Cia

I hate it with non-communication is the conflict in the story so I didn't feel like that was needed for Kraig and Deke. Thanks for reading, Valkyrie!

LOL! When have I ever made it easy on my characters? Thanks for reading, Puppilull.

Thank you!! It's hard with the 1k chapter, but there are always more each week because 1k is easy to do even when life is busy. I appreciate the review!

I'm glad you agree with their talk being necessary. That theme in fiction drives me CRAZY!! Misunderstandings can crop up (like this one) but I don't like the "big issue" to be the fact the characters don't talk to each other. Besides, there are other issues they're facing that are way bigger that will work far better than stupidly not telling each other how they feel.

Hi Shade456, thanks for reviewing! The reason the chapters are short is this is written as part of a weekly 500 to 1000 word prompt inspired flash group I am in called the Wednesday Briefers. It is harder to write this way, and readers always want more, but this way at least you always know you're getting more each week.

LOL! Romantic, right?!! Deke's voice just came to me that way, and it made me chuckle. Glad you liked it, Lux!

Sometimes insecurity gets the better of us all, and I definitely think that's where Deke is coming from. You're right, though, because Kraig is facing so much.

That might be best, and I've had other readers do that too. Sometimes when I create a new paranormal theme, it can take time to flesh out. I know the 1k format is hard, but it's what I'm stuck with as part of the Briefers--and it keeps me posting each week at least. Thanks for trying to keep up with the story, though, Geemeedee!

I'm glad this chapter explained the soul/spirit issue better. Deke is very focused on Kraig, but he's got a lot on his plate too. That'll become more apparent as the story gets further into the plot. Thanks for reading, hun!

Yep, the feelings issue is hard to figure out. Is Kraig not aroused because of his physical state? Or is it more... cause he did leave. Deke definitely has a lot of insecurities too.

As good as Deke has been, I think he's also wrestling a lot of guilt and that's leading to his insecurity. Not always easy to think with a clear head!

I can't believe you were reading on your phone! That's insane, but I'm glad you like the story--even when it's heart wrenching. Thanks for the review, Molly.

Never mess with the momma! LOL I love writing strong mothers in stories.

I can't help you with the pen name issue, since I use my own, but I get it. I know a lot of authors who do use one. Biggest thing is to make sure you don't choose a name too close to one already popular in the industry. I often think those people do that to capitalize on their popularity by coming up in general searches and it drives me crazy. A lot of the more well-known authors don't post all that often and yet a lot of bloggers post far more often than I do. And yes, it's very important to start connecting with other authors because then their audience has the potential to become your fans as well--because, frankly, when you first start out you don't have fans because just like with eBooks, there are tons of blogs out there and the odds readers who like your content just stumbling on your blog are slim. Another good thing to do is sign up as a blog tour host with sites like Creative Minds, Goddess Fish, etc... because those are easy ways to get readers who follow those promos (they usually have contests) to visit your blog and they might like your content. I try to do one to two promos a month, or eBook reviews for a tour or on my own, 4-5 pieces of flash fiction, and then a variety of posts. You can do something fun that relates to a story or writing in general, join in blog events like Feature and Follow Friday, Throwback Thursday, etc... Another good thing to do is to use banners/images/etc... to create visual appeal. Just remember to ALWAYS own the images you use or have legally obtained stock or art that has a creative commons license. You don't want to violate copyright law and be sued, which is a risk you take if you just copy images off the internet.

That's actually a requirement for Dreamspinner because they don't accept "concurrent submissions" meaning they will not read/review for contracting any manuscript that is being shopped with other publishers (unless it's already been rejected). If the publisher you subbed to doesn't have a review window published with their submission requirements it wouldn't hurt to wait one month and simply send in a polite email asking what that timeframe is. Most publishers are active in the author/reading community and they're not these 'from on high' authority figures that many new-to-publishing authors expect. A few tips to get through those awful blurb and synopsis chores: 1. Read other story blurbs in the genre you wrote to see how others are phrased (most of these are a collaboration between the publisher's editor and the author, so it's a good representative of what they'd like to see). It helps if you have read the eBook as well so you can get an idea of how much it represents the story and how much it leaves for readers. 2. Speaking of leaving things for readers, do not treat the blurb as the synopsis. If you 'tell all' then the reader isn't looking forward to any surprise except the ending, and typically that's a happily ever after so it's not really a mystery. The blurb is suppose to sell some of the high points or specific elements of the story and make a reader go, "Oh, I want to know what happens when...?" so they buy it. 3. For your synopsis think of the story arc. What are the high points of the story that make it what it is? Also consider the main elements of the beginning, middle, end. Those are what you should share. Don't get bogged down in detail and try to remain within 1-2 pages. I prefer to just do one. 4. Publishers have MASSIVE quantities of submissions, and the blurb and synopsis give them their first impression of A) how you write (edit these just as vigorously as you do your manuscript!) B ) how you market yourself and your work (most publishers don't do a ton of marketing beyond sending out your eBook to reviewers, so you'll need to focus on that yourself). One final bit of advice... start marketing YOU now by creating a "brand". Do you have a website or blog? Get one that features your name or something very close to it (mine is Cia's Stories for example) that will make it easy to find if someone searches for you specifically. Set up graphics that you can make common across the board (no nudity usually), then use it on social media as well. Post stuff on your blog and start attracting a readership. Free fiction is a great way to draw readers in, especially if you post regularly (I am part of a group called the Wednesday Briefers who use weekly delivered prompts to write a 500-1k flash piece that we all post on our blogs and then link to each participating author each week, for example). Invite other authors to your blog, especially published ones, as they'll often reciprocate. Join author groups on Goodreads. Join author groups on Facebook. Follow published authors you like on Twitter (many follow back). Use these elements on a regular basis. Being a published author is a ton of work outside of just writing and editing. It's all about putting you and your book out there, because no one else is going to do it for you--and you need to begin well before you near the release dates. At least this helps to give you something to do when you're waiting for an answer from a publisher, lol. If you want an idea of what I mean, check out my blog: Cia's Stories and some of the blogs I feature/follow in the right side column for an example of the types of posts, extra material, promotion happenings, etc... as well as layout, look, graphics, stuff like that. Good luck!

“Us?” Kraig craned his head back and looked at me. “I thought you wanted to know what the doctor did to me, what I knew about the way he changed me. I’ve been trying to remember if I heard any names when the others came, but my memory is hazy.” I shook my head. “That’s important, but I still need to finish going through his files. You’re malnourished and exhausted. I don’t want to put you through that trauma after all I’ve already put you through.” Kraig frowned. “You’ve said something like th

As a reader, it doesn't really bother me. I've enough experience reading stories set all over the world that I tend to know the more common slang enough to understand the story. Writing is another issue, though. I'd hesitate to write outside the US because Graeme's right. When it comes to the setting, that is when it's most important to worry about regional dialects--and even in the US that can be different, making it even more difficult. In the Pacific Northwest eating greens is most likely going to be a cold salad with a variety of green veggies and in the south it'd be a hot dish made from collard greens. Westerners would be drinking a pop if they're having a Pepsi or Coke while Easterners would be drinking a soda. So not only is it important to know the different terms for your country of origin versus the setting country, you have to narrow it down. And it can be subtle. We call a portable light a flashlight but people who learn British English would call it a torch. A commercial driver would be a truck driver here, but in England he's a lorry driver. Another fun part can be when it comes to editing. Spelling can be different (what is really up with adding a non-verbalized u? lol), phrasing, etc... and there are different conventions for British versus American editing. If you're publishing it's important to know what publishers expect. For example, some publishers will accept British editing and spelling if the story is set there, but if the story is set in the US they expect it to follow American style even if the author isn't American. However, since publishers can vary between their dictionary and editing resources for standards, that sort of information is something it doesn't hurt to ask up front before you write/edit for submission.

*nods* Honestly, there is just too much legally associated with that to create that sort of event on GA. There are many different events like this out there, though, for people who cannot donate money or volunteer for things like a blood drive. For instance, Dreamspinner (my current publisher) is sponsoring a short story anthology due in July and one In September for a one year "contract" with authors donating stories between 3.5 and 10k. Site staff will do the editing/eBook creation as a donation of their time/graphic work, and then all proceeds will be donated to area LGBT communities. That's the one I'm participating in because I've met most of the company's staff in person and have a good working relationship for a few years with them, so I trust that the donations will go where they say they are going. Search out those sorts of opportunities, definitely, but make sure you know all the ins and outs of the event.

Did you see the feature on Monday highlighting Krista's favorite reviews from Standing in Shadows? Or download your a copy of the banner to share your love for her story? Never fear, you can still do that here! Today we're featuring the excerpt Krista has picked to share with readers. Krista says... I picked this scene because the story really begins to take shape and the characters are settled in nicely. If the Excerpt needs a title it would be, "The First True Meeting". Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!

Maybe no one else had ever noticed, but Kraig should’ve remembered. Whenever I ate at his parents’ house I dished up my plate first, and I’d take things I knew he liked—because Park knew his favorites too and would as much of them as possible. Once we sat down to eat, usually out of sight of the adult werekin, I’d take food off his plate and claim it for my own... usually after switching for the coveted rolls or extra burger patty. Just because he didn’t think I should blood him didn’t mean I w

This month's Signature feature is Krista's Standing in Shadows. This is one of Krista's most liked stories... and now you get to see why! Check out the thoughts of several of Krista's readers and make sure you download the signature ad if you want to share your love of this story! Length: 200,330 Description: This story is about a young man trying to break through the expectations set by his father and small-town life. Reviews: Jons317 says... Again, you are such a good writer. I don't know if it's a gender thing or what, but as a female you capture details, emotions, etc. differently than other authors. You make me feel like I'm reading a real story. When time is precious, to decide to read something worth it is a big decision. Charmed88 says... Corey is awesome. He sounds like my type of guy, cool, relax, kind, athletic, smart, strong and selfless and funny. I've been a huge fan of this story since I found it like a year ago. This story period is fantastic, a nice coming of age and journey to self discovery. Cole Matthews says... What charming, real characters whose affection is developing behind the words. I love that. Really great pacing and a well told story. Thanks for sharing. Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Krista chose to share with readers! Want to show your support and enjoyment of Krista's story? Download the banner above for your site signature!

Oh, answers are coming, but lots more questions too! I love sweet and sexy alphas, and Deke is becoming more and more an ideal, though hopefully he won't come across as too perfect.

Well these guys have animal souls and many species might share with young, but within groups there is a strict hierarchy of who eats what and when. I'm trying to make this authentic without being tedious, so I'm glad you picked up on that detail!! Thanks for the review, Gary!

Family is often full of friction, right? And shock and relief to have Kraig back will eventually fade into questions of what happened in the past and what is going to happen in the future. This is definitely the golden moment in a way... but that just means there's drama to come!

Thanks, Jmgal. That's the ideal--flesh it out so readers can 'see' it, but don't overdo details so they're forced into only my vision. Glad you like it!