Book Trailers 101

Last week I figured out how to create my own book trailer! This is something I did not think I could do on my own. I'm lucky to have a sister who is a professional graphic designer and willing to lend her awesome talent to design my web pages, banners and logos. I'm extremely thankful for her help and I know she'd pitch in and do more but I wanted to see what I could do with this book trailer business solo.

I hadn't a clue where to begin. I knew of software I could purchase, looked up a few to see what they offered and at what cost but spending extra money wasn't an option right now. So, I goggled how to make a book trailer and came across another author's blog in which she talked about using Windows Movie Maker. I blinked and realized . . . "hey, I've got that!" I read about her experience using the program and immediately opened up the application.

At first I was apprehensive if I could figure out the details and make a trailer that would be worth my time and decent enough to share with the world. I plowed through the instructions but soon decided to simply dig into the process and I'm happy to say after several attempts and a few technical glitches, I made my first book trailer!

Better yet, I enjoyed this new creative outlet. I am a heart a creative person and finding just the right photos and text to go with it all was fun albeit a little time consuming. Both me and my husband are musicians and creating the music for the trailer together was something I'll always remember and treasure. He created the music and I improvised on the vocals and when it was finally finished I was happily surprised with the end result.

The book trailer for Cupid's Arrow ended up being just as important as the story itself. I worked hard on it and I'm proud to say, well, I'm proud of it. I'm looking forward to making many more in the future, honing my craft and maybe investing in more sophisticated software in the months ahead.

See the trailer for Cupid's Arrow!

Two New Releases from Noble Romance's Sweetheart Line!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are two sweet romances sure to put a smile on your face and warm up your heart!

Cupid's Arrow
By Angela Nichelle
Genre: Paranormal/Sweetheart Line
Length: Short Story

About the book:
Safina Ralph is single on Valentine's Day. She's determined to have a good time in L.A. away from her home in Chicago with her friend, Lynn. The two of them have exclusive passes to Red, the hottest nightclub on Venice Beach. Just as the festive atmosphere begins to coax Safina into the party mood, she notices someone, or something in the rafters, shooting arrows into the crowd of unsuspecting partygoers below!

Chaos erupts as Safina races to stop the attack. When she confronts Kal, one of the club's sexy owners, Safina's sure he's the attacker despite his warm reassurances and her body's hot response to his touch. Consumed with overwhelming feelings of déjà vu and desire, Safina is relieved to get back home but she can't shake unsettling questions and Kal's handsome face from her mind.

After their encounter at Red, Kal tracks Safina down in Chicago with questions of his own. And the answers for them both could be the key to everything they've wished for, but will Safina accept the truth and can Kal trust his heart?

Special Content Alert: None.

Ghosts of Valentine's Past
By Rie McGaha
Genre: Paranormal/Sweetheart Line
Length: Short Story

About the book:
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. That’s Twyla’s philosophy ever since she found a pair of thongs in her fiancé’s car the day before their wedding. Now it’s Valentine’s Day and her roommate is all about the hearts and chocolates, but Twyla isn’t going for it. That is, until a few ghosts drop in to show her the error of her ways.

Special Content Alert: None.

Both titles available now with Noble Romance Publishing!

Cupid's Arrow Available on Valentine's Day with Noble Romance Publishing!

I'm so excited about this sassy short story! When Noble Romance Publishing announced the submissions call for a sweet Valentine's Day themed story, Cupid instantly popped into my mind. I wanted to write a fantasy story that would take readers into the private world of erotes.

Eros has always been the most famous of these beings, known as the god of love, lust, beauty and of course sex! Eros, often called Cupid, may be the most well known but he was actually part of a group erotes. These handsome winged gods and demi-gods have been described as having influence over all matters of the heart in Classical mythology.

Well, once I had my subject, the love story quickly took shape. I think this short story has it all: humor, love, suspense, and of course an HEA! Check out the blurb below!

Blurb:
Safina Ralph is single on Valentine's Day. She's determined to have a good time in L.A. away from her home in Chicago with her friend, Lynn. The two of them have exclusive passes to Red, the hottest nightclub on Venice Beach. Just as the festive atmosphere begins to coax Safina into the party mood, she notices something . . . or someone shooting arrows into the crowd of unsuspecting partygoers below!

Chaos erupts as Safina races to stop the attack. When she confronts Kal, one of the club's sexy owners, Safina's sure he's the attacker despite his warm reassurances and her body's hot response to his touch. Consumed with overwhelming feelings of déjà vu and desire, Safina is relieved to get back home but she can't shake unsettling questions and Kal's handsome face from her mind.

After their encounter at Red, Kal tracks Safina down in Chicago with questions of his own. And the answers for them both could be the key to everything they've wished for, but will Safina accept the truth and can Kal trust his heart?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Quirky Queries

I love writing. I hate writing queries! It's amazing how long I can stare at one waiting for the just the right phrasing and tone. Each one is different and each one takes work. I keep thinking the process will become easier but it hasn't.

Maybe that's a good thing. I know queries are super important and because they take so much effort to write, I respect the work needed to write a good one. And I'm not even sure I do know how to write a good one. But I'm determined to become multi-published, so I will keep chugging away at these queries and hopefully find the right home for my stories.

The following links are great resources:

http://www.sfwa.org/2005/01/the-complete-nobodys-guide-to-query-letters/

http://www.charlottedillon.com/query.html

(photo courtesy svilen001)

Pass the Tissues . . .

The tragedy in Haiti and a nasty cold virus made the last two weeks a total nightmare. I know I'm really sick when I have no desire to write or even look at the computer. Thankfully, I'm feeling a little better . . . just in time to meet a February 1st submission call deadline.

While being ill, I was still very conscious of the fact that I had a warm bed, medicine and my husband around to fill in the gaps for me with the kids. I could not help but think about the people of Haiti suffering far more ailments with little or no medicine and probably no peace of mind concerning many loved ones.

I'm glad I can at least breathe out of one nostril and I continue pray for those still waiting for help in Haiti. It almost seems cruel to escape into literary fantasies where love always wins in the end. If only real life could have the guaranteed happy endings we all love to read in our favorite romance books.

~AN

(photo courtesy of roym)

A Prayer for Haiti

It's hard to comprehend news of a horrible tragedy befalling another group of people miles and miles away. Many feel compelled to watch the devastation unfold and others can't bear to look at each horrible detail. I fall into both groups. I watch for awhile horrified, wondering how some of us on this planet are hit with the worse possible circumstances and others coast by seemingly without ever having to face such pain and loss.

Now, I know everyone has problems and we all face tough times but most of us haven't had to face such enormous challenges or heartbreak. It all seems so unfair sometimes. And yes, I know the ole' adage, "Life isn't fair," and "Everything happens for a reason," but these trite clichés don't give me any peace.

Tonight, as I lay in my warm bed, I will think and pray about my brothers and sisters in Haiti still searching for loved ones, still waiting for medical care, food and water. Tonight, I will pray for Haiti and for others around the globe fighting to survive, fighting just for their right to thrive.

~AN

Ways to help:

• 
  
  American Red Cross Donate by using your cell


• 
  
  World Vision


• 
  
  Unicef
  
  

The Princess and the Frog Review

I love fairytales and as a child I was fascinated with the magical happily ever after tales with beautiful fair princesses. I wanted to be swept away with a magical story with Disney's new fairytale, The Princess and the Frog. From the moment the movie started I waited for the magic and wonder of the story and the characters to pull me in.

Tiana becomes the ninth Disney princess, joining Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan. Her story is based in New Orleans in the 1920's, during the Jazz age. She grows up in a working class family, her mother is a talented seamstress and her father pulls double shifts to support them. This is a family that loves and supports one another, Tiana's admiration for her mother and father clearly evident.

Although, Tiana is not rich, she isn't jealous or bitter of her self- absorbed white friend, Charlotte who has more of everything. These are components of the story that I like. I just wish Disney could have been more imaginative and produced a fairytale not based within a time period we know. I would have enjoyed a more magical storyline that would have given the entire fairytale more wonder and freedom.

Naveen, the “prince” from Maldonia is not white or black. Pocahontas was the only princess to fall in love with someone of a different race and that was because the story was based on real life. Was Disney worried a black prince would alienate white audiences? Thank goodness her dad is portrayed as a loving, dedicated father because he is the only positive representation of a black man.

The villain, a voodoo doctor is out to destroy Naveen for nothing more than cash. I wanted a deeper reason. I found the black images of the voodoo spirits racing along the bayou bigger than life on screen disturbing and harmful for young viewers.

Charlotte was the Mardi Gras princess who could break the spell cast on Naveen. She has to be the one to kiss Naveen in order for Tiana to be with her prince and this was another facet of the story that bothered me. I understand the reason but I felt like this was another magical moment missed by Disney. Why couldn't Tiana become the princess somehow?

Am I happy there is now an African-American princess? Of course. She's beautiful, kind and dedicated to making her own dreams come true, a great role model for all young girls. But I didn't walk out of the theatre talking about the heartwarming, spellbinding story. The characters of this movie didn't touch my heart like Pocahontas, Belle or even the animal characters of The Lion King. Even Tinkerbell a made for T.V. movie touched my heart more, the magical world of fairies brought to life in a very imaginative way.

Something was missing from this movie and even though I glad my daughter has a princess representing her own color, I can't shake the feeling Disney didn't dig deep enough to create real magic with this one.

~AN