The author photo

I can't help but wonder, does an actual author photo make you more credible as a writer? I'm wondering this because every where I look writers are using professional authors photos on their blogs and social media and not just their books anymore.

I know one of my blogging/ writing hero's Alex. J. Cavanaugh doesn't use an actual author photo, but he's super awesome and I think the exception to the rule. I can't help but wonder whether the fact that potential readers don't know what I look like makes them feel like they are taking a risk on an author that won't even show their face.

I use a pseudonym and have never showed my face because of my family asking me to consider their privacy. Because me and my siblings always hang out a lot, they don't want people associating my writing with them, which I understand. We're very private people. Did I mention they've told all their friends and co-workers that I've published a book?  But I don't think the general public will come up to me and ask about my book. Mostly people don't pay much attention I think. Besides, I'm a nobody in the writing community. I'm the furthest thing from famous.

On the other hand, the idea of showing the world what I look like scares me. What if people use my photo for porn adds, or something crazy like that. Even worse, what if my my looks scare off potential readers:)

I have done research online and I can't come to an accurate consensus. One group says an author photo is essential for the modern day, as it gives readers the ease of mind to know that they are connecting with an actual person. Another group says you don't have to. It shouldn't make a difference, or that author photos are an 80's thing (what? I don't believe that).

Personally, I like interacting with people on social media who have an actual face. It's nice to know who you are communicating with, (of course I realize they could have bough a stock image and be using that). Okay, yes, I'm very paranoid. I was thinking of using an author photo for my Amazon page, and for blogging and social media, not on the inside of my book covers. Those shall remain plain.

What is your opinion on using an author photo? What do you think I should do? Any advice?

Doing my happy-dance for writing

Forget about being on top of the world. I'm on top of the plant.

Today I feel like I'm on top of the world. Why? Nope, I didn't sell a million copies of my book. But what I did do was get some serious writing done last night. I haven't written anything new in months and lost all confidence that I would be able to in the future. Last night I proved myself wrong, and I'm so happy, I'm doing my happy-dance.

It is surprising how much confidence one can lose when you doubt yourself and your abilities. I was honestly so afraid that I wouldn't ever be able to write anything again. I have been in editing and revision mode for almost a year now. Luckily I haven't allowed myself to get depressed. Every time I feel the depression creep up on me, I remind myself that I juts achieved my life goal, so there is no reason to be depressed, and if I do get depressed I would be ungrateful for all I have achieved. Honestly, chastising myself doesn't always work, but mostly it does. I'm planning on doing some more writing today:) Yay!

Do I have a new goal you wonder? Of course, to keep on writing and publishing. But not just that . . . but to actually write the stories I want to without thinking what will others say/think. I want to truly embrace my inner artist and gain more confidence as a person/ woman. Believe it or not, but I have a huge problem with self-confidence, much to the annoyance to the people around me.

How are you doing today?

Mesothelioma Awareness Day

Today is Mesothelioma Awareness Day and a special lady, Heather Von St. James, is celebrating her 10 year cancer-free anniversary. Congratulations! You can read her story here. Heather could’ve celebrated this milestone in a million ways and all she asked was for me to make others aware of what Mesothelioma is. 

So what is Mesothelioma? 

It is a type of cancer caused by being exposed to asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers just so happens to be invisible to the naked eye. The scary part is that it can affect anyone. So many old buildings still contain asbestos. My neighbors across the street still have an asbestos roof. For more info on Mesothelioma, please go here. 

Heather is such a remarkable woman, who looked cancer in the eye and beat it. She is a wife and mother, who wants to save as many lives as she can by making others aware of this disease. 

I wish her so much happiness and further years of great health. 

Getting back and workloads

I am finally back to blogging after being on my promotional tour. Thank you again to everyone who helped me spread the word. It was definitely an amazing feeling having so many people help me. I didn't have to bribe anyone, honest:)

Having my book out in the world is a lot less stressful than I thought it would be. I'm not temped to check my sales regularly, or my author rank and so forth. I simply don't care about that right now. I set a goal for myself and I achieved it. Everything else is a plus. Work on book 2 is currently stalled. Though I'm not currently working on it, it hasn't stopped me from jotting down a few ideas. At the moment the book is at 66 000 words. Book one was closer to 90 000 words. So, I feel book 2 needs at least 12 000 more. I have a few scenes I had been holding back, and the experts say never to hold anything back for the next book.

I googled my book, just to make sure there aren't any pirate copies out there, and I kept stumbling onto sites that are apparently giving a PDF version of my book away for a free download. I know I should be freaking out, but I'm just trying my best not to have it stress me. In the modern day you can try and control everything, but things like this will happen. I can try to get those sites to stop, but tomorrow there are just three more. I have no idea how I'm being so calm.

My workload on the day-job front has increased exponentially. My brother is coming closer and closer to the deadline of his PhD and because I'm the one responsible for the data, a lot of stress falls on me. I have actually done all my bit already, but brother (the saint that he is) trusted his students with a large amount of data and now . . . I need to breathe, or I will freak out. . . I have to go back over everything they have done and do it right. They didn't do as they were told and now . . . I'm doing their work as well. But such is life, right?

What are you up to these days? Do tell.

Dynamic Writing 1 by Tyrean Martinson and what I'm up to

I want to give a shout-out to the awesome, Tyrean Martinson and her book, Dynamic Writing! Her book definitely needs some love. Congratulations, Tyrean!

Dynamic Writing 1- 161 Lessons for Middle School Students by Tyrean Martinson – is a full year curriculum for home or classroom use, studying journal, essay, fiction, and poetry writing. Available in paperback at Amazon. The First Fifteen Lessons Are Available for FREE at the website.

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Thank you so much to everyone who have helped/ is still helping me spread the word about my release. Thank you! And the amazing support I've been getting . . . THANK YOU!

I received 2 large batches of data, so I will be back to work. I'm beta reading a book for a friend, and trying to shape the second book in my Thelum Series into shape. I still don't have a proper title yet, but it's in the works. I've rediscovered my love for blogging and will be getting into a regular blogging schedule soon, so you will be seeing me around more often.  Thank you again! 

The Amaranthine is now available!

Its here! It's finally here! My first release is out in the world and I'm not freaking out. I can't believe that this day has finally come.  I could not have done this without Janie Goltz, my amazing editor and Jennie Bennett, my fantastic cover designer. Thank you for all your support. Virtual hugs for everyone!

Title: The Amaranthine (Thelum Series)

Author: Murees Dupé

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: 8 September 2015

Blurb

Claire is sassy, human, and an outcast of society―who only wants to know where she belongs.

Alex is arrogant, selfish, and an immortal warrior―who thinks he’s prepared for everything.

Claire knows the world of immortals is where she belongs. As her guide and guardian, Alex finds it hard to resist Claire’s subtle charm. Can the two overcome their differences and embrace their passion for each other, or will the possibility of true love be lost to both forever?

Find your copy here:

E-book: Kindle * Nook * Kobo * IBooks * Scribd * Inktera (Page Foundry) * Oyster * Tolino

Paperback: Amazon * Goodreads

Special IWSG Announcement and getting hold of my nerves (IWSG)

The IWSG Short Story Contest 2015

After the success of last year’s IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, we decided to create another book. This time it’s a short story competition with the top ten stories getting published in the anthology.

Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.

Word count: 5000-6000

Theme: Alternate History/Parallel Universe. That’s right, we’ve decided to go the speculative route. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines, except erotica or graphic violence.

Story deadline: November 1st 2015

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to TheIWSG at gmail dot com before the deadline passes. Make sure to include your contact details.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:

·         Laura Maisano - Senior editor at Anaiah Press for their YA/NA Christian fiction

·         Russell Connor – Author and owner of Dark Filament Publishing Startup

·         Candace Havens  - Author and Editorial Director for the Covet, Edge and Select lines at Entangled Publishing

·         Dawn Frederick – Literary agent and the founder of Red Sofa Literary

·         Alice Speilburg – Founder of the Speilburg Literary Agency

·         Michelle Johnson – Founder of Inklings Literary Agency and Writers' Center and Bookstore owner

·         Kendare Blake - Author

·         Lydia Moëd - Associate agent at The Rights Factory

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. The winners will also receive an exclusive badge to display on their blog.

We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!

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Today I am one of the co-hosts for the IWSG. Yay! My fellow co-hosts are Heather M. Gardner, Christine Rains, Dolorah at Book Lover and Julie Flanders. 

I don't like trying new things. Mostly, because I'm afraid of screwing it up, and having everyone laugh at me. Also, I'm afraid of failure. There are many things I have failed at in my life, and honestly, I just don't want writing to be one of them. As you know, I will be publishing my first book soon, and I am terrified. I am all nerves. I do admit, it has gotten better, because I have been exercising, and so many of you have advised me to just chill. 

However, I have this obsession of doing things perfectly, even though I know there is no such thing as perfection, at least not for humans. But, what if there are spelling errors neither me, or my editor picked up (my editor is awesome by the way)? What if people hate my book? What if . . . What if.  

The truth is, I'm just really nervous. But this kind of anxiety and fear is also good for me. I have to learn to control it if I want to make "writing" my career. I have to experience this insecurity to learn and grow from it. It isn't a nice feeling, but I have to live and learn. 

If any of you think you can't write a book, or that you can't make your writing dreams come true, you can. If I can write a book and get it publish ready, so can anyone. All you have to do is believe in yourself and be determined to follow through. 

The Insecure Writers Support Group was created by the talented Mr. Alex J. Cavanaugh so that writers can share their insecurities and/or encourage others who need support with their own. You can visit Alex Here, or if you want to join us in discussing our insecurities on the first Wednesday of each month, you are welcome to join by going Here.