Guest Post: Update on Notes from an Alien by Alexander M Zoltai

I'm self-published and, even though the tasks of promotion are extensive, I love the Indie life. My book, Notes from An Alien, was published May 1st and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the iPad.

Here's the elevator-pitch:

* Start with a 500-year InterWorld War.
* Continue through ecological disaster and the decimation of populations.
* Follow the institution of a Worlds’ government, bringing a glimmer of hope.
* Discover the challenges and failures of unifying three very different Worlds.
* Explore what it takes to give birth to a lasting peace.
This is what reading Notes from An Alien promises.
And: This Story Could Help Earth…

Even though it's for sale, I still give away digital copies. My post, Free = Sales ~ Give It Away & Sell More…, gives some strong points in favor of this promotional tool---plus, it serves the purpose of making sure people actually read the book, no matter how many buy it.

Also, I hate the word "marketing". I "promote" my book and the first action in promotion is making a friend. If they find out about my book, that's o.k. If they get a free copy, that's wonderful. If they go on to buy it, that's stupendous.

Visiting the site to fill-out the form for a free copy also lets folks opt-in to my email list for updates about future books.

Notes from An Alien will be followed by a collection of short stories, one for each chapter of Notes, written in the same time frame as the novel's chapters but not necessarily with the same characters or settings. And, after the short story collection, Stories from Angi, will come another volume, Poems from Angi.

I recently asked the people on my list for ideas they want to see in the short stories and directed them to the special section of the forums to contribute to the book's evolution.

I love involving my readers in the process of writing my books but I still write them the way they must be written. I have a very jealous Muse :-)

About the Author

Alexander M Zoltai lives in Kettering, Ohio and describes himself as a writer and dreamer with roaring flames in his heart.  His thought provoking first novel, Notes From an Alien is available from:
Amazon   Barnes & Noble  iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Check out Alexander's Blog  or follow the Author on Google+ 

See the review of Notes From An Alien on this blog

Guest Post: Nowhere Left to Hide by Elle Amberley

Rock star or husband – which would you choose? We have all been warned the of dangers of the internet, but do we take notice?  When Natasha clicks on a link, her whole life is turned upside down. A flash from the past, a chance meeting with a gorgeous French rock star..  

A chance to start over and forget the pain and misery from the last two years. But can Natasha let go? Will she accept this new twist in her life? Will she regain her "joie de vivre"? Or will the sparks fizzle out?

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Writing has been very therapeutic for me, expressing my feelings and helping me ordering my thoughts as well as shedding more light on past events.  I do cry and laugh along with my characters as I write the story, perhaps one of the reasons I write so quickly, it can quite draining. I used to fear for my sanity. Is this normal, and what is normal anyway?

The good news is men in white coats have not come to take me away yet. A friend of mine, who also happened to be a novelist, once told me “You’re not mad, you’re creative.”  I like the sound of that, that’s my excuse anyway.

Santa Barbara holds a piece of my heart and became a life-changing experience for me. So, when Natasha popped up in my head, demanding to be written, I knew this was the place for her. A safe place, away from harm, where she could relax and drop her guard, find and be herself.  It is not my story although Natasha and I share similar experiences.

I wanted to show “victims” do not have to accept labels, we can all break the cycle. Sartre said that we always have a choice. Indeed how we react is up to us, we can lay down as victims or pick ourselves up, live to see another day and grow from it.

Nowhere Left to Hide is not a sad story, but a positive one. You will not find graphic details in my book but you will meet a strong woman who is determined to turn her life around. She is not a victim, she’s a fighter and a go-getter.

Elle Amberley

‘Lyrical from start to finish, Elle Amberley embraces the essence of women and friendship in Nowhere Left to Hide. Natasha, a young poet and writer, is wise beyond her years, as she lets us accompany her on her year long journey from England to the sunny coast of Southern California as she finds courage, her true calling and love.’.

Ana Lewis, Founder, Women on the Verge

"A heartfelt tale, told with a deft touch" Rowan Coleman, author

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About the author:

Although she is a British author, Elle Amberley likes to dabble in French too and hopes to resume work on her French novel when time allows. She also enjoys writing articles on women's issues and whatever she feels passionate about, as well as poetry. A follow up to Nowhere Left to Hide is due for publication in Spring 2012.

You can buy the paperback here

Download the ebook here

Visit my website Elle Amberley Author to find out more about me and don’t hesitate to drop me a line.  I’m always very happy to hear from readers or fellow writers. You’re very welcome to follow me on Elle Amberley Twitter and Elle Amberley Facebook where you will find updates and details of book signings.

Paul Gallico: Confessions of a Story Writer

It is only when you open your veins and bleed onto the page a little that you establish contact with your reader. If you do not believe in the characters or the story you are doing at that moment with all your mind, strength, and will, if you don't feel joy and excitement while writing it, then you're wasting good white paper, even if it sells, because there are other ways in which a writer can bring in the rent money besides writing bad or phony stories.


Paul Gallico, Confessions of a Story Writer, 1946