Romance Readers Luncheon – Carla Swafford, Author

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a review (not mine) and become frustrated when an angry reviewer gives a novella one star because “It was too short.” You’re reading and that’s important. Obviously, you want to learn. So be sure to watch for certain words before you click on that FREE, $0.99 or $1.99 specials.

Short Story: That means exactly what it says. It’s a story that’s short. Probably around 50 pages or less.

Novella: Dictionary.com tells us, “A fictional prose narrative that is longer and more complex than a short story; a short novel.” I would say anything 51 pages to around 200 pages.

Part 1 (or 2 or 3, etc.): That book will be short. Can’t guess at the size as it varies and is up to the author (or publisher) of how many pages they want to make each part. But it’s like watching a 30 minute TV series that continues next week. You will only get PART of the story.

Okay, this is what you need to look at closely if you’re not sure.

For example, on Amazon they now tell you how many pages under Product Details. No guessing.

At Barnes and Noble, they don’t give you the number but if you see a File Size of around 126 KB under Product Details, chances are it’s short. If you’re still unsure, look at the reviews. Yes. People will complain about the length. Thus why I’m writing this post.

I checked Kobo and they don’t show pages or file size, but let’s use some common sense. Chances are if it is $0.99 and has the word(s) Novella, Short Story or Part 1, it will not be a full novel.

Now I’m not saying all $1.99 or lower price books are short stories. My books have been $1.99 and $0.99 before and they are full pledged novels, and I’ve grabbed up some great books for those prices myself. You just need to stop and read a little bit if this sort of thing pisses you off.

Authors love happy readers.

Giveaways, Romance Readers Luncheon

Lots Of Fun Stuff, Will You Be There?

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

Look at all of that stuff! That’s my stash of swag I will be giving away or raffling off. Wouldn’t you like to know what’s in the boxes and bags? You need to be at the Southern Magic Romance Readers Luncheon on November 2. Want to find out where and how? Click here. Jeaniene Frost will be there! She’s the keynote speaker. Plus we will have 35 more authors for you to meet. Probably a few you know. One I’m looking forward to meeting is Shiloh Walker. She’s a favorite of mine.

Anyway, I hope to see you there. Be sure to say hi!

P.S. Did you see the poster against the wall? Oh, yes, that will be raffled off too. He’s beautiful in that size. *snicker*

More Swag!

Image• Posted on May 10, 2013May 14, 2014 by Carla Swafford, Author

Book Signings, Romance Readers Luncheon

I’ll be there – June 8, 2013

Posted on April 23, 2013April 23, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

Heart of Dixie Romance Writers
16th Annual Romance Readers’ Luncheon

J. T. Ellison, the bestseller of nine critically acclaimed novels, has come a long way from her days working in The White House and for the Department of Commerce. Her hidden passion for crime and forensics pulled her away from the world of politics and has resulted in a blossoming career as an author writing thrillers with a splash of romance. She has mastered the art of creating dark and thrilling worlds full of bloodthirsty killers and well-trained cops replete with those eerie noises in the night that compel readers to return time and time again.

Ellison will be the featured speaker at the 16th Annual Romance Readers’ Luncheon hosted by Heart of Dixie, the north Alabama chapter of Romance Writers of America. This annual event celebrates romance and literacy in the north Alabama community. Registration is now open for the event, held at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, AL, on June, 8, 2013, from 11am until 3pm.

Special guest author J. T. Ellison will share tales from her prolific world of writing during the keynote speech. She, along with over twenty other favorite romance authors, will host a table for lucky romance readers and sign books at this year’s event. Other attending authors include Linda Howard, Linda Winstead Jones, Rhonda Nelson, Lynn Raye Harris, Kimberly Lang, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Kira Sinclair, and Melanie Dickerson.

J.T. Ellison’s novel THE COLD ROOM won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Paperback Original of 2010 and WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE was a RITA® Nominee for Best Romantic Suspense of 2012. She is also the author of multiple short stories, and her novels have been published in more than twenty countries. Ellison recently teamed up with #1 New York Times Bestselling author Catherine Coulter to co-write a new FBI series. The first book will release in 2013.

HOD’s Annual Luncheon includes lunch with guest authors, door prizes, raffles, and much more. A book fair and autograph session with the attending authors following the luncheon is open and free to the public at 2pm. Profits from this year’s book fair will be donated to the Cullman County Library to further encourage literacy and the love of reading.

Join us as we celebrate romance in all its various forms! Registration is $25 and must be received by May 25th. Seating is limited, so register today. More information and registration can be found at www.heartofdixie.org.