The Storm is About to Break!

Announcing a coming storm! Alex J. Cavanaugh’s third book in his best-selling series comes out Tuesday, September 17th. Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win a Cassa mug, mousepad, magnet, and swag! In addition, he answered my question regarding secondary characters below.

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse

“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken

$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera
Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

On September 17, find CassaStorm:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Amazon Kindle
Goodreads

What is your favorite secondary character in each of your books?

In CassaStar, it’s Ernx, a fellow pilot. (He’s also the only one to appear in all three books.) He's light-hearted and easy-going. In CassaFire, it was the dorky scientist Mevine. The young man was just a bunch of awkward nerves, and he was fun to write. In CassaStorm, it’s a character named Piten who went from a very minor character to a much larger one when I realized how important he was to the storyline. He has a cocky attitude, similar to another character I know...

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.
Website
Twitter
Goodreads

Publishing Industry News, Meeting Fellow Bloggers, and Friday Inspirational Photos

Industry News

With the success of on-demand services such as Spotify and Netflix, publishers are looking into subscription services such as Oyster. There are many advantages to both publisher and author. According to the Music Industry Blog, “Book Subscriptions Offer a Much Clearer Path to Additive Revenue than Music.”

Have you ever heard of the site BookLikes? It’s been around longer than Goodreads and recently redesigned its platform. From the Huffington Post: “Inspired by Tumblr, we created service for book lovers but much more personalized than our previous trial. Instead of typical book-social site we came out with the idea of blog platform designed for book lovers.”


I also got to meet two fellow bloggers this week. Jo from Jo on Food, My Travels, and a Scent of Chocolate was down from Canada for her birthday week, vacationing in the area they lived in NC years ago, Cape Carteret. Jeff from Strands of Pattern was vacationing with his family on Topsail Island and met Jo and her husband for the day.

Since I was speaking to a writer’s group in Morehead City and only 20 miles away, I trekked down to Cape Carteret to meet them. I was pressed for time (when am I not?) and frazzled after giving my all to the writer’s group, so I’m sure they thought me a little off-kilter, but it was a delight to meet them.


I’ve been fortunate to meet several of my blogging friends over the years and hope to meet more!


And your Friday inspirational photos:

"Hiss, I hate you feather toy!"

"I love you feather toy..."

Revealing Sacrifice HER

Title: Sacrifice HER

Author: Sheena-kay Graham

Goodreads: Sacrifice HER

Release Date: December 2013

Summary: When a city is at stake is the life of one sixteen-year old girl worth risking thousands? Deidra Moore goes on the run after escaping from a group of human sacrifices for Bane: God of War. She doesn't believe he exists and sees uncertainty in the scorching desert as a better alternative. But Faux City isn't finished with her and their leader Lord Brinn is ordered by Bane - through one of his maiden worshipers- to bring her back or face dire consequences. In the desert Deidra meets a wanderer named Kane and as feelings spark can they find a safe place to lead a new life before Lord Brinn and his soldiers catch up with them? Yet the question remains. Does Bane really exist and if he does what will happen if either side succeeds or fails? Told in alternating perspectives of both the runaway servant girl and the blonde strong willed leader.

Author Bio:

Sheena-kay Graham was never meant for a traditional job behind a desk. Her childhood career plans included becoming a ballerina, actress or someone who helped people. So naturally she decided to be a writer who writes from her bed. Yes, no desk for this Jamaican book lover. No matter if it’s reading, writing or using the computer....you get the gist. The love of the written word has always been with her leading to stories, novels, poetry and way too much fan fiction. This Christian woman can be found trolling Amazon online, in local book bookstores, watching movies on the big screen or in her bed, or reading/writing/on the laptop...again in her bed. Mainly writes YA fiction and is ready to unleash her creativity and wow potential readers.

Links:
Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter

Cover Designer: Langao

Ghostwriting and Co-Authoring

Not everyone is a master storyteller. Some can envision the tale but lack the proper words to convey the message. If you struggle with writing, don’t give up hope. You can always employ the services of a ghostwriter.

Ghostwriters take an idea and write the story. They work with the creator of the storyline, capturing the person’s intentions and visions, and write the actual book. The ghostwriter’s name never appears on the work; the originator of the idea receives the credit. Ghostwriters are often mid-list authors and the good ones guarantee to produce a marketable manuscript. It’s not cheap, but it is a possible option for storytellers who lack the proper writing skills.

Another choice is co-authoring a book. Two or more writers contribute to a book’s creation, pooling their resources. Unlike ghostwriting, all the writers receive author credit. A written contract between all parties is a must in this situation! Address issues of contribution and compensation before embarking on this journey.

Working with another author has distinct advantages. Usually one has more experience and can enhance the project with his or her expertise. With several authors, marketing efforts are multiplied because there’s more than one person promoting! In addition, established authors already have a fan base. You will reach a far greater audience than with a solo project, especially if it is your first.

Working with another author also spurs creativity. You are able to bounce ideas off each other and the story never grows stale. It requires teamwork and compromise, but you’ll grow and stretch as a writer.

- from How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now! 

Have you considered a ghostwriter or perhaps co-authoring a book? (The latter is a lot of fun!)