The ins and outs of indie publishing

After answering many questions offline to interested writers about indie publishing and why I've chosen to follow this path alongside my traditionally published career, I've decided to do a series of articles.

Due to tight deadlines for the entire month of February (& beyond!) I'm not promising when I'll have them done, but if you have any burning questions you'd like answered, now's your chance.

Ask away and I'll do my best to answer in the not too distant future.

Calling book reviewers

I'm releasing a super hot contemporary romance in 2 weeks and would love to hear from any book reviewers interested in posting a quick review.

BRASH is the first in my Burlesque Bombshell series and I absolutely love it.
Features a gorgeous Aussie celebrity chef and a small town Nevada librarian who meet up a decade after their first encounter in unusual circumstances...

If you're interested in reviewing, please email me: nicola (at) nicolamarsh (dot) com

Thank you!

Huge thanks to everyone who downloaded CRAZY LOVE late last week.
I was thrilled to see it hit #1 in the overall kindle store again.

If you haven't had a chance to read my 2012 ARRA finalist yet, please grab your copy now.

In the meantime, I'm battling cyclones and mini tornadoes on my holidays.
Check in again later this week!

Stunning dresses alert!

Sadly, this pic didn't save properly from Facebook but you'll get the gist.

That glam girl in the top left hand corner is a friend, and her burlesque themed wedding inspired me to write a trilogy of books! (the first in the Burlesque Bombshell series, BRASH, releases in a few weeks!)

Her designer is coming to Melbourne so ladies, if you want a stunning individual gown for any occasion, contact her via the FB address in the ad.

CRAZY LOVE free!

If you haven't read my 2012 Australian Romance Readers Award (ARRA) finalist, CRAZY LOVE, here's your chance...for free!

Download your copy HERE over the next 3 days, and please tell your friends too!

Rejecting negativity

A few years ago, I had an article published in RWA's 'Romance Writer Report', titled DEFYING THE DOUBT DEMONS.

It focused on the doubts that constantly plague writers and I had a staggering amount of emails from writers after it was published, thanking me for articulating what we all go through.

Today, I stumbled across a similar-themed article about rejecting negativity by Sophie Littlefield over on the 'Adventures in YA & Children's Publishing' site.

Well worth a read!

THE WRITE WHISPER: Sales rankings

Due to deadline craziness (that will continue into this year!) I haven't done a writing craft post for a while.

So here's a link to an article that all authors will find fascinating.

Which author doesn't check their sales rankings on Amazon or Barnes & Noble?
But what do those numbers mean?

Here's a great post by author Christine Bell that demystifies rankings.

Crazy Love is an ARRA finalist!

I'm thrilled to announce that CRAZY LOVE has been nominated for an Australian Romance Readers Award.

It's my first ARRA nomination ever and for it to happen for my first indie novel...well, it makes it all the more special.

Want to see why CRAZY LOVE is nominated for Best First Meeting in a Romance Novel published in 2012?

Read it!

WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: What Goes Around

WHAT GOES AROUND is Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical & Presents author Carol Marinelli's first foray into indie publishing...and wow! What a debut.

I devoured this book, couldn't put it down.

Here's the blurb:

“I’ve spent my life keeping my worlds apart and now they’ll all be coming together, in this very room. Everything that I’ve carefully separated will be curdling right here under this roof.”

What Goes Around…

Lucy thought she had firmly buried her past when she set eyes on and snared that sexy older guy at work. She gave no thought to the consequences when she swooped in and stole Gloria’s husband.

Twelve years on things couldn’t be better for Lucy. Well, his little problem in the bedroom department might need working on but surely it’s a small price to pay for a seemingly perfect life.

That is until karma wields its hammer and shatters Lucy’s fragile world…

Lovers of women's fiction will adore this book as much as I did. I write at night so sleep is precious to me. I happily lost sleep 2 nights in a row to finish this ASAP. The characters are real and flawed and memorable. A gritty read. Loved it! Highly recommend. You can buy it here What are you reading this weekend?

Montana Reunion free!

My fab friend, Harlequin Romance author Soraya Lane, has just released her latest indie published novel, and it's free!

Here's the blurb:

Best friends reunited… into a marriage of convenience?

Jack and Maddison were best friends growing up, but when Maddison moved to the big city to pursue her dreams, they struggled to stay in touch. 

When Maddison returns home after years away, Jack is all grown up and ready to make up for lost time. And so is Maddison… the only trouble is, Jack needs more than a friend. So when she suggests that a marriage of convenience could help Jack save his ranch, it seems like everything is falling into place. Until Jack finds out that Maddison wants a baby.

Their friendship is too important to ruin, but after a night of unexpected passion, everything changes. Because Maddison is pregnant and Jack’s made it clear that their marriage will be one of convenience only. And he never wants to be a dad.

I can't wait to read this one!

You can download free here

Mega news from Entangled Publishing

In case you haven't heard, ENTANGLED PUBLISHING is taking the literary world by storm.

They've announced several partnerships.

The first, with David Entertainment in Hollywood, enabling first look at all EP books (linked to 20th Century Fox!) Read about it in Variety Magazine.

(I could really see myself on the red carpet for the movie premiere of BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD or NOT THE MARRYING KIND...)

The next? They've teamed up with MacMillan for global distribution of their books and St. Martin's Press for print distribution of some digital titles.
Read about it in World EIN News.

I'm so glad to be writing for this innovative publisher!

Romantic Times Hot Pick for January!

Am thrilled that ROMANTIC TIMES MAGAZINE named CRAZY LOVE as a Hot Pick for January in self publishing. (thanks to the lovely author buddies who took this snapshot and forwarded to me).

Haven't read it yet?

Well, time to remedy that! ;)

Go grab it now!

Kindle steal alert!

For a limited time only, LUCKY LOVE is priced $0.99 at Amazon!

So what are you waiting for? ;)

Busted in Bollywood paperback giveaway

Wishing you all a happy New Year!
May 2013 be a good year for us all.

To celebrate the start of a brand spanking new reading year, I'm giving away 2 paperback copies of my 2012 Romantic Book of the Year finalist, BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD.

The giveaway runs until Jan 4th.
Check it out here 

Dangerous Flirtation

I'm thrilled to welcome Liz Fielding to my blog again.
Her books are fabulous!
And she's giving away Dangerous Flirtation FREE right now!
Liz, over to you...

Dangerous Flirtation is vintage Liz Fielding. One of my earlier books, I've given it a light brush up and a fabulous new cover and it's yours to download free from 28 December to 1 January.

Here's the blurb -

Rose has her life all mapped out. A job she loves, a thoughtful, reliable fiancé. Everything is just perfect until a stranger with laughing blue eyes and a roguish grin bursts into her life and turns her life upside down with a birthday kiss. Jack Drayton offers romance, excitement and passion – and he challenges her to accept. Dare she?

And an excerpt

Reluctantly she lowered her window. ‘Why are you still here?’ she demanded. ‘Didn’t Anthony pay you enough to move on?’ It was hateful, but she couldn’t help herself.

       ‘There isn’t enough money in the world for that, Rosie.’ He smiled, apparently relishing the memory. ‘I told him he’d better put it back in his piggy bank and save up until he can afford to buy you a ring.’

       She stifled a groan. Behind them someone hooted politely. Jack ignored the hint and leaned on the roof of the car, staring down at her. ‘Where’s he taking you for your birthday treat? A burger bar?’

       ‘A concert and then dinner at Michel’s,’ she said, a little smugly.

       He let out an ironic whistle. ‘Just as well I wouldn’t take his cash. Which concert? The Jay Livingstone Trio is playing at the jazz club, or perhaps that isn’t quite his cup of tea?’

       She stifled a groan. She had wanted to go. It wasn’t often these days that such a group could be tempted into Melchester, but Anthony loathed jazz and she hadn’t even dared suggest it. ‘It’s not my jazz club,’ she retorted, disappointment lending a sharpness to her voice. ‘If you must know, we’re going to the Guildhall, The Shostakovich Cello Concerto.’

       ‘Wouldn’t you rather come and listen to Jay?’ he asked.

       ‘You have tickets?’ she asked, surprised. They had not been cheap.

       ‘No need. Jay’s an old friend.’ He bent down beside her window, examining her face under the lamplight. ‘What do you say?’    

       Her heartbeat began to accelerate again. ‘I...’ She tore her eyes away from his. ‘No. Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.’

       ‘I wasn’t being ridiculous, Rosie. You’d much rather come with me. Admit it.’

       ‘I’ll admit nothing of the kind.’ She put the car into gear and glared at him. Laughing, he stood up.

       ‘Better run along, then. You mustn’t be late. I’ll see you later, cheer your soul with a little blues.’ He glanced at the instrument case in his hand.

       She stared, horrified. ‘You wouldn’t?’ 

       His eyes gleamed wickedly in the subdued light. ‘I think you know that I would.’

       ‘Haven’t you caused enough trouble for one day?’ she demanded.

       His eyes teased her. ‘Rosie, my darling,’ he drawled. ‘I haven’t even begun.’ And with that he stepped back, leaving her free to drive away, but she couldn’t. Not before he told her why he was tormenting her.   

       ‘What do you want from me?’ she demanded.

       ‘Use your imagination,’ he said, roughly.

       She gasped then. She wasn’t going to use her imagination. It was a dangerous thing, the imagination. It conjured up strong hands and warm kisses to torment her.

      ‘What do you want?’ she demanded again. He didn’t elaborate, refusing to make it easy for her, but it was there in the raw challenge in his eyes and she felt as if a trap were closing around her.

     The knowledge that she had sprung it herself offered precious little comfort. She only knew that if she stayed another moment she would lose everything she wanted. Peace, contentment, security. Precious things. All Jack Drayton could offer was momentary passion, a transitory, crazy sort of excitement that would destroy her peace of mind and when it was over, leave nothing but the misery and humiliation her mother had suffered when her father had walked out on them both.

She was going to marry Anthony and she didn’t know what she was doing even talking to this man.

       The person behind had clearly had enough and an impatient horn galvanised her into action. She eased off the handbrake and stepped on the accelerator. The car shot forward and abruptly stalled. She grabbed at the ignition key, but the car wouldn’t start and the irritation from behind had suddenly become a chorus of people eager to get home. ‘Idiot!’ she said, furious with herself. Why on earth had she even spoken to the man? She was going to be late and Anthony hated to be kept waiting. There were tears pricking at her eyelids when the door opened beside her.

       He took one look at her face and swore volubly, then put an ice cold hand on hers, stopping the desperate churning of the engine. ‘Move over, Rosie. You’re in no fit state to drive,’ he said, very gently.

       ‘And whose fault is that?’ she demanded, angrily.

       ‘That’s open to debate. You didn’t have to stop.’ He threw the saxophone onto the back seat and waited and conscious of the queue of cars behind her, she moved over. He pushed the driving seat back as far as it would go and climbed behind the wheel. The car, infuriatingly, started at the first touch. Everything would start at his touch, she thought, hopelessly. Even her. Especially her.

Here are some links, but it's available in English at Amazon worldwide; download it with my warmest wishes and tell all your friends!

Amazon US 
Amazon UK 
Amazon Germany

Free book!

LUCKY LOVE is free right now!

Go grab your copy here.

(will end December 28th.)

Christmas recipe

I've had several requests across social media sites for my ice cream pudding recipe, so I'm going to post here.
Wish I had a picture to go with it but once unveiled it usually doesn't last that long!
Though I'm definitely going to take a pic this year.

I've had many variations of this and have experimented myself.
This is the version we seem to like best.

INGREDIENTS:

2 litres good quality vanilla ice cream
1 410g jar fruit mince
2 Violet Crumbles
150g frozen cherries
150g frozen strawberries
Fresh strawberries, cherries, blueberries

METHOD:

Allow the ice cream to soften until a good stirring mix-through is possible.
Add the fruit mince (depending on taste, I add about 390 g, leaving a little in the jar, otherwise the kids find it too strong.)
Crush 1 Violet Crumble and add to ice cream.
Add the frozen strawberries and cherries.
Mix thoroughly.

Line a 2 litre bowl with cling wrap.
Spoon ice cream mixture into bowl and cover.
Freeze.

For serving, remove lid, invert onto serving platter, remove cling wrap.

Crush 1 Violet Crumble and sprinkle on top.
Decorate with a skirt of fresh berries.
(can also add berries on top if desired instead of chocolate. Or both!)

Enjoy!

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Stay safe, healthy and eat lots!

New Year's Revisions conference

This free online conference is being co-run by a Month9Books publishing buddy, Kristal Shaff.

Loads of fab agents, editors and authors participating.

Go check out the fab books giveaways now!

New Year's Revisions Conference 2013

January 4, 5, and 6 

Totally free, totally online. 

You wrote the book in November. Or maybe you've been working on yours even longer. The time has come... revision time. Pay the piper, meet the reaper -- all those lovely euphemisms for the real work of writing: revising. You do not have to do it alone. We have gathered a group of fabulous book lovers: the ones who write the books, the ones who represent the authors, and the ones who edit the books. They all want you to succeed in making your book as shiny as it can possibly be before you query/publish.

That's the focus of NYRC 2013.

If you love books, want to write, or have written a book, this conference will have plenty for you to love in the way of professional publishing advice, and yes, more giveaways. There will also be a critique partner matching service for those looking for a second pair of eyes for their work.

We'll be live-tweeting the events @OpAwesome6 and using the #NYRC hash tag. Hope you'll join us!

To recap:

• Professional publishing advice from our panel of experts
• Guest posts by literary agents, editors, and published authors - all with an eye toward helping you through the revision process
• Book giveaways - *happy sigh* mmm, books.
• Critique partner matching service (January 3, the day before the conference officially begins)

Travel to India for the holidays

Fancy travelling to India these holidays?
You can, from the comfort of your armchair!

Curl up with BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD.

$3.14 for kindle
$3.30 paperback!

Bargains!

New release: LUCKY LOVE

I'm thrilled to announce LUCKY LOVE is now available at Amazon.
It's a $2.99 Christmas treat!

Here's the blurb:

For perpetually single Jazmyn Harding, what's worse than being desperate and dateless?
Receiving advice from her brash, sixty-year-old aunt via Skype from Love, a kooky town in California.

Jazmyn has no intention to visit Love but after one too many disastrous dates, agrees to Aunt Flo's challenge: if she's single in a month, she'll swap Sydney for Love.

Determined to find Mr. Right, Jazmyn plays the dating game with renewed vigour. But as the clock ticks down and her man drought continues, to what lengths will she go to avoid Love?

(If you've read CRAZY LOVE, you know what a hoot Aunt Flo is!)

Enjoy!