Giveaway Cancelled

Since we received practically no response to this giveaway after three days, I've decided to cancel it for the time being and postpone it until after the book is released. Keep checking for updates as we near the release date.

Best Books of December 2011

We spoke on Monday about your author platform, and we mentioned Facebook and author pages. Today I wanted to add another site you should add to your arsenal: Goodreads. 
My YA thriller, Lost in the Bayou, has been on Goodreads since it was released on December 2. But I'm beginning to realize what a powerful and valuable tool it can be for an author.

I found out today that Lost in the Bayou is currently in the #2 position for the Best Books of December 2011 on Listopia at the Goodreads site. That's a great honor for me, and I certainly appreciate all the support the book has been given. However, Cassandra Clare is currently occupying the position I'd like to claim. So, I'm going to find out how many people read this blog, because I'm going to ask each of you to visit the link below and give me your vote. It would be a great accomplishment, not only for me as the author, but for Musa as a new publisher. I promise I'll be forever grateful. 

So, if you can spare a moment, and you'd like to make my day, head on over to Goodreads and cast a vote for Lost in the Bayou. Here's the LINK.

Designer creates award-worthy cover

Artists sometimes do not get the appreciation and the notoriety they so justly deserve for their wonderful talents. I have just received a final art file from my Artist Extraordinaire at Musa Publishing, and I wanted to sing her praises.

Her name is Kelly Shorten, and, aside from being an absolutely, wonderfully talented and fantabulous designer, she is a dream to work with and has a bit of a psychic or clairvoyant ability. She read my mind and created the exact image I was visualizing for this cover.

Take a look and leave a comment. I absolutely love it.

A New Contest - With a Prize!

We are going to have an activity designed to provide some additional exposure for Lost in the Bayou and result in a nice prize for one lucky winner. We're doing this prior to our big event that's coming up January 27th. I haven't posted that info yet, but it's coming, so be prepared for a BIG giveaway on that one.

This time, we're giving away a T-shirt. Obviously, it's a T-shirt based on Lost in the Bayou. I have created two designs. If you're named the winner, you can select either one. But, just out of curiosity, leave me a comment on which one you prefer. I may print some extras to have on hand, and I'd like to know which one you like better. So here they are. 


T-SHIRT NUMBER 1 is on top. 
T-SHIRT NUMBER 2 is on the bottom. 
You decide.

A Pre-Release Opportunity!

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There is a great offer buried in the copy below, but before we get to that, I'd like to hopefully whet your appetite. If you click the arrow on the video graphic above, you can enjoy the book trailer for A Tale of Two Hearts. It's only 1:09 in duration, but don't forget to crank up the volume, because the audio track is dramatic.

I spent some time creating this today (not too much, actually) using iMovie. That program is relatively easy, although there are some limitations on what you can produce. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I'm not overly impressed with the capabilities or the final result, but it will work for the time being. Or at least until some visionary agent or creative publisher sends me an email or leaves a comment indicating their desire to represent or publish it. I'm listening.

I hope you enjoy my efforts on this a/v production. Let me know what you think. If you have any questions on the procedure for creating a trailer like this, let me know by commenting. I made another trailer a few months ago for another book (unpublished at the present time) using Windows Movie Maker. It has a different collection of tools and effects than iMovie, but either one is fun to use and can give you something to start with.

Now for the sales pitch: As you may know, the release date for this book is scheduled for April 14th. Since most experts encourage authors to start early on creating a buzz and a marketing plan, I've decided to offer the book at a discount from now until the release date. If you'd like to read the book, give itas agift to your middle grade reader, and save a little money in the process, just keep reading.

Clicking the link below will take you to PayPal where you can order the book. It's priced at only $9.95 plus shipping. And, by ordering it prior to the release date, you get a Special Bonus. The author will personally sign it! Now there's an incentive. It could be worth a fortune in the future—a signed first edition! Wow!

Click the button and get your very own, signed, pre-release first edition copy of

A Tale of Two Hearts by Cornell DeVille.
Book One in Treasure of Morro Bay trilogy.