That’s right, March 6-12 is officially Read An Ebook Week!

We might well subtitle this week as “Celebrate the Reader Week”, because ebooks are one of the best ways authors of every genre can get their books directly to readers. Read an Ebook Week has been going on for many years, but as eReading devices have become more accessible and ebook retailers and libraries offer increasing options for readers, I predict this will be the biggest year ever.

Which is great news for ebook readers as well as the paranormal romance authors who are learning how to bring quality products to the market.

Naturally, I’d like you to read my Shadows of Justice novels and other short stories, all available as ebooks (on Kindle and other formats) but of course it’s up to you and what you like to read.

Paranormal romance authors are dynamic examples of  the why the ebook market is expanding every day.

Not afraid to take chances and always ready to deliver an engaging, inventive story, paranormal romance authors have learned how to get their story into reader’s hands. I believe paranormal romance authors combine a wealth of willing author support and creative ideas that benefit the ebook industry. Through online forums, and sites like Goodreads and the Paranormal Romance Guild paranormal romance authors and readers can connect, discuss, and explore the multitude of ebook offerings.

If you’ve never read an ebook before, now is the time to give both a new experience and a new author a try.

Ebooks are formatted for reading on your computer, phone, iPad, kindle, nook, and other devices. There are also applications available to let you read your ebook uninterrupted between multiple devices. In most cases, you can sample a book before you buy, and many ebooks are priced lower than their print counterparts, making it a low risk, high reward investment.

Join the party – try an ebook today!

Live the adventure!

Just in time for Read an Ebook Week! Justice Incarnate, the book that launched the Shadows of Justice series, is now only 99 cents! And the Shadows of Justice series continues with the original novel, Tracking Shadows, delivered in daily installments on Facebook!

I’m so absolutely, completely thrilled to launch the venture I first hinted at when the greyhounds let me loose on their first January post of 2011!

Now available on a monitor, phone, or device near you…the Regan Black, Author page at Facebook!

To start things off at this new fan page, I’m posting an original novel, a spin off from the 2096 Shadows of Justice series. In a new note each day, you’ll be able to follow this brand new adventure and enjoy the future I created for my unique characters of the Justice Incarnate, Invasion of Justice, and Veil of Justice novels.

Just to tempt you: In 2096 Chicago, Slick Micky is the man to see if you want anything on the government’s restricted or forbidden list. Like pure sugar, real coffee, or nicotine in any variety. But being the top smuggler in town means living with a target on your back, and the other crime bosses are tired of waiting on Slick Micky’s extensive network to crumble. Will the sabotage work, or will it take an assassin who kills by creating lethal hallucinations? Trina Durham’s that assassin, but worse, she’s the woman with a long-standing personal grudge against Slick Micky.

Slick Micky first shows up in Justice Incarnate, when he hires Jaden to teach self-defense classes to the women who transport the contraband (his ‘mules’) so they can protect themselves from the demonic predator Jaden is determined to conquer.

Check out the book trailer:  Tracking Shadows

(my thanks to the photographers, models, and video designer that made that possible)

As a paranormal romance author posting a novel on Facebook is an outside-the-box venture, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. As technology advances and publishing redefines itself, delivering great paranormal romance novels to readers is my primary focus. I’ll be posting the novel in the notes section, about 3 pages worth each day until the novel is complete.

I hope you’ll join me in this fantastic adventure at the Regan Black, Author page on Facebook and dive into my latest action-packed, paranormal romance novel featuring Slick Micky!

Live the adventure!

January is a great month for paranormal romance authors and readers!  Not only is January National Book Blitz month, the second week of 2011 was officially National Book Week!

What am I doing to celebrate?

Well, on Saturday January 15 I was at Total Health Fair Charleston with my local greyhound rescue and adoption group, signing copies of my paranormal romance novels as well as my non-fiction Adopt A Greyhound Guide.  Bandit and I had a great time with the fabulous volunteers of GPA-Charleston meeting everyone who came by our booth.

Of course, January’s National Book status isn’t specific to the genre of paranormal romance, authors of all genres are free to jump on the celebratory bandwagon and use the extra publicity boost of National Book Week to reach their audience. (It will be a happy book blitz for me when I add a couple new releases from my favorite historical romance authors to my Kindle later this month too).

I’m thrilled about January’s book blitz, mainly because my growth in 2010 regarding writing, determination, and promotion will be applied and magnified in 2011 through giveaways, interviews, and new releases. Even amid the upheaval in publishing, this is a great time to be an author.

As a reader, I’d suggest celebrating January’s book blitz fun through fReado.com! They make every day a book blitz with their reader-friendly site and tools to help paranormal romance authors reach paranormal romance readers. Of course if you prefer a different genre, they’ve got that too and they’re always giving away great books from new authors and well known bestselling authors alike.

Check it out:  Justice Incarnate, a paranormal romance novel, is listed in the giveaways along with many, many fabulous books!

How are other authors celebrating National Book Blitz month? I know Monica Burns is kicking off her Pleasure Me with Romance blog event beginning January 17! And the Paranormal Romance Guild is giving away a four book prize package from kNight Romance Publishing!!!

So how will you celebrate National Book Blitz month?

Live the adventure!

Did you get a kindle or other eBook reader this holiday season? Whether you treated yourself or someone treated you – congratulations! I was the happy

recipient of a kindle last year and I’m just as thrilled with it today as I was then.

(Shameless Plug: if you’d like to load up your new eBook reader with a few great paranormal romance novels, look for Regan Black titles on kindle, Smashwords, or AllRomanceEbooks!)

The best part of an eReader, in my opinion, is the fabulous world building you can do – by building your own library.  The instant availability of so many books, in any genre, is beyond compare. Some libraries are even working with eBooks now – which is terrific news for readers!

Plus, with an eReader, you can take the world building you love with you wherever you roam.

Got a collection of favorite paranormal romance novels by any number of paranormal romance writers? You can have them all at your fingertips, to suit your reading mood from one moment to the next. Some days I’m in the mood for paranormal romance by Kresley Cole, other days I need a dose of sexy, historical romance from Sabrina Jeffries.

Of course, the world building I do with my kindle covers a wide range of indie authors as well as traditionally published authors and I hope you’ll find the same true of your experience with kindle or any other eReader.

The longer I have my kindle, the more helpful and useful I find it. I uploaded my own books – not to be narcissistic, but resourceful!  When I need to verify a description or a reference from any novel in the Shadows of Justice series, I can open the book and do a search. It’s great – and usually easier than pulling the paperback off the shelf, or wading through my file of notes and notebooks.

I believe the kindle and other eReaders have created a wonderful opportunity for paranormal romance writers and readers alike. Enjoy the journey through the vast and available world building now at your fingertips!

Live the adventure!

This month I’ve been teaching an online workshop for the Lowcountry RWA chapter on ‘writing a synopsis that sells’ and I’ve re-discovered the magic of voice. The group ranges from newbie to published authors in genres from historical to paranormal romance novels. They are fabulous!

I think synopsis is a word that causes fear in most writers – I know it did for me. And what pulled me clear of my irrational reaction (hives, tantrums, candy binges) was doing some editing for a dear friend of mine. In the role of editor I learned more about author voice and watched great voices shine in manuscripts and go completely dull in synopsis.

That was okay, and not unexpected, and I learned to read between the lines to find the plot points and character arcs of each submission. But when a voice shines through in the manuscript and the synopsis, it’s a bonus – and gives an editor confidence that it will be a strong, crucial element throughout the paranormal romance novel.

As part of the synopsis class, I post writing exercises (naturally) and I’ve been thoroughly amazed by the way voice is coming through in the replies. Spunky, serious, feisty, relaxed, suspenseful, each writer in the class has let their voice shine in the assignments. It’s a visible affirmation that voice truly is the essential element of paranormal romance novels.

No matter what genre or sub-genre you read or write; no matter if you prefer your heroes as shifters, vamps, or mere humans, letting everything that is uniquely ‘you’ influence your words, phrasing and world building makes the difference for the reader. In the synopsis and most importantly in the novel. It’s voice that will push your paranormal romance novel to the head of the pack.

But how do you make voice happen?

Give yourself permission to write it first, the way it sounds best to you, with the words and setting that give you chills or make you smile. Let your characters play in a world you enjoy. Then go back and edit to polish the plot and put the best spotlight on the characters and their development. Writing, editing, and writing more is the only way I know to hone a voice into an essential element of paranormal romance novels.

Live the adventure!

Check out this new cover for Justice Incarnate!

The alpha female runs the show right? Maybe, but I don’t believe having an alpha female lead in a paranormal romance means the other characters can be flat. Think about the ‘take charge’ people in your world. Would they be amused or suffer bouts of despair to be surrounded by ‘yes men’ at every turn?

My very first seriously kick-butt-take-no-prisoners alpha female, Jaden Michaels (Justice Incarnate) would’ve been even more irritable if the people around her simply agreed to everything she said. When she needed information, she found a way to get it, but she also listened to and enlisted the help of those characters with expertise to reach her goal.

Jaden, an alpha female had to address her strengths and accept her weaknesses in order to survive her assigned task in the story. As she encountered other characters and obstacles, she had to learn and grow and adapt.

Her hero couldn’t be a wimp, he had to have his own strengths to compliment and support hers. An alpha female in paranormal romance can’t be part of an effective team if the supporting characters don’t embrace their own strengths and earn her respect.

The story is a process and there is a necessary character arc for protagonists and antagonists or it won’t be a good read. But if the alpha female for paranormal romance starts out invincible, in charge, and aware of all the answers, where’s the adventure? A reader gets bored with perfect characters, just ask Donald Maass (The Fire in Fiction).

An alpha female for paranormal romance can take on any traits the author can imagine, but she can’t be the only vivid character or the story will fall flat for the reader.

Live the adventure!

p.s. Last day to register for the Veil of Justice giveaway over at From the Shadows!

Okay, it’s no secret the publishing industry is changing, and paranormal romance writers, just like other writers, have to keep up. For myself, I jumped into publishing the traditional way with the sale of my first novel Justice Incarnate. That was followed by another traditional sale, Invasion of Justice, which was released a year later. Things seemed to be on track with my career.

Then life intervened. Sales were slower than we expected (considering the amount of time I was putting into marketing and events). My dad died and my husband was deployed for 18 months.  As a suddenly single mom, I struggled (and failed) to keep promoting and writing the rather dark world of my 2096 novels.

My publisher (Echelon Press) understood, keeping me engaged as a paranormal romance writer with a couple of anthology projects (set in 2096 Chicago) and further supporting my choice to delve into a more lighthearted YA fantasy eBook series. Initially designed to release every 8-12 weeks, there are just five stories out at the moment, but the Hobbitville saga is gaining steam.

As a paranormal romance writer (who learned the hard way to follow my ‘voice’) the YA shorts let me explore a fun landscape and feel as if I can ‘finish’ a project in a timely manner. While my life slowly settled, I played with other ideas running around in my head and eventually finished Veil of Justice to my satisfaction.

But the timing was off, my momentum was gone. Here I was, a paranormal romance writer, but my audience had moved on.  Then my rights reverted on the anthologies. It was time to adapt and develop a better plan.

Looking at the new landscape of publishing, I took these titles (From the Ashes, Dream Works, Breaking New Ground, and Veil of Justice) straight to the reader via Kindle and Smashwords. So far, I’ve been pleased with the results. I’ve even got a giveaway going on Goodreads. Yup, that’s it right there. –>

As much as I resist change, even as a paranormal romance writer, adapting is the only way forward. And it’s worked beautifully. I’ve learned to blog, present workshops, and interact with peers and readers on social media. I’ve even managed a You Tube search story!

So I encourage you as a reader or writer, don’t be afraid of what’s looming on the publishing horizon for paranormal romance or any other genre. Do your research, learn the new advantages and keep your mind open to the next great book you can sample on your computer, ereader, tablet, or phone.

Live the adventure!

That’s right, even for paranormal romance writers, gaming can be a serious business enterprise.

No really!

Mod Nation (my son’s latest PS3 acquisition) and similar games can be a great exercise in world building fun. Order or chaos, high tide or low, even the position of the sun or moon, you’re in control of the universe as you build a racetrack. It’s really cool!

When crafting a paranormal romance novel, you also have the control.

You can make your world big and chaotic, you can lock in a tight follow spot on some detail of immense importance. However you build it, the world building for paranormal romance novels is all about how you want to play – or rather how your characters want to play in the world you create.

There are rules, in games and in world building.

In a game as silly and ‘simple’ as Hamster Ball, the creators were careful to make it make sense. You have three ‘ball’ choices for your hamster during the game: speed, bounce, and strength. Naturally the bounce ball looks like a soccer ball – which makes sense.  Even in hamster world, the world building rules matter.

Video game or paranormal romance novel, world building is world building. The more you practice, the better you get. So dream big, down to the smallest detail, make sure it makes sense, then let your characters have the time of their lives entertaining your readers.

Find several Shadows of Justice stories at Smashwords (free and half price) through July 31!  Additional outlets include Kindle and OmniLit.  Plus there’s still time to enter for one of two copies of Veil of Justice on the Goodreads Giveaways!

Live the adventure!

In my continuing efforts to redefine what it means to be the alpha female in my world, I’m learning to be more realistic about what I can and cannot achieve in any given day.

I’m still behaving – I swear! – and as if the universe needed to prove it, I’ve discovered that’s a very good thing. We recently attended an event for my daughter’s school, but just two hours on my feet wiped me out.

Frustrating but true.

Of course doing said social mixer after pulling a very late night with the writing probably didn’t help, but it’s all proof my body’s not yet back on track. Grrr.

However, I am finding ways to be grateful in this challengeing time. A trait I’d like to think I’ve learned in part from the many alpha female characters I’ve written over the years.

No, I can’t be Jaden who would probably take the doctors hostage until they fixed her. I’m not Petra who would use her mental talents to separate herself from the pain.  (Yes, I’m meditating – thanks for asking – and it does help but I’m not as good as Petra).

It would be awesome to have Cali’s ability to illuminate a text so I could understand what the doctors really mean. More than once since this all began long ago in December, I’ve wished for a friend like Mira, a healer who will be starring soon in her own Shadows of Justice novel.

For now, I’ll go back to playing with Mira and the other alpha female heroines in my imagination

You can dive into their world too! Buy the books on Amazon or in the format and outlet you prefer.

Live the adventure!

“It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.” Isaac Asimov (1920-1992)

Life loves to toss out challenges! No matter what career path you’re on, you’ve surely bumped into both anticpated obstacles and outright surprises.

When I’m writing (or reading) alpha female characters, I love the boldness with which they tackle every obstacle that gets tossed their way. They seem to know what they want and even if that initial goal changes or morphs, they continue with that admirable drive to attain it.

Asimov is right, life’s difficulities do seem to vaporize in the face of bold action. It’s empowering to read and write an alpha female heroine who boldly charges into their adventures, despite the risks.

A writer with the goals of being published cannot rest in a corner at the end of the day and hope the challenges of the publishing world go away or smooth out.

And knowing readers love to worry their way through a book, I suppose it makes an odd sort of sense for even the most alpha female author to have a few worries on the path to publication.

But it takes alpha female determination and dedication to overcome the obstacles and prevail over circumstance.

When a writer (or anyone) focuses on the problem or  difficulty, rather than the solution, the difficulty becomes bigger than it is. It becomes so big, in fact, it blurs our vision of the precious goal hovering just beyond it.

Alpha female characters teach me a lot. Yes I know my heroines are fictional, but I wouldn’t spend all those hours with them in the story if I didn’t like them.

Jaden Michaels  (of Justice Incarnate) is an alpha female person I would love to have on my team – and in a way, when I play with characters from her world, she is on my team and provides a solid example of daring, consideration, and definitive action.

Debating and overanalyzing a problem will not fix it. Difficulties require action if we want to get around them to realize our goal or dream. Better to assess and then move forward with boldness – to take alpha female action.

Will there be mistakes? Surely. But the alpha females of my acquaintance learn from all their experiences and move on with continued boldness and determination, with their eyes on the prize they’ve declared they cannot live without.

Live the adventure!