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Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Speak up
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Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – On To The Next One
Presently, I’m working on the second book in the Southern Crime Family series, Sen. It’s half written and I finally have a sense of where I’m going with it. Hopefully, it’ll be finished by this fall. There is so much planned this year. Special vacations and such. That is one of the great things about being retired. You have unlimited vacation time.
By the way, be sure to buy Jake, the first book in the series. It has an excerpt from Sen’s book in the back.
Book Signings
This last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Capital City Author Event in Montgomery. So well organized. I met so many nice people. When I returned home, I had to take a nap.
This October 12, there will be another Book Fest in Sumiton, Alabama. Last year, I had a blast and it was a big success for myself and the group who put it together. I’ve been told it will bigger and better. Considering how wonderful it was at the time, that’s saying something. I hope to see you there.
Don’t forget I’m on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Writing Tidbit
I try to include a little of writing information in my newsletter, for I know there are authors or want-to-be authors who are subscribers.
For those who have Mac products, the software Vellum is worth every cent. It formats your ebooks and paperbacks quickly. A friend of mine was dreading formatting her book with Word as it took so much time. I offered to do it in Vellum to show her how efficient it was, and she was amazed. We had it done in less than twenty minutes. If I understand correctly, Atticus is similar to Vellum but for Window PCs and laptops.
Dark Romance
The other day, another author and I were talking about, “what’s dark romance?” She said it was violence done by the hero “on-screen.” Or there is the use or sale of drugs, or some type of dangerous crime performed by the hero. To me, that would only mean the book is about a criminal, not considered to be dark romance.
In a dark romance, the hero is considered to be an anti-hero. His actions are extreme, not just threats or the crime he commits against miscellaneous secondary characters, but a true danger to the heroine. The hero can actually abuse or/and wound/maim her. It’s not a taste for everyone.
My books are gritty, but rarely dark like that.
Latest Ad
Here’s the latest ad I’ve placed on social media.
Remember, if you wish for a copy of the short story, Kidnapped For A Day, just email me and let me know. Plus Savage Champion (ebook version) will be priced 99 cents until the end of May. Then it will go up to $6.99. Paperback version is $12.99.
Take care and happy reading.
Carla
Released on The World
Ebook priced at 99 cents for a short time. Get it now!
Reminder: Tomorrow Release Day for Savage Champion
Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – What’s Next?
As you probably remember from the last newsletter, Savage Champion is coming out April 23, 2024 for US$0.99 in ebook. I had mentioned the paperback would be $10.99 but forgot to mention that will most likely be on Amazon only. Everywhere else, the paperback will probably higher. It’s just the way the margins work when published through Ingram Sparks. Be sure to preorder your ebook copy. I’ll let you know when the paperback can be preordered. This is actually my longest book, over 90,000 words. Most of mine are 60,000+ to 80,000+. In case, you’ve forgotten what the cover looks like, here it is.
Tori Amherst
I died years ago.
In my savage new life, I revenge the helpless.
But a hunter came. A human. A former cop. Now a private eye.
His body, his blood, and his wounded soul is perfect.
Then I discover I’m not a champion, but a terror.
Ronan Michaels
I died in her arms.
But I woke to a new life full of hate
She hides truth. I hate secrets.
I crave her body, her blood, and her lost soul.
Then I discover the lies.
I will get my revenge and she will be mine.
Excerpt From Savage Champion
Here’s the first time Ronan (MMC) clearly sees Tori Amherst (FMC).
At that moment, the Maserati door opened and one long leg stretched out followed by another. Damn. Black hosiery and stilettos covered shapely limbs and dainty feet. She’d dumped the ugly ass coat. With a subtle wiggle, she smoothed her short leather skirt and turned to close the door. A flash of pale skin under her open leather jacket caught my eye. Only a strip of some type of clingy material covered her full breasts.
Ronan Michaels ~ Savage Champion
She moved like a panther, smooth and seductive. I grabbed my phone and hit video record. No one would believe me. The woman was fine. When she strolled beneath a street light, I remembered the grainy picture her brother had given me. It hadn’t done her justice. She’d cut her dark hair. Chin length strands caressed her enchanting face with each toss of her head.
My stomach clenched, answered by an unwelcome swelling in my groin. Her hair was dark red, more of an auburn color. I was a sucker for redheads.
Damn. She was the sexiest woman I’d ever seen in my life, and she was my client’s crazy sister. Fuck.
I was about to push the button to send out my newsletter, and decided to check on the book I mentioned in the following paragraph, you know, just in case Amazon finally did something about it. Well, they did. They finally took my name off it, but have deleted my reviews, not placing them on the correct book. No surprise. Anyway, I decided not to delete the paragraph and let you read what I deal with every time I turn around with Amazon. So sad. Of course, I won’t be calling them. The reviews (201) are still on Goodreads. I will not be surprised at any point if they disappear there too. Amazon does own Goodreads.
It's a struggle working with Amazon. The other day, I contacted them via chat about my book's, Circle of Desire, reviews showing up on another author's book with the same title. The incorrect book has two women and a sailor on the cover, and you can tell the book is from the forties or fifties, and it's a MALE author's name. A used bookstore has it for sale. Amazon kept telling me they couldn't do anything about it. Bull crap. So that means I will have to actually call Amazon and I really hate it. They are so hard to deal with. Their personnel have a script and they stick to it, never trying to listening to what I say. Keep your fingers crossed that I can make them understand this time. I've been dealing with a problem on this book or another (usually something so simple) for over 3 years.
Work, Work, Work (quote from Blazing Saddles)
Presently, I’m working on two books. One with my best friend, Betty Bolte´, and one of my own about a big asshole male billionaire. That’s a favorite trope of mine. There are so many books waiting for me to finish or revamp/edit. So who knows what will come out this year (besides Sen’s book).
If you’re wondering about the giveaway winners, I only heard from one subscriber. She didn’t say Happy Holiday as part of the rules, but I went ahead and offered her a paperback or ebook. She never answered. Oh, well. So none were given away. I’ll try again maybe next month. I’m thinking positive, believing everyone already has a copy of Jake.
Next newsletter, I’ll talk about the practice of giving stars, diamonds, coffee cups, peppers etc. In other words, ratings.
Happy New Year! Talk to you again soon.
Carla
Carla Swafford, Author 