Authors and influencers won't want to miss the $39 Depositphotos deal! #Marketing #indieauthors #selfpublishing #ContentCreator

 

The Depositphotos deal is back for a limited time! Only $39 for 100 photo/vector downloads from Depositphotos (this never expires). Choose from 270 million+ royalty-free images

Get the deal here.

I've used this for self published book covers as well as social media posts. I find it has a good selection and is much more safe and reliable (in terms of proper licensing) than the completely free places. 

Image from DP

It has both photos and illustrations, and you can search for photos with no people or a certain number of people, and identify the gender, age range, and ethnicity. It also has flat lays – images shot from above with carefully arranged objects like flowers or holiday items, with space in the middle to add your book cover or text.

Now it's added an AI generator, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your current views, but obviously you don't have to use it. I asked if it was possible to exclude AI generated images from the search and got this response: "We do not accept AI-generated images from our authors. So you can feel free to browse the collection. If you have any doubts about any image, you may provide its ID so we can check it with the content team to be 100% sure."

Cover and flat lay images from Depositphotos

This is by far one of the best deals out there for authors or anyone producing a lot of social media! You can even stack it to double or triple the number of images you get and make sure you have enough for years.

Get the deal here.

Cliffhangers: Keep the Pages Turning! A workshop for writers, via @SavvyAuthors #writing #amwriting #writerslife #writingworkshop

Cliffhangers: Keep the Pages Turning!  

A cliffhanger chapter ending can add impact to a dramatic scene and leave the reader desperate to find out what happens next. Learn how to identify your best cliffhanger moments and make them even more dramatic through pacing and paragraphing. Even when you have to end at a quieter moment, you can drive the story forward by leaving your character—and the reader—with a sense of anticipation or worry.

This online forum workshop runs April 1-15. Register by March 25th and save $5.

All types of writing can use cliffhanger chapter/scene endings. Learn how to:

· Focus on suspense, not surprise

· Slow the pace for a cliffhanger chapter endings

· Use sensory details with an emotional impact

· Cliffhangers work even in quiet moments

· Review your chapters and ask if you’re stopping in the right place

· Use short paragraphs and sentences for impact

Sign up at SavvyAuthors

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance novels, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. In The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest. Readers have called these novels "Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel" and novels “Like Nancy Drew for grown-ups.” 

The Furrever Friends Cat Café Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café.

In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves. 

The Felony Melanie: Sweet Home Alabama romantic comedy novels, written with scriptwriter Douglas Eboch, star the characters from the movie Sweet Home Alabama as teenagers. Learn more at www.krisbock.com. 

Kris also writes for young people as Chris Eboch, with over 100 published books: chriseboch.com/. 

Her writing craft books include Advanced Plotting and You Can Write for Children: How to Write Great Stories, Articles, and Books for Kids and Teenagers.

Writer and Reader Comfort: tools to make writing time easier (part 4) #amwriting #writinglife #reader #booklover #christmasgift #holidaygiftguide

I wrote this post in April but thought it could be helpful as people look for holiday gifts. Get these for the writers or readers in your life!

If you are a writer – or if you work at any job that keeps you at a desk all day – you may be dealing with pain in the spine. I’ve been collecting and sharing items my writer friends and I use for managing, soothing, or eliminating that pain.

My friend Teresa says, "I can work only at a table—doesn’t have to be big but it must be a table which makes the laptop monitor low and that hurts my neck… so for at least eight years I’ve used a roost laptop holder—collapses down to about four 12 inch sticks stuck together, comes with a small bag carrying case." This Roost Laptop Stand is well rated, but you can also find cheaper versions, and I think the  Adjustable Laptop Table I mentioned a previous post would also work for this.

Meanwhile, my friend Kimberly has been dealing with severe hip pain. She says, “I bought a Naipo hand-held electric cord massager about 5 years ago that really helps if I use it for at least 10 minutes, the tight muscles will relax enough so that I can sleep.” I didn’t find the Naipo, but Amazon has tons of Massage Guns at various prices. Be sure to check out the reviews! Kimberly recommends using a heating pad to warm your muscles before using the massager.

Siting at a desk can contribute to Circulation Problems While Working, as this article shows. Be sure you get up and move every hour! You might also find some ways to reduce the strain on your body at your desk.

Standing desks let you switch between standing and sitting without even leaving your desk. You can schedule an alarm to remind you to switch – or do some stretches. While there are very expensive options, some of these are around $100.

If you’re standing while you work, you probably want an Anti-Fatigue Mat. These help cushion your feet to reduce foot and joint pain. They’re good if you do a lot of standing in the kitchen as well! They come in several designs and some fun styles. 

You can also try changing your chair. I mentioned some options in a previous post, but you might try a kneeling chair, balance ball chair, or ergonomic stool for “active sitting,” which engages your muscles more to promote core muscle strength, good posture, and blood circulation. Here are some Active Sitting Chair options.

Teresa also recommended the Desk Cycle Ellipse, which sits under your desk so you can peddle while you work. What a great way to burn calories, build up leg strength, and keep your blood moving! It has great reviews, with almost 1800 ratings and a 4.7-star average.

I hope you find something here that makes your life easier. Check out the previous posts on “Writer and Reader Comfort” and  “Comfort at Your Desk” as well. I may have more as I discover useful tools for writers and readers! Feel free to drop your favorites in the comments. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves. Sign up for the Kris Bock Mystery and Romance newsletter and get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material, a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café, and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels.

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romantic comedy newsletter to get a short story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Kris has over 100 books for children published under the names Chris Eboch and M. M. Eboch. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure used in many schools; and The Genie’s Gift, a middle eastern fantasy. Jesse Owens: Young Record Breaker and Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier are inspiring biographies focused on them as children and young men.

Writer and Reader Comfort: Easing Neck Pain- tools to make writing and reading time easier. #amwriting #writinglife #reader #booklover #christmasgift #holidaygiftguide

I wrote this post in April but thought it could be helpful as people look for holiday gifts. Get these for the writers or readers in your life!

At a recent writer’s retreat, we all shared the tools we used to make our writing and reading time more comfortable. It’s amazing all the things you never knew existed that you desperately need! It’s not mere shopping mania though – these tools can help keep you comfortable so you can write your next masterpiece or simply read for hours. 

I made previous posts on “Writer and Reader Comfort” and “Comfort at Your Desk.” Today I’m covering items that can relieve or prevent neck pain.

Easing Neck Pain

You can find dozens of pillows designed to relax your neck and keep its natural curve. There are more expensive versions, but a simple tube works surprisingly well. One of the retreat attendees sleeps on it, whether sleeping on her back or on her side. I use mine for a few minutes before bed and a few minutes in the morning and that’s enough to help work out the knots. Cervical Neck Roll Memory Foam Pillow

This one’s more complicated, with a firmer foam to support your neck. It has over 60,000 ratings and a 4.2-star average! At the time of this writing is on sale for $20, which seems like a great bargain if it might help relieve chronic neck pain: RESTCLOUD Neck and Shoulder Relaxer 

This one is designed specifically for sleeping. How old is your current pillow? Maybe it’s time for an upgrade. This claims to work for people who sleep on their sides, back, or stomach. With over 40,000 ratings, clearly neck pain and sleeping well are big problems: Elviros Cervical Memory Foam Pillow for Sleeping

And here’s a version you can twist into different shapes. You can use it as a regular cervical pillow at night, wrap it around your neck while napping on a plane, or bend one side up to cushion your head against the window if you’re a car passenger. Plus a comes in multiple colors! Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow 

And finally, if you still need some pain relief, this gel offers topical relief. I used to get it from my parents when they bought it in Mexico or got a prescription. Now you can get it over the counter! It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory gel that people use for arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain. It doesn’t erase the pain but it quickly knocks it down a couple of notches: Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel 

I hope you find something here that makes your life easier. Check out my previous post on tools for comfort, and I have more coming up with useful tools for writers and readers! Feel free to drop your favorites in the comments. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves. Sign up for the Kris Bock Mystery and Romance newsletter and get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material, a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café, and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels.

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romantic comedy newsletter to get a short story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Kris has over 100 books for children published under the names Chris Eboch and M. M. Eboch. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure used in many schools; and The Genie’s Gift, a middle eastern fantasy. Jesse Owens: Young Record Breaker and Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier are inspiring biographies focused on them as children and young men.

Writer and Reader Comfort Part 2: Comfort at Your Desk - tools to make writing and reading time easier. #amwriting #writinglife #reader #booklover #christmasgift #holidaygiftguide

I wrote this post in April but thought it could be helpful as people look for holiday gifts. Get these for the writers or readers in your life!

I was recently at a writer’s retreat where we spent an evening sharing the tools we found to make our writing and reading time easier. I decided others might appreciate learning about some of these tools. I’ve also added a couple more of my own favorites. (See part 1 of Writer and Reader Comfort here.)

Comfort at Your Desk

If you spend a lot of time at your desk, a good chair is invaluable. I ordered the OFM ESS Collection Racing Style Bonded Leather Gaming Chair in 2020. I like the padded seat, armrests that can go up out of the way, adjustable height and swivel. It’s “currently unavailable,” but this one is similar: Racing Style Gaming Chair 

This version has attached lumbar and neck support and is surprisingly affordable (on sale for about $60 as of this writing): High-Back Gaming Office Chair 

And here’s the “Executive” version if you're feeling fancy: Homall Executive Gaming Chair 

A good keyboard is also key for writers. I was having pain in my right shoulder, likely due to reaching out to use the rollerball mouse. This left-handed keyboard has the number keypad on the left side, which allows me to keep my mouse closer on the right side. (I’m not actually left-handed. The primary difference is the position of the number keypad.) Getting used to any new configuration takes a little time but is worth it in the long run. Ergonomic Left Handed Keyboard 

If you don’t have a problem with the number keypad position but suffer from pain in your hands or wrists, you might prefer a split keyboard. I used this one until I decided to get the left-handed keyboard: Ergonomic Split Keyboard 

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this seat cushion, and I think most of the people at the writing retreat ordered their own. I have chronic back pain and can’t bear to sit on hard furniture. If you get one thing on this list, I recommend this! WAOAW Seat Cushion 

I wanted something I could take with me when I might be required to sit on a hard chair. Yes, I bring this to friends’ houses and I used it at the writing retreat not only at the desk in my room but at the dining room table. It’s so nice I also use it on my padded desk chair. My husband ordered one too. 

Or if you need more lumbar support, check out the pillow combos that have a back section as well as a seat cushion. Here’s an example: Everlasting Comfort Seat Cushion and Lumbar Support Pillow Combo

It's important to take care of our backs. That might mean yoga, visiting a chiropractor or acupuncturist, pain relief, or some combination of those things. It should also mean making sure you have a great ergonomic desk set up. 

Good ergonomics means you should also have your desk and chair at the right height so your feet are comfortably on the floor. It’s not easy to change the height of a desk, however. Instead you can use a footrest. The first one I ordered was a little too high for my setup, so I passed it on to my husband. This shape adds a bit more flexibility: Everlasting Comfort Foot Rest for Under Desk 

I hope you find something here that makes your life easier. Check out my previous post on tools for comfort, and I’ll be back with a post on “Easing Neck Pain,” and possibly more as I discover useful tools for writers and readers! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves. Sign up for the Kris Bock Mystery and Romance newsletter and get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material, a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café, and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels.

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romantic comedy newsletter to get a short story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Kris has over 100 books for children published under the names Chris Eboch and M. M. Eboch. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure used in many schools; and The Genie’s Gift, a middle eastern fantasy. Jesse Owens: Young Record Breaker and Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier are inspiring biographies focused on them as children and young men.

Writer and Reader Comfort: tools to make writing and reading time easier. #amwriting #writinglife #reader #booklover #holidaygiftguide #christmasgift

I wrote this post in April but thought it could be helpful as people look for holiday gifts. Get these for the writers or readers in your life!

I was recently at a writer’s retreat where we spent a little time one evening sharing the tools we found to make our writing and reading time easier. People enthusiastically took pictures and made notes so they could grab these items – most under $40 – when they got home. I decided others might appreciate learning about some of these tools. I’ve also added a couple more of my own favorites. 

Writer and Reader Comfort 

This Adjustable Laptop Table inspired the whole conversation. The adjustable legs mean you can use it over your lap on the couch or you can turn a table into a standing desk. I ordered one immediately after coming home. (You can find a lot of other options if you prefer certain materials or styles, but note that some of them have a flat base rather than legs that can straddle a lap. Also, the width of the legs might not work for every lap size.)  

Here's a picture of the box that shows various configurations:

Next up, I got this Pillow Foam Stand Holder as a gift a couple of years ago and I love it. My mom loves hers too. It holds an e-reader, iPad or tablet at a nice angle for reading, so you don’t have to hold it in your hands and you don’t strain your neck as much as you would with it down in your lap. I keep mine on a pile of pillows on the couch to keep it at eye height. I like this royal blue color, but scroll down and you’ll see lots of options for different styles and designs, including some fun animal heads “for children” (but I won’t judge if you need a sloth, unicorn, or monster book holder for yourself)! 

If you prefer print books, you’ll be better off with a stand that has built-in clips to hold the pages flat when the book is open. I haven’t tried this LUXURISM Adjustable Book Stand, but it says it’s a cookbook holder, so it should work for most books and magazines. 

And if you do want to try an e-reader, I have the Amazon Fire HD 10 inch tablet. The battery lasts for many hours if it’s on airplane mode, I can take dozens of books with me when I travel, and I can adjust the font size to make it easier on my aging eyes. In addition, it’s often cheaper to buy e-books than print books, and you can get books from the library and have them delivered to your Kindle – no need to stop in to pick up your holds! 

Finally, this Electric Kettle might not seem like a “writing tool” but writers and readers who like a nice cup of tea will appreciate the speed and temperature accuracy of an electric kettle. They’re so inexpensive and really handy. This one comes in fun colors, but there are others that give you different temperature options, which might be best if you drink green, white, and oolong teas that should brew at different temperatures.

I hope you find something fabulous here that makes your life easier. I also have posts on “Comfort at Your Desk,” “Easing Neck Pain,” and possibly more as I discover useful tools for writers and readers! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves. Sign up for the Kris Bock Mystery and Romance newsletter and get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material, a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café, and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels.

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romantic comedy newsletter to get a short story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Kris has over 100 books for children published under the names Chris Eboch and M. M. Eboch. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure used in many schools; and The Genie’s Gift, a middle eastern fantasy. Jesse Owens: Young Record Breaker and Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier are inspiring biographies focused on them as children and young men.