Thanks to Mary at BookHounds for hosting the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway! For all the bloggers giving away books and bookish stuff, click HERE.
I am giving away a Surprise Box of Children’s Books. Just leave me a comment letting me know who you intend to share the books with. The giveaway runs through April 30. (US only please!)
By The Book welcomes Dr. Richard Mabry. Dr. Mabry writes medical suspense with heart and does it really, really well! Today Richard is sharing the pros and cons of traditional versus self-publishing. Also he has generously offered a copy of his newest novella, Doctor’s Dilemma, for one of my readers. Leave a comment or question for Dr. Mabry to enter the giveaway. Giveaway runs through March 22. (Please note: entries from the US only.)
SELF-PUBLICATION AND “TRADITIONAL” PUBLISHING
When I first started down this road to writing, self-publication was a phrase often equated with “vanity publishing.” It was generally held that those who chose this route were people who couldn’t get a contract with a traditional publisher, or for some similar reason chose this way to make certain their work was published. But that’s changed a lot over the past decade.
I’m not going to go into the arguments that exist to this day between those who choose the self-publication route and those who seek a traditional contract. Suffice it to say that there are valid reasons now for good writers to oversee the entire publishing process themselves, just as there are arguments to be made for asking a traditional publisher to share the responsibility for a book’s publication and marketing.
I’ve had ten novels of medical mystery published by traditional publishers. I’ve also dipped my toe (or perhaps I should say, my pen) into the self-publishing waters with three novellas. That makes me a member of a group called “hybrid authors”, having had books published both ways.
Why did I choose to self-publish this novella? There are two main reasons. The first is that only a very few publishers are interested in medical suspense/thriller/mystery books right now, either novels or the shorter form, novellas. I’ve had the good fortune to have publishing contracts with a number of respected houses, but in many cases those publishers have eventually shut down their fiction line, making the odds of getting a traditional contract slimmer still for authors.
The other factor is getting a book out frequently enough to keep name recognition going. Some authors do well publishing one book a year, while others do it more or less frequently. No one really knows whether an author’s fans forget him/her if there’s not a book to remind them of their writing. But no one wants to test that theory. I received enough questions about when my next book was coming out that I finally decided to self-publish this novella. The response of those who buy and read it will tell me a lot. I hope it’s a positive experience — for you, the reader, and for me, the author.
Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, now writing “medical suspense with heart.” He is the author of ten published novels, three novellas, and a non-fiction book. His novels have garnered critical acclaim and been finalists for ACFW’s Carol Award, both the Romantic Times’ Inspirational Book of the Year and Reviewer’s Choice Awards, the Inspirational Readers Choice, and the Selah Award. He is a proud member of the ACFW, the International Thriller Writers, the Christian Authors Network, the FHL chapter of the RWA, and Novelists Inc.
You can connect with Richard on the Internet at his blog page and Facebook fan page, as well as Twitter and Goodreads.
Doctor’s Dilemma — Dr. Tyler Gentry had it all planned out, but the death of his parents in a plane crash changed everything. When he discovered his father had left him a mountain of debt, piled on top of his own student debt, the offer from Dr. William Hall to join his group of surgeons seemed a perfect solution. But the night before he was to start, Tyler received a call that told him to get out while he could.
Despite the salary and perks, Tyler found a curtain of mystery surrounding the surgical group. The only thing that made it worthwhile was the lovely operating room nurse, Ashley Wynn, with whom Tyler seemed to make an instant connection. But when their first date ended with his car exploding while she watched, Ashley seemed hesitant to continue their relationship.
The stakes continued to rise while Tyler was faced with his dilemma: stay or go?
Do you feel lucky? Then you need to check out all the bloggers giving away books and bookish stuff in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop hosted by Mary at BookHounds! Click HERE for all participating bloggers.
I am giving away a Surprise Box O’ Books! To enter just leave me a comment. The giveaway ends on March 28. Winners will be chosen randomly.
(Please see disclosure info on the home page of this blog.)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. — Jeremiah 29:11
God has great plans for you. It’s true. The Plans I Have for You Holy Bible will inspire readers to dream about their future and to trust that God has great plans for each and every one of us.
The features of this latest addition to The Plans I Have for You collection include:
Introduction from author Amy Parker
50 God’s Big Plans pages tell how God had big plans for individuals in the Bible and his people as a whole, for example, Moses, Noah, Jonah, Esther, and YOU!
25 Promise Prayers pages focus on children asking God to help them fulfill his plans for them.
100 highlighted verses, including God’s promises as well as hopeful and uplifting verses
Presentation Page
Index to features
Index of highlighted verses
Lively two-color art from Vanessa Brantley Newton, illustrator of The Plans I Have for You picture book
My Impressions:
I loved Amy Parker’s The Plans I Have for You — a children’s book with Jeremiah 29:11 as its foundation. Now a Bible is available for children ages 8-12 that reinforces God’s big plans for them and the world. Using the very readable NIV translation, The Plans I Have for You Holy Bible includes highlighted key verses featuring the plans God has for His people, explanations of God’s plans with applications for kids, and prayers that can jump start quiet times. If you are looking for a Bible for that special child in your life, you need to check this one out.
Recommended.
Audience: children ages 8-12
To purchase this book, click HERE.
(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I have a copy of NIV The Plans I Have for You Holy Bible to give away. To enter, leave me a comment stating who you will be sharing this Bible with. I will pick a winner on March 22. (Due to shipping costs, US entries only please.)
December 21st is the shortest day of the year. Less daylight, but more night time to enjoy reading! Thanks to Mary at BookHounds for hosting the Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop! There are lots of bloggers giving away books and bookish stuff, so check them out HERE.
To help with your Winter reading needs I am giving away a surprise box of books — a little something for everyone! To enter, just leave me a comments. Thanks and Good Luck!!
Thanks to Mary at BookHounds for hosting the Gratitude Giveaway Hop. Lots of bloggers are giving away books and bookish stuff as a big thank you to their readers. The hop runs November 15-30. For a list of all participants, click HERE.
As a Great Big Thank You to my readers for your support and encouragement, your comments and clicks, I am giving away a Surprise Box o’ Books! 6 books with a range of appeal — mystery, suspense, history, and romance. There are even books that will appeal to the dog/cat lover! To enter, just leave me a comment of what you are thankful for this year. Thanks!
Thanks to Mary at BookHounds for hosting the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! There are lots of bloggers giving away books and bookish stuff, so make sure to check them out HERE.
I am giving away a copy of Mike Nappa‘s novel, The Raven. To enter, just leave me a comment telling what your favorite Halloween treat is.
As part of his regular street performance, a deception specialist who goes by the name The Raven picks his audience’s pockets while they watch. It’s harmless fun — until he decides to keep the spare wallet a city councilman doesn’t seem to miss, hoping for a few extra bucks. When he finds not money but compromising photos of the councilman and his “personal assistants”, The Raven hatches a plan to blackmail the man. However, he quickly finds himself in over his head with the Ukrainian Mafia and mired in a life-threatening plot code-named, “Nevermore”.
Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill must scramble to sort out the clues — and their complicated feelings for each other — to rescue The Raven and save hundreds of lives from a wildcard bent on revenge.
Happy Independence Day! Thanks to Mary at Bookhounds, bloggers are giving away some fabulous and FREE books and bookish stuff in the Freedom To Read Giveaway Hop! To find out more click HERE. The hop runs July 2 – 15.
I am giving away 2 books — one for adults and one for kids — with patriotic themes! To enter, just leave me a comment with what you are doing to celebrate this year. Good luck!
Falcon by Ronie Kendig — Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands. Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence.
God Bless America illustrated by Peter Francis — Take a tour of the most amazing landmarks and cities in America! God Bless America will show readers how special their country is and how God made such a wonderful place for us to live.
Welcome to my stop on the Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop! (Thanks Mary at Bookhounds for hosting!) To find out what books and bookish stuff other bloggers are giving away, click HERE.
This year I am giving away two books, one a fairy tale retelling and one a take off of the Robin Hood legend, both set in the medieval period — The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson and Dauntless by Dina Sleiman. To enter, just leave a comment. Thanks and good luck!
The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king’s approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.
Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn’t select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.
Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences.
Born a baron’s daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is now an enemy of the throne after her father’s failed assassination attempt upon the king. Bold and uniquely skilled, she is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village–a group that becomes known as “The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest.” Merry finds her charge more difficult as their growing notoriety brings increasing trouble their way.
Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, he’s forced to reexamine everything he’s known.
Thanks to Mary at Bookhounds for hosting the Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop! To find out about all the bookish goodness bloggers are giving away, click HERE. The hop runs from May 28-June 8.
Summertime usually means more time for reading. If you are like me, you enjoy a book by the pool, in the car or plane on the way to a vacation, or really anywhere you can escape into another world. So, to start you out right, I am giving away a Surprise Box of Books with a mix of historical and contemporary. To enter my giveaway, just leave a comment telling me your favorite summer spot to read. Good luck!
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