Wednesday, October 1, 2014

IWSG and Time Travel

Insecure Writers Support Group is celebrating the one year anniversary of the website launch. Yay, IWSG! (How the flip did a whole year go by already?!?) To celebrate, we're launching a book to help other authors get their careers rolling. I'll be contributing a wonderful piece about the benefits of (and how to) run a promotional blog tour. 

Speaking of which, did you know SOULLESS releases in 11 days? (Yup--see the sidebar?) 



I'm so totally stoked, there are no words. But I'll make up a few anyway. (Because that's what I do!) Come check out my blog tour because it's going to be epic, and there will be an amazing giveaway. Mark your calendar and then get inspired about how to run your own tour with the IWSG book!  



Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week I shared one of my favorite characters, Miles, with everyone, and chatted about his free short story in a free Super Hero anthology. This week, we're getting back on track. 

Today's feature:

Katia jumps at the chance to go to England with her best friend after Rose ditches her deadbeat boyfriend. While walking through the market, she spies a large mansion and recognizes the guy out front as her high school friend Tony. Just as they start to reconnect, Katia passes through times and lands in the arms of Lord Landon, who looks like Tony but certainly doesn’t act like him. 

Soon, Katia learns that this 1815 is different from the one in history books. Trapped in a parallel world, Katia struggles to not fall for Landon but his charm proves too much for her. Just when she is about to confess her love for him, Katia travels through time yet again. 

The course of love never did run smooth and if Katia can’t figure out and master the test of time, she’ll never see her friends again, or worse, never be reunited with Landon.

Get your copy HERE.
Nicole Zoltack loves to write in many genres, especially romance, whether fantasy, paranormal, or regency. She's also an editor for MuseItUp Publishing and works as a freelance editor.

When she's not writing about knights, superheroes, or zombies, she loves to spend time with her loving husband and three energetic young boys. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they're unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. She'll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV show is The Walking Dead.

To learn more about Nicole and her work, visit her blog. She can be found on most any social media site under Nicole Zoltack. Stalk away!

When asked her favorite cheese, Nicole said she's never tasted a cheese she didn't like. Good reply. Very good reply. 

Nicole gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of MASKED LOVE. How awesome is that?

You have until Tuesday, October 7, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on October 8.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Nicole is a better shot than her husband.
2. She likes to collect dragon, unicorn and horse figurines...and swords too.
3. She just tested for her yellow belt in Karate.

Which is the lie? Have you ever considered doing an online tour? Do you love time travel stories? What are you feelings on authors online promotions? 

107 comments:

  1. Congrats on the upcoming release of SOULLESS! I like that countdown clock. :)

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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  2. I'm going with #1 being the lie.

    And YAY! for your upcoming release.

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  3. Congrats on the upcoming release! The IWSG book is a fantastic idea. :)

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  4. Congrats on SOULLESS, Crystal!

    And it's either #1 or #3. Hmm... I'd go for #3. :-)

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  5. I'm guessing #2 is the lie.

    I haven't read too much time travel fiction, but I really enjoyed Gabaldon's Outlander. I'd definitely be willing to read more.

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    1. I adore Outlander. It's one of the reasons why I wanted to write a time travel. Thanks for guessing!

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  6. Congrats on the upcoming release for Soulless! I can't wait to read it!

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  7. Congratulations on Soulless. Releasing a book is probably the biggest insecurity we can face as a writer. Good luck.

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  8. I've been seeing Nicole's book everywhere - congrats, Nicole! And I'll say #1 is the lie.
    Only 11 days to Soulless! Wow, time goes by. So excited!!

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  9. Excellent topic for the IWSG anthology. Looking forward to reading everyone's contributions.

    And congrats to you and Nicole on new releases!

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  10. I think #3 is the lie. Looking forward to reading this book. I love time travel.

    Congrats on Soulless, Crystal!

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    1. Aw, thank you, Carol! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. :D And thanks for guessing!

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  11. I think every author has to self-promote to some degree even after they have an agent. It's kind of expected these days. I don't care for writers who use Twitter every five seconds to promote their book;(
    I bet she likes to collect swords and can shoot a gun pretty well, so I'm guessing the lie is #3.

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  12. Hi Crystal ~ so much good info here! I'll have to come back when my co-host duties (It's more like pleasures!) are over. I have to get a book published to do an on-line tour ~ but I'm working on my author sister to do a guest spot on my blog. I absolutely love time travel stories! And I, too, have never tasted a cheese I didn't like! Have a good one!

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  13. I can't wait to read Soulless! I recently read Moonless and I LOVED it!!!!! :D

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  14. How awesome!!!!! Congrats! Going to sign up right now :D

    Hmm...I'm going with #3 as the lie.

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  15. Hi Crystal - the IWSG Guide will be so helpful to many .. your stories will be very pertinent - next year with the Battle of Waterloo - not sure if you're including that in your 1815 time line ... I think #3 too ...

    Excellent answer to cheese - yes please any of them ... cheers Hilary

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  16. Can't wait to read the IWSG Guide. Should be amazing!

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  17. I'm so excited for you. Good luck on the release and your tour!!

    I'm not sure if I'll do a tour. Probably not. I'm nervous about releasing my book into the wild already. ;p

    Elsie
    co-host IWSG

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  18. Soulless is almost here! Woot! My guess for the lie is #1.

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  19. Crystal- looking forward to your blog tour!

    Nicole- Your book sounds like fun!

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  20. This book sounds amazing! I love time travel, especially anything set in the Regency. And congrats on Soulless being almost here!

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    1. Thank you! I actually have another time travel where a medieval knights goes to Regency England coming out on October 14th. :D

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  21. Yay for Soulless! Best of luck.

    I'm going to guess that number two is the lie because it sounds like the truth.

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  22. Looking forward to reading both books! I'll guess 3 is the lie.

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  23. Congrats on your upcoming release! I'm looking forward to reading your piece about blog tours. I'm hoping to do one when I finally get my book out. I'm going with #3 being the lie.

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  24. Yay for Soulless!! Crystal, I just finished reading the eARC copy last night, and I LOVED it! So good. Seriously, you exceeded my expectations. I don't want to give away too much here because you know, spoilers and all, but man, what a good read! I'll leave a review for you (and I think you can tell it will be a good one!) :)

    How long do I have to wait for Timeless?? *groans*

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  25. I'm pretty sure the second one is true, so I'll guess the last one is the lie.
    Less than two weeks - get excited!!

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  26. Are you sure that's not an Armageddon clock?

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  27. I'm going to guess #2 as the lie. Congrats to Nicole!

    Woo hoo for Soulless! Will the giveaway include cheese?

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  28. Congratulation to Nicole and to you my dear, yeah for Soulless! One day, hopefully, I'll have a book come out too.......=)

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    1. Thank you! And you'll have a book come out, I know it. :)

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  29. I'm sure the release will be epic! I will guess 3 is the lie.

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  30. Ooh, can't wait to read everyone's articles!

    Going with #3 for the lie. #2 being true would make her the most awesome person ever. ^_^•

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  31. Don't forget to get me your post for my day of your blog tour. The day will be here before you know it. ;)

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    1. I know! Believe me, I've been frantically working.

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  32. Nail-biter time! Good lucky with your release. I know you'll do great! SO excited to be a part of it.

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  33. Nicole is a terrific writer! This one sounds awesome! :)

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  34. Congratulations to both Crystal AND Nicole. And I think I'll go with #1. (Have you noticed no one's gone with #2?)

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    1. Thank you! I have noticed that hardly anyone has picked 2 LOL

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  35. Congrats on your upcoming tour Crystal. I'll catch you on the rounds and will enjoy reading Soulless. :)

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  36. Congrats on the book release and the tour, Crystal. Sounds amazing, to be this far into a plan -- writing, promoting. Hope to get there one day soon, if I stop procrastinating. :)
    And how cool that IWSG is one! Will have to write something about this big event soon. Loving your enthusiasm.

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  37. Congrats Crystal, and Nicole, too! I'm going to guess #3 :)

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  38. Congrats, Nicole! And Crystal, let the countdown begin!!

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  39. Congrats Nicole and Crystal!
    #3 is the lie. Surely she's up to black belt by now? ;)

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  40. Congrats Nicole! I'm going to guess number three is the lie.

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  41. Congrats on your upcoming release. Enjoy.

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  42. Oog. The thought of online tours makes me nervous, which itself makes me wonder just how seriously introverted I've become. >_< But I do think it's awesome that IWSG is doing the book thing.

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  43. Congrats on the upcoming release!

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  44. Congratulations on your release. My seventeen-year-old daughter wants to become a published author someday. She has been working on a manuscript for a few years now. I might have to share this with her. Have a great night!

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  45. I'm sure your blog tour will be awesome. I don't think Nicole is a better shot than her husband.

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  46. Hi, Crystal...

    How exciting!!!!! ALL the best with your blog tour!

    I think #3 ... Nicole isn't testing for yellow belt in Karate.

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  47. Looking forward to seeing more about your blog tour and your insights about running a successful one--I'll need to do this in a few months myself!

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  48. Awesome! Oh that ticking clock can make anyone nervy and excited--I'm sure you're all excited and not nearly as nervous (I'd be all nervous)!

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  49. Haven't considered an online tour, but I've only published short stories. I do happen to love time travel tales, tho'. I also happen to own Renaissance garb of my own. Yay, Nicole! :)

    I don't feel strongly about online promotions. I sometimes think authors end up reaching the same audience over and over on blog tours, and in that respect, the tour seems like a waste of time. If an author can reach a range of online venues and therefore a range of different audiences, then it's a win for everyone.

    I'm going with #3 as the lie.

    Congrats on Soulless, Crystal. Eleven days? Wow!

    VR Barkowski

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  50. Your choice of topic for the IWSG book is a terrific one. Most of us have difficulty with handling the promotional side of things.

    Hmmm, I'll guess #1 is the fib.

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  51. Congratulations on your one year anniversary! Gorgeous covers--on both SOULLESS and THE TEST OF TIME.

    And I think #2 is the lie. Too dissimilar from the others. ;-)

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  52. Very cool, and one of my favorite books is actually called "Soulless" ;). Love me some Gail Carriger! Congrats on the upcoming release of your book!
    Ninja Girl

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  53. Congratulations on Soulless Crystal and Nicole that is amazing... ;)

    Thank you for dropping by my blog and commenting, I hope you have a fantastic day <3

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  54. Because everyone is saying #3 I'll go with lie #2. Great Cover Nicole. Crystal, much success with Soulless!!! Love the title and the Cover!!!!

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    1. Thanks for guessing! And I love the cover. So happy with how it turned out. :)

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  55. I'm going to guess number 1 is the lie=)
    I am looking forward to your upcoming blog tour for Soulless, Crystal. I have a feeling it will be a huge success!
    It seems like Nicole's main character will have some big struggles and choices to make. I love books about time travel and wish her the best of luck!

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  56. I'm going for #3 being the lie.

    Book tour. Deep breath...

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  57. Yay for Soulless! Your tour is going to rock. :)

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  58. It's nice to see Nicole come out with a new book. Her cover is so sweet. :)

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  59. I think #2 is a lie.

    So close to release. I look forward to your tour.

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  60. You must be so excited about the release of your new book! Can't wait to see it.

    Nicole's book sounds good. Quite a premise!

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  61. Oooh, I always love time travel books, so this sounds like a lot of fun. Congrats, Nicole!

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  62. Eight days and counting. Enjoy and good luck, Crystal.
    I'm going to go with #3.

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  63. Exciting to see the counter at 8 days now. Yay!

    And congrats to Nicole! I love time travel stories and this sounds like a great read.

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  64. Congrats, Nicole! I'm going to guess #3 is a lie by some kind of detail technicality. :)

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  65. Crystal, gotta love your countdown clock - it's cute! Good luck!
    The lie? It's #1. Pure guesswork.

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  66. Very exciting. Good luck, Nicole! I'm guess #3 is the lie. I have no idea why I'm guessing that way.

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  67. Wow, a whole year of the insecure writer's group! Nice. I think #3 is the lie, because Nicole probably has a different color of belt, right?? I do love her cover, and I'm going to have to read her book!! Sounds so interesting. :)

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  68. Hey Crystalicious! Good luck on the blog tour!

    I'm going for number 1 as the lie but that's only because when I first read it, I thought it said Nicole shot her husband :)

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  69. Wow, that's crazy that ISWG has been going a full year! But also it shows how successful it's been:)

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  70. All the best on the tour! Yes, it works, helps in exposure for you as an author and for your book!

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Hit me with your cheese!