Molly comes to life

Hello Everyone, This is a very exciting week for me. Beside the fact that warm weather is upon us, "Molly McBean and the Secret Cave" is tentatively scheduled to be released as an E-book this Thursday, May 30th, with print copies to follow. Yay!! It has been an interesting journey, full of the usual ups and downs of getting published, but I am proud to say I finally did it. Many people have helped me along the way. I have found that as an author, you can't do it alone without the advice and guidance of friends, professionals(like Brittiany Koren of Written Dreams) and writer's groups. I urge anyone with the slightest interest in writing, to seek out a group of like minded individuals to advise, critique and encourage you. A writer needs that to fully blossom. So thanks to all involved in bringing "Molly" to life and let the count-down begin! Best, Joanie Please watch the book trailer: Enjoy:)

Announcing the upcoming release of author, Joanie Murray's debut book. Once you enter the Secret Cave with Molly McBean you may not want or be able to return. Readers will enjoy unlocking the cave's many secrets.

Molly McBean and the Secret Cave Book Trailer

Hello Everybody! 
Spring should be springing any moment now, but while we're waiting, I would like to share my good news with you. My Children's fantasy "Molly McBean and the Secret Cave" is done. Finished. Yay!!
I'm leaning heavily toward e-publishing which is a total 180 from my original goal of going the traditional route. I think for me, for this book, e-publisihng is the way to go. I haven't toally ruled out continuing my search for an agent but let's face it-after nearly four years of working on this project, I'm ready to start the next phase: getting the story out there and into the hands of the kids it was written for. I'm also eager to pick up with book two in the series "Ethan Stillwater and the Battle for Chaos".

I've included a link to the trailer for "Molly" below. I think it's awesome! Big thanks to Surfdog Media! Please let me hear your thoughts and comments regarding anything in this blog.


Announcing the upcoming release of debut author, Joanie Murray's new book. Once you enter the Secret Cave with Molly McBeen you may not want or be able to return. Readers will enjoy unlocking the cave's many secrets.

And I may as well get a plug in for my new side business-Partylite. Please chack out my site:)www.partylite.biz/joaniemurray

 

Happy New Year from Bugle Hill

Happy New Year. January second and I've missed my self-imposed deadline on December 31st to finish revisions on "Molly." It's not that I haven't been working on it. I have, but just not enough. So, new goal is January 31st. I think that is achievable. Anybody else extending deadlines?
Here is a blog to read and contest if you would like to have 5 YA authors come to YOUR hometown! Check it out. 
Think I'll go enjoy the snow for awhile and, who knows, maybe inspiration will strike.
Best to all,

Joanie

Bring YA to Your Hometown!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy West)at Novel Thoughts- 13 hours ago

Have you ever wished that a big YA book tour would make a stop in your hometown? Well, here's your chance for that wish to come true! YA2U is a program that features five award-winning and best-selling authors who are holding a contest to see what city they should visit in an exclusive tour stop!The authors are collecting votes from January 1 to February 15, and any city in the continental US or any Canadian city that has an international airport can win an exclusive visit from all five authors, including an author panel and book signing! Entering is super easy--and if you help ...more »

Merry Christmas, Etc.

Hello to all, Life is moving along at the speed of light, like it or not. Staying consistent with my blog posts has proved challenging, but I am still plowing ahead with revisions on my middle grade fantasy "Molly McBean and the Secret Cave." Brittiany Koren of Written Dreams has been a tremendous help. Thank you Brittiany. Finding time for revisions is not easy, but well worth the effort, if even just one page a day is tackled. I wanted to re-post this blog post to give epublishers out there something to think about. Take a minute to read. Comments welcome. http://stevevernonstoryteller.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/why-e-authors-still-need-to-get-their-work-in-print/ In the mean time, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheers, Joanie

Written Dreams

I've just had a great experience with editor Brittiany Koren of Written Dreams. Brittiany held a contest on the Written Dreams Facebook page and I was one of the winners. Yay! What I won was a 15 page critique, free. Can you say YIPEE! The timing couldn't have been better as I am eager to start shopping my middle-grade fantasy to agents. Brittiany's edits and suggestions were dead on and I am happily revising away. Her years of editing experience are apparent in the way she can sharpen a manuscript. So the point here is, one, don't be afraid to enter those contests, even if your project isn't complete, and two, go check out www.writtendreams.com. Yours, Joanie

Scarlet Whispers

Here are the links for "Scarlet Whispers" Scarlett River Press Book Links Scarlet Whispers print https://www.createspace.com/3825610 Scarlet Whispers Smashwords eBooks https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/160475 Scarlett Whispers Amazon Print and eBook http://www.amazon.com/kindle/dp/B0082Q2H5U/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_eos_detail

A Writer's Path

Well kids, I finally did it, but I'm not sure where to go from here. I've had a short story published. Yay! But what do I do now? Blog about it perhaps. Of course, spread the word! But really, now what? I submitted my middle grade novel to a publisher a few months back and am awaiting to hear news on that front. I've been writing a little, but not nearly as much as I should be. I think maybe the way for me to go is to keep writing short stories and submitting them where ever I can. Something's bound to pan out eventually, right? There's no certainty in that, but for me, maybe it's the best option. I loved, and at times hated, writing my novel and I'm hesitant to continue with book two of the series until I know what's happening with book one. The truth is, I will keep writing, because I can't not write and whatever direction it takes me in, I will follow, pencil in hand. Here are the links to purchase "Scarlet Whispers".

My short story "Adagio" can be found within its pages. It is a horse-themed anthology whose proceeds will benefit Hilltop Haven Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation. Please visit their site as well. "Adagio" was based on a true story. My heartfelt thanks go out to Jo-Anne Russell and Ryan Cady and all of the fine folks at Scarlett River Press. Your comments are always welcome. Yours, Joanie