What brought on your love of writing?It was my escape from the world.Would you consider yourself an avid reader as well?Yes. I love to read.How has the pandemic affected your writing life?It kicked my career into high gear.When did a novel start coming to life in your mind?I wrote my first while in jr. high... Continue Reading →
March Reads
They’d love for everybody to be healthy. But a horrible virus brought them into a nightmare. What can be done to stop the spread of this coronavirus?“This book explains in a way that can be easily understood by children what a Covid-19 infection is. It shows how we can stop the spread of this virus... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Press Release Distribution
Its taken me a long time to put this list together. I've been researching for the last two years and watching the "best" and the "worst" so you have a competitive edge to announcing your book to the world. A press release is one of the oldest, yet best, ways to promote your book without... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Romancing Readers
Romance novels are among the top three genres published today. Why? Because, romance readers know what they want, and how they want it. So how do you get to know the world of romance readers? Let's talk about what it takes to write romance your readers will melt for. Part of hooking readers by the... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Charles F. Millhouse
When did you know you had to write? When I was young, I read a lot of comics (I still do) and my friends and I would come up with tales of our own. By the time I was 25 I knew I wanted to write. In 1999 I published my first book at 33... Continue Reading →
February Reads
*DEATH: (A Love Story) is an Award Winning Finalist in the 2020 International Book Awards.*You might think that Death prefers first place, but truth be told, Death revels in being THE FINALIST!WARNING! YOU COULD DIE READING THIS BOOK! When's the last time you had an intimate heart to heart chat with your death? Have you... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Building/Rebuilding Your Author Site
Part of building your audience is building a site. You know, a place where your upcoming fanbase can go to learn EVERYTHING they need to know about your and your book(s). Building a site isn't an easy feat, however, today I bring you the best and easiest to use web site creation tools. Make sure... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Knowing Your Audience
Its something I speak about ALL THE TIME. The first thing I will tell you when planning your project is to research, interact with, and become your audience. It sounds creepy, but I do mean it! I don't write YA because its easy, its because I LOVE to read YA. This inside edge gives me... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Keisha Acuff
1. When did you know you were born to write? From the moment I found out what writing was I have always kept a journal. I still have a little note pad with Lisa Frank artwork on the front of it from when I was around 5 years old and I would write music, poems... Continue Reading →
January Reads
In a peaceful suburban town outside Minneapolis, life is simple. The only thing that matters in RiverCreek is whether the high school varsity hockey team will finally win a state title after a two-decade dry period. Cory Dubois, the team's second-best scorer and leader in goal assists, has dreams of one day leaving RiverCreek to... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Year End Accounting
Now if you are not comfortable doing your own taxes, make an appointment with an accountant or tax professional of your choice. I am just offering the information I collected, to anyone interested in doing their own accounting/books. I’m not a tax pro, and I’m only 2 classes from an associates of accounting, so be... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Learning to Write Again
While you have been enjoy the articles I wrote months in advance, I have been struggling to write at all. I worked myself into the BIGGEST writers block I have ever encountered and started to stumbled through my list of normal blocking kicking tricks, but this block grew, and grew, until it was a writer's... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Lacye Lembcke
How long have you had the writing bug? Since I was a child. I used to write stories for my teachers all the time. What inspired a book to take shape for you? Character backstories. Once I know my characters, I can create their world. What about folklore caught your attention? I've loved lore and... Continue Reading →
December Reads
Find all the working links HERE
Coming Up
Here's what you can expect from the IABE over the coming months. Firstly, starting December 1st 2020, we will be giving away a book a day! That's right, to help brighten your holidays we're giving away 25 books! One day, leading up to Christmas day. These books have been donated from our generous authors, and... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Holiday Balance
Something we all struggle with is balance, and impending holidays can throw a wrench into your schedule faster than you can blink. Now I'm not a Grinch by any means, and I happen to LOVE Christmas, but even the best get their plans kerfuffle from time to time. Keeping your deadlines fluid, and taking time... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Articles
Short and articles can be hard to write. Sure its easy to do your research, but with limited space, how do you say what you need? What keeps your readers coming back for more newsletters, blog posts, ect.? Time to learn something new! Here are 5 tips to help you write better articles. Lose the... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: P.D. Alleva
When did you know you had the writing bug? Birth. I’ve been making up and writing stories for as along as I can remember. I used to tell ghost stories to my younger brothers by candlelight when we were just kids and would write fan fiction based on movies I would see; Goonies, Ghostbusters, even... Continue Reading →
November Reads
Deliverance will come... But that is another story. What makes a legend but the stories told about him? Interviewing Gorias La Gaul, the biggest legend of them all, is a dream come true for young scribe Jessica. Where other girls her age would swoon beneath the steely gaze of the warrior, Jessica only has eyes... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Plan, Or Not To Plan.
As you know by now, October is almost over and the means NANO Wri Mo is right around the corner. Have you knocked out your prep work? Even pantsers (writers without a story outlined in detail) have some idea of how they want their work to flow. There's always a beginning, middle, and an ending.... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Freak Me Out
The Halloween spirit is in full effect! And no one loves being scared more than me! But that's beside the point! Writing horror can feel a little out of place, but October is all about stepping out of our comfort zone and getting a little gory. So let's talk about what makes for a great... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Joleene Naylor
Welcome back: we’ve missed talking with you. So tell us, how has life been treating you? Well, I’m still alive, so that’s something, ha ha! Seriously, though, things are pretty good. We got the roof replaced (finally), are hoping to get the outside trim finished, and we have some super fun plans for Halloween decorations.... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Social Media
There are tons of social media sites and new ones pop up every day. But which ones should you really be focused on as a writer? To be honest not many. You have a lot on your plate with telling your story, so over doing it can cause more chaos than good. So let's discuss... Continue Reading →
September Reads
I’m Ogun “Voodoo” Dupré—SAA for the Ankeny RBMC. There’s no pretty way to put it: I do the dirty work for my club. Without question, I follow the direct orders of my president. Except, when my services were required for a particularly delicate situation, I found myself hesitating for the first time in my adult... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: YouTube For Authors
Staying relevant is difficult in an ever changing world. New apps, and ways for sharing content, pop up on a daily basis and you shouldn't be left in the dark. But in my old age, I'm still learning the ropes too and here we are. So let's learn what it takes to create a channel... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Robert Niederklopfer
1) When did you know you wanted to be a writer? When I realized I wanted to draw comics and needed a story to go with my illustrations. I never really considered myself a writer until recently. For me it was just a means to an end. Writing was always my worst subject in school.... Continue Reading →
Hottest August Reads!
Victor Anderson has always seen Darcy Miller, his employer’s daughter, as the rich, materialistic, spoiled brat she seems to be. But when she shows up in front of his house one day with a flat tire, everything starts to change. Victor encounters a new side of Darcy—one that intrigues him and draws him in. Even... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Virtual Events
Not all book signings were lucky enough to be later in the year, and at a time when this pandemic seems to be at a plateau. So event organizers are turning to virtual events to keep life somewhat normal. Here are some tips to help you get through your time, and getting the most out... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Back Cover Blurbs
Oh the challenges we face as writers! Back cover blurbs can be the worst some times. You're only given a small amount of space to temp readers into the depths of your words, but how do you do it without giving up the whole story? Never fear... the IABE is here! I asked our group... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: F. P. Spirit
1.When do you know you had to write a book? I’ve always loved fantasy and a few years back we started role playing with family and friends. A number of amazing and amusing characters resulted from those sessions and I wanted to share their adventures with as many folks as I could. Little did I... Continue Reading →
July Must Reads
Forever Mine – Cy & Rylan Claire Plaisted Wolf Shifter Romance Novella. LGBT, M/M, Murder, Mystery, True Love. BLURB Cy is an Alpha wolf-shifter, heir to his father's pack. Cy is also gay, something his father won't accept. In fact, he's already lined up a female mate for him. A woman Cy hates.... Continue Reading →
Monday Motivation
With a pandemic, social distancing, and a current state of fear for the future it can be hard to find the right vibes to put you in the mood to write. So here are my five favorite ways to get in the mood to write. Music: All the joy of beautiful sounds and poems being... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Hashtags For Authors
We could all use more book sales, and finding new and inventive ways can be hard, but hashtags will live on for a while. Its an untapped resource, and underestimated. So today I give you the best of the best hashtags for book sales. These hashtags will work across all your social media, so never... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Making A Comeback!
*Firstly, I can't express how my heart breaks for the current situation of our nation. IABE and all of it representatives stand with the black community against this, and all, injustices to come on the road to ending racism and finally reach equality for all. We can't change the past, but together, we can make... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Randy Weir
What drew you into the life of wordsmithing? I’ve always had an active imagination since childhood. The ideas and stories floating in my head, needing to be written down. As if they were haunting me, though in a good way. Once they’re put to paper, or digitally, the haunting ceases. Until the next idea and... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Rami Ungar
When did you know you had a story to share? I’ve always had stories to tell. But it wasn’t until around ten that I realized storytelling was what I wanted to do with my life, and it was a few more years until I realized I wanted to tell stories of the scary variety... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Book Reviews
Getting your book out there is the first challenge. Now you need to entice those readers to post their thoughts, thus helping you gain more readers. This is even more important for the indie author, since we don't have a publishing house to back us up, and word of mouth is our best selling tool.... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Write About Now
Part of writing is telling a story of current events that will become timeless. And nonfiction is no joke; its very personal, and technical. With this virus rampaging through our globe, I can see a lot of survivor stories coming to life, and I felt now was the time to prep. Memoirs should tell your... Continue Reading →
April Reads
WARNING! YOU COULD DIE READING THIS BOOK! When's the last time you had an intimate heart to heart chat with your death? Have you ever? Now is your chance. Hi, I am your Death and I am here for you. No wait, don’t go! Aside from the fact that you can’t get away, I’m not... Continue Reading →
Musical Motivation
As I sit in my house writing up a storm, I realized how much music influences the scenes in my books, and if I'm pushed by songs, maybe writers and readers can share those feelings through music. So here's my "Writer's Playlist", and recommended listening for readers. Don't worry, I'll explain why I chose each... Continue Reading →
How Writers Are Better Prepared
Here we are (better late then never), in the middle of a lock down/pandemic, and everyone seems restless already. But writer's have been preparing for this since birth! By Stigma: We're hermits anyway. Or at least that's what most readers assume authors/writers are. We do admire our time alone to get the words out of... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Planning Your Book Launch
Today's advice comes from a new, but dear friend of mine Diane J. Windsor, owner of Motina Books. Find the link at the bottom. Here we go. Planning Your Book Launch A book launch can take place anywhere from 30 to 90 days before your book is released. This is the perfect time to... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Collette Lorentzen
1) How long have you been a writer? 5 + years 2) How has art helped your writing? It’s more like “How has writing helped my art?” 3) Would you say its more difficult to write for children? No, and I love writing for children. 4) How often to you find yourself talking about your... Continue Reading →
March Reading Madness
With Cera declared dead, Nicholas Grafton must come to terms with his loss and move on with the next case without her. He must put aside his feelings about a one time friend, to put together his clue, and avert the biggest disaster to face Central City yet. Cera, alive and well, has her own... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources
Writing contests are a great way to highlight your career as a writer, and beef up your resume. So I went through all the contests of 2020 with deadlines after February, that you SHOULD look into! The Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans This contests boast $1000 grand prize and publishing in The Iowa Review.... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Who Do You Write For?
One sunny Saturday morning I went to my favorite local writers group. Our topic of discussion: our audience. Who was I really writing for? While I thought I knew; I write for myself first and foremost. It feeds my soul. And while its not wrong to write for yourself; I learned I should be more... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Erin Casey
As an IABE Veteran, how does it feel to be doing your second Q&A with us? I’m very honored! I feel like I’ve learned a lot over the past year since publishing The Purple Door District and working with IABE. And I must say, I can’t wait for all of the upcoming signings. Can you... Continue Reading →
February Reads
Time was but a moment. Past, present, future: it mattered not. The mirror was supposed to give the viewer a look into these moments and prolonged use could lead to insanity. Many had succumbed to the mirror's effects, but Tisiphone, the heir to the Valkyrie throne, had promised herself not to let it get that... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Pushing Your Write Limits.
So you've been at this a while, and found your 'comfy' spot in your genre, have you ever considered you're too comfortable? Even after 13 years in this wordy gig, I get bored only writing young adult novels. But what can you do? Here's how I ended up finding a new genre. This all started... Continue Reading →