As I'd said yesterday, I'm now part of the “The B-raters,” a show hosted by The Weirding, where we live-broadcast our movie riffing on video in Google Hangouts. To join the fun, follow The Weirding on Google + and get the link to the hang out and the youtube video. Again, I think you need 2 browser windows open for this to see our commentary as well as the film, otherwise you'll just see us being dorks and the jokes won't make sense, since they're following the movie.
Tonight's film is Blonde Savage, the IMDB movie summary only says this: "An expedition into the deep jungle discovers a native tribe led by a tall white blonde woman."
I foresee myself making a lot of "Mhysa" and "Khaleesi" jokes. So if you haven't seen GAME OF THRONES, I apologize in advance.
We start at 7:30, so be sure to tune into The Weirding page and click on the event link that will be posted soon to join us!
Even though I’m in my thirties and my son is too old to take trick-or-treating, and I’m too busy with my multiple jobs to go out and party anymore, I’ve found new fun Halloween traditions.
The first is a wonderful Facebook group I discovered: Halloween Horror Club. Every night in October, we watch a horror movie and make snarky comments. It is sooo fun!
The way to do this is to join the group and at the time of the event, open 2 browser windows, queue up the movie with the link shared on the group, then leave the other window on the group page with the comments thread. I’ve made so many new friends and been introduced to so many new movies, so be on the lookout for another post on horror movie recommendations.
And my movie snark must have paid off, since I was invited to be part of a group called “The B-raters” where we actually live-broadcast our movie riffing on video in Google Hangouts. To join the fun follow The Weirding on Google + and get the link to the hang out and the youtube video. Again, I think you need 2 browser windows open for this as well, otherwise you'll just see us being dorks and the jokes won't make sense, since they're following the movie.
Tomorrow (Tuesday the 29th) we’re doing Blonde Savage, a 1947 Jungle-Adventure flick that is said to be terrible!
The caption already has me giggle-snorting
Finally, I am REALLY getting into pumpkin carving. Here’s two I’ve done over last year and the year before. I have no idea what I’m doing this year.
What are some of your favorite things to do for Halloween?
Holy wow you guys, this book is the the most awesomesauce Urban Fantasy I've read in AGES! I am in LOVE! Even though my day job doesn't allow kindles I hid my phone in the covers of a not-so-great book because I couldn't stop reading this one. The heroine was delightfully snarky yet still lovable and the supporting characters, both good and bad, were interesting as well as entertaining. And I gotta say, this book had the best take on the grim reaper that I've ever read.
Here's the blurb:
The apocalypse has begun.
Death stalks Sara and not in a metaphorical way. More like the literal, move out of your house and get a restraining order kind of way. When Sara reveals she has the ability to see him, he becomes fascinated. Unfortunately, Death shows his interest by trying to kill her. Repeatedly. Each failed attempt only increases his enthusiasm.
Sara soon realizes the news reports of werewolves, zombies, and plagues can mean only one thing: The Heavenly Seals in the Book of Revelations have been broken.
All this happens just when her wasteland of a love life seems to be showing signs of improving. Matt, the cute cop who responds to her 911 calls, gives her fantasies of a happy future. Maybe one that involves handcuffs. Before she can build a new life, she has to survive Death’s infatuation and stop him from unleashing the End of Days, Biblical style.
Seriously, this book was awesome. And, guilty confession: I kinda ended up crushing on Death big time.
It didn't help that this is how I pictured him:
All in all, this book was the most fun I've had in awhile.
There BETTER be a sequel forthcoming!
In the meantime, I say to all of you, get your copy of UNREVELATIONS NOW!!!!
I met Marlowe at a Facebook Party and absolutely LOVED her teasers. As a fellow author of rock star romance, I am delighted to share her book blast post.
I've also added this one to my TBR list!
Manage Me
By: Marlowe Fox
Rockstar Romance
Re-Release Date: October 13, 2015
Cover Model/Photographer: Darren Birks Photography
Tour Host: DRC Promotions
Synopsis
Manage Me follows Nell Craven, newly assigned tour manager to one of the world hottest rock bands, Toven's Circus, and sexy alpha lead singer, Jaden James. They connect deeply right from the start but Jaden's rockstar past quickly sneaks up on them, when a former weekend hookup turns dangerous. With the media vultures swarming and someone sitting in jail. Can Jaden and Nell ban together to make it through the psycho-ex experience or will it be too much for their new relationship to survive?
Nell: "Music has always been the only love in my life but from the moment I met Jaden James, I knew things were about to change. I never knew love growing up, so accepting these feelings is hard but I know I cannot live without him."
Jaden: "From the second Nell walked in she became my everything. I will do anything for her. She is my heart. She is my soul."
Pre-Order NOW!
About the Author
I am new author Marlowe Fox and I will be debuting my first novel in the next couple months. I love writing and cant wait to introduce you my characters.
Earlier this month, author Bonnie R. Paulson and I did a talk on author branding and marketing. We did a nifty slideshow and my contribution was examples of rock and metal bands for brands that succeeded, brands that failed, and successful rebranding.
It was a lot of fun so I figured I’d share them with you.
Example of successful branding:
When I think of a successful brand, these guys are the first who come to mind… even if I’m not a fan.
KISS
fits.
Made their own “characters” with recognizable makeup and outfits.
Portrayed the message that they were rebels and you were one too for listening to them.
Had the “Kiss Army” you could sign up for, complete with membership card so you felt part of the band.
Comic books and movie appearances (The latter didn’t turn out so well.) KISS Meets Phantom of the Park was a major selection in my “Bad Movie Club.”
How this applies to authors:
Due to the prevalence of social media these days, authors are able to do more and more to brand themselves in different ways.
1.) Looks. I’m known for my top hat and goth-y clothes, George RR Martin is known for his Sea-Captain look, Stephen King is known for his HUGE glasses etc. But if you don't have a special look, there's no need to worry. It's the least important thing in our business.
2.) Genre and Style. Grace Burrowes is known for historical, Stephen King is known for horror, even though half of the stuff he writes isn’t horror, and authors who do multiple genres are known for a common theme.
Bonnie R. Paulson's stories always focus on survival. Mine always feature either damaged or eccentric characters and sometimes both… so I use the tagline “Love for the Broken and Strange.”
3.) Newsletter/ Street-team:
Just as KISS has their KISS army and Megadeth has their CyberArmy, many authors bring their best fans into their network, making them part of their career. Bonnie calls hers “Survivors.”
I call mine my “Misfits.” Though my street team is called “Brooklyn Ann’s Bookaholics” because I have a soft spot for alliteration. :D
So what happens when brands fail?
Here are a few examples.
Marilyn Manson: “Brand Misdirection”
I was a HUGE Manson fan back in the day. Hebegan with a certain sound, image, and message that touched me… and many of his early songs still hold up.
Parents HATED him and he just ate that up. After all, rock branding 101 teaches: “Make parents hate you, sell more albums.”
Unfortunately, he got too caught up in “Shock Value” and his messages and outfits seemed to be more for the sake of shock and piccing off parents than the message of the value of being yourself and not letting bullies hurt you that first drew me in the first place.
Plus, he changed his look so much in just one decade that my head spun and I gave up on listening to him.
This was the Manson I grew up on. Spooky & Sexy
When he changed to this, I was all, "okaay... at least the music's still good."
What the hell, Manson? Seriously, WTF?
Red & Silver Leopard print is SOOO I'm DONE now.
NOT GOTH!!
Eventually he went back to his classic style, but it was too late.
How this pertains to authors:
It’s perfectly fine to try new subgenres, but try to have a complete series in each. Don’t do erotic one month and then switch to YA the next. Unless you use a pen name.
Also, it is important to KNOW your voice, and know what themes/ message you intend to deliver to your audience.
All details in your work must pertain to the story. Don’t do things just for shock value, or to comply to a trend.
Metallica: Brand Betrayal
I used to be a huge Metallica fan. I even liked the Black Album even if it was slightly mellower than the previous ones. And back in 1996, when they announced the release of a new album, I was so happy!
….Until I heard it.
This was the Metallica I LOVED.
They softened their sound & CUT THEIR HAIR!
LOAD was the title of that 1996 album. It was a load of something, alright.
Why this was a bad call:
In the mid 90’s, Alternative music was all the rage, so Metallica wanted to capitalize on that. And it did work in a way. All of a sudden the preppy kids at my school started listening to them.
However, the fan base they’d built for the past 15 years were horrified by the change and quit listening to them.
And then the new fans they gained abandoned them for the next new thing.
How this pertains to authors:
Always remember. Your fans are your fans for a reason. Don’t let them down to chase what’s popular.
If we want to do a drastic change, we can utilize pseudonyms.
Thankfully, after Metallica’s betrayal, another favorite band stayed true. Which brings me to the next subject.
Brand Consistency: MEGADETH
I want to give them all big hugs and play with their hair!
Fun fact: Dave Mustaine of Megadeth was one of the original founders of Metallica, but he was fired and instead of giving up, he formed one of the greatest thrash metal bands ever.
As you can see with the before and after, Megadeth kept their look. They also kept the basic core principles of their sound, though with moderate changes to keep from going stale.
And that's why we see them here at the Grammy's. THEY didn't cut their hair!!
How this pertains to authors:
Because although one should adapt to the times to avoid being redundant and remain relevant, you still need to maintain the voice your fans know and love you for.
Successful Rebranding: PANTERA
Did you know that Pantera started out as a hair metal band? Many don’t because they were unnoticeable among tons of other hair bands. And a terrible album cover.
Before:
It's like Cinderella and Motley Crue had babies together.
And let’s take a moment to see this awful album cover.
Looks like something a kid in middle school in the 80's drew on the back of his homework folder.
AFTER: They eventually replaced their generic 80’s singer and created a sound that was so different, people sat up and said, “WOW! Who ARE these guys?”
They're metal enough that the lead singer can have short hair. :D
Much better album art.
Seriously, listen to the difference!
Skip to 0:49 to get past the 80's sound effects
Oh, yesss!! Now this I can head-bang to!!
How this pertains to authors: Sometimes maybe you’re not in the right subgenre. Many authors do this because they feel pressured to follow the trends.
Authors who’ve done this: Jessica Bird wrote historical romance, then became a queen of Urban Fantasy with the BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD. Kinley MacGregor became Sherrilyn Kenyon, author of THE DARK HUNTERS. I hope this was helpful, or at least entertaining advice!! Want more rock stars in your life? Check out my heavy metal romance, KISSING VICIOUS!!!
As you can see this blog has undergone some changes. Unfortunately I had to abandon the blog name, "Supernatural Smut," since with the addition of my heavy metal romance, I'm no longer strictly paranormal. Honestly, my stuff wasn't that smutty to begin with, but I loved the alliteration. :D
I also changed my blog banner to reflect the change and focus my branding on recurring themes in my stories.
All feature characters who are either a little strange, damaged, or both. I believe that misfits need love too and that is my mission.
In fact, I shall call my newsletter: Misfit Missives.
Thanks so much to Bonnie R Paulson for the title idea!!
I also made some changes to where you find my books. My page that is just "Books" was getting clunky for readers to scroll down, so instead I made separate pages for each genre I write so you can search more easily for your favorite series.
I'm debating on whether or not to keep the page listing all my books or to just clean it up and make it easier on the eyes.
And even bigger news:
I finally buckled down and started up a newsletter, where I will share updates, excerpts, and have freebies and prizes.
First with promoting my heavy metal romance, KISSING VICIOUS and turning in the 2nd book in that series.
I'm also polishing up my 3rd "Brides of Prophecy" novel, CONJURING DESTINY, for my last round of critique partners to get it ready for release on October 23rd. It's available for Preorder on Amazon as well as for iTunes and Kobo.
To prepare for that release, WRENCHING FATE will be free next month.
However, if you are willing to review the book, you can snag it for free on InstaFreebie now until Halloween.
And here's the biggest news of all. I'm working on the Fourth "Scandals with Bite" book as well.
