C.L. Cannon's Blog, page 22
December 7, 2018
C.L. Cannon’s 7k Giveaway!
I am so overwhelmed by the amazing support you have all shown me!
My Facebook and Twitter have both gone over 7,000 likes and to celebrate I’m throwing this little giveaway together!
The post C.L. Cannon’s 7k Giveaway! appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
November 30, 2018
The Rite of Wands by Mackenzie Flohr Audiobook Tour
Author: Mackenzie Flohr
Narrator: Chris Walker-Thomson
Length: 6 hours and 57 minutes
Series: The Rite of Wands, Book 1
Publisher: BHC Press
Released: Sep. 24, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
One boy…one Rite… And a world of deadly secrets that could change the course of history—forever.
And so begins the tale of Mierta McKinnon. When a horrible fate reveals itself during his Rite of Wands ceremony, he must find a way to change not only his destiny but also the land of Iverna’s.
Forbidden from revealing the future he foresees to anyone, he is granted a wand and his magical powers, but still must master the realm of magic in order to save himself and those he loves.
But Mierta is not the only one with secrets…especially when it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes⎮Google⎮Downpour⎮Audiobooks.com⎮Scribd⎮Barnes & Noble⎮Kobo⎮Libro
Mackenzie is a multi-award-winning author of the YA Fantasy series The Rite of Wands, published by BHC Press, which has caught the attention of Doctor Who and Harry Potter fans worldwide. Readers agree that Mackenzie has crafted a robust tale of secrets, mystery, and uncertain destiny that rivals the works of Tolkien, Lewis, and Rowling.
A storyteller at heart, she loves to inspire the imagination. Mackenzie makes her home in Mount Morris, Michigan, where she is currently penning her next adventure.
Website ⎮ Twitter ⎮ Facebook ⎮ Goodreads ⎮ Instagram
Chris Walker-Thomson is a versatile British actor, voice artist and impressionist based in Chelmsford, Essex. He is most known for his highly-acclaimed portrayal of Doctor Who actor Patrick Troughton in various productions – as well as being a well-established character actor. Chris is also an exceptional impressionist, voice over artist and comedy performer.
Website ⎮ Twitter ⎮ Facebook ⎮ Instagram
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Mackenzie Flohr. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
This is a 3.5 for me. I received the audiobook as part of an audiobook blog tour, so this will be a review of the performance of the audiobook as well as the plot of the book.
Let’s talk about the thing that drove the rating down for me, that would be the narration. I really tried to like the narrator, but at times it felt like he was trying a bit too hard, and at others his voice was monotonous. It really distracted me from the story to the point that I had to stop listening about half-way through and just continue reading on my Kindle.
The story itself is very imaginative. You can tell that Flohr spent a lot of time developing this world with love and care.
I’ve seen mention in other reviews that Orylnd’s dialect threw some readers. However, I really enjoyed it and wonder if has anything to do with the speech each person is used to hearing regularly.
Flohr is terrific at describing her beautiful settings in detail, making them come to life within your mind.
The plot of this book is very fast paced, and sometimes that left the problem and resolution to that problem feeling a bit convoluted. A little more development of the ideas within the dialogue or actions would make these seem more natural.
There is a time jump, and I have to say, I really enjoyed seeing how each character changed and matured into their adult selves. I think it leaves a wonderful opportunity to do a short story or novelette with the missing time for hardcore fans.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but not the audiobook.
Q&A with Author Mackenzie Flohr
Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
It wasn’t easy, believe me! In fact, if anybody would have told me I would go through 3 narrators before finally getting the whole thing recorded, I would have probably thought “yeah, right”. Normally making audiobooks isn’t difficult at all, but my project, you could say was…unique. However, it has opened up some wonderful opportunities to appear at Comic Con and various writing conferences to teach others about the process of making an audiobook and especially, what not to do (because I probably did them all!)
Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
Oh, absolutely! My ultimate goal is to have The Rite of Wands series become either a movie trilogy or a television show (preferably done by HBO or the BBC), so I definitely had the idea of an audiobook in the back of my mind when I was writing the first book.
How did you select your narrator?
When I was auditioning various actors, I wanted someone who could do an impression of Matt Smith (11th Doctor/Doctor Who, Prince Philip/The Crown) since my MC was written for him, as well as someone who could read/perform Scottish dialect. I was fortunate to come across two actors, who are the best Matt Smith impressionists on the planet, and one of them was available and approached ME after hearing about my project through Doctor Who Online.
How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
I was very fortunate to be able to work as close as I was with Chris, considering he lives in England and I’m in America. I do have a day job where I work as a manager at a call center, but I also wanted to be available for him as much as I could. Not only so I could answer any questions he may have, but also because I honestly wanted the opportunity to get to know him a bit on a personal level, so I could get an idea of how it was best to get the project completed as smoothly as possible. (I can be overwhelming sometimes because I am so direct). I did provide him a character sheet with descriptions of the characters as well as a language guide. But as some of my spells don’t necessarily follow the mother language they came from, I had to occasionally provide some extra pronunciation help.
Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
Yes. As I mentioned above, I wrote the main character (Mierta McKinnon) for Matt Smith. There are personality characteristics of the character, which are similar to him, as well as some inside jokes, too. Other than that, there are some key elements Matt has stated he’d like to play in a character, and I’ll admit I did give Mierta some of those, with more to come!
Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
Audio dramas. When I have listened to audiobooks in the past, the narrator has been so monotone, I’ve honestly fallen asleep. But then I got introduced to Big Finish Productions, and my love for audiobooks regenerated.
Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?
Yes, there’s a particular scene between two characters where one of the characters is near death, and the reaction of the second character just comes through as heartbreaking. I actually started crying the first time I heard it performed, which is strange for me because I’ve never cried at my own words before!
Do you have any tips for authors going through the process of turning their books into audiobooks?
Know what your budget is, determine where you want your audiobook distributed to, and, if you decide to do the 50% royalty share option with ACX, make sure that narrator actually honors the terms of the contract.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently finishing up my first draft of The Rite of Abnegation, which is the second book in The Rite of Wands series. Then, I’ll be working on a standalone novel called The Burning Man, which will be perfect for YA ghost hunting readers.
Author MACKENZIE FLOHR’s Dream Cast for The Rite of Wands
Jacob Dudman/Matt Smith as Mierta McKinnon
David Tennant as Orlynd O’Brien
Tom Hiddleston as Lochlann McKinnon
Lily James as Queen Anya
Tom Felton or Toby Regbo as King Deor
Prize: 3-Month Audible Subscription
The Rite of Wands Giveaway: 3-month Audible subscription
Nov. 27th:
Nov. 28th:
From the Heart of a Bibliophile Lair
Nov. 29th:
Nov. 30th:
Dec. 1st:
Dec. 2nd:
Dec. 3rd:
➜Sign up as a host here
The post The Rite of Wands by Mackenzie Flohr Audiobook Tour appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
November 24, 2018
C.L. Cannon’s December BookBub Giveaway!
https://clcannon.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-33.mp4
Follow some amazing authors on BookBub and be entered to win a $350 Amazon gift card!
C.L. Cannon’s December BookBub Giveaway!
The post C.L. Cannon’s December BookBub Giveaway! appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
November 7, 2018
My Interview with Author Shayla Raquel
It was with great pleasure that I was afforded the opportunity to interview one of my favorite humans, Shayla Raquel! Shayla just released her first book, The Suicide Tree on October 30th. If you haven’t snagged a copy yet, you should definitely go purchase it now!
Interview
Q1: At what age did you begin writing?
A1: The simplest answer is sixteen. However, I had a dozen journals by then that I had been writing in since age eight. I knew I wanted to become a writer at sixteen, though. In fact, I was in such a hurry to get to college to start writing that I graduated high school a year early.
Q2: Are there any authors or books that have had a positive influence on your life?
A2: Stephen King is always going to be on the top of my list. I read his memoir at sixteen (before I had ever read any of his novels). It gripped me. I wanted to be just like him: a full-time writer. Then, I started reading the classics and they, too, captivated me. They stole my heart. I thought, How can I write like that? How can I make someone think—really think about life? Specifically, the books that had a positive influence on my life are the Bible, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Quitter and Do Over by Jon Acuff, Bird by Bird and Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott, and 101 Habits of Highly Successful Novelists by Andrew McAleer.
Q3: What do you think is your greatest strength as a writer? What is your greatest weakness?
A3: Dialogue—easily. I think it’s simply because I never, ever shut up. I’m an extrovert and love to talk. I love to eavesdrop, and people watch too. It’s taught me so much about writing strong, captivating dialogue. My weakness? Fixing plot holes! I guess you could say I’m really good at creating them, though. That’s why it took so long to finish The Suicide Tree. I just kept falling into Plot Hole Canyon.
Q4: What is The Suicide Tree about and what inspired you to write it?
A4: Since anyone can read the summary, let me give you a different blurb. To me, The Suicide Tree is about embracing wild adventures, not letting your past define you, and believing in the impossible. It’s a story about friendship, new love, breathtaking places, delicious food, heroes and villains, and fighting for what you believe in. I was inspired to write it because I have always been fascinated with hackers, dissociative identity disorder, and Italy. So why not bring them together?
Q5: How long did it take you to write your first novel?
A5: A little over three years. It wasn’t until I joined (and became organizer of) the Yukon Writers’ Society that my novel writing took off. In fact, within six months of joining, the novel draft was done and sent to beta readers. The power of accountability is real. If you aren’t a member of a local writers’ group, I cannot stress enough how quickly you need to remedy that.
Q6: Do you have any advice for other authors? For example, things you would recommend or pitfalls to avoid. Did you learn these methods via experience or study?
A6: Stop comparing your timeline to another author’s. I’ve watched my author friends release two or three books a year while I sat with an unfinished draft full to the brim of plot holes. The more you compare yourself to someone else, the easier it’ll be to just give up—to think you’ll never amount to something. You need to focus on your goals, your deadlines, and your whys. And I have always been one who learns by her mistakes.
Q7: Do you think working as an editor and writing coach has better prepared you for your own writing journey?
A7: It has, yes. The only problem is that a professional editor makes for a terrible novelist. I’d spend so much time on the editing and rewriting that I couldn’t get past chapter 12. It’s difficult to turn off my inner editor because that’s my job. I’m grateful, however, that I was nitpicky. The last thing I wanted to do was settle for mediocrity. Had I rushed the novel, I wouldn’t have been happy with it.
Q8: Tell us a funny story about yourself.
A8: I can’t do math. Never have been able to. This weekend, I was in charge of making macaroni and cheese for a dinner for the homeless in downtown OKC. I had . . . miscalculated the amount needed to feed 90 people. It turns out, I only needed eight bags of elbow macaroni and two 5-pound blocks of Velvetta. After filling five large trays of the cheesy pasta, I now have four 5-pound blocks of Velvetta and . . . ahem . . . 16 bags of elbow macaroni left. Macaroni and cheese for 500, anyone?
Q9: What will you be writing next?
A9: I have been outlining a sci-fi thriller with a plot that centers on blood—but no gore.
Q10: Do you have a favorite quote, and if so, what is it?
A10: “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” — Muhammad Ali
Shayla Raquel
An expert editor, seasoned writer, and author-centric marketer, Shayla Raquel works one-on-one with authors and business owners every day. A lifelong lover of books, she has edited over 300 books and has launched several Amazon bestsellers for her clients.
Her award-winning blog teaches new and established authors how to write, publish, and market their books.
She is the author of the Pre-Publishing Checklist, The Rotting (in Shivers in the Night), and The Suicide Tree. In her not-so-free time, she acts as organizer for the Yukon Writers’ Society, volunteers at the Oklahoma County Jail, and obsesses over squirrels. She lives in Oklahoma with her two dogs, Chanel and Wednesday.
Get your copy of The Suicide Tree today!
A hacker. His employer. Two dead scientists. And a past experiment that ties them together.
Knox Kevel receives the job of a lifetime when a mysterious man gets his charges dropped for cybercrime and hires him for an international job. His infamous parents, who created a cure for the Raven Virus, are dead and gone, but their decision to keep NovaVita from the world has taken a toll on Knox.
Swayed by quick money, Knox flies to Italy with his eccentric employer, Arlo Jenson. Knox must find the woman who experimented on Arlo and triggered his unpredictable personality shifts. But tension heightens when Knox discovers that Arlo knew his parents.
As the adventure unfolds, Knox falls for Arlo’s niece and finds himself in an even bigger mess when he comes face-to-face with the person responsible for his misfortune.
The post My Interview with Author Shayla Raquel appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
October 15, 2018
C.L. Cannon’s Fall BookBub Giveaway!
Follow some amazing authors on BookBub and be entered to win a $350 Amazon gift card!
C.L. cannon’s Fall BookBub Giveaway!
The post C.L. Cannon’s Fall BookBub Giveaway! appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
September 14, 2018
Free Reads 9/14/2018!
These books are free on Amazon currently. Some are permafree and some are free for a limited time. The selected titles are all Fantasy, YA, or Sci-fi related! Please remember if you download a book to review it for the author after you read. Reviews mean so much to us! Happy reading!
Surviving The Evacuation, Book 1: London
World Whisperer
The Unexpected Gift of Joseph Bridgeman: A Time Travel Adventure (The Downstream Diaries Book 1)
If Souls Can Sleep (The Soul Sleep Cycle Book 1)
Burned by Magic: a New Adult Fantasy Novel (The Baine Chronicles Book 1)
A Diamond in My Pocket (The Unaltered Book 1)
Frey (The Frey Saga Book 1)
Bound by a Dragon (The Dragon Archives Book 1)
The Waiting Booth (Whispering Woods Book 1)
Beware of Light (Dark Stars Book 1)
The post Free Reads 9/14/2018! appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
September 5, 2018
C.L. Cannon’s End of Summer BookBub Giveaway!
Follow some amazing authors on BookBub and be entered to win a $350 Amazon gift card!
C.L. Cannon’s End of Summer BookBub Giveaway
The post C.L. Cannon’s End of Summer BookBub Giveaway! appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
August 15, 2018
Free Reads 08/15/2018!
These books are free on Amazon currently. Some are permafree and some are free for a limited time. The selected titles are all Fantasy, YA, or Sci-fi related! Please remember if you download a book to review it for the author after you read. Reviews mean so much to us! Happy reading!
Son of Soron (Stoneblood Saga Book 1)
An Airship Named Desire (Take to the Skies Book 1)
Runeforged (Ascension Book 1)
The Eye of Ra (Repeating History Book 1)
Once Upon A Curse: 17 Dark Faerie Tales (Once Upon Series)
The Other
The Spookshow: Book 1
Renegade Skyfarer (Stones of Terrene Book 1)
A Dark Clock (Cerah of Quadar Book 1)
The Dark: Through Glass, Book One
The post Free Reads 08/15/2018! appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
July 24, 2018
Scylla (Book Two in the Lunar Medallion Series) by Lela Grayce Cover Reveal
Scylla
The Lunar Medallion Series Book 2
Blurb:
Andi and her twin sister Anna haven’t had the best life. They’ve dreamt of the day they would escape their Guardians and finally be free. Gaai was supposed to be their fresh start.
When a long lost family member appears asking for help, Andi and Anna aren’t sure what to believe. Should they trust an unknown to help their people? Or is she playing a dangerous game that the twins are too naive to understand?
Scylla is on the brink of war but the real enemies aren’t always who they seem. When the truth comes to light, the girls must rely on themselves to regain their voices and stop a war no one can afford to fight.
Now Available for Preorder on Amazon!
Lela Grayce lives in rural Wyoming in a small college town. She works for a non-profit organization and loves what she does for the company. She is married to her best friend and hero. By day she is a working mom and wife but by night she is lost in dreams, moonlight, and delusions that she is, in fact, Batman.
Giveaway!
Win a signed paperbacks of Areion and Child of Water, an Arc of Scylla, and a $5 Amazon Gift Card!
Enter HERE!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ec39d9792
Twitter:@LelaGrayce
Instagram:lela_grayce
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LelaGrayce/
Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/101516387016901
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35082827-areion
Website: http://www.lelagrayceauthor.com
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y7d3g6
The post Scylla (Book Two in the Lunar Medallion Series) by Lela Grayce Cover Reveal appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
July 17, 2018
Free Reads 7/17/18!
These books are free on Amazon currently. Some are permafree and some are free for a limited time. The selected titles are all Fantasy, YA, or Sci-fi related! Please remember if you download a book to review it for the author after you read. Reviews mean so much to us! Happy reading!
Kiss Of Fire (Imdalind Series Book 1)
The Fire Eye Refugee
Daughter of Discord (Star Mage Saga Book 1)
The Antithesis: Inception
The Legacy Human (Singularity Series Book 1)
Phoenix Child: Book One of the Children of Fire Series
Dream Student (Dream Series Book 1)
XGeneration 1: You Don't Know Me (XGeneration Series)
Blackmark (The Kingsmen Chronicles #1): An Epic Fantasy Adventure
Searching: An Epic Fantasy Adventure Series (The Starlight Chronicles Book 0)
The post Free Reads 7/17/18! appeared first on C.L. Cannon.
