JEA Press

Buy Some Books....

7/29/2014

We see it all. No one could make up some of what presses see. I have seen plagiarism, rude people, and unreal expectations. It becomes frustrating at times. I have enough pressure that I put on myself to deal with some things. My self imposed pressure is to sell books. No, I can't make people BUY, but it still is something we all, at JEA, take seriously. We truly want each author to sell as many books as possible. When we see sales, we get excited!
What sells a good book? I don't know, even after all this time. There is a lot of junk out there, and maybe that prevents sales. There is a lot of good writing out, and of course, that prevents sales. But what caused sales? Is it author branding? Maybe. Is it word-of-mouth? You bet. reviews? Sometimes. It's a lot of elements.
When you read a book and love it, tell others. That is all a press can ask. Let the author know. Fan letters are what fuel authors to write. If you haven't tried anything, here are a few books for fun. I can say this. Despite all of the above, we aim for good covers and some fantastic writing. IF a story isn't great to us, then we don't share it with you. Come on, make an author's day, get a book, and tell that author. It never gets old.

Try a Pete Clark book

Ida Moreno had a good life. Head Curator of the New York Public Library, lots of friends and acquaintances among her co-workers, a nice, cozy apartment close to her work and the simple company of her cat, Tansy.
All that changes in one horrifying moment.

Raped and murdered by someone in the middle of the night, Ida’s soul discorporates from her body at the time of death and witnesses the final moments. She’s angry, and her emotional anger ties her to the killer. It’s now up to her to figure out how to use her ‘new spirit body’ to find out who he is and bring him to justice.

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Covering Covers...got that covered?

7/19/2014

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Each book that we present, we do so as best we can. I never get tired of seeing exciting new covers and seeing new books go into the world, knowing that someone will be thrilled.
What is difficult to explain to many is this, and maybe it will help writers who are buying or designing their own covers. Books are shown as small images (called thumbnails) and are on white backgrounds. Those two issues make artists have to struggle. I like white covers, but because of the limitations, that can't be. Even off-white covers don't show well.
Because a cover must look good as a small image, sometimes, we can't have all the wording on the front, and we can't overload details. If we do that, they become muddy. Fonts (the wording style) must be clear, eye-catching, but not so strange as to distract. Many great fonts have been over-used.
In one tiny picture, an artist must capture the book's theme, interest a reader, give all valid information, but never been "busy". It's a tough balance. Some art looks wonderful until it is reduced in size.

Let's look at these three. The first says "fresh, spooky, modern", the second says "old-fashioned, fantasy, dreamy" and the third says "scary, wild, shocking". That is what each should convey. The details are there, but are crisp and look good enlarged, but when these images are small, the colors contrast and balance. The titles can be seen.
Sometime a cover will draw a reader to a book, but for sure, a cover can kill a sale if they book either isn't seen or looks weak. It isn't easy to have a cover that works well. An artist must decide about colors, the font, and even how large the author's name should be as compared to the title. And a cover isn't a simple copy and paste. There are layers and some parts are faded in and then shadows are added, lighting is changed, colors are altered, and a host of other changes.

This is a cover I like. Originally, there was a place (in this case a field with trees). The tent? See the bloody handprint? That was added. It doesn't show when the image is small, but it's there, and it matters. The clock. That was over 6 hours of work to hand draw (by layering textures into circles and adding numbers and the hands as separate layers) The entire thing had to be layered in. There is also a face that was put in to fit the background. All of that work was only to imply the book was about time and something that might be a part of camping. We know it isn't a happy book, but a scary one. The colors are precise: lime and purplish blue. The Font could have been white or any color, but to have contrast, red-orange was used.

Look at it as a thumbnail. The title shows. The face shows more, and the clock is clear. The tent falls to the background.
Sometimes beautiful images fail as covers because they don't survive the small size. Sometimes, people want far too much wording on a cover and none can be read.

THESE LOOK GOOD AT A SMALL SIZE.

For covers, if you can, hire a pro. No matter what, ask these questions:

Are images documented as legal to use?
Is the cover the correct size and resolution?
Does it look good as a thumbnail?
Is the title clear?
Does it engage?
Does it avoid "cookie-cutter, cliche, and cutsie"?
Is it commercial?
Is it "less is more"?

Cover artists may follow these very well, but unless the artists understands #7, your book will suffer. That one point can ruin a cover even if all the rest are checked. With covers ranging from $100-$500...you can get all of this. Never skimp on edits or covers.

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Reading Amanda...

7/17/2014

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I have taken a side about small presses (and Indie writers) vs. the Big 5, and my side is clear right? But the reasons may not be. I keep saying this and people don't get it unless they have been there. Okay. Hilary RC was paid millions in advance for her book of memoirs. The book tanked. If the Big 5 signed me,I would get nothing or a tiny advance and tank as well...because I am a nobody. Unless a celeb reads me and it goes viral, I am forgotten. (If the above happens, I may be laughed at even if I make a fortune. Go figure) Why? Guess what? All BIG book deals do not equal a good read.
I like some. I read S. King and a few others, but more and more, I read small press and Indie books. Why? quality. Heart. Because they are good stories that entertain me. I make enough with a small press and as an Indie to write full time. I could not eat, let alone survive long if I waited for a Big 5 to take me. Meanwhile, I entertain, disturb, and affect people.
Below is my review of a reader with JEA Press. Her name is Amanda Lyons.
Give her a try, or try one of the many other authors we believe in. See if you think that small press authors rock. I think you'll agree. I feel one day, we will all be reading Amanda's books and yelling for more. Take that big companies!

Maybe one of these will entertain you, Reader-Friend? Many readers have found these to be great entertainment.

Have you read Sharon's writing? She's spooky!

Oh? A novella is more your taste for .99? One of these might give you a quick read, and they are not what you might expect. Yes they are chilling, well written, and fresh. Why are they unexpected? Because they are not Big 5 authors. They are...dare I say...even better?

Wendy Won't Go is available alone and with Mark Woods' bonus stories. Amanda Lyons is an unusual writer. I don't mean she looks funny (because she is very lovely), and I don't mean she does strange things. I mean she has a fresh way of writing. Her prose are strong but they are flowing and beautiful and she has a way of making the reader feel safe and as if the story is going one way. Then, Amanda pulls the rug and the story hits home. HARD. Sometimes I feel she needs a warning for her writing. She makes readers uncomfortable. She is real. She scares people because she sneaks up from behind.
Read her novella. Her novel is coming soon.
I don't care for vampire novels. I say that a lot. However, let me make three points. I collaborated on Feral Hearts with Amanda, and several others to include Edward Cardillo. It is a vampire tale with BITE. Second, I like William Bove's story, Once Upon A Grave. (Reason? Because it is very different and the detail is stunning). Third, Amanda's new novel, Eyes Like Blue Fire reminds me of Interview With A Vampire, but it cuts to the quick faster, it's got more back story and heart, and it is very...unusual. There is that word again. Sorry. There is no way to explain. She will hook you, and never let you go. That is what I like.
Two authors and a collaboration resurrected vampires for me. Think on that. A Big 5 made me forsake the sub-genre and swear off the undead biters forever because I feared sparkles. Three books brought me back. Yeah, that's fair.
Meanwhile, I am reading Amanda....

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Susan is as Susan Does

7/2/2014

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Susan is the Executive Editor for JEA Press, but she earned her place. Susan arrived as a writer, but we found she was a brutally hard editor, a great artist, and a trusted friend. Her ethics and organizational abilities amazed everyone. Susan writes, edits, designs covers, works with authors, issues contracts, acquires manuscripts, and much more.

Under a Twisted Moon
Amelie hid what she was her entire life, always running from the monster inside, afraid one day it would come out unbidden and destroy everything she knew. She found herself trapped in a life with no escape, sleeping with the enemy and avoiding anything that brought her joy,
Until the day the monster broke free.
Amelie was thrust into a world of new dangers and challenges only to find where she truly belonged. Now if she could only do something about the enemy in her bed...

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Susan's cover design for Keith Milstead won an award from P& E.

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Silent Heart
Paige was alone when she saw them... Deaf from birth and separated from her twin brother, she lived alone in her silent world. When she witnessed a murder it thrust her headlong into a whirlwind she never dreamed; running for her life from dangerous men out for her death, and only a handsome stranger to help her and show her just how strong she could be along the way.

Morning Song
It was the night of the seed moon when Arrick was brought to Morna’s door bruised and bleeding.
Living in a post apocalyptic, brutal reality, Morna has long grown used to putting her concerns aside in favor of those in need. Her past is something she'd rather forget and her future seems as if it will never be more than she's come to know, but something is coming that will change everything. In the middle of the night an injured stranger is brought to her door. He is more than he appears and soon has Morna spellbound. For the first time in her life a man has fallen in love with not only her voluptuous form, but her heart, mind, and strength that shines out like a beacon in their cold world. No matter the dangers that will unfold, Arrick plans to give Morna the life she deserves.

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Other covers Susan has designed

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Susan is a writer and artist by day, a child and pet wrangler by night, and occasional crazy person on the weekends. She lives in a place where new hybrid cars, beat up farm trucks, and Amish horse and buggies meet in fast food parking lots for coffee.
Susan grew up in central Wisconsin, only to move to rural Ohio in adulthood. She's a country girl through and through with progressive and optimistic ideas of nation and society. A shamanic pagan by faith and major sci-fi fan she is an eclectic person and welcomes as much diversity into her life as she can to feed her fertile imagination. She lives by the motto, "Let your freak flag fly!"
In addition she has published articles on the Yahoo! Contributor Network in a wide variety of subjects such as the validity of deity in the American government and the use of easy to find herbs.

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Pick a poison!

6/10/2014

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What is your favorite genre?

Buy

Zombies?

Horror?

Supernatural?

Fantasy?

You don't think females can be bloodthirsty, chilling, creepy writers? Ha! Check these deadly women out and see how wicked they can be!

Short Story Anthologies.

2 chilling books for your pleasure

Best selling book from JEA...evil Englishman Mark Woods.

Horror deluxe. Frighting story with an award winning cover

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J Ellington Ashton delivers chills

3/26/2014

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Click a purchase button or click on image to be taken to Amazon.com

Did you know Helen of Troy had fangs? Helen is revealed to be a huntress by night, seeking out blood-wine, and seducing men as she is cursed to be the most beautiful woman on earth. As a succubus, she not only captures hearts but has a ten year war fought for her. Her plight and thirst for blood is woven into the mythological tales. Her fury will be unleashed on both Sparta and Troy.

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"No one writes like Jim Goforth"

Corey Somerset, Tim Hayworth and Lee Hunter have had one hell of a good night.Celebrating their friend's birthday with drunken debauchery they've wandered far out of the realms of civilization. When they encounter a band of mysterious fugitive women who call a bizarre encampment deep in the woods their residence, the boys will come face to face with something else that dwells in an unorthodox co-existence with the girls in the wilderness.

Zombie Fun

Good Reads....

Hiding from his past, and seeking out a new life, a young man makes his way to Atlanta, Georgia in the early 1970s. Trying to forget his life in New York City, he attempts to blend in with the big city life of the South East. The problem is that he doesn't fit in. Being a Werecat, you can never fit in.

The One: Children of Destiny is an epic tale of generations of bloodshed betwixt four separate races/nations. The battles are put on hold when all are thrown into an uneasy alliance caused by an outside, invading evil.

David McGlumphy

jea

Coming Soon

Connor begins to realize that he can relate to the protagonists in the tall tales and his grandfather actually understands him more than anyone he knows. In the process, Connor discovers the reason for his mother’s estrangement from her father, shattering his assumptions and giving him a new appreciation for the importance of family. As Connor begins to question whether his grandpa’s tall tales are really only tales, he has a brush with one of the tale’s ghastly characters, causing him to question the direction of his life. But is it too late?

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Fish Tales....

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SUPER-natural

Susan's Books

"Haunting descriptions, exciting characters, and stories that will a reader can't forget."

First 2 of new Crime thriller series

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On the eve of his retirement, High Guard First Class Ezra Beckitt is still plagued by the memories and doubts of his last case- and something else. Something strange happened to him during his rookie year, an event that he has since written off as a dream and buried in his mind. Some things won't stay buried though- and the past has a way of coming back to haunt the present. From the low streets of Hatis City to the lofty passes of a citadel in the rock, Ezra Beckitt is about to discover that he is a part of a larger world- one that has appointed a task for him, whether he wants it or not. For all of his life Ezra has defended the law.... but now he must become an Agent of the White. And Light cannot exist without Shadow......

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