Category: Giveaways

Posted in Audio, Giveaways, Love In A Small Town, Loving The Small-Town Hero, Loving The Small-Town Preacher's Son, My Books, Newsletter, Savage Champion

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Book Covers

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

This is not certain, but this may be the hardcover design beneath the jacket wrap with the original cover (same as ebook and paperback–gold apple wrapped barbwire). It will probably be released in September with the audio. You are the first to see this.

Audio, you say? You caught that, did ya? Yep. The narrators are working on it now. I’m so excited. If you knew me, you would know I rarely get excited about anything. Happy, yes. Excited, no.

As this is the hardcover design, I’ve been thinking of changing the cover design on the ebook. Maybe after Christmas. What do you think of a sexy person or couple? Or it could be similar to the hardcover? What do you think.

Speaking of covers, what do you think about the wave of romance books with artistic designs or cartoon covers? I don’t know about you, but when I see cartoon covers I think rom-com or sweet (closed-bedroom-door) stories. And I think women’s fiction (no or a little romance) for the artistic ones. Yes. I know my vampire book had the apple. Not very vampire-ish, but think Twilight.

I suspect there are two reasons for this. First, newer readers love paperback and hardcovers. They are embarrasses by the clutch or bare chested men on the covers. I think they are gorgeous, but I always kept in mind, people around me might not appreciate the view. So when I worked and took a book with me (for breaks and lunch), I turned it upside down. On the books I released last year (Loving The Small-Town Preacher’s Son & Loving The Small-Town Hero), I had bare-chested men on the ebook covers and farm scenes on the paperback with that same thought.

The second reason is social media (especially TicTok). Even though you can mark your sites for 18 and over, there are adults who complain (makes you wonder if some are competitive authors) and others who get upset when their child sees the pictures, even though most social media have age limits (13?). It’s hard being a parent nowadays. Kids want to participate in what’s popular, but most of social media is adults only. Plus TikTok is strict (no male nipples, no people with guns even if book covers, you know, like on suspense books). Yeah. I’m a little bitter about that.

Party Online

On July 16, there will be an old-fashioned online party in the Facebook group called Southern Sizzle Readers. If you’re interested in meeting new authors, hearing about their books, and possibly winning a prize or two, come and join the group. Be sure to put 7 p.m. central, July 16, on your calendar. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/southernsizzle

Errors In Books

The other day, I was on an author panel and the question came up about why do so many books today have errors, even the big name authors with the big publishing houses.

If you’ve been reading my posts for a time, you know I make errors. My posts are edited by only me. Shocker, right? Ha! While my books, and hopefully all the books by other authors, have been edited by professional editors. Not by your cousin who made A’s in English, or the guy down the street who’s a big fan. After I write a book, I go over it twice more (includes reading it out loud). Then send it to my copy editor. She makes comments and corrects the obvious mistakes I missed. And she sends it back to me. I go over her notes and make more changes. And yep, I send it back to her and she checks it once more. After that, I look at it again. Yep. Once again.

At the big publishing houses, the editor looks over an author’s book and makes notes to send to the author to make changes. That editor is only looking at the whole story. (I’m going to use female pronouns to make it simpler). Then after the author makes the changes she agrees to, it’s sent to the copy editor. The copy editor then corrects the grammar and make more notes for the author to check on possible needed changes. After the author changes or okays what the copy editor has done, it will go back to the copy editor and/or the editor. Then sometimes, it’s formatted and sent to the author one more time to look for anything that might have been missed.

Speculation only: If you noticed I mentioned the editor and copy editor suggest changes. I believe sometimes they will not suggest changes to the storyline, if the author is a big name. Thus why we often read our favorite New York Bestselling author and get frustrated by the errors or long dragged-out scenes in their books. It’s like they didn’t want to take a chance of messing with the author’s “magic.”

Look Out

For those who haven’t asked for the short story, Kidnapped For A Day, be on the look out. It should show up free on B&N, Amazon, etc. In September, I plan to discounts several of my books. I’ll remind you again.

Hugs. Keep reading,

Carla

Posted in Giveaways, My Books, Newsletter, Savage Champion

Let’s Party – Author Carla Swafford’s Newsletter

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

If you enjoy an old fashioned on-line party with giveaways, come and join in the fun at Southern Sizzle Reader Party Facebook group. I will be hosting a party April 23 from 6-9 p.m. central (USA). Click on the button to join the group after you go to this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/southernsizzle

Bzzz! Busy Bee

The past couple weeks (and more) I’ve been busy. As many authors do, I try to help other writers with their work. At first, it had started with one friend asking me to be a beta reader. That’s when an unedited book is read by someone and they give suggestions about the story. It may include catching grammar or spelling errors, but is not considered to be editing.

Then another friend asked me to check their synopsis. It’s to make sure the heart of the story is provided in a concise but entertaining way. Usually one to three pages, sometimes five (but rarely). Most editors and agents prefer one page. Another friend asked for help with their blurb. That’s the short information on the back of a book. Then finally, as pre-arranged by my best friend, I beta read her book.

I tell you, I’m a slow reader. So it’s amazing I did all of that in such a short time. I read numerous books each year, but my attention span is short. Thus why I only publish one to two books a year. Well, that and all the promo that I have to do to get my name out there.

Triggers

Authors are placing trigger warnings and tropes in the front pages of their books and on their websites with the book descriptions. I have too because certain triggers and tropes are what many readers want to read.

Used to be a reader only needed the blurb on the back, but I understand triggers and tropes helps. With the extra information, hopefully, the book won’t get a one-star rating just because it has foul language or bondage or sex. Yep, some people give books less stars because of “too much sex.” Like one of mine. Crazy, right?

Don’t forget to order your copy of Savage Champion. Release date is April 23.

Regards.

Carla

Posted in Circle of Danger, Circle of Deception, Circle of Desire, Giveaways, Gmail, My Books, Newsletter, Savage Champion, Writing

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Countdown Starts

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

T-Minus and Counting

Today, I added a countdown to my website. So 52 days and counting before Savage Champion is released into the world. As I have mentioned before, it’s a paranormal horror romance. If you have read my Circle books and enjoyed them, you won’t be bothered by the little bit of horror in my newest book. You have to remember, I am a romance writer. So most of my books (in my mind) are Romance, Suspense, and then everything else. The only books I’ve published without suspense (true suspense, not just wondering will they ever have a happy ending) are my hockey romance. That’s pure relationship. They were fun to write and very spicy.

Anyway, please pre-order Savage Champion. The price is only 99 cents. So you’re not endangering your life savings. HA! And be sure to tell your friends.

Spicy vs Erotica

Don’t read this section if naughty words bother you. Then again, why are you getting my newsletter? All of my books have these naughty words in them.

Have you ever wondered about the difference between spicy and erotica? You know that every author has their own answer, because what I think is hot and what someone else believes is hot can be totally poles apart. I’ve read adult books since I was twelve. Of course, I never understood the sex scenes until my older female cousin explained it to me at fourteen. That’s when we found “those books” beneath our fathers’ beds. (Long story for a day when I’ve had a margarita or two.) So here’s my explanation.

Spicy – A book that has sex scenes, but not necessarily many of them and not necessarily using actual body parts. Anywhere between a hard penis to a sword of manhood, you get the idea. I tell people all the time my books are spicy. They are, but I’ve never thought of them having a lot of sex scenes, though I will say my characters think about sex a lot. But don’t we all? What? You don’t. Really? *smirk*

Erotica – A book that has lots of sex scenes and mainly is about sex. Sure they can have plots, suspense, humor, true drama, but nearly every chapter they are thinking, doing, talking, or dreaming about sex (fucking, eating pussy, sucking cock, and the many ways of enhancing all of that). About the only time they will use euphemisms is in a historical setting. But it’s a romance, so it will have a happy ending with the couple (or more) together. Oddly, at least I thought it odd, HarperCollins considered my books erotica. That’s why even though the first one was published under the Impulse imprint, the other two were placed under the Red imprint. (Circle of Desire, Circle of Danger, and Circle of Deception.)

There you go. Like I said, I don’t think my books have a lot of sex scenes as one reviewer claimed. But of course, another reviewer for the same book said I had too few. People have to decide on their own.

Giveaway

Just a reminder, if you wish a copy of the short story, Kidnapped For A Day (part of The Circle series), email me at authorcarlaswafford @ gmail. com (no spaces) asking for it, and I’ll send it to you. Only for newsletter subscribers.

Be sure to tell your friends to join my newsletter if you think they will like my books, or the short story or the newsletters. I’m not picky. HA!

Have a wonderful Mardi Gra day!

Hugs.

Carla

Posted in Giveaways, Jake, Newsletter, Southern Crime Family series

Newsletter Author Carla Swafford: Giveaway

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

I bet that heading got your attention. Everyone loves a free book. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve seen my post about a giveaway to subscribers. The book is Jake: A Southern Crime Family Novel.

So you want to know how to win a copy. Send me an email to authorcarlaswafford @gmail.com (no spaces) and say Happy Holidays. And I will draw 8 names to win four paperbacks and four ebooks (one book per winner). Winners will be announced Christmas Day.

You may know that Jake has two brothers, Sen and Ethan. Their books were due out 2021 and 2022, but things happened that threw me off my schedule. So I’m hoping Sen will be out the end of next year and Ethan the following year if not sooner. Don’t worry, Jake’s book does not end on a cliff hanger. He solves his old man’s murder. But it does leave a couple questions unanswered. Sen’s and Ethan’s stories will happen in the same timeline as their older brother’s and will answer those questions. They have their own mysteries surrounding their father’s death and by the end of each they are solved.

He motioned his gun toward her, his face still in the shadows. “Strip.”

“What? Her whole body flushed with embarrassment and hunger.

“You heard me.”

“Is this how you get women in bed with you?”

Jake Whitfield and Angel Tally

Be sure to go and preorder Savage Champion. The ebook is ready for preorder. Only 99 cents from preorder to first week after published. Then the price will go up. If you prefer a paperback, it can be preordered in the next month or so, but it will be for $10.99.

“Then you understand this. I’ll not let him harm one hair on your head. Do you understand me? You’re mine.”

Ronan Michaels in Savage Champion

Just a little side story about my writing. Before my first book sold to HarperCollins, I had written 11 books. The first one they published was #10. They decided on the title Circle of Desire. I had called it Out of The Shadows. I was in the middle of writing the second book for them when my buying editor left the company. OH, NO! See, the editor who believed in you and your writing has left and you don’t have a cheerleader any more. Oh, well, after the third book, my new editor wanted a new series. I sent her a few ideas and we talked about them. She wanted something different. That’s the way the business goes. I’ll tell you another time about my experience with Random House.

Merry Christmas!

Carla

Posted in Circle of Desire, excerpt, Giveaways, My Books, Newsletter, The Circle series

Newsletter Author Carla Swafford: Edits & Tidbits

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

Finally, I finished the first round of edits to my newest book. Remember, the one that’s a paranormal thriller. Vampires are the main focus, but there are serial killers (who are not vampires), mafia, witches, pixies, and a hot as hell private detective.

Next? I have a choice of three (possibly four) projects planned for next year. I would like to think I can release two books (or more) next year, but that’s me being hopeful.

Three newsletters ago, I added an interview with my characters Jake and Angel from the Southern Crime Family novel, Jake. Since then I’ve been thinking about what readers would like to know about my characters in all of my books. So I thought you might be interested in some background information about each book spread across the next few newsletters.

I guess I should start from the beginning. Circle of Desire was my debut book. It was actually the tenth book I wrote. I had finished eleven when I received “the email” from Avon Impulse (HarperCollins) wanting to publish it. The first book I had completed was a medieval romance. I still love knights, horses, and castles. Then I wrote a romantic suspense about a DEA agent who fell in love with the wrong guy. About the time I finished it, I fell in love with paranormal romances. Vampires, warlocks, and everything that went bump in the night. But after writing four paranormal romances without a successful interest, I decided to go back to romantic suspense and write a female assassin who was the main character. She wasn’t a good person, but she thought she was doing good. What a conundrum!

She squeezed the trigger. The jogger’s body continued straight ahead, propelled by the bullet’s trajectory, and he toppled off the edge of the pier and splashed into the water as his god-awful shoes tumbled across the boardwalk.

Circle of Desire

So I started it and realized I wanted the opening scene to be real as possible. At the time, my local writers group was having a couple come in and talk to us about guns. The husband was a former Special Forces guy, and they had a friend who had worked for a private military contractor (formerly called Blackwater). I asked him about the first scene in my book. He said it sounded feasible, but I needed to change two things. One I did, but then other I didn’t. What were they? One, the woman used a sniper rifle, and she took with her after the kill. He had said an assassin would leave the rifle. I wanted it used later in the book. So instead I had her break it down into several boxes and mail out separately to her Atlanta office. Two, he said the jogger wouldn’t fall in the water, but lie exactly in the spot he was shot. I needed him in the water. People would think he tripped and fell in. So they would be concerned in saving him, instead of looking for where the shot came from (silencer used). I asked the guy, if the target was jogging along a pier and about to turn back, would his body fall in then. He said it was possible. That was enough for me. It was fiction after all.

Giveaway

Three people will receive a ebook of their choice (only mine). Winners will be notified Thanksgiving Day (November 23). Click here and go to the bottom of the page. Use that form to email me. Be sure to let me know the title you’re interested in. It will be in Amazon’s format. [Updated December 1, 2023 – no one sent me an email. So none given out. I like to think everyone, who receives my newsletters, has all of my books.]

For those in the U.S., have a happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks.

Carla