I have released PURSUIT (book 4 ~ the Blood Angel Series)
Meet Phoebe Wenham…
Growing up in the most powerful coven of witches Atlanta, Michigan has ever known, gave Phoebe all the resources she needed to develop her craft. However, it wasn’t until the tragic slaughter at the annual Founders’ Celebration, when she lost her mother, her sister, and both of her grandmothers, that Phoebe really started to find her calling, her purpose. Her cousin Aleerah was the only surviving dhampir in history and her sister Petra had been a gifted, naturally talented, tracker. Magic didn’t come as easily for phoebe, but desperation leads to desperate measures, and Phoebe was bound and determined to carry on where her sister left off. Starting with the ancient ritual of the taking of blood Phoebe not only developed her tracking abilities she pushed herself physically, mentally, and magically until she became the High Council’s leading tracker.
$20 Starbucks Gift Card – Because I’m addicted to Starbucks1 Blood Angel Series travel coffee mugA Sneak Peak (PDF Advance Reader Copy) of the first 2 chapters of my new novel:SECTOR C ~ The Hunted coming out in October
The Winner Will Be Drawn and Announced:
on Friday September 25, 2015
How to Enter:
Take a photo of you holding my book(s). If you have an eBook copy/copies, open the library/bookshelf on your eBook reader and take a photo of you with my book cover(s) visible.
Post your photo in the comments below, on twitter tagging me @Nina_Soden and #NinaSodenBooks, and on my Facebook page.
DISCLAIMER: You do not have to provide a mailing address at this time. However, if you win you will be contacted, through Facebook, and a mailing address will be requested. If you fail to provide a mailing address you will be forfeited as the winner, and the next person drawn will receive the prize!
If you are as excited about this GIVEAWAY as I am, when you post your photo below, include a comment telling me and my readers why you want to win!
Their website www.grammarly.com says that Grammarly is “the world’s most accurate grammar checker.” I decided that I should be the judge of that myself. The program allows you to either download or cut and paste your text into their online platform. Once the text is in the program, it scans for over 250 points of grammar. Now, I’m not going to list them all but some of the things it looks for are:
In order to test out “the world’s most accurate grammar checker” I decided to cut and paste, into their online platform, the latest chapter of the novel I’m writing:
(COMING SOON)
Just a little plug for me 🙂
WOW – OMG – SO COOL!!!
The program proceeded to mark grammar issues, words that were miss used, spelling errors, and even overused words – things that Microsoft Word doesn’t find. Things that I am sure my editor will love for me to have fixed before sending her my manuscript. Already, after only five minutes with the program, I was sold.
But wait, there’s more!
There is a FREE version!!!
Nope, that’s not all…
If you upgrade to the premium version, you can also download Grammarly to your computer and activate it in Microsoft Word. That means you don’t have to upload your manuscript to the internet or cut and paste it into the online platform. This made me feel so much safer. So, I gave it a shot.
Once the download was complete, I opened up my current work in progress. The 176-page document (34,632 words) only took a matter of minutes to be processed. When it was done, Grammarly had marked all of the “errors”. From the use of passive voice, squinting modifiers, incorrect use of commas, and so much more. No, I don’t like my “errors” to be thrown in my face, but trust me I am glad that there is a tool that will allow me to catch them now – before I send the completed document to the editor. PLUS – I can now use Grammarly as I type instead of going back and trying to catch the errors after the first draft is already completed.
Here’s a little more information
Grammarly’s free version checks for the most frequently made writing mistakes.
100 points of grammar
Contextual spellchecker
Punctuation checks
Works anywhere on the web. (Use the editor at Grammarly.com or use the free Chrome add-on)
Grammarly Premium eliminates both basic and advanced errors.
250+ points of grammar
Sentence structure
Style checks
Vocabulary enhancement
Plagiarism detection
Document type checker (business, academic, etc.)
Windows Microsoft Office add-in
My recommendation…
If you are a writer – GET Grammarly NOW!
Still not convinced? Check out the screenshots below to see more things you can do with Grammarly!
Use Grammarly to help edit your emails to ensure the quality of writing.
Choose your document type.
Choose what types of errors you want Grammarly to find.
What are your thoughts? If you’ve used Grammarly or another program like it, please share your thoughts by commenting below.
OK, this post is short – but very VERY important, and I do hope that you re-post it and share it with all of your friends.
One of the most important things for an indie-author is friends and followers – READERS. With that in mind I’m reaching out to you, my amazing blog followers, and asking that you follow me here and everywhere (see links below) and that you share this post. Tell your friends, bribe your families, and blackmail your enemies into following me too!
This is where I talk about my books, upcoming projects, host author interviews, and sometimes just go really REALLY off topic and ramble about random stuff.
I am excited to announce that I will be doing a BLOG TOUR in August 2014!
Below is a list of my stops along the way. I hope that you will join me and follow along throughout the tour. Yes, there are a lot of ‘author interview’ posts, but I will assure you everyone asked different questions. That means that over the course of the tour you will be learning A LOT about me and the many hats I wear (mom, wife, daughter, employee, actress, adventuress, driver, and of course AUTHOR… and many many others)!!!
The Blood Angel Series Kickstarter Project was a Success!!!
I want to say a special thank you to the following Kickstarter Project donors for helping to make this series a reality:
Kathryn Dougherty
Harvey Howell
Mom & Dad (I love you both)
Smith Family
Grandma June
Michael Mullin
Arlene
Jamie Young
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WHAT IS THE BLOOD ANGEL SERIES ABOUT?
The Blood Angel series is set in a world very much like our own, yet Atlanta isn’t just an ordinary city and Alee Moyer isn’t just an ordinary girl. Having barely survived her childhood, it will take the death of her father for the truth of her bloodline to come out, even if it means losing her life or her identity. Watch as Alee struggles to understand her true destiny as the first surviving Dhampir in history. Surrounded by a new world ,where the horror films she grew up watching have become her reality, the most unlikely characters have become her lifeline. Follow as Alee discovers herself and her purpose.
Camouflaged by the mundane happenings of a high school existence, Alee would never have guessed what was happening below the surface in, “The Underground”. If she thought hunting in the wild and drinking blood was bad, what will she think when she becomes one of the hunted?
Will Alee be able to survive her destiny, or will it prove to be more powerful than she is?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nina Soden, Author
I have always been creative, be it art, theatre, film – anything but singing…trust me, you don’t want to hear that! I earned my bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Military Science from Eastern Michigan University where I spent most of my time either on stage, rappelling down buildings, or working one of three jobs. After college I moved to Los Angeles like so many other starry-eyed actors in pursuit of fame and fortune in tinseltown. While there, I worked to pay the bills but my love was always acting. I was able to achieve some level of success, mostly in commercials and independent films, and I consider those experiences as some of the best of my life.
After some major life changes, I self-published my first book entitled PRIVATE WORDS UNSPOKEN, a compilation of self poetry. Since then, my literary interest has grown and I would like to think my storytelling ability has improved. I have done everything from office administration, to business development, to being the Director of a private preschool. I have jumped out of a C130 aircraft, fired a M16 machine gun, and given birth – TWICE! But I always return to my art.
Though I’ll forever be a Michigan girl at heart, I now live in the South where I am married with two wonderful children. If I’m not working on my latest story you can find me lounging with a good book, playing with my kids, or indulging in my unhealthy addiction to Starbucks coffee.
To learn more about me and my books you can check out my website, or follow me on one or all of the various internet/social media sites.
I hope that you will take the time to visit my KICKSTARTER project and maybe even donate a little to help me reach my goal. Every dollar counts and for your donation of $5 or more you’ll even receive a special reward directly from me!!! You’ll have to click on the link above to find out the details of all the available rewards.
The Blood Angel series is set in a world very much like our own, yet Atlanta isn’t just an ordinary city and Alee Moyer isn’t just an ordinary girl. Having barely survived her childhood, it will take the death of her father for the truth of her bloodline to come out, even if it means losing her life or her identity. Watch as Alee struggles to understand her true destiny as the first surviving Dhampir in history. Surrounded by a new world ,where the horror films she grew up watching have become her reality, the most unlikely characters have become her lifeline. Follow as Alee discovers herself and her purpose.
Camouflaged by the mundane happenings of a high school existence, Alee would never have guessed what was happening below the surface in, “The Underground”. If she thought hunting in the wild and drinking blood was bad, what will she think when she becomes one of the hunted?
Will Alee be able to survive her destiny, or will it prove to be more powerful than she is?
The Blood Angel Series by Nina Soden
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nina Soden, Author
I have always been creative, be it art, theatre, film – anything but singing…trust me, you don’t want to hear that! I earned my bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Military Science from Eastern Michigan University where I spent most of my time either on stage, rappelling down buildings, or working one of three jobs. After college I moved to Los Angeles like so many other starry-eyed actors in pursuit of fame and fortune in tinseltown. While there, I worked to pay the bills but my love was always acting. I was able to achieve some level of success, mostly in commercials and independent films, and I consider those experiences as some of the best of my life.
After some major life changes, I self-published my first book entitled PRIVATE WORDS UNSPOKEN, a compilation of self poetry. Since then, my literary interest has grown and I would like to think my storytelling ability has improved. I have done everything from office administration, to business development, to being the Director of a private preschool. I have jumped out of a C130 aircraft, fired a M16 machine gun, and given birth – TWICE! But I always return to my art.
Though I’ll forever be a Michigan girl at heart, I now live in the South where I am married with two wonderful children. If I’m not working on my latest story you can find me lounging with a good book, playing with my kids, or indulging in my unhealthy addiction to Starbucks coffee.
To learn more about me and my books you can check out my website, or follow me on one or all of the various internet/social media sites.
Although I have been writing for quite some time, the Kickstarter Project opportunity is very new to me. I am the author of the Blood Angel Series. Book 1: AWAKEN and Book 2: BEGINNINGS, have already been published and are available to the public. However, with the steady increase of positive feedback I have received of late, I realize that my books will need additional editing in order to have a significant impact in the world of Young Adult Supernatural Fiction.
With that in mind, I have put together this Kickstarter Project in order to raise money to do the following:
Professional Editing, formatting, print and re-release of Awaken (book 1 ~ the Blood Angel Series)
Professional Editing, formatting, print and re-release of Beginnings (book 2 ~ the Blood Angel Series)
Professional Editing, formatting, print and release of Revenge (book 3 ~ the Blood Angel Series)
Marketing for the Blood Angel Series
I have found some amazing editors and formatters on elance.com and plan to work closely with them to ensure that my books are properly edited and formatted in order to give my readers the most enjoyable reading experience possible.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED?
Traditionally, published authors receive an advance from a publisher in exchange for the chance to publish their book. Unfortunately, I have not been afforded this luxury – I’m an Indie Author. So, Kickstarter is my advance. It is a way for me to fund my literary project and produce a much higher quality product.
Here is an estimated breakdown of where the money will go:
$1050 for professional editing fees ($350 per book)
$400 for print and e-book formatting
$400 for the first paperback print run
$150 for fees and shipping costs
Any/all excess funding will go towards marketing/promotion of the Blood Angle Series, as well as, investment into the future of the series.
WHAT IF YOU DON’T READ YOUNG ADULT (YA)?
That’s okay!!! Even if you don’t read or even like Young Adult Fiction or the Supernatural Genre, I can guarantee that you know or love someone who does! Every reward level of this project can be given as a gift to someone else. Just pledge the amount for the reward you’d like to gift to a friend, and when the surveys are sent to collect your information you can let me know whether or not it is a gift and who to send it to. I’d even be happy to write a special gift message for you as well.
WHAT TO DO NOW?
So, you’re convinced and want to be a part in making the BLOOD ANGEL SERIES a reality? Awesome! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! All you have to do is click the button that says “BACK THIS PROJECT” at the top right of this page and pledge any amount over $1.00. Then, choose your reward, follow the instructions to pay, and I’ll keep you updated on the project every step of the way!
Even if you can’t pledge today, I would like to personally thank you for stopping by and giving me your time. Please feel free to share this project with your friends and family!
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to my wonderful husband, Eric and my beautiful children, Sydney and Ethan, for all of their love and support.
There are days when I feel so creative that my fingers can’t keep up with my thoughts.
Today is one of those days!
I have a new book editor and she is awesome! Trust me… I hate to see my pages covered in red just as much as any author. However, I also can appreciate that all those edits, comments, deletions, additions, etc. etc. etc. are only going to make my manuscript better.
So I say, BRING IT ON!
Since I was getting some great feed back on my books AWAKEN and BEGINNINGS (with the exception of a reoccurring negative comment about some minor grammar issues) I decided to re-edit and re-release the books. I hired a wonderful editor out in California and am now doing a thorough edit (round 10+) of Awaken, Beginnings, and my soon to be released Revenge (book 3 ~ The Blood Angel Series).
I can’t wait to re-release Awaken and Beginnings and see what type of difference the new edits will make on their reviews.
MORE SO… I can’t wait to announce the release of REVENGE…
RELEASE DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!!!
Revenge ~ a Blood Angel novel (BOOK 3) by Nina Soden COMING SOON
REVENGE:
Having died in her father’s arms only to awaken in a pool of blood surrounded by the corpses of the mutilated, her true love among them, who could blame her for what she did next? Wouldn’t you seek REVENGE?
Edit: To prepare (written material) for publication by correcting, condensing, or otherwise modifying it.
Editing: The act ofputting something (a written work such as a literary work) into acceptable form.
When you decide to rightwritea book… you have to understand and accept that editing is all part of the process. The worst WORSTpart! YET ESSENTIAL!!!
Yes in the end the editing process makes your book storynovelthe best it can be. However, the moment you get your manuscript back from the editor… and it is coveredCOVEREDin RED ink INK… WOW!!! Your heart stops!
At least mine does.
I imagine my editor sitting at her desk stacking piles and piles of red pens… brand new – fresh out of the box on the desk in front of her.
I can almost feel her excitement, from a thousand miles away, as she gets ready to strickstrikethat first line across the page. Yup, her joy is my pain!
The waiting… that time between sending her the manuscript and getting her mutilatedimproved mutilate yet improved copy back… is almost as bad as the first ten seconds after opening the package after it arrives in the mail.
I SAID ALMOST!
But, I won’t lie, after I’ve spent the next few weeks reading and rereading all of her edits, comments, deletions, additions, etc. etc. I do have a better understanding of what will is needed to make my book betterthe best it can be. Then, after spending a couple of week on rewrites… well, I feel more confident that sending the manuscript off to the editor AGAIN isn’t going to be as painful.
My process is this: write – edit – rewrite – edit – rewrite – edit – rewrite – edit – rewrite – final edit – final rewrite – final review by editor – final review by me – format – review – format edits – review – and so on… until publication!
I do not don’tuse only one1editor… I have a team of editors. Why? Well, because if you read someone reads the same thingdocument over and over youthey start seeing what the words should be instead of what they are. I like to have a fresh set of eyes to edit at different stages of the process.
THAT IS WHERE I AM TODAY!!!
I have gone through all the edits, all the comments, all the changes my editors could come up with. Yes, I accepted most of them but not all! I am now ready to move forward with the final round of edits. This round is purely for grammar – spelling – punctuation – etc. NOT TO CHANGE THE PLOT, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, OR THE STORY! I want the book to have my voice – not the editor’s voice.
Nina Soden 