tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60005185819596262002024-03-04T23:35:03.036-06:00E.J. Wesley, AuthorAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.comBlogger312125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-27026550726188624712015-05-08T05:00:00.000-05:002015-05-08T05:00:03.365-05:00PerfectionHey, gang! Excited to share a New Adult debut novel from our pal, J.L. Campbell.<br />
<br />
J.L. is a ridiculously prolific author with many books under her belt, so I can't wait to see what she does with her NA series! Here's a little FYI about the project–<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Five Things You Didn't Know About Perfection</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbistYctkzY5HxdItECkui8qYRRBlcvV_aXArvhFJ-7IAb2B7iNIV7b0e3Tt3roVzg181as9xccDDK9qvMUeUD6WYqJurTUfxL4zOGT9neFuSisY44bxcKC5hAGDbbszcSlIYZw1VNXk/s1600/Perfection-3D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbistYctkzY5HxdItECkui8qYRRBlcvV_aXArvhFJ-7IAb2B7iNIV7b0e3Tt3roVzg181as9xccDDK9qvMUeUD6WYqJurTUfxL4zOGT9neFuSisY44bxcKC5hAGDbbszcSlIYZw1VNXk/s1600/Perfection-3D.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfection-Sisters-Love-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RPTNOHA">Perfection</a> is my first foray into the world of New Adult fiction, but it has been an educational and fun-filled journey. The story ideas grew out of a series of novels I'd already written about three mature couples. Their daughters, when they first appeared were 14, 15 and 16. Over the duration of the series, these girls appeared onstage with their distinct personalities and when I closed the women's fiction series, I had no idea there were more stories to tell. <br />
<br />
Then, the idea of showing the growth of the young ladies took root and soon, I had three complete stories. As I've said elsewhere, my three New Adult tales were gifts that dropped into my lap, complete with characters and storylines. After reading copiously on and in this category, I got ready to take on the challenge of creating a story with a gripping plot and compelling characters. <br />
<br />
The first book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfection-Sisters-Love-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RPTNOHA">Perfection</a>, follows the relationship of Natasha and Karim, who struggle to forge a trusting relationship despite their challenges. <br />
<br />
Some unique features include the fact that:<br />
<ul>
<li>Perfection takes place on the island of Jamaica, which gives armchair adventurers an inside look at another setting and culture.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Karim is a parent, which is not unique for a guy at age 22, but his circumstances do take a surprising twist. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The three girls who show up frequently in Perfection are related by the marriages of their parents, so apart from being friends, they have a strong familial bond.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>By no means am I the only storyteller to writes from the perspective of a male, but at four-chapter intervals, the reader gets a chance to see inside Karim's head. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The two main characters are sports enthusiasts, who both do exceptionally well in their chosen fields.</li>
</ul>
Perfection is live at both <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfection-Sisters-Love-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RPTNOHA">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfection-jl-campbell/1121173833?ean=2940046558579">Barnes & Noble</a>. There's a giveaway, so if you're interested win winning a copy of both Perfection and Fixation, which releases next week, enter on the Rafflecopter.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="6fb196b428" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6fb196b428/" id="rcwidget_8edfv90y" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<b><br /></b>
<b>About the Author</b><br />
<br />
J.L. Campbell is an award-winning, Jamaican author who writes romantic suspense, women's fiction, new and young adult novels. She has written thirteen books, two novellas and two short story collections.<br />
<br />
Her novels include the Island Adventure Romance series, which currently has four exciting, stand-alone stories and features feisty women and determined men. She also writes under the pen name Jayda McTyson. She is a certified editor, who also writes non-fiction.<br />
<br />
Visit her on the web at http://www.joylcampbellAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-5429271770247254802015-04-27T12:23:00.001-05:002015-04-27T12:23:49.020-05:00Massive Charity Auction for Writers & ReadersHey, gang! Just want to quickly share news about the epic charity auction we're running over at NA Alley. There are some unbelievable items up for grabs. And the cause couldn't be better.<br />
<br />
Hope you'll take a minute to check it out (and hope you score something awesome!). Also, please share if you get the chance. Every little bit can help this awesome young woman.<br />
<br />
~EJW~<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>A One of a Kind Charity Auction for Writers & Readers</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PDRQvWtDappx0anyBAbLnfaQSFXpRaUaJW9aRpGkf0rKpM871hNDWLIqMYBFR2Vgkl7Vn_eJIoO3BVnzrO4V_eADsjBQgQrEA7W4PDxXjBdlcIyhWkLIAXdgmbkBKvpsz9twmkg" /></div>
<br />
NA Alley is pleased to announce our first industry-wide goodwill campaign. We have partnered with an all-star list of donors and the <a href="http://www.joinqueena.com/">Join Queena</a> project to host a one of a kind charity auction for Queena--an inspiring young woman, whose life was touched by tragedy.<br />
<br />
<div>
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to watch this video and familiarize yourself with this beautiful person, her struggles, and her triumphs <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SzVCDWYMtQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SzVCDWYMtQ</a><br />
<br />
Then, <b>for five days only (April 27 - May 1st)</b>, stop by <a href="http://www.32auctions.com/QuestforQueena">http://www.32auctions.com/QuestforQueena</a> and bid on some epic items and bundles. Including:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Critiques from literary agents Sara Megibow & Cassie Hanjian </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Author education courses and consultations from Authors Training Authors, Stand up-Stand Out-Rake It In, Plot Whisperer, and more!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Top rated publishing and writing software from Save The Cat, Scrivener, & Vellum.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Design & promotional services from Lola’s Blog Tours, Colbert Creative Forward Authority, BookGraphics, and StoryFinds.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Editorial consultations & services from respected industry pros</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Autographed books from bestselling authors</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A VIP pass to UtopYA reader/writer conference</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And much, much more!</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Follow the event on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1650332478528104/">https://www.facebook.com/events/1650332478528104/</a> and join us there for a wrap-up party full of fun and giveaways, Friday, May 1st.<br />
<br />
For all the event details, check out <a href="http://www.naalley.com/p/auction.html">http://www.naalley.com/p/auction.html</a> <br />
<br /></div>
<div>
On behalf of Queena, her family, our donors, and NA Alley, we thank you for your contributions. Happy bidding! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>QUICK TWEETS</u></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<a href="http://ctt.ec/bKi4a" target="_blank">A one of a kind charity auction for readers & writers via @NAAlleyBlog http://ctt.ec/bKi4a+ #QuestForQueena</a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ctt.ec/aB01U" target="_blank">Bid now on critiques from fab lit agents @saramegibow & @cjhanjian http://www.naalley.com/p/auction.html #CharityAuction #amwriting #pubtip</a><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b><a href="http://ctt.ec/beni2">Epic charity auction for writers & readers! Top writing software, agent crits, signed books, & more http://ctt.ec/beni2+</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://ctt.ec/cb92D" target="_blank">Bid on fab items & help us on our #QuestForQueena http://ctt.ec/cb92D+ via @NAAlleyBlog #charity #writetip #amwriting</a>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-7810703635721066032015-03-23T06:00:00.000-05:002015-03-23T06:00:07.365-05:00Cover Reveal - Nick Wilford's A Change of Mind & Other Stories<div>
Hey, gang! Popping in to say "hello again" and share a cover for an upcoming release from our good blogging friend and author, Nick Wilford.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Congrats, Nick! Wishing you all the success.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hope the rest of you are doing great and writing lots,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
EJ</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A Change of Mind and Other Stories</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8aFNyZmROA/VQ9qiTpud6I/AAAAAAAATVI/eJlycFNWURc/s1600/nc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8aFNyZmROA/VQ9qiTpud6I/AAAAAAAATVI/eJlycFNWURc/s1600/nc3.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
Author: Nick Wilford</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Genre: Contemporary speculative fiction</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cover Design: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rebekah.romani" target="_blank">Rebekah Romani</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Release Date: May 25th 2015</div>
<br />A Change of Mind and Other Stories consists of a novella, four short stories and one flash fiction piece. This collection puts the extremes of human behaviour under the microscope with the help of lashings of dark humour, and includes four pieces previously published in Writer’s Muse magazine.<br /><br /><div>
In A Change of Mind, Reuben is an office worker so meek and mild he puts up with daily bullying from his boorish male colleagues as if it’s just a normal part of his day. But when a stranger points him in the direction of a surgeon offering a revolutionary new procedure, he can’t pass up the chance to turn his life around.<br /><br />But this isn’t your average surgeon. For a start, he operates alone in a small room above a mechanic’s. And he promises to alter his patients’ personality so they can be anything they want to be…<br /><br />In Marissa, a man who is determined to find evidence of his girlfriend’s infidelity ends up wondering if he should have left well alone.<br /><br />The Dog God finds a chink in the armour of a man with a megalomaniacal desire to take over the world.<br /><br />In The Insomniac, a man who leads an obsessively regimented lifestyle on one hour’s sleep a night finds a disruption to his routine doesn’t work for him.<br /><br />Hole In One sees a dedicated golfer achieving a lifelong ambition.<br /><br />The Loner ends the collection on a note of hope as two family members try to rebuild their lives after they are torn apart by jealousy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Preorder Links: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UY7HLYM">Amazon US</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Change-Mind-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B00UY7HLYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1426858198&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Change+of+Mind+and+Other+Stories">Amazon UK</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25182124-a-change-of-mind-and-other-stories">Add it on Goodreads</a><br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLbCkgvDgGQ/VQ9qiVfw1DI/AAAAAAAATVE/vhcTpNNIkVo/s1600/Cruisepic4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLbCkgvDgGQ/VQ9qiVfw1DI/AAAAAAAATVE/vhcTpNNIkVo/s1600/Cruisepic4.JPG" height="200" width="134" /></a>Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those rare times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction, with a little freelance editing and formatting thrown in. When not working, he can usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning something. Nick is also the editor of Overcoming Adversity: An Anthology for Andrew. You can find him hanging out on his <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/nickwilford.blogspot.co.uk">blog</a> or on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6967635.Nick_Wilford">Goodreads</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/NickPWilford">Twitter</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-9827766498517886542014-12-01T14:10:00.002-06:002014-12-01T14:10:45.957-06:00Fantasy Fans Gather Round!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TlDMgx3TfZg/VHzKV49wADI/AAAAAAAASoc/npWcioHYj_w/s1600/HysteratiaBlitzBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TlDMgx3TfZg/VHzKV49wADI/AAAAAAAASoc/npWcioHYj_w/s1600/HysteratiaBlitzBanner.png" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hey, gang! I'm back to share some great news. My author pal, D.A. Botta, has just released the fourth book in his Elyzian Chronicles saga, Hexametyr. DA has a great sense of humor and takes his craft seriously, so I have no reservations recommending this one to folks. :)<br />
<br />
To celebrate the launch, I'm helping spread the word about the entire series, beginning with book #1, Hysterata. Here's the skinny:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7id3IavcAk/VHzKNSEjIaI/AAAAAAAASoU/NuBj7zyez70/s1600/HystCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7id3IavcAk/VHzKNSEjIaI/AAAAAAAASoU/NuBj7zyez70/s1600/HystCover.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
Emily Hobbs is off to Salem State College when a chance encounter with a fortuneteller changes everything. Emily is transported to the realm of Elyzia and learns that she is, in fact, one of the most powerful witches in existence.<br />
<br />
Madame Lavache, the strict headmistress of Cedalion Covenstead, has her sights set on Emily. In her desperate cling to power, Lavache attempts to protect her tyranny by invoking sinister forces, including bloodthirsty pirates and The Devil himself, to rid Elyzia of the rebellious witch.<br />
<br />
Along with her companions – an old hermit, a small coven of witches, and their totems – Emily sets out on a collision course with destiny.<br />
<br />
Just as the tarot foretold.<br />
<br />
A powerful witch<br />
A simple tarot read<br />
And all hell breaks loose<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23006674-hysteriata?ac=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J6ETFF2/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00J6ETFF2&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hysteriata-d-a-botta/1108102964?ean=9781496084538" target="_blank">B&N</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Cj--iYDCXTI" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Elyzian Chronicles </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hysteriata-Elyzian-Chronicles-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00J6ETFF2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1417464043&sr=1-1&keywords=Elyzian+Chronicles" target="_blank">Hysteriata </a>- Book 1</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sinfluence-Elyzian-Chronicles-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00J6ETIMC/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1417464043&sr=1-3&keywords=Elyzian+Chronicles" target="_blank">Sinfluence </a>- Book 2</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sycamortem-Elyzian-Chronicles-Book-3-ebook/dp/B00J6ETMGO/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1417464043&sr=1-4&keywords=Elyzian+Chronicles" target="_blank">Sycamortem </a>- Book 3</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hexametyr-Elyzian-Chronicles-Book-4-ebook/dp/B00PNP2EWE/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1417464043&sr=1-2&keywords=Elyzian+Chronicles" target="_blank">Hexametyr </a>- Book 4</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
You can enter for a chance to win the entire series below! Here's a little more about D.A. -</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hToRaI8H6Xs/VHzKHh55A1I/AAAAAAAASoM/NBojf_bcAQE/s1600/DAAuthor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hToRaI8H6Xs/VHzKHh55A1I/AAAAAAAASoM/NBojf_bcAQE/s1600/DAAuthor.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
D A Botta has written four New Adult Fantasy novels, The Elyzian Chronicles, and has also published a collection of poems There in Them Blues. D A is currently working on a New Adult Mystery series, Seriously Confidant, projected for debut in the fall of 2015. D A is a Fantasy Representative for NA Alley and frequents #NALitChat on Twitter. When not writing, D A plays guitar and dabbles in graphic design. D A lives with his family in Massachusetts.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dabotta.com/">http://www.dabotta.com/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/writist">https://www.facebook.com/writist</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/dabotta17">https://twitter.com/dabotta17</a><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6968348.D_A_Botta">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6968348.D_A_Botta</a><br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="d0425123620" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d0425123620/" id="rcwidget_hcn92b78" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
CONGRATS, DA, AND MUCH SUCCESS!<br />
<br />
~ejw~</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-34643348943074017312014-11-11T10:38:00.001-06:002014-11-11T10:38:12.981-06:00Quick Update & Thank YouHello, gang. I've been VERY quiet here on the blog the last several weeks as I've worked through some things in my personal life--many of you know about it if you're connected with me elsewhere.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I haven't jumped the blogging ship completely, I'm just try to manage things as best I can.<br />
<br />
I cannot say how much your words of support and encouragement have meant during these rough stretches. I also want to say thank you to everyone stopping by for the Blitz and the excellent <a href="http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/2014/11/realms-faire-2014-soak-bloke.html" target="_blank">Soak-a-Bloke, Realms Faire fun.</a><br />
<br />
Y'all have definitely added a spark to my week! :)<br />
<br />
I'll be back to blogging real soon,<br />
<br />
EJAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-26421165881306738882014-09-20T06:00:00.000-05:002014-09-20T06:00:04.104-05:00Author Interview - L.G. Kelso, FIERCE<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! I'm coming to you with a rare weekend post to share an interview I did recently with author L.G. Kelso. L.G. is a good friend and a talented author, plus FIERCE is a truly unique book that features a tough as nails heroine. So I know you'll love her and it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXASbBDKYFw/VByaBQgaFAI/AAAAAAAARis/92MiVSFpJkI/s1600/fiercebanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXASbBDKYFw/VByaBQgaFAI/AAAAAAAARis/92MiVSFpJkI/s1600/fiercebanner.png" height="246" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>5 Questions With Author L.G. Kelso</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ</span> - Your novel, FIERCE, is about a woman chasing her dream of being an MMA fighter. It's a struggle for her both inside and outside of the ring. Any similarities between her journey and your journey to become a published author? (I know I've had my ass kicked in this business more than once. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LG - </span></b>What a great question. I hadn't really thought of it, but I think you could say yes. Tori faces a lot of doubt and negativity from external sources, and I think that is something every writer faces, no matter what stage of the publication process. Both areas get a lot of criticism, and certain MMA groups are more respected than others (similar to the various kind of publishing and stigmas still attached to them). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If I had to give one, solid answer it would be this: Tori had to fight to become who she is and she struggles with that identity. Publishing her story was a fight in some ways, because she isn't what the market "is" and doesn't fit the market mold. I think while Tori worked to accept who she is, I had to work to accept what I wanted for the book and strive to get it. Tori tries to fit in and it's rough, in both the MMA world and the "regular" world (as she calls it), and that's because of her history and her experiences, and that same characterization did add to the struggle of publication. <br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ</span> - FIERCE uses a confrontational sport to take on some very real and complex social issues. (Notably, the struggles of women who wish to feel empowered and be respected for their actions--not necessarily categorized by their gender first.) As a writer, what were some the challenges in bringing that to the page? Anything you'd approach differently next time around?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LG - </span></b>Confrontational sport. I like that term. It's very accurate, and women aren't normally associated with "confrontation". Actually putting those struggles and issues on the page wasn't an issue. The challenge was making sure that both the highs and the lows were there, that readers would see these very real problems but also see the very real beauty of it. For being one of the most popular sports in the US right now, MMA is often misunderstood. Does it have problems? Oh, yes. So do many other male-dominated sports. But there is also lots of beauty in it, and I didn't want people to judge it solely based off the problems, but I also didn't want to sugar coat it. I did in some ways as far as language is concerned, but I didn't want to sugar-coat the issues. <br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ</span> - You box in real life. You get five minutes in the ring to take out your frustrations on any one part of the writing/publishing process What is it? Why?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LG </span></b>- Can I pick two? I just can't pick one. What would I chose:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1) The stigma associated with the various forms of publishing. I hate this stigma of traditional verses indie. I hate the misconception that indie authors are forced to go indie and don't have choices. I know most of us do, and even those that feel like it is their only choice, well, that doesn't mean their work shouldn't be seen! If anything, this publishing journey has taught me how different our tastes are and that there is little reason to judge another work when it comes to things that are subjective, because it may not work for me but it may be the best thing ever for you. The stigma goes even deeper than just the indie vs. traditional. I've seen it with digital only imprints and so on. It needs to stop.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">2) Marketing. I'm not a good self-pimper (yes, I said that, just go with it). I really enjoy certain aspects of marketing-like making teasers. Time suck of my life, people. Love making teasers. And I did a program on gender-stereotypes that was really enjoyable and could fall into the marketing side of things. Overall, though, I hate being like "BUY MY BOOK!" Also, I would prefer to be writing instead of pimping, so you know...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ </span>- FIERCE is technically New Adult fiction (though it could definitely fit in upper YA, because it's not erotic or overly sexy). You encountered some interesting resistance creating the main character, Tori. What do you think a writer's role is in reshaping social and reader perceptions/expectations? Can we really walk a line between authenticity--or progressiveness--and mass appeal? Or do you have to sacrifice some of one for the other? </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LG -</span></b> Yes, it is technically NA (college-aged kids with NA themes) but I do feel it fits into upper YA as well. Tori is not the mold, and that was one reason that I decided the publishing route I did, because changing Tori drastically enough to fit the mold would have meant not only changing the story on a huge scale, but also would lose the ave authenticity. Tori grew up in the fighting world, and that really did create her persona. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I do think we can walk that line. I think we do have a duty to help reshape reader expectations. If we as writers don't give readers that diversity, then how will anyone know if anyone wants to read it or not? If that's not even an option, or a very limited one, of course it's not going to have mass market appeal just because of the fact it's not greatly available. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I do think that if you want to fit into the mold of what is currently a big deal in the mass market, then sometimes authenticity does have to be sacrificed. I, for one, can't do that. Honesty is something that is important to my writing. I'm not saying that every big name book and author out there sacrificed any authenticity, but I do think some of them have had to. The only way to change that is for writers to not being willing to do that, and that's a whole different discussion since we're talking about peoples paychecks here.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />In short, I do think we can walk that line and I think walking that line is going to be the way we can, even if gradually, help grow and diversify reader expectations.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ</span> - Last question, and our favorite! Where can we find FIERCE and more information on your writing endeavors?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LG</span></b> - </span><b style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">All about FIERCE--</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QiIm_QvHUCk/VByaHnNJ7dI/AAAAAAAARi8/NDleDHN38jk/s1600/FIERCE%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QiIm_QvHUCk/VByaHnNJ7dI/AAAAAAAARi8/NDleDHN38jk/s1600/FIERCE%2BCover.jpg" height="640" width="418" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">New Adult Contemporary Sports Romance </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i>Tori's MMA career was taking off ... until she beat the wrong man. Her training partner, nursing a bruised ego, snapped—shattering her trust and confidence.<br /> <br /> Three years later, Tori’s keeping her fists to herself as she struggles to put herself through college. But when a group of gangbangers hassle her at work, old habits kick in and her fists fly. Max Estrada, a frequent diner customer, steps in and gets them out of hot water, but Tori is still fired... days before tuition is due.<br /> <br /> With no other option, she’s forced to take a desk job at her old pounding grounds, where her demons still haunt the cage and the temptation to go glove-to-glove with familiar pro-fighter, Max Estrada, is too much. The sexy Colombian draws her back into the world of MMA and revives her dreams of becoming a professional face-puncher—until Will, her old partner and current Middleweight Champion, struts back into the gym. The secret they share is an unexpected liability to his career, and he's determined to keep her silent. <br /> <br /> With her life on the ropes, Tori will have to face the past for a shot at winning back her future, or carry the weight of a loss even greater than before. </i><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Praise for FIERCE</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
"A unique twist on the fighter trope-- FIERCE is a compelling, original read with my favorite kind of heroine (a kick-ass one)." <br /> <br /> - New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Cora Carmack<br /><br /> "If you're looking for a strong heroine who stands out in the New Adult contemporary world, L.G. Kelso's Fierce is the book for you. Why I loved it: A complex heroine dealing with inner and external obstacles; a romance that isn't the character's main goal (though it is hot!); powerful voice and an authentic journey into the MMA world."<br /> <br /> -Diana Gallagher, author of What Happens in Water (Fall 2015, Spencer Hill Press) <br /><br />Fierce Links: | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kelso0117/">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fierce-lg-kelso/1120141517?ean=2940150450820">Barnes & Nobles</a> | <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/466467">SmashWords</a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kelso0117/">Pinterest</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22360301-fierce">GoodReads</a> | <a href="http://www.lgkelso.com/fierce.html">Website</a> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22360301-fierce"> </a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>About the Author</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lgkelso.com/uploads/2/2/4/0/22402020/8367013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lgkelso.com/uploads/2/2/4/0/22402020/8367013.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">L.G. Kelso is a fantasy and contemporary novelist. Having grown up watching Xena and Hercules with her grandmother, she inherited her passion for all things magic, paranormal and mythological. She also has a probably unhealthy obsession with martial arts, and as a boxer she strives to give readers an authentic view of MMA in her contemporary sports novels. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://lgkelso.com/">LGKelso.com</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/LGKelso">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/LGKelso/617146481691637">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.lgkelso.com/blog">Blog</a> | <a href="http://naalley.com/">NA Alley</a>| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22360301-fierce">GoodReads</a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kelso0117/">Pinterest</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/L-G-Kelso/e/B00MMZBLW2/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1410286034&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d3474665249/" id="rc-d3474665249" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZpbpBEXFCk/VByaFUHQS7I/AAAAAAAARi0/8eL9HNKtXUM/s1600/cbbbutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZpbpBEXFCk/VByaFUHQS7I/AAAAAAAARi0/8eL9HNKtXUM/s1600/cbbbutton.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-85354962999112783432014-09-15T13:52:00.000-05:002014-09-15T13:53:06.290-05:00The Big C Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.gofundme.com/c95f2o" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo8f4n1RCJIY3YPS73fOZzzYhTb8TZkJGOrjWWQL68z2HaXPTnS9dW42M0AKbyTZ1RTLc07xuhYD8vvOOjV56RKwxgQchFJIoZYos1Gk6k97bgdupOWsX2tMnlJBFH3EeNtc-AVfPo5Q/s1600/FINAL+BADGE+FOR+BLOG+HOP+3.jpg" height="391" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Today I'm taking part in the 'Big C Bloghop' being instigated by our blog friend Michael Di Gesu in honor of another blog friend, Melissa Bradley. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Melissa is currently undergoing cancer treatment, and the bloghop posts will be collected for an anthology that will be sold to help with healthcare costs for M. As well as provide donations for an organization (Gilda's Club Chicago) dedicated to helping women fight endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancers.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Melissa has been a great talent and feisty spirit in our blogging and writing community for a long time and she needs our help. There has been a <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/c95f2o" target="_blank">GoFundMe page</a> established by her friends, and I know she greatly appreciates your donations and sharing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Get well, M! We are in your corner.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">~EJ</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Please visit the others in the hop and show your support for, Melissa.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table class="sl_linktable" id="sltable_e2e1db62-ec96-46d3-8ede-d5310f28b890" style="background-color: #b7683d; color: #b9b9b9; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="5%">1.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://writing-art-and-design.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Michael @ In Time ...</a></td><td width="5%">2.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://laussieswritingblog.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Denise Covey</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">3.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://www.eseckman.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Elizabeth Seckman, Author</a></td><td width="5%">4.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://emptynestinsider.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Julie Kemp Pick</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">5.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://emptynestinsider.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Julie @ Empty Nest Insider</a></td><td width="5%">6.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://tammybr2.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">tammy theriault</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">7.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Tyrean's Writing Spot</a></td><td width="5%">8.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://nickielson.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Nicki Elson</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">9.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://jemifraser.blogspot.ca/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jemi Fraser</a></td><td width="5%">10.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://melissasimaginarium.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Melissa's Imaginarium</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">11.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://www.thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Girdle of Melian</a></td><td width="5%">12.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://www.leaveittolivia.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Livia Peterson | Leave it to Livia</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">13.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://nickwilford.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Scattergun Scribblings</a></td><td width="5%">14.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://www.rawknrobyn.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Life by Chocolate</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">15.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://www.writewithfey.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Write with Fey</a></td><td width="5%">16.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://ellasedge.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ella's Edge</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">17.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">WRITING IN THE CROSSHAIRS</a></td><td width="5%">18.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://www.positiveletters.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Positive Letters and Stories</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">19.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://farawayeyes1.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Far Away Eyes</a></td><td width="5%">20.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://waterytart23.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Confessions of a Watery Tart</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">21.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://the-open-vein-ejwesley.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">E.J. Wesley, Author</a></td><td width="5%">22.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-cancer-assassin-ken-wins.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Cancer Assassin: Ken Wins!!!</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">23.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://www.donnahole.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Donna Hole</a></td><td width="5%">24.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://markkoopmans.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aloha! Mark Koopmans says hi from HI</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">25.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://writer-in-transit.co.za/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Michelle @Writer-In-Transit</a></td><td width="5%">26.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://authorstephentremp.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Stephen Tremp</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">27.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">PK HREZO</a></td><td width="5%">28.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://http/scribblinginthestorageroom.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/the-big-c-blog-hop/?preview=true" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Elizabeth Hein-Scribbling In The Storage Room</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">29.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://jomurphey.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Murphey Saga</a></td><td width="5%">30.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://robyn-campbell.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Robyn Campbell</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">31.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://theresamilstein.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Theresa Milstein @ Theresa's Tales</a></td><td width="5%">32.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://scribblinginthestorageroom.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/the-big-c-blog-hop/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Elizabeth Hein-Scribbling In The Storage Room</a></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%">33.</td><td width="45%"><a href="http://sloanetaylor.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0852aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sweet as Honey...Hotter than Hell</a></td><td colspan="2"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="sl_formwrap" style="background-color: #b7683d; color: #b9b9b9; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<form class="sl_newlinkform" style="display: inline;">
<div class="sl_i">
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">(Note about my entry: Melissa is one of the funniest people I've met, so I've added a touch of humor and sarcasm to my essay just for her. :) I give full rights to this work to Melissa and allow her to use it however she sees fit.)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5 Things I learned About Cancer Living With An Oncologist</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<br />I’ve never had cancer, but I have a pretty intimate relationship with it. My wife is an oncologist, so I hear about the struggles and triumphs every day. I see how determined she is, even after logging seventy to eighty hours away from home on an average week, to stay persistent and encouraging in the face of such brutal diseases and treatments. And she tells me that most of her dedication comes directly from the courage she sees in her patients.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ultimately, she gets to go home. Lots of people aren’t so fortunate. So, other than being grateful for whatever health I’m given every second of every day, what other things have I picked up living with an oncologist?</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">1. Cancer hates weekends and holidays … and pretty much every other special moment in life. It’s like a demonic Santa Claus. It knows when you’re sleeping. It knows when you’re awake. It knows when you haven’t eaten or seen your family in three days, and it doesn’t give a damn. People have it 24/7, and those people need to be taken care of 24/7. It’s a vicious cycle for everyone involved.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">2. Cancer sucks. Cancer treatment can suck more—at least in the short term. What do you do to a disease that’s trying to kill you? Why poison it—and you—naturally! Seriously, it’s like Agatha Christie invented modern oncology. There are also surgeries, needle sticks, ports, and pretty much everything else evil in the world. When you hear about people ‘fighting cancer’, that’s exactly what it is in most instances. A knock-down-drag-out brawl to reclaim their health. When a doctor tells you a procedure or treatment ‘isn’t fun’ that’s code for “this will probably be worse than being mauled by a lion".</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">3. The psychological toll of cancer is often harsher than the physical toll. “You have a life-threatening disease. Have a great weekend!” That’s not how a typical visit with an oncologist goes down. A huge portion of cancer treatment is counseling the patient and their families. It’s preparing them and getting them the help they need for the inevitable depression. It’s educating them on treatment options (remember, some of which really suck, see #2) and side effects. It’s helping folks stare down their mortality—even for the good kinds of cancer. (See - #4) You can’t be diagnosed with the Big C and not have your insides turned out.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">4. There are good kinds of cancer. Okay, poor phrasing. No cancer is good. But there are WAY worse kinds to have. Doctors get really excited when a patient has one of the good ones. It truly makes their month (sometimes year) when they get to tell a patient the goal of treatment is cure, because that’s definitely not always the case. Way too often they’re dealing in weeks and months, not years or forever, when it comes to prognosis. So they live for those appointments when they get to talk about curing a disease, not just treating it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">5. Speaking of forever, when you live with an oncologist you quickly realize almost nothing is. Absolutes make all doctors crazy, but especially cancer doctors. They see lives yanked out from under folks like shabby rugs on a daily basis and it’s their jobs to help them get back on their feet if they can. They understand that diseases are random and unilaterally unbiased. Good people, bad people, old people, young people, smart people, funny people, silly people, loved people—anyone can get cancer. This might seem like a depressing or alarming amount of knowledge to have (and it can be a really poor party topic at times), but it’s mostly empowering. You want a VIP pass to enjoy life? Get real about how precious and beautiful it is, and how so many people are stripped of the ability to live it to its fullest.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">E.J. Wesley</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-35480364891936838692014-09-08T11:25:00.001-05:002014-09-08T11:55:38.010-05:00#LifeIsGood<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Remembering Tina</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8rIv98NGDI/VA3X0MJXtjI/AAAAAAAARf8/pYfC7pmnYZ4/s1600/Life%2BIs%2BGood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8rIv98NGDI/VA3X0MJXtjI/AAAAAAAARf8/pYfC7pmnYZ4/s1600/Life%2BIs%2BGood.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>A college fund has been established for Tina's children. Donations to can be made here--</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN
PKCS7-----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-----END
PKCS7-----
" />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />
</div>
</form>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-85560671324407006322014-09-03T12:53:00.000-05:002014-09-03T12:53:35.706-05:00IWSG - Time Marches On<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Today marks the 3rd(!) anniversary of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. To say that this group has become a light of encouragement in our community is a gross understatement of its importance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like so many artists, writers are often ruled by our insecurities. Our desire to share our creativity with the world is often the very thing that terrifies us the most. Having this group of likeminded individuals--many of whom I look up to a great deal--sharing their trials and successes each month has sometimes been the only thing putting my butt back in the chair to keep writing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So often I've felt that I was doing this writing thing wrong. That there was some piece to this cosmic puzzle that wasn't included with my set. Then, IWSG rolled around and I'd invariably find that ONE other writer who expressed exactly what I was feeling at any given time. And in our business, a small bit of affirmation can go a long way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">IWSG doesn't just give you spoonfuls of confidence and encouragement, it dishes it out in heaps. (There are over 300 members as of this post.) So if you've ever needed a boost, please click the pic below and give the group a look.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Time Marches On</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9T4CS20rvvE/URu62pdbzNI/AAAAAAAAA2A/KnK3eUpB6Mw/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My insecurity this month really isn't an insecurity, just more of a bitter fact of life. I can't control time for others, only what I do with my own. And I REALLY wish I could stop it altogether sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I live far enough from my 'growing up' home that I'm only able to visit most of my family once every 6 months (sometimes not even that). I'm the youngest of 4 children, my parents are elderly and not in great health. Every time I visit I wonder how much more time I'll have with them. My nieces and nephews grow an inch (or three) between every visit now. My siblings get a few more gray hairs and wrinkles. When you memorize everything about someone because you think about them all the time, it's jarring when your mental images no longer match up to the real thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a 15 year old chihuahua named Eddy. He has been by my side for many moves and adventures. I'm losing him, and I'd give just about anything to be able to hit a pause button and keep him with me for another 15 years. A dog that is able to grow old and die in a loving home is a lucky dog, because so many have hard, hard lives. But I'm still greedy enough to always want one more day with him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We've lost some people in our writing-blogging community of late. People you see flash by in your feeds every day. People you've had conversations with. People who've lifted us up. We grow so accustomed to feeling their presence it's absolutely glaring when it's suddenly gone. My heart aches for their families, because I know they are feeling (x 1,000) what I am about time right now. We just need more of it with those we love. Always.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But that's not how life works. It keeps moving even if we stop.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I listen to the wonderful Passenger song "Life's For The Living" when I get overwhelmed with these kinds of thoughts. The chorus really brings me back to the proper perspective.</span><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><i>Don't you cry for the lost</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="color: #990000;">Smile for the living</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-style: italic;">Get what you need and give what you'r given</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-style: italic;">Life's for the living so live it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-style: italic;">Or you're better of dead</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/v6xvHW9Vjh4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tears for what we've lost or missed are okay and good. But they won't give us any more time. It marches on and we have to try to keep up as best we can. We only have the moments we are given, and it's up to us to cherish them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~EJW~</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-19206165711853694762014-08-29T05:00:00.000-05:002014-08-29T05:00:01.085-05:00*sings* Happy Book Birthday To Me! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dFpW1mGqa0/U_4Q0Sh-unI/AAAAAAAARVo/l7K7MuST5qU/s1600/FB%2BAd%2B5NEW_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dFpW1mGqa0/U_4Q0Sh-unI/AAAAAAAARVo/l7K7MuST5qU/s1600/FB%2BAd%2B5NEW_edited-1.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Sorry for the blog silence the last couple of weeks. I've been busy trying to get everything ready for today's release and traveling around the country for various things. But I'm back and definitely ready to party. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I'm officially releasing my novel Perfectly Ernest into the world. This was one of those projects that started as an interesting/fun story idea and morphed into something near and dear to my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I never intended for this to be a touching story necessarily, and especially not a "feel good" story. But it somehow became those things via all these fun characters who suffer from one form of mental illness or another learning to rely on each other. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My educational background is in counseling so it's something I've always wanted to explore in my fiction. But alas, this is fiction and my character's journey is over in just a few hundred pages. So many "real" people are shackled in life by anxiety, depression, and more, and it's not something that just goes away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That's why I wanted to donate 10% of the annual proceeds from this story to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (</span><a href="http://www.nami.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.nami.org</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">). It's a way for me (and readers) to hopefully contribute something meaningful to the cause.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Though there is the common thread of mental illness, this story is equally (if not more so) about friendship and love. There's even some baseball and humor thrown in for good measure! My hope is that I've crafted a story that will appeal to a lot of different kinds of readers. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But enough about my thoughts! Here are the details for the story. As always, I greatly appreciate any shares, and more so all of the encouragement and support you've given me over the years. My fellow writers and this blogging community have kept me afloat through some tough times of doubt and setbacks. I'm forever grateful for that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~EJ</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ejwesley.com/perfectly-ernest.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5TEueu9humc/U_4SPyjQ1xI/AAAAAAAARVw/vF69nsuXyMU/s1600/Perfectly%2BErnest%2B-%2BEJ%2BWesley%2B-%2BCover.jpg" height="640" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>A gripping story of striking out and winning big.</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">From a distance, Ernie’s life seems perfect—he’s a star college baseball player adored by the student body and coveted by professional teams. Up close, he is a disaster. Since the death of his mother, he’s been trapped by a promise he made and forced to live her dream instead of his own. He reaches his breaking point in the biggest game of his young career and sets off a chain of events that will either define or destroy the rest of his life. </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Ernie grudgingly joins a quirky campus counseling group that empowers him to heal himself and right his wrongs. By testing old friendships, forging unlikely new ones, and exploring an exciting romance, he begins to unravel the jumbled knot his tangled inner-psyche has become. But old rivals, mental illness, and the risk of a forbidden relationship soon threaten his progress. Will Ernie's new direction and friends be his salvation, or confirmation that he is forever doomed by his imperfections?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Perfectly Ernest is a New Adult contemporary novel with romantic elements by author E.J. Wesley. Ernest offers a smart, funny, sweet, sexy, uplifting, and oftentimes poignant perspective of one person's difficult transition into adulthood. It is a story about overcoming the demons of mental illness and struggling with the profound burden of expectations—both real and imagined. But it’s mostly a tale of friendship, hope, and love. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">**Special Labor Day Release Sale - eBook only .99c for a limited time!**</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ernest-E-J-Wesley-ebook/dp/B00MQIJZR8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408126492&sr=1-1&keywords=perfectly+ernest"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> | </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfectly-ernest-ej-wesley/1120158212?ean=2940150647244"><span style="font-size: large;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> | </span><a href="https://www.createspace.com/4938786"><span style="font-size: large;">Paperback</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22753968-perfectly-ernest"><span style="font-size: large;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> | </span><a href="http://www.ejwesley.com/perfectly-ernest.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Book Page</span></a><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Praise</strong></span></div>
<br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">“EJ Wesley has written a modern day Breakfast Club.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">"E.J. tells a college love story with a real life feel. He has created a flawed and pitiful character who quickly becomes a rallying point for all the other characters of the story. Ernie is the sort of boy I could easily imagine myself being friends with in college and cheered on through life in general, but certainly the story." </span><br />
<br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> "EJ's tale of a college baseball star and the demons he fights is powerful and captivating. Once you're involved in Ernest's world, you are invested for the ride. Fans of this genre will say EJ hit it out of the park!" Alex J. Cavanaugh, Amazon bestselling author of the Cassa series </span><br />
<br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> "Great cast of characters. Lots of fun humor. Romance. Win! Definitely recommend!" </span><br />
<br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> "This is not so much a "coming of age" story, as it is a "coming of self." I loved reading it" </span><br />
<br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> "It is an inspirational, heartwarming story in which any reader is likely to get lost."</span><br />
<br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> "This story made me laugh and cry and it was so great to read something sweet and awesome from a guy."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">“Perfectly Ernest offers an emotionally genuine tour through depression, friendship, and love.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">“It's wonderful when a story's voice is so strong as to drag you into someone's head so it feels natural. I devoured Perfectly Ernest.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">“…captured my heart from page one.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Book Trailer</span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-EdleJV24og?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">**Perfectly Ernest Social Media Shareables**</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Twitter</span></u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">'A gripping story of striking out & winning big.' Perfect Ernest, only .99c </span><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23LaborDaySale"><span style="font-size: large;">#LaborDaySale</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ernest-E-J-Wesley-ebook/dp/B00MQIJZR8"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ernest-E-J-Wesley-ebook/dp/B00MQIJZR8</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KindleBooks"><span style="font-size: large;">#KindleBooks</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23newrelease"><span style="font-size: large;">#newrelease</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">"A modern day Breakfast Club" </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ernest-E-J-Wesley-ebook/dp/B00MQIJZR8"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ernest-E-J-Wesley-ebook/dp/B00MQIJZR8</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Perfectly Ernest, a </span><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NewAdult"><span style="font-size: large;">#NewAdult</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> contemporary novel by </span><a href="https://twitter.com/EJWesley"><span style="font-size: large;">@EJWesley</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> .99c for a limited time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">'heart & soul woven throughout the pages' Perfectly Ernest, a contemporary </span><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23novel"><span style="font-size: large;">#novel</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> about life, love, & friendship </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ernest-E-J-Wesley-ebook/dp/B00MQIJZR8"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ernest-E-J-Wesley-ebook/dp/B00MQIJZR8</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><br />"an emotionally genuine tour through depression, friendship, and love." Perfectly Ernest on sale now .99c </span><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NewRelease"><span style="font-size: large;">#NewRelease</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.ejwesley.com/perfectly-ernest.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.ejwesley.com/perfectly-ernest.html</span></a><br /><br /><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">"E.J. Wesley has created a modern day Breakfast Club."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Perfectly Ernest is a New Adult contemporary novel with romantic elements by author E.J. Wesley. Ernest offers a smart, funny, sweet, sexy, uplifting, and oftentimes poignant perspective of one person's difficult transition into adulthood. It is a story about overcoming the demons of mental illness and struggling with the profound burden of expectations—both real and imagined. But it’s mostly a tale of friendship, hope, and love.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Available in print & eBook:<br />Barnes & Noble </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfectly-ernest-ej-wesley/1120158212?ean=9781500755898"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfectly-ernest-ej-wesley/1120158212?ean=9781500755898</span></a><br /><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Amazon </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQIJZR8"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQIJZR8">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQIJZR8</a></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null"></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null"><span style="color: black;">**Labor</span></a><span style="color: black;"> Day Release Sale - eBook only.99c for a limited time!** </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">*The author will donate 10% of the annual proceeds of this book to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading awareness and support for those who suffer from mental illness. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">-------------------<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">"Captured my heart from page one."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Perfectly Ernest is a New Adult contemporary novel with romantic elements by author E.J. Wesley. Ernest offers a smart, funny, sweet, sexy, uplifting, and oftentimes poignant perspective of one person's difficult transition into adulthood. It is a story about overcoming the demons of mental illness and struggling with the profound burden of expectations—both real and imagined. But it’s mostly a tale of friendship, hope, and love.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Available in print & eBook:<br />Barnes & Noble </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfectly-ernest-ej-wesley/1120158212?ean=9781500755898"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfectly-ernest-ej-wesley/1120158212?ean=9781500755898</span></a><br /><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Amazon </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQIJZR8"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQIJZR8">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQIJZR8</a></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null"></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null"><span style="color: black;">**Labor</span></a><span style="color: black;"> Day Release Sale - eBook only.99c for a limited time!** </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">*The author will donate 10% of the annual proceeds of this book to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading awareness and support for those who suffer from mental illness. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-30209485041657560722014-08-06T12:35:00.002-05:002014-08-06T12:35:42.266-05:00IWSG - Fiction's Dirty Little Secret: Size Matters<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Welcome to your monthly dose of hot mess we affectionately call the Insecure Writer's Support Group around these parts. Not familiar with IWSG? Click the IWSG button below for all the details!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the E.J. news front, my New Adult contemporary novel, Perfectly Ernest, is releasing Labor Day weekend. (Less than a month away! *dry heaves from nerves*) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd love to have your help spreading the word! Here's a sign up for a book blast/cover reveal. It is scheduled for the last week of August/first week of September. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XnapzoQQfKyb76M5R-3hwExb0t0mTo24u-6gS9X27N0/viewform?embedded=true" width="660">Loading...</iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Even if you don't have openings on your blog during that two week period, I'll also send some canned tweets and Facebook messages. Any little thing you can do to help me get the word out is greatly appreciated. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's what this story is all about:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22753968-perfectly-ernest" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6Z7i5RviMw/U-JYwAnGSjI/AAAAAAAAROs/BG9u0tO15SM/s1600/PE_Tease_Cover.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>From a distance, Ernie’s life seems perfect—he’s a star college baseball player adored by the student body and coveted by professional teams. Up close, he is a disaster. Since the death of his mother, he’s been trapped by a promise he made and forced to live her dream instead of his own. He reaches his breaking point in the biggest game of his young career and sets off a chain of events that will either define or destroy the rest of his life. <br /><br />Ernie grudgingly joins a quirky campus counseling group that empowers him to heal himself and right his wrongs. By testing old friendships, forging unlikely new ones, and exploring an exciting romance, he begins to unravel the jumbled knot his tangled inner-psyche has become. But old rivals, mental illness, and the risk of a forbidden relationship soon threaten his progress. Will Ernie's new direction and friends be his salvation, or confirmation that he is forever doomed by his imperfections?<br /><br />Perfectly Ernest is a New Adult contemporary novel with romantic elements by author E.J. Wesley. Ernest offers a smart, funny, sweet, sexy, uplifting, and oftentimes poignant perspective of one person's difficult transition into adulthood. It is a story about overcoming the demons of mental illness and struggling with the profound burden of expectations—both real and imagined. But it’s mostly a tale of friendship, hope, and love.</i></span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W44VO8lMpsM/U-JYOOeIeLI/AAAAAAAAROc/gLYDKsMKjl8/s1600/PerfectlyErnestEJWesleyTeaser1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W44VO8lMpsM/U-JYOOeIeLI/AAAAAAAAROc/gLYDKsMKjl8/s1600/PerfectlyErnestEJWesleyTeaser1.gif" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22753968-perfectly-ernest" target="_blank">Add Perfectly Ernest to your TBR!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Fiction's Dirty Little Secret: Size Matters</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9T4CS20rvvE/URu62pdbzNI/AAAAAAAAA2A/KnK3eUpB6Mw/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click for more info on IWSG!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a confession: I have a little bit of a size inferiority complex. No, I'm not talking about naughty things. (Hey, eyes up here!) Nor am I talking about the fact that I'm only 5'6" tall. (Someone has to stay small enough to sit in the middle on road trips. I proudly wear that badge of shame.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm talking about the fiction I write. You see, <a href="http://www.ejwesley.com/moonsongs-series.html" target="_blank">I have a series of novelettes out</a>. Each individual story ranges from 12-17 thousand words. They're short by design, meant to be enjoyed like your favorite TV shows or a fun-sized candy bar. A couple of delicious bites that simultaneously curb your craving and leave you wanting more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I get the occasional complaint that the stories are too short, but those have mostly come from folks who didn't read the product description. (Or don't realize it's an ongoing series for whatever reasons.) By and large, the feedback I've gotten is that they are enjoyable stories by themselves. So no big worries there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But then I wrote (and completed) my first novel, Perfectly Ernest. I outlined a story and wrote that story to the best of my ability. While I'd originally planned for it to be around 75k, it ended up being 60. Why? Because that was the story. Anything else I would've added would've been filler or fluff in my mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So what's the big deal, E.J.? Sounds like you're happy with the results. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm truly thrilled with how the book turned out. It packs the emotional punch I dreamed it would when I first came up with the idea, and also has this weird ability to leave readers feeling warm and fuzzy. (I say weird, because I never planned on this being a feel good story--but I think it somehow is now.) Also, early reviewers are telling me it's a page turner, which is something I always put high on my to-do list.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The big deal is that some readers balk at anything less than 80k being worthy of the title of novel. I've known about the reader size bias for a while. Because of my experience with the Moonsongs series, I know there are readers who won't touch shorter fiction. It's just their preference.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But when an author friend did an informal poll on Facebook the other day, I had my eyes opened to a new kind of size bias: <b>The price Vs size bias</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This friend asked her followers what the single most important factor in making a book purchase was. Many people listed positive reviews, recommendations from friends, and other common factors. But there were many who said they first look at price and word count on the product description.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Most were reluctant to pay more than .99 cents for anything under 80k--no mater what the reviews said. I guess it took me by surprise, because my first concern as a reader is if I'm going to enjoy the story. I've also loved a number of short stories and I realize size isn't going to necessarily indicative of how much I'm going to enjoy a read.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a list of the <a href="http://commonplacebook.com/culture/literature/books/word-count-for-famous-novels/" target="_blank">word lengths for several great novels</a>. I find myself wondering just how many great reads these people are missing out on. Is Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five worth less than a buck because it doesn't hit 50k? A chunk of Ray Bradbury's stuff doesn't hit 70k, neither does John Green's A Fault in Our Stars. The Great Gatsby is around 47k. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I realize these are certified classics, and that Unknown Indie Author X (ME) is in a different class. But lots of someones have to read these stories before they become classics. Seems like a shame to miss out on something possibly great because of arbitrary things like word count and/or price point. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ultimately, this all leaves me feeling a touch vulnerable when it comes to Perfectly Ernest. How many people are going to walk right by it because it's not going to take them a month to read, or because the author had the nerve to charge $3 for it? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If they saw how much time, grief, and money we spend writing these things, it would probably make more sense. I'm thinking about putting that info in the product description from now on. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"This book took me 8 months, 3 lost friendships, 17 marital fights, 1 disgruntled dog, 2 neglected children, and $2,500 to produce, advertise, and distribute. Thanks for parting with $2.99 and being entertained for hours. Sorry if my blood, sweat, and tear stains slow you down!"</b> LOL (Actually, not a bad idea...)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you think? Does size matter when you're browsing for new reads? What about price? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~EJW~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-57191328347037930152014-08-01T06:00:00.000-05:002014-08-01T06:00:05.022-05:00Author Interview - M.J. Fifield - Effigy <div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Absolutely stoked to be able to bring you a recent sit-down I did with longtime blog friend and debut author, M.J. Fifield. I've known M.J. to be a passionate fan of fantasy fiction, so I can't wait to see how she has carried over that love into her own work.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">She has interesting things to say about the female role in fantasy (both as an author and for characters), and her list of influences might surprise you. Let's get to it!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SP5ux4H9fQI/U9qTAXYogxI/AAAAAAAARM4/MRuwdrh7G90/s1600/effigy_promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SP5ux4H9fQI/U9qTAXYogxI/AAAAAAAARM4/MRuwdrh7G90/s1600/effigy_promo.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>The survival of a once-mighty kingdom rests in the hands of its young queen, Haleine Coileáin, as it slowly succumbs to an ancient evil fueled by her husband’s cruelty. <br /><br />A sadistic man with a talent for torture and a taste for murder, he is determined to burn the land and all souls within. Haleine is determined to save her kingdom and, after a chance encounter, joins forces with the leader of the people’s rebellion. She gives him her support, soon followed by her heart. <br /><br />Loving him is inadvertent but becomes as natural and necessary as breathing. She lies and steals on his behalf, doing anything she can to further their cause. She compromises beliefs held all her life, for what life will exist if evil prevails? <br /><br /> Her journey leads to a deceiving world of magic, monsters, and gods she never believed existed outside of myth. The deeper she goes, the more her soul is stripped away, but she continues on, desperate to see her quest complete. If she can bring her husband to ruin and save her people, any sacrifice is worth the price—even if it means her life.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Author Interview, M.J. Fifield</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ: </span></b>Effigy sounds like a massively epic fantasy novel (see what I did there?)--full of swords, sorcery, and all the world building trimmings. However, one big thing jumps out at me: Unlike many fantasy series, a strong female protagonist takes the lead here. What/who was your inspiration for Haleine, and how does tackling the genre from a woman's POV alter the 'typical' fantasy experience? (Or does it?)</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">MJ:</span></b> Haleine popped into my head one summer and wouldn't get out until I committed to writing her story. I didn't know a lot about her in those early days, but I knew she was queen and that she would work in a sort-of behind-the-scenes capacity to support a rebellion against her husband. She obviously developed more over time. All along, though, I wanted to write a character who was in a position of power, who was expected to be almost an infallible superhuman figurehead, but was very much human—and a flawed one at that. Whether I was at all successful at this remains to be seen, but that's what I set out to do.<br /><br />And not to be all 'I am woman; hear me roar' or anything, but I like to think that writing a fantasy from a woman's POV doesn't alter the experience at all.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ:</span></b> Part of writing successfully in the fantasy genre (or any genre, really) is being aware of what's been done before. Who are your writing and reading influences? If one of your favorite authors read Effigy, do you think they'd be surprised by anything?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">MJ: </span></b>I read a lot of novels across a lot of genres, and I admire so many authors out there, but I count Ellen Emerson White and Phillipa Gregory as probably my two biggest reading/writing influences. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ellen Emerson White wrote a YA series about a girl whose mother is elected president that I first came across when I was in middle school. I re-read that series once a year now because it just taught me so much about voice and characters. It was funny and smart, and I've been obsessed with it since I was 12. Fun fact: Ellen Emerson White and I once had a multi-day online conversation about the awesomeness of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Battlestar Galactica. In doing so, I achieved a life goal I didn't know I had.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Phillipa Gregory is a brilliant historical fiction novelist, and every time I pick up one of her books I'm awed by her ability to weave together language in such a intelligent and moving way. Her novel, Wideacre, is an incredibly crazy story in which you spend the entire time wondering how she could possibly end it in a satisfactory manner, but she does so perfectly. Likewise, her novel, The Boleyn Inheritance, is so gorgeously written and put together that it quite literally took my breath away.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If either of them happened to read Effigy, they would probably be most surprised to find that—given the fact they're my influences—Effigy is a fantasy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ</span></b>: Effigy was a long time in development--which isn't at all unusual for epic fantasy due to the enormous amount of world building involved. What was your greatest challenge during that time, and is there anything you'd tackle differently now that you've survived the experience?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b><span style="color: #990000;">MJ:</span></b> I think my greatest challenge was probably figuring out what the story was supposed to be, and how I was supposed to tell it. The characters were in my head a long, long time, and it took me a quite few drafts to really work out the right way to tell their tale. Next time, I plan to plan more ahead of time. That doesn't mean the characters will cooperate, because they very seldom do, but I will have tried, at least. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ</span></b>: What about Effigy would translate really well into a film/movie? What wouldn't? Who would you pick to play your main characters?</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">MJ:</span></b> Effigy has a lot of human drama—conversations that are meant to be deep and meaningful, a bit of a love story that leads to a couple of sex scenes—that would translate easily onto the screen. There's one character—a tiny, talking pegasus—who would pose more of a challenge. Call the WETA workshop...perhaps it could be an exciting new challenge for Andy Serkis?</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />As to whom I would cast as my main characters...If I could get the Cate Blanchett who portrayed Elizabeth I in the 1998 film Elizabeth, I would cast her in a heartbeat because she would be so perfect in so many ways. I also adore Rose Leslie (Ygritte in Game of Thrones). Effigy's male lead is a lot harder to cast. I've never really settled on an actor who I think would fit the role. Past considerees, however, have included Joseph Fiennes (1998's Shakespeare in Love and Elizabeth), and Heath Ledger. <br /><br /><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">EJ: </span></b>Last and best question: What are your plans for the The Coileáin Chronicles? And how can we get our hands on Effigy and learn more about you?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>MJ:</b></span> If all goes according to plan (ha!), there will be six books in the Coileáin Chronicles. I'm working on the second book,Second Nature, right now. I'm allergic to spoilers and like to avoid them whenever possible, but I will say that the first three novels cover the three Coileáin sisters. The second three will revolve around the next generation of Coileáins. Or is that too much information? If it is, forget I said anything.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There's currently one planned spin-off—if I can figure out how (and when) to write it. I created a character last November whose only name for the longest time was 'Mercenary Guy.' Mercenary Guy (whose real name is now a well-guarded secret) makes his official debut in Second Nature and is now demanding his own spin-off. Since I like him quite a lot, I'm inclined to give in.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Effigy is currently available in paperback and on Kindle at Amazon and Amazon UK. You can also purchase it on CreateSpace. The EPub version should be available soon. I hope.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><b>About M.J.</b></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tzt1edIdT7U/U9qUzGN2uZI/AAAAAAAARNE/3K95Eg5HxfE/s1600/MJF+Profile+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tzt1edIdT7U/U9qUzGN2uZI/AAAAAAAARNE/3K95Eg5HxfE/s1600/MJF+Profile+Picture.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Armed with a deep and lasting love of chocolate, purple pens, and medieval weaponry, M.J. Fifield is nothing if not a uniquely supplied insomniac. When she isn’t writing, she’s on the hunt for oversized baked goods or shiny new daggers. M.J. lives with a variety of furry creatures—mostly pets—in New Hampshire.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Where to find M.J.</b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Website: http://www.mjfifield.com/ </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Blog: http://mjfifield.blogspot.com/ </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MJ-Fifield/283392701681234 </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MJSaysWhat Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/MJFifield</div>
</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Purchase Effigy </b></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-The-Coile%C3%A1in-Chronicles-Volume/dp/0996107401/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Effigy-1-The-Coile%C3%A1in-Chronicles/dp/0996107401/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.createspace.com/4833308" target="_blank">CreateSpace</a> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2a4c391/" id="rc-2a4c391" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-89696770991302726462014-07-23T13:18:00.000-05:002014-07-23T16:09:26.929-05:00Soul Twister ... Left Hand Awesome!<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! I'm taking part in the Soul Twister blog tour today. It's the 3rd book in my pal Robyn Jones' Touched Girl series. Robyn is a serious paranormal diehard (reader and writer) and layers tons of snark into some truly wild and imaginative fiction. Hope you'll check out her work!</span><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IBYZWLGGkwsmaGcLUgE9ibWus9W8TA7QiRJN8pO0NpmmWa2qeOY8-AtRh3K9-5MEqvwUq4GU6H2JNentfkJPV3nSCMHausGb9lySyiGHO35Lw296pPVAXvGcn0-0RUq_kEMJnvocTec/s1600/soultwisterblogtourbanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IBYZWLGGkwsmaGcLUgE9ibWus9W8TA7QiRJN8pO0NpmmWa2qeOY8-AtRh3K9-5MEqvwUq4GU6H2JNentfkJPV3nSCMHausGb9lySyiGHO35Lw296pPVAXvGcn0-0RUq_kEMJnvocTec/s1600/soultwisterblogtourbanner.png" /></a></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Welcome to my stop on the Soul Twister (A Touched Girl #3) by Robyn Jones Blog Tour!</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><b>
</b></b> <b>Soul Twister (A Touched Girl Novel #3) by Robyn Jones</b><br />
<b>Genre: </b><benre: b="" nbsp="">Paranormal Romance</benre:><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLqj-Z1F_Cf7VCp1mxG-_mzjUxsCr8O_GZlx_6lz6E8ZAQU1idUm4mRc6Dul008iL-I_78ZSWXdF2x03QoxPK1noAdG-hezAOVdx2jGv7DmnVj1-FtL2YKwYrTFj3aY6io3W7UWQFJO8/s1600/22324884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLqj-Z1F_Cf7VCp1mxG-_mzjUxsCr8O_GZlx_6lz6E8ZAQU1idUm4mRc6Dul008iL-I_78ZSWXdF2x03QoxPK1noAdG-hezAOVdx2jGv7DmnVj1-FtL2YKwYrTFj3aY6io3W7UWQFJO8/s1600/22324884.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a><benre: b="" nbsp="">
</benre:></div>
</div>
<b>Goodreads Summary:</b>
<span style="text-align: left;">Months into recovering from the bloody events that took place in Soul Bender, Anna Pierce is ready to get back out there and fulfill her self-crafted destiny. Sadly, no one in her life feels the same way. The emergence of buried memories and out-of-the-blue powers send her straight into regular sessions with the school counselor. If only she could talk about her overly protective vampire boyfriend or the real threat posed by former friends turned enemies or her new guide who makes her former guide look like a bowl of sunshine. Anna has a lot going on, but at least she's too busy to think about her first Christmas at Ella's.</span>
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img align="center" alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22324884-soul-twister?from_search=true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8WvGDdhu9_YQ9i6sEZTVNN4xWp4f9BYcLM70USiuCBMktC-JvsTGrmJAlqnRylrJay6yfzOBYV6uNnmDGOZbEn_eOBLVlM9-i0BSGcMCb3VsymzEwVoO-WIk6wQ83B02PK5p9u9X1QA/s130/goodreads-badge-add-plus.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b>
<b>For a limited time, the First 2 Touched Girl novels are on sale for $.99 at Amazon!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
Purchase Links: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AM0NXCA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AM0NXCA&linkCode=as2&tag=jcsboha-20&linkId=FR5P266HX66PESJI">Soul Walker</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jcsboha-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00AM0NXCA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSDSBJU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BSDSBJU&linkCode=as2&tag=jcsboha-20&linkId=MF4QVM4TYDLAPQ5O">Soul Bender</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jcsboha-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BSDSBJU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Get to know Betsy from Soul Twister</span></b></div>
</b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Name</b>: Elizabeth (Betsy if you know what’s good for you)<br /><br /><b>Description</b>: Shorter than everyone she knows, long blond curly hair, sharp features, yet she still pulls off the angelic look during school hours, princess pink nails, and blue eyes<br /><br /><b>Top pet peeves: </b>Anna driving Betsy’s car, Anna playing with Betsy’s hair, Anna standing too close, the list goes on and on<br /><br /><b>Family</b>: Ella, her cranky great aunt, Sara, her teen mom best friend and cousin, Sam, Sara’s baby boy, Anna, her pain in the ass cousin, and her parents she never talks about and always tries to avoid<br /><br /><b>Surprising traits:</b> Fiercely protective of Anna despite referring to Anna as “weird girl” on a regular basis, terrified of the movie The Ring, never talks about boyfriends but believes the only way to get over heartache is to move on quickly<br /><br /><b>Hobbies</b>: Who knows what she does when she’s not hanging out with Sara? The girl does not share details about herself other than the fact that she is awesome. It’s suspected she listens to a lot of indie music and goes to parties. Anna also believes she practices her snark in the mirror. <br /><br /><b>Shining Betsy moments (according to Anna):</b><br /><i><br />“Anna, space?” I hadn’t noticed, but I was practically sitting on Betsy's lap. “Do you really have to play with my hair?”<br /><br />“Yes, it's so soft and curly. It tickles my fingers.” Had to give the little cousin credit for how hard she fought the smile that made her look like a completely different girl. A sweet one. (Soul Walker)<br /><br />“Leave Anna alone,” Betsy said. “She’s my family.” The world shifted by a few inches. I realized I had gone up on my tiptoes. The sun shot diagonal beams of light at us as we stood just outside the front doors to St. Lucy’s, and all I wanted to do was twirl in the warm rays. I was Betsy’s family. <br /><br />“Moment’s over, Anna,” my newest hero said quietly from a few feet away. We were alone and I had slipped into a twirl. <br /><br />“Are we late?” I asked.<br /><br />“No, but you know how to freak out a bunch of spoiled shits.” (Soul Bender)<br /><br />The screen door barely had time to screech before the front door flew open. “Same damn spot, Anna. Shit. I can’t handle those clothes anymore! Give them to me.” Betsy’s stern expression and outstretched hand proved too much. I cracked up, moaned, held my stomach, and cracked up again. </i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">“No? Fine. Get your ass up and no crying about your stab wounds.” Peter snickered next to me because Betsy saved irate for very special occasions. Usually, she went with annoyed or amused in a bad way. <br /><br />“Where are we going? Are you allowed to leave school at lunch?”<br /><br />“Never mind that. You like salsa. I’m banking on you spilling a shitload on your clothes and Ella deeming them unfit.”<br /><br />“Ella stopped looking too closely at my clothes, Betsy.” <br /><br />“Argh! Peter, get your girlfriend in my car. Then go away. You’re not invited.” It was my most favorite hostile date. (Soul Twister)</span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5ZWQuPKFsIYh22VtG6YJVS-ES5ZvDivAJyXtBreNQW-W47kEUjyN_wComaPDG2CK-MJ-ihVq7xpEXVji-iVf4G68DadqK9Eat4DbMntCW1S7zRbvtgtRG8RasnFsmszVDAadF2c5CDE/s1600/6859637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5ZWQuPKFsIYh22VtG6YJVS-ES5ZvDivAJyXtBreNQW-W47kEUjyN_wComaPDG2CK-MJ-ihVq7xpEXVji-iVf4G68DadqK9Eat4DbMntCW1S7zRbvtgtRG8RasnFsmszVDAadF2c5CDE/s200/6859637.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a>
<br />
<h3>
About Robyn Jones:</h3>
<div>
</div>
I laugh when people fall down. It's a glitch in my programming, but even my mom has suffered this quirk. I have a BA in Studio Art from the University of Puget Sound. My boys make me laugh every day. I steal pens; I try real hard not to. I collect those free bookmarks at the checkout counter at libraries. I've had more stitches than anyone I know. I love stories; writing them, reading them, watching them. You can email me at robgirlbooks@gmail.com.
<a href="http://robgirlbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/robgirlbooks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6859637.Robyn_Jones" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Giveaway: 8 Winners!</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2ed5e9a819/" id="rc-2ed5e9a819" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-47031945616826568262014-07-16T14:39:00.000-05:002014-07-16T14:39:12.524-05:00Big Giveaway Event & Lots of News!<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Hope everyone is enjoying the midst of summertime. :) I have lots of announcements today!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- Have you seen Crystal Collier's cover for Soulless, the second book in her <a href="http://crystalcollier.blogspot.com/2014/07/catch-up-til-you-stick-up.html" target="_blank">Maiden of Time </a>series? Just gorgeous!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4iQyofmKS3cX3ZFONPFPb90dwRGAHn1LVJxdBdPYnMj9of8Dvmmj4RWCi5B-C5LwxrqVJEzQAarJjq8Pis_7KVzJcCwKJEVE4NvHHBO0sJMoHCgmJyvBGKkiX_51M63noI5QyvrK_gk/s1600/Soulless+Web+Med+Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4iQyofmKS3cX3ZFONPFPb90dwRGAHn1LVJxdBdPYnMj9of8Dvmmj4RWCi5B-C5LwxrqVJEzQAarJjq8Pis_7KVzJcCwKJEVE4NvHHBO0sJMoHCgmJyvBGKkiX_51M63noI5QyvrK_gk/s1600/Soulless+Web+Med+Kindle.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- It's release week for my pal ST Bende and the <a href="http://stbende.blogspot.com/2014/07/endre-is-here.html" target="_blank">second book in her Elsker saga, Endre</a>. Stop by and wish her luck. But feast your eyes on her pretty cover before you go. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1399601829l/21874627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1399601829l/21874627.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Another release new release, and also from someone I've featured on this blog before. SJ Pajonas is offering up (for a very limited time) her book, <a href="http://www.spajonas.com/2014/07/16/face-time-is-now-on-sale/" target="_blank">Face Time - A Love in the Digital Age Novel</a>, for .99 cents. SJ introduced the story on a site called Wattpad with lots of success, and has now released the full novel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.spajonas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/book_3d_covers_facetime_350-328x440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.spajonas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/book_3d_covers_facetime_350-328x440.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">- Speaking of, are any of you on Wattpad? <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/EJWesley" target="_blank">I am!</a> I've shared a couple of the Moonsongs stories there already, and I'm finding it to be a really fun community to connect with readers. I would love to connect with you there as well, if I haven't already. Just let me know in the comments and I'll find you! (That came out way more threatening than I'd intended...)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- Fellow author-blogger M.J. Fifield is looking for help with her </span><a href="http://mjfifield.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-final-meltdown.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">upcoming book launch</a><span style="font-size: large;">. This is her debut novel, and we can all sympathize with how challenging-exciting-awesome-terrifying that can be. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>--MY NEWS--</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just wrapped up the final edits on my first full-length novel. It's New Adult contemporary (with romantic elements!), with a publication date of September 1 (Labor Day weekend). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Perfectly Ernest is a coming of age story about a college baseball player who is perfect on the field and anything but off of it. It's a tale about the roller coaster of mental illness, but it's mostly about friendship and falling in love. Here's a short description:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">“Not far, but near, I stood and saw it all.” Robert Frost<br /><br />From a distance, Ernie seems perfect. He’s a star college baseball player, adored by the student body, and coveted by professional teams. Up close, Ernie is a disaster. Since the death of his mother, he has self-destructed at every turn, opposed his coaches, and destroyed most of his relationships. His personal implosion is complete when he gets booted from the team.</span></i></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ernie is forced into group counseling in an attempt to salvage his mother's dying wish and revive his baseball dreams. By testing old friendships, forging unlikely new ones, and falling in love, Ernie begins to unravel the jumbled knot his tangled inner-psyche has become. But when things start going wrong again, will Ernie's new direction and friends be his salvation, or confirmation that his imperfections will forever rule his life?</span></i></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">If this sounds like your cup of tea, I'm looking for folks to send ARCs to. Sign up below, and I'll get in touch with the details. :</span>)</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PtCmph3FiIPbvRoKzLEeoSqHd27C5848RgnWbpSSwAY/viewform?usp=send_form" target="_blank">Perfectly Ernest eARC signup!</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now for something fun you can take part in tomorrow. It's t</span><span style="font-size: large;">he summer's 'can't miss' </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/522793281177157/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Facebook party for fans</a><span style="font-size: large;"> of book series! </span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVU9a1y_Eik/U8RGFfz1JaI/AAAAAAAAREk/N170hWwBvCA/s1600/10500351_10152591687302728_4924684544424533841_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVU9a1y_Eik/U8RGFfz1JaI/AAAAAAAAREk/N170hWwBvCA/s1600/10500351_10152591687302728_4924684544424533841_n.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This <b>Thursday, July 17th (6 PM Eastern)</b>, 12 authors will be giving away the first books in their series along with gift cards and a Kindle Fire HD. I'm one of them!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a little video about the event:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gUm62e7H1P4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So how do you go about scoring some of those sweet, sweet prizes? Simple!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>First</b>, just show up and interact with the authors. Ask us about our books, find out who we cheered for in the World Cup, tell us about your book boyfriends and girlfriends, share LOL cat videos--do whatever it is you do to party. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Second</b>, check this infographic:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtdzHOVtoVo/U8RGcwTOgpI/AAAAAAAAREs/QFNP19FSQMI/s1600/10482119_10152586809187728_1390710391073368502_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtdzHOVtoVo/U8RGcwTOgpI/AAAAAAAAREs/QFNP19FSQMI/s1600/10482119_10152586809187728_1390710391073368502_o.jpg" height="640" width="388" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Third</b>, pay attention to see if you've won stuff. It's that easy! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is truly going to be a ton of fun, and you're guaranteed to get to hang out with some super fun folks. And who knows? Maybe you'll score the Kindle loaded with all of our books!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hope to see you there!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYkOOxUuMdg/U8RJG8aYAxI/AAAAAAAARFA/aydyJ7apn_4/s1600/wp8e6236c1_06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYkOOxUuMdg/U8RJG8aYAxI/AAAAAAAARFA/aydyJ7apn_4/s1600/wp8e6236c1_06.png" height="640" width="628" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-69647438477894480812014-07-02T13:13:00.000-05:002014-07-02T13:13:39.586-05:00IWSG - The Yin-Yang of Writing<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Time for the July Insecure Writer's Support Group. What is the IWSG? Basically, it's a monthly blogging circle of writer folk who sit around the virtual campfire and share our fears, encouragement, and all of the other 'feels' that come with the writing life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you'd like to take part, or just learn more, click the button below.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And speaking of encouragement, there are a couple of folks in our community who could really use some this week. If you get a second, please hop over and share some with <a href="http://shellysnovicewritings.blogspot.com/2014/07/sir-poops-and-hair-ball-iswg.html" target="_blank">Shelly</a> and <a href="http://sylmion.blogspot.com/2014/07/insecure-writers-support-group-please.html" target="_blank">Misha</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1935389935"></span><span id="goog_1935389938"></span><span id="goog_1935389941"></span><span id="goog_1935389944"></span><span id="goog_1935389947"></span><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9T4CS20rvvE/URu62pdbzNI/AAAAAAAAA2A/KnK3eUpB6Mw/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /><span id="goog_1935389948"></span><span id="goog_1935389945"></span><span id="goog_1935389942"></span><span id="goog_1935389939"></span><span id="goog_1935389936"></span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Yin-Yang of Writing </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span><span style="font-size: large;">riting is a struggle. But the word <i>struggle </i>doesn't have to be a negative. It's just an active process requiring a lot of effort to attain something we desire.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We struggle with lots of worthwhile things in this world. Being a parent is a struggle at times. A career (both getting there and maintaining it) is a struggle. Falling in love and finding the right partner is often a struggle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If something is important to you, you'll endure a lot of grief to get it. Writing is no different for those of us who dive into its murky waters. We know it's hard. We know it will be painful. Yet, we still do it anyway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love this Goerge Orwell quote, and think it summarizes the desire nicely:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-style: italic;">“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I believe there is a certain harmony to it all. Some of the things in writing that are THE most difficult to me are also at the root of my greatest joy and accomplishment. (Sounds a lot like life, doesn't it?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">When things get tough, sometimes it's helpful to look at the flip side of the coin for a little perspective. Here are a few things in writing that are real negatives when I'm struggling with them, but eventually become some of my favorite aspects.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Opening Line/Paragraph</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Yin/Negative </span>- Making a good first impression on a reader is HUGE. We know it. They know it. Which is why there is so much pressure to nail the opening of a story. Doesn't seem fair at all when you've written 90k damn good words after it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Yang/Positive</span> - When you finally get it exactly right, the rest of the story takes on a showroom shine. For me, it's THE moment when I fall in love with my own work--which is something I resist doing throughout the process of drafting. I'm just naturally a self-loather, and it's hard for me to see the positive in my own stuff. So it's a huge deal for my overall confidence.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Feedback</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Yin -</span> It really sucks to have your flaws pointed out. Sucks. Hard. And we actually ask people to do it! It doesn't make it any less painful, even when you know it's the only way you're story is going to be as good as you want it to be. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Yang -</span> After the initial sting has worn off, I really enjoy wading through feedback from critters and editors. Mostly because there's invariably something I did right that I had no idea I'd done right. Plus, it's the beginning of the final plan to make the story great. Once I've identified what's wrong with a story and my writing from several different perspectives, I can get very concrete about how to fix it. Before I get feedback, I have no real idea of a story's potential.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Revisions</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Yin -</span> The process of actually fixing it can be torturous. Some projects feel as though you've got more bad than good going on. (Those usually turn into rewrites for me...) Plus, when you're faced with repairing all of the little things you've screwed up for days and weeks at a time, it can take a serious toll on your confidence. Revisions just have a way of turning into a black hole you think you'll never get out of.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Yang - </span>When I finally see the light, and I know I've improved my story exponentially, there's a certain bulletproof feeling that sweeps over me. I know it's maybe not perfect, but I start to believe it'll hold up to just about anything or anyone. What was once a source of major insecurity turns into something close to pride. When I've properly executed a revision plan I'm as high on the mountain as I'll get in the pre-publication phase.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Those are just three yin-yang areas for me, but I have many more. (Reviews! Naming characters! ...) What about you? Do you have any areas in your writing that you struggle with but ultimately lead you to the greatest accomplishment?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">~EJW~</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-30161507112466409722014-06-13T18:55:00.001-05:002014-06-13T18:55:59.867-05:00Four Great Covers AND a Mystery Prince<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Friday, gang! A huge batch of awesome to share with you today--<br /><br />First, one of my longtime author/blog friends, Mary Waibel, has released a new novella, The Mystery Prince. This story sounds like it's straight from the pages of a Disney script, so don't miss it!<br /><br />Next, Author S.J. Pajonas is revealing a brand new set of covers for her Nogiku series. Let me tell you, if you are even mildly into Japanese culture, science fiction, and fun, this is the series for you.<br /><br />I think they look gorgeous! Congrats to both ladies, and happy weekend-ing to all of you. :)<br /><br />~EJ</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Mystery Prince, a novella</b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FryKOL6P9Rk/U5uI3WX3_iI/AAAAAAAAOzQ/wsznCGI91X4/s1600/The+Mystery+Prince+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FryKOL6P9Rk/U5uI3WX3_iI/AAAAAAAAOzQ/wsznCGI91X4/s1600/The+Mystery+Prince+300dpi.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Tristan enjoys being in the shadows as Prince Rand's bodyguard. Similar in looks, the two often exchanged places in their youth, but he never expected the king to order him to impersonate the heir to the throne in order to win the hand of a princess. <br /><br />Princess Zoe needs to find a husband. After a year of searching with no success, her father insists on hosting a masquerade ball for the eligible princes of the nine kingdoms. Not one prince piques her interest, until she meets the mysterious stranger who won't tell her his name.<br /> <br /> When Tristan meets Zoe he finds the girl of his dreams. The only problem? She's a princess and he's impersonating a prince―a crime punishable by imprisonment and floggings. Unable to tell Zoe his real name, he gives her a special navigation device. One that leads to the owner's true love. Will this magic device lead Zoe to Tristan, or will her true love forever remain a mystery prince?</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">~EXCERPT~</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Good evening, Princess Zoe,” her new partner said, bowing low.<br /><br />A slight tremor of anticipation tickled down her spine, and her eyes widened in appreciation of the man standing before her. He stood a good head taller than she and appeared quite muscular. At least that's what his doublet and form fitting trousers revealed to her as she skimmed a discreet glance at his body.<br /><br />Sandy-blond hair brushed his broad shoulders. He wore it loose, a custom in several neighboring kingdoms. Behind his black domino, blue-green eyes glittered in the candlelight.<br /><br />“Good evening, Prince…”<br /><br />She trailed off, hoping he would supply his name as none came to her mind. He remained silent, studying her with his sea-colored eyes. She lifted a brow at his silence.<br /><br />“I'm sorry, but you have me at a disadvantage. I don't know your name.”<br /><br />A grin crept across his face, sending unfamiliar tingles racing down her spine to settle as a warm glow in her stomach. Her lips curved in response—she couldn't help it. Something about him called out to her.<br /><br />From the smile alone, she knew he wasn't like the others—stuffy, pompous. No, he would be witty and charming, someone she would enjoy being with for at least fifteen minutes, if not longer. For the first time tonight, she looked forward to her dance partner.<br /><br />“Revealing my name defeats the purpose of a masquerade, does it not?”<br /><br />His voice sounded low and gruff, not smooth and cultured like the princes she usually spoke with. Another piece to add to the mystery of who he was.<br /><br />She tipped her head forward, silently acknowledging his point. “Touché. But what shall I call you, Your Highness?”<br /><br />His grin widened. “I don't think names will be a problem, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Princess.” </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KU6TSY8" target="_blank">THE MYSTERY PRINCE ON AMAZON</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">~About the Author~</span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbSnEn5mloo/U5uJd15kuOI/AAAAAAAAOzY/IaOrC-V1Jk0/s1600/Author+Photo-+Mary+Waibel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbSnEn5mloo/U5uJd15kuOI/AAAAAAAAOzY/IaOrC-V1Jk0/s1600/Author+Photo-+Mary+Waibel.jpg" height="200" width="197" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mary lives with her husband, son and two cats. When she isn't twisting fairytales, she enjoys reading, playing games, watching hockey, and camping. Her Princess of Valendria series (Quest of the Hart, Charmed Memories, Different Kind of Knight) are available from MuseItUp Publishing and other major retailers. Her novella, The Mystery Prince, is available at Amazon. Her Faery Marked (book 1 in the Faery Series) will be available from BookFishBooks this summer. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />You can find Mary Waibel at:<br /><br /><a href="http://marywaibel.blogspot.com/">http://marywaibel.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel">https://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel</a><br /><br />https://twitter.com/mewtweety14 </span><br /><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Cover Reveal Nogiku series by SJ Pajonas</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80cAAj8TiXY/U5uLaU_lGGI/AAAAAAAAO0E/LIT14qq1keE/s1600/all+4+covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80cAAj8TiXY/U5uLaU_lGGI/AAAAAAAAO0E/LIT14qq1keE/s1600/all+4+covers.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8e3i5AZzITI/U5uLZ7XKDxI/AAAAAAAAO0I/JJNtlVIC7tM/s1600/Revealed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8e3i5AZzITI/U5uLZ7XKDxI/AAAAAAAAO0I/JJNtlVIC7tM/s1600/Revealed.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8e3i5AZzITI/U5uLZ7XKDxI/AAAAAAAAO0I/JJNtlVIC7tM/s1600/Revealed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8e3i5AZzITI/U5uLZ7XKDxI/AAAAAAAAO0I/JJNtlVIC7tM/s1600/Revealed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Revealed: Part One: New Year’s Eve with Jiro and Mark (Nogiku series #0.1)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />By SJ Pajonas<br /><br />Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic<br /><br />Age category: Young Adult, Adult<br /><br />Release Date: June 1, 2014<br /><br />Blurb:<br /><br />Get immersed in the Nogiku world with Jiro Itō as he gets ready for a boring and annoying New Year’s Eve out in Nishikyō. At least, that’s what he expects his night to be like. Jiro would rather drink with the geisha all evening, and avoid taking anyone home, but he has family business to attend to instead. When the family business leads to an unfamiliar restaurant, Jiro spies Sanaa Griffin smiling at him from across the room, and his night turns around.<br /><br />But Mark Sakai, his uncle, is not pleased with Jiro’s flirtations. Mark has worked hard for over a decade to get Sanaa into position for her new life, and he can’t have Jiro interfering. Will a stern warning be enough to keep them apart?<br /><br />PART ONE of REVEALED is a companion short story to REMOVED, Book ONE of the Nogiku Series. The first chapter of REMOVED is included at the end of PART ONE. Read REVEALED first or read it later, but don’t miss this look into the other side of Sanaa’s story.<br /><br />Approximately 10,000 words.<br /><br />You can find Revealed on Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22037318-revealed">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22037318-revealed</a><br /><br />You can buy Revealed here:<br /><br />- Amazon: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/NogikuSS1Am">http://www.onigiripress.com/NogikuSS1Am</a><br /><br />- Barnes & Noble: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/NogikuSS1B">http://www.onigiripress.com/NogikuSS1B</a><br /><br />- Kobo: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/NogikuSS1K">http://www.onigiripress.com/NogikuSS1K</a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;">- iBooks: </span><a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/NogikuSS1iB" style="text-align: center;">http://www.onigiripress.com/NogikuSS1iB</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHDR_FVldqM/U5uLZaGb_3I/AAAAAAAAOz4/XZi7Sk3lOBw/s1600/Removed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHDR_FVldqM/U5uLZaGb_3I/AAAAAAAAOz4/XZi7Sk3lOBw/s1600/Removed.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b><span style="color: #990000;">Removed (Nogiku series #1) </span></b><br /><br />By SJ Pajonas <br /><br />Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic <br /><br />Age category: Young Adult, Adult <br /><br />Release Date: September 11, 2013 <br /><br />Blurb:<br /><br />Duty knows no family. Love has no price. Secrets can cost you everything. <br /><br />Twenty-year-old Sanaa Griffin is about to get more than she bargained for when she wishes for love, happiness, and excitement on New Year’s Eve. Ripped from the job she always loved, she is reassigned to work for mysterious Mark Sakai and spy on the corrupt leaders of her city. War looms on the horizon, and Sanaa must help Sakai determine the key players and their weak spots before it’s too late. <br /><br />Mark Sakai has many plans for Sanaa that will take her into a web of lies and danger, and her only protection is to learn to defend herself. But defense training under the watchful eye of Jiro, a strong and enigmatic young man she has a crush on, was not what she expected. Between falling in love with Jiro and the information she is gathering, Sanaa realizes Sakai is holding back secrets about her family and her deceased parents, secrets as to why she was chosen for this job, and learning the truth puts all of humanity in jeopardy. <br /><br />REMOVED is the first book in a captivating post-apocalyptic series that harnesses the cultures and traditions of Japan and sweeps them into the future between Earth and a faraway land. <br /><br />You can find Removed on Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18366156-removed">http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18366156-removed</a> <br /><br />Want to view some inspirational images for Removed, visit the Removed inspirational Pinterest board: <a href="http://pinterest.com/spajonas/removed-nogiku-series-1-inspiration/">http://pinterest.com/spajonas/removed-nogiku-series-1-inspiration/</a> <br /><br />You can buy Removed here: <br /><br />- Amazon: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku1Am">http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku1Am</a> <br /><br />- Barnes & Noble: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku1B">http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku1B</a> <br /><br />- iBooks: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku1iB">http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku1iB</a> <br /><br />- Kobo: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku1K">http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku1K</a> <br /><br />You can watch the trailer for Removed on Youtube: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPzShpFemIg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPzShpFemIg</a> <br /><br /><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br />Released (Nogiku series #2) </span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWeDbPiWMBU/U5uLZDJrT5I/AAAAAAAAOzk/yUpO8Rfak9E/s1600/Released.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWeDbPiWMBU/U5uLZDJrT5I/AAAAAAAAOzk/yUpO8Rfak9E/s1600/Released.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIMJA7ZMWOc/U5uLZAf62nI/AAAAAAAAOzo/ZFL2lrmQhZM/s1600/Reunited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIMJA7ZMWOc/U5uLZAf62nI/AAAAAAAAOzo/ZFL2lrmQhZM/s1600/Reunited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">By SJ Pajonas<br /><br />Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic<br /><br />Age category: Young Adult, Adult<br /><br />Release Date: December 17, 2013<br /><br />Blurb:<br /><br />Left in the desert to recuperate from her injuries, Sanaa Itami paces the floors and contemplates her mistakes. She trusted too easily, and now people she loved are dead, killed at the hands of men coming to assassinate her. Sanaa feels beaten, but life awaits her at home. While her city recovers from the devastating earthquake, negotiations for Sanaa's future continue. New allies must be made, new friendships brokered, new skills acquired -- at all costs.<br /><br />Life at the top of the chain is complicated and lonely, though. With all her friendships rocky and uncertain, Sanaa must learn to trust others again more than she's willing. Who is left holding a grudge? And will the new family Sanaa has found with Jiro support or betray her?<br /><br />RELEASED, Book TWO of the Nogiku Series, is the second book in a captivating post-apocalyptic romance series that harnesses the cultures and traditions of Japan and sweeps them into the future between Earth and a faraway land.<br /><br />You can find Released on Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18674881-released">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18674881-released</a><br /><br />You can buy Released here:<br /><br />- Amazon: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku2Am">http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku2Am</a><br /><br />- Barnes & Noble: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku2B">http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku2B</a><br /><br />- Kobo: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku2K">http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku2K</a><br /><br />- iBooks: <a href="http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku2iB">http://www.onigiripress.com/Nogiku2iB</a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIMJA7ZMWOc/U5uLZAf62nI/AAAAAAAAOzo/ZFL2lrmQhZM/s1600/Reunited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIMJA7ZMWOc/U5uLZAf62nI/AAAAAAAAOzo/ZFL2lrmQhZM/s1600/Reunited.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="file:///Users/jneezzell/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image006.gif" /></span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Reunited (Nogiku series #3) </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />By SJ Pajonas<br /><br />Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic<br /><br />Age category: Young Adult, Adult<br /><br />Release Date: August 14, 2014<br /><br />Blurb:<br /><br />Yūsei has surprises for Sanaa Itami. The long trip across the stars ends with Mark Sakai delivering bad news from orbit over their new home, and there’s no turning back or moving on. Despite all their misgivings, this is where they will have to stay.<br /><br />Sanaa, Jiro, and the rest of Earth’s settlers move into a coastal town and stick to their plans to live the colonization life they dreamed of. But Sanaa’s existence won’t be kept secret from her enemies for long. Kazuo promised he would see her in another life, on another world, and he aims to keep his word. Now she will face those who want their revenge and make new enemies while dispensing with old ones on her journey across the fascinating and unfamiliar landscape of Yūsei.<br /><br />REUNITED, Book THREE of the Nogiku Series, is the third book in a captivating post-apocalyptic romance series that harnesses the cultures and traditions of Japan and sweeps them into the future between Earth and a faraway land.<br /><br />You can find Reunited on Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22037312-reunited">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22037312-reunited</a><img src="file:///Users/jneezzell/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image008.gif" /><br /> <br /><br /><img src="file:///Users/jneezzell/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image010.gif" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><img src="file:///Users/jneezzell/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image012.gif" />About the Author: </span></b></div>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQU04CRha0w/U5uLacGT-gI/AAAAAAAAO0A/CIu7FxzBCI4/s1600/sj+pajonas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQU04CRha0w/U5uLacGT-gI/AAAAAAAAO0A/CIu7FxzBCI4/s1600/sj+pajonas.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />S. J. Pajonas loves all things Asian and has been in love with Japan and the East for as long as she can remember. Writing about Asia and Japan came naturally after studying the culture and language for over fifteen years. She studied film and screenwriting first and eventually segued into fiction once she was no longer working a full-time job. <br /><br />Face Time is the first novel in the Love in the Digital Age series, and Pajonas’s first foray into Korean culture and families. Along with Removed and Released in the Nogiku Series, she continues to take the cultures of Asia and weave them into stories that appeal to people from around the world. Her writing is described as unique and unpredictable. Expect the unexpected.<br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stephanie lives with her husband and two children just outside of New York City. She loves reading, writing, film, J- and K-dramas, knitting, and astrology. Her favorite author is Haruki Murakami and favorite book is The Wind-up Bird Chronicle.<br /><br />You can find and contact SJ Pajonas here: <br /><br />- Website: <a href="http://www.spajonas.com/">http://www.spajonas.com/</a> <br /><br />- Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SJPajonas">https://www.facebook.com/SJPajonas</a> <br /><br />- Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/spajonas">https://twitter.com/spajonas</a> <br /><br />- Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7233209.S_J_Pajonas">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7233209.S_J_Pajonas</a> <br /><br />- Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/spajonas/">http://www.pinterest.com/spajonas/</a> <br /><br />- Flickr: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gleek">http://www.flickr.com/photos/gleek</a> <br /><br />- Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/spajonas">http://instagram.com/spajonas#</a> <br /><br />- Tumblr: <a href="http://spajonas.tumblr.com/">http://spajonas.tumblr.com/</a> </span><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-3216245020046370382014-06-09T11:15:00.000-05:002014-06-09T11:15:50.676-05:00Great YA Collection For A Great Cause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Just wanted to bring you some quick news about an awesome collaborative project, organized for a fantastic cause. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was World Oceans Day, a day dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the earth's seas. In honor of the event, several fantastic YA authors (who also happen to be very passionate about this cause) donated 'seaworthy' stories for a collection. Which you can snatch up for a limited time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They're also doing a fun Facebook party (started yesterday, continuing today). All of the details are below:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QEhIA-54A0/U5Xbq336hJI/AAAAAAAAOyE/IYbATo1_cME/s1600/Box+Set+Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QEhIA-54A0/U5Xbq336hJI/AAAAAAAAOyE/IYbATo1_cME/s1600/Box+Set+Square.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: #141823;" /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141823;">To celebrate, ten bestselling young adult authors have created a collection of romantic "sea reads" called #OceansDeep. This boxed set has 12 full-length young adult novels (2500 pages!) that celebrate the sun and sea! They're full of mermaids and surfers, lifeguards and dolphins, sand and waves. These books span a variety of genres including science fiction, fantasy, contemporary and mythology, but they all have one thing in common: they leave readers more in love with the ocean than they were before. </span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="color: #051842;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Lani Wendt Young<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCsQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleeplessinsamoa.blogspot.com%2F&ei=hHSSU4-zOLSksQTG-oCQAg&usg=AFQjCNFcBFkFLl9LzksMPcpTf2AD2dzmdA&sig2=AMT1Cyq2p9gI13H9cdRIhA&bvm=bv.68445247,d.cWc"> </a>- Telesa </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Elle Strauss - Seaweed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Kristen Day - Forsaken </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Karen Amanda Hooper - Tangled Tides </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Amber Garr - Promises & Betrayal </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Cheri Lasota - Artemis Rising </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Heather Allen - Just Breathe </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Nikki Godwin - Chasing Forever Down </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Leigh Talbert Moore - Dragonfly & Undertow </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Amy Evans - Clicks</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Cover by <a href="http://designedbystarla.com/">Starla Huchton</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Playfair Display SC'; font-size: large;">Formatting by <a href="http://www.emtippettsbookdesigns.com/">Emily Mah Tippett</a></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #141823; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141823;">It's an entire summer's worth of beach reads for $3.99 </span><span style="color: #141823;"> and all profits will go to <a href="http://theoceanproject.org/">TheOceanProject</a> to further the mission of environmental education and ocean conservation. The theme of this years event is together we have the power to protect the ocean. </span><span style="line-height: 1;">The OceansDeep collection does that one word, one page, one story at a time. Because while facts may change people's minds, fiction can change their hearts. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Buy Links: <a href="http://amyevansbooks.com/ODAmz" title="Amazon">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://amyevansbooks.com/ODAbn" title="BN.com">bn.com</a> / <a href="http://amyevansbooks.com/ODiB" title="Ibooks">iBooks</a> / <a href="http://amyevansbooks.com/coming-soon">Kobo </a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">
► JOIN the Authors and designers Sunday & Monday June 8th & 9th evenings, 7-10:30 pm EST! for a <a href="http://amyevansbooks.com/fbparty" style="line-height: 1;">Facebook Event</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141823;">***Exclusive Excerpts, Fun teasers, and of course #GIVEAWAYS!!!***</span>
<span style="color: #141823;">Enter the <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OTBmZmY2MGU4NzYwMzc5NTMzYjJiZTQ1YmEzNmYyOjU=/">rafflecopter </a>to win more books and other prizes too, and please help spread the word about OceansDeep.</span> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/90fff65/" id="rc-90fff65" rel="nofollow">Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span>
</span>
<a href="http://amyevansbooks.com/fbparty"><img alt="OceansDeep_box" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-8879" src="http://amyevansbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/OceansDeep_box-300x300.jpg" height="300" width="300" /></a>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-12015423029387377242014-06-02T12:40:00.000-05:002014-06-02T12:44:41.226-05:00Interview: Historical Romance Author Melissa Maygrove<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Absolutely thrilled to share an interview I did recently with one of THE coolest writers on the block. Melissa Maygrove recently self-published her first book, <b><i>Come Back</i></b>. It's historical romance, and I was privileged to be able to beta read for M.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I say privileged, because Melissa is truly a wonderful writer, and she got me invested in a genre of story I normally wouldn't touch with a Texas-sized pole! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">How did she do it? How did she navigate the choppy indie waters on her own? Does she have tips for anyone else considering the plunge? Let's find out!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Interview: <b><i>Come Back</i></b> Author, Melissa Maygrove</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2dDSQmmx2yI/U4yvsxYu3-I/AAAAAAAAOSU/N8qbk7HR_xw/s1600/Come_Back_Ebook+2j+700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2dDSQmmx2yI/U4yvsxYu3-I/AAAAAAAAOSU/N8qbk7HR_xw/s1600/Come_Back_Ebook+2j+700.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><u>EJ:</u> We're about a month into the release of Come Back. This was your first publication, which you handled yourself. What are two things you wished you'd done differently going in? Two things you did right?</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>MM:</u></b><span style="font-size: large;"> I gave a detailed list in a guest post titled </span><a href="http://www.lonitownsend.com/2014/05/woulda-shoulda-coulda-guest-post-melissa-maygrove/" style="font-size: x-large;">Woulda Shoulda Coulda</a><span style="font-size: large;">, so I'll choose my top two glad-I-did's and regrets. First, the regrets.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish I...</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">Would have searched for stock images sooner. That was far more time consuming than I thought it would be--especially for a historical.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">Would have learned more about the publishing industry sooner. I managed to find my way, but some of it was dumb luck.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad I... </span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hired out the graphics and formatting. It cost me a couple of extra shifts at work, but it was soooo worth it. </span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">Took time to learn the craft before putting my work out there. We can't and won't please everyone, but we don't get a second chance to make a first impression.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><u>EJ:</u></b> You sold me on Come Back as a beta reader, and I'm not remotely your target audience. (It being Historical Romance, and me being the reader of all things NOT Historical Romance.) What's the secret ingredient to telling an accessible story that will appeal to fans across genres?</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>MM:</u></b><span style="font-size: large;"> I'm not really sure, but betas have told me that about all three MSs (Come Back is my third). I guess it's because at the heart of the story are people wanting to be loved and accepted, and them struggling to find safety and happiness. That's something we all can relate to. </span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><u>EJ:</u></b> I know you labored over which publishing path best suited you for a while. Was self-publishing everything you thought it would be? What would you say to another writer trying to make a similar decision?</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>MM:</u></b><span style="font-size: large;"> Re: publishing path... Yes, I did. Though, when I was honest with myself, I knew deep down indie was the way for me.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">Was it everything I thought it would be? For the most part, yes. Some things were more difficult than I'd anticipated, but others were easier.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">My advice to other writers: Spend plenty of time in the writing world before you even THINK about making a decision. Don't be in a hurry to self-publish and don't be in a rush to query either. Be a fly on the wall and watch and listen. Get your work critiqued by writers who are more experienced than you, then don your rhino skin and LISTEN to what they have to say. Be open and teachable. Keep learning and practicing until you're sure you're ready.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't matter which publishing path you choose if you jump the gun and put an inferior product out there. Rejection hurts, no matter whether it comes from publishers or readers.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><u>EJ:</u></b> Like many of us, I know you want to tell many different types of stories. (Paranormal, historical, etc.) However, I saw on your blog that you're committing to writing more in the historical romance genre to meet fan expectations. How important do you think establishing a brand or identity is to a beginning author trying to grow and maintain a fan base, and would you view it differently if you hadn't had as much initial success?</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>MM:</u></b><span style="font-size: large;"> The quick and unexpected success of Come Back had a big impact on my choice of genre for the next book. As I said in the</span><a href="http://melissamaygrove.blogspot.com/2014/05/i-wasnt-fast-enough.html" style="font-size: x-large;"> post you mentioned</a><span style="font-size: large;">, I'd been so busy with all the tasks of editing and publishing, I hadn't given enough thought to how the genre of my debut would brand me. </span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">Had my debut fizzled like a firework dud, I doubt it would matter what I wrote next. As it is, I have fans begging me for another book. So, yes, I would advise authors to consider carefully what genre they choose for their debut.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><u>EJ: </u></b>As always, here are the most important questions: Where do we find out more about you and get our hands on Come Back?</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">ABOUT</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><i>COME BACK</i></b></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><br /><i>Sometimes a single choice alters the course of a person's life forever.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Left behind by everyone she loves...</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rebecca Garvey had the promise of a California future dreams are made of, until the wagon train her family was traveling with left her behind. Now she’s slowly dying in the wilderness, abandoned and stripped of her self-worth. Once the shock of her desertion turns to embittered despair, she doesn’t want to be found. Then a handsome stranger challenges her convictions and changes her mind. </span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Headed for Texas, chased by the demons of his past...</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seth Emerson knows exactly what he wants. Working to save for a cattle ranch of his own keeps him busy and keeps his pain buried. Rescuing a stubborn woman from the hills of New Mexico Territory isn’t part of his plan—but she’s exactly what he needs. </span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Making greater sacrifices than either of them could foresee...</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seth and Rebecca set off on a risky journey and a quest for truth, each healing the other’s love-starved soul along the way. Will they give in to their growing attraction? Or will they honor their commitments when Seth returns Rebecca to civilization... and her betrothed?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Where to buy Come Back:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Back-Melissa-Maygrove/dp/0996039708/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1399552704&sr=1-1">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5C0PDA">Kindle</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/come-back-melissa-maygrove/1119438653?ean=9780996039703">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/come-back-melissa-maygrove/1119438653?ean=2940149206612">Nook</a> / <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/come-back-8">Kobo</a> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Come Back on</span></b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21763651-come-back">Goodreads</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WWOpqJfRPpY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">ABOUT <b>MELISSA</b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CK3GqC5qnr4/UzxD5GTPUlI/AAAAAAAACkQ/-0xy2KMxtVk/s1600/p.txt-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CK3GqC5qnr4/UzxD5GTPUlI/AAAAAAAACkQ/-0xy2KMxtVk/s1600/p.txt-4.jpeg" height="200" width="152" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Native Texan Melissa Maygrove is a wife, mother, nurse, freelance editor, and romance writer. When she's not busy caring for her tiny nursery patients or shuttling teenagers back and forth to after-school activities, she's hunched over her laptop, complicating the lives of her imaginary friends and playing matchmaker. Melissa loves books with unpretentious characters and unforgettable romance, and she strives to create those same kinds of stories for her readers.<br /><br />Where to find Melissa:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.melissamaygrove.com/">Website</a> / <a href="http://www.melissamaygrove.blogspot.com/">Blog</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaMaygrove">Twitter @MelissaMaygrove</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMaygrove?ref=hl">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/106752837827430594401/posts">Google+</a>/ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8103285.Melissa_Maygrove">Goodreads</a><br /><br />For autographs, I use <a href="http://www.authorgraph.com/%20authors/MelissaMaygrove">Authorgraph</a>. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-30301035991987069512014-05-30T12:23:00.000-05:002014-05-30T12:23:01.171-05:00A Norse of a Different Color - Meet Ull, Master of the Smolder!<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Friday, gang! If you're into frosty fantasy with some smooching thrown in, this is THE week to be hanging at my blog. Earlier this week, I shared news of Lynn Rush's latest, Absolute Zero. It's all about a girl with "frozen' super powers heading off to college--and probably saving the world. You can check the details <a href="http://the-open-vein-ejwesley.blogspot.com/2014/05/fire-ice-absolute-zero-by-lynn-rush.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>, and be sure to enter for your chance to win a Kindle Fire at the bottom of the post.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">TODAY, I've got author S.T. Bende on celebrating the re-launch of her Elsker Saga with Tur, Elsker Saga 0.5. It's all about this Norse god named Ull and a girl in modern times who befriends him after he's condemned to Earth. Okay, based on the covers, I'm thinking she maybe spends more time ogling than "friending".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But don't be fooled into thinking, "I've seen this movie, it's called Thor." S.T. has woven some serious fun and charm into this series, and if you've ever bumped into S.T. on Twitter, you'll know it's going to be unique experience. <b>(Take that however you want, S.T.! :D)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">S.T. also has a super power of her own, it's called being awesome and determined. Her series debuted with Elsker as a traditionally published book, now (after some handwringing and gnashing of teeth) she's a one-woman show, doing the indie author thing to its fullest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So y'all know I'm thrilled to offer her some support (and hope you will, too). :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Without further ado, I present to you, <b>THE SMOLDER!</b> Er, I mean Tur and Elsker.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24JmHuynwU8/U4izXm4cgoI/AAAAAAAAORg/KyFyQBO9efk/s1600/TUR-Ebook-04-04-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24JmHuynwU8/U4izXm4cgoI/AAAAAAAAORg/KyFyQBO9efk/s1600/TUR-Ebook-04-04-14.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Title: Tur</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Series: The Elsker Saga #0.5</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Author: S.T. Bende</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Genre/Age Range: Paranormal, Romance, New Adult</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Release Date: May 29, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Goodreads Link: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kmnttof">http://tinyurl.com/kmnttof</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Inga Andersson is the envy of every girl in Asgard. On the surface she has it all -- great friends, a job as Odin’s personal fight choreographer, and a happy ever after with her realm’s hottest assassin. But when evil invades Asgard, her perfect world comes crashing down. Someone is planning to kill off the gods, and Inga’s best friend Ull is first on their list. With the Norse apocalypse a nanosecond away, Inga has to decide how she’ll spend her final moments of freedom. Because from the moment this battle begins, Inga’s happily ever after will be nothing more than a memory. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some things are worth fighting for.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_D5ohopvxSI/U01YViEQYOI/AAAAAAAACqU/BklyiA6Ys08/s1600/ELSKER-Ebook-03-31-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_D5ohopvxSI/U01YViEQYOI/AAAAAAAACqU/BklyiA6Ys08/s1600/ELSKER-Ebook-03-31-14.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Title: Elsker</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Series: The Elsker Saga #1</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Author: S.T. Bende</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Genre/Age Range: Paranormal, Romance, New Adult</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Release Date: May 29, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Goodreads Link: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lo4y6oz">http://tinyurl.com/lo4y6oz</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You don’t win the heart of an immortal assassin without making a few enemies along the way. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn’t exactly what she was expecting. He’s an honest to goodness Norse God - an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth. Kristia’s crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms. Her orderly life just got very messy.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she became overly fond of the musical Cats. Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired the ELSKER series. She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day pastries will be considered a health food.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You can follow ST Bende on Twitter @stbende, or send an e-mail to stbende@gmail.com.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Links: <a href="http://stbende.blogspot.com/">Website</a> + <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/ST-Bende/102116099988944">Facebook</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/stbende">Twitter</a> + <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6868809.S_T_Bende">Goodreads</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SNEAK PEEK AT ELSKER!</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 9px outset rgb(58, 1, 223); color: #3a01df; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; height: 500px; line-height: 26px; overflow: scroll; width: 600px;">
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are you sure you will be all right on the stairs?” Ull stood in the grand hall of Cardiff Castle, glancing at the four-inch, shiny death-traps Victoria called shoes. Since Ull’s eyes practically bugged out of his face when he picked me up, I had no intention of changing into the emergency flats I’d stuck in my purse. Victoria had scored another hit.
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Probably not. Walk behind me in case I fall?” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“It would be my pleasure.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“On our right, the coats of arms,” continued the tour guide. He’d been talking for a good five minutes and I couldn’t remember a single word. That was because Ull had started stroking the small of my back when our tour began, and it took all my concentration just to stay upright. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“The castle is gorgeous.” I admired the stonework as we made our way toward the stairs. There I shifted focus to my feet, staring at each step until I’d reached the top. “Made it.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“And I was so hoping I would get to catch you.” Ull came up next to me and skimmed my hand with the pads of his fingers. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, the night is young and these shoes are high. You may still get your chance.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tease.” Ull kissed my palm. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Um.” I swayed on the heels and he chuckled. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Come, Miss Tostenson. We are losing the group.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Right.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We walked the long corridor framed with paintings. All of the history in these walls was kind of overwhelming. The castle was two thousand years old. The oldest thing we had back in Nehalem was probably the Homestead. Cardiff Castle had about eighteen hundred years on that farm. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“This place is huge,” I whispered when we’d caught up to the tour. “I can’t imagine living here. How could you ever get comfortable?” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“You get used to it,” Ull shrugged. “Find little corners to make your own.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“How on earth could anyone get used to all of this?” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“When you are stuck in it every day it gets old. Trust me.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Right.” Like Ull was an authority on royal dwellings. “Living in a castle sounds sooo terrible.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Depends on the day.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“What does that mean?” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Just that these walls did more than keep people out -- they kept people in, too.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought about my vision from Friday night -- of Ull and me in a meadow by a castle. Huh. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where did you say your family lived, exactly?” I probed. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But Ull bristled. I’d hit a nerve. “Come Kristia, we have lost our group again.” He gently pulled me down the hall. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“You may have noticed the Animal Wall in front of the Castle. Though William Burges designed the Wall in 1866, it was not constructed until 1890 -- nine years after Burges’s death.” The guide lifted an eyebrow as we caught up. “Please do try to stay with the tour,” he admonished before turning down another corridor. The rest of the group followed closely. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sorry.” I ducked my head. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ull raised a corner of his mouth in a smile. “Why, Kristia, you are blushing.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“And?” I lifted my chin, and took a step back so I stood against the wall. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“It is sweet.” Ull paused and lifted a finger to my cheek. My knees buckled and he grabbed my arm to steady me. The touch sent shockwaves straight to my head, leaving me with the unnerving sensation of being underwater. I lost my bearings again and Ull wrapped both hands around my waist to stop my fall. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sorry,” I mouthed. “Must be the shoes.” I couldn’t stop staring at his eyes. They almost looked nervous. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Must be.” He ran his finger along my jaw, stopping to grasp my chin between his thumb and forefinger. His eyes focused on my mouth and my heartbeat accelerated. He ran his thumb lightly over my lips. They parted under his touch. A wave of heat shot from my lower lip straight to my abdomen, creating a slow burn that wasn’t altogether uncomfortable. I watched as his eyes slowly moved down then back up, lingering at the neckline of my dress. Victoria had been right about the push-up bra. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Must be,” I repeated. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ull drew his eyes away from my cleavage and took a step closer. He leaned one forearm against the wall, leaving me enveloped between the cold stone and his warm chest. I was suddenly very dizzy. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kristia,” he spoke in a whisper. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes?” I whispered back. Ull was looking at me with an intensity I wasn’t prepared for. He stepped in, closing the last inch between us. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Look at me.” He spoke again, lifting my chin so my lips were tilted towards his. If his body hadn’t been pressed against mine, I would have collapsed in a heap that instant. Instead, I took a shaky breath as Ull dropped his head. He ran his nose along my jaw line, pausing when he reached my ear. He breathed in, the cool air sending a shiver down my neck. With painstaking slowness he drew his nose across my cheek until our lips were almost touching. Now when I looked into his eyes I saw something entirely different. He was strong. Confident. And very much in control. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I let out a small sigh and immediately he covered my mouth with his. It wasn’t a gentle kiss -- it was commanding, almost forceful. I melted against him as he claimed my lips, moved down my jaw to consume my neck. My insides throbbed. In that moment, I would have done absolutely anything he asked me to. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kristia,” he whispered again. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mmm.” It was the best I could muster by way of response. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“I think we need to stop.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In God’s name, why? </i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Will you be joining the rest of my tour, or shall I leave the two of you here?” The guide stood at the end of the corridor, literally tapping his foot. Oops. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ull placed his hands around my waist to right me. I smoothed my hair and straightened my dress, my cheeks burning the whole time. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Great timing,” I muttered. Just when things were getting good. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do not worry Kristia.” Ull winked. “We have all the time in the world.” </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I sure hoped so.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5fHE426kD6I" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ww7urlTSLhs/U4i9QsU6YaI/AAAAAAAAORw/eeAX7Od44zM/s1600/ElskerPromo5.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ww7urlTSLhs/U4i9QsU6YaI/AAAAAAAAORw/eeAX7Od44zM/s1600/ElskerPromo5.jpg.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/316ed223/" id="rc-316ed223" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-51188471220118297822014-05-28T11:29:00.002-05:002014-05-28T11:29:33.406-05:00Fire & Ice - Absolute Zero by Lynn Rush<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Bringing you a quick book blast from my author-pal, Lynn Rush. The second story in her Touch of Frost series (YA/NA Paranormal) is out this week. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Absolute Zero is about a girl with icy powers trying to blend in. And it sounds like she might be struggling to do that. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To heat things up, Lynn is sponsoring a giveaway with a Kindle Fire as a prize! So be sure to enter below the post.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Congrats, Lynn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hloJd2Z9WL4/U4YMd5IMzKI/AAAAAAAAOQ8/-N56ZA9glps/s1600/Absolute+Zero+Cover+FINAL.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hloJd2Z9WL4/U4YMd5IMzKI/AAAAAAAAOQ8/-N56ZA9glps/s1600/Absolute+Zero+Cover+FINAL.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Book Title: Absolute Zero (Touch of Frost #2)<br />Author: Lynn Rush<br />Release Date: 5/21/14<br />Genre: Upper YA/New Adult Paranormal</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Death may be the only way I can live…</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Center is destroyed. Mandy and Georgia have their own place near campus and are ready to start their new lives as college students. All that’s missing is Mandy’s steamy relationship with Zach. His sudden distance and irritability has Mandy wondering…and possibly wandering.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">Nate Ashcroft, a beautiful, but mysterious, guy literally falls into Mandy’s life, shattering her already unstable relationship with Zach. When an unknown agency sets its targets on Mandy and Georgia, ugly truths of Mandy’s powers, her parents’ deaths and the people she’s chosen to trust send her life into a tailspin.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">One only her death can stop.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>Absolute Zero on Goodreads</u></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Absolute Zero on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Absolute-Zero-Touch-Frost-Lynn-ebook/dp/B00KDPJOYK" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dt-g0jQFfOA/Ujxk3E5oR0I/AAAAAAAABUE/VOvTdvofWC8/s1600/828dd9183773a75c_400x400ar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dt-g0jQFfOA/Ujxk3E5oR0I/AAAAAAAABUE/VOvTdvofWC8/s1600/828dd9183773a75c_400x400ar.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Originally from Minnesota, Lynn Rush currently enjoys living in the sunny Arizona desert with her husband of seventeen years and her loveable Shetland Sheep dog, Maddux. Rush holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master's degree from the University of Iowa. When she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training for her next endurance event.<br /><br />Lynn Rush is a contributing blogger at the widely popular site<a href="http://naalley.com/"> New Adult Alley</a> and has been part of the New Adult revolution for years having penned over thirty novels in the exciting new category.<br /><br />Connect with Lynn on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Rush_Monroe">Twitter</a>, through<a href="http://facebook.com/LynnRushWrites"> Facebook</a> or her<a href="http://lynnrush.com/"> website</a>. Lynn also writes as Reese Monroe and you can find her alter ego<a href="http://www.reesemonroe.net/"> here</a>.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLJ0pbSe6Jc/U4YNwyOK9AI/AAAAAAAAORI/OYA4qglAD2c/s1600/Absolute+Zero+Release+Day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLJ0pbSe6Jc/U4YNwyOK9AI/AAAAAAAAORI/OYA4qglAD2c/s1600/Absolute+Zero+Release+Day1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AWESOME PRIZE PACKS, INCLUDING A KINDLE FIRE!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/16f82b22/" id="rc-16f82b22" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-87967165743386982372014-05-22T15:55:00.001-05:002014-05-22T15:55:35.326-05:00How I Found The Write Path<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! What if we could write a letter to our past selves and share the wisdom we've learned along the long, bumpy writer's road?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Or, like in my case, just say: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>"Never attempt a story in second person omniscient with multiple POVs and a sentient, singing goat... </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>SERIOUSLY, PAST E.J., FOR THE LOVE OF BETA READERS EVERYWHERE, NEVER DO THAT! IF YOU DO, I'LL FUTURE-SLAP YOUR ASS BACK TO THE WOMB AND HOPE OUR EAR CANALS--AND SOME SELF-PRESERVATION INSTINCT--ACTUALLY DEVELOP THIS TIME!"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just kidding, I've never tried that. (Although, the goat isn't a bad idea...) But I've certainly done my share of stupid things as I've crawled along one writing path after another. So naturally, the <b>How I Found The Write Path</b> blogfest was too good for me to pass up. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Here's the mission:</span></b><br /><br />Please write a letter/note to yourself when you first started writing toward publication. The only thing I ask is that you keep it under 800 words, including as many (or as few) of these elements as you like:<br /><br /> - A lesson you learned the hard way<br /> - Something you didn’t expect about the industry (positive/negative)<br /> - A writing-related resource you could never do without now<br /> - One thing you’d change about your journey<br /> - One thing you’re glad you did<br /> - Your number one tip for pursuing publication<br /> - Anything else you feel is worth passing on</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The blogfest is the brain child of <a href="http://soyoureawriter.blogspot.com/2014/04/i-need-your-help.html" target="_blank">Carrie Butler</a> & <a href="http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">P.K. Hrezo</a>, and they plan on compiling all of this wisdom into a free eBook resource for growing writers. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since this is for a good cause, AND it might actually see print, I'll try not to screw past me up too much. But I'm definitely going to give me a hard time, because I know I'll appreciate that. :)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>HOW I FOUND THE WRITE PATH</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>TO</b>: Past E.J. Wesley, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Future author of the Moonsongs series</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>FROM</b>: Future E.J. Wesley, Author of the Moonsongs series</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>CC: </b>All of writerdom</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Past E.J.,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">You're probably tripping out right now, but yes, you will actually publish something. Oh, and there'll be technology that will allow me to communicate with you and share wisdom and warnings from the future! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Whatever you do, do NOT take the bus on April 24, 2004. You'll get the last seat, forcing another man to wait for the next bus. He's a scientist, and you just caused him to miss a very important meeting. Furious, he'll set off a chain of events eventually leading to the melting of the polar icecap and the end of the world! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*waits for mind to explode and reassemble*</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Calm down, I'm messing with you. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>God, were we really that uptight and gullible?</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm only here long enough to offer you a few words of writerly wisdom. Other than that, you're basically on your own. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, not completely alone. You're going to bump into a lot of writers along the way to that first publication. They're determined, vulnerable, creative, fun--basically, they're everything you're going to need to be to reach your goals. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">These writing friends will carry you when you think you can't move forward, push you when you're too afraid to make the next jump, and be the first to cheer when you do cross the finish line. Get to know as many of them as you can, and always be willing to help them along in return.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">You're just getting started. I know it's hard to see anything beyond the mountain you're staring up at, but there's karma involved in this writing business. <b>The energy you put in, both positive and negative, always come back to you. So strive to be a force of positive energy in the writing community.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, we'll call that one of Future E.J.'s writing proverbs. Let me share a few more with you:</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">You'll never be as talented of a writer as you want to be. That's a good thing.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">Quit worrying and write.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">Quit researching agents and write.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">Quit blogging so much and write.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Quit eating so much red meat </b>(seriously, you don't want to know what our cholesterol is going to look like at 32)<b> and write.</b></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">(You're getting the idea by now--just write.)</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">Throw away word counts and tell the story.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">Slow, fast, pantser, plotter--who cares, tell the story.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">Finding your voice requires listening to feedback. </b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">Focus on what your critique partners are saying you're doing right instead of fretting over things you're doing wrong.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Fixing mistakes isn't nearly as important to your writing development as accentuating what you do well.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Using first person POV is a good way to let your personality shine through your writing. If you get stuck trying to write like J.K. Rowling or Stephen King, give it a shot. (PRO TIP: You're never going to be J.K. Rowling or Stephen King ... also a good thing.)</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">Until you've identified what's right and wrong with a story, it--and you--will never be as good as they can be. So embrace feedback, don't fear it.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-size: x-large;">The real work of writing is in revisions. It's also the dividing line between authors and writers. You won't crossover until you learn to put just as much (or more) effort into perfecting the story as you did creating it.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Stories aren't babies. They don't come out of your brain fully developed and beautiful, and you aren't obligated to love them just as they are. </span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">If you insist on calling a story your baby, then be a cruel parent. Judge them harshly, discipline them regularly, and never let them cut corners.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">The first thing you write that makes you wonder if others will think you're insane, evil, or suicidal for coming up with will likely be the best thing you've written. Do it again and again.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">If your rational brain thinks something you've written is funny, sexy, scary, or intense you're likely not going deep enough. When you start coming up with things you couldn't even imagine, you're onto something.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing is a waste of your time so long as you turn it into fuel for your writing. And in writing, everything can be used for fuel.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Writer's block is just another expression for procrastination. Simply choose not to do it. </b></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">(And--you guessed it--keep writing.)</span><br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">The only truly unworthy story is the one that goes unwritten. So write them all. Once the words are out of your head, you've succeeded in furthering your craft and ability if nothing else.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">A writing career isn't what you think it is. It's better. All of the limitations you think you have, all of the barriers you imagine in front of you, and all of the failures you believe you've had will be stepping stones on a journey to always greater things. You'll only fail if you quit going.</span></b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, that should be enough to get you started. There are plenty of non-writing lessons you'll learn along the way, like understanding that nothing in the publishing industry is certain. And to never trust anyone who says there's only one way to do something. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Those things, however, are always secondary to the writing. The words must always come first, and so long as you remember that you're going to be very proud of me ... I mean you. Us. We? Oh hell, just keep writing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sincerely, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Future E.J.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">---------</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Credit:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />E.J. Wesley, author of the Moonsongs series</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.ejwesley.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">"I give permission for my entry to be included in the e-book compilation without royalties and/or separate compensation."</span><br /><br />-----------</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>ONE NON-BLOGFEST THING OF NOTE: We're having Susan K. Quinn on New Adult Lit Chat tonight (Thursday, 9 PM E) if you'd care to listen in to what Sue has to say about jumpstarting your writing career, you can tune in <a href="http://www.newadultauthors.com/live.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Also, if you'd like to submit a question for Susan to answer on air, and enter for a chance to win a copy of her book 'The Indie Author Survival Guide' or a free consultation with her, fill out this form: </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1x4tkIb4BjL_IL9D-pg-Xg6l4Djl9W0VX-O1mwgiyzmY/viewform?embedded=true" width="500">Loading...</iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-5320880760741842592014-05-16T11:41:00.000-05:002014-05-16T15:22:32.528-05:00Not Dead Yet ... And Book Launch FYI<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Loooooonnnnnggggg time, no blog. :) So, I took most of A-Z month off, because--well, everyone was busy and I wasn't participating. Great time to disappear, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">PLUS, I've got this novel I'm trying to get out in August. The final revisions are going great, just slowly. It'll be my first full-length novel, so I'm trying to really get it JUST right. (Cue the thieving blonde tramp and the hungry bears! Seriously, who steals food from bears anyway?!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also working on new Moonsongs stuff. (A spinoff short story for one of my characters, Marshal, is coming soon!) And I've also been busy over at New Adult Alley. We recently decided to divide an conquer, and I'm now working mostly on the website side of our operation You can sign up for our fantastic newsletter <a href="http://www.naalley.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you're dying to have me show up in your inbox on occasion. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then, there has been a lot of travel lately. We attended a wedding in South Carolina last week, and were away for a week prior to that for a vacation trip up the northern coast of California. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some pics from those trips:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rGN8t-rTFI/U3Y48oIpE7I/AAAAAAAAC60/cp952MKlLS0/s1600/141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rGN8t-rTFI/U3Y48oIpE7I/AAAAAAAAC60/cp952MKlLS0/s1600/141.JPG" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was hanging out on the golf course near where we stayed in South Carolina!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyOXJ4o0Cow/U3Y48mhviKI/AAAAAAAAC64/AlL_xkvFoRs/s1600/143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyOXJ4o0Cow/U3Y48mhviKI/AAAAAAAAC64/AlL_xkvFoRs/s1600/143.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spotted him while riding a bicycle around the island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOksbKa--Y4/U3Y4_DQ6tyI/AAAAAAAAC7E/Tfh6CymLMXE/s1600/160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOksbKa--Y4/U3Y4_DQ6tyI/AAAAAAAAC7E/Tfh6CymLMXE/s1600/160.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pooch had epic drool issues! LOL He was cursing around Charleston, SC.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bHxkPn7LBmk/U3Y4-78jQiI/AAAAAAAAC7I/Phkml27OZ58/s1600/162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bHxkPn7LBmk/U3Y4-78jQiI/AAAAAAAAC7I/Phkml27OZ58/s1600/162.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charleston scenery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hDFS7NM_Wdg/U3Y4_j-ikDI/AAAAAAAAC7M/XYFlHgKIFKc/s1600/163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hDFS7NM_Wdg/U3Y4_j-ikDI/AAAAAAAAC7M/XYFlHgKIFKc/s1600/163.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Charleston scenery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-feHoAd1SpzY/U3Y5BcR9feI/AAAAAAAAC7c/nCY4Z0gxcwU/s1600/178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-feHoAd1SpzY/U3Y5BcR9feI/AAAAAAAAC7c/nCY4Z0gxcwU/s1600/178.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Charleston scenery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OXPS0WC_js/U3Y6mdDPwuI/AAAAAAAAC70/CRu5TZkBzyc/s1600/P4210067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OXPS0WC_js/U3Y6mdDPwuI/AAAAAAAAC70/CRu5TZkBzyc/s1600/P4210067.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our No Cal hotel room! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GkXp5xevbeM/U3Y6oKybJ7I/AAAAAAAAC7k/kbhBaFkWhYE/s1600/P4220073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GkXp5xevbeM/U3Y6oKybJ7I/AAAAAAAAC7k/kbhBaFkWhYE/s1600/P4220073.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a bird standing on top of the rock. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3Q-txizafU/U3Y6obBeFAI/AAAAAAAAC7o/P2wR0H9iD4Y/s1600/P4220078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3Q-txizafU/U3Y6obBeFAI/AAAAAAAAC7o/P2wR0H9iD4Y/s1600/P4220078.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eAg-YvoBr4/U3Y6sNRh2pI/AAAAAAAAC78/PtKgMqBizYw/s1600/P4220101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eAg-YvoBr4/U3Y6sNRh2pI/AAAAAAAAC78/PtKgMqBizYw/s1600/P4220101.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-80Yb7vrPTAY/U3Y6zn-MsHI/AAAAAAAAC8I/lZrxBts5BWk/s1600/P4220112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-80Yb7vrPTAY/U3Y6zn-MsHI/AAAAAAAAC8I/lZrxBts5BWk/s1600/P4220112.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seals had their pups out sunning with them. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjZR4f3pJcY/U3Y6y_9fx4I/AAAAAAAAC8E/2UKtWfy65Mw/s1600/P4220157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjZR4f3pJcY/U3Y6y_9fx4I/AAAAAAAAC8E/2UKtWfy65Mw/s1600/P4220157.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg3OUhWSWwY/U3Y626sLnnI/AAAAAAAAC8U/CNARWlu7Srs/s1600/P4220162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg3OUhWSWwY/U3Y626sLnnI/AAAAAAAAC8U/CNARWlu7Srs/s1600/P4220162.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wife taking in the view on our bike ride. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPxstfFfCvI/U3Y65DA4H0I/AAAAAAAAC8g/xirxdw1QPpU/s1600/P4220166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPxstfFfCvI/U3Y65DA4H0I/AAAAAAAAC8g/xirxdw1QPpU/s1600/P4220166.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0LQVAeDnDI/U3Y9yuMpzqI/AAAAAAAADHM/DykXampfCgY/s1600/P4220179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0LQVAeDnDI/U3Y9yuMpzqI/AAAAAAAADHM/DykXampfCgY/s1600/P4220179.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gXe76yfQQfw/U3Y66Ex6e5I/AAAAAAAAC8k/VgG1ZFSO8Zg/s1600/P4220186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gXe76yfQQfw/U3Y66Ex6e5I/AAAAAAAAC8k/VgG1ZFSO8Zg/s1600/P4220186.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tFf6IZ4ICig/U3Y66uwt4eI/AAAAAAAAC8o/4DQ4in8ds3g/s1600/P4220203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tFf6IZ4ICig/U3Y66uwt4eI/AAAAAAAAC8o/4DQ4in8ds3g/s1600/P4220203.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1349xWDDXdU/U3Y69lTy1HI/AAAAAAAAC88/ASXQ0QOUnt0/s1600/P4230244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1349xWDDXdU/U3Y69lTy1HI/AAAAAAAAC88/ASXQ0QOUnt0/s1600/P4230244.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a train ride through one of the redwood forests.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UYBRG4EuIB4/U3Y91MKrixI/AAAAAAAADHY/xGqzWG1LjBQ/s1600/P4230280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UYBRG4EuIB4/U3Y91MKrixI/AAAAAAAADHY/xGqzWG1LjBQ/s1600/P4230280.JPG" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aapAz1Z5OM/U3Y94hVtvmI/AAAAAAAADHo/_ubtex9X9Ig/s1600/P4230297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aapAz1Z5OM/U3Y94hVtvmI/AAAAAAAADHo/_ubtex9X9Ig/s1600/P4230297.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prUDBAhFlAY/U3Y7A9vDR3I/AAAAAAAAC9E/8y0kYAtILCk/s1600/P4230264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prUDBAhFlAY/U3Y7A9vDR3I/AAAAAAAAC9E/8y0kYAtILCk/s1600/P4230264.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunlight through the trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgvX5yYyymo/U3Y7DVI0zxI/AAAAAAAAC9M/qeJM-ftEx5w/s1600/P4230318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgvX5yYyymo/U3Y7DVI0zxI/AAAAAAAAC9M/qeJM-ftEx5w/s1600/P4230318.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the feet of giants. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8l8taVxtkVk/U3Y7EVf-HXI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/3lD5Z3ghJ7Y/s1600/P4230319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8l8taVxtkVk/U3Y7EVf-HXI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/3lD5Z3ghJ7Y/s1600/P4230319.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trees were so tall I couldn't get far enough away to photo an entire one, so I improvised, and shot looking up from the base. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All together, I kind of just lost track of the blog. But I'm back now. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of blogs, I bumped into one of my favorite author-bloggers (Eve of <a href="http://thedesertrocks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Desert Rocks</a> & <a href="http://evegaal.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Intangible Hearts</a> blogs) at our New Adult Lit Chat last night, and it made me realize how much I missed y'all!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So what's coming in this blog space? Details on great new releases and covers from my author friends, more of my thoughts on this writing adventure we're on, and I'll be incorporating a lot more of what we're doing over at NA Lit Chat (#NALitChat on the Twitters). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been remiss sharing all of my work over there, here. But so much of what we talk about can be applied to all kinds of writing and authors--not just New Adult--so I want to include y'all in that as much as possible from here on out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Specifically, I wanted to pass along the transcripts from our chat last night. We had a couple of fantastic authors on as guests (Lynn Rush & Nazarea Andrews) to talk about book launches and share their tips & tactics. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to keep a pen and paper handy as you listen along (and read tweets), because there are a lot of useful things you'll want to stash away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">AUDIO</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rA9cWFgS5pM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">TWEETS</span></div>
<div class="storify">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="no" height="750" src="//storify.com/EJWesley/5-15-14-nalitchat-book-launch-tips-and-tactics/embed?border=false&template=slideshow" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You can keep up with everything we've got cooking at the chats <a href="http://www.newadultauthors.com/na-lit-chat.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you've all been doing great, and I'm looking forward to reconnecting. Have a great weekend!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~EJW~</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-1697659060870510872014-04-15T11:35:00.001-05:002014-04-15T11:35:33.995-05:00Great Odin's Raven! Check These Sweet New Covers<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! It's mid-April and tax day here in the US, so I'd imagine some of you could use a drink. <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">*hands mead to all the A-Z-ers and the tax-poor* </span></i> :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I'm sharing TWO fantastic new covers for a dear writer friend of mine. The talented (and cool!) S.T. Bende is re-releasing Elsker, the first book in her Elsker Saga with a shiny new coat of paint, AND she's giving us a prequel story, Tur.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">These upcoming releases will lead up to a brand new book in the series (coming soon, I'm told ;). </span><span style="font-size: large;">If you're fans of adventure, romance, and Norse mythology you definitely can't miss with these stories! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for a giveaway opportunity. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~EJ</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Elsker - The Elsker Saga #1</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_D5ohopvxSI/U01YViEQYOI/AAAAAAAACqQ/eOzutN9dEow/s1600/ELSKER-Ebook-03-31-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_D5ohopvxSI/U01YViEQYOI/AAAAAAAACqQ/eOzutN9dEow/s1600/ELSKER-Ebook-03-31-14.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You don’t win the heart of an immortal assassin without making a few enemies along the way.<br /><br />Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn’t exactly what she was expecting. He’s an honest to goodness Norse God - an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth. Kristia’s crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms. Her orderly life just got very messy. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Tur - The Elsker Saga #0.5</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVc5W345G_A/U01YZkGi_NI/AAAAAAAACqc/IizT9Hux9xI/s1600/TUR-Ebook-04-04-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVc5W345G_A/U01YZkGi_NI/AAAAAAAACqc/IizT9Hux9xI/s1600/TUR-Ebook-04-04-14.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Inga Andersson is the envy of every girl in Asgard. On the surface she has it all -- great friends, a job as Odin’s personal fight choreographer, and a happy ever after with her realm’s hottest assassin. But when evil invades Asgard, her perfect world comes crashing down. Someone is planning to kill off the gods, and Inga’s best friend Ull is first on their list. With the Norse apocalypse a nanosecond away, Inga has to decide how she’ll spend her final moments of freedom. Because from the moment this battle begins, Inga’s happily ever after will be nothing more than a memory. </span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Some things are worth fighting for.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">S.T. Bende</span> </span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fW10LByNfJw/U01Yb6CzxKI/AAAAAAAACqk/oyJytjtT0bs/s1600/IMG_4348_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fW10LByNfJw/U01Yb6CzxKI/AAAAAAAACqk/oyJytjtT0bs/s1600/IMG_4348_4.JPG" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she became overly fond of the musical Cats. Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired the ELSKER series. She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day pastries will be considered a health food.<br /><br />You can follow ST Bende on Twitter @stbende, or send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:stbende@gmail.com">stbende@gmail.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">Connect with ST for all the latest news on the Elsker Saga!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://stbende.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">BLOG</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/ST-Bende/102116099988944" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/stbende" target="_blank">TWITTER</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6868809.S_T_Bende" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">AND be sure to enter the cover reveal giveaway for a chance at scoring some goodies! :)</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/316ed221/" id="rc-316ed221" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-89720184764773394312014-04-03T06:00:00.000-05:002014-04-03T06:00:04.046-05:00Bringing the Texas Heat - Come Back Cover Reveal<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! I'm sharing the cover of Come Back today. It's the debut novel of one of my FAVORITE people, Melissa Maygrove. She's a real-life Texan, and a gifted writer. I was privileged to be able to beta read Come Back, and I can tell you the heat doesn't stop with the sexy cover. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll have Melissa back in a few weeks for an interview, but for now enjoy the eye candy! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hope all of you A to Z maniacs have started with a bang, and I look forward to checking out your themes over the course of the month. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~EJW~</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Come Back</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynHl-kiKwA8/UzxCeB_GRsI/AAAAAAAACkA/2lg-1r2gOVA/s1600/Come_Back_Ebook+cover+for+bloggers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynHl-kiKwA8/UzxCeB_GRsI/AAAAAAAACkA/2lg-1r2gOVA/s1600/Come_Back_Ebook+cover+for+bloggers.png" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: start;">Cover design by Carrie Butler, </span><a href="http://www.forwardauthority.com/" style="text-align: start;">Forward Authority Design Services</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Sometimes a single choice alters the course of a person's life forever.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;"><b>Left behind by everyone she loves...</b></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Rebecca Garvey had the promise of a California future dreams are made of, until the wagon train her family was traveling with left her behind. Now she’s slowly dying in the wilderness, abandoned and stripped of her self-worth. Once the shock of her desertion turns to embittered despair, she doesn’t want to be found. Then a handsome stranger challenges her convictions and changes her mind.<br /><br /><b>Headed for Texas, chased by the demons of his past...</b><br /><br />Seth Emerson knows exactly what he wants. Working to save for a cattle ranch of his own keeps him busy and keeps his pain buried. Rescuing a stubborn woman from the hills of New Mexico Territory isn’t part of his plan—but she’s exactly what he needs.<br /><br /><b>Making greater sacrifices than either of them could foresee...</b><br /><br />Seth and Rebecca set off on a risky journey and a quest for truth, each healing the other’s love-starved soul along the way. Will they give in to their growing attraction? Or will they honor their commitments when Seth returns Rebecca to civilization... and her betrothed?</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Title: Come Back</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Author: Melissa Maygrove</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Genre: Western Historical Romance</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Category: Adult / New Adult</div>
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Publisher: Truelove Press</div>
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Expected release: May 12, 2014</div>
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>ADD COME BACK ON <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21763651-come-back%20" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a>!</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CK3GqC5qnr4/UzxD5GTPUlI/AAAAAAAACkM/ro6K3ytPv2s/s1600/p.txt-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CK3GqC5qnr4/UzxD5GTPUlI/AAAAAAAACkM/ro6K3ytPv2s/s1600/p.txt-4.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Native Texan Melissa Maygrove is a wife, mother, nurse, freelance editor, and romance writer. When she's not busy caring for her tiny nursery patients or shuttling teenagers back and forth to after-school activities, she's hunched over her laptop, complicating the lives of her imaginary friends and playing matchmaker. Melissa loves books with unpretentious characters and unforgettable romance, and she strives to create those same kinds of stories for her readers.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>FOLLOW MELISSA'S <a href="http://www.melissamaygrove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">BLOG</a> FOR ALL THE RELEASE DETAILS!</b></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000518581959626200.post-52000443451584246412014-03-29T06:00:00.000-05:002014-03-29T06:00:05.516-05:00Children of Shadows Author Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/children-of-shadows-blog-tour/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8BhRe8stWAM/UzV-qBInwII/AAAAAAAACbU/VgLSwSXFyl4/s1600/blog+tour+banner.png" height="212" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, gang! Very pleased to be bringing you today's interview with author Joleene Naylor. Jo is a friend and a very talented lady to boot. She runs a cover design business as well as being a fantastic author, and she does a lot of her own artwork for her promotional items.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some trading cards she designed for her series--</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYi9D9TkBSo/UzV9wTfEbyI/AAAAAAAACbM/VF29B1na6wg/s1600/cards.png" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super cool, right?! Jo is giving away a set of these as a prize in her blog tour contest, so be sure to sign up at the end of the interview!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I recently caught up with her to talk about the latest book in her Amaranthine vampire saga, Children of Shadows. Here's what she had to say!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2ply1MptmA/UzV_hso82vI/AAAAAAAACbc/k7mHyjQ0RYs/s1600/CoS-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2ply1MptmA/UzV_hso82vI/AAAAAAAACbc/k7mHyjQ0RYs/s1600/CoS-thumb.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">EJ - Okay, true confession time: I JUST watched Interview With A Vampire for the first time (literally last weekend). Loved the dark, sophisticated, sexy, and gritty way it portrayed vampires, and it made me realize just how much modern pop culture has influenced those stories (not necessarily in a cool way--looking at you sparkly, emo fangers smh). ANYWAY, your Amaranthine series definitely seems like a throwback to a darker type of vampire story, and it had me wondering: <br /><br />What were your vampire influences, and are you treading any new ground? Or is this series a serious throwback to our favorite night stalkers of yore?<br /><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;">Jo - I’m afraid my vampires have very little in common with the Edward Cullen’s of the world. They don’t go in the sunlight. (This is one of the few “cons” to being a vampire, and I think taking it away just makes vampires too strong – like writing an all powerful character that has no weakness.) They don’t go to high school, they fight, they kill, and even the heroes have been caught drinking human blood. They’re brutal and for the most part unapologetic for it. I’ve actually gotten complaints about it. If I had to pick something to compare it to, the movie version of Interview with the Vampire would actually be the closest. (I think the movie has a much darker tone than the book does.)<br /><br />At the same time, my vampires are inhabiting the human world – our world – and sometimes they have to play by our rules. In Children of Shadows they travel across Europe, but they have to find ways around customs. They have to deal with police officers. There are consequences for their actions, especially for Katelina, the resident human. In the early books when she first leaves with Jorick she loses her job. She loses her apartment. Her mother reports her missing to the police. There’s no fairytale sunset where all their problems just go away. And nobody flies.</span><br /><br />EJ - Children of Shadows is the sixth (!) book in the Amaranthine series--which is HUGE. I'm nearing the sixth story in my Moonsongs series, and they are short, so I've had a small taste of how difficult it can be to keep creating within the same universe. At this point (and probably after just the third story), for me it is purely love for the characters that keeps me writing that series. <br /><br />What keeps pulling you back into Amaranthine? Do you have an endgame in mind, or is this going to be a series that grows until you no longer have anything to say?<br /><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;">Jo - I rarely know what’s going to happen. Children of Shadows was almost as surprising to me as to the readers, so I don’t really have a specific goal in mind, other than to write them until I run out of anything to do with them, or am so sick of them I want them to die. And even then I have so many interesting side characters and back stories that I could drop Katelina and Jorick and concentrate on those for years.</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br />Part of my thinking comes from my own reading habits. I used to read Anne Rice’s vampire books – but only her vampire books. I never bothered with anything else she did. And when she came out with the non-Lestat vampire series, I skipped that, too. I liked the original core characters and their universe – they were why I read her books. Not for her prose, or her imagination, or for her, but for Lestat. It’s the same with JK Rowling. I loved the Harry Potter universe, but I haven’t read any of her other work. Tolkien had it right, I think. Almost everything he wrote, no matter how vastly different, fit into one universe, and so for a fan of the universe, you want to have them all. There’s a certain satisfaction in connecting the dots from one story to another, in seeing how an event on one story inadvertently shaped an event in someone else’s story. </span><br /><br />EJ - Do you think vampire stories simply lend themselves to a long series? (They kind of go on un-living forever! LOL) And tell us a little bit about how you've fleshed out these eternal characters and their universe. (I know you've created spinoffs, trading cards, etc.) <br /><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;">Jo - Vampires are actually a branch of the fantasy genre, whether fantasy fans want to own up to that or not, and I think anything under that umbrella calls for at least a few books. Aside from the novels, there are a couple of free supplements. There is a mini prologue collection which goes along with Heart of the Raven, and then Tales from the Island is six short stories that fill in the gap between Heart of the Raven and Children of Shadows. I mentioned side characters in the last question, and I’ve done quite a bit with those as well. I have a short story collection called Vampire Morsels that’s made of seventeen short stories, each about different side characters from the first two books, and I’ve started Tales of the Executioners (The first story, Aine, is free right now on Smashwords, etc.) which will be a collection of short stories about the Executioners, the vampire’s elite police force. The trading cards are actually of the Executioners. I made them for the Ashes of Deceit (book four) release and found an extra set hiding out when we moved this summer, so it seemed a good time to dust them off and throw them in the Children of Shadows giveaway.</span><br />EJ - Most folks who follow my blog are other writers, do you have any tips or tools you could share for helping keep things straight when writing a series? I can't imagine the character timelines you've established over six books alone! :)<br /><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;">Jo - Yeah, there is a lot to keep track of. I’m sure I could use some really awesome software, but instead I just have a word document that is about 200 pages long and organized like an encyclopedia with alphabetized entries. Everything from individual vampires, to place descriptions, timelines, the rules of my universe, and more. So if I want to look up what Adam looked like, or who used to belong to Oren’s coven, or just when Jorick got arrested for kidnapping, I can scroll through my “navigation pane” and click on the appropriate heading. I’m actually considering making an Amaranthine Encyclopedia one of these days.</span><br /><br />EJ - Last one! Why do we need to dive (bite?) into the Amaranthine universe, and what makes Children of Shadows the best yet in the series? Also, how can we find you and your books? (This is where I'll insert all of the bio info, links, etc you sent.)<br /><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;">Jo - Sharon Stogner, reviewer for I Smell Sheep, hit the nail on the head with what I was trying for with the series when she said, “It is a different look at what it would be like to be in love with a vampire. More realistic.” Children of Shadows is another dose of reality tinted, action packed excitement that sees the continuation of an evil master’s plans and the resurfacing of an extinct vampire cult that wants to wipe out the world. <br /><br />The sixth installment of the Amaranthine series pulsates with the dark blood of vampire lore. <br /><br />The Children of Shadows, a vampire cult not seen for hundreds of years, resurfaces to wage war on the vampire guilds. Led by a familiar face, the cult wreaks havoc while Katelina and Jorick are trapped in Munich. Ume, a mysterious vampiress, claims to know Verchiel and offers the help of her secret organization. But can they trust her?<br /><br />As mysteries are solved, new ones appear. Why have the Children of Shadows returned, and is it really a former ally that leads them, or a look-alike? </span></span><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;">Legends rise and secrets are revealed in a world where vampires walk, drenched in blood and shadows. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Though it is part of a series, each book is written so that you can pick the series up at any time and dive – or bite – right in. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM_ORi4I8xmuILuETEGIAVQBHirVAuzK2Bpqh0NxWerRYjQQmVAaFXtUGjnO3y_AwyX1cW5a64M8KaE5NxZ-jXRdHtyZquRD-H2GNMA8zm5bkdd__EJweL_U_HVBX-MWvyDYMBbh0Ciw/s1600/joleene+naylor+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM_ORi4I8xmuILuETEGIAVQBHirVAuzK2Bpqh0NxWerRYjQQmVAaFXtUGjnO3y_AwyX1cW5a64M8KaE5NxZ-jXRdHtyZquRD-H2GNMA8zm5bkdd__EJweL_U_HVBX-MWvyDYMBbh0Ciw/s1600/joleene+naylor+.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">An independent author, freelance artist, and photographer for fun who loves anime, music, and writing. Check out my vampire series Amaranthine at <a href="http://joleenenaylor.com/">http://JoleeneNaylor.com</a> or drop me a line at <a href="mailto:Joleene@JoleeneNaylor.com">Joleene@JoleeneNaylor.com</a></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: #f2f3f4; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Cambria, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/joleenenaylorbooks">Facebook</a> – <a href="http://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/">Blog</a> -<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/joleenenaylor/boards/"> Pinterest </a>- <a href="http://twitter.com/joleene_naylor">Twitter</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Get Your copy of Children of shadows: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IZ6OX18">Amazon</a> – <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/children-of-shadows-joleene-naylor/1118473860?ean=2940045616157">Barnes & Noble</a> – <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/403239">Smashwords</a> – <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/children-of-shadows/id811435603?mt=11&uo=4">Apple iBooks</a> – <a href="http://www.createspace.com/4668712">Paperback</a></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">And be sure to hop over and <a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/3c93" target="_blank">enter the giveaway</a>! </span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com22