Month: March 2016

Why I Don’t Do Cross-Promotion

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There’s a disclaimer at the top of this site that explains my policy on blog tours. While you’ll see various promotional posts for other authors on ASOBAW, those are all from authors I know. Those posts aren’t cross-promotion as there hasn’t been a single instance where I’ve agreed to host an author here in exchange for promotion of my own work. I do it because they’re my friends and I know this is a tough business. Some of these people have hosted blog posts for my new work (which you should buy), but that’s also because they’re my friends.

I get e-mails and messages from people asking if I’ll post or tweet about their book in exchange for them doing the same for one of my books. Plenty of pe54efb434082d09699edefc8a637a5dfdople do this and there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. We have a flooded market and it’s hard for any author to get publicity.

I always refuse these requests, as well as any that say something like “I’ll gladly share anything of yours.” It’s nothing personal. I’m just not interested in telling my fans to buy something because there’s something in it for me.

If I wanted to have my work promoted by people I don’t know, I’d hire somebody or I’d ask bloggers who I know to help. That’s their role in the literary circle of life. Mine is to write and to spread the word about my own books (which again, you should buy). To help my friends promote their own books isn’t a job, but rather something friends do for each other. For strangers, not so much.

This post is not meant to be condemnatory toward the practice. If you’re an author who cross-promotes, go right ahead. You don’t need to justify yourself to anyone, nor do I in choosing to publicly state that I’m not an author who does that.

One of the beauties of publishing in this day and age is that I get to interact with my fans quite frequently. I see their messages and I respond to them. A relationship has been formed. One that does involving one party trying to get the other to buy something from them (plug number three to buy my books). At this in this scenario, I know that what’s being sold is worth buying (because I wrote it).

 

 

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Dead Batteries Tell No Tales Is Out!

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The exciting day is finally here! Dead Batteries Tell No Tales: A Prequel to Five High School Dialogues is out!

Here is the synopsis: 1257681.jpg

Public transportation is a new experience for Amber. So is not having access to a cell phone. Luckily, a classmate named Jason is there to help. During their travel, Amber quickly learns that her perspectives on life aren’t quite the same as her peers. As they make their way home, they try to break down the foundation of their social structure in this exciting prequel to Five High School Dialogues.

The Dialogues are truly a unique series in today’s market. This book is perfect for high school students and their families. I encourage you to pick up a copy for the low price of $1.99 on kindle!

Thank you for the support!

Here is the buy link for amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Batteries-Tell-Tales-Dialogues-ebook/dp/B01CVTBPG0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1458934346&sr=1-1

And for Five High School Dialogues: http://www.amazon.com/Five-School-Dialogues-Thomas-Malone-ebook/product-reviews/B01BLPTGHU/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=recent#R25EXMKIGX3U6J

 

Blog Tour: Embracing Entropy by Jessica Marie Baumgartner

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Available: March 15th, 2016

Title: Embracing Entropy
Author: Jessica Marie Baumgartner
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian

As Earth dies, leaving its inhabitants struggling to survive, an alien race offers an unimaginable option: to relocate humans to their own planet on the far end of the universe. The Campbells, one of the last surviving families, quickly realize humanity’s hope for survival may come with a price. Accepting a new way of life, acclimating to a new atmosphere, and trying to fight against a universe that seems set on tearing them apart offers many struggles. Can the Campbell’s make it through, together?
Amazon
Excerpt:

I used to have nightmares about this. I would wake up screaming as they forced me to leave. People giving up; abandoning Mother Earth. The thought alone caused my heart to race, my under arms to sweat.

Here I stand clutching my children, one on each side, as we prepare to be torn away from everything that’s tangible. Before me, a gargantuan structure glares from above. This beast, this ship is supposed to save humanity, or at least what’s left of it.

I’ve lived through mass devastation. It’s hardened me enough. But leaving? It still scares me.

We have no idea what’s out there for us.

My husband has faith in the alien colony that is aiding us. They made contact just in time. Said they had revolutionized their space program and stumbled upon our signal.

I don’t know what I believe.

As the line moves forward, I pull my girls along. They stumble ahead with fright, carrying their backpacks strapped to their bodies. Our packs are the only human luggage allowed on the crowded craft. But that’s not what they’re worried about.

It’s not the new race they fear. Or even the new world. It is the missing presence of their father.

He has his duty. He’ll stay with his men until we pilgrims are secure, then meet up with us in a smaller craft. I’m glad for it. They’ve already had to break up some fights. People get pretty riled up in situations like this. It’s good to have someone who remains behind to keep order for a while, and to try and find any last survivors before leaving.

Finally we’re ascending the dock and I’m able to see our temporary home. It’s nothing like I imagined. The smell is what draws my attention first.

“Eww mommy.” My youngest daughter, Gwen, pinches her nose.

The odiferous enclosure is beyond human comprehension. I’ve smelt plague pits, leaking sewage, the rank smell of sea life left to rot on beaches. Although this isn’t as horrendous, it does make my eyes water. Despite the nausea I’m fighting, I grind my teeth. “Gwen, these people are saving our lives. Don’t insult them.”

Win an eCopy of Embracing Entropy.

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JessicaMarieBaumgartner.JPGThe Author:

Jessica is the author of: The Embracing Entropy Series, Siren’s Snare, Tale of Two Bookends, and My Family Is Different. Her stories have been featured in numerous publications such as Everyday Fiction, The Lorelei Signal, Fiction on the Web, The Horror Zine and many others. She is a member of the St. Louis Writer’s Guild and is always weaving new worlds in the webs of her tales.
You can check her out at www.jessicamariebaumgartner.com.

Embracing Entropy is a Printed collection of a series of three novellas.
This printed collection includes the novellas By the Stars, Wish for Survival, and Perfect Chaos.
The novellas are available in electronic format on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0128Z4FLE

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CMU5CRQ

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CMVCQIS