Guest Post/Excerpt/Giveaway - Few Are Angels by Inger Iversen

Welcome to my stop on Few Are Angels book tour which has been brought to you by Bewitching Book Tours. Today I have a Guest Post from the Author Inger Iversen about self publishing. You can also read a summary of the book, an excerpt and learn a little more about the author. There is a tour wide giveaway where you could win a prize pack or an eCopy of the book. Don't forget to visit the other blogs on this tour for more information about this book and the author.

Title: Few Are Angels
Author: Inger Iversen
Series: Few Are Angels #1
Genre:  YA Paranormal
Published: May 28th 2012

Description

Follow Ella through self-discovery, first love, tragedy and sacrifice in this paranormal romance.

After a fatal hit and run accident, Ella Monroe fears that she’s lost more than her beloved parents. Horrifying visions of a past life and a disturbing voice in her head have psychiatric professionals convinced that she’s lost her sanity as well. But when Kale--a dark and handsome stranger with a mysterious past--reveals the true meaning of her visions and the tremendous power she wields through them, Ella must come to terms with the devastating truths of her own past, while eluding an ancient Dark Prince who seeks to control not only her future, but all of mankind’s, by means of abilities that Ella is only beginning to understand.

Enter the shrouded world of an age old battle between an ancient race known as the Immortals and their bitter enemy Laurent, the so-called Dark Prince, who commands an army of half-breed vampires known as Chorý. Both sides have been desperately searching for the prophesied emergence of the Arc, a clairvoyant with unparalleled power to recall the past and a soothsayer with clear vision into the future.

The Council of Immortals has sworn to protect the Arc, whom they have identified as young Ella Monroe, a college freshman from Virginia living quietly and unaware of her powers or her past. But a renegade Chorý has other plans for the protection of a girl he has loved through the ages. Can Kale convince Ella of who she is, what she is destined to become, and what he once meant to her? Is he truly the best protector to shield the world from the devastating misuse of her powers that Laurent is bent on controlling? Or will the forbidden love they share and Kale’s cursed condition as a retched and hated Chorý be used against them both?

This paranormal romance told from the heroine’s perspective builds in intensity and intrigue to a finale you won’t see coming. Heart pounding action mixed with heartwarming friendships and heartbreaking romance will leave you breathless and begging for more.



Guest Post

Need a bit of advice with Self Pubbing?

I posted something similar to this on my site, but that was a while ago and now I have more to add to it.


There are a few sites out there that offer to help you publish a book, but they charge you for printing  and I think you should know that some people, including myself consider that  a rip-off. Createspace and Lulu.com are free. Createspace and Lulu offer good things like marketing, book covers and editing, at a price, but printing your book and selling it using these site is FREE. I decided that I would post a few helpful links to help Indies out a bit. I had help from some amazing authors like S.L. Naeole and Shelena Shorts, so I thought that I would pass their advice along to you including my own two cents.

Let’s start with what I was told and truly believe is one of the most important parts of the publishing process.


Editing

Editing is often times the most expensive part of publishing a book.

These are the 3 editing companies that I've used and really loved.

RA is now a publishing company run by Lynn McNamee and is the most expensive of the three, but trust me it’s worth it!

This is what you receive:
§  One full edit of your manuscript using Track Changes and Commentary.
§  One additional document noting any larger scope storyline, writing style, and/or character issues
§  One complete proofread


Ocean’s Edge is owned and operated by L.S. Burton, who is a writer as well. His prices are good and he has a very fast turnaround.


    AMdesign Studios is run by Amanda Matthews and Ann Mauren. They are great and easy to work with, plus their prices are the best I've come across so far. They offer ALL of you publishing needs from author branding, cover design to formatting and more!

If you are interested in purchasing a license to an art piece I recommend Ana Fagarazzi here is an example of art I licensed from her:



Book Covers and Cover Art

People say that they don’t choose a book by its cover, but there is nothing wrong with a visually stunning cover. It can cost hundreds of dollars to have a book cover created, or you can visit one of these sites and not have to sell a kidney to afford your cover. Just so you know, a person quoted me $750 for just a PHOTO, not the cover, spine, and font, but solely the photo that would grace the cover.

 AMDesignstudios


AFStudios

A good place to get stock art for your cover:




This is one of my favorites from Dreamstime :)
  
istockphotos is more expensive than the others, but they have some really great photos!


Formatting

This is something you can learn to do yourself or pay someone to do it for you. I didn't want to be bothered with it so I hired Ann at AMDesign Studios and Heather with FlipCity Books for my projects.

Their links are above :)

Excerpt

“I want to untie you, but I don’t want to regret doing so. Can we agree that everyone will behave?” I looked at Kale, but all I received was a shrug and another grumble.
Jace’s blue eyes were glued to Kale.
“Ella, when I am untied, I will do whatever I can to take you back to the Council. I won’t have this creature infect you.”  Kale straightened up and moved closer to us.
“Over my dead body.”  Jace’s slow, chilling smile revealed his white teeth. Though it was beautiful, it freaked me out.
“Then it should be easy, Nosferat, seeing as how your heart no longer beats.” Jace looked at Kale as if he would attack the first chance he got.  At this rate, I would never be able to get Kale and Jace to work together. Maybe Kale was right. We might be better off fending for ourselves against Laurent.
“You mistake the fact you are still alive for weakness on my part, but I warn you that as soon she sees you are not a necessary factor for her survival, I will finish what we started years ago, Vesco,” Kale spat, with such malice that halfway through his words I turned around to face him, not at all liking what I saw. His face was now plagued by hard lines, and his eyes, though they were always dark, were darkened with loathing. I hardly recognized him. I didn't want to believe Kale would truly kill Jace or anyone for that matter.
“Stop, Kale, you wouldn’t,” I whispered. I searched his face for the Kale I knew. I understood the Council and vampires were enemies, but I couldn't see Kale killing Jace. It was probably my naivety that pushed the idea that Kale was harmless.
            “Yes, he would, Ella,” Jace said, pulling my attention back to his blue eyes. “It’s what he is—a murderer fashioned only to steal what humans cannot live without and to spread his disease. He was created by the Dark Prince. No matter how long he tries to deny his nature by drinking from rats and squirrels, he will always be a threat to you and all others. Even more so because he can walk in the light.
My plan to unite them to help me went right out the window.  My body went cold, and I sat there wondering why I’d even tried in the first place.  Anger started to boil inside me, and I gave in to it.
            “Bullshit!”  I yelled.  “This is pure and utter bullshit.”  I stood so fast that I almost lost my footing. 
Kale reached out to me, catching my arm and righting me quickly.  I snatched my arm from him and ignored his questioning eyes. I turned back to Jace. I looked him directly in his eyes to get his full attention.
“You both say you want to protect me, and that’s fine.  Even though I have no clue of what’s going on in the full scheme of things, I am willing to let you both protect me, but understand this. If you two cannot figure out how to get along long enough for us to make a plan—other than taking me to the Council—I will do this without either of you!”  I shouted, as my anger reached a crescendo.  “Also, I want to know everything, not just what you two think I should know.”  I gave Kale a pointed look.
He looked back at me with emotionless eyes.  I hated when he blocked his feelings from me. I gave mine so freely to him.  That fueled my anger further, but Jace’s calm voice slowly brought me down.
“What is it you propose we do?” Jace asked.  “I can only assume from your tirade that he has told you a few things about your past.  The fact that you are only upset about that also tells me he hasn’t told you why the Dark Prince has yet to find you.”
We both looked at Kale waiting for him to speak.
“Your silence, Nosferat, confirms that you have not told her the fire at the Ocean Trace facility was your doing.”
I looked at Kale, confused. I had told him about my time in a facility, but I hadn’t told him where it was.
“I told you I was here to protect you, Ella. I just never told you when that protection started,” Kale explained and reached for me.
I was tempted to take his hand because it wasn’t often that he offered his touch, but I ignored it. “Wait, are you saying you knew me before that first night we met?”
“Yes, I knew you in your last past life.”
Jace scoffed. “That is not what she meant, vampire.”
I couldn't understand why Kale was dancing around my question.
“Let’s go outside,” Kale said, turning toward the door before I could answer.
“She will freeze out there.  I am sure she is already cold, especially seeing how the cold sadness of lies and betrayals has found her here tonight.”
Though Jace’s clever remark didn't seem to affect Kale, it stung me.  The words lies and betrayals slapped me in the face, waking me from the stupid dream state I had allowed myself to slip into.
“Ella, I have watched you for as long as the Council has believed you are the next Arc—before your parents’ death until now,” Kale said sadly, as the trust that we had developed between us started to fade. 
I had been nothing but honest with him. I’d snuck around to see him, which put a strain on Alex’s faith in me. But I couldn't truly blame Kale. Trusting a stranger with my secrets when I had promised myself I would never do that again was my fault.  With that in mind, I walked over to Jace and untied his knots.


“Do not make me regret this.  I have enough of those; I don’t need any more,” I said, looking at them both.  We needed to make a plan of action, but we couldn't do that until I was told everything.

Purchase Links

Amazon     BN    Author Site

About the Author

Inger Iversen was born in 1982 to Anne and Kaii Iversen. She lives in Virginia Beach with her overweight lap cat, Max and her tree hugging boyfriend Joshua. She spends 90 percent of her time in Barnes and Noble and the other ten pretending not to want to be in Barnes and Noble.

You can find Inger online at:




Tour Wide Giveaway

There is a giveaway running where you could win-

5 prize packs with print book, beaded book thong, poster and postcard
5 ebook copies of Few Are Angels




a Rafflecopter giveaway



Click on the banner to view the rest of the Tour Schedule

18 comments:

  1. Hey there! I was doing a bit of blog hopping and found your blog. I am a brand new follower! I would love it if you would stop by my blog for a visit and follow back if you would like! Here's the link:
    MaMa's Book Corner
    I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! :)

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  2. very informative post. thanks

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  3. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! :)

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  4. This is really helpful for authors who want to self-publish! Thank you!

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  5. Thank you for the giveaway ((:

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  6. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!! Awesome sounding book too!

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  7. I love FAA. I have the ebook version, but would love to win a print copy. :)

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  8. Thanx for stalking me again Sherry!! I thought it was insightful too!

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  9. You're welcome. Thank you for stopping by! Good luck!

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  10. I thought so too, there is a reason why I just read them!!

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  11. I think the book sounds great too... If only I had more hours in the day!!

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  12. Print versions are awesome, I agree!!

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  13. Thank you Inger for visiting and obviously writing a great book that everyone is checking out!!

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  14. Thanks for the great giveaway, Naomi ;)

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  15. Anytime!! Giveaways are always fun!!

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  16. Hi Leigh!! Thanks for stopping by!! I found your comment, was MIA, but recovered now!!

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