Category Archives: Author Feature

Author Feature

Is it possible to live in a real life version of The Matrix?

The following are the words of Kris Embrey, author of “Tell Me You Want Me” and “Till The Other Side of Time”. For more information on Kris or her book, find her on her website or her Facebook page. Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services.

Imagine yourself completing your very first romance fiction novel and secure a publisher. Sounds good so far. But let’s say there’s a possibility you will meet the antagonist from your fiction story in real life. Would you change the antagonist storyline?

Hollywood has done countless movies on the subject of manifestation. The Matrix is one example, but could you see yourself living within a real-life matrix? It happened just after my first book was released in March 2016 by Archway Publishing. Life as a writer took an interesting turn when fictional characters started to show up on my path.

What I’d believed and thought about the spiritual world, would be challenged the day I’d met Mark Grant, and hearing the name Lex Lenord being paged over a P.A. system. Knowing this was more than a mere coincidence, as these were two fictional names used in my romance novel.

One afternoon, and the same week my first book was published, I was reviewing a profile from a dating site I’d joined. The man who I’ll call “Ray,” messaged me while I’d looked up at the sky, being memorized by a rainbow on a clear day. Replying back to Ray’s message, he seemed interested in meeting for coffee, making a plan to meet later in the week.

That following Monday, sitting at work, Ray sent a message to see if we could meet up for a drink after work. On that same day, I’d gotten my e-book stubs in the mail from Archway, and my first book was now officially published. Putting a few in my purse, heading out the door, I set out to go meet Ray.

At the bar, we ordered drinks and proceeded to have a great conversation. Talking with him, it felt like I’d known him a really long time, which was kind of unusual for me to hit it off with someone that fast. We paused and started looking into each other’s eyes and it got intense, “I really like you,” he said, with a smile, wanting to know what I was thinking. Being to shy to answer back, only offering him a smile in his direction, he smiled back. What I really wanted to say was, “Where have you been my entire life?” but the words didn’t come out. Our conversation would continue to flow the entire evening, as he asked questions of me being a writer. Reaching into my handbag, I pulled out one of the book stubs I’d gotten earlier that day, handing one to him, stating that I never expected him to ever read my romance novel. We continued to talk for a few more hours, then decided to end the night when he walked me to my car.

A few days passed after our date, and the friend who suggested I join the dating site was in town for work. The hardbound version of my book had just delivered to my door. Pulling the books from the box, my friend had arrived at my house. I didn’t give my friend time to settle in, excitement took over my mouth telling him about Ray, babbling on how I met this great guy, thanking my friend for the suggestion to join the dating site. Grabbing my phone to show a photo that Ray and I, had taken at the bar. My friend was standing over my books sitting on the table, as he started to get a very odd facial expression while doing a double take of the books sitting on my table. My friend picked up my book said, “are you kidding me? Look at this,” taking my phone to enlarge the photo, laid it next to my book; astounding to find that we were looking at the same person. “You didn’t show Ray this did you?” My friend demanded, positioning that I did give Ray a book stub, but hadn’t noticed the similarity to the illustrated book cover. “You manifested this guy.” My friend said, laughing shaking his head at me, as he walked away into the other room. I do admit, it was shocking to see the similarity of the cover art illustrated by a former co-worker several months before I met Ray, the resemblance was a dead-ringer.

Over the course of the next year, I became friends with Ray. His personality traits were being slowly revealed to me, and I would come to learn that he and the antagonist Sebastian, were one in the same. In these months of developing a friendship with Ray, synchronicity would connect him to my fiction story published with Archway. Sebastian had a specific storyline that was to be completed in a three-part series. Now, what do I do?

Manifestation at the basic core principal “like attracts like” which in philosophy is used to sum up the idea that by focusing on thoughts, a person brings positive or negative experiences into their life. I’d spent around nineteen-hours a day, seven days a week, over the course of three-months writing my book. I guess the manifestation of my antagonist was an inevitability waiting to happen. To say I was attached to my writing would be an understatement. I’d spent more time developing Sebastian, than other characters in the book. Sebastian came to life from cover to cover literally, and confirmed to me, a classic case of manifestation.

Synchronicities are the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection. Many experiences perceived as coincidence are due not merely to chance, but instead potentially reflected by the manifestation of coincident events or circumstances. Manifesting is the intention to create something. Focusing with great detail on my antagonist Sebastian seems I’d brought into my life experience his doppelganger, Ray.

Can manifestation of a fiction story really happen? Yes, it can. Perhaps The Matrix is more than just the work of science fiction. When you’re in the “zone” focused and developing characters, what is written can come to pass. It happened to me. Perhaps the best advice I can give any new romance author…write your own love story of how you’d want to see it play out, especially if your single, you might just meet the love of your life.

Archway Publishing is always looking for content for its blog. If you’re an Archway Publishing author and would like to share a guest blog post, please visit our Blog Guidelines Page.

Standard
Author Feature

Heaven’s Magic Bubble Machine

The following are the words of Teri Yuki, Archway Publishing author of “Heaven’s Magic Bubble Machine.” Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services. 

Writing About Difficult Topics

Like many aspiring authors, I had an idea I wanted to share with others. My desire was to help children who were grieving due to the death of a loved one. For obvious reasons, this is not an easy subject to write about, particularly to an audience of children.

As a young child, I lost my mother due to a tragic accident. Growing up I often thought I would like to find a way to comfort children who were missing a loved one who had passed away. Most importantly I wanted to find a way that offered a positive and constructive outlet that would lighten little hearts with joy and laughter.

For several years I jotted down ideas as they came to me and vowed that when I retired my first project would be writing my book. But how was I going to approach writing a book with an upbeat message about a subject as difficult as death? How was I going to bring a smile to a grieving child’s face?

As I pondered these questions, I kept asking myself what activities children enjoy. What brings on the lovely sounds of a child’s laughter? What do children around the world have in common?

At this point, I was getting stressed about not being able to identify this critical component of the storyline. Finally, I decided to stop worrying and let the Universe provide the answer when the time was right. I continued to work on the manuscript, character development and planning the style of illustrations that were going to bring my book to life. Then one day (while performing some mundane household task, washing dishes I think) the answer just popped into my head.

BUBBLES!

Of course! BUBBLES are magical! Children love BUBBLES! Dogs and cats and baby elephants in the zoo love BUBBLES! That day HEAVEN’S MAGIC BUBBLE MACHINE went from being a Dream to a foreseeable Reality. The Universe did not let me down.

Now it was time to start searching for a publishing company. After talking to several companies, I decided to go with Archway. From the initial consultation to each department that assisted me, everyone was helpful and patient. I am thrilled with the end result.

As for marketing funds, I have to pace myself and search for creative ideas that other Indy authors have used. Author Solutions has some wonderful marketing programs to choose from. Through Author Solutions, I have participated in a very successful book signing at the LA Book Fair and the Goodreads Giveaway Program. My next marketing goal is the new Amazon Advertising program.

All of us have a unique story to tell. When the time comes that you decide to share your story, let Archway Publishing help bring your dream to reality.

Archway Publishing is always looking for content for its blog. If you’re an Archway Publishing author and would like to share a guest blog post, please visit our Blog Guidelines Page.

Standard
Author Feature

My Book Began Like A Double-Edged Sword

The following are the words of Sally Guynn, Archway Publishing author of “The Tortoise Tales.” For more on the author, visit her website and Facebook. Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services. 

How it all Began

I entertained fantasies about writing and painting as published and exhibited works ever since a young girl. Eventually, my dreams converged with a single passion to create a children’s book about animals. Was I biting off more than I could chew?

The children’s book idea endured through my work careers, and once I retired I wrote my memoirs for my family. It empowered me forward, but I soon discovered that my naïve notion to write a children’s book had morphed into something more challenging—a double-edged sword. On one edge was my dream to write and paint, a lifelong passion, waiting to be freed. The other edge was not knowing what I didn’t know. It dawned on me this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. A blade with two edges is a sword that can accomplish twice as much, right? The trick was learning how to handle it.

I began writing The Tortoise Tales and found Archway Publishing to help guide me and keep me from ripping my dreams apart with that big sharp sword. In the process, I discovered three things of value that I’d either underappreciated or simply never had a clue about:

1. Getting Clarity About The Type of Book
2. Maintaining A Sense of Urgency
3. Soliciting Feedback

Getting Clarity About The Type of Book

I’d always envisioned writing and illustrating a children’s picture book, but once the Archway Publishing staff helped me rethink the type of book, I realized several important misalignments. My writing voice wasn’t a good match for a picture book and preschoolers, my paintings more watercolors and washes than stylized illustrations, and my original target audience were now already reading for themselves.

Having already completed many paintings in color at this point, the Archway staff advised making the book more affordable by less artwork and matching more closely with my revised target audience–middle readers who preferred fewer illustrations, no color, and more text. Most importantly, I wanted my book to stimulate a curiosity about nature and wildlife in young people and influence them to go outside and enjoy it. Again, Archway to the rescue when they told me I didn’t need tons of color illustrations to accomplish that goal. Middle readers don’t like anything too babyish. I easily saw the wisdom in making changes to the book’s formatting.

Maintaining A Sense of Urgency

Putting off my children’s book for so long likely increased both my sense of urgency and desire to leave a legacy. But these were good things. Once I began writing The Tortoise Tales, I wrote, researched or edited several hours, at a minimum, every day. If a conflict arose, I made up the time the next day or evening. I believe having this strong sense of urgency elevated the task in my eyes, inadvertently preventing procrastination.

Soliciting Feedback

Soliciting feedback came naturally for me throughout the process. I didn’t resist experimentation and change. It allowed me to take risks that quite often led to improvements. And, perhaps because I’d been a teacher, I tested my stories in both public and private school classrooms and later with seniors over fifty years old at the Lifelong Learning Institute here in my city. Their collective feedback proved invaluable to the book as well as bolstering my confidence.

After the book was printed, I managed to spring for the additional dollars to purchase one of Archway’s professional review packages that included objective reviews from Kirkus, Blue Ink, and Clarion. I learned a huge lesson: If you want your book to succeed beyond peddling it out of the trunk of your car, you absolutely need to have it professionally reviewed to get it on the databases from which libraries and bookstores order.

Archway Publishing is always looking for content for its blog. If you’re an Archway Publishing author and would like to share a guest blog post, please visit our Blog Guidelines Page.

Standard
Author Feature

Controlling the Course of Events

The following are the words of Kathleen Glassburn, Archway Publishing author of “Making It Work.” For more on the author, visit her website and Facebook. Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services.

My Journey to Self-Publishing

Reading and writing stories have been part of my life since first grade. The library was a more inviting place than the playground. I earned a BA in English and went on to earn an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis on Fiction. After having many short stories published, I wrote my first novel and decided to publish it. With an employment background in business, I am organized and don’t like to do projects according to other people’s timetables (or lack of timetables). I’m not patient when I have to wait around for things that I think could have been done in a more expeditious manner. I also don’t like my work being part of someone’s slush pile.

A friend had a book done by Archway Publishing and she gave an excellent recommendation. With my characteristics (I don’t like to call myself a “control freak” but perhaps, at times, this is a good description) I decided that self-publishing would be right for me.

Why I Love Archway

My novel has now been available for several months. It has received positive responses from readers (friends, acquaintances, as well as professionals with whom I’m not familiar). The book itself is beautiful. The cover that I was helped to choose is exactly as I wanted it to be. The text is clean. And, the symbolic images representing a major theme are tastefully done. Also, the book was completed in a timely way. I never had to wait for responses to my questions or updates on progress. Because of Archway’s conscientious attention to providing a meticulous package, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed interacting with my team of well-qualified and knowledgeable people.

I am so pleased with my novel that I have contracted for them to do a collection of my published short stories. I look forward to seeing these in an equally-beautiful book sometime this year.

To me, as a business-minded, independent person, who loves to write fiction, this is the most telling detail of my Archway experience — I am a return client.

Archway Publishing is always looking for content for its blog. If you’re an Archway Publishing author and would like to share a guest blog post, please visit our Blog Guidelines Page.

Standard
Author Feature

How a Good Girl, Proved that Kindness Still Matters!

The following are the words of Alexis Bloomer, Archway Publishing author of “Good Girl Bad World” and “Kindness is Key.” For more on the author, visit her Facebook page, Twitter and website. Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services.

The Inspiration for My Book

My freshman year of college (2012), I was sitting in my in college apartment at Sam Houston State University and I thought back to my first year in high school and remembered how lonely I felt that year. I was in college, making new friends and I was reminded of the past and the words that hurt me. Isn’t that crazy? How we can remember comments that hurt us, more than ones that celebrated us? Just like the hurtful comments, I remembered a comment from one of my favorite authors, Dr. Seuss, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not!” Such simple words that impacted my story, profoundly. Continue reading →

Standard
Author Feature

Following Your Dreams

The following are the words of Christine Lourenco, Archway Publishing author of “For the Love of the Ocean” and “Commuter Bob.” For more about Christine, check out her website, Facebook, and Twitter. Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services. 

Realizing My Childhood Dream

Writing was something I did throughout my childhood. It started with a passion for reading when I was young. I read one book a day and often visited the library to take out more books. Fiction was my preferred genre, to escape to another world. I had always kept diaries and journals and enjoyed writing poetry. Different characters and stories would often pop up in my daydreams. I would think how great it would be to put those thoughts into a story or even a movie. It never crossed my mind though at the time that this was something I wanted to pursue. Later in life, I was reminded that storytelling was something in my heart. It was a dream of mine. Continue reading →

Standard
Author Feature

The Glastonbury Gift

The following are the words of Tom Tyner, Archway Publishing author of “The Glastonbury Gift.” Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services.

There is a Story inside Everyone

StoryAs a novice, I can only speak from the heart, not from experience. First and foremost if you feel within you dwells a story then write it. Don’t mimic me and put it off. For years my family and friends encouraged me to write. With a love of history, the gift of a great memory, and a vivid imagination, I finally took their advice. A person once said, “In every person, there lies a story waiting to be told,” this I strongly believe. Writing can be gratifying and aggravating but in the end, it is the most rewarding experience. I started writing not for the monetary factor but for self-satisfaction. Once I started I couldn’t stop, I’m currently working on two books. Continue reading →

Standard
Author Feature

Back From the South: A Couples Transitions From Segregation to Integration

The following are the words of  Teressa V Staten Ph.D., Archway Publishing author of “Back From the South: A Couples Transitions From Segregation to Integration.” Learn more about Teressa from her website and Facebook page. Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services.

Continuing the Legacy

For several years after my husband passed, I considered finishing a draft of a book that he had begun about the life of my son. Of course, I procrastinated for many years. However, one of my Back From the South: A Couples Transitions From Segregation to Integrationclose friends suggested an idea that began my self-publishing journey. She was the one friend who always planned our interesting trips. This time she suggested we come together and write. Each of us came up with a broad writing goal. I decided to write a memoir about my husband who had been one of the first African Americans to integrate the Marine Corps, and the Huntsville, Alabama Police Department. Continue reading →

Standard
Author Feature

Judy Barnes on Self-Publishing “Two Girls from Nazareth”

The following are the words of Judy Barnes, Archway Publishing author of “Two Girls From Nazareth.” Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services.

How My Story Became a Masterpiece

NazarethMy name is Judy Barnes and I’ve always been interested in writing. I have read the Bible many times, but there always seemed to be something missing. How did Mary (the mother of Jesus) become the woman who would give birth to Christ’s Child? While pondering the problem, I started writing about two girls who grew up in Nazareth. Consequently, Two Girls From Nazareth was born. Continue reading →

Standard
Author Feature

Story of a Ghostwriter

The following are the words of Archway Publishing’s Sandee Hart, co-author of “Nighthawk” with Bill Bowers. Learn more about the book or Bill on his author website and Facebook. To keep up to date with their book, follow Sandee on Twitter. Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services.

In the Shadows

When my childhood friend Bill Bowers contacted me about helping him write his memoir, I immediately said yes. After all, he was an incredible storyteller and I had spent my life writing in the shadows for others. There wasn’t a lot of glory, and it was hard work, but I was quite comfortable hiding. I guess you could say I was afraid if people knew it was my work they would think it wasn’t good enough. I learned very early on that when you’re not noticed, people don’t bother you. They can’t assassinate your character, your opinions, or your choices. Being hidden is safe because there is no risk, no missed chances and no record of your existence in the writing of others. Continue reading →

Standard