If you're wondering what the poll on the right is all about, read this post for details.
If you read or write Magical Fantasy in any of its many forms, here's something that will interest you. The Magic Appreciation Tour, brainchild of Daniel Marvello of The Vaetra Files, is a new website going live on March 1. I've used some of Daniel's own words to help me tell you about it.
What is it?
The Magic Appreciation Tour (MA Tour) and Book Sale is a website that helps fantasy readers find out about new authors and get great deals on Magical Fantasy books. Each tour will run quarterly.
The term 'Magical Fantasy' refers to any fantasy book that includes a force or power that readers would recognise as magic. The book might be considered an urban fantasy, epic fantasy, romantic fantasy or whatever. The critical element is that it has magic of some kind.
What's in it for readers?
It serves readers by collecting Magical Fantasy books in one place and displaying them in a format that makes it easy to find the books that interest them. It also gives readers the opportunity to learn more about the authors of those books.
Readers participate by visiting the book sale and author pages of the MA Tour website.
What's in it for writers?
It serves authors by showcasing their work on a site that is dedicated to their genre and by helping them form new supportive relationships with other authors.
The Book Sale page shows the cover and blurb for every participating book, along with links to buy, see reviews, and learn about the author.
The Author page shows a picture (or avatar) and a bio for every participating author, along with links to visit the author's blog, read interviews of the author, and read guest posts by them.
Authors participate by making their book available on the MA Tour site and by engaging with other participating authors through their blog and social networking during the tour. By pooling their social connections, authors help each other get the word out about their books and make new friends.
FAQ
Note that the MA Tour site does not actually sell books; buy links take readers to either Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords. Listing books on the MA Tour site is NOT a violation of the KDP Select terms, as long as the buy link goes to Amazon.
I've added links to Daniel's blog, and to the MA Tour site itself if you would like more information but, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'm sure Daniel will be happy to answer. I should add that Daniel didn't specifically ask me to blog about this, I just happen to think it's a really great idea, and one that I'd love to see take off. Also, the guy has an excellent blog photo :-)
That is a really cool idea!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just, so simple and so brilliant!
DeleteIt sounds like they'll be fun tours!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree :-)
DeleteThat's a super useful site idea, for both readers and writers.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I like, everybody wins :-)
DeleteWow, Sarah. You did an excellent job of summarizing the Magic Appreciation Tour. Thank you very much for helping me get the word out.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that the title of the post cracks me up. It sounds like a psychedelic '60s band.
@Alex: Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Daniel, you're very welcome. Like I said, I think this is a fantastic idea. And you know how I like my old music ... ;-)
DeleteIt is a great idea. I hope that Daniel gets a lot of involvement.
ReplyDeleteMe too, definitely. Fingers crossed.
DeleteThis sounds wonderful! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt is, isn't it?
DeleteThanks everyone for your support and kind words. If you know any magical fantasy authors, please send them a link to the Magic Appreciation Tour (www.MagicAppreciationTour.com) so they can check it out. The more authors and books we have, the better.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat idea! I'll pass the info onto my sister. She writes fantasy.
ReplyDeleteI hope she likes the idea :-)
DeleteHi Sarah, Hi Daniel.
ReplyDeleteThis is a FANTASTIC idea. I wish my mr book was ready for publication. I still have a few bugs to iron out on it.
Good luck! I will definitely be visiting.
Thanks, Michael. When your book is published, come on over! I look forward to touring with you.
DeleteWhat Daniel said, Michael. If you don't make this tour, there's always the next one :-)
DeleteThat's a fantastic idea! I'll have to tell my friends who write fantasy.
ReplyDeleteYay! Spread the word :-)
DeleteWhat fun! I'll have to take a look at what's on the tour. I'm always looking for new books.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I've been reading a lot of self-published authors lately myself. Most of our titles are 99 cents (including mine), a couple are free, and others are priced affordably. It's quite the collection already!
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea.
ReplyDelete......dhole
It is isn't it, and so straightforward!
DeleteThis looks awesome. Thanks for letting us know about it :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, hope you enjoy the site :-)
DeleteSuch a good idea thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome :-)
DeleteHey Pearson :)
ReplyDeleteI don't write either of these genres, but just wanted to stop by and tell you how awesome of a Booger friend you are....
(ah, for feck's sake, I meant *Blogger*)
But anyway, as we used to say in Dublin, I think you're magic :)
Nah, you meant Booger - they stick like glue ;-)
DeleteAnd thanks :-)
Awesome! I'll have to check it out! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
DeleteIt's definitely a good idea!!!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is :-)
DeleteI hadn't heard of this, thanks for the heads up:)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome :-)
DeleteWhat an interesting idea. I'm going to check it out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it Theresa :-)
DeleteHey, this is a cool idea!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I tagged you too. :)
Thanks Ruth, I'll be by later to check it out :-)
DeleteSounds like a great idea! I'm guessing it's for adult fantasies (hmmmm that doesn't sound quite right lol) only.
ReplyDeleteStina, you win the award for comment of the day ;-)
DeleteI think it probably does, but I'll check with Daniel.
Hi Stina! The only real qualification is that the story is a fantasy with magic in it. The registration page includes a check list of fantasy sub-genres you can select. The list is fairly comprehensive, and some combinations are amusing to consider. If you wrote a "Young Adult/Space/Comedy" you'd be able to identify it as such!
DeleteAs for the other definition for "adult," it hasn't come up yet (so to speak.) I don't think erotic magical fantasies are particularly common, although I could be wrong.
Okay, after thinking about it, I updated the Submission Guidelines to say "please no erotica." I don't have anything against erotica or erotica writers, it just isn't a good match for our intended audience. Erotica readers are after "just one thing," pretty much regardless of the setting. In general, those are not the same readers who specifically want to read magical fantasy.
DeleteI know Stina was referring to YA as opposed to stories for adults, rather than 'adult' stories, but it's good that you've updated the submission guidelines, best to cover all the bases :-)
DeleteI like it! Sounds like an awesome concept. I'll swing by on March 1st :)
ReplyDeleteThat'd be great Jamie, cheers.
DeleteI'll be over later today to check it out, thanks Dawn :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I'm definitely interested in this!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. I hope you enjoy the site.
Delete