Notes from the Author – Esther Davis

Print on Demand Coming to Draft2Digital

With most of my writing time going towards that novel I keep promising, I realize the blog posts have become a bit scarce. So I figured I’d drop in few words about my favorite self-publishing service and their latest announcement.

All you self-publishing author out there, let me recommend Draft2Digital, an eBook publishing and distribution service. Having personally used both Amazon and Draft2Digital, I’m thrilled about Draft2Digital’s latest announcement: Draft2Digital is beta testing their new Print on Demand service.

Currently, Draft2Digital lets authors distribute their eBooks through a dozen different channels, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, OverDrive, and Google Play Books. Authors can set their book to any price, including $0 if they want to give their readers a freebie. Draft2Digital takes their cut as a percentage of your sales, which means no upfront cost for you.

Their partner site Books2Read allows authors to display their books alongside an author page. (Here’s mine.) Books2Read provides each book a “UBL”, or Universal Book Link, which links readers to their favorite eBook provider when purchasing your book. Draft2Digital and Books2Read turn both self-publishing and self-marketing into a seamless process.
Continue reading “Print on Demand Coming to Draft2Digital”

How To Eat An Elephant

I started writing seriously in junior high. I took creative writing classes, went to workshops with authors, and entered every creative writing contest I could. I spent several summers dedicated to writing stories and studying how to write. And I read. Lots.

I guess writing tends to run in the family, because my dad is an author, too. He got a degree in English Literature, wasn’t satisfied with what his English professors had taught him, and went on to find all of the how-to writing books I ended up studying. Any skill I have in writing I credit to him.

Continue reading “How To Eat An Elephant”

And Then 2018 Ended

You may have noticed a lack of blog posts this year–as in two posts on January 1st and a total of one posts for the next 11 months… :/ My lack of posting might be because of a near death experience. And life in general, like odd writing-related jobs and the constant bombardment of college course work. I don’t have a new story for you today sadly, but I will tell you about my insane year if you care to read.

Fiction hasn’t worked for me this year. I think Mr. Muse left on vacation last winter, lost his passport, and hasn’t found a way back into the country since. Not that Continue reading “And Then 2018 Ended”

eBooks on All Platforms!

Welcome to 2018, everyone! Hope you’ve had a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I just wanted write a quick update with some exciting news.

My ebooks won’t be limited to Kindle anymore. Thanks to Books2Read, you can now read them on Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Apple’s iTunes, Kobo, Scribd, 24 Symbols and many other platforms. Take a look:

Cover For A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon by Esther Davis

A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon

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Summoners

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B-4

A few of the services have discounts and/or free trials going on right now, so give it a try and you could get a few free ebooks out of the deal! Other books are coming soon, so I’ll keep you updated. Check out my Publications page for a complete list.

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Esther Davis writes family-friendly science fiction and fantasy. You can find more short stories in A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon and on her blog.

Support her writing with a cup of hot cocoa on ko-fi.com. Subscribe above (or below for you mobile users) and follow her on Twitter / Facebook / Instagram.

Thanks for reading!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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First off, thank you everyone for your support this past year! It’s been an adventure getting my first book published, and I’m extremely grateful to everyone who helped in anyway–whether by proofreading, spreading the word, or purchasing it yourself. As an author, I’m nothing without my readers. This time of year reminds me to be especially thankful for all of you.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I have published fewer short stories recently. That’s because I’ve turned my attention to a bigger writing project. I’m finishing a novel.

I’ve been working on this novel for several years. I won’t give away details here, but I might slip in some sneak peeks over the coming months. Stay tuned! With any luck, I’ll complete it by this time next year. Call it a pre-New Year’s resolution.

In the mean time, what about the blog?

That depends on you. You’re the reader, after all. What do you want to see most? Writing tips? Flash fiction? Novel sneak peeks? Book/movie reviews/analysis? Let me know, and I’ll try to focus there.

Thanks again! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! (And remember, no Christmas music until AFTER you carve the turkey. Or ostrich. Ostriches are tasty, too.)

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Esther Davis writes family-friendly science fiction and fantasy. For more updates, make sure to subscribe above (or below for you mobile users) and follow her on Twitter / Facebook / Instagram if you haven’t already.

You can find more short stories in A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon or offer Esther your support on ko-fi.com. (Hot cocoa all around!)

Thanks for reading!

Reign of Judges: Title of Liberty

Captain Moroni—“a strong and a mighty man…whose soul did joy in liberty and the freedom of his people.” When enemies from both home and abroad threatened to destroy that freedom, he rallied a war-torn nation to stand fast and defend their homeland.

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The tale of Captain Moroni (pronounced mo-ro-nigh) comes from The Book of Mormon, a book with 120 million copies worldwide, 5th best-selling book of all time, and the “4th Most Influential Book in America.” And now, Darin Southam—an experienced writer, actor, and director—wants to take it to the big screen.

Southam’s Reign of Judges: Title of Liberty Kickstarter campaign has already raised over $120,000 for a short concept film. He intends to make Captain Moroni’s story a full-blow war epic. But first, to raise the needed multi-million dollar budget, Southam is funding a short concept film via Kickstarter with a minimum goal of $150,000. If he can raise above the minimum goal, the money will go towards making the concept film just that more epic. Continue reading “Reign of Judges: Title of Liberty”

When “Just Write It” Doesn’t Work

“Just write it,” they said. “It’ll get easier once its on paper,” they said. Fine. You’ll just write it. But their advice isn’t working. Everything you write sounds like junk.

Time to dump your failed manuscript off the nearest bridge.

Or maybe you can hang onto that “failed manuscript” a moment longer, because I have a secret: Everyone’s first draft sounds like junk. Quit thinking that you’re some special failed-case. You can still be a great writer!

Writing is a process. “Just write it” is the first step, not the last. Once you understand the process, you can turn your “failed manuscript” into a story to be proud of.

Continue reading “When “Just Write It” Doesn’t Work”

It’s Here!

A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon is now available! Read 20+ science fiction, fantasy, and horror tales in Esther Davis’s new short story collection.

Buy on Amazon

Continue reading “It’s Here!”

B-4 Free on Amazon Kindle

Can you believe that in 8 days A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon comes out?! I might be a bit excited. (What? No, that wasn’t me that you saw shooting off fireworks and dancing on the rooftop last night…)

Anyway, as a finally countdown to A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon‘s release date, 1 of the 20 short stories–B-4–is free on Amazon Kindle this week. Make sure to download your own copy and tell your friends.

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B-4 on Amazon Kindle (free July 24th-28th)

Also, make sure to check back in tomorrow for another my July short story. You can subscribe above (below for you mobile users) or follow me on Twitter / Facebook / Instagram.

Two-Week Countdown

A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon releases in less than 2 weeks! I always hoped to publish a book, but never expected it to happen so soon. Thank you to my readers for all the support! I couldn’t have come this far without you.

In celebration, I’m sharing a sneak-peek at 4 of the 20 short stories in A Dog, 3 Cats, and a Dragon. Make sure to download the two Kindle ebooks while they’re free (“Summoners” this week and “B-4” next week). If you enjoy a story, please share it with a friend and/or leave a review.

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