Military Spouses and Authors discussion

OK this is a place for each of us to put out emails and book titles. This will be where I can get our information and send it when it's time.

Nice Glyn,

Code Name: Ghost the first in "A Warrior's Challenge" series came out this week. It's a military action romance with 5 books in the series featuring U.S. Navy SEALs. Link to video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VMAm5...
Readers can find the book at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Siren Bookstrand and Secret Cravings publishing. Look forward to reviews or a PM.
73's Natasza

Hi there,

Great group!

I'm Amy, and I'm a UK Royal Navy wife and author. My debut, a psychological thriller called 'Yours is Mine' , was published last month by Harlequin, through new digital imprint Carina UK. It's about two women - one of whom is a Navy wife - exchanging identities, masquerading as each other. I'm doing an interview at the moment with a US Navy wife novelist here: http://unhingednavywives.blogspot.co.... and you can see the full blurb of the book here: www.carinauk.com/yours-is-mine. You can also check out my website at www.amybirdwrites.com

Amy

Welcome to the group Amy! I'll be contacting USAF Times next week. I'm liking this international flare we 're getting. I hope the Times reporter does too. I'll keep you all in the loop.

Hi everyone! I'm Stephanie Carroll and I'm the author of historical novel A White Room, and I write the Unhinged & Empowered Navy Wives blog http://unhingednavywives.blogspot.com. The lovely author Amy Bird recommended the group to me, and I'm so happy that she did because I think it's great this group exists. I was so excited to meet another Navy Wife author through Amy, and I can't wait to meet other military spouses who are also authors.

My husband was in the U.S. Navy and had plans to go officer but after making Chief and serving for 11 years, he recently decided to pursue his dream of owning a vineyard. A week and a half ago, we officially transitioned out of the Navy, but he's going into the reserves, and I am continuing my blog. I hope its all right that joined the group even though I guess I'm a former military spouse.

Sincerely,
Stephanie Carroll
www.stephaniecarroll.net

Welcome Stephanie. Of course you are welcome here. As a military spouse, you have earned your stripes. Did you get a chance to read the reason for this group? I plan on contacting the AF times on Weds. if I don't get any luck, I'm going to hit the Navy times up. We'll have to see how it goes.

Yes and I think that's an awesome story idea and I would love to be a part of it. I'm a former reporter so let me know if I can do anything to help.

OK ladies,
I have sent a request to the AF times for a story. We'll see if they like it.

No replies yet.

Standing by!

73's
Natasza

Doesn't look like the military is going to run our story. I talked to the PA officer on Barksdale. He told me of it even looks like the story is advertisement, it's not allowed in the military times or base papers.
Sorry ladies, I tried.

I've had some difficulty with military papers and magazines myself.

Still that doesn't mean we cannot benefit from all having connected! We all have a common audience and can maybe come together to spread our reach.

I currently write The Unhinged & Empowered Navy Wives & Navy Girlfriends blog and am trying to turn it into a co-op with other military spouses contributing on a regular basis. I understand everyone here isn't necessary Navy or female for that matter but that's okay as I'm trying to branch out to get a variety of perspectives. Including spouses from other branches, male spouses, and even same sex spouses.

If anyone is interested in this, we can try it out with a couple of guest posts (which would include links to your book) and if it turns out that it works for anyone, I would add you on the blog as an author and include your book in the right side bar probably in a type of slideshow with my and other contributors books depending on how many are interested. I'd also include you and your bio in the About section along with links to your books.

Doing a co-op like this is more beneficial than going it alone in the world of blogging because the content creation as well as blog marketing via social media is shared so it's less work with additional exposure benefit for everyone involved.

If anyone is interested in this, please email me at [email protected]. If you want to check out the blog and get an idea for it's angle, it is at http://unhingednavywives.blogspot.com

Stephanie wrote: "I've had some difficulty with military papers and magazines myself.

Still that doesn't mean we cannot benefit from all having connected! We all have a common audience and can maybe come together ..."

That sounds great Stephanie. I was thinking the same thing. I'm just finishing up Code Name: Kayla's Fire today. When I've shaken everything loose, I would love to interview you on my blog as well. I have several fans who, although they love romance, see that the books cover a far more important aspect to "loving and living navy."
Natasza

Natasza Waters

Sounds like a good idea. Although, I'm not sure what I have to offer you ladies. I have a facebook page and a blog here on good reads. I have a fair amount (81) facebook followers, but only 1 fan who follows the blog. This is a group thing, and I want to help you guys out if I can.

Glyn wrote: "Sounds like a good idea. Although, I'm not sure what I have to offer you ladies. I have a facebook page and a blog here on good reads. I have a fair amount (81) facebook followers, but only 1 fa..."

We'll come up with something intriguing. Blogs are good. What's the link to yours Glyn?

Natasza wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I've had some difficulty with military papers and magazines myself.

Still that doesn't mean we cannot benefit from all having connected! We all have a common audience and can ma..."

There ya have it Stephanie. I went to your blog site. Great by the way. I was thinking a great topic to cover is homecoming depression. Opened your blog, and there it was on the home page. Awesome!

What is everyone's blog addresses? So we can check them all out?

No worries Glyn if your blog is still in the building stages. If we collaborate, we might be able to help you get some more followers or find a new platform for you to promote on.

I started my blog about a year ago and in retrospect, I wish I had found someone else with a blog already established so I could just join their blog and benefit from the audience building they already had done.

That's basically what I'm suggesting we do for each other. You could get exposure to my audience and what I get from you is a day where I don't have to produce content because you've written something for that day.

http://voicebetweenthelines.com/my-bl...

Glyn, as Stephanie said, blogging is about community and cross blogging. Until you create a blog outside of GR, you can use FB. Posting, even a little, anywhere on social media helps!

Thanks ladies! Btw, if it helps the blog I'm not only a spouse but I also served for 7 yrs and deployed 3 times. I might have some insight from both sides. Let me peak at the blog and see what I can offer

Glyn that is a perspective I would love, love to have on my blog that's for sure!

And of course, I'm on the iPhone because my comp just committed suicide. Hopefully an easy fix and I'll have it back by Friday.

Ok Glyn - let us know when you are back up and running and whether or not you would be interested in writing something for the blog or if you'd be interested in trying to become a regular contributor.

Natasza, took a look at your website and your books. It looks like you got a great audience building and congrats on the next one coming out.

I would love to have you write something for Unhinged Navy Wives & Girlfriends. Were you interested in just doing one guest post or would you be interested in having a monthly guest spot? Is there a particular topic you'd be interested in writing on? At this point all the general topics have been covered and so I'm looking for writers to go into some niche areas of being a military spouse. I didn't see what branch you were connected to but if it's not Navy the obvious direction would be start with what's it like to be a spouse from a different branch.

Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Stephanie

Stephanie wrote: "Ok Glyn - let us know when you are back up and running and whether or not you would be interested in writing something for the blog or if you'd be interested in trying to become a regular contribut..."

Hi Stephanie, I'm an officer with the Coast Guard. My first husband was a Captain in same. Why don't we do a monthly on each others. You can draw attention to your fabulous site because I have many spouses who have contacted me since the book has come out. I think your site would be supportive for many of them. I have a few women on my street team who are ex-marines, and are still married to servicemen.

Natasza wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Ok Glyn - let us know when you are back up and running and whether or not you would be interested in writing something for the blog or if you'd be interested in trying to become a..."

That sounds great Natasza! I've decided to take a little break from my blog as I prepare for a 10 day ebook sale for A White Room and promotional guest posting tour at the end of October.

I'll put it on my calendar to connect back with you in November to talk about when we can set this all up ... unless you would like to set it up for a date between Oct 21-31 to be a part of the sale.

If you'd rather us connect in November, would you prefer I contact you via goodreads or via an email?

Stephanie wrote: "Natasza wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Ok Glyn - let us know when you are back up and running and whether or not you would be interested in writing something for the blog or if you'd be interested in tr..."

Hi Stephanie. November would probably be good. [email protected]. I need to find you on facebook, then we can chat!!! Good luck on your tour!

thanks! find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/carrollbooks

ok ladies, I'm back up. Had to replace. Let me know what you're looking for, and when

Glyn, is there room for a retired army spouse in this group? I am not published and very new to Romance Writers of America. I do have a beginning manuscript with approximately 30,000 words, but it still needs a ton of work. I would gain a lot of positive knowledge from being in a group.

Regardless of my writing experience, my husband retired a year ago after 35 years. I started writing right before he retired and I love the creativity and writing process.

If you do not think this is the group for me, please let me know and I will either create a group or find one that is for me.

Jan

There is always room for an army spouse (retired, active, or even ex). Welcome to the group. Any help we can give ya, just ask.

Welcome Jan! =)

Hello Jan. Welcome!

Glyn, Stephanie, and Natasza,

Thank you so much. I am happy to be a part of your group and looking forward to learning as much as possible from all of your experience. I have a question from all three of you.

How often do you write and for how long?

Jan

Jan wrote: "Glyn, Stephanie, and Natasza,

Thank you so much. I am happy to be a part of your group and looking forward to learning as much as possible from all of your experience. I have a question from all t..."

When I'm not working, I'm literally in front of my computer for hours! Some of it is writing on my current series, but a lot of time is also spent marketing and interacting with fans and my street team.

I'm writing every day. My husband and I have made efforts so that I only have to work part time so the morning hours are my working hours. My first novel recently debuted, so I've spent much of the last year or more writing a lot of marketing material, i.e. blog posts, website content, newsletter content, etc. I, however, also managed to squeeze in a new novel rough draft by putting everything else off and going nuts for a month or two.

But, I'm already several years into having decided to make this my priority in life. I've rearranged my life to do so. When I first started, I was writing because after college the first job I got was writing one article a week for a newspaper. As that career grew into full time work, I wrote after work and on the weekends.

Then as I realized it wasn't really what I wanted to do, I worked backwards and toward working part-time again. Irony.

My point, though, is that If you want to make writing a priority, you need to make it a regular activity.

I began writing two hours every weekday morning and then I began the business aspect of writing. I joined RWA, Romance Writers of America and attended their conference last year. The conference workshops were so inspiring but I found myself so overwhelmed with all of the information that I lost faith and slowly stopped writing.I am editing at this point and my enthusiasm is back again. I am attending the RWA conference again this year and have a more realistic expectation of myself and the writer's lifestyle.

Hello again,

I forgot to give you my blog.

Jan
http://www.janlangdorf.wordpress.com

Keeping positive, going to conferences, and blogging. Looks like you are on your way! =)

Hi there! I feel a little late to this party, but I thought I'd say hi :)

I'm and USAF wife and have a series of books coming out this year. I'm terrified. So used to being at home and not putting myself out there... I'm sure you can relate! But anyway, I'm an editor at Entangled Publishing too, so if you need any help or advice, if I can I'm happy to help fellow mil spouses.

My website is http://www.emmycurtis.com

Hi Emmy,

I am fairly new too. Nice to meet you. I'll check out your website and thanks for offering help. I have a long way to get where you are in the game. I am still working on my first manuscript. Glad you have joined.

Jan

Hi Emmy,
Nice to meet you. Will your series be military romance as well? It's a great sub-genre to write in. I've had great success with mine. Don't forget to send your MS to InD'tale Magazine for a review. As an Indie author it's a fantastic way to get visibility for your series. Marketing is key, as you probably already know. I'm a professional reviewers for the mag as well and we support Indie authors like no other magazine. Wish you the best of luck.

Hi Emmy,

Nice to meet you! I love your website. Tell us a little about your titles coming out soon - what are your plans for the launch? Is Entangled Publishing publishing your books?

I write historical women's fiction (my debut novel A White Room came out in June 2013) and a blog for Navy Wives & Girlfriends www.unhingedandempowered.com. My author website is www.stephaniecarroll.net.

Warm Wishes,

Stephanie

Jan... And I'll be checking out your website too! Keep on with the manuscript, I can't emphasize that enough... even if you think it's super-crap, when you have words on the page, you can go back and revise. You can't revise a blank page :) Even Hemmingway said (I have the t-shirt) "the first draft of anything is crap"... so I take his word for it! My first drafts are wince-inducing, I promise you! Good Luck :)

Natasza
My books are military romances primarily, my editor calls them romantic suspense. I like to write about the less talked about heroes, so not the Marines and SEALS that are in books and headlines fairly regularly. And I do a lot of research (otherwise my husband would kill me for inaccuracies!!). *Pouts* I'm not currently an indie author.. I'm being pubbed by a company, but I have thoughts of going hybrid, which I think a lot of authors seem to be embracing now, so I will definitely bear InD'tale in mind in future. Not to mention checking out your reviews to find my next "must-read" book!

Stephanie

I'm still at the head-swiveling stage when it comes to launch stuff! I have no idea. I wanted to get t-shirts for giveaways (but that's because I like t shirts!)... I don't have a plan right now because I'm not organized and I'm still writing the third book and waiting for my edits on my second, so I feel like it's cheating by thinking abut promoting a book I haven't written yet (Ahhhh cue the panic!).. but I'd be happy to show you my plans and designs when I get to it.. maybe you I can get everyone in this group to vote on what they like!!

About the books.. the first one is an e-novella about an Air Force Pararescuer and an embedded reporter, the second and third full length books are about an Air Force TACP, and a Sergeant from JPAC in Hawaii. I'm still writing that one, and it feel to me to be the most suspenseful.

So while I'm logged on, where is everyone else in the process? Still writing? Querying? Published? Or happily indie? If you've pubbed already, I'm going to go on a shopping spree!

Stephanie.. I'm already clickety clicking on The White Room. I love historical fiction!

*edits* OMG your cover is BEAUTIFUL, Stephanie. *Swoons*

Grabbing Natasza's too! And Amy's .. wow.. I'm getting some great Summer reading here, that is, if summer ever comes!

Emmy wrote: "So while I'm logged on, where is everyone else in the process? Still writing? Querying? Published? Or happily indie? If you've pubbed already, I'm going to go on a shopping spree!

Stephanie.. I'..."

I have three published and the fourth is due on May 12th. The first book is a stand alone Las Vegas contemporary romance. The next seven are part of a series contracted with a publisher. I switched publishers after my first book. I didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from them. Love my current publishing company. My website has all my books listed. I'm Coast Guard, so of course I write about the Navy. LOL Look forward to reading your books.

http://nataszawaters.com/

It seems to be a while since we posted anything here (or maybe my PC is stuck in April! Just to let you know that my military suspense debut is out: DANGEROUS TERRITORY is a long-ish novella and just 99c!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I...

Hey ladies! Sorry it's been a while. I've been so busy lately and I usually only check goodreads about once or twice a month. Hope everything is going well and everyone's significant other is home and healthy.

Hi there, not quit a spouse yet, but will be on August 22 this year. Get to marry my best friend of 10 years. Couldn't be happier. My soon husband is in the Air Force. I am a aspiring sci-fi/fantasy author and I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice as to adapting to the military life as well as any writing tips would be appreciated as well. Thank you