Darklands Blog Tour with Author Donna Burgess + Giveaway

Happy Saturday everyone! Today I have special Guest Author Donna Burgess, of the Darklands Blog Tour, Hosted By: Bewitching Book Tours

I want to thank JoJo for having me on her awesome site today. This blog tour has been a lot of fun, and for most of the guest posts, I've discussed one of my favorite things--vampires. But, as I have gotten more involved with the world of e-publishing and primarily, independent publishing, I've realized what an incredible community of writers there is out there. Over the past couple of months, I've become one of those people who constantly talks up the reasons for “going indie” rather than seeking traditional publication. Today's self-published author is no longer viewed as the un-publishable hack of a decade ago. Especially, now that royalty checks can actually pay bills and the books are so easily found (many on bestseller lists of their particular category). It feels good to control one's destiny.

Not only are these “renegade” authors (okay, they're not really renegade, but it sounds cool) talented, they are also supportive of one another. And best things an already-published author can do is offer advice to new authors and those who think they'd like to begin writing a book someday. So, here I go:

• A book-length manuscript can seem intimidating. It doesn't need to be. We are all busy people--there's kids, school, work, babysitting the hubby… Set aside a few moments a day to put some ideas on paper (or hard drive). Not every day will see a full chapter or even a complete scene come together, but jotting down a few notes counts, too. Every word typed is progress toward your goal. Your someday is now.
• Write the book you would want to read. Don't write a young adult vampire novel because you know that is what is selling. Instead, write your book--the story that is sitting inside you. Your passion will show through and that's a great thing.
• Do not let your family or friends read your first (or second) book and offer feedback. This is not the feedback you want, ever, ever, ever! You will get one of two responses and both suck mightily. The first one is “I think it's…good.” That hesitation tells you all you need to know. The other is “I think it would be better if you changed (insert choice here).” Also, if your book has sex scenes, it's not a great idea to allow your parents read it. It doesn't matter if you are 65 years of age, have been married for 47 years and have 13 kids. Your parents do not want to recognize you know anything about sex. Those 13 kids just appeared there, suddenly.
• Family and close friends notwithstanding, don't be shy. Tell people about your book. Blog about your book. Give copies away. Once you have finished that novel, you are a writer. Call yourself one. I was probably the shyest person around, but once I got a few sales posted and a few decent reviews, that shyness went away. Now, I'm a promo-machine and it seems to be working pretty well. It's a thin line between good self-promo and being over-bearing. Try not to cross that line, as I have, at times.
• Some people will love your book, some will hate it. Heck, some people just don't like anything, anyway. That's part of the game. Never apologize for your work. If you are happy with what you've accomplished, that's should be enough. Remember, there are a lot of finished novels out there, but a hell of a lot more unfinished ones. You've done something special. Pat yourself on the back for it.

Donna Burgess
Author | Amazon | Publisher

Donna Burgess is an author of dark fiction and poetry who enjoys surfing, painting and has a deep affection for all things Monty Python and low-budget horror flicks. Over the past fifteen years, her fiction and poetry has appeared in genre publications such as Weird Tales, Dark Wisdom, Sybil's Garage and others. She has been married for twenty years and has two children. Her newest releases include Darklands: A Vampire's Tale (the first book in the Darklands Vampires series) and The Blue Children, a mini-collection of vampire fiction. When she is not conjuring, she can be found surfing.


Some great Links to check out!
Twitter: http://twitter.com/winniethepoe
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ScaryDonna
Publisher blog http://nakedsnakepress.blogspot.com/




Darklands
A Vampires Tale
SmashWords | Amazon | Kindle

Halloween night, twenty years ago, college student Susan Archer watched as her beloved twin brother was brutally murdered at the hands of a stranger she invited into their home. Still haunted by the guilt of that night, Susan is now a tough but bitter cop in a nowhere town, trying as best she can to lead a normal life. When she is nearly killed during a wild shoot-out, she realizes she is not as strong as she first thought.

Fearing a breakdown, she flees the confines of her safe boyfriend and familiar surroundings to find salvation in the arms of “Deathwalker” Devin McCree—the very man who killed her brother.


But things aren’t always what they seem and she quickly realizes Devin was not the monster she originally thought, but a kind of guardian angel instead.

On the run from a crazed Nazi vampire-hunter named Kasper, she and Devin must find a way to endure the dreary urban landscape of a dying metropolis and escape Kasper’s wrath.

   *~* Giveaway *~*

Donna Is offering 2 Giveaways! 

1 ebook copy of Darklands (World Wide)

1 print copy of Darklands (US Only)

 So say hi and follow these rules 

to enter the giveaway!

**RULES**

- Must  leave a comment for Donna (please me a meaningful one)

- Must leave a valid e-mail (please do not add your complete e-mail. we do not want it picked up by spammers. for Exp: leave DOT instead of . , or AT instead of @ ) 

- Must include what country you live in (exp: US, Canada) (So we make sure you get into the right giveaway)

**Giveaway ends Sun night ( 2-27 ) at Midnight, and I will announce the winners on the 28th . The winners  will just need to provide a valid email address.

DON'T forget to check out the other stops on the tour!

HERE