Category Archives: Self-Publishing

AuthorTube WorkInProgress Tag

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Watch on YouTube!

So there’s this tag called AuthorTube WIP Tag and I was tagged by the lovely Natalia Leigh. Unfortunately for me, good for all of you, the tag asks questions about my latest work in progress. I wanted to wait until I had a least the first draft of my third novel done before I started revealing information but I figured, eh, why not? So here we have it! The official title reveal of my novel! (Coming to a bookshelf near you)

What is the working title of my book?

To be determined! Right not I call it novel #3 because I’m not original.

Where did the idea for your book come from?

Both my grandparents have/had a form of dementia. I wanted to write a book that reverberates around the themes of desperation to cling onto your loved ones and also the fact that when someone has dementia you loose them twice. First mentally, then physically.

What genre is your work in progress?

Thriller? We’ll have to wait and find out!

Choose the actors for your movie rendition.

I don’t what TV or movies enough to have a list of actors I love…I live in a bubble.

One sentence synopsis of your book.

Sam’s house was on fire the night Willow reached her breaking point, and now she doesn’t care who’s life she ruins when she attempts to find a cure to Alzheimer’s disease.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My goal is to query agents once I’m happy with the outcome of the manuscript. I feel I’ve finally reached the point where I have enough experience and a big enough platform that maybe, just maybe, a publisher will take me on!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I’m in the first draft phase still, but we’re getting there! I’ve been working on this story since the summer of 2016 but I wasn’t able to get serious about it until recently.

What other books would you compare the story to?

Still Alice by Lisa Genova, in terms of subject matter, not genre. If you haven’t read her novels yet, pick them up! They’re amazing!

Who or what inspired you to write the book?

My grandmother who has frontal temporal dementia (Pick’s Disease) and my Memere who had Alzheimer’s.

What else about your book might peak the reader’s interest?

This novel doesn’t even compare to Essence and I am Mercy. So far, this novel reaches a whole new level (but I may be biased).

I tag: Shaelin Bishop, Kristen Martin, Vivien Reis

My Third Novel is Outlined!

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What happens when I’m sick for three days? Well, I think I get a little loopy actually. Lookin at this video now, I realize I should never be allowed to film while I’m sick. Luckily, I have Molly to amp up the cute factor in the video while I sound terrible because I’m still working on getting my voice back. Anyways….I outlined my third novel!

I’ve been having terrible progress with my newest novel for two reasons: I’m busy and I’m lazy. I also had a lot of writer’s doubt, aka I thought of giving up being a writer completely. With outlining this novel I’ve learned once again why I love writing and why I’m going to keep pushing to get better.

My third novel has 31 chapters outlined (a 6-page outline!) and very soon I’ll be starting the actual writing process for it!

Here’s a video on how I used to outline:

Find me on Instagram! @mandilynnwrites

 

Marketing Your Novel || Self-Publishing

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Oh marketing. It is a headache and a half. There’s so much to do, so much to learn! And the market is constantly changing so once you feel like you understand how it works, you have to change your game plan again. So read some good books on marketing to keep your head in the game.

And then there’s the must have’s:

-social media accounts (don’t do all of them, only choose a few!)

-posting on a regular basis

-a website that links back to everything

-cohesive design

I wrote a guest post on marketing on Teen Authors Journal, check it out! http://www.teenauthorsjournal.com/so-you-want-to-sell-your-book/

Books Mentioned:

How to Market a Book by Joanna Penn

Platform (Get Noticed in a Noisy World) by Michael Hyatt

 

Check out another video on marketing!

I’m a Professional Writer?

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Last week your guys heard me talk about my job a little bit and how I do a lot of non-fiction writing for it. In case you didn’t know I work as a marketing and PR intern at a large hospital in Massachusetts. I’ve been able to learn an endless amount of skills from this job, from marketing press releases, to just the ins and outs of working in a corporate world. Some of these skills I’ve even been able to incorporate into my novel marketing (it would be more helpful of course if I had a little more time to implement these skills).

 

Plotting Novels with OneNote

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I love OneNote! It’s great for taking notes in class but also for plotting novels! Who knew? Use it to organize your note on your characters, chapters, and setting. This is only the tip of the iceberg for OneNote, so be sure to explore it thoroughly!

Explore OneNote now! https://www.onenote.com/

Access your OneDrive: https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/

 

Will My Writing Get Better?

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I really tried not to rant too much in this video…

Listen to my reading of my latest writing! http://bit.ly/2f0tYnS

We all know the more you practice something, the better you get. Same goes for writing. I’ve published two novels, so over the years not only has my writing style changed, but so has the quality of writing. I look back at Essence and realize how far I’ve come as a writer. And Essence not being up to par with my current writing isn’t a bad thing! A little embarrassing maybe, but it shows how hard I’ve worked. And it just makes me that much more excited to publish my new novel!

I Wanted to Quit Writing

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Please watch the full video!

New England Author Expo Vlog!

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I laughed I cried, I was a mess! A ten hour book signing/expo and I couldn’t have had a better experience! Thank you to everyone who came! I met a ton of great authors and I hope to see more you next year! Check out the vlog to see clips from the expo and to see me and other authors on the panel!

Be sure to check out Ashley’s book, Remember to Forget!
Find her on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/callmeashley98

I’m Writing Again!

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Barnes & Noble B-Fest, Book Haul, & More Guinea Pigs?

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Books Mentioned:
Lost in Thought & Second Thoughts by Cara Bertrand
Hell Hole by Gina Damico