Christine Grabowski's Blog, page 2

Book Birthday - 6 months!

Today, Dickensen Academy is officially six months old! I am shocked at how quickly the time has flown. It has been a roller coaster ride.
 
To celebrate, I created a Rafflecopter to give away a $15 gift card to Amazon. It’s easy to enter and it's free.
 
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5d9ce9de3/?

The last six months  After a few months where I wrote very little and marketed a lot, I have found a better balance. Although I still make time for social media, ongoing promotions, and administrative tasks, my focus is back to writing. 
 
The highlights:
~ Over 100 positive reviews 
~ Listening to my audiobook, which released in January, and hearing my characters come alive
~ Watching my book soar to the #1 new release spot in Children’s Coming of Age Fantasy in September
~ Having the book selected for the 2018 SCBWI Recommended Reading List, targeted at librarians and educators
~ Placing 3rd in the 2018 International Digital Awards
~ Selected as a Semi-Finalist for the 2019 Chanticler Paranormal Book Awards (Finalists will be selected next month) 
​ The next Six Months I am well underway with the sequel to Dickensen Academy and hope to get it to my editor within six months (hopefully much earlier.). The working title is called Dickensen Secrets. I’m also very busy with my critique groups and partners.
 
Two new activities have been added to my writing life: editing and school visits. To learn more about each, click on my website’s newest tabs. I am very excited to talk to about 1,100 students (5th- 8th graders) over the next five weeks at three separate events.
​ The Book If you haven’t had a chance to read Dickensen Academy, here is more information about it.
 
Category/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Fantasy, appropriate for age 10 and up
Amazon Rating: 4.7-star rating based on 75 reviews  
 
Blurb:
Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school, she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother. Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.
 
Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential, and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is truly where she belongs. 
 
When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets and dreams, can she find her true self?
 
Book Trailer:
https://youtu.be/sgjRes7zPLQ
 
Where to Buy:
The paperback, eBook, and audiobook are available on many online sites, including Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dickensen-academy-map-success/dp/B07G71747S

Celebration Giveaway

My book will turn 6 months old later this month.

To celebrate, I have created a Rafflecopter with a $15 Amazon gift card as the prize. Click here to enter: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/dis...

KidLit Write-in & sketch-in - april 13, 2019

​For the first time ever, Western Washington SCBWI is offering a KidLit Write-In Sketch-In event.

I will be one of four presenters.
Join me on Saturday, April 13, from 1:00 - 5:30 for SCBWI Western Washington’s KidLit Write-In & Sketch-In at Bellevue College!

Write or sketch for four uninterrupted 45-minute blocks, designed to maximize productivity, alongside your peers who will offer encouragement and lots of writing/sketching mojo. At the top of each hour you will hear inspiration, advice and writing/sketching prompts from some of our very own SCBWI chapter’s successful authors. (I will be speaking at 3:00)

Bring your work in progress or work from our writing/sketching prompts.
 
What: KidLit Write-In & Sketch-In

When: Saturday, April 13 from 1:00 to 5:30 pm - (Check-in at 12:30 following the Monthly meeting). Lunch is on your own or bring a sack lunch. Or, you can purchase, at an extra cost, a box lunch at time of registration.
​
Where: Bellevue College Paccar Auditorium N-201. Free parking! Closest lots are 13 and 14. Building N is on Coal Creek Road near the South Entrance (corner of Coal Creek Road and Snoqualmie River Road). See  Map .
​
Cost:  
$20 for SCBWI International members
$30 for everyone else
Box lunch available to purchase at an extra cost.
REGISTER HERE
 
This is a fun way to spend the afternoon writing/sketching within a creative community. Working on your manuscript in a room of creators is energizing, motivating and productive.
We hope to see you there

Audio Book News

I wanted to let my Goodreads followers know that Dickensen Academy released to audio last month. I can't tell you how amazing it was to hear my characters come to life after listening to them only in my head for years.

If you enjoy YA and audio books, add it to your "listen to" list.

https://www.amazon.com/Dickensen-Acad...

- Christine

Dark Stars, Bright Realms SF & Fantasy Giveaway January 22 – February 12

January is turning into a month of giveaways, but considering Dickensen Academy could be called either fantasy or science fiction, I had to join this one.

​You could win: 
​ Kindle Fire • Ebook Prize Packs • Amazon Gift Cards • Geek Chic
 
Giveaway Website SciFi and fantasy lovers, we have just the thing to brighten up any dreary, earthbound winter’s day. Enter for your chance to win a Kindle Fire, gift cards, or ebook prize packs where winners get to choose the books THEY want to win from Amazon’s vast universe.
 
Plus, don’t miss our book fair with its own giveaway and binge-worthy, SciFi, SciFi romance, fantasy, fantasy romance, and urban fantasy, all priced 2.99 or less, some FREE!

Bookfair Website
 
(This giveaway is sponsored by the authors listed below)
 
Alasdair Shaw • Amanda Uhl • Carol Van Natta • Christine Grabowski • Clarissa Lake • Crystal Dawn • D. Lieber • E.B. Black • E.L. Roux • Eli Lang • Elizabeth Rose • India • R. Adams • Isaiyan Morrison • J.L. Hendricks • JC Andrijeski • Jim Stein • Judith Starkston • Katherine Gilbert • Kristine Smith • L.E. Harrison • LM Preston • Marsha A. Moore • Mary Morgan • Mike Coville • Neil Port • T.J. Quinn • Theresa Beachman • V.S. Holmes • Wesley Britton • Yumoyori Wilson

eBook at lowest price ever

Happy New Year!

After a two-week hiatus to focus on family and to recharge, I'm back to writing. I'm working on the sequel of Dickensen Academy.

However, I also happily discovered this week that Amazon reduced the eBook to the lowest price ever—$2.51. Not sure why. Or why that strange price. Perhaps simply to celebrate the new year.

If you are one of the hundreds who has Dickensen Academy on your Goodreads "To Read" list, this is a great time to buy it.

https://www.amazon.com/dickensen-acad...

Oh, and while you're here, don't forget to set a reading challenge for 2019. I'm going with 36 books. It will be a stretch, but I hit 40 last year.

Have a great year!
- Christine

Break out the Bubbly - January 1-21, 2019

​
​I'm participating in another giveaway, and Dickensen Academy is featured in the book fair. The focus this month is on all genres of romance. Dickensen, by the way, is classified as a young adult, sweet romance within the fantasy genre.

Enter to win the following prizes:

Kindle Fire 7 • Ebook Prize Packs • Amazon Gift Cards • Jane Austen Tote  
​It’s a new year, romance lovers! We’re breaking out the virtual champagne to celebrate the 365 reading days ahead with a giveaway. Enter now for your chance to win.

To enter, click here: bookwrapt.com/bubbly-romance-giveaway/
 
Plus, do you have a New Year’s resolution to read more books?To get you started, we have more than 50 awesome romance ebooks all priced at 2.99 or less, plus a bonus giveaway. Check it out at:
 
Bubbly Book Fair
 
This giveaway is sponsored by the authors listed below:
 
Anne McClane • Ashlee Price • Aubrey Wynne • Blake Andrews • Brenda Whiteside • Brooklyn Knight • Candace Sams • Chloe Flowers • Christine Grabowski • CJ Zahner • Clarissa Lake • Claudia Burgoa • Crystal Dawn • D. Lieber • Donna Fasano • Elena Gray • Eliza Watson • Elizabeth Rose • Honey Phillips • Jacqueline Diamond • Jacquie Biggar • Jan O'Hara • Jennifer Wilck • Joan Reeves • Joanne Dannon • Jordyn White • Josie Riviera • JS Bright • Lucy Lakestone • Karen Michelle Nutt • Kat Drennan • Katherine Gilbert • Kelli McCracken • Kerry Blaisdell • Liza Street • M.C. Cerny • Meg Ripley • Maria Geraci • Mona Sedrak • Natalie Ann • Nicole Casey • Nina Crespo • Rachel Everly • Rose Pearson • Sarah Williams • Skyler Andra • Soraya Naomi • Stacy Gold • Stephanie Queen • Sydney Aaliyah Michelle • Theresa Paolo • Victoria Grant

Holiday FAcebook Scavenger Hunt

I am participating in my first scavenger hunt. Supposedly it will be a way to increase traffic to my Facebook Page where hopefully some people will stumble upon my book and think, this is an author I need to follow, and I definitely need to check out Dickensen Academy. (Fingers crossed.)

All this book marketing is new to me. I'm finding some things work, and some things don't. Although whether this event works as valuable promotional tool for me is TBD, it is a great way for you to possibly win a huge See's Candies gift pack or two Amazon gift cards. Good luck if you choose to participate.

CLICK Here to Join the Fun!

​Does the Christmas season already have you in a rush? Ditch your lengthy “To Do” list for now and play this fun and easy hunt! You could be the winner of our $90 See’s Candies Holiday Gift Pack or win an Amazon gift card! 
 
With 36 authors participating—many hosting individual giveaways of their own—our holiday tree is surrounded with prizes for some lucky booklovers to unwrap! 
 
​Authors Participating in the Hunt
 
Alex Gordon • Amanda Uhl • Ani Gonzalez • Anna Durand • Anne McClane • Anne Stone • Aubrey Wynne • Cailin Briste • Carrie Pulkinen • Christine Grabowski • CJ Warrant • Debbie White • Donna R. Mercer • Greta Boris • Heather Karn • Holly Cortelyou • Jacqueline Diamond • Jacquie Biggar • Jim Stein • Joanne Fisher • Karen Michelle Nutt • Kerry Adrienne • Kerry Blaisdell • Kristine Smith • Leigh LaValle • Maria Geraci • Monique McDonell • PE Kavanagh • Peggy Jaeger • PG Forte • S.L. Sterling • Soraya Naomi • Stella Marie Alden • Stephanie Queen • Taylor Marsh • Aileen Harkwood

Top Ten YA Reads

I have been participating in a 4-week blog tour which has required me to write an article or answer questions for 20 days in a row. Many are similar interview style blogs, but this one was a little different, and I wanted to share.

Name the Top Ten Books You Have Ever Read which I changed to the top YA books.

I give a lot of the credit to Goodreads for helping me narrow my list.

http://thisandthatbookblog.blogspot.c...

Christine

Signed Copies Available

My friends and family members who have been unable to attend one of my author events have been asking how can they get a signed copy of Dickensen Academy

At their urging, I have developed a process to make signed copies available to anyone in the United States. I have a limited number available in time for the holidays.

If you are interested in a copy for yourself or the tween or teen in your life, check out the details on my website. https://www.christinegrabowski.com/si...

Books are $20 including shipping.

Hope everyone reading this enjoys this holiday season.

- Christine