Kristina Stanley

Farley’s Friday: Bear Barking

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 11 Comments

Farley here,

I’ve finally trained my humans to understand my barks.

A deep growl followed by frantic, high pitched barks means: “There is a bear within 20 feet.” There is a lot of body language involved here too. Mostly, me putting my body between the humans and the bear, so the humans know which way to retreat.

Deep, in the throat, repeated barking means:  “There is a bear in the area but not close.” I’m a herder by genetics, so…I herd them away to safety.

Howling, long barks mean: “There is an aggressive deer nearby.” My experience, a doe with a fawn can be cranky at the best of times. My front paws usually lift off the ground during this communication.

Cheery barks mean: “There is a deer, but a nice one nearby.”

Barking while running in a circle, repeatedly looking at my human, and wagging my tail means: “There is a squirrel, so let me go chase it.”

It’s exhausting teaching humans to understand my language, but since their sense of smell is lousy, they need to be warned if there is a creature in the neighbourhood.

After a strenuous session of teaching Kristina dog speak, we relax with a yoga class.  I’m supposed to be doing the downward dog, but I’m just too tired.

Farley doing Joga

Woof Woof.

Who are my blog readers?

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 21 Comments

My burning quest is to know more about who is reading and engaging with my blog. I’ve a computer mathematics degree, and it’s my nature to analyze data to make things (as in my blog) better. Today I’m focussing on writers.

So if you’re a writer, will you help me by answering a few questions?

Thank you for helping me!

Farley’s Friday: Mountain Water

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 8 Comments

Farley here,

It’s true, it’s early September, but the pond I’m standing in is part of a river that comes from the top of the mountain and it’s freezing.

Someone tell this boy to hurry up and throw the stick. He’s not paying attention to my eyes and my command. I guess he’s just not old enough to speak dog.

Farley and Noah

Woof Woof

Golfing and Skiing Together

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

The award winning Greywolf Golf Course is a supporter of local artists, whether they happen to be a talented golfer or not. In my case, not so talented…Or maybe no golfing talent at all. But that didn’t stop the director of golf from enthusiastically agreeing to host my work.

The pro shop is now carrying DESCENT. I get a space right up front with the Greywolf logo and the books are already selling.

Greywolf Pro Shop

The local support just keeps on growing!

If you’re interested, you can buy or download a sample of DESCENT at:  myBook.to/Descent

Thanks for reading…

Farley’s Friday: Small Town Livin’

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 7 Comments

Farley here,

You can’t see me, but I ‘m having lunch at the new sandwich deli in town. I’m sitting under a table, my butt is on Kristina’s feet, and I’m watching the day go by. I’m only allowed to eat from my dog dish, so I’m not actually having lunch, but the lovely deli staff brought me a bowl of water.

Check out the couple sitting on the bench. The lady is talking away and the dog is nodding politely.

“Psst,” I bark. “Come have some water.”

“Seriously, dude,” the dog barks back. “My human is telling a story.”

I chuckle, knowing he’d rather play than listen, but I get it and I leave him alone.

Dog on Bench

The thing to note is what a dog friendly place the town is. I’m at the deli and the other dog is on the city bench. Everyone is happy.

Woof Woof.

Are Fairy Tales Real?

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 25 Comments

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Today’s post is not about writing. It’s not about dogs. It’s about my real life hero and life-long partner.

Early one February, I met my husband, Mathew, and ten days later he proposed. I said yes in a heartbeat. I have no idea how I knew, but I knew he was the man for me. Sometimes you just have to go with your heart.

MATT TINA Wedding 2Six months after he proposed, we were married.

Today, we’ve been married 27 years, and since it’s August 27th, I thought I should share this anniversary.

And in case you’re wondering, I do believe in fairy tales and love at first sight.

What’s your most romantic story?

Thanks for reading…

The Dark Side of Alpine Skiing: Guest Post by Mystery Author Kristina Stanley

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 4 Comments

Thanks to Donna for hosting me on her blog.

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Donna Galanti writes suspense, young adult, and middle grade fiction and is represented by Bill Contardi of Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. She is an International Thriller Writers Debut Author of the paranormal suspense novel A Human Element, book one in The Element Trilogy, and book two, A Hidden Element, by Imajin Books. Books one and two of her middle grade series, Joshua and the Lightning Road, debut in 2015 by Month9Books.

Originally posted on Donna Galanti’s The Element Trilogy.

***

The Dark Side of Alpine Skiing
by Kristina Stanley

Death on the slopes can happen at any moment and still, speed is everything to an alpine racer. Olympic skiers attack a run at speeds in excess of 80 mph. The characters in DESCENT demand speed, and this demand causes injury and death.

Racers have specialized technicians who follow them on the World Cup circuit, striving to give each skier an advantage, to squeeze out that extra bit of speed from the equipment. The technicians file and wax multiple skis for each skier, always busy trying to give their athlete an edge over others. Resorts inject a run to turn the slope into a skating rink. Everyone wants to cross the finish line first. But at what cost?

… View Remaining Blog at: The Element Trilogy

Thanks for reading…

If you’re interested, you can buy or download a sample of DESCENT at:  myBook.to/Descent

How to get FREE Advertising for your Novel

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 7 Comments

Besides the obvious guest blogging, tweeting, Facebook etc. there are ways to get exposure for your novel without having to spend cash. We all know it’s hard to make money in this business – okay not all of us – but maybe the newbies, so here is a list of places and methods that worked for me.

Try online magazines that cover your genre. The following showcased DESCENT in the mystery genre.

The Readers Gazette

OMNIMYSTERY News

Crime Fiction Lover 

If you belong to a writing organization such as Crime Writers of Canada, ask for placement on their advertising. This type of organization exists to help you.

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Share your screen shots from Amazon or other sites. Let the big companies do the work for you. For example on July 26, 2015 DESCENT made #8 and one behind Lee Child in Amazon’s hot new releases in Mystery. Use these moments to be excited about your novel.

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Share your success with your friends and thank them for buying your novel. The post below was shared throughout Facebook helping me with visibility in a crowded marketplace. Friends are amazing people who love to help you. Just let them know you need their support to spread the word.

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Another author told me, “If you’re not excited about your book release, why would anyone else be?” So don’t be shy about sharing your news. We all want to hear about it and be happy for you.

Please let me know in the comments below if you have other ideas for free advertising. There have to other places…

If you’re interested, you can buy or download a sample of DESCENT at:  myBook.to/Descent

Thanks for reading…

My Two Cents Worth (Before Inflation)

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

Reblogged from http://blog.jamesmjackson.com Author of the Seamus McCree Mystery Series.

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Please welcome Kristina Stanley, a Canadian author who has the screenshot to prove that her novel Descsent had the number one ranking on Amazon’s Canada list of “Hot New Releases of Women Sleuth Mysteries.” (In second place was Sue Grafton’s X !) She describes herself as happy, hard-working, loyal, athletic, and an animal-lover. The five words she uses to describe her writing are adventurous, action-oriented, mystery, wilderness, and multi point of view. Here are her answers to the eight questions she chose…

Click here to read more:

How to Get Support From Your Local Community

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 30 Comments

As an artist, getting support from your local community is easy. Just ask.

I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to ask people for favours, but here’s what I discovered. My community loves to help locals. Last Friday, my local newspaper, The Columbia Valley Pioneer, published an article about me.

I’d sent them an email, explaining who I am (a local author), what my credentials are and that DESCENT had just been published. They responded within the hour saying they’d love to interview me. I’d procrastinated for days before I sent the email, and nowKristina at Library I wish I hadn’t hesitated.

Because of the article, the Invermere Public Library asked me if they could put a copy of DESCENT on their shelves.

So…DESCENT in now available at the Invermere Public Library.

One little email led to two great opportunities, and each day a new milestone moment creates a little happiness in my life.

The questions becomes: what else should I ask for?

If you’re interested, you can buy or download a sample of DESCENT at:  myBook.to/Descent

Thanks for reading…