Flash Fiction #2 Is Here and Waiting for you!

Flash Fiction #2 – June 2022

Hi Friends! The first Flash Fictions was amazing. The second is here and waiting for your creativity! Find the link to upload your submission here!

If you’re curious about why I’m doing this, it’s because I love reading short short short stories. The inspiration you get from the images blows my mind!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Whether or not you think of yourself as a writer, please consider giving this a go. It’s all in good fun.

Cheers!

Huckle

Flash Fiction #1 Winner Is…

I offer a monthly flash fiction and in May of 2022 the winner was Lawrence Henry!

Lawrence is an up and coming author of the Nomad YA book series focused on teens who have gotten caught up in a militaristic situation they have to fight and think their way out of. It’s an action packed series with well thought out characters, a compelling story arc, and some twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. (Yes, I’ve read some of his work, and it’s brilliant!)

You can check out when his work is scheduled to be released on his website here!

Please read his flash fiction entry and enjoy his creativity! Note, the next flash fiction will be posted on June 1st!

Photo by Tu00fa Nguyu1ec5n on Pexels.com

Calder entered the new coffee shop at a jaunty pace. It was a rare day a new coffee shop had such a large online following in only a few days. The last time he’d checked their social media page, he could have sworn he’d seen someone had written a warning about something involving the Perky Pixie coffee shop, but the page refreshed before he could finish reading.

Oh, well.

The bell above the door jingled, and a slim barista with a pale, hawkish face and brown hair stood behind the counter smiling. Other young ladies also flitted about the establishment, some dancing with patrons on a central dancefloor.

A coffee shop with a dancefloor? That’s new.

The words “beware the fairy ring” flashed through Calder’s head as he approached the counter. The hawk-faced barista batted much-too-bright green eyes at him.

“Welcome to the Perky Pixie. Would you like a sample?” Her smile reminded him of a dog’s snarl, toothy and wide. There was an inherent danger in that smile.

Calder grinned nervously, “No, thank you. I would like to buy a cup of…” he hesitated, reading through the drink names on the menu. “Autumn’s Eye Caramel Mocha.”

“Very well,” the barista’s grin shifted to one side. She seemed amused. “May I have your name?”

“Cal,” he said. His eyes shifted to her apron. Didn’t these places usually require a name tag?

Her eyes narrowed, and she pursed her lips. He placed cash on the counter, and waited several minutes as the barista prepared the drink. A small plastic rectangle set upon the counter caught his eye. Curious, he picked it up, thinking it to be a credit card left behind. It was a name tag. Keely.

Calder put the tag back as he’d found it a moment before Keely turned back from the coffee machinery. As she handed him the drink, he thanked her. Her predator’s grin returned, bright and vicious.

“Come and see me again, soon,” she said.

“You got it, Keely!” Calder nodded at her wide-eyed expression, suddenly feeling unsure of what had just happened. He sipped the coffee on his way out the door, oblivious to the threads that now tied him to this place.

Kudos Lawrence! and Cheers!

Huckle!

I Want a Free Book!

Photo by Caio on Pexels.com

I’ve been playing around on my website. I figure out how to make my social media links ACTUALLY work… I hadn’t realized they didn’t work. I created a new page for newsletters! And now, today’s post, marketing.

Over the years I’ve met a lot of indie-authors who have helped me become the author I am today (yes Wes, yes Angela, I just said that to the internet at large!) I plan on highlighting them in the weeks to come, their books, their websites, and more about them. You should support more than traditionally published authors. People who do this on their own are amazing!

But wait, I teased you with a free book! My third book, Alphas, comes out on July 21, 2022. If you subscribe to my site before the cover reveal, you could win a free signed copy of the book.

But wait, you say, I’m already subscribed. Well, comment on this post that you’ve left a review about book 1 or book 2, and you’re set! If you’ve commented on both, you’ll be entered twice for being a long time fan. I believe in honoring those who’ve supported me!

Cheers!

Huckle

I Joined A Party…

Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

Well, maybe not the kind of party YOU’RE thinking of… unless you know me. I joined a Cover Reveal Party! Now all of you are like, yep, that sounds legit! It’s a Facebook party, one I can do from the comforts of my home. And guess what, you can join… today even, and win prizes!

Photo by Jopwell on Pexels.com

The party exists HERE! And who is throwing the party? Author Lou Grimes! He even has a few of his books available for you to read to catch up in his series. It’s a total win win! Get in fast while the getting is good!

I hope to see you there. The party goes through the end of May.

Cheers!

Huckle

So you want to be on TikTok?

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

A couple of months ago I started on TikTok… and had no idea what I was doing. This is a pretty common opinion. Everyone I talk to on TikTok is muddling through their daily videos trying to figure out how to get followers, views, likes, comments, and shares.

I have it all figured out. (let the laughter commence!)

Photo by Mahrael Boutros on Pexels.com

Okay, okay, I don’t have it all figured out. But here is what I’d do if you want to follow in my fabulous footsteps… and my almost 1000 followers.

  1. Decide on the type of videos you want to make.
    • I want to sell my book, but those videos don’t get views on my account
    • TikTok is the LONG game.
    • Writing videos get views. So, those are the ones I make
    • I will sprinkle in book videos too with the plan of making more as I get more followers <a plan!>
  2. I believe hashtags help
    • I have seen a LOT of debates. Some say none, some say one or two, some say ALL the hashtags
    • I find the videos with hashtags help, the more the merrier
    • Some people say using hashtags with MORE followers is better. I find the ones with fewer followers work better, it’s like I’ve found my people.
    • Use focused hashtags, not just anything that pops in your head, the hashtags should align with the video you’re posting. I don’t use the same ones every time.
  3. This is BIG and I just started attempting this… it takes time – if someone engages with your account – ENGAGE BACK, make your community stronger.
    • I know, you’re thinking, ‘But Huckle, this will take forever!’, but trust me, it’s worth it. You don’t have to do a lot, but they’ve given you love, share it back.
    • Everyone is trying to grow their account.
  4. This is just me… don’t make EVERY video music only.
    • Maybe this is just me, but I need some talking… I will engage more if I can hear something from you.
    • I may be the only person who thinks this.
  5. Personally, I have found two (2!!) videos a day works best. When I have done a third, it doesn’t get views.
    • You can do the effects videos “what type of cheese am I?” and other silliness.
  6. If you are joining a community like #booktok, or #indiewriters realize it is a small community. People have opinions, be nice.
    • I had a friend who gave his opinions and got a lot of hate comments. We are all people, and if it isn’t helpful, maybe just swipe past to the next video.
  7. Only engage with the videos you want to see more of or you’ll be inundated with more of what you don’t like.
    • This goes with following as well. Follow what you want to see.
    • On the flip side, you don’t need to make a video telling people who you will and won’t follow, it comes off as rude.
  8. Personally, if I see someone with a bunch of followers and few they follow, I WILL NOT follow. I need followers. I follow who I think is interesting, but also to get followers.
    • Each person has their own opinions, but if you aren’t following, that is your choice.
  9. Going viral would be amazing… but not everyone does, it’s a slow game we’re playing.

I hope this helps. If you have other thoughts, add them to the comments! If there are enough, I’ll do a follow-up! Don’t forget to join my page if you haven’t!

Cheers!

Huckle

Flash Fiction

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

I’ve heard many people talk about writers block, or hitting a wall in their writing and wanting to know what to do to help. I’ve often suggested things like flash fiction, but not everyone knows where to go to find flash fiction. Well, look no further. I will offer a monthly image. You can write, and I will showcase the winner’s work as well as promote anything they may have coming up.

This is a safe place. No one will be mocked, only honored for the words you are willing to share! The first flash fiction prompt can be found here:

I hope you enjoy! Share with others, I look forward to reading what you write. If you have ideas for future images, drop me a line at wolfhealer217@gmail.com.

cheers!

Huckle

Is There Such Thing As Bad Followers?

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

I’ve recently been hit with the TikTok bug. Okay, it isn’t a bug so much as a hope for free marketing, a word I feel is as close to a swear as they get. There is SO MUCH ADVICE!

  • Only follow book people (I don’t)
  • Only allow people who want to read YOUR book to follow you
  • Create one to three videos a day (or is it ten!!!)
  • Watch other people’s videos (TO THE END) or it will hurt them
    1. Along with this, like, comment, share… Show the love
  • Create videos with controversial content
  • Create videos with book flips (OR DON’T!!)
  • Create videos with the latest sounds…. or don’t
  • Allow the bots to follow you… or don’t (bots are BAD FOLLOWERS!)
  • Get to 1000 followers so you can…
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

You can see where this gets to be confusing. What have I done over the last few weeks? I have tried to make two videos a day, three if I’m REALLY pushing it. When I got sick there were a couple of days of just one video.

I usually pretend I’m talking to a friend and chit chat to the phone, but that’s me. I find a topic, and give as short a video as I can. Personally the videos that are all music I don’t tend to stay for. I also won’t stay for really LONG videos unless the person is fun to listen to. I figure it’s the same for others. If I treat the viewer as a pal, then maybe they’ll stay to listen.

What I haven’t figure out is, how to get more comments. OR, how to get the views to translate into people reading my books.

So, does this work as free marketing? I assume it will work…eventually. It has worked for others. At the end of the day (or start, since that’s when you’ll find me in the app) it IS free, and there is no harm in seeing my mug talk talk talking away.

Photo by Javon Swaby on Pexels.com

Cheers!

Huckleberry

Angel’s Abdication

A great book coming out tomorrow!

A good friend of mine who has helped me on my path to publication has a new book coming out tomorrow: April 9, 2022. You could go and pre-order it tonight, or get it starting tomorrow.

Here is the US link Order Here

Or check out her website: Katherine D Graham

Angel Princesses are not supposed to be forced into marriages with Devils. 

Especially not the Crown Princess–the next in line for the throne of The Heavens–to The Devil himself…
When Angel Princess Seracuse discovers her hand has been pledged to Lucef, the Devil himself, she knows her only way to avoid a life at his cruel mercy is to fall from The Heavens.

Abdicating the Angel throne is not an easy feat, though–not with the forces of both The Heavens and The Lower World on her trail.

Stumbling into The Human World, the wounded fallen Angel is rescued from would-be poachers by a charming, enigmatic Demon, who takes her in and nurses her back to health.

The spark between them is undeniable and instant–and the bond she finds herself forging with her rescuer is the strongest and purest one she’s had with another person in centuries.

If only he wasn’t the Demon King, Draco.

And the Devil’s brother. 

Epsilon Cover Reveal

Hi all! The day has finally come; I’m revealing the cover! The road to this reveal has been longer than I thought it would be, but I’m happy with the final product. 

Along with the new cover, we have a new winner of a signed copy of book two in The Jade Stone Chronicles. Conveniently, a visiting friend kindly generated a random number on his magical phone, and … (drum roll please) … Trish Kay is our winner! Unfortunately, I haven’t made any fudge to pay him for his efforts.

Come check out the cover and read some back stories. Epsilon comes out April 2nd. That’s just around the corner … so stay tuned!

Huckle