Saturday, January 24, 2009

This Blog Content Has Been Moved - Update Below

This blog has been moved along with quite a few other blogs. The complete list of my promotional blogs and the links are listed below.

Update January 23, 2009 - I have made some major changes to the blogs I'm offering and I am updating this list to reflect those changes. These changes should make it easier to find information and give additional exposure to every one who submits information about their books and themselves.

ANY published author is welcome to submit these questions and answers to promote their books.
To use any of these blogs - click on the link, click on "how to submit" in the top corner of the blog and follow the instructions. I ask that you send the questions and answers as an RTF file. It is also good to send a jpg file of your book cover - no PDF files for the cover art. When you complete the interview, send to nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with the interview title in the subject line and I will add you to the list for that blog.

I have divided the blog lists for fiction and non fiction books to make it easier to find the ones you need. I've added several new blogs lately - so if you've been here before - there are some new options.

Two quick updates -

The print edition of Book Promo 101 is complete and available. The print book is oversize 8" x 10" and the layout is gorgeous. The manuscript for Book Promo 201: Promote Online With Web 2.0 is with my publisher and will be available in early 2009 -- there will be updates posted. If you would like details about the contents of this book, visit http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_201.htm

I offer a wide array of promotional services to authors. Feel free to take a look at the possibilities and contact me with questions. If you are interested in something that you don't see listed, let me know and we can talk. For a list of these services visit - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

I offer a wide assortment of virtual book tour options and the current list is located at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/virtual-blog-tour-options.html - there are a number of options and price ranges or we can talk about other options. I'm also planning to add more services in late winter and early spring 2009. If you would like to be added to my mailing list to get the latest updates, send me a message at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com

Promotional Blogs for Fiction Books

Share your furry writing companions - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html

http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/ - Details about story setting.
How to Submit –
http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/2007/07/its-all-about-setting.html

Animals in Your Book - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/

How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html

Villains in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit –
http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_7729.html

Heroine in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_134.html

Hero in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html

Best Friend - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_28.html

Share Book Details - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/ - From Books to the Movies
If a movie was made about your book, which actors and actresses would play the main characters? This is your chance in case a movie of your book and it can be a lot of fun.
How to Submit – http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-submit.html

Interview a Male Character - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_6392.html

Interview a Female Character - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_1859.htm

In Detail With Nikki Leigh - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Give potential readers more information about you and your background.
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

Before I Was Published - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html

http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.
How to Submit - http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html

Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com

How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html

http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/ - Share your book cover.
How to Submit –
http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html

http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/ - Share your First Chapter
How to Submit – http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html


Promotional Blogs for Non-Fiction Books

Share Book Details - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

Share your furry writing companions - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html

Animals in Your Book - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/

How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html

In Detail With Nikki Leigh - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Give potential readers more information about you and your background.
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

Before I Was Published - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html


http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.
How to Submit - http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html
Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com

How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html

http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/ - Share your book cover.
How to Submit –
http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html

http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/ - Share your First Chapter

How to Submit – http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html

I reserve the right to refuse to post any submissions, but so far I haven't needed to turn anyone away. I did edit a couple of first chapters to maintain a PG-13 rating for my visitors. That could be one of the reasons why some have such a long waiting list. All the blogs are listed on my Blogger profile which is located at - www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557.


Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 Series
www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm
Author Promotional Services - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Hunting the Egret by Bryn Colvin


1 - Tell us a bit about your book.
‘Hunting The Egret’ is an erotic paranormal tale. Some of the eroticism is quite dark, exploring what happens when a BSM relationship becomes abusive. The book is set in Gloucestershire, England.

2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.
My central character, Verity, is an odd soul. She doesn’t really connect very well with people and as a consequence pours her heart out to an aged hawthorn tree that grows near her house. However, the hawthorn tree does talk back, and Verity, being a rather magic creature herself, is able to hear that subtle voice.


3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?
The hawthorn tree offers advice and companionship. Verity is a very lonely person, and this gentle voice makes a lot of difference in her life.

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?
I tend to write about loners and misfits. The trouble is, it’s difficult to explore a character if they don’t have people to interact with. I needed a few entities my heroine could interact with – aside from her rather peculiar family. The purpose of the hawthorn tree is to give Verity something to talk to in times of distress.

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?
Deep affection. However, there’s a lot you can’t do with a tree, and as the Hawthorn itself is keen to point out, she does need human contact as well.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?
It’s not the kind of relationship where there could be problems.

7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?
No.

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?
Not really. Although I am tempted by the idea of writing about dryads, so I might have a more central tree character one of these days.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?
I have one or two friends who are trees. Seriously. I’ve always talked to trees myself. Visually this one’s inspired by a hawthorn I met in the Malvern Hills.

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.
For people who find the idea of talking trees hard to get to grips with, please do bear in mind this is a paranormal book, there’s a witch, a goddess, two shapeshifters… in which context talking trees may not seem so odd!

11 - Please provide your website link. http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin

12 - What is the link to buy your book?
http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=28&products_id=337&zenid=e8fb5f33a911b999e381b72512589bd7


Sunday, August 24, 2008

Best Friend From The Girl Who Fell


1 - Tell us a bit about your book.
“The Girl Who Fell” is a fantasy novel, set the Forest of Estraguil.

2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.
Guile has two dear friends, and the three of them play music together, traveling through the forest as bards. Tirol is the eldest of the three and has mentored the younger musicians. He’s stern and serious, and plays an instrument akin to a marimba, but made of bone. Luthian is melfate – neither masculine or feminine, but something else. A talented percussionist with a keen sense of humour and a compassionate nature.


3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?
Guile is very much supported by his two close friends – the three of them support and aid each other.

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?
The trio create the musical magic that runs through the very heart of the narrative..

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?
Deep friendship and attachment, which endures even when memory has been stripped away.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?
With patience and a determination to find the right way through any conflict.

7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?
There are, but I’m not prepared to post any plot spoilers!

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?
No. ‘The Girl who Fell’ is a very self contained book and I don’t plan to revisit any of the characters in it.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?
Not consciously, but the trio bear an uncanny resemblance to the band a friend of mine was in some years ago. The first gig of theirs I went to was very strange – because I knew them and had spent a couple of months writing about them, without having met them. I’d seen a few pictures, but they hadn’t been consciously on my mind when I was writing.

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.
Nothing I could add without giving too much away.

11 - Please provide your website link. http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin

12 - What is the link to buy your book?
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The Girl Who Fell by Bryn Colvin


1 - Tell us a bit about your book.

“The Girl Who Fell” is a fantasy novel, set the Forest of Estraguil.

2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.

Guile has two dear friends, and the three of them play music together, traveling through the forest as bards. Tirol is the eldest of the three and has mentored the younger musicians. He’s stern and serious, and plays an instrument akin to a marimba, but made of bone. Luthian is melfate – neither masculine or feminine, but something else. A talented percussionist with a keen sense of humour and a compassionate nature.

3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?

Guile is very much supported by his two close friends – the three of them support and aid each other.

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?

The trio create the musical magic that runs through the very heart of the narrative..

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?

Deep friendship and attachment, which endures even when memory has been stripped away.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?

With patience and a determination to find the right way through any conflict.

7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?

There are, but I’m not prepared to post any plot spoilers!

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?

No. ‘The Girl who Fell’ is a very self contained book and I don’t plan to revisit any of the characters in it.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?

Not consciously, but the trio bear an uncanny resemblance to the band a friend of mine was in some years ago. The first gig of theirs I went to was very strange – because I knew them and had spent a couple of months writing about them, without having met them. I’d seen a few pictures, but they hadn’t been consciously on my mind when I was writing.

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Nothing I could add without giving too much away.

11 - Please provide your website link. http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin

12 - What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Meet the Best Friend from Bloodstone Castle by Mirella Patzer


The Bloodstone Castle virtual blog tour moves on today and we get to learn about the best friend. Mirella Patzer shares information about the best friend and how he helps the heroine...

1 - Tell us a bit about your book.

Bloodstone Castle is the story of one woman, torn between love and duty, caught in a fight to the death between two men determined to possess her and the ancient Roman treasure buried in the caverns beneath her castle.

2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.

Massimo Baronno is Morena’s best friend. He is almost like a brother to her. When Massimo was a child, his parents were murdered and Morena’s father took him and raised him.

3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?

Massimo is always there to help Morena and he also helps those he thinks are good like Amoro Dragone.

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?

Massimo wishes to pay back Morena and her father for their many kindnesses. So he always has Morena’s best interests at heart.

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?

Morena loves and trusts Massimo. He is like a brother to her and has aways protected her.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?

Like any brother and sister, I believe they would quarrel.

7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?

No, but Massimo sees clearly what Morena is blind to and he tries his best to help her even if she doesn’t think she needs his help.

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?

Yes, one day I hope to write a story with Massimo as my hero. But I have three major novels to finish prior to that. So I can’t say for sure, but the thought of writing his story has occurred to me.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?

Yes, Massimo was inspired by my own younger brother for he is also kind and generous and would look after my best interests. .

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.

For now, Massimo played a minor role, but he is intriguing and although he is on the back burner for now, he just might make another appearance one day.

11 - Please provide your website link.

http://www.mirellapatzer.com

12 - What is the link to buy your book?

You can purchase Bloodstone Castle at any of my sites:

http://www.mirellapatzer.com

http://mirellapatzer.blogspot.com

http://bloodstonecastle.blogspot.com

http://bestofitaly.blogspot.com

Or you can buy from Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Castle-Mirella-Patzer/dp/0978486528/

You are encouraged to stop at each blog visit and post a comment for Mirella. Each comment enters you in a drawing for a free print copy of the book at the end of the tour. So, visit Mirella, learn more about Bloodstone Castle and post comments. Mirella looks forward to getting to know her readers.


Saturday, May 31, 2008

The Best Friend From Searching For A Starry Night

My Best Friend’s Story

1 - Tell us a bit about your book.

Hi, I’m Samantha Ann Carlton, Sam to my friends.

My bff, Lita Jackson, and our friend’s funny Dachshund Petey help* me locate a lost miniature painting, a real replica of Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in the book, SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, A MINIATURE ART MYSTERY by Christine Verstraete. The book is coming out in May ’08 from Quake/Echelon Press. www.quakeme.com *(Lita helps; I won’t say what Petey does!)

2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.

Lita and I have been friends since we were seven when she moved to Wisconsin from Mississippi. She is taller than me, (lucky her!) and slim, with curly black hair. She hates the curls, I say it makes her look like an Egyptian queen or like that pretty singer, Alicia Keyes.

3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?

Lita is always a big help to me and tries to keep me out of trouble. That doesn’t usually work, of course!

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?

She keeps me focused. Lita helps us get done faster and sometimes she sees things I miss. Without her, I’d really make a mess out of things! (Not that I don’t anyway!)

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?

I’d feel lost without her. I can’t think of us not being friends. That hits me when Petey digs up an old manuscript. It has funny words on it and what looks like an ancient curse. I told Lita it was no big deal. I didn’t realize at first how much it really freaked her out.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?

I always hope things’ll take care of themselves. Not always a good choice, I learn.

7. What are the problems between the best friend and your main characters?

I like watching spooky movies, but Lita’s a big chicken, so I always tease her. We usually don’t argue, but this time she got real mad at me. She says I’m selfish. I do see what she means about me taking her fears, and sometimes her feelings, too lightly.

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?

Lita’s a real star and can do anything she wants. She’d be awesome in her own story!

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?

Lita’s a one-of-a-kind.

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.

My friend’s a real bookworm. All kinds of things make her think of some book she’s read. .She likes writing, too. That’s way too much like homework for me. But that’s okay. She’s still an awesome friend


11 - Please provide your website link.

http://cverstraete.com

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Sinbad's Last Voyage


1 - Tell us a bit about your book.

It's a story of a man who hates Terrans helping a Terran woman find her husband afer he's been accused of being a spy. It's set against the backdrop of an inerplanetary war.


2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.

If there's a "Best Friend" in this book, it would have to be Jake the Bartender. He's around thirty, is a Terran. Jake Goldstein runs the Asteroid Cantina, Sinbad's base of operations when he's on Earth, and is one of the few Earthers whom Sinbad actually likes. The Cantina is located in Old Town in the Thieves Quarter and is off-limits to the authorities. The law in Old Town is that "Law Abiders coming into the Quarter can expect to be killed; Lawbreakers leaving the Quarter can expect to be arrested."


3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?

Jake arranges false identities for Andi when Sinbad has to help her escape the Federation, he's a master hacker, and he's also the one who handles for Sin's finances. He also brings in Sadie, one of his "girls" to disguise Andi as a hooker in order to help her get out of Old Town.


4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?

Andi goes to Old Town to find Sinbad and ask him to discover where her husband, who's been arrested as an Alien National and a spy because of the war, has been taken. She goes to one bar and is sent to Jake, is told that if anyone knows where Sinbad is, it'll be Jake. The Asteroid is a focal point for most of the men who come to Old Town.


5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?

Sinbad hates Terrans because of what they did to his parents and his planet. It's ironic that he makes his base of operations in a Terran establishment and that his best friend is Terran. At one point when he states how much he hates Earthers, Andi reminds him of this and he says, "There are a few individuals, like Jake. that I find...congenial," because he can't think of any other way to describe how he feels about the bartender.


6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?

They don't really have any major problems. Sinbad comes to Jake's for R&R after each smuggling run. Jake takes his profits and converts them into Credits. He arranges sales and handles getting new identity cards, etc.


7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?

Jake protests when he learns Andi wants to find Sinbad because he knows how his friend hates humans, but at her insistence, he sends her to him. When the Federation soldiers come looking for her, he helps hide her, and makes new identity cards for her, as well as hacking into the main Federation Computer and finding out where her husband is being held. He doesn't really worry about any of it because he has faith in his own abilities--and in Sinbad's--in not being discovered.


8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?

Jake's too sedentary and satisfied with his lot ever to have his own story although he's mentioned in several other of the Sinbad novels.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?

Unfortunately, no.


10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.


11 - Please provide your website link.

www.tonivsweeney.com


12 - What is the link to buy your book?

For paperbacks: www.lulu.com; for e-books:www.doubledragonbooks.com