Kindle Countdown Deal
Mysterious Castle on sale for only 99 cents ($0.99)
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Widow's Web -- A Jim Cavanaugh Saga
Just released as ebook exclusively on Amazon (Kindle) for $9.99: Widow's Web
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=DuannaLee+Petersen-Griffin&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ADuannaLee+Petersen-Griffin
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=DuannaLee+Petersen-Griffin&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ADuannaLee+Petersen-Griffin
Saturday, November 1, 2014
PRICE REDUCTION
Turnabout in Fair Play is now $0.99 (ninety-nine cents) [11/17/2014]. Take advantage of this temporary price reduction.
** Magnetic Attraction is now $0.99 (ninety-nine cents). **
** For Kindle Unlimited members: Mysterious Castle is FREE ($0.00). **
Readers, please rate the books. It helps other readers choose. I hope you like them!
** Magnetic Attraction is now $0.99 (ninety-nine cents). **
** For Kindle Unlimited members: Mysterious Castle is FREE ($0.00). **
Readers, please rate the books. It helps other readers choose. I hope you like them!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Four E-Books on Amazon
I have four ebooks on Amazon now:
Dreams & Secrets
Magnetic Attraction
Turnabout in Fair Play
Mysterious Castle
Search under my name as DuannaLee Petersen-Griffin to get directly to them.
Dreams & Secrets
Magnetic Attraction
Turnabout in Fair Play
Mysterious Castle
Search under my name as DuannaLee Petersen-Griffin to get directly to them.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Two More E-Published with Amazon
That makes three novels published as ebooks on Amazon within 24 hours. So far three have sold, as of yesterday morning. It is interesting that the one I got the publishing offer on is the one that hasn't sold yet. (I rejected the offer.) Check them out on my website: duannalee.wix.com/petersen-griffin -- The Buy It Now buttons connect you to Amazon.
On Amazon, if you search for my whole name they show up, otherwise they get lost in the shuffle from the search. DuannaLee Petersen-Griffin lists my books first! (Petersen-Griffin pulls up Petersens and Griffins, even though that is the name it should recognizefor me. Duanna first pulls up a lot of other authors named Duanna.)
On Amazon, if you search for my whole name they show up, otherwise they get lost in the shuffle from the search. DuannaLee Petersen-Griffin lists my books first! (Petersen-Griffin pulls up Petersens and Griffins, even though that is the name it should recognizefor me. Duanna first pulls up a lot of other authors named Duanna.)
Monday, September 15, 2014
First Book Published
My first novel written was e-published tonight on Amazon: Dreams & Secrets. My previewing readership feedback left me in a quandary. A couple stopped reading early on, well trained by tradition. As soon as the couple married the story ended, ha! Not so. So I split it into 5 sections. None of my other novels follow that pattern. Dreams & Secrets came to me like a freight train one evening and wouldn't let me rest until it was finished two weeks later. Then I tweaked it for two weeks. I had burned the candle at both ends, so needed to rest up for a month. After that, I responded to critiques while I busily wrote other novels.
Check out my website: duannalee.wix.com/petersen-griffin
It's still very new to me, but I hope it is easy to access for y'all.
Check out my website: duannalee.wix.com/petersen-griffin
It's still very new to me, but I hope it is easy to access for y'all.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Self-Publishing with Amazon
I've been busy! After turning down a publishing contract that was totally unacceptable, I decided to epub. I have been working on that, with delays by a broken foot/ankle and severe allergies, I'm finally there. I hope to have my frst three novels available through Amazon in September. Yes, this month! I'll keep you posted.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Glitches
I just sent out manuscripts to a publisher, right? I was bored yesterday so began a re-read of the longest one. I discovered typos that had been corrected more than once. Argh! Shot in the foot?
I hate imperfections, especially in something so important. What's going on? I can't trust an editted document to remain editted? I decided to check my computer to see if there was anything I could do to reduce the chances of this problem's recurrence. Why do my longer documents get scrambled with older versions whenever the packets reassemble? There must be a solution somewhere. First, I checked the most obvious cause. Ah, I have my PC set for weekly defragmentization, every Thursday at 3:00pm, but the last one done was May 9th! Eight months ago?! I set a defrag into motion. It took quite awhile. I hope this reduces the problems in the future. Now, I hope it is permanently fixed. I cringe at the thought of the reaction to the flaws by this publisher. I'm cleaning the document up, again.
January 23, 2014: Resubmitted Mysterious Castle, finally. I found that my documents formatting was changed when emailed. Thank goodness I sent it to myself first to test it. So I had to find out a solution to that problem and fix the entire document, then retest it. Now I'll need to do the same with the other novels before I can resubmit them.
January 27, 2014: Resubmitted Fair Play.
February 1, 2014: Half through with Magnetic Attraction. Needing a break. I've decided to read for awhile, estimating 2-3 day break.
February 7, 2014: Resubmitted Magnetic Attraction.
March 2, 2014: Received a contract to publish Magnetic Attraction. Must decline. I turns out it's a vanity press that also wants royalties paid to them for seven-plus years. Sure, they'll distribute the books. . .solely at my expense. Thanks, but no way. That cinches it. I'll epub.
April 20, 2014: Working on the cover art and epub requirements, for all my completed books. I'd rather be writing.
September 16-17, 2014: Placed my first three novels onto Amazon.com as ebooks. I had 3 sales within a few hours, but not one of each (2 Dreams & Secrets, 1 Turnabout in Fair Play).
October 1, 2014: Placed Mysterious Castle onto Amazon.com as ebook.
November 1, 2014: Only one more sale in October, Turnabout in Fair Play. Reduced price of Magnetic Attraction to 99 cents. Changed Mysterious Castle to Kindle Select which offers it free to Kindle Unlimited members. Scheduled a promo for Mysterious Castle for first week of December, available to anyone on Amazon for 99 cents.
I hate imperfections, especially in something so important. What's going on? I can't trust an editted document to remain editted? I decided to check my computer to see if there was anything I could do to reduce the chances of this problem's recurrence. Why do my longer documents get scrambled with older versions whenever the packets reassemble? There must be a solution somewhere. First, I checked the most obvious cause. Ah, I have my PC set for weekly defragmentization, every Thursday at 3:00pm, but the last one done was May 9th! Eight months ago?! I set a defrag into motion. It took quite awhile. I hope this reduces the problems in the future. Now, I hope it is permanently fixed. I cringe at the thought of the reaction to the flaws by this publisher. I'm cleaning the document up, again.
January 23, 2014: Resubmitted Mysterious Castle, finally. I found that my documents formatting was changed when emailed. Thank goodness I sent it to myself first to test it. So I had to find out a solution to that problem and fix the entire document, then retest it. Now I'll need to do the same with the other novels before I can resubmit them.
January 27, 2014: Resubmitted Fair Play.
February 1, 2014: Half through with Magnetic Attraction. Needing a break. I've decided to read for awhile, estimating 2-3 day break.
February 7, 2014: Resubmitted Magnetic Attraction.
March 2, 2014: Received a contract to publish Magnetic Attraction. Must decline. I turns out it's a vanity press that also wants royalties paid to them for seven-plus years. Sure, they'll distribute the books. . .solely at my expense. Thanks, but no way. That cinches it. I'll epub.
April 20, 2014: Working on the cover art and epub requirements, for all my completed books. I'd rather be writing.
September 16-17, 2014: Placed my first three novels onto Amazon.com as ebooks. I had 3 sales within a few hours, but not one of each (2 Dreams & Secrets, 1 Turnabout in Fair Play).
October 1, 2014: Placed Mysterious Castle onto Amazon.com as ebook.
November 1, 2014: Only one more sale in October, Turnabout in Fair Play. Reduced price of Magnetic Attraction to 99 cents. Changed Mysterious Castle to Kindle Select which offers it free to Kindle Unlimited members. Scheduled a promo for Mysterious Castle for first week of December, available to anyone on Amazon for 99 cents.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Hello 2014!
It's a new year, a new page in my book of life.
As I grow older, I reflect on the past more. Besides remembering the good things, I ask myself "What have I learned?" Those who know me best know that I am deeply religious. Yes, I believe in God. I am a Christian. Many people now'days have a problem with that, for these are the Last Days, being brainwashed against a Creator when it is so logical and obvious. What those-who-don't-believe don't know is that some of us actually KNOW, more than hope or trust. We've had proof given to us in our lives in a personal way. It is undeniable. Make your excuses as to why I'm wrong or foolish, but in the end we all shall know the truth for death will be the educator. When our body rots in the earth or turns to ash, our spirit/soul with our mind's knowledge and memories continue on. Enough said on that for now. I won't force my opinions on anyone, and I expect the same respect in return. It's our freedom of choice.
As I grow older, my family circle shrinks even though the family itself grows larger. It's difficult to stay connected. My immediate family is changing and my siblings are disconnected. It's also dwindling as the older ones die off (a fact of life), hopefully from old age (but never count on it). I'm turning 65 in a couple of months. I was married for almost 1/3 of my life, flying solo the rest. . .but not by preference. I'd rather not be. I didn't plan on that, but let's face it, I'm not very trusting and either too picky or undesirable -- probably a combination of all three. I'm still dealing with resentment issues regarding the marriage dissolution and broken family. One never truly heals. It was detrimental to the children, but how can a mother undo that pain and confusion? I've tried, but the damage was done.
As I grow older, I have relaxed my expectations and my perfectionism. I've tried to anyway. It was a stress issue. Die of a heart attack or learn to chill out. Chilling here.
As I grow older, I reflect on the past more. Besides remembering the good things, I ask myself "What have I learned?" Those who know me best know that I am deeply religious. Yes, I believe in God. I am a Christian. Many people now'days have a problem with that, for these are the Last Days, being brainwashed against a Creator when it is so logical and obvious. What those-who-don't-believe don't know is that some of us actually KNOW, more than hope or trust. We've had proof given to us in our lives in a personal way. It is undeniable. Make your excuses as to why I'm wrong or foolish, but in the end we all shall know the truth for death will be the educator. When our body rots in the earth or turns to ash, our spirit/soul with our mind's knowledge and memories continue on. Enough said on that for now. I won't force my opinions on anyone, and I expect the same respect in return. It's our freedom of choice.
As I grow older, my family circle shrinks even though the family itself grows larger. It's difficult to stay connected. My immediate family is changing and my siblings are disconnected. It's also dwindling as the older ones die off (a fact of life), hopefully from old age (but never count on it). I'm turning 65 in a couple of months. I was married for almost 1/3 of my life, flying solo the rest. . .but not by preference. I'd rather not be. I didn't plan on that, but let's face it, I'm not very trusting and either too picky or undesirable -- probably a combination of all three. I'm still dealing with resentment issues regarding the marriage dissolution and broken family. One never truly heals. It was detrimental to the children, but how can a mother undo that pain and confusion? I've tried, but the damage was done.
As I grow older, I have relaxed my expectations and my perfectionism. I've tried to anyway. It was a stress issue. Die of a heart attack or learn to chill out. Chilling here.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Goodbye 2013 -- but with hope one of my darlings finds a home
I got one emailed out yesterday and will send out another one tomorrow. I have two others after that, which I plan to get out this week also. That leaves only one, which I intend to epub once I feel comfortable with the cover. Someone just used one so similar to my 2-year-old design, that I need to modify it some. If I intend to have print-on-demand paperbacks, then I'll need more. I'm leaning toward electronic only. Then back to writing!
One week later: Grrr. Don't you hate interruptions? I've had quite a few. Still working on it!
Later in same week: Wow! It worked out! Done. Four out of five submitted to the one publisher. I'd pulled that first one back, fixed a couple of things and resubmitted it this week. Great people at Open Door Publishers! I then got 3 more ready and sent to them. That other one, with the cover issue I mentioned above, I haven't submitted yet, as I'm still deciding what to do with it. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
One week later: Grrr. Don't you hate interruptions? I've had quite a few. Still working on it!
Later in same week: Wow! It worked out! Done. Four out of five submitted to the one publisher. I'd pulled that first one back, fixed a couple of things and resubmitted it this week. Great people at Open Door Publishers! I then got 3 more ready and sent to them. That other one, with the cover issue I mentioned above, I haven't submitted yet, as I'm still deciding what to do with it. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Goodbye 2013
Well, the year is almost over. I had a goal to get at least one of my five novels published this year. No luck yet. Since I don't have any out at the moment, I doubt that is going to change unless I hurry up this week and am very, very lucky.
This year I've spent a lot of time fine-tuning and polishing three of my novels. Two mostly due to fighting Microsoft problems with Word, trying to get clean copies ready, again. Plus my first one to make layout modifications, so it is more palatable for the spoon-fed readers who can't accept something different, by breaking it into five parts (still one novel). There's an irritating attitude of "Follow a basic storyline or I come unglued!" That's not a quote, but it's the underlying message. Argh! A little grumpy? Me? Just a bit.
Yes, I listened to one acquaintance and reluctantly broke it into 5 parts. I wanted to tell her to do me a favor and read something else! Not to tell me to redo it to fit her preferences. She also wanted me to add lots of flowery descriptions. It's too long already, and everyone else who read it thought it was descriptive enough. (That person is not one of my followers, so her feelings won't be hurt. By the way, she loves the 50 Shades trilogy and would hate many of the classics.)
I'm currently re-reading Little Women, and it breaks a lot of current trends. It's still a great book.
This year I've spent a lot of time fine-tuning and polishing three of my novels. Two mostly due to fighting Microsoft problems with Word, trying to get clean copies ready, again. Plus my first one to make layout modifications, so it is more palatable for the spoon-fed readers who can't accept something different, by breaking it into five parts (still one novel). There's an irritating attitude of "Follow a basic storyline or I come unglued!" That's not a quote, but it's the underlying message. Argh! A little grumpy? Me? Just a bit.
Yes, I listened to one acquaintance and reluctantly broke it into 5 parts. I wanted to tell her to do me a favor and read something else! Not to tell me to redo it to fit her preferences. She also wanted me to add lots of flowery descriptions. It's too long already, and everyone else who read it thought it was descriptive enough. (That person is not one of my followers, so her feelings won't be hurt. By the way, she loves the 50 Shades trilogy and would hate many of the classics.)
I'm currently re-reading Little Women, and it breaks a lot of current trends. It's still a great book.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Feedspot: Thanks, but No.
I got an invitation from Feedspot, telling me that I had been linked in (Blogspot to Feedspot) and already had 26 views. So naturally I signed up to view it. I personally hate only having that option. I prefer to view first, then decide.
I was very disappointed. Feedspot doesn't include my additional pages...so why bother? Keep in mind that those pages are for my novels as the introductions to the stories, an appetizing sample. To date there are five, with one more well on the way. I am working on getting those five published. (No luck yet.) As an author I find Feedspot worthless if it can't connect to my pages for each of my novels. The sole purpose for having the Blogspot site is to connect potential readers with my stories so they will choose to read my work.
I was very disappointed. Feedspot doesn't include my additional pages...so why bother? Keep in mind that those pages are for my novels as the introductions to the stories, an appetizing sample. To date there are five, with one more well on the way. I am working on getting those five published. (No luck yet.) As an author I find Feedspot worthless if it can't connect to my pages for each of my novels. The sole purpose for having the Blogspot site is to connect potential readers with my stories so they will choose to read my work.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Ready to go another round
I'm feeling recharged but still not up to the normal mark yet. I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round, but I'm ready for another turn. (You thought that was a boxing reference?)
I refuse to send out any more hard copies. It's simply too expensive. So I will not be submitting to any agency who requires it. Friends have recommended a few, but they are automatically eliminated. What I need to find is the right fit, not just my work fitting their goals, but their options fitting mine.
I wanted to submit three stories to one big-time publisher online, but their link is down...and has been since about August 1st. I'm not sure they even got the one I electronically submitted on July 29, as I haven't received any kind of acknowledgement. I guess I won't be getting my foot in that door. Drat.
That publisher has been trending away from new authors, and putting out more and more as series. I don't care for the series idea. It is so long between stories, I have to go back and skim over the previous ones. I really don't want to keep all these books on hand for that. I prefer standalones.
Oftentimes the newer books off the press by established authors are of inferior quality. The publisher admits to not editing established authors as thoroughly as new ones. What's with that? One well-established author (LF) has a new proofreader/editor assistant--she must sing her own praises to LF as she's doing a terrible job!--and some of us no longer want to read her work, even though LF was the author who brought us to that publisher because we liked her work so much. LF is singing her assistant's praises and backing her as a new author. Oh, no! If LF read her own last 3 novels in print with fresh eyes, she'd fire her assistant! She's making LF look bad.
I refuse to send out any more hard copies. It's simply too expensive. So I will not be submitting to any agency who requires it. Friends have recommended a few, but they are automatically eliminated. What I need to find is the right fit, not just my work fitting their goals, but their options fitting mine.
I wanted to submit three stories to one big-time publisher online, but their link is down...and has been since about August 1st. I'm not sure they even got the one I electronically submitted on July 29, as I haven't received any kind of acknowledgement. I guess I won't be getting my foot in that door. Drat.
That publisher has been trending away from new authors, and putting out more and more as series. I don't care for the series idea. It is so long between stories, I have to go back and skim over the previous ones. I really don't want to keep all these books on hand for that. I prefer standalones.
Oftentimes the newer books off the press by established authors are of inferior quality. The publisher admits to not editing established authors as thoroughly as new ones. What's with that? One well-established author (LF) has a new proofreader/editor assistant--she must sing her own praises to LF as she's doing a terrible job!--and some of us no longer want to read her work, even though LF was the author who brought us to that publisher because we liked her work so much. LF is singing her assistant's praises and backing her as a new author. Oh, no! If LF read her own last 3 novels in print with fresh eyes, she'd fire her assistant! She's making LF look bad.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Burning Out
This submissions process is the pits. Another rejection today. There's got to be a better way! It isn't about my ego; it's business. Now I know why people self-publish. Maybe I should just go that route, even though the potential returns aren't nearly as good. Either that or box them up and forget it. Truth is, I am burning out. (I'm fighting illness and age, so I'm not sure I'm up to it now.)
****
****
I am about ready to start another round of submitting my novels to agents/publishers. One online system has gone down. It was the one I had been aiming for, for three of my novels. I prefer to use the internet method over the USPS snail mail. The cost of printing and mailing quickly add up, especially when there are five novels and one is twice the size of any one of the others. One at a time would have been easier, but I had to learn the ropes and prepare the documents.
I'm working with a handicap: I'm not a salesman. You have to sell yourself and your work. That just isn't who I am, nor is it someone I want to become. I thought that was the job of "agents" but now it appears that we need agents to submit to "agents".
I'm working with a handicap: I'm not a salesman. You have to sell yourself and your work. That just isn't who I am, nor is it someone I want to become. I thought that was the job of "agents" but now it appears that we need agents to submit to "agents".
Still feeling burned out and still recuperating from tripping in my bedroom last week, I need to get new shoes with non-Velcro-like rubber soles: Comfort vs. Safety. The stairs are hardest for my knees, a lingering issue from the fall, but there is daily improvement.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
The Office has been moved.
My flash fiction story "The Office" has been moved to another blog. I have three blogs but only one is public at this time. (The other two are for me only since the Ken Martins scam, That cut their possible access down to 1/3 of what it had been, unless they have backdoor access.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)