A to Z Stories of Life and Death
The blogger who we know as Damyanti of Daily (w)rite has released her collection of stories that were inspired by the A to Z Challenge. Published as an ebook, A to Z Stories of Life and Death is now available for a very affordable $1.99 at Smashwords. The book is also available on Kindle. I encourage all of you to support Damyanti in her ebook publishing experiment and subscribe to her blog so you can follow her progress. Much of our success--yours and mine--is dependent on the success of authors like Damyanti. Please spread the word and get this wonderful collection of stories into the hands of readers everywhere.
Damyanti is scheduled to be my guest on Wednesday September 14.
Home Sweet Nursing Home
Doris Plaster is the blogger whose blog is "Hold My Hand" A social worker's blog. If you are not familiar with Doris I encourage you to check out her blog and become a follower. She writes heartwarming and relevant stories based on her actual experiences as a social worker. I also encourage you to purchase a copy of her book Home Sweet Nursing Home which is a collection of stories from her participation in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge of 2011.
I have a guest post from Doris scheduled for Wednesday August 31.
Remember--You May Be Next!
If you can, try to support your fellow authors. Many of us have books out there for sale now or will have them available soon. If you're looking for a gift for the person who likes to read, make sure you consider the books by your blogging friends first.
Also, you can fill some blog space by letting your readers know about upcoming releases or the books that are already out there. I probably don't have to tell any of you this, but I thought I'd remind you. When we don't have the advertising dollars of the big publishing companies we have to rely on each other.
It's kind of cool when someone you know achieves some level of success, especially when you've had a hand in helping them get where they are. We are like a family; we are a community. I want to see all of us attain success in our writing endeavors. You can start by ordering the books that I've featured in today's post. You will be sharing in all of our success!
Has anyone read either of these books yet? Has anyone else put together something resulting from the A to Z Challenge? Or do you know anyone else who has?
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this is great news... i am happy that inspiration brings inspiration. i have finished a book that i had worked on twelve years ago, and got inspired to finish [as a result of the a to z] it as an ebook. so many great writers out there, i just wanted to among them.
ReplyDeletejeremy
Great Newss Lee. To read such inspiring blogs heps us along our way. I have been a follower of Doris's since the A to Z and just love her post. Will also check out the other blog you mentioned and look forward to them beinb=g your guest.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Arlee, what an honor to inspire others. I'll check these books out. This is such a crazy business and I always try to support fellow authors. Thanks for sharing these.
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of an A to Z book. I'll have to think about that for next year. You are a great inspiration for writing, Lee!
ReplyDeleteI thought during the challenge that some people's posts would make a good collection. Interesting that a few people have actually done it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely believe in supporting other writers and their new releases.
Great news! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteDoris sent me her book and I've made it half way through. Need I say I love her stories. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd by all means support each other!
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Love the A-Z collection idea. I'll definitely look for that one. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete'We are like a family; we are a community.'
ReplyDeleteLove it, Lee. And totally believe it. As a result of blogging, I've bought three books from authors I've 'met' and have another on my list of to-buy.
(Liftin' two fingers in a 'V' to everyone out there.)
-S
Lee, you were one of the first people I vetted the idea with. The idea of doing the collection came from the readers of my pieces during the A to Z challenge, and it is you and the others who encouraged me to get the book together. Can't thank you enough.
ReplyDeleteThis ebook has been a major learning experience, and I would like to make it a series of A to Z, do it each year, to coincide with the challenge.
So far, the response has been better than I expected in terms of sales. What I would really love is to receive reviews, good or bad...so I know what works and what doesn't. I'll improve as a writer with each new feedback I get :)
Hi Lee,
ReplyDeleteI first found out about Damyanti's book yesterday and I thought it was fantastic. After finishing the challenge I seriously considered using my posts for an A-Z collection. I plan to start on this project sometime next week. I'd like to illustrate each one, so it will take a while to finish 26 illustrations PLUS the cover does take some time.
I hope to be featured on your blog once I'm finished. It's so amazing how many of have been inspired by your challenge. You should be very proud,
I knew about Damyanti's book, but not about Doris's. So true about supporting our sister/fellow authors. You do a lot of good here :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, I look forward to reading them and the interviews.
ReplyDeleteJeremy -- Good luck with the ebook. We all need a spark to charge us up sometimes. Let me know when you've got it available and I'll announce it here.
ReplyDeleteYvonne -- I think you have another book on its way. Let me know when it's about to be released.
Ciara -- You certainly do your share to support fellow authors. I love the will-they-see-it feature that you do.
Laura -- We may start seeing more books inspired by A to Z each year.
LG -- There was so much inspiration flowing in April. It's good to see it come to some fruition.
Teresa -- I think it's really cool.
Jules -- Doris's stories were some real gems. It would make a great gift item as well as having for oneself.
Karen -- Very cool!
LD -- A to Z provides so many possibilities. Never ending in fact.
Suze -- If I could afford it I'd buy every book from every blogger. What a reading challenge I'd have on my hands!
Lee
Damyanti -- I'm really excited about your experiment. After I return from vacation next week I'll try to finish reading the book and put up a review.
ReplyDeleteMichael-- A book with illustrations would be really special. Please let me know when you're ready to go and you will definitely have a spot on Tossing It Out.
Carol -- Thank you and I'd say that you do some good yourself. That's partly what it's all about isn't it.
SBJ -- Thank you and if you've got something coming up do let me know about it.
Lee
Hi Lee .. that's great .. I've ordered Doris' book .. it's winging its way over the pond.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti .. I sort of lost site of as I had a hiatus during the A - Z .. but have recently reconnected - so am looking forward to her post and now it's available on SmashWords that's great ..
Michael's book to be sounds great - as you say with illustrations will make it so different ..
Fantastic news - so great even more success stories come out of your wonderful A - Z ..
Well done Lee - you are an inspiration to us all .. cheers Hilary
I follow both of those bloggers and posted about Damy's book on Monday!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! That's really exciting news!
ReplyDeleteCarla
Such a cool A-Z idea! Also a great idea to support the author-bloggers in our midst. I'll just throw it out that if there are A-Z folks who have books out, hit me up and we can discuss doing an interview, etc. for my blog. I'd be happy to spread the word!
ReplyDeleteEJ
Thanks for the tip, Lee. I'm going to check out both of them. I thought the A-Z might be an inspiration for a book of short stories but since my posts were all over the place I didn't really consider doing it. However, the next Challenge will test me to be more structured knowing that this could be an end point. Thanks for promoting these two!
ReplyDeleteBoth books sound really interesting! I look forward to their guest posts and agree that it's a great idea to support each other in our writing endeavors. I'll be sure to put these on my blog once I get the tab going.
ReplyDeleteHilary -- Thanks for the kind words. And when your book is ready to go you will definitely find a place on this blog.
ReplyDeleteAlex -- Damyanti and Doris were both A to Z regulars and had some real fans following their work.
Carla -- It's very exciting. It's an incentive for the rest of us.
EJ -- That's an offer that is appreciated. I like having the perspectives of guests on my blog.
Chuck -- A steady block of blogging provides a good opportunity for organizing ones thoughts and putting together a project for possible future publication. Hope you get something special together next year that you can put into practical application later.
Shannon -- Thank you. Any effort you can put into promoting other authors on your blog will be appreciated I'm sure.
Lee
Congrats to both!
ReplyDeleteI've bought several dozen books written by blog buddies. I like to support my friends as best I can! :)
Hey Lee!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your support and for promoting my book. A book that was never planned... it's one of those experiences where a simple idea suddenly may become a successful experience. I will talk more about the story behind my book on my guest post.
Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments. Hilary, my dear friend, I am so grateful for your friendship and all I've learned from you. Thanks for ordering my book--I could have sent you a copy as a gift from my heart. Maybe next time :-)
Doris
Lee, as you know I sent out free copies to my A to Z friends, as a token of their appreciation. Would be happy to send out review copies to any other readers or bloggers interested if they leave me a comment here.
ReplyDeleteThe book has been approved on the Premium list on smashwords and will soon be available through Barnes and Noble etc. Have also uploaded it on Kindle and waiting for approval.
E J Wesley, thanks so much for your offer, I'm going to take you up on it :)
'Hold on my hand': I believe we've met before on my blog, and congratulations on your book!
To everyone else, I'd just like to say that Lee and Alex are the best blog buddies ever, and if you're following them, you're already with the awesome crow in blogland !
sigh! crowd, not crow lol
ReplyDeleteI have bought Stories of Life and Death and read the first few so far. Absolutely gorgeous writing! I didn't know Doris Plaster had also published her A to Z stories. Congratulations to her too!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! One never knows when inspiration may strike!
ReplyDeleteJemi -- I'm sure those authors appreciate your support.
ReplyDeleteDoris -- We will look forward to your visit in a couple of weeks.
Damyanti -- I was wondering about that "crow". You're moving so quickly on the book--it's exciting!
Rachel --- Damyanti impressed a lot of readers during the Challenge. Let us know your final impressions on the book when you're done reading it.
Crystal -- And when inspiration strikes, it's important to act upon it. Thank goodness Doris and Damyanti both did just that.
Lee
Lee, that is so cool... congratulations to the writers... Woot! Woot! What a fabulous inspiration...the challenge has become.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Lisa
What a great idea to publish your collection of stories. I'm going to Amazon to check it out now...
ReplyDeleteThis is super awesome!!! :D
ReplyDeleteArlee,
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much I enjoyed Damyanti's stories from the A-Z Challenge. She told me that they have changed somewhat. I expect she's made them better (dunno how), but I look forward to reading them.
I think I've come across the other writer's blog a time or two. I'll drop in on her.
As to putting something together from the challenge. My readers seemed to enjoy the combination of food factoids and writing tips. Who knows, I might actually do something with them later down the road.
Thanks again for hosting such a great challenge, Arlee! So much good has come out of it.
Hi Lee! Wanted to add that Damyanti is teaming with Stu Nager and I to host a writer's fiction blogfest, The Rule Of Three, tentatively scheduled for October!
ReplyDeleteLisaFFD-- Maybe next year will see a whole slew of A to Z inspired books.
ReplyDeleteER -- It's great to put ones efforts into practical application.
IbD -- Awesome for sure!
JL -- Let me know if you do anything with your A to Z entries and I push it here.
Li-- I will have to check this blogfest out.
Lee
What great news! I can't wait to read more about these books! Julie
ReplyDeleteWow, cool! Hmm...that makes me have ideas....
ReplyDeleteI kinda was thinking about doing an ebook. Maybe I'll come up with something with A-Z as an inspiration.
How amazing that these people were inspired by the A to Z Challenge! It was something that so many of us enjoyed, I'm glad people were able to take it a step further. And I absolutely agree that we need to support each other - I plan to self-publish either later this year or early next year, and I know I'm depending on book bloggers, especially the ones willing to review indie authors.
ReplyDeleteI love this gives me an idea for a book ;D I'll keep you posted~
ReplyDeleteI will add these to my list; it is nice to support each other in our creative endeavors~
Thanks for visiting me and your insight is great, as always :D
Julie -- I too look forward to what Doris and Damyanti have to say about the books and the adventure in publishing.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth -- Ebooks are the future. At least for now.
Marie -- Our circles is where it all first starts when it comes to promoting. Best of success with your endeavors.
Ella -- Let me know whatever you come up with. I try to spread the word when I get it.
Lee
Wow, that is super cool! Getting a book published is such an achievement! Congrats to them both. :)
ReplyDelete~Scarlett
Very cool idea! I loved the A to Z Challenge, and can't wait to prep for next year.
ReplyDeleteWow, what wonderful news!! I loved the A-Z Challenge so much, I'm looking forward to checking out these books and blogs. :)
ReplyDeleteDearest Arlee,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your mention of friend Doris Plaster! She is most deserving of this publicity.
Indeed, a great way to promote one another this way.
Love to you,
Mariette