December 14, 2015

Best of Write with Fey for 2015 / Holiday R.A.N.T.


NOTE: I recently had dental surgery, so please forgive me if I don't get back to you right away.

Every year I do a Best of Write with Fey post, so here are the most popular posts from my blog for 2015:


Top 5 Best Writing About Posts:

1. Writing About: Winter -  This was my first seasonal post and the one with the most views, comments, and shares.

2. Writing About: Witches – A lot of commenters thank me for shining a light on what real witches are versus what society has pegged them to be.

3. Writing About: School – So many told me about their time in school and about being bullied. It was wonderful and heartbreaking.

4. Writing About: A Corpse – I got more feedback on this one than I thought I would’ve.

5. Writing About: Ghosts (Part 2) – Even more tips on how to write about a ghostly character.



Top 10 Best Random Posts:

1. Blog Post Ideas – This post is a list of blog post ideas for those who struggle to find something to blog about.

2. Dear Mom – A letter I wrote for my mom.

3. Nature in a Frame – A Kid’s Project – This is a neat nature project you can do with your kids/grandkids/nieces or nephews.

4. I’m a Tree Hugger! – My best tree photography.

5. A Kick in the Butt / IWSG – I shared an email that kicked me in the butt.

6. My Sunflowers – Pictures of the sunflowers I grew from seeds.

7. Self-Defense Tips – Self-Defense tips that anyone can do.

8. Bullying Awareness Project – A project to teach kids about the impact of bullying and hurtful words.

9. 15 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas – A list of easy, crafty Christmas gift ideas.

10. 12 Days of Writer’s Christmas – A fun poem...go ahead...sing it!



Top 10 Best Publishing Posts:

1. Blogging 101 – tips on how to create a blog, get readers, and even to spice up an existing blog.

2. How to Create an Author Facebook Page – step-by-step tips and advice on how to get likes.

3. The Ultimate Editing List – the title pretty much says it all.

4. Organization Tips – for writers, authors, and bloggers.

5. How to Write an Author Bio – again, self-explanatory.

6. Working with a Cover Artist – advice on how to get a cover image you want and how to work with a cover artist.

7. How to do a Cover Reveal – Techniques for how to do a cover reveal.

8. Book Release Party – Tips on how to host a successful Facebook book release party.

9. Getting Reviews – Full of tips on how to get more reviews for your books.

10. How to Promote Free Days – This post will tell you how to get the most out of your book’s free days.



Top 10 Best A to Z Posts:

1. A is for Avalanche (most comments)










**********************************************

If you want to participate in R.A.N.T.
hosted by J.A.Scott, you can find me details HERE.

It really bothers me when people say, “It’s Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays!” Why can’t it be a merry Christmas for you and a happy holiday for someone else?

What's so wrong about saying “Happy Holidays” anyway? Wishing someone happiness during this lovely time of the year is a Christian thing to do. I'm Christian and if someone me tells me “Happy Holidays” I smile and say it back, because by saying that they are wishing me a happy Christmas and New Year. I even say “Happy Holidays” to strangers.

People get so mad over this phrase because they dont believe in the other holidays/religions, but this season is not meant to be a time of anger. So, say “Happy Holidays” to someone and see how it brightens up their faces. Let that brighten you.

***

Well, that’s it for 2015. I’m taking a blogging break starting...now! I’ll be back in 2016. :)

XOXO,
Chrys Fey



Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!


December 09, 2015

White Light by Anna Simpson / Cover Reveal


 
Title: White Light
Author: Anna Simpson
Publisher: Three Worlds Press
Genre: Cozy
Release Date: December 22/2015
     

About The Book:

Emma never dreamed of being a super-sleuth. In her mind, she’s more Scooby Doo than Nancy Drew and when her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Perkins, drags her to an anniversary party to solve a mystery, she rolls her eyes, buys a box of chocolates and hops in the car. What’s a party without an attack on its host—or more accurately on the host’s grandson, sparking an allergic reaction and moving the party to the hospital waiting room. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect. Emma and Mrs. Perkins, along with Great Aunt Alice (a spirit with boundary issues who keeps stepping into Emma’s body like a new dress and playing matchmaker), dive into an investigation that almost gets Emma killed along with the man they are trying to protect. With so many reasons to kill him and so much to be gained if he died, Emma and Mrs. Perkins must unravel the tenuous ties that point to every member of his family as potential killers. Even if it means going back to the psych ward, Emma will protect her friend and this innocent man. What good is freedom if it's haunted with guilt?

Author Links:

About the Author:

Anna Simpson lives near the Canadian-US border with her family. Even though she's lived in several places in British Columbia, her free spirit wasn't able to settle down until she moved back to her hometown. She is easy to find though, if you know the magic word -- emaginette. Do an internet search using it and you'll see what I mean. :-)


December 07, 2015

Publishing 101



Dear Aspiring Writer,

This is a collection of links from my blog that could aid you in the process of publishing your first novel from beginning to end. There are also marketing tips and help on how to build your author platform. 

For writing tips on character development, stages of a novel, editing, and more got to How to Write a Novel.

If you're looking for specific help on certain scenes or characters, check out the lists on my Writing About page.

Enjoy!


PUBLISHING:

Traditional Publishing Pros & Cons – An in-depth look at traditional publishing

How to Build a Platform – Tips on how to get your name out there and build an audience.

Using a Pen Name – This article discusses pen names. I use one. :)

Author Photo Tips – Need an author photo? I’ve got tips to help you get a good one.

Save Your Work! – Don’t ever risk losing your hard work again!

Writer's Etiquette – What you need to know when dealing with agents, editors, and writers. This article will give you advice on things NOT to do.

How to Get Publishing Credentials – Sometimes it’s not easy to do, so I am offering tips.

How to Write an Author Bio – Yes, you even need one when you’re a new writer.

How to Write a Query Letter – All writers will eventually have to craft the dreaded query.

How to Write a Synopsis – And the dreaded synopsis. These articles will tell you what you need to know to accomplish both tasks.

How to Handle Rejection – When you start submitting, you’ll most likely get rejections. But that’s okay!

Blurbs, Taglines, and Loglines OH MY! – This article provides everything you need to know to create blurbs, taglines, and loglines.

How to Create an Author Tagline – The best authors have one! And you should too!

Dedications and Acknowledgements – Need help writing the dedication and acknowledgment pages for your books?

Working with a Cover Artist – Here are a few things to keep in mind when you work with a cover artist.

Working with an Editor – Yes, they are human. And I’m giving tips to help you not to make a mistake when working with one.

How to do a Cover Reveal – Need help orchestrating a cover reveal?

Preparing for Release Day – There’s a lot you need to do to prepare for your book’s release. I am giving a list of some things for you to remember.

Write Your Next Book – While you wait to get one book published, write another!

3 R’s Rank, Ratings, and Reviews – I’m giving advice on how to deal with the 3 R’s.

Tax Deductions – I’m giving a list of possible deductions all writers can take advantage of.



MARKETING:


100 Marketing Tips  100 tips!

How to Create an Author Facebook Page – Clueless about Facebook pages! This article will help you create an awesome page and engage with your followers.

Blogging 101 – All you need to know to a blog.

How to Set Up a Blog Tour – Want to do a blog tour? I’m offering ideas and tips to help you get it done.

How to Create a Press Kit – Not everyone has one, but you should consider making one so information about you and your books is easily accessible by the people who need it.

Book Release Party – Party time! This article is full of advice on how to throw a Facebook party.

How to Promote Free Days – Is your book going to be free on Amazon? Make the post of it with these tips.

Easy Ways to Promote Your Book – I’ve tested these out myself.

Getting Reviews - We all want reviews, so here's how to get them.

How to Create a Website - An author website needs certain tools for it to be effective.  

How to Design a Business Card – Tips on how to design a good calling card. 

Twitter for Writers - All you need to know to join Twitter.

Instagram for Writers - 20 Instagram Ideas - Tips on how to utilize this photo app.

How to Create a Newsletter - Author newsletters can build readership.


Book Signing Fear - Tips for book signings and how to get rid of your fear.



XOXO,

Chrys Fey 


December 04, 2015

A Clueless Woman by T.B. Markinson / Book Blast



I'm co-hosting Unicorn Bell today with this post:

***

Title: A Clueless Woman
Author: T.B. Markinson
Prequel to A Woman Lost

BOOK LINKS:


Blurb: 

Graduate student Lizzie Petrie feels more comfortable around books than people. Although an expert in the Hitler Youth, she’s a novice in love. Her former lesbian lover is blackmailing her, and not even those closest to Lizzie know the full story of their abusive relationship.

When visiting high school English teacher Sarah crosses Lizzie’s path at the campus, their attraction is instant, but not without complications. As they start to spend more time together, suspicions arise from both women in this sexy piece of LGBT fiction.

Plenty of good-natured teasing takes place between lovers as well as between PhD students in this lesbian contemporary romance. No relationship path ever runs smoothly, and oftentimes, those who can’t keep their mouth shut hasten necessary confrontation.

Lizzie finds herself buried in a mess of lies in this romantic comedy. The harder she tries to keep Sarah and the rest of her friends from finding out the truth about her first girlfriend, the more endearingly clueless she becomes.


Excerpt:

          “Do you think I’m pathetic?” I asked Ethan as he added gobs of sugar to his Starbucks house blend.

          He dipped his head almost a foot and peered at me through his spectacles. “How am I supposed to answer that?”

          “Honestly. Do you think I’m pathetic?”

          Ethan maneuvered his lanky frame past three untidy tables and I followed, grimacing at the messiness of the place, until we settled on one that was almost clean. It was a little after ten on Saturday, and although it was quiet now, the early morning rush must have taken the staff by surprise. Two teenagers leaned against the counter, dazed and confused.

          “Okay, what’s got your panties in a bunch this morning?” Ethan set down his coffee, took off his coke-bottle thick glasses, and cleaned them with a cloth.

          “The other night, William and Janice got on my case about how long it’s been since I experienced The Big O.” I didn’t bother whispering the last part. Aside from the employees behind the counter, the place was deserted.

          “The Big O?” He hitched up one of his thin eyebrows.

          “You know. In bed.”

          “Oh, you mean the last time you had an orgasm.” He wiped both eyes with his fingers before replacing his glasses. “And?”

          “And what?”

          He snorted. “When was the last time?”

          I scratched my chin. “Not sure really. Meg.”

          “That was well over a year ago.”

          “Good grief. Not you as well. For someone who doesn’t like sex, I didn’t think you would gang up on me, too.”

          “Gang up on you?” He laughed. “I’m just curious.” He ignored my comment about not liking sex. With the exception of coffee, Ethan disliked fluids of all types, but especially bodily fluids. It made me wonder how he’d managed to get married. “And their comments got you thinking?” he added.

          “Yes. I mean no. Maybe,” I stammered. “I just keep thinking about it.”

          “About what? The Big O or not having anyone in your life?” As usual, Ethan hit the nail on the head.

          “Just the other day, I ran into one of my former professors. This guy is ancient, in a wheelchair, and he smells like an old person who’s about to move on to the next world. Out of the blue he started telling me about how he and his lady friend went to the movies. I was flabbergasted. How did he have a lady friend? I don’t even have a pet. Not even a goldfish.”

          “Do you want a lady friend?” Ethan’s tone bordered on teasing. 


About the Author:

T. B. Markinson is an American writer, living in England. When she isn’t writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs, or taking the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order.

Links:
Twitter        Facebook        Blog        Goodreads     Amazon Author Page

Mailing List:

Get the first book in the series, A Woman Lost, for FREE by signing up to TB’s Readers’ Group here.


December 02, 2015

12 Days of Writer's Christmas



SALE RESULTS: Last month I put 30 SECONDS on sale for two weeks to boost sales. I received tremendous support. So many people tweeted about it and posted on their blogs. THANK YOU! I received a couple of new reviews and heard from several people that they got 30 Seconds. I won’t know the figures until this quarter ends, but I wanted to share with you an image of its rank. You CAN see how low it was and how it fluctuated during the 2 week sale and afterward during Black Friday. It is dropping again but I knew that would happen.



Actually, it’s still 99cents on Amazon because they haven’t changed it back. So you can still get it for a discount! :D

Now for some fun. If you don't want to read it all, skip to the bottom. 


12 Days of Writer's Christmas
by
Chrys Fey


On the first day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
A big fat dictionary.

On the second day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the third day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the fourth day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the fifth day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Five golden pens!
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the sixth day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Six muses inspiring
Five golden pens!
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the seventh day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Seven Ninjas fighting
Six muses inspiring
Five golden pens!
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the eighth day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eight bloggers blogging
Seven Ninjas fighting
Six muses inspiring
Five golden pens!
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the ninth day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Nine beta readers reading
Eight bloggers blogging
Seven Ninjas fighting
Six muses inspiring
Five golden pens!
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the tenth day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Ten editors editing
Nine beta readers reading
Eight bloggers blogging
Seven Ninjas fighting
Six muses inspiring
Five golden pens!
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the eleventh day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eleven publishers begging
Ten editors editing
Nine beta readers reading
Eight bloggers blogging
Seven Ninjas fighting
Six muses inspiring
Five golden pens!
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.

On the twelfth day of Writer's Christmas my true love gave to me...
Twelve contracts waiting
Eleven publishers begging
Ten editors editing
Nine beta readers reading
Eight bloggers blogging
Seven Ninjas fighting
Six muses inspiring
Five golden pens!
Four calling agents
Three vintage notebooks
Two turquoise highlighters
and a big fat dictionary.


QUESTION: What would you want for Writer's Christmas?


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!


November 30, 2015

Tax Deductions for Writers



Tax season is fast approaching. I hope you’ve been saving your receipts and keeping detailed records because I have a list of tax deductions for writers. 

NOTE: These are for the US. Check with your country and a tax pro to see if you can use these as well.

- Self-publishing costs

- Laptop/Computer

- Software

- Ink/Printer

- Postage to mail out queries, manuscripts, SWAG, etc.

- SWAG (any promo items)

- Business cards and postcards

- Ads (Any advertisements you pay for in print and online.)

- Cover artist expenses

- Branding and logo design costs

- Memberships

- Subscriptions to writing magazines

- Books

- URL registration and web hosting

- Newsletter hosting fees

- Conference fees

- Class and workshop fees

- Expenses for events. (Book signings and book launches.)

- Travel expenses (If you have to travel for research or to attend conferences or do a tour.)

- Business lunches (When you’re interviewing someone or with a client.)

- Research expenses (If you hire a researcher.)

- Editing expenses (If you hire an editor.)

- Publicist/press release group expenses

- Legal expenses (If you hire an attorney to look over contracts.)

- Tax preparation expenses

- Health insurance (Self-employed writers can deduct “100% of their health insurance premiums.”)

- Office Supplies (paper, pens, even office furniture)

- Phone, fax, and email expenses

- Home office space (within requirements)



*For more info on how to use home office space as a deduction (especially if it’s in your bedroom), read this article by Writer’s Digest.


NOTE x2: You may not qualify for all of these deductions. If you’re not sure about one, consult a professional.


SHARE: Tax deductions for writers you know about and I’ll add them.