School is Out! 5 Minutes or less to your free books!

Starting today - June 2 - and running until June 4, get the eBook

Tie Died 

(YA mystery)

Also available in the UK!

and/or 

LightShade 

(Middle reader science fiction)

for 

FREE!

Tired of Dealing with those Annoying Writing Errors?

As a writer, you know what I'm talking about. As a reader, you know what I'm talking about too. 

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Spelling errors. Grammar issues. Missing words. The wrong word.

As a writer, you think your book is as polished as it can get, and then you send it to a reviewer who sees what you missed. You're working on an audiobook [I would recommend doing an audiobook for anyone wanting to catch writing errors] and stuff creeps out of your book that you never knew existed.

If you're a reader, you don't like seeing writing errors either, or a missing word, or the wrong word, or anything that makes you stop to look at the error, especially when the mistake comes from a book published by a traditional publisher like Random House. 

The good news is that it happens. You can count on it. The bad news is that it happens too often, especially among indie authors. I can say this because it has happened to me as an indie author. It has happened even after I've done multiple edits, after I've sent it to an editor, yes, and even when I've been working through the process of an audiobook.

It happened to this one: 

 5.0 out of 5 stars

 Tie Dyed

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2017

Verified Purchase

5 Stars. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing all the way through. There was a few editing issues

but nothing so bad to detract from my enjoyment of this mystery.

I was happy to receive 5 stars, but a 5-Star doesn't always happen with a book with "editing issues". As a head's up, the book is called Tie Died. Just saying...

I think it's important to note here for readers just how hard authors work to catch the errors you may see in the book you are currently reading, especially if they've gone through the ropes as mentioned above. 

When those spelling errors that I swear creep and hide between the book's binding when I'm not looking, make it to the final draft - yes, that one in your hands at this very moment - I hope you understand that I've done my best to sweep them out. 

To your writing!

Kathryn 

 

Need Something Exciting to Read During Christmas Break? Try These!

December 21 and 22, get two books

Tie Died

Get the book at Amazon

and

Buckled Inn

Get the Book at Amazon

for just .99 cents each!

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

No kidding!

Grab your favorite chocolate bar while you're out shopping, reading a book, or taking a break from all the busyness! Or grab a bar like this, and eat off a piece every hour you're out today!

If it's covered with chocolate, go for it!

You may also want to grab this book. It's free today.

WINTER WONDERLAND HOLIDAY BLOG SHARE! FREE books!

December 11 - 18

Today is a special day! Tomorrow will be pretty great, too! Read my Christmas story today; tomorrow, get Tie Died for FREE!

Today, I have a true story that I'd like to share. There are also some pretty great Christmas stories, recipes, and traditions on other blogs that I'd like to mention. You'll want to click on the links at the end of this post. 

Check them out, because many prizes are being offered during this Holiday Blog Share!

THE CHRISTMAS DOLLHOUSE

By

Kathryn Jones

            Our girls were two, six and seven the Christmas of 1988.  My husband had been busily looking for employment (again) and I was beginning to wonder how many more days I could stretch out the meals with a pantry full of ‘just a little noodles’ and that great staple item, canned corn.

            One day I was shopping at a thrift store with my mother, feeling discouraged that all I could afford would have to come from…you know…there, when I noticed something interesting.

            The place was surprisingly busy.  Old and young, well dressed and moderately attired, were all making their way up and down the many aisles looking for just the right bargain.  So, I wasn’t alone in my shopping venture.  Still, I couldn’t help feeling wistful.  To afford a real Christmas for my three girls…one the girls would cherish and talk about for years to come…now, that would be better.

            As I was busy in thought, hardly paying attention to the marvelous deals my mother was pointing out, I rounded a toy aisle and there it stood in full glory.

            Okay, not quite full-glory, but it was if the dollhouse spoke to me.  Actually, I discovered seconds later that it was my mother.  As I stood with my mouth agape she said, “I bet you can fix this up.”

            I wasn’t so sure.  What I’d spotted was a wooden dollhouse, quite large, proudly displaying lime-green carpet and orange wallpaper.  The piece of masking tape revealed the amazing price--$5.00.

            But I wasn’t sold yet.  I knew it would take hours to fix the thing up.  Hours and materials and creativity…

            Creativity!

            “Your husband is an artist.  He’ll help you,” my mother said next as if reading my thoughts.

            I few minutes later my mother and I had placed the dollhouse in the trunk of my car.  Although it stuck out a bit (somewhat like a dejected tree from an empty tree lot) we were able to get it safely to my garage at home where the real work began.

            Through the next few evenings, my husband and I were busily scrounging up healthy green carpet remnants, leftover neutral pain, even vinyl floor covering for the kitchen area from generous relatives.  And then we were gluing, painting and covering the floors with our artistry.  Towards the finish date, Christmas Eve, my husband decided to paint trees on the outside of the house to give it that ‘homey’ look.

            On Christmas Eve with paint up to our armpits, heavy eyes just gasping for a little shut-eye, and high hopes, my husband and I placed the dollhouse under the Christmas tree.

            The next morning, the glow on our girls’ faces and giggling thank-you from first to last far surpassed the pain of our sore fingers, aching hands, time and travail.  I will never forget the joy I felt that day.

            Two of my three girls are teenagers now.  The oldest is married and in a home of her own.  But they still talk about the dollhouse from Christmas years ago like it was a mansion—their mansion.  And I have to smile…just a little.

(Update: Two of my three daughters are now married, and I am the grandmother of five sweet ones).

***

Get the eBook FREE tomorrow only!

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones has been a published writer since 1987. She started as a newspaper reporter - publishing with the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News. She published her first novel in 2002, attended college in her 40s, and opened the doors to Idea Creations Press in 2012. She has published 12 books to date in the genres of Christian fiction, nonfiction (including Christian and business) mystery, YA and LDS middle reader. Her first 'tween' science fiction fantasy book is in the works. 

See what my author friends have to offer!

Enter to win a $60 Amazon gift card! 

Click here!

December 11 - Lois Winston - Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers 

December 12 - ENTER TO WIN a FREE copy of Catherine Green's short story - Christmas with the Vampires here.

December 13 - Stanalei Fletcher - It's all about the journey...

December 14 - Doree Anderson - Write it Down

December 16 - Karl Beckstrand  - Multicultural Books

December 17 - Marie Higgins - It's the journey that makes the romance story interesting...
December 18 - Mary Martinez - Welcome to Mary's Garden

Tie Died is FREE Today!

Just a heads-up!

Tie Died is FREE TODAY!

You can get the eBook here.

If you'd rather have the audio, let me know. I have some free codes to give away from Audible.





Whatever format you choose, I am in need of some book reviews! Please help me with that. Thank you!

FRIDAY FLICKS: Take Your Shoes Off and a LISTEN

Good news! I have 25 complimentary Audible.com codes available!

If you'd like to review Tie Died, drop me a line here or at kathy@ariverofstones.com and I'll send you your code right away. All I ask is that after you give a listen, you give me an honest review.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Kathryn

Get the Book at Amazon

FRIDAY FLICKS: Eagle Mountain Writing Workshop

The Eagle Mountain Writing Workshop is coming up tomorrow! That's September 9, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Learn more here!

Idea Creations Press will be teaching a class entitled: 5 Key Qualities of a Terrific Book Trailer.

YA Mystery

My newest book! Come and see me!

TIE DIED has arrived!

This little guy is cute, not scary at all!

Tied Died coming soon in Audio!

Tie Died is on its way to audio! I have a terrific narrator: Lauren Holladay! See why she's so wonderful!

https://www.voices.com/people/Laurenholladay
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Lauren+Holladay&init=public

FRIDAY FLICKS: Tie Died by Yours Truly

THOUGHTUL THURSDAY: TIE DIED IS PUBLISHED!!

For all of my mystery fans, it's time to check out my new mystery, Tie Died, with Brianne James as the main character. I am always open to new readers as well as reviews of my books. Let me know if you're interested in reviewing and I'll set things up.

Kathryn

Get the Book at Amazon

TUESDAY TRAILERS: Tie Died

I've just sent off my book, Tie Died, to my first beta reader.

Here's a trailer about it:

I would love to hear your feedback.

Kathryn

TIE DIED: Behind the Scenes

As some of you know, I've begun my first YA mystery series!

I also know that many of you are working on your first book, wondering how I get it all together when it comes to writing, publishing and marketing my books.

And so, I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes look at the process of book publishing and marketing. You may just find my thoughts helpful on your own journey to book publishing.

Book trailers are big these days, so I've put together my first book trailer of TIE DIED: BEHIND THE SCENES.

In this video I will tell you how I came up with the title, what's in the future for the series, and I will give you a little taste of the book's beginning below:

I remember the day I first found her. She was lying by the stream in that park I always go to when I'm out running. Just lying there as if taking a nap. But it was November in Utah and it was odd that someone would be taking a nap in the snow. The water itself was practically frozen, white glossiness covering most of the stream where I'd dipped my toes in just this past summer. The leaves were already gone from the trees and I felt suddenly as if I was somewhere I shouldn't be. My skin was cold and yet I didn't shiver as I looked down at the girl wearing the red running shoes.

                She must have been running because she wore sweat pants - dark black with a white stripe down the legs, a tie dyed sweat shirt - and a scarf, still around her head. It looked like wool. Her eyes were opened. Brown. And her hair, blond - no, more like a light brown with golden highlights. It lay crusted against the snow, glued to it almost, fanned out like the sun.

                I didn't scream.

                I reached for my cell phone from my back pocket and dialed the police all the while watching the girl, her skin a light blue, her lips - white. How long had she been there? How had she been killed? Why had she been killed?

                And then I looked at the bottom of her shoes. There was no mud. No snow. They were as clean as paper that hadn't been written on yet. The path near the stream was at least 20 feet from this frozen steam. She could never have jumped that far.

                There were no tire tracks. Just one set of footprints coming to the stream and then away from it. They were large, much larger than her own that had decorative symbols on the bottom...

                "Hello, Hello?"

                "Oh, yes, sorry."

                "Do you have something to report?"

                "Yes. Yes... I found a girl at Montgomery Park. She's dead."

It's Getting Close to Christmas!

The excitment of Christmas is growing!

How are you feeling about now?

Excited?

Overwhelmed?

Tired?

Making time to write?

I hope so. Writing, for me, is a sort of therapy anyway -- one I especially need during the holidays. I have been working on my first YA mystery novel and am up to page 70 or so.

New projects, especially trying out new genres, is pretty exciting, and I hope to get Tie Died out to my younger readers in the fall of next year.

Merry Christmas and, as always

Happy Writing!

Kathryn