Eva Pohler's Blog, page 45

April Fools Party With the Olympians Release Day Celebration and Giveaway!

It’s almost time!

The Gatekeeper’s Secret: Gatekeeper’s Saga, Book Five is almost out! To celebrate, we’ve got a BIG party planned. We’ll start things off with a rafflecopter giveaway with over twenty ebooks from some of your favorite authors.

The rafflecopter goes live on Thursday, March 27th and ends at 8:00 p.m. CST on release day, April 1st.

Then on THE BIG DAY, we will party from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CST on Facebook with the Olympians over here.

Many of the gods and goddess from Mount Olympus have promised to join us–and they

will be bearing gifts! Here are some of the prizes you will have a chance to win at the party.

 

Poseidon is bringing his

sea-themed necklace.

Hermes, being the messenger god, will give away a book of Harry Potter Forever Stamps. I absolutely LOVE these! Hermes gave me a book of my

own!

Hephaestus forged a beautiful gold medallion bracelet to offer 

you. It’s adjustable, which I like, because I have fat wrists.

 

Aphrodite, the goddess of love, wants to give away these four heart-shaped rings. They are so pretty worn all on one finger.

Hades is coming with more of his Dark Chocolate Pomegranate (yum–and I don’t just mean the chocolate).

And Persephone will be bringing her Pomegranate Sachets. These things make anything smell good. I like to keep one in my car to cover up the smell of my kids’ rotting chicken nuggets on the floorboard.

Apollo, the god of music (among other things), will give away an $5 iTunes gift card. (He can rock my world any day!)

His sister, Artemis, the goddess of wild animals and the hunt, has a lovely bangle with a bird and cross.

I couldn’t believe it when I was told that Ares, the god of war, was actually coming to the party. I was told that, along with his sexy self, he will be bringing these beautiful key earrings–something about holding the keys to the city.

His sister, Athena, will be giving away her beautiful locket–identical to the one she gives Therese in The Gatekeeper’s Sons. It even has the saying on the inside, which was inspired by Alice Walker:

The most common way people give up their power is by believing they have none.

The Furies–Alecto, Megaera, and Tizzie–said they will give away a gold cuff. These ladies are certainly fierce, but they also have great taste!

Thanatos is bringing another one of his favorite bracelets–the book charm bracelet depicting his sweetheart, Therese.

Hypnos said he has another shirt to give away. He’s pictured on the back, and his brother, Thanatos, is on the front. I know of a few fans who like to sleep in this shirt!

And finally, Zeus, lord of the gods, of justice, and of peace is coming to the party with a special gift. Since he rules over all of the others, he is the one who is called upon to settle disputes. So, in remembrance of one of his most important roles, he is bringing this “Peace” necklace. Isn’t it gorgeous? (And isn’t Lord Zeus?)

If you came to any of the other parties with the Olympians, you know we like to have a lot of fun. To get an idea of what to expect, you can go here, to my 2000 Likes Extravaganza.

This rafflecopter will go live on Thursday, March 27th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

My Writing Process (A Blog Hop)

I’ve been tagged!  Tagged, that is, to participate in a blog hop for writers. My thanks to Susan Holmes and Dorrana Durgin for inviting me to play along!

Every Monday, authors blog about their own writing process using a standard format and answering the same questions. Follow the links to “meet” more writers.

What am I working on?

My regular readers already know that I’m about to release the fifth book of The Gatekeeper’s Saga—about a teenager’s adventures as her life becomes more and more entangled with the gods of Olympus after one of them falls in love with her. We have been celebrating on Facebook all week and will start another big party here on release day, April 1st! Please come join us!

The final Gatekeeper’s book will be released on October 1st. (That makes me kind of sad, actually–but no worries, I have something special to announce after the saga ends!)

Meanwhile, the sequel to my young adult suspense, The Purgatorium, has had my fingers burning at the keyboard late at night. Gray’s Domain continues the story of seventeen-year-old Daphne, whose parents have sent her to an island resort for “therapy” after she attempted suicide.  Victimized and “cured” by Dr. Hortense Gray and her staff using Daphne’s “fear profile,” Daphne now gets to have her revenge on her parents and boyfriend as she helps with their “therapy.” (I’m going a little wild with the quotation marks–but hey, you only live once.) As Daphne learns more and more about the doctor’s methods, however, she convinces her family and Brock to run for their lives.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

You tell me! I can say that I’m conscious of the stories within my stories, and I’m a bit obsessed with the idea that stories are the most important things in life (besides family and friends and maybe–still not sure–food and water). Stories save lives. Along with that theme is the notion that all life is important. I really want that to come through.

At the very center of each of my stories is a woman fighting a battle. Sometimes it happens to be a literal battle, but even then, there are figurative ones. Always.

(Okay, now I’m getting wild with italics.)

Why do I write what I do?

I love Greek mythology, I love romance and adventure, and I love being shocked by plot twists. I also love becoming so attached to characters that I don’t ever want to leave their company. And so I write the kind of stories I want to read.

How does my writing process work?

It starts with the spark of an idea. Then I do lots of research (which I love!). After that, I create a rough and somewhat vague outline. I make up all sorts of unexpected things along the way. A lot of times, food is involved. And sleep. Seriously! When I get stuck, I lie down and get into a dreamlike state, and voila!

Keep on Hopping!

Thanks for reading. Be sure to check out author Doranna Durgin’s post from last week. And on March 31st, look for a new blog hop post by author Lila Felix.

Eva Pohler’s 2000 Likes Extravaganza

It’s that time again! Time to celebrate another Facebook milestone: 2000 likes at Eva Pohler’s Book Page. To help with the celebration, twenty-five authors and fifteen bloggers have joined together to offer readers an ebook extravaganza! Enter the rafflecopter below to win, and stop by the Facebook Event for additional Flash Swag Giveaways (t-shirts, buttons, pens, and other fun swag) going on from March 20th to March 24th. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 25th!

And don’t forget that release day for The Gatekeeper’s Secret: Gatekeeper’s Saga, Book Five is April 1st! We will be celebrating that day, too, with my April Fool’s Isn’t Just for Fools Party with the Olympians! Details to come.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

San Antonio Romance Authors Rock!

[image error]Yesterday I met with about forty members of the San Antonio Romance Authors, a local chapter of Romance Writers of America, and I shared with them the tips I’ve learned for achieving success as a self-published author.

What a great group of people! I want to join this group.

As promised, here’s a link to my presentation, “The Difference a Year Makes: My Journey Toward Self-Published Success” : The Difference a Year Makes

If I hadn’t been helped by other writers, like Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, Jordan Dane, Quinn Loftis, Janet Wallace and the other authors at UtopYa, I would not have been able to make my dreams come true. I hope that I, like they, can inspire other writers to achieve their dreams.

Solve with the Fastest Time for the Win!

Do you like puzzles?

Are you good at solving them?

Well, if you answered yes to both questions, here’s your chance to win a prize.

Below you will find a jigsaw puzzle made from the cover of my upcoming release, The Gatekeeper’s Secret: Gatekeeper’s Saga, Book Five. Solve the puzzle as often as you like between now and March 31st, midnight, CST. The person with the shortest time will win an ebook edition of the book, and you will have it on your device on release day, April 1st!

Good luck! Be sure to comment below with your time. Please be honest! In the event of a tie, random.org will be used to choose a winner.

The Gatekeeper’s Secret (#5) Jigsaw Puzzle

Author and Reader Conference in Phoenix! Can You Go? Win Tickets to the Signing!

The Author and Reader Conference will take place in Phoenix October 16th through 19th at Crowne Plaza Phoenix. Keep reading to learn how to win free tickets to the book signing!

Reader   $140.00

Includes: Thursday, Friday & Saturday Events, Panels, Book Signing, and Intimate Chats. You are also eligible to participate in all raffles, games & door prizes! You will receive a free swag bag full of goodies provided by your favorite authors and publishers upon arrival. Additional Sponsored events may be added.[image error]

Room accommodations: Crowne Plaza Phoenix

Only 95.00 per night!   Secure your room now!

Crowne Plaza Phoenix

2532 W Peoria Ave  Phoenix, AZ 85029

(602) 943-2341

Call-in to make your reservations, you can book one of two ways: 

Reservation cut off date for this group is September 15, 2014.

Reservations website: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/ARC102014

Reservations number:  1-888-797-9878, ask for the “­­­­­Authors and Readers Con 2014” group rate.

Author/Industry Professional?  $175.00

Industry Professionals

(editors, publishers, blog tour hosts, copy editors, etc)

You will enjoy everything the Readers receive as well as the opportunity to join panels and intimate chats. Email Vickie at authorreadercon@gmail.com to discuss joining these events.

ARC 2014 Schedule

Thurs 

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm early Registration

7:00 pm- 9:00 pm Meet and Greet

Jennifer Armentrout is the Keynote Speaker

Friday

7:00 am     Registration Opens 

8:00 am – 8:50 am:  Continental Breakfast and Daily Raffles 

9:00 am – 9:50 am: Panel TBA

9:00 am – 9:50 am: Panel TBA

10:00 am – 10:50 pm:  the Authors A through L

15 Authors This is your chance to meet the authors and have a short 3 to 5 minute chat with them as you work your away around the room.   VA Dold, Judy Hornbuckle, and other authors (TBA).

11:00 am – 11:50 am: Heroines: Swooning Damsels or Bad Ass Babe

11:00 am – 11:50 am: Taking your Novel to Movie Script

Get your answers with  J.T. Schultz, and Donna Michaels

11:00 am – 11:50 am: Intimate Chat Kimberly Knight

11:00 am – 11:50 am: Intimate Chat TBA

12:00 pm – 12:50 pm Lunch with an Author with Keynote Speaker Jennifer Armentrout

1:00 pm – 1:50 pm: Writing Crime Fact Verses Fiction: 

Join Suzie Ivy and others TBA for the real inside look at the world of cops and robbers and the people who write them.

1:00 pm – 1:50 pm: Movie Deals…..Contract Issues

Get your answers with  J.T. Schultz, and Donna Michaels

1:00 pm – 1:50 pm: Intimate Chat

1:00 pm – 1:50 pm: Intimate Chat

2:00 pm – 2:50 pm: the Authors M through Z

15 authors This is your chance to meet the authors and have a short 3- 5 minute chat with them as you work your away around the room.

3:00 pm – 3:50 pm: Writing Sex Scenes. Judy Hornbuckle and others TBA.

3:00 pm – 3:50 pm: Sci-fi, Fantasy, Urban Romance  FREE FOR ALL

Join Kris Austen Radcliffe, Shea’ MacLeod, and others TBA.

3:00 pm – 3:50 pm: Intimate Chat

3:00 pm – 3:50 pm: Intimate Chat

4:00 pm – 4:50 pm: PARANORMAL Romance: Developing Worlds, Creating the World, and Character Rules. Join Shéa MacLeod, and others TBA.

4:00 pm – 4:50 pm: Contemporary Panel S.R. Grey, and others TBA.

4:00 pm – 4:50 pm: Intimate Chat

4:00 pm – 4:50 pm: Intimate Chat

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dinner and break

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Pajama Party  Plaza Room I & II

Quinn Loftis is the Mistress of Ceremonies at the Awards Lunch

Saturday

7:00 am  Registration Opens 

8:00 am -8:50 am:  Continental Breakfast and Daily Raffles 

9:00 am - 9:50 am: Panel

9:00 am - 9:50 am: Panel

10:00 am – 10:50 am: Historical Panel

10:00 am – 10:50 am: Romantic Suspense Panel S.R. Grey,and others TBA.

10:00 am – 10:50 am: Intimate Chat

10:00 am – 10:50 am: Intimate Chat

11:00 am – 11:50 pm: Cover Art how important is it to your success?

11:00 am – 11:50 am: Book Boyfriends The steamy smexy men we all swoon over.

11:00 am – 11:50 am: Intimate Chat

11:00 am – 11:50 am: Intimate Chat

12:00 pm – 12:50 pm Lunch with an Author with Keynote Speaker 

Book Signing Ballroom B

2:00 pm – 3:50 pm: Author Book Signing M–Z

4:00pm – 5:50 pm  Author Book Signing  A–L

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dinner and break

Dance Ballroom A & B

8:00 pm – 12:00 pm  Halloween Costume Ball  

Sunday

10:00 – 11:00 am: ARC 2015 Suggestion Meeting (Ballroom)

If you can’t attend the conference but would like to go to the book signing on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., comment below to enter to win. Two winners will be randomly chosen to attend the book signing. The contest starts now and will end on Wednesday, March 26th at midnight, CST.

To see a list of the attending authors, please visit http://www.authorreadercon.com/authors.html

Anne Rice Signs Petition to Stop Bullying on Amazon Reviews

Alison Flood wrote an article for The Guardian describing a problem that has erupted on book forums, Goodreads, Amazon, and other places where book lovers discuss their love–and sometimes hate–for books: when reviewers get personal:

Flood reports: “‘They’ve worked their way into the Amazon system as parasites, posting largely under pseudonyms, lecturing, bullying, seeking to discipline authors whom they see as their special prey,’ Rice told the Guardian. ‘They’re all about power. They clearly organise, use multiple identities and brag about their ability to down vote an author’s works if the author doesn’t “behave” as they dictate.’”

Flood also quotes author Joelle Charbonneau, who described a review in which the reviewer ”not only hates the story, but goes on to say that they hate me and that they think I should die.”

(The image above is not a real review.)

While I completely empathize with these authors, having received my share of reviews which cross the line between an attack on the product and an attack on me, I offer up a different response. This is the comment I left on the article, which you can read in full here:

As an author, I have made the comment to my friends that readers can be cruel, but I would never in a million years want to limit their ability to express their opinions, even if those opinions hurt and feel personal.

Because, boy oh boy, do the great reviews feel great, and those feel personal, too.

I’m afraid all reviews would suffer if we didn’t allow them to be personal.

I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to read, “I love you and your books, Eva Pohler!” And I will take all the hate talk dished to me so that I can also read the love!

How do you feel about this issue? Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

 

Congratulations Goodreads Giveaway Winners!

The giveaway at Goodreads for a signed advanced reader’s copy of The Gatekeeper’s Secret: Gatekeeper’s Saga, Book Five has ended.

Three winners have been randomly chosen. The books have been packaged and will ship out on Monday.

And the winners are…

Monica Fellowes, Vashti Roebuck, and Belinda Van Houten!

Congratulations to these winners, and thanks to all who participated.

The book releases on April first, just a few short weeks away! (I can’t believe the date is almost here!) I’m so excited for you all to see what happens next and how the book ends!

And don’t forget that on that day (April 1st), we WILL be partying once again with some of the characters from the saga, including a handful of our favorite gods from Mount Olympus. They have quite a few prizes to give away!

San Antonio Romance Authors Event: How to Make It as a Self-Published Author

If you have been toying with the idea of making the leap to self-publishing, or if you have [image error]already made the leap but have been disappointed with your sales, you might be interested in joining the San Antonio Romance Authors’ monthly meeting on Saturday, March 15th from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the John Igo Library, located at 13330 Kyle Seal Parkway.

At this meeting, I will share how I went from selling one book a day (if I was lucky) to 30-50 a day and from spending money (to support what seemed like a pipe dream) to doubling my teaching salary. It hasn’t been easy, [image error]but it has been a fun and exhilarating ride. I’d love to tell you about it at the meeting.

For more information about this event, you can visit the SARA website at http://sararwa.net/meetings/.

 

The Gatekeeper’s Secret Book Trailer Party

I couldn’t wait a whole week to show you the book trailer for the fifth book in The Gatekeeper’s Saga, due out April first. So, I created a Facebook Event where you can view the trailer, like it on Youtube, and enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card. The contest began today and will end Sunday, March 2, at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. Click on the image below to enter the game:

 

If you’d like to view the trailer but don’t want to enter the contest, you can click on the image below:

 

Let me know what you think of the trailer! And thanks for watching!