self-publishing – Alianne Donnelly

IngramSpark: A Saga in 3 Parts

December 31, 2017Leave a comment

Today I uploaded the bulk of my book files to IngramSpark. While Wolfen will become available tomorrow, you should be able to see and order the new print editions for Blood and Shadows and Dawn of Ragnarok on February 1, 2018. Let’s see if that actually happens. The Beast Series is still under construction for need of a new cover design. I’m working on that. LOL

In honor of my completion of this Herculean task, I have put together everything I learned from the process into a three-part blog series on my author resource site. If you’re interested in the nuts and bolts, or if you are considering publishing your own books through IngramSpark, check them out here:

Part 1: Homework

Part 2: Interior Layout

Part 3: The Little Things

See you all on the flip side of 2018! May the New Year hold all the good things 2017 lacked, and more! 🙂

To update or… Wait. There is no Option B

November 28, 2017November 27, 2017Leave a comment

How to tell when a writer is working: you don’t see her for months on end. Ever make a detailed, step-by-step action plan, only to have it get derailed at every single freaking step? That’s pretty much been my year so far. My plan was to write and finish Prince of Deceit and Dearest Love, and make some progress on Sweetest Kiss, all while doing the barest minimum on the business side. Well, Dearest Love is done and out, so yay for that. As for the rest… imagine me laughing anxiously while holding back frustrated growls. Instead of finishing my novel, I ended up writing a whole lot of other stuff (which I loved!), restructuring my entire business model (not so much with the love), and doing a bunch of stuff I hadn’t planned on, but which turned out to be necessary (long-suffering sigh).

Long story short, due to technical reasons with which I won’t bore you, I am having to change the Dragonblood series name. I did not come to this decision lightly. I’m not doing this just to get prettier covers (although they totally are!!). I’m doing it to correct a problem I’ve had with the series since before book 2 came out last year. The original series name had to be changed at the last second and because I was rushed for time, I ended up slapping on a new one that doesn’t really fit the series story line. This is something that has been pointed out by readers, reviewers, friends, and family, and has bothered me for almost two years.

So why now, rather than after Prince of Deceit? Because I recently started the process of moving/expanding my print distribution to IngramSpark, and a part of it involves reformatting the covers. So I can either make the change now, or duplicate my work later. For the sake of my own sanity, I’m opting to do it all now in one fell swoop.

Mind you, the stories themselves are not going to change. The book titles are not going to change. All that’s different is the series name and the covers. If you already have a previous print version of The Royal Wizard and/or Dragonblood, congrats. They are now limited first editions that could potentially be worth a lot of money in a few…decades. 😉 If you don’t, give the eBooks a gander. Check out the previews and see if they strike your fancy. Ya never know until you try! (*hint hint*)

Okay, that about covers the boring stuff. And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the newly revamped Dawn of Ragnarok series, and reveal the cover for the third and final (planned) book: Prince of Deceit.

Continue reading “To update or… Wait. There is no Option B” →

The thorn on the rose (and in my side)

April 7, 201711 Comments

I write this post for authors. Forgive me, dear readers, for pulling back the curtain behind which you may or may not want to see. I don’t do it to garner sympathy–I don’t do that–I just think better on paper, so to speak, so this is my way of trying to work through an issue I know other writers share. Maybe someone out there knows of a solution I haven’t thought of yet. Never hurts to ask, right?

Last chance to close the tab before we begin…

Still here?

Cool. 🙂 Read on.

Continue reading “The thorn on the rose (and in my side)” →

The 10-Step Checklist for Self-Published Authors

June 19, 20161 Comment

Dear aspiring authors,

This post is for you. This post applies to especially those of you who are considering self-publishing your book. I write it, because it needs to be said, and because I want you to avoid the frustration, upset, and anger I see boiling up in the Indie community every day.

For those of you who don’t want to read through the entire list, here’s the main idea: Do your homework. It’s not just about putting your book out there; it’s about doing it in a manner that will reflect well on you as an author and publisher–because that is what you will become. It’s not just about the art of creating something out of nothing; it’s about conducting your business professionally–because that’s what it is: a business. It’s hard work, and it doesn’t stop when you hit the Publish button. Are you ready for that?

If you’re planning to self-publish, you should be. By going this route, you are taking on the responsibility for everything you put out there, from this moment forward. It’s all on you. Even if you hire professional editors, cover artists, formatters, etc., the final published product is yours, and no one else’s. Readers won’t see what you intended, or what you wanted to do. They won’t see your financial or personal struggles–and they shouldn’t. Your readers are your customers; they’re paying for a product that has your name on it, and you owe it to them to give them the best product you are capable of producing.

For those who want more details, here’s my little 10-step decision tree:

Continue reading “The 10-Step Checklist for Self-Published Authors” →

Farewell to The Blood Series

July 17, 2015July 14, 20154 Comments

Dear friends, followers, and readers,

The last few years have been an amazing ride for me. My writerly journey has taken me to some beautiful places, and it all started with Liquid Silver Books taking me, a complete newbie, under its wing, and making my dreams of being a published author come true.

Now, after a happy 5-year association, for which LSB will always have my undying thanks, I have had to make the decision every writer comes to eventually: to do what is best for me and my books. I love LSB dearly, and always will. They have been nothing but supportive of my efforts to bring my books to readers everywhere. However, having spent the last three years experimenting with self-publishing, it has become clear to me that this is the path I want to take. And so, with my heart full of gratitude, I announce my departure from Liquid Silver Books in order to become a fully self-published author.

On August 31, 2015, Blood Moons, Blood Trails, and Blood Debts, the first three novels of The Blood Series, will be taken down from the virtual shelves, marking the end of an era for me.

September 27, 2010 was the date Blood Moons first appeared online. September 27, 2015 will be the date it will make its reappearance as the first Blood and Shadows novel to be independently published in both digital and print format. October 10 will mark the re-release of Blood Trails as book 2 in the Blood and Shadows series. It will be followed by book 3, Blood Debts on October 24, 2015. All of this will lead up to the debut of Blood Hunt, the fourth Blood and Shadows novel, this winter (actual release date to be announced). And yes, for the first time ever, all of them will be available in print as well.

For the many of you who have already purchased and read these books, know that there will be no changes made to the plots, barring a handful of words here and there, and some corrections to leftover errors. The only telling difference is the series name and the covers. Each book will also be enrolled in the Amazon MatchBook program to give you a significant discount on the eBooks when you purchase both digital and print versions.

So, my honored friends, I would now like to bid farewell to The Blood Series:

And (re)introduce you to the books of Blood and Shadows:

With the caveat that there might possibly be more of them to come in the future. Plot bunnies… They just snuck up on me.

Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support my writing. It means the world to me that readers all over the world are enjoying the stories I write.

Until next time!

**If you enjoy the books you read, consider leaving a review. It helps books get discovered, and keeps authors doing what they do best–bringing you the stories you love. Thank you for supporting authors everywhere!**