New Release

Countdown to Dead and Kicking

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5

Just five days to go until the release of Dead and Kicking, the first book in the Harry Russo Diaries.  Leading up to the big day, I thought it would be fun to check in daily with a few teasers and other glimpses into Harry’s world.  Who is Harry?  What is she like?  Who are her friends?  What is her world like?  Check back each day this week and find out!

lisaemme_deadandkicking_ebook_finalDon’t forget to get your copy of Dead and Kicking! Pre-order sales really make a big difference. Order yours today at the following retailers:

Amazon
Kobo
Barnes & Noble
iTunes

You can also enter to win one of three signed copies on Goodreads.  Check out my Release Week Giveaway starting October 2nd!

GR Giveaway

The UPS Man Thinks I’m a Crazy Person

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So yesterday was a pretty stellar day for me.  I held a printed copy of Dead and Kicking in my hands for the first time and I received my first official review (and it was fantastic).  While cradling that newly minted copy of my first ever published book in my hands was no where near what it felt like to hold my newborn son in my arms, it was a close second.

I fully admit I cried happy tears.

I also might have freaked out the UPS guy a little when I rushed to the door with a sharp utensil in my hand, ripped the package from his arms and tore it open, all while babbling at him, “No, wait you can’t go!  You have to see this!”

Once I managed to get through all the packing tape (hence the sharp utensil), I pulled out the proof copy of my book, danced a little happy dance, and showed it to the baffled UPS guy like I was Vanna White modelling the next prize on the Wheel of Fortune.

“THIS IS MY BOOK!”  I squealed at Mr. UPS like some sort of deranged lunatic.  “I WROTE THIS BOOK!!!”

You would think I would get some sort of reaction for my performance, but nope.  Obviously this sort of thing must happen all the time in the day in the life of a UPS delivery man because he just sort of shrugged and said “Okay” and walked back to his truck.  And it was more of a plodding, nonchalant walk, not a ‘careful we don’t want to spook the crazy lady’ one.

Geez, you think he could have at least pretended to be interested.  As it was, I had to wait a couple of hours before I could accost my neighbour across the street and show the book to her (thanks Gail for indulging me).

Dead and Kicking Cover Reveal

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I’m very excited to reveal the final concept for the cover of my first book, Dead and Kicking.  Although this isn’t the finished product, the concept is finalized and I wanted to share it with you.  I will write a bit about my experience working with the designer to achieve the final product in an upcoming post.  Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

DeadandKicking

Remember, the release date for Dead and Kicking, the first novel in The Harry Russo Diaries, is October 2, 2015 and the pre-order is now up and running. Please consider buying now during the pre-order period.  You won’t be charged for your purchase until the release date and you will be helping me with my all important release day sales.

Here are a few of the places where you can find my book:
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Kobo  
Barnes and Noble
Apple iBooks

Tuesday Teaser

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Don’t forget that Dead and Kicking is now available for pre-order at most major online retailers.  Check out my Books and Coming Soon page for details.

The basement of the club was a warren of dark, narrow hallways lined with doors behind which, who knew what was happening.  Unfortunately the throbbing beat from the dance floor above wasn’t enough to drown out some of the sounds filtering through the odd door, so I had a pretty good idea of what was going on behind at least some of them.

A door abruptly opened as we were walking past and I caught a glimpse inside, confirming my suspicions.  We were in an S&M sex club.  A few steps later, another door opened and a tall, blonde vampire wearing 5-inch, lace up platform ankle boots stepped out into the hall.  She pulled a gauzy robe on over her black, patent leather corset.

“Now you be a very good boy Murray and wait there for me.”  She tapped the end of a riding crop against her black leather glove.  “You know what happens when you are naughty.”  She turned and saw me, raising an appraising eyebrow.  “Come to play, Kitten?” she purred, reaching out with the end of the riding crop to stroke my cheek.

I flinched away, not wanting it to touch me and she laughed.  I turned and looked her in the eye and it was her turn to flinch.  “Not unless you want me to snap that thing in half and stake you through the heart with it, Sweetheart.”  I smiled sweetly and her eyes widened in surprise.  Her face twisted into a snarl and she took a step towards me.

Stefan put a hand against her chest, giving her a little push backwards.  “Not now Simeen, this one’s not for you.”

Simeen threw me a contemptuous look and then turned with a flourish.  Her robe billowed behind her like a cape as she stalked off down the hall.  The cheeks of her bare ass jiggled as she walked.  It kind of ruined the whole effect.

–Dead and Kicking by Lisa Emme

Do you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain or have I just dated myself?

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In a previous post, I compared the book blurb to a dating profile. I thought the comparison was pretty apt, but nothing is more like a dating profile than trying to write your author bio.

pina coladas

The author bio is yet another important, but often overlooked, element of not only your book but any of a multitude of author pages (for example on Goodreads or Amazon) as well as your own website.

Like a dating profile, you need to sell yourself to your readers. Your goal is to make a connection with them, showing who you are as a person. You want to come across as the type of person who would write a book they would want to read.

You really need three versions of your bio:
1. A version to put inside your book as part of the end matter. This can be a little bit longer, but still brevity is key.
2. A version to put on your website or author pages.  Again this could be longer.  It could even be the same as #1 above.
3. A shorter ‘blurb’ type bio for the back of your book.  Keep it short and sweet.  150 words or less.

Just like when writing the book blurb, your author bio should grab the interest of your reader. It should make it easier for your reader to relate to you. Above all else, be honest. The last thing you want to do is come across as someone you`re not – in this electronic age, it would be pretty easy to get called on fudged credentials or accomplishments.

To help you with your author bios, here are a few websites I found useful:

6 Secrets to Writing a Killer Author Bio
How to Write a Great Author Bio That Will Connect with Readers
Tips for Writing Your Author Bio

I hope I managed to accomplish some of these goals with my bio. I guess I`ll have to let you be the judge. Feel free to let me now how I did.

As an added bonus, here`s a few things you may not know about me (and probably will never end up in my bio):

  • I think a movie without popcorn is just wrong
  • I can’t ride in the car with the radio on without singing out loud
  • Spiders ick me out
  • I can drink a coke slurpee at 3 am when it’s -30 C outside
  • I can curl my tongue (it’s a genetic thing, I learned that in grade 9)
  • I think that pineapple on pizza is a waste of perfectly good pineapple (and pizza)
  • I can’t sit in front of a bonfire without poking at it with a stick
  • I’m not a big drinker, but have become a bit of a beer snob (I’ll take a good Belgian beer thanks)