Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 108
September 30, 2012
Monday Mishmash 10/1/12
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway I'll be posting an extra day this week because I'm taking part in the Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway beginning at midnight. Be sure to stop back for your chance to win a free book.Free monthly newsletter It's October now, so my free monthly newsletter will go out later today. If you aren't signed up and would like to receive it, you can do so by clicking here.Rewrite is complete I finished my rewrite of INTO THE FIRE. I'm so happy with how the story turned out. Sometimes rewriting is easier and better than revising.Reading It is so nice to actually have time to read again!October October is my favorite month because I love the smell in the air. That crispness that just makes you want to breathe it in. I love the fall.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway I'll be posting an extra day this week because I'm taking part in the Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway beginning at midnight. Be sure to stop back for your chance to win a free book.Free monthly newsletter It's October now, so my free monthly newsletter will go out later today. If you aren't signed up and would like to receive it, you can do so by clicking here.Rewrite is complete I finished my rewrite of INTO THE FIRE. I'm so happy with how the story turned out. Sometimes rewriting is easier and better than revising.Reading It is so nice to actually have time to read again!October October is my favorite month because I love the smell in the air. That crispness that just makes you want to breathe it in. I love the fall.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
September 27, 2012
Cover Reveal: Whisper Falls
I have another great cover reveal for you all today. Here's Whisper Falls by Elizabeth Langston:
Whisper Falls While training for a mountain bike race, high-school senior Mark Lewis spots a mysterious girl dressed in odd clothing, standing behind a waterfall in the woods near his North Carolina home. When she comments on the strange machine that he rides, he suspects something isn't right. When Susanna claims to be an indentured servant from 1796, he wonders if she's crazy. Yet he feels compelled to find out more.
Mark enters a 'long-distance' relationship with Susanna through the shimmering--and temperamental--barrier of Whisper Falls. Curious about her world, Mark combs through history to learn about the brutal life she's trapped in. But knowledge can be dangerous. Soon he must choose between the risk of changing history or dooming the girl he can't stop thinking about to a lifetime of misery.Title: Whisper Falls (Whisper Falls #1)Author: Elizabeth LangstonPublisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.
ISBN: 978-1-937053-42-0Release Date: November 19, 2013Formats: Paper, e-book
So what do you think?
Whisper Falls While training for a mountain bike race, high-school senior Mark Lewis spots a mysterious girl dressed in odd clothing, standing behind a waterfall in the woods near his North Carolina home. When she comments on the strange machine that he rides, he suspects something isn't right. When Susanna claims to be an indentured servant from 1796, he wonders if she's crazy. Yet he feels compelled to find out more.
Mark enters a 'long-distance' relationship with Susanna through the shimmering--and temperamental--barrier of Whisper Falls. Curious about her world, Mark combs through history to learn about the brutal life she's trapped in. But knowledge can be dangerous. Soon he must choose between the risk of changing history or dooming the girl he can't stop thinking about to a lifetime of misery.Title: Whisper Falls (Whisper Falls #1)Author: Elizabeth LangstonPublisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.
ISBN: 978-1-937053-42-0Release Date: November 19, 2013Formats: Paper, e-book
So what do you think?
September 25, 2012
Next Big Thing
I've been tagged by the amazing Catherine Stine for the Next Big Thing. Thanks, Catherine! So here I go!
What's the working title of your book?
INTO THE FIRE
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I've loved the idea of Phoenixes ever since I saw the original Dark Shadows TV series from the 70s. (I saw it in reruns.) There were only about two episodes that featured Phoenixes but they got to me.
What genre does your book fall under?
Paranormal
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?
I'd say Candice Accola (Caroline on The Vampire Diaries) for Cara. And Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson) for Logan.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Sixteen-year-old Cara Tillman, a descendant from the mythical phoenix bird, is nearing her rebirth where she will forget everything, including the love of her life, Logan, and attempts to embrace her last days with him even if it means drawing deadly phoenix hunters to her doorstep.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I'm represented by Lauren Hammond of ADA Management and the book is being published by Month9Books in spring 2014.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
8 days, but I made a major change in edits so I'm rewriting most of it. LOL
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I can't think of another Phoenix book!
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
Phoenixes! They die and are reborn. What more do you need? ;)
Here are the people I'm tagging:
Sheri Larsen
Darcy Karchut
Emily White
Now for all of you, what's your WIP about?
What's the working title of your book?
INTO THE FIRE
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I've loved the idea of Phoenixes ever since I saw the original Dark Shadows TV series from the 70s. (I saw it in reruns.) There were only about two episodes that featured Phoenixes but they got to me.
What genre does your book fall under?
Paranormal
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?
I'd say Candice Accola (Caroline on The Vampire Diaries) for Cara. And Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson) for Logan.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Sixteen-year-old Cara Tillman, a descendant from the mythical phoenix bird, is nearing her rebirth where she will forget everything, including the love of her life, Logan, and attempts to embrace her last days with him even if it means drawing deadly phoenix hunters to her doorstep.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I'm represented by Lauren Hammond of ADA Management and the book is being published by Month9Books in spring 2014.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
8 days, but I made a major change in edits so I'm rewriting most of it. LOL
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I can't think of another Phoenix book!
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
Phoenixes! They die and are reborn. What more do you need? ;)
Here are the people I'm tagging:
Sheri Larsen
Darcy Karchut
Emily White
Now for all of you, what's your WIP about?
September 23, 2012
Monday Mishmash 9/24/12
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
1. Revise/Rewrite I'm working on a revision of INTO THE FIRE that requires me to rewrite most of the book. Same concept but from a different angle, and it's amazing! I'm so excited with how it's turning out.
2. Touch of Death Tattoo! The totally amazing Keren Spencer got a tattoo of the 13th sign of the zodiac in my book. It might be the coolest thing I've ever seen.
3. Touch of Death ARCs Look what arrived at Spencer Hill Press!
4. Picture Day Picture day at my daughter's school is tomorrow. I volunteered to help the PTO with it. Can't wait to see my little girl smile pretty.
5. Proud Mom My daughter had her first math test in kindergarten, and she got a 100%. So proud of her.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
1. Revise/Rewrite I'm working on a revision of INTO THE FIRE that requires me to rewrite most of the book. Same concept but from a different angle, and it's amazing! I'm so excited with how it's turning out.
2. Touch of Death Tattoo! The totally amazing Keren Spencer got a tattoo of the 13th sign of the zodiac in my book. It might be the coolest thing I've ever seen.
3. Touch of Death ARCs Look what arrived at Spencer Hill Press!
4. Picture Day Picture day at my daughter's school is tomorrow. I volunteered to help the PTO with it. Can't wait to see my little girl smile pretty.
5. Proud Mom My daughter had her first math test in kindergarten, and she got a 100%. So proud of her.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
September 20, 2012
Full-time Writer
I've been a full-time writer for a while now. Really since 2009 when I actively pursued publication. But even though I was writing full-time, it didn't really sink in that this is my job. Sure I told people I wrote for a living, but it felt like something was missing.
Writers don't get up and go to an office to write all day. Well, I'm sure some writers do have offices, but I don't. I write from my couch or my dining room table. And for years, I've been working my writing schedule around my daughter and my husband. Now, I have the house to myself for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. I miss my daughter terribly while she's at school, but for the first time, I feel like a full-time writer.
I originally thought I'd have to set a schedule for myself to pass the time, but those hours get filled so quickly. My day flies by. I've been editing and I'll sit at my computer for hours on end. My poor eyes can vouch for that. I got headaches the first two days.
Will I be a better writer now that I have so much time to write? Maybe. But one thing is for sure: I'm a full-time writer, and that makes me a very happy person.
Are you a full-time writer? If so, can you easily fill the hours in front of the computer? If not, how do you make time for your writing?
Writers don't get up and go to an office to write all day. Well, I'm sure some writers do have offices, but I don't. I write from my couch or my dining room table. And for years, I've been working my writing schedule around my daughter and my husband. Now, I have the house to myself for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. I miss my daughter terribly while she's at school, but for the first time, I feel like a full-time writer.
I originally thought I'd have to set a schedule for myself to pass the time, but those hours get filled so quickly. My day flies by. I've been editing and I'll sit at my computer for hours on end. My poor eyes can vouch for that. I got headaches the first two days.
Will I be a better writer now that I have so much time to write? Maybe. But one thing is for sure: I'm a full-time writer, and that makes me a very happy person.
Are you a full-time writer? If so, can you easily fill the hours in front of the computer? If not, how do you make time for your writing?
September 18, 2012
Minder by Kate Kaynak (Review)
Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey, especially once she meets the man of her dreams...
My thoughts:
Maddie is a character that you can't help liking right from the start. She discovers she has the ability to read minds, but with that comes the power to overload people's minds with her own thoughts. She's dangerous to others when she's awake and when she has nightmares. But things get better when she meets Trevor. She instantly feels a connection to him, and since she can read his mind, she knows he feels the same way about her. Trevor makes her abilities calm down, and considering other Minders like Maddie have been so overwhelmed by the ability that they had to leave Ganzfield and try to abandon their powers, Maddie is grateful for the way Trevor can ground her. But Trevor does so much more for her, too. The connection they have goes so far beyond high school sweethearts, and there are some truly swoon-worthy moments.
Romance aside, Kaynak really knows how to hike up the tension. The climax of this book had me on the edge of my seat, and at one point I realized I was holding my breath. The action and the emotions were incredible.
I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I could.
Just for fun: If you found out you could read people's thoughts, whose thoughts would you want to read most?
September 16, 2012
Monday Mishmash 9/17/12
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Thank you! Thank you to everyone for celebrating my new 3-book deal with Month9Books. I'm really excited about Into the Fire.The Monster Within edits First round edits are finished and back in the hands of my amazing editor at Spencer Hill Press. :)Fast Drafting I broke my own record and drafted 80K in 8 days. Yeah, I'm tired now.Catching up on my reading I've been so busy the past two weeks that my reading suffered. I'm looking forward to getting back to my normal schedule again.Book Fair I helped out with the Scholastic Book Fair at my daughter's school last week and spent way too much money. LOLThat's it for me. What's on your mind today?
*And congratulations to Ruth S. for winning Beth Fred's giveaway last week!
Thank you! Thank you to everyone for celebrating my new 3-book deal with Month9Books. I'm really excited about Into the Fire.The Monster Within edits First round edits are finished and back in the hands of my amazing editor at Spencer Hill Press. :)Fast Drafting I broke my own record and drafted 80K in 8 days. Yeah, I'm tired now.Catching up on my reading I've been so busy the past two weeks that my reading suffered. I'm looking forward to getting back to my normal schedule again.Book Fair I helped out with the Scholastic Book Fair at my daughter's school last week and spent way too much money. LOLThat's it for me. What's on your mind today?
*And congratulations to Ruth S. for winning Beth Fred's giveaway last week!
September 13, 2012
Cover Reveal and Good News!
Today I have double the celebration. First, my agency sister, publishing house sister, and dear friend, Trisha Wolfe has a gorgeous cover for her upcoming novel, FIREBLOOD, coming in October through Spencer Hill Press.
Here it is!
Fireblood
To save a kingdom, Zara must choose between a prince who could be the answer and a rising rebellion that threatens to take control.
When Zara Dane is chosen to marry Prince Sebastian Hart, son of the man who ordered her father's capture, Zara knows she must fight to save everything she loves from ruin.
Being betrothed to the prince means a life trapped behind the towering stone walls of the Camelot-forged realm. Under the watchful eye of the prince's first knight, Sir Devlan Capra, changing her future becomes difficult.
When an unlikely rebel reveals the truth about the deadly secrets that fuel King Hart's twisted world, Zara's path to rescue her father becomes clouded by deception. The Rebels clear her path by forcing Zara's hand with an ultimatum: sway Prince Sebastian to join the Rebels, convincing him of his father's evil nature, or they will take him out.
But Zara is uncertain about a future under the Rebels' command and where the prince's heart truly lies. She must decide who to trust, what to believe, and what she's truly fighting for before the king destroys all of Karm, including her heart .
Title: FirebloodAuthor: Trisha WolfePublisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.ISBN: 978-1-937053-59-8 Release Date: October 8, 2013Formats: Paper, e-book
My second bit of good news is that I've signed another 3-book deal with Month9Books! Here's the Publisher's Marketplace announcement:
TOUCH OF DEATH author Kelly Hashway's INTO THE FIRE, in which sixteen-year-old Cara Tillman, a descendant from the mythical phoenix bird, is nearing her rebirth where she will forget everything, including the love of her life, Logan, and attempts to embrace her last days with him even if it means drawing deadly phoenix hunters to her doorstep, to Georgia McBride at Month9Books in a 3-book deal, in a pre-empt for publication in Spring 2014 by LaurenHammond of ADA Management Group (World).
Here it is!
Fireblood
To save a kingdom, Zara must choose between a prince who could be the answer and a rising rebellion that threatens to take control.
When Zara Dane is chosen to marry Prince Sebastian Hart, son of the man who ordered her father's capture, Zara knows she must fight to save everything she loves from ruin.
Being betrothed to the prince means a life trapped behind the towering stone walls of the Camelot-forged realm. Under the watchful eye of the prince's first knight, Sir Devlan Capra, changing her future becomes difficult.
When an unlikely rebel reveals the truth about the deadly secrets that fuel King Hart's twisted world, Zara's path to rescue her father becomes clouded by deception. The Rebels clear her path by forcing Zara's hand with an ultimatum: sway Prince Sebastian to join the Rebels, convincing him of his father's evil nature, or they will take him out.
But Zara is uncertain about a future under the Rebels' command and where the prince's heart truly lies. She must decide who to trust, what to believe, and what she's truly fighting for before the king destroys all of Karm, including her heart .
Title: FirebloodAuthor: Trisha WolfePublisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.ISBN: 978-1-937053-59-8 Release Date: October 8, 2013Formats: Paper, e-book
My second bit of good news is that I've signed another 3-book deal with Month9Books! Here's the Publisher's Marketplace announcement:
TOUCH OF DEATH author Kelly Hashway's INTO THE FIRE, in which sixteen-year-old Cara Tillman, a descendant from the mythical phoenix bird, is nearing her rebirth where she will forget everything, including the love of her life, Logan, and attempts to embrace her last days with him even if it means drawing deadly phoenix hunters to her doorstep, to Georgia McBride at Month9Books in a 3-book deal, in a pre-empt for publication in Spring 2014 by LaurenHammond of ADA Management Group (World).
September 11, 2012
Kismet by Beth Fred
I don't usually feature adult books (or in this case short stories), but considering I've gotten to know Beth and I had the pleasure of reading Kismet, I'm making an exception.
Kelly, thanks for letting me talk about my book on your blog, and for allowing me to give away Anna & The French Kiss AND Lola & The Boy Next Door to one lucky commenter ;). Kismet is the story of an overworked young woman who takes life way too seriously, and the man who helps to change that.
“When twenty-four-year-old Tiffany escapes her sister Kammy's too wild Cancun bachelorette party, she finds herself in a bar with the unwanted attention of a gorgeous local named Luke.
Luke may be charming but Tiffany is leaving in two days and doesn't need any complications. But complications are exactly what she gets when the cops show up to raid Kammy's party. After Kammy is arrested, Tiffany agrees to have dinner with Luke, so he'll help her get Kammy out of jail. Kammy's arrest forces her to spend an extra day in Cancun, meaning she'll miss a crucial meeting, and as an accountant in tax season, she is already drowning in work. Not to mention, every second she spends with Luke makes it harder to leave. With Luke, Tiffany can forget about work.
But will the airport be their final goodbye?”
I had a blast writing this short story, because I loved the characters and the role that fate plays in bringing them together. Thanks again for having me Kelly!
Available At:SmashwordsAmazonB&N
About the Author:Beth Fred lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their little ELF (Emily Lace Fred). She spends her time bringing her day dreams to life on paper, and blogging about bringing day dreams to life. You can find more about that at www.bethfred.com.
Fill out the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!
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September 9, 2012
Monday Mishmash and Bigger-Than-A-Shopping-Mall Giveaway
Happy Monday! My mishmash will be short because I'm participating in Sheri Larsen's big giveaway to celebrate her signing on with Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary.
New schedule I thought I'd have all the time in the world when my daughter started kindergarten, but I fill those 6 hours so quickly. I actually need more time.Full cover of Stalked by Death If you didn't see the picture I posted on FB, here the full cover with Jodi holding Medusa's locket. My editor had the locket made for the cover. How awesome is that?
3. Bigger-Than-A-Shopping-Mall Giveaway Sheri and her writer/blogger friends are celebrating with a huge giveaway!
The giveaway consists of: two separate Rafflecopters with multiple giveaways and one grand prize Rafflecopter giveaway - to enter for the grand prize, you must enter either giveaway #1, #2, or both. There's only one mandatory entry. Everything else is up to you!! I know Rafflecopters can be a pain, but it was the only way to organize such a huge giveaway. The giveaway is open until September 27th. WINNERS will be announced on September 28th. (Entrants may win more than one prize!)
List of Rocking Participants: Lenny Lee, Colene Murphy, LM Preston, Darby Karchut, Joanne Brothwell, Patti Larsen, Christine Fonseca,Catherine Stine, Jessica Bell, Kelly Hashway, Leigh Moore, Christine Danek, Alex Cavanaugh, Katie Mills, Matthew MacNish, Beverly McClure,Marcy Hatch, Jennifer Million, Nicole Zoltack, Christina Lee, Kris Yankee, JL Spelbring, Sharon Mayhew, Candice Granger, Dianne Salerni, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Elana Johnson, Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi, Susan Kaye Quinn, Lydia Kang, Julie Musil, Natalie Agurrie, Talli Roland,Medeia Sharif, Kelly Polark, Angela Brown, Sarah Fine, Stina Lindenblatt, Lynda Young, Susan Fields, PK Hrezo, Shannon O'Donnell, Shelli Johannes-Wells, Theresa Brown Milstein.
a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
New schedule I thought I'd have all the time in the world when my daughter started kindergarten, but I fill those 6 hours so quickly. I actually need more time.Full cover of Stalked by Death If you didn't see the picture I posted on FB, here the full cover with Jodi holding Medusa's locket. My editor had the locket made for the cover. How awesome is that?
3. Bigger-Than-A-Shopping-Mall Giveaway Sheri and her writer/blogger friends are celebrating with a huge giveaway!
The giveaway consists of: two separate Rafflecopters with multiple giveaways and one grand prize Rafflecopter giveaway - to enter for the grand prize, you must enter either giveaway #1, #2, or both. There's only one mandatory entry. Everything else is up to you!! I know Rafflecopters can be a pain, but it was the only way to organize such a huge giveaway. The giveaway is open until September 27th. WINNERS will be announced on September 28th. (Entrants may win more than one prize!)
List of Rocking Participants: Lenny Lee, Colene Murphy, LM Preston, Darby Karchut, Joanne Brothwell, Patti Larsen, Christine Fonseca,Catherine Stine, Jessica Bell, Kelly Hashway, Leigh Moore, Christine Danek, Alex Cavanaugh, Katie Mills, Matthew MacNish, Beverly McClure,Marcy Hatch, Jennifer Million, Nicole Zoltack, Christina Lee, Kris Yankee, JL Spelbring, Sharon Mayhew, Candice Granger, Dianne Salerni, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Elana Johnson, Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi, Susan Kaye Quinn, Lydia Kang, Julie Musil, Natalie Agurrie, Talli Roland,Medeia Sharif, Kelly Polark, Angela Brown, Sarah Fine, Stina Lindenblatt, Lynda Young, Susan Fields, PK Hrezo, Shannon O'Donnell, Shelli Johannes-Wells, Theresa Brown Milstein.
a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
