About My Book, My Writing, and My Book Blogging Ramblin’s. . .

March 28, 2015March 28, 2015 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Just A Blog Post, Writing Challenges, Writing Tips A Writer, Book Blogger, Book Promoter, Book Reviews, Life, My Book, Ramblins From An Author, Recovery

Hello and Welcome All,

Now it is no secret that many of my blog friends, my followers, and readers who come for a visit know that a live life in recovery. I share this a LOT. But I also need to keep in mind those of my visitors that are new to my book promoting blog may not know this about me. They may not know that my current book titled; Addicted To Dimes, Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat, is some what my Memoir of my life, starting as a wee little girl to about 2012.

Addicted to Dimes (Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat) Nov 2012

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And I can honestly say that my life has changed in SO many ways since my book was released on my 50th birthday! Yes, I’m 50 something, but age is just a number people! That was in November 2012. My book was written & shared with the intent to make readers who also live in recovery from any addiction know they are not alone.
That they can recover and overcome!

I can also honestly say, that my writing has become so much better as well! LOL. We all know great editors can help make our words come to life, and they can make our words within the pages of our books look and sound good. But as a writer, the rest is up to me.
Is my storyline strong enough? Or did I grab the reader, did I hold their attention with my craft and prose till the end of my book?

These are many questions all of us as writers ask. One of the ways we learn what readers think about our books is through the power of book reviews. I take all my book reviews from 100% organic readers very seriously. Now, not to brag or toot my author horn, but I have been blessed with most all 5 star Amazon Reviews, and one 4.8 review. Not bad for a first time writer/author. But I did work very hard for those reviews. I do believe all writers and authors do. And we take our craft as writers seriously. Not to say you can’t have some fun along the way right?

I always tell many in recovery, “we all have a story within us to tell.”
And I do believe that. Look, over 8 years ago, if some psychic lady told me I’d be a writer and published author in my lifetime? Man I would have laughed in her face. Really! I would have, as it was never on my life radar.

Now, am I a good writer? Well, I hope so. My readers seemed to think so as far as their book reviews of my current book. Writing for me is a release. Yes, my book maybe hard subject matter, but many who have never experienced addiction, or the joy of triumph in recovery, or even may not know anyone with addiction problems, but many readers say they learned much from story.

In recovery, we all know that our words and stories of recovery can be a powerful tool to help those who do live life in recovery. But through my book, and my other blog, my recovery blog: https://catherinelyonaddictedtodimes.wordpress.com/
they are meant to not only help those in recovery, those reaching out for help, but also they are about creativity. Many people journal in recovery. I do, and I have for years because it was the only way to see my positive progress in recovery, and also my weakness’ where I needed to work harder in those area’s.

Well I look at writing the same way. We as writers are always learning and evolving. We grow in our craft as writers the more we write. Wring came natural to me because I was already journaling a long time. Now, that is not to say because one writes in a journal or diary, that now you’re a professional writer. Oh no, but many of us who do write enjoy it as it puts our mind, heart, and our imaginations to work. Of course, these are just my own experiences.

Since my current book is non-fiction, about addiction, my life, and recovery, this topic is much harder to write. There is a very fine line for sharing a story of addiction without readers feeling you are using excuses, rationalizing, or blaming things on someone or something other than my poor choices when I was deep in my addictions.

I feel the same when writers write fiction. The characters and storyline needs to come alive. And that can be a tough job. My own struggle is the darn endings, or close out of my books, that is my weakest area as a writer. When this is accomplished with your books, and readers tell you through their reviews or maybe comments on your blog or website, there just is no other fantastic feeling ever as writer. It is also why I book promote as my business. I enjoy helping other authors find their readership, and have the honor of reading many fabulous books they have written. If you’re an author and need some advice or tips on how to promote your books? Then check out my new Feature Page of Book Promoting tips here on this blog.

Many authors hire me to just pure book promote for them, so they can continue to write more books, and have the peace of mind knowing I’m getting out there for them promoting their work through all forms of social media, book promoting sites, with a dash of sending out Press Releases announcing their books to many media outlets, book bloggers, and internet media. I enjoy doing this for all authors at very affordable prices. I want all of us to be successful, and make sure readers find all our amazing reads.
My clients are authors helping authors.

I hope you enjoy my Book Promoting Blog while your here. If you’re a reader, check out my Monthly Hot Book Picks page, and if you’re a writer? Keep Writing!!

Until next time everyone!

Much Happiness & Success All,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon

Why Do You Write?

March 24, 2015 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Posts

Why do you write?

Since I live my life in recovery from gambling addiction and alcohol abuse for more then 8 years now, and even as a young teenager, through treatment, therapy, I have always had some sort of diary or journal with me most of the time. I enjoyed writing, made up poems with a wish that someday they would become some famous words in a song. Just having dreams. Maybe being a writer someday.

As a little girl with many dark secrets being held inside me for many years, years of heavy handed discipline and hurtful verbal abuse by my parents, sexually abused from age 8 to 12 years old, not by one, but by two men, friends of the family, and certain things that happen in a dysfunctional family that linger with you, I seemed to hang on to, and stuffed way deep inside me. Then adulthood comes calling. Life begins to happen. The job, the responsibilities, the bills, and the stress. And you think your just another normal, average, everyday person like the rest of the people living in the world.

Except, one day, something happens. Something changes inside you. A sort of shift. Not a particular event, but just something inside you doesn’t quite feel right.

Then, you lose a very special person in your life to cancer. He was only 36 at the time of his passing, and he was like my brother I never had. And, . . he happened to be the only person I ever told what I went through as a little girl. Things no little girl should have to endure.
Now he was gone . . . .

That set up the “Perfect Storm” in my life at the ripe young age of 30. And for the next 11 years, I lost myself. I lost myself to a deep dark monster called gambling addiction. Now your most likely asking yourself about now, “what does all that have to do with writing?”. . . I’ll get to that shortly.

I was about 36 when it began. I started using gambling to “escape the old past haunts knocking at my door.” I was also suffering undiagnosed mental and emotional health disorders. Went undiagnosed my psychiatrist says, since I was that little lost, hurt girl. Then the gambling addiction and alcohol abuse on top of all that pain? Lets just say it didn’t end very well. All of that story can be read in my current book out titled, Addicted To Dimes, Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat.

My writing was my saving grace. Even after all the bad I went through with my addictions, and there was a lot of bad, and yes, due to my poor choices, but I was a very sick person at the time. No, no excuses, just insights into an another addict. Another addict who has turned her life around for the better. And I wrote like crazy through it all. All the bad, all the good, and even in my darkest of days, even after my 2 failed suicide attempts, and crisis center stays in a Mental/Addictions crisis center in 2002, and 2006.

WHY?
Because I needed an outlet to purge all that old hurt, pain, shame, guilt, and so much more! Writing for me was like my bible. Yes, it was along WITH my bible. Writing helped me to sort through it all, begin to heal, and to begin to start letting go, and begin long-term recovery. Writing was my life line into my soul. It helped me to recover from this cunning addiction of gambling and alcohol abuse. Writing was also responsible for my 5 notebooks I hand wrote for a year, of all I went through with my addictions, which became a published book.
But the rest was gods intervention and doing.

Even today, it still brings tears to my eyes when I read those dark pages in my diary after both suicide attempts. I was so angry the first time at God! I just wanted him to let me die already, so I wouldn’t hurt myself, and those around me any longer. I didn’t have the strength to stop compulsively gambling, and was really tired of being sick and tired. The second attempt? Well that was all me, as I had stopped taking my bipolar, depression, and PTSD medications. And in just one short week, I spiraled out of control to another suicide attempt.

Until that day when my mind, soul, and world went totally BLACK . . . . .

Until till next time everyone.

“The cruelest lies are often told in silence.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson ~

A Fabulous Author Update of A. R. ~ Rosie Tirant & Her Book; Echoes From The Oasis

March 15, 2015March 16, 2015 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest, New Book & Author Press Release A 5 Star Read, Amazon Best Best Seller, Author A.R. Tirant, Author Guest Update, Cuckfield Life Magazine, Echoes From The Oasis, Fabulous Reader Reviews

Hello Friends, Readers and Welcome New Visitors,

It has been a while since I have updated you on some of the fine writers and authors I have as fabulous book promoting clients, and my good friend Rosie Tirant, better know as Author, A.R. Tirant is no exception. She has had some wonderful things happening for her since the first of the New Year!

Lets begin with her fantastic free book promo giveaway in January 2015! She wanted to thank all her family, friends, and all the readers who have supported her since book 1 of her Historical Romance Novel Series released! So she gave them 5 days FREE to download her current e-Book, “Echoes from the Oasis” through Amazon Kindle.

Echoes from the Oasis by A R Tirant

Well, I can tell you she had over 1498 e-Book downloads! And she became an Amazon Best Selling E-book . . . Now if that wasn’t exciting enough? She had her book featured in “Cuckfield Life Magazine” too!

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And that sure doesn’t happen everyday! Congrats to Author, Rosie Tirant for an exciting accomplishment. You can also see more of this interesting magazine here on the magazine’s website: www.cuckfieldlife.co.uk and her article is on Page 15. Rosie happens to live in Cuckfield, West Sussex UK, after being born and raised in the Seychelles Islands. And her novel’s storyline takes place in the Seychelles.

You can also catch up on all the happenings as she writes the book in this wonderful novel series on her beautiful website showing life in The Seychelles Islands right here:
http://tirant.seychelleshistoricalnovels.com/

It is a beautiful website that shares all things ‘Seychelles Island’ and all about what Rosie
is doing. They also have some fabulous book reviews by readers who have enjoyed her beautiful historical novel. So go by today for a visit and feel like you have actually have been there for a visit! Here now a wee bit more about Author, Rosie Tirant,

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Novelist, A. R. Tirant, is the prolific writer and novelist with her break out novel titled; Echoes from the Oasis . . .

Rosie Tirant was born in the Seychelles in November 1958. The daughter of a policeman, and the eldest in a family of four brothers and four sisters. She grew up on the Northern coast of Mahe island, in the tiny seaside village of Beau-Vallon. She enjoys reading, gardening, writing, swimming, and long walks in the English countryside.

See Rosie’s links below and connect with her today.

Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shnnovels
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seychellesauthorincuckfield
And on About Me: http://about.me/A.R.TirantAuthor
And Goodreads too!: https://www.goodreads.com/AuthorARTirant

Presented to you by, “Lyon Book and Social Media Promotions” . . .

I Welcome New Hot Romance Writer & Author, Christie S Anthony.

March 15, 2015March 15, 2015 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest, New Book & Author Press Release Amazon, Author Christie Anthony, Book 1, Chasing Disaster, Debut Release, Guest Author Spotlight, Prolific Writer, Three Part Book Series

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“Lyon book promotions proudly presents a brand new hot romance writer and author, Christie S. Anthony, and her new book series titled; Chasing Disaster,
(Disaster Series ~ Book 1). And the Amazon book reviews are really coming in fast and full of all 5 stars!”

About Chasing Disaster ~ The Series

After surviving a violent childhood that resulted in her mother’s death, Trisha Whitfield has surpassed everyone’s expectations. She’s beautiful, driven, and the successful owner of one of Atlanta’s leading real estate agencies. Outsiders think she has the perfect life, unaware of the dark turmoil she struggles with daily. The wall she’s built has kept her safe from further heartache, but it’s also resulted in a life without love. Carter Henderson is distinguished, ambitious, and has taken over the helm of his family’s exclusive hotel.
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His masculine appeal attracts the ladies, but he’s determined to win over the only woman he’d risk everything for. Carter moved to New York City to lick his wounds the last time Trisha turned him down. Despite the rejection, he is inexplicably drawn to her and moves back home after five years away from her. Things begin to look very promising until someone from Carter’s past makes an appearance and threatens to undo everything. Now his and Trisha’s future is in jeopardy and Carter is running out of time to save them from a catastrophic ending. Destiny has continuously placed Carter and Trisha in one another’s paths. Has a long ago tragedy erected an impermeable barricade or will Carter finally be able to break through and win Trisha’s heart? A moving and genuine entry in the romance genre, Chasing Disaster is the first installment in the Disaster Series by author Christie Anthony. Check out the Fabulous Book Trailer here: http://youtu.be/qaUvb0Xnbew

About The Author, Writer & The Selfie Queen of Instagram:
https://instagram.com/author_christiesheri/

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Now Christie knows I’m just playing around a wee bit with her about her Instagram! LOL. I have never met anyone who loves their IG as much as she does! Here is more about this wonderful new self published author:

New prolific writer and new published author, Christie S Anthony is make big splash with her new 3 book series now released titled, Chasing Disaster. . .

Christie was born and raised in the close-knit community of Goldsboro, North Carolina. One of six siblings, her family is a constant source of inspiration that drives her to always want to do and be more. She has loved the romance genre for as long as she can remember and transitioning from reader to author is second nature to her.

Though she enlisted in the U.S. Army a couple of years after graduating high school, her love for writing was ever-present. Now a veteran, Christie is enrolled in college and is carving a place for herself in the world of happily ever after. Christie’s passion for creating beautiful and competent heroines is apparent in her prose. Her most recent projects are Love Uncharted and the first book in the Disaster series, Chasing Disaster.

Christie currently lives in Tacoma, Washington and is a strong supporter of the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, RAINN. When she isn’t working, in class, or bringing characters to life, she is spending quality time with her husband, watching Netflix marathons and listening to music. And her Life Motto? “Faith~ Fun~ Forever Love” . . . .
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What Readers Are Saying In Reviews About Book 1 of Chasing Disaster:

Mimi Said: “MUST READ! FAILS TO DISAPPOINT!

I ABSOLUTELY love this book and cannot wait until Christie releases the 2nd installment. It was a page turner from the beginning to the end!

The Best Thing I’ve Read Since Zane books and Flyy Girl! Jaleesa Jones

This book is a must read! It takes you back to the way books use to be. The ones we grew up reading and loving. This book is just that! I can’t wait for the next one.

OMG By Joyce on March 1, 2015
OMG! This book was an amazing read! La and Carter’s love lets you know that no matter how hard you try you can never really get away from what’s real! And Lisa just let’s you know you shouldn’t lay with crazy! I wanted to keep reading when I reached the end! I will definitely be looking for part 2 of this series!

Now as readers, we know reviews tell much about a book! And I think all Christie’s reviews are fantastic! I myself have added it to my own GoodReads list. And, you can also go connect with Christie on Goodreads too right here: http://www.goodreads.com/ChristieSAnthony_Author

You can also learn more about her as she has an “Author Online Diary” blog too! Come see what she is up to with her 2nd book titled; ‘Unnatural Disaster’ . . .
https://AuthorChristieSheriAnthony.wordpress.com
And come like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristieSAnthony/

This Guest Author Spotlight was Presented to you by “Lyon Book and Social Media Promotions”. . . Grab your copy of Christie’s book on Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Disaster-Christie-S-Anthony/dp/1507705611/

A Special Guest Author Spotlight~I Welcome Award Winning Writer, Clancy Tucker.

March 9, 2015March 9, 2015 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest About Clancy, Award Winning Writer And Author, Guest Author Clancy Tucker, His Short Stories and Books, Lyon Book Promotions, New Author Spotlight

Hello and Welcome Readers, Friends, and New Visitors,

We are all in for a very special treat today, as I have the Honor and Welcome a prolific writer, and award-winning Author, Clancy Tucker. Now one of my favorite things about being a book promoter is, besides getting to read great books of my clients, I get to meet so many wonderful talented authors and writers, and Clancy fits right into this category! We met a short time ago as he inquired about my book promoting services. But he really didn’t need me, OH NO, he needed a real literary agent or publicist, as he has many awesome award-winning short stories and many books under his belt. How about to the tune of 90 short stories, and several published books. WOW!

Also, the book buzz I’m hearing on the literary streets about Clancy? Well, as a gifted writer and published author, he is SO good that his books and stories should be made into featured films! Well, that’s what I’m hearing on the street anyway…LOL.
So, who is this Australian Man of Mystery?
Well let me share a wee bit more about Author, Clancy Tucker . . . .
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Award winning writer & author, Clancy Tucker . . .

About The Author:

Clancy Tucker is an award-winning author with three awards in the Australian National Literary Awards. He writes young adult fiction for reluctant readers, but has also achieved success as a poet and photographer. Clancy has lived in four countries, speaks three languages, has photography accepted and published in books in the USA, Australia and the UK (Innocent Dreams, Endless Journeys & A Trip Down Memory Lane), used as covers for magazines (‘The Australian Writer’ – 2008 and ‘Victorian Writer’ – 2008), has work registered with the International Library of Photography, been published in literary magazines and he’s written more than 146 short stories and swags of poetry.

Clancy’s been short-listed, ‘Commended’ and ‘Highly Commended’ in writing contests: 2006, 2007& 2011 Australian National Literary Awards, Raspberry & Vine (twice), Positive words, Australian Writers On-Line, Shaggy Sheep Tale, The Cancer Council Arts Awards (2005 & 2008), The Dusty Swag Awards (2010) and had twelve short stories published in literary magazines (Page Seventeen, Branching Out, Positive Words and The Australian Writer), newspapers (The Standard, Mountain Views & The Advocate), written articles for Kid Magazine in the USA and won a poetry prize to name a life-size statue designed by renowned Belgian sculptor, Bruno Torfs.

He is a full-time writer but has been a speechwriter, public servant, farmer and small business operator. Clancy teaches students at the University of the Third Age (U3A), has worked with street kids and draws on life’s experiences to write entertaining stories for kids.

‘Gunnedah Hero’ has been published as a paperback and also in e-Book format via www.morrispublishingaustralia.com This book has won two of three awards he has claimed in the Australian National Literary Awards: ‘Highly Commended’ in the FAW Jim Hamilton Award – 2007 and ‘Commended’ in the Christina Stead Award – 2011. It also has a seal of approval from IndiePENdendents.org – having been passed by three peer judges.
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Clancy also writes a daily blog which includes top guests from around the world: human rights lawyers, authors, musicians, artists, illustrators, senior diplomats, young adults and many more: www.clancytucker.blogspot.com.au Check it out.
He has also been a guest on dozens of blogs, writes a monthly editorial for a newspaper, contributes articles for literary magazines, and mentors young writers. Clancy has also been a contributing guest editor for the Australian Prostate Magazine.Not only, Clancy has been a human rights activist and social justice campaigner for decades. Don’t forget to check out his book reviews too! They are very impressive, especially the one on Morris Publishing! www.morrispublishingaustralia.com

Now as my readers know, I only ask 2 questions of all my author friends when I spotlight them here on my blog. So here are the 2 questions I asked of Clancy, and the answers he kindly shared with me.

1.) What do you enjoy most about being a writer and published author?

Mm … Interesting question, because it is a lot of hard work. I guess the biggest enjoyment is the challenge. Having been a fulltime author for more than 16 years, I’ve learnt heaps about the entire industry. However, as a self-published author, one has to learn about technical things, and how to achieve them: ISBN numbers, book cover design, fonts, paper etc.
Thus, it is very satisfying when it all comes together in the shape of a book. I’m also a photographer, so I use my own photographs for my covers. As a daily blogger who features guests from around the world, I’ve managed to hook up with some amazing people. We support each other and promote our own work. The absolute enjoyment as a writer is to write a story, involving characters that I have invented. However, no matter what you write, we as authors must wait for reviews from those who have read our work. They are the real judges.

2.) Now that you have won many awards for your craft of writing, what is the one amazing thing that has happened to you as an author?
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Mm … Another tricky question. I guess the big plus for me is that I find writing so easy. It is an adrenalin rush; from start to finish. I don’t plan any story. No, I have an idea and run with it. Then, when finished, it is a buzz to read the entire document and learn how cleverly, or otherwise, I’ve tried to keep the interest of my readers.
Sometimes, it is so easy to slip up and tell the reader too much too early.The secret is to keep them on their toes, flipping pages to find out what happens next. I guess writing is a gift. If you’ve got it, use it!

I want to thank Author,Clancy Tucker for allowing me to share a little of what he does as an award-winning writer and author, and to make sure you grab a copy of his latest book available on Amazon Books online today. Also, take some time and visit his website here: http://clancytucker.com.au/ as he also enjoys photography too!
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You can connect with Clancy on Twitter @ClancyTucker
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/clancy.tucker.5
And also on GoodReads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5231844.clancy_tucker

Thanks for your visit readers! Hope you enjoyed your stay.
Catherine Townsend-Lyon, Author & Lyon Book Promotions
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Clancy’s most current book is now out on Amazon!

Styling Your E-Book With Proper Formatting

March 3, 2015 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Posts

A wonderful blog worth your visit if your a writer, author, and blogger! Just sharing some good tips!
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon :-)

Archer's Aim

Introduction

The use of styles in word processing is a bit esoteric for many users. However, when formatting an e-book, styles can be very handy. With that in mind, I’ll follow-up on last week’s post about formatting by digging a little deeper into what styles are, why they are important to e-book formatting and how to use them. As a reminder, create a back-up copy of your content before formatting so you can easily revert to the original.

Does Your Manuscript Have Style?

So what’s a style and does your book have it? Well, when considering formatting, this is not so much a question of writing style as visual presentation. You don’t want to worry about this while your actually creating your content but when you are formatting styles add, well – style.