It's Free!

As my experimentation with KDP select approaches it ending days, I am offering the ebook version of Second Chance for FREE on Amazon.com from March 1 to March 3, 20013. Please leave me a review and/or rate my book. Thank you lots!

Career Day

Hello everyone. It's been a while. Time to focus again.

I had a wonderful experience of being one of the guest speakers at Community School of Excellence (CSE) in St. Paul for their middle school's career day. As I was looking for parking, my car got stuck in slush. Three wonderful staffs from the school helped me out and I made it to the school on time. I had to share this because as I was trying to free my car, all I could think about was: this is not happening!

The slush

I didn't know what to expect really. I had an outline but after the introductions, I just answered questions--not so bad.

CSE superintendent, Mo Chang was welcoming and we had a good chat over lunch at the school. I gave her an autographed book and she offered to purchased six of my paperback books!

CSE superintendent, Mo Chang, and me.

Sorry about the photo. I only had my phone with me.

During lunch, inspirational speaker and comedian, Tou Ger Xiong stopped by to say hello.

I also met reporter, Boua Xiong and Choua Vang from Girl Scouts. Though today was a career day for the students of CSE, it was also a career day for me as well. Taking every opportunity to learn from my mistakes, business cards are a must for events like this!

Thank you Shoua and Chente for inviting me to join CSE's career day. It was quite the experience.

Happy Holidays Everyone

I like free stuff. Especially during the holiday season. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm offering the ebook version of my novel Second Chance for FREE on Amazon.com Monday, December 24 to Tuesday, December 25. I only ask that you leave a review for my book. Thank you and have a wonderful Holiday!!

Trying Something...

As of today, Second Chance is no longer available on Barnes and Noble. I'm trying something new-- enlisting my book on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) select program for the next three months. In order to do this, I must make my ebook available exclusively through Amazon. I have been taking Second Chance off other ebook stores so if you don't see it for your reading device, I apologize. After three months, I'll see how things go. Please check back here for updates or visit my Facebook page: Novelist Ong Xiong.

Second Chance is also available in paperback on:
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Ong-Xiong/dp/1480250325/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354654757&sr=8-2&keywords=ong+xiong
and
Createspace.com: https://www.createspace.com/3959566

I apologize for any inconvenience.

Ong

More Mistakes I've Made...

And more things I've learned.

1. I've learned publishing is a b****! Yes, it's very exciting. When I saw my book available on Barnes and Noble and Amazon, I jumped up and down, screeching like a craze woman--at work. I love it. Don't get me wrong, I'm doing this because I love it. I get to see my work on ebookstores and I'm ecstatic.

But self-publishing is hard and lonely at times. If writing was a lonely endeavor, self-publishing is its evil twin. I get to meet new people and I've learned so much. But if you are not used to meeting new people and meeting new people make you feel awkward, well, tough sh*t. Networking is key. Talking to people is a must. It is no longer a solo endeavor. You have editors, designers, publishers, distributors, buyers--it's a business. I'm still learning how to communicate effectively.

2. DO NOT edit when you are under the influence of sleep deprivation  You never know what you're going to discover in the morning. Yep. I did this. I laugh now but it wasn't so funny when I approved my book for publication only to discover I wrote one word and meant another. Yeah. Not too bright. After discovering my error and hyperventilating with my poor husband all concerned, I decided to turn it into a contest and post it on my Facebook. If you are curious, check out my Facebook page: Novelist Ong Xiong.

3. Ahhh, talking about editing in Zombie mode--it doesn't hurt to contact your editor again and have someone else take a fresh look at your work. Sometimes, I feel like throwing my computer across the room and yell all sorts of mean things at it. It's not my computer's fault I meant "inconvenient" instead of "incontinent."

4. Take a break. That's what I need to do. I'm so stressed with getting my book to print and promotions that I can't think straight. I open up my file to work on my next story and I have no idea how to continue. I need a break--go back to doing what I love to do and take a break for a few weeks. Perhaps it'll help me get back on track. Well see. This is one of those things I know I must do, I need to do and am too stubborn to do. But, I am awake enough to realize I need to do this. So if you don't see a post for a few weeks, I'm taking a break.

5. Be nice to your significant other. After all is said and done, after reviews and sales reports, after publishing and celebrations, your significant other is the one who will tell you your story is good and your work is well worth it. It's one thing to have positive affirmations, to believe in yourself and your dreams. It is another to be able to cry in someone's arms and let them baby you. Sometimes, you just need that comfort to get you back on your feet so that you can battle another day.

6. Writing. Aside from the technical aspects--you know, grammar and all--I've learned writing is subjective. How you write, what you say, how you say it, is so you. I've had people tell me they can picture me telling them the story. Well, yeah. I know. It should. I'm the person who wrote it. I'm telling the story. You are going to hear me throughout the story because it is my writing. What I don't want is all my characters to be the same or have them speak the same. I want to bring life to the characters in the story, give them a language of their own, let them tell you their story through me. After my sister read the first draft of my second novel, she commented that the female protagonists was similar to Sue from Second Chance. Yikes. Back to the drawing board and lets take care of that! Leave me constructive criticism. I'm always willing to listen.

7. I've learned writing is a journey and it doesn't stop when you publish. When I started writing, seriously writing, to finish my manuscript, I didn't think I would be here, blogging about my self-published novel or my writing. There are so many outlets out there to get your work out to people that you no longer have to wait for others to give you the green light. Take charge of your journey. I'll check back in a year and write how this journey is going for me. In the mean time, write.

I think that's good for now. More mistakes to come, I'm sure. More leaning, too, I'm sure. Until next time, read a good book. I got my iBooks back on my phone so I can finally finish the book I started months ago. Good reading all!

Second Chance is available in PRINT

Phew! Finally! After more editing, formatting, designing, reformatting, and some more head-breaking editing, Second Chance is available in paperback on Amazon.com and CreateSpace.com for $12.95.

This project has been fun, exciting, frustrating, stressful, and the source of my current distress. In the end, I can hold onto my proof and smile proudly.

I am a proud mamma of four, LOL. 

For ordering:

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Ong-Xiong/dp/1480250325/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353682236&sr=8-2&keywords=ong+xiong

CreateSpace.com: https://www.createspace.com/3959566

Until next time, good reading!

Deal extended

Second Chance is still being offered for $.99 on Amazon and Barnes and Noble until Monday, December 3, 2012!

Please help me spread the word.