N.S. Wikarski and Her Booksigning Horror Story (Arkana Mysteries) #Historical #Fiction

Booksigning Horror Story
by N.S, Wikarski

It was a dark and stormy night…

Well, it wasn’t night. It was the middle of the afternoon but the rest is true. My first book had been out for about a year and I was doing book signings at a series of small chain bookstores in Wisconsin and Michigan. Anyone who’s familiar with the upper Midwest knows that on summer weekends city dwellers flee their homes like rats abandoning a Warfarin-dusted high rise. They jump in their cars and head for the quaint and charming tourist towns along the shores of the Great Lakes.

It was the middle of June and I was scheduled to appear at a bookstore in one of those quaint and charming lakeside hamlets. It wasn’t an unreasonable assumption that I would be able to sell a case of books that weekend and go home happy. You know the adage about assumptions so I won’t repeat it.
I will, however, repeat the opening line of this post. It was dark and stormy. In mid-June at high noon the temperature struggled to reach a soggy sixty degrees. This is never a good sign when one is counting on a large turnout. In retrospect, the weather proved to be the least of my problems.

As I entered the bookstore trailing a case of books, the clerk looked puzzled. “Can I help you with something?”

“I’m here for the book signing,” I said cheerily.

“What book signing?”

I patiently led the clerk to the plate glass window at the front of the store where my announcement was displayed. I tapped the page for emphasis. “This book signing.”

“Oh Jeez, that was supposed to be today?”

I nodded gravely.

“Wow, I’m so sorry. We don’t have anything set up for you. We didn’t run any announcements in the paper either.” The clerk scurried over to a kiddie table near the front of the store where a Harry Potter display was arranged. Shoving the books aside, he said, “You can set up here.”

I looked at the table dubiously. It stood two feet high and two feet wide. I’m not a tall woman so it wasn’t an impossible situation, just a mildly uncomfortable one. I sat down on the kiddie bench that accompanied the table and set up my wares.

The store, which had been empty until now, began to fill with people. Very wet people who felt the need to shake rain droplets off their slickers and umbrellas as they entered. Positioned as I was, most of the rain fell on me.

Over the course of the next fifteen minutes, people continued to trickle in, shake themselves dry, and browse. One gentleman stopped at my table. I looked up at him hopefully, thinking he might have a question about my work.

“Harry Potter, huh?” He pointed to the books stacked beside my own. “I bet you wish you had her sales.”

I smiled and nodded thinking, “Today I’d be happy with anybody else’s sales but mine.”

He moved on. I continued to watch the traffic ebb and flow for the next hour. At first I felt badly that nobody was buying my books until I noticed that nobody was buying books period. About fifty people had come through the store by now. They stamped their feet on the door mat, flapped their umbrellas in my general direction, then formed an impromptu conga line that snaked around the aisles and terminated at the exit. They all left without buying a single book.

“Is it always like this?” I asked the clerk in disbelief.

He shrugged. “We get a lot of browsers.”

At that moment a teenage girl walked up to me. “Where do you keep the books on Ed Gein?”

For those not familiar with Wisconsin local history, Ed Gein was a ghoulish murderer in the 1950s. Aside from a few killings and dismemberments, he exhumed corpses from the Plainfield graveyard and fashioned trophies out of their bones and skin. Gein served as the inspiration for no less than three movies (Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Silence Of The Lambs).

I smiled wryly at the girl for a moment. Ed Gein was the perfect exclamation point to my own personal day of horror.

Instead of telling her I didn’t work for the store, I stood up and said, “I think I saw some titles about him down this aisle.” I was determined to sell at least one book that day. Even if it wasn’t my own.

THE ARKANA SERIES: Where Alternative History Meets Archaeology Adventure
Volume Four - Riddle Of The Diamond Dove

"From Kindle Nation fave N. S. Wikarski comes the long-awaited fourth book in her fascinating seven-part Arkana archaeology thriller series -- with more of the wonderful characters, sly humor, intrigue and mayhem that come together to create the absorbing world of her intricate, fast-paced mysteries." (Kindle Nation Daily)

Global Treasure Hunt
Where do you hide an ancient relic that has the power to change the course of history? As Cassie Forsythe and her Arkana team discover, you scatter clues to its whereabouts across the entire planet. Five artifacts buried among the rubble of lost civilizations point to the hiding place of a mythical object known as the Sage Stone. Thus far psychic Cassie, bodyguard Erik, and librarian Griffin have succeeded in recovering two of those artifacts.

Opposing Forces
Cassie and Company find their lives threatened at every turn by agents of a religious cult known as the Blessed Nephilim. The cult's leader, Abraham Metcalf, wants to exploit the power of the Sage Stone to unleash a catastrophic plague on the world. The quest for the next piece of the puzzle has led both sides to Africa. They must comb an entire continent--their only lead a riddle carved onto a mysterious dove sculpture. Even as the Arkana team struggles to decipher the clue, new dangers hover over their colleagues at home.

Other Dangers
Metcalf's child-bride Hannah has taken refuge at the home of the Arkana's leader Faye while mercenary Leroy Hunt creeps ever nearer to her hiding place. His search for the girl brings him dangerously close to the secret location of the Arkana's troves--a collection of pre-patriarchal artifacts which confirm an alternative history of the origins of civilization itself. While Hunt closes in on Hannah, Metcalf's son Daniel dogs the footsteps of the Arkana field team in order to claim the next artifact before they do. Daniel recruits a clever ally along the way who might be more than a match for the opposing side.

Collision Course
When the forces of the Arkana and the Nephilim converge on a ruined city in a forgotten corner of the dark continent, the shocking outcome is beyond even Cassie's powers to foresee. The quest for the Sage Stone will veer in an unexpected direction once both sides solve the Riddle Of The Diamond Dove.

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Genre - Alternative History Fiction

Rating – PG

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Lisa J. Hobman - Scotland – My land of Inspiration @LivingScottishD

Scotland – My land of Inspiration

For the last ten years my family and I have been coming to Scotland on holiday. Part of this is due to the fact that I hate flying but mainly it’s because I’m a sucker for amazing scenery. I remember my first holiday to Scotland vividly. It was in the month of October but you’d have been forgiven for thinking it was August! The weather was glorious. Bright cornflower blue skies, fluffy white clouds and a warm summer-like breeze were all part of my first experience of Scotland.

Now I know that Scotland isn’t exactly notorious for its summers but I have to say that even in Autumn and winter the place is stunning. Around every corner is a different view. Whether it’s the rocky, bracken covered outcrops of Rannoch Moor, the rugged peak of the Buichaille pointing toward the sky from where it rises out of the ground or the majestic loch Shiel as it ambles towards the shingle shore at Glenfinnan. The country has so much to offer. I will share with you a few of the photos I have taken on my various holidays and also snaps taken closer to home now that I live in Scotland.

This is the actual Bridge Over the Atlantic; the stone structure that joins Easdale to mainland Scotland. It’s a stunning place and the view from here is just wonderful. It’s also known as Clachan Bridge. It’s the place where my debut novel takes place and I had an emotional visit there just before the book was published.

This is the beautiful shore of Loch Shiel at Glenfinnan to the north of the loch. We’ve sat here for many hours just listening to the water wash over the shingle and looking out at the stunning view.

 

This is the Buchaille, also known as the Buckle. If you have read Bridge Over the Atlantic you will know that this place is very special to Greg. It was where he met the love of his life, Mairi. It’s stunning mountain and seeing it for myself was another emotional experience.

For those of you who have read Through the Glass, this is the view in the family photo that Jim had kept. It’s also where he liked to sit with a good book and a flask of coffee. It features a few more times in the book too but you will have to read it to find out how ;-)

Edinburgh features in my third book which will be published in early 2014. This particular shot is of the vibrant Grassmarket which I have visited many times since relocating to the area. Edinburgh is a wonderfully cultured place with its museums and history. The Fringe Festival is something I can highly recommend if you visit around August time. Lots of wonderful talent to make you laugh, sing along and think deeply.

So, I’m sure from seeing the photos you can understand to some extent why the place is my inspiration and why I love it so very much. I’ve been called an honorary Scot’s lass and I’m very happy with that title. Long may it continue.

And as long as this beautiful country continues to inspire me I will continue to write about people falling in love here both with the place itself and, of course, with each other.

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Genre – Contemporary Romance

Rating – PG-17

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Website www.lisajhobman.co.uk

Sebastiana Randone – Past Lives And Soul Connections @sebasti29567440

PAST LIVES AND SOUL CONNECTIONS
I have been fascinated by the concept of past lives and blood memory for a long while. The theory that our predilections and desires are informed by experiences we may have undergone in previous incarnations, is an enduring subject that many, particularly those drawn to the new age, ponder and even subscribe to. In my case, I am enamoured by these ideologies more for artistic procurement, than true belief. But then again how can I be really certain?  Considering the many dogmas that pervade, this one is as credible as any.
Suffering chronic depression, largely due to existing in the modern era (or so she supposes), my main character is nourished on a diet of historical novels. This causes her to look back to a period which communicates more meaningfully to her soul. Is this longing due to the fact that she really did once exist in that time (blood memory), or merely escapist fancy?
Eternal love, along with the notion that we spend our entire lives searching for our “other half” is what sits at the heart of my book ‘The House’. The supposition, as originally propounded by Greek philosophers, is that life’s impulses are aroused by the search for that soul mate, that lover with whom we harmonised once upon a time, in the great celestial orchestra of the hereafter.   This endearing and most comforting construct speaks of an immortal love match, and as with Nirvana, one’s evolution is not complete until it is attained.
The time traveller (whose name I cannot reveal) launches upon a journey to a foreign historical setting, where she interacts with a curious mix of characters.* A picture begins to emerge as relationships develop, but the enigmatic nature of her involvement in this mystery remains throughout the book. Could it be a genuine flight of imagination, an escape, from the disconsolation felt in her former life? Or perhaps she must atone for an unfinished affair from another incarnation?
In the end all is revealed.  Is the conclusion unexpected? Maybe.  Is it bizarre? Definitely.
*see ‘a cast of distinctive characters’ blog

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Genre - Historical, Fantasy, Romance

Rating - PG-16

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Aaron Paul Lazar – What Scares You? (Or where do writers get their ideas?) @aplazar #TheSeacrest

As an author I’m often asked, “Where do you get your ideas?”

It’s one of my favorite subjects, so if you decide to ask me on our next exchange, pull out a chair and settle in. It’s hard for me to stop talking about it once I start.

In previous articles, I’ve mentioned how life in general (news, friends, movies, etc.) can inspire story lines. Today I’d like to discuss how my fears drive my plots.

Allow me to open up right from the beginning and tell you what scares the hell out of me.

1) Losing my wife, daughters, grandkids, or other family members (including pets)

2) Being caught in a fire (hey, I didn’t say my fears were original, did I?)

3) Drowning

4) Heights

5) Bad guys

6) Plane crashes (if I’m inside)

7) Tornadoes

8) Floods (and a subsequent drowning)

9) Snakes. (shudder)

10) Being in a bad accident in a massive snow storm

11) Falling under the ice and not being able to get out

12) Geez! Isn’t 11 enough?

As I analyze this long list of fears, I realize I’ve used those themes over and over again in my twenty-one books. Those twists on all the themes have given my characters fits on a number of occasions. In Double Forte’, Gus nearly drowns, his daughter is threatened, his grandson disappears, and he goes off the road with said grandson in the vehicle in a bad snowstorm. Uh huh. Looks at all those fears!

In Upstaged, Gus has to deal with a big snake, he’s terrorized by a psychotic maniac, and his fiancee’s beloved dog is kidnapped.

Mazurka opens with a near plane crash, Gus and Camille are hunted by Nazis, abandoned unground in the Parisian Catacombs, almost drowned when their car plunges into an alpine lake, and are imprisoned during a fierce fire. Oh yeah, Mazurka hit a lot of them.

In Tremolo: cry of the loon, we do the handcuffed-to-a-bed-in-a-roaring-fire bit, the being-attacked-underwater-and-almost-drowning-bit, and also have Gus misunderstand and think his mother died. Phew. That was a bad one, too.

So I won’t go through Firesong, which includes many of the above as well, but believe me, fears are intertwined in all the books. And facing those fears by writing about them is good therapy. It’s also a good way to get your readers’ hearts pumping, for you can be assured that many of your fears are shared by them.

And now that I’ve written my first love story, The Seacrest, I realize that I’ve utilized many examples from the first two on the list above – Finn loses his mother, father, grandfather, sister ten years before the story opens, and then he has another huge loss in chapter 1, which starts in 2013. Not to mention the fire! Wow, it’s pretty amazing when you analyze your own work from this angle.

So, writers. What scares you?

Aaron Paul Lazar

www.lazarbooks.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Genre - Romantic Suspense

Rating – R

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Greta van der Rol – How to handle negative reviews @GretavdR

It’s a very brave thing we do, getting our work published. Yes, it’s exciting, getting a book or a painting or a piece of music or a photo out there in public. But as soon as you do that, the work is public property. The more widely known your work, the more it is open to criticism by total strangers – and some of them don’t take prisoners. So let me share with you a bit of advice.

NEVER leave yourself open to criticism about presentation

By that I mean typos, grammar and formats. Get your work edited, even if you think you’re good. Editors can make you better and they’ll find the typos you were sure you never made. Check your book files. Make sure you don’t have whole paragraphs in bold, that your font doesn’t change, that your book isn’t double spaced etc. Smashwords, Amazon and Draft 2 Digital all have different ways to enable you to check.

The last thing you want is a one or two star review which complains about technical issues which you should fix before they happen.

Take every review with a grain of salt

That’s the wonderful, glowing ones as well as the one star wonders. Yes, the five star ‘couldn’t put it downs’ are great, but don’t let them go to your head. Not everyone will love your work. Sorry.

See what you can learn

Sometimes careful reviewers will mention what worked or didn’t work for them. Especially if you see a pattern, with more than one person saying the same thing, take note. If readers have misunderstood what you were trying to say, maybe you should take that on board for your next book, or for a new version of this one. But this does NOT mean you should treat readers as beta readers, even if your book is free. Always offer the best you’ve got.

Don’t take it personally

Reviews should be about the book, not the author. That’s not always the case, I know. I’m sure we’ve all heard about authors behaving badly, bad-mouthing other authors’ works. There seems to be a group of people who delight in leaving one star reviews without even reading a book. They often use pseudonyms, hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Unless a review actually says something meaningful about your book, best to just ignore it.

Sometimes reviews have nothing to do with the book

I’m not the only one who has had one or two star reviews which relate to technical problems outside the author’s control, for example this two star review on Smashwords.

“Just wanted to tell you that I loved your book, Supertech, and couldn’t wait to read the follow-up, Morgan’s Choice, so I purchased it soon after. I would like to say that I enjoyed this book every bit as much as I enjoyed the first, but I ran into a problem. The copy of the book I purchased and downloaded to my Sony reader died at page 63. I cannot move past that page, in fact it shut my whole reader down. I can’t even read it on my computer. I wish you the best of luck with all your books and am saddened I didn’t get to finish Morgan’s Choice. What I did read, however, drew me in and made me want to read more.”

That’s actually a pretty damn good review, really. (I managed to contact the reviewer and sent her a new copy of the book)

Above all, don’t react

I am of the school that says good or bad, do not respond to a review. Thanking someone for a good review smacks of sucking up. Criticising a bad review suggests the reviewer is not entitled to an opinion. By all means, share this stuff with your friends – but keep it out of the public forums.

For bad reviews, remember always that in the main you don’t know these people and they don’t know you. They might have had a bad hair day, they might be trolls looking for targets, they might be trying to drop your ratings to make their own book look better. The thing is, whatever you do, you’ll look bad. So just… don’t.

Recognise that people leaving bad reviews may simply be outside your target audience, in which case that negative review won’t matter.

Negative reviews don’t necessarily impact sales

In fact, the reverse is very often true – people don’t trust a pile of glowing reviews without some balancing viewpoints. Look at Fifty Shades of Grey. It has literally thousands of five star reviews, and just as many one star reviews.

So toughen up, authors. Negative reviews come with the territory. You’d better get used to it.

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Genre - Science Fiction

Rating – PG-13

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Website http://gretavanderrol.net

Ian Truman – Self Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing – Why I chose to self-publish @iantruman

Self Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing – Why I chose to self-publish

I guess I’m not one of those people who will scream loud and clear against the publishing industry. I believe that if a deal is to your advantage, you should take it. I won’t lie, I sent out a lot of requests to agents and publishing houses, everything came back negative. Friends suggested that I write short stories for magazines, get my name out there etc… Writing short stories is as valid as anything else, it’s just not my thing. So I focus on novels.

I didn’t choose self-publishing because I was in a crusade against the publishing industry. Some of the arguments against self-publishing are true: a lot of books are of poor quality and it mostly work for very specific niche genres. I just had a look at the best-sellers on Amazon and most of them were cheesy romance (which is true of most of the book industry anyways, but that’s another question). So that argument is true but does not invalidate the notion that self-publishing is a valid opportunity, especially if you’re an artist that doesn’t fall into a specific, easily marketable category.

I feel i am lucky enough to be born in a time where huge corporations (Amazon, Apple, Kobo in Canada) will give anyone-anywhere-anytime the opportunity to sell their books online with no upkeep. I was still in college when the whole “kindle” wave hit (It wasn’t so long ago) and I could not dream they would allow any writer to just put their novels out there. I actually made plans with a few colleagues to start a small press in order to open a business account and hope to be approved for distribution in those networks, turned out you didn’t even need the business account.

I used to do zines when I first went to community college (that was ten years ago). I was also very much in the punk/militant scene and we would photocopy small zines at the student union and just hand them out on the street. It was cool to do and we had a lot of fun with it but the reach was incredibly limited. There were no such things as wordpress or blogger. The reach people can have today with very little resources is incredible. You could argue that there’s too much of it out there, that your voice “drowns” in the sea of blogs, but trust me, handing out political leaflets on St-Denis Street in the middle of a warm spring evening, will make you feel pretty damn isolated as well.

So I’ve decided to self-publish and make a name for myself. I guess it’s a DIY punk thing, “If the images you want to see or the stories you want to tell aren’t out there, just do them.” I could cite dozens of artists who made a similar statement and all of them were connected somehow to punk rock music. I’m think here about the kids from that “Beautiful losers” movie, Jacod Bannon from Deathwish inc or if you’re older, Greg Gurewitz who started Epitaph records. Some of these artists had been told “no” thousands of times, and did their art forms the way they wanted to do it in the first place. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, these artists have become very successful either by just doing their art or by building their companies from the ground up into successful endeavours.

After a few rounds of queries, I realized nobody was going to push my novel for me. It’s understandable: why would they risk money on something that’s not “theirs.” I wouldn’t. I couldn’t afford to. In music, even new bands have to prove themselves by playing dozens of shows and recording demos and EP’s before they are recognized. I knew I was going to have to do the same.

So I made a cover I was happy with, I hired people I knew to edited it who suggested people they knew to work with me and we pretty much went through the same process for ATS as an independent feature than if it had been picked up by a publishing house. Hell, some of the people I worked with could have been hired as freelancers by any of the Big5 and that’s the truth.

Of course, I had to pay them for the work they were doing, but as I am a new and independent artist, they have agreed to do a certain amount of work that was decent and I managed to pay them a certain amount of money that was also decent and I hope I get to pay them better next time.

There are corners you just can’t cut out there, editing’s and marketing are two of those things. The rest, I do on my own because I may not have a lot of money, but I do have some spare time on my hands (instead of playing videogames of photoshopping shitty instagram photos, for example – alright that’s a lie, I still manage to play videogames.)

Things I had to do on my own for this particular project was the artistic direction. What kind of cover did I want that fit the novel? For this, I decided to design and print apparel that looked like bands each of the main characters would listen too. If you look closely, there’s Neurosis, Terror, Anti-Flag and The Weakerthans.

Then I found a good silk-screen company through friends of friends and had them print the shirt (I tried to silk-screen in my apartment, but the results were catastrophic). Once that was done, I organized the photoshoot, contacted the models, took the pictures myself, designed the standardized version of the novels and edited the files so that you could see it was a series. That was the artistic direction.

After that, there’s the uploading and upkeep of files online through all the sales network (amazon, smashwords, kobo, lulu, createspace etc…) and while it takes a certain amount of time to do so, paying anyone else to do it for you is just plain stupid. Some companies out there sell you their services but let me tell you, if you’re smart enough to set up a facebook account, then you’re capable of putting your own e-book online.

Before the launch, I had to get beta reader copies printed so that I could get some reader feedback to tweak the novel before the final files are ready, then I send e-mails to cultural journalists in Montreal, and hired a book tour company to help with all the literary blogs I had no freaking connection too.

If you’re going to self-publish, there are things you need to learn how to do, other things you need to respect your limitations and invest a little bit of money. (But be weary of scams) Just remember that even if you don’t have a lot of resources, be fair, pay what you honestly can and people will want to keep working with you in the future.

I don’t know what to expect out of all of this beyond the fact that I will have released my fourth book (second full length novel). I do expect to go to another bunch of small press events, do a bunch of blog tours, hope for reviews. If people pick up the novel, find that it’s a valid story, then if I ever get a call from an agent or a publishing house, I’ll be in a much better position to get a deal that will be to my advantage.

Thanks for reading,

Ian

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Genre - Literary, Coming of Age

Rating – PG13

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Website http://www.iantruman.com

12 Tips to Succeed as a Writer – Brad Cotton @BradCott0n

12 Tips to Succeed as a Writer

I often get asked what it takes to be a writer. This is not a simple question. There are several things you must do if you want to be successful, and most of them take time, hard work, and patience. If you are willing to commit, here is a list of things that will certainly help you on your way.

1. Be true to yourself.

Write from your heart. Sure, vampires and wizards may be all the rage, but don’t write what you suspect the public wants to read. Find your own genuine voice. Never try to emulate an author you love. If you strike out on your own and establish something original (emphasis on original), you will find an audience.

2. Immerse yourself in the craft.

No writer is an island. (Except maybe Hemingway, but you’re not Hemingway). Network with writers, readers, publishers, agents, old people, dogs, whoever can help you learn something new about what you do. You’ll be surprised what little tidbits you can glean here and there that will help you be a better writer and storyteller.

3. Read, and don’t stop.

This is perhaps the most important one of all. Never stop reading. Read books you otherwise wouldn’t. Read books you’ve already read. Read restaurant menus with a critical eye. Language is an art – master it to the best of your ability.

4. Write, and don’t stop.

Writer’s block doesn’t really exist. If you’ve reached a point in your manuscript where you’ve hit a roadblock, write something else. Write a song, a poem, a love letter to your high school crush. Get the words flowing and your mind will no doubt follow. Writer’s block is most often your brain telling you that you’re off in the wrong direction. The solution: change direction.

5. Learn new things.

Life is all about knowledge, and so is writing. Learn about science, art, piano making, lawn care, water purification, sneezing, whatever! Knowledge and curiosity are the greatest foundation for writing. You never know where and when inspiration will strike.

6. Throw convention out the window.

Use good grammar, structure a proper storyline, make it interesting, and off you go. Don’t feel like you need to follow a formula, and certainly don’t copy someone else’s.  Readers are always starved for something new. Make something new.

7. Forget about money.

If you’re writing to make a million dollars, or even to make a nice living, you’re not writing for the right reasons. Becoming a better writer should be your only motivation. That, and proving your parents wrong.

8. Share your writing.

I can’t tell you how many would-be writers are afraid to let others read what they’ve written. This is a big mistake. If your grandmother wants to read your manuscript, deliver it to her by hand (because she can’t figure out the email machine). Let your friends read it, your boss, other writers, avid readers — anyone willing to read your writing is a great place to start. The longer you keep your writing to yourself, the longer it will take you to become a better writer.

9. Don’t take reviews to heart, but listen to them.

All your friends love your book! Well big f’n deal (and no they don’t). Likewise, reviewers are not always right either. Some people will like your book, and some will not. Get used to that idea and embrace it. Crave it. Writing is an art. If your writing provokes the exact same response from everyone that reads it, you’ve done something wrong. Listen to what people say about your writing, and when you start to hear a theme emerging, you may be on to something.

10. Be prepared to doubt yourself.

Only bad writers think they’re awesome writers. Have confidence, but know that there is always much to learn. Don’t think so? Read P.G. Wodehouse and see if your language skills stack up. Be the best writer you can possibly be. Make other writers love you and hate you at the same time, because if you’re really, really good, they will. Make that a goal.

11. Be prepared to market yourself.

As a new writer, or even as one well established, you will need to do everything you can to help get the word out about your books. Blog, tweet, stand on the corner with a sandwich board and bell – whatever helps. (If you are John Grisham or J.K. Rowling, ignore this one). Be prepared to be your own best advocate and salesperson.

And lastly,

12. Whatever you do, don’t ever give up writing.

I don’t need to explain this one.

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Genre – Contemporary Fiction/Literary Fiction

Rating – R

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Website http://www.bradcotton.com/

Catherine Astolfo – Fact & Fiction @cathyastolfo

Fact and Fiction: Writing a Mystery Book

by Catherine Astolfo

Writing mystery books is more difficult than it might appear. Only highly intelligent people can do it. Keeping all the clues straight requires an entire box of cue cards. Or a night’s worth of napkins from the pub. Or writing on the wall with washable markers. (Those were washable, right?) Not to mention quelling the temptation to reveal too much. Just enough to keep the reader guessing; not so little that they’re completely in the dark. And then comes the research!

There’s an old adage that says, “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.” Writers can’t get all the research right every time, can we? I mean, sometimes the situation cries out for a manipulation of the facts.

However, the background information provided in a novel is often fascinating, if not entirely accurate to the last drop.

We are all familiar with the detective story, police officer or PI variety.  Think of how much we’ve learned about processing a crime scene because we’ve read these books. Doesn’t mean we could conduct one, but… Other writers opened the world of forensic pathology, autopsies and morgues with the result that many shows on the subjects turned up in television.

Even in the “simplest”of novels, the background information is important. By simple, I mean they’re not necessarily focused on a field of work. They’re not primarily detective or legal or medical fiction, but tell a tale about rather ordinary folk.

In my first book, The Bridgeman, I portray an old-fashioned lift bridge and the person who manages it. I had to actually go and look at a bridge to see how that worked. My protagonist throughout the series, the Emily Taylor Mysteries, is a school principal in a small town. Luckily, I was a principal in my other life, so I had experience on my side. When the caretaker is murdered in the school, I have to explain how the education system would handle such a thing.

Then there is the puppy mill. For this section, as difficult as it was, I wrote about the experiences of my niece as a veterinarian’s assistant.

In Victim, I had to do a lot of reading about Ojibwa folklore and philosophy. Legacy returns to the school and its processes with Emily’s handling of a very dysfunctional family, plus there are tidbits about the effects of fire, inquests and hypnosis. The research! My fourth book, Seventh Fire, discusses a wrongful conviction and how these tragic mistakes happen. My Forensics for Dummies and Criminal Investigative Failures are well thumbed.

Although the stories are fiction, and some of the facts may not be one percent accurate, there is enough background information to give the reader a more in-depth picture of the setting, the characters and how the plot plays out. It may even lead a reader to investigate the topic further.

There must be enough fact even in fiction. You can see why only highly intelligent people can write a mystery. Or is that statement fiction?

If I knew what I know now, would I have searched so hard for the truth?

Anne Williams says she killed her best friend, Karoline. But did she? Or is there more to Karoline’s mysterious death than meets the eye?

Anne embarks on a compelling journey to discover her past and exposes an unusual history, horrific crimes and appalling betrayals. Through unexpected turns and revelations, Anne learns about love, family and who she really is. Can she survive the truth?

Editorial Reviews

“A deliciously vibrant portrait that realistically muddles good and evil.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Astolfo’s wonderful first sentence in Sweet Karoline explodes on the page and resonates right to the end of this twisting examination of dangerous minds. Never have I encountered a narrative voice that alternates more deftly between alienating and enticing.” —Mel Bradshaw, author of Fire On The Runway

“A deliciously twisted story about the perplexing power of adult female relationships. By turns scathingly funny and darkly insightful, Sweet Karoline is a hedonistic journey with all the right ingredients: lust, betrayal, true love and mystery. Grab a glass of wine and have the bottle handy. A compelling read from the start through to the surprising end.” —Robin Spano, author of Death’s Last Run

“In Catherine Astolfo’s chilling new novel Sweet Karoline, things aren’t always as they seem. Anne, the multifaceted anti-heroine in this noir tale takes a fateful journey into her forgotten past, uncovering the painful roots of her childhood. While furrowing for answers, a mystery unfolds, truths swirl to the surface, a heinous murder occurs. Who’s the killer? Caught in a tangled web of greed, lies and deceit Anne must come to terms with her past, present and future, and the bleak realization that those we hold close may be the last ones to trust. Compelling, visually descriptive, deftly delivered…Catherine Astolfo’s got the goods!” —Douglas Wickard, author of A Perfect Husband

“Sweet Karoline is a multi-layered mystery, where nothing is as it seems. The story grips you on page one and leads you through a maze of history, twisted relationships, and ultimately the darkness of the human mind.” —Liz Bugg, author of Oranges and Lemons

“In Sweet Karoline, Astolfo has created a daring hybrid mystery that combines elements of romance, history, and suspense in a carefully crafted story that keeps you guessing to the very end. Astolfo explores new boundaries as she extends her reach beyond the cozy mystery in this psychological exploration of the mind of a killer. A unique exploration of guilt and revenge.” —Michael J. McCann, author of The Fregoli Delusion

“The clever plot twists in Sweet Karoline will enrapture you from page one through the last paragraphs of this fast-paced modern mystery. Author Catherine Astolfo exhibits a strikingly perceptive gift for believable dialogue and rich character development. Her dry wit and colorful descriptions will have you howling in laughter at points, but in tears at others as she digs deep into the themes of guilt, race, and relationships. The powers of love and redemption are strong, but does the heart of an Ice Queen ever really melt? Enjoy the romp from Los Angeles, through Canada, to a priceless Italian rendezvous—all in the pages of Sweet Karoline, where long-buried secrets lie.” —Lisa Pell, award-winning author of Who’s Your Daddy, Baby?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre –  Psychological Suspense

Rating – 18+

Connect with Catherine Astolfo on Facebook  & Twitter

Website http://www.catherineastolfo.com/

Patricia Sands – Setting Goals Never Ends @Patricia_Sands

Setting goals never ends – here are my latest. What are yours?

by Patricia Sands , author of The Bridge Club and The Promise of Provence

Condensing my thoughts into fewer words is my primary goal for future projects. Both of my novels have hovered around the 130,000-word mark and the ideal is 80,000 – 90,000. I realize now that I should have separated The Promise of Provence into two books and could easily have done so.

My advice: pay close attention to your word count from the beginning of your WIP. If you see it is getting out of hand, take a look and see how you might tighten up. The other option is to see if you are really writing more than one book. Bonus if you are!

My second goal is to be more organized about thoughts and research. I tend to write notes to myself on post-its and end up with an enormous stack. My basic and most important research I keep in notes on my computer and can easily refer to it but the random ideas, words, and bits of information always end up on post-its. I have to find a way to keep these more organized.

My advice: develop an organized method of making all of your thoughts and ideas easily accessible. I like the idea shown here and am going to try to do this for my next novel that is slowly simmering as I write this!

Write on!

Samples to Savor: Book Club Picks, presented by Her Books:

Discover your book club’s next page-turner and spark fascinating conversations with your friends in this free sampling from eight bestselling authors. You’ll find rich prose, evocative plots, compelling characters and surprising twists from:

Finding Emma by Steena Holmes
Composing Myself by Elena Aitken
Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
The Scandalous Ward by Karla Darcy
The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge by Christine Nolfi
The Promise of Provence by Patricia Sands
Broken Pieces by Rachel Thompson
Depraved Heart by Kathleen Valentine

About the Author(s):
Bestselling authors Steena Holmes, Elena Aitken, Rachel Thompson, Patricia Sands, Christine Nolfi, Kathleen Valentine, Bette Lee Crosby and Karla Darcy provide readers worldwide with contemporary fiction and nonfiction releases ranging from historical romance to literary.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre –  Women’s Fiction

Rating – PG

Connect with the authors on Faceboook

Website http://herbestbooks.com/

Brie McGill – Finding Your Voice @briemcgill

Finding Your Voice

by Brie McGill

I remember the first time I found my voice: I was thirteen years old, mastered a few power chords on the guitar, rehearsed an awful Courtney Love impersonation by my lonesome, and received my first amp. I knew I broke into that voice when the first neighbor threw a sneaker at my head. The moment was definitive.

Finding a voice in writing is much the same way: I know when I’ve found it, it’s an unmistakable feeling–not quite like having some dirt and a backwards imprint of Nike smashed into my face, but equally direct.

When I finished my first book, Kain, I felt like VOICE was the holy grail of authors: every agent’s website screamed at me, “Voice! Voice!” Writing workshops, writing websites, writing forums, all of them vehemently stress the importance of voice.

What is voice? It’s the voice of the main character, the character whose viewpoint filters the story.

As a new writer, this was a particularly challenging concept, because much of my education dealt with formal writing. Some grammatical rules are mandatory because the written word must make sense–otherwise, imagine a busy intersection with no traffic lights–but fiction is not so stilted.

Imagine a nineteen-year-old country bumpkin visiting an upscale lingerie store downtown. She might blush, delicately leafing through the coral silks, the ivory silks, in search of something with pearls and scalloped lace.

Now imagine an ex-convict with an unkempt beard rolling up on his motorcycle, ready to storm into a lingerie store downtown. He might spit before busting through the door, roll his eyes at a rack of frilly pink things, and look for something leather to…

Well, that’s the idea. The word choice of the narration must reflect the main character’s opinions, worldview, and experience. The color “coral” does not exist in our biker friend’s vocabulary–much like an entire dictionary of swears would never flow from the sweet lips of our nineteen-year-old country bumpkin.

Another delicate point to consider when crafting a character’s voice is the character’s relevant knowledge base. In the draft of my first opening scene, I made a gross error about the way an unconscious body is transported–thankfully, a military friend looked over the manuscript and spared me total humiliation. Despite the fact I had done an enormous amount of research for the book, this drove home the fact that voice-appropriate attention to detail is indispensible, and one can never research too much.

When I start writing a book, I have all the characters imagined in my mind; the process of writing continues to refine them and I learn more about my characters along the way. Often during the latter half of penning a rough draft, I reach a point where I know my characters well enough to poke fun at them. I can place them in ironic situations and play upon their weaknesses for comic relief. This, to me, is the golden indicator that I have indeed found my voice–and my findings are easily incorporated into the following reconstructive edit.

For authors struggle with finding the voice of a piece, focus on the character. Focus on what makes him human, what makes him quirky, and indulge the details–I promise, the voice will follow.

When you finally find your voice, maybe you will even break some glass–or at the very least, amass a nice runner collection.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre –  Sci-Fi/Steamy Romance

Rating – R (18+)

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Brie McGill on Facebook  & Twitter

Website http://www.sexdrugsandcyberpunk.com/

Guest Post by Adele Park - Don't Surrender the Fate of Your Books to Publishing Executives

Have you unconsciously surrendered the fate of your novel to the whimsical tastes of publishing executives?  Do you think your book can't move forward without the financial blessing of others?  Agents and publishers can certainly boost our careers, but I'm not sure they can break them.  In all likelihood, our destiny lies in our own hands.  It took several years worth of groveling at the heels of those in the publishing industry for me to comprehend this.

Even though you've probably spent years visualizing the success of your book, how much time have you devoted to thinking about the specific things you want to achieve?  Perhaps you have a vague fantasy involving money and fame.  These things are definitely desirable, but chances are there's more to it than that.  The act of creation ignites something within us, even if we can't put our finger on it.  There's a lot to be said for fully experiencing the moment we are in.

Many of us hold our own dreams hostage by assuming things have to play out in a specific manner.  In my case, I wrongly believed the only way to turn my manuscript into an audio book was to first have it published in hard back.  Under this scenario, I would have had to sell a barn full of books before anyone would ever consider producing it in audio form.

Once I understood I had control over my own dreams, I formed an LLC called Straight to Audio Productions and produced my first audio book.  I recorded and edited an 8.5 hour project using nothing but a mic, a mixer and a laptop.  Miraculously, I was able to get my project listed for sale as an mp3 download on Audible.com.  After that, I built an actual studio and went to work recording Jitters-A Quirky Little Audio Book.  That project went on to win a 2011 Audie from the Audio Publishers Association in the multi-voiced category.     

If you are having trouble getting through to the top brass in the publishing industry, try to find the courage to publish your book anyway.  E-books and desktop publishing companies make this process inexpensive and easy to do.  Don't miss the chance to live your art just because things aren't happening exactly the way you had envisioned.  Outcomes are over-rated anyway.  The biggest thrills come from fully experiencing the projects you're passionate about.  Completing something you've been working on for a long time can be anti-climactic, so the trick is to enjoy the process.  Whatever you do, try not to get attached to the outcome.

When you run out of ideas, wing it.  I've met very few people who work in the audio book industry, so in my business I make everything up as I go.  Sure, I've taken a few wrong turns, but it's definitely been an interesting journey.  This lack of an industry blueprint has left me free to dabble with different ways to tell a story.  Unlike most audio books which have one person doing the voices for all the characters, my audio books feature full cast of actors who tell their stories directly to the listener.  I've also taken the liberty of experimenting with different forms of narration.  Since the lead character in Jitters is a radio shock jock, I thought it would be interesting to narrate the story through a series of newscasts.  With Yikes! Another Quirky Audio Book, I used a series of narration pieces called “Examine Our Navel.”  Like it or not, I probably couldn't float this idea to any traditionalists in the audio book industry.

It might seem risky, but there are advantages to “going rogue.”  For one thing, you don't have to follow any rules.  Don't be afraid to explore the unknown.  Some of the best stuff comes from impromptu moments.

I'm sure we would all love to spend a few days in the Gucci shoes of the publishing industry elite, but let's not assume this group has it better than we do.  Along with the perks comes more pressure.  Rather than focusing on what our project lacks, perhaps our energy would best be spent being grateful for what we already have.  Besides, there's no telling where our books will end up – not knowing is half the fun!

Buy Now @ Audible

Genre - Comedy / Satire

Rating – R (language & theme)

More details about the book

Connect with Adele Park on Facebook

Blog http://adeleparkquirkyaudiobooks.blogspot.com/

Website http://www.yikesaudiobook.com/

J.L.Lawson – How I Became a Published Author

How I Became a Published Author

By: J. L. Lawson

That’s a funny story. You see, I haven’t been a doctor, lawyer, policeman, firefighter, air traffic-controller or lion tamer; so picking a childhood notion of “What will I be when I grow up?” didn’t happen. While at University, I worked as kitchen clean-up and assistant at a few local eateries, took training in Ikebana and landed a relatively long term gig with a start-up florist near my home. I worked in delivery for them as well as for a Scandinavian furniture store—very high end—and also moonlighted, literally, as a night auditor for a respectable motel on the interstate at the edge of Austin. I still hadn’t thought of writing for a living.

My first job out of college—with a double major in Renaissance History and English Lit, with a double minor in Greek (Koine: the dead language, not the people or culture) and Roman Republic Culture—I apprenticed to paint cars in a Body Shop. Really, no kidding. I went back to college for an Associate degree in Drafting with a focus on Land Planning (Architecture would’ve taken too many years and I already had a family to take care of). I worked as a draftsman for a small but successful firm, then rose to Associate Land Planner for several years with the same company and was very happy there. I was not considering shifting to writing at this point either.

My Land Planning “career” was going along swimmingly until my parents, somehow, talked me into (read: guilted me numb) relocating to California and heading up a manufacturing venture my crazy Uncle Al had gotten off the ground. So I became a Plant Manager of a fully capitalized and operational bottling facility… for all of six months before no paychecks and hunger drove me from that farcical existence to the Bay area and Silicon Valley. No hint in my mind as yet that perhaps writing was a viable career path.

I worked as a research gofer for the Research & Development arm of the top hard drive manufacturer of the time. A contractor’s work life dangles by a thread; I learned the hard way. I later contracted with a major Aerospace corporation after an interlude of early mornings throwing papers for the local Santa Cruz rag pursuant to being left jobless during hard times for the hard drive company. I rose through the Engineering Standards department, was made a permanent employee—with all the classified and top secret clearances attendant on that employ, and was offered the prestigious position of Department Chair. As fate would have it, that was when the economy went south, again, I and 40,000 other white collar folks found ourselves jobless again—last in, first out.. I headed back to Texas. It was over that non-stop trip with all my stuff in the back of my van that I realized I had gained the life experience and possibly the skills to venture into writing full-time. I had, during excruciating lulls in contract work, begun researching and sketching a rough draft of a science fiction novel. That had to wait.

I picked up contract writing and illustration jobs with the young an newly booming hi-tech companies then flooding into Austin, Texas. (Dell computer’s first ‘campus’ was just outside the back door of our building, where I hung out during smoke breaks.) Anyway, those contracts led to permanent positions and before I knew it I was back in the thick of the corporate world once more. One thing led to another and I ended up with a severance from IBM—don’t ask—and a solid nest egg of a retirement account. My wife, the second and last, and I relocated to some acreage in north Texas. I designed a system of ponds on these fourteen acres, had foundations built overlooking the largest of them, and proceeded to build our house from my own plans. Really. I plumbed, wired, erected the walls, the roof the gardens, everything, with erstwhile help from friends and the occasional contractor for things I couldn’t get permits for myself: Septic fields, transformer installations, etc. Perhaps it would finally be time to pick up my keyboard and finally start writing…

Then, from out of the blue, I was asked to step in for an ailing teacher. I went on a substitute assignment at a little private school in a nearby town—where one of my neighbors was at that time the science teacher. The few days initially requested turned into an entire semester and a half… Then ten years later I was still there, the only Literature and Composition teacher for all four grades of the high school. I graduated hundreds of great students over the years… and some who weren’t such great students, I just loved them anyway. Then came the my nemesis, the Overlord, once more into my life—the Economy—and that’s when I finally settled down once and for all at my laptop and started storytelling. That, my dear readers, was three years ago. After my first volume of the trilogy was compiled, edited and the cover art was in place, I spent a chunk of money on, what I later found to be a poorly connected independent publishing house. When my later books were ready for publishing I decided that I could do just as good a job outsourcing my needs as that first indie publisher had. I was corroborated in that decision by a rep from Voyager Press. They were transparently independent, had the experience I was just beginning to gain and offered me the confidence and guidance to pursue publishing on my own. A short while later I actually added my meager efforts to their on-going work—which is why my FB page says: “Head Whipping Boy at Voyager Press.”

I have published, independently, sixteen books. I am an integral part of a private publishing firm—all work and no glory, I’m afraid—and I get to read and offer edits to other writers’ submissions in addition to continuing my own writing!

Now I’m sitting here chatting it up with ya’ll. What a great job; I couldn’t be happier!

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Metaphysical/Fantasy/Action Adventure

Rating – G

More details about the author & the book

Connect with J.L. Lawson on Facebook

Website http://voyagerpress.org/

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Science Fiction/Metaphysical/Adventure

Rating – G

More details about the author & the book

Connect with J.L. Lawson on Facebook

Website http://voyagerpress.org/

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Science Fiction/Metaphysical/Adventure

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with J.L. Lawson on Facebook

Website http://voyagerpress.org/

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Brian Cormack Carr – Why Book Covers Are So Vital

Why Book Covers Are So Vital

by Brian Cormack Carr

I recently self-published my first book How To Find Your Vital Vocation: A Practical Guide To Discovering Your Career Purpose And Getting A Job You Love, and I asked my blog readers to help me choose the book’s cover.  I knew the cover would be a vitally important factor in the book’s success, so I wanted to get it right.

It’s important to bear in mind that the cover is likely to be the first thing a potential reader of your book will encounter.  In today’s online world, that cover has to stand out even when it’s in thumbnail size on a computer screen.  You want your cover to attract the reader, not repel them.

Get Professional Help

For that reason, I strongly recommend that all self-published authors hire a professional cover designer (unless they themselves have very professional graphic design skills).  Professional cover design doesn’t have to cost the earth, and it really will help your book to hold its own against the competition from traditional publishing houses.  After all the hard work you put into writing your book, you don’t want to stop it in its tracks with an amateurish cover.

Don’t worry that hiring a professional designer will take away from your influence on the book.  Far from it – a good cover designer will work with you to ensure you get the cover you want.

My cover designer and I sifted through a range of different images that we felt might suit the topic of my book – job hunting and career change – and then I chose three or four images I particularly liked. Using these images, she mocked up a range of potential covers for me to have a look at.  I whittled the choices down to two, but discovered at that point I was stuck!  I just couldn’t choose, because they were both great options.

How I Chose My Cover – and Got Readers To Help

I turned the choice (which was between a cover featuring some cartoon people and one featuring an elephant on a tightrope) over to my blog readers, mailing list subscribers and social media followers. Effectively,  I “crowd sourced” opinions on which cover would most attract them.  I made this a competition – everyone who participated was in with a chance of winning a signed copy of the paperback version of the book.

This was useful in a couple of ways.  It helped me assess which cover would be most attractive to a potential reader, and it also served as a “trailer” to my audience for the book’s imminent release.

As you can see, my audience chose the cover featuring the elephant.  The choice wasn’t unanimous, but the elephant was a very clear winner, and it turns out that the people who like it do so for many different reasons.

Some see this amazing creature as a symbol of strength, wisdom and purpose. Some see the tightrope as a sign of the balancing act we all must perform on the journey to our ideal work. Some feel the umbrella indicates hope and is representative of the tools we need to help us along the way (especially if we fall). One person told me the image made him think of the precarious nature of the job market nowadays, while another said it made her feel like anything was possible if we’re really using our inborn talents. Some people see the elephant as unhappy and in desperate need of careers advice, while others feel this as an elephant that has clearly found its Vital Vocation!

I love the image because it seems to say something relevant to every eye that sees it, and that feels right for a book that’s all about charting your own individual path to the work you love.

So – what does the elephant on my cover say to you?

BIOGRAPHY:

Brian Cormack Carr is a writer, certified career coach and chief executive of BVSC The Centre for Voluntary Action, one of the UK’s leading local charities.  He trained in personnel management with Marks & Spencer plc and gained an MA (Hons) in English Literature and Language from the University of Aberdeen.  Brian has nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of personal development and leadership, and has helped hundreds of clients, readers and workshop participants to find fulfilling work and a renewed sense of purpose.

Websites: www.cormackcarr.com ; www.vitalvocation.com

Twitter: @cormackcarr

Ready to choose or change your job? Stuck in work you hate? Think the career of your dreams is beyond your reach?

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO FIND YOUR VITAL VOCATION

If you don’t love your work, you deserve better – and with this book at your side, you can get it. A lively and potentially life-changing guide,How To Find Your Vital Vocation sets out a simple-to-follow yet profoundly effective process that will take you step-by-step from wherever you are now to a working life based on your most cherished dreams.

LEARN HOW TO:

• Hear the inner call that’s telling you what will make you truly happy
• Rediscover your gifts and use them to build a perfectly-tailored career
• Identify and overcome the obstacles that stand between you and your ideal work
• Create powerful networks to help you find great jobs that are never advertised
• Find out what it takes to become an entrepreneur of the future
• Maximise the impact of your job applications
• Ace every interview
• Attain reward levels that will help you thrive – even in this tough economy!

Put yourself in charge of your career – once and for all. Packed with valuable insights, powerful exercises and illuminating self-coaching questions, How To Find Your Vital Vocation will help you chart a practical path to a fun and fulfilling livelihood. In this comprehensive resource, expert career coach Brian Cormack Carr shows you how to find your passion and purpose and finally start doing the work you were born to do.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

“Too many of us have gone about finding our livelihood in a haphazard way. Before long, we become a statistic in a job dissatisfaction survey. Happily, it doesn’t have to be that way and Brian Cormack Carr proves it. If you think that work should be about more – much more – than just a way to pay your bills, this book is the roadmap you’ve been looking for. Work with How To Find Your Vital Vocation for a short time and you’ll be working at your real work for a long time.”

~ BARBARA J. WINTER  Bestselling author of Making a Living Without a Job

“Warm, witty and wise. I highly recommend this book. Brian knows his stuff and How To Find Your Vital Vocation is a breath of fresh air.”

~ GRACE OWEN  Executive coach and author of The Career Itch

“I appreciated the step-by-step nature of Vital Vocation. It made finding a new career that much easier, and I’m still amazed at how well it helped me clarify what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.”

~ DAVID  Member of the Vital Vocation Online Coaching Programme

“Vital Vocation helped me focus after I had spent too long panicking and going nowhere. Now my part-time hobby has grown to a full-time occupation and I’ve finally given up the day job that was making me sad!”

~ STEVEN  Member of the Vital Vocation Online Coaching Programme

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre –  NonFiction / Careers

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Brian Cormack Carr on Facebook  & Twitter

Website http://vitalvocation.com/