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Readers, why I haven’t been very good to you…
May
11, 2012 |Filed in:
eBooks,eReader,HarperCollins,Indie Spotlight,Kindle,Nook,Publishing,YA Novels
Hey, there. I know it’s been awhile. But look, I bought you flowers.
Now, listen. I know I haven’t been around much, I understand if you don’t want to take my gift, and you’re tired of my disappearing acts. Just…just give me a chance to explain.
See, first, the good news: I’ve been in my cave, producing a bunch of new stuff. Now, the bad news: I can’t really show you any of it yet.
Here’s the sitch: I used to be an independent author. Solely. That meant I could write as fast as possible, publish just as fast, and, generally, keep $*&# moving. That was fun, and kept me in close contact with you. But, the downside involved me being a one-man band. Writer/Cover Designer/Marketer/Editor (well, editorial isn’t necessarily a strong suit, so I did farm that out when I could, but I had to make corrections based on feedback myself, which has resulted in the thing all indie authors fear the most…typos).
As you know, I signed a publishing contract with HarperCollins, one of the largest publishers in America, last August. Harpers will publish my debut YA mystery novel sometime soon (the dates aren’t nailed down). This is something I’ve been working for my whole life, and I’m looking forward to being in bookstores all over the country. BUT, seeing this lifelong dream fulfilled doesn’t come without hiccups.
Harpers is huge, and I’m not even a small cog in their machine. I’m more like lubricant (slosh that around in your head for a minute). I’ll have to work my butt off to be even a low priority there. I’m not complaining, I just want to explain why you, the loyal readers who have supported LIVE AGAIN, THE DARKNESS KEPT, and THE SHADOWS GALLERY, haven’t seen a new book from me in over a year.
There are new books. I’ve finished drafts of 2 novels that aren’t contracted to Harpers. And, though not in their final states, the books are kick-ass. My band has expanded, though. I now have really good beta-readers (for those unfamiliar with the lingo, these are people who aren’t necessarily editors, but who give pro-level critiques) to help make the books better than I ever could on my own. I’ve got two agents (lit and film) who want to see clean versions of the books before anyone else. Then, finally, I’ve got my editor at Harpers, who took a chance on me, and deserves first dibs on these books if she decides they’d fit her list. Bottom line: for those books, I no longer have the ability to hand them directly to you, to be read on your Kindles or Nooks the way I used to. I’m sorry about that.
I don’t mean to neglect you. I should never have neglected you. I’ve come up with something that might help.
I just released a new suspense story, “When Scary People Know Your Name“, to Kindle (A Nook version is coming in a few days). It’s only .99 cents and I think you’ll like it.
I’ll continue to release short, inexpensive stories. Maybe as often as once a month. For you.
Also, since my representatives are focused on my Young Adult work, I’m going to brainstorm something outside of that realm–something longer than a short story–that will please you, too.
See, I haven’t forgotten you, or where I came from.
Please forgive me. Take the flowers. Check out the new story. And be on the lookout for other gifts, coming soon.
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books, ebooks, eReader, Kindle, NookThe Darkness Kept – FREE on Kindle 1/7 and 1/8
My fantasy thriller THE DARKNESS KEPT will be available this week as a FREE Kindle download.
That’s right. FREE. NO STRINGS ATTACHED. NO TAXES. NO MEMBERSHIP FEES. Just exciting reading that you can tell your friends about.
The promotion starts Saturday at 12AM PDT and runs through 11:59PM PDT on Sunday. Please spread the word. Thanks.
Spread the word.
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ebooks, Free, KindleGo On Girl! Book of the Month – LIVE AGAIN
The Go On Girl! Book Club has selected LIVE AGAIN as their Book of the Month selection for July.
I spent time with the ladies of GoG! in May at their annual conference and it was incredible. Not only did they give me total red carpet treatment, but they honored and humbled me by showing so much love for my book.
Thanks Go On Girl! I hope you all enjoy reading Live Again as much as I enjoyed writing it.
If anyone out there cares to read along with the ladies of GoG! this month, you can purchase paperback copies of Live Again from Mahogany Books (GoG’s official bookseller), or you can get digital copies for you preferred eReader by following the links on this site.
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Book of the month, Go On Girl!, Kindle, L.R. Giles, Live Again, Mahogany Books, Nook, paperbackBy popular demand: PAPERBACKS
You asked and I provided…
Due to the popularity of my eBooks and numerous requests from those who don’t utilize eReader technology, I’ve made two of my books, LIVE AGAIN and THE SHADOWS GALLERY, available as trade paperbacks. As of today, you can click on the links below or on the links available throughout the site to purchase your copy. Be sure to spread the word. Happy Reading.
THE SHADOWS GALLERY in paperback
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books, ebooks, eReader, Kindle, Nook, paperback, publishingMarch Announcements…SPREAD THE WORD!!
Hey, gang. Just wanted to make a few announcements to start the month off right. Before I do, though, I want to thank each and every one of you who helped make February such an incredible month for my two books. I’ve received a lot of email, and some great reviews over at Amazon and B&N that I will be eternally grateful for. I love hearing from readers, so feel free to reach out to me any time: lrgileswriter [at] gmail [dot] com
Now, a little housekeeping…
- LIVE AGAIN received stellar reader reviews all through February. To celebrate I’m doing a FIVE STAR FICTION SALE. LIVE AGAIN will be available on Kindle and Nook for just .99 cents through March…spread the word!!
- Sign up for the L.R. Giles Newsletter (check out the right-hand panel at here at www.lrgiles.com) for access to exclusive contests and the latest news on new books and events.
- What’s next? I’m putting together a short story collection for the summer along with an epic fantasy collaboration with fellow author Becky Rodgers Boyette. Becky and I go waaaayyy back. Yes, when you check out her site, you’ll see we have two totally different styles. Each of us brought something different to the table and our unique perspectives meshed surprisingly well to create a story filled with romance, action, adventure, and, um, the apocalypse. Stay tuned for more details. 😉
That’s all for now. Again, be sure to sign up for the newsletter. And I’m looking forward to another great month with you all…later.
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.99 cents, ePublishing, eReader, Five Star Review, Kindle, Nook, SaleIndie Spotlight: Piety and Murder
This week I’m featuring a taut thriller by a former Green Beret. Yes, I do make some interesting discoveries deep in the Indie Publishing Rabbit Hole. The book is Piety and Murder by Thomas Rowe Drinkard. Available in the following formats: Kindle | Nook.
Description: Mack Brinson has two major problems. He is trying to recover from the long trauma of losing the love of his life—his wife Song. Now, his only family, Song’s mother Huong, is being systematically, and legally, bilked by a sleazy televangelist’s organization.
When Brinson goes to the smarmy preacher’s headquarters in an attempt to stop the thievery, he is physically threatened.
Brinson is a former Green Beret and isn’t intimidated. He goes after the preacher in an attempt to gather embarrassing information. When he gets too close, someone tries to murder him in a running gunfight on the Lake Ponchartrain Bridge.
Along the way, Brinson meets a woman, Pattie, who finally begins to dissolve the emotional walls he has erected. He begins to learn how to love again.
There is an unseen hand behind the preacher’s organization. The face of the antagonist is unclear, but when Huong is kidnapped, Brinson has to call on his old Special Operations contacts to find the kidnapper and rescue her.
The face of the man behind the televangelist finally becomes clear and shocking. Vengeance: slow and awful lies ahead.
My take: This suspenseful thriller, written with prescisely detailed prose, and cast with unique characters, delves into a phase of life rarely covered in other books featuring protagonists that boast membership in the Special Forces. Mack Brinson is retired, Post Mid-life, and shares a Southern home with his dog and dead wife’s mother. Rambo this guy is not, and that’s the strength in this tale of duty and vengeance. While Brinson’s days of parachuting into some jungle warzone may be behind him, there’s still plenty to fight for when a smarmy televangelist threatens what’s near and dear. Timely and telling, Piety and Murder is a nice addition to your eReader of choice.
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eReader, Indie Spotlight, Kindle, NookMy eVolution
Been awhile, folks. Happy New Year (he says, three weeks late).
As always, I apologize for the M.I.A act, but I’ve been gone for a good reason…well, I hope you think it’s a good reason.
Of course I’ve been writing, and also been prepping for the next (immediate) step in my writing career. Indie Publishing.
As of yesterday, you can purchase two of my novels for your Kindle, Nook, or other compatible eReader device.
For the record, this isn’t an ad for either book. If you care to download a free sample or purchase either book, you can utilize this link, or any of the links in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
This is more like the first journal entry in a year long experiment. You see, I don’t know how to market things, and I don’t know if people will like what I’m offering, but I gotta start somewhere. I expect there to be a lot of trial and error as I attempt to strike a balance between my natural inclination to not annoy folks with the necessary assertiveness it takes to make people aware that I have a product they may want to take a look at.
As always, I’m an open book (no pun intended). I’ll post about my efforts, the results, and any hurdles I hit along the way. So far I’ve sold 3 books total. Not bad for the first couple of days. I’ve heard of much slower starts. Time will tell if this first 3 was the start of a movement or the peak.
More to come folks…
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ebooks, eReader, Kindle, Marketing, Nook, publishingDraculas (yes, plural): a review
There’s something you need to know right now: I don’t like my vampires sparkly.
Neither do Crouch, Kilborn, Strand, or Wilson…the authors responsible for DRACULAS, a new horror novel collaboration available exclusively through eReader devices like the Amazon Kindle. Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about story medium (particularly surrounding Kilborn AKA JA Konrath), the digital revolution, and the future of publishing. This tag-team match of high octane thriller-horror writers may very well stir that pot once again, but I’m not here to talk about that.
I want to talk about sweet red candy. Blood. Particularly the RIVERS of it running through this tale.
The premise is simple enough. Terminally-ill billionaire Mortimer Moorecock purchases what tabloids call a “Dracula skull”, supposedly the fossilized skull of the Count himself (or one of his cousins). The goal: immortality. Upon pressing this skull’s crocodile-like fangs into his own neck, Moorecock succumbs to vicious seizures. His caretakers rush him to the hospital where things go horribly wrong. The infection changing Moorecock into a blood-crazed predator spreads quickly and what should’ve been a quick trip to the ER turns into a battle for every single person in the hospital to survive the night.
And what a battle it is.
I haven’t read a book like this in…well, ever. The mix of comedy, gore, and horror combine for cycles of laughter, wincing, and heartbreak. When you consider that four different authors put the words together, it seems like a miracle that the story is even coherent. They pull it off though, with seamless transitions between characters and voice. As an added bonus, this book comes with DVD-like extras that pull the curtain back on the process that birthed this beautifully bloody gorefest.
Some may call DRACULAS a throw-back to blood-soaked vampires who didn’t shop at Banana Republic and romance brooding teenage girls. On well level, I agree, but I would simply add this type of vampire probably should’ve been the standard all along.
If you feel the same, then this is a must-read.
Sidenote: Did Sam Raimi ever make a vampire movie? One of his old-school, guerilla style horror films that’s gained cult status but has somehow escaped my memory? If not, and if I ever have an audience with the man, I would beg him to adapt this. There’d be very little for him to do. Hire great actors. Hand out Kindles. Let the cameras roll. I may start a petition. And if you read DRACULAS, I think you’d be happy to sign it.