alex j. cavanaugh – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

F – Favorite People

Published on April 7, 2015April 6, 2015 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle20 Comments

Another departure from the tattoo theme to bring you a special announcement regarding one of my FAVORITE people on the web. It’s release day for Alex J. Cavanaugh. -Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

SCAVENGER HUNT! Comment to win an autographed copy of Dragon of the Stars, tons of bookmarks & postcards, and a $20.00 iTunes gift card–where is Mini-Alex? Visit Alex for a list of the participants.

(Open through April 11 – winner announced April 13 at Alex’s blog.)
Available today!
Dragon of the Stars
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure/Military
Print ISBN 9781939844064 EBook ISBN 9781939844057
What Are the Kargrandes?

The ship of legends…

The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, son of a Hyrathian Duke. Poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter, he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

But when the Alliance denies Hyrath’s claim on the planet of Kavil and declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray. Entrenched in battle and told he won’t make captain, Aden’s world begins to collapse. How will he salvage his career and future during Hyrath’s darkest hour?

One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?

Author Bio: Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm.

Blog | IWSG | Twitter

#IWSG – My Release Day

Published on June 3, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle72 Comments

Huge thank you to the awesome co-hosts for the June 4 posting of the IWSG C. Lee McKenzie, Tracy Jo, Melanie Schulz, and LG Keltner! Special shout out to our captain, Mr. Alex J. Cavanaugh. Make sure you visit them and as many of the support group as you can.

I’m not sure if I’m actually looking for advice. I’ve heard it all. I feel the need to share. In hopes that others have had this particular issue.

The night before my release, I posted on a FB Group how I didn’t think I would need a peep talk prior to my book release, but later that night, I couldn’t sleep and it seemed like I was seconds away from an anxiety attack.

What was I so scared of, well, no sales. That’s what scared me. What if not one person bought my book. Ridiculous, I know.

Well, the first day went better then expected, but now I’m depressed again.

Anyone else experience the Book Release Blues? What did you do to get over it?

I also wanted to thank everyone who supported me during the release of my debut novel, Another New Life. I need to remind myself it’s not every day a person get’s to realize a dream. I am so grateful.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Published on February 4, 2014February 5, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle26 Comments

This month’s co-hosts are Sheena-kay Graham, Julie Musil, Jamie Ayres, and Mike Swift. Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome.

Let me set the scene. It’s 5:30 pm and I’ve finished my day job. In front of me, I have following task:

Quick read through and edit of a couple of chapters to send to my critique partners.
Revisions on two chapters to stick to my goal of finishing edits on this WIP by mid-Feb.
Write the first paragraph to a new MS for my Creative Workshop.

Which ‘free flowing, creative and something out of nothing’ task filled my heart with bliss.
Which ‘nit picky, mind numbing, never know if I’m doing it right’ task filled my brain with resentment.

Really, why can’t I get paid to create first drafts.

Because that’s ridiculous, but it makes me wonder, does anyone enjoy the editing process? If so, how did you get to that point?

“What Works” Marketing Symposium 2014

Published on January 19, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle25 Comments

what_works_III

Welcome to the Online Marketing Symposium. Another cool creation for the community from Arlee Bird, and hosted by Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh.

The rules are to share a marketing campaign that worked or didn’t work. Well, I haven’t published a novel, yet (hopefully I won’t have to stay that after April (nudge nudge wink wink)). There a few places I go as a reader to find books to read and I can only hope that other readers do the same.

If I need to find like minded people eager to help with anything from a blog post to spreading the word about a new release, I think Facebook Groups & Goodreads Books Clubs are great marketing outlets.

I would love to hear if engaging your audience in these two forums translate into book sales.

Also, as someone who host blog tour stops in the form of book reviews, do they translate into book sales and how can you tell?

Well, as you can see, I’m not much help.

So, when it comes to marketing, “What Works” for you? Write clearly, I’ll be taking notes. 🙂

Quick shout out and Congrats to Peyton Manning and the Denver Bronco’s – Super Bowl Bound. I named my dog after Peyton Manning, so we are quite excited!!!!!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group – Confused

Published on January 8, 2014January 7, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle44 Comments

InsecureWritersSupportGroup

I am so confused, I don’t really know my next step. Thank you in advance for your advice. It is appreciated more then you know.

I don’t mean to sound so desperate, but just when I thought I had my insecurities in check, another annoying one pops up and takes over my brain.

I received feedback from five Beta’s on my current MS. Three of them are writers, one is a friend in my reader’s demographic and the other is someone who the person helping me publish my book sent it to.

While I know my book needs some work and isn’t close to publication, the feedback from the first four people have been constructive and positive, and they loved the story. But, the last person. Wow, well, my thick skin is being tested.

Basically she/he said it was 100 pages to long and not serious enough and basically she didn’t like it. Or maybe she did, I don’t know. I can’t tell. Her comments were completely different than the other four. She hated things about my MC that other reader’s liked. Her impression of the book was so far on the other end of the spectrum form the other four.

Now, I know what your going to say. Why am I giving so much credence to the one? I don’t know. She had some valid point’s too, but so much of what she said was complete new to me and I am not sure how to proceed.

That’s why I am confused. What would you do?

Thanks to the awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG Bob Milne, River Fairchild, Julie Dao, and Sarah Foster! Take some time and visit other IWSG members. In my experience, we all share some the same insecurities. You may help someone or find a way to cope yourself.

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