Friday, March 16, 2012

Small Treasures Blog Hop!

A little over a year ago I finished my first novel, Destiny Divided. I made a half-assed attempt at getting traditionally published but was shot down by all the agents I queried. I had some small press interest but then I heard about self-publishing.

There's this little (and by that I mean big) paranormal erotic romance author named Tina Folsom. A year ago, I took a chance emailing her, hoping she'd tell me about her experience with self-publishing - since she was the most successful self-published author I knew of at the time. I was pleasantly surprised when she emailed me back that same night. She gave me all the facts, told me about her experience, encouraged me to go for it, and even sent me tips on getting started promoting my work.

It hasn't been an easy road - or a perfectly smooth one - but here I am, a year later with all three books in my paranormal series on amazon bestseller lists.

When I set out to start a writing career, I had one goal - to make enough money to send my daughter to Montessori school (we live in a horrible school district). I am happy to report that I have gone above and beyond that goal in the first year. And my daughter starts school in the fall.

I can't predict what would've happened had I made it with an agent and sold to a big publisher. Or if I had even signed with a small publisher. I'm not the type of person who looks back. I only know I'm happy with my decision now and continue to look forward to more success in the future.

So, while Tina Folsom may not remember my name - or that she even emailed me with the advice so many months ago - she has inadvertently helped shape my career.

If you're reading this, Tina, thank you!

For the contest I'm giving away an e-copy of my 3rd book, Destiny Unchained, in my paranormal series. To enter just make sure you're following my blog and leave a comment with your email address below. Open to US and International readers.



Blurb for Destiny Unchained:

They call her The Huntress. A vampire with lethal focus, Natalia hunts rogue werewolves and kills them without mercy. She buried her heart centuries ago. Now she lives only for revenge. But when she’s forced to team up with the alpha of the northwest werewolf pack to catch a werewolf serial killer, her carefully controlled world is shattered by the passionate Cristian. Will Natalia accept Cristian’s claim on her heart even if it means sacrificing a part of who she is?


Don't forget to visit the other blogs in the hop and discover more great independent authors!

38 comments:

  1. GFC Follower: Catherine

    Erin Go Bragh!

    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. gfc follower

    dlatany at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC = Juana Esparza

    My favorite book genre is paranormal romance, and I'm sure I would enjoy your book. I have added it to my book wish list.

    Have a super nice St. Patrick's Day.

    jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for participating in the Blog Hop!

    Follower by feedburner. :)


    menina.iscrazy @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. gfc follower

    Happy St Pattys Day !!

    ~Kym
    flwrs4ever(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much for participating in this hop!

    email sub robertsongena@hotmail.com

    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the giveaway!

    I signed up here (PST). Hope that it'll not affect my time for participating the contest. :)

    Happy St Paddy's Day!

    Joyce(at)romance-book-club(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for joining our hop,I hope the hop helps promote your novel. Looks like you have many yummy stories to tel =P hehe!

    Thanks again!

    ~elena

    ReplyDelete
  9. GFC follower!

    Wonderful Hop!

    sionedkla@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    eva.silkka at gmail.com

    gfc follower

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC follower:

    mgonzales216@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Leia,
    I'm so glad you were able to use all the information I gave you and turn your books into success stories. I wish you all the best and hope you'll continue on this wonderful path!
    I'm happy that I was able to help you out a little.
    Best,
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey Leia - So glad I was sent this link thru Tina! Would have missed what looks to be a great series. Will be getting Destiny Divided today! Have a great ST. Patty's Day! :)

    brandypm@optonline.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Phyllis and I'm glad you found it too! Hope you like my series and thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  14. Destiny Unchained does sound good.

    NB follower Anne M.

    acm05atjuno.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. So glad you went about and beyond your goal! Congratulations on your hard work paying off.
    Lmackesy at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I guess I need to send a thank you to Tina as well. Because you helped me so much to get on the Indie Path and now I have two books on Amazon best seller lists.

    So thank you hon. :-) And congrats on all of your success.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I add my admiration with the others- congrats!

    Thanks for participating in the hop and for the giveaway opportunity.

    GFC: Sophia Rose
    sophiarose1816@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for taking part in the hop.

    Gfc follower.

    Mmafsmith at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi, to tell you the truth I have not herd of you before today. I follow Tina on facebook and she posted you today so I came over to your blog. I'm looking forward to reading your books. I love paranormal romance and am always looking for new authors. lorimeehan1@aol.com or lorimeehan11@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. LOL...Love your blog name! It rocks! GFC Nikki
    viajeradelmar@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Destiny Unchained sounds awesome. Thank you so much for participating in this fun hop! I am a follower Denise Zaky :)
    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  22. The Destiny series looks great. I love blog hops where I can discover good books and authors . Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    GFC follow - irgl7
    irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for being on the hop! And most importantly...THANK YOU for being an Indie author. I loved 31 Flavors. It has really changed my life and made my relationship with my hubby so much better! If it wasn't for you publishing Sydney's story I don't know if I would have had the gumption to speak with my hubby. So Thank you!
    I haven't read the Destiny series yet, but I wouldn't hesitate to. You definitely know how to write.
    I am happy you are able to send your daughter to a better school with your writing. You are truely blessed and your talent comes through!
    Mel
    bournmelissa AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Shadows of Destiny caught my attention late last year. I've added it to my wish list and look forward in reading it.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love the cover and the story sounds great. Thanks for the chance.

    mythic021@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. GFC follower: Susan White

    I have the first two books in this series and can't wait to get Destiny Unchained! Thanks for the giveaway!
    suz2(at)cox(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have not read your series yet. I looked at the books and started drooling...LOL
    I have them on my wish list now. I really love blog hops because I am always finding new authors. Thank you for a chance to win your book.
    GFC follower

    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Just stumbled onto your blog via another blog contest and am thrilled! Just what I need, a little spice in my life!
    puttputt1198eve@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Follow publicly via GFC, Michelle Tucker (the pic w/the frog)
    michedt at yahoo . com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for participating in the hop. I love doing hops and finding new authors and books to add to my list.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thx for the AWESOME giveaway!
    Following GFC
    barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. My experience with self-publishing is much like yours. I don't think either of us would be considering ourselves successful if we'd gone the traditional or even the small e-pub route. Best part is knowing I won't have to go job hunting this spring. (After quitting my job cold turkey last April, I had given myself a year to be making a full-time living as a writer--and I was there in about five months.)

    I think there are lots more of us who participated in this blog hop, but the linky didn't work. Mine is still open with lots of kinky prizes (including a BDSM evil stick), so come visit me, Leia--if you dare!

    Kally
    kallypsomasters.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. This book sounds really good. Of course the fact that it's part of a series means I can't read just one! :)
    GFC - proudarmymom32

    proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you for sharing and for the giveaway!
    gfc- shadow_kohler
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for the giveaway!
    I follow via email at lisa(at)vetteklisa(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congratulations on your success! I follow via email.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete