Adventures N Writing

For all of you who loved The Grey Tier, and are anxiously awaiting the sequel, I  assure you that I am working on it. In gratitude and in celebration of the holidays, I am running a giveaway for a Kindle Fire HD. Please follow the directions and enter to win. Happy Holidays!

I know that today is cyber Monday, and although there is nothing terribly techy about THE GREY TIER, I figured a little paranormal sort of fits the bill. That said, for TODAY ONLY (Monday Nov. 26, 2012) I am gifting free e-reads of THE GREY TIER to anyone who e-mails me at michele@michelescott.com. All you need to do is type in THE GREY TIER in the subject line and be sure that you let me know the e-mail address you want it sent to. When you receive the gift, all you have to do is accept it. I will not use your e-mails for anything else other than for today's giveaway. You will receive your gift by midnight tonight! Enjoy. Here is a the back copy and a couple of reviews from THE GREY TIER! FANS OF SOOKIE STACKHOUSE WILL LOVE EVIE PRESTON! "Skirting the edge of gritty and glossy Los Angeles, Michele Scott takes paranormal mystery in a new direction with romance, humor, intrigue, and a fantastic leading lady. I can’t wait to read the next in the series." -Elizabeth ...

I am pleased to host my good friend Gayle Carline on adventuresnwriting. Gayle is one of my most favorite people in the world. She is funny, smart, sweet, and kind. Plus, she is a horse chick! I love her and I love her writing! She is running an awesome contest right now! Read Gayle's books and enter the contest!!!  I’d like to thank my good buddy Michele for giving me a little space on her blog to run a contest for my new book, THE HOT MESS. If you’ve been following the other blogs in the contest, you’ve come to the right place. It’s the third book in my Peri Minneopa Mystery series. Peri is a housecleaner-turned-detective, who traded in her dustmop for a PI license. Surveillance and background checks are easy money, unless you’re getting chased, beaten, or shot—which seems to happen to her on occasion. In THE HOT MESS, Peri is asked to investigate a case of arson and murder. It’s not exactly on her menu of services, but she agrees to help her friend. What she uncov...

I know Katie Couric posted this morning on her thoughts on an Afterlife. Unlike, Katie, I am absolutely positive there is an Afterlife. I know it in my heart. It is simply a knowing for me. Here are a few brief stories from my life that have allowed me to accept this as a truth for me. I've had a lot of loss in the past two years. It has not been easy, especially the loss of my Dad. My brother passed shortly after my Dad (actually 2 months to the day that Dad died), and my ex-husband who had still been a friend committed suicide two years ago. In my ex-husband's case I had to witness the loss of innocence within my sons on top of losing their Dad. Not easy, but my faith has gotten me through much of this. Growing up I lived in a haunted house. I really did. Things would disappear and then show up in very strange places (like under a bed), doors and cupboards would slam in the middle of the night, radios would go off and on, etc. There were countless incidents in that house ...

A lot of writers wonder if book trailers help sales. I'm not sure if they do or don't.  What I do believe about book sales is that authors want to look at all possibilities that are there to make readers aware of their books. The reason I really like book trailers is because I am a visual writer. When I write a book, I see it play out like a movie in my head. I do that because it's just how I write, but also because somewhere in the back of my mind (not too far back) I am always hopeful that something I write will be made into a movie, or for TV. I am a big believer in putting out to The Universe things we would like to have happen in our lives. Therefore, the book trailer for me, is a small step toward that ultimate goal. And, it also gives readers an idea of what the book is about. It is a visual back jacket of the book. I'd love to know what writers and readers think...Do you as a reader enjoy book trailers? If so, what do you like about them, and if not, what...

Today I am running a .99 Sale on some of my A.K. Alexander thrillers--DADDY'S HOME, MOMMY, MAY I?, COVERT REICH, & THE CARTEL. These books are some of my bestsellers, so you may wonder why I might do that. There are a couple of reasons. First and foremost has to do with gaining new readership and also loyalty to the current readers. Many readers who have not heard of a book, or an author, may be more inclined to spend .99 on a book than 2.99 and up. I could be wrong in that theory, and not all readers care. However, let's face it, many of us don't have extra spending cash these days, making that .99 price tag more appealing. The Big 6 price their e-books at 6.99 and up. I know because six of my books are still owned by a Big 6 publisher and are priced at 6.99 to 7.99. (GIVE ME BACK MY RIGHTS--ugh...as you know, whole 'nother story). I have to admit that I don't like deep discounting. Writers work hard and it can be a difficult pill to swallow when you kn...

A lot goes on at the borders in our country. A LOT. Have you watched Border Wars? That is some crazy stuff. I'm not going to get into the politics of any of it. And, I read Don Winslow's book SAVAGES, which I thought was a good read and pretty damn realistic. I also thought his style of writing was interesting. Like Winslow, I have written a book with THE CARTEL theme, but it's quite a bit different from SAVAGES. THE CARTEL is a saga that begins in 1969. It's all about betrayals, relationships, and the drama that occurs in most families. This is a big book, and I have always been hopeful it would be one of those books that would reach a wide audience. It's been out for some time and it has a slow growth. I think that sagas don't have the appeal they once did back in the day. remember THE GODFATHER, THE THORNBIRDS? My parents devoured those books. I read them, too, as I got older and fell in love with those full type of stories. In hopes of starting a resur...

Today I want to introduce you to a very talented author Reina Lisa Menasche. I met Reina and her very talented adolescent son at the Southern California Writer's Conference last year. We met and talked, and we could relate to each others' personal stories around our writing careers. I encouraged her to go indie, and am pleased she's taken my advice. Without further ado... Here is Reina's story. This was the question that inspired my new novel, TWICE BEGUN.   As a social worker, my job duties have always required me to go a lot of places to witness and assist the people “at bottom.”   For instance, right out of grad school I drove a van full of substance-abusing teenagers to Twelve Step meetings.   Although I’m not an addict myself, I felt surprisingly drawn into the experience; touched by the small miracles of hope that rose out of those smoke-filled ritualistic gatherings (“Hi, my name is John and I’m an alcoholic.”   “Hi, John.”   You get the idea!)....

First off, I want to thank everyone for their condolences and thoughtfulness in regards to my Dad's passing. It has been difficult, but your kindness has helped ease some of the pain. The positive is that I am back writing--and writing a ton! My Dad taught me work ethic and to reach for your dreams. I am also coming out punching a bit these days. He taught me tat fighter spirit as well. I have on occasion expressed my dismay with the Big 6, but I have typically tried to be as diplomatic as possible. I am done being a diplomat. Here is where I am at. I started out in publishing with THE WINE LOVER'S MYSTERIES. MURDER UNCORKED was my first book and it did quite well. It wound up with 9 printings, some foreign rights sales, etc. Now, you can't find the book anywhere in print, or the second book in that series MURDER BY THE GLASS. They are officially out of print and have been for over a year! And, for a year now, I have requested reversion of rights. I receive e-mails fr...

Yesterday was my Dad's memorial. It was a very difficult day for me. I still can't believe that he is gone. I know that it will take time before I ever really feel normal again--if ever. My dad was my biggest influence. He believed in me even when I didn't and always encouraged me to keep writing. I gave his eulogy and kept his photo with me as I read it. It wasn't easy but I really wanted to do it to honor the man I was so fortunate to have as my Dad. I had several people come up to me afterward at his celebration of life and ask for a copy, so I told them I would post it here. Thank You all very much for your love and support and friendship. xoxoxo, Michele Good morning. My family and I thank you for your support and out pouring of love during this difficult time. My dad would be humbled and grateful. My Dad never complained about the disease that took over his body, and in fact, up until the day he passed away he would say things like, “When I get better...

I think it's no secret to my readers that I love horses. I've been truly blessed to have had these amazing animals in my life since I was about five-years-old. There is something sacred and powerful in having a relationship with a horse. At least for me it is. I started really thinking about my relationships with each individual horse in my life, and like a good friend, each one teaches me something on a regular basis about life, family, love, my writing, friendship, etc... I thought I'd share what I am learning from my family of four-legged kids over the next few days. I'd also love to hear back from you as to what the animal kingdom has shared with you. I thought I would start with Krissy. Krissy is my nineteen-year-old Thoroughbred/Warmblood mare. Krissy came into my life five-years ago. I purchased her from a jumper barn where she had been a pretty successful show jumper. My hope for her was to continue jumping with me, but at lower levels than what she had been...