I Thirst by Gina Marinello-Sweeney

I am delighted to announce Rivershore Book's newest published novel, I Thirst by Gina Marinello-Sweeney! (You may remember the interview we had with Gina earlier this year.)

The characters in this book are fun, random, and silly, yet have deeper sides to them. I found myself relating to each of them in different ways, and thoroughly enjoyed following their journeys as they dealt with the complexities of friendship and life. This is the first in a series of three, and I can't wait to read the rest! (Yes, that's a hint to the author...)

From the back cover:

When Rebecca receives a mysterious note from an unknown source, she has no idea how it will change her life. Twenty-year-old Rebecca Veritas is used to being different, but has never felt extraordinary. She is a Dreamer, living in a world of poetry intermixed with the antics of her unique family and eccentric best friend Adriana. When she meets Peter, a young student from Canada who seems somehow to understand her from the start, her perception changes. With "Intermission", the single word in that mysterious note, as inspiration, the two writers embark on an incredible journey to a new world in the form of a story that will ultimately parallel their own lives. Yet, as the story progresses, events remain ever more shrouded in mystery. When unexpected circumstances in the real world throw their lives in disarray, it will be up to Rebecca to find the true meaning of "Intermission" before the curtain closes on the final act.

       

This engaging story is available in paperback on Amazon for $12.99!

Learn more about the book and the author at www.ginamarinellosweeney.com, and feel free to "Like" her on Facebook!

Book Excerpt: Shrouded Jewels

Shrouded Jewels is available on Amazon, Lulu, the Nook, and Kindle.

      “Who are we spying on today?” Mical Benson asked, dropping to her knees on the floor beside her sister. They peered through the blinds of the massive dining room window.
     Mira shrugged. “I’ve never seen him before.”
     The dark-haired stranger walked up the long driveway to their front door. He was beyond out of place, as he stood next to their manicured lawn and perfectly trimmed bushes. His hair probably hadn’t seen a brush that morning, and his clothes—jeans and a button-up plaid shirt—were more appropriate for a day on a farm than a business meeting with their father.
     “Watch,” Mical said. “Dad will shoo him away. I wonder how he got through the front gate.”
     Mira didn’t respond.
     “Maybe Eduardo left it open.”
     “Oh, I hope not,” Mira said, with sudden concern for the security manager’s welfare.
     “This being your first offense,” Mical said, lowering her voice in a comical rendition of her father, “I won’t kill you. Cross me again…” She let the words linger.
     Mira shook her head. “Don’t joke, Mical.”
     Mical returned her gaze to the approaching young man. “Why is he here?” She watched his stride with a touch of—she didn’t know what. “You’ve at least got to admire his audacity.”

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Behind-the-Scenes: Book Formats

My brother refers to my novels as never-ending projects, because when I say, "I finished my book," that's not the end of the publishing journey. All that means is that the writing and editing portion is done.


What else is there? Formatting. Oh, and more formatting.


Both my novels (Shrouded Jewels and Forgotten Memories) are available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover formats. By the time I'm actually done with a novel, I have reformatted it five different times. Six, if you count both hardcover versions--but those are (thankfully) very similar to each other.


Paper Size and Margins


Before I put even one word on paper, I adjust Word's normal settings to fit my book. Since I start with paperback, I change the size of the pages to 5 x 8, and adjust the margins according to CreateSpace's guidelines (for mine, .75 inside and at least .25 outside, top, and bottom). 


For hardcover I use Lulu, but if you find a cheaper option, please let me know! My goal is always to offer my books at the lowest possible price. The typical trade size of hardcover is 6 x 9, so that requires adjusting the page sizes once more. (I wait until the paperback version is finished to begin this.)


Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords (which will make your book available in various ebook formats, including PDF for computer viewing) require regular formatting: 8.5 x 11. That is Word's default size, so you may find that selecting the entire document (ctrl+a) and copy/pasting (ctrl+c, ctrl+v) into a Notepad, then copy/pasting into a new Word will be simplest. This will strip all the formatting, so if you rely on italicizing as I do, changing the size in the current document is better.


Fonts and Sizes 


The fonts and sizes are personal preference. The following is what I use:


Content: 10 pt, Bookman Old Style
Chapter Titles: 20 pt, Garamond, italicized
Title: 45 pt, Garamond, italicized
Title page, 'by': 16 pt, Garamond
Title page, author name: 20 pt, Garamond, italicized
Thank Yous (cover models and photographer): 10 pt, Bookman Old Style, italicized
Copyright Information: 9 pt, Bookman Old Style
Acknowledgments & Dedication: 10 pt, Bookman Old Style
Page Numbers: 14 pt, Garamond
Headings: 14 pt, Garamond, italicized

If you're skipping print, as many authors do, the fonts and sizes in ebooks do not transfer. Ebook readers often give the reader the option to change the font, color, and size to fit their own preferences. Stick to 12 pt, Times New Roman or another system font to avoid complications.

Section Breaks


Regardless which format you use, section breaks are important. These start new pages, and can change the headings and page numbers from one page to the next. They are a complex subject, and this post is already long, but there are helpful guides available on CreateSpace, Smashwords, Kindle, and Nook.


Page Numbers and Headings


Ebook formats do not have page numbers or headings, since devices don't read based on page.


Special to Ebooks


Since ebook formats are clickable, you'll want to create a linked Table of Contents. There are handy instructions for how on Smashwords, Kindle, and Nook.


What Formats Are There?


I said above I reformat my novels six times.

1. Paperback (CreateSpace--which is connected to Amazon)
2. Hardcover, casewrap (Lulu)
3. Hardcover, dust-jacket (Lulu. The only difference between this and 2 is that the author bio goes on the dust jacket instead of in the last pages of the book.)
4. Kindle (CreateSpace has a helpful link for this once your book is in paperback, but you can also access it directly on Amazon.)
5. Nook (Barnes & Noble)
6. All other ebook formats (Smashwords)

My belief is that the more options I can give readers, the better, but it's up to you how you'd like to do it.


Yes, it's a lot. No, it isn't never-ending. I am happy to say I am done, really and truly, with both my novels. You can be, too.


Not sure where to start? Read about why I chose CreateSpace.


Formatting can be frustrating. I'm always here to answer questions. If you're at the point of giving up, I would be happy to format your book for a small fee. Visit Rivershore Books to learn more, or email me for a personalized quote.