The last few weeks have been such a joy with the release of my book, The Man Test. I'm so grateful for the outpouring of support and the incredible feedback I've received from readers and reviewers. I want to take this blog time to say a special thank you to those who have made this publishing experience a happy one.
Thank you:
Joe (and Lani)
Chantell
Jessica
Danielle
Sara
Heather
Lori, my mom
Merene
Michelle
Lauran
Carine
Ellen
Rachel S.
Rachel A.
Cory
Dionne
Michiko
Michael
Jennifer
Peri
Amoreena
Antonio
And thank you to the awesome bloggers on the tour:
Julie Valerie's Book Blog
Bookish Diversion
Little Johanne Book World
A Drip of Truth
Laurie Here
Book Loving Mom
Evie Bookish
Best ChickLit
Connect with Chicklit Club
Frances O Thomas
Chosen By You Book Club
Happy Tails and Tales
Kit ‘N Kabookle
Thanks again everyone! And don't forget to enter my new release giveaway. It ends soon!
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Saturday, April 19, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
The Man Test Blog Tour & Giveaway!
You can check out at:
Kindle
Kobo
Nook
Amazon
Smashwords
Even though I am SUPER excited (and relieved) that the book is out, I'm even more excited about the Blog Tour and Giveaway. Stop by the following blogs between March 25th-April 10th. Don't for get to enter the giveaway for this cool prize: A Lolita Flirtini Martini Glass!- Enter Below!
The Man Test Blog Tour Dates
Tuesday, March 25th
| Connect with Chicklit Club |
Thursday, March 27th
Friday, March 28th
Saturday, March 29th
Monday, March 31st
Wednesday, April 2nd
Thursday, April 3rd
Friday, April 4th
Saturday, April 5th
Monday, April 7th
Tuesday, April 8th
Wednesday, April 9th
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Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Meet My Publisher
That's not all . . . I'm also a co-owner of this new publisher. It was magical the way it started. I LOVE publishing. I mean, I'm CRAZY about it. When I decided to take my destiny in my own hands and publish my first novel, I knew I wanted to create an actual publisher. However, I didn't think I could do anything with it until much later in my life.
Then, my friends and fellow authors, Sara Panek and Heather Hildenbrand, decided to partner with me and start the company. Since then it has been an incredible whirlwind. It's amazing the synergy the three of us have together. Everything seemed to be aligned. In fact, when we got our LLC agreement notarized, there was a card holder on the front desk with little elephant heads on each end. A clear sign it was meant to be.
Elephantine is open for business! Learn more below and don't forget to buy the first Elephantine novel, The Man Test, on March 25th.
While sharing marketing tips and discussing cover art, independent authors Amanda Aksel, Heather Hildenbrand, and Sara Panek all came to the same conclusion; wouldn’t it be great if there was a publishing house that offered all the resources of traditional publishing, while still allowing the creative freedom of independent publishing? They set out to create their vision, and Elephantine Publishing was born.
Elephantine is a collaborative publisher. Our goal is to partner with you to turn your love of writing into a successful career for years to come. We work side by side with our authors through every step of the publishing process to create a unique and professional title to share with the world. Using strategic marketing, we provide our authors with industry tools and resources to build readership and grow sales.
Our aim is simple. We seek to provide access to all stories worth telling, whether or not the words fit into a neatly labeled box. Words that resonate in your bones. Stories you’ll never forget.
Connect with Elephantine Publishing at www.elephantinepublishing.com
Twitter: @ElephantinePub
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The Man Test- Cover Reveal and Giveaway
Get Your Copy of The Man Test on March 25th
&
Enter The Giveaway Below!
The Man Test by Amanda Aksel
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Elephantine Publishing
Cover Design: Jessica Rose Goldner Bowman
Marin Johns is San Francisco’s Pollyanna couples therapist. She’s months away from wedded bliss when she discovers her fiancé is having an affair. After nursing her broken heart with Kleenex and break-up songs, she adopts a new brand of thinking when she uncovers a tell-all book that proves all men are liars and cheaters who will do and say anything so they’re not found out. No exceptions.
In an attempt to convince her friends of her newfound truth, she begins a fictitious relationship with James, a do-gooder from Montana. Marin seeks any means necessary to catch him cheating from hiring a PI to enlisting the help of a fidelity tester. Will her new "boyfriend" beat the statistic or will Marin regret the satisfaction of being right?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amandaaksel
Twitter: @amandaaksel
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Saturday, February 22, 2014
Make Money. Change The World.
 |
| Eric Michael Pearson Photography |
1. Make Money
2. Change The World
In one way or another, if you're a driven professional who cares about others, then this list is likely the subtext of your usual "to do lists". This wonderful slogan comes from my new OBSESSION Marie Forleo.
Hope you don't mind, but you're going to get the full story of how this amazing woman has helped my life and my business in just a few days.
So, I'm crazy about this new quinoa salad recipe I discovered at Elizabeth Rider's site. Us non-dairy pescatarians have to find our flavors somewhere. It's delicious! (see below for the recipe link)
ANYWAY . . . I was browsing her site, and I stumbled on a page where she was talking about B- School and how if you're an entrepreneur you HAVE TO GO TO B-School (B stands for Business). I thought it was something Elizabeth offered, but it brought me to a site for guess who? Marie Forleo!!
I put in my name and email, and before I knew it I had watched 90 minutes worth of amazing information. Marie's story really resonated with me because she started off on the NYSE, and even though she had a nice future ahead of her, she decided she wanted to do something more creative that could help others. She experimented with diverse work until she came into coaching. Now she's making money and changing the world.
Why do I relate to her story? I currently work as a financial advisor, but my dream is to write my stories and get them into the hands of the women who want and need them. Not to mention helping other authors learn the biz and live their dream of being a full-time author.
When I finished the videos I was so inspired, and I wanted to go to B-School. Then I discovered she had a scholarship program, which I applied for by making my first youtube video ever! You can check it out below.
Between gettin' shit done, I've been glued to MarieTV. Marie's videos are funny, entertaining, and full of wisdom for your business and your life! I've been so inspired and learned a ton, so I wanted to share my top five take aways so far.
1. Everything is Figureoutable
- So what if you haven't done it before, you can and WILL figure it out.
2. It's not about what you know or sell, its how you position and package it.
- I don't know exactly how to implement this into my business, but I'm hoping B-School will show me.
3. ( In a Jersey Accent) If you're tawkin to everybody, you're tawkin to nobody.
-Narrow your audience, customer, or market to a very specific niche. You become the expert and grow in your success.
4. If you don't want to schedule it, you probably don't want to do it.
-If it's important don't wait, do it NOW . . .okay that was from an earlier blog, but at least put it on the calendar.
5.The world needs that special gift that only you have. (My favorite)
- No additional commentary needed.
If you're looking to grow your business or within your industry, please check out Marie Forleo. You'll be glad you did.
Learn more about Marie Forleo here and click here to join B-school.
Yummy Quinoa Salad Recipe from Elizabeth Rider
Saturday, February 8, 2014
The Man Test Cover Shoot
That's right The Man Test will be officially released on March 25th! The cover reveal is just around the corner so stay tuned.
If you're asking yourself why I bothered to get professional shots of a martini glass for my cover when there are so many stock photos with similar concepts, the answer is because it's ORIGINAL.
I worked with Jessica Rose Goldner-Bowman, an incredibly talented graphic artist, on this cover concept. Jessica is the designer of my branding, and I was thrilled when she agreed to design my cover. The concept not only had to work for this book, but it had to translate to my future book covers. After all, The Man Test is the first in a four part series. After brainstorming the perfect concept, we finally agreed to keep it simple, but make it fun. 
I want to say a big THANK YOU to Jessica. You are amazing to work with, and I'm so excited to share The Man Test cover with the world.
Don't forget to stay tuned for the final cover. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
More on the Cover Artist:
Jessica Rose Goldner-Bowman
Jessica is a Panamanian native born in Australia who now
calls Virginia Beach, VA home and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She
believes that a well-executed idea has the power to change the world and is
passionate about using design to mobilize change.
As a solution seeker, idea junkie and creative machine, her
innovative mojo always runs parallel to market research and results. Jessica is
a graduate of Virginia Tech, where she earned dual degrees in visual design and
communication.
EXPERTISE:
Creative Thinking, Graphic Design, Marketing Strategy,
Copywriting, Photography, Illustration & Printing.
To learn more about Jessica Rose Goldner-Bowman and her beautiful designs visit: http://jessicarosecreative.com
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
A Risk Worth Taking with Heather Hildenbrand
With a cast of lovable characters, A Risk Worth Taking proves that a family is what you make it. This story is told by both Summer and Ford and makes for a steamy read. Sparks fly between the two and they're constantly drawn together like magnets. Ford's stay is only temporary, which is initially convenient until the sparks catch fire and Summer and Ford are forced to contemplate their future from different ends of the spectrum.
I loved this story because one, it made me cry, and two, for it's beautiful articulation of the human heart. The joy and pain that comes from loving another person is prevalent in all of Summer's relationships in this story.
Heather Hildenbrand is not only an awesome author, but an awesome woman. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to do an interview with her, because I truly enjoyed this book.
Amanda: You're known for your YA Paranormal Romance novels. What prompted you to explore the contemporary New Adult genre?
Heather: I wanted to try something outside of my comfort zone and I had this story idea in my head that just wouldn't quit. The writers out there will understand that part: My story just wouldn't shut up. And even though I was terrified to do it, it was a story that needed "sex."
Amanda: Summer and Ford have a deep love for each other. What makes their story so unique?
Heather: It's not so unique and that's the thing. I may have invented certain details to help make it different but when you boil it down, their fears and hopes and dreams are relatable and that's the point. I wanted to create characters who felt what we feel, who had to choose between things that we do in our lives.
Amanda: This story explores the love between two, I'll just say it, soul mates. Where did you find inspiration for such deep emotional material?
Heather: It is most definitely inspired by real life. I was fortunate enough to find someone that is so much like Ford, you might say they're the same person ;)
Amanda: There's been talk of exploring other characters in Grayson County. Are there plans for a second book?
Heather: There will be a second book, but it's not a series, so the next book will feature different main characters than the first. Maybe Casey will finally get his happy ending?
Amanda: What do you love most about your character Summer, and why will readers love her too.
Heather: I love her emotional obstacles because they are so REAL. Her parents' divorce and then her fear of opening herself up to someone new in such a vulnerable way . . . Love is a risk, for everyone. I think readers will see their own similarities to Summer and her choices.
Amanda: What are you working on now?
Heather: Right now, I am finishing the sequel to Imitation, my YA dystopian which I am crossing over to NA with the second installment. Can you tell I liked being outside my comfort zone?
The other thing I'm working on now is an education/coaching based company for authors called Phoenix. You get coaching and instruction as well as specific how-to answers from me about the publishing process and how the industry works so that you can be better prepared and more successful when you are ready to publish your own book. I teach everything from how to hire editors to how to market your books and build a readership that will give you FULL TIME income from writing.
You can read more about it here: www.phoenixauthorink.com
Amanda: Wow, you can do it all. Thanks for sitting down with me, and I look forward to reading Imitation!
Read more about Heather below . . .
Heather Hildenbrand was born and raised in a small town in northern Virginia where she was homeschooled through high school. She now lives in coastal VA, a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean, with her two adorable children. She collects elephant figurines and side jobs (most recently, a stagehand at local concerts) and as a long-term goal, she can’t wait to get a pool boy, although she doesn’t have a pool.
Heather loves Mexican food and motorcycles, hates socks with sandals, and if her house was on fire, the one thing she'd grab is her DVR player.
You can find out more about her and her books at www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com
Or stalk her here:
Facebook Fan Page
Goodreads
Newsletter
Heather is the creator of Phoenix: Author Ink, a company designed for guiding and mentoring authors through writing, self-publishing, and the business that follows. She offers coaching, mentoring, accountability, strategic planning, step-by-step instructions, checklists, and content editing for authors at all stages of their publishing career. You can visit the website at www.phoenixauthorink.com
Other titles by Heather Hildenbrand:
Dirty Blood (book 1, the Dirty Blood series)
**FREE download: Amazon Kobo B&N
Cold Blood (book 2, Dirty Blood series)
Amazon Kobo B&N
Blood Bond (book 3, Dirty Blood series)
Amazon Kobo B&N
Blood Rule, (book 4, Dirty Blood series)
Amazon Kobo B&N
Whisper
Amazon Kobo B&N
Across the Galaxy
Amazon Kobo B&N
Imitation (book 1, Clone Chronicles)
Amazon Kobo B&N
DreamKiller: The Complete Saga (a novella)
Amazon Kobo B&N
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