Welcome everyone! We're so glad you decided to stop by this week and join in the celebration. What celebration you might ask? Well, I'd love to share with you the details and all that has gone on and is coming up for JLB Creatives. . .
This video is non-scripted and was shot in one take...
yeah, I say "um" a lot - but you'll get the drift.
JLB Creatives
Happy Anniversary Maycly
and So Much More
The morning of my birthday my visiting sister-in-law went out to get the paper. She ran back into the house screaming with joy. Much to my surprise she shoved the headlines into my face and said, "I'll bet there's very few debut authors who have ever had their release and birthday on the front page before!" I did a double take then busted out laughing!
2013 holds the release of Volume 2 Planet Land: The Adventures of Cub and Nash, with a possible release of Volume 3 Planet Water: The Adventures of Arrowanna.
But wait - there's more! Maycly the Trilogy won a 2012 Betty Award! Watch The Betty Awards video for a glimpse at some of the most amazing authors the literary world has to offer.
Our class consists of future authors ranging in age from 14-17. These students are the cream of the crop when it comes to ambition, dedication, and perseverance. Their talents are amazing, their writing skills improve with each session, and their attitudes stay on high notes - even when we deliver the hardships of becoming a published author.
The end of 2012 was spectacular! Why? That's when Authors in the Park's inaugural event, Christmas Spectacular, hit the scene. I was approached by fellow author Jean E. Lane. We began meeting together to brain storm ideas on how to promote our books in new and different ways. After only 2 meetings I received an email from fellow author Mark Miller inviting me to meet and discuss ways we could promote our books together. It was obvious - Jean E. and I invited Mark to our next meeting.
At our post event meeting for Christmas Spectacular!, and after much consideration, I offered the positions of JLB Creatives Team Executives to these fine, outstanding individuals, Jean E. and Mark. They have sense become a crucial part of the growth and success of JLB Creatives. Humbled and honored in the same breath, I can honestly say I am looking forward to a very busy and exciting 2013 for JLB Creatives.
But wait, there's more exciting news for Authors in the Park. JLB Creatives Executive Team has launched an Authors in the Park critique group - Lit Wits. You'll find tons of details regarding Lit Wits Sessions by clicking here! We even have a Lit Wits page right here on the JLBC Blog.
This video is non-scripted and was shot in one take...
yeah, I say "um" a lot - but you'll get the drift.
JLB Creatives
Happy Anniversary Maycly
and So Much More
Happy Anniversary Maycly!
by Author Janet Beasley
Last year on February 26, 2012 Volume 1 of the Hidden Earth Series was released. It was a very special day in more ways than one, as February 26 is also my birthday. I couldn't have asked for a better gift - the unleashing of my first inspirational epic fantasy novel.
Family and friends, both local and out of state, came to celebrate not just the day, but the entire week. It is one I soon won't, if ever, forget.
The morning of my birthday my visiting sister-in-law went out to get the paper. She ran back into the house screaming with joy. Much to my surprise she shoved the headlines into my face and said, "I'll bet there's very few debut authors who have ever had their release and birthday on the front page before!" I did a double take then busted out laughing!
The headlines read: 2 MEGA-EVENTS CREATE EPIC DAY. Granted they weren't referring to my birthday and epic fantasy novel, but who was I to argue with the choice of words on such an amazing day in my life? The newspaper was referring to the NBA Allstar Game and the Daytona 500. We all had a good laugh, and yes, I still have the newspaper as a souvenir.
At the time of release Volume 1, the paperback collector's edition, held the name Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. We've sense changed the title for the 744 page paperback to Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy.
When we originally started out we were formatting and testing the ebooks at the same time. We discovered with all of the illustrations, maps, and other goodies the book was too big a file to create one ebook. That's when we decided to turn it into 3 parts, hence the trilogy.
Since the paperbacks and ebooks released we've sold over 1500 copies. The three ebooks went out on top in 2012 on Amazon's Religious Fantasy list. And for several weeks Parts 1 and 2 rode the wave in the top 100 just ahead of The Hunger Games on Amazon. We are in the process of releasing 3 separate paperbacks as well - our concept is smaller books for smaller hands. My ultimate goal is to create a series worthy of consideration by Scholastic.
During the process of creating the 3 separate paperbacks within the Maycly trilogy we've revised the covers and given each part its own separate sub-title: Part 1 "Two Altered Worlds," Part 2 "The Battle of Trust and Treachery," and Part 3 "The Queen." You can look for those to be release before Easter is all goes as planned. The new covers have already been added to the ebooks - sneak peak below. . .
And just so you know, ebooks are only 99 cents each right now through 2/28 - that's the whole trilogy for under 3 bucks! Click here to check them out and/or purchase them on Amazon.
In addition to the trilogy we also released 2 companion books. The first being a full color illustration book complete with detailed descriptions of the animals, plants, and dwellings on Maycly. All 10 maps and Terrain Master Badges are included in this dandy of a book. The second companion book is a cookbook stemming from the restaurants on Maycly, plus a kid's section from Artie. He's titled his section "Kids Can Be a-Cookin' Too." The cookbook has recipes for a gamut of food enthusiasts - cook like you're on a camp-out, or treat your guests to a fine dining experience while you feel like a gourmet chef. You can read a 5 star review of the cookbook on Amazon by clicking here.
In addition to the trilogy we also released 2 companion books. The first being a full color illustration book complete with detailed descriptions of the animals, plants, and dwellings on Maycly. All 10 maps and Terrain Master Badges are included in this dandy of a book. The second companion book is a cookbook stemming from the restaurants on Maycly, plus a kid's section from Artie. He's titled his section "Kids Can Be a-Cookin' Too." The cookbook has recipes for a gamut of food enthusiasts - cook like you're on a camp-out, or treat your guests to a fine dining experience while you feel like a gourmet chef. You can read a 5 star review of the cookbook on Amazon by clicking here.
2013 holds the release of Volume 2 Planet Land: The Adventures of Cub and Nash, with a possible release of Volume 3 Planet Water: The Adventures of Arrowanna.But wait - there's more! Maycly the Trilogy won a 2012 Betty Award! Watch The Betty Awards video for a glimpse at some of the most amazing authors the literary world has to offer.
~ ~ ~
Young Writers Workshop
by Author Janet Beasley
So back in September of 2012 my sis and I were approached to facilitate a Young Writers Workshop (YWW) at the Pickford Community Library in Pickford, Michigan. The Young Writers Workshop is the brain child of head librarian Ann Marie Smith (an energetic, motivated, knowledgeable lady with a gumption that won' t quit when it comes to the literary world).
Excitement filled the air when I received Dar's phone call. We came up with the idea that she would be there with the aspiring writers in person, and I would appear "live" via Skype.
Much to our liking, the Skype trick has been working beautifully.
We've asked the students to write a 3500 word or less short story for their main assignment. We will then be taking them through the journey to publication with their pieces. Dar, professional editor and illustrator, will be taking them through the process of being professionally edited. Once the pieces are edited, we will be speaking on the topic of self-publishing and trade publishing, along with formatting and other publication topics.
At the end of the workshop JLB Creatives will be publishing an anthology compiled of these talented writers' work. It will be in ebook format and will be made free to the general public. There's nothing more rewarding than helping dreamers take their first steps, and have the means to actually get them published for the first time.
In addition to the YWW Dar and I have appeared at library events, book signings, and festivals. We're looking forward to our continued relationship with the Pickford Library's head librarian, Ann Marie Smith, who has so graciously allowed us the opportunity to a part of such a grand literary event.
~ ~ ~
Welcome Authors in the Park!
by Author Janet Beasley
The 3 of us met, and Mark proposed the idea of Authors in the Park. He wanted to do something during December, like December 16! WOWZA! That was only 2 weeks away. My event production brain kicked in and I went on tilt wondering how to pull this together. I let fate take its course, and could never have been happier!
In a course of 11 days we had landed a sponsor (the Mount Dora Library Association), and over $1000 in gifts from local supporters. We created 12 gift baskets for door prizes from the wonderful donations. Authors sold books and signed autographs throughout the day - smiles were abundant. Pictured left to right: authors Mark Miller, Amy Sellers, Amy Long, Janet Beasley, Jean E. Lane, Rebecca Wilson-Shore, Julie Compton, Theresa Oliver, and C. Kevin Thompson.
The turnout exceeded our expectations, and thanks to nothing shy of a miracle you can now watch for multiple AIP events coming in 2013.
For more information regarding Authors in the Park please visit our Facebook page at FB.com/AuthorsInThePark.
Our first Authors in the Park Event will be held March 30, 2013. For details and/or to watch our promo video click here.
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Summing It Up
by Author Janet Beasley
We certainly hope you enjoyed this week's post, and are celebrating in your own way along with us.
Please be sure to invite your friends and family to visit the JLB Creatives Blog, where there's always something fun going on!
If you are an author and would like to be featured on the JLB Creatives Blog, scroll to the top of the page and look in the top of the right hand column. There you'll find the information you need to get started.
JLB Creatives is dedicated to helping authors at all levels. Whether through critique groups, promotional guidance, formatting of ebooks, or developing Social Media platforms, JLB Creatives is a name people have come to trust in the literary world.
Here's wishing you a fabulous day filled with tons of laughter, love, and cupcakes!
We'll see you next week!
Best,
~Janet~
