Author Spotlight Interview: J.D. Gordon
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on November 28, 2023
Today’s interview is with author J.D. Gordon (who writes under JDG). JDG blends science fiction and humor to fabulous results, and it was a pleasure getting to know more about his writing and interests. We hope you consider checking out his work! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? JDG: My goal in writing is always to say only things that need to be said, and to do it without pulling punches. Typically each of my stories has one element of the impossible in the premise, but otherwise stays grounded in reality. I also have a strong humorous streak, so don’t be surprised if I make you laugh in the process. HG: Tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind your stories or where you get your ideas. JDG: My inspiration for Surviving the Bomb was the 2017 North Korea nuclear… Read More >
Successful Advertising Means Playing the Long Game
By: Ginger | Posted on November 24, 2023
If you’ve ever felt like your book ads aren’t converting as quickly as they should, it could simply mean that you need to adjust your expectations rather than your images or taglines. Successful advertising is usually more about building familiarity and trust over time, rather than via instant gratification. In today’s blog, Ginger discusses how advertising your book in the digital age requires patience, and why the customer journey often requires frequent exposure to your ads before any action is taken. That understanding, combined with some fine tuning and iteration, can lead you to long term success and a loyal fan base. Google ruined advertising. In the late 1990s, during what’s now known as the “Dot-Com Bubble”, the world was introduced to ecommerce. Before then, selling and advertising was a very different racket. Back before ecommerce, most businesses understood the importance of advertising, but often weren’t able to connect exactly… Read More >
Kids Books to Add to Your Holiday Shopping Cart
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on November 21, 2023
Each and every week, subscribers to Hidden Gems are offered FREE books to download, read, and review – from any or all of over 15 different genres. Today, we’re going to look at some of the recent kids books that our ARC readers loved. Harvest Dreams by Heidi Rauld Two sisters, Adelina and Alessandra, are journeying through colorful autumn trees, a pumpkin patch, and an apple orchard in search of a missing pumpkin. The girls follow the thief’s trail into a forest, only to find that the culprit is a horse and is in deep trouble. She has to choose between saving the majestic horse, or her beloved pumpkin. “My daughter enjoyed this book so much, she just had to sleep with it in her bed! She would not let me put it away. It’s such a sweet adventure of two sisters with a message of good at the end… Read More >
10 Ways You Can Master The Art of “Show, Not Tell”
By: Ginger | Posted on November 17, 2023
The reason the advice to “show, not tell” seems so tired and overused is that you’ve likely been hearing it since you first picked up a pen. It’s arguably the most important technique in a writer’s arsenal, but it doesn’t come naturally. If you read stories written by children, they’re almost all telling and very little showing. That’s because it’s far easier to simply tell your reader what it is you want them to know than to try and show it to them through descriptions, actions, or dialogue, yet by doing so your story is left flat and lifeless. By showing the reader your world, you create an emotional connection, you engage their imagination, and you leave a lasting impression that persists far beyond when they’ve finished your book. Today, Ginger has put together a list of 10 different ways you can show, not tell – each one backed up… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: R.M. Kozan
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on November 14, 2023
Today’s interview is with the hilarious and clever space opera author R.M. Kozan. Kozan writes stories packed with action and wonder. It was a pleasure getting to know more about their writing and interests. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? RMK: Weird, yet essential. HG: Intriguing! When did you know you were ready to take on the role of author? RMK: I felt I was a shoo-in after I hid the body of the real R.M. Kozan. HG: LOL! Tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind your books or where you get your ideas. RMK: It is mostly ChatGPT, although I also deploy a regime of Shakespeare-familiar monkeys on standard analog keyboards. (But seriously, I use alleged intelligence, not artificial intelligence.) HG: What feeling do you hope readers are left with when they finish one of your stories? RMK:… Read More >
What can writers learn from the works of Andy Weir?
By: Ginger | Posted on November 10, 2023
Certain authors create stories that captivate readers, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Andy Weir, known best for his self-published hit The Martian, is one such writer. His ability to weave compelling narratives set against the backdrop of space exploration has garnered widespread acclaim, and it leaves other authors curious – what secrets can be gleaned from Weir’s writings? Today, Ginger takes a deep dive into the writings of Weir in an attempt to uncover the elements that make his work resonate with readers. By dissecting his storytelling techniques, we can all learn to be better writers ourselves, and create works that will be as “out of this world” as The Martian. A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about the only four ways to consistently sell books, and one of the examples of a successful self-published author using one of these techniques was Andy Weir,… Read More >
Love Stories To Spend the Weekend With
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on November 7, 2023
If you’re a regular on the Hidden Gems blog, you’ll know that romance is the most popular genre in the Hidden Gems ARC program. Our readers know that no two love stories are the same, so they scoop up new books every chance they get. There’s a love story for everyone on this list of titles recently loved by ARC readers. Princes & Wolves by E.J. Knox Harlow has been promised to Apollo since high school. He isn’t a man, but a god, the god of school and she is supposed to be his princess. But Harlow wants to find her own place in the world, and that means rebelling against what her destiny is. “I love this series! The plot is intriguing. Who will Harlow pick? Valen or Apollo? That was a tough decision for me at first,” writes Diane V. in their five-star review. “As the story progressed,… Read More >
5 Tips for Crafting Deliciously Memorable Villains
By: Ginger | Posted on November 3, 2023
As much as we know we’re supposed to root against them, there is something undeniably alluring to a well-crafted villain. Perhaps it’s because we’re drawn to these complex, competent, and often morally ambiguous antagonists who challenge our heroes and help intensify the drama in whatever type of story they appear in. But creating memorable villains is an art, so in today’s blog, Ginger is attempting to unravel some of the secrets that help make our bad guys truly unforgettable. From the complex backstory of Hannibal Lecter to the moral ambiguity of Jaime Lannister, these villains have distinct traits, personality quirks, and compelling motivations that make them uniquely suited to causing havoc in our stories. When done right, these characters will linger in the minds of our readers, which is the best way to keep them coming back for more! Whether it’s Lord Voldemort, Darth Vader, or HAL 2000, one thing… Read More >
