Freedom to the Writers -- and Readers!

I had been mulling over a blog post about e-publishing -- something about how writers need to stop pinning all their hopes and dreams on a single novel and how readers should stop believing that publishers have their best interests at heart. And then I did a little blog-reading and discovered that two wonderful authors have already covered this subject well.

I highly recommend visiting Gerry McCullough's blog and reading "The Books We Weren't Allowed to Read." And when you've finished with that, move along to Mark Williams' site and check out "Dumb and Dumber."

By the way, if you haven't read Sugar and Spice, I recommend it. Check out the review.

Happy Writing and Reading!

Kristina Jackson -- Talented Writer Living with POTS

To be perfectly honest, I'd never heard of POTS before I met Kristina on Book Junkies. Now that I have, I can't help but hope that researchers will find a cure for this disabling condition. The most basic definition of POTS is that it causes an abnormal heart rate increase when the sufferer moves from laying down to sitting or standing up, frequently resulting in fainting spells.

However, Kristina is not defined by her illness. She is a talented writer who deserves to be recognized as such. To that end, I am directing you to her writing blog, where you will find samples of her work. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Have a happy day, Kristina!

Thank You, Alex!

I’d like to share a little brag here today. Alex Canton-Dutari, a fellow Book Junkie and writer (as well as a former clinical psychologist), has taken it upon himself to create a short review of my overall writing style. Here it is, in his words:

“I always look for a trait in a writer that has written several books. After reading An Unassigned Life and Circle City Blues, I was quite sure to have found it. This was confirmed upon reading Forsaking the Garden: Plot development consistency. 

“It is obvious, at least for me, that Ms Bennett can tackle any subject she desires while using first person in whichever genre she chooses. And I have seen her go from a serious though a bit irreverent tirade about afterlife, through what some might consider “chick lit” and questioning today's society in Forsaking the Garden. 

“By the way, be prepared for her endings. The author may smile but the reader may be surprised… As to myself, one made me feel that I had hit a wall with my face. 

“I appreciate the author not making a display of sex to maintain reader's interest. She has all the correct literary resources to make her stories serious but entertaining reads.”

Thank you again, Alex! Check out his blog here.

Preempting #Trust30: #WriterWednesday Interview!

I would like to interrupt this month of #Trust30 navel-gazing to promote another author’s blog: Aynoit Asher.

Aynoit has written two novellas focusing on abusers and the abused. In the last few months, she has also generously conducted and featured interviews of her fellow indie authors for #writerwednesdays. This week, she is featuring yours truly.

I encourage you to visit her site and see what I and some of my fellow writers have to say. If you're interested in reading my books, you can find them at Inknbeans Press, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and several other e-booksellers.

A Blog Worth Reading

I'd like to take a moment to promote the blog of a long-time friend:

But Just Like That...: The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants

Now, I'm not a mother -- I'm a novelist, a profession I have discovered requires a certain level of selfishness on my part. Selfishness is not really compatible with motherhood, so I'd have to say it's a good thing that God never put a baby in my life. However, this is one of the best-written parenting blogs I've come across. Why? Because when I read it I understand what having a child must really feel like --and that makes her blog truly remarkable.

Thanks, DJ...I admire you and am glad to know you.

Piedmont Photo

If you have any interest in photography, check this site out:

Piedmont Photo

The Joni Sternbach video (3/21/2011) is fascinating, especially in our digital age.

My Publisher: Inknbeans Press

Now that the ink is dry on the contracts, I'm pleased to announce that Inknbeans Press is my publisher.

I consider myself very fortunate to have come in contact with this fantastic group of people as a result of writing a book review for Steven Revare's Raw, a Novel. After discovering how carefully they edit their books, I was thrilled when they gave me the opportunity to submit my own work for their review and ecstatic when they said they wanted to work with me.

The Boss Bean (Maaijo Lowe) describes the press this way:

"Inknbeans isn't one of the Big Six.  It would be a stretch to call us one of the Little Six Hundred.  We're fairly new on the publishing horizon, but that will change.  We're small, and we want to keep it that way.  When we get so big that you can't have a dialog with the person who makes policy, then we've gotten too big."

Inknbeans will be introducing me on their website next week. Circle City Blues will be the first book to appear under their imprint, with The Thief of Todays and Tomorrows and The Prophet's Wives to follow.

And, coming in February 2011, my fourth novel, An Unassigned Life, will debut.

As a special offer to my fans and friends, Inknbeans Press will be giving a free t-shirt to one of my followers who signs up for their email list. Joining the email list will also give you advance notice on future books by all of the Inknbeans authors, as well as any promotions or sales offered through their website.

So, please, take the time to join the list and explore the books offered by Inknbeans Press. You won't be disappointed.

Happy Reading!

Great Advice from an Australian Agent

If you want to follow a blog written by someone in the publishing industry, Agent Sydney is a great choice. Responding to questions from authors, she tells it like it is.

Yesterday's post, Dude, where's your punctuation?, is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks that agents and publishers will overlook bad grammar, punctuation, and style if the story is good enough. Long story short, they won't. If you want to succeed, you have to know how to write clearly in your language of choice.

Trying to write a good novel without a grasp on proper grammar and punctuation is like trying to paint without knowing what size brush you need or how to hold it. If you find yourself in this predicament, I highly recommend you enroll in a Grammar and Rhetoric class at your local community college. Artists take classes to perfect their technique. Writers should, too.

Happy writing!

Fantastic Advice from Smashwords Founder

If you want e-book publishing success, read this blog:

Smashwords: The Seven Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success: "This past weekend at the Self Publishing Book Expo in New York, I presented my Seven Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success. I embedded the pr..."

Happy writing!

Susan Wells Bennett

Marion Stein on Cyber-Bullying

Once again, I'm going to point you to the talented Ms. Stein's blog, where she addressed the topic of cyber-bullying in the wake of Tyler Clementi's suicide:

http://www.marionstein.net/2010/10/04/stopping-cyber-bullying/

This is a serious crime with serious consquences; the soon we adults figure this out, the more likely it is that we will be able to help the next victim.

Susan Wells Bennett

Smashwords Books Reviewed: Featured Author: Susanne O'Leary

Smashwords Books Reviewed has published a lovely interview with Susanne O'Leary as well as my review of her recent book, Swedish for Beginners. I highly recommend this author to anyone who enjoys women's fiction.

Smashwords Books Reviewed: Featured Author: Susanne O'Leary: "Today Susanne O'Leary is our featured author. Writing from Ireland, Susanne's novels have enjoyed international success in print as well as ..."

Nice Mention on Smashwords Books Reviewed

Thanks to Neil Crabtree for posting my information on his blog. Stay tuned for the book review...

Smashwords Books Reviewed: Susan Wells Bennett Will Review Susanne O'Leary: "Susan Wells Bennett is the author of three novels and reviews Indie books at her website. I am very happy to have her guest review of a nove..."

Talented Cartoonist

This guy's work is really great. Please take a few minutes and check it out:

http://stuffnoonetoldme.blogspot.com/

Susan Wells Bennett

A Modest Proposal for Today's Economy

Please visit Marion Stein's blog to read about some fantastic growth industries:

http://www.marionstein.net/2010/09/23/new-opportunities-in-tough-times/

Smashwords: Smashwords Publishes 20,000th Indie Ebook

Smashwords: Smashwords Publishes 20,000th Indie Ebook: "Smashwords author Charlene Bays Rothenberger yesterday published the 20,000th book at Smashwords at 8:23pm Pacific time. Two months ago we ..."