Vampire Hottie and Werewolf Hunk Double Header for Wednesday Oct.30,2013

Double Header Hump Day!!!

       That's right, we have a double header for Wednesday October 30th!

It's a battle of the Draculas.

 



First we have

 

 

 

Gary Oldman

 

 

from "Bram Stoker's Dracula"

 

 

 

 

                        Dracula has crossed oceans to find Elisabetta who is in the form of Mina, played by actress Wynonna Ryder. Though Gary Oldman isn't the typical heart throb, he gave a seductive performance as Vlad Dracula. The movie starts with Gary as an older vampire who is reclusive in his haunted castle in the Carpathian mountains who meets with an unsuspecting Jonathan Harker, a London solicitor. When he by accident discovers a portrait of Mr.Harker's fiancée, Mina, he is certain this is the reincarnation of his beloved Elizabetta, who killed herself centuries before after believing that he had died in battle. So what does our European Gent do? Well he of course has to try and do away with the fiancee, snack on the BFF, and seduce the girl. Sounds simple, doesn't it? I won't spoil the movie or the book, but Gary Oldman gave a whole new look from Bela Lugosi's Dracula by abandoning the cape and greased back hair and opted for a more Victorian Goth kind of look and it didn't help that Francis Ford Coppola didn't skimp on the make-up and special effects. Gary Oldman may not have won any awards for his portrayal as Dracula, but he's in the Vampire Hall of Fame with vampire movie lovers everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

Second Place Goes To....

 

*drum roll*

 

 

Gerard Butler

 

in

 

Dracula 2000

 

 

 

             Although there wasn't much of a romantic plot line here, Gerard Butler's portrayal of Dracula brought an almost animalistic ferocity. Mary, who is portrayed by Justine Waddell, is the daughter of legendary vampire hunter, Van Helsing. Unknown to poor Mary is that her father had been injecting himself with Dracula's blood which has allowed him to live for so long. She's also been plagued with horrifying visions of a mysterious and terrifying man. Gerard Butler's mission is to find Mary who shares a telepathic link with him while he leaves a bloody trail in his wake. It is later found out why religious relics and silver are his weaknesses. This Dracula acts without conscious and is as bad as bad gets. Again, this is not a love story or some emo and self-hating vampire. There are no sparkles here ladies, but it's GERARD BUTLER, our favorite Scottsman. So what's not to love, right? Maybe our Dracula here should have wore a kilt instead of going for an all black ensemble.





                                           Now for our Hunky Wolfmen!


                        First up we have:

                           Paul Wesley as

                            Lucas "Luke" Cates

            From the short lived show, "Wolf Lake"



                                                                                    

 

 

                    We all know and love him as the vampire, Stephan Salvatore, from the hit show, "The Vampire Diaries", but before he became a vampire, he was a wolf shifter from Wolf Lake. Paul Wesley starred as the James Dean of the show whose father was head of the town and the werewolves of the Hill at Wolf Lake. The show was short lived, but Lucas Cates was the werewolf that kept drawing all us female viewers every week to the show. He was sort of the Romeo of the show with his attraction towards Sophia Donner, whom no one wanted to see with the esteemed son of the pack leader. Sophia was kept out of the loop that she was a werewolf, but like every teenage girl, hormones come into play and so does discovering that you're a werewolf. The show ended before these two could really explore their attraction but one thing is for sure, "Wolf Lake" was a great show that had some pretty good supporting actors that made up the cast such as Lou Diamond Phillips, Tim Matheson, Mia Kirshner(who would later star in "The Vampire Diaries"), and Bruce McGill. Those All American boy looks and James Dean-esque Rebel Lycanthrope With A Cause, is what gave Paul Wesley today's spot on Wednesday's Werewolf Hunk Double Header spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  Last, but not least we have our

                      second Wolf Man Hunk: Enter The

 

                       Hybrid!

 

 

                             Michael Corvin from

 

                           "Underworld" played by

                                Scott Speedman

 

 

                                        

 

 

 

                    What do you get when you take a human doctor and give him a bite from a lycan then have his vampire girl friend bite him? A Hybrid; a mixture of both werewolf and vampire. Then you get the movie series, "Underworld". The first movie introduces us to Seline, who is played by Kate Beckinsale, a vampire who hates all lycans since she believes they killed her family. She has become a deadly hunter and when it's found out that there is some sort of treachery within not only her own clan but those of the lycans as well, then she sets out to find out exactly what is going on. She not only finds a human doctor, Scott Speedman's character at the center of a mastermind plan but finds that the treachery and deception goes much further and deeper. When Michael is bitten by Lucian, the head Werewolf in Charge, she must find some way to keep him secret so that her clan will not kill him before she can try to help him. Knowing that she is going to betray all her vampire brethren, Selene also finds herself in love with him. I won't spoil the movie because it's a great movie as are its sequels, but Scott Speedman is a total hunk in this movie. His innocence about all of this going on, his love for Selene, and his protective nature for his "mate" makes him irresistible and those abs and muscles don't hurt either. The connection between Michael and Selene is somewhat of a Romeo and Juliet story in the sense here are two unlikely people whose clans are at war with one another, and yet they some how find a way to fall in love and strike out on their own knowing that both factions are going to be gunning for them. Doesn't that just make your heart sigh or what? "Underworld has four sequels including one that is a prequel. Be sure to check out the "Underworld" series which just happens to be based on a comic book series and is the ultimate Vampire vs. Werewolf saga.

 

 

 

 

                           There's the picks for the Double Header Hump Day. Now chime in and submit your own picks and see if they make Thursday's Halloween Vampire Hottie and Werewolf Hunk Extravaganza! Keep Howling at the moon, and neck nibbling until Thursday!

 







Tuesday's Vampire Hotties and Werewolf Hunks

             Welcome to Tuesday, October 29, 2013 Picks for


                          Vampire Hottie and Werewolf Hunk





                   Today's Vampire Hottie is none other than:

                                       

 

Julian Luna

from the television show

Kindred: The Embraced

 

Starring Mark Frankel as our fanged hottie

 

 

          Believe it or not, this television show came about from a loose adaption of the role playing game, "Vampire: The Masquerade" for only one short season. Julian Luna was the Prince of the vampire world working hard to keep peace with the vampire clans. The show had a mafia like essence about it and no one argued that it was Mr.Frankel's portrayal of Julian that brought the show together. The show was well received and had great ratings but due to an unfortunate motorcycling accident that claimed the life of the star of the show, was cancelled. The character Julian has went decades without love or anything for himself. Just like in all mafia stories, he had to work himself from the bottom to the top and wore a target on his back. However, in modern day, he falls for a reporter that is getting to close to who and what Julian and his world really is. There's also a human component to the series, actor veteran C. Thomas Howell's character police detective, Frank Kohanek. Julian to everyone else is a reclusive industrialist and is a law unto himself when it comes to his world. Julian Luna's striking features and power makes him a formidable vampire.

 

 

                                   Now for the Werewolf Hunk

 

                                                of Tuesday

 

                                                      

 

                                           Taylor Kinney

 

                                     as Mason Lockwood

 

                                    From the Vampire Diaries

 

               Sculpted abs, piercing eyes, and all that animal magnetism is the werewolf, Mason Lockwood-uncle to Tyler Lockwood. Though his stint on the show was short lived, there's no doubting that Taylor Kinney had female fans going wild over him. The CW's adaptation of "The Vampire Diaries" by author L.J. Smith, needed a catalyst to introduce the werewolf storyline to the show and they found it with Taylor Kinney. Though he was killed off by another vampire hottie, he made his impact. Currently he's abandoned the full moon for the show "Chicago Fire", but we're still wagging our tongues for Mason Lockwood.

 

 

                      Stay tuned for Wednesday's picks and don't forget to submit your own on this blog. Who knows, you might just see your favorite fang master or wolf man featured!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                       

Vampire Hottie and Wolf Man Hunk For Monday October 28,2013 and

The Author Blog of Nikki Noffsinger

 

 

is proud to present the Vampire Hottie

 

 

and Wolf Man Hunks for the week of Oct. 28-Nov.1

 

 

 

 

 

MONDAY

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Fitzroy

from

"Blood Ties"

 

 

                           Oh ladies, ladies, ladies when the deadly sin of lust was being written, it was with

 

Henry Fitzroy in mind. "Blood Ties" was a television show that aired on the Lifetime Movie Channel and sadly was canceled after only just one year. I, for one was so sad that it was cancelled. American actor, Kyle Schmidt took on the role of this sinfully decadent, clever, lethal and flirtatious vampire, Henry Fitzroy. Henry is exactly 470 years old and is a bastard son of England's King Henry VIII. Like many a poor lad, he ended up one night in the clutches of a vampire who brings him across. Henry isn't bitter, and he actually loves being what he is. In this lifetime he's a horror comic book artist and writer. He teams up with a police detective, Vicki Nelson who has a run in with a demon who marks her. She and Henry embark on what starts out as a friendship but towards the final season, it's plain to everyone that these two have more than just a few curious sparks flying about. 

 

                           Blood Ties is based on the "Smoke" book series by Canadian fantasy author, Tanya Huff. One thing is for sure, Henry could nibble my neck any night of the week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                           

 

 

 

Jason Behr

from the movie

 

"Skin Walkers"

 

                         Okay, so the movie might have been a smidgen of a disappointment, but Jason Behr as Varek, the leader of a warring werewolf faction that is stalking a mother and 12 year old child, who just so happens to be his son that holds the cure for the dreaded werewolf curse, doesn't disappoint in making us all pant for more shirtless pre-wolf scenes. Varek has been overtaken by the curse and is the leader of a pack who goes from town to town on motorcycles hunting not only for human blood but also for his son, whom he doesn't remember because of the curse. His rugged good looks and acting chops is why I still count this movie as a pretty good flick to watch not to mention the eye candy. Skin Walkers comes from Native American lore of a creature who is half human and half wolf who shapes shifts. Like many of the werewolf legends, Varek and his crew as well as their enemies who are protecting the boy and his mother, are ruled by only being able to shift at night. Unlike the good guys, Varek and his pack have tasted human flesh and blood and are evil. The boy, however, if he makes it to his 13th birthday holds the cure for the curse. Jason Behr is definitely a wolf man that would drive any one's hormones crazy.





Werewolves vs.Shifters: Who Wins Your Vote?

                   Werewolves versus Shifters who wins your vote? I've often thought about this and I've come to the conclusion, I think it's an even draw. Just what is the difference you ask, well let's break it down.



                 Werewolves have been a creature feature in folk lore since well the birth of superstition, I believe. Way back in 550 BC, (get your togas out for this one), the story goes that King Lycon of Arcadia served human flesh to the Greek God, Zeus. Zeus, I'm guessing was not big on the new cuisine because he cursed King Lycon by turning him into a wolf, which sparked the term "lycanthrope". In 60 AD Roman poet, Petronius, (Harry Potter fans will see the similarity here) wrote his poem Satyricon about a solider who turns into a werewolf. From then on there have been stories of men who turned into a wolf-like beast during a full moon cycle. In 1598, a Frenchman by the name of Jacques Roulet was arrested for being a werewolf. In 1623 there were 18 women and men condemned and imprisoned for suffering from lycanthropy. So from its humble beginnings in Greek mythology, Werewolves have been found all over Europe and some how made their way to American shores. So just what is a werewolf? Well if we look at all the stories and lore, a man or woman infected by a single bite from a lycanthrope or whom s cursed with lycanthropy, turns into a monstrous wolf creature by the light of a full moon that is blood thirsty. Up until the past decade or so, thanks in part to paranormal romance authors an Hollywood, Werewolves have become less of a monster and more of a tortured romantic soul.



                     Shifters on the other hand have a better reputation. Shifters may have gotten their start in Native American lore as men who had the ability to shift from their human state to that of their "spirit" animal. Shifters can be any animal such as a bird of prey to that of man's best friend. Thanks to books and television shows such as True Blood, Kressley Cole's Immortals After Dark, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters series, and The Twilight Saga by Stefanie Meyer Shifters seem to have a better turn than their predecessors the Werewolves. Since Shifters are neither cursed or sufferers of lycanthropy, they are mostly seen as "good" or "protectors". Still who wins the debate?


                   One of the negative sides to either story has led to persecution of not just human beings such as the 18 men and women in France who were imprisoned or put to death for fear but wolves in general, were killed because of stigmas that wolves were evil and blood thirsty animals. Even today, many species f wolves are on the endangered species list hunted for their pelts as well as for merely being wolves. The loss of there natural habitats are real threats facing many wolf species and that has to stop. Wolves are only threats when their pack, their dens, and their territories are threatened by humans. Many animal conservation groups and animal activists are fighting for wolves as they should. We should ALL be fighting to protect our wildlife species including wolves.

                So have you taken a side yet? Are you a Werewolf fan or a Shifter fan? For me, I like both my wild men and women. I love the horror side of the werewolf but then I have come to love the softer side too. I also adore Shifters. Who wouldn't love to be able to form the picture of an animal or connect with their own "animal spirit" and roam free or soar through the sky? So whether you be a Werewolf fan or Shifter fan, it's totally up to  you but the best way to discover these two are to pick up some good books where both these types are featured.



                                                                        

 

 

 

http://www.allromance.com

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.bookstrand.com

 

 

The Trouble With The Almighty Social Network Facebook And Why We All Should Stop Spending So Much Time There

Facebook, it's become part of our lives every bit as much as the telephone has. Mark Zuckerberg created the ultimate in social networks that went beyond just connecting colleges  and university students; it connected the world. I won't be a hypocrite about it because I use Facebook. I like being able to stay in contact with relatives, friends, people I have met, networking with other creative minds, and let's not forget the world of the role players and other artistic folks. So what is the problem? Where do you want me to start?

Facebook is the breeding ground for online bullying, hate groups, cat fishing, fraud, and drama worthy of an entire season of Jerry Springer complete with stripper pole. I am not for censorship and I stand beside the 2nd Amendment from the US Constitution even when it comes to idiots and hate groups spewing forth their idiocy. What grinds my gears and makes me madder than a wet hen is that they choose either personally or by automated checks on what they will moderate and what they will not. I want to disclose this here and now-Facebook is not moral. It's not their job to protect any of us users. It's not. They put guidelines down to protect themselves. They're a corporation; a publicly traded company and they only care about what won't come back to bite them in their backsides or cost them money. Facebook Inc. IS in this for the money. Mark Zuckerberg didn't create Facebook as a public service. We've all seen the movie, The Social Network. No where in that movie did it convey that he created it for the masses for nothing more than to have his name attached as Creator and nothing more. Sorry, there's only one person who has continually given un-selfishly, and he's fictional and drives a sleigh at Christmas. I'm not hating on Mark though. I am hating the fact that there's just so much wrong with Facebook and the innocent and what's right with the network are being spit on and deleted.

For people like me, writers and those wanting to promote themselves and their businesses, Facebook is a great tool to use. However, at any given time one's page or group can be deleted for nothing more than some one's opinion. Not long ago, my dear friend and fellow author had posted a picture of a very good looking male model. The man was nude but he was not posed in a pornographic way-just the opposite. It was a very artistic rendition of the male form and the picture was reported for being indecent. There was no genitalia or inner butt crack, which by movie and television standards must be covered along with a woman's nipples. Now this author who does have steady book sales and quite a fan base, is locked out of her group account for seven days. How does one get reported? It is quite simple. If a page or group gets more than one person (or an IP address with multiple accounts-which violates Facebook Terms of Service) to report an account by clicking by their name, then the page is flagged and either a human tech or automated one will check the page or suggested item that is flagged. It doesn't matter if the person(s) reporting are from the same IP address or if someone who is trolling or just wanting to cause trouble is reporting falsely. Facebook could care less. Again, they are not here for you or I; but themselves.

Facebook should care about people but they don't. I'm not sure any social network out there actually does but since Facebook is the most widely used, one would think they might grow a conscience and decide to at least be more user friendly rather than cram updates, apps, games, and more changes down our throats. It's getting more and more costly just to use Facebook in one way or another. Online bullying on Facebook is rampant as is just the average citizen who constantly throws their own tantrums and such causing misery for other users because again, Facebook isn't monitoring them. Cat fishing and other scams are pretty commonplace as well. Facebook does not work with local law around the nation's sexual predator lists-so Facebook is to a pedophile what Toys R Us would be to a kid. Sadly, there's no place online that is going to be 100% free of this since the World Wide Web gives users anonymity.  Anyone can be anyone and danger can wear the mask of innocence when it comes to the Internet especially concerning social networks.

I've spoken about cat fishing and I want to stop a train of thought before it gets started. Role Players are not cat fishers. A large percentage of Facebook users are men and mostly women who in the spirit of being the ultimate fans of comics, games, books, movies, or even their own creations create pages so they can let their love of subject/character and creativity shine through. It's no different really than those people on You Tube that make videos. Everyone wants to have their own entertainment. Facebook however, has been making strides to eradicate Role Players and I am not sure as to why that is. They will allow hate groups and what not but pick on peaceful people who love theatrics, drama, and creating stories. All of these groups for the most part are rated so that underage children cannot gain access to them and are as safe as any other Facebook profile if not more because there are actual human beings who are moderating around the clock. As with anything there are good role players and groups and then there are bad ones. It's all a matter of doing just a bit of research and communicating with the people in these groups to feel out which ones are legit and which ones are harmful and toxic. Many great groups have been punished for nothing more than being ultimate fans and creative persons. There is no appeals and no human person to go to when a legit group is reported.

I can keep going on and on but artistic and creative people are not wanted on Facebook. Facebook gives the illusion that it's a social media for all, but in reality-they want those who are going to generate money and all us common folk-don't do it. It's like being in high school and while it's a public school, the A listers and the "In" crowd are going to set the tone and bully when they can and when they want.  So maybe, we should all find our own social network. Mark can't be the only one that has mastered the HTML Coding and programing. Facebook can't be the only way in which human beings can communicate and network on the World Wide Web, can it? Perhaps, we should all stop spending so much time and money on Facebook. It's a corporation that is using us far more than we are using it.

Feral Fate: She might fall for him if she doesn't beat him first and He might just let her just because he's into that kind of kink

            How does an ER doctor fit a near seven foot tall, arrogant, totally hot-but that is beside the point, ruthless, feral, egotistical, and wolfish male into her already complicated and VERY busy life?

                If you happen to know the answer, Dr. Khloe Wahpeton would like to know.


                   Khloe comes from a large family but she's determined to make her own life doing what she is passionate about: being a doctor; a healer. She's also a shifter which makes the night shift a bit sketchy but she balances it out, or did until one night when a member of Shiloh Red Cloud's clan comes waltzing into HER hospital like he owns the place and catches onto her scent. Yeah, apparently the scent of antiseptic, hand sanitizer, and latex are HIS thing. What is a woman to do?





                     Cinjin has been on his own since he was young and puts the BAD in BAD ASS which he's pretty proud of. One of his crowning achievements is making grown men piss themselves. Up until Khloe, he had few needs and as long as they left in the morning without getting all clingy and there is left over pizza somewhere in his kitchen, Cinjin is a pretty happy wolf. Who says that good deeds have no rewards? Really he wouldn't have thought of that but the night when he happen to scent a pretty little she-wolf, he was totally into the whole reward thing. At least he thought it would be that easy. Sure he's rough around the edges but what's not to love, right? Apparently the lady doc who happens to be a she-wolf and who just so happens to not be part of his clan and pack, has a list of reasons. SHE doesn't quite know it yet but he's not one to give up such a sweet challenge so easily. Most females found him charming. Okay that is pretty much a lie right there because most females found their way to his bed and then found their way to the door. However, this lady doc calls to his inner wolf and that is something he can't ignore or wants to but damn if she isn't making it hard. What's a guy to do?

                         In this short story, the elder of the Wahpeton clan, whom is featured in the full length novel, Cursed Awakening, tells the story of Khloe Wahpeton and the near feral warrior named Cinjin. Cinjin is everything that Khloe doesn't need in her life but she's everything he wants. When a woman is found nearly beaten to death and brought into her ER, Khloe is put front in center of Cinjin. Cinjin, who fears nothing or no one and who is used to getting his own way has to convince his fated mate, who happens to be a stubborn and uptight ER doctor that he's the one for her. However can his wild ways be tamed or will Khloe end up strangling him? Read the story in XoXo Publishing's latest installment of Lost to the Night Vol.2. Along with Feral Fate, four other authors have put together four great paranormal romance stories guaranteed to thrill you, chill you, and take you one hell of a ride!

 

 

Get It Today!

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-losttothenight2-1216154-348.html

 

http://www.amazon.com

 

http://www.bookstrand.com

 

 

 



Being Thankful

 

 

 

 

 

              I want to say "Thank-You" to every person out there that has believed in me, bought my books, took the time to like and share my page, comment on my blog and crazy posts, who have given me their advice and took the time to read when they had a hundred other things to do, and I want to thank everyone who has weathered each and every storm right there with me and held that picture of Jack Sparrow high to keep me inspired when the inspiration was low. Each of you mean more to me than you know!

 

                So, what's all this mushy stuff about?

 

 

 

            I promise each of you that I am not sick or retiring from writing anytime soon. The Grim Reaper is keeping his distance and yes, I am fully aware that it is too early for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was on Facebook today or it might have been yesterday to be more accurate, and I was reading a posting by one of my favorite authors when I came across a critique from a woman who was going to cease being a fan of this writer because the author had addressed why he or she could not basically write every story the fans wanted them to. As an author, I know how important it is to create the story that is in your head first. It is great when fans truly fall in love with your characters-even your characters who are nothing but supporting or bit characters. I hope to one day have that with my fan base. (Yes ANGIE, I KNOW YOU ARE AWAITING DASH'S STORY-I'M WORKING ON IT BUT THE DANG CAJUN KEEPS PUTTING ME OFF. THIS WEEK HE WAS TOO BUSY WATCHING WWE'S RAW) Anyhow this woman felt as if this author cared nothing about the fans and how much each dime mattered and how fans go to great lengths. Now I want to stop right there seeing as I am still a HUUUGE fan of many authors and I will say that this particular author goes all out for the fans! I went to a book signing and this author who had been traveling in a huge tour bus many miles over night just to get to my state, came in and took her time. She left no one fan-which by the way there were well over one hundred people-the bookstore was almost over capacity and that is not counting the ones that stood outside just to be able to catch a glimpse and get their books signed, with a question unanswered. This author and the one traveling with her met with everyone well into the night after the store had officially closed signing books, taking pictures, and speaking to fans. Some fans had heart breaking stories and this author hugged them as if they were old friends. To me that is just going above and beyond a book signing. I hope to have one of those too, a book signing.

 

 

           After reading her tirade and telling this person in the nicest way that I could to get over herself that no author can just put books out like an assembly line. I mean, would we have ever discovered that starry night had someone told Van Gogh to paint the sky from their point of view? Would we have ever fell in love with Chopin's Nocturnes or Van Halen had they just composed or wrote what the masses told them to write? Fans, you are so important but come along for the journey and I promise you that you won't be disappointed! Let's take that adventure wherever it leads together and I promise that we'll make all the interesting pit stops and thrill rides along the way. I also realized something else, I have never truly thanked any of you for purchasing and reading any of my books and stories. I want to do that now.  I thank each of you! I want to thank all my readers all the way up to my publisher, XoXo Publishing (Penny, Gina, Ana, Shannon,  and crew). I also want to thank my fellow authors especially those like Denyse Bridger who have been mentors in one way or another and to Kayden Mcleod who renewed my faith in cover art. Had it not been for her, Cursed Awakening would have probably just had a black cover with red lettering. Thank you all so very much and I hope that my readers and fans will keep on reading my books and stories! You all rock!

 

 





The Trouble With Nanny Author Resource Pages and Why both you the Reader and the Author Should BEWARE

Being both a reader and an author, I like to go to websites that not only will help me to see what authors to look up but how I can help promote my own work as well as weigh in on topics with other authors. I love to go to sites like Author's Den, The Blood Bank, Coffee Time Romance, The Brass Spectacle, Manic Readers, Good Reads, and Writer's Beware. I have sadly come across what I call the "Nanny Author Resource Pages". The format is very much like Writer's Beware but the bad thing is that these places have become places for people who are disgruntled with their publishers, their self publishing companies, and gossip pools where they can say slanderous things about authors they just do not like without any real supporting facts to their statements other than they don't like them. I won't be like Sam I Am and tell you to just try them, to just try them and like them because you will see, oh dear reader you will see that those Green Eyed Monsters are not something you will ever like.

I won't mention any names but I joined this page in the hopes of gleaning the knowledge of others and hoped to give something back. It looked harmless until I saw a certain publisher that I knew for a fact was a legit and honest publishing house being slammed. Now before I go any further I want to impress upon you that if you are an author and if you have a literary agent(yeah if you have one that is a legit agent and is working their butts off for you-that's like having a chunk of gold in your arsenal and you'd be crap out of your mind to toss that away just because you're not at the level of success YOU believe you should be) or publisher, heck or even a good promotions company you've hired-do not blame them if your book is not already a New York Time's Best Seller. If you spit in the faces of these honorable people then you are only causing more problems for yourself and less chances at success. Just like any employer; you do not want a bad reputation of having emotional outbursts and going to these Nanny Author Resource forums and slandering them because they will NOT take you on even if you've written the next best thing since Harry Potter. All that hard work will be for naught. Even small publishing houses have great resources that can provide important stepping stones and if you blow your chances there-you might as well forget it. Seriously, think about that.  You never know WHO is looking at these forums or who is keeping an eye on their clients when you register for these Nanny sites. I call them nanny sites because what is the first thing a child does when it feels he or she has been done wrong? They run to their parents or nannies crying. Still aren't too clear on what I'm talking about?  I'll give you an example.

Joe Doe had spent months writing his novel. When it was finished he pondered where to submit it to and after trying various big name publishers, he landed a small press. Now, this press took a huge chance on Joe Doe's book because they had hoped it would appeal to a certain audience and had anticipated that Joe would work with them to make edits that would make the story pop. When Joe refused, the publisher still hoped that there would be success with Joe's book and decided to help how they could but Joe had already cut them off at the knees. When he wasn't selling as many copies, he blamed the publisher and began making slanderous remarks and went to one of these Nanny Sites to rant and rave to any one who would listen. People already members who like this sort of drama, jumped on his story like a pack of hungry sharks. Before anyone knew it-this small publisher was being listed as a scam publishing agency-and here's the kicker-not one of them had read or even purchased a copy of Joe's book. It could have been nothing but blank pages and yet they were all ready to burn this poor publisher to the ground.

The moral of Joe Doe's story: "Don't cut your publisher or agent's knees off. If they tell you to revise-suck it up and revise. Take their edits and advice to heart because if you're not making money-neither are they."

So what exactly is the responsibilities of a publisher, you might ask? Well unlike a literary agent, they are going to publish your book. They will hold you too a very clear and concise contract that is fair for both you and them. They are going to give you to their team who will help fine tune your manuscript, the cover artist will work with you on a design for your book, and they are going to take all the publishing costs upon themselves for a more than fair commission off your book sales. Again, they want to make money and the only way to do that is for you to make money. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT PROMOTIONS AND ALL THE WORK FALLS ON THEM. YOU THE AUTHOR ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PROMOTIONS. I am lucky, I have a publisher who offers great resources but in the end, it is up to ME to promote my books. Since all my books so far have been EBooks, it is up to me to write blogs, to saturate the social networks with my book and how to buy it, go on blog tours which also help to promote, and if I can-hire promotion firms like Sensuous Promotions. It also helps to network with other authors. The publisher is not going to blog for me, network for me, or hire promotion firms for me. They won't do it for you-unless you're some one like JK Rowling, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Stephen King, Nora Roberts, etc., and if you're reading this-you're probably not at that level of success either. What a publisher will also do for you-or they should will assign an ISBN number or something like it. Those cost money by the way, and they will try to get your book on as many mass market lists as they can. Again I stress, PROMOTIONS ARE UP TO YOU.

I'm straying from my topic. I do that from time to time. Nanny Author Resource Pages are detrimental to readers as well because before one even checks out an author or their book (which again might be the book that defines life), they have been spoiled by all the negativity. I mean had I heard that Stephen King, one of my favorite authors, was published through some scam press and his work was crap on a page, maybe I wouldn't have ever taken a chance on him. Who knows. We live in a time when every dollar and cent count and no one wants to throw their precious book money or entertainment funds on crap, do we? No! So, what I recommend is if you go to an author resource page or something like Good Reads, look at the thread titles. If you see basically Jerry Springer gone wild-DO NOT PASS GO! THEY'RE NOT GIVING YOU THE FREE PARKING OR $200 BUCKS ANYHOW FOR PASSING. Look for sites that may have some unfavorable opinions but those opposing opinions are based on something other than....."SO and So just took my masterpiece and spat upon it!" or "This author, I don't like him/her so don't ever buy their books because I heard they really are nasty critters!" Those are not constructive opinions and any reputable author resource page will not tolerate derogatory or hate speech. I may not like E. L James, and while I think she plagiarized her overly hyped trilogy; I'm going to be constructive about it rather than degrade her like we're still kids in the school yard. I'm definitely not going to bash anyone who disagrees with that. I mean that's what makes us civilized human beings right? That we can disagree yet still do it with dignity, poise, and still be civil at the end of the debate?

So in conclusion-stay away from Nanny Cry Baby Author Resource pages and sites. If you want civilized and informative reviews, books, authors, and publishing information and such-go to legit sites. I write paranormal romance, so most of the ones I go to are ones that follow my genre but Good Reads is kind of a fail safe since they represent all genres of reading. Writer's Beware is a great resource as well when researching publishers but BEWARE of their forums. I am not going to discuss in any great length but they link to a place called The Water Cooler and that is a Jerry Springer even in itself. It used to be a very tight run ship-but now it's just who can tattle on who without the benefit of fact. If you belong there-then fine, good for you but do not use my blog for your venomous spew if that is your intentions. I and others like me, have had a lot of bad experiences. There have been so many that not even my faithful annual NaNoWriMo's will recommend that page. I will say there are still some good people that still go there-why I  don't know but they stay mostly to the threads where they feel safe but even they know that the Cooler has went down hill.  So the word for today class is "EDUCATE". Educate yourself as a reader and an author.

Peace!



Predator Editors; and I'm not talking about the Aliens who kick some ass

Have you ever been conned into something-even though you're an intelligent being and could probably quote Oscar Wilde or give a dissertation on the genetic structure of an Asian gnat and how it compares to the modernization of world economics? P.T. Barnum said it best, "There's a sucker born every minute" and in the writing game, it's no different. There are predator editors/publishers out there to take your hard earned work and do some serious damage to your wallet. It is hard to know, I'll grant you that dear reader, it is hard to know who is legit and who isn't.

  

I know when I spent months upon months on my first novel, like everyone else I dreamed about how well it would be received and seeing my book on a shelf at book stores (Yes, Virginia, book stores exist) and doing book signings. Like so many, I've witnessed the instant success of authors like J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyers, Dan Brown, and countless others. It is not impossible-but like the lottery, know that it may not happen as quickly to you as it did them. Be ready for rejections. Most well known authors like Sherrilyn Kenyon, Stephen King, Robin Cook, and even Dr. Seuss, went through countless rejections before getting their first books published. For all us Indie writers, it is a long road. Be ready to be in it for the long haul on barefoot. These predator editors/publishers are called Vanity Presses. I'll say it again, V-A-N-I-TY PRESSES. Why are they called vanity presses? The answer is simple: they only care about themselves not YOU.

             

Vanity Presses will present this carefully crafted offer that sounds too good to be true. They usually have a great looking website and showcase authors who have had hoards of success. Publish America-the one I was taken advantage of, even claimed that one of their authors had their book made into a movie. Twenty-four hours after I sent my manuscript, they had accepted it and sent me a contract. READ ANY AND EVERY CONTRACT CAREFULLY-READ IT MANY TIMES OVER-IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT OR THERE IS JUST TOO MUCH SMALL PRINT-THEN THIS IS YOUR FIRST RED FLAG. Usually Vanity Press contracts will be vague, wordy, offer commission on only a certain amount of books-but will not reveal the conditions to which they will pay for. Publish America will not mail you a check until you've gotten at least $500 in sales-but only on books YOU don't buy or books that have been returned or books they deem as "for advertisement purposes only". They will not go over price points. I wrote a book that was under 500 words, paper back, and Publish America sells it for anywhere between $39.95 to 29.99. Contracts through these presses are extensively long. My contract with Publish America is for 7 years. If I want out of my contract I have to pay almost $300 dollars. These presses do not want you to buy out your contract even if your book is not selling or has not sold one copy. I asked for a complete statement of exactly how many copies I had sold and they told me that they do not have such records. They only send statements per quarter. To this date, I have only seen two statements and I signed with them in 2010. A legit publisher will only want to contract a few years at a time for a book. A legit publisher will have a contract that is clear, concise, and to the point. Legit publishing companies no matter how big or small WANT you to make money and sell books because that is the only way THEY make money or recoup on their investment in publishing your book. Know your publisher! 

             

Another trick these so called publishers use is that they will send you endless promotions on how to better get your book out there if you buy so many copies of your own book or pay some sort of charge. A legit publisher when you submit your manuscript and they accept it will go through it with a fine toothed comb before even publishing it. They will then format it for either E-Book or book format with a cover that has been approved by yourself and the publisher. Most vanity presses will charge or want to charge for E-Book formats, translations, and to "put your book out in the book market". Go to any book store and look on the back or in the front cover and see how many of these Vanity Presses actually have books listed with a store's merchandise. Chances are you will never find a book published by Publish America, Children's Literacy Agency, The Abacus Literacy Agency, The New York Literacy Agency, and countless others. Their business model is NOT to get you out into the mass markets but to simply get the money from you-the author. They feed you more and more promises, packages, and "opportunities" for X amount of dollars. How can they do it and it not be illegal? That is the question, isn't it. Most of these scam publishers find loop holes in the law and squeak through or they simply change names. Talk about a pyramid scheme, right? Again, while promotion is not the ultimate responsibility of the publisher-they are going to get your book anywhere and everywhere they possibly can and they're not going to ask you for a dime.

When I signed with Publish America, the first offer I got was if I paid $199, my book would be showcased at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. I almost sent that money-I was dying to do anything to get my book out there, yet there was a nagging inner voice that told me to do some homework. I was glad that I did because after much online research AND six international calls to Germany (which I took only three years of basic French-and not all Germans understand English) I found that Publish America was not even listed as a sponsor nor did they even have a booth. This was only the first of "offers" to different book events. What I found that they do-they simply have someone to stand out and identify themselves as Publish America and they are considered as being "part of the event". It's kind of like when you go to sporting events and you have people that stand outside selling tickets or something with a team's logo-it doesn't make them part of the team or even an employee of the event but it notes that their presence was there. Now there are some that buy into these offers and show up. They get a small little space and probably sell a few books. Keep in mind these books are bought by the author and very seldom do these authors recoup their investment. Many times they don't even break even. Publishers like Publish America are NOT going to send books to these events UNLESS the author(s) have not bought them at full or at a small discount including shipping first and none of these books are going to be considered "royalty eligible". 

I could go on and on about these blights on writers and the publishing world but I think you get the picture. At least, I hope you are getting the picture. Being a victim of one of these vanity press predators is no fun and it can gut you as an author, but don't lose hope or faith. DO NOT LOSE YOUR PASSION FOR WRITING! Keep on writing because all it takes is for one legit publisher to publish your book to get your foot in the door. Make sure you edit your manuscript and when you submit to publishing companies, FOLLOW THEIR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES TO THE LETTER! Publishers will not even give you a second thought or even put you in their slush pile if you have not went by their guidelines. Those guidelines are there for a reason. It's often been said, "Less is more" and in the publishing game, that is true. Don't make the mistake of sending more than what those guidelines ask for. Most legit publishers do not need for you to write them your life's story or for you to send them more of your manuscript than they ask for. In truth, most publishers only will read just a few sentences to the first few pages. If you can't hook them in that amount-they're not going to keep reading. Remember, most legit publishers are getting submissions by the hundreds every day of writers just like you who want to get that golden ticket. Remember, it took Thomas Edison over 10,000 tries before he got the light bulb right and he said, "I have not failed. I found 10,000 ways that won't work."  So while you make go through countless rejections-do not give up. Keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep working hard.

VANITY PRESS PREDATORS/SCAM PUBLISHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR AND SPREAD THE WORD ON

American Book Publishing, ABP

Desert Rose Literacy Agency

The Novel Literacy Agency

Publish America LLC

Oak Tree Press

Johnson-Warren Agency

Poetry.com/International Library of Poetry

The Robins Agency

University Press of the South

The Writers Literacy Agency aka The Children's Literacy Agency aka WL Poetry Agency

Global Book Agency

Publish On Demand

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