I’ve been dying to share this news. I has been quite the process and I initially wanted to share it as a 1 year anniversary for the publication of Shadow of the Wicked but due to timing and the narrator (which he did an amazing job and was worth the wait) it took longer than planned.
So here it is. Link below to all available audiobook platforms.
We are a group of Fantasy & Sci-Fi writers who have banded together to help promote each other’s works, share each other’s social media posts and try to help each other create a healthy following of readers on all our social media platforms.
Once in the alliance, we will loop you in on follow trains for relevant platforms and postings to help promote you and your fellow alliance members’ works. You can join the trains or share the posts at your discretion, but the more you give, the more you will get from the experience.
Here are some trains we’ve done so far on Instagram, and currently doing one on Twitter.
The hope is to create a network of like-minded writers who will be able to:
Anyone who is a writer in the Fantasy and/or Sci-Fi genres will sign-up, all that is needed is at least one social media account. It is encouraged to have at least the big three of Instagram, Twitter & Facebook to get the maximum effect.
If you are a part of an Indie Publisher, you can also sign up your social media accounts to be linked into the alliance network.
No information that is provided on this form will be shared outside of the usage stated above, and will be kept in a secure location. This information will be provided to other alliance members so that they can help support you and share your accounts and works.
I’m so excited by this news. When I chose to self-publish and become an indie author, I never would have thought SotW would be in the running nomination for anything. I produced this novella thinking it would gain little noticed but I’m so thrilled even if it doesn’t win an award.
But now, it’s up to you. You need to vote for my book. It has been nominated in several categories and the more votes I get, the more chance I have to win.
The link is below.
Please nominate for the categories: Best Morally Gray Character, Best Villain, Shadiest Character, and Best Debut.
Books by marginalized authors, self-published books, and books by small presses often get overlooked. The Indie Ink Awards is a unique event that brings together the writing community to celebrate books that have made an impact on us. This is our way of highlighting the future we want to see in books–by uplifting those that shine.
The Indie Ink Awards will begin with nominations. In July 2022, you will be able to nominate your favorite books for over 30 different awards. All voting will take place right here on IndieStoryGeek.com.
We have two categories: the “Best In” awards and the “Writing The Future We Need” awards. The “Best In” awards should exemplify the chosen category. We are looking for exceptional inclusion and diversity in works nominated for “Writing the Future We Need” awards. Readers can nominate books for as many awards of either category as they think fit.
Those published by a subsidiary of the Big 4 are not eligible. If you’re an author and your book is not on Indie Story Geek, you may create an account and submit your book. You are not allowed to nominate your work, but you are encouraged to let your readers know that the Indie Ink Awards are taking place so they can nominate and vote.
Once the nomination period starts, books will go through a process of elimination.
The contest has four phases:
Interesting in reading as a judge? Fill out our application here!
Writing the first chapter is equivalent to a first date. First impressions are everything and you, the writer, are subject to some intense scrutiny. But how do you know if you’re dotting all your i’s and crossing all your t’s?
Chapter one will make or break our book. If we get it wrong, the first chapter might be the only chapter of our book anyone reads. Here’s a guide for what to include in your first chapter.
In speech, filler words are short, meaningless words (or sounds) we use to fill the little pauses that occur while we decide what we’re going to say next. They’re the ‘ums’ and ‘uhs’ and ‘ers’ that litter our conversations, whether or not we like it. But although these brief filler words don’t add any meaning to your statements, they perform a function in speech. They allow you to take a second and think about what you’re going to say next. They let others know that you’re not quite finished speaking yet, even if you’ve paused for a moment.
Filler words add no meaning or value to a sentence and simply fill the space and decrease the readability of your manuscript. #amwriting #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #writingcommunity #writingtips #author #blog #australia
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Before I continue with Filler words, I want to share with you something outstanding. I am an affiliate for ProWritingAid.
What does that mean for you? For a limited time, you can sign up FOR FREE and if you choose to proceed with it, you can get 20% OFF ALL PURCHASES with the code: HONEY20 (even monthly subscriptions with the option to cancel at anytime). What are you waiting for? Click the link below to cut out those filler words.
Filler words take a distinct form in writing. Few of us actually write out “uh” or “um” when we’re composing an email. Instead, those little pauses manifest as unnecessary adverbs and empty phrases that add length but not substance to what you’re trying to say. Fortunately, written communication gives us the opportunity to edit ourselves before we send our message out to the world.
Filler words are words that add no meaning or value to a sentence and simply “fill” the space. They can be removed or replaced, but often inadvertently creep up in writing since we’re so used to using them in our speech. Having too many filler words decreases the readability of your manuscript, making it hard for the reader to engage in the action, plot, and characters of your story.
Below are examples of the most common filler words, according to InfusionMedia.
Most filler words are adverbs and adjectives. How do we cut them from our Manuscript? Use William Zinsser’s technique and read your sentences aloud. Note the rhythm and sound. Do your adverbs and adjectives overpower your verbs? Then get rid of the adverbs and adjectives. The action is what’s important.
Wordy: For all intents and purposes, this project will be outsourced.
Concise: This project will be outsourced.
Wordy: Needless to say, I think we should get grilled cheese.
Concise: We should get grilled cheese.
Basically is a filler word that appears both in speech and writing. We often use basically when we’re exaggerating for effect or making a statement that is generally true but may have some rare exceptions. Sometimes basically is an important qualifier, but often, it’s clear from context that you’re not making a claim of absolute truth.
Okay: Basically, I could eat ice cream for any meal.
Better: I could eat ice cream for any meal.
Check out some of your recent emails. Do you tend to use the word just a lot? Is it just a way to make things sound more polite? Do you like to just follow up on things? Is there anything you were just wondering? Try deleting this one from your sentences and seeing if there’s really a difference in meaning. Most of the time, you’ll find there’s not.
Okay: Could you just send me that file when you have a moment?
Better: Could you send me that file when you have a moment?
If you want a personalized editing critique on your manuscript, I have an option for that on my Patreon! Click below to get the editing support you might need, along with a lot more content!
We reach for adverbs like very, greatly, and highly to add intensity, but the truth is that these words are so overused that readers tend to gloss right over them. You’re better off picking a more vivid word to describe what you’re talking about.
Okay: The new pizza place downtown was very busy this afternoon.
Better: The new pizza place downtown was bustling this afternoon.
If it’s really needless to say, why say it? If it does need to be said, don’t undercut yourself!
Okay: Needless to say, my haircut looked awful.
Better: My haircut looked awful.
We tend to fall back on this phrase when we want to make a point but we’re not sure if others will be happy about it. Leave it out and your sentence will be more concise and sound more confident.
Okay: For what it’s worth, we could test our idea with a focus group before moving forward.
Better: We could test our idea with a focus group before moving forward.
Read your book aloud. It stops the skimming over filler words and slows down the reading pace to let you find those filler words. Below, I have a list of other filler words to spot in your manuscript.
Until next time, keep your words sharp and sword sheathed.
If you like what you read, if you have questions or ideas, make sure you post your comments below. If you think someone has an interesting point of view, a question, or an answer, please invite them or share this post with them.
#DouglasWTSmith #editing
You’ve finally decided to start writing a book, and you’re pumped about it. You’re confident your book is going to be one of the greatest written works in literary history. But when you consider actually starting the process, you feel stuck. Now what?
Everyone has their distinct writing style. Some gush out words to create a lengthy and very rough draft, while others agonize over every single word and sentence. Certain writers start at page one, while others create the body first and then fill in the intro later. Some aren’t even sure what genre they want to follow until they’ve hashed out several pages.
You’ll run into obstacles as you embark on your writing journey, so here are 8 Tips To Start Writing Your Book.
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Are your sentences overly long and confusing? In this post, I’m going to share 6 ways to improve your writing.
Long sentences can be dangerous. When our sentences are too long, we tend to lapse into the passive voice and we risk making tense and punctuation mistakes.
Run-on sentences also distract the writer and the reader. We tend to veer off course and forget the purpose of our communications. They also force the reader to work harder.
(more…)
I’ve got some awesome news to share and I’ve been holding it in for a couple of days now. I’m now an affiliate with Relentless Rebels
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Relentless Rebel specializes in Viking Age jewelry. I couldn’t be happier to share this for the first time with my loyal patrons. The Viking Age has influenced my writing and the world. And now I get to share with you the rewards from our voyages.
What are you waiting for fellow Vikings? Glorify your accessories before we rejoice in Valhalla!
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If there are many things I learned about writing a book and self-publishing it but the biggest thing I regret on my release day is not having the merchandise. But now I do.
Click below to look at the whole catalog! And for my patrons, you’ll receive 10% OFF and you’ll FREE SHIPPING to all the merchandise in the AUS, UK, and US.
Make sure you take this opportunity and get something you like.
Here is the coupon and I hope you enjoy it!
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Thank you!
This is a different genre than I normally write in. I typically love to write fantasy but I thought I would step outside the genre with a little bit of fiction. I hope you enjoy it–it’s short and sweet, easy and quick to read.
Thank you again for supporting me, I really appreciate it!
Douglas W.T. Smith 
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