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  Mandi Konesni You know it's canning season when you find yourself trying to pack 4 bushels of tomatoes into a tiny Kia Soul, and ordering 4 gallons of white vinegar at a time. Bonus? After canning season comes NANOWRIMO!

  • Aug 19

  • Donna B likes this.
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    Donna B I don't do nano but I did make a mini nano here before. Might do that instead.

    • Aug 20
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  star me is now friends with Mandi Konesni.

  • Aug 19
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  Arthur Mayfield is now friends with Mandi Konesni.

  • Jun 24
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  Mandi Konesni commented on Liliom Press's blog entry.

  

  Building Your Mailing List

  Building Your Mailing List
  Building your mailing list can take more time, aggravation, tears, and patience than writing the actual book. Some people don't realize this, so it can come as an unexpected surprise. People don't like sharing their email. ...

  • May 21

  • Donna B likes this.
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    Mandi Konesni I used an author newsletter swap put on by a popular company. https://www.authorsxp.com
    
    It was $45, and had separate genres so you could target your reach to people that actually READ what you tend to write.
    ...  moreI used an author newsletter swap put on by a popular company. https://www.authorsxp.com
    
    It was $45, and had separate genres so you could target your reach to people that actually READ what you tend to write.
    
    Once the event was over, I received an email with a .csv file with all the newsletter subscribers and the names of the winners that I had to send books to. (Three winners, total)
    
    I sent the books, imported the .csv file into SendInBlue. I started with 30 subscribers. After the event? 1,777 paranormal romance fans.
    
    WELL worth the cost!  less

    • May 21
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    • 2 like this
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  Mandi Konesni liked Donna B's blog entry.

  

  Publishing a Children's Book

  This will be for things I've found when publishing my children's book. I'm using Amazon's CreateSpace. I've been told it's cheaper and the quality is good. From what I see of my own proof copy, the quality is the same as other children's books so it's a g...

  • May 21

  • LS Admin, Donna B, and Mandi Konesni like this.
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  Mandi Konesni wrote a new blog entry:

  

  Best Laid Plans

  Sometimes, despite our best effort, things go haywire. The best laid plans, and all. In the publishing world, this is even more so. While you may have your heart set on a publication date, there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes that are be...

  • Apr 11

  • Donna B likes this.
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    Donna B Sorry this happened but I'm glad you found focus to move on and continue with plans. <3

    • Apr 12
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  Mandi Konesni wrote a new blog entry:

  

  Word of the Day- Arboreal

  She stood under the sunlight, the wind blowing her hair behind her. The area was calm, serene. Only the sound of the river to her left broke the spell being woven. Taking a hesitant step forward, she pressed her hand against the arboreal carving on the la...

  • Feb 9
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  Mandi Konesni wrote a new blog entry:

  

  Christmas...Revamped.

  I'm not sure how many here read Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. However, for those that do... I currently roleplay Simi. Who readers will notice has a very distinctive way of speaking. Two years ago I decided to write Christmas Eve stories in her v...

  • Feb 9

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    Mandi Konesni Simi's Christmas Tales 2012
    12/23/2012
    
    ​It be the night before Christmasy...well, nots really, but it will be tomorrows...when all throughs Katoteros not a creature be stirrings, not even a Simi, cause the Simi got hungries and ate al...  moreSimi's Christmas Tales 2012
    12/23/2012
    
    ​It be the night before Christmasy...well, nots really, but it will be tomorrows...when all throughs Katoteros not a creature be stirrings, not even a Simi, cause the Simi got hungries and ate all them creatures cause theys not suppose to be theres anyways and now she be needing a naps. The stockings were hungs by the chimney with cares,....cause Santa Clausie ain't got no times for peoples who can't hang theys socks up properly, if he gonna be giving out free candies, theys got to at least make an efforts, you know. And they hanging thems up in hopes that St Nicholas be comings to give them lots of goodies if they be on the nice lists, cause you know he see everythings you be doing.
    
    ​Them kiddies were all tucked into their beds....well, except Baby Bas cause he don't be listening to his Simi when she be telling him to go to sleeps so she can looks at the presents under the trees, but all them other kiddies they be dreaming of sug...    less

    • Feb 9
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    Mandi Konesni Simi's Christmas Tales 2013
    12/24/2013
    
    ​*Sitting in front of the tree, she pulled Baby Bas up to her lap, Theron in his little rocker next to her* Who be ready for Simi Christmasy time!?!??! Akri! Turn on them sparkly lights, ...  moreSimi's Christmas Tales 2013
    12/24/2013
    
    ​*Sitting in front of the tree, she pulled Baby Bas up to her lap, Theron in his little rocker next to her* Who be ready for Simi Christmasy time!?!??! Akri! Turn on them sparkly lights, the Simi got a story!
    
    Okay so, there was some kids and they was out playing in the snows. *blinks down at Bas* Well, we ain't got none of that heres, but some places the rain turn into snowflakes and it go all over the ground and be fluffy and whites. *whispers to Bas* We get Akri to make some snow laters, you see. So they was playing in its, and they gave him a button for a nose. His eyes were coal....hey, coal make sparklies, the Simi gotta get some of thats.
    
    Them kiddies gave him a pipe too, but don't you be doing that mini Akri's, cause smoking be bad and even snowmen shouldn't be smoking.....you think fire and smoking would make his mouth melt, dontcha? Wonder why it dont do that. Hmm.
    
    Anyhoo. They didn't have ...    less

    • Feb 9
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    Mandi Konesni Simi's Christmas Tales 2014
    12/12/2014
    
    ​Gather round, gather round! Ew, no Baby Therony, don't be chewing on thats, that all icky and been up in the attics and you don't even know what go up there. *grabbing the boys, sh...  moreSimi's Christmas Tales 2014
    12/12/2014
    
    ​Gather round, gather round! Ew, no Baby Therony, don't be chewing on thats, that all icky and been up in the attics and you don't even know what go up there. *grabbing the boys, she tucked them in on the couch with blankets* Now listen, the Simi gots to do the Christmas story, okay? So you gotta be good and listens, cause Santa Clausie be watching you.
    
    ​Akra, Akri, you gotta make them sit stills cause otherwise the Simi gonna get all discombobulated and forget what she be doings, and then we gonna have to start ALL over agains. Xireeny, you gots the chocolate, right? No no no....it need tiny marshmallows, that what the box be saying. Where the marshmallows? *blinking at her older sister owlishly, she gave a small pout* Well the Simi didn't know they be melting, what kinda trick that be? Whatevers, it chocolate, we gots this.
    
    Anyhoo. Where was the Simi? Oh, yeah, gather round, everyones, Darksiders and fans and al...    less

    • Feb 9
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    Mandi Konesni Simi's Christmas Tales 2015
    12/5/2015
    
    ​*Her wings fluttered excitedly as she eyed her outfit in the full length mirror. Candy cane leggings? Yep. Knee high biker boots with the little skully buckles? Yep yep! Her hornays were done in red ...  moreSimi's Christmas Tales 2015
    12/5/2015
    
    ​*Her wings fluttered excitedly as she eyed her outfit in the full length mirror. Candy cane leggings? Yep. Knee high biker boots with the little skully buckles? Yep yep! Her hornays were done in red to match her leggings, her little skirt was red and the shirt was white with red sparkly glitters on it in the shape of a Christmas tree. Hugging the notebook against her chest, she skipped down the stairs, giving a small bow as her family clapped for her.*
    
    Is everybody being here for the Simi? The Simi family be qualities, yes they do. Cause everyone wanna be like the Simi, but you all gots the best one! Anyhoo. This year, the Simi gots a special presents for everyone, cause everybody be liking them presents. Anyone who don't either be lying or ain't got no sense, and the Simi don't be holding with none of that nonsensiness.
    
    This year, the Simi done got a whole song ready. You there, mini Akri's, you gotsa be quiet when the Simi be si...    less

    • Feb 9
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  Mandi Konesni wrote a new blog entry:

  

  Prey

  Coming Oct 2017! Chapter One The last thing she remembered, she'd been walking. Hazy summer heat had left vapors rising from the cement on the walking trail. She recalled how she'd paused to share a bit of water from her bottle with a stray dog as it ha...

  • Feb 9

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    Mandi Konesni Chapter Two
    
    She had no idea how long she'd been here. She was judging the days by the periods of light she had in between the darkness, as well as the one or two meals her captor brought each day. Her entire world had narrowed to this 8x8 cell. She ...  moreChapter Two
    
    She had no idea how long she'd been here. She was judging the days by the periods of light she had in between the darkness, as well as the one or two meals her captor brought each day. Her entire world had narrowed to this 8x8 cell. She only knew the rough size because she'd paced it more than a few times whenever things were quiet and she felt safe enough to move, to work out pent up frustration.
    
    Every once in awhile, the screams would start again after a few hours of peace. The noises echoed through the small space, making her cover her ears with her hands in a desperate effort to keep her sanity. She had no idea what was going on, nor did she truly want to. Yet she knew if she had been snagged with these other women, her time would come.
    
    She crouched in the corner again, miserably eating a few pieces of dry toast with some disgusting fruit spread on it. It wasn't appetizing in the slightest, especially as she'd been given a water bottle with only a few sips of water left i...    less

    • Feb 9
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  Mandi Konesni wrote a new blog entry:

  

  Risque Romance Vol 2- Consumed

  Coming in April 2017! ~Prologue~ As above, so below. Few understand the true meaning of the phrase, and even fewer can grasp the consequences of it. Deities are worshiped because they are made and formed of the mortal visions of them. We are given chara...

  • Feb 9

  • View all 7 comments
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    Mandi Konesni ~Chapter Three~
    
    That's how they found themselves bundled onto a private flight to Iceland. Electra had to hand it to them, the dragons sure did know how to fly in style. No screaming kids, no one kicking at her back. Raina didn't have to worry ...  more~Chapter Three~
    
    That's how they found themselves bundled onto a private flight to Iceland. Electra had to hand it to them, the dragons sure did know how to fly in style. No screaming kids, no one kicking at her back. Raina didn't have to worry about being squished in her purse accidentally. She didn't dare ask how much this had cost, she was pretty sure she didn't want to know. Dragons preferred their space, as she had learned earlier, so this trip was more for his benefit, not theirs. Turned out, dragons didn't fly well. Maybe a result of the pressure, she wasn't sure. As the plane had begun to rise higher, Ryder had grown more ashen. Eventually, he'd excused himself to the back half, where a partition kept most of the plane separated from the seating area. There, they'd heard the roar of a shifting dragon, the heavy flapping of leathery wings as he appeared to be working off the excess energy.
    
    After a short few minutes, they'd heard an incredibly large thump, the...    less

    • Feb 9
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    Mandi Konesni ~Chapter Four~
    
    Ryder ushered them up the porch steps and into the foyer, leaving them there as he headed back outside to sort the deliveries and likely answer the questions being fired at him. They didn't even need to eavesdrop, the sound of raised ...  more~Chapter Four~
    
    Ryder ushered them up the porch steps and into the foyer, leaving them there as he headed back outside to sort the deliveries and likely answer the questions being fired at him. They didn't even need to eavesdrop, the sound of raised voices carried. Glancing to Raina, Electra muttered under her breath before directing a question to her friend. “How much control does a foringi hold? Will he be able to keep us safe?”
    
    To her surprise, Raina shook her head in the negative. “Foringi are the alphas, and it's true, that they hold a lot of power. The problem is that even dragons have free will, like everyone else. While they might fear his punishment, if something happens and a dragon feels like we're a threat to their clan, they can decide on their own to deal with the 'problem' and take Ryder's fury afterward.”
    
    Well. That wasn't exactly reassuring. She herself might be harder to take, as a goddess, she had capabilities mortals didn't. ...    less

    • Feb 9
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    Mandi Konesni ~ Chapter Five ~
    
    Well. That was unexpected. She'd figured he'd get them to Iceland, give them what information he could, and then he'd stay there to handle the dragons while they chased the case. Judging from the look on Raina's face,...  more~ Chapter Five ~
    
    Well. That was unexpected. She'd figured he'd get them to Iceland, give them what information he could, and then he'd stay there to handle the dragons while they chased the case. Judging from the look on Raina's face, she'd assumed the same. Her face screwed up, looking all the more pixie-like from the expression. “No. That's Spanish for 'no'. I can say it in ten different languages, if you'd prefer to pick a new one.”
    
    His annoyance was clear, but as he glanced at the small photo in his hand, his entire demeanor changed. “As you saw outside, people aren't exceptionally happy I brought non-dragons into this. Yet dragons were supposed to protect her and didn't. I need to be there, on the ground. I'll be no damn good here with people interrogating me at every step. Out there, I can protect you if you run into any of my kind.”
    
    Raina's slim shoulders shrugged as she perused him much like you'd imagine so...    less

    • Feb 9
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    Mandi Konesni ~ Chapter Six ~
    
    Ryder looked to be lost in thought, before he suddenly turned, heading back towards the elevators. Rushing to keep up with him, they found themselves standing at the information desk again, this time thumbing through the guidebooks there....  more~ Chapter Six ~
    
    Ryder looked to be lost in thought, before he suddenly turned, heading back towards the elevators. Rushing to keep up with him, they found themselves standing at the information desk again, this time thumbing through the guidebooks there. Snatching up three of the ones that detailed car rentals in the area, they made the hasty decision to split up. There were six servicing the airport and nearby businesses. If they each took two, they could get this done far quicker.
    
    Electra headed to the two closest to the airport, Ryder and Raina going further out. They'd copied the photos of the missing dragons, but she highly doubted anyone would recognize them. If they had a car waiting, the driver was likely local. However, if one of them was covered in dragon glitter, he'd know where he dropped them off at. It was a start.
    
    Showing her PI badge, she asked the attendant if she could look at the cars that had been dispatched today. The first was a bust. The second, not so much. They'd done ...    less

    • Feb 9
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    Mandi Konesni ~ Chapter Seven ~
    
    Thankfully, Ryder had a few contacts in Iraq that weren't associated with the Drekai clan there. They were able to spread out and check the airports to give them a target area to fly into. In the end, they flew into Nasiriyah, near...  more~ Chapter Seven ~
    
    Thankfully, Ryder had a few contacts in Iraq that weren't associated with the Drekai clan there. They were able to spread out and check the airports to give them a target area to fly into. In the end, they flew into Nasiriyah, near the Euphrates River in Southern Iraq. One of Ryder's friends had relayed back that he'd spotted blue and silver residue outside the airport there. Since the Iraqi dragon's usually had crimson scales on their bellies and tan on their upper half, blue and silver were definitely out of place. It was a start.
    
    Once they'd arrived, the dragon was waiting for them. You couldn't help but to smile with him, he was one of those people that were always jolly and welcoming. Even Raina didn't seem to take an issue with him because he was just so pleasant to be around. Helping to unload the plane, he carefully packed their belongings into a waiting car that he'd arranged for them. "Eh, Ryder? You may want to check out Dr. Nasim Ibrahi...    less

    • Feb 9