Why publish a paperback?

I had someone laugh at me for publishing my books in paperback. I was astonished. For a few seconds I could not even respond. When did we lose the art of picking up a paperback and turning pages. I still get a thrill out of picking up a book and reading, don’t get me wrong, I still use my Kindle too. But there is something about the smell of a paperback and the feel in your hands. Maybe I’m old fashioned and I won’t apologize for that, but it still holds a special place in my life.

Also, on the point of publishing, it feels really good to hold a book in your hand that has your name on the front. It is like when you are pregnant, the baby is in your stomach and it is obvious that their is a baby there, but when you can actually hold it in your arms it makes it real. Just like with a book. The first time I held one of my books in my hands was surreal. I actually shed a tear or two. It was so different from looking at it on a computer screen or a e-reader.

I can also tell you that Shakespeare feels different when read on the computer. There is something about the classics in book form that just pulls you in and grabs you. SO please do not throw out all of your books. If you have not picked up an actual book lately, try it. You might find out that it still has potential. By the way there are still many people who do not have e-readers, so you have to get your books in their hands too.

Well, I’m off my soapbox until next time. Have a great Friday and as always have a blessed one and good writing! Remember today starts the weekend. (We have Fall Break next week so I’m sleeping in!!!)

Accounting & Book Sales…

You are excited, you sold a book, you sold many books, you’re making money. Now what? Well, if you have read my profile you know I’m an Accountant by day and by night during tax season. (Grinning broadly). I want to give some advice and I want to make it clear I’m not telling you how to run your publishing business, but this is advice to help you have a good experience.

I was talking with a friend the other day and she was giddy with delight because she’d sold several of her newly published book. She was adding it in her mind and grinning broadly. I was excited for her because I’ve felt the same feeling and it is a good one. But then as her Accountant I had to bring up the inevitable which is royalty tax. Well, she looked at me and said, “Oh my gosh, I hadn’t thought of that. What do I need to do?”

Well, the fact is, those wonderful sales are actually taxable income. I don’t want to burst your bubble, but I do want to help you get ahead of the game. Make sure that you save some of those royalty dollars to cover the taxes at the end of the year. But, don’t forget to save all those expenses that you have incurred along the way. Some of those expenses are: publishing software, advertising, fees paid for pictures used for covers or trailers, fees paid to reviewers or editors, and the list goes on.

I want to help my new cyber friends (and I do consider you friends). So here is some free advice. Don’t forget that you will have to pay taxes on those royalties, but don’t forget the expenses that go along with them. If you keep yourself on level ground, then when tax time comes around, you won’t get a horrible surprise. I see it happen every year.

Romance…

Well, here goes the soapbox. I attended a sweet, romantic outdoor wedding Saturday night. It was two good friends that have had a beautiful romance and finally made it official. I have heard some comments lately that have surprised me about how our society views romance.

Several people have made comments that romance is just a part of our imagination. When people say that to me I go red with anger. Why do these people feel that way? Probably they have never had true love hit their heart. I don’t know, but I know that romance is still alive. To me romance can be in a look, a sigh, a touch, a single word, a moment, and so much more. It does not have to be a candlelit dinner or big gesture.

I want to recommend a book to you that is a wonderfully written romance. “The Last Dance” by Wyatt McIntyre. I finished this book last night and I have to say I was pleasantly pleased. If you do decide to read it, please have the tissues ready. Maybe it is just me, but I cried in the first chapter. Just curl up with a cup of hot chocolate or hot tea and enjoy.

So guys and girls, let’s not let romance die. I personally feel like a little romance lives in everyone of us. It is just that people don’t want to let that part of them out. It is a wonderful part of you, so let it out. It will help your relationship immensely. Just give him or her a look across the table that says, “You are special to me” and see how they respond. Let me know how it goes.

As always, have a blessed day and good writing.

Writing from the hip!!!

Have you ever knew exactly what you wanted to write, but when you started putting it into print it changed in your mind? Well that is where my new piece of work is at. I’ve had the 2nd book in my “Flames of Love” series in my mind for two months. It’s been poking me all that time trying to get out. I finally sat down in August and wrote an outline so that my other books would not overtake it.

Sometimes the mind of a writer strays from it’s original mark and starts up an uncharted road. That is how is seems to me. I sat down yesterday morning to start “Rekindled Flames” which comes after my published book “Tender Flames”. It started off in the same general direction that I wanted it to go, but one of my characters went off on a sudden tirade and there you have it. The outline went askew.

I opened it up when I got to my office and had my assistant and editor read what I had so far which was almost seven pages in an hour and a half. She turned to me and smiled. That is always a good sign. She said she liked the new road and could not wait to read more. As I wrote last night and some this morning I decided I would throw out the outline and write from the hip. Sometimes that is just where the story has to go. We will see if it is a road that leads to the same end, but if it doesn’t it is from the heart. So….. To my fellow bloggers, have a wonderful day and as always, good writing.

Basking in the glow…

Well as I bask in the glow of the first weekend of “A Love Never Lost” my newest novel, I contemplate what next? I know in my previous blog I talked about finishing one of the many that have been started. Well, boy was I wrong. As I sat with my trusty laptop on my lap watching television, my mind kept drifting to the 2nd part to my “Flames of Love” series.

All that has been started on that one is the name, which usually doesn’t come to me until midway or after I type The End. This one came to me before I ever finished the first book in that series, “Tender Flames”. It has done really well on the free offering on Smashwords.com as it has garnered over 1000 Downloads.

Today I will follow my heart which is what any romance author should do. That following will lead me into “Rekindled Flames” and carry on the “Flames of Love” series. I know my assistant is probably going to strangle me, but I have to follow my gut feeling and it says go for it, step out there and jump.

So as we go into this dreary southern Monday (it is raining in Georgia, finally), have a good day and remember it is only 5 days until the weekend.

It’s published!

It’s published!.

It’s published!

Well, “A Love Never Lost” is up on Smashwords.com and will be on Amazon this evening. Barnes & Noble will have it in about a week or so. I’m so excited and relieved. Yes, I’m over my sadness and replace that feeling with excitement and pure joy. So, if you have a chance check it out. This is my favorite out of all my books published so far and the longest. Only through God was this book possible. Have a great Friday and good writing!

Decisions filling my head…

As I give “A Love Never Lost” it’s final once over, I contemplate the decision at hand. Now what? I have about 12 novels started and they are all fighting for first place in my mind. Do I go with the historical romance that is 1/3 of the way completed, or the paranormal one that my editor is wanting yesterday, or do I go with one of the others?

It’s funny how a writer’s mind works. I am going to sit down with my notebook that has all the manuscripts printed and screaming at me. As I work in my accounting office, the “Notebook” sits beside me constantly murmuring “finish me, finish me.” I know sounds like I am losing it, but as a writer, I have to listen to the voices in my head. That’s where the stories come from.

So as I start this Thursday morning, I smile and sip my coffee. I slowly peruse the pages of “A Love Never Lost” and get ready to jump into one of the 12 feet first. It’s a poignant moment for me. I still feel sad, but excited that my new baby is getting ready to take it’s first step into publication.

The video trailer is already on Youtube. Just look for Stephanie Hurt and check it out. I have 4 others on Youtube, so check them out. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a decision and another published novel. Have a wonderful day to all my followers and as always good writing and may God lead your words!

Sad it’s coming to an end!

Ok, fellow authors, tell me the truth, do you have withdrawals when you finish writing your book? I am having serious withdrawals which is funny because I have been pushing myself to get it finished. Funny how it works in the scheme of things.

I was finishing up my last little bit of editing last night and I suddenly felt sad that the saga had come to an end. I just think I have been working too hard and too many hours on it. Maybe that’s it. I was going to take a week break from writing, but the other books in play keep poking me in the head saying, “You know you have to work on me.” So, the writing goes on.

Well, that is my rant for the day!