Showing posts with label Red Adept Publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Adept Publishing. Show all posts

Monday, March 2, 2026

Staying Encouraged

 I'm thrilled to announce that just this morning, Red Adept Publishing offered me a contract for my third book! It's working title is Stay Encouraged, and I'm very excited to share it with the world! 

It may take a minute - book publishing usually does. RAP offered me a contract for The Existence of Pity in November of 2015 and it was published in November of 2016. I started writing it in 2010. I started writing Courage Without Grace  in 2012 and the contract came in March of 2020. It was published in March of 2021. I started working on this one in 2017, and I'm staying encouraged it'll be published around March of 2027!

This contemporary women's fiction, with the usual new age twist, follows Josie, now the mother of adult daughters, on a trip with her Aunt Rosie to meet the daughter she gave up many years before. It will go through two rounds of edits, one for content and one for line edits, and as you can see by the photo, I've already jumped back in to edit the manuscript myself! It's never perfect, only better.

Thanks so much to Lynn McNamee and the staff at Red Adept, and to editor and reader Diane Skelton, who reminded me often to stay encouraged! And Diane Ferguson too! Thank you all!

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

From Dream to Reality

From the very beginning of my writing career I've wanted my work to be published in audio form. I think it's because I've always loved books on tape, then books on CD. I guess it's time to make the (belated, I know) jump into downloadable books.

There's nothing quite like listening to someone tell a story. Some favorites include the Harry Potter series, narrated by Jim Dale, and Angela's Ashes written and read by Frank McCourt. Now, (drumroll please!) I can add my book to that list of favorites.

Back in December (the 22nd, and it was in the morning lol), I got an email from my publisher, Red Adept Publishing, letting me know Scribd wanted to turn The Existence of Pity into an audiobook. I couldn't believe it, and didn't believe it, until I checked my Amazon page this past Thursday.

It's really happening! As of yesterday, my audiobook is live!! Scribd, founded in San Francisco in 2007, is an audio publishing company and a subscription service. It offers access to millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more at the cost of $11.99 per month. Business Insider says "Scribd is overall the best and most convenient deal for online reading." I've joined and grabbed my book already. 

And to hear my words read by Maria Liatis, WOW! What an incredible feeling! Since she's from Argentina, her Spanish is flawless. Since she studied Theatre and Dramatic Arts at University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), her English is impeccable. All around, she does a fantastic job narrating. It's perfect in every way.

So if you want to sit back and have someone tell you my story, go to Scribd

You can also get it from Audible on Amazon, or listen to a four-minute sample. I'd love to hear what you think! 

Saturday, May 22, 2021

The Wood Between the Worlds

Momentum for Courage Without Grace had slowed to a crawl as we wait for the print copies to arrive... but then THIS happened! 

Erin writes book reviews on her beautiful blog, and here is her 5-tree review for Courage Without Grace! Visit her blog here:  The Wood Between the Worlds. You'll be glad you did! 

Here's a taste of the review: "This vibrant novel is like a colorful tapestry--there are so many threads weaving in and out of each other, going in completely unexpected directions, leading you on to see where they end and what new patterns they'll create, in the end forming a cohesive picture of a young woman's broken but beautiful life."  

You can see why this had me dancing around the house! Have a wonderful weekend, and rest assured you'll hear from me when the books come in!



Friday, October 30, 2020

Same Book, New Cover

 2020 hasn't been all bad... On May 23 my publisher from Red Adept, Lynn McNamee, and my mentor, Erica Lucke Dean, called -- out of the blue -- to discuss a new cover for The Existence of Pity! 

Erica is an amazing author AND a wiz at everything to do with images, and I think she hit it out of the park with this one! 
Josie and Aaron are standing by a lovely Colombian lake, maybe Lago Calima, and the Andes mountains are behind them. If you have seen Lago Calima, do you agree? 
And in other news, soon, very soon, The Existence of Pity will have a little sibling! I will keep you updated on my second book, so stay tuned! 


Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Pull Quote


Kirkus Book ReviewsI wanted to know, once and for all. Is The Existence of Pity a good book? I've been thrilled with my mostly positive reviews, but how would my book fare if assessed by a trade publication?

Kirkus has been reviewing books since 1933 and is considered a respected trade magazine by the industry. Their reviews certainly influence my reading selections, and I've noticed an automatic positive response to seeing a Kirkus blurb on a book. The debate rages on as to whether a Kirkus review is worth the price - yes, I paid for it - but the itch to know wouldn't quit. I decided to send my book their way.

With no little trepidation, I waited, until today, when this link showed up in my inbox.

 https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jeannie-zokan/the-existence-of-pity/

I raced through it and sighed with relief. It's good! Then, I combed it for that all-important pull quote, those lines which sum up what Kirkus has to say about my precious baby, and my writing.

"Overall, this is an offbeat coming-of-age story... and Josie is perfect in her role as the story's protagonist and moral center." --- Kirkus Reviews

"A sensitive work from a very promising author." --- Kirkus Reviews

I'm glad I got the review. Now I know. And my favorite part of the quotes? The ---Kirkus Reviews at the end, for my book.

And just in time, a Kindle copy of The Existence of Pity is now $5.99!


Monday, July 2, 2018

Author Interview

I'm in the latest Red Adept Publishing Newsletter, so here's a chance to meet me if you haven't already! 
You will also learn more about Red Adept Publishing: what's new, what's on sale, and what's coming down the pike. 
Check out the newsletter here:  
RAP Newsletter Interview 
I can't wait for you to read it!
#RedAdeptPublishing #AuthorInterview 

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

The Latest Review


I love this new review of The Existence of Pity on Amazon

5 out of 5 stars
Intriguing coming of age story
June 5, 2018

“Intriguing coming of age story set against a beautiful yet dangerous Colombian backdrop that will appeal to anyone who has ever experienced any kind of spiritual dilemma / journey, especially in their youth. All the main characters make seemingly incomprehensible decisions, but Zokan does a great job of fleshing those decisions out without oversimplifying this family's complex situation. Every teen lives in a complicated world; the way Josie navigates her world endears her to the reader, yet again, without oversimplifying the other characters. Good crossover novel in terms of audience and age appeal. I enjoyed it and have already recommended to my wife and my teenage son.”

Wow. "Every teen lives in a complicated world;" so true! I also love that this review is written by a fellow author who knows the effort involved in writing a novel and getting it published. 

Wes Dannreuther has written South Toward Horn and is looking for an agent or publisher to send it out to the world. Of his manuscript, an adventure story-within-a-story based along the Gulf Coast, he says, "I'm just ready to have the book out there because I think it's worthy of people's time to read it and I think a lot of people will like it." Amen, brother! That's why we write!

I have my fingers crossed that Red Adept Publishing will pick him up.  Keep an eye out for Wes! You can visit him here: www.intracoastaloutfitters.com

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

"The Existence of Pity" Made the List!

Every month, Red Adept Publishing puts out a list of its bestsellers, and I'm on the list for February 2018! RAP makes a very cool video on Facebook showing the top ten, and I nearly gave up hope as I watched the countdown. I've never gotten so close to the top before. But then, my beautiful cover popped up in the SECOND SPOT!

Here's the video that had me holding my breath:
https://www.facebook.com/RedAdeptPublishing/videos/1990671484294474/

You can check them out on RAP's website: February TOP TEN  but here are our covers. Each one is awesome, of course. One is a USA Today bestseller, and two are New York Times bestsellers!

ONE
TWO
THREE

FOUR


FIVE

SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT


NINE

TEN


Saturday, December 9, 2017

The Giveaway of the Year!

Actually, click  HERE  to enter!

This giveaway is the brainchild of fellow Red Adept Publishing Author Kelly Stone Gamble. To learn more about her books, go to her beautiful website: www.kstonegamble.com  I'm so glad she included me!
If you love to read and haven't found out about www.BookBub.com, you are in for a treat: BookBub is a free email service that notifies you about deep discounts on ebooks you are sure to like.
You'll like them because you choose the types of books you want notifications on! Choose from all sorts of genres, and BookBub will email you great deals in those genres.
You can also follow your favorite authors on BookBub, like me, and like the thirteen others who want YOU to win a $50 Amazon gift card, just in time for the holidays!
I love hearing about books through BookBub. Often I see a title on BookBub and remember a friend recommending that same book. Then, since it always happens in threes, I'll see the book in some random place... someone's carrying it in the airport, it's on the coffee table at the dentist's office, or I happen across it on Amazon. Then I know it's time to read that book! :)
Happy reading, and Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

My Editor Wrote an Amazing Book!


NEW RELEASE

June 7, 2017

Stefanie Spangler’s Urban Fantasy Dark Designs

Magic calls out to other magic, and the Grant sisters are about to find out they’ve drawn the darkest kind to their doorstep.

Twins Ivy and Violet Grant are opposites. Ivy, a hot-tempered redhead, couldn’t wait to get off the farm and see the world. Violet, a quiet brunette, was content to stay home and help their grandmother with the family business. The one thing they have in common is their magic.

Charlie Logan’s sinister obsession with Ivy Grant has ruled his life. When he discovers a book of dark magic during a burglary, he decides to return to Oak Hill and use his newfound power to gain control over Ivy.

Ivy and Violet, with help from their grandmother, need to practice their magic to overcome the evil seeping into their lives. A battle is coming, and Ivy’s life is not the only one at stake.
 

 Excerpt

Slowly, Ivy became aware of another presence in the barn. Her eyes roamed away from the kitten cradled in her arms to the boots standing just beyond the stall door, next to her discarded sandals. Eyes wide, she sprang to her bare feet as fast as she could without trampling the kittens.

Charlie Logan was blocking the way out of the stall. The sunlight that slipped in through the gaps in the barn’s wooden planks cast his face in mottled stripes. She knew him because Grandpa Jack had always let his granddaughters roam the farm freely, and Charlie had spoken to her many times. Never alone, though. She stood awkwardly, her eyes darting around the dimly lit solitude of the barn.

“Nice kittens you got there.” He nodded cheerfully toward the kittens then smiled. His hand twitched as if he might reach out and touch her.

“Yeah,” she said quietly, looking back and forth between Charlie and the kittens. “None of them are sick or anything. Sometimes there are sick ones…” Ivy rambled nervously until her eyes settled on Charlie’s face, and then she stilled, wishing she could disappear.

Charlie moved in closer, trapping her in the corner of the stall. “They’ll all be good mousers, I bet.”

His tone was friendly, but Ivy’s guts tensed up. She desperately wanted to be away from the stall that had, without warning, become too dark and far too secluded. If she shouted, someone would likely hear her and come, but Charlie had always seemed nice enough. Maybe he did just want to talk about kittens, and she didn’t want him to get in trouble for not being busy at work.

When she made a move toward the door, his tall frame shifted. She jerked back, away from his body, pushing herself tighter into the corner of the stall. He was close enough that his scent of stale cigarette smoke and sweat forced its way into her nostrils and stomach. When he exhaled, his breath smelled of strong coffee. In slow motion, Charlie reached out and touched her hair just over her ear. Heart in her throat, she froze. Charlie Logan had not come to discuss anything good. He smiled at her affectionately as he stroked her hair.

 

Title: Dark Designs

Author: Stefanie Spangler

Genre: Urban Fantasy
 
About the Author
Stefanie Spangler has always loved books and reading, and one day, she decided to write a book of her own.

Stefanie lives in central Illinois with her husband and daughters. When she's not reading or writing, she’s usually editing someone else’s book. But she also enjoys gardening, knitting, and forcing others to read her favorite books.
 
Follow Stefanie:



Thursday, May 25, 2017

My First Award, My First RAP Event

11th ANNUAL NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE® AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Los Angeles, May 18th, 2017: The 11th Annual National Indie Excellence® Awards recognize Winners and Finalists from this year's competition.
The National Indie Excellence® Awards exists to help establish independent publishing as a strong and proud facet of the publishing industry. Recognizing authors that put their heart and soul into their work, the NIEA is a champion of self-publishers and the small, independent presses that go the extra mile to produce books of excellence in every aspect. Established in 2007, the NIEA competition is judged by experts from all aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters.
​Finalist in the Women's Fiction category: The Existence of Pity by Jeannie Zokan   (Woohoo!)
Winners and finalists are determined based on “overall excellence of presentation- a synergy of form and content” in a wide range of genres. Sponsorships and monetary prizes are awarded to juried titles as well. For more information please visit: www.indieexcellence.com

We're sorry, this content cannot be displayed. Please try again laterPlease feel free to add your NIEA seal or banner on your website, on Facebook, ety, this content cannot be displayed. Please try again later.DismissWe're sorry, this content cannot be displayed. Please try again 
AND... If you're in the Aversboro, NC area, stop in at our Scene Bites event. I'll be serving coffee!
I'm excited to meet other authors who have been published by Red Adept Publishing. Nervous, yes, but excited! I've followed each of their books and can't wait to talk about our shared experiences, and to learn from them. I have SO MANY questions! Stay tuned for pictures from the event!

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Lottery Ticket Lucky

Thursday, January 19, was so lucky for me, I had to buy a lottery ticket.

First, I woke up to a 3x5 inch picture of my face on the cover of the Lifestyles section of my local Gulf Breeze News, and no, it's not a mug shot! Thanks to Lisa Newell, who told my town about The Existence of Pity. My daughter said people were congratulating her in the high school halls.

Then, at 2:31 pm, I got a message from The Book Doctors. They had written an article about me and put it in The Huffington Post. Yeah, you read that right, THE Huffington Post!

But my luck didn't stop there. My older daughter and I were traveling that day, heading to her home for six months in Virginia. (She's taking a gap semester and serving AmeriCorps at a beautiful state park.) On our way through North Carolina, we stopped at Red Adept Publishing and I got to meet Lynn McNamee, the woman who made my dream of publishing a book come true. Her dog Cody is adorable, and so is Louie!

Now THAT'S what I call a red-letter day, so of course I had to buy a lottery ticket. And guess what?? I didn't win. But I still feel so lucky, and grateful!

Once more with the links to the two articles: Gulf Breeze News and The Huffington Post.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Cover Reveal!

Cover by Streetlight Graphics
Here's my cover! The book won't be out until the fall, but here's my cover! Thanks Red Adept Publishing and Streetlight Graphics! This process has been exciting and scary and exhilarating -- exactly like a roller coaster. I've gone through the first ups and downs, and now I'm on that long, slow chug up to the very top. My heart's pounding, I've got a bird's eye view of the world below, and I'm willing my stomach to calm down. Almost there, soon, very soon!



Sunday, February 14, 2016

So You Want to Publish That Novel!

Like most writers, I don't want to write, I must write. I feel compelled. Often I'm uneasy in my skin until I've had a chance to put my thoughts on paper. Writing gives me relief, clarity, and new ideas for more to write about. And when I do set my journal aside, or call it quits on my computer, I come away feeling lighter, happier. Like the awesome Gloria Steinem, "Writing is the only thing that when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else."
RedAdeptPublishing.com
But why publish? That's simple. After putting so much time into my novel, I had to try! And boy did I try. At first I queried agents. Fellow author Shawn Keenan has an agent, and he writes a very insightful blog about what that's like. http://www.errantauthor.com/ 
Many people suggested I self-publish, and friends Diane Skelton and Rebecca Pappas followed that path. Diane's beautiful memoir is The Gumbo Diaries: Mississippi and Beyond.  Rebecca's fun cozy mystery is Homicide at Harmony Bed & Breakfast. Check them out on Amazon!
I'm happy for my friends and what they've done. I'm also glad Red Adept Publishing and I found each other. I will get into "print" as part of a small publishing team, a remarkably organized team, with fifty or so fellow writers from all over the country who support each other and have fun along the way.
It doesn't really matter how people get their work published. It all ends the same way. When the fun's been had, we all go back to our desks and write some more, because there's really nothing we'd rather be doing.
Visit www.Redadeptpublishing.com for some great books by some wonderful authors!

Thursday, February 4, 2016

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...


The content edit for my book has begun! An editor at Red Adept Publishing is going over the arc of my story to make sure it's the best it can be. She will dismantle it and together we will reassemble it. I'm steeling myself -- and clearing my calendar -- for the work that lies ahead. But don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled! It's an honor to have her professional help.
It's a little nerve-wracking, though, so to keep myself entertained I've been thinking about the one page in my book that won't be edited: the Acknowledgements Page. There are so many people to thank! There are the critique group members who helped me strengthen my writing, and the friends who watched my kids so I could go to the critique groups. There's my dear family, who put up with a ridiculous amount of talk about a bunch of non-existent characters, and there's the wonderful Red Adept Publishing who took a chance on me. There's the content editor shining up my little story, and then there's you, dear reader. I can't wait to thank you all.
The link for "The 25 Best Author Acknowledgements Ever Written" is here:       http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/the-25-best-author-acknowledgements-ever-written/


Thursday, January 28, 2016

Jeannie Zokan Signs With Red Adept Publishing!


Well it finally happened. After querying approximately thirty-five agents and publishing houses, The Existence of Pity will be published!On Friday the 13th of November, Red Adept Publishing sent an email saying, "Congratulations. Your book has advanced to the second stage of our acquisitions process." The next morning, Lynn McNamee, owner of RAP, called and asked if I would consider switching genres from Young Adult to Women's Fiction. Of course! She also wanted to know why I had the book professionally edited. "I didn't," I told her. "The book just went through a few years of critique groups." Thank you thank you thank you West Florida Literary Federation!Chris and the girls were headed off to school on the following Monday morning when Lynn called again. This time she told me her team had read my manuscript, "and it was unanimous...(loooong pause for dramatic effect)... we want to publish your book."
Squealing? Cavorting? Sheer gleefilled laughter? Lynn told me I just might be the most enthusiastic author she's ever signed!
So my picture has been taken, my bio written, and my website is up and running.  Visit it and sign up for my newsletter! Here's the link: http://jeanniezokan.com/
I suppose I'm most excited about being in a "stable" of authors. Check it out here:
http://redadeptpublishing.com/#!/Browse-by-Author/c/12029045/offset=0&sort=normal
And now we wait. The content editor will edit my book in February and we will go from there. I'll keep you posted!