The Insecure Writer's Support Group & Next Anthology Contest, Plus Con Photos

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today’s question:
April 3 question: If you could use a wish to help you write just ONE scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?

Since I never get time to write anymore, the answer is any at this point. Considering I am at the halfway point with two – and a third has the beginning and ending only – I’d have to say the middle chapter is the most pressing.

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology Contest will open early this year.

Submissions will open on May 1 and close on September 4, 2019.

This year’s genre – middle grade historical – adventure/fantasy. (It can be either adventure or fantasy.)

The theme and full rules will be posted on May 1. Stay tuned!

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Special note:
We are partnering with DIY MFA this spring to bring you a great program for writers.

Before we announce details, we’ll be sharing several of their learning videos.

The first one is Episode 241: Twisting the Tropes of Military Science Fiction — Interview with Glynn Stewart.

Check it out and be watching next month for details about the program.

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Dancing Lemur Press had a booth March 22-24 at FantaSci.

It was a very successful event – they were book-buying people. 

Many of you saw the photos on Instagram, but here they are if you missed them:

And here I am posing with the author guest of honor, Timothy Zahn, He was the nicest, most humble author I have ever met. Despite being a big name (he writes Star Wars books in addition to his own) he wanted to be in the room with the vendors rather than out front with the other featured authors, and he was willing to sign anything and talk to anyone.

What section or part do you need help with?

What well-known authors have you met?

Ready to write a middle grade story?

Marketing and the Publisher-Author Relationship

I recently had the Saturday Spotlight Feature at Ellen Jacobson’s site, The Cynical Sailor. If you want to know more about the workings of Dancing Lemur Press, Minions, penguins, and a workaholic publisher, please stop by.

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The subject of marketing as it pertains to the author comes up a lot. Writers question the need for a marketing plan and those publishers and agents who request one. But what they don’t realize is the days of writers hiding away just to write are long over. Authors HAVE to market themselves – and they better be ready to do so.

The latest Independent Book Publishers Association magazine’s feature article was all about the “Collective Engagement” – authors and publishers working together on marketing. How important is it for an author to work with them on promotions? Read this excerpt from that article:

I think there is a lot of wisdom and truth in both statements.

A book has a much better shot at success if the author and publisher work together to promote it. More than just the author doing some appearances and the publisher sending out review copies. They have to work together and match & meld efforts. That means a game plan and communication.

And yes, authors will be expected – required – to market. In the IBPA article, Armida Publications states: “All authors, prior to launch, are required to start focusing more on their social media as well as identifying people willing to assist in our efforts to promote the book.”

REQUIRED.

At Dancing Lemur Press, we work with our authors and prompt them down the promotion path. Depending on their abilities and time available, we map out the best possible way to reach their target readership. We work with them to find more reviewers, set up an online book tour, schedule appearances at libraries, schools, and bookstores, etc. We supply them with marketing materials in the form of files, ads, images, bookmarks, etc. We do our best to ensure they have what they need to effectively market their books. And we try to build that solid relationship with them.

If you are a writer not yet signed, you now know you will have to market – but if you find the right publisher, you will not do it alone. If you are with a publisher or agent, make sure they are also willing to work with you to promote your book(s).

Together you can plan:
• Reviewers and sending out review copies
• Advertising and graphics
• Bookstores, libraries, and schools to target
• Appearances
• Virtual tour
• Media release
• Target websites, magazines, etc.
• And more!


Have you developed a marketing plan? Does your publisher work with you?

This coming weekend - March 22-24, 2019 – FantaSci!

Dancing Lemur Press will be there all weekend with a booth

Location - Hilton Doubletree, RDU, Raleigh, NC

Special guest – author Timothy Zahn

If you live near Raleigh-Durham, come see us!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group and Music Boxes

I have the Saturday Spotlight Feature at Ellen Jacobson’s site, The Cynical Sailor. if you want to know more about the workings of Dancing Lemur Press, Minions, and penguins, please stop by.

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

I’m posting a day early for a very special reason.

Today’s option question: Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?

The fiction stories I write are character driven. They are fueled by love and real life, and there aren’t really any defined antagonists. Some minor characters pop up at antagonists, but otherwise the focus is on the protagonist.

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New release from Dancing Lemur Press!

And I am so proud of this author and her outstanding book. She has worked so hard for the book’s success and it has garnered so many incredible reviews. You will be captivated by Lindsey’s story and the secret behind the music boxes.

Music Boxes

By Tonja Drecker

“I only desire your talent...”

Twelve-year-old Lindsey McKay's biggest dream is to be a famous ballerina. But after moving to New York, she ends up at the Community Center with a teacher who’s a burly bear in tights.

When she meets Madame Destinée, the teacher of a top dance school who offers her classes for free, Lindsey can't believe her luck. In exchange, she must perform in the school’s exclusive midnight shows, ones sure to make her a star. But something’s not right...

One by one, the other dancers disappear. Each time they do, a music box with a figurine just like the missing ballerina joins Madame Destinée’s growing collection. If Lindsey doesn’t discover the truth about the dance school, she might end up a tiny figurine herself.

Print ISBN 9781939844569 $12.95, 6x9 trade paperback, 158 pages

eBook ISBN 9781939844576 $3.99 EBook available in all formats

Juvenile Fiction: Girls & Women - Fantasy & Magic - Performing Arts/Dance

“A powerful story with a compelling, mystical tale of adventure. 5 stars” – Readers’ Favorite

“Music Boxes is an enduring tale of friendship, magic, and the power of love. The characters are genuine and relatable, and the story is original and imaginative. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Five stars!” - Tamara Grantham, award-winning author

“Deliciously creepy with a side of sinister, Drecker weaves an enticing story of talent, jealousy, and dark magic.” - Dianne K. Salerni, author of The Eighth Day seriesv

“Before you do anything else, pick up a copy of Tonja Drecker’s MUSIC BOXES. The magical parts are enchanting, the exciting parts heart-pounding, and the poignant moments completely wrenching.” - Ilana Waters, USA Today bestselling author

“An enchanting mystery young readers will enjoy.” – Kids Bookshelf

“…it’s scary, but in a fun Goosebumps way.” – Geek Reads Kids

“I highly recommend this book, and I cannot wait to read it again!” Pages For Thought Reviews

Tonja Drecker is a writer, blogger, children’s book reviewer (Bookworm for Kids) and freelance translator. After spending years in Germany exploring forgotten castles, she currently resides in the Ozarks with her family of six. When she’s not tending her chickens and cows, she’s discovering new adventures, nibbling chocolate and sipping a cup of tea.

Amazon / iTunes / Barnes & Nobel / Kobo / BAM / Goodreads

If you would like to request your local library to carry a copy, please leave a comment and we’ll send you the information you need. Asking your local library to order a copy is a HUGE deal! And it costs you nothing.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group & Assorted Announcements

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today’s option question: Besides writing what other creative outlets do you have?

Too many! I’ve always been creative – painting, writing, creating, building. I started taking photos when I was 12 and took photos professionally for over 20 years. DLP keeps me busy, so I don’t have as much time for photos or anything else. Unless you count organizing as being creative!

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Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. is now on Facebook.
Please LIKE the page if you are on Facebook!
It’ll be updated every week with events, book releases, and photos.

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The next IWSG anthology, Masquerade: Oddly Suited, (YA romance) will be released on April 30, 2019.

The authors are looking for blog tour hosts. If you can host a day and help spread the word about the anthology, sign up through Google Docs.

You can also pre-order either print or eBook:
Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Dancing Lemur Press LLC
Print ISBN 9781939844644 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844651 $4.99

Plus show your support and add Masquerade on Goodreads.

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There is a giveaway for Big Red, which comes out May 14, 2019.

I’m very excited for this release. Many reviewers have been turned off by the “military sci-fi” aspect, which is so unfair to this book. It’s a mind bending delight.

Big Red
By Damien Larkin

We have always been here...

Suffering the side effects of Compression travel, soldier Darren Loughlin wakes up screaming from a gunshot wound that isn’t there. Despite a fractured memory, he is forced to recount his year-long tour of duty on Mars to uncover the mysterious fate of Earth’s off-world colonies and the whereabouts of his shattered battalion.

With time running out, Darren recalls his tour of duty with the Mars Occupation Force in New Berlin colony, their brutal MARSCORP masters, and the vicious war against the hostile alien natives.

But as he exposes the truth, Darren suspects he is at the centre of a plot spanning forty years. He has one last mission to carry out. And his alien enemy may be more human than he is…

Release date - May 14, 2019
$18.95, 6x9 trade paperback, 304 pages
Science Fiction - Military FIC028050/Alien Contact FIC028090/Alternative History FIC040000
Print ISBN 9781939844606 / EBook ISBN 9781939844613
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Damien Larkin is a full-time stay-at-home father of two loud (but happy) young children. When not tinkering with apps as a side project, you can find him reading everything and anything to do with psychology, history and science fiction. He enjoys turning terrifying nightmares into novels and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland.
Website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Enter to win a signed, print copy of Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication and writing goodies (index cards, a magnetic mini clipboard with paper, flag paper clips, and a "Genius at Work" sign.

Ends February 28th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This month’s WEP Challenge is 28 Days.

This prompt came up as a contest winner generated by the IWSG gang – we chose the winner from a whole bunch of creative ideas! Congratulations to long-time WEP participant, Toinette Thomas.

Incorporate 28 days in your entry. It can be the time limit for a task or a challenge. The quantum of growth, a journey, a change, and/or healing that happens in 28 days. Come in with a werewolf entry. Or don’t. Tell us about some other moon phase-based folklore instead. Fashion an epistolary flash as a series of 28 diary entries or postcards. Mainstream, fantasy, romance, travel – all wide open. A lot of things can happen in 28 days!

Sign up and post your entry on February 20.

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The IWSG Book Club on Goodreads is changing things up!

• 5 Discussion Questions: We will pose 5 questions that you can answer about the book we’ve read as a group. You can answer one question or all five. It’s up to you.
• Discussion Day Poll: Every discussion day, there will also be a poll that all members will get invited to answer. This is a great option to participate that is fast and simple.
• Quiz: You can also help us create a Goodreads quiz for the book we’ve read.
• Giveaways: Every Discussion Day, book club members will get a Goodreads message that will include the chance for members to enter a free Rafflecopter giveaway.
• Freebies: When we announce the next reading selection, another Goodreads message will go out that’ll include a downloadable freebie, which could be anything.
• Other Polls: We will also invite members to answer writing or reading related polls during our “down” months. One poll will be related to the book in some way.
• We read a new book every other month, alternating between craft books and fictional books that demonstrate an aspect of writing. Members vote on our fictional books.

Join Here: IWSG Goodreads Book Club

What creative outlets do you have?

Are you interested in hosting the Masquerade authors?