Everyone has their favourite books, and here our author Karina Kantas, Stone Cold, A Flash of Horror, talks about hers.
Fav classics. Everyone has their fav books that will stay with them forever. For some reason, they become the only books that are in hardback or …
Day 17 #Marchofthewriter
The May edition of Electric Press – Literary Insights magazine is now ‘live’.
Read for FREE. Follow the link or ‘click’ on the cover image.
https://issuu.com/electricpress/docs/epmay20
Whether you are writing your first book, consider yourself an emerging writer or are an established author, there is always something more, something new to learn about our business.
We may be well versed regarding grammar or have a literary doctorate under our belt; it does not mean we know what Etherpad or Zoho are. Trim sizes and paper weight may confuse us and we may never decipher the difference between the Frontispiece and a Colophon.
If you are looking to publish small press or mainstream it is good to know the accepted word counts of various genres. It also makes sense to understand publishers and agent’s jargon, such as Boilerplate, Permissions and Blues.
What does 4/0/0/4 mean to you? Or Casewrap? Are you familiar with Endsheets?… I’m just asking.
Who should write your books Foreword and who should write your Preface? Do you need either one if you include an Introduction?
Do you understand Copyright and why you might need a Disclaimer? Is it a legal requirement to have an ISBN… and where do you get them anyway?
How would you like some clear advice regarding the difference in formatting eBooks and Print books (Paperback and Hardcover) along with font style advice and free downloads?
How about some samples to help you write your back cover ‘blurb‘ and getting to know how literary agents work and what is it they do… exactly?
All these questions and more are answered, many with examples you may copy and use; along with links, site addresses and downloads to make your life a whole lot easier, to save you money, time, and ton of wasted effort and frustration.
Paul White, the founder of Electric Eclectic, has two books designed to aid authors and writers to understand the publishing world and what you need to know to be a successful indie author.
Paul’s books are not about the writing process, neither do they offer advice on promotion or marketing… there are a plethora of publications, blogs, vlogs and podcasts which portend to do that.
Do not expect his books to be ‘self-help’ handbooks or a ‘step-by-step’ instruction manuals… they are not.
‘The Frugal Author’ focusses on the cost of self-publishing, giving detailed information 
on reducing expenses while maintaining, if not increasing, quality.
Paul says’ “No one needs a large ‘book debt’ before publishing. I advise how authors can be in profit from their first few book sales.”
Following the success of The Frugal Author, (revised edition now published), Paul received many questions about publishing and writing. This encouraged him to write a second book on ‘being indie’ where he addresses, in detail, the most frequent questions asked.
The result is ‘Lots of Author Stuff you Need to Know’, a weighty tome of understanding, knowledge and experience of the printing and publishing world. It is a book every author needs to have to hand regardless of experience.
“These books are full of the distilled results, the acquired knowledge and personal practice of being a successful, award-winning, Amazon bestselling indie author.” Says Paul.
The Frugal Author: https://mybook.to/FrugalAuthor
Lots of Author Stuff you Need to Know: https://mybook.to/Authorstuff
Prices on hold until the corvid 19 crisis is over. So, now is the perfect time to download both.
As part of Electric Eclectics re-organisation and streamlining we are moving more information about Electric Eclectic to this site.
Regular visitors may notice the increase in the number of pages and there are more to come, along with links to relevant online pages, information and services.
Of course, we will still keep blogging so you are entertained with short stories, book excerpts and we will notify you when the latest edition of Electric Press magazine is ready for you to read. We shall continue recommending and reviewing books, hosting new book launches and, maybe, even indulge in the odd giveaway?
During the transition, we may not post as many times as we normally do, but please keep dropping by to see the changes we are making and feel free to browse the archives, which you can do by scrolling, selecting a date from the left-hand menu, or by selecting on the ‘archives page‘ from the top menu. Whichever way suits will lead you to a plethora of exciting and informative material.
Thank you for reading this and please come back soon.
Keep happy
Paul
How often do you get asked, or hear the argument asking which is better… eBooks or Paperbacks?
To me, both have their benefits and downsides.
The main thing against eBooks is, you need a device and you need that device to have 
power. An uncharged Kindle, iPhone or Tablet is nothing but a piece of useless junk.
Even worse, is when it cuts out halfway through a chapter and your miles away from a charger, like on the beach or halfway up a mountain.
Of course, good things for eReaders of any description is the number of books you can store on them and the lack of space they take up. (Not that you’ll read even a small percentage of the books you have stored, while on holiday… or ever.)
The good things in favour of paperbacks are, you can read them anywhere, power or no power, charging points or not. You can flick through the pages of a physical book whilst in the bathtub without the fear of totally ruining it if it gets wet.
Also, I have never (yet) seen an electronic device used to prop up the wobbly leg of a café table, I have seen this done with a paperback book.
If you drop a paperback, no harm done, just pick it up and continue reading, no broken screens, no expensive repair bills.
Oh, and when did anyone snatch a paperback out of your hands and make off with it? Never is my guess.
There is also the wonderful feeling of holding a ‘real’ book, sharing it and lending it to your friend, or having it displayed on a bookshelf in your lounge. You cannot do that with eBooks.
Paperbacks do have a downside.
They are quite large in comparison to an Android phone or a Nook, so take up a lot more room, which is fine at home but can take a good proportion of luggage space when going on vacation.
And so, the discussion goes on. You may prefer one format over the other, or you may take advantage of the benefits of each, as and when you want.
What if… you could read a paperback the size of an iPhone?
Think of how many of those you could slip into your suitcase or rucksack, a handbag, or even your pockets.
You could read them anywhere, no batteries to worry about, no signal needed, no damage if dropped and no fear of anyone stealing them. You could even leave it unguarded on your beach towel when you went swimming, knowing it will still be there when you return.
How amazing would that be?
The thing is, this is not an idle thought, a sci-fi fantasy, or simply a futuristic dream. These books actually exist NOW.
Electric Eclectic has a growing range of ‘POCKETBOOKS’, smaller paperbacks whose dimensions are just 6×4″, which makes them ideal for travellers and commuters. These small-format books easily slip into a case, rucksack, handbag or, as the name suggests, a pocket, even the back pocket of your denim jeans.
Each pocketbook is a complete book, an entire Electric Eclectic novella or novelette. Most have an eBook option if you really prefer the electronic version.
Electric Eclectic is increasing the number of pocketbooks in their library, so keep checking in for new releases.
Click on any cover image to read more on Amazon.
The Electric Press Literary Insights magazine: February 2020 edition is now available online. Simply follow this link.
https://issuu.com/electricpress/docs/epfebruary20
A Flash of Horror is a collection of short and flash fiction in the horror genre taken from Karina Kantas’s two collections, Heads & Tales & Undressed.
12 chilling and though-provoking tales that will stay with you for nights to come.
Are you ready to delve into the dark side?
I never thought of myself a someone with a dark side.
I always thought of my flash fictions as SciFi, thriller, maybe just a little creepy. But then I was a guest on a podcast and the host made me realise a lot of what I write falls into the horror genre.
I decided to take out some of the best horror flash from my two collections ‘Heads & Tales’ and ‘Undressed’ to make this small collection for those who don’t mind not sleeping at night.
Enjoy.
An excerpt from A Flash of Horror by Karina Kantas
VIRUS
“Well, that’s it. Now we wait again,” Maria announced.
Phil watched her sit at a cluttered desk to scribble yet more failure notes. But his eyes did not linger. He scanned the laboratory. It might be the last time he’d see it. Beds lined the walls of the spacious room, all but hiding its sterile, white-tiled floor. “How long until we see results this time — if any?” he asked.
“Same as the others. Twelve hours.”
“That doesn’t give us much time to administer a vaccine.”
“No. And — yes, before you say it, you’re right — there’s no guarantee we’ll ever find an acceptable vaccine.”
On each bed lay a test subject. Even those that had succumbed remained, since the examination of their rotting bodies still offered the faint hope of a cure.
But Phil knew that the virus had won this war. There was no hope. Eight months of this, and nothing but 665. The committee was right.
Phil turned his face away from the rotting, deformed victims, and stared at his co-worker. It was time to tell her, although he knew how she’d react. Maria was obstinate — so certain she’d find a cure.
Phil walked to his colleague’s desk. Each step weighed heavily on him, like the weight they’d shouldered as a team these past few months. He rested his hand on her shoulder.
“Maria?” he whispered.
Her eyes shimmered. “Yes?”
Phil blinked and spoke. “The committee decided if this last trial is unsuccessful, they’ll go with 665. They’ve already begun to manufacture.”
“What? You’re joking?”
“They say there’s no more time to be choosey. It’s 665 or total annihilation.”
“Choosey! Don’t they realise what will happen? 665 has such awful side effects.”
“Sorry. Maybe choosey was the wrong word, and yes, they know the peril. I agree with them. What other choice do we have?”
“I’d rather die.”
Phil turned and looked at the bed beside him. Clear plastic sheeting did nothing to hide its demonic deformities. IT was the only way to describe this once-person. Its new facial appearance removed any identification of what sex, race or age test subject 665 once had.
More to come…..
You can get A Flash of Horror from Amazon UK; https://amzn.to/2M3wZmp
or internationally via; http://authl.it/B07XP8C5L6
and from Amazon’s @open24 store for readers and writers, http://bit.ly/EEbooksonOPEN24
Join the Electric Eclectic Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/ElectricEclecticBooks/
Karina Kantas is the author of the popular MC thriller series, OUTLAW and the loved romantic fantasy duology, Illusional Reality.
She also writes short stories and when her imagination is working overtime, she writes thought-provoking dark flash fiction.
When Karina isn’t busy working on her next bestseller, she’s a publicist, author manager and VA. She’s also the host of the popular radio show, Author Assist on the Artist First Radio Network.
Karina writes in the genres of fantasy, MC romance, Young Adult. sci-fi, horror, thrillers and comedy, romance, PNR, dystopian and erotica.
Her inspirations are the author S.E.Hinton and the rock band, Iron Maiden.
You can find her on Facebook and Twitter, where she loves hanging out with her readers.
http://bit.ly/FBFPKK FB Author page, http://bit.ly/BLOGKK BLOG, http://bit.ly/INSTKK INSTAGRAM
Get samples from Book 1 and Book 2 of Illusional Reality duology when you sign up to my mailing list.
http://eepurl.com/daKief
Titles
Electric Eclectic book
Toxic – dystopian Erotica
The OUTLAW series
In Times of Violence
Huntress
Lawless Justice
Road Rage
Collections
Heads & Tales
UNDRESSED
In Times of Violence Young Adult Edition / MC romance
Stone Cold / YA supernatural thriller
Illusional Reality duology
Illusional Reality / YA romantic fantasy
The Quest/fantasy paranormal romance
Coming soon
Broken Chains (MI5/mafia romance)
Predator (erotic horror)
Bonfire Heart is the latest Electric Eclectic book and is written by the wonderful author, Audrina Lane.
Sebastian Winter is a loner with a lot on his mind. His only escape is his photography and enjoying the peace and solitude sailing off the coast of New Zealand brings.
Lena Cavendish is the town’s rich girl who wants to break free to follow her heart. Her father wants University and a career for his daughter, while she wants to write romances.
Lena is looking for her ‘Happily Ever After’.
Falling in love can be simple but will Sebastian’s anxiety and depression push Lena away, just when he needs her the most?
Find out in this coming of age story set on the North Island of New Zealand.
Here is a small snippet to whet your appetite;
He looked down her long legs to her toes busy burying into the warm sand. Seb silently took a deep breath and placed his hand next to hers in the small gap that separated them.
“So how did you find this place?” She asked, letting her little finger hook over his. A million tiny fireflies started to flutter under his skin like they were trying to escape.
“My Dad taught me to sail and we found it on one of our adventures.”
“A family tradition then, I like it.”
“You mean it” his voice faltered.
“Yes, I hope you’ll bring me here again on our next date.”
The fireflies were now escaping into the heat on his cheeks as he felt her hand squeeze his “That’s if we’re going to be dating?”
He blinked and in the instance, his eyes were shut he felt her lips touch his cheek. Taking this as a sign he pulled her tight into him and found her lips with his. A closed mouth to start as he revelled in the velvet feel and the salty taste. A tiny, tentative start to their fledgeling relationship as he grew bolder and let his lips push hers open so that their tongues could meet. He heard a tiny sigh escape and rush across his skin as she responded, letting her hand run down his spine. She was everything he’d imagined and more. Like eating your favourite sweets all at once. When they parted each was breathless and in awe of the power between them, tugging at their hearts like the undercurrents of the ocean.
Audrina Lane lives in Herefordshire with her partner Steve and her 3 Black Labradors called Rael, Lily & Milo.
She is the author of the fabulous “Heart Trilogy Series” made up of the novels “Where did your Heart go?” “Un-break my Heart” and “Closer to the Heart”. She has also completed the first two books in the Bloodstained Heart Trilogy. These are connected to The Heart Trilogy series in that they feature the full story of Felicity.
She has enjoyed writing her first collaboration with Rita Ames on the ‘Need for Speed’ Racing series. These are romances set at various motor racing venues, with the first book ’24Hrs to Love’ available and set at Le Mans. She has recently released her first Poetry and Short Story Anthology called ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’.
When she is not tapping away on the PC, she enjoys walking her 3 black Labradors, listening to eighties music and barefoot dancing. She also loves cars, from old classics to modern-day supercars and is a total fan of Formula 1.
Website: http://audrinalane.co.uk/
Audrina’s Place: https://www.facebook.com/AudrinasPlace/
24Hrs Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RaceRomance/
Join the Electric Eclectic Facebook page here: https://facebook.com/ElectricEclecticBooks/
Visit Electric Eclectic’s blog, https://electriceclecticsblog.wordpress.com/
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