Starting a new Adventure

Porch Dog Press. The Cowboy's Sexy Songbird. A new adventure in publishing.

 

To my blog readers: I'm excited to announce the release of my first fictional book.

The Cowboy's Sexy Songbird also featuring, The Sheriff's Passionate Princess

I started my own publishing company, Porch Dog Press, to publish my writing. After years of going the traditional path to becoming an author and never quite reaching it, I decided to strike out on my own. We live in a digital age, with the ability to offer our stories directly to the readers.

It took a lot of thought on my part to decide to go this route. I didn't want people to think I was self-publishing because I wasn't good enough. I didn't want to offer stories that screamed self-published.

I decided if I was going to publish myself then I was treating it like a business. Because that's what publishing is- a business.

I found a company, The Editorial Department that would edit without holding anything back.

And they weren't afraid to tell me exactly what they thought.

But a long story, short: After a lot of hard work, perhaps some tears I'm not admitting to, and realizing that owning a publishing company is a huge learning curve-

Oh, and marketing. What the heck? I wrote and published a book. Shouldn't people somehow magically find it on their own? -

I have accomplished the biggest hurdle. Publishing the first title of a new company. 

I love the story. It's fun and serious and humorous and sad. It has a strong and independent female and a sexy hero.

It has adventure because I don't like romance novels that are just a big, long mooning session. And it has a touch of paranormal, because I love superheroes. And so it was fun to create a female character, who has a special ability to solve the problem. To help the hero. To not be the total damsel in distress.

The first title is in the past, mixing historical with paranormal- and I created a fictional town, Rocky View, Colorado and a fictional ranch, The Rusty Halton Ranch, for my setting.

The second title will be coming out this fall or early winter.

I'm so excited about this adventure and I hope you join me in Rocky View. I have included the link to Amazon.

Also, you can like Porch Dog Press on Facebook.

And if- no, when you like it, please write some awesome reviews at Amazon or Goodreads.

Because now, apparently it's all about marketing.

Writing Tip Wednesday

     I'm going to assume that most writers already follow this writing tip without much prompting. But in case you don't, then the writing tip for today is to read. 

     

     Read a lot. Read often. And read different things. 

     

     Your library card should be your best friend. (Not literally, real friends are good, but I couldn't get along very well without my library card.) 

     Reading is so-oo important. You're immersing yourself in words, surrounding your brain with rhythms and cadences. Structure and form. It's a superfood for your mind. 

     Read books of the genre you enjoy. Read books of New York Times Bestseller authors. Read books, not just cliff notes, from classic authors. 

     And don't just stay in the creative world of make believe and pretend. Venture into the world of information and facts. Find a subject, such as dancing, and read a book about it. There's no quiz after the book, I assure you so don't stress about all the facts and terminology. 

     Just enjoy and who knows maybe one of your characters will benefit from your 'dance lessons'. 

     Read. Pick your favorite author. Right now, for historical romance, I'm partial to Hannah Howell. I love to slowly read the lines she wrote. Just to enjoy her skill and obvious love of telling the story. 

    I study when she pauses in a scene to build up tension, the way she uses tense or funny dialogue to both move the scene and make you fall in love with the characters. I really enjoy her stories. 

     Now, pick some books to read and make yourself a cup of tea. (Of course, being a busy parent I understand if finding time to read is difficult. Heck, finding time to write is nearly impossible but I find time to read if I turn off the television. Just an idea.)  :) 

     And just a side note- as a writer we want children to appreciate reading but with a constant onslaught of media it can hard to encourage their love of books. So help them. If you have children buy them books from the time they're born. As they get older take them to the library and the bookstore. 

     For Christmas buy them a gift card to a bookstore and then let them browse and pick their own selections. 

     If you don't have kids, contact an elementary school and see if you can donate books. Teachers and schools love books as much as writers do.

In conclusion, 'Happy Reading.'