Source: #AuthorReview – #TopAuthors2016 -10 Indie Chick-Lit Authors You Should be Reading in 2016
#AuthorReview – #TopAuthors2016

10 Indie Chick-Lit Authors You Should be Reading in 2016

WOO HOO! I made #10!

10 – Jason Zandri – This is the surprise dark horse of the race! Jason Zandri writes what I’ve dubbed “guy-lit,” (chick-lit with male characters as main characters and/or written by male authors). He has two main good genres that I’ve read: women’s fiction/romance/chick-lit and sci-fi/fantasy/romance. It’s hard to describe. His women’s fiction/romance/chick-lit has darker, more serious themes (the As Life Goes series: As Life Goes-Elementary, As Life Goes – The End of Innocence (which is on my #TBR), and a third book in the works) and his sci-fi/fantasy/romance (the I Hero series: I Hero – The Beginning, I Hero – Nathan Returns, which also has a third book in the works, again) also has darker themes, but…

So I was procrastinating today and watching my sales creep up with eReader News Today, when I noticed that they are an Amazon Affiliate. How genius, huh? Not only they take our money to advertise, they get paid by Amazon, too. Not that I mind – of all the advertising websites I’ve tried, they’ve so far delivered the most value for the money…

They also gave me an idea – I’ve decided to become an Amazon affiliate too! Cause, you know, thousands of people are clicking on the Shizzle, Inc link…well, not thousands, just 100-200 per month, but that’s a start, right? So why not make the link an affiliate one and earn 4% on whatever sales happen as a result? At least it’s an experiment and something new to learn.

First things first – sign up to be an affiliate. Because I’m already registered with Amazon, it was…

I’ve got about ten different ones written different summaries, synopsis or whatever for the same WIP. Yes, you heard right. I don’t like any of them, but I keep trying. 

That’s why I was so excited to read this post today. 

I loved howBridget from Now Novel, has a no-nonsense approach to writing a synopsis. 

Hand slap to the forehead, KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Jean.

Sometimes I need to be reminded to stop adding purple prose and keep to the facts.

Remember the synopsis is the appetizer, a teaser, something to tantalize the would be reader. Not a the CliffNotes version. If you tell them too much, they may not have an incentive to read the book. 

Stick to the facts, sprinkle with a tiny bit of spice, so the synopsis won’t be bland, and stir lightly. 

Now go read Bridget’s post and see if these 9 Tips help you any. 

How to write a…

Many readers have asked me how I get started on writing a novel, so I thought I would share my process with you. Each author has their own method on what works for them, so there is no right or wrong way. But if you’re struggling, maybe these tips will be helpful.

There are “outliners” vs. “pantsers” in the writing world. A “pantser” is a writer who writes “by the seat of their pants” or goes with the flow. They enjoy the freedom of seeing what happens as they go along. An “outliner” is someone who outlines their book knowing the flow ahead of time. “Outliners” feel this gives them a structure for their muse and keeps them on track.

I am a little of both. I build a brief outline, and then as I’m writing if the characters hijack the bus and take the journey in a different direction, then so…

I wouldn’t categorize myself as having a Type A Personality. I don’t believe in working too hard or too long and I certainly don’t define myself on what I do. I simply do what I do and hope for the best.

Yes, I’m driven to accomplish my personal and professional goals. I mean, if you don’t do it, it won’t get done, right?

I’ve been told on numerous occasions by numerous people that I am too hard on myself. Too hard on myself? When did being driven to succeed become being too hard on yourself?

My Writing Career (such as it currently is) is a product of starting from the ground up and building something that I grow increasingly proud of as I put out each book and I have no illusions about each misstep that I take. Not everyone will like what I write and since I am still…

… there must be more than 5, but we’ll leave it there for now! 😉

I can’t remember when I joined RRBC exactly but it was around 18 months ago. My first novel had been ‘out there’ for six months or so and I only had a handful of reviews on Amazon. These had come from most of the other writers and friends I already knew, or had met on LinkedIn, so I was out looking for other avenues to find potential reviewers for my book Milele Safari. A connection on LinkedIn posted in a group I’d joined about this fantastic community – theRave Reviews Book Club– I went and had a look, liked what I saw and dulyjoined up!
I got off to a slow start, because at first it was all about the reviews for me – I got stuck into reading the Book of…