I hope your day is going well. I'm in a villa in Negril, Jamaica (http://cassandra-black-author.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-caribbean-sea-is-gorgeous-today.html) doing some article marketing for my ***NEW RELEASE*** Samantha's Cravings,…

Well, I went ahead and created a little website just for Spunk, a Fable, called, (what else?) Spunky. (Look at…

Latest Release:  Samantha's Cravings

Good morning. I hope you have a great day on tap. I'm up early in Negril, updating Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cassandrablackauthor?ref=stream), author blog (http://cassandra-black-author.blogspot.com/2013/05/up-until-after-200-am-writing-last-night.html), etc. Getting ready to…

I've mentioned the Salt Cay Writers Retreat I'm organizing for October in the Bahamas here before - we've been busy over the past several weeks, and there are a number of items I wanted to share.

After making a site visit to Salt Cay in April with my agent, who is helping to shape the retreat program, we now have a detailed program schedule on the website: http://saltcaywritersretreat.com/program/

I've also posted pictures…

If you haven’t impregnated a Kardashian, toppled Wall Street, or starred in your own syndicated un-reality show, you may not have an instant platform for promoting your newly minted book. Let’s face it, for most first-time authors—and even for many of the multiply published among us—the first…

Writing on verandah at villa in Negril with Carib sea just in the distance.  Pretty morning, birds talking, flowers all around, sky clear as a bell. I'm ready for my second cup of coffee already. Up early today despite getting to bed little late last night.  Watched game (Miami vs. Chicago) at a local bar last night with big sis, a friend and a couple of rastas. Wow, what a game. Chicago showed out! Was rooting for Miami, but I think next one is Wednesday, so I will be ready. C'mon…

Having an absolute ball in Caribbean ...

I hope your day is going well. This afternoon I'm designing a book cover for big sis (Yuwanda Black, http://inkwelleditorial.com/about).  Her first romance novella will be out soon. Can't wait to read it!

I will walk to Negril's round-about (town area) a little later for some much needed exercise. Will then…

I hope your day is going well. Feeling really blessed this morning, enjoying this life I've carved out  for myself, in spite of so many things.  Of course, money's always a little tight; haven't "made it" yet; but feeling so rich in so many things, and if God took me tomorrow, I would not regret one iota of today.

I hope this is life for you, too. If not, maybe consider changing some things ... I…

Niche Over Numbers

by Karen Dodd

If you are a newly or soon-to-be published fiction author, chances are you are feeling overwhelmed by the what, why and how of building your author’s platform.

Let’s start with the…

Coming to the resolve and saying, I am going to be an author, is becoming less intimidating these days. But that it is not say any less overwhelming. 

I am on the heels of (self) publishing my first book next week and along the…

I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was full of outside work. Planted new azaleas, couple of cedars, and two rose bushes. Repainted an old porch bench a pretty pink color, did a couple of floral arrangements, and started rescreening my front porch. Had so much fun, but the highlight was talking to my handsome son in Air Force. Now I'm ready for a great week, and I hope you are, too.

Just got situated on porch for morning full of writing. (Had to sweep away tons of pollen,…

Hi everyone.  Wanted to share a piece penned by my big sis, Yuwanda Black (http://inkwelleditorial.com/about), the freelance writing guru. Check it out here:  Self-Publishing Profits: Do Short Fiction eBooks Sell? $1,100 In 25 Days Says Yes – Here’s Why,…

Book Recommendation:  The Darkest Child, by Delores Phillips, is, by far, the best book I've ever read. Every once in a while a great talent comes along and those lucky enough to be in its path know, with certainty, it's guided by a higher power. This is God's work, through Delores. Each page is truly a jewel. The writing simply shines; the story has burned a place in my soul, forever. A gift; it can only be described as a gift. I eagerly await all of Delores'…

Check out the new publishing company on the block: Clean Teen Publishing! To roll out their new company, they are hosting a huge writing contest with prizes up to $100, plus inclusion in their premier anthology and the chance for a publishing contract.

http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com

https://www.facebook.com/cleanteenpublishing…

Good morning. I hope you have a super day on tap. Historical research got me out of bed EARLY this morning. The same sheets of paper I fell asleep with on my chest late last night were staring me in the face this morning.

I've taken to reading late into the night and early mornings. Writers read, and reading…

Hello fellow writers. I hope you're having a great day. I'm listening to Lady Antebellum, Need You Now (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq2MzX4h4AA), while marketing …