Selina Fenech's Blog, page 18

New Mermaid Art

I have a new mermaid artwork to show. I'm still deciding on a title (suggestions are welcome!). The artwork was originally inspired by a prompt at Sketch Fest of "Lurking in the Shadows", for which I did this digital speed painting of the rough concept that prompt inspired (about 40 minutes work). This sketch was voted [...]

So many sketches, so little time

I keep getting people asking whether they can buy prints of the sketches I've done for sketch fest. To which my response is, "But they aren't finished!" I like to use Sketch Fest as a playground. I don't really go into it planning that the sketches will become finished work, or anything more than a [...]

2011 Review and 2012 Goals

It's that time of year to do some looking back and looking forward. 2011 feels like a blur, but don't they all? I had to stop for a minute and consider what I actually got done this year, but really, I got A LOT done! January was mostly spent arranging my wedding. We only spent [...]

Free Books! My Christmas Present to You All

  It's the day before Christmas, and I'm feeling merry! It's been a great year for me, and I want to thank you all for being there- for me, my art and my writing. So I wanted to give all of you a Christmas present- my novella, Emotionally Charged, for FREE just for the next [...]

Show Me Your Fan Art!

I've done my illustrations of scenes and characters from Memory's Wake… Now I want to see yours! You can draw, paint, collage, design, act out, video or do photomanipulations- any medium is accepted. You can show a scene from the story, do a portrait of a character/characters, do a scene that you might wish was in the story, make cute or funny image macros, create a scene with actors you think fit the parts – as long as it's got something to do with Memory's Wake, it's accepted! Visit The Art section here to see some of the artwork I've done, and of course if you haven't done it yet, reading the book will help! Get creative, and send your entries in to me at selina@selinafenech.com. Include your name and a brief description of the work if necessary. I will update this entry with art as it comes in to create a gallery. On January 13th (Yes, Friday the 13th!) I will pick my favourite of all the entries and that person will win the grand prize. What is that you may ask? The Grand Prize! I will paint an all new artwork for Memory's Wake myself, illustrating a scene of the winner's choice! Runner Up Prize Because I've done a few art prizes in the past and know it's always SO HARD to pick just one winner, I'm going to include a second prize as well. The runner up will be able to select one of any of the existing Memory's Wake illustrations and I will create a colour version of that artwork! BONUS: EVERY ENTRY will receive a free ebook copy of my novella "Emotionally Charged", 'cause I value your work and effort <3 Fine Print: By sending me your fan art you agree to have it shown here on my website. Free copy of Emotionally Charged will be in the form of a free download coupon for Smashwords, different ebook formats available including Kindle, Nook, ePub and PDF. One free ebook per entrant. You may enter as many times as you like!

Emotionally Charged- Imaginary Cast

While Memory's Wake is illustrated with my ideas of how the characters might look*, my paranormal romance novella Emotionally Charged doesn't have any illustrations of the characters. I've seen readers and authors around the web sometimes make up imaginary movie casts with actors they think fit the characters, and it seemed like fun! When emotions [...]

Fun with Vietnamese Street Signs

When I was in Vietnam on holidays in 2009, I became a little bit obsessed with their pedestrian crossing signs. For one thing, they are somewhat of a joke as to their actual function, both in that pedestrians cross where ever they please, and drivers don't give way to pedestrians at said crossings. But the [...]

Finding Inspiration

Trivia- What is the number one most frequently asked question of artists, that most artists dislike being asked? "Where do you get your inspiration?" It's so common, it's like being asked, "Where did you get that dress?", as though we're expected to have some store address we can direct people to to stop in and [...]

Monthly Commenter Appreciation Prize

When all is said and done, I do it all for you guys! The stories, the writing- as much as I love doing it myself, what is the point unless I share the result with other people? So of course, I'm a sucker for feedback. Totally addicted to it! I love hearing what people think about my work and having discussions with visitors to my site. To encourage people to stop by and speak up, I'm holding an ongoing competition here at www.memoryswake.com where EVERY month, one person who leaves a comment will win a free ebook copy of Memory's Wake! The Prize- The winner will receive a coupon code for free download of Memory's Wake from Smashwords (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...). Many different ebook formats are available through Smashwords, so no matter what ebook device you have, or if you don't have one at all (a normal computer will do), you'll be able to read the story. How to Enter- Just leave a comment, anywhere on memoryswake.com that allows you to leave a comment (mostly in the Blog sections, doesn't have to be this page). You can comment when I leave a brand new post, or explore my older posts and comment on them. Say what you like, but I love honest feedback and interesting questions more than general compliments (honestly these make me feel awkward, can we say Imposter Syndrome?). Anything spammy won't count. You will need to leave your email address when you comment so I can contact the winner for their prize. Email addresses aren't posted publicly. Other Details- I will pick a commenter each month by random selection from all comments left that month. Leaving multiple comments means more chance of winning. Winning commenter must have left a valid email address to receive their prize. Prize will be drawn during the first week of each month and the winner contacted by email with the coupon code for free download.

Memory's Wake- The Trilogy

A lot of people have been reading Memory's Wake, and keep asking me "Will there be more?" Yes, Memory's story will continue. Memory's Wake is just the beginning for her, with two more books planned for the Memory's Wake Trilogy. I'm working hard planning what happens next. If you've read Memory's Wake, you'll know there are some tricky twists and complicated goings on- even more than are revealed in this first book. The following two books explain even more about why Memory is how she is, how her magic works, and the implications for Avall and the rest of the world. So what happens next? Here is a little teaser of what books two and three will be about. I will continue to call them book two and three for a while. I know what the titles will be, but won't be releasing that information until close to their release. At the moment, I'm hoping book two will be released mid 2012, and book three at the end of 2012. Warning: Spoilers for Book One ahead! Book One was all about finding yourself. Memory quite literally had no idea who she was and desperately wanted to find out, find her past and family, and had to learn that to really discover who she is meant more than recovering her memories. In Book Two, the characters are still learning about themselves, but about being true to themselves instead of trying to be something they aren't in order to fit in. It was easy making strong friendships while stuck together running for their lives, but will Memory be able to stay friends with Eloryn, Roen and Will when trying to get by fitting into courtly life? Her link to Thayl brings her more answers about her past which are heartbreaking as she questions whether the man is still a threat to her or something else. The Wizard's Council are helping restore order to Avall and Memory isn't sure of their methods and motives, especially when arranged marriages become an issue. She tries to be true to herself, both new and old, but she struggles as she is haunted by her old self, quite literally. When Memory hits her lowest point ever, will her friends be able to bring her back from the edge? Book three is all about breaking the rules, breaking traditions, breaking old grudges and forging through to something new and better. It's become clear that someone, or something, has been manipulating Memory since birth. Memory and her friends try to find out what, and why, while Memory tries to hold the kingdom together. The fae have become more and more unsettled and violent, and those closest to Memory are under the most threat. A wicked plot, dating back to the very beginning of Avall and the Pact is coming to it's end, and Memory is a vital part. In order to save her friends, Memory will break all the rules and risk the world. With the world broken by...