People are People are People, No Matter From Where They Come

     One thing I have found true in my life from the small amount of travel I have done outside of the United States, is that at their core, people are basically the same.  Sure, they may have different color skin, wear different clothing, eat different food, live in different houses, share different customs, but they are not all that different.  Everyone longs to belong and be loved.

     The human spirit, no matter where it resides in the world can overcome great obstacles, rising above seemingly insurmountable odds.  At other times, it may sink in despair having been seemingly beaten by life's circumstances.  The circumstances each must face can vary drastically depending on where a person is born; however, the spirit within remains the same in so many ways.  Humanity loves to laugh, to be a part of something, to learn, to grow, to excel.





     The amazing technological world that we live in is the reason my thoughts have returned to this fact.  We are thrilled to have welcomed people from all over the world to our blog.  I'm sure to many our numbers may seem small, but each person matters, no matter their country, their circumstance, their culture.













     We thank you for choosing to take even a small moment of your life to spend with us.  Time is precious to us all.  We hope you have enjoyed your short stay.



     I will continue to update this post as new countries are represented on the website.  Invite your friends from around the world to join us!





     Just for fun, we would love it if you would leave a comment below with your name, your country and a little bit about yourself.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 



 

United States 

Germany 

United Kingdom 

Netherlands 

Sweden

Canada 

Poland

Ukraine

Australia

Moldova 

Saint Lucia 

New Zealand 

Philippines
Russia 

Indonesia 

Denmark

China

India 

France

Japan

Kazakhstan
Kenya
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
Brazil
Spain
Malaysia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Trinidad and Tobago
Italy
Macedonia [FYROM]
Chile
Nigeria
Romania
Finland
Lithuania
Hungary
Greece
Vietnam
Egypt
Colombia
Ghana
Portugal
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Barbados
Ireland
Pakistan

Belgium
Venezuela
Madagascar
Israel
Norway
United Arab Emirates
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Qatar
Belarus
Slovenia
Algeria

Antigua & Barbuda
Thailand
Serbia
Singapore
Austria
Suriname
Uruguay
Slovakia
Argentina
Georgia

                                                                       
           Locations of Guiamo Chronicles Blog Visitors

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

Country count: 69

Updated: 12/11/15

Venturing Into the Writing and Publishing World? You Need to Read This!

     Nearly a year ago when I began helping to market the Guiamo Chronicles,  I started with a crash course on blogging and Twitter.  Facebook I pretty well understood.  Twitter was a foreign land and blogging looked fun but confusing.  As I stumbled along I met many people glad to lend a helping hand.  I also ran across many articles that helped me tremendously.  Things that seem second nature once you've been on Twitter for awhile can be very baffling to start.  Lists are wonderful tool, for example, but I had no idea how to use them.

     Most sites such as Twitter, Hootesuite, and Blogger have tutorials, but let's face it, most of us don't take the time to read them.  It's on our to do list that never really gets done.  Time is a precious commodity, especially in my case as a mother of six children trying to help her husband.  Because of this, the kind people who passed along their knowledge made a huge difference.  I'm still learning but I've come  along way.

     As a way to say thanks to those whose help made a difference, I wanted to pass along their posts that helped me on my journey.  Below you will find articles on everything from Twitter etiquette (and yes, I made some mistakes) to using YouTube to your advantage as a writer. I hope it will encourage and help others who may feel a bit lost as I did.  

Articles Discussing Publishing & Writing Related Issues

• Press Releases, Part II (link to Part I in article) - shared by Cate Russell- Cole 
• Six Things You Should Be Including in Your EBook (and Probably Aren't) 
• Facebook Groups for Indie Authors - Cate Russell-Cole
• From the archives: Tolkien’s Top 10 Tips for Writers.  shared by @LiterateIndy
• Secrets to Getting Your Book Into Libraries 
• 50 Best Websites for Indie Authors shared by @GodfreyKnaggs
• 46 Top Websites to Promote Your Book for Free
• Great list of blogs discussing books for boys! compliments of @MaggieLyons
• YouTube for Writers: 5 Tips to Tap Into A BILLION Unique Users shared by @angee

Articles Giving  Information on Twitter Basics

• "Drowning in Tweets: A struggling author tries to understand Twitter." - Scott D. Southard
•  44 Essential Twitter Hashtags Every Author Should  Know - Caitlin Muir, @scribblinghappy
• 0 - 4000 in a Snap! How to Build a Quality Twitter Following FAST - Molly Greene
• Article on Bitly and Creating Short Links - Annette Mackey
• 6 Essential Twitter Tools to Find and Connect With Influencers - shared by Molly Greene
• A beginners guide to Hootsuite shared by @GodfreyKnaggs
• How to use HootSuite for Social Listening by @Mike_allton
• Tool to create multi-regional URL's for your books- compliments of @KUForum

Articles Regarding Reviews - How, How Not To and Where to Find Reviewers

• A list of review sites that will review self-published books, from TheIndieView. - shared by @SelfPubBkCovers
•  How to Get Your Book Reviewd - Molly Greene
• 5 Tips for Approaching Reviewers (from an AMZN Hall of Fame Reviewer) 

Articles Regarding Blog Tours & Blogs/Websites

• How to Run a Blog Tour - Beth Barany
• Why your ‘about’ page is completely wrong shared by @GodfreyKnaggs
• How to sell books from your website: ecommerce solutions shared by @GodfreyKnaggs
• Ch 4.8 Get Thee A Mailing List

     Do you remember when you first started using Twitter or blogging?  Do you have a funny story or something that has helped you to pass along?  If so, we'd love to hear it.  Please take a few minutes to leave a comment below.  Twitter is a wonderful community.  I hope you enjoy your stay!

A New Meeting Place for Readers and Writers

     Many times in life, our job is just that - work.  It's a joy when our vocation can intersect with our passion.  Today, I'd like to introduce you to someone who has taken something they enjoy immensely and created an enterprise of sorts from that love.  I ran across Paul Martin in the twitter-verse one day as he was preparing to launch his new endeavor. He has been very kind in helping us present Guiamo Chronicles to a new group of readers.  If you're looking for a place for readers to connect with new writers, spend a few minutes with me while I talk to Paul regarding Self Publisher's Showcase.

~Thanks for taking the time to spend a few minutes sharing with us about Self Publishers Showcase. 

Anytime, Tracey. Thanks for having me; it certainly makes a pleasant change to be answering the questions.

~First, can you tell our readers a little about yourself and your background.

I’m a ‘thirtysomething’ married, father of 5 very hyperactive youngsters. My background, for the most part, is rooted in luxury hospitality in both the UK and the US. It may not be immediately clear how I have managed to end up where I am now(even to me) but I have always had a deep love of the written word; it was only always a matter of time before I found myself doing something in the world of literature. When I’m not Showcasing the work of a fantastically talented group of Authors I can also occasionally be found working with many author’s ‘elixir of life’ through a great Artisan Coffee Start-up in ‘eightpointnine’. Definitely worth a look for any UK based readers. 

~Transforming an idea into an actual product or organization takes time.  Can you share with us some of the background of Self Publisher’s Showcase and what inspired you?

This really should be the part where I explain the months, if not years, of arduous preparation. But it really hasn’t been that way. Around 12 months ago I found myself in conversation with a few authors whose work I had enjoyed, through  social media. I then approached a close friend in Steve Taylor-Bryant at The Cult Den.com about the possibility of doing some interviews with these authors, that could then be published on his site. Having enjoyed the experience immensely and seeing the positive reactions of my author friends I set about coming up with a way to do this on a grander, all-encompassing scale. The idea for The Showcase was finalized after a period of brainstorming and went from the ideas stage to the launch stage in a relatively short space of time.

~There are many sites on the web offering publicity for authors.  What sets Self Publisher’s Showcase apart from all the rest?

I had a clear idea in my head from the outset of how I wanted the site to work. Luckily working on the site myself has fortunately allowed me to keep incredibly close to these ideals. Other sites that I’ve visited have in my opinion always fallen down in 2 or 3 areas: A lack of good, fresh content, a lack of personality and most notably the ability to take what should be a clean and simple platform and turn it into a jumbled mixture that can turn finding something of interest to you into a kind of scavenger hunt...

The Showcase, to me at least says: Great original content – Whether it’s Interviews, Reviews, Short Fiction etc. A constant helpful presence; if you need us for anything we are always at hand. And, an easy to navigate site; If you come to us looking for something new in Fantasy to get your teeth into it won’t take you half a day to find what you are looking for.

 ~I know you represent many authors, but if you had to pick three stories that have personally intrigued you from the books that you offer, what would they be?

I’m going to cheat here and tell you about four, though in fairness one book predates the Showcase so maybe we can just pretend that it’s three after all? Firstly, I’ve always been a big Fantasy reader so it’s no great surprise that the first couple are Fantasy books. Before the Showcase was launched I came across ANGST from DavidPedersen, an author we are now lucky enough to feature on the site. The main character is a middle-aged, reluctant hero and the story is to this day one of my absolute favourites. 

Secondly I was immediately intrigued by Marshall Best’s GUIAMO novels (someone I think you may be familiar with). The story shows such commitment to research and weaves fiction with legend seamlessly. In fact I am currently around two-thirds of the way through Cumoro, the second book in the planned 9 book series as we speak.

Moving out of Fantasy, my third choice would be DEAD WEST, a Weird Western / Zombie mash-up that is the start of what promises to be a very interesting series, co-written by Tim Marquitz, J.M. Martin and Kenny Soward. 

Finally, well out of my comfort zone, I recently picked up a copy of James Knight’s HEAD TRAUMAS and I have to say, the intrigue paid off in a big way. It is not something I would normally have read, and for me that just goes to prove what we are trying to achieve here at The Showcase. It really does pay to try something different every now and again, you really do find some absolute gems.

~What can readers expect to find when they visit your site?

If everyone sees the site as I do, and I really hope they do, they’ll find a plethora of fantastic authors across a multitude of genres. Many incredibly open and honest interviews, book reviews, original short fiction and giveaways. We’ve also just this week added a new section to the site. Some of our authors are utilising crowd funding to get amazing projects off the ground, so we’ve now made it possible for our readers to get involved without any hassle. There are some great incentives on offer and it goes without saying, any donations are greatly appreciated by our authors. All of this is presented in what we consider to be a fresh and well-designed platform; easy to navigate and a great place to visit time and time again.

~What are your goals with Self Publisher’s Showcase?  What will make you look back with satisfaction knowing you have succeeded in what you set out to do?

My goals, for all of the right reasons, are constantly being reassessed. I started with the modest goal of hoping to make a difference in perhaps 1 or 2 author’s daily lives. Perhaps helping increase sales and my work was done? Now though, with the constant stream of positive feedback, I just want to take the training wheels off and see how far I can take us. Every day the interest grows as more and more authors take the step to be pro-active and join us on our exciting journey. I would love to sit here in 5 or 10 years time and tell you how hundreds of authors have found their audience through the work The Self-Publisher’s Showcase has done. In fact, that’s a goal, right? Pencil that interview in 5 years from now. Easier questions though...

~Is this a one man show?  If not, who else is involved?

It is to a degree... The day to day running of the site, the interviewing, the social accounts, the back and forth between the site and our fabulous authors is all me. But then I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m lucky enough to be involved in something I’m very passionate about and hopefully that comes across with everyone who interacts with The Showcase. That said, I’m also lucky enough to have a very dedicated review team in place already in James [Fox], Reece [Jones] and Matthew [Cunliffe]. As the site continues to grow I’m sure that there will come a time where I have to lessen the role I play in some aspects of the site, I’m just not ready to hand over too much of my baby right now.

~If you’re looking for a place to discover new books and new authors, take a moment and head over to Self Publisher’sShowcase.  Thanks Paul for taking the time to talk with us!

My absolute pleasure, Tracey. If you’re reading this, do pop by and say ‘Hello’, it’s always great to hear from anyone with an interest in what we are trying to achieve. If anyone has any questions at all about what we do I can be reached directly via paul(at)selfpublishershowcase(dot)com or via twitter @selfpubshowcase.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Suggestions for Some Great #FridayReads

Are you looking for something new to read, something new to discover?  Let me introduce you to a few authors we have run across on our new journey in marketing Marshall's books.  And of course, please take a moment to read about Guiamo Chronicles as well!  The links below will take you to the authors' Amazon pages; however, many have e-books available through Smashwords as well for those who do not own a Kindle.  So grab a seat, stay awhile and maybe you'll find your next favorite author!


Brian Rathbone is a horse trainer turned author and creator of The World of Godsland fantasy series, which includes Call of the Herald, Inherited Danger, Dragon Ore, Regent, Feral, and Regal. He is also the author of the Sam Flock novels, a paranormal adventure series that begins with Lure.

Michael R. Hicks is a top selling science fiction author. Born in 1963, Michael Hicks grew up in the age of the Apollo program and spent his youth glued to the television watching the original Star Trek series and other science fiction movies, which continue to be a source of entertainment and inspiration.

Alon Shalev lives and writes in two worlds. His first epic fantasy novel, At The Walls Of Galbrieth, won the 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Award - YA Category and was a Grand Prize Finalist. The sequel, The First Decree, was released in March 2013, and the third book in the series, Ashbar, is expected in October.


That's all for now....check back in the morning and I'll add some more.

Well, it's not the morning.....it's 11:00 p.m. but that's how life goes with a family.  If you would like to see me repeat this post next Friday with other authors, please leave a comment below.  It is amazing to me how many talented writers there are out there.  It would take a lifetime or more to read them all.  We all have different tastes and if Guiamo isn't your preference, we'd like to connect you with another author you may enjoy.  Below are a few more authors you might want to try.  Happy reading!


Oskar's Garden by Fresno Parker
In 1924, a veteran who has served with Marek's father in the Polish/Soviet war of 1920 comes to stay at the family boarding house near Chicago. Nobody realizes the man has a hidden agenda that isn't revealed until long after his death.

Years pass, and Marek learns that the veteran has left an inheritance. He only has to travel to Poland with the veterans ashes to receive it. It seems so easy on the surface, but Marek learns that Oskar has left a village of dark secrets and a toubled past behind.

Marek Zemple stands to gain more than he could have imagined if he has the courage to do what is right against all odds. An enigmatic young woman, a ruthless Polish general, and the invasion of the Nazi's are just a few of the obstacles he must face.

Finbar's Fiddle by Silas Champion

What happened after the cow jumped over the moon?

Well a lot. And most of it never made it into the book of rhymes. Which is exactly what Eleven-year-old Dallas McAllister discovers when she wakes up one morning dangling from a giant willow tree. Rescued by a fiddling cat named Finbar, Dallas makes her way through the land looking for Mother Goose.

With her knowledge of the rhymes, Dallas becomes famous for "knowing" the future. But when Old King Cole sends her deep into the Far Forest to rescue Humpty Dumpty, Dallas needs more than rhymes to stay alive. After all, Mother Goose never wrote anything about giant trolls and hungry wolves. How can a girl from Nebraska and fiddling cat do what all the king's men could not?

Silas Champion takes us on a merry romp through the nursery rhymes of Mother Goose. We follow Dallas as she learns there is more to these old rhymes than she ever suspected. There is more to Dallas as well.

The Art of the Knuckle Sandwich: Learning to get back up when life knocks you down
by Mr. Ricky M. Hansen Jr.
Not at all what you would expect from the title, this story has to deal with battling depression, learning from life lessons and overcoming.  Check it out!  And a Knuckle Sandwich won't be what you expect.  I'm' looking forward to reading this someday.


Well, it's late, so we'll end it there.  If you end up trying one of these authors and enjoy them, please come back, comment and let us know.  Are you looking for books in a specific genre?  Let me know that too and I'll try to find ones to fit your interests.

In addition to these, please stop on over and visit the Self Publishers Showcase where you can find many other independent authors with great books.  We'll be talking to Paul Martin, founder of the site, in the weeks to come.