Stay Calm and Read

By Maureen Bonatch

Spending more time indoors lately? As an introvert, an author, and someone who works remotely at home for the ‘day-job’, spending a lot of time indoors and alone isn’t something new to me. It’s pretty much my way of life. That suits this introvert just fine. That doesn’t mean that all the recent panic in the world hasn’t gotten me a little stressed at times.

Unfortunately, there are many situations where there is little we can do but take care of ourselves and find a way to decompress as we continue with our lives. I’ve found that reading has often provided me with a wonderful way to take my mind away from things that I can dwell on, and worry about, but do nothing to change. This is just one of the benefits of making time to read, and since we’re going to be avoiding social interactions and staying indoors more, it’s a perfect time to catch up on your TBR list and find some new books.

Three Reasons to Read

1. Reduce Stress- Reading can lower your heart rate, reduce tension and anxiety, reduce stress by 68% and calm your mind. I’ve found it to be a great way to improve sleep for those restless nights. Instead of lying awake with your thoughts, read for a little bit to relax and return to sleep.
2. Improve Health- Reading and participating in mentally stimulating activities can help keep your brain sharp, improve memory and prevent, or slow diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
3. Practice Self-Care – The term self-care is all the rage over the last few years, although it’s something we should all do ongoing, but often neglect since most of us are accustomed to putting everyone, and everything else before our needs. Reading is a great way to do something that’s just for you, and do it without any guilt (no need- did you read the two reasons listed above? Reading is good for you!)

Three Places to Find Books

When I’m looking for a new book I usually start with my favorite authors to see if they have anything new. Then I might check out other authors that write in a similar genre and take a look at the reviews. But as an author, I can assure you that reviews don’t always tell the whole story. We all have personal preferences of what we like in a story, or a character, and one person’s favorite book may not be someone else’s.

A few other ways to pick out new books include:

• BookBub- follow authors you like, or friends who read in the same genre on BookBub. Review their recommendations and make some of your own to help someone else out when they’re looking for a new read.
• Goodreads- follow authors, make friends, read reviews or join groups on this platform to help you choose new books, and recommend to others.
• Ask for Recommendations- Most of us are all over one social media platform or another and generally we have friends with similar interests in those realms. Ask them what they’ve read lately that they recommend- although you might ask why, because as mentioned earlier, you might not share what they liked in the story, or you might be in the mood for something different and can tuck that book away on your TBR.

Regardless of reviews not telling the whole story, most people do go there first, so if you like a book, help another reader out and leave a review.

Can You Name Other Reasons to Read?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

What Type of Reader Are You?

By Maureen L. Bonatch

Readers. We may all love a good story, fangirl a little over our favorite author and occasionally have more books than friends (who needs them when you have books?), but we are all unique in the way we read. 

But…just what type of reader are you? Take this quick quiz and find out.

Nibble or Gorge?

1.  I nibble and savor a story. I like to sneak in little bits when I have a few minutes.
2. I find a new author and buy ever other book they wrote and read them in order.
3. I devour books as fast as possible.

Use a Bookmark or Fold the Corner?

1. I use a real bookmark with a print book.
2. Any old scrap of paper, gum wrapper, napkin or string will save my place.
3. I mark my territory on a book by folding down the corner.

Print book, eBook or Audiobook?

1. Print books- I like to hold it in my hand.
2. eBook- I like access to a ton of books in my reader
3. Audiobook- I want to hear the characters.
4. All of the above- if it’s a book, I’ll read it.

Nighttime, Seasonal, Holiday—or Anytime?

1. I sneak in a few chapters before falling asleep—or end up reading half the night.
2. I usually read more on vacation, during holidays, or specific seasons of the year.
3. I read any spare minute, even when I should be doing other things.

One Genre or The More the Merrier?

1. I’m faithful to my favorite genre.
2. I don’t discriminate, I read many genres.
3. I will read anything I can get my hands on—recipes, instructions, just give me words!

Does Size Matter?

1. I like big books and I cannot lie.
2. Short and sweet are great to fit in my busy schedule.
3. Size doesn’t matter if the story is good.

Buy, Borrow or Library?

1. I borrow from friends and family.
2. To afford my reading habit, I use the library.
3. I must own all the books.

Persevere or Bail out?

1. Even if the story drags, I hang on to see if it gets better.
2. Have me at hello or I’m done.
3. I have multiple books started and go from story to story when one gets slow.

What Type of Reader Are You?

Mostly 1’s? 2’s? or 3’s? Whether you're a Nibbling Nancy, a Methodical Melanie or a Gorging Gloria, no matter what your score or your reading style, you are fabulous—just like all readers.

Just how Big is Your—TBR List?

Looking for Love?

The month of love is just around the corner. Forget Me Not is a sweet, short read to get you in the mood for love.

If Cole can't believe she's a changed woman, can Sabrina accept the only second chance she has at love exists in her memories?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Joining In

Halloween month at Here Be Magic has lured me out of my hermit basement like a ground squirrel checking the area for predators. Since there are none--besides vampires, werewolves, soul-sucking ghosts, scary clowns and T-Rexes--I guess it's safe for me to join in.

The fact is, nearly all of us have hectic schedules, but it's important to periodically make time to do things like this -- to join in. Whether online or in real life, fellowship with other authors, with readers, with other folks in the publishing industry is part of what makes this difficult career satisfying. In any career or role in life, I imagine we experience a certain bond, even a need for fellowship, with others in similar occupations. We can all benefit from new ideas, inspiration, and advice, or even provide these things and be a helper to someone who needs the wisdom we've gathered.

In the last year and a half, I've focused more on my freelance editing business than writing, but my first foray into a Kindle World, writing a dragon shifter paranormal romance set in Magic, New Mexico, under the jolly and somewhat wacky auspices of SE Smith, was released recently, reminding me just how much I need to nurture both sides of my publishing brain. It also reminded me how much I love interacting with other authors, as a group of us in the Kindle World wrote our stories together, discussed marketing, and shared our ups and downs. I love editing and helping others achieve their goals, but I also love storytelling and, well, telling lies for fun and profit.

So my advice to all of you, readers and authors alike, is not to be scared of the predators out there. Jump out of that burrow. Make time to join in. To discuss your career or just your love of reading. If I hadn't been a member of an active local RWA chapter, with a monthly opportunity to enjoy that fellowship with others in my career, I don't know that I would be pursuing writing or editing. 

Social media, too, has opened up the range of voices, authors, and readers I can share with, expanding my horizons in my career (and my crochet hobby!), as it can with yours. I doubt I could have found too many neighbors who appreciate the fact that I crochet peens and take photos of them in ridiculous poses, but online I sure have!

Sincerely,

Jody W. & Meankitty

www.jodywallace.com 

www.meankittyediting.com 

For Readers and Authors - 5 Suggestions When You Attend a Booksigning

It's that time of year! Authors and readers are attending all sorts of get-togethers. Whether it's your first booksigning, or one of many, here are a few tips and suggestions for both authors and readers. And, trust me, these are things I've learned first-hand.

Readers:
1. If you've read that author's work, and you enjoyed it, please tell them! Knowing that others appreciate their book(s) is what gives authors the inspiration to keep writing! You might be on the shy side (and they probably are too – many authors are notorious introverts but we do love to meet readers!), but a little conversation goes a long way

2. Tell the author what you like to read, even if it's "a little bit of everything". Or ask "What's your best-selling title?". Better yet, "What would you suggest for a person who's never read anything sci-fi (or other genre)?"

3. Don't be afraid to pick up a book and read the blurb. Or glance inside and read a page or two. Don't hesitate to ask for help, such as, "Do you have any shifters that aren't wolves?"

4. You can always ask for the author's business card or bookmarks so you can check their website at a later date, at your leisure. Sometimes authors also have little giveaway items like pens and candy, which they brought just to give away so please don’t hesitate to pick some up. The author will be happy you did!

5. Get autographs and take pictures! 

Authors:
1. Say "Hi." Make some kind of small talk. Try to avoid making the reader feel as if you're swooping down on them. Worse, don't make it appear as if you're ignoring them by reading your phone.

2. Give the reader/would-be buyer an inkling of the genres you write, including if any are sweet, steamy, erotic, etc. They may be open to trying something new.

3. Yes, money is tight, so you have to be choosy about your giveaways. I try to be practical (pens, notepads, lip balm) and try to come up with inexpensive items that readers will use and not throw away once they get home.

4. Be open to both cash and credit card sales. Don't restrict yourself to one form of currency. Price your books to avoid having to mess with change, and include tax in the price.

5. Mingle with the readers when you get the chance. Don't forget to thank the person(s) who make the event possible. And if it's at a hotel, take a moment to chat and be friendly with the staff. A little kindness goes a long way.

* * *

Now Available as an Audio Book!

KNIGHT OF DARKNESS
Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy Romance
Word Count:  45.4K
$2.99 e / $9.99 p / $19.95 a

Narrated by L.J. Hofer

Length: 5 hrs, 27 min

Hear a Sample

Sorrow Knight knew that at any time the U'Nar would attack Earth, but he needed a few more days to come out of chrystasis before he could fight the deadly enemy. With his soul sword, Rall, he and the handful of other Surge Knights would gather wherever the enemy landed, and drive them off this world. A world with so many wonderful sights and surprises. A world that contained a woman named Rachel, who had captured his heart and his imagination, but who was forbidden to him by his laws.

Rachel Grohl often wondered about the skinny, dishwater-blond young man living in the apartment across the breezeway from her. His shyness, as well as his clean but well-worn clothes, tugged at her heart. They'd barely spoken a dozen words to each other since he moved in a few weeks ago, but she had to thank him for helping her the other day. Maybe asking him over to dinner would work.

They shared one dinner, one touch, and one kiss that led to one night of love. A love which could ultimately avert the total eradication of the human race.

Warning: Contains tiny men skirts, lasagna, human metamorphosis, glass table tops, IOUs, comrades-in-arms, bomb shelters, an invading alien force that will haunt everyone's nightmares, and two people's determination to find love despite the increasing danger.

Excerpt and buy links.