Giveaway Winner - Believing Magic series

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for the five ebooks in the Believing Magic series. The giveaway ended this morning and a winner has been chosen. Congratulations to Tina T.!

But if you're not Tina, don't despair. Author Shane Shelton is making the first ebook in the series free from August 22-25, available on Amazon. So mark it on your calendar so you don't forget and pick up the first book then so you can try out this series for yourself!

New Release Giveaway - Believing Magic series

Howdy! Karen here. I'm so excited to announce the release of the first five books in the Believing Magic series by Shane Shelton, with a giveaway for ebook copies below! I worked with Shane on these books as the first round editor.

What impressed me the most about Shane's writing is that he has a good sense of the flow of the book. He's handling a pretty big cast of characters with many different locations and events going on at the same time. And not only does he handle it, but he knows just when to stop a chapter for one event and move to another event/set of characters. He also does a great job intertwining the various characters and story arcs.

Some information about the books:

Titles: Believing Magic, Kingdom Come, Sacrifice, Garden of Wrath, All Around the Throne
Author: Shane Shelton
Genre: Dark fantasy
Lengths: 644 pages, 420 pages, 446 pages, 430 pages, and 115 pages, respectively
Buy Links: Amazon Kindle $2.99-$3.99 (Book 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)

Synopsis (for the first book):
From Amazon: Having never been a recreational reader, Jane Miller is not sure what to think as strange events from the book she’s reading begin to mirror into her everyday life in odd ways. She’s been told to report any unusual "side effects" she experiences while in the drug study, but is "book deja-vu" a side effect, or is it something that’s totally normal when you're really into a good book?

Added by Karen: Jane is just the first of the characters involved in this drug study that you'll meet in the first book of the series. These teenagers think that they have been selected to be part of a study for a new drug that will clear up their acne. And the drug does do that, but not in the way that they think. What they don't know is that the drug is intended to do so much more.

The other teens in the drug study include Rain and her twin brother Ryan. Rain has had a really horrible year due to something that happened prior to the start of the book. She has taken to wearing black and withdrawing from her family and friends except for a close circle of three other females. Ryan is her good-natured brother who doesn't know what is going on with Rain but does know that the girl he sees in the waiting room (Jane) is cute. But Jane's attention is drawn to Dan, who is unable to speak and communicates through writing notes. Dan is mysterious, which leads Jane to compare him to the male lead in the book she is reading. Rounding out the main cast is Sky, whose overbearing mother forces her to be untrue to herself, but once she takes the new drug, she is able to stand up to her mother and do what she's always wanted to do--fly.

Believing Magic is modern dark fantasy.

CONTENT ADVISORY: Contains violence, language, various adult themes and situations throughout. This book is not erotica. It's ideal reading for those who enjoy modern YA fantasy--but without the training wheels.

You can visit Shane's website for more information including updates about upcoming books, such as Devil's Tithe, the final book in this series.

Here's the entry form. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Something Needing to be Shared

Happy Monday, everyone! Jo here. I ran across a great article this weekend over on the Small Blue Dog Publishing blog I'd like to share with you all. It's something we all need to read and take into consideration when looking for an editor. Grab your coffee, laptop, and comfy chair and let's get going.

Why are Book Editors so Expensive?

by Belinda Pollard

I’m going to let you in on a secret.

Book editors are expensive.

Ooh, are you shocked? “But aren’t you One Of Them??” I hear you say.

Yes I am. But I’m also a writer. And very soon I’m going to have to hire an editor for one of my own projects, out of my own personal piggybank. And I’m dreading it.

So, why? Why are editors so darn expensive???

Well, sit right down and I’ll tell you a story…

Read the rest of the article here.

~

Be sure you share, too! A book editor is never a waste.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

New Release Giveaway - Finding Autumn

Happy Wednesday, good people of the blogosphere! Jo here. Today, I bring you information about a hot new release and a Rafflecopter giveaway! I did the proofread on this title. I also read Falling for Autumn and enjoyed the heck out of it. There's a giveaway going on my blog for that one (and a number of others). Anyway, get your clicking fingers ready and let's get going.

A little information about the book up for grabs:

Title: Finding Autumn - A Falling for Autumn Novella
Author: Heather Topham Wood
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Length: About 153 pages
Buy Links: Amazon Kindle $0.99

Synopsis:
***Not a standalone. Falling for Autumn from Blake's point of view. Includes bonus chapters set after the events of Falling for Autumn.***

Two years earlier, Blake Preston received a phone call that would change everything. His stepfather—a man he trusted and admired—had been accused of sexually assaulting one of his students. His stepfather declared his innocence and Blake chose to stay loyal to the man who had raised him as his own.

Cook University is the one place Blake can keep his anonymity. No one knows about the scandals surrounding his stepfather’s arrest and subsequent conviction. To his friends, he is merely the star running back for the college team and an NFL hopeful. But the life he has built at Cook is threatened when Autumn Dorey locks eyes with him at a campus party.

Getting entangled with Autumn is a mistake. Yet Autumn is the only person who can answer the one question that haunts him: is his stepfather a monster?

Blake conceals his identity and starts a friendship with Autumn under false pretenses. What begins as a way to uncover the truth about his stepfather changes as he grows close to Autumn. His relationship with her calls into question everything he thought he knew about his family. Against all odds, he falls in love with the one girl he’s forbidden to have feelings for. But can their love last once Autumn finds out who Blake Preston really is?

60,000 Words

Ages 17+ Due to Strong Language and Sexual Situations

Now for the entry form!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, everyone!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo 

Welcome Krystal

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! Jo here. I'm really excited to be announcing the final addition to the team. This lovely lady will be working with the wondersauce that's Tia Silverthorne Bach and the other two amazing editors you met last week, Eliza and Mollie. We're so excited to welcome Krystal to the IBGW family. We have some exciting stuff happening around here, and I can't wait to share it with you in the upcoming weeks. *claps hands* Let's get to it!

Meet Ms. Krystal Wade

When I first began writing, I never imagined becoming an editor. I mostly imagined posh residences, flash photography everywhere I went, zero money issues, and a departure from my 9-5 in the nation's capital. Boy, what an idiot I was. My first book was accepted for publication, and my editor threw ALL THE RULES at me. She taught me everything I know, and then some, using her little red notes and references back to the publisher's style guide. Since then, I've worked in several different arenas of the publishing world: from acquisitions, to marketing, to production, to full-scale edits. I love helping authors hone their craft, teaching them how to write clean manuscripts the first time, pointing out their usual flaws, and making stories sparkle like hot vampires--if you're into that sort of thing. My first love is young adult fiction, with strong interests in dark plots and twisted characters . . . and a little romance helps. And if you must know, I live in Virginia with my husband, three children, two dogs, two cats, three bunnies, and way too many chickens.


Here's what her clients are saying:

"Krystal provided tremendous insight into the publishing industry, particularly where young and new adult novels were concerned. She consistently made herself available to answer any questions, provide coaching, and offer moral support to ensure I stayed on track.

She routinely demonstrated that she had a keen eye for detail, performed well on a deadline, and was always willing to go the extra mile when needed. Her work was always completed before the deadline in a very satisfactory manner." ~ A.K. Morgan, FADE (2012)

"I’ve already learned so much from Krystal. She’s given great feedback not only on the technical aspects of sentence construction but also on content. Her advice and suggestions have made my book tremendously stronger already, and we aren’t even finished yet. Her comments are honest but kind. She not only shows what needs to change, but will explain why so I can understand what I need to do differently in the future.  She’s always very clear with her comments, which I very much appreciate. I am thankful to get to work with her and would definitely recommend her editing services to anyone." ~ Amy Bearce, FAIRY KEEPER (2015)

"Krystal always edited with enthusiasm and an innate understanding of the story and the book-selling market. She helped me produce the best version of my manuscript possible. She always worked on deadline and was very willing to provide additional information and clarify certain points as needed. I highly recommend Krystal as an editor. As an author and public figure herself, she takes great pride in her reputation, conducts herself professionally, and is easy to work with." ~ Jamie Ayres, My So-Called Afterlife (2012)

We'll be having the giveaway soon. Book titles will be randomly chosen from the editor's body of work. I didn't want to put it up this week because that would be bad service for the authors we already have giveaways running for.

Keep your eyes open for that. I know I told you it would happen with Krystal's announcement post, but I reconsidered. You'll have a chance to snag some great reads very soon.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

New Release & Giveaway -- Not Born Here: Stories from Marsden NC

Happy Wednesday! Glad you stopped by. 

Hi, Tia here, and I'm so proud to highlight another wonderful book worked on by IBGW. I did the proofread for this amazing collection of short stories. 

Before we get to the paperback giveaway, I wanted to tell you a little bit about the book. 

Without further ado...

About Not Born Here: Stories from Marsden NC

From Goodreads: A collection of short stories about a fictional Southern town, Marsden N.C. Humor, foibles and heartwarming stories make the town real and the inhabitants memorable characters. The characters move through their days in a small town a daughter learns a secret about her dead mother, women goes through the stages of love, hopeful, love found and just as quickly lost. Roger learns something new about his wife's Jimmylegs and offers fine points on judging a chili competition.

From the Back cover: Marsden is a fictitious town in coastal Carolina. The characters are familiar to anyone who has lived in a small town, alive with personalities and foibles. The stories come from everyday experiences told in a uniquely Southern style. The topics are diverse--a supernatural experience between a daughter and her dead mother to the challenges of judging the annual chili cookoff. 

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

It really is a charming read, so check it out!

Giveaway

As we do for our clients, we are offering a paperback copy (US only). Please enter via the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!

If you are ever in the market for a quality book, always feel free to check out IBGW. We'll hook you up!

Have a wonderful week.

Tia

Welcome to Karen and Jennifer

Hello good people of the blogosphere! Jo here. Today, I'd like to introduce you to two more new members of the IBGW family: Karen Robinson and Jennifer Oberth. These two lovely ladies will be working with me, and I have to admit, I'm thrilled to have them on my team. Without further chawing on my part, meet them!

First up, we have Karen Robinson. Karen is joining us from Karen Robinson Edits.

Bio:
Howdy! I’m Karen Robinson, and I’m excited to be joining the editing team at Indie Books Gone Wild. I’ve been an avid reader since I was in elementary school, reading anything I could get my hands on although my favorite genres are fantasy and dystopian fiction. In college, I majored in English and spent a couple of years as a copy editor for a financial firm and then a medical publisher. An opportunity led me to graduate school where I received a PhD in medieval literature (and graded many many freshman composition papers).

I decided to leave academia after having a child and to go back to my editing roots. Since then, I’ve been doing a wide variety of editing work from websites for plastic surgeons to eBooks about social media as well as fiction, which is where my editing (and reading) heart lies. I’ve had the pleasure of working with indie author Shane W. Shelton on his Believing Magic series and look forward to developing editing relationships with other authors. When I’m not reading (and even sometimes when I am), I can be found with two sticks and some yarn in my hands—knitting is my other passion.

Using The Chicago Manual of Style - 16th Edition, my goal is not to rewrite your book or create a book that I would have written. Instead, I aim to keep your voice—but make it a cleaner version of your voice. Ultimately, you are the author and ownership of the book is yours, but working with an editor is a valuable way of strengthening your book and making it the best that it can be so that readers can get great enjoyment out of it.

See what Karen's clients are saying:
“Karen took on my 'MASSIVE' project and did a fantastic job taking my raw manuscript and turning it into a 'book.' She didn't alter the story line, or over edit, which was one of my key concerns. And at the same time she wasn't afraid to do what was just plain 'needed.' One of my problem areas (especially with my earlier writing) was with paragraphing correctly. She addressed that issue wonderfully, which means she not only read it and proofed it but had to 'digest' the material and make decisions as to flow and pace. All changes were made in a way that was 'tracked' and easy to review her edits and tweaks.” ~ Shane W. Shelton, author of the Believing Magic series


Next, we have Jennifer Oberth.

Bio:

Hello, my name is Jennifer Oberth. My mother started to read to me in when I was in the womb, and I was hooked on stories from that moment forward. I’ve kept a journal since I was seven, completed my first novel when I was ten, and published my first short story in 2011.

I’m a lifetime member of the Sisters In Crime, a mystery writer’s organization, and served on the board of the Sisters In Crime Chicagoland chapter as the treasurer for two years. I also sat on the programming committee. Back in 2009, I was on the Why Join? panel at Love Is Murder, a popular writer’s convention. I regularly attend the Writer’s Police Academy, easily the best writer’s convention I’ve ever been to. I love National Novel Writing Month and have written 50,000+ words in the month of November for several years.

As a part of improving my own writing, I’ve joined writing groups and helped other authors by critiquing their work in the process. I’ve been critiquing other authors’ stories for years. I discovered that I have a knack for editing due to my attention to detail, my care for the works, and the fact that errors jump out at me. As a kid, I used to love finding a mistake in a traditionally published book, and now I can’t pass a billboard without spotting common blunders.

I believe it’s a necessity for independent authors to have their books as professional as possible. They should be indistinguishable from a traditionally published book (or whatever high level of quality you hold books to) and the good news is, you don’t have to do it yourself. You likely can’t, as you’re too close to your own work to see those pesky, sometimes persistent, problems. That’s where I come in.

My goal is to make your book the best it can be, without changing your voice, vision, or story. It’s my job to make your book stronger, smoother, and of the highest quality.

I love mysteries, and will read any genre except horror or erotica. I prefer to avoid novels with extreme violence, gore, or harm or abuse to animals or children. The style guide I go by is The Chicago Manual of Style – 16th Edition. I can’t wait to read your book!

Squeep! Tomorrow, I'll have the introduction for Krystal Wade, our last addition to the team, and a great giveaway for you all.

Stay tuned.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo