Free Day for Sing To Me!

I've worked all summer to finish this novella. It's kind of hard to write with vacations and three kids going crazy, but I managed to pull it off. Now, I am thrilled to watch my story take off in to the world. Who will read it? Who will like it? Who will love it enough or hate it enough to review it? Oh the future is a scary, giddy thing to consider. What does your future hold? I hope it holds reading "Sing To Me." If it does, now is the time to grab it!

Senior Prom is just a few weeks away, and Rylie’s long time crush asked her to go with him. Wow! Could things get more perfect? Oh, except her mom is making her earn the money for her dress, mostly by cleaning all the dead bugs out of their house, and a guy in choir is making her life miserable. Then her mom lands her a steady babysitting job and things start to look up. She’ll have her dress in no time and a two year old is better than bugs any day. Unfortunately, she’s in for a big surprise when she shows up for her first night on duty. One moonlit lullaby and Rylie realizes she’s in trouble. What do you do when you have everything you wanted… and you don’t want it anymore?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009E8IGVE

July 9, 2012

Creating a cover for your novel is a tricky job for Indie Authors.

 Without a publisher behind you with a marketing team and
graphic artists,how do you compete?

Every Monday, I will scour the Indie world and find the Indie covers
that make you take a second look at the book.
 The ones you just have to click on to see what the story's about.

After all, that's what the cover's for.

And today's cover is:




I read this book a long time ago and really liked it.
I've always thought that of all the paranormal covers featuring a girl
in a long formal dress, this one pulls it off well. 
It also has the now familiar feathers floating through the air,
but it makes sense to the story, so I'm good with it.
I like the red dress against the fall colors and the font for the title is great.
The cover designer managed to get a lot of information on the cover without obscuring or overwhelming the image, but still managed to make it readable at thumbnail size.
Impressive!


Check it out on Amazon Here

July 2, 2012

Creating a cover for your novel is a tricky job for Indie Authors.

 Without a publisher behind you with a marketing team and
graphic artists,how do you compete?

Every Monday, I will scour the Indie world and find the Indie covers
that make you take a second look at the book.
 The ones you just have to click on to see what the story's about.

After all, that's what the cover's for.

And today's cover is:




So, something a little bit different today.
I love the strong, graphic lines of the chain link fence in front of a 
blurry hint of a figure in the background.
Also, the fonts are strong and clear - easily readable in thumbprint size. 
I don't usually like a teaser on the front cover, but in this genre,
I think you can get away with it.


Check out Simple Intent on Amazon Here 

A Birthday to Remember

We all have important things in our lives that define who we are. Sometimes they are things we are born with and sometimes they are things that we do or become. This birthday marks an important milestone for me. I have always believed that I was born to be a writer, but it took 32 years for me to be to accomplish it. In June of last year, I sat out to finally attain what had before been a dream I scarcely dared to believe in. A year later, I have published two books and begun several more. I am still in the first tottering years of what I hope will be a lifelong pursuit, but already this new identity, that of writer, has sunk deep into my bones. I would like to express as sincere thanks to all of you who have supported, encouraged, and inspired me along the way. 


To celebrate, I am sharing a preview of a short story I will soon be publishing, "To Earn Your Love."


I hope you enjoy it,

Michelle Pennington

http://tinyurl.com/toearnyourlove

June 25, 2012

Creating a cover for your novel is a tricky job for Indie Authors.

 Without a publisher behind you with a marketing team and
graphic artists,how do you compete?

Every Monday, I will scour the Indie world and find the Indie covers
that make you take a second look at the book.
 The ones you just have to click on to see what the story's about.

After all, that's what the cover's for.

And today's cover is:

What do I like about this cover?
An easier question to answer would be what do I not like about this cover?
Nothing!
Check it out here on Amazon

Announcement Time!
Since Thursday is my birthday, we're going to celebrate with an excerpt from my current WIP.
Ok, well, one of them.
Stay Tuned and Check Back!

June 18th, 2012

Creating a cover for your novel is a tricky job for Indie Authors.

 Without a publisher behind you with a marketing team and graphic artists, how do you compete?

Every Monday, I will scour the Indie world and find the Indie covers that make you take a second look at the book. The ones you just have to click on to see what the story's about.

After all, that's what the cover's for.

And today's cover is:




I really adore the gray monochromatic tone of this cover with the splash of red.

I think it's beautiful and haunting - which is apparently perfect for the story.
I do wish that the title and author's name had been done in
a font that is more easily read when the cover is in Thumbnail size.

Check out Somber Island on Amazon 

June 11, 2012

Creating a cover for your novel is a tricky job for Indie Authors.

 Without a publisher behind you with a marketing team and graphic artists, how do you compete?

Every Monday, I will scour the Indie world and find the Indie covers that make you take a second look at the book. The ones you just have to click on to see what the story's about.

After all, that's what the cover's for.

And today's cover is:

Isn't it FABULOUS?

I LOVE IT!
In fact, as far as I'm concerned, this cover is perfect.

This is actually a short story. It sounds interesting - especially for you techy scip-fi people.

If you'd like to check it out, you can buy it on Amazon Here or visit the authors website.

http://www.andibuchanan.com/

June 4th, 2012

Creating a cover for your novel is a tricky job for Indie Authors.

 Without a publisher behind you with a marketing team and graphic artists, how do you compete?

Every Monday, I will scour the Indie world and find the Indie covers that make you take a second look at the book. The ones you just have to click on to see what the story's about.

After all, that's what the cover's for.

And today's cover is:

I've actually read this book and really enjoyed it. The action was great, the romance well-paced and developed. The only problem I had with this one was a scene I wasn't expecting and could have done without. Totally skippable for those who want to though (like me).

This is a different cover than the one it had when I bought it and I love it!

When I saw it, I knew I had to feature it.

Come on. You know you have to check it out. 

Available on Amazon Here

Sienna's Mom - an Interview

So, in every book there's a person to hate. I guess I expected people to hate my villains though. But people think Sienna's mom is the villain! So, to help people relax a little, I've asked her, Sophia Whitfield, to explain things a little herself: 

Me: Thanks for coming on today, Sophia.

S: My pleasure. I just hope Sienna doesn't kill me for getting oil paint down in the keyboard. I thought I got it all off, but... 

Me: So, people have had some pretty harsh things to say about you and the way you've treated Sienna. Do you have anything you'd like to say to them? 

S: Not really. It is what it is. It's kind of hard when people have seen into your personal life and are judging the mistakes you've made. You know, people make mistakes, but I was just trying to protect her. In light of everything that's happened, I see that I went off the deep end. I'm not sure why except that I still have so many unresolved hangups about what happened to me. There were almost 18 years of pain and bitterness influencing me, but I'd stuffed it down so deep that I didn't even realize it was affecting me - blinding me. I almost wonder if Sienna had been interested in anyone but Lee if I would have reacted the same. You see, Sienna doesn't know this, but Lee reminded me of her father in so many ways it was scary sometimes. It was like I was replaying my history every time I saw them together. I won't say anymore about that right now though. 

Me: So we've been working on the next book, Focused, together. Do you feel better about how your story is beeing told in that book? 

S: Look, Michelle - Don't feel bad about people hating me. You told it like it was and if you'd changed anything, it wouldn't have worked. It hurt when Sienna or Lee would call me crazy, but maybe I was. Fortunately, I've got time to fix things. Sienna and I have always been so close, and this is the first time anything's come between us. That kills me. But things are getting better. I'm getting better - I'm growing. I don't care if anyone else forgives me, as long as Sienna does. Luckily that girl has a big heart. 

Me: Before we conclude this, can you tell us how things are going with you right now? 

S: (hint of a shy smile) Well, things are going good. I've never been so mixed up in my life, but there's a new happiness in my life that I've never had before as well. 

Me: I guess you're talking about Mr. Greeley. Things are going well? 

S: Oh gosh! I wonder if he's going to see this. I'll just say that I like where things seem to be going. I never thought I'd find someone to make me feel this way. 

Me: I'm glad. You deserve it. Thanks for coming on today. I know it wasn't easy for you, but I thought it would be good for people to get to know you a little more. 

S: Thanks for the opportunity. This blogging thing is pretty fun. I'll see you back in Microsoft Word? 

Me: Yeah, I'll be there in a few minutes. My kids are awake and they want breakfast. You know how it goes. 

S: Boy, do I ever!

Check out Tiffany's review over at Escaping...One Book @ a Time 

I even have a Giveaway going on over there!

You Know My Name

I just got a great review by Bailey at  Novel Nerd Bailey and it reminded me why I'm doing this.

I don't expect everyone to love my book - or even like it. I wrote it for those who will though, and it's for them that I keep going. I'm glad to get a reminder every now and then that my work "works" for people out there.

Celebrities say they would be no where without their fans, and they all have critics. I'm no celebrity, but I have some fans. (even if few in number). I have a critic or two as well, but apparently that's the sign that you're doing something right.

Here's to a future of fans and critics a like. Love me, Like me, or just think ehhh... But you know my name and that counts for something.

May 28, 2012

Creating a cover for your novel is a tricky job for Indie Authors.

 Without a publisher behind you with a marketing team and graphic artists, how do you compete?

Every Monday, I will scour the Indie world and find the Indie covers that make you take a second look at the book. The ones you just have to click on to see what the story's about.

After all, that's what the cover's for.

And today's cover is:

I am spellbound by this cover. It's the fourth in the series, but definitely the best cover. It's so creepy. I saw it and immediately had to find out why a baby carriage was in this creepy, misty forest. 

Available on Amazon Here

The author, Jamie McGuire doesn't live far from me, so that's pretty cool too.

She has another cover I just have to share:

This one is a New York Times Bestseller. 

I have a feeling Jamie McGuire is going to be producing more great covers in the future.

Let's check out her books together.

Available on Amazon Here

Speaking of checking things out, I have a review and interview up today on:

http://writingbelle.blogspot.com/

Come see what I'm yapping about there!

Check out my guest post on :

Thank you, Karen, for having me on.

http://www.fwiwreviews.net/2012/05/saturday-spotlight-michelle-pennington.html

May 21, 2012

Creating a cover for your novel is a tricky job for Indie Authors.

 Without a publisher behind you with a marketing team and graphic artists, how do you compete?

Every Monday, I will scour the Indie world and find the Indie covers that make you take a second look at the book. The ones you just have to click on to see what the story's about.

After all, that's what the covers for.

Here is the first Made You Look cover:

While I LOVE the cover, I have to say, I think the title font could use some tweaking to make it more readable. Still, don't you love it?

Check the book out here

Now Available for Kindle

  I'm so happy... no, pleased... no, excited... no, over the moon!... to announce:

Candid is now for Sale!

$2.99 on Kindle! Paperback coming soon.

Life is simple for high school senior, Sienna Whitfield. With a few good friends, a camera, and a dream, she has everything she needs to be happy. But when Jordan Rubio, the most popular girl at Haskins High, makes her mad, she decides to use the power of photography to right a few social wrongs. As if that doesn’t cause enough drama in her life, she realizes she’s falling for the new guy, Lee Franklin. Strong and protective, he’s just what she needs to survive the craziness she’s stirred up at school. If only she didn’t have to keep her feelings for Lee a secret from her mom…

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YLEFXG 

 Look for the next book in the True Images Series:

Focused

Coming This Fall!

No HFN for Hog Fans

I promise this isn't going to become a sports blog. For one thing, I'm not that big of a sports fan. For another thing, I don't know much about it. Living in NWA, however, the Petrino Scandal has rocked my husband's world so I've heard a lot about it the last few days. (My husband has been posting on Facebook more than I have if that tells you anything.) A die hard razorback fan, he's understandably furious that a head football coach would disregard the consequences that his personal choices would have on the program and the young athletes who have committed to him and tied their futures to his leadership.

Petrino is fired, disgraced, and gone. I don't really pity him because these were his choices. I do pity the players, the rest of the coaching staff, the University and Athletic department administrators, and the fans. Oh, the fans are bleeding tears right now. A future that looked so promising is now smudged by scandal and uncertainty. So, in this story, there is no HFN(Happily For Now), though I do hold out hopes for an Arkansas Happily Ever After (HEA). The road there will be long and hard though - a true life saga.

There is a lesson in this for fiction writers. Be aware that consequences for your character's actions and choices must be real, or your story loses plausibility. Don't let the resolution come so easily that it fails to affect or teach the reader. I enjoy seeing a character triumph when the odds of that victory seemed impossible. When it comes to easy, it seems to be worth less.

Take these moments of real life drama and study them. Who did what and why? What were the results? Who suffered and how? Who was the good guy, the hero? Only by studing true human struggles can you hope to understand humanity enough to write about it.