story on your experiences and because of it being from a child’s perspective, it makes it even more powerful and raw. Do you have anything else you are working on scribing right now? Do you want to provide a short excerpt of My hero is My Monster and where it can be purchased from?

I am working on my first full length novel. It will be along the lines of fantasy also.
I have attached a blurb from the book to this email and purchase link.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008AFYHHY
Also a few contact places for me are ..
http://kdpfreebielist.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/indieauthorfuneespears?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/JuneESpears
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6152163.June_Spears

Thanks June!

A peak into the My Hero is My Monster short story -

I stood in the tenth story window, my eyes bloodshot and tears flowing. The monster in my bedroom had tormented me day and night for the past ten years. The police placed him in handcuffs while he stared up at me with hatred and sinister grin. I knew him too well. I knew what kind of cruelty he was capable of.

Knowing that his memory would haunt me for the rest of my life, the only way I could get him out of my mind was to end my life right here, right now.

My mother screamed at me from below that she would never forgive me for what I had done. I had broken her delusion of a happy home. Rage and resentment swelled my body and soul. She was my mother. Wasn’t she supposed to love me, protect me, from monsters like him? I could not understand why, why she let him hurt me, why she sat back and did nothing?

I bowed my head in shame as the neighbors stared through their windows and gossiped to themselves. A crowd had formed and people were stopping and pulling over to the side of the road, watching with utter disbelief. I could not face seeing anyone ever again. Not with them knowing the truth. What would they think of me? I will be the talk of this small town forever.

My hands were sweaty and my knees became weak beneath me. My heart raced so face it felt like it would explode inside of me. Before I could convince myself to turn around, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, spreading my arms out wide as if to fly I turned and fell backward off the window sill.

 

BuzzNet Tags: June Spears,Interviews,Writing

Blog Tour Stops

In the spirit of why we went into business, we’re opening our blog up to blog tour stops. If you are an author looking for another stop on your virtual book tour - please email us at info (at) unforgettablebooksinc (dot) com.

Please put “Blog Tour Stop” in your subject line and we’ll get back to you with more information.

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: blog tour,virtual book tour,announcement

Words of the day …..

We’ve covered author and writer in a previous post - now lets cover the following:

editor, publisher, agent….

Edit - to prepare for publication as by adapting or correcting. to prepare an edition of. to put together the pars of by cutting, combining, and splicing. to delete. - n. editor (p 135)

Publish - to produce and present for public distribution or sale. to publicize; announce n. publish (p 340)

Agent - one that acts. one that represent another. a means by which something is done or caused, instrument. a representative of a governmental department. a spy. (p 10)

So what does this all mean to you as a writer? We’ve already established the differences between a writer and an author. So we’ll assume you’re a writer, and not just an author at this stage of the game.

You’ve written a novel. You’ve been accepted by a publishing house. So what does that mean for you? Well, the definitions are pretty self explanatory above of what you should expect from your editor, publisher, and agent. If you anticipate writing a novel, signing a contract and your work here is done - you’re dead wrong.

What gets people to buy your books over others? What makes them any different than the 4000 printed each day in America, alone? What makes you a different author? That is not the job of the editor, publisher, or the agent to present to the readers that may or may not pick up your book - that is up to you.

Like any other company, you have to build a solid author brand and set yourself apart. What makes you different than the rest? Why should anybody read your novel before others? Only you, as a writer, can answer those questions and pave the way for yourself. Traditional marketing and business techniques don’t work in this fast paced, ever evolving industry. In this social media generation people want to connect with their favorite celebrities - this means you. Churning out novel after novel does you no good, YOU have to connect with your reader base and show them you really are human.

You’ve done the writers groups, you’ve honed your skills, now you have to sell yourself. Your novels are your product, how - as a business - do you sell them? It’s not your editors job to show you off - it’s just their job to fix your English. Whatever they do above and beyond that is just their particular nature. Don’t take it for granted, they’re trying to assist you on your career path as a writer.

People and word of mouth sells books. Connect with your readers - you’ll be glad you did.

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: editor,publisher,agent,writing,publishing

Words of the day - author, writer

Today’s word of the day turns into two - and they aren’t randomly picked like normal. I’ll explain why in a minute -

author - 1. Someone who writes a literary work. 2. Someone who creates or originates anything. (p 29)

writer - One who writes, esp. as an occupation: author (p 481)

Hm, they sound synonymous with each other, don’t they? But, are they really?

I am an author. I am an author in the sense that I write this blog. I author answers to supplemental interviews for our authors. I author propositions for book signings. I author emails to pursue business relationships.

Am I a writer? I used to be, but I am not now. A writer is someone who takes care to learn their craft. An author can write anything. An author can write op’eds for a living, news articles, blogs, reviews, scientific text, a college syllabus, a grammar school book report, a college school paper, a text message, a tweet, a facebook status post, a joke.

A writer wants to hone their skills, craft that perfect scene, or that delightfully evil antagonist a reader loves to hate and hates to love. A writer gets into arguments with their characters. They scrap scenes only to put them back in again, to take them out, to put them back in, to asking someone else for their opinion and listening. A writer wakes up in the middle of the night because they had an epiphany and just had to write it down right now or they won't be able to go back to sleep, but when they wake up after satisfying the inner scribe and finding slumber once more, they ask someone else their thoughts. A writer takes classes, is part of writers groups, is looking for ways to better their skills - to better themselves. A writer crafts a story, an author throws words out there with a point to make.

So which are you? An author or a writer? If you’re not pushing yourself to your limits and then pushing beyond that to learn your art, you’re an author. If you are passionate about your work and want to make it the best of the best - evolving, learning, evolving some more, learning even more - and continue on that quest (which provides a better than the last experience for your readers) each time you finish a novel - you are a writer.

One is more important than the other, depending on your career goals of course. Each are equally important in the grand scheme of things. However, it is up to you to decide and take action accordingly.

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: author,writer,writing

Word of the Day - neophyte

 

Neophyte - 1. a new convert. 2. a novice or beginner. (p. 284)

Our company works with neophyte and unknown authors. One of the best things a neophyte writer can do for their career is join a writers group or fifty. The writers groups will be oh-so beneficial. They can help writers find and learn about their strengths and weaknesses. They can help with the editing process prior to submission or prior to the novel landing on your editors desk. They can help start a necessary network that will be able to provide new distribution avenues, and a plethora of other things - the latest industry news, contests, structure, formatting, reviews, sales outlets, tours, networking areas, media contacts, publishing contacts, associations. You get the point. A writers group(s) can help start the foundation you need to be a successful author.

You have to be mindful that a lot of publishing companies will not take the time to help completely re-write your novel. The writers groups can help get your work tightened up. They can help you identify if you write passive, how to watch for it, and keep your eyes open as you continue to scribe. Back story dump AKA catching up the reader is very common. Seasoned writers even do it. But going through writers groups on a regular basis will help you identify these areas, how to tell when you have done them when you start editing your own work, and how to fix it.

As a neophyte author part of learning your craft, your art, and evolving as a writer is learning from those around you. A writers group can provide one of many paths to support that evolution. Learn from the seasoned writers around you and apply those lessons to your writing. It is like any other career. You learn from those around you with years more experience than you.

I fully support an author who hits the ground running, taking their career in their own hands. However, part of that process is learning as you go and a writers group can help start that process. Find a good one. Find a structured one. Find one that has other writers that support and not inhibit your growth. Most writers band together to support each other. They were where you are now and understand the learning curve.

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: writing,wording

Word of the day - gawk

Gawk - to stare stupidly: gape. (p 175)
Interestingly enough gawk is one word where its -y form means something completely different -

Gawky - Clumsy, awkward.

English is a very difficult language to learn. You have your hear, here; bear, bare; their, they’re, there’s. But then you have words like gawk, gawky. Gray and grey - American and British. Adding a -y to the end of the word can make it an adjective. Fun and funny.

Know thy audience, and remember that adding a letter or more to the end of a word doesn’t necessarily mean it has the same meaning with a different tense or possessive or plural.

Happy writing!

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: writing,wording

Word of the Day - prognosticate

Prognosticate - to predict from current indications. (p. 337)

That word sounds a little archaic doesn’t it?

The publishing industry is full of prognosticators. Just look for op’eds on the Apple/DOJ case, Amazon, and e-books. There is a plethora (oo, maybe tomorrow’s word of the day) of them on the web. Read a handful of them and you’ll notice a distinct line, no happy medium, no gray area. Sign with a publisher, self publish. Print or e-book or both. Publishing is like any other industry - everyone has an opinion on the best way to move forward with your hard work.

What it boils down to is what is best for you, as a writer. None of it matters, though, if you do not continue to learn your art and continue to brand yourself as an author. The most profitable publishing company, with money to burn, is not going to be able to turn you into an overnight sensation if your writing does not appeal to a reader base and you’re not out hitting the pavement connecting with your readers.

Join a writers group, take writing classes, learn where your weaknesses are and focus on making them stronger. Continue to challenge yourself and push further and harder. Don’t be afraid to try something different. Network online and offline. Learn about the industry. Stay on top of the latest news. Do all of this before you publish your novel - traditionally or self publish. Continue to do this after you publish. Learn from others. Ask questions - a lot of them and keep asking until you understand. Do your own homework.

This is a new/current/future career for you. Your old/current career did not get successful because you expected someone else to do the work for you. Take the bull by the horns, kick it in the knees and become a pro at your craft, at your art.

Two things my grandfather tells me all the time - bend down, put your nose to the grindstone, dig in your heels, and push forward. The other?

Illegitimi non-du carbondum or very poor/mock Latin for Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

photo from: http://www.magic8ball.org/

BuzzNet Tags: wording,writing,publishing

Word of the day - inflorescence

I thought it would be a novel idea to break out my old trusty dictionary and provide a random word of the day. My dictionary is old and should probably be updated with a newer one. It does not have the words recently added over the years - tweet, fist bump, bling, or even bromance - for more odd entries into our dictionaries just do a google search for dictionary additions and pick a year.

My dictionary was given to me by my grandfather when I was rather young. The copyright on it is 1988 and it is a Webster’s II home and office desk edition. I can remember reading and asking my mother what a word meant or how to pronounce it. Her canned response was always “Look it up, your grandfather gave you a dictionary. Use it.”

So hear we are, the dictionary is over 20 years old, and I still “look it up.”

Inflorescence - N. A Characteristic arrangement of flowers on a stalk. inflorescent adj. (Page 217)

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/terminf1.htm

http://www.missouriplants.com/Pinkopp/Monarda_fistulosa_page.html

Kortney
www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: wording,writing

Wording

Have you ever read something or been listening to someone speak and raise an eyebrow at the wording? I had that moment this morning watching our local news. The last part of their slogan is “late breaking”. That made me think for a moment. I know what that means, but would someone who lives in another country or their primary language is not English? Both words, standing alone, do not mean the same thing.

late-breaking~late-breaking news concerns events that happen just before a news broadcast or just before a newspaper is printed - http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/late-breaking

late [leyt] Show IPA adjective, lat·er or lat·ter, lat·est or last, adverb lat·er, lat·est. adjective
1.occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time: late frosts; a late spring.
2.continued until after the usual time or hour; protracted: a late business meeting.
3.near or at the end of day or well into the night: a late hour.
4.belonging to the time just before the present moment; most recent: a late news bulletin.
5.immediately preceding the present one; former: the late attorney general.

break [breyk] Show IPA verb, broke or ( Archaic ) brake; bro·ken or ( Archaic ) broke; break·ing; noun verb (used with object)
1.to smash, split, or divide into parts violently; reduce to pieces or fragments: He broke a vase.
2.to infringe, ignore, or act contrary to (a law, rule, promise, etc.): She broke her promise.
3.to dissolve or annul (often followed by off ): to break off friendly relations with another country.
4.to fracture a bone of (some part of the body): He broke his leg.
5.to lacerate; wound: to break the skin.
When you are writing, be mindful of your audience

In today’s global world - books, like anything else, can and will cross borders. If your goal is to sell internationally, keep in mind words or phrases common to English speaking countries, or Americans only, will probably not be common to other areas. Know thy audience.
Kortney
unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: writing,wording

And We’re Back

It’s been a bit since we had a blog running. It happens. Then some techy issues with integrating with our website. But it appears we’ve found a work around! Yay!

Kortney

BuzzNet Tags: blog,back,publishing