Kalayna Price's Blog, page 5
February 22, 2012
Mysticon is this weekend! (and a plea for suggestions)
This weekend I will be Roanoke, VA for MystiCon. Here is a quick look at my schedule for the event:
Fri
8:00 PM
Boardroom 1
How To Be a Dark Hunter
Determined to vanquish evil in the night. Join Sherrilyn and our other panelists as they discuss how you too can be a dark hunter and protect humanity from things that go bump in the night.
Sat
10:00 AM
Dogwood 2
Sympathy for The Devil - Liking the Bad Guy
We all love to hate the bad guy. The best villains keep fans yearning for more. What makes them so intriguing and how do you write the villain without him/her becoming a caricature.
Sat
1:00 PM
Signing Table
Kalanya Price Signing
Sat
6:00 PM
Restaurant
Koffee Klatch
Readings by several of our authors.
Sat
8:00 PM
Boardroom 1
Where's the Line? Handling Potentially Offensive Topics in Your Work
How do you decide how far to go with humor, language, violence, sex and other situations? Do creators have a responsibility to police themselves, or does anything go?
Sat
9:00 PM
Boardroom 1
When True Crime Meets the Occult
What happens when the savvy police investigator meets a zombie? How much do paranormal PIs share in common with crime and forensic novels? Join authors from both sides as they discuss the similarities and differences.
Now you see that first panel I'm on? The "How to be a Dark Hunter" one? I found out today that I'm moderating that panel. I don't moderate often and don't think I'm particularly good at it because it means I have to interpret the description and lead the discussion. And this one? That's a a doozy. What is a writing panel with four authors on it about when the description is: "Determined to vanquish evil in the night. Join Sherrilyn and our other panelists as they discuss how you too can be a dark hunter and protect humanity from things that go bump in the night."
What do you think? Does that make it a "how to write a dark hero/heroine" panel? Something else entirely? What would you expect if you showed up to the panel? What kind of topics would you want the writers to discuss? I need to walk into that room with a couple questions and topics so we don't end up all staring at each other. LOL.
So what would you ask? Where would you take the panel? (By the way, the panelists are Sherrilyn Kenyon, Alethea Kontis, Faith Hunter, and well, me of course. ^_^)
Okay, that gets the panicked plea for suggestions out of the way. (You did know authors are nervous up there at the front of the room, right?) Now back to the Con as a whole. So who is going? I hope to see you there!-Kalayna Price
Fri
8:00 PM
Boardroom 1
How To Be a Dark Hunter
Determined to vanquish evil in the night. Join Sherrilyn and our other panelists as they discuss how you too can be a dark hunter and protect humanity from things that go bump in the night.
Sat
10:00 AM
Dogwood 2
Sympathy for The Devil - Liking the Bad Guy
We all love to hate the bad guy. The best villains keep fans yearning for more. What makes them so intriguing and how do you write the villain without him/her becoming a caricature.
Sat
1:00 PM
Signing Table
Kalanya Price Signing
Sat
6:00 PM
Restaurant
Koffee Klatch
Readings by several of our authors.
Sat
8:00 PM
Boardroom 1
Where's the Line? Handling Potentially Offensive Topics in Your Work
How do you decide how far to go with humor, language, violence, sex and other situations? Do creators have a responsibility to police themselves, or does anything go?
Sat
9:00 PM
Boardroom 1
When True Crime Meets the Occult
What happens when the savvy police investigator meets a zombie? How much do paranormal PIs share in common with crime and forensic novels? Join authors from both sides as they discuss the similarities and differences.
Now you see that first panel I'm on? The "How to be a Dark Hunter" one? I found out today that I'm moderating that panel. I don't moderate often and don't think I'm particularly good at it because it means I have to interpret the description and lead the discussion. And this one? That's a a doozy. What is a writing panel with four authors on it about when the description is: "Determined to vanquish evil in the night. Join Sherrilyn and our other panelists as they discuss how you too can be a dark hunter and protect humanity from things that go bump in the night."
What do you think? Does that make it a "how to write a dark hero/heroine" panel? Something else entirely? What would you expect if you showed up to the panel? What kind of topics would you want the writers to discuss? I need to walk into that room with a couple questions and topics so we don't end up all staring at each other. LOL.
So what would you ask? Where would you take the panel? (By the way, the panelists are Sherrilyn Kenyon, Alethea Kontis, Faith Hunter, and well, me of course. ^_^)
Okay, that gets the panicked plea for suggestions out of the way. (You did know authors are nervous up there at the front of the room, right?) Now back to the Con as a whole. So who is going? I hope to see you there!-Kalayna Price
February 17, 2012
Reminder about Event Tonight!
Just a reminder that tonight NYT bestselling author Faith Hunter and I will be at Barnes and Noble on Forest Dr tonight from six until eight pm tonight. We'll have a short talk and Q&A session followed by a signing. I hope that you'll join us. We'd love to see you!-Kalayna Price
February 15, 2012
Grave Memory cover copy and other news
Today I'm very happy to share with you the back cover copy for GRAVE MEMORY. So now all of those who have been asking me what the book is about, I can now tell you!
When the dead need to talk, Alex Craft is always ready to listen…
As a Grave Witch, Alex solves murders by raising the dead—an ability that comes at a cost, and after her last few cases, that cost is compounding. But her magic isn't the only thing causing havoc in her life. While she's always been on friendly terms with Death himself, things have recently become a whole lot more close and personal. Then there's her sometime partner, agent Falin Andrews, who is under the glamour of the Winter Queen. To top everything off, her best friend has been forever changed by her time spent captive in Faerie.But the personal takes a backseat to the professional when a mysterious suicide occurs in Nekros City and Alex is hired to investigate. The shade she raises has no memory of the days leading up to his brutal ending, so despite the very public apparent suicide, this is murder. But what kind of magic can overcome the human will to survive? And why does the shade lack the memory of his death? Searching for the answer might mean Alex won't have a life to remember at all…
And, speaking of Grave Memory, I've now created a countdown widget. You can see it at the top of the right column if you are reading this in blogger. But just in case you are reading this elsewhere, here is the countdown:
Get the <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/i/65c32267-2... Creator Pro</a> widget and many other <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/"&a... free widgets</a> at <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com"&am...! Not seeing a widget? (<a href="http://support.widgetbox.com/"&a... info</a>)
Please feel free to take it and re-post it where ever you see fit!
In other news, I sent February's newsletter off today and somehow a glitch occurred and several subscribers reported missing images. I'm so sorry about that. You can find a copy of the newsletter (with images) HERE.
Okay, that's it for me today. Happy Wednesday everyone!-Kalayna Price
When the dead need to talk, Alex Craft is always ready to listen…
As a Grave Witch, Alex solves murders by raising the dead—an ability that comes at a cost, and after her last few cases, that cost is compounding. But her magic isn't the only thing causing havoc in her life. While she's always been on friendly terms with Death himself, things have recently become a whole lot more close and personal. Then there's her sometime partner, agent Falin Andrews, who is under the glamour of the Winter Queen. To top everything off, her best friend has been forever changed by her time spent captive in Faerie.But the personal takes a backseat to the professional when a mysterious suicide occurs in Nekros City and Alex is hired to investigate. The shade she raises has no memory of the days leading up to his brutal ending, so despite the very public apparent suicide, this is murder. But what kind of magic can overcome the human will to survive? And why does the shade lack the memory of his death? Searching for the answer might mean Alex won't have a life to remember at all…
And, speaking of Grave Memory, I've now created a countdown widget. You can see it at the top of the right column if you are reading this in blogger. But just in case you are reading this elsewhere, here is the countdown:
Get the <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/i/65c32267-2... Creator Pro</a> widget and many other <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/"&a... free widgets</a> at <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com"&am...! Not seeing a widget? (<a href="http://support.widgetbox.com/"&a... info</a>)
Please feel free to take it and re-post it where ever you see fit!
In other news, I sent February's newsletter off today and somehow a glitch occurred and several subscribers reported missing images. I'm so sorry about that. You can find a copy of the newsletter (with images) HERE.
Okay, that's it for me today. Happy Wednesday everyone!-Kalayna Price
February 6, 2012
Winners!
Thank you everyone who helped me get the word out about the UK release of GRAVE DANCE! The random number generator has spoken, and we have winners.
Congratulations to: Melliane and jbon! If you will write me with your shipping information and who you'd like your book signed to at Contests (AT) Kalayna (DOT) com I will send you your book and handmade bookmark.
To those who didn't win, I'd still love to thank you for helping me get the word out by sending you something. How does bookmarks (sorry, not handmade) and a signed bookplate sound? If you're interested, send me an email at Kalayna (at) Kalayna (dot) com with the subject line Get the word out! Be sure to include your shipping information and who you'd like the bookplate made out to and I'll get them in the mail.
Thank you again everyone who helped get the word out!
Have a great Monday.-Kalayna Price
Congratulations to: Melliane and jbon! If you will write me with your shipping information and who you'd like your book signed to at Contests (AT) Kalayna (DOT) com I will send you your book and handmade bookmark.
To those who didn't win, I'd still love to thank you for helping me get the word out by sending you something. How does bookmarks (sorry, not handmade) and a signed bookplate sound? If you're interested, send me an email at Kalayna (at) Kalayna (dot) com with the subject line Get the word out! Be sure to include your shipping information and who you'd like the bookplate made out to and I'll get them in the mail.
Thank you again everyone who helped get the word out!
Have a great Monday.-Kalayna Price
February 2, 2012
GRAVE DANCE goes overseas! And a contest!
Hello United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand! Did you know that GRAVE DANCE hits your shores (and e-readers) today? It's true! In Alex's second adventure, something foul is afoot in Nekros City, but as Alex begins investigating the murder case, it quickly becomes apparent that the only thing someone wants her to find is a dead end--her own.
To read an excerpt click HERE. (Note, excerpt contains spoilers from book one. If you haven't checked out GRAVE WITCH yet, you can read and excerpt HERE)
As the official release day for the UK version of GRAVE DANCE, the second Alex Craft novel, I think it's a good time to do a "get the word out" contest: UK version.
Entering is easy. Simply tweet, blog, google+, facebook--whatever social media you like--the news about the release and include a link back to this blog post, to the excerpt (HERE) or a site selling the book (Amazon UK HERE, iBooks HERE, Book Depository HERE, or anywhere else books are sold) Once you share the news, just stop back by the blog and share a link to where you helped get the word out. Each place you share the news will get your one entry into the contest.
Of course, it wouldn't a contest without a prize. So what am I giving away? Two signed copies of the UK version of the first book, GRAVE WITCH each with a ribbon bookmark handmade by me! The two winners will be drawn using a random number generator, so the more places you share the news, the higher your chance of winning!The contest will close Sunday at 11:59 pm EST and I'll announce winners on Monday February 5th. This contest is open internationally (obviously). So please help me get the word out about the Grave Dance's release!-Kalayna Price
January 26, 2012
GRAVE MEMORY Covers (US & UK)
Today I'm very happy to unveil the cover for the third Alex Craft novel, GRAVE MEMORY, which will be hitting shelves this July. And not only do I have US cover, but I also have the UK cover. I believe the books should be hitting shelves simultaneously, so this is super exciting.
Okay, enough chatter. You want the covers, right?
Above is the US cover (The title will be printed with gold embossing)
And this is the UK cover
So, what do you think? I love them. Of course, blue is my favorite color, so I'm probably biased. ^_^-Kalayna Price
Okay, enough chatter. You want the covers, right?
Above is the US cover (The title will be printed with gold embossing)
And this is the UK cover
So, what do you think? I love them. Of course, blue is my favorite color, so I'm probably biased. ^_^-Kalayna Price
January 9, 2012
Pictures and such
This is a fly by posting. I just wanted to post some pictures I found rather exciting:
Image ©Adonna Pruette w/Author Pro
First up, from this weekend here is a picture of Faith and me signing books at the Raven Cursed release party (Which was tons of fun. Thank you everyone who came out!) In front of me, you can see PC in his first public appearance.
Next, another image from the signing--my name on the sign! This is a first for me. I've been in program books and on posters, but never on a sign. So this moment is now memorialized. ^_^ (yes, I'm very easily excited.)
And lastly for this post, some pretties. (This picture doesn't do them justice.) On the left you can see the UK version of Grave Dance which will be released February 2nd and on the right a copy of the German edition of Once Bitten. There is absolutely nothing like holding a book in your hands for the first time.
Okay, that's it for me. Back to writing!
Happy Monday everyone.-Kalayna Price
Image ©Adonna Pruette w/Author ProFirst up, from this weekend here is a picture of Faith and me signing books at the Raven Cursed release party (Which was tons of fun. Thank you everyone who came out!) In front of me, you can see PC in his first public appearance.
Next, another image from the signing--my name on the sign! This is a first for me. I've been in program books and on posters, but never on a sign. So this moment is now memorialized. ^_^ (yes, I'm very easily excited.)
And lastly for this post, some pretties. (This picture doesn't do them justice.) On the left you can see the UK version of Grave Dance which will be released February 2nd and on the right a copy of the German edition of Once Bitten. There is absolutely nothing like holding a book in your hands for the first time.
Okay, that's it for me. Back to writing!
Happy Monday everyone.-Kalayna Price
January 4, 2012
Want a signed book?
Two bits of news today--both dealing with signed books.
First up, I want to remind everyone that this Saturday (1/07) I'll be at the Booknack in Rockhill, SC from 5-7pm as part of the release party for the newest Jane Yellowrock novel, Raven Cursed , by NYT best selling author Faith Hunter. I love Faith's books, and I'm thrilled to have been invited to join her release party, so I hope you'll stop by. We'd both love to see you!
I know some of you aren't in the South East (where most of the events and conventions I attend are located). Which leads me to my second bit of news: I talked to Mike (the very awesome guy at the Booknack) and if you'd like me to sign a book made out to you, the Alex Craft novels can be ordered before the event and I'll sign and personalize it for you while I'm at the store Saturday and the Booknack will ship the signed book(s) to you.
Yes, you read that correctly. You can get a signed and personalized book without driving halfway across the country. ^_^
To order a book, call the Booknack at 803-327-9028. (Their hours are 10am - 8pm EST Monday - Saturday and 2-6pm on Sunday.) They will be accepting payment via credit card only. The cost will be the book's the cover price ($7.99 per book) plus shipping, which will be $3.99 for one book or $5.99 two. If you'd like the book personalized, make sure you order before the signing this Saturday. Mike is also allowing me to sign stock, so if you order after Saturday you can probably still get a signed book--it just won't be personalized.
We don't have any indie bookstores left in my area, so I'm thrilled to be working with Mike and the Booknack to offer you this opportunity to acquire signed books.
I hope to see you at the signing on Saturday (or to sign a book or two for you)! Happy hump day everyone. -Kalayna Price
First up, I want to remind everyone that this Saturday (1/07) I'll be at the Booknack in Rockhill, SC from 5-7pm as part of the release party for the newest Jane Yellowrock novel, Raven Cursed , by NYT best selling author Faith Hunter. I love Faith's books, and I'm thrilled to have been invited to join her release party, so I hope you'll stop by. We'd both love to see you!
I know some of you aren't in the South East (where most of the events and conventions I attend are located). Which leads me to my second bit of news: I talked to Mike (the very awesome guy at the Booknack) and if you'd like me to sign a book made out to you, the Alex Craft novels can be ordered before the event and I'll sign and personalize it for you while I'm at the store Saturday and the Booknack will ship the signed book(s) to you.
Yes, you read that correctly. You can get a signed and personalized book without driving halfway across the country. ^_^
To order a book, call the Booknack at 803-327-9028. (Their hours are 10am - 8pm EST Monday - Saturday and 2-6pm on Sunday.) They will be accepting payment via credit card only. The cost will be the book's the cover price ($7.99 per book) plus shipping, which will be $3.99 for one book or $5.99 two. If you'd like the book personalized, make sure you order before the signing this Saturday. Mike is also allowing me to sign stock, so if you order after Saturday you can probably still get a signed book--it just won't be personalized.
We don't have any indie bookstores left in my area, so I'm thrilled to be working with Mike and the Booknack to offer you this opportunity to acquire signed books.
I hope to see you at the signing on Saturday (or to sign a book or two for you)! Happy hump day everyone. -Kalayna Price
December 28, 2011
Links to free and sale books!
I hope that everyone is having a very happy holiday season! In the next couple days I'll probably do a post on some of my favorite books of 2011, but for now, I'd like to point you in the direction of some free and or/sale books by some of my favorite authors as well as a special promotion on one of my own books. I've, unfortunately, not had time to read most of the novellas I'm linking to yet, but like I said, favorite authors, so I have a lot of confidence in their quality.
First up is a free Kate Daniels novella by the writing team published as Ilona Andrews. Someone just directed me to it, and I haven't had time to read it yet, but it's a limited time offer, so I wanted to go ahead and link everyone. (I imagine that has spoilers for those of you not familiar with the series).
Next on the list is the novella Easy Pickings written by Faith Hunter and C. E. Murphy. They both have a special fan discount on their sites. Which you can find HERE (Faith) or HERE (C E Murphy) This is a cross over novella for only 1.99 by two amazing authors.
Karen Chance, author of the Cassandra Palmer and Dorina Basarab series has an entire page of free short stories and novellas. She offers warnings of which fall where in the series and will contain spoilers, so definitely go check it out!
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Lastly, I'm not sure if I mentioned this before on the blog, but for those of you who haven't checked out my Haven novels yet but are interested and members of Amazon Prime, the kindle now has a new lending library, and ONCE BITTEN is on it! So, if you'd like to 'rent' ONCE BITTEN, it is now available.
Enjoy everyone. I hope you're having a happy and safe holiday!-Kalayna Price
First up is a free Kate Daniels novella by the writing team published as Ilona Andrews. Someone just directed me to it, and I haven't had time to read it yet, but it's a limited time offer, so I wanted to go ahead and link everyone. (I imagine that has spoilers for those of you not familiar with the series).
Next on the list is the novella Easy Pickings written by Faith Hunter and C. E. Murphy. They both have a special fan discount on their sites. Which you can find HERE (Faith) or HERE (C E Murphy) This is a cross over novella for only 1.99 by two amazing authors.
Karen Chance, author of the Cassandra Palmer and Dorina Basarab series has an entire page of free short stories and novellas. She offers warnings of which fall where in the series and will contain spoilers, so definitely go check it out!
[image error]
Lastly, I'm not sure if I mentioned this before on the blog, but for those of you who haven't checked out my Haven novels yet but are interested and members of Amazon Prime, the kindle now has a new lending library, and ONCE BITTEN is on it! So, if you'd like to 'rent' ONCE BITTEN, it is now available.
Enjoy everyone. I hope you're having a happy and safe holiday!-Kalayna Price
December 22, 2011
Prince Charming
As many of you know if you've seen me at events (or seen pictures from events), I like conversation pieces on my table. It started with a tombstone I picked up before the release party of Grave Witch and has slowly expanded since then. All of the items I display I can justify as tying into my books in some manner (though sometimes it's a stretch). From the tombstone fitting because Alex is a Grave Witch to my adorable little vamplet because of the vampires in the Haven novels, I consider them appropriate. But I've never actually had a table piece that tied directly into any of the books.
Until now.
Recently I commission artist Angela Woodruff to create a stuffed version of PC from the Alex Craft novels.
We had several discussions about what he looks like and his personality before she started working and the end results just arrived today.
What do you think? Isn't he adorable!
I'm thrilled with the results, and he will definitely be making appearances at my upcoming events. I hope you'll stop by and check him out at my table (though he's not a toy so pet him gently. LOL).
If you'd like to look a more of Angela's work, check her out on facebook at Rabid Rags.
Happy Thursday everyone, and for those of you heading out for the holidays soon, safe travels to you.-Kalayna Price
Until now.
Recently I commission artist Angela Woodruff to create a stuffed version of PC from the Alex Craft novels.
We had several discussions about what he looks like and his personality before she started working and the end results just arrived today.What do you think? Isn't he adorable!
I'm thrilled with the results, and he will definitely be making appearances at my upcoming events. I hope you'll stop by and check him out at my table (though he's not a toy so pet him gently. LOL).
If you'd like to look a more of Angela's work, check her out on facebook at Rabid Rags.
Happy Thursday everyone, and for those of you heading out for the holidays soon, safe travels to you.-Kalayna Price
