Every author needs a supply of promotional pictures to use in social media, and although I’m horrible with Photoshop and graphic designing, I’ve learned a few tricks when it comes to using basic pictures I’ve taken on my phone.

First, filters are a MUST! There are many free apps and websites you can choose from. I have a variety of apps on my iPhone but have only used a few of them, as I haven’t had the time to sit down and play with all of them.

Instagram was once my favorite for filters, but I’ve recently decided to distance myself from that app. I was too spread out across social media and burning out. I now usually use a filter from my photo software on my laptop, Photobucket, or an app on my phone.

The second thing you should remember is to take pictures of your books in a variety of places. I love my Kindle for this, as I can be reading from it at the pool or beach, and I’ll stop and take a random picture of one of my books to use later. At this time, I need to take one with a mountain in the background. Maybe I’ll pack my Kindle for my next hiking or backpacking adventure.

The picture below was taken while in St. Lucia. I was on the beach doing some reading, and I randomly started taking pictures of one of my book covers. My Kindle Paperwhite is only black and white, but with the filter I chose, it looks like there’s some color in the cover. Using my phone, I simply took a few pictures, chose one, cropped it, and added a filter. It’s now in my stack of pics to use with Twitter posts and other social media.

Here’s a picture I took one morning while at Kiawah Island. Although it’s been cropped, it’s free of a filter.

Now here’s that same picture with two different filters from Photobucket:

See the difference?

Here’s a picture I made using the Framatic app on my phone. I love how it shows that I’m stocked and ready for book signings, along with all three of my books and the beautiful inside format–all in one picture.

Each of these pictures was easy to make–using the right apps. If you haven’t already, take a few pictures of your books and play around with some filters. Then send me a tweet. I’d love to see them!

Nature of Grace Boxed Set by S.R. Johannes

The NATURE OF GRACE books have hit many of the top young adult/teen and thriller best seller lists including: Best Debut, Movers and Shakers, Top 100 in Thrillers, and the Top 100 in Teen Action Adventure books.

This new “Nature of Grace” Exclusive Box set is for readers who love wilderness thrillers. 16 year old Grace grew up in the woods determined to make a difference in the North Carolina wilderness. When she comes across conservation threats, she uses her survival and wilderness skills to stop them, no matter what the cost. In addition to being a thriller/mystery – other book themes include conservation, nature, animals, survival, wilderness, endangered animals.

The box set includes all 3 boxes in the Nature of Grace (Untraceable, Uncontrollable, and Unstoppable). It also includes an exclusive short story, Unspeakable from Mo’s perspective) as well as the original Untraceable before it was changed.

The box set also includes a large section of Special Extras that include interviews with the author, characters, and additional information on the nature and animal conservation the books support.

Untraceable (Book 1) – When Grace’s forest ranger dad disappears on patrol, she fights town authorities, tribal officials, & nature to prove he’s alive. Torn between a hot boy and cute ex, she heads into the wilderness to find her dad. Soon, she is caught in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder.

Uncontrollable (Book 2) – When Grace enters the Red Wolf Reintroduction Program. When wolves start showing up dead, Grace must work through her fears and hunt down clues to find out who is sabotaging the wolf program and why. Little does she know, she is being hunting too.

Unstoppable (Book 3) – When Grace moves to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdie, she makes new friends with Dylan and his girlfriend, fellow animal activist, Sadie. After finding an injured Florida Panther, she stumbles upon a large roadside zoo illegally filled with a variety of endangered and exotic animals. There, she and her friends are kidnapped by the ruthless owner and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge. Only this time, Grace is the prey.

Unspeakable (Short Story from Mo’s perspective) – When Mo sees a strange girl in the woods, he follows her. He soon realizes they are both in a dangerous position and may not get out alive.
Untraceable’s Original Ending – Never released before!

Exclusive Extras – including author interviews, character interviews, insider scoop on the series, and additional animal and nature conservation information on the issues covered in the series.

Sale!! From now until August 16 the complete box set is only $0.99.

Amazon

Praise for the books:

“A Modern Day Katniss” -Reel Life with Jane

“A suspense-filled mystery with surprises that keep you guessing all the way to the end.”- IndieReader

Kirkus Reviews called this teen series “a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance”!

Author S. R. Johannes

S.R. Johannes is the award-winning author of the Amazon bestselling Nature of Grace thriller series (Untraceable, Uncontrollable, and Unstoppable). She is a winner of the IndieReader Discovery Award in YA, an IPPY a Silver Medalist for YA Fiction, a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review’s Best Young Adult Fiction, and a Finalist in US Book News Best YA Book.
Since leaving Corporate America, she has followed her passion for writing and conservation by working with The Dolphin Project, the Atlanta Zoo, other animal rescue organizations, and by weaving conservation themes into her books.

Currently, she lives in Atlanta, GA with her two Doodles, English-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.

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$100 Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/31/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The children went back to school yesterday, and we’re on a schedule again. I spent the month of June traveling and catching up with friends and family, and July was spent going through closets and purging my house of clutter. Now I’m ready to dive back into my writing.

I love this time of year! Although August is too hot for writing outside, next month I’ll be sitting on one of my porches while typing away. A cool breeze, hot cup of tea, and complete solitude make the perfect setting for writing.

I’ve missed writing SO much the past two months. The scenes are cramming their way into my mind and won’t leave me alone. It’s either I write or go mad trying to ignore it.

Stay tuned, as I’ll soon be posting small updates on Facebook about how each day goes. You’ll get an idea of what I’m researching–usually the setting, as I don’t give to many hints out. Don’t won’t to spoil my surprises 🙂

Although my books take place in an alternate reality, I give a tally mark for each day that passes, and I do this so that I can keep track of the seasons. At the time of this post, I’m working on the fourth book in my Alissia Roswell Series, and she’s been in an alternate reality for a little over a year. During that time, she’s experienced all four of the seasons.

I recently had a conversation with my teenage daughter, and she told me about a book she read that bothered her somewhat. She loved the story, but the timing was WAY off. It was a young adult read with a regular school year, yet the author did not track the time. Many months went by–way too many for a school year–and the prom and school activities were not timed at all. My daughter was only twelve when she read the book, and she said it was an obvious oversight.

If you’re writing a book or series that takes place over a long period, you NEED to track your days. Even young adult readers notice these things.

With my current series, I don’t have to track the days of the week, as Alissia isn’t in school or working. I only need to pay attention to the seasons and her birthday. However, I do have plans to write a werewolf book in the future, and I already dread marking the days on a calendar so that I can calculate the full moon properly. I’ll have to follow those calendar limitations and not just throw a full moon in any time it’s convenient.

The same goes for a character that goes to school. You can’t ignore the seven days of the week and various seasons with holidays. You can either tally the days on a piece of paper, or you can keep a detailed calendar in front of you–whatever works best for you.

If you’re an author and have a different method, let me know. I’d love to hear it!

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace by Becky Monson

If there’s one thing that Bridgette Reynolds has learned recently, it’s that the perfect shoes, the perfect hair, and the perfect dress do not make for the perfect proposal. In fact, sometimes they make for the not-so-perfect breakup.

Now, Bridgette must do everything in her power to win Adam back. She knows they are meant to be. And nothing will stand in her way—not her friends, not her grandmother, not even the fact that Adam is now engaged to Serene after a whirlwind romance.

Focused on her plan to win Adam back, Bridgette isn’t expecting Ian—her college best friend, her love, her big regret—to come back into her life. They sink back into their comfortable friendship as if no time has passed at all, making Bridgette start to question her feelings for Adam. But Ian has a few secrets of his own . . . secrets that could shatter their friendship once and for all.

Bridgette has to make some major decisions—should she speak now? Or forever hold her peace?

Praise for the Book
“Can I give this book a 10? It was so fantastic!” -Taking Time For Mommy
“Speak Now grabbed me from the beginning! This is the perfect escape/beach read – light and fun, amusing with some tearful moments.” -Reviewing in Chaos
“Chick-Lit at its most enjoyable.” – Life With Katie

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * iTunes

Author Becky Monson
By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.

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$100 Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/28/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway