BOOK MARKETING: “Kindle Scout - How Does It Work?” by Lorilyn Roberts

I am trying something new – Kindle Scout. Kindle Scout is Amazon’s way of discovering unpublished books that might be the next bestseller—after all, they are the greatest advertisers in the world and they sell millions of books each year.

The good thing about Kindle Scout is you can still submit your book to a traditional publisher or self-publish. The contract is only for eBooks and audiobooks, so it doesn’t affect the print copy. Your book must be categorized as literature, romance, science fiction, fantasy, suspense, mystery, or thriller.

What attracted me to try Kindle Scout is they guarantee $25,000 in royalties for the first five years, or you can terminate your contract. Here is the link for more details: https://kindlescout.amazon.com/about

Out of the thousands of books submitted, Kindle Scout has published less than two hundred. I have submitted my book and am waiting to see what happens. 

I would encourage new authors to study all the books submitted on the site at the moment (there aren’t that many). You can learn a lot by being observant. Check out the book covers, the one-line blurbs, the descriptions, and the first five thousand words. See what works and work doesn’t. See what’s in the “hot and trending” category. I believe it’s very important to know your competition. What are readers buying? What do people want to read?

As Christian, we have a tougher road because our books should meet a higher standard, always remembering we write for an audience of one. One of the biggest challenges is not to get discouraged. As Christian authors, we can be a great encouragement in sharing and building each other up—for God’s glory.

So, as I pen these words, I hope you will take a look at my book on the Kindle Scout site. Let me know what you think. Lisa Vento, who was recommended to me by Jerry Jenkins, designed the cover. Her website is LisaVento.com

You can find my book Seventh Dimension - The City: A Young Adult Fantasy at this link: https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/32QVYN5NXBDOK#authorBio

Right now, Seventh Dimension - The City, A Young Adult Fantasy is trending in the "hot" category on Kindle Scout, so thanks to everyone who has nominated my book.

BOOK REVIEW: “Seventh Dimension - The Door: A Young Adult Fantasy” Five Stars from Amazon Reviewer and Author Dana Rongione

5.0 out of 5 starsA Unique and Intriguing Story

ByDana Rongioneon January 12, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I can honestly say that The Door is unlike any book I've ever read before ​though it is vaguely reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia. Speaking as one who is easily confused by time travel in any form, I am pleased to say that I had no trouble at all understanding what (and when) events were taking place. On the contrary, I truly enjoyed the style of the tale.

In the beginning, I found myself shadowing a teenage girl who had far more problems than she had friends. In the depths of my heart, I could identify with her loneliness and her struggle to find her place in the world. As the reader, I ached to hold her and assure her that she wasn't alone, but fortunately, the author did much more.

Through an accident, the young girl is transported back to Jerusalem in the time of Christ. After hearing multiple stories about "The King,” Shale decides to risk everything and expose the dirty secret she'd been holding back her entire life. During her journey to meet the King, Shale encounters many Biblical characters such as the maniac of Gadara and even takes place in some of the miracles of the New Testament. This walkthrough of the Biblical past was so refreshing and eye-opening. By mixing the present with the past, the truths of the Bible came alive in entirely new ways, urging me to drink in more of what the Scriptures have to offer.

The author has woven a beautiful tale of love and forgiveness, of grace and mercy. With detailed, realistic characters and true-to-life Biblical accounts, this book is a must-read for young adults (and older ones, as well).

*~*~*~*

Seventh Dimension - The Door as an ebook is available for free here

Like audiobooks? You can now get Seventh Dimension - The Door in audiobook. The nonfiction companion book Am I Okay, God is also available as an audiobook. Just click here.

CREATIVE WRITING INSIGHTS: “What Do I Call Writing Success?” by Lorilyn Roberts

 

Writing success for me is knowing I’ve written what God has called me to write. #amwriting #John316author #CR4U pic.twitter.com/IayA9iP4tP

— Lorilyn Roberts (@LorilynRoberts) January 1, 2016

CLOSED CAPTIONING: “Captioning as I Get Older – Should I Keep Paying Those Fees to Maintain Those Certifications?” Broadcast Captioner Lorilyn Roberts

Captioning Weather for WVTM, Birmingham

Many years ago I let my certifications lapse when I went back to get my college degree. Life changed and I ended up having to go back into court reporting. I didn’t need the certifications to get hired but I did need the certifications to participate in the External Degree Program through the NCRA (or whatever the current name is) at the University of Alabama. 

I retook the tests for the certifications and went on and received my B.A. degree from the University of Alabama in interdisciplinary sciences five years later. I was able to deduct the costs of getting my college degree as part of my business expenses because I received C.E. credits for the classes. When you consider I traveled to Israel, Italy, England, Australia and New Zealand as part of my college degree, I took tons of money off my income taxes, so I have never been one to complain about the costs of C.E. credits or membership. It’s paid for itself.

However, I do think things continue to slide in the wrong direction. Pay per hour is less than I earned for the first show I captioned with no experience. A few years ago I got worried when the bottom fell out and went back to college and received my Master’s degree in Creative Writing. I started writing books and continue writing, hoping to someday make a living from it. 

While that hasn’t happened yet, without the flexibility that captioning offers, I would not have been able to do that. Not only that, but I was able to adopt two children from Asia as a single mom and homeschool them—because captioning paid well (especially back then) and gave me flexible hours working at home. 

Captioning also gave me skills for writing I wouldn’t otherwise have. And to maintain those certifications, I have done online classes that will help me with writing—Microsoft Word, Photoelements, and a copyediting course. The money I spent on the courses wasn’t that expensive, I think around $80 each, and I did them from home. I also deducted them for tax purposes.

I don’t think the NCRA is unreasonable in what they ask. It’s pushed me to take courses I probably wouldn’t have taken but from which I benefitted. Those certifications look good after my name on email, and it means I’ve met a certain standard that people in the industry recognize.  

Will I continue to pay the yearly fees and maintain my certifications? I just turned 60 (ouch) and I am asking myself that question. Probably till I’m 65 or until I start selling tons of books. Remember, I let my certifications lapse once and I told myself I would never do that again.

I sure wish I could earn what I earned a few years ago, but those days are gone unless I want to work A LOT of hours. But it’s still better than anything else I’m qualified to do—yet. It’s hard to start over in an entirely new career at my age, but it does allow me to pursue my passion—writing books—that a typical day job would not afford. 

When I’m not sure what to do, I usually stay the course until a door opens so wide that I know not to shut it. And as far as I’m concerned, that means staying certified and paying those dues (which I just paid). Seems like they went up this year. AGAIN.

FREE on Amazon Kindle

When you look at the alternatives, captioning is still a good field. It’s just not as good as it once was. But then, rarely does anything stay the same. Except for taxes and death.

Want a free book for your Kindle? Download “Seventh Dimension - The Door” from Amazon. http://bit.ly/PinDoor

Merry Christmas, Everyone.

BOOK REVIEW: SEVENTH DIMENSION – THE CASTLE: A YOUNG ADULT FANTASY: Amazon Reviewer/Author J. Steve Miller

5.0 out of 5 stars

Book 3

ByJ. Steve Milleron December 22, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

Children grow up hearing and reading Bible stories, but when they become teens, the stories probably lose some of their luster. Sure, there’s always a new insight or a fresh way to apply a familiar passage. But you no longer read the parable of the prodigal son and wonder how the story will end. As a result, we lose a bit of the wonder of it all, failing to grasp what it would have been like to hear it in the first century, as a bystander enraptured by the Teacher’s story.

Enter the power of the historical novel that dares to allow its characters to mingle with Jesus’ followers and see Him in person. Somehow, it gives us an angle that breathes new life into old, familiar stories. At least, that’s what The Castle did for me.

The author certainly made it easy for me to care about her characters and kept me turning pages to see what would happen next (being a sci-fi kind of guy, I loved the bending of space-time elements). But beneath the fast-paced action/adventure was the psychological struggle of worldviews in conflict. A young Jewish man encounters Yeshua, but struggles to believe, particularly in light of the holocaust. It’s as if Yeshua was in some sense a precursor or an earlier form of an individual holocaust.

But whatever readers take away, I think they’ll remember it for more than just an action/adventure with likable characters. Somehow it affected me more deeply. Perhaps it will touch your heart as well.

To Order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other websites, click here

BOOK REVIEW: “Seventh Dimension - The Castle: A Young Adult Fantasy,” Five Stars from an Amazon Top Fifty Reviewer Doug Erlandson

5.0 out of 5 starsA Gripping Fantasy Based in Historical Fact

ByDoug ErlandsonTOP 50 REVIEWERon December 17, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

Seventh Dimension - The Castle is the third book in the Seventh Dimension Series of young adult fantasy written by Lorilyn Roberts. The protagonist is a young man named Daniel, who is Jewish, and who was born in the late twentieth century, but who is stuck in the "seventh dimension," where time is illusory and time travel is possible. The Castle takes place mostly during the time of the earthly ministry of Yeshua (Jesus), in particular from shortly before his crucifixion until shortly after his resurrection. However, Daniel also on occasion finds himself flashing back to the time of the Holocaust, which he has also experienced in the course of his time travels.

While living during the time of Yeshua's earthly ministry, Daniel encounters many of the characters spoken of in the Gospels and the Book of Acts and interacts with them. However, the one who most fascinates him is the miracle-working rabbi, Yeshua. As a Jew from the turn of the twenty-first century, Daniel has been told that Yeshua is not the Messiah, but that the Messiah is yet to come. However, as he witnesses the ministry and teaching of Jesus, and finally sees the resurrected Christ, he becomes convinced that Yeshua is indeed who he claims to be.

2015 Literary Classics Award Winner - Gold in YA faith-based fiction. 

Daniel is more than a passive observer of all these things. He is also wanted by the Roman authorities for a crime he did not commit. His own life is often in danger, and this subplot is woven into the story of Daniel's encounter with Yeshua.

This is a fast-moving, gripping book. It is thoroughly grounded in the scriptural account of the events of Jesus’ life. Because of this, it is especially appropriate as a way of bringing young adults into a better understanding of who the Messiah is and what he has done in bringing his people to salvation through his death on the cross.

To Order from Amazon, Click Here.

Award-Winning Finalist: Religious category 2015 USA Best Book Awards.  

MEDIA: LORILYN ROBERTS ON “WRITERS & AUTHORS ON FIRE”

Enjoy my appearance on Writers & Authors on Fire

I share a lot of thoughts on writing and offer advice for struggling authors.