From a Blog to a Book--Pam Williams's A to Z Publishing Experience

     

     

    

   

        In my previous post I wondered about A to Z participants who actually put their Challenge posts into publication.  Today we hear from one of those who did.  Here is a success story from Pamela D Williams.

From a Blog to a Book

How can accepting the April A to Z blogging challenge lead to a book publishing offer? For me it was like a bird following breadcrumbs—I took one inspired step at a time!

I started my blog, 2 Encourage, on Valentine’s Day 2011. I had no idea what I was really getting into—besides joining two writer friends, Dawn and Brianna, who also started blogs around that time. In March, the three of us decided to participate in Arlee Bird’s April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

During that challenge, God led me to write short meditations. I loved it! Every day I mulled over what I wanted to write and then pushed “publish”. I discovered many of my posts spoke to the hearts of writers.

The Challenge was an amazing experience—all the wonderful comments and blog posts! I made so many friends in the blogosphere that I have kept in contact with since that time.

About 18 months later, I felt God nudging me to use my A to Z Blogging Challenge posts as the basis for a book. In very little time A to Z Devotions for Writers took shape.

My heart’s desire in writing A to Z Devotions for Writers is to encourage those who want their writing to stir the faith of others. Each entry offers pertinent scripture readings, a meditation focused on various aspects of the writing life, a short relevant prayer and a “block” busting writing application. My hope is that A to Z Devotions for Writers  will not only drive pen to paper but will also illuminate how writers can apply God’s truths to their writing.

And to think that this project came about as a direct result of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. That is just plain cool—no doubt about it. Thanks, Arlee, for following the leading of your heart and starting the A to Z. Can’t wait for 2014’s Challenge!

           Thanks Pam!   

            Be sure to check out Pam's blog 2 Encourage for information about her book and upcoming book tour.   For more information about the book A to Z Devotions for Writers or to purchase the book you can follow the link below.

Where to buy A TO Z DEVOTIONS FOR WRITERS

• CrossLink
• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble

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How Many Books Have Resulted from the A to Z Challenge?

 
         I've been wondering how many books have come about as a direct result of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge?    We should probably start keeping track--maybe create a special page on this site to promote them.   I know there have been quite a few since the Challenge began in 2010.

          When I first put out the call to join me in blogging through the alphabet in April of 2010, coming up with an A to Z inspired book was not something I even thought of.   A few participants such as Damyanti and Doris Plaster caught on quick and put out books based on their A to Z posts.   Later I ran across some others who also used the A to Z as a publishing catalyst.  Unfortunately I negligently failed to keep track of those authors.

         Subsequent Challenges have seen outpourings of even more books.  Some I've heard about, while others will catch my attention after the fact when I happen to run across them.  What I do know is that the Blogging from A to Z Challenge has been instrumental in getting many interesting and unique books in the marketplace.

        We'd like to hear from you if you have authored one of these books.  You can use this blog as a forum for getting word out about your A to Z inspired book.  Let us know if you'd like to submit a guest post about your book.  Tell us about how you went about putting your book together and what kind of response you received.

       Or perhaps you are considering doing an A to Z book in a future Challenge.  We'd like to hear your thoughts about that as well.   The concept of A to Z inspired books is of interest to many who have participated in a past Challenge or plan to participate in a future one.

         If you've already published an A to Z project, please let us know in the comments and provide links for more information and maybe we can compile the list for reader reference.

          Next Monday August 26th we will be joined by Pam Williams whose A to Z Devotions for Writers was recently released.   Be sure to return to hear her story about how the book came about.

          Have you published a work based on your experience with the A to Z Challenge?   Have you thought about putting one together?   Can you think of any books that have been the direct result of Blogging from A to Z?

       

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Mina Lobo: Cover Reveal - That Fatal Kiss

Today please welcome Mina Lobo who blogs at Some Dark Romantic and is about to publish her latest work.

Mina Lobo has long held a passion for Greek mythology. The story of the goddess Persephone's marriage-by-kidnap to Hades, Lord of the Underworld, has particularly fascinated her, and thus came about Mina's debut novel, That Fatal Kiss. Coming September 2013, the revisionist tale features a fiery and noble heroine, a handsome and broody hero, and some heated, earth-shakin' lovin'!

Given Mina's self-professed neurotic nature, it took her and cover artist Steven Novak a few go-arounds before settling on the cover design for That Fatal Kiss. It had to be curiously compelling, slightly spooky, and yet super sexy—and so it is!

The Book:

Feared by mortals for his inexorable power, and loathed by his fellow Greek gods for the same, Hades rules the Underworld alone. A stark eternity looms before him until he discovers Persephone. Struck by the youthful goddess’ beauty, kindness, and spirit, he must have her. But Hades believes Persephone could never love him, and so he conspires with his powerful brother, Zeus, to take her by force.

Persephone too seeks a mate but her possessive mother, the goddess Demeter, frustrates her husband hunting. Then Hades abducts Persephone, tearing her away from the Upperworld she loves to reign with him in the dank depths below. Though outraged, Persephone cannot deny the desire ignited within her by the dark lord’s touch. And even as she hopes that Demeter will unearth her, Persephone aches to surrender to the heat in Hades’ immortal soul.

The Teaser:

“Enough,” Hades said, closing the distance between them. “I have taken you with your father’s consent, as custom allows. You are in my kingdom, under my rule, and if you have any care for your continued well-being, you will get into my bed. Now.” And with the removal of the pins that held together the black cloth about his waist, he stood naked before her.

The anger warming Persephone clashed with another fire that roared to life within her. She choked on a breath and turned her face from him. “Be warned; I will resist you with the full force of my being, through violent means, if necessary.”

His large, unyielding hands encircled the soft flesh of her upper arms as he said, “If you must. Though your surrender to me would prove more satisfying to us both.”

The Author:

Mina Lobo has a lot of Scorpio action going on in her natal chart, which makes for a rather sybaritic and lust-driven Sagittarian. She aims for a wildly successful future as a writer of dark and whimsical romance while dodging the slings and arrows of her outrageous teenaged son, who's buggered off to college (hence the "Lite" in her Twitter handle, below). She enjoys comedic horror and alt rock, goth, & new wave music, as well as quality Belgian chocolates.

Mina invites you to keep abreast of updates regarding That Fatal Kiss, as well as the development of any new neuroses, by stalking her at her usual haunts:

Her blog: Some Dark Romantic
On Facebook: mina.lobo.1
On the Twitter: @GothMomLite
And GothMomLite Will Tumblr For Ya as well