The ‘1000 True Fans’ theory of marketing

Featured by dmcain84, posted in amwriting, authors, fantasy, immersive fantasy fiction, Sword and sorcery, The Light and Shadow Chronicles

Are you a fan of The Light and Shadow Chronicles or The Phoenix Project? If so, I want to hear from you!

Over the past few years I’ve tried lots of different marketing tactics, social media platforms etc and I’ve come to the conclusion that quite a lot of it is a waste of time and money. It helps for exposure, of course, but it doesn’t produce sales or convert people into fans.

Then I heard about Kevin Kelly’s ‘1000 true fans’ model – which suggests that if you can get 1000 true fans of your work or product, they are infinitely more valuable than tens of thousands of non-engaged randoms. (You can hear Kevin talk about it more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlg3808gDic)

So, my aim is to identify my real fans. Those of you who look forward to my new releases, who are interested in how I write or where I get my ideas from, and most importantly, those of you who are immersed in my fantasy world and are desperate for the next installment.

It’s entirely possible that there will only be one or two of you who consider yourself true fans, but that’s okay – you’re still more valuable than my random 10.1K twitter followers! I’ve put together this form to gather information on my fans – who you are, what you want from me, and what I should write next.

Fill in the form here

Here are the links to my books, you know – just in case you aren’t a fan… YET

Tomorrow is release day!

July 30, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in Amazon, amwriting, books, fantasy, immersive fantasy fiction, Sword and sorcery, The Light and Shadow Chronicles

Genesis of Light is being released tomorrow, July 31st!

Want a reminder of what young adult fantasy novella Genesis of Light is about? here is the blurb:

You can pre-order up your copy of Genesis of Light here for just £2.26 / $2.98 :

Wondering what the Light and Shadow Chronicles series is about?

The world in the Light and Shadow Chronicles is in a state of eternal conflict between two nations – The Children of Light and Brotherhood of Shadow. They have been at war for thousands of years, in a stalemate that is manipulated by forces greater than any of them realise. Both armies try to shift the scales in their favour by recruiting greater forces – angels, demons, dragons, armies of the underworld, and magical beings. The war continues to grow in scale until the entire world is dragged into the conflict and it can only end in a cataclysmic Armageddon.

Each of the stories in the series focuses on a significant character or group and their role within the battle. Every story is laying the foundations for something else, like building blocks for the epic finale. The books are written out of order – one story may feature a character in his adulthood, the next is set before he is born, the next after his death. Putting the order of events together is up to you.

This means that you may choose your own journey through the saga. If you feel connected to a certain character, you can follow that individual’s story first. And if you join the series after book 5 is released, there is no need to read books one through four first!

So where does the new book fit into the series?

Genesis of Light is a novella set towards the beginning of the timeline, which tells the origin story of the Children of Light. Another novella will be released later this year to explain the origin story of the Brotherhood of Shadow. This novella is entitled Origin of Shadow and is currently in editing.

Would you spare a moment to help?

June 20, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in amwriting, Author Academy Awards, authors, books, novels, writing

Author Academy Awards

My book A Chronicle of Chaos has been entered into this prestigious writing competition!

I’m very excited about this but I need your votes to win! It’s really easy to do, so if you would take two minutes out of your day to vote for me I would be immensely grateful.

Here’s how you do it!

1) Visit https://authoracademyawards.com/
2) First, scroll down to where it says ‘Ready to vote?’

3) Next, look at the voting boxes – each genre is on a new page so you’ll have to click through them until you get to my genre – FANTASY (feel free to vote along the way if you wish!)

4) Then scroll down on the Fantasy page until you see my cover for A Chronicle of Chaos. Click on it and you’re done! Your vote will be counted (thank you very much!)

Thank you so much for your support! Fingers crossed!

Would you be willing to help?

June 18, 2018June 18, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in amwriting, authors, awethors, bookrelease, books, fantasy, fiction, novels, release, Sword and sorcery, The Light and Shadow Chronicles, writing

Book release – help request

Today I have a HUGE favour to ask you…

In the next few months I will be releasing a novella in my fantasy series entitled ‘Genesis of Light‘. I really need some help with the release. It could be sharing posts, hosting me on your blog, reading an advanced copy, or just giving me your opinions on the cover.

If you are willing to help a girl out, please visit this link and fill out the form. (It only involves a few tick boxes so it won’t take more than a minute or two). Thank you so much, wonderful people!

To say thank you, here are some freebies!

Inspiration for The Phoenix Project

April 9, 2018May 21, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in Amazon, amwriting, authors, awethors, books, dystopian, fiction, novels, psychological fiction, self-harm fiction, thriller, writing

Inspiration for The Phoenix Project

The Phoenix Project is a story that is very close to my heart. I had the original idea in 2002 and it has slowly grown with the input of a variety of influences and inspiration.

Inspiration #1: Raven Kennedy:

Raven began as the villain, Vincent, in my first novel “Dead End” (an idea which never came to fruition). The plot didn’t work, but I adored his character so I kept him and developed him as the antagonist in the fantasy world of ‘The Light and Shadow Chronicles’ (You may have met him in A Chronicle of Chaos or The Shield of Soren).

I loved the character so much that I took the idea of him and developed it in another direction—into the dark and depressed Raven in my next novel, The Phoenix Project.

Having worked with Raven for so long, I am very emotionally attached to him. Even though he is fictional, I feel that he is a part of my heart and soul. Hence this tattoo:

Raven also features as a major character in The Light and Shadow Chronicles. I don’t think I will ever write a book that doesn’t have Raven in it in some way. He is my muse and my access to my creativity.

Continue reading “Inspiration for The Phoenix Project” →

ALL ABOUT THE #RRBC SPONSORS BLOG HOP! @BornforMidwife

March 26, 2018May 21, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in Amazon, authors, blog tour, books, fiction, novels

Rave Reviews Book Club Sponsors Blog Hop!

Welcome to the first ever ALL ABOUT THE SPONSORS BLOG HOP! These kind members of the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB (#RRBC) donated their support during the 2017 conference, in the way of gift card and Kindle e-book donations for our Gift Basket Raffle. To reward them for their support they are being featured on a variety of blogs to showcase their work.

There are several books on tour today, so please visit the HOP’S main page to follow along. See what you like the look of, grab a book or two, have a read and leave a review – that’s the best ‘thank you’ any author can ever receive.

Also, for every comment that you leave along this tour, including on the HOP’S main page, your name will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon gift card to be awarded at the end of the tour!

Continue reading “ALL ABOUT THE #RRBC SPONSORS BLOG HOP! @BornforMidwife” →

Review of Soldier Son: The Terralin Sword by D.K. Holmberg

March 23, 2018May 21, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in Amazon, authors, book review, fantasy, Uncategorized

A run-of-the-mill fantasy story with some interesting ideas

The Teralin Sword was an interesting story with some great plot points. I was particularly gripped by the concept of the mineral Teralin itself. The author developed a really cool concept with the nature of this metal and its ability to be forged into fascinating weapons. I also enjoyed the dark monks and their evil ways – they lent a brutal gravitas to the book and gave the protagonist a believable and sympathetic motive for his part in the story.

Continue reading “Review of Soldier Son: The Terralin Sword by D.K. Holmberg” →

urban fantasy shapeshifting CL Schneider

A gritty urban fantasy reminiscent of Jessica Jones

March 22, 2018May 8, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in Amazon, book review, Uncategorized, urban fantasy

As this blog focuses on world-building, I want to share with you my review of a great urban fantasy book I read recently that has excellent world-building – Nite Fire: Flash Point by C.L. Schneider – Enjoy!

A dark, gritty urban fantasy that is reminiscent of Jessica Jones

This book took me a long time to finish, not because I wasn’t enjoying it but because every inch of the world is so rich and loaded with fantastic details which all come together to build an image of this heavy, dark city plagued by crime and a nasty underworld of creature attacks. I was strongly reminded of the Jessica Jones TV show. This book has the same film-noir feel to it – sour, embittered detectives and dark underworld goings-on. The protagonist, Dahlia Nite is also very Jessica Jones – strong, independent and won’t take any nonsense from anybody!

As with all of C.L. Schneider’s work, the plot is complex and well-developed, the characters grey and layered. Nothing is as it seems, and there is always layer upon layer of mystery, intrigue, snappy comebacks and downright brutal violence. Schneider is one of few authors I read who can make my jaw physically drop. She is a master of the epic reveal!

A cracking read – I can’t wait for the next in the series!

Grab it on Amazon here!

Cover reveal for an outstanding urban fantasy book

March 9, 2018May 8, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in Amazon, art, artwork, authors, awethors, book cover art, book covers, books, cover designs, coverreveal, fantasy, Fantasy art, novels, urban fantasy

Nite Fire: Chain Reaction

One of my favourite authors, C.L. Schneider, is on the countdown to releasing her latest novel – Chain Reaction: Book 2 of Nite Fire (an epic urban fantasy series). I’m super excited to share the cover with you. Inspired by a compilation of several scenes within the book, the cover features empathic shapeshifter, Dahlia Nite, in her (mostly) human form. The artwork was created by the amazing cover artist, Alan Dingman.

Blurb

If anyone can tell the difference between monsters and humans, it’s Dahlia Nite. For nearly a century, she’s hunted one to protect the other; safeguarding humanity from the creatures that slip through the torn veil between the worlds—creatures like her. But the lines are blurring. As people begin mutating and combusting on the streets, Dahlia realizes a strange affliction has descended upon Sentinel City. The mysterious ailment strikes all walks of life, from the posh, high-end nightclub district to the homeless community. Its victims, driven to random acts of savagery, are drawing attention too fast to cover up.

Assigned to the case, Dahlia and her human partner, Detective Alex Creed, investigate the deaths. But all they have is questions and bodies, and a public on the verge of panic. Working behind the scenes with her self-appointed sidekick, Casey Evans, Dahlia struggles to discover what, or who, is behind the alarming transformations. As the violence spreads and the mystery unfolds, she wonders: are the victims still human? Were they ever?

Chain Reaction is the second book in the Nite Fire Series.

Curious about the series?

Read excerpts at clschneiderauthor.com

Check out the trailer for Flash Point (bk#1) https://youtu.be/C041ClBpihI

Catch up with book #1 before book #2 comes out! http://mybook.to/NF1

Chain Reaction will be available for paperback and up for pre-order soon. Subscribe to the newsletter for information on the official release date http://bit.ly/2EgLFfr

About the Author

C. L. Schneider

C.L. Schneider is an award-winning independent author of adult epic and urban fantasy. Born in a small Kansas town, she currently resides in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley Region with her husband and two sons. Her published works include the epic trilogy, The Crown of Stones, and Flash Point, the first book in her urban fantasy series, Nite Fire. Book two, Chain Reaction, will be released in early 2018.

Learn more about C.L. Schneider, and the worlds she creates, at clschneiderauthor.com where you can read reviews, excerpts and sneak peeks, join her Street Team, and subscribe to her newsletter. An active part of the indie author online community, you can connect with her on social media, where she is often found chatting about the daily ups and downs of a writer’s life.

Published Works

All titles available in paperback or for Kindle. Read free with Kindle Unlimited.

Nite Fire: Flash Point (Bk 1)

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price (also available on Audible)

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne

Connect

Twitter https://twitter.com/cl_schneider

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CLS.Author

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/clschneiderauthor/

Google+ https://www.google.com/+CLSchneider

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCLSchneider

Cover reveal for C.L Schneider’s new fantasy book!

Coalville Writes literary festival

March 6, 2018May 9, 2018 by dmcain84, posted in amwriting, authors, books, fiction, novels, signed paperback, writing

Coalville Writes Literary Festival

This Saturday I will be appearing alongside Stewart Bint at the Pop-Up book fair as part of the Coalville Writes literary festival in Leicestershire (10.30am – 4.30pm) Why not pop along and see us? You can buy signed books, get some free goodies and enter a competition to win something cool (prize yet to be decided!)

Are you a fan of The Light and Shadow Chronicles or The Phoenix Project? If so, I want to hear from you!

Here are the links to my books, you know – just in case you aren’t a fan… YET

RELATED LINKS:

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Like this:

Genesis of Light is being released tomorrow, July 31st!

You can pre-order up your copy of Genesis of Light here for just £2.26 / $2.98 :

Wondering what the Light and Shadow Chronicles series is about?

So where does the new book fit into the series?

RELATED LINKS:

Share this:

Like this:

Author Academy Awards

My book A Chronicle of Chaos has been entered into this prestigious writing competition!

Share this:

Like this:

Book release – help request

Today I have a HUGE favour to ask you…

To say thank you, here are some freebies!

Share this:

Like this:

Inspiration for The Phoenix Project

Inspiration #1: Raven Kennedy:

Share this:

Like this:

Rave Reviews Book Club Sponsors Blog Hop!

Share this:

Like this:

A run-of-the-mill fantasy story with some interesting ideas

Share this:

Like this:

As this blog focuses on world-building, I want to share with you my review of a great urban fantasy book I read recently that has excellent world-building – Nite Fire: Flash Point by C.L. Schneider – Enjoy!

A dark, gritty urban fantasy that is reminiscent of Jessica Jones

Share this:

Like this:

Nite Fire: Chain Reaction

Blurb

Curious about the series?

About the Author

Published Works

Connect

Related Posts:

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Like this:

Coalville Writes Literary Festival

Related Links:

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