KFC Snackbox Versus Marvin's Curse!

I have discovered that at £1.99, a KFC Snackbox is the same price as my YA novel Marvin's Curse! But! My book is definitely more tasty and pretty sure it will last a whole lot longer. Why not add the Pepsi for just 99p as you read it through...


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371824340&sr=8-1

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325225

 And how about sharing this with people you may (or may not) know??
https://www.facebook.com/events/151627771695285/

Local produce and craft market

So, I had a stall at the local market yesterday. It was a nice day, weatherwise, although the wind did threaten a bit. Lots of different stalls ranging from charity to jewellery sellers so a good mix.

I sold lots of books, which was great. I was also pleased to shift some of the books my dog had scrateched up when he'd been spooked by fireworks and attacked a box of books!
I spent a lot of time talking to people. It's amazing how writers attract writers. I met a lovely lady, Jillian, who has just published her book and discovered that we both used the same Yorkshire based printers, YPS.

I also attract other people... A lady who insisted on calling Marvin's Curse, Mary's Curse, a man who kept telling me that the bookstore, Waterstone's, was just on the corner, plus another man who kept asking how a dog could damage books while his wife suggested I cut off the dog's head to stop him!

And the Mayor of Sutton stopped by! We shared a joke as he remembered me from before when he didn't buy a book. He didn't buy one this time either!

Senior School Visit

So the possibility of a senior school visit has appeared on the horizon. It will be the first time I'd have given an event linked to the new book so lots to think about!

I think I might use the trailer as a way in, as an intoduction - or I could make a trailer about myself...

Talk about the choice of cover, the reason behind it - could look at the other covers I designed too.

Being gifted like Marvin - was it a curse? What would be a 'gift'?

I could... do some stuff on graveyards... that could be fun! Look at different statues etc. Do spooky stuff...

Any suggestions????

Craft Market

I'm looking forward to the local craft and produce market in Sutton on Saturday. I took part last year in a similar event and sold quite a lot of Aggie Lichen books.
One of the nice aspects of being outside on a stall, is that you get to chat to people passing by. Usually, not about writing, but about Sutton itself.
We met the mayor last year and photos taken too for the local paper.It's a great way of showing off local talent too. More towns should have this kind of thing. It just brings something different to town centres and creates community too. I wonder if other towns offer this?

I'm going to have a hard job pushing 'Marvin's Curse' as it's an e-book. Any suggestions?

Marvin's Curse book trailer still getting some views and up to 186 as of today. I wonder if anyone reading my blog has taken the plunge and created their own trailer?

Where I write

So, I thought I'd give you a little look at where most of the writing takes place. The study also serves as a library come DVD storage centre. Lots of folders, dictionaries, pencils, diary and a large pile of brand new notebooks.

Yes, it's a bit messy - well, actually, I tidied up for the photo!

And just a few of the books I still have to read. Oops, no, I think I've read most of these. Lots of YA/kids books here. Also, lots of paranormal going on. Any surprises?

Hello USA!

A big shout out to my blog viewers in the US! Hi and thanks for stopping by the blog. Hope you like what you see. If not, let me know what you want to see more of! Have a good day!

Wattpad Reads

Wattpad reads of the first six chapters are up to 296 which is fab! If you want a sneaky peek of what Marvin has instore, here's the link!

http://www.wattpad.com/story/3921672-marvin%27s-curse

Hiya!

Благодарите Вас моим российским зрителям блога! Хороший видеть Вас здесь!

BOOK TRAILER FEEDBACK

So 164 people have now seen the book trailer for Marvin's Curse... and what did you think?

Was the music a good choice?
Was it too long/too short?
How about the pictures - good choice, too scary/not scary enough?
Timing?
And the phrases? Enough information?  Did they make you want to buy the book?

I'd be really interested to hear any feedback you have on this.

Marvin's Curse now available in all e-book formats and PDF!! Just £1.99 ($2.99) Please share with anyone, friends, family, little old ladies, dogs, cats...

Or the spooky man will get you....

 AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371824340&sr=8-1&keywords=marvin%27s+curse

SMASHWORDS:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325225

How to make a book trailer!

 For those of you who would like to have a go at this, here are some basic ideas as to what I did. I used Windows Movie Maker to make mine and it was free (apart from an image I had bought for my book cover). It does takes a while, but it was really good fun to do.
Have a look on YouTube at other book trailers to get an idea of what yours could be like. Aim for no longer than two minutes in total. Here's mine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpNB65nYyRM
 

1. Familiarise yourself with the Movie Maker program by using/importing images in from your own files, adding bits of music you might have in files.

2.Choose your photos. Think about the type of photos you could use. This will probably be the most time consuming part. You can get free royalty free pictures online. I got mine from here: http://www.dreamstime.com/free-photos  You'll need to download them and save them into a folder.

 3. Choose your music. Remember to think about the age and genre you are writing and how the music will help to get across your message. I found free royalty free music here: http://teknoaxe.com/cgi-bin/home.pl Obviously, you can choose from a different site, just be sure it is free to use and royalty free. Download your music and save to your folder.

4. Now for the actual making. I googled 'How to make your own book trailer' and this site came up.
 http://kingdomelectlady.hubpages.com/hub/Create-Your-Own-Book-Trailer-Free
It was really useful and gives lots of other ideas as to what to do.

Take your time and enjoy the process. Sit back and watch your book trailer!

Great Interview!

Just seen the great interview put up by Vinny at the Awesome Gang website. Have a look!


http://awesomegang.com/debra-j-edwards/

Debra J Edwards

by Vinny O'Hare

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Surrey, Uk in a rambling Victorian house with my non-writer husband and boisterous staffy, Buster.
I have written three other books which are published on Amazon and various other sites. The first book, Aggie Lichen; Pilp Collector is followed by Arty’s Revenge then Hero Required.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is a YA paranormal novel called ‘Marvin’s Curse’. I have been inspired by many YA books, mostly to do with fairies and angels, not psychics and ghosts, which is what my book is about. I think that in many ways I wanted to come away from vampires and werewolves too and so looked for something different. I have been told that it reminds people of ‘The ghost of Thomas Kempe’ by Penelope Lively. I don’t know as I haven’t read it – perhaps I should…
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Er, depends on what is unusual… Writing while watching T.V., scribbling in the car (obviously not while driving!), waking up and scribbling on pad by the bed. No, perfectly normal habits for a writer…
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Herbie Brennan (Faerie Wars) is my hero. I loved his faerie books so much. He very kindly gave me a wonderful quote for my first book after reading it himself.
J R R Tolkein – what’s not to like here. Probably the start of my love affair with fantasy.
What are you working on now?
I’m Working on ‘Rae Gandos – Dragon Slayer’ at the moment. It’s a YA book which is a cross between The Hunger Games and Buffy the Vampire Slayer !? Only into chapter two at the moment, but loving every minute of writing it!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think you have to get to as many websites as possible that promote books. Obviously, this one is a great place to start! That’s why I’m here! Also, look for book blogs to review your work as that is sooo important.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep everything you write – seriously. You just never know when you’re going to dig up that character you threw away last year. Also, back things up (er, not like me and have everything on one stick) memory sticks etc. Keep going – how many times do we hear that, but it’s true. If your book is good it will sell, simple!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing and don’t give up.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa. It’s the last of four in the Iron Fey series and I shall be sad to see the end of the characters when I finish the book.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue with my new book and to carry on with promoting the latest book out, ‘Marvin’s Curse’ on different sites and blogs.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Lord of the Rings! All three. Has to be!
Author Websites and Profiles
Debra J Edwards Website
Debra J Edwards Amazon Profile
Debra J Edwards Author Profile Other Bookseller
Debra J Edwards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Book Trailer News

An incredible 115 views of the Marvin's Curse book trailer have been registered on Youtube.  I've been asked a lot about the images used, mostly the man's head that pops up. I've been told it's a bit scary! Good! That's what I wanted. Thanks to everyone who clicked on it and special thanks to those who have shared it with their friends & followers! Best played loud with head/earphones!

Trailer figures

Pleased that the book trailer for Marvin's Curse has had over 70 views so far. Not gone viral by any means, but still means that the word is getting out about the book which is the whole point of producing the trailer. I will be going into detail about how it was made next week, but for now, let me leave you with it.

Turn the sound up! It needs loud!

FIRST MARVIN REVIEW!!

First review for Marvin's Curse is in and it's 5 stars!! 

'I decided to not read this book until after I finished my exams, because after having a free preview of the first 5 chapters, (Wattpad) I knew that I wouldn't be able to stop reading it. I felt in the mood to read a good book however, as a break from revision, so I went for it. Having read other books by the author I knew I was in for a treat.

I was unable to put it down. It was so gripping I read all of it in one sitting. The book is such an original story. Though there are thousands of books in the same sort of genre, I have never heard of anything like this book. It was so unpredictable the whole time, and I love that in a book. Every time I turned a page, I found something new which allowed me to piece more of the story together.

I really connected with the main characters, and actually sobbed at some points. The book was just so good I cannot describe to you how pleased I am that I read it.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to any one. I think it would be impossible to read the book and not be extremely pleased that you did so! It's quite rare to find a book that grips you so much that you can't put it down until you finish it but that is what this book did to me!

It was incredible'

Emily 27

Marvin's Curse out now!

SO... Marvin's Curse is now available on Amazon for £1.99 or on Smashwords for $2.99. YEAY!!
It's taken a while to get there as they need different formats in order to reach all the different e-readers. I do hope you'll pick up a copy and more importantly. let me know what you think - good or bad!

Book trailer at last!!

Book trailer so far!

It has been an exciting few days, sorting out the book trailer and I feel I'm almost there. This is the first screen that will show and it comes across as quite eerie which it was I was after. Still have some bits to tidy up and all in all it has been a steep learning curve, but really good fun.

Wattpad

This site is proving really useful for trying out Marvin's Curse on readers before launching the whole book. Here, readers can scan through different genres of sample chapters or whole books to see what they like. Marvin's curse has been read by 169 people so far which is very pleasing.

http://www.wattpad.com/story/3921672-marvin%27s-curse