My New Blog

I've been wanting to start a writing blog for a long time, and the new year seemed to be the best time to do it. I now present: Laura's Books and Blogs where I will post essays on various topics along with guest posts from other writers.

I look forward to having a space to blog about whatever is on my mind at any given time and to have an online portfolio of writing samples and links to share with others.

Feel free to leave me a comment, or contact me if you are interested in submitting a guest post. Guidelines are posted on the site.

I Won the SIA Short Story Contest

I entered Support for Indie Authors' short story contest for December and was named one of the winners. My story, "Three Sisters, Santa, and A Billboard," is a dark comedy which will be posted here . Be sure to check out their next short story contest, a mystery story contest this time. Winners receive their choice of one of two advertising packages plus the publication of their story. Guidelines are posted in the link above.

Guest Post on Leonard Tillerman's Website

Check out my guest post on author Leonard Tillerman's website. In it, I discuss how to catch continuity errors in fiction writing. I'm hoping this is one of many guest posts that I will be promoting in the future. Besides guest posts, Tillerman also posts his own writing advice, book reviews, and author spotlights. Be sure to check it out!

http://leonardtillerman.com/category/guest-posts/

Little Free Library Project

This summer I have been visiting Little Free Libraries in my area and dropping off old copies of my books inside. Included in each copy is a sticker asking for readers to review the book online if they enjoyed it and to pass it on to other readers. I've also included my homemade book mark so that they can easily find my other books to purchase. Middle grade sales are hard to make on Kindle so this feels like a good place to reach my target audience and get rid of some of my old books with the amateur covers. If you happen to find one of my books inside a Little Free Library, let me know!

The Kindle Book Review Spring Fling Giveaway - Closed

The Kindle Book Review offers a paid service to indie authors to help promote their books and social media by hosting the Spring Fling Giveaway. My book, Saving Hascal's Horrors was featured in this year's giveaway. Participants could earn additional entries for Amazon prizes by following me on Twitter. As a result, my Twitter followers doubled in the course of a few weeks. Check out the rules and results of this years's giveaway here:

https://www.thekindlebookreview.net/2018-spring-fling-giveaway/

Gift Card Giveaway! - Closed

Read My Books, Win a Gift Card...

How it works: Buy any one of my books on Amazon, either hard copy or Kindle. Read the book (or give it to a young reader to read and tell you what they thought). Post an honest review on Amazon. Send me your name, address, and the link to the review at my email below. You will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. The more who enter, the more gift cards I will give away (one for every 25 entries). You earn one entry for every book that you purchase and review (up to three per person).

This promotion runs from now through November 30th. The winner’s name will be announced on Saturday, December 1, 2018. Please share with everyone you know. Good luck!

Links to buy:

The Stable House

In 1995, 11-year-old Heidi’s world is turned upside down when her house burns down weeks after starting junior high, but while staying at a temporary house while hers is rebuilt, she meets two girls who help steer her through her new life, both in and outside of school.

Saving Hascal’s Horrors

Ten-year-old Mike Hascal and his friends try to solve an old missing person’s case in order to save his family’s horror shop.

The Castle Park Kids

As the new kids on the block, Jamie and her brother and sister spend the summer making new friends, playing games, going on adventures, and learning how to be independent in their new neighborhood.

Entering: Send your submissions along with any questions to me at lsmith335@yahoo.com . Title “Gift Card Giveaway + Your Name” as the subject of your message.

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