Link Fiesta

Ebook marketing and getting the word out on a budget.

The secret of writing an action movie in book form.

A hilarious look at author marketing.

Zoe York on that "how do you know if you suck" post.

#RWA15 Panel on Planning Your Book Launch

Andrea Dalling live-tweeted Cristing Harber and Deanna Aubrey's "Book Launches: From Zero to Wow" panel. She even tweeted the link to the powerpoint. Andrea, you are fabulosity and I am forever in your debt. I'm keeping a close eye on this one because my book launch is a month away.

Aidee Ladnier storified Andrea's other #RWA15 tweets. Go check them out!

Link Fiesta

I can't believe I missed this April Fool's prank by the British Museum: Proof of Alien Abductions Found in 15th Century Manuscript. Cue X-files music.

Michael Flynn wrote a book about medieval alien abductions. I'm adding it to to (quite large) TBR pile. Now I feel like writing Historical Science Fiction Romance. How's that for a gender-bender? ;)

Book cover fonts by genre. I really wish I'd had this reference guide while I was making my cover. It would have saved me a lot of time.

Vivi Andrews on author branding.

Link Fiesta

The story behind the Winchester Mystery House. This is one of my favorite ghost stories. They are going to allow sleepovers now. Would you do one? I honestly wouldn't. I'm too chicken.

Ilona Andrews on how to branch out without compromising your author brand. This is a very timely post for me, as I am finishing up my Banshee Creek series and wondering what to do next. Small town sci fi with aliens and FBI agents? Sexy ghost hunters? Hmmm.

Recycled cover art in YA.  I love how artists can make the same stock photo look so different. I'm researching the heck out of this because I'm making my own covers and the dearth of appropriate stock is starting to get to me. Some of the images I'm using are pretty common and I'm going to have to come up with ways to freshen them up.

Link Fiesta

Mojito Fruit Salad by Jamie Oliver. Maybe for next summer.

A fabulous game room makeover with Ikea furniture. I think I spy an Ektorp sofa.

How to avoid episodic writing. Also, how to create transitions between scenes.

Author branding and creating an author tagline. This blog has more on author branding with an emphasis on developing your industry brand. That's interesting I wouldn't have thought that the industry brand would be different.

Making inspiration boards, by Cottage and Vine. I've never done one of these, but Jennifer Crusie swears by them. Maybe I'll try one next time.