Jennifer Allis Provost's Blog, page 5

Writer Wednesday: Cover Reveal: Changing Fate (Changes #3), And Other Great Reads #writerwednesday #coverlove #Changes #romance #new

Changing Fate (Changes #3) available March 28, 2017 from Limitless Publishing
 

Cindy has loved Sean O’Rourke for as long as she can remember…

When Cindy Cavanaugh got pregnant at age fifteen, she wasn’t worried. After all, she knew Sean would always be there for both her and their baby. Now twenty years have gone by, and she’s Cindy Sullivan, stuck in a loveless marriage to Patrick, an ethically corrupt lawyer who controls her every move… And the daughter she shares with Sean is getting married.

Sean has never gotten over his first love, and seeing her again is almost more than he can bear…

When Sean arrives at his daughter’s wedding rehearsal, it isn’t the bride who took his breath away. Cindy is just as smart and funny, but she not only is she married—Sean is in an unhappy relationship of his own. It seems their love is nothing more than a fond memory.

A moment of passion leads to unexpected complications…

After a few stolen moments during the reception, Sean is determined to be with Cindy again. As for Cindy, the only thing keeping her married is her controlling husband’s ironclad prenuptial agreement—until she learns that her tryst with Sean led to more than just passion. Seeing this as her long awaited second chance, Cindy leaves her husband and runs back to Sean, but Patrick is prepared to use any means necessary—legal or otherwise—to keep Cindy by his side.

As Cindy and Sean struggle to build a new life together, will they succeed in Changing Fate?


Catch up on the series - books one and two are available now.



More great reads to check out, including one of mine!
 

Samie Sands - Lockdown - http://amzn.to/2llt3wx

Amanda Mackey - Pain - http://amzn.to/2ll5HaE

Maddie Wade - Healing Danger - http://amzn.eu/4ZuT9X6

ML Rodriguez -This I Promise You - http://amzn.to/2lQFDaw

Alyson Hale -  Rock Her Hard - http://amzn.to/2lQZLcW

Marianne Rice - Staying Grounded - http://amzn.to/2mHT5va

Marie Skye - Unjustly Destroyed - http://amzn.to/2l8RWQQ

Amy Reece - The Seeker Series - http://amzn.to/2lUPXPU

Debbie DeLouise - Between A Rock And A Hard Place - http://amzn.to/2mCEbHp

Jennifer Provost - Rise Of The Deva'Shi - http://amzn.to/2lJqS9D

S.Valentine - His Confession - http://amzn.to/2ma3kf8

Live Today - Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3) for 99 Pennies! #new #fantasy #romance #parthalan #sale

Live today - Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3)! And it's on sale for 99 pennies!

Click here to order ---> http://amzn.to/2mEtx20

 A stolen girl. A legendary champion. A plan that might destroy Parthalan once and for all…

Aeolmar, First Hunter of Parthalan, leads a solitary life. Having long since abandoned his quest to kill Mersgoth—the demon that murdered his family—Aeolmar moves through his days with cold efficiency. Everything changes when he leads a training mission in Brennus, where he’s attacked by Mersgoth himself, and saved by an unlikely heroine.

Latera, first born and heir to Gannera’s throne, is kidnapped and left for dead in Parthalan’s vast forests. A lone human amongst Parthalan’s fae, she makes a home in Brennus, and lives a quiet life—until she finds herself defending a wounded First Hunter from a clutch of demons.

Back in Parthalan, Harek warns Asherah of something called the deva’shi—a warrior loyal only to the demon lord, Asgeloth. Both Aeolmar and Latera suspect that there is more to this deva’shi than what Harek has told them, but before they can learn the truth, Parthalan’s borders are attacked. Will Aeolmar and Latera be able to stop the deva’shi in time, or is it a distraction to hide Harek’s true plans?

 RISE OF THE DEVA’SHI – book three of the Chronicles of Parthalan


New to the series? No problem! Not only can Rise of the Deva'shi easily be read as stand alone, the first two books are also on sale for 99 cents. Act fast - these deals are for release week only.






 Heir the Sun ---> http://amzn.to/2lZK1Vi

 The Virgin Queen ---> http://amzn.to/2lhWn7i

 Happy reading!

#OnTour with @HeaBookToursPR @daroach12books | #HBTPRM ═══ SERIES BOOK TOUR ═══ #TheDemonHunterSeries by #DARoach #YA #ParanormalRomance

BETWEEN THE BLEEDING WILLOWS by D.A. Roach The Demon Hunter Series Book 1 YA Paranormal Romance 
At eighteen years old, Cassidy has suffered more loss than most…At the end of her senior year, her boyfriend, Jace Peters, was killed in a car accident, and her grandmother died only weeks later of a heart attack. Emotionally lost, Cassidy desperately searches for an heirloom her boyfriend was wearing in the crash—her mother’s gold ring. But during her search, Cassidy discovers more than her ring.She finds a gate to the Demon Realm….A battle is brewing, and Killian—head of the Demon hunters—preps his Clan for the approaching conflict. They’ve been working to secure the gate between his realm and the mortal world. But it’s been nearly impossible since Rya—a voracious demon on a quest to expand her power—devoured the soul of his Clan’s necromancer. Now Rya is possessed with the necromancer’s powers and she may break through the gate at any moment.Apparently Rya isn’t the only one Killian has to worry about…When Cassidy accidentally crosses into the Demon Realm, Killian can’t understand how a human girl survived the transition. Now he has to find a way to return her to her own world, or risk her being caught in the crossfire, which is a complication he definitely doesn’t need.Once back in the Human Realm, Cassidy readies herself for battle. She signs up for Krav Maga classes, where she meets Tyler Romaitis—a handsome, tenacious, humble guy. He seems almost perfect, but nothing is ever that easy.And as the balance between good and evil shifts, Cassidy finds herself—and her ring—at the heart of the conflict for the survival of mankind.
GOODREADS | BOOK TRAILER KINDLE UNLIMITED | PAPERBACK
** ON SALE FOR 99CENTS! **

WITHIN THE DARKEST HOLLOWS by D.A. Roach The Demon Hunter Series Book 2 YA Paranormal Romance 

Cassidy and her mystical ring are stuck in the middle of a battle between the Demon World and the Mortal Realm…A conflict with the demons has left Killian, head of the Demon Hunters, injured and stripped of his powerful Demon Hunter tattoo. Cassidy is tasked with caring for him in the Human Realm until he is well enough to cross back into the Demon Realm. But soon she notices he is acting strangely and begins to suspect something is wrong.She seeks help from Serena, a retired Demon Hunter, but it’s too late…Cassidy returns home to find Killian has gone missing. Tyler, a friend with his own set of mystical powers, shows up to tell her that Killian is at his house demanding a meeting with the Demon Queen Rya. She and Serena have to work fast to find a way to heal Killian and get Cassidy’s ring away from him before Rya is involved. Meanwhile, Tyler and his dad have their own plan to make a deal with the Queen. The Queen has a decision to make, but not before securing her leverage… Rya wants time to consider the offer presented by Tyler’s dad, and takes Cassidy to the Demon Realm as collateral. The Demon Queen must choose between Tyler, the mate she was promised, and the mystical ring that was forged for her years ago. Tyler is forced to face the inner demon he has worked so hard to restrain. Will he succeed, or will he be lost to the darkness, leaving Cassidy to be sacrificed by the demons? As both sides gain alliances, the tension between the realms grows and the time for action draws near…

GOODREADS | KINDLE UNLIMITED | PAPERBACK
** ON SALE FOR 99CENTS! **


— ABOUT THE AUTHOR —

D.A. Roach has been telling stories since she was a young girl in the suburbs of Chicago. In college she met the man of her dreams, her happily ever after, and married him 2 weeks after graduating. They have 3 kids together and a pet cockatiel named Gimli. D.A. did not find a love for books until after college. Her parents were immigrants from Lithuania and found tv and radio easier ways to hear stories so they did not do much reading or encourage it. But once she finished college and D.A. had free time, she discovered how amazing it was to get lost in a story. D.A. is a full time mom and wife. When she is not doing domestic things (laundry, bills, etc) she is writing, reading, creating mixed media art, and helping beautify her kids’ school landscape. Oh, and she is ALWAYS listening to music. Her favorite authors include Rebecca Donovan, Richelle Mead, Larissa Ione, Stephanie Meyer, E.L. James, and Sylvia Day. Reading great works from authors like these has motivated D.A. to write her own stories. She hopes to make positive changes in the world with her art and writing.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”― George Bernard Shaw

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | AMAZON | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM

Half Off Sale On Editing/Critique Services! #writerwednesday #amediting #amwriting

Here's how it is: someone hit my fence.

 

 And, since the scofflaw left the scene, I'm stuck paying for the repair out of my own pocket. What's a poor writer to do?

 Wait, I can have an editing sale!

 My sale prices are listed below. I have a pretty quick turnaround time, and I'm currently accepting all genres. If you have any questions, or if you'd like to book my services, the best way is via my contact form here.

 And if you know any fence repairmen, shoot 'em my way :)  

Marketing and Editing Rates

Query letter and first three chapters: $25

Full manuscript critique, 60k – 100k words:

$75 Full manuscript critique, more than 100k words:

$100 Short story critique, up to 5,000 words: $15  

*If your project is different than what’s listed above, please contact me and we can discuss

What I will do: For critiques: I will review your project and point out plot holes, inconsistencies, and offer advice for improvements. I will point out what’s working well, and what can be altered to make your project truly shine.

For query letters: I will help you polish that blurb and help your work stand out from the rest. For press releases and other marketing materials: I will craft compelling and original copy that will garner interest in you and your project. 

For all editing projects I will supply an overall summary of the work-including but not limited to pacing, plot structure, and character development-along with comments in the body of the work, provided the format allows such.

  What I will not do: I will not correct punctuation or grammar. For those services you should hire a professional line editor, which I am not. I can refer you to qualified editors upon request.

 At this time I’m accepting all genres.

 Rise of the Deva’shi (Parthalan #3) will release February 28! Preorder here: http://amzn.to/2ku5kO4

A stolen girl. A legendary champion. A plan that might destroy
Parthalan once and for all…

 Aeolmar, First Hunter of Parthalan, leads a solitary life. Having long since abandoned his quest to kill Mersgoth—the demon that murdered his family—Aeolmar moves through his days with cold efficiency. Everything changes when he leads a training mission in Brennus, where he’s attacked by Mersgoth himself, and saved by an unlikely heroine.

 Latera, first born and heir to Gannera’s throne, is kidnapped and left for dead in Parthalan’s vast forests. A lone human amongst Parthalan’s fae, she makes a home in Brennus, and lives a quiet life—until she finds herself defending a wounded First Hunter from a clutch of demons.

 Back in Parthalan, Harek warns Asherah of something called the deva’shi—a warrior loyal only to the demon lord, Asgeloth. Both Aeolmar and Latera suspect that there is more to this deva’shi than what Harek has told them, but before they can learn the truth, Parthalan’s borders are attacked. Will Aeolmar and Latera be able to stop the deva’shi in time, or is it a distraction to hide Harek’s true plans?

 RISE OF THE DEVA’SHI – book three of the Chronicles of Parthalan

Writer Wednesday: Let's Talk About Wellness #amwriting #wellness #writerwednesday

Let's get right down to it: I have a lot going on this year. With five novels releasing, and all the associated marketing and appearances that I have scheduled (who knew that most of the work happens AFTER you finish the book?) I have my work cut out for me. So, what can I do to give myself an edge, and make sure all of this gets done?

Simple: focus on wellness.

Like many others, when my scheduled gets packed the first thing I cut is self-care, and that is quite possibly the worst tactic for a creative individual. Not only do we creatives need to focus on wellness so we can continue creating, if I ignore my health and get sick or exhausted, I'll start missing publishing deadlines and other commitments. Therefore, keeping my health in tip-top shape is my number one priority.

Over the past months, I've made a few small changes that have improved my overall health. Now, I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist, so please don't take any of this as professional advice. But I did do a crap ton of research, and what I've listed below has helped me. If you think you also may benefit, I recommend talking to a trusted health professional, and researching the holy heck out of these topics.
I increased the probiotics in my diet - This is something that I came across during my wellness research. The link between gut health and mental and physical well being is profound, and one of the best ways to maintain that health is probiotics. I started with daily servings of kombucha (a fermented tea); now I brew my own kombucha, and I eat other fermented foods, such as kim chi and Greek yogurt, on a daily basis. The effect on my mental state has been amazing.I became religious about rest - Not just sleep, but rest in general. In the past, I would plug away at my day job for nine or ten hours, shut of my work computer, and immediately fire up my laptop and work on my next release. Since I work at home, I didn't even have a commute separating my work times; I literally worked for twelve to sixteen hours every day, with minimal breaks. Now I get up at least once an hour and do something besides work, even if it's just to walk to a different room and look out the window. I also take a few hours for myself after my day job ends. After doing this for a few weeks, I realized that I was getting more quality work done in less time.I started eating vegetables for breakfast -  Gotta eat your veggies, right? As much as I love vegetables, I could never manage more than two or three servings per day...until I started having kale and eggs for breakfast. Lately, my weekday has been sauteed kale, tomatoes, and onions, and scrambled eggs for breakfast; a grapefruit as my mid-morning snack; and quinoa and whatever leftover vegetables I have on hand for lunch. (Dinner is pretty much dictated by my kids, and that's just fine.) How's that for a healthy menu?I ended a toxic friendship - And let me tell you, I never saw that one coming. This individual and I had been friends for a few years, and after a series of events I realized just how one-sided our friendship was. For instance, we each subscribed to a paid newsletter, and would share each issue with one another. We did that to save money; writers are poor, you know. Well, the one I subscribed to was $60/year, whereas the one she paid for was $15/year--and the rest of our friendship was similarly uneven, and emotionally draining. Closing the door on that friendship was tough, but I just couldn't keep doing that to myself. That individual and I had very different ideas of what friendship is, and I do wish her well.And there you have it, four simple steps to wellness! I began these changes two months ago, and I have to say I feel better than I have in years. As these changes become habits, I'll be adding even more "wellness hacks" to my routine.

Do you have any wellness habits? Tell us in the comments!

Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3) will release February 28! Preorder here: http://amzn.to/2ku5kO4

A stolen girl. A legendary champion. A plan that might destroy Parthalan once and for all…

Aeolmar, First Hunter of Parthalan, leads a solitary life. Having long since abandoned his quest to kill Mersgoth—the demon that murdered his family—Aeolmar moves through his days with cold efficiency. Everything changes when he leads a training mission in Brennus, where he’s attacked by Mersgoth himself, and saved by an unlikely heroine.

Latera, first born and heir to Gannera’s throne, is kidnapped and left for dead in Parthalan’s vast forests. A lone human amongst Parthalan’s fae, she makes a home in Brennus, and lives a quiet life—until she finds herself defending a wounded First Hunter from a clutch of demons.

Back in Parthalan, Harek warns Asherah of something called the deva’shi—a warrior loyal only to the demon lord, Asgeloth. Both Aeolmar and Latera suspect that there is more to this deva’shi than what Harek has told them, but before they can learn the truth, Parthalan’s borders are attacked. Will Aeolmar and Latera be able to stop the deva’shi in time, or is it a distraction to hide Harek’s true plans?

RISE OF THE DEVA’SHI – book three of the Chronicles of Parthalan

Cover Reveal: Coming February 28, 2017 from @Bellatrix_Press – Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3)

Rise of the Deva'shi will release February 28, 2017 from Bellatrix Press! The cover was designed by the super talented Veronica Jones, and boy is it gorgeous!Preorder here ---> http://amzn.to/2ivCJbz
Synopsis:

A stolen girl. A legendary champion. A plan that might destroy Parthalan once and for all…

Aeolmar, First Hunter of Parthalan, leads a solitary life. Having long since abandoned his quest to kill Mersgoth—the demon that murdered his family—Aeolmar moves through his days with cold efficiency. Everything changes when he leads a training mission in Brennus, where he’s attacked by Mersgoth himself, and saved by an unlikely heroine.

Latera, first born and heir to Gannera’s throne, is kidnapped and left for dead in Parthalan’s vast forests. A lone human amongst Parthalan’s fae, she makes a home in Brennus, and lives a quiet life—until she finds herself defending a wounded First Hunter from a clutch of demons.

Back in Parthalan, Harek warns Asherah of something called the deva’shi—a warrior loyal only to the demon lord, Asgeloth. Both Aeolmar and Latera suspect that there is more to this deva’shi than what Harek has told them, but before they can learn the truth, Parthalan’s borders are attacked. Will Aeolmar and Latera be able to stop the deva’shi in time, or is it a distraction to hide Harek’s true plans?

RISE OF THE DEVA’SHI – book three of the Chronicles of Parthalan

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975887.Jennifer_Allis_ProvostFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jennallisWEBSITE: https://authorjenniferallisprovost.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/parthalan

Catch up on the series! Click the covers below to purchase book one and two!

Writer Wednesday: Super Simple Quick Start Guide to Self-Publishing AND Super Simple Quick Start Guide to Book Marketing by E.J. Stevens

Super Simple Quick Start Guide to Self-Publishing by E.J. Stevens
Want to self-publish a bestseller? This simple introductory guide will give you the basic information you need to begin self-publishing. Whether you are writing your first novel or looking to breathe new life into your backlist, this guide will give you the tools you need to successfully self-publish. Useful information, direct links to resources, checklists, and step-by-step tutorials will help you create a professional quality book. Simple tips will save you time that you can spend on writing, publishing, and promoting your next bestseller. This book provides an introduction to: Building a Writing TemplateCopyrightBeta Readers and EditorsISBN and BarcodeFont LicensingBook CoversARCsEbook FormattingPrint Book FormattingSEO, Keywords, and BISAC CategoriesRetail Product PagesPricingAudiobooks and NarratorsTranslations and TranslatorsEach chapter will take you one step, leap, or bound closer to successfully publishing your book. Grab your cape. It's time to be an indie publishing hero! Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Super-Simple-Quick-Start-Self-Publishing-ebook/dp/B01M3QJJW5/Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Simple-Quick-Start-Self-Publishing-ebook/dp/B01M3QJJW5/Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/super-simple-quick-start-guide-to-self-publishing-ej-stevens/1124924077?ean=2940153790633Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/super-simple-quick-start-guide-to-self-publishingiTunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/super-simple-quick-start-guide/id1167083634?mt=11&at=1000lsYL Book Cover: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEMTUU-FWA0/WFIXc_uUeyI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/vCnGf5aOIvg-waJHYaRKlE8o3ENZt4TNwCLcB/s1600/Self%2BPublishing%2BGuide%2BCover%2BFlip%2BEJ%2BStevens.jpg Genre: Nonfiction, Writing, Research & Publishing Guides Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press  |  Release Date: January 10, 2017ISBN: 9781946046024  |  ASIN: B01M3QJJW5

  Super Simple Quick Start Guide to Book Marketing by E.J. Stevens
 

Want to improve book sales? This simple introductory guide will give you the basic information you need to begin promoting your book. Learn how to find readers, increase sales rank, and become a bestseller. Both independently published and traditionally published authors will benefit from the tips, strategies, and checklists provided in this how-to guide. This book provides an introduction to:
Building an Author PlatformWebsite and BloggingSocial MediaEmailMedia KitCreating a Marketing PlanBook Swag and Promotional ItemsBlog Tours, Cover Reveals, and Book BlastsGiveawaysInterviews and Guest PostsBook Reviews and ARC ReviewsRetail Product PagesSEO, Keywords, and BISACAdvertising and Price PromotionsBuilding a Newsletter Mailing ListBookstores, Libraries, and Sell SheetsBook Signings and ConventionsBegin using these simple methods to help your book sales soar. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Super-Simple-Quick-Start-Marketing-ebook/dp/B01M257XCK/Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Simple-Quick-Start-Marketing-ebook/dp/B01M257XCK/Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/super-simple-quick-start-guide-to-book-marketing-ej-stevens/1124924080?ean=2940153790664Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/super-simple-quick-start-guide-to-book-marketingiTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/super-simple-quick-start-guide/id1167083633?mt=11 Book Cover: https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-w74ycI2M4/WFIXm4zPBGI/AAAAAAAAF0c/u6XQhRtuu8U6RK1-6l25H9N3L3b9yzUYACLcB/s1600/Book%2BMarketing%2BGuide%2BEJ%2BStevens.jpg Genre: Nonfiction, Writing, Research & Publishing Guides Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press  |  Release Date: January 10, 2017ISBN: 9781946046031  |  ASIN: B01M257XCK

[image error]E.J. is giving away a 2017 Planner and Custom Pen , perfect for beginning the year with new writing, publishing, and marketing goals.  Entry is by Rafflecopter .  Giveaway is open to US/UK/CA.  Giveaway begins January 10th and ends January 31st.

 
Author Info:E.J. Stevens is the bestselling, award-winning author of the IVY GRANGER, PSYCHIC DETECTIVE urban fantasy series, the SPIRIT GUIDE young adult series, the HUNTERS' GUILD urban fantasy series, and the WHITECHAPEL PARANORMAL SOCIETY Victorian Gothic horror series. She is known for filling pages with quirky characters, bloodsucking vampires, psychotic faeries, and snarky, kick-butt heroines. Her novels are available worldwide in multiple languages. BTS Red Carpet Award winner for Best Novel, SYAE finalist for Best Paranormal Series, Best Novella, and Best Horror, winner of the PRG Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy Novel, Best Young Adult Paranormal Series, Best Urban Fantasy Novel, and finalist for Best Young Adult Paranormal Novel and Best Urban Fantasy Series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk, she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing. Join the E.J. Stevens newsletter and learn about news, events, and ghosts. Monthly news updates, tour photos, and exclusive reader perks (FREE reads & giveaways!). Great resources for authors on E.J.'s "Author Resources" page on her official website. Blog: http://www.fromtheshadows.infoWebsite: http://www.ejstevensauthor.comFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/EJ-Stevens/376112702562340Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ejstevensauthor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-j-stevens-b0a63016Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1569666.E_J_StevensAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/E.-J.-Stevens/e/B002RGHK6C/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EJStevensAuthor Author Photo: http://s756.photobucket.com/user/EJStevensAuthor/media/AuthorEJStevens-2.jpg.html

Thank you!

Interview With Kendra L. Saunders, Writer, Fashionista, And All-Around Awesome Person @kendrybird @bellatrix_press #WriterWednesday #interview #fashion #author #amwriting

Happy Wednesday, readers!

It's no secret that I get by with a little help (okay, a lot) from my friends, and one of my besties is Kendra L. Saunders. She writes, she's a fashion blogger, and she makes a mean latte. In fact, she's so awesome that I made her a character in my contemporary romance, Changing Scenes. Read on, and find out why her fans adore her so.

  JAP: Let’s start with fashion! You’re a fashion blogger, have attended NY Fashion Week, and you’ve got a unique and very photogenic personal style. Have you always been interested in fashion?

  KS: I've been into accessories for as long as I can remember! As a kid, I was already trying to make weird and exciting jewelry, usually by taking things apart that I shouldn't have been touching! As I got older, my love for fashion expanded to clothes, and at 17 years old, I got my first subscription to InStyle magazine. There was truly no going back then. I'd also like to credit much of my love of fashion to my best childhood friend, Sarah, who was in love with the luxe life from a very young age. She taught me so much about fashion, makeup, and everything, really.

  JAP: In Changing Scenes, you’re an up and coming designer who’s not afraid to take risks. Tell us about a risky move you made that paid off.

KS: One of the riskiest moves I've made actually relates to fashion! Years ago, I reached out to a fashion designer and asked him if I could interview him. I had almost no credits to my name in the world of interviewing, at the time, and was running entirely on confidence. It worked! He said yes, and I began interviewing people from all aspects of the fashion world. That led to attending New York Fashion Week, and I hope will eventually lead to Paris and London Fashion Week as well!

JAP: Rumor has it that Viktor Arson, the male lead in The Unlove Spell, is loosely based on a fashion designer. Any truth to that?

 
KS: He is! Dmitry Sholokhov is a fashion designer from Belarus who has appeared on and won two seasons of Project Runway. He's also probably a magical being. In late 2012, I wrote The Unlove Spell, and a lot of Viktor's character sprang from a certain photograph of Dmitry and his Project Runway model! I still love how evocative that picture is. He has one of the oldest printed copies of The Unlove Spell that exists, many edits ago. I can't wait to get him the edited, shiny, pretty copy!






JAP: Engaged to an Alien Pop Star, the sequel to your wildly successful Dating an Alien Pop Star, releases soon. Tell us about it!

KS: I'm so excited about it! Engaged to an Alien Pop Star is sexier, funnier, and even more wacky than Dating. Griffin makes an album for his fans, a romantic proposal takes place, and the gang has to face off with some giant alien bugs. What's not to love? I can't wait to hear what fans of the first book think of this one!

JAP: Finally, do you have any advice for those looking to get more involved in fashion or writing?

KS: For style bloggers, your presence in the world of style is your business card, as it were. Make sure you're dressed how you want others to perceive you, whether it means wearing vintage, lots of accessories, minimalist pieces, designer pieces, or cheap clothes that you've spun into your own new piece. People will come to expect certain things from you, and come back to see what other styles you've created from your signature palette of ideas, colors, or vibes. All of those things make up your “brand”, and you want your brand to be as consistent as possible.

For instance, I'm over the top in fashion, but also very feminine, and love outrageous accessories and makeup. My personal “brand” is one of luxurious eccentricity... but that doesn't usually reflect how much I actually spend on my wardrobe! It's almost always possible to find pieces that fit your vibe but are a fraction of the price of designer, without giving yourself away. I've made it a goal to share amazing style for fashionistas on a budget, which is also inclusive of average and plus sized gals (and guys!)

I admit, I don't actually take many full body pictures of my outfits, because my accessories and makeup are usually the focus of my fashion-y posts, but having a good quality camera is, of course, very important. Document as much of what you wear as you can, and share it liberally. Make sure to credit the creators of your accessories and the brands of makeup you're wearing. Brands love getting shout-outs on social media and blogs, and will often share your posts with their followers if they like them.

As for writing about fashion, I suggest you read as much as you can about fashion, go to fashionable events, keep an eye on sartorial trends happening in your local area, and start your own trends that you can tell others about. If you're hoping to interview people in fashion, do what I did! Be brave and confident, and ask if you can interview someone! You never know who will say yes! Just make sure you have some questions ready to go in case you get a yes. You don't want to be unprepared, and look unprofessional.<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Like I said, Kendra's awesome! Have any questions for her about writing, blogging, or meeting sexy rockstars? Leave 'em in the comments!About the AuthorKendra L. Saunders is a time-and-space traveling fashionista author who writes books about magical, dark-haired men, interviews famous people,and suggests way too many bands to you via whatever social media platform she can get her hands on. She writes with good humor because humor is the best weapon for a girl who can't learn karate (or ballroom dancing). She's the author of the Alien Pop Star series, magic realism novel Inanimate Objects, the dark comedy Death and Mr. Right, and the poetry collection Geminis and Past Lives. Connect with Kendra online at www.kendralsaunders.com/



 And read about her fashion designer alter-ego in Changing Scenes: http://amzn.to/2giKSPC

Writer Wednesday, Thankful Edition #WriterWednesday #thankful #thanksgivingeve #author #amwriting

Since it's Thanksgiving Eve, I thought this would be a great time to list a few of the things I'm thankful for with regard to my writing life - some of the items listed make my job as an author easier, some offer inspiration, and some give me purpose. Without further ado, let's get started!

The Internet - seriously, how can I not appreciate a tool that lets me listen to native Gaelic speakers, get a 360 degree view of Angkor Watt, and research archaic terms for metallic elements all in one night?  Strong research makes a strong story, and I'm lucky I can do this from the comfort of my laptop instead of a library or dusty records room. Not that libraries aren't awesome, but most aren't open at 3 am.Social Media - okay, that's kind of included with internet, but hear me out. Social media has exploded in recent years, allowing me to interact with my readers in real time, all over the world. That's awesome.My Writer Friends - I have met SO MANY awesome writers, and many have become my beta readers, critique partners, and friends. Speaking of writer friends...Bellatrix Press - I once despaired that I'd never find a publisher that had the same vision for my work that I do. Happily, I was wrong! My next title with Bellatrix - Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3) - will release in February 2017, and there will be more to come. I can't wait.What are you thankful for this season? Share in the comments!

 

Writer Wednesday: NaNo Check In, And Release Dates For Changing Fate And Gallowglass! #WriterWednesday #NaNoWriMo #goals #amwriting

It's Day 16 of NaNo! If you're writing your 1667 words per day (the minimum daily word count to stay on track to reach 50k by November 30), by now you have written 26,672 words.

My current word count is 16,998. I'm not exactly killing it this time around.

That low word count begs the question, what's going on? I win NaNo EVERY year. Usually, I hit the 50k mark around the three week mark, and gloat like a gloatasaurus rex all over the internet. To call this situation is perplexing is an understatement.

As for what's impeding my progress, a few things happened. I had to reevaluate the publishing timeline for my Parthalan series, and complete a massive re-edit ASAP. That took up the first week of November, which put me behind in my word count but moved my series forward. All in all, that was a good trade.

Having put out that fire, I got into my WIP...and right around the 6k mark, the plot went off the rails. It didn't deviate all that far, and it's definitely fixable. This story is one that I've wanted to write for years, and I will definitely see it completed. Could I fix it and still hit my 50k goal? Probably. But, then something happened.

Something kind of awesome.

Out of the blue, I was hit with the most fricken' amazing idea ever. It's a YA, and I never write YA, so that in itself is exciting. It takes place in Ireland, and there are mermaids and lost cities and surfing. I haven't had this much fun writing in years, and even though I'm 10k behind, I don't care. I am going to finish this story, and then I'm going to edit and revise it to perfection. Who cares if it doesn't hit 50k by November 30? No one, that's who.

My confidence is bolstered by the fact that my previous NaNo projects have fared well. My 2014 NaNo, Changing Teams, released last November, and the third in the series, Changing Fate, will release on March 28, 2017. And my 2013 project, Gallowglass, will release on June 6, 2017.

You read that right--GALLOWGLASS HAS A RELEASE DATE!!!

To sum up, keep working on your WIP, no matter where you are in your word count. To steal NaNo's motto, the word needs your novel.

 Have you encountered some NaNo setbacks? How did you work around them? Tell us in the comments!

 
 Get Changing Teams here: http://amzn.to/2f5PDcZ


 And the sequel, Changing Scenes: http://amzn.to/2giKSPC