Danyelle Leafty

Chatting With Christine Fonseca, Author of Dies Irae

2012-02-13T22:18:00.001-06:00

I'm happy to introduce my good friend Christine Fonseca today. :) She's the author of Dies Irae, a novella and part of her Requiem series. (I'll be collecting one of her characters' hearts next week. >:))

So, without further ado, Christine:

What was the spark that first ignited thestory of DIES IRAE? – DIES IRAE is actually thesecond story I’ve written about the world of Celestium and angels. Thisparticular idea started as an exploration of the relationship between two ofthe characters in the novel LACRIMOSA—charactersthat are pivotal to the entire world and conflict within the series. When theidea came up to write a prequel novella to introduce readers to Celestium andthe angelic realm, it seemed only natural to use and expand on this story.

When did you first realize you had a story? – I really thought DIES IRAE would be a little short about Mikayel and Azza; somethingthe publisher could offer as a little amuse bouche until LACRIMOSA came out.It wasn’t until I started really planning it and understanding the dynamicsbetween the characters that I understood its complexity. So my little 20 pageshort became a 75+ page novella. And I’m thrilled that it did. The story isricher than I had planned, more complex. And a great start to the series. I amreally hoping readers respond the same way.

Introduce us to your main characters. – DIESIRAE follows three angelic friends as they fulfill their assignments asWatchers on earth at the brink of Ancient Greek’s dark ages:

Mikayel is the most favored of the young angels.Destined to serve as a Council elder, he is the reason the angels are set toearth in the first place

Azzaziel, or Azzaas most people know him, is Mikayel’s closest friend and ally. He is impetuous,daring, and fiercely loyal.

Demetra—Demi—isthe third friend. She is the voice of reason, ever-aware of the Council’sexpectations for Mikayel. She wants to protect Mikayel from everything,especially his….

Yea, that is all I can say without spoilers.:D

What is your writing process like? – I am a thinker, meaning I stew and stew andstew over my storylines, often for weeks before I can write a single word. OnceI have a “vibe” on the story, I plan out the plot beats and chapters. This isnot a rigid thing, however. It’s loose, flexible and very much subject tochange. After the story is somewhat planned out, I begin drafting. I draft in15 minute increments typically, largely due to my time constraints. Drafting ismy least favorite part of the process, and keeping it to short intervalsenables me to shut down my inner editor and get the story out of my head. Oncethe zero-draft is out of my head, I begin editing. That’s it. Basically. For DIES IRAE it was a very fast process.For other books, it has been slow and laborious.

What are your favorite books to read? – I am a very eclectic person in general, andthis extends to my book preference. I read every genre, basically, in both YAand Adult. Right now I have a contemporary, a fantasy, and a paranormal on myYA shelf waiting to be read. And I am currently reading an adult mystery. See,eclectic. In general, though, I am drawn to mysteries and paranormal or urbanfantasies. And I love stories steeped in believable intrigue.

Six Random Things About Christine:

favorite ice cream flavor – Oh, that is tough. I gave up sugar a whileback, so I only rarely eat ice cream. Since it is such a treat for me, I reallyhave no preference to taste. That said, I CRAVED Mint Chocolate Chip ice creamwith both pregnancies, and I am very nostalgic about Pralines and Cream (it wasmy mom’s favorite)

cookies or cupcakes – cookies all the way!

how do you feel about pumpkins – um, love them. In pie, in stew, for bread.Very fall-ish.

favorite element and why (earth, air, wind,fire, etc.) – Thisis tough for me – I have aspects of each of the elements and am drawn to themfor different reasons. I guess that means I am most into the element of spirit.I embrace all natural things, as spirit does, moving freely amongst the otherelements. So yea, spirit.

favorite super power – I like the power of knowing peoplesthoughts.

Thanks so much Christine! You can find Dies Irae at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

Some sacrifices should never be made—evenfor love.

Mikayel lives by onerule—obey the orders of the angelic Council at all costs. But when he and hisfriends, Azza and Demi, are sent to Earth as teenagers, following the rules ismore difficult than they expected.

Being human isn’t theonly problem facing the three angels. Unbeknownst to the Council, demonicactivity is on the rise, threatening to break a tenuous peace that has existedfor a millennia.

Caught in a strugglefor power with unseen demonic forces, and fighting against his rising emotional,Mikayel must now decide how many rules he is willing to break to save hisfriends, a decision that could reignite an ancient war and will threaten theonly thing that matters to the angels, the survival of humanity.

“Dies Irae is the perfect introductionto Christine Fonseca’s Requiem series. The beauty of the words will tempt you,the tragedy of the story will break you, and the love, woven throughout likemusic through the trees, will haunt you for days afterward. Dies Irae promisesa tale unlike any you’ve read before.”

~Ali Cross, Author of BECOME

About Christine:

School psychologist by day, criticallyacclaimed YA and nonfiction author by night, Christine Fonseca believes thatwriting is a great way to explore humanity. Her debut YAGothic series, The RequiemSeries, including DIES IRAEand LACRIMOSA, examines the role ofredemption, sacrifice and love. Whenshe’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can be sipping too manyskinny vanilla lattes at her favorite coffee house or playing around on Facebook and Twitter. Catch her daily thoughts about writing and life on her blog.

*Just a reminder that you can still win one of two copies of The Fairy Tale Trap. Click here for details.

The Fairy Tale Trap Giveaway

2012-02-12T23:34:00.001-06:00

Happy Monday, everyone! :)

The Fractured Fairy Tale Panel at LTUE last week was a success! I had a blast and met a lot of great people. :) On that note, I died on Thursday afternoon and am still recovering. So if you've Tweeted or FB'ed or emailed me or have requested a book to review, I'm still getting caught up.

I thought I'd get this week started off with a giveaway of not one, but two copies of The Fairy Tale Trap, generously donated by Emily. :) I'm going to try something different and use the Rafflecopter thingamadoodad. Let me know what you think in the comments. The only thing you have to do to enter to win a copy is leave a comment on this blog post. Everything else is extra. :)

Here's the blurb for the book:

Ivy has always been afraid of mirrors, but she never knew why. Then one of them sucks her into the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.

So what if she’s been pulled from her home and talks to pixies now? That’s no big deal for a military brat. Ivy’s used to adapting. All she wants is to find her way home.

But when she tries to escape, Ivy breaks the wrong spell. Now Beast is not so gentle-on-the-inside, Beauty is falling for the wrong prince, and Ivy is no closer to figuring out how to get through the enchanted forest that traps her.

With magic mirrors, dancing fairies, a sadistic pixie, and other random fairy tale twists, Ivy doesn’t know what’s safe or who to trust. Can she escape the fairy tale trap?

Good luck everyone!

And, just a reminder, but Ali Cross's contest is still going on with less than 24 hours to enter to win a free copy of my novels.

There's also still time to sign up for my newsletter in which you will receive a free short story a month, info on upcoming giveaways and contests, and a chance to win an ARC of BITTEN: A NOVEL OF FAERIE that will be released in spring of 2012! (Sign up for my newsletter is at the top of my sidebar. :D)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feeling the Love

2012-02-09T00:41:00.000-06:00

Hey!

I'm away at a writing conference until Saturday, and am presenting a panel on fractured fairy tales. #nailbitingnervous

I just wanted to publicly thank Ali for the best surprise I woke up to yesterday. I still can't find the words to adequately describe how I feel, but please know that I thank each one of you from the bottom of my heart.

Here's her post and a chance to win some free books.

Writing a story and bringing it to life is wonderful. Publishing it and sharing a world and characters you love with the world is fantastic.

But having friends like all of you is better than all of the above put together.

Thank you. :)

*And just a reminder: the drawing for Bitten ARCs is still going on. The sign up for my newsletter is at the top of my sidebar. I'll be sending the first one out on the 15th of February, and each newsletter will have a link to a free short story that will only be available for a month. Each short story will be a fractured fairy tale and feature Nerissa while she's a wicked faerie and actively trying to break up each DID's Happily Ever After . . . to no avail. :D

The Golden Apple Presents Adrienne From An Addicted Book Reader

2012-02-08T01:26:00.000-06:00

So very excited to present Adrienne to you today. As always, you can find past and present Golden Apples here. Their picture takes you to their blog, whereas the link with words (ex: Golden Apple #1) takes you to their feature on my blog. :)

On to the interview:

What do you love most about books?

Books are the one thing I can always count on to love and adore. If I don't like one, then I can just move on to the next. I just love to sit down, relax, and dive right into a wonderful, fictitious story.

What about a story catches you in the beginning and doesn’t let go until you reach the end?

A story catches me in the beginning by telling an intriguing, unique tale with characters that I can easily relate with. If I fall in love with the characters, then I will fall in love with the story and not be able to stop until the end.

What’s your favorite kind of hero? Your favorite kind of villain?

My favorite kind of hero is definitely someone who is lovable and someone who closely resembles myself. A hero has to be an ordinary seeming type of person but with the heart and courage to be called a hero. A villain on the other hand is also easy to hate because you just have to love to hate them. I like to read about the "bad boy" type of villain whom in the end turns out not to be that bad after all.

Five books you’d take with you as you flee a zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion? (E-readers don’t count.)

Wow that would be such a hard decision but these five would definitely have to be my choices: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, and Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran. Each of these I have loved in several different ways and I couldn't live without each of them.

Favorite book as a child? Favorite book now? How have your tastes changed/remained the same?

My favorite book as a child was and still is Harry Potter. That is your typical answer but still today, it is one of the best book(s) I have ever read. They are what started my love obsession with reading and wanting to spend my life with and reading books. My tastes have changed a lot since I was younger since I am more "mature" now and have grown up a lot since then. I love to read dystopian and fantasy books along with contemporary young adult because they are just so easy to read and enjoy and ultimately fall in love with!

Thank you so much, Adrienne!

Adrienne can be found on her blog, Twitter, and you can learn more about her here.

February Celebrations

2012-02-06T00:20:00.001-06:00

I can't believe it's February already. It's crazy how time seems to be stuck in fast forward. >.<

But this February, I'm celebrating.

Celebrating that I made it through last year. Celebrating the awesomeness of friends. Celebrating the good things that are to come. And celebrating life.

To kick off the celebration, I've created a new newsletter. My newsletter will go out *once a month, and will be full of upcoming news (golden apples, hearts I'm collecting, book stuff, etc.), books I'm excited about, and (for this year at least) a link to a short story.

The short stories will be set in The Fairy Godmother Dilemma world, and will focus on the time during which Nerissa handed in her wand and became a wicked faerie. (APPLESPELL) Each story will be a fractured fairy tale and will only be available through my newsletter.

I'm using a new newsletter service, so if you've signed up to follow my blog through Feedburner, you will *not* be on the newsletter list. To do that you'll need to sign up in the box at the top of my sidebar or, for your convenience, right here:

To say thank you for subscribing, 1 out of every 15 new subscribers will win an Advanced Reader's Copy of BITTEN: A NOVEL OF FAERIE. (Sign ups are time stamped, so I'll be drawing 1 name out of every 15 rather than, say, 10 names out of 100) This is a new novel that I'll be releasing in the spring. I finished it back in June of 2010, and am excited to finally be releasing it out into the wild. :)

Here's a little bit about BITTEN:

Bad things tend to come in threes for fourteen-year-old Cherrie Wilding: a new stepfamily, a new home, and a new school. Unfortunately, so does magical misfortune: being bitten by a fairy, fairy venom, and the “stroke” her Grams suffered. It turns out the stroke was the result of her light—her fairy soul—being stolen. And Thorn, the fairy who bit Cherrie, demands help to steal Grams’s light back. When the fairy venom in the bite starts turning Cherrie into a smaller, milk craving, winged version of herself, she discovers there’s not much difference between bad luck and magic—except that bad luck’s a lot more reasonable. And a lot less argumentative.

As much as she wants to save Grams, her need to protect her brother from the faeries and the rest of the real world wins out. Who knows what lurks in a world populated by winged menaces? But when Thorn talks Cherrie’s brother into going to the fairy realm, Cherrie mounts a rescue attempt to save him. To her surprise, it’s not her brother who needs rescuing—it’s the faeries. Someone is stealing their lights and imprisoning them, and it’s up to Cherrie and her brother to free them. But saving the faeries, keeping her brother safe, and returning home requires the help of the Phoenix. And the price for his aid doesn’t come cheap. If Cherrie wants to succeed, she must be willing to part with her greatest possession: her heart.

What about you? Anything you're celebrating this February? Also, because this newsletter is for you, is there anything or any special feature you'd like to see in it? I've changed the comment feature so it has the reply button, because I've been kind of rotten about doing comments through email. :S

*My first newsletter will go out on the 15th of February. Subsequent newsletters will go out on the first of each month.

Drawn by Marie Lamba

2012-02-02T21:00:00.000-06:00

Drawn

Marie Lamba

340 pages

YA fantasy/paranormal

Review Copy from Author

Teen artist Michelle De Freccio moves to England in search of a normal life . . . instead she finds a hot medieval ghost with a sketchy past.

It all begins when a strange guy appears in Michelle's drawings. When she actually meets him at the town's castle, she's unmistakably drawn to him. But something is definitely not right. For starters, he wears medieval garb, talks of ancient murders and tends to disappear each time they kiss.

Could he possibly be a ghost? Could Michelle be losing her mind? Or has she simply uncovered a love so timeless it's spanned the centuries . . .

The first thing I noticed about DRAWN was its voice. Or, more accurately, the voice of the main character Michelle.

One of the interesting things about this genre, is that most girl main characters seem to have a certain level of required snark. After a while, they all start to run together--at least for me. But the thing that really drew me in was that Michelle had her own brand of snark--an honest snark that had warmth and life to it while it also worked a little as a defense against some of her emotional pain. Her voice was her own. It reflected both her world view and her experience which made it feel authentic.

Another thing I really enjoyed was that while there was a romantic plot line going on, DRAWN didn't rely solely on that alone. Michelle's family is a little different. Her mother worked as a fortune teller before she vanished, her father is a professor, and her older brother is dealing with being diagnosed with schizophrenia. How Michelle reacts to and deals with all of this on top of falling in love with a ghost adds meat to the story. It also gave me a chance to get to know her in a more well-rounded way, and helped me understand her motivations and actions better.

Especially when she becomes convinced for a little while that she's losing it when she realizes Christopher (the ghost) isn't from her time period.

Some other serious issues were touched on, and while they weren't the forefront of the story, they only served to make the novel even better. As the story unfolds, Michelle grows as she comes against some very difficult things--including facing her own past and fears--and has a hard decision to make in the end.

And the end?

One, I didn't see it coming. And two, I really, really liked how the author handled it. I don't know if there will be a sequel or not, but if there is, I'll definitely be reading it. :)

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.*

You can find DRAWN on Amazon.

*There is some minor language including the Lord's name in vain.

Venture's Heart: A Fighter's Heart

2012-01-29T23:33:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to present Venture's heart from the Venture series by author R.H. Russell. Venture is the first male character I've collected, so I can imagine he's thrilled with the heart motif. :p

I don't know how to tell you how I feel when I fight. Free.In control, even though in so many ways, I know that I'm not. I love the feelof the rough canvas under my feet, of landing a punch just right, of reversingmy opponent and bringing him down, just when he thought he had me. I even lovethe burning in my chest when a round goes long. And the victory of simplysurviving, going the distance with one of the bigger, better guys.

My first six months on the mat, this little prick namedBorder beat the stuffing out of me. I was the first bondsman to step on themat, and Border didn't like that one bit. I'm a member of the lowest class inthe world. I don't deserve to be at Beamer's Center, and I'm not to be trusted.The fact that I've gotten into more than my share of scuffles sure doesn't helpmy case.

Border got plenty of chances to try to prove that I didn'tbelong, because I picked him every chance I got. Every time I sparred with him,it was a chance for him to pound me, but it was also a chance for me to figurehim out. When I got close, I could see the fear in his eyes. Not just fear ofwhat I'd be able to do to him one day, but fear that he was wrong. Thatsomething about the order in our world was very, very wrong. And that becauseof me, other people were going to see it, too.

I'm bonded to Grant Fieldstone. He's a good man, and itought to be enough that he treats me well, that I never go hungry, that I evenget to have an education. I work hard for Master Fieldstone, but he promised mymother I'd be trained to do something other than be a servant, so that when Iwas nineteen and my contract was up, I could choose freedom, and I couldsupport myself.

Master Fieldstone took me to Beamer's, one of the bestcenters for training boys in the fighting arts, because I was out of control,and he didn't know what else to do with me. Now I get to take sport fightinglessons just for fun. The guys at Beamer's beat some sense into me when I getout of line, but there's nowhere else I'd rather be.

Doesn't sound so bad, does it? Things could be a lot worsefor the orphaned son of parents who grew up bonded, and I know it. And I amgrateful.

But it isn't enough. You're from a different world. So Iguess it doesn't matter if I tell you the truth. The truth is, I've alwayswanted to be a prize fighter--a champion in the arena, just me and my opponentand our bare hands and feet battling for the title. I know I have what ittakes, and my trainer, Earnest, does, too. I can see it on his face. He wantsit for me almost as bad as he wanted it for himself.

I don't know how I'm going to tell him that when I turnfourteen, the age of choosing a career path, I'm going to stay at Beamer's totrain--but not as a prize fighter. As a guard. I'll end up working for somewealthy merchant, or rounding up my friends outside the pub when they get toorowdy.

Earnest won't understand why I'm doing it. Why I'm giving upwhat I love. No one will, except for Jade. She's my master's daughter, butshe's also been my best friend from the time we were little. Jade loves towatch me practice. A fighting center is no place for a lady like Jade, but theguys know better than to mess with her. And they sure don't mind having heraround. She's beautiful. And no, I'm not about to tell her that. She'd probablypop me right in the nose if I did.

Jade knows things about me that no one else does. That noone else ever will. She knows what it is to want more. She knows all of who Ireally am, even the part I'll never get to be--not just a fighter, but the bestin the world. The Champion of All Richland.

Venture Delving, of Twin Rivers, Richland.

About the awesome author R.H. Russell--The ambitions, the struggles, and the triumphs of the fighters in The Venture Books are inspired by the author’s involvement with combat sports. Eighteen years on the mat with talented young fighters have given R.H. Russell not only the experience to write about fighters in an authentic way, but a heart for the fighter in all of us.

R.H. Russell's website, Facebook page, Twitter page, and Goodreads page. Venture Untamed is available on Amazon.

Venture Delving is a bonded servant, a member of the lowest class in the world. Already fatherless, when he loses his mother, he veers from energetic to out of control. But when Venture's rage saves the life of Jade, his best friend and his master's daughter, Venture finds himself in the last place he ever expected—a center renowned for training young boys to be professional fighters.

When Venture realizes he's fallen in love with Jade, he knows that the only way he'll ever have her, the only way he'll ever be free to live the life he's meant to live, is to defy convention, common sense, the trust of those he cares about most—and sometimes the law—and become the best fighter in the world, the Champion of All Richland. Venture must battle not only rival fighters, but the ghosts of his past and the members of a privileged warrior class who stand between him and his dream.

Book one of the Venture series. Approximately 60,000 words (About 240 standard pages). Ages thirteen and up.

In Venture Unleashed, Venture Delving leaves his home in Twin Rivers to train at the renowned Champions Center, in pursuit of his dream to escape his bonded class by becoming a champion fighter. There, Venture meets two men who hold the title he longs to claim himself one day—Champion of All Richland. But a violent encounter with one of them nearly ends his life and destroys his dreams.

Thrust into the center of growing political turmoil and confronted with choices he never imagined he’d have to make, Venture must find a way to keep his hope and his love for Jade, his master’s daughter, alive. Thanks to the privileged Crested warrior class who’d rather see him die than live his dream, the worst nightmares of Venture’s past and his future are about to follow him onto the mat as he fights the match of his life.

72,000 words (about 290 standard pages). Ages 15 and up.

Ivy's Heart: My Favorite Photo

2012-01-27T15:32:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to present Ivy's heart as part of Emily Casey's blog tour. The next stop on the tour is Tia Nevitt's blog on Sunday.

Emily Casey's The Fairy Tale Trap is about a girl named Ivy who getssucked into Beauty and the Beast. She’s modern and snarky and she turns thefairy tale on its ear. But she has a vulnerable side that you get glimpses ofevery now and then. Most of them center around her mom and dad as she strugglesto get back home.

Ivy’s Heart

Like most girls my age, I have a special connection with mydad. Unfortunately, he’s in the military, so he spends a lot of time overseas.I worry about him when he’s away because, you know, anything could happen.

That’s when I bring out my favorite photo. It’s a pictureof him when he finished his first-ever marathon. He’s kind of a small guy, andhe’s really skinny. We used to joke that just the sight of him would give theKenyans second thoughts. His clothes are dusty, but he’s got this big goofygrin on his face. Whenever I look at that picture, I imagine that, wherever heis, my dad is happy, with the same goofy grin.

This picture means everything to me. We move around a lot,sometimes without Dad, so the photo is sometimes the only connection I have tohim.

My story starts with me looking for the picture. It’s gonemissing. I don’t know it at the time, but the picture was stolen. Someone tookit because they knew how much it meant to me. If I had known the picture heldso much power, I would have guarded it more closely.

But even without having it in my hands, the picture pulledme through some tight situations. There’s a part in The Fairy Tale Trap wheremy friends and I were under a spell. Thinking about the people I love was hardbecause the spell fogged up my brain. But the picture was still so vivid in mymemory, my dad’s love found its way to me, even when I was stuck in a fairytale.

Some day, I’ll get that picture back.

Note from Emily: Ivy’s dad is wearing a racenumber in the photo—number 2504. This particular number has significance forme, too. It’s the race number I wore for my first half-marathon in March 2010.

Emily is an awesome author who can be found on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. Her book, The Fairy Tale Trap is available on Amazon.

Ivy has always been afraid of mirrors, but she never knew why. Then one of them sucks her into the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. All she wants is to find her way home. But when she tries to escape, Ivy breaks the wrong spell. Now Beast is not so gentle-on-the-inside, Beauty is falling for the wrong prince, and Ivy is no closer to figuring out how to get through the enchanted forest that traps her.

With magic mirrors, dancing fairies, a sadistic pixie, and other random fairy tale twists, Ivy doesn’t know what’s safe or who to trust. Can she escape the fairy tale trap?

The Golden Apple Presents Suz and Noe from I Adore Books and Film

2012-01-19T22:58:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm just finishing up with The Fairy Godmother Dilemma series, so hopefully I'll have more blogging/chatting time in the near future. :D

I'm really excited to introduce an incredible book blogger today. And because they are so awesome, I'm happy to present not one, but two: Suz and Noe of I Adore Books and Film!

What do you love most about books?

Suz: I love the movie that plays in my head, the tone that is set by my own experiences. The relationship I have with the writer is unique to me and my venture into their world. Unlike film, where the director can manipulate the scenario and characters, with creative features, writing is subjective and solely between the author and reader.

What about a story catches you in the beginning and doesn’t let go until you reach the end?

Noe and Suz: It’s the intimate details. Example, film can help you feel sympathy for a character, but the written account of someone’s actions tap into an empathetic point of view. We’re all about the details, whether they are cleverly revealed as in Cormac McCarthy’s work, or in your face, per say, as in C.S. Lewis’s work.

Oh yeah, we love a good twist, too!

What’s your favorite kind of hero? Your favorite kind of villain?

Noe and Suz: My favorite kind of hero has to be one that finds the inner strength to carry on and not necessarily in the right fashion. But he/she has to be good hearted.

(Suz) It’s why I loved the Stieg Larsson trilogy so much. I love Lisbeth Salander, though she wasn’t always careful or thinking straight. But her intentions were good. (Noe) I like to read historical fiction, and mainly stories set during WWII. I love characters that endure, regardless of what they are put through because of their faith.

Our favorite type of villain? (Suz) I’ll answer this! I love psychological thrillers. I love finding out the bad guy all along was the main character to begin with! You know, like The Shining… Nothing scares me more than a lack of humanity, driven by insanity. And maybe a touch of supernatural. Creepy!!

Five books you’d take with you as you flee a zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion? (E-readers don’t count.)

Noe and Suz: (Noe) The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series! (Suz) I’d take obviously, the bible. Best book ever! And then C.S. Lewis’s collection (yes, it comes in one book at Barne’s and Noble. That counts!) Probably anything from Anne Rice, and the Zombie Survival Guide… for knowledge!

Favorite book as a child? Favorite book now? How have your tastes changed/remained the same?

(Suz) When I was young I was really into Greek Mythology, until I discovered Edgar Allen Poe. I couldn’t understand a lot of his work, but The Black Cat and The Pit and the Pendulum really struck a chord with me. I still enjoy scary stories to this day, again, especially ones that are psychological in nature. I think Stephen King is the master of this type of work, but I love a good cheesy Dean Koontz book, or even Mary Higgins Clark.

Thanks so much, Suz and Noe!

You can find Suz and Noe on their blog. As always, you can check past and present Golden Apples up in the tabs or by clicking here.

Mara's Heart: Frozen in Time

2012-01-12T23:03:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to introduce another new feature to my blog today.

At least twice a month, I will be collecting hearts. >:) Character hearts. Each guest poster will be a character from a recent release (or not, depending on my mood) who will post about something that is at the very foundation of their being. Their heart. And, because I love you all, I wanted to share the hearts with you too. O:)

So, warm welcome to Mara--a character from Shana Norris's newest release: Surfacing.

Courtesy of fangol

Frozen in Time

I received my first camera when I was seven years old. Pink and plastic, oversized buttons and a viewfinder that gave a fish-eye effect to everything, it was the love of my life.

I had always loved to take pictures. My mom would always try to take pictures of me and the various things I did—being the only child of a single mother, any and everything I did was deemed worthwhile for posterity—but somehow I’d always end up with the camera and it would be me taking pictures of her and our tiny apartment and the little Chihuahua that lived next door in 2-C.

So, deciding that the only way she’d ever get to take pictures with her camera was to get me my own camera, my mom surprised me with a child-sized pink camera for my seventh birthday. It was nowhere near top-of-the-line, but I loved that thing to death. I captured almost every moment of my life from seven to twelve with that pink camera, which eventually became scratched, battered, and faded to a dull rose color.

For my twelfth birthday, the only thing I wanted, the only thing I hinted for months leading up to it, was a digital SLR camera with a few different lenses. It was asking for a lot, considering money wasn’t something my mom had in excess. To tell you the truth, I never really expected to get it and I gave myself pep talks in the days before my birthday, telling myself that no matter what kind of camera I did or didn’t get, don’t let Mom know I was disappointed. My deadbeat dad had already upset Mom enough to last her a lifetime and I never wanted to add to that.

So I plastered on a smile during my small birthday party when Mom handed me her wrapped gift. I pulled back the paper, willing myself to keep that smile in place as I opened…

My brand new digital SLR camera. Not the newest model, but slightly older. Still, it had all the features I wanted and three interchangeable lenses. It was the greatest gift I ever received from anyone. I may have even cried a little, and I don’t cry easily.

It’s been four years since I received the camera and it’s still a permanent fixture around my neck. I carry it everywhere. After my mom’s diagnosis, I filled up a memory card with pictures of her. As the cancer ate at her body and mind, I took pictures of every day I had left with her.

My camera has always been a way for me to capture time, but after my mom’s death, I realized it was a way for me to capture people too. I can turn on my camera, cycle through the photos on the little screen, and go back to when my mom was healthy and happy. Back to when the only thing I worried about was if a certain boy in school liked me. Back to a girl I used to be once.

-Mara Westray

Mara is the main character of Surfacing by Shana Norris. She can often be seen snapping photos with her camera around the small island of Swans Landing, North Carolina.

Shana is an awesome author who can be found on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. You can learn more about her here.

Sixteen-year-old Mara Westray has just lost her mother, and now, being shipped off to live with the father she doesn’t know is not how she imagined grieving. She’s already counting down the days until she turns eighteen and can leave the tiny island of Swans Landing.

But from the moment she steps off the ferry, nothing is as ordinary as it looks. Whispers of a haunting song on the wind make her see impossible things, and she isn’t sure she can trust her judgment about what is real and what isn’t anymore. Maybe she can’t even trust her judgment about quiet Josh Canavan, whose way of speaking in riddles and half-truths only confuses her more, luring her deeper into the secrets hidden beneath the ocean’s surface.

As she tries to unravel the events that led to her mom fleeing the island sixteen years ago, Mara finds that the biggest secret of all is only the beginning.

SURFACING is an approximately 78,000 word/314 page young adult paranormal romance.

The Golden Apple Presents Diana of Diana's Amazing Book Adventures

2012-01-06T00:27:00.003-06:00

Welcome to 2012, everyone! Sorry I've been so MIA of late, but one of my New Year resolutions is to be a little less, erm, intense when it comes to writing, thus hopefully avoiding burn out. We shall see if I can keep it this year. O:)

A special thanks to all of you who have stuck around. I'm hoping to be a lot more responsive comment-wise and return comments a lot more frequently. As certain deadlines approach, I might wobble a little, but hopefully I won't be knocked out of orbit.

I'm happy to say that this blog will be undergoing a transformation. Rather than focusing purely on writing, it will be a little more, how do you say, eclectic. There will still be a bit about writing, and there will still be books.

As part of that transformation I was alluding to earlier, I'm excited to introduce a new feature to the blog: The Golden Apple of Book Blogs. Herein, every week (or every other week) I will introduce book bloggers that I follow and enjoy.

Why the golden apple?

Because books and fairy tales are so very important. They take life, paint it in a mirror, and reflect it back at us. What better way to discover new truths and new books than from people for whom reading is a passion?

But what does that have to do with apples?

“Fairy tales say that apples were golden only to refresh the forgotten moment when we found that they were green. They make rivers run with wine only to make us remember, for one wild moment, that they run with water.”

~G.K. Chesterton

So, without further ado, I'd like to present Diana Ault from Diana's Amazing Book Adventures! (PS: If you look up in the tabs section, you'll be able to see all the Golden Apples I've featured by way of their buttons.)

What do you love most about books?

The escapism and the close look a reader can get at humanity through well-written characters.

What about a story catches you in the beginning and doesn't let go until you reach the end?

I love stories that create intrigue and suspense and just plain old curiosity. The kind of story that throws in twists and turns that keep you guessing and wondering until the very end.

What's your favorite kind of hero? Your favorite kind of villain?

I enjoy heroes that are the "every man". The ones that you could imagine being yourself, or parts of yourself. The best villains are the ones that likewise you can see parts of yourself in, or who are at least understandable. I don't like two-dimensional main characters. They've got to have depth and make sense.

Five books you'd take with you as you flee a zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion? (E-readers don't count.)

My Chronicles of Narnia hardcover B&N compilation, Brave Story by Miyuki Miyabe (also hardcover), The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (HC), my old scripture compilation that I've written notes in all over the place (and have even drawn tiny pictures in), and...gosh. To make the choice of the fifth book easier, I'll say our Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, B&N compilation (HC) for my husband. He loves those stories.

Favorite book as a child? Favorite book now? How have your tastes changed/remained the same?

I can't really remember what my favorite book was as a child. Honestly, when I was a youth, I read a lot of grown-up books and in my adult years I read mostly youth books. When I was VERY young I remember liking a picture book called Groundsel by Fergus Hall. It was given to me when I lived in Germany (where I was born) and I still have it. The artwork is so interesting and kind of creepy. I read Watership Down by Richard Adams when I was in fifth grade and loved it. A great book that I read recently that made me give an audible "wow", is Variant by Robison Wells. It is the first in a new young adult series and packs quite a sucker punch. I've always leaned toward fantasy, but in recent years I've allowed myself to branch out and experience other genres, like the historical, piratical adventure, Captain Blood, written by Rafael Sabatini in the early 1900s. I highly recommend it. I still tend to stick to fiction though.

Special features on Diana's blog:

I think I create some pretty fun posts (all focused on youth books; children's, middle-grade, and young adult). They are chock full of information and fun extras. I often feel like I'm writing an exciting research paper with each post!

Mondays are for yummies: Recipes either directly from books or inspired by books.

Tuesdays focus on children's picture books or middle-grade novels.

Wednesdays feature YA/teen books.

You can find quotes on Thursdays, either directly from a story or from an author or illustrator.

Fridays are for event or author/illustrator highlights. The post can be based on an event I've been to personally or an author or illustrator I've met in person, or simply about an author/illustrator who I think is cool.

I like to write, so Saturdays are devoted to writing help in some form such as advice (from people who know what they're doing), writer resources, and inspiration/motivation.

Lastly, Sunday is devoted to reviewing the past week and looking forward to the week ahead, including local events (I live in Provo, UT), books and bookish things I've acquired, and recent and upcoming releases.

Thank you so much, Diana!

You can find Diana on her blog and Facebook and learn more about her here.

UNTRACEABLE by S.R. Johannes

2011-12-21T01:00:00.000-06:00

Untraceable

S.R. Johannes

199 pages

YA Thriller

Review Copy from Publisher

"16 year old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him. One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father. Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder.

And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves."

One word: Wow.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked UNTRACEABLE up since YA thrillers are in short supply, and all I can say is that I can't wait for the sequel to come out next year.

I loved the survival tips above each chapter, because they each gave me a hint of what was to come. There is tension on every page that builds as it goes--not the going-out-of-my-gourd-can't-read-anymore type of tension, but the delicious tightening of plot strings as the author brings Grace (and me) closer to the danger point.

One of my favorite things about the story was the way the author made use of the setting. The forest is at once a safe haven and a danger to Grace, and I like how that is juxtaposed. I also like all of the little details the author weaves in that brings the setting home to me so that I feel like I'm there.

There are no extraneous people, places, or plot points. Every bit of information leads to a conclusion I hadn't expected, and one that leaves me wanting to gobble up the sequel right now. The storyteller in me delighted at watching all the characters being woven into a simple, yet complicated design that I couldn't quite make out until the end.

One of my favorite devices in any type of story are those gray characters--the ones that you don't know whether they're good or bad or something in between. There are a couple of characters like that in UNTRACEABLE, one of which being the main male character Mo--and Grace's love interest.

Yeah.

Not knowing for sure why he's *really* there and what he's *really* doing, but hoping that he's one of the good guys only serves to ratchet up the tension.

I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.*

I definitely enjoyed UNTRACEABLE, and can't wait for UNCONTROLLABLE to come out so I can find out what happens next.

*There is some minor language, and one or two uses of one of the heavier words.

Waving Hello and Celebrating Megg Jensen's Latest Release

2011-12-18T23:50:00.000-06:00

I want to thank you all for your kind words and thoughts over the last couple of weeks. I apologize for not being able to respond individually. My health has been bad lately, which is why I've disappeared for the last little while. But please know that I appreciate all the support you each have given me, and knowing that there are so many incredible people out there is definitely a light when so many things seem dark.

So thank you! I promise I should be back (blogging--both posting and visiting, Twitter, and Facebook) in January. I'm excited for that, because I've missed all of you a ton. (Especially those that have continued to come by and say hi despite me being mostly absent. Thank you. You will never know how much you've brightened my day. :D)

One last note before I go to the real post. If you've ordered a hard cover for CATSPELL, it's coming and I haven't forgotten you. I've been working on editing it as well as getting it formatted correctly for the printer. I had hoped to have the copies in the mail in time for Christmas, but won't be able to make that deadline. I will have the final format to the printer by the end of this week, so you will hopefully be able to receive your copies in January. :)

And now, onto the post:

I wanted to celebrate my friend Megg Jensen's release of her novel SLEEPERS today. She's an excellent author and an all around awesome person. :)

Introducing the new artwork for Megg Jensen’s bestselling novel
SLEEPERS

To celebrate the re-launch of SLEEPERS in January of 2012, Megg is
giving it a new cover with artwork from the incredible PhatPuppy.

An adoptee raised in a foreign land, sixteen-year-old Lianne

was content with her life as handmaiden to the queen, until a spell

cast on her at birth activated. Now she's filled with uncontrollable

rage and access to magic she thought had been bled from her people

years ago. Even her years of secret training in elite hand-to-hand

combat and meditation can’t calm the fires raging inside her.

Her heart is torn between two boys, the one she’s always loved and the

one who always ignored her. But when the kingdom threatens to tear

itself apart due to rumors surrounding the queen’s alleged affair, who

will Lianne protect and who will she destroy?

On sale now for only 99 cents!

Sales outlets for SLEEPERS can be found here.

Megg on the web:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Getting Sideways Book Launch

2011-12-11T13:35:00.000-06:00

Getting Sideways: Book 2 in the Full Throttle Series

Getting shipped off to live with his uncle Race was the best thing that ever happened to fifteen-year-old Cody. Then a wreck at the speedway nearly ruined everything. Cody’s making every effort to get his life back on track—writing for the school paper, searching for the perfect girlfriend, and counting the days until he gets his drivers’ license—but there’s no escaping the nightmares that haunt him.

A chance to build his own car seems like the perfect distraction. Until Cody realizes he’ll have to live up to Race’s legendary status. But that’s the least of his worries, considering he doesn’t have his dad’s permission. All he has to do is the impossible: keep Race from discovering his lie until he can convince his dad that racing’s safe.

Yeah, sure. That’ll be easy.

Haven't read the first book? Running Wide Open is on sale now for 99 cents.

Running Wide Open: Book 1 in the Full Throttle Series

Cody Everett has a temper as hot as the flashpoint of racing fuel, and it's landed him at his uncle's trailer, a last-chance home before military school. But how can he take the guy seriously when he calls himself Race, eats Twinkies for breakfast, and pals around with rednecks who drive in circles every Saturday night?

What Cody doesn't expect is for the arrangement to work. Or for Race to become the friend and mentor he's been looking for all his life. But just as Cody begins to settle in and get a handle on his supercharged temper, a crisis sends his life spinning out of control. Everything he's come to care about is threatened, and he has to choose between falling back on his old, familiar anger or stepping up to prove his loyalty to the only person he's ever dared to trust.

Praise for Running Wide Open:

"It doesn’t matter if you are a racing fan or not, Running Wide Open will captivate you and capture your heart." – Cari J, Amazon reviewer

“The roar of engines practically explodes off the page in this compelling, heart-thumping debut. Cody Everett is a straight-shooter with attitude, smarts, and whip-cracking wit; he doesn’t pull any punches, and neither does author Lisa Nowak. The collision of Cody and the world of stock car racing makes for a great story, one of the best I’ve read in a long time. Running Wide Open is a book not to be missed.” - Christine Fletcher, author of Tallulah Falls and Ten Cents a Dance

"The racing is easy to understand and does not get in the way of a rattling good story. I still couldn’t put it down on a re-read." – Elisabeth Miles, Amazon reviewer

"We race stock cars during the summer and even though this is a recommended read for Young Adults, we are seniors and enjoyed every page. We can hardly wait for the sequel to come out. MUST READING!" – Maxci Jermann, Barnes and Noble reviewer

"I say read this book, it’s fun, it’s beautiful, it’s a very cool read that will give you a feel-good state of mind. Awesome read." - L.E.Olteano, Butterfly-o-meter Books

Author Bio:

In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron.

Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.

Connect with Lisa online:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lisa_Nowak
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LisaNowakAuthor
Google +: http://bit.ly/LisaNowakGooglePlus
Blog: http://lisanowak.wordpress.com/
Subscribe to her newsletter for updates about coming attractions: http://bit.ly/LisaNowakNewsletter

In Which This Author Creature Says Thank You

2011-12-07T12:58:00.000-06:00

Adversity is an interesting thing. It can grind you down until there's little left but ashes and crumbs of broken dreams, or it can fortify you, make you stronger than you ever could be on your own.

What makes the difference between giving power or shattering a person into a thousand tiny pieces?

Partly it's what is in the person, what they choose. Life is about making hard choices and dealing with hard things. But something that improves a person's chances of adversity becoming a vehicle for growth is a person's friends and support system.

For this, I would like to thank each and every one of you.

A little over a week ago, while I was trying to drum up enough energy to get some writing done, a sharp pain in my back made me forget about everything else. Of course, my spouse creature was at work and wouldn't be home for about two more hours, because that's how trips to the doctor's office work--in the dead of the night at the most inopportune time possible.

Prior to this, I truly believed there could be no worse pain than that of being in labor. The kidney stones (what they lack in being lethal, they more than make up for in attitude) I'd developed proved me wrong.

So, there I was, feeling sorry for myself. I'd been stressing prior to this while I was trying to get the last two books in The Fairy Godmother Dilemma series up (we won't talk about deadlines right now :p), and feeling a bit like a failure. You know that little imp that sits on your shoulder and whispers, "If you just tried a little harder, applied yourself a little more, weren't so lazy . . ."

Yeah, that imp. It had been crooning in my ear for a couple of months. And then the kidney stones (and later a cold) hit, bringing any productivity I might have had to a screeching halt.

All might have been lost (at least for a little while), but then my adorable spouse creature buckled on his armor and charged into the distance on his white steed. He knew I'd been down, had been worried about getting my books up and then having to tackle getting the word out, and felt crummy physically.

He also knew that authors tend to do blog tours to get word out about their books. So he arranged one for me.

Only, instead of me having to do all the work that's involved in setting up a tour, he took care of that. (Thank you to all of the people who were willing to help out. And thank you, Diana for designing such a lovely button.) And, not only that, but he took care of the posts too. Yes, this is probably the first Spouse of the Author Creature Blog Tour in the history of blog tours.

Taking part in this momentous occasion are (from Diana's site):

Andrea Pearson Books
Notes From the Writing Chair - Giveaway!
Anne Bradshaw's Place
Diana's Amazing Book Adventures - Giveaway!
Christine Fonseca, Author - Giveaway!
Roots in Myth - Giveaway!
Robin Weeks - Giveaway!

An Author Incognito & Janette Rallison's Blog - Giveaway!

Words are so inadequate to describe how much each one of you has brightened my day and how grateful I am for all of your support. Thank you feels so small, but it is meant with all that is in me.

Thank you. :)

The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle

2011-12-04T23:30:00.001-06:00

Hi guys! Sorry to have been away so long. I've been largely absent due to deadlines and some health issues, but wanted to peek in today to give a shout out to my friend Heather to celebrate her re-release of her novel THE SECRET OF SPRUCE KNOLL.

A special edition of Heather McCorkle’s The Secret Of Spruce Knoll is releasing from Compass Press this month and she’s doing a special tour to go along with it. The special part, a percentage of the proceeds from every special edition sold (in every format) between its release date and 12-12-2012, will go toward Heather’s favorite charity that protects endangered species. Her goal is to make at least $10,000 for the charity.

Of course there are prizes during the tour which goes from December 1^st through the 17^th. Prizes include a symbolic endangered species adoption of the winner’s choice (a $50 donation by Heather to the charity for the endangered species of the winner’s choice, and cute stuffed animal for the winner!), signed copies of her novels and great swag. For full details, and to enter, go here.

For the tour Heather has asked each blog host to pick their favorite endangered species and she will tell us a fun or interesting fact about that animal. My favorite endangered species happens to be the snow leopard, because nothing says elegance of motion with a big appetite like approximately 100 lbs of muscle and teeth. O:)

Heather: This one always chokes me up because there are so few of them left in the wild. The snow leopard is found in Central Asia in the Himalayan region. If you’ve ever seen footage of them (which is extremely rare), you'll notice they stand like a muscle car, high in the rear end, and low in the front end. This is because their back legs are longer than their short legs, a unique combination that allows them to jump 20 to 50 feet.

You can find Heather's book both at Barnes and Noble and at Amazon.

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel

2011-11-09T00:33:00.000-06:00

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel

Danyelle Ferguson and Lynn Parsons

249 pages

Nonfiction/Self-Help

personal copy

Each day, parents and Church leaders struggle to teach individuals with special needs. Using real-life stories and a touch of humor, this inspiring book guides you to teach effectively, overcome communication barriers, and build strong relationships with people of all ages with disabilities. Discover each person's ability to learn and grow as you help them feel like a valuable part of your life.

Although (dis)ABILITIES is geared toward religious leaders and teachers, it works great for anyone who has a child with disabilities in their life. (Specifically autism, ADHD, and down syndrome.)

Some of the things the guide goes over (from the back cover):

Guidance for building strong family relationships
Practical and creative teaching tips
Programs to help with transitions, communication barriers, and behaviors
Techniques to help others feel welcome and valued

One of the things I most appreciated about this book were the numerous helpful tips that are geared toward helping the leaders and teachers of kids who have disabilities better understand the disabilities and how to empower the kids in ways that allows them to give meaningful contributions to the class.

Some of the techniques used for those who have difficulty with communication include PECS (picture exchange communication system), power cards, schedules, and narrative stories. Since this is more of a generalized guide, the method for using something like the PECS isn't discussed in great detail, but there are some great tips that can work alongside a more specialized knowledge. (To my understanding, the PECS is the only method used that would require a greater understanding of how to use it in the most effective way. That's something that most parents will either be trained in by speech therapists or through their own studies.)

I really enjoyed the section on families, because when there is a disability present, it's something the whole family learns to adjust to and deal with. Parents have to learn how to creatively recharge their own batteries and relationships, siblings have to learn how to get along with different behaviors, and everyone--the child included--has to learn how not only cope with the disability, but to use it as upward momentum so they can fly. Every day has its challenges, and some days are better than others, but the important thing is forging those relationships that will last forever.

The best thing about this book, and one of the most important themes running throughout it, was the reminder to see beyond the disability to the beautiful child inside.

In my family, we deal with autism (so that's the angle I approached the book from), and one of the most important things to remember is that every child is different and reacts to the autism in different ways. There really are no one-size fits all kinds of solutions, but that's okay. The critical thing is finding what works for each child and focusing on their strengths--on what they can do. I liked the idea presented in the book about keeping a weekly progress diary. When you're in the trenches, sometimes it feels like the child is taking two steps forward and one step back (and some days, it feels like you're sliding off the mountain altogether), so it's good to keep records that show you the progress the child has actually made you can keep those hard days in perspective.

I would definitely recommend this book to teachers and leaders, as well as extended family members and friends who might be a little uncomfortable dealing with a child who has disabilities because they don't know what to expect or how to respond to those different needs. It's also helpful for parents of children who have some of these disabilities in learning how to explain to others (teachers, leaders, family, etc.) how to best reach their child.

Win a Copy of NIGHTSHADE (Poison Diaries #2)

2011-11-08T13:28:00.003-06:00

A dark, gothic tale of romance… and murder.
The latest book in the grippingly dark series, The Poison Diaries.

Our heroine, Jessamine, has lost her faith in the men she loved, and her innocence as well. She turns to the dark side and plots to kill her father, using his own poisons, before becoming an assassin, a poisoner for hire. Can she recover from her heartache and reunite with her true love, Weed? Find out in this thrilling story where poisons, darkness and horror are a part of everyday life, and love is the only cure.

I'm excited to be part of the Poison Diaries competition where you can win a free, signed copy of NIGHTSHADE. All you have to do is like and/or friend Poison Diaries on Twitter and Facebook. To make it easier, I've already typed up a tweet and Facebook comment, so all you have to do is copy and paste. Then, head over to their website and enter the poison garden to find the Arum Maculatum, and share this via Twitter. (Also a copy and paste from below.)

The banners are links, so clicking on them will take you where you need to go.

*You'll have seven days from the time of this post to enter to win. The contest on my blog will close at noon on November 15th*

Good luck!

#1: Twitter

Simply @poisondiaries referencing 'signed copy' and my blog. For your convenience, you can cut and paste:

@poisondiaries I'd like to win a signed copy of NIGHTSHADE via myth-takes.blogspot.com.

#2: Facebook

Like the Facebook page and reference 'signed copy' and my blog. You can copy and paste if you'd like:

Hi, I'd like to win a signed copy of NIGHTSHADE. I found your page via myth-takes.blogspot.com.

#3 The Poison Diaries Website

When you go to the website, find the plant Arum Maculstum. Add it to the 'my poison diary', and then share via Twitter referencing my blog.

@poisondiaries I discovered your website via myth-takes.blogspot.com and found the Arum Maculstum.

#keepingOPENMINDS Virtual Launch Party

2011-10-31T22:24:00.001-05:00

Today, I'm celebrating Susan Kaye Quinn's new book OPEN MINDS. As part of that, my post today is about how small acts of tolerance can make the world a better place.

For the world to truly function peacefully--whether as a global entity or on a smaller, more personal sphere, tolerance must exist. Tolerance doesn't mean that everyone sees eye to eye and agrees on everything, although many people use it that way. Indeed, for tolerance to exist, there must be more than one opinion, more than one opposing view point. For me, tolerance is more than simply agreeing to disagree in a civil manner that doesn't involve name calling and shaming. To me, tolerance peels back all of the stuff on the surface and looks the human being straight in the eye.

Not the person's actions. Not their opinions, their thoughts, or their feelings--although all of those are small building blocks that help complete a person.

I'm talking about the person beneath it all. That small creature with hopes and dreams, fears and potential all its own.

I've mentioned before that my second oldest child has autism. Autism is hard some days. Most days. And sometimes nearly impossible. It's on those nearly impossible days that tolerance is a blessing wrapped in silver that lines the clouds threatening to drench my family.

From the outside looking in, my son can be quirky at times. Loud noises hurt him, and he likes to throw off his shoes and sometimes collapse in the middle of the aisle at the store and lay against the cool flooring. He isn't fully verbal yet, so much of his vocalizations are squeals of laughter, grunts, and whines of distress. On a particularly verbal day, he can also mutter with the best of them. While the words aren't quite there yet, his intent is usually crystal clear.

And then there are times when he has meltdowns. Where is mouth becomes a cavern of high-pitched sound and he makes good use of his diaphragm. When he has his hands pressed against his ears, and he lashes out with his elbows and feet. To be clear, his meltdowns are different from tantrums. It isn't as easy as saying, "Calm down. Everything's going to be all right."

A melt down lasts as long as it lasts. And the whole time, he is completely inconsolable. It's not something he can control, although he has gradually allowed us to hold him, and applying pressure to his arms and legs seems to help.

So how does tolerance tie in with autism--particularly meltdowns?

Sometimes being on the outside, it's easy to look at something and make a snap judgement. For some people, all they ever see is a little boy who's out of control and who's parents need to do something. Now. And then there are those who are able to peel back the screaming and crying, the lying in the center of the aisle and look that little boy in the eye and see a beautiful human being.

Sundays can be particularly difficult as our church meetings last for three hours. (The three hours comprise three different meetings, about an hour each.)

On this particular Sunday, my husband was up on the stand with one of our younger children, and I was sitting with my other three. It was at this moment, close to the end of the meeting, when my son started having a meltdown. I held him the best I could, but by this time, my body was about to give out and my son is very strong.

I was just trying to decide whether or not I'd be able to walk into the foyer when one of our neighbors (who has her own young children to look after) came up and asked if she could help me.

Grateful, I said yes, thinking she'd keep the younger children occupied so I could help my six-year-old cope the best he could. Instead, she pulled my son onto her lap, and helped calm him down.

After receiving so many looks that wonder why on earth we can't just control him better (Not at church. Usually when we're out and about.), after listening to people comment that autism is just an excuse for bad parenting, this was one of the best gifts I have ever received. My neighbor saw my son as the wonderful person he is who just happened to be having some neurological difficulties, and treated him that way.

My son also has a few helpers that help him make it through the meetings. On good days, they help him participate in his classes and sit quietly. On bad days, they go on walks where it's quieter and his nervous system can calm down. All of them looking beyond his difference to the incredible person inside.

And that, to me, is what tolerance is all about. We all have quirks and parts of ourselves that can look odd or are lined with sharp edges. Some are just more noticeable than others, but we all have a basic need to feel loved and to belong.

Tolerance is finding the good in the person and embracing it, helping it to swell and grow. Because there is a lot of incredible to be found in every single person.

How has tolerance touched your life?

As part of the launch, there are PRIZES!

PRIZES!

Susan Kaye Quinn is giving away an Open Books/Open Minds t-shirt, mug, and some fun wristbands to celebrate the Virtual Launch Party of Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy)! (Check out the prizes here.)

Three ways to enter (you can have multiple entries):

1) Leave a comment here or at the Virtual Launch Party post

2) Tweet (with tag #keepingOPENMINDS)

Example: When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep. #keepingOPENMINDS @susankayequinn #SF #YA avail NOW http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds

Example: Celebrate the launch of OPEN MINDS by @susankayequinn #keepingOPENMINDS #SciFi #paranormal #YA avail NOW http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds

3) Facebook (tag @AuthorSusanKayeQuinn)

Example: Celebrate the launch of paranormal/SF novel OPEN MINDS by @AuthorSusanKayeQuinn for a chance to win Open Books/Open Minds prizes! http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds

Marketing Madness with P.J. Hoover: Keeping Your Sanity While Marketing

2011-10-28T02:24:00.000-05:00

It's my pleasure to present P.J. Hoover, author and Texas Sweetheart (and general all around sweetheart) extraordinaire. :)

Thanks for inviting me to guest blog, Danyelle! It’s great to be back because I know not only are you awesome, so are your readers!

So I’m coming down from the past five months of marketing my young adult novel, SOLSTICE. I’ve tried lots of things in the last five months including:

1. Two back-to-back four week blog tours (equaling a total of eight weeks, 64 guest blogs and interviews)

2. Redesigning my website to incorporate new stuff

3. Creating trading cards for my main characters with QR codes linking to secret content

4. Creating secret content to go along with my trading cards

5. Facebook fan page

6. Book release blog giveaways

7. Author appearances including Comic Con, librarian conferences, workshops, symposiums, and signings

8. Author newsletter mailing

9. Group marketing with the Texas Sweethearts and Scoundrels including librarian newsletter mailing

10. Group marketing with YA Indie Carnival, posting weekly about varying subjects regarding indie publishing.

11. School career day participation

12. Massive postcard distribution

Yes, it’s a lot. Especially when I list it out this way. So with all this marketing stuff going on, what’s an author supposed to do in the months following a release to keep her sanity? I’ve thought a bunch on this, and here are some tips I came up with.

1. Commit to no more than doing one guest blog or interview a day. This way, it is not overwhelming, and it can become part of your daily routine.

2. Don’t miss days when you have outstanding guest blogs or interviews J

3. Do not check Goodreads every hour to see if there are any bad reviews.

4. Do not check Goodreads every hour to see if there are any good reviews.

5. Once you hit 50 reviews on Goodreads, stop looking at it altogether.

6. Do not check Amazon sales numbers every hour.

7. Set a schedule for when you check stats and stick to it. With marketing, it is important to correlate sales and website hits with your marketing efforts. Just don’t let yourself obsess over it.

8. Do not expect all your friends to buy your book. Some just won’t. It’s a fact of life, and if you accept it, you’ll be much happier.

9. Do not compare your sales numbers to others you find online. Every book is different. Every author is different. And the path a book takes will vary in every situation.

10. Do not believe everything you read online. There are lies abundant.

11. Commiserate with close friends.

12. Enjoy author events. If possible, attend these with author friends. It’s a sad, lonely place sitting at an author table all alone. If nothing else, bring a family member along to keep you company.

Above all else, have fun. It’s an important part of being an author, so look for ways to keep this enjoyment level high!

Thank you again for letting me be here! I appreciate the support J

P. J. Hoover first fell in love with Greek mythology in sixth grade thanks to the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton. After a fifteen year bout as an electrical engineer designing computer chips for a living, P. J. decided to take her own stab at mythology and started writing books for kids and teens. P. J. is also a member of THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS. When not writing, P. J. spends time with her husband and two kids and enjoys practicing Kung Fu, solving Rubik's cubes, and watching Star Trek. Her first novel for teens, Solstice, takes place in a Global Warming future and explores the parallel world of mythology beside our own. Her middle grade fantasy novels, The Emerald Tablet, The Navel of the World, and The Necropolis, chronicle the adventures of a boy who discovers he’s part of two feuding worlds hidden beneath the sea. You can find her on her website, her blog, and an awesome book trailer for SOLSTICE here.

Benjamin and his best friend Andy love being different from the other kids. They like being able to read each other's minds and use their telekinesis to play tricks. In fact, they are getting set to spend their entire summer doing just that when Benjamin's mirror starts talking. Suddenly, he s looking at eight weeks of summer school someplace that can only be reached by a teleporter hidden in his hallway. And the summer only gets stranger.

At school, Benjamin discovers that he isn t really human but something called a telegen. It turns out that the powers he always thought made him special only make him normal. But then the mysterious Emerald Tablet chooses him as its champion, and all chances of a uneventful (well, as uneventful as summer school on a hidden, submerged continent can be) disappears.

At the end of summer school, Benjamin was given one task-find his missing brothers. Should be easy right? But Benjamin can't locate a trace of them anywhere until he interns at his father's office over spring break. There he finds a mysterious file written in ancient Lemurian with his name on it. Could the answers that Benjamin seeks be in the past?

The situation in Lemuria is rapidly deteriorating. In fact teleportation between the hidden continent and the outside world has become so dangerous, all agents and their families have been recalled. Although Benjamin is pleased to be living in Lemuria full time, he knows he needs to find his last sibling soon. However, between classes, a murderous half-brother, and complications with his friend Heidi, Benjamin can barely focus. Besides, there's only one place left they haven't searched—the hidden continent of Atlantis.

Piper’s world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.

But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she’s drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she’s ever known.

Marketing Madness with S.R. Johannes: Marketing Tips

2011-10-26T00:42:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to introduce S.R. Johannes who is not only a talented author, but a brilliant marketer. :D

1) Don’t be all for none and one for me – I made this #1 for a reason. Because it is HUGE pet peeve of mine. Don't go out promoting yourself all the time and expect people to be receptive to your book. Networking is not about selling, it is about a variety of relationships over time. Build trust. Help out. I have always made it a point to seek out and help others. It’s my #1 goal. I figure karma comes back around if my intention is positive. If you network with that - then maybe someday it will come back around. But I NEVER go out with a "sale" or what's in it for me" attitude. I always focus on “what’s in it for them.” It’s a basic marketing rule. If you can provide a benefit, it will pay off in the long run.

2) You get what you give - I can’t tell you how many authors tell me "I don’t like to do marketing so I'll just hope it sells" OR “I’m going to pay someone to do it” OR “Marketing is too much work, I just want to write.” Yeah well good luck with that! I just want to sit on my duff and eat bon-bons all day and never lift a finger but that’s not how life works. You have to work hard for what you want and if you are not willing to work hard – then maybe you should ask yourself if you REALLY want it? Because in my mind what we really want doesn’t come easy. I don’t care what Oprah says, moving along your path isn’t easy, it’s hard. Gandhi’s road wasn’t paved. My kids once asked me "Which teeth do I have to brush". My response? “Only brush the ones you want to keep.” So I'll say the same things to writers and authors - "Only promote what you really want to sell."

3) Call on Google - Hello? Google anyone? Can't tell you how many clients ask me questions like this: “I wonder if there are any clubs for teen knitters in my city?” It takes me two seconds to slam that question into a Google search bar and bam I'm suddenly the author’s hero and they think I’m brilliant. (and I let them J ) Most of marketing is about knowing the questions and being curious and resourceful enough to find the answers. They could have done the same search for a lot cheaper J If you have a question about marketing – groups, magazines, blogs etc - ask Google first. Trust me you will find some kind of answer – now whether you like it or not - might be the issue.

4) Chunk it out – Why not spend 30 minutes a day on marketing in some way? Whether this be by making phone calls, sending emails, scouring the Internet, commenting on blog/Facebook posts, working on a web design, looking for groups/ezines you can contact. If you do a little everyday – marketing is fun and won’t be so exhausting or overwhelming. Or, why not schedule some marketing time in your calendar - spend one day a week on marketing and get it all done. Then you can write until the next scheduled day. This way you can make sure you are still writing - because trust me when I say – marketing can SUCK up your time, especially online marketing or social networking. And you need to stay writing.

5) PR is part of marketing too. To me, PR is actually more effective than marketing or advertising. It’s going out with a purpose OTHER than selling your book, but in the process somehow your book sells due to word of mouth. In my mind, negative PR is just as effective as positive PR. I’m not saying to go out and do something negative – I’m just saying don’t get upset over bad reviews. You’d rather have 20 bad reviews and 20 good reviews on Amazon than no reviews at all. So before you pay for advertising or trade shows, look for ways to reach out to your targets through ezines, clubs, forums, newspapers, blogs, mommy groups and offer something (what’s in it for them) – an article, a donation, an event, a giveaway.

I’ll leave you with – marketing is only as hard as we make it. Having a baby was hard, moving was hard, getting married was hard. Nothing is easy when you first dive into it. So dive in, get wet, and don’t be afraid to try things out. Marketing can be fun if you let it.

Well, hope that helps! I’ll be back to answer questions if you have any or feel free to email me. J

In addition to juggling child dramas and client meetings, I (try) to focus on my writing, speak about marketing at SCBWI conferences, and run a popular marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com) where I provide book publicity/marketing advice and support to my writer friends.

UNTRACEABLE

16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies her whole life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. But when Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. When a Cheetos bag and stolen government file materialize, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

Then one day while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent, that’s definitely not from her neck of the woods, and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged Wyn.

Now with renewed confidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.

Marketing Madness with Charlie Pulsipher: Writing and Marketing

2011-10-20T00:30:00.000-05:00

So excited to host Charlie today! He was a fellow Death Camp student last year, and writes some awesome fiction. :)

Marketing is perhaps one of the hardest and scariest things for a writer. I’m no exception. It terrifies me. I like sitting alone in my office, swimming in words and ideas, while my worlds are created with the clickety-clack of my keyboard. That makes me happy, deep down in my weird self.

I don’t enjoy talking to people on the phone. Heck, I don’t even like drive-thrus. Meeting someone in person to pitch myself or my novel makes me sweat, unnaturally and lavishly. Just thinking about it makes me a little soggy. I just want to crawl back to the keyboard and hide behind my words.

I want to write. I’m a writer. There are reasons I didn’t go into sales or marketing. But, then I self published a novel and realized I needed to do some marketing, even if it’s small and feels like I’m a squeaky little voice in the crowd at a rock concert, just hoping to be noticed. I’m no expert on getting noticed, but I have learned a few things that any writer can do.

Write the best you can. Nothing will help your sales better in the long run than writing well. A well written novel will get read all the way through. People are more likely to review it, share it, recommend it, force it into a friend’s uncertain hands and tell them that if they don’t finish it in a week they won’t be friends anymore.

Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble are working all the time to improve how people find your work, but most of it relies on the feedback and buying power of readers. Your work will not float upward if it is not well written. If you wrote the best you can, that book will bubble to the surface. It may take years, but that’s without any work on your part other than the initial editing and revising that you should be doing anyway.

Crawl back to that keyboard. The more books you have out there, the more likely someone will find them. Simple statistics. If you throw four bottled notes into the ocean, which is how I feel about indie publishing at times, you are more likely to be rescued. One may just bob along unnoticed. I have two bottles in that dark ocean and, despite not being pulled from the water, they do catch more attention than they would alone.

If you followed the advice above, then readers will want to find more and will go looking for you. Make it easy on them, give them options. Keep writing. Always keep writing. It’s what we do.

Experiment. I don’t have the budget to advertise in hundreds of magazines, on television, or even at the school baseball field down the street. This doesn’t mean I do nothing. I have played with social networks, making my friends tell their friends in a semi-obnoxious fashion. I spent a tiny sum on a science fiction website as a sponsor. I appealed to a couple book clubs.

Each book you put in readers’ hands improves your chances of being found by someone new who might turn into a fan for life. Believe me, you want those.

If you’re too terrified to try any of these, fall back on my first advice. Write the best you can. Keep doing so. It’s who you are, or you wouldn’t have read this far. Good luck and stay weird, my writer friends.

Charles M. Pulsipher lives in Saint George Utah with his lovely wife and neurotic dog. He writes sci-fi and fantasy with the occasional zombie guide thrown in. He's obsessed with surviving the zombie-pocalypse.

He draws cartoons on his blog that are usually funny if lacking in the amazingly artistic department. He spends his time away from the keyboard hiking and camping in stunning Southern Utah.

He neglects his twitter account.

His velociraptor impression is worth seeing, even if it makes grown-ups scream and hide. It's probably the coolest thing about him.

The Crystal Bridge

Kaden is a typical teenage boy, except he can open wormholes to far away worlds.

His first trip almost killed him. He’s been afraid to try another.

Aren is far from a typical teenage girl. She has the ultimate gift of empathy, seeing into the memories and souls of others.

Her gift makes her different and lonely despite how close it brings her to those she knows.

When these two meet, the existence of two worlds will be endangered as their abilities plunge them into a planet at war.

Their adventure may tear apart multiple universes…or they may just save us all.

Zombies at the Door

We all know it can happen, will happen. Be prepared and have a laugh at the same time. This basic manual will make sure you are ready to face the zombie hordes and walk you through where to meet, find weapons and food, and set up camp. It may even give you hope as you huddle in the bathroom stall at the mall.

Seriously though, don't go to the mall!

Learn the glow stick technique to distract zombies or how a paper bag might save your life or at least keep you from seeing the bitey end that's coming. Are dentist offices safe? Can the game of baseball stop the zombies from attacking? Is petroleum jelly something you should have in your zombie kit? Find out now.

Marketing Madness with Michelle Davidson Argyle: Blog Tours and Launch Parties

2011-10-13T23:50:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to have Michelle on the blog today. She has great vision and experience. Not to mention some great advice on blog tours and launch parties. :D

Thank you, Danyelle, for having me here on your blog today! First of all, marketing has been an interesting road for me. Honestly, it still scares me and I don’t feel like I know what I’m doing most of the time. It’s a lot of trial and error this early on in my career.

To get down to the nitty gritty right up front, here are some things I’ve done for both Cinders (which is self-published at the moment), and Monarch (which is published by Rhemalda Published).

THE BLOG TOUR

A lot of authors utilize the blog tour to get the word out about their book/s. A blog tour is when an author and/or their book is spotlighted/reviewed on another person’s blog. This can also include interviews. Blog tours can vary from a few days to a few months. There really is no right way to do one. You can include a lot of blogs in the tour, or just a few. You can include only huge blogs with large followings and ranks, or only smaller ones. You can organize everything on your own or you can hire a company to set it and run it for you.

For Cinders, my blog tour was very small and only lasted a week. I sold a grand total of ZERO books that week, compared to previous weeks when my sales were fantastic. It felt like a huge waste of time, but then I realized that the blog tour was not about selling books in that specific amount of time; it was about getting my name out there.

For Monarch, my blog tour was six weeks and spread out between 62 blogs. Talk about maintenance! I will never do a blog tour that big again, but I have to admit that it has been great for getting my name and book out there. I don’t know how the tour has affected my sales because I won’t get those numbers on my royalty statement for a few months. I don’t expect the sales to be high because a lot of those bloggers reviewing my book also gave away a free copy of the book and people wait to see if they win.

COSTS

Marketing a book can cost a lot of money – or none at all. It completely depends on what you want to put into it. I’ve done some research on what works the best, but it seems like it’s different for everyone. Some authors swear by blog tours and giving out ARCs (Advance Reader Copies). Some authors swear by book signings and school or library visits. Some swear by a book tour. All of these take what’s most important to a writer – TIME. They can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. For both my blog tours, I spent a bit of money on giving out free books. Rhemalda Publishing provided me with a lot of ARCs, but I ended buying some extras for giveaways. This isn’t cheap if you’re doing print books. I’ve also spent money on giveaway items for my blog tour and launch party.

So if authors swear by one method of marketing over another, which is best? I think it all depends on YOU and what you enjoy and are comfortable with. If you’re terrified of being in public and signings are an absolute nightmare for you, don’t do them! Do more online marketing instead. If you enjoy teaching and love visiting classrooms to talk to students about writing, do that! Putting more effort and money into what you enjoy will pay off far more than forcing yourself to do something you hate. Stretch your time and money wisely.

THE LAUNCH PARTY

For the longest time, I wasn’t going to do a launch party for my novel, Monarch. I had done a small launch party for my novella, Cinders. I held it at my home, but I didn’t want to do that for Monarch. This book was traditionally published, and I wanted the launch to be somewhere that felt important and unique. Finally, however, a good friend of mine told me the launch should be a celebration for me instead of everyone else. That made all the difference. I finally found the best place for the event – a little dessert café called The Chocolate. It fit me and my book perfectly. My launch is tomorrow, and I’m very nervous, but excited.

How much have I spent on the launch? Well, it costs to have an event there for a few hours, plus I’ve purchased refreshments from the café, as well. I’m also giving away a few items during the party. I hope to sell enough books to cover the costs of everything, but who knows. Luckily, my publisher will be coming to sell books at the party so I don’t have to buy them in advance and sell them. Very helpful!

If I have any advice for a launch party, I’d say make it something you are comfortable and happy with. It’s a Big Life Event. Treat it as such!

WRAP-UP

I think one of the most important things to remember about marketing a book/s is that you should never treat it as marketing A BOOK – but marketing yourself. As an author, I would hope you plan to publish a lot of books. I’d rather have readers recognize my name more than individual titles of my books. I try to think of marketing as getting my name more and more recognized, especially since I don’t write in one specific genre. Also, people don’t trust a salesman. The best form of marketing you can do is getting word-of-mouth and buzz going about you. It’s up to you what fits best to get that buzz going.

Michelle is a mother, artist, and writer who lives in the Rocky Mountains with her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She writes contemporary, literary, and fantasy fiction. Cinders and Monarch are two of her published novels. The Breakaway will be released in 2012 by Rhemalda Publishing, and Bonded (which includesCinders) will be released in 2013 by Rhemalda Publishing, as well.

You can find her on her website, her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Cinders

a novella

A continuation of the Cinderella tale (no specific version).

Money can't buy love, but in Cinders magic isn't a sure bet either. Cinderella - now officially a princess - finds royal life is not what she once dreamed. When a figure from her past stirs up a long-suppressed passion, Cinderella begins to wonder if there really is love under the spell that earned her husband's heart. But undoing magic can be harder than casting the initial spell, and the results are even less predictable.

Monarch
a novel

Nick’s life as a CIA spy should be fulfilling, but it has only given him unhappiness—a wife who committed suicide, and two daughters who resent everything he has become. Now, stuck in the Amazon on the last mission of his career, he must track down Matheus Ferreira, a drug lord and terrorist the U.S. has tried to bring down for years. If he succeeds, he’ll have the chance to start his life over again.

Just when Nick is on the brink of catching Ferreira, he’s framed for a murder that turns his world upside down. His only chance of survival lies in West Virginia where Lilian Love, a woman from his past, owns the secluded Monarch Inn. He’s safe, but not for long…

Marketing Madness with Ali Cross: The Importance of Authenticity

2011-10-12T00:24:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited to introduce one of the most awesome bloggers around--Ali Cross! I love that her post is on authenticity, because not only is she one of the most giving bloggers around, she's also one of the sweetest, realest people I know. :)

Danyelle has already featured a couple excellent articles on marketing this month, while I really know very little about the subject. But there is one thing I can speak to, that I think is extremely important when you're marketing yourself and your books, and that's authenticity.

As participants in an online writing community, we hear ad noseum the importance of branding. But there's a lot of confusion about what that means. I think it means being true, honest, legit.

When you build your blog, your online presence, and even your books, it's very easy to think "I want to be a blogger like [name of awesome blogger]," and then model yourself in their image. Which is great--except, it won't last. Your readers won't stick around and you won't be able to maintain it because . . . it's not YOU.

But how do you figure out who you are, or how to present yourself online? I think you need to ask yourself a few questions . . .

Who do I write my books for?

What message or theme do I hope my readers will take away from my books?

Why is that message important to me?

What do I have to say on the subject?

Once you've answered these questions, you should (or could) have a strong idea of who you are as a writer and a variety of approaches to the primary subject that's near and dear to you. Now you've got a platform on which you can market yourself! Embrace your brand and make sure that when you interact with others, whether online or not, you manifest this ideal or message.

For instance, say your stories tend to be about love conquering all. You likely have a strong core belief that love is important and can prevail no matter the odds. You probably have a personal story behind your message--a moment in time, or a series of experiences, that helped you learn the value of love. And from those experiences you have learned important truths.

Perhaps once a week, you'll post about the things you've learned. Just one little life lesson a week. This week you might talk about how you and your partner had the chance to go on a date, and how you noticed that when you told your partner the things that you appreciated about them, they brightened, grew happier, were able to let go of their work week and enjoy being out on a date with you. In your post, you'll talk about the importance of showing gratitude to the ones you love.

After a while, you've made a habit of talking, regularly, about the value of love, and your readers have come to expect it--to come to appreciate the lessons you teach and the stories you tell. When your book (a love story, of course) comes out, it will make all the sense in the world to blog, write guest posts and do interviews on the importance of love, because you will already be known as a person who stands for the beauty and power of love.

I think, of all things a writer can bring to their marketing efforts, honesty and authenticity are paramount. No matter how big your blog tour, how many signings you do or how many followers you have--you will not grab and keep readers unless they believe you. And the time to start being trustworthy and believable isn't when your book is out--it's right now.

I hope you find something useful to you in this post. As you can probably guess, being true to who you are as a writer, and as a person, is something that's important to me. I have a book coming out in November, and what would you guess is its theme? If you thought "being true to yourself" you'd be right! I tend to write books about the power of choice and the freedom we have, no matter our past, to make new and better choices today. To finally, and completely, embrace who we really are.

So take some time to identify who you are and the message you wish to share . . . then embrace it!

Thank you for having me Danyelle!

Ali Cross is the sensei of the Writer's Dojo where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, two sumo dogs and four zen turtles.

You can visit Ali at her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Ali is the author of the young adult paranormal novel BECOME, available 11/11/11. You can learn about BECOME at Ali's blog (where you can also pre-order a signed copy) or on Goodreads.

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.

When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—from something she’s never had before—a friend.

What she Becomes is neither light nor dark.

Neither good nor evil.

Something neither Heaven nor Hell expected.

Marketing Madness with Megg Jensen: Marketing for the Shy Writer

2011-10-06T22:46:00.000-05:00

The Marketing Madness continues. I'm excited to have Megg on the blog today. And, being a shy writer, was doubly excited to host her. Thanks, Megg! :)

When I first embarked on this writing journey I knew that marketing was part of the deal - and it scared me, a lot. In high school I was really outgoing. I starred in plays, participated in speech team for four years, and loved public speaking. I’m not sure why, but something broke in college. Now I’m incredible shy about public speaking and often find myself feeling nauseous when standing in front of an audience.

Writing is a solitary profession, but if I want anyone to read my books I have to get out there and talk about them. It’s been easy since most of my marketing has been done on the internet. I have no problem engaging with people through my computer and when I mention how shy I can be in real life, no one believes me.

Recently I was asked to present at a local SCBWI meeting, but luckily they also asked my DarkSide Publishing colleague Karly Kirkpatrick if she would present as well. I was nervous, sure, but riding there with Karly made the build up a little less scary. Only about ten people showed up for the talk, and I knew three of them, so I was able to relax somewhat. I let Karly take the lead (she’s a teacher so she’s used to this kind of thing), but I found myself feeling more and more comfortable throughout the evening. By the end of the night, I’d surprised myself by admitting that I actually had a lot of fun!

Don’t take that as a ringing endorsement for me as a public speaker. I was asked by another group to speak in early 2012. I readily agreed, assuming I’d be part of a panel. Once we settled on a date, she mentioned I would be the only speaker. I immediately emailed Karly and GP Ching (another DarkSide author) and begged them to join me. Thankfully they’re both free that day and the organizer agreed that a panel would be a great idea.

While public speaking isn’t my favorite thing to do, I’ve realized that my spoken words have value and that helps me to step out of my shell. I’m not just spewing random facts, I’m engaging with another person who’s truly interested in what I have to say. Talk about a confidence booster!

I have to remind myself that people who come to hear me speak are there because they want to learn something. I want to help people along their publishing journey, so it’s a perfect marriage isn’t it? I may never be as comfortable as Oprah in front of a crowd, but I also know public speaking isn’t going to kill me.

In writing, we often think about marketing our books, but we also have to market ourselves. The writer is as much a brand as the novels we write. Instead of marketing myself as someone who knows it all, I want to market myself as someone who’s here to help anyone who needs it. I’ve found that public speaking is a great way for me to be myself, even if it does scare me.

Megg Jensen has been a freelance parenting journalist since 2003 and began writing YA novels in 2009. She co-runs DarkSide Publishing, is a member of SCBWI, and she blogs about writing while juggling freelancing, volunteering, and family life. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two kids, and their miniature schnauzer, Ace. You can find Megg on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Forget prophecy. Make your own destiny.

Sheltered from the outside world with no hope for escape, slave girl Reychel dreads her fifteenth birthday - when her master’s symbol is burned on the back of her bald scalp. Her best friend disappears the night before, leaving her to face the branding ceremony alone. She soon discovers nothing is as it seems when people desperate for freedom beg for Reychel's help.
Can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

Reychel thought she was finally free. She was wrong. Everyone saw her gift of prophecy as a blessing, but her gift is uncontrollable. No one alive can teach her to manipulate her unique gift and the answers she needs lie buried within a madman’s journals. She’s thrust in the midst of a brewing war and the only uniting factor for her people is their belief in the Prophet. Will Reychel learn to control her gift or will she be forced to deliver a false prophecy that could lead her people into a violent war?

Book Three: Cloud Prophet Trilogy

Reychel knows her gift of prophecy will lead to madness and now she is at her most vulnerable. The enemy army will attempt to sever her from everything she's ever known: her homeland, her friends, Mark, and her gift. Even at her weakest, she refuses to give up on her desire to end the war between the Malborn and the Serenians. Reychel would do anything, even come back from the dead, to conquer the enemy and reunite with Mark.

An adoptee raised in a foreign land, sixteen-year-old Lianne was content with her life as handmaiden to the queen, until a spell cast on her at birth activated. Now she's filled with uncontrollable rage and access to magic she thought had been bled from her people years ago. Even her years of secret training in elite hand-to-hand combat and meditation can’t calm the fires raging inside her.

Her heart is torn between two boys, the one she’s always loved and the one who always ignored her. But when the kingdom threatens to tear itself apart due to rumors surrounding the queen’s alleged affair, who will Lianne protect and who will she destroy?

Marketing Madness with AJ Mullarky: Don't Be Afraid of DIY

2011-10-04T23:15:00.000-05:00

Welcome to October, everyone! I'm still sick, so I've been a bit MIA, but I'm really excited for this month. I've got a number of awesome author's lined up to share their wisdom and knowledge on marketing--that thing that is often the bane (or one of them) of a writer's existence. (All my slots are filled, but if you'd like to contribute, I'm more than happy to open some more. :D)

First up is author AJ Mullarky on the DIY of marketing. Thanks so much, AJ!

Maybe you’re traditionally published, or hoping to be. Maybe you’re going it alone. Either way, whether you’re getting a helpful marketing budget from your publisher or digging deep into your own pockets, you’re going to have to do a good deal of the marketing groundwork yourself. You’re going to have to be creative. Of course, that’s not going to be much of an issue – you’re a writer, creativity is something you have buckets of. If you’re in it on your own you’ve had to be creative at every stage of the process so far.

This post isn’t about self-publishing. It’s about self-marketing. (Is that a term?) There is so much you can do to promote your book without the help of a funded marketing team. A lot of it can be done without moving from your computer. I think this will be particularly useful for self-published authors, but not solely. Many of these ideas aren’t proven, but they’re a place to start, and I hope they are of use to you. It can’t hurt to try, right?

1. Make your own trailer.

Every Windows computer comes with Windows Live Movie Maker, so the tools are at everyone’s disposal.* You don’t need to pay a professional. I made this trailer with a combination of images taken using two cameras: one from a supermarket, the other on my phone. You’re a writer – you know you can pitch your story well. Set it to music and put it on Youtube. Even if it only gets a handful of views, that’s a handful of people who you’ve delivered your best pitch to.

*everyone with a Windows OS, that is.

2. Make use of Twitter.

This was an ingenious marketing strategy I first saw used by Philippa Gregory for her historical novel, The White Queen. She condensed her entire novel into tweet form and posted it. Look at the original tweets here or see a chronological and beautifully-presented version here. You don’t have to give away your whole novel; tweets in the voice of your character can help give people a sense of them as a real person. Use your personal/professional twitter account to promote it.

3. Don’t forget your blog . . .

If you don’t have a blog, I advise you to create one. Your blog is your most useful platform. I’m not here to talk about building up followers and so on – there is plenty of advice around to help you on that front. Your blog can let you build up hype in a way other platforms can’t. You can post teasers, cover reveals, trailers, introductions to your characters and so on. A good example is Kody Keplinger. She used teasers and stills from her book trailer to build up hype for the trailer before the book even came out.

4. . . . and the book bloggers.

A great way to get exposure is to have some ARCs sent to book bloggers. If you’re self-publishing, have a few copies printed and mail them out to bloggers who review books – once you have their permission, of course. There are many book bloggers who don’t have time to review self-published books as well as the traditionally published, so make sure you target the right people. This can be an expensive route, but it’s a worthwhile one.

5. Do everything you can.

If you have friends who blog, ask them to help you out. I saw a great poster in a blog sidebar that said simply “The Vikings are coming”. A similarly abstract and intriguing poster linking back to your blog and spread by your friends could draw in a lot of interest. Make a website for the book and point people to it. It doesn’t have to be a professional site – it just has to give the reader a feel for your book. I’ve been working on one for the book I’m currently querying which you can take a look at here (password: dei) to get an idea. Immerse your potential readers in your book, make them really want to read it!

I’m no authority. I’m self-published on a small scale and I haven’t tested all these methods yet. But marketing can be so much fun. You just need to be creative. If you’re excited about marketing your book, it’ll show, and the excitement can only spread.

A.J. Mullarky spends most of her time in a tiny bedroom in the English countryside stacked to the ceiling with books. She writes young adult fiction in all genres. She can be found on her blog, on Goodreads, and on Twitter.

Eden Starcross, neophyte and trusted friend of the Queen, falls for Dante North, a former soldier and son of her father's rival at court. Unfortunately, so does the Queen. The return of Eden's fiancé and fresh attacks on the nationalistic country threaten to drive the lovers apart, but they are determined to be together, even if it means abandoning the only world they've ever known: provided, of course, that Dante can find a way to say 'no' to a queen.

June, 1944: occupied France. With everything he has ever believed called into question, Don Oldfield reflects on the choices, and the tragedies, that brought him here. A story of first love and growing up, set against the backdrop of the Second World War.

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton

2011-09-28T01:48:00.000-05:00

EVERNEATH

by Brodi Ashton

370 pages

YA paranormal fantasy

ARC as part of the EVERNEATH ARC tour

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

First off, this is one of the most gorgeous covers of all time. And it only gets better from there.

The mythology of the underworld and how the Everliving required a sacrifice so they could go on ever living was interesting and kind of horrific. ;-) I liked that there was a price for "eternal life", that it wasn't pretty.

I also really liked the transformation from Nikki coming back to say goodbye turning into a fight for her life and her soul. At first, she just accepted that she would be sent to the tunnels that would leech away her soul until there was nothing left as a consequence of a bad decision made in desperation. Then, as she started to feel again, she realized that she didn't want to go back. She wanted to reclaim her life, and was willing to fight for it.

The love triangle, or perhaps the lack of it, was also very refreshing. Nikki and Jack have a pretty strong connection, even though there's things they have to work out. Cole was the loose end, and an interesting end. Without meaning to, especially when he shouldn't have been able to in the first place, he had fallen in love with Nikki--even though she didn't return his feelings.

The moral dilemmas Nikki faces throughout the novel were done well and made me think. Even though I'm no longer a teen, some of the decisions Nikki had to make were universal. I thought this added a great dynamic to the story overall.

I really enjoyed this one, and can't wait for the sequel!

Burned Out

2011-09-26T11:54:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! :)

Trying to get 5 novels ready for publication in November has started to take its toll, so I'm going to take this week off of blogging in an effort to prevent ending up as a soggy pile of ash sometime in October. ;-)

If you've commented on the past two entries, I will be stopping by your blog this week. I'm also posting my review for Brodi Ashton's EVERNEATH on Wednesday, so feel free to stop by then if you're interested.

I'll miss you all this week, and want to thank you for all your support and kind words. The world is a better place for you having lived in it. :)

See you all next week!

A Chat With Megg Jensen

2011-09-21T00:03:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited to to introduce Megg Jensen today. She's the author of the awesome Cloud Prophet Trilogy and The Swarm Trilogy--Sleepers is book one.

Tell us about SLEEPERS. What inspired you to write it?

In Sleepers, Lianne is a sweet, but tough, adoptee who struggles to find her place in the world. When her life changes dramatically due to a spell cast upon her at birth and activated on her sixteenth birthday, Lianne has to figure out who to trust – and who to destroy.

The original inspiration for Lianne, Bryden, and Kellan came from the impact adoption has had on my family’s life. Now, lol, Sleepers is complete and total fiction and has absolutely nothing to do with our lives. It was just one of those nights where my husband and I were talking about adoption and I blurted out one of my manic, bizarre ideas. That idea turned into Sleepers.

What is your writing process like? Your revision process?

I am a total pantser. I’ve tried outlining, but once I know everything that’s going to happen I immediately get bored with writing the story. So, instead, I just write whatever comes to me. Sometimes chapters are out of order. Sometimes the storyline changes in the middle of the novel. I like to let my character lead me, rather than forcing them head one direction or another.

My left brain takes over during revision. That’s when I outline the story. I use notecards to order the chapters. I decide what to keep and what to toss. My novels will usually go through seven or eight full revision before publication. While I’m able to let loose during first drafting, during revision I morph into the ultimate perfectionist.

What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?

I love writing fantasy. I don’t want to write about real life – I already live that. I want to escape into my work.

I will read anything. Literally anything. I love reading across all genres and all ages. Nothing is out for me.

What was the hardest part of writing this book? The easiest?

The hardest was the storyline. I wrote and revised the entire novel, then realized that the ending was too predictable. I rewrote a huge part of the book and changed the storyline radically. I’m glad I did too. I like this ending better.

Easiest? First drafting. I love the abandon I experience while drafting.

When did you first discover that you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote my first story when I was seven. I’ve always known. I have a box in my closet filled with poems, short stories, fake newspapers, fake magazines and song lyrics. Writing has always been my greatest passion.

If you had three wishes, what would they be?

(1) To have enough money to provide for my children’s education.

(2) For happiness in everyone’s lives

(3) Hmmm, I’ll be selfish on this one and ask for an iPad. lol

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I was nineteen when I first read it and it changed my life. I can’t even put into words how much of an impact it had on me in so many ways. If I could ever impact even one reader just 1/10 of what I felt with TMoA, I would be thrilled.

Thank you so much for having me Danyelle!!!!!

Thanks, Megg! You can find out more about Megg on her blog, Twitter, and Facebook.

A Chat With Cristina Dos Santos

2011-09-18T23:55:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to share Cristina from Once Upon a Time with you. (I *adore* her blog's tagline: tales of love, magic, and psychopaths. Can you get anymore awesome than that?)

Tell us about your book, Cristina.

17 year old Tessa has been seeing the Devil since she was 13. She had always thought it was because she didn't pray hard enough, but when Billy- the guy she has been in love with forever- breaks her heart, she wishes for him to break too. And so he does.

Tessa discovers the Devil's interest in her has to do with her power to change people's destinies and his plan to use her to gain more power in the human world. Tessa's life becomes even more complicated when she meets Gage, a descendant of The Watchers and his mentor- whose mission is to fall back into God's good grace by either converting or cleansing the world of people like Tessa.

What is your writing process like? Your revision process?

My ideas for stories almost always come from characters. Usually a character will pop into my head and they show me a small snippet of who they are. Then I try to figure out what's special about them and what their world is like. I have a notebook where I write down all the ideas that pop into my head.

Next I do a rough outline. Once I have some idea of where the story will go, then I start writing it. I try to write 4-5 days a week.

As a far as revisions go, I'm still working out my process. I have a couple of people that will read my work and give me feedback. Sometimes I get really stuck in editing as I write and it really stalls the writing process.. it can be a real struggle to stop myself from editing until I'm done with a draft.

What's your favorite genre to write? to read?

YA for both. Fantasy and dystopian being my favorites.

What was the hardest part of writing this book? the easiest?

Well, the whole thing is hard! But if I have to pick just one thing? Confidence. Believing enough in myself to keep pushing through it all... somedays, it's nearly impossible. Someday, I will beat the beast!

The easiest part? hugh, I don't there's anything easy about it, honestly. But I can tell you what I enjoy the most.. my characters.. they keep me going.. they've become "real" and there's nothing gratifying than finishing a scene that's true to who they are. I love that!!

When did you discover that you wanted to be a writer?

About a year ago. Reading has always been my passion, and I remember taking pleasure in writing as a kid, but it wasn't until last year that I truly discovered how much storytelling makes me happy. I can't imagine not writing.

What is your favorite book?

I have a new all time favorite, Laini Taylor's "Lips Touch: Three Times." Well, she has also become my favorite writer. Her writing is pure magic, beautiful prose without it being pretentious. Her stories are so different and so enchanting.. ah... I might have a girl-writerly crush on her. I do!

She has a new book coming out "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" and from the reviews I've read so far. I'm pretty sure it will be love at first sight! The waiting is actually killing me!

Thanks, Cristina!

You can find out more about Cristina here, on her blog, and on Twitter.

Earn Free Books Through the Subscription Referral Program

2011-09-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

Since I'm new to the whole novel serialization process, I'm experimenting with new things. I brainstormed and came up with a lot of different ideas for getting the word out, and realized it would be easier to combine everything into a single program instead of trying to run a few different contests.

Thus, I have come up with the Subscription Referral Program.

Why a referral program?

For a book to be read, people have to hear about it. And the best way to do that is through word of mouth. But how to get that elusive word of mouth? I've been analyzing various techniques that have been used on websites and social networking sites, and realized that most of them wouldn't work for me. As much as I want to get word out about my novel, I also don't want to turn into a commercial. Social networking, generally--and in my opinion--should be used for connecting with people. Not their wallets.

I want my readers to feel like I care about them as readers, as people, not about convincing them to spend money on my novels. Am I happy when someone purchases my novel? Very. But the most important thing to me are the friendships and people I've met *because* of blogging, Tweeting, on forums, and Facebooking.

I want to know what I'm referring

Totally understandable. There are two ways you can sample THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA. The first is to purchase the first 12 chapters for $0.99 on either Amazon or Barnes and Noble. The second is to download the PDF of the first 8 chapters for free. (I would have done all 12 in the PDF, but don't want to be in breach of contract with Amazon or B&N.) I will have the PDF available later on this evening and will place a link here, in my sidebar, and on my website.

How does this work?

The referral program works by way of personal referrals. Blogging, Tweeting, Facebooking, and any other share on social networking sites is appreciated, but (in general) won't count toward earning free books.

Once you've referred people, come back and fill out the form that will be your entry for a $50 gift certificate as well as your proof of purchase for the novel. Novels 1-4 will be available for download on November 7th. Novel 5 will be available November 14th.

How do you earn free books?

By telling people about the novels (and/or subscription) individually. So, for example: you *could* achieve this through Twitter by addressing someone directly instead of sending a blanket tweet to all your followers.

Hey, @mybestfriendforever! Have you heard about the serial novel THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA? You can check it out here: X

Something like that, but hopefully less sales pitchy. ;-) Then, once you've done the minimum number (let's say 5), you fill out the form to let me know, and you'll be able to download a copy of your book November 7th. You can do this in person, through email, by addressing a specific person through social networking, and any other way you can think of. The key is that you're telling one person at a time.

So, let's say you'd also like to shoot for book 2. You'd need to find 10 additional people (the 5 you've already told won't count toward book 2) and refer them. Then come back, fill out the form, and you'll be able to download book 2 on November 7th along with book 1.

I've broken it down here for you. The parts in green are the totals for if you want to earn the entire series through referring.

Level 1
Refer 5 people--> Receive a complimentary copy of CATSPELL (TFGD#1)
You'll need to have referred 5 people.

Refer 10 people--> Receive a complimentary copy of FIRESPELL (TFGD #2)
If you want this book in addition to book 1, you'll need to tell 15 people total.

Refer 15 people--> Receive a complimentary copy of APPLESPELL (TFGD #3)
If you want this book in addition to books 1&2, you'll need to tell 30 people total.

Refer 20 people--> Receive a complimentary copy of FROGSPELL (TFGD #4)
If you want this book in addition to books 1-3 you'll need to tell 50 people total.

Refer 25 people--> Receive a complimentary copy of TROLLSPELL (TFGD #5)
If you want this book in addition to books 1-4, you'll need to tell 75 people total.

To simplify my life, this will be by the honor system. My goal is to share my books with as many people as possible, so for that part of the referral program, your word is your bond. Also, it doesn't matter whether or not the people you refer actually purchase a subscription. All that matters is that you've told them.

Level 2
The next tier will be for those that want to earn a complete box set without having to refer 75 people. Due to the costs involved, you will need to either give me the names on the form or have the people who purchase the Collectible Subscription put your name on the form.

If you refer 5 people and they purchase the $24.99 Collectible Subscription, you'll receive a complimentary THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA Box Set!

Level 3
Regardless of how many people you refer, if you fill out the form, you will be entered into a grand prize drawing.
The person who gives the most referrals (and remember, these are individualized referrals, not blanket referrals) will win a $50.00 gift certificate to Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
If 50 people subscribe (doesn't matter which subscription), there will be 2 $50.00 gift certificates available, and two winners--1st and 2nd place.
If 150 people subscribe, there will be 3 $50.00 gift certificates, and three winners.
If 200 people subscribe, there will be 4 $50.00 gift certificates up for grabs, and four winners.
I'll add more as needed, but this is how it works. The more you personally refer, the better your chances are of winning.

Level 4
This is for SWAG and where you can earn things by sharing THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA news in a more general way.
If you do a blog post about it--> You'll get a signed post card for CATSPELL (TFGD #1)
If you do a blog post *and* put something about it in your sidebar (I'll have buttons available this weekend)--> You'll get a signed post card and a bookmark for CATSPELL.
If you do 3 general shares via Twitter/Facebook/other social networks, etc.--> You'll get a bookmark for CATSPELL.
If you do all of the above-->You'll get signed post cards for all 5 books in the series.

So there you have it. Any questions? Suggestions?

And ha! I guess I'm going about this a bit backwards. Part of the reason I've been largely absent the last couple of months, is because I've been working very hard on getting this series finished. I'll announce things in more detail as November and December approach, as well as do cover reveals as soon as I've got them.

There will be a total of 5 novels with a 6th companion novel of short stories that take place during book 3 when the fairy godmother decides to become a wicked faerie instead. The companion novel will be available sometime next year (probably June-ish or so). As my thanks to all of the wonderful support I've gotten, anyone who has or will have subscribed to THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA will receive a free copy once it's finished. (Again, this won't be until around June 2012.) The subscription is winding to a close mid-October, so you must be subscribed prior to the close in order to receive the companion novel free.

So, the series?

CATSPELL: (current serial) While trying to avoid her fairy godmother, Breena accidentally gets turned into a small, white cat. But she soon discovers that she's going to need her fairy godmother after all.

FIRESPELL: Mara escaped from the scepter and is using the mythical Firebird to put the Elwythian Empire back together again, and it's up to Nerissa to stop her.

APPLESPELL: Heart broken over her failure with Mara, Nerissa decides to become a wicked faerie instead. Now, instead of creating Happily Ever Afters, she's working to destroy them. Only things don't turn out quite like she expects.

FROGSPELL: Nerissa is on probation to earn her right to fairy godmother back, so she's determined to do a good job. But what's a fairy godmother to do when the damsel in distress she's helping turns out to be the wicked stepsister instead?

TROLLSPELL: Nerissa sets out one last time to help Mara find her Happily Ever After. And things are proceeding along just fine until a great, white bear appears. Finding this Happily Ever After will be Nerissa's greatest challenge yet.

Click here to be taken to the FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA Subscription Referral form.

The Fairy Godmother Dilemma Novella is Live!

2011-09-12T09:54:00.002-05:00

As many of you know, I'm running a subscription-based serial for my novel THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA: CATSPELL.

A lot of people have expressed interest in how I was running the serial and the serial itself, and wanted to see how things went.

But the serial form, especially one that is subscription-based, is a little different from the way a regular novel is presented. For one, mine comes two chapters a week at a time. For another, unless a reader is subscribed to the novel, they aren't able to access any of the chapters. Chapter one is available for free (and I've tweeked it since then), but that's the only chapter anyone can read. (You can see the updated chapter one in the sample of the novella. Sample is free.)

I'm an unknown, and so I've decided to do something to both get my name out there a little more and show readers what TFGD is about. What kind of quality, voice, and story they can expect.

So I published the first 12 chapters of TFGD (about a third of the book) as a novella and posted it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It's priced at $0.99.

I would have made it free, but from my understanding, that's not possible unless I go through Smashwords to price it free on B&N, with Amazon matching the price a little later.

So, if you're wondering what THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA is all about, feel free to check it out at either Amazon or B&N. And if you don't have an ereader, you can either download the free software (I have the Kindle for Mac on mine) or email me and I can send you a PDF.

NOTE: If you've already purchased a subscription, no need to purchase the novella. You've already purchased the novella's contents as well as the rest of the book. :D

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Breena never thought anything could be worse than being forced to leave the faerie realm. Then she got stuck with a fairy godmother. But if she has to choose between the two, she’d leave the Faerie Realm over getting bossed about by a faerie with a pointed stick any day. Unfortunately, her attempt to evade her fairy godmother gives her growing pains in the form of fur, whiskers, and a tail.

Turning into a cat is the least of her worries, though. The potion wasn’t meant to bring out her inner feline, it was meant to put her to sleep. Forever. If Breena wants to make it to her Happily Ever After, she’ll have to accept that sometimes a fairy godmother really does come in handy, after all.

Happy Monday!

Some Announcements and Fun

2011-09-08T00:22:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of herman430

I wanted to thank you all for your kind words regarding the new cover for CATSPELL, Dave's quote in his daily kick, and for my Campaigner Challenge--which has been shortlisted to go on to the next round!

Thank you all for being so awesome!

In other news, I'm a new team member for The Writers Voice blog that's a new writer blog focused on writing and on authors. So if you've got a favorite author or someone you'd like to help promote, stop by and suggest their names in the comments. It's going to be an incredible adventure, so come along and join the fun.

And, speaking of fun, I've got some fun things in store for October, but I'm going to need your help.

As authors, it's part of our job to promote our books regardless of how we're published. But marketing can be difficult and hard to figure out. That's where you all come in. I'd like to do a series of posts focused on marketing, and I know there are loads of brilliant people out there with wonderful ideas. So, if you'd like to guest post on my blog in October, feel free to email me at: contact *atdanyelleleafty* dotcom. (Removing the spaces, the stars, and using @ and ., of course. O:)) (And if I don't get back to you in a reasonable amount of time, there's an email link on my blogger profile located in the sidebar. Just click on the "About Me" thingie and it will take you to the profile page.)

I'm especially interested in marketing ideas that don't necessarily leave the recipient feeling like they've been marketed at. So, send me an email, and feel free to spread the word. You don't necessarily have to be a follower to guest post. (And since I write for the MG/YA crowd, please make sure content is suitable for those age categories.)

And last, but not least, I was tagged by Alz of A Nudge in the Right Direction fame. Here are 10 random facts about me:

I am not a morning person. I would go so far as to say that the day really has no business starting before noon. I have never been a morning person,even as a child, although sometimes I wish I was.
If I'm tired enough, I fall asleep in my dreams. Really. I close my eyes in the dream which makes everything go black. I can still hear and feel the dream going on around me, but yeah, sound asleep in my dream. When I start falling asleep while I'm asleep, I know it's time to start taking it a little easier. O:)
I am a bibliophile. If it has paper and a cover, I must make it mine. It is my dream one day to have a library that rival's Belle's. >:)
I've been teaching myself how to play the harp. Strangely, it's easier than playing the piano for me. Am saving up for either a larger harp--mine's a lap harp with 22 strings--or a pedal harp. Will take lessons then.
I adore Scottish Country Dancing, with English Country Dancing (think Pride and Prejudice) coming in a close second. I'll hopefully be able to resume lessons next year.
I love languages. I hope to speak at least 12 fluently before I die. So yeah, probably not going to be dying any time soon. :p
I'm very, very, very shy in real life. As in, deer-in-the-headlights-my-mind-is-an-empty-slate-of-white-nothingness shy. Am working on this.
I love music, and hope one day to learn how to conduct properly.
When I grow up, I want to be a neurologist. Am planning on going pre-med and through med school once the kidlets have gotten a little older. Of course, will also have to find a way around the classes that require you to look at, touch, and cut up dead stuff or Things That Belong Inside. My stomach is as hardy as a bowl full of liquid jello.
I have a tendency to faint when my blood is drawn. Also, my veins are so small, they have to do it with the same needles they use for the 2-day-olds. Yes, that's me. The phlebotomist's nightmare.

I get to tag four others:

And, because I'm a rebel (Ha! Random fact #11), I'm adding a fifth:

Angela Ackerman

How's your week been going? Any interesting news to share?

Campaigner Challenge #1: The Door Flash Fiction

2011-09-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of costi

The door swung open.

A tiny girl with a pixie face and bright red shoes came through. Her arms full of jar, its glass frosted so only the barest hint of color shone through. The blue green of a placid sea with golden twinkles stirring restlessly about.

“Another so soon?” A snow-white owl asked from where it perched near the window on top of a stack of dusty books.

The little girl shrugged and hugged the jar tight. “It’s witching hour. There are thousands out there, and I only took the quietest.”

“How many there are doesn’t matter. It’s the principle of the thing.” The owl fluffed its feathers disapprovingly. “And witching hour only makes matters worse. What are you going to do in the morning when the owner of that dream wakes up and finds it missing?”

“I always return it,” the girl said, indignant. She knew better than to steal dreams. They didn’t keep, and what did last, became a bitter, twisted thing. Better to borrow than steal.

Outside, a star fell in a blaze of color.

“Have you never once considered finding your own?” the owl asked.

But the room was empty, and the door swung shut.

So, there you have it. 200 words exactly. This is precisely why I write novels. :p

Reminder: Click here to enter to win a copy of MONARCH.

Monarch by Michelle Davidson Argyle

2011-09-04T20:36:00.000-05:00

MONARCH

by Michelle Davidson Argyle

327 pages

Thriller

Review Copy from publisher

Blurb:

Nick’s life as a CIA spy should be fulfilling, but it has only given him unhappiness—a wife who committed suicide, and two daughters who resent everything he has become. Now, stuck in the Amazon on the last mission of his career, he must track down Matheus Ferreira, a drug lord and terrorist the U.S. has tried to bring down for years. If he succeeds, he’ll have the chance to start his life over again.

A Chance to Win a Free Copy: Everyone who comments will be entered to win a free copy. Ends 11:59 pm on September 9th.

Review:

I don't generally read thrillers or adult novels, so I'm definitely not in the target audience, but the cover intrigued me. The butterfly wings behind the body seem to hint that life is a beautiful, albeit fragile thing. A theme running throughout the book.

One of my favorite things about MONARCH was the use of butterflies. They're woven in to the story and are an integral symbol for the whole. Butterflies can mean a lot of different things, but some common symbols they represent are change, metamorphosis, new beginnings, and the soul. I love how the author tied in the migratory patterns and life process of Monarch butterflies to the main characters Nick and Lilian. Both in their internal relationships with themselves, and their external relationships. The Monarch butterflies were a beautiful symbol and well-used throughout.

Another thing that really added to the charm of the story was the setting and Lilian's vocation. Instead of being set in a large city full of movement, color, and sound coming at you from all corners, much of the present day action takes place in a small town in West Virginia. Lilian runs a bed and breakfast, and used to work as a cake decorator. The bed and breakfast is located a little ways away from the town, where it's even more quiet and peaceful--well, at least until the mob shows up. I liked how the nice, idyllic setting of the today was juxtaposed with the rich, exotic jungles of Brazil in the passages where Nick is reliving his past.

Which brings me to the third point. Michelle has a masterful way of dealing with flashbacks. While I'm not fond of this particular literary device (I think it's a little overused in general), she does an excellent job of seamlessly weaving the past and the present into one continuous story. Because that's what it is--the past story (Nick's mission with the CIA) and the present story are so entwined with each other, that they really are a single story.

Readers that enjoy suspenseful, soft thrillers would likely enjoy MONARCH.

More information about Monarch can be found here. The first two chapters can be found here. And the Reader's Guide can be found here.

Michelle is a mother, artist, and writer who lives in the Rocky Mountains with her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She writes contemporary, literary, and fantasy fiction.

Michelle graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor's Degree in English/Creative Writing in 2002. Her short fiction has been published in the University of New Mexico's national literary journal, Scribendi, 2002, the Rose & Thorn Journal, 2010, Suspense Magazine, June 2011, and Stories for Sendai Anthology, 2011 . She served as the editor-in-chief of Utah Valley University's literary magazine and has won awards for her short stories. She is also an editor/publisher of “The Literary Lab Presents…” series of anthologies.

Michelle believes imagination is the only rule in fiction. This is the foundation of her writing, and she plans to strengthen it with each and every story she writes. Her first traditionally published novel, Monarch, will be released September 2011 by Rhemalda Publishing. You can find out more about Michelle and MONARCH on her website.

Something That Made Me Smile

2011-08-30T20:45:00.000-05:00

I was reading my Daily Kick from Dave Farland, and this caught my eye at the bottom:

Note: Many of you know Danyelle Leafty from my writing courses. Danyelle’s fantasy works are delightful and enchanting, and she’s selling her first novel through the serialization model that I mentioned. I invite you to check out her web site at http://www.danyelleleafty.com/?page_id=649 in order to see how it’s done!

Dave is one of the most incredible teachers, besides being an all around awesome person. So, yeah, no words to express how this part brightened my day:

Danyelle’s fantasy works are delightful and enchanting

I shall remind myself of this whenever my confidence decides to vacation in Tahiti without inviting me to come alone.

delightful and enchanting

Squee!

And something else that's made me smile. The final cover for CATSPELL, the first novel in The Fairy Godmother Dilemma series is almost finished. Here's a sneak peak:

First chapter is here, subsequent chapters are available through subscription only. Details on that here.

So, what's made you smile lately?

A Guest Post By Medeia Sharif: Why I Write Multicultural YA

2011-08-28T23:37:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited to have Medeia as my guest today. Not only has she written an awesome book (review to come), but she's an incredible person that I've really enjoyed getting to know better through blogging. (And if you love meeting new books, Medeia's blog is a great place to check out!) So, without further ado, onto Medeia and why she writes multicultural YA:

Your people have the dots on their foreheads, right?

You’re pretty Americanized.

I didn’t know you were allowed to wear nail polish.

All my life I’ve heard a slew of comments like these. When I was a teenager these comments were directed at me often, and even to this day I hear things that make me shake my head. I sometimes can’t believe the preconceptions (and misconceptions) about Middle Eastern people, as if I’m supposed to act a certain way based on what people have seen on TV, movies, and in print.

Most of my drawer manuscripts have main characters named Belle, Vivian, Roger, and other common names. I tried to match my writing to the books I read, so my characters weren’t diverse. It wasn’t until early in the millennium that I became interested in multicultural fiction. The first multicultural piece I finished was a huge, clunky novel that went nowhere. It was represented by two different agents at two different times, but it was long and problematic. It wasn’t ready for publication, so I put it in a drawer. But I didn’t want to let go of it completely. I took bits and pieces of it, combined it with some new ideas, and wrote BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER.

What’s awesome about writing multicultural fiction is that I get to tear down some of the misconceptions that I’ve been exposed to. My main character, Almira, wears trendy clothes, likes boys, chats with her friends on IM and does other regular teenage things. She’s a Muslim who describes her parents as half-way religious; they don’t pray all five daily prayers and don’t go to a mosque regularly. Almira isn’t a perfectionist when she follows her religion, but at the same time she’s interested in its rites and wants to relate to it. Currently I’m writing a follow-up novel in which she continues on this quest, becoming more mature and thoughtful about her culture and religion, and how the American side of her clashes with the Middle Eastern side. She acts like a typical high school student, which is in contrast to what her parents and grandparents want from her. So on top of the teenage drama there’s this extra layer of wanting one thing while her elders expect something else from her. That aspect is something I couldn’t shy away from since it’s a reality.

My drawer manuscripts range from picture books to adult books—I tested the waters of numerous styles and genres—and I’m glad I wrote BRE as a YA book. This novel would have been very different if Almira was a grownup. An adult doesn’t have to navigate through the perilous hallways of high school as a teenager does and young people, with their insecurities and inexperience, magnify situations in a way adults don’t. Writing Almira as a conflicted teenager allows me to do more with her. I explore her life as she has one foot in school and one foot in her household; she wants to please her parents yet be true to her desires.

About BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER.

During Ramadan, we’re not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset, for a whole month. My family does this every year, even though I’ve been to a mosque exactly twice in my fifteen years. My exercise-obsessed mom—whose hotness skipped a generation, sadly—says I could stand to lose a few. But is torture really an acceptable method? I think not.

Things wouldn’t be so bad if I had a boyfriend, but my oppressive parents forbid me to date. This is just cruel and wrong. Especially since Peter, a cute and crushable artist, might be my soul mate. Figures my bestest friend Lisa likes him, too.

To top it off, there’s a new Muslim girl in school who struts around in super-short skirts, commanding every boy’s attention—including Peter’s. How can I get him to notice me? And will I ever feel like a typical American girl?

Medeia Sharif is a middle school English teacher residing in Miami Beach. Her young adult debut novel BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER. was released July 2011. You can find out more about her by visiting http://www.sharifwrites.com.

You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Google Plus, and Tumblr.

In Which Myles Is Dismayed and Disappointed

2011-08-25T01:25:00.000-05:00

The following is an excerpt of Chapter 18. You can read the whole chapter here. And the short synopsis here.

The throne room smelled like the kennels, and Myles could hardly think straight for all the noise. They should have stopped by an inn on the way home and gotten some rest. He hadn’t been able to sleep properly every since they set foot into that wretched forest. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he saw was green. And when he slept, all he dreamed of were cats.

Sometimes he wondered if being allowed to work his magic was worth all this. These days, he wasn’t so sure anymore.

Several courtiers stood back against the walls as far as they could go, their faces wrinkled in disgust. Most of the ladies had their kerchiefs to their noses, but Myles highly doubted that even the most expensive perfumes could cover up the odor of all those dogs.

Baldemar’s brothers had outdone themselves, each bringing home one hundred dogs. Small, yapping dogs, dogs that looked like tiny foxes, while others had long bodies and ears that dragged along the floor. The larger dogs eyed the smaller ones speculatively, which made the small ones even more determined to prove their mettle. Some had short fur, while one had fur so long, Myles wasn’t entirely convinced it was a dog—more like a mound of hair that had been magicked to life. And all of them were jammed into a large room with a domed roof perfect for amplifying their doggish complaints and displeasure.

© 2011 by Danyelle Leafty. All rights reserved.

On the Campaigning Trail

2011-08-23T22:35:00.000-05:00

Racheal Harrie over on Rach Writes is organizing another author platform building campaign. So I've decided to throw my hat in the ring and join up.

You can find out more about the campaign--how it works, what to expect--here.

Why? Because the Internet is filled to the brim with awesome people, and I can't wait to meet more--as well as continue to visit the incredible people I've already met. (Until September's over, my Blog Visiting Day will be on Saturdays. Once the deadlines (two novels to finish by mid-September and one novella to revise and post) are past and I can breathe again, I'm hoping I'll be able to stop by blogs a couple of times a week.)

What about you? Have any of you campaigned to build your author platform before? What other things have you done?

The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris

2011-08-22T12:04:00.000-05:00

First off, Random.org has spoken, and the winner is:

Bish Deham

Congratulations, Bish! Please send me an email and I'll forward it to Shana. :)

Now, onto the review.

THE BOYFRIEND THIEF

by Shana Norris

126 pages

YA contemporary

Complimentary Copy

Where to start with the awesomeness that is this book? THE BOYFRIEND THIEF is the first ebook I've ever read, because reading books on a screen is akin to flirting with migraines for me. Not only did I read TBT on my computer, but I read it in one sitting, because it was that good. (My eyes are only now thinking of forgiving me. :p)

This is honestly one of the best contemporary YA's I've read in a very long time. It's clean, funny, fresh, and poignant. TBT reminds me a little of Janette Rallison's and Lindsey Leavitt's novels.

What's it about?

Avery James has her life planned out: this summer she’ll work with a humanitarian program in Costa Rica, next year she’ll graduate at the top of her class, and after that, college and medical school. Perfect, planned, total order.

The only problem: getting the rest of the money she needs for the trip before the deadline. Hannah Cohen, her biggest competition for the valedictorian title, makes an unexpected offer: If Avery can win over Zac Greeley and make him break up with Hannah before the end of the school year, a check for five hundred dollars is all hers. Faced with the prospect of spending yet another summer working as a giant hot dog, it’s an offer Avery can’t refuse.

Zac is nothing like Avery expected. Within his chaotic world of midnight slushie runs and spontaneous dance parties, her total order is quickly falling apart while Hannah seems poised to get everything she wants. But just how much is Avery willing to give up for the perfect life?

One of the things that Avery is dealing with is the fact that her mother abandoned the family a few years back. Ever since then, Avery has made it mission to keep the family running smoothly and make everything all right. Avery is a person who thrives on order, partly because of this. As someone with a similar temperament, I found myself connecting to her very quickly. I also loved the detail that when she's upset and trying to calm herself down, she starts naming the bones in the hand. (Yes, I am a geek. :p)

Avery's need for order and inflexibility--as well as her own insecurities--often cause as many problems for her as they solve. And yet, there's something so very human about her. She isn't perfect, but I admired her strength and passion to keep her family as normal as possible under the circumstances--especially for her younger brother. She is someone who is doing the best she can under the circumstances, and while she is dealing with some hard things, she didn't come off as a victim so much as a survivor.

Zac, the boy she's being paid to "steal" from Hannah, is Avery's polar opposite. He's a chaotic swirl of energy that goes with the flow of the moment rather than following a well-ordered list. He's spontaneous and has a great personality. And for the first time in a long time, he's a love interest that I can see why the girl ended up falling for him. He's not perfect, and his organized chaos gets in his way as much as Avery's aim for perfection, but he's not the brooding, sullen, controlling boy that so many YA novels are filled with. Honestly, he was a breath of fresh air.

I loved how Shana balanced Avery's internal struggles with the external struggle of Avery and Zac's relationship. Both characters were on the extreme end of their spectrum, and I enjoyed watching them tug each other closer to the middle--toward a healthy relationship, and a healthier outlook on life. This is the first YA book I've read in a while where the boy and girl were actually good for each other. (Besides the aforementioned Rallison and Leavitt. I'm sure there are others, but I'm speaking in general terms here.) They made plenty of mistakes along the way, but the relationship and internal struggles were aimed toward healthy and functional rather than dysfunctional, with one of them dominating or trying to control the other.

Another thing that really impressed me, was the way Shana wove humor through the hard parts. Avery's life hasn't been easy, and there are some very poignant moments as she has to face the mirror and deal with some of the emotional baggage that came with her mother's abandonment. But, if anything, this book is filled to the brim with hope. There was a perfect balance of light and dark that made me hungry for more.

My favorite books are books that say something--that mean something. That hollow out a part of my heart and take root there. TBT is one of those books for me. I loved it, and am definitely going to be reading the rest of Shana's books while I wait (im)patiently for her next release.

Out of five stars, I give this one a ten. :D

More information about THE BOYFRIEND THIEF and a sample first chapter can be found here.