Friday, December 14, 2012

YA Indie Carnival - Givaway + Bonus


It's that time of year again, when the YA Author Sponsors host a giveaway meant to build a following. Anyone interested in participating will have from 12/14 to 12/21 to visit our blogs, read/respond to our questions, AND join any or all of our sites in order to be entered for the giveaway (see Rafflecopter below or on the individual sponsors' sites). The winner will receive seventeen wonderfully, exciting books (plus a few other prizes) by some amazing authors. The grand prize winner will be announced on December 24th right here on this blog. Don't delay, scroll down to the Rafflecopter, enter, and visits our blogs.

BONUS: Anyone responding to this question (pulled from a recent Time Magazine poll) is automatically entered to win a copy of The Warrior Trilogy Boxed Set (Warrior, #1, #2, & #3) [Kindle Edition]:
 
If by some slim chance the Maya Long Count calendar is accurate and the world ends on December 21st, which song (or book or movie or fictional man/woman) would you want to hear (or read, watch, or be with) during your final moments?  

Giveaway Package Includes:


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

YA Indie Carnival - Famous Character's Personal Ad


This week, the sponsors of the YA Author Club are having a little fun. We are creating the personal ad for a book's famous character. Below is my take on a personal ad as written by Kelsey Hayes from Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga, #1) by

Young orphaned college student seeking an older Indian prince who is willing to become Indiana Jones-like in order to hunt, find, and retrieve priceless trinkets. A tolerance for tigers, brothers, and goddesses required. The enjoyment of poetry--reading and writing--is preferred.

Next week, don't forget to join us when we have our 2nd Annual Christmas Giveaway. Stay tuned for more details on how to win the package.

Giveaway Package:

Black Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #2) by


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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck


Tiger's Destiny (The Tiger Saga #4) by
 

 

 

 

 




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Friday, November 9, 2012

YA Indie Carnival - Vote... Vote... Vote

This week, the YA Indie Carnival sponsors are posting topics on voting. For me, this is going to be short and sweet (NaNoWriMo waits for no man). In the spirit of elections, voting, and may the best man (ah-hum... woman) win mentality, I'm posting a link. With it, you can go and vote in Goodreads Choice Awards 2012.

Important Notes & Special Pleas:

In the Nominees for Best Romance and Nominees for Best Goodreads Author categories, you will find On Dublin Street by
 
In the Nominees forYoung Adult Fiction category, there are three nominations for authors who were at one time members of the YA Indie Carnival.  
 
 

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Friday, November 2, 2012

YA Indie Carnival - Work In Progress

This week, the YA Indie Carnival sponsors are sharing their current work in progress. This is an extremely timely topic for me because I'm taking on the NaNoWriMo challenge. I plan to write 50,000 words in November.

In order to keep myself excited about the project, I invested in a book cover (last week), formulated a story (last weekend), and began the story (yesterday). I'll be sharing all of that with you and asking for forgiveness because this is a draft so rough I would normally not share. I should also mention that this particular book will not be young adult. Instead, it will be a very dark and sexy mainstream fiction. I decided that if I was going to go out of my comfort zone (writing non-stop without editing), I would go all out. The verdict is still out, but you can take a few minutes reading the summary/excerpt, ogling the cover (courtesy of Phatpuppy Art), and letting me know your thoughts.


Introducing... Grave Bound (Secrets, #1)

SUMMARY:
For her entire life, eighteen-year-old Emily Riddles swore by her community's code of secrecy. It may have been simple, keep it in the family, but it wasn't always easy to follow. The one time she broke the rules with Levi, her summer fling and outsider boyfriend, she saw firsthand what happened to those who forgot the code. She may never know how Owen, her father, found out about her and Levi's late-night meetings or the details of their private conversations, but she would forever remember what happened when he did. Owen tied Levi to a tree and whipped him to death while making her watch. From that day forward, she knew the ramifications of sharing anything with anyone about The Community. She also knew she'd never make that mistake again.

Levi's murder did little to quench her father's fury. He hatefully taunted Emily by reminding her that he did not kill Levi... that she and her loose tongue had cost him his life. When Emily did nothing, said nothing, and conformed to Owen's demands just as she'd been taught her whole life to do, he knew he had his bluff in. He could do anything to her and in front of her. His secrets would forever be safe.

Owen had been right until Emily's world turned upside down. The commune was raided, and every woman and child was swooped away and sent to safe houses. Regardless of their label, Emily never felt safe. Owen and his gang of hellions had been arrested, and she would be blamed for everything. In retaliation, her father would beat her to death—most likely on the same tree Levi died—unless she could win back his trust.

Based on the special interest the young DA, Tope Bryson, paid her during interviews, Emily suspected the raid was as much about finding a star witness as it was about locating evidence. No matter how she felt about the compassion shown to her by Tope, Levi's death, and her fear that her own father wanted to end her life... the secrets she held, her father's secrets, were grave bound.
 

EXCERPT:

"happily ever after my ass!" Emily said, slamming her book closed. She looked around and realized everyone who'd accompanied her to the lake for the first swim of the summer had long since gone home. Emily's friends had learned years ago her love of books came before everything. Once started, she would keep reading until finished. Nothing short of a burning house could distract her.

For the millionth time, Emily wished she could be more like everyone else in the commune... wished she could conform... wished she didn't resent with every fiber in her being the fate in store for her. It was the destiny of every woman in her community on their twenty-first birthday.



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Friday, October 26, 2012

YA Indie Carnival - Spooky, Scary, & Eerie

It's that time of year when the sponsors of the YA Indie Carnival post stories or excerpts that will have you biting your nails and begging for people to sleep with you for the next few days. This post is timely for me. I'm writing a scene for Dark Angels of the Cross, and it has had such an unexpected impact on me that my sleep has become fitful and restless because my dreams are so deadly... foretelling... and--worst of all--real! 

Anyone who has read The Warrior Series knows I will not shy away from suspenseful or thrilling or brutal scenes. The one I'm living through is so much more. It's all of that rolled into one and built on top of an extreme sense of loss. I won't say anything more, but fans of the series are in store for lots of surprises. Just stay tuned.

In the meantime, I've included the parking garage scene from Guardians of the Cross. This is one of the scariest scenes of the book according to my beta reader. If you've ever had to walk alone through a dark parking garage at night, you can understand why.

Don't forget to take a few minutes to browse the other members' sites.  ENJOY!

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Brody screeched to a stop, jumped out of the car, grabbed Mallory, and carried her toward the ER.  “Allie, park the car and meet us inside,” he called over his shoulder. 

Unable to do anything but follow directions, I climbed into the driver’s seat.  At the automated garage gate, I pushed the red light and sat impatiently while the arm slowly lifted, allowing me entrance.  I didn’t bother taking the yellow time-stamped ticket from the machine.  I was completely irritated by the time I reached the third floor without finding an empty spot. 

I whipped Brody’s car into it and cut off the engine.  At that exact moment, the entire garage went black.  Reality hit me hard.  I had to wade through this darkness, alone, in order to make it inside where Mallory and Brody were waiting.  Logically, I knew my heart was not beating as fast as a hummingbird’s, but it felt like it was pounding at the same rapid rate.  Regardless, I refused to call Brody away from Mallory or make her wait when she needed me.    

Ignoring the blackout and my fear, I got out of the car and slammed the door closed behind me.  Sucking in courage like it was air, I felt my way along the warm hood of the car and over to the cold cement wall in the middle of the garage.  I let the familiar barrier guide me toward the staircase.  No matter how hard I tried, I could not ignore the uneasiness bubbling its way to the surface of my nerves.  Everything – the absolute stillness, quiet, and gloom – reminded me too much of the morning I was attacked... too much of Daryl's plans for me.  

I wanted to run toward the ER, but my inability to see my hand in front of my face prevented the sprint I craved.  I was forced to awkwardly fumble my way along the divider, stumbling several times. At the end of the wall, I knew there was a crossover that would lead me to the staircase. Somehow, it looked darker and more ominous than the garage.  Was that possible?   

I, before I knew what was happening, tripped over a block meant to protect pedestrians from traffic.  Despite my own racket, I heard footsteps speeding toward me. With a force that caused my breath to catch, I regretted my every decision that day.  On my knees, I prayed for the strength to make it out alive. 
 
☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
 

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Friday, October 19, 2012

13 on Halloween (Shadow #1) by Laura A.H. Elliott

13 on Halloween (Shadow #1) by










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YA Indie Carnival - Kindle Serials


Kindle Serials  - This week, the sponsors of the YA Indie Carnival are sharing our opinions on the serial novel phenomenon. For me, it's a little too new to do anything more than regurgitate the information coming straight from Amazon's Kindle Serials website: Kindle Serials are stories published in episodes. When you buy a Kindle Serial, you will receive all existing episodes on your Kindle immediately, followed by future episodes as they are published. Enjoy reading as the author creates the story, and discuss episodes with other readers in the Kindle forums.

I'd be lying if I said I was not intrigued. Amazon has done some amazing things for indie authors. I'm sure this will be another of those diverse opportunities that I'll only get on Amazon. At the same time, book writing is the weaving of a story. If I publish one chapter before the end of the book was finished, I might miss a great opportunity to foreshadow something that will happen later or to go back and develop the characters, settings, and storyline in a manner that makes what they eventually do more believable. I think of my books as quilts that are stitched by hand. Each word a thread. Each chapter a patch. Each book a blanket. You can not sell the quilt one patch at a time without a plan to make that patch the beautiful quilt it could someday be.

In fact, the mere thought of putting something out there that could change for the better by the end of the story is anxiety producing for me. I even have a hard time doing it with my beta reader.  I worry that he will never get to see the story through the eyes of someone reading the clean and edited version for the first time. While these serials would be edited, they may be missing the evolution of the story that only comes through when you begin tying the beginning chapters to the middle and end of the story. 

I should also mention that I worry a little bit about the coordination of the editing. For example, if I commit to having a book a month released. I would have two weeks to write, one week for edits, and one week to format and release. If my editor can't get to it right away, my deadline (my promise to my customers) is shot. My work ethics prevent me from missing goals/timelines. I'm here for my customers. It's not now nor will it ever be the other way around.

My writing habits and my need to meet established goals make it impossible for me to pursue a serial using an unfinished book. Instead, I believe that I may pursue this avenue with Dark Angels of the Cross,... but only after the book has been written and edited. At that time, I will determine how much of the book will be released and at what intervals so that I can release a product I can be proud of without disappointing the many fans of The Warrior Series. The best news of all is that this plan will go a long way toward minimizing the tension/stress between my editor and me. She's awesome, but constant deadlines without regard to her other clients could be try even a saint's nerves.

Finally, I'd like to point to a book that is #14 on this week's NYT Best Sellers List. Because You Are Mine Part VI: Because You Torment Me by Beth Kery. It may not perfectly fit the serial methodology, but it is not a whole novel. The fact that the book is short and the readers are being forced to buy each individual installment at the same price as some indie novels has not kept this book from making onto the best seller list. Please know that I am in no way endorsing this book. I have no idea what it is about or anything about its author, I am simply showing you an example of a serial-like book that proves this avenue can be successful. Since Beth Kery's experiment has gotten her on the best sellers list, I suspect many others, including myself, will follow her path.

Now, take a few minutes to see what my fellow members have to say about serials:

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Saturday, October 13, 2012

YA Indie Carnival - Indie Opportunities


My fellow YA Indie Carnival members and I are sharing lots of great stories about the wonderful opportunities presented each and every day within the life of an indie author. This is one of those subjects where the answers are endless. Being an indie author has allowed me to achieve goals I'd never dreamed of accomplishing... open myself up in ways I'd never thought possible... and meet people I'd never have the pleasure of friending otherwise. 

Eighteen months and three published books later, I can easily say the most important opportunity has come in the form of great new fans, friends, followers, and fellow authors. I get new notifications on a constant and consistent basis. Most of those people chose to do little more than send me a notification and quietly follow my posts and/or reviews. The rest read, review, and rate my books. Regardless of their activity, I'm eternally grateful for every person who has reached out to me. I try to make sure to thank them all and let them know how important their feedback is because they guide me toward the author I want to be. 

I would be lying if I didn't admit it was AMAZING to make it onto several of Amazon's Best Sellers Lists. Don't get me wrong, I have dozens and dozens of more goals as it relates to best seller lists, but my accomplishments so far have meant a lot to me. 

Being an indie author has helped me to understand the importance of a good review. As an avid reader and frequent blogger. I've made it a practice to post reviews anytime I read a book that I LOVE. I don't feel the need to write about a book I don't like or demean the author who wrote it; therefore, my book reviews are always honest yet overwhelmingly positive. I won't apologize for following my mother's most important advice, 'If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.' The reason I'm mentioning my reviews is because of the satisfaction I get when another author reads them and is impressed enough to share it with their fans. That acknowledgement is as exciting as anything else I do in my indie author career. The two most memorable shares - because I adore these authors and their books - include Erin Morgenstern, author of The Night Circus, and Julie Kagawa, author of The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1). Without being an indie author, I would not have begun posting my reviews, and I would still be anonymously reading and recommending my favorite books to a few of my closest friends rather than thousands of potential readers.

Don't forget to visit my fellow authors' sites:

1.Laura A. H. Elliott 2.Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series4.Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
5.Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 6.K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
7.Gwenn Wright, author of Filter8.Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
9.Ella James10.Maureen Murrish
11.YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings12.A Little Bit of R&R
13.Melissa Pearl

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