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Need motivation and inspiration to self-publish or sign that contract with an interested small press? Have you done all the research you can, but still feel ambivalent about the idea?

Indiestructible: Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle brings you the experiences of 29 amazing indie-author-friends (including moi)—their passions, their insights, their successes—to help you make the leap into indie publishing.

This is not a how-to guide. This is the best of the indie tradition of experienced authors paying it forward, sharing what they’ve learned, giving you information to help you on your journey.

The personal essays in this book will leave you itching to get your work into the hands of readers and experience first-hand all the rewards indie publishing has to offer.

Not only is this anthology packed full of interesting and unique information, 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

Pretty amazing, huh?

What are you waiting for? Buy Indiestructible Today (only 99 cents)!

Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
ISBN 10: 0987593102 ISBN 13: 9780987593108
Compiled & Edited: Jessica Bell

Check out this amazing list of contributing authors:

Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn

Goodreads Kerfuffles: The New Red Room

I was going to say "the new sex tape," but sex tapes are so Y2K...

It's been a while since I've opined on current events here on the blog. (Sorry?) But this latest round of Goodreads "reviewers" behaving badly and authors rising (sinking?) to the challenge, resulting in alleged rape threats and bullying accusations and debut novels being pulled from release... (or being released now under pen names?)

It all makes a writer say Hmm.

I've written a few books (see sidebar), and they're all on Goodreads, for better or worse.

Before Undertow was released in July, it got a big fat 1-star review on Goodreads... And it wasn't even one of my betas or critters! (It remains the book's only 1-star review amidst predominately 4- and 5-stars.)

A book I just finished writing on Friday (Aug. 23) got a 3-star review a few weeks ago on Goodreads, prompting me to wonder how this person was accessing my computer and whether s/he would be willing to finish writing the book for me, since I clearly wasn't doing a 5-star job...

Regardless of all that, I know if I engage, if I make any comment whatsoever, I'm risking a firestorm of abuse, harassment, name-calling, etc. It's the whole, "once you put your book out there, it's no longer yours" concept.

(But wait. My book's not "out there" yet...)

Before I hit "publish" on my very first book, The Truth About Faking, I got some sage advice from a then-rising author named Tammara Webber. (Yes, that Tammara Webber.)

Don't respond to reviewers.

Period. The End. (Nope! Stop arguing. Don't respond.) She was firm.

We live in a digital age, where anyone with a keyboard and an attitude has the potential to become a Superstar! (Remember Perez Hilton?)

It's all about the spotlight, writer-friends. When you "go there," you're signaling the paparazzi. You're shaking up the Mountain Dew can, popping the top and putting it slap in front of the hornets' nest.

In fairness, yes, there is a possible flipside... I also remember Paris Hilton. (And her spawn, Kim Kardashian.) They live for that stuff. Becoming a living train wreck has made those females millions.

Selah.

In fairness, my experience with Goodreads has been largely positive. It can be a useful and fantastic, interactive reader- and writer- community. I've met awesome reader-friends there, and I know bigwigs like Coleen Hoover point to it as helping their success in reaching readers.

Sure, I've gotten my share of reviews I thought weren't fair. I've had the DNF rants, and I've even *gasp* replied to a few, late at night, after a glass of wine. (And promptly freaked out the next day and never returned to the scene of the crime... Sorry, Tammara! *hangs head in shame*)

It's a sad truth, but as a published author, my days of being an English teacher, a book club leader, a former journalist, and heck, even an American citizen with first-amendment rights are over.

I'm probably taking a risk simply writing this blog post, but shoop! There it is.

When I hit "publish" on The Truth About Faking, I began the mental mantra:

"Negative reviews and/or reviews I think are 'unfair' go with the territory. Get over it. Look how many negative reviews L. James gets for her Fifty Shades books, and she's laughing all the way to the bank."

We tell ourselves these things as authors, reader-friends. (Or we should, writer-friends.)

Two thousand reviews for Faking later, I actually have some one-star reviews I admire. The reviewer just really did not like my book, and s/he gave some solid, justified reasons why.

I read them, and at the end I mentally add, "And then I got my period."

(...it's a joke. C'mon... That's funny!)

Seriously, I respect them. I like seeing reviews from thoughtful readers. To me, it means I'm doing my job right. Not everybody's going to like my books, but if I've made someone think about a concept, a belief system, a mode of behavior, well, that's what I'm after, right?

I also appreciate that when we make the transition to living off our books' earnings, things like DNF reviews urging the whole, entire reading planet not to buy our books seriously sting. And reviews or ratings for unreleased books can push us over the edge...

Resist! writer-friends.

I mean, unless you want to try the sex tape in the red room approach. In which case, buckle up! It's going to be a bumpy ride~

I'd love to hear anybody's (thoughtful) thoughts on the matter.

And I'd like to take this opportunity to THANK all my reader- and writer-friends who take the time to leave thoughtful reviews of my books. As Blondie (and now 1D) says, "One way or another."

* * *

Heads up, friends! Watercolor is coming Oct. 3! That means Dragonfly is on sale for 99 cents! I'll share a little graphic I made here~

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

And have a great week, reader-friends! 

Thank YOU! And a Special Cover Reveal~

I'd like to say a HUGE THANKS to everyone who helped with the cover reveal for Watercolor on Wednesday!

FYI, Dragonfly (Book #1) is still on sale for 99 cents right now!

Run grab your copy and get started: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

The Dragonfly series is my first true series to write (meaning one book depends on the other, and the story builds with each installment), and today I'm thrilled to welcome my longtime writer-friend and fellow Indelible Elle/Lee Strauss talking about series-writing and showing us the gorgeous cover to the final book in her Perception trilogy!

So without further ado, take it away, Elle/Lee~

* * *

The Perception Trilogy is my first real series, meaning the story begins in book one and doesn't complete until the end of book three. (My Clockwise series is unconventional that way, which is why I point this out.)

What a ride! It's a bittersweet to be closing in on the end. I've spent so much time getting to know and love my characters! It's kind of like having to wave good bye as your child leaves for college - it's good and necessary, but it marks a dramatic change. You're happy to see them develop and grow, but at the same time, you can't help the tears that well up.

You find you make frequent trips to the baby albums, reminiscing on the growing up years. I began the first draft of Perception two and a half years ago, while on a trip to Romania. I'd meant to take a break from writing, but instead I started getting all these great ideas for a new sci/fi dystopian. Everywhere we went I'd be stopping to type in  quick notes on my iphone, and at night I wrote scenes on a borrowed laptop.

I published Perception on September 01, 2012, almost one year ago. Since then I've written and published book 2, Volition, and now in just a few short weeks, the final book.

Yes!

CONTRITION is releasing September 26th! Of course, there will be swag/contests/sales leading up to the launch. I hope you join in on the fun!

Without further ado....(drum roll)....

Zoe, Noah and the other plane crash survivors

 are stranded
in the Arizona desert.

They all have secrets,

and reasons to hide.

But they’re not alone.

Cyborg soldiers.

War.

Humans and humanoids.

Who can be trusted?

Zoe’s life is in danger.

Noah must make an impossible choice.

Will their love survive their brokenness?

Will the world as they know it end before they can find out?

CONTRITION COMING SEPTEMBER 26th!

* * *

Thanks so much, Elle/Lee! I can verify this story is fantastic. So run out and grab your copy today, and have a super weekend, reader-friends!

WATERCOLOR Revealed! and a Dragonfly #SALE-ebration!

In Dragonfly, they were friends who shared a growing attraction...

In Undertow, her heart was broken and he was waiting to pick up the pieces...

In Watercolor, Anna & Julian say Yes. But the past and its secrets are creeping closer...

Book #3 in the Dragonfly series: Watercolor, coming Oct. 3! 

Need to catch up? Get Dragonfly for only #99CENTS, Aug. 21-25!

Add it on Goodreads today!

Watercolor
by Leigh Talbert Moore

Finishing senior year is supposed to be the best time in a person’s life.
Finishing senior year as Julian’s girlfriend should’ve been the icing on the cake.
Knowing the secret that could change everything for him is the only thing threatening to spoil it all. 
Until Jack returns.

Anna and Julian are together at last, and it’s as hot and happy as they knew it would be. The only problem is The Secret.

And Jack.

But while Anna is determined to fight for the guy she loves, she could still lose Julian when he discovers the truth she’s been helping to hide from him.

Exclusive excerpt:

“I just want you to touch me.” 

I took his hand and put it at my waist, under my shirt. I pressed my mouth to his and chills followed as his fingers slid lightly over my skin. I was drowning again and I reached over to find the edge of his jeans. I pulled up the soft fabric and lightly touched his bare stomach. 

Suddenly he was gone. My lips were still in a pucker, and he was down at the water away from me. I watched as he stripped off his t-shirt and slipped out of his jeans before diving into the dark Gulf waters. 

I fell forward, laying my head on my forearm in the sand. “I’m going to kill your parents,” I sighed.

* * *

Readers are swooning for Dragonfly (#1):

On Amazon

"I was so thrilled with the way Leigh T. Moore wrote this! I actually threw up my hands and said YES!" --Asheley Tart, Into the Hall of Books

"I truly enjoyed this one! I thought the characters were intriguing, the mystery and story were interesting and definitely have ME WANTING MORE!!!!!!!" --Mandy, The Romance Bookie

"Angst, longing, jealousy, mystery, secrets, love triangles, sexy scenes! Could you even ask for more? Well you can because it is also very well written and fast paced. ...I STRONGLY suggest you invest in some sunscreen as well as a copy of Dragonfly." --Nichole, Book Addicts Not So Anonymous

Now only 99 cents, 8/21-25!  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Raving about Undertow (#2):

On Amazon

"An incredibly powerful sequel to Dragonfly. I found myself riveted to the last page by the depth of feeling, loss, tragedy, and love in this gorgeously woven story. This is a definite must-read." --Jolene Perry, author of Out of Play

"Undertow pulled me under and left me gasping for air and wanting so much more. I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters, and now I’ll never be able to get a shirtless Bill Kyser out of my head." 
--Magan Vernon, bestselling author of The Only Exception

"My heart shattered into a million tiny pieces, rebuilt itself and then melted over and over again with each flip of the page." --Roxy Kade Reviews

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Pick up your copy today and get swept away~