How to Find a Good Book on Amazon

Ever finished your reading list and had no clue what to read next? That lost and confused feeling happens to us all at one point or another, and we all have different ways of finding our next new love. This post is to help describe one way you may or may not already know about.

Many readers now have Kindles or have Kindle on their electronic devices, and go to the Amazon Kindle store for their books. Amazon also knows the devastating feeling of not knowing what to read, and they have created lists in their Kindle store to help you find that next perfect book. Unfortunately, Amazon can be a little hard to navigate sometimes, so hopefully we can help with that.

Locate the Amazon Kindle store.

The first step, once you get to Amazon, is to find the Kindle store. Let your mouse hover over Shop by Department, and you will see a list appear. Go down the list and let your mouse hover once more over Kindle E-Readers & Books. A new list will appear, and it will be tempting to click on the first link that just says Kindle. Don't. Instead, scroll down a little and you will see a section called Kindle Store, which is what you want. Don't just click this though, go down one more item and select Kindle Books (you finally get to click something!). You have now arrived at the Kindle Store for books!

Now you have to choose. 

This is the hard part. Not because it is actually hard, but because there are so many lists to choose from. In the main part of the screen will be lists of books like the ones you have already viewed, the bestsellers, and a category called New & Noteworthy Kindle Books. You may have a few other lists appear based on your previous interests.

This is not the end of the lists. Feel like a heart-pounding thriller? Or maybe you want to read a heartwarming romance. There are categories for that. On the left are even more lists to choose from. At the top are lists like Editor's Picks and other bestsellers. Scroll down just a little and you will see different categories based on genre. If you click one of these, several lists will appear within the genre you selected. You will find bestselling lists, indie lists, and much more. You can refine your list further on the left, and Amazon will present the books you are most likely to enjoy first.

Buy a book, and hopefully enjoy!

You have searched the lists, read the summaries, and made your careful selection. Congratulations on your new book! Still feeling a little hesitant? Read the reviews, or if the option is available, read a sampler of the book. This is a great way to see if the book is any good or not. I hope that you have fun looking at all of the new books, and happy reading!

Etiquette for Requesting an Interview with a Blog

Hello once again! Today we will discuss how, as an author, to request an interview from a blog or website. There are many different ways I, and many others, have seen people request interviews. None are wrong per se, but there are some that will turn an interviewer off and you won't get your interview. Here we will present wrong and right ways to present your request, and hopefully you will succeed in your quest for an interview. 


Some important things to remember as you send your request: be polite, be professional, and be yourself.

Let's look at some sample emails and then go over what is the imaginary author did well, and what they did poorly.

Hey. My name is t. writer and i am a new author looking 4 someone 2 interview me. I saw ur blog n thought it was perfect so i decided 2 contact u. Plz reply if u want to do an interview wit me.

T. writer

So, a little rough right? The imaginary writer used very little punctuation, incorrect capitalization, and text lingo. As we should all know by now, text lingo is for your friends and grandma, never for ANY professional situation unless otherwise specified. The author did try to use a professional tone, and interjected some personality, but they needed to put a little more effort into the presentation of their request.

Hello Mary P. Blogger,
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Penny K. Pen and I started writing when I was just a child. Over the years I just couldn't stop the words flowing from my pen to the page and had to write a book. I am on the third book in my fifth series now and would like to request an interview. I saw your blog and I saw that you are currently going through a bit of a flu. I actually am being treated for Type II Diabetes as well as stage four leukemia. The prospects aren't looking good and I wanted to tell the world more about myself before I go. I don't know what my husband will do without me, and I just hope he keeps the dog. My four children, two boys and two girls, and my seven grandchildren will be devastated when I am gone but I want them to have something to remember me by. I am on a restricted diet and cannot have much sugar, but the other night I cheated and had half a box of girl scout cookies. Well enough about me. I hope you will consider my request!

Forever your friend,
Penny K. Pen
Author
Mother
Book Series 1
Book Series 2
Book Series 3
Book Series 4
Book Series 5
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

This letter is well written, and very personalized, but it lacks professionalism. Note the long descriptions of this person's life. This blogger probably does not need to know everything about Penny's life in order to decide to interview her. In fact, she probably doesn't need anything but the request. See the request that was hidden among all of the other information? If you didn't, look again because it is there. Penny did include the blogger's name, which is is very important because it shows that she took the time to research the blog. Try to make what you want the most prominent information, because it is the most important.

Hello Rey V. Eiwers,

I was introduced to your blog by a friend, and must say that your work on the separation of the different types of paranormal romance was superb. I would really like to be interviewed by you about my new book Werewolves Love Vampires because I think it fits with your recent posts about the different types of shifter romances. If you would like to contact me about an interview I am available through email (shifters99@hotmail.com) or through phone 111-222-3333. I really hope I will hear from you soon, and please have a lovely evening.

Sincerely,
Ro M. Ance

This email is professional, to-the-point, and shows that the author really does pay attention to the blog. There is just enough personal information to tell the blogger that they may be interesting to interview, but without a whole life story. The blogger knows what this author wants, and will be able to respond accordingly. 

The author didn't include a link to their website or a sale page for the book, why? Well most emails with outside links are automatically sent to the spam box, or are marked so the receiver won't open them. 

The most important part of this post that you should take away is be polite, be professional, and be yourself.

Interview with Miles Wright

Geoff Wright, writing as Miles Wright,
lives in a small seaside village on the beautiful far south coast of Australia, with his wife and children (and his fish.) Right from an early age he fell in love with the outdoors; especially the sea. When he was very young he lived on a small farm, and spent many happy hours searching the creek for small fishes, tortoises and other make-believe creatures. He learned to ride a horse at the age of four, and sometimes rode his horse to school. When he was eight years old his family went to live on a river. There were no roads or cars down by the river, making it a very secluded and idyllic place to live. After school he spent many happy hours fishing, and sometimes hiked with friends up the river to exciting and unexplored places. These magical experiences and places have helped form the backdrop for some of the settings in his books.

He began reading books at an early age, and started writing short fantasy and science fiction stories, which his teacher would read to the class. His favourite subject all through school was English, and he won a Commonwealth Scholarship before going on to university to study English Literature and Marine Biology. He also has spent time studying at Moore Theological College. He is also a member of YALITCHAT, an organization for those who write Young Adult books. He is a keen environmentalist, and supports the local zoo for endangered species. He owned a Christian bookstore for several years, and would like to use the sales from his own books to support the Salvation Army, and help those less fortunate in society.

Wright's current books are The Angel Tree and Dragon Fly, and both address the issues of youths with mental illnesses. In this interview, Miles tells us a little more about where he got the inspiration for his novels.

1. Your first book The Angel Tree and your second book Dragon Fly both address youths with mental disorders. Where did you get the inspiration to write about the feelings and lives of people dealing with mental illness?

Wright: Way back in the 80's I had a friend with schizophrenia. It was a rollercoaster ride to say the least. Unfortunately she had tried smoking marijuana in her teens, and it had brought out in her a terrible psychosis. There were days when she knew who I was, and other days when she thought I was someone else. She could not hold down a job, and frequently went missing. Just like Joshua and Michael in my books, she constantly had voices in her head telling her to do bad things to herself and running her down. She, like Joshua, had an unhealthy dose of paranoia, to the point where she refused to take her medication, and often spat it out or hid it. On the positive side of things, she was a very creative person, and often spent hours composing beautiful music and drawings. Some of her drawings were displayed in exhibitions. Unfortunately her voices in her head had a say in what she drew, and a lot of it was sinister and demonic. She made me laugh one time when a group of us went out to dinner. She arrived at the restaurant with her entire face painted in intricate drawings, which amused the other restaurant patrons.

The reason I included mentally ill teenagers in my two books was to show the reader that these people are valuable and important, even in their broken state. There is a high teenage suicide rate in Australia due to teenage mental illness, so I believe the more we can get this topic out in the open, the more people who are suffering can reach out for help without feeling bad about it.
The other reason is that although schizophrenia is a terrible illness, it takes the friends of the patients into another world, and gives them a unique vision of a completely different world, and can be at times fascinating and inspiring. We should never look down on these people or feel superior to them.

2. Both of your books also mention this Angel Tree. Can you tell readers a little bit more about the concept behind this tree, and how it came to be?

Wright: The Angel Tree came into being when my friend with schizophrenia started drawing pictures of trees with demonic faces in them. It was her way of expressing the trauma she was going through. I'm sure we have all seen a twisted old gnarled tree with knots in it that looked like a face.

The Angel Tree also represents the fears which we all harbour in our lives. It is a great paradox in life that the only way for us to grow is to face our fears and challenges and conquer them. Imagine then you are Joshua, bedridden and staring at the thing that scared him the most all day. Thus the opening to my first book. His older sister sees the problem and changes his focus on the tree. Now another one of life's paradoxes comes into play; the things that scare us the most can sometimes be the way for us to go ahead in life. Just think of the first time you had to do an exam or go for your driver's license.
The third paradox in the Angel Tree is that it is Joshua's desire to go to the tree which leads him to freedom from the hard times he faces at home. Not only that, but because he faces his fear of the tree it leads him on an adventure, and finds him the best friend he has ever had.

3. Anything else you would like readers to know about your books?

Wright: My books are a great adventure from start to finish, but are not suitable for teens under about 13 years, as they deal with themes such as teen suicide and mental illness. The proceeds from my books are being donated to charity.

How to Navigate a Publishers Website

Last week we gave you a quick guide on how to navigate an unfamiliar bookstore, so this week we will go into how to find your way in an online publisher's website. We all love ebooks right? So at some point or another you have probably wandered onto a publisher's e-store and wondered how in the world you were going to find the book you wanted. The good news: you have already completed the easiest step by making it to the publisher's home page. The bad news: the next few steps can be a little tricky. Looking at three different e-stores; eTreasures Publishing, Entangled Publishing, and Black Lyon Publishing; we will go through how to find your way through the store and to the checkout, and hopefully provide some insight into the ever-changing world of e-publishing. 

1. Take a look around.
This seems similar to last week! It should because looking around is always important folks. How on earth are you going to know what to do if you haven't even had a proper look at anything? 

On this publisher's webpage you will probably see some sort of menu either at the top or down the left side. This will be your most important tool later. On the eTreasures website you can see the menu on the left. Entangled's menu is at the top, and Black Lyon's is on both the top and the left. 

2. Locate the search box.
If you have a book in mind that you are really wanting, you might not want to search through the website to find it. Luckily, most publishers know this and have included a search box somewhere on their website. eTreasures has theirs at the top left of the page, and Entangled's is on the top right. Black Lyon's is a little difficult to find on the far right, and halfway down the page. 

Type the title of the book you want to find in the search box and click search/press enter. Your book will appear on the next page, and all you have to do is select "Add to Cart". If this is all you want, skip the next few steps and go to the section on checking out.

3. Keep looking.
If you like one book from this publisher, chances are that you will like more. Why not stick around a little longer and see what else you can add to your reading device or bookshelf. Keep in mind, for some reason some publishers have decided to sell mainly through other vendors versus their own store. You may have to go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or another website to buy the book, but you can still get ideas for your booklist from the publisher's website. 

This is where that menu comes in handy. Often, a publisher will sort their book by genre. This is usually the easiest way to search because you only need to select your favorite. A list of books will pop up and you can scroll through to find something interesting. For now, if you like a book, add it to your cart. Worry about if you will buy it or not later. This will help you avoid that horrible moment where you knew you wanted to read a book but you can't remember what it was or where you saw it. Click on all of your favorite genres, or if you have a favorite author, you can find them as well.

Publishers will list their authors and the books they currently have with them. You can usually find this list somewhere in the menu or nearby. Just click on the name of your favorite author, and all of their books will be right in front of your eyes. 

4. Time for checkout!
You have your books, you've found more than you thought, and now you want to buy just a few. Good news is that you won't forget the books you want to buy later. Now you have them right there to write on your to-be-read list. Once you have written them down, you can delete them from your cart. For a publisher who has chosen to only sell through other vendors this maybe be easy, all you have to do is go to that vendor's website, which will more than likely be one of the big names that you have bought a few (*cough* hundred *cough*) from before. Others, like eTreasures, will have you check out through them. 

Find the link in their menu that says something about a cart, or whatever the website you are on calls it, and click it. This is your cart. From here you can checkout and receive your brand new book. 

Poem from Chapter and Verse

Barri Bryan's Chapter and Verse is a stunning collection of poetry involving love. New love, old love, lost love, and everything in between is featured in these poems which will evoke the same powerful emotions as love itself. This poem laments a love lost to war, and projects the emotions of love and loss like an arrow into the heart of the reader.

The Photograph

Out of time and out of place,

The photograph of a soldier’s face

Hangs like an effigy in the hall

Amid faded flowers that paper the wall.

Long ago, before he became

An image behind a walnut frame,

He was flesh and bone, blood and fire,

Her one true love, her heart’s desire.

For such a little space in time

They shared a happiness sweet, sublime

A fledgling splendor, learning to fly

‘Til its wings clipped the rigid edge of goodbye.

As he hugged her fiercely to his breast

Her cheek pressed the medals on his chest.

Wait for me, darling. Her reply:

I’ll love you ‘til the day I die.

He blew a kiss, then closed the gate.

Women will tarry, but war won’t wait.

Still, in her dreams, she hears his plea

My heart, my beloved, wait for me.

Always, she gives the same reply

I’ll love you ‘till the day I die,

Then wakes to remember her broken vow,

So eager then, so empty now.

A stirring inside, wind through lament.

Disturbing leaves of discontent.

She remembers a beach called Normandy

Where her dauntless lover’s bravery

Dyed to purple his valentine heart,

And ripped his strong young body apart.

His bones were splintered, his flesh was torn

His blood ran free on that D Day morn.

He fell to the ground with an agonized shout;

Fire burned to ashes, the flame went out.

We regret to inform you, the telegram said.

Her lover, her husband, her sweetheart was dead.

She wanted to hold to his memory

Until somewhere in eternity

She could declare with a woman’s pride,

I loved you ‘til the day I died.

But other arms would reach and hold

In the heat of passion old love grows cold.

For fifty years that vacant face,

Has silently hung in the same old place.

The painful price of restitution,

It never quite buys absolution.

A photograph hangs in the hall

Dead as the flowers that paper the wall.

Photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/25022128@N03/9959074393/">Kiama.Library</a> / <a href="http://foter.com/">Foter</a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">CC BY-NC</a>

How to Successfully Navigate a Bookstore

We have all had that slightly lost and confused feeling as we walk into a new bookstore. For all of us big book buyers, we probably are okay with the commercial bookstore like Barnes & Noble or local chains, but it's those small, hole-in-the-wall, secret treasures that we find and just can't pass by that confuse us the most. Are the books organized by author name or by title? Are they separated by genre? What books do they think fit in each genre? These are all fair questions, and hopefully after reading this you can feel a little more comfortable walking in to a new bookstore.

1. Survey your surroundings.
Most bookstores know that they are confusing, and they try to help. Some will put signs on the ceiling or on the tops of bookshelves to help you find genres to get a clue as to their organization system. This step is important, because it lets you identify on your own how to navigate this new world you have entered.

2. Take a quick jaunt up and down the aisles.
This will let you get the feel of the bookstore. Now you can glimpse familiar titles as you breeze past, and you can easily locate your favorite sections after you have perused the whole store. Have physical limitations and can't look around the whole store? You can just walk the short distance between the shelves and take a look down. Not as comprehensive as actually walking down the aisles, but it should give you a good idea about which aisle contains what.

This is an important part of the step: don't stop. It's going to be tempting; you are going to see a book you really want, or you may even find your favorite section, but don't stop. There may be a treasure further down the aisles or at the back that you will not have wanted to miss otherwise.

3. Ask the person behind the register.
Yes, this person will either look like your typical disinterested teen or a very busy employee trying desperately to catalog all of the new inventory. However, they are usually more than happy to help a customer who is currently lost in their store. They are working at a bookstore probably because they enjoy books, and they like to share their love just as much as the next bookworm. If you want a specific book, or you don't want to spend the time looking, they know their store better than anyone and can help you look.

4. Enjoy your new bookstore!
This is the most valuable step. As a book enthusiast, you have just discovered a treasure-trove of new stories and worlds for you to dive into. Explore your new store, and don't forget to always keep reading.

Interview with the Authors of Edmund Pickle Chin

Edmund Pickle Chin

by

Written by: Clara Bowman-Jahn and Susan April Elwood

Illustrated by Lynne Bendoly

Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story is based on a true story. Edmund, the main character, is an abused donkey who is the first of many animals to call Evermay Farm, a small rescue in central Georgia, home. Susan, Edmund’s care giver in the story, not only gives the shy donkey the time and patience he needs but gives him a new name every day of the week. The title takes on one of those nicknames she so lovingly calls him. As Susan starts to take in new critters, Edmund finds himself changing. As his name grows, so does his trust and acceptance. Edmund soon learns that he is not only needed but wanted. This confused, frightened donkey’s life changes as he becomes a hero, a babysitter, and a companion to the other residents at Evermay Farm.   

The real Edmund Pedro Pickle Chin Big Head Ed Elwood

For sale in electronic and print format at:

Amazon

Smashwords

eTreasures Store

Visit the Evermay Farm website here.

Interview:

1. Could you tell our readers a little more about the donkey who inspired Edmund?

Susan: Edmund Pedro Pickle Chin Big Head Ed Elwood is a real live donkey here at Evermay Farm and that really is his name! The story and it's events are true. He is the first of the critters to call Evermay Farm sanctuary home. His life story was the perfect inspiration to deliver the message to children that animals like people, need compassion and patience! 

Edmund is now eleven years old which is rather young for a donkey. Edmund is very loved by all who come to the farm and he LOVES getting attention and treats. His favorites are pears, watermelon, ginger snap cookies and apples. Edmund is very vocal when he sees someone he knows (and will sometimes shower them with a "nose blow ").

2. How did this project start? What made you want to collaborate on this book?

Clara: Susan contacted me in relation to my having written Annie's Special Day and began a relationship that had been interrupted since our lives had gone separate ways since her move to Georgia. And possibly before that, but we had been old friends previously. 

She began to talk to me of her work on the farm and Edmund in particular which prompted a beginning of the picture book and Susan sending me that draft.

3. This book was a combined effort, but who did what?

Susan: Edmund made it easy for me to write up an original, very rough draft which I emailed to Clara. She tweaked and pushed me for more storyline encouraging me to search for more highs and lows to create the story we have today. We sent the work back and forth through the computer, tweaking and rewriting between us. 

When it was" book dummy" time, it was also time for Clara's son to be married so I was in charge of doing the dummy, I had never done one before! Some how it fell into place!

The illustrations to me were a big part of telling this story, so I gave careful thought to each picture I wanted Lynne Bendoly to illustrate. I feel she delivered a successful portrayal! I wanted every child to be able to relate to the book so in the barn scene we have a multicultural group of children and Susan in the story was given brothers. I also did the photography the back of the book. 

Clara: After rewriting a revision several times I put it in front of my critique group which then several revisions followed that and put in front another writing group, my Round Hill Writers Group. Susan was made aware of each revision and together we, over the phone and in email, wrote the book. I had already done several book dummies by the time Susan did hers for the illustrations And Susan worked off one of those for the final one with the illustrations. One of the participants in RHWG mentioned that we could have time pass with each nick name so we did that as well forming the crux of the story arc and making Edmund help out on the farm with each new name.

Like the acknowledgements said in the beginning of the book, It takes a village to raise a book. and I thanked all my critique groups and partners. 

4. Susan, can you tell us a little more about your farm? What is its goal/purpose? What kind of animals are you helping right now?

Susan: Evermay Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It's purpose is to give sanctuary to unwanted and abused animals. Our mission is to show them respect, give them back their dignity and show compassion on an individual level to meet each ones personal needs. 

We have miniature horses, goats, lots of bunny rabbits, cats, a hinny, pony and of course Edmund. Evemay is a sanctuary, so the critters that comes here call Evermay home for life. 

We have a goats, one born blind that was going to have her neck "cracked", another born on a slaughter truck, homeless miniature horses, many rabbits some that needed medication and surgery. Each one comes to us with it's own story. Our newest is Spencer a free spirit hinny (half horse /half donkey) who now resides with Edmund.

5. How is this project different from your other children's books, if at all? Would you want to work on a project like this again? 

Clara: This book is both the story of compassion for animals and writing the book one must have compassion for people as well. For this one I had the help of numerous critique groups and partners and Susan feeding me the stuff to write about. For Annie, I had some help from my husband and kindergarten-teacher sister but no crit-groups or partners. 

Edmund Pickle Chin was written in a frenzy of a few months where as Annie took several years to write. Animal Rescue was something new to me and made a wonderful story. I Loved writing about it. Edmund was and is a great main character. 

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Interview About Finding Eden with Pembroke Sinclair

Pembroke Sinclair is a literary jack of all trades, playing her hand at multiple genres. She has written an eclectic mix of fiction ranging from horror to sci-fi and even some westerns. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming--the home of 56 nationalities--it is no wonder Pembroke ended up so creatively diverse. Her fascination with the notions of good and evil, demons and angels, and how the lines blur have inspired her writing. Pembroke lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with her husband, two spirited boys, a black lab named Ryder, and a rescue kitty named Alia, who happens to be the sweetest, most adorable kitty in the world! She cannot say no to dessert, orange soda, or cinnamon. She loves rats and tatts and rock and roll and wants to be an alien queen when she grows up.

Finding Eden

Drunk womanizer Duke spends his life selfishly, with his motto being "screw the rest of the world". After one particular black out after an alcoholic binge, he wakes to find the world changed, and the dead rising from their graves. 

Lonely, guilt-ridden Hank is someone who minds his own business. Lana is sympathetic but strong-willed student, and often found on the receiving end of harassment by her classmates. 

Forced together for survival, the three misfits must confront their world gone strange. The end has come, and Duke, Hank, and Lana must depend on each other to make it through the chaos.

Interview:

1. Your characters are Duke, Hank, and Lana. Can you give us a little background on them? Who are they and what can you tell us about them (without too many spoilers!).

Pembroke: Duke is a drunk, Lana is a teenage girl who has lost her faith, and Hank is a devout Christian who is trying to save the other’s lives—both physically and spiritually.

They are all thrown together after zombies have risen from the grave and have to figure out a way to survive.

2. Where did you come up with the idea for this book?

Pembroke: I’m a huge zombie fan, and I have been for a while, but I wanted to write something a little different.  I remembered there was a passage in the Bible about how God commanded the dead to rise and take care of His enemies.  I had never written a religious zombie story before, so I thought it would be fun to see how it turned out.

3. There is a lot of horror out there. How is Finding Eden different?

Pembroke: Finding Eden is different because it’s a religious story.  There are lots of passages from the Bible in the story, and it has a happy ending.  Not all horror has that.