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Angela M Caldwell

~ Author

Angela M Caldwell

Tag Archives: #debutauthor

Win a signed copy of The Last Order!

19 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by Maiden Ink in #TheLastOrder, Giveaway

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#angelamcaldwell, #debutauthor, #fantasy, #goodreads, #indebooksbeseen, #thelastorder, #youngadult

There are 5 signed copies of THE LAST ORDER up for grabs. The contest ends this Sunday March 22nd which happens to be my birthday.

Just click the link to enter: GOODREADS GIVEAWAY

THE LAST ORDER – A Medieval Tale of Hope and Mystery for Teens

by Jen Halligan

Angela Caldwell’s debut novel, THE LAST ORDER, is an action-packed story with a passionate, strong female lead.

In THE LAST ORDER, fiercely driven seventeen-year-old Lana Crewe forms a secret order of women knights to fulfill her father’s final request: find the queen who was thought to be dead and return her to the throne.

Lana is living in a village ruled by fear. With their king and queen both thought to be dead, strife and division have taken hold amongst the people. In a ruthless attack by an Order called Talons, Lana’s father is fatally stabbed. But before he dies, he tells Lana that the queen still lives and imparts a directive to save the statue of Saint Peter. Now it is up to Lana to unravel the mystery of Saint Peter and bring an end to all of the war by finding the queen.

Action-packed and enthralling, THE LAST ORDER takes upper teenage angst and turns it on its head.

“The story lives up to its thrilling premise.”  

– Reader’s Favorite, 5 star review

Available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other fine book stores.

TheLastOrderFinalFrontReadersFav

 

 

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Top 5 surprising things I learned my first month as an indie author!

08 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by Maiden Ink in authortip, writing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #books, #debutauthor, #dyslexicwriter, #indiebooks, #indiepublishing, #thelastorder

An author friend mentioned that last week’s Top Ten List was a bit depressing, I think it was the gif of Dr. Who in the rain, so for all of you who wanted a more cheery list this post is for you.

5) Bloggers are awesome! Most book bloggers are approachable and they are looking for more books. I recommend checking out what a blogger likes to see if your book is a fit before contacting them. They just might be willing to read and review your book.

4) People will stalk you in a good way. They want to find out about you as an author and person. What’s your favorite film…

3) Local bookstores and business are willing to work with local authors if they have done their part. The Last Order is currently in 2 local area stores with more in the works. Finding my book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble last night was exciting.

Barnes and Noble! #The Last Order pic.twitter.com/fybjtnzv3O

— Maiden Ink (@AngelaMCaldwell) March 8, 2015

2) Audiobooks! The Last Order should be available as an audiobook by the end of May. As a dyslexic author it is super exciting for me to be able to expand my audience in this way.

1) The number one surprising thing is… I still don’t have a maid or a cook. Author moms totally get this. ROTFL

 

 

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The Top Ten Things I learned my first month as an indie author

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by Maiden Ink in #TheLastOrder, writing

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

#amazonpreorder, #debutauthor, #indebooksbeseen, #indiepublishing, #toptenlist, #youngadult

top10

  1. The pre-orders option is great, but Amazon counts the sale right then in their rankings and not the day of the release. This is a bummer. My pre-order sales showing all on the same day would have boosted my book higher on their best sellers lists.

  1. People don’t write reviews. If every person who pre-ordered only reviewed The Last Order I would be well over my first month’s goal of twenty reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. So if you haven’t left a review. Please leave a brief sentence or two.
Credit: spring.org.uk

Credit: spring.org.uk

 

  1. Blog tours don’t sell books. Blog tours get your name out and help with exposure, but don’t expect to sell many books if any from a blog tour.

  1. Social Media is exhausting. Keeping up with groups I’m in, chatting with others, keeping people informed about The Last Order, retweeting others *passes out* Even I can’t be this energetic all the time.

  1. Don’t just sell e-books. To make your money back so you can publish more books you need to order paperback copies and sell them. Start with family and friends then move to other venues. (blog post coming soon)

 

  1. I still don’t know what works for marketing. I’m trying out a press release this week. I’m a little late, but I will tell you how it goes. A press release is one of many ways I am still attempting to get the word out about The Last Order.

 

  1. Giveaways don’t sell books. I still loved making the bracelets and bracers and I plan on doing more contests for fun and exposure.
Handcrafted Leather Bracers

Handcrafted Leather Bracers

  1. Pirates are real. Yesterday, The Last Order was discovered by a friend on a website for free. After talking to a few other authors it saddened my heart to learn these sites were so numerous is was daunting to some.

  1. It takes more than one month for people to even know you have a book out. Yesterday a follower asked me if I wrote books.

  1. Family and Friends will always be there. Books and other projects will come and go, but supportive family and friends are priceless.

 

 

So, if you like medieval things, female knights, fast-passed reads or know someone who does check out The Last Order!

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Cover reveal, and interview with author Isabella Redwood

23 Monday Feb 2015

Posted by Maiden Ink in Blog tour, Giveaway, writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#amazonpreorder, #debutauthor, #goodreads, #indebooksbeseen, #indiepub, #writers, coverreveal, NA thiller

I’m pleased to welcome Isabella Redwood author of the NA romantic thriller In The End.

websiteimage3

Author Isabella Redwood

Maiden Ink: Why do you write?

Isabella: Writing sets you free. There are no restrictions, rules or conventions you have to abide by. Your imagination is limitless and the ability to harness that potential into the written word is the ultimate fantasy.

Maiden Ink: Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? If so, what was it about?

 

Isabella: I do, giggles I was around eleven years old and whilst in the bath, I imagined being shrunk to a tiny size. Imagining all the adventures I would get up to, sliding on the soap and climbing the plug chain. I wrote the story shortly after.

Maiden Ink: In what ways has social media changed your self perception as a writer?

 

Isabella: I realized I wasn’t alone. There were so many other people who had the same desire and determination to create something they could be proud of. Any writer knows, it is not about the money, you don’t decide to be a writer to get rich. It is the pure love of that one story that makes you tingle in anticipation and not be able to stop till you have written the ending. Social media has enabled me to connect with fellow writers and find the most talented and inspiring people. I couldn’t recommend it enough for writers.

Maiden Ink: What does it take to finish a novel?

Isabella: For me, a lot of chocolate, sleep and dancing. I say I dream write and it is the truth. I have always had vivid dreams, a crazy imagination since childhood and many stories come to me through sleep. I will also dance. If you watch Grey’s Anatomy, you know how Meredith and Christina would dance to psych themselves up, yes that is me. I’m a geek. 😉 Sleep, dancing and chocolate, coupled with a giant cup of determination makes the perfect recipe for ‘getting it done’

 Maiden Ink: How will you celebrate the first sale of your book?

Isabella: I think a lap around the garden with my daughter on my shoulders, squealing with joy, will likely happen.

intheEnd.YT.Banner

In The End banner for YouTube and Google Plus

Maiden Ink: What makes your book unique to its genre market?

Isabella: I love my characters. They are real and flawed, nothing has come easy to them and I think that makes them relatable.

Maiden Ink: Why did you choose to write a romantic thriller?

Isabella: With the butterfly series and In The End I have completely changed my writing process. I used to write in no particular order and therefore had a clear idea what genre the book would fit into from the start, as I often wrote the ending or the action chapters first. With In The End, I wrote in order from beginning to end. I let the story tell me where it wanted to go initially and through lots of dream writing, planned out the rest in chronological order. In answer, I didn’t choose, it found its home as I wrote.

Maiden Ink: How would you describe your main character?

Isabella: She is a fighter and a survivor. Her spirit and determination to keep going forward, despite the many challenges she faced, draws me to her. She is funny and quirky and I would love to have her as a friend.

Maiden Ink: What has been your biggest publishing challenge thus far?

The financial aspects have been the most challenging. I wanted the book to be the best it could be and therefore paying for services such as editing and cover design were paramount. Having lots of outgoings and nothing coming in is difficult to explain to your partner, but to me, it was the desire to share my work with others that kept me going, as scary and exciting as that is.

Maiden Ink: What else are you currently working on?

Isabella: The butterfly series is confirmed as three books, with a possible bonus fourth. I have been writing the second book in the series, The Beginning and planning for the third. I have also been working on my science fiction novel, Touch, polishing it and a new wip.

Maiden Ink: Isabella, thank you for stopping by today. Now it’s time to reveal the cover that I was honored to designed for In The End!

 

ebook.InTheEnd.HR

Release Date: April 7th 2015

You can pre-order In the End on Amazon now.

In The End on Goodreads

Follow Isabella: isabellaredwood.com

 Maiden Ink: Thank you for sharing about yourself and your writing! I wish you all the best.

Isabella: Thanks so much having me and please do check out my giveaway for the book launch. Three winners will receive a Butterfly Series goody bag containing a signed paperback copy of my book, and three pieces of butterfly themed jewellery, a bracelet, earrings and necklace. For pictures and entry instructions please visit my blog at isabellaredwood.com.

The giveaway is open internationally and no purchase is required.

 

 

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Book Launch Giveaway winners announced!

20 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by Maiden Ink in #TheLastOrder, Giveaway, Uncategorized, writing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #debutauthor, #fantasy, #giveaway, #indebooksbeseen, #youngadult

Winners! Finally!

 

Thank you guys for all your support.

Credit: spring.org.uk

Credit: spring.org.uk

TheLastOrderFinalFrontReadersFavAmazon ebook – Amazon Print – Barnes and Noble – Kobo – ibooks

smashwords

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An Unforeseen Author

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #author, #authors, #books, #debutauthor, #deubt, #dontgiveup, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #fangirl, #indebooksbeseen, #indiepub, #nevergiveup, #writers, #writetip, #writing, #writingproces

I didn’t grow up reading like many authors. I grew up on films. I loved movies and not just current films. I watched films from the black and white era, mysteries, musicals, and more. I made my parents rent the film The Labyrinth every time we went to the video store. (Some of you have never rented from one of those. They’ve become extinct.) Instead of reading stories, I was watching them. I learned about plot and character from film.

Even though I didn’t read much, I liked the idea of books. The first book I read, other than children’s books, was a Nancy Drew mystery. I sat in my room on a Saturday and read the whole book. After that, I didn’t read for a long while. But eventually C.S. Lewis and Frank Pertetti caught my attention with their stories. My lack of reading had to do with my endurance. I would lose my place on the page and daydream if I got bored.

To this day, I have difficulty finishing books if they don’t draw me in.

So how does a non-reader become an author?


There is no doubt I loved stories. I even earned a BA in video production, and became photographer as well. I’ve lived behind the camera for years.
But about 7 years ago, I stared reading young adult novels and I never quit. Over those years, I didn’t keep count of how many books I read. However, I read so much that it inspired me. And over two years ago, I started writing once again.(See my blog post: Why I stopped writing.)

Now, the girl who couldn’t focus long enough to read one book will release her first book The Last Order on Feb 3rd, 2015.

My biggest hope is not that people will love my book, although a few fangirls would be nice. Instead, I hope someone like me, who lost their passion for something they enjoyed, will find their way back and create something that surprises them.

 

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How I designed the book cover for The Last Order

04 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in #TheLastOrder

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

#amazonpreorder, #angelacaldwell, #angelamcaldwell, #author, #book, #bookcover, #books, #debutauthor, #dyslexia, #dyslexicwriter, #fantasy, #goodreads, #indebooksbeseen, #indieauthor, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #photography, #thelastorder

By Angela M. Caldwell

When I first started thinking about a book cover I knew I wanted it simple, elegant, and it had to have the symbol of The Last Order Silas designs for Lana in the book.

As a photographer, I knew I could shoot my own cover if I needed to, but in my heart I really wanted to leave Lana to the imagination of readers.

So I went to my dad and asked him to draw the symbol. After a week or so he finally came up with two options.

We went to lunch and you would have thought he was meeting a stranger not his daughter. He was so nervous, it was cute. I love my dad.

crownontopLastOrdersmall

 

LastorderSymbolSmall

 

 

 

 

Both photos are original drawings and they are protected by copyright laws. ©rocketcircuspress

I decided on the crown above the triquetra. The triquetra knot is a Celtic symbol that can represent a few different things, but I chose it because of its connection to women and unity.

I loved the drawings and from there I moved forward and scoured the internet for stock photos. I searched for hours to find the right pictures.

I wanted the cover to have a leather look and feel, so I chose this background from www.dollarphotoclub.com.

Old brown leather background

Next, I found a wall with Ivy and removed the wall and kept the ivy, which was very tedious work. I used the ivy in several places by rotating it and flipping it. This also came from www.dollarphotoclub.com.

                                         Before                                               The Green Creeper Plant on the Wall.

After

The Green Creeper Plant on the Wall.

 

After that, I needed a way to emphasize the Last Order symbol, so I found this grey  splotch and placed it on the front and back, and used a blending layer.

greyblot

 

Lastly, I placed the symbol where I wanted it and also used a blending layer. Then I added an inner glow, and bevel & emboss effects. You can still see the guides I used for the layout in this photo.

coverprocesswithguides

 

Next the title, and author name were added. I used 2 different fonts that gave it a Celtic feel. Then, to make the words pop off the page effects were added. Below is exactly what I had.

The Last Order by Angela Caldwell I knew it was missing something so I found the flowers and added them for the finishing touch. I was honestly surprised I pulled it off, but I was able to use my photography background to create a beautiful cover that I hope you love.

 FINAL FRONT COVER

The Last Order CoverAdd this beautiful book to #goodreads

Amazon e-book pre-order

 The Last Order

by Angela M Caldwell

Release date:  February 3rd, 2015

THE LAST ORDER - cover reveal

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Tess In Boots by Courtney Rice Gager Releases Today

02 Tuesday Dec 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in Blog tour, writing

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

#anaiahpress, #author, #authors, #books, #courtneyricegager, #debutauthor, #NewAdult, #writers, #writing

Tess in Boots banner

Anaiah Press proudly presents

TESS IN BOOTS by Courtney Rice Gager,

a contemporary romantic novel that releases today!

 

 

Tess Dougherty plans every aspect of her life right down to the last detail. But she doesn’t plan on running her boyfriend off by bringing up the topic of marriage before he’s ready. And she doesn’t plan to lose her job on the day she’s set to receive a huge promotion. So when her perfect world unravels, Tess makes a new plan: disappear.
Tess packs her bags and leaves her city apartment for a remote vineyard in North Carolina. At first, she’s put off by the slow pace of small-town life in the South. She’s especially irritated by Thatcher, the vineyard’s smart-mouth, dimple-faced farmhand. But she soon begins to appreciate the area’s charm, and Thatcher’s charm, too. She even swaps her trademark heels for a pair of cowboy boots. As Tess spends more time getting to know Thatcher, she finds herself loosening her grip on her old life little by little. Unfortunately, things on the vineyard aren’t as simple as they seem. There’s a secret here, and when the truth comes to light, Tess is forced to reconsider every plan she’s ever made.

 

Amazon     B&N    Smashwords
iTunes

 

 

About the Author:
Courtney Rice Gager

 

Courtney Rice Gager graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in creative writing. Courtney is also the author of The Buggy List. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.
Connect with Courtney:
Website
Twitter
Goodreads
Facebook
Amazon

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Tess in Boots by Courtney Rice Gager: Follow the Blog Tour

18 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in Blog tour

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#anaiahpress, #author, #blogtour, #books, #courtneyricegager, #debutauthor, #deubt, #goodreads, #NewAdult, #novel, #tessinboots, #writers, #writing

blogtourbannertess in boots

Anaiah Press
Tess in Boots
by Courtney Rice Gager

Courtney Rice Gager

Release Date:
December 2, 2014

Tess in Boots Cover

Book reviews, interviews, guest posts and giveaway!

Follow the Tess in Boots Book Tour:

11/18 Katie’s Clean Book Collection http://www.katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com
11/18 Babs Book Bistro http://www.babsbookbistro.net/
11/19 Maiden Ink https://angelamcaldwell.wordpress.com/
11/19 Biblio Belles http://www.bibliobelles.com
11/20 Reviews and Opinions http://reviewsbymarybeth.blogspot.com/
11/21 Living the dream http://mhsusannematthews.wordpress.com/
11/21 A booklover’s retreat http://www.abookloversretreat.com
11/22 Paula Rose Books http://paularosebooks.com/
11/23 Flirting With Romance http://flirtingwithromance.blogspot.com
11/23 CBY Book Club http://cbybookclub.blogspot.co.uk

11/24 My Book Addiction and More http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.com
11/25 Literary Wonders! The Author’s Hideaway http://theauthorshideaway.com
11/25 Wonderous Reviews http://wonderousreviews.blogspot.com
11/26 The Phantom Paragrapaher http://www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com
11/27 Wishful Endings http://www.wishfulendings.com/
11/28 Shelf full of books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogspot.com
11/29 Iola’s Christian Reads http://christianreads.blogspot.com/
11/29 Curling up with a good book http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.blogspot.com
11/30 Beachbound Books http://www.beachboundbooks.com

12/1 Cheekypee reads and reviews http://cheekypeereadsandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/
12/1 Krysten Lindsay Hager, author http://www.krystenlindsay.com/blog

12/2 Release Day Blitz
Kit ‘N Kabookle http://kitnkabookle.blogspot.com
Electively Paige http://electivelypaige.blogspot.com/
Ting’s Mom Books http://www.tingsmombooks.com
Cheekypee reads and reviews http://cheekypeereadsandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/
Bookworm Lisa http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
Musings From An Addicted Reader http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.wordpress.com
A booklover’s retreat http://www.abookloversretreat.com
Maiden Ink https://angelamcaldwell.wordpress.com/
Shelf full of books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogspot.ca/
CBY Book Club http://cbybookclub.blogspot.co.uk
This is me… http://joshsmama05.blogspot.com
Wonderous Reviews http://wonderousreviews.blogspot.com
Angela Schroeder, Author http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/
Krysten Lindsay Hager, author http://www.krystenlindsay.com/blog
Curling Up With A Good Book http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.blogspot.com
Breathless Ink http://breathlessink.com
Babs Book Bistro http://www.babsbookbistro.net/

12/3 Just Contemporary Romance http://www.justcontemporaryromance.com/
12/4 The Book Junkie http://www.thebooknerd2013.blogspot.com/
12/5 Bookish http://evie-bookish.blogspot.com
12/5 Melinda Dozier Contemporary Romance Author http://melindadozier.blogspot.com
12/6 I Am A Reader http://www.iamareader.com
12/7 Musings From An Addicted Reader http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.wordpress.com
12/7 This is me… http://joshsmama05.blogspot.com

12/8 Swooning Over Books http://swooningoverbooks.blogspot.com
12/9 Red Cheeks Reads http://redcheeksreads.com/
12/10 True Story Book Blog http://www.truestorybookblog.com/
12/10 Angela Schroeder, Author http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/
12/11 Bookworm Lisa http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
12/12 Kit ‘N Kabookle http://kitnkabookle.blogspot.com
12/12 Perusing Bookshelves http://www.perusingbookshelves.weebly.com/
12/13 Book Briefs http://bookbriefs.net
12/14 Fiction Zeal http://www.fictionzeal.com

12/15 Library Mistress http://librarymistress.com/
12/16 Susana’s Morning Room http://susanaauthor.wordpress.com/
12/16 Breathless Ink http://breathlessink.com

Thank you for following the Tess in Boots Tour!

Anaiah Press
http://www.anaiahpress.com
http://twitter.com/anaiahpress
http://anaiahpress.wordpress.com/

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*Leaps*

22 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by Maiden Ink in writing

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

#angelacaldwell, #bookcover, #bookpublishing, #bookreleasedate, #books, #contest, #debutauthor, #deubt, #dontgiveup, #dreaming, #dyslexic, #dyslexicwriter, #indie, #indieauthor, #indiebook, #indiebooks, #indiepub, #indiepublishing, #nevergiveup, #publishing, #selfpublishing, #vote, #voting, #write, #writing

 

©AngelaCaldwell

©AngelaCaldwell

I’m going to become my own publisher. #indebooksbeseen After months of querying very few people, and waiting on decisions from full requests, I’ve decided to publish my debut YA fantasy novel on my terms. Well kind of, here comes the crazy, insane, ridiculous part.

I’m offering you, my followers and fans, some control over things. You’ll make use of your powers for good and vote on the release date, cover, and more. You now think I’m officially crazy. Welcome to the club.

one does not simmply publish on amazon2

I struggle making final decisions. I can’t choose favorites. But, you guys are very good at those things. And with your help, my book will be judged by the cover you choose! The fun will start next week with your very first choice-the release date.

I will choose 3 dates and give you reasons why I chose each date, and you will pick my release date by voting. Please follow this blog, my Twitter (I follow back awesomeness) , Goodreads or Facebook account to make sure you don’t miss out on voting.

And yes, I am officially hyperventilating. And want to thank you all, my writer friends, and avid readers who have already signed up to read a book that isn’t available. You guys remind me to be fearless everyday.

 

 

 

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