P.J. Schnyder's Blog, page 24

Women's Self-Defense Workshop Winner

Congrats to Joanne for winning a signed PRINT copy of Heart's Sentinel!

I know, I know, I'd said I'd be giving away an ecopy, but I thought it would be a bit more fun to give away a print copy at the Women's Self-defense Workshop held by Tri State Martial Art's Academy. Really, self-defense is so important.

Why not learn a few basic moves in a safe environment? Why not practice them with safe people in order to start building muscle memory?

Find a good self-defense workshop. Give yourself the skills to keep yourself safe.

Release Day: Heart's Sentinel in Trade Paperback

This is a dream come true. My debut novel, Heart's Sentinel, has now been released to PRINT. *happy dance*

eBook format is becoming more and more prevalent, and I've been ecstatic with having my stories published and available for so many eReaders. Personally, I read ebooks because print books are tough to bring with me on business travel for the day job. It's so much easier to read off my iPad and lighter to carry. Packing is more efficient.

But there's something about the feeling of paper, of turning pages and having a little ink transfer on my fingertips because I was reading a brand new novel all afternoon.

Heart's Sentinel is available in print, my friends. *squeee!*

Here's where you can purchase it:

http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Sentinel-PJ-Schnyder/dp/1936394421/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1294681597&sr=8-2

Plus, in honor of my very first print release day, I'd like to give away signed cover flats. Comment on this post, send me your mailing info via pjschnyder (at) gmail (dot) com,  and I'll send you them via mail.

Don't Be a Victim

Mackenzie of Heart's Sentinel is not a kick ass heroine. But don't make the mistake of thinking she's weak. She has a quiet strength to her, one that grows through the novel.  Not all of the battles she fought were tangible.

Before the story ever began, Mackenzie faced a nightmare. Stalked, viciously attacked.  Even if she hadn't been changed into a shapeshifter, her life changed forever.

For Mackenzie and for women everywhere, it is important to be aware. Don't leave yourself vulnerable to becoming a victim if at all possible.

There is always the unknown. Most of us don't go looking for the danger that befalls us.

If you know what to look for, you have a better chance of avoiding danger. If you are aware of what could happen, you have a better chance of coming away from an encounter with the least amount of damage.  If you have practiced a few simple techniques, your body will remember even if your brain is shocked.

If you don't do any of those, you have no means to react when something does happen.

Self-defense is an important skill set. Please look for self-defense seminars or workshops in your area and take a few hours to learn what could save you. You are your very first line of defense, the one that will always be there for you.

On January 15th, 2011, I'll be attending the Women's Self-defense Workshop at Tri State Martial Arts Academy.  I'll also be offering a free ecopy of Heart's Sentinel and a signed cover flat to one of the attendees. I hope you'll join me if you're in the area.

Doin' Up the New Year, a little different

I spent the New Year weekend up in Boston with my little sister.  Now, any weekend with the little sis is going to be filled with anime, gaming and the all important element: good food.

We decided to add a special treat to New Year's Eve by enjoying the Boston Ballet's very first New Year's Eve performance of the Nutcracker. This is a classic ballet and always an enjoyment over the holidays.  The Boston Ballet made it particularly special with fun elements scattered throughout the performance, bringing a touch of laughter and super cuteness to the holiday favorite. Santa, the bear and the Ginger Bread Man all popped in along with other fun New Year's elements.

Honestly, the ballet isn't for everyone. You may find someone willing to go with you, but the experience shared with someone who enjoys the ballet every bit as much as you do makes the entire night magical. Both having been dancers in the past, my sister and I loved every minute. We also both played in the orchestra pit in our time, so we had insight to how the orchestra pit performed as well as the dancers on stage. All around, we had an incredible time taking in the performance and chatting about it all the way home.

I am also happy to say that I wrapped up first round developmental edits on Hunting Kat with precisely 7 minutes left in 2010.

Then I hopped online and joined my sister in slaying emerald sea serpents and various other beasts in Castle Age while we drank champagne and rang in the new year. (Yes, we're geeks. We admit this.)

Hunting Kat…coming in July 2011

photo courtesy of Jodi Meadows

See that face? Can you resist such a sad-faced ferret?

Apparently, neither could the folks at Carina Press because they've acquired my novella length sci-fi romance, Hunting Kat.

I'm incredibly excited to work with Carina Press and have to admit, when Angela James first called – all I could blurt out was, "Really?"

I'd met Angela James at the RT Booklover's Convention in April 2010. She made a huge impression on me, not only as an editor but also because she was so personable. Her tweets from RT included pictures of Rhino, her daughter's stuffed buddy, having adventures all throughout the convention. Plus, she bakes and shares recipes! *dies*

Not only is she personable, but she's also very patient with babbling authors like me. During our phone conversation, she gave me an idea of key things to focus on for my edits and who my editor would be. She was concise and to the point, and I couldn't wait to jump into the editing process.

Not only does Hunting Kat have an incredibly kick-ass heroine and super hawt hero, but it also features irresistible cuteness in the form of Chester, here.

And if you fall in love with Chester, just wait until you meet my two main characters. Hunting Kat is scheduled for release in July of 2011!

Holiday Story Time Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Holiday Story Time!

Winner of a free ecopy of Evie's Gift:

Kim (kimbre15)

Winner of a $40 Gift Certificate on Stock Images from Book Matrix Media:

Danni

Winner of a gift package from Tilvee Eco-Ethical Skincare:

leni (leni kaye)

Thank you so much for coming to enjoy our story teasers and we hope you enjoyed the fun!

PJ interviews Lisa Anne Vance

Hope everyone made some wonderful holiday memories over the past few weeks! As we head into the final week of the year, I wanted to finish it with a very special author interview.

Author Lisa Anne Vance

Author Lisa Anne Vance is a DWF, a divorced white female as she likes to call herself, and a mother of three.  Those three have grown into some pretty incredible adults and given her three grandchildren too.

Lisa is near and dear to my heart even though I haven't seen her in years. Why? Because she and her children are a decent chunk of my teenage years. LOL. They knew me as an awkward, gangly super geek cursed with curves (these CAN be a curse, my friends) and braces.  They know my sekrit, sekrit identity.

Her debut novel, Passing Whispers, was just released this month.  Join me in learning even more about her, and maybe even getting a sneak peek into my teen years too.

Please give us the blurb for Passing Whispers.

When Detective Endel Sorra is killed during a robbery two weeks before Christmas, the lives of his family are shattered. His wife Kate, bitter, angry and full of hatred, blames herself for his tragic death. Hector Ramos, the store clerk who was also shot in the robbery, will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. The teenage shooter, Jake Conway, overcome with guilt for his crime, commits suicide and leaves behind his girlfriend Jenna, who is seven months pregnant. After she dies of a heroin overdose, the baby is left to be raised by Jake's mother, a foul, uncaring drunk who keeps him solely for the extra cash she gets in her monthly welfare check. Having lost their only child, Endel's parents have no hope of ever becoming grandparents. It will take nothing less than a miracle to repair these broken lives. When Kate Sorra comes across the Snow Globe her husband gave her the first Christmas they were married, she gets that miracle. But will it happen in time to save them all?

What scene in Passing Whispers touches you the most?

The scene where Endel makes love to Kate for the last time. I became so close to the characters, it tore me up when I had to make him leave her.

Will there be a follow up story to Passing Whispers?

Absolutely! The sequel is already in the works.

Do you see yourself writing other stories with paranormal elements?

Yes. My mother's interest in the paranormal was contagious. I have an idea for a story where two long-lost lovers find each other through the Internet. The woman doesn't get the E-mails until years after the man has written them to her. By the time she catches up with him… well, I don't want to give the ending away. ;-P

Tell us a little about the creative process, working with Mike Lizzio to create your awesome book trailer video.

Making the book trailer for 'Passing Whispers' was the most fun I ever had. All the cast members were amateurs but they did a fantastic job! Once I had it altogether, I gave it to Mike Lizzio. He's a very talented high school teacher. He added special effects (like the gun shot) and trimmed the music to fit the video perfectly.

Passing Whispers Book Trailer

Just for giggles, could you share with us a memory you have of me from way back when?…you know, when I was jail bait and couldn't possibly write the scenes I write now

PJ, I've known you since you were a little girl. Back in those days we called you 'Lolina'. My ex-husband used to tease you whenever he saw you and sing your name. "La-LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa-La-ina"! You hated it! LOL! I wish I could think of another good story, but you were such a good little girl and never did anything bad! I hope your memories of me are good, cause I was a wild and crazy mother!

Aw, I wasn't THAT good of a kid. I think one of the most memorable times of hanging out at your beautiful home was one evening, a birthday party maybe? Or some other gathering. Somehow we'd gotten hold of cheez whiz and started making smiley face designs with it on paper plates, then snuck up behind each other and smashed the designs into each other's faces. I ended up with a cheez whiz mask, so did Joe and Lisa and a couple of others. I just remember the look on your face when you saw all of us, covered in cheez whiz.

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Lisa will be giving away a free ecopy of her debut novel, Passing Whispers, to one commenter. For a chance to win, leave a comment here and tell us your funniest childhood story.

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Buy the Book:

Devine Destinies

Lisa's Blog: The Occupant

http://theoccupant.blogspot.com

Lisa's Web Page: Having A Great Time… Wish I Was Here!

http://havingagreattime.net

Story Time continues

Have you had a chance to check out the videos from our Holiday Story Time? Authors from Decadent Publishing got in front of the camera and read excerpts from their newly released holiday stories. It's a great chance to get to know any one of us, so please do come check us out.

Plus! There's prizes to be won. In each author's video is the Decadent Publishing logo. email the author for a chance to win an ecopy of their holiday ebook.  Also, somewhere in the five videos is the Book Matrix Media logo and the Tilvee Eco-Ethical Skincare logo.  Email me at pjschnyder(at) gmail (dot) com for a chance to win a gift from either of these companies.

And for your viewing pleasure, here are the videos:

Robert C Roman, A Christmas Evening Vigil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRDb5JSD5Fs

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Deanna Wadsworth, Secret Santa

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PJ Schnyder, Evie's Gift

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpI3xw59tuU

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Seleste deLaney, The Ghost of Vampire Present

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMFA6sB7MBk

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Clarissa Yip, Snowy Encounters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEcl3nFidxg

Read, See, Do then Teach

Ladies from Tri State Martial Arts Academy

A bunch of the TSMAA peeps got together last weekend to watch the GSP vs. Koscheck fight. Even though I was sick, I joined in. It was research. Really!

In the day job, there's a training technique with a four step approach: Read, See, Do then Teach. The idea behind this is ensuring retention of information by giving it to a person in multiple forms, then following it up with having them do it and even teach it back to you. This doesn't have to be as boring as it sounds.

I've been doing a lot of mixed martial arts training lately and of course I do some research on the styles I practice. Then I get to see the techniques in class and practice them. Recently, I've been invited to join the instructor's program, so I'll get to teach too.  But research doesn't just have to be boring. It can be fun, like getting together with friends to watch a UFC fight or three.

And what does this do for me? It gives me the material for some kick-ass characters and fight scenes. I get characters who are more real, have them make choices that make sense and design fights the way they'd truly play out. Kaitlyn, for example, is a fighter and a mercenary. She doesn't stick to one fighting style, she uses what works and adapts to counter her opponent. You'll have the chance to get to know her soon. *Big Hint*

Considering some of the commentary popping out of people's mouths that night, watching GSP jab the hell out of Koschek, I also got some fun ideas for dialog. Bwa ha ha ha ha!

Holiday Story Time!

It's my turn to read for Holiday Story Time and I'm reading a teaser from my holiday steampunk short, Evie's Gift. As big brother Bobby said, how else should PJ read a bed time story but in my pjs.

Remember to watch for the logo from Decadent Publishing for the chance to win a free ecopy of Evie's Gift. Also look for logos from Book Matrix Media and Tilvee for the chance to win more prizes. If you see one of the logos, email me at pjschnyder (at) gmail (dot) com with the location for a chance to win.

I hope you'll enjoy my little teaser and maybe purchase Evie's Gift to discover the rest of her story. It's available now in ebook format at Decadent Publishing as well as All Romance eBooks and Amazon.

Without further delay, here's my video of my reading:

If you don't see the embedded video in the post, feel free to click the link here to view the video on YouTube: PJ Schnyder's Holiday Story Time