Great News for Self-Publishers from Draft2Digital and Smashwords, Free Gift #selfpublishing #marketingebooks

 Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog!

This week I have news, updates and a GIFT for you!

Let's get to it!

FOR SELF-PUBLISHERS

Books, books, books!
💗💗💗

I have great news for you if you are a self-publisher. If you self-publish books and are with a traditional publisher, I have great news for you too!! 

In February this year, Draft to Digital acquired Smashwords (SW). These are two heavyweights in the self-publishing industry because they publish and distribute eBooks all around the world. Instead of the friendly rivalry for the last ten years or so, they decided to join forces to provide the best of both worlds for you. And as a result, for readers too.

The Pro-Writing Aid website states--"The acquisition will “enable 250,000 authors and publishers around the world to publish, distribute, market, and manage more than 800,000 eBooks and 11,000 print-on-demand paperback books.” 

The future looks wonderful for writers if you decide to publish wide through many distributors via Draft2Digital. Note, if you are published exclusively through KDP, you cannot add your books to other distributors.

This week is when I heard the good news from Dale L. Roberts in his video about transferring books published in Draft2Digital to the Smashwords Store. Yes, Smashwords has been added as a choice for selling books for you. That is big news!

Your book Your Words, Your Life Story: A Guide for Sharing Memories has been published to Smashwords.

Live status updates for this book: BorrowBox - Published on February 11, 2022, 22:30 PM OverDrive - Published on February 11, 2022, 23:31 PM Baker & Taylor - Published on February 12, 2022, 17:09 PM Apple - Published on February 12, 2022, 19:26 PM Barnes & Noble - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:06 PM Kobo - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:27 PM Scribd - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:27 PM Tolino - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:27 PM Vivlio - Published on February 12, 2022, 21:28 PM Amazon - Published on February 12, 2022, 22:05 PM Bibliotheca - Published on February 14, 2022, 10:39 AM Smashwords - Published on December 12, 2022, 16:36 PM This is the list of distributors  I have chosen to sell my books!  I added Smashwords this week.

Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, announced-- 

"December 6, 2022 - Big news today.  Draft2Digital authors can now distribute to the Smashwords store!  Readers can look forward to more amazing indie ebooks, and all authors can look forward to more readers browsing and buying books.  An important milestone following Draft2Digital's acquisition of Smashwords.  Learn more about what this means for authors and readers at the Smashwords Blog.  And separately, all Smashwords authors should expect an email today reminding everyone to enroll in our big upcoming Smashwords End of Year sale.

HOW TO TRANSFER YOUR BOOKS TO THE SMASHWORDS STORE

Let me tell you how easy it is to transfer ALL of your D2Dbooks over to the Smashwords Store.

Go to your account at D2D. When you log in, a screen will appear offering you the opportunity to distribute your book through Smashwords. Just click the button that will transfer the books to Smashwords. In just a minute, you will receive a notice the books are ready to be distributed through Smashwords as well as all the other distributors you have previously chosen for your books. It's like magic!

Finally! All of my eBooks are on the same page at Smashwords.
Click here to visit my SmashWords J.Q. Rose Author Page

UPDATES:

My mysteries and memoir published through SW by BWL Publishing are on my SW author page as well as the non-fiction books I have published through D2D. What an opportunity to get more eyes on our books, all of our books!

Now all of my books are available for 50% off
during the Smashwords End-of-Year Sale
December 15-31.

More good news!! Smashwords End-of-Year sale begins December 15, so all of my eBooks will be 50% off during this annual sale. What a fantasticopportunity to load up great reads into the new reading device you received for Christmas. Or for your old device too! LOL

Click here to find all of my books for 50% off from your favorite online bookseller!

🎅🎅🎅

Ho Ho Ho! 

Speaking of Christmas, I have a gift for you--a collection of short stories from 350 words in the story to about 1000 words. The perfect story length for you to take a break from the madness of the holidays.

This is not a gimmick. Your email will not be added to my newsletter when you

 click here to download the eBook.

This is a gift for you, my blog followers and friends.

My heart is happy when I share my stories with you and you giggle or groan when you read them. 

Time Out from the Holidays! A Collection of Short Stories

 The eBook is not available to buy online so you can't leave a review. If you have a minute, I would appreciate feedback about the collection or specific story. 

Please leave a comment below or email me at jqrose02@gmail dot com. 

Thank you!

The Rose Courier

If you want to stay up-to-date with JQ, the Rose Courier is delivered quarterly to your inbox. Filled with articles, freebies, photos and fun! 

Click here to get your copy of the Winter edition in January.

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on this blog.

Happy Holidays from J.Q. Rose

 

New Release: Ellen Jacobson's Funny Cozy Mystery, Poisoned by the Pier

Hello and welcome to a fun blog post! Zany author Ellen Jacobson is here to tell us how her adventure on a sailboat led to writing The Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery series.

Thanks so much, Ellen, for visiting today. Now tell us about the setting of your series and the latest book #3, Poisoned by the Pier.

The Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery Series by Ellen Jacobson

Thanks, Janet.

"How Did I End Up in Florida?" by Ellen Jacobson

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and wonder, “How in the world did I end up in Florida?” Then I have a cup of coffee, the neurons in my brain start firing, and I remember how it all happened—a few years ago my husband and I bought a sailboat right here in the Sunshine State and moved aboard.

Life on a Sailboat
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay 

Although we've spent time cruising in the Bahamas on our boat, somehow life, work, and boat projects have gotten in the way and we've ended up spending far more time living at a marina in southern Florida than we originally planned. But you know what they say—when life gives you lemons, make a gin and tonic. Or, in my case, start writing a cozy mystery series set in Florida.


While the setting of my books is fictitious—a small town I've named Coconut Cove on the Gulf Coast—some of the places we've traveled to in Florida shape how I picture it in my head. Places like Cedar Key and Anna Maria Key full of cute shops, inviting restaurants, colorful buildings, tropical foliage, and amazing waterfront scenery. Sometimes, Coconut Cove seems so real that I wonder why I can't find it on the map.


It's been a lot of fun to see how my environment influences my writing. When I look back at my first two books, my main character, Mollie McGhie, always seems to be complaining about sweating to death in this insane heat. Funny, that sounds a lot like someone else I know. {Ahem, that would be me.}

Mollie also worries about the alligators swimming in the water at her marina. Me too. I had fun writing a scene where she was worried that the planks on the dock would break, she'd fall in the water and become gator bait. And, of course, there are the deadly coconuts. I tend to skirt around the palm trees at our marina—you never know when a coconut might fall down and hit you on the head. Mollie has the same issue at her marina.

The third book in the series.

It's not all scary stuff like gators and killer coconuts that end up in my books. I've also featured plenty of positive things about Florida too, such as dolphins swimming in the bay and efforts people are taking to protect sea turtles.

There's so much to inspire my writing living in Florida, that I've started to jot down notes for books I have planned later in the series. I'm pretty sure a hurricane is going to threaten Coconut Cove at some point. And I'm already thinking through a scene set in the mangroves—sounds like a perfect place for a dead body to turn up, doesn't it?

***
Poisoned by the Pier Now Available!

When Mollie's husband signs the two of them up for an extreme diet, she's not amused. When someone ends up poisoned by a cake, things get even worse.

The famous, or infamous, Mrs. Moto, the cat.

While she tries to identify the killer, Coconut Cove’s annual boating festival is in full swing. In between getting ready for her first sailing race and cheating on her diet, Mollie and her cat, Mrs. Moto, uncover clues, interview suspects, and do their best to avoid rutabagas.


Can Mollie nab the killer before someone else is poisoned?


If you like quirky characters, adorable cats, and plenty of chocolate, you'll love this cozy mystery. Pick up a copy of Poisoned by the Pier and laugh out loud from the first page to the last.

Poisoned by the Pier, the third book in the Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery series, is now available in ebook, paperback, and large print.
Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google Play

If you're new to the series, you might want to start with Book #1-Murder at the Marina. Now is the perfect opportunity as the ebook is on sale for 99c/99p for a limited time. Click the links below to download your copy now.

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google Play

***

About the Author

Ellen Jacobson lives on a sailboat with her husband and an imaginary cat named Simon. When she isn't working on boat projects or seeking out deserted islands, she writes cozy mysteries and sci-fi/fantasy stories.

Connect with Ellen on her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Blog

You can also sign up for her newsletter for updates about new releases, current projects, sales and promotions, and other fun stuff.

***

Janet's Review of Poisoned by the Pier--When you read a book from the Molly McGhie Cozy Mystery Series, prepare to just sit back and relax and let Ms. Jacobson's wit and silly side take over. Truly escape reality with these zany characters and situations. The solution to the mystery will keep you guessing until the end. I recommend this light read for cozy mystery readers.

***

July1-31 2019 Smashwords is having a 75% off SALE! Check it out at Smashwords.com.

Click here to download these mysteries for $1.50 each only through July 31.

***

The 5 W's of Story: Mark Love's Romantic Suspense--Fleeing Beauty and Giveaway

The 5 W's Guest Author Series

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog!

One of the basics when learning to be a writer is to listen to a lecture on the Five W's.  The 5 W's in a story are:
WHO
WHAT
WHERE
WHEN
WHY
These questions are the essence of a story. Since we are focused on story at this blog, we need to realize just how important working out the 5 W's can be for creating a great story for your readers.

You'll find this series with my guests informative and entertaining and not a stuffy lecture in a dusty, old classroom with a professor palavering on and on and on. 

Today I'm thrilled to introduce you to my guest author, Mark Love. Isn't that a great name for a romance author? Mark is generously offering an eBook format of his book to a lucky commenter. To enter the drawing, add a comment below by 9 p.m. ET, Sunday, July 14. Good luck. Now let's explore the 5 W's in Mark's romantic suspense, Fleeing Beauty.

***

Thanks, J.Q.

Here's my shot at the Five W's

Fleeing Beauty (A Jamie Richmond Mystery)
Mystery and Romance

THE FIVE W's: Fleeing Beauty (A Jamie Richmond Mystery) by Mark Love

Who:  Jamie Richmond is the star of the story. Just ask her, she’s not shy!  After working for ten years as an investigative reporter for one of the Detroit area’s daily newspapers, Jamie decided to pursue her passion and write mystery novels. A stubborn redhead who is fiercely loyal to her small circle of friends, Jamie is a magnet for trouble.  Using her skills and wits, she’s often able to unravel the mystery that draws her in.  Keeping her balanced and more than a little distracted is her blooming romantic relationship with Malone, a sergeant with the Michigan State Police.

What:  This is the third book in the series. Jamie’s father was a very successful artist who died suddenly when she was only seven-years-old.  Now, twenty-five years later, his studio is discovered, along with a hidden storeroom packed with crates of his work.  Jamie and her friends undertake the project of unpacking them to make a catalogue that can be appraised. Before they can finish, part of the collection is stolen.  Now Jamie is determined to find out who is behind the theft and recover the missing art.  

In addition to the project and the mystery, there are several subplots. Romance is building with Jamie and Malone. Her mother, Vera and her ex-husband, Bert, are rekindling a few passionate connections. And there’s Ian, a teenage boy who is Malone’s unofficial kid brother, discovers Brittany, a neighborhood cutie.  Along with the artwork, Jamie also discovers several journals that her father wrote, that give her new insights into his life.

When:  It’s a contemporary story, and it takes place during the summer!

Where: Metro Detroit, or as some would say, Motown.  Jamie and her friends live in the suburbs, but a lot of the action takes place right in Detroit, down near Wayne State University, an area that isn’t far from the dark and dangerous side of the city.

Why:  Jamie likes to keep busy. Between writing novels, spending time with her friends and unraveling mysteries, it’s all part of her life. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

EXCERPT:   Fleeing Beauty (A Jamie Richmond Mystery) by Mark Love

In this scene, Jamie and Malone are with her best friend Linda, and Ian, the teenage boy, who is helping unpack the crates in the storeroom.

This sculpture was titled “Fleeing Beauty”.

It was a woman caught in the act of running. Tendrils of slender marble in various lengths and thicknesses extended from her head, as if they were locks of hair billowing out behind her. Part of her face was obscured, turned against her shoulder as if attempting to hide her features from whoever was chasing her. The woman’s body was voluptuous, full of dangerous curves. There was something haunting about this piece. The guys became quiet, which was unusual. Linda slowly moved around it, taking pictures.

“Holy shit,” Ian muttered.

“Watch your language,” Malone said, cuffing him lightly on the back on the head.

“How did he do that?” Ian said, taking a step away. “She looks real.”

“She looks alive,” Malone said.

“Check the file,” I suggested.

None of us could take our eyes off the sculpture.

We spread the file out on the worktable. There were pictures of a woman standing in front of a drop cloth. She was blonde, with an impish smile on her face. She could have been in her early to middle twenties. It was impossible to tell how tall she was. Her figure was eye-catching, with a tiny waist and rounded hips. Most of the pictures showed her in a one-piece bathing suit. There was one where she wore a sheer negligee. There were shots of her standing on a pedestal, others with her arms outstretched, and still others where she was looking over her shoulder. In a couple of photos, he must have used a fan to blow her hair back.

“She’s a doll,” Ian said.

 “Jamie, I think this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Linda said softly.

“You’ll get no argument from me.”

Click a link below to download Fleeing Beauty at the following digital booksellers:

Barnes and Noble 

Amazon  

Apple books 

Kobo 

ABOUT MARK LOVE:

Mystery Author Mark Love

Mark Love lived for many years in the metropolitan Detroit area, where crime and corruption are always prevalent. A former freelance reporter, Love honed his writing skills covering features and hard news. He is the author of the Jamie Richmond romance mysteries, Devious, Vanishing Act and Fleeing Beauty, and the short story Stealing Haven, which is in the collection Once Upon a Summer.  His mystery series, starring Jefferson Chene includes WHY 319? and the new release Your Turn to Die.  Both Chene novels are also available on Audible. Love resides in West Michigan with his wife, Kim. He enjoys a wide variety of music, books, travel, cooking and the great outdoors.

You can find him on Facebook, Amazon and his blog at the links below.

Amazon 

Motown Mysteries Blog 

Mark's Facebook Page 

Thanks for being my guest, Mark!

***

BIG NEWS FOR READERS AND WRITERS!

July1-31 2019 Smashwords is having a 75% off SALE! Check it out at Smashwords.com.

Click here to download these mysteries for $1.50 each only through July 31.

Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the drawing for 

Mark Love's ebook, Fleeing Beauty!

Thank a Vet, Report on Using Grammarly Writing Aid, A Gift for You

Veterans Day is November 11. 
Take a moment to thank a vet for his/her service to our country.

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. I'm J.Q. Rose.

I've spent most of the last three weeks on editing my manuscript for Terror on Sunshine Boulevard, due to be released this winter by BWL Publishing. 

I'm a spelling and grammar perfectionist. I told you I gave up being a perfectionist when I was twelve-years-old. However, striving for perfection in all of my writing projects is something I will not give up. I believe it is rude not to offer the best writing and cleanest script possible to readers. This attention to detail should also extend to those who are critiquing a piece of writing.

Imagine having your own proofreader and grammar checker at your beck and call. You can if you sign up with Grammarly. I am experimenting with the free version to see if I could get even more help in achieving the goal of delivering a perfect piece of writing to readers. Here are some good and bad points I discovered using Grammarly.

GRAMMARLY
Pros

• Grammarly finds errors as I write this blog, emails, and Facebook status
• Fixing errors is easy. The misspelled word is highlighted in red. Just click on the error to correct it.
• Each week a report on Productivity, Vocabulary, and Activity (and a fun badge award) arrives in my inbox.       

Second week achievement award from Grammarly

Cons

• When I'm on a writing tangent, the red lines under my errors are distracting.
• For me, I have to stop and take time to fix them.
• The constant tease of errors missed because I don't have the paid program irks me. It is a way to upsell to the premium program.
• I have not exported a document with a large word count....yet. I think I will export short documents first because all those red lines noting errors may be overwhelming!

After signing up with Grammarly, I learned there are many programs like this one. Amanda Shofner explains the six automatic writing aids in her excellent article at the Writer's Life site sorting their functions into three categories. She spotlights Grammarly, ProWritingAid, After the Deadline, AuthorCrit, Hemingway App, and WordRake.

Click here to read Ms. Shofner's informative article.

Have you used any of these writing aids? Tell us about your experience in a comment below. Thank you.

A GIFT FOR YOU

If you are editing now or will be in the future, I would like to share a valuable cheatsheet developed by my first editor, Karen McGrath. She titled it Villain Words because eliminating these words will eliminate passive voice writing. 

Please click here to link to the J.Q. Rose Author Page and like my page. I'll send you the sheet via Messenger. Thank you.

 

If you prefer, send me an email to let me know you liked my page and I'll email the sheet to you.

If you have already liked my author page, leave a comment below and I'll email the sheet. 

My email address is jqrose02(at)gmail (dot)com

BIG NEWS

My publisher, BWL Publishing is offering 25% off my mysteries when using the coupon for Smashwords. The sales price with the coupon is $2.24...Grab them for yourself or your friends! All formats are available. If you have a kindle, order the mobi file.

Click on the titles below to go to the Smashwords Sales Page. 

   Dangerous Sanctuary                                             Deadly Undertaking

      Coupon Code KW65J                                           Coupon code AS94U