Carla Swafford, Author

All the time on social media and the news, I hear some U.S. citizens shouting how terrible our country has become, though you wouldn’t know it with all the world coming to the U.S. for FIFA. The European Football (Soccer) fans are loving our food and people. The negative things I’ve heard for a couple years now are mostly tied in with politics. What people need to learn is not to be believe 90%…

It’s funny how scammers (5-10 a day) continue to send me (and many other authors) emails about wanting to present a book of mine to their book club. Those scammers and the authors who are taken in by them should realize they do not need our permission to do that. But we know all they really want is money. Then there are the scammers offering to market the book. No, I can do it myself, especially…

Goodness knows, I couldn’t afford a big to-do like Ms. Swift to showcase my books like she does her songs. If you’re wondering, yes, I’m a big fan. She’s proven she’s a talented, smart cookie, smart enough to surrounding herself with other business savvy people. I know I try to keep positive thinking, smart authors and marketers around me by networking: going to writers’ group meetings (I’m a…

Over the next few months, I’ll be setting up a store for my books on my website. Nothing fancy. Just paperback and hardcover books. No ebooks. I’ve been so frustrated with Barnes & Noble. They have only three out of the 15 books I’ve released on their website. They are print-on-demand books, so it’s not like they have to keep a box of them in a warehouse or on their shelves. At one time, they…

It’s probably been a long time, if ever, since I mentioned what I do as an author. Of course, I write. I try to every day, even weekends, holidays, and vacations. I do have to admit, that usually ends up to be around 40% of the alloted time. Yes. I sit down and open my computer or occasionally open a notebook and write. The other 60% is me doing administrative things. Such as, I have five books…

I want to mention that whenever I give advice on writing, it’s like what was said in Pirates of the Caribbean, “The code is more what you’d call ‘guidelines’ than actual rules.” So if you decide to fill in the beginning of your book with tons of backstory, remember it’s your book, and if it feels right, then do it. Over the years, I’ve read many books that ignored the “guidelines” and did…

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Hey, I sent out a newsletter today! If you got a copy it was ONLY because you signed up for it. I NEVER add anyone. It’s all on you. LOL! By the way, Jack’s heroine is revealed in the newsletter. Yup! You missed out if you didn’t sign up. For those who want to sign up for the newsletter, click here. If you want a copy of the newsletter, sign up and then email me.  I’ll send today’s copy to…

Be sure to click and enter. Five paperback copies will be awarded. (sorry- US only)  Ends January 22, 2013. That's the release date of the paperback edition. Presently, you can purchase the e-format at Amazon, B&N, iBookstore, Kobo and a few other places. Goodreads Book Giveaway Circle of Deception by Carla Swafford Giveaway ends January 22, 2013. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter…

Today, I’m over at Romance Magicians talking about endings and how they can break your heart.  And I’m giving away 5 copies of CIRCLE OF DECEPTION!

My husband and I are having a few things done to the house, and we had to move some furniture out of the living room. That included his recliner. So only the couch is sitting in front of the TV. Since there is a program we like to watch together, we sat on the couch. I have to say, I enjoy sitting next to him. We can cuddle. And yes, he enjoys it too. It’s funny after you’ve been married for a…

On March 11, at 7 p.m. central, I will be giving away 11 copies of CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE (e-format only). Six copies on Facebook and five copies here. Be sure to come back then to find out how you can win.

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For some reason, when it comes to the third book in a series, it appears the hero becomes my favorite. Maybe it’s because I’m fully immerse in the world or I know it’s the last one and I put a little extra emotion into it, whatever it is. Ethan is presently my favorite guy in the Southern Crime Family. His pain (and he enjoys pain by the way) is so deep that he doesn’t even know he has a…

Here’s hoping you are safe and warm in your home today. So many people are snowed in, even in the Southeast US. Where I live it’s no snow, sunny, but below freezing. Can’t have everything. Co-Writing Saturday, I finished my edits of a book I’ve been writing with author Betty Bolté. After many interruptions, and once she goes over it for the last time, we will be finished with the book we…

Every two weeks, I have lunch with my uncle. His two grown kids live in Texas and he has only two siblings (ages 97 and 91) still living. Considering he’s the baby of a large family, he’s doing well for an 88 year old. The reason I mention him is we were discussing how his parents talked differently (word choice and sayings) from what we do nowadays. He told me how his parents would say “he…