April 29, 2015

Bear and Bare : Grammar & Editing Tips

A few weeks ago, I posted about Homophones and Contractions. Homophones are words that sound alike (can be spelled alike or not) but have different meanings. 

As an editor, I fix tons of homophones in manuscripts. From time to time, I thought I'd feature some commonly misused homophones. 

Today, I'll discuss bear and bare. At first glance, these might seem easy.

Source
Bear

An animal. Easy. Right?

Well, as a noun, yes.

Verb variations (past tense = bore, past participle = borne):

1. To hold up, support (bear weight)
2. To give birth (bear a child)
3. To produce by natural growth (bear fruit)
4. To hold up under / be capable of (bear close examination)

Also bear down on something and bear in mind.

Bare

Some good adjectives for this one.

1. Without covering or clothing / naked
2. Without the usual coverings or contents (bare walls)
3. Open to view / unconcealed (bare dislike)
4. Unadorned (bare facts)
5. Just sufficient (bare necessities of life)

Verb (past tense: bared)

1. To reveal / uncover / expose (bare all in an interview, bare one's teeth)

Is there an editing/grammar issue that's always caused you trouble? If so, share it in the comments so I can feature it in a future post. 

Definitions from Dictionary.com

April 27, 2015

Discovering April by Sheena Hutchinson Release Day


Title: Discovering April
Author: Sheena Hutchinson
Publisher: SL Hutchinson Publishing
Release Date: 4/27/2015
Genre: New Adult Romance
ASIN: B00V46MYJ4
ISBN: 1508642222
Word Count: 86,000 apx
Pages: 355
Cover Art: Cover Me Darling


Blurb:
April Landau thinks she has everything she’s ever wanted. Her high school sweetheart, a house she can’t afford, her bipolar tabby cat, and she’s all set to begin her Junior year of college. Just when she least expects it, her life gets thrown for a loop. When things between her and her long time boyfriend unravel, she becomes stuck in a downward spiral of emotion. Finally, opening her eyes to the fact that she may have given up more than she ever could have imagined in this relationship. She finds herself struggling to keep her head above water.

Enter April’s next door neighbor— Jared Hoffman. He’s her complete opposite. A high school drop out who was forced to take over his parent’s business after their untimely death. It’s no surprise this tragedy affected him greatly, causing him to recede almost completely from society.

But he has one secret. A secret he’s been carrying around for years.

What happens when their worlds collide? Can an old friendship be the one thing that brings these two back to life?

A new adult love story filled with drama, sex, death, and the complications of all of the above. 

Purchase your copy today!!!
Book Links:
SALE ALERT:
Discovering April will be on Pre-Order sale for $0.99 until 5/1/2015!

Starting 4/27/2015 The Seraphina Series will also be on sale until 5/1 in honor of April’s release!
Amazon
Starting 5/1 Discovering April will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited

About the Author:


Sheena is a born and raised New Yorker, even her writing can’t hide her hard sarcasm. She claims destiny lead her to writing again. She constantly strives to be a positive role model and write stories that empower and inspire.
Sheena always roots for the underdog, believes in love at first sight, and that everyone should have their happily ever after. While God is currently writing her love story she continues to put all her time into her writing as she is constantly getting new inspiration.

For more on Sheena and her books visit her website.

Author Pages:
~
Organized and Hosted by Dowie's Place Events

April 24, 2015

Making the Lists : The Writing Life

Happy Friday!

I'm having tons of fun with the release of Chasing Forgiveness, and I've re-committed to finishing Chasing Destiny, Tala Prophecy Book 3. I've actually written 7,500 words in the last three days. I need to keep up this pace to finish the rough draft by my deadline.

Just yesterday, I sent an image to my awesome book cover designer for inspiration. I couldn't help myself. This story is pouring out of me. Note to my betas: How's May looking for some reading? 

So, I'm keeping this post short and sweet... gotta save my words for the novel.

But before I go, I wanted to share some great news from release day...


I actually hit as high as #33 in the top category, but I missed grabbing a screen shot. So far, each book has done better than the previous one on release day. I count that as a success.

Wishing everyone an amazing weekend.

April 22, 2015

Peek, Peak, and Pique : Grammar & Editing Tips

A few weeks ago, I posted about Homophone and Contractions. Homophones are words that sound alike (can be spelled alike or not) but have different meanings. 

As an editor, I fix tons of homophones in manuscripts. From time to time, I thought I'd feature some commonly misused homophones. 

Today, I'll discuss peek, peak, and pique.

www.wigflip.com
Peek

Think of the two Es as eyes. 

v. To look or glance furtively
n. A quick or furtive look or glance

It's about a look or a look into something. 

I often see a mistake with "sneak peek"... I think it's because sneak has eak, so it's easy to mistakenly type peak instead of peek.

Peak

n. The pointed top of a mountain or range (or anything) / the maximum point, degree, or volume of anything
v. To reach the top

He reached the peak of the mountain race, which was the peak of his racing career.

Pique

Most commonly used in the phrase "pique someone's interest."

n. to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by somewound to pride / to excite or arouse (interest, curiosity)
v. to arouse pique in someone

Is there an editing/grammar issue that's always caused you trouble? If so, share it in the comments so I can feature it in a future post. 

Definitions from Dictionary.com

April 20, 2015

Vampire Affliction by Eva Pohler Cover Reveal

Vampires, Demigods, and Gods--Oh, My! 

It's time to reveal the cover for the second book in Amazon bestselling author Eva Pohler's The Vampires of Athens series.

  VampireAfflictionebookfinal 

Gertie has become friends, and has possibly fallen in love, with both a demigod and a vampire, who happen to be at war. Although she sympathizes with the vampire uprising, she distrusts the leaders, especially when they plan to kill humans to cull out the demigods before ambushing them. As the three unlikely friends discover that neither side is perfectly good or evil or right or wrong, they work together to try to bring about the best outcome; but, when their parents and the gods undermine their efforts and hang them out to dry, the three teens realize they're on their own and no one will save them. 

To celebrate the reveal of Vampire Affliction: The Vampires of Athens, Book, Two, we are giving away a $50 Amazon gift card! You can enter the Rafflecopter widget below each day through April 21st, which is PARTY DAY! 

If you haven't already joined the party, you can do so here! 

We are also celebrating by running a special on the first book in the series. For a limited time, you can purchase the first book, Vampire Addiction, for 0.99 cents!  Go here for purchase links, or click on the image below to go directly to Amazon.

  Vampire Addiction Ebook Final 

Here is a list of places participating in this reveal. Go check them out!


April 14, 2015

Chasing Forgiveness Release Day & Giveaway

It’s finally here!

Chasing Forgiveness is a prequel novella in the award-winning Tala Prophecy series.

About Chasing Forgiveness

When terror strikes, forever altering your life, it doesn’t ask permission or forgiveness.

Madeleine and Amélie’s quiet lives are ripped apart by a creature they never imagined could exist outside a horror story. Their mother is murdered, their father is missing, and the only safe haven is with a family full of secrets. But rescue comes at a price.

Ripped from the light of youth, the sisters are forced into the shadows—where they meet brothers Rafe and Rowan.

It’s not the time for infatuation or love, but the heart rarely listens to reason.

Now, the young women have decisions to make. Will they be able to achieve their unified goal of stopping evil, or will it consume them from the inside out?

They soon learn some choices can’t be undone.

Author’s Note: This novella can be read as a stand-alone.

Purchase on Amazon
Add to Goodreads
@@ 48-hour Sale @@

On April 14 & 15, Chasing Forgiveness will be 99 cents ($1.99 after), and 
Chasing Shadows (book 2) will be on sale for $1.99 (originally $2.99). 
Chasing Memories (book 1) is 99 cents in all outlets.

Giveaway #1

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway #2
8 signed paperbacks are up for grabs via Goodreads.


Goodreads Book Giveaway

Chasing Forgiveness by Tia Silverthorne Bach

Chasing Forgiveness

by Tia Silverthorne Bach

Giveaway ends May 20, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

About the Author

Tia Silverthorne Bach has been married to her college sweetheart for twenty years, has three beautiful girls, and adores living in sunny California. Her daughters were born in Chicago, San Diego, and Baltimore; and she feels fortunate to have called many places home. She believes in fairy tales and happy endings and is an avid reader and rabid grammar hound.

She is an award-winning, multi-genre author and an Editor for Indie Books Gone Wild. From an early age, she escaped into books and believes they can be the source of healing and strength. If she’s not writing, you can find her on the tennis court, at the movies, reading a good book, or spooning Jif peanut butter right out of the jar.

Connect with the Author:
Sign up for her Author newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bif19P 

Available Books:
Chasing Memories (Tala Prophecy, Book 1)
Chasing Shadows (Tala Prophecy, Book 2)
Fractured Glass: A Novel Anthology
Depression Cookies (women's fiction)

Coming Soon:
Chasing Destiny (Tala Prophecy, Book 3)

April 13, 2015

Ask Me About My Unicorn Release : Indie News & Highlights

Happy Monday! Today, I'm featuring a series I can't wait to read...

Happy Release Day!

AskMeAboutMyUnicorn_final-highinpaint
Loving a unicorn is easy. Yourself . . . ? Not so much.

Val is powerful, kind, a bit quirky . . . but the daughter of hunters. Facing your long time crush is challenging on a good day. But throw in a set of parents who want to sell him, his family and his friends in bits and pieces for dark magic and it adds a whole new set of problems. As secrets are revealed and danger mounts, Val must come to terms with where she came from and become the woman she was meant to be.  


Amazon

Read more from the world of B³
Unless you can be aUnicorn_high
 
Always be yourself

That was the last advice Scout's Grandma Nora gave her before she died. Scout has spent her life trying to be anything but, but she has a chance to start anew as she moves several states away to college. She had always thought the glowing aura she saw around some people was a childhood fancy, but when it starts coming back just as she's starting her new life, she learns there was much hidden about who she truly is. Thankfully, she has a motley crew to help her along the way: a spunky bookseller, a trustworthy pub owner, a commanding grandmother, a possible best friend, and a hot rocker boy who only has eyes for her. 

Bonus: “Witches, and Werewolves, and Unicorns, Oh My!” By Elizabeth Kirke: A More than Magic Series Short Story— Exclusively written for Unless You Can Be a Unicorn
Amazon     B&N     Ibooks     KOBO

April 10, 2015

Sign Up to Win


I'm so excited for next week. Chasing Forgiveness will go live on Tuesday, April 14. I can't wait to get this one into readers' hands and hear what they think. These characters have come to mean so much to me.

As a way of getting this book to readers, I'm giving away ten e-copies to be delivered on release day. All you have to do to be entered... sign up for my newsletter. Everyone who is signed up by Monday, April 13th at midnight EST will be entered into the giveaway.


That's it. Super easy.


The signup link: http://eepurl.com/bif19P


Oh, and I promise I won't spam your inboxes. I'll only send the really good stuff on occasion.

To sweeten the deal, anyone (including those who receive free copies) who leaves a review on Amazon by April 24th will be entered to win a $50 Amazon card. The Rafflecopter for that will go live on April 14 and be on my blog that day.


Please spread the word! Happy Friday!

April 8, 2015

#Reader and #Writer Awesome Giveaway from Kelly Martin

My normally scheduled editing posts for Wednesdays will be delayed for a couple of weeks since I have so much amazing information to share this month.

First up, Kelly Martin has a really cool project going on right now. Check out this video...


To summarize:

She's going to be writing a special story. Do you remember the Choose Your Own Adventure stories? Well, it's like those. Every Thursday, she's going to announce a story (leaving off at a certain point). She'll then give two choices, and people can enter in the comments which option they want. The first chapter will appear on Thursday, April 9.

In addition, she will announce the winner of her amazing giveaway on the same day.

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is type #readerprize or #writerprize in the comments of the YouTube video (and share about the giveaway). Deadline to enter: Wednesday, April 8 at midnight CST. 

If you haven't already subscribed to her channel, don't forget to. Now for some details about the giveaway...
#readerprize

BJ Sheldon-- Paperback Haunting-- http://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Dusty-Chronicles-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00CLIATCS/
Casey L. Bond-- Signed paperback of Pariah-- http://www.amazon.com/Pariah-New-Covenant-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00KXBKEZM/
Angela Schroeder-- ebook The Second life of Magnolia Mae-- http://www.amazon.com/Second-Life-Magnolia-Mae-ebook/dp/B00QFWQPQA/
Liz Long-- ebook A Reaper Made and -- http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Made-Liz-Long-ebook/dp/B00O5CFOY6/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1427062891&sr=1-6&keywords=Liz+Long
Gifted-- http://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Donovan-Circus-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B007VT34J2/
Tia Bach-- ebook Fractured Glass-- http://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Glass-Tia-Silverthorne-Bach-ebook/dp/B00Q3D3OJC/
Kristin Vayden-- ebook Surviving Scotland http://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Scotland-Kristin-Vayden-ebook/dp/B00GFF6KXK/
Nadine Millard--ebook of Seeking Scandal http://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Scandal-Nadine-Millard-ebook/dp/B00LV5EAWM/
Elise Faber-- ebook Phoenix Rising http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Rising-Elise-Faber-ebook/dp/B00O8BVXM6/
Kitsy Clare: ebook of romance box set Art of Love-- http://www.amazon.com/Art-Love-Books-One-Two-ebook/dp/B00TZZKY70/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426557601&sr=1-4&keywords=kitsy+clare
KD Wood: ebook copy of Unwilling-- http://www.amazon.com/Unwilling-K-D-Wood-ebook/dp/B00PHKT2P2/
Jo Michaels-- paperback of THE BIRD-- http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Jo-Michaels-ebook/dp/B00IY2IPS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1427063252&sr=1-1&keywords=Jo+Michaels+The+Bird
J.J. Nite: ebook bruises of the heart-- http://www.amazon.com/Bruises-Heart-J-J-Nite-ebook/dp/B00EV8LCUE/
Carla Waluck-- $5 Amazon gift card
Allana Kephart (Goodreads Author), Melissa Simmons (Goodreads Author)
ebook:
Uprising and http://www.amazon.com/Uprising-Dolan-Prophecies-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00JO4HWCW/
Ensnared: http://www.amazon.com/Ensnared-Dolan-Prophecies-Novella-Book-ebook/dp/B00MOQ11WE/
Aldrea Alien-- ebook Dark One's Mistress-- http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Ones-Mistress-Aldrea-Alien-ebook/dp/B00GM9ALJ8/
Heather Gray-- ebook Redemption-- http://www.amazon.com/Redemption-Ladies-Larkspur-Book-3-ebook/dp/B00K031XRQ/
TC Booth-- ebook Beyond Vica-- http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Vica-T-C-Booth-ebook/dp/B00LMD7N1S/
Katy Newton Naas-- The Visitors-- http://www.amazon.com/Visitors-Katy-Newton-Naas-ebook/dp/B00NLXQDZO/
Krysten Hager: True Colors-- http://www.amazon.com/True-Colors-Landrys-Book-ebook/dp/B00L2G0YJS/
Elaine Cantrell: Ebook Rest Thy Head-- http://www.amazon.com/Rest-Thy-Head-Elaine-Cantrell-ebook/dp/B00NTAXTOC/

#writerprize
P.S. Cover Design and Author services: Free Cover and free book formatting www. pscoverdesign.com/
Editing: Southern Belle Editing: 50% off 75,000 words of novel! (discount will apply to first 75K if the book is over that length so it will help anyone who wins) www.southernbelleediting.com
Blog Tour from girls heart book tours: 7 day tour with release blitz (FREE) http://www.girlsheartbookstours.com/
FREE 30 second book trailer from Videos by O. https://www.facebook.com/VideosByO

Brought to you by Kelly Martin:

Kelly Martin is a bestselling author of contemporary, historical, and YA romance. She has been married for over ten years and has three rowdy, angelic daughters. When she's not writing, she loves watching horror gamers on YouTube-- even though she's a huge wimp-- and drinking white chocolate mochas. She's a total fangirl, loves the 80s and 90s, and has a sad addiction to a certain British boy band (shhhh... and *tears*). Her favorite characters are the 'bad guys'-- especially those who, in their mind, are the heroes of the story. She loves helping her characters fight for their ever after.

If you ever have a question or comment, feel free to email her at kellymartin215 @ yahoo . com ♥ You can follow her writing adventure at www.kellymartinbooks.com.


*****

Please check it out!