Clare C. Marshall's Blog, page 14
June 19, 2013
5 Factors Influencing What Young Adult Fiction You Read or Buy Next
Photo by ByPolar-Bear
Young adult fiction is not an easy sell. These days, because there’s so much choice, it’s hard to know what to read next. From an author’s perspective, it’s getting increasingly difficult to find new readers because no one often has time to consider reading books from someone they’ve never heard of–much less buying said books from an unknown author/publisher! From selling online to selling at conventions to being a young adult fiction reader myself, here’s what I’ve learned about reading and buying habits.
1. You have probably seen the novel around. A lot.
In 2011, Smashwords posted a survey at MobileReads to find out how readers discovered new books. The response was interesting: 29% of readers discovered books because their peers were talking about it on online platforms. Imagine–you, trusting a stranger’s opinion about a book that you might like! Note that 71% responders did select another option, but 29% was a large chunk of the response pie.
Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, book blogs–these are all places that young adult fiction readers rave about their books online. I belong to a lot of Facebook groups and I’m Facebook friends with some authors, so I see all manner of books every day. Would I read all of them? Definitely not. Some of them are not to my taste. But if I continued to see them on Facebook, on Goodreads, and on Twitter? I might go to the Amazon page and look up the reviews. I might even check out the author’s website to see what they’re all about. And these are all things that a potential buyer would do before making a decision to purchase.
2. Your friends are raving about it.
Even though only 4% of responders to the Smashwords survey said that they buy/read books their friends recommend, remember that the survey was tailored to eBook readers. I have a feeling that physical books are different in this respect, especially for teen readers. Example: you’re at school, or the workplace, and you see your friend or co-worker reading a book. You start chatting about it, and your friend recommends it to you. Perhaps they will lend you the book when they’re done with it. If your friend has similar tastes as you, and gave it a good review, there’s a chance you just might read the book–especially if you’ve already got it in your hands.
3. “If you bought this young adult novel, you’ll like this…”
I’m sure some of us have fallen for this trick. I’ve fallen for it.
A few years ago I was really into buying books from Amazon. It was like Christmas, having books delivered straight to your door! So I was on my account, putting books in my shopping cart, and I was just under the $25 limit. Only a few more dollars, and I could have free shipping! A list of books similar to the ones I’ve bought comes up, and I spot a book called Princess Ben. I laughed, as this was my then-boyfriend’s name (just Ben, not Princess Ben. Lol!). So into the shopping cart it went. When it showed up, I read it and was pleasantly surprised how much I loved it.
4. You’ve met the author.
Sometimes it’s hard not to get starstruck when you meet an author. While from the author’s perspective, we might be thinking, “All I did was put pretty words on paper in a pleasing order and have it published!” as a reader, we’re thinking, “You created feelings inside me I never knew I could feel!” There’s also the kind of starstruck feeling one gets from meeting a creative person who has done something cool, and all of these feelings can culminate in a sale–even if the potential buyer doesn’t know you personally.
When I went to KeyCon in Winnipeg last month, I had my own table in the dealer’s room. The table wasn’t horribly expensive, but there’s always a fear that you won’t sell anything. And I had other expenses for the weekend as well–hotel costs, travel costs, food costs, etc. I had no idea if I’d sell two books or a hundred. As an unknown author in a city that was not my own, I had low expectations.
But actually being there, in person, pitching your book, makes it hard to resist the sale. People approached my table and chatted with me for a long while, as they examined my books. I ended up selling way more than I thought I would, not just because I was there and my books are pretty (though probably this helped), but because I chatted with everyone. And sometimes if the author is friendly or nice–or if you feel like you’ve connected with them–this will influence your buying decision.
5. The YA novel is part of a series
The first book of a series will always be a staple seller. Why? It’s the calling card for the rest of your series. If people really like Stars In Her Eyes, then they’re probably going to like Dreams In Her Head.
I’m pretty anal when it comes to my books. If I’ve bought the first book in hardcover, I like to have the second and third books in hardcover as well. If the first book in the YA book series is on Kindle, well, all the books will be on Kindle!
Some people like to wait until more books in the young adult fiction series are published before picking them up–that way they don’t have to wait forever between reading the books.
Love young adult fiction?
So do I. So much so that I write and publish it. Go figure! Read about teens with superpowers trapped in a university run by aliens, explore a Cinderella fairy tale fantasy world where the well-to-do live on the surface, and the poor live underground, and watch your back in a Canadian town–there’s a psychotic murderer on the loose.
How about you? What influences what you read and buy?
June 12, 2013
Reach for the Stars Giveaway
This giveaway is unlike any giveaway I’ve done before! But I’m pretty much willing to try anything here at Faery Ink Press. The rules are explained in detail below the infographic!
Share the Rafflecopter Code On Your Website!
The Rules
-Enter via Rafflecopter on the Faery Ink Press Facebook giveaway tab, or through the Rafflecopter above or any other website that has the Rafflecopter embedded!
-THE PRIZE: Here’s where everything is a little different. The prize is based on how many Facebook likes Faery Ink Press has in total. The more people that like the page, the better the final prize will be! For example: the default prize is an eBook copy of a Faery Ink Press book and some Faery Ink Press swag. If we make it to 500 likes, then the prize becomes a PRINT copy of Stars In Her Eyes, the eBook copy, and some swag. And it just gets better from there!
-Starts June 13, 2013, ends July 2, 2013.
That’s why it’s important for everyone to share the Faery Ink Press page or Faery Ink Press page posts whenever possible! The more people you get to like the page, the better the prize you might win!
Why I’m Doing This
My goal for this giveaway is to increase my Facebook presence. At the time of writing, my Facebook page has 464 likes–not too shabby, but it’s about 600 too few for where I’d like to be. I mentioned in my publishing plans for next year that I might want to do an Indiegogo campaign, and having a strong social media base is pretty important to making a crowdfunding campaign a success. So if you’re interested in what I do, but maybe you don’t have the funds to buy my books right now–share my Facebook page! Follow me on Twitter! You are helping, even in the smallest way, to make Faery Ink Press a success.
June 11, 2013
3 Lesser-Known Fairy Tales For Faery Tale Lovers
Photo Credit: Taylor Dawn Fortune
Sometimes the unknown fairy tales are the best fairy tales. We all know the Cinderella fairy tale and we’re certainly familiar with the Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty. But in a world this large, there are many, many other fairy tales that deserve to be read and thought about. Here are three fairy tales you probably don’t know, retold in hopes to entertain you. At the bottom is a little history about the fairy tale. Enjoy!
The Buried Moon
The Buried Moon. Photo Credit: becsketch
There was a time when the Carland was filled with bogs. Now, the Carland was generally a safe place to wander about–as long as you were doing your wandering by day. It was only safe to travel through the bogs by night if the moon was shining. But the moon did not always shine over the bogs. She had other places to be. When she did not shine over the bogs, evil creatures like bogies would come out.
The moon was not unsympathetic to the bog travelers, however. When she heard about the bogies and the trouble they were causing, she pulled a cloak over her hair, and went down to the Earth.
Unfortunately, the moon fell into a pool and snagged her cloak on a hidden branch. She was trapped!
A brave man was travelling through the bog. The moon fought to be free but her cloak fell from her head. Light shone everywhere. The bogies and other night creatures were terrified by the moon’s light, and ran away. The man, realizing that he could see the path much better now, continued on his way safely.
The moon was not so lucky. During her struggle to get free again, the hood fell back over her head, and her light disappeared. The bogies and the other night creatures returned. Seeing her power, the creatures stood guard around the moon to ensure that her light would never shine again. They trapped her under a large stone, with only a single candle to keep her company.
The night was dark from that night on. People started to wonder where the moon went.
The brave man the moon had rescued remembered seeing a bright light in the bog, and went to investigate. A wise woman accompanied him, as she had the power to ward off the bogies if need be. Together, they found the buried moon, and under the wise woman’s instruction, the brave man freed the man.
The moon returned to her place in the sky. To show her thanks, she now shines brighter over the bogs than anywhere else, and the bogies and other evil creatures did not bother the Carland bogs any more.
About this Fairy Tale
This is a new fairy tale, compared to many fairy tales known today. Collected in 1871 by a woman named Mrs. Balfour from the North Lincolnshire Carrs in the Ancholme Valley in the U.K., many were sceptical about the story as it doesn’t have many fairy tale elements. Once Mrs. Balfour published her notes, the world at large accepted the story as a fairy tale. It was included in the More English Fairy Tales collection by Joseph Jacobs, an Australian-American folklorist.
The wise woman is sort of a random insertion at the end of the story–I think if I were to develop this tale, I’d have her a little more integrated earlier on, or at the very least, have her related to the brave man who travels the swamps. Then again, this is a faery tale, and such randomness is acceptable within the limits of the story.
The Dragon And The Prince
Photo Credit: The Dragon & the Prince
There was once an emperor who had three sons. The three princes were adept at hunting. One day, the eldest went out into the forest and chased a hare. However, it was faster than the eldest prince and ran into a water mill. When the eldest prince followed the hare, he found that the hare was not a hare at all. It was actually a dragon in disguise! The dragon ate the eldest prince.
When his brother did not return, the second prince decided to go look for him. Alas, he came upon the same “hare” and the dragon ate the second prince as well.
The youngest prince was worried. Neither of his brothers had returned from their hunting trips. It was time for him to find them.
Once in the woods, he came upon the very same hare that was actually a dragon. But when the hare ran into the water mill, the young prince did not follow the creature. Instead, he gave up and looked for other game.
After satisfying his lust for the hunt, the young prince walked by the water mill once more. But this time, he met an old woman sitting beside the mill. She hailed him, and warned him about the dragon, and how it had eaten his brothers. The old woman was a slave of the dragon’s and she could not free herself.
The young prince was intrigued by the idea that a dragon could be roaming his lands, and also saddened by the fate of his brothers and the old woman. “Coax the dragon to tell you the secret of the dragon’s strength,” he said to the old woman. “I will return tomorrow and together we can get rid of this dragon once and for all.”
The old woman agreed that she would try to get the dragon to tell her the secret of his strength. Proud that he was to do right in the world, the prince returned to his castle.
It was not long before the dragon returned to the water mill. The creature was tired from its day of eating people and setting fire to villages, and so it did not take much buttering and praising for the old woman to coax the dragon into a good mood.
Photo Credit: The Dragon and the Prince
When the old woman asked the dragon the secret of his strength, the dragon bragged, “Oh, foolish woman, you think I would hide my strength in an obvious place like the stone you sit on, or that tree over there? No! My strength is in a far away kingdom, at the bottom of a lake. In this lake is a dragon, and in that dragon is a boar, and in the boar is a pigeon, and in the pigeon is a sparrow, and in the sparrow is my strength.”
Disheartened, the old woman fell quiet for the rest of the night, for it seemed an impossible task to acquire the dragon’s strength.
The next day when the dragon was away, the young prince returned to the water mill. The old woman told him what the dragon had said. The prince realized that to avenge his brother’s deaths and to save the old woman, he must travel to this distant land. But he could not do so as a prince–he would attract too much attention. He decided to disguise himself as a shepherd in search of work, and traveled across the lands to the distant kingdom.
He sought an audience with the emperor’s staff, and asked them if they had need of a shepherd. As it happened, they were in need of a shepherd.
“The sheep may graze anywhere except in the rich green meadows beside the lake outside the city walls. If the sheep graze in these meadows, they never leave. And many a shepherd has lost his life in those mysterious blue waters.”
The young prince knew at once that this was the lake that contained the dragon’s power.
The next morning, the prince bought two hounds and a hawk in the marketplace, and set out with his flock of sheep. He put them in pasture in the very spot he was told not to: in the rich green meadows beside the lake that held the dragon’s power. With his hounds sitting still at the edge of the lake, and his hawk watching everything fiercely from the branch of a nearby tree, the prince waded into the water and cried, “Dragon! Come forth if you are not a coward, and fight me!”
And from the depths of the lake rose the fearsome dragon. As soon as the creature was out of the water, the prince did not waste another second. He charged the dragon with his sword hidden beneath his shepherd’s attire.
The two engaged in a deadly battle until midday, when the sun was hot in the sky. “Prince, allow me to dip my head into the lake for one moment, and I would hurl you up into the sky.”
The prince laughed. “No, dragon, you give up too easily! If the emperor’s daughter were here, she would kiss me on the forehead and I would have the strength to throw you higher into the sky than you’ve ever been before!”
Tired from the fight, the dragon fell into the lake and did not bother the sheep nor the prince for the rest of the day. When the prince returned to the city with all of the sheep, the people whispered in wonder. No one had returned from the green meadows alive before.
Photo Credit: nebezial
The next morning, the prince set out with his sheep for the green meadows beside the lake. But this time, the emperor–having heard rumours of the mysterious shepherd–sent his two finest men to spy on the young prince. The same events happened as the previous day, and the emperor’s men were amazed. There was a dragon in the lake, and somehow this shepherd had kept the fearsome creature at bay!
At the end of the day, the emperor’s men reported back to the emperor. The emperor told his daughter that the next day, she would go with the shepherd and kiss him on the forehead when he asked.
The princess was not happy with this arrangement, for she feared for her safety and the safety of the poor shepherd. But her father assured her that everything would be all right, as the shepherd had survived two days already.
In the morning, the prince disguised himself as the shepherd and took his hounds and his hawk and his sheep out to pasture in the green meadows. There he found the princess, weeping. He assured her that everything would be fine, and all she had to do was kiss him on the forehead when the time came.
The prince lured the dragon out of the water, and the two fought until midday when the sun was hot in the sky. When the dragon asked to dip his head in the cool water for a break, the prince cried again, “No, dragon, for if the emperor’s daughter were here, she would kiss me on the forehead and give me the strength to throw you up into the sky, higher than you’d ever been!”
That was the princess’ cue. She ran up to the brave prince and kissed him on the forehead. The prince was embued with the strength of a thousand men and swung the blunt end of his mighty sword. The force of the blow sent the dragon flying up higher than the creature had ever been, and back down again, where he crashed into a million pieces on the shore of the lake.
But from the pieces of the dragon sprung a wild boar. The prince’s hounds chased it down and tore it open. From the boar sprung a pigeon, but the prince’s hawk hunted it down in no time. And inside the pigeon was the sparrow that was said to contain the strength of the dragon that had terrorized his lands.
Photo Credit: popChar
“Do not hurt me!” said the sparrow. “Your brothers are alive! I know where they are! Near your father’s castle is a water mill, and beneath the mill is a prison barred with iron gates. Beside the prison is a tree. The prison gates can be opened by striking the iron bars when three slender twigs hit the roots of the tree.”
With no time to lose, the prince set out for his homeland. The princess followed him, as did her father and her father’s men, as they were all excited that the dragon had been defeated and anxious to see the prince’s family returned to him.
The prince did as the sparrow instructed and opened the cellar beneath the water mill. There were hundreds of people trapped, and the prince freed them all, including his brothers.
The emperor was so pleased with the young prince’s bravery that he allowed the prince to marry his daughter. When the young prince confessed to his new father-in-law that he was in fact a prince and not a shepherd, the emperor rejoiced even more. The young prince and the princess lived happily ever after, and there were no more dragon attacks reported.
About this Fairy Tale
A Seribian fairy tale, collected originally by A.H. Wratislaw. Andrew Lang included in his collection, The Crimson Fairy Book, in 1903.
I modified this fairy tale a little to shorten the narrative. In Andrew Lang’s version, the dragon fools the old woman twice into thinking that his strength lies in a stone, and then a tree. She kisses both objects and this amuses the dragon. I didn’t see a lot of point in this so I omitted this.
I also rearranged the ending of the tale–in Andrew Lang’s version, the wedding takes place first, but I figured the prince would be anxious to free his people first.
I am also unsure whether the dragon beneath the lake is the same dragon that ate the first two princes. It would seem so, but this is very ambiguous.
The Pig King
In a peaceful kingdom, there ruled a king and a queen. They were happy, except that they had no children and were unable to conceive.
One evening, the queen was in the royal garden and fell asleep. The queen dreamt of three fairies. These three fairies saw that her greatest desire is to have a son. They decided to grant her wish. The first fairy decreed that the son would be handsome. The second fairy decreed that the son would have every virtue a man could possess. The third fairy, who was mischievous in nature, decreed that the son would be born with the skin of a pig, and he would act as a pig, and he would remain a pig until he was married three times.
The queen thought nothing of the dream until weeks later, when she realized she was pregnant. Nine months later, she gave birth to a child–who was indeed a pig. The king wanted to throw the baby into the sea. But he soon decided that, having no heirs, having a pig for a son was better than having no son at all.
The pig-child learned to speak and walk but whenever he could, he acted very much like a pig. He loved to roll around in the mud. But the king and queen endured this behaviour because pig or not, he was their son.
When the pig was older, he expressed an interest in finding a wife. The queen resigned herself to find a woman who would take her pig-son as a husband. Eventually, she convinced a poor woman to wed her eldest daughter to the pig prince.
This poor woman actually had three daughters, and the three daughters were beautiful. The eldest daughter who was now princess-to-be did not like the idea of being wed to a pig, prince or not, and resolved to kill her soon-to-be husband on their wedding night. She was cold and distant to the pig prince before and during the ceremony and the reception.
After the wedding, when the filthy pig prince laid down in his bed next to his new bride, he was just falling asleep when he accidentally drove his sharp hooves into her breast. She died instantly.
Both the queen and the pig prince were upset about the fate of the new bride, as she had been lovely, if a bit unhappy for being forced to marry a pig. The queen convinced the poor woman to wed her second daughter–just as lovely as the first–to the distraught pig prince. With some reluctance, the poor woman agreed to the marriage.
Unfortunately, the second daughter met the same fate as her elder sister. In the night, just as the pig prince was falling asleep, he kicked his second bride in the stomach and drove his hooves into her, killing her.
The pig prince was even more distraught than before. He was sure that no woman would want him for a wife, and that his form was doomed to kill any woman that would at least bare to lie with him. The queen felt sorry for her soon and beseeched the poor woman to allow her youngest daughter to marry the pig prince.
The poor woman was extremely reluctant, but the young daughter said humbly to the queen that she would be happy to serve her country and marry the sad pig prince. She was kind to the pig prince before the ceremony, and during the lavish reception afterwards.
On their wedding night, the young daughter got into bed with her new husband. But the pig prince, instead of falling instantly to sleep, shed his skin, and revealed himself to be a handsome man–human. He told her that even though he was now a man, he would continue to wear his pig skin during the day, as this is what the public expected to see when they looked upon him.
It was not long before the young now-princess was with child. The queen was afraid that the new child would be a pig or a hideous half-creature. It was then that the princess confided in her mother-in-law that in fact, her son was now a handsome man. To prove it, she asked the queen and the king to come to their bedchamber that night so they could see him tear off his pig skin.
That night, the king and the queen arrived, and the prince tore off his pig skin to show his parents that yes, he was no longer a pig, but a man. Everyone was thrilled. The princess gave birth to a child, and the pig prince was known hence forth affectionately as King Pig, or the Pig King.
About this Fairy Tale
The Pig King is an Italian fairy tale. It was written by Giovanni Francesco Straparola in his collection, The Facetious Nights of Straparola. An extended story by the name of Prince Marcassin, written by Madame d’Aulonoy, was inspired by The Pig King.
In the original tale, the pig prince does not reveal himself to be human until after the youngest daughter and he have consummated the marriage. I find this very strange, as it is after marriage, not sex, that the “curse” is broken. My reasoning is that as a young man, he would want to appeal to the beautiful young woman as fast as possible, in the best possible form, as soon as he’s able. I suppose in the original he’s waiting to see how “nice” she’ll be. So I have allowed the prince to reveal himself on the night of the wedding, instead of “later”! In the original tale, the young daughter has her child first and then tells the queen and king that their son is now human, which does not make sense–they would probably suspect something is up if the baby is 100% human, no? Gah, I know, it’s only a fairy tale. But as a story, it should still make some sense.
The Violet Fox: Inspired by Fairy Tales
If you’re a fairy tale enthusiast like me, you’ll enjoy my YA fantasy novel, The Violet Fox. Part Cinderella, part Robin Hood, and a whole lot of romance and adventure. Read a sample chapter, or learn more about the book here.
Do you know of any fairy tales that the rest of the world doesn’t? What are your favourite fairy tales?
June 7, 2013
5 Superpowers In Young Adult Fiction You Wish You Had
Photo Credit: sergiok
In young adult fiction, if you don’t have a superpower, you’re kind of out of the loop. Sure, there are lots of great books and stories in young adult novels nowadays that feature down-to-earth people in drastic, otherworldly situations. Not knocking those stories at all. But isn’t it cool when the protagonist in the young adult book you’re reading has a power that makes you stop and think: boy, it would be so great to be able to do that too? it just makes you think of what good you could do in the world.
Or evil…
Here are five supernatural abilities found in young adult fiction that would make your life so much easier.
5. Ability to turn invisible
Have you ever wondered what people say about you when you’re not there? You could eavesdrop on everyone! In young adult fiction, having a character who can become invisible is useful for developing a plotline that doesn’t involve one of your POV characters.
Potential downsides: Your clothes do not become invisible. Either you leave them on and risk bystanders thinking that your clothes have become sentient, or you take them off, and when you become visible again, you’re naked!
Faery Ink Press tie-in: Jia Fields, one of the heroes of the Stars In Her Eyes young adult science fiction novella, can become invisible almost at will.
4. Flight & Teleportation
This superpower is probably one of the most freeing power of all five discussed here today. To just allow your body become weightless, and float up into the sky? Think about it: no more getting stuck in traffic. If you wanted to go somewhere, you wouldn’t have to worry about travel expenses. Bam! You’re there. The real question would be: for flight, would you want to have wings, or not? Being a faery fan, the wings would be a nice touch, but they might get in the way of wearing regular clothes.
Potential downsides: If you’re branded a UFO, flying in unauthorized space, you could get arrested. Or worse: what if you got gunned down? Probably wouldn’t happen–that would be extreme, but still, worth worrying about. For teleportation…what if you materialized into a solid object? Good luck explaining that to your doctor.
Faery Ink Press tie-in: Spoilers! 
Just read Stars In Her Eyes.
3. Ability to see the future
Predicting the future–it’s everyone’s dream! Knowing how much or how little to prepare for that exam or that business meeting. Avoiding that morning bus in favour for taking the train–where you might meet your perfect guy! You could do a lot of good for yourself, your friends, and your family with this superpower. Providing you wanted to do good…
Potential downsides: Predicting your own death, and the death of your friends, would be extremely disturbing. You’d be no fun to throw a surprise party for! If you were able to make real change because of your foreknowledge, that would be beneficial. Otherwise, if everything is stuck in fate, sealed in stone, then this would be a truly depressing power.
Faery Ink Press tie-in: Sunni Harris in the Sparkstone series has the ability to see the future…but only in her dreams.
2. Read thoughts
Photo by PhotoA.nl
Sort of like being able to tell the future, but much, much more immediate. Extremely useful in day-to-day situations–you could probably go for most of your life not telling people that you have this power, and use it to get ahead of the game.
Potential downsides: Accidently hearing something you did NOT want to know! Similar to the above superpower, all surprises would be ruined forever. You might have trouble making friends.
Faery Ink Press tie-in: Wil McBride, our intelligent, tech-savvy man in Stars In Her Eyes, can sort-of read thoughts: he can sense people’s energies and general feelings in response to various stimuli. He can also interface with and command technology.
1. Immortality
I guess this one is kind of cheating. It’s not really an active superpower. It’s something in you. I admit, this is the superpower I’d want most. Unlimited time–barring disease, and being murdered–you could do whatever you wanted.
It’s always difficult to write immortal characters because they have vast amounts of experience. You don’t want to make them sound too young. If they’re romancing a teenage character, the age difference is probably phenomenal. The experience level would be so different–not to mention, one probably grew up in a different time than the other–that it would be hard to find common ground between the two characters.
Potential downsides: Outliving family and friends. Going mad with boredom after doing all that you want to do. Being discovered by a mob, misunderstood, hunted, and then killed.
Faery Ink Press tie-in: J.G.C., the mysterious alien who Ingrid and her friends encounter in Stars In Her Eyes, seems to be very long-lived…
Tons of Superpowers, Plus Aliens
Stars In Her Eyes is a young adult science fiction novel that has all of the above. Read some sample chapters here, or find out more about it on the book page.
What superpower would you want to have? What are your favourite superpowers in your favourite young adult novels?
May 30, 2013
Stars In Her Eyes Scavenger Hunt
Did I completely forget that I promised everyone a scavenger hunt? Maaaybe! But never fear, it’s here now, short and sweet! And for those that have entered this via the Rafflecopter, MUST send me the answers in order for their entry in the giveaway to be valid. Also, the answers have to be correct! Hints have been provided where needed. Otherwise, all answers can be found on the Faery Ink Press website.
Submit the completed questions to aurora (at) faeryinkpress (dot) com or use the contact form here.
So, here we go.
1. Easy-peasy question to whet your appetite: what is the name of the series that Stars In Her Eyes belongs to?
2. Let’s test your knowledge of space and the planets. Which planet is the closest to the sun? (Hint: Do you really need a hint? Google hath all the answers!)
3. Ingrid mentions in the first chapter of Stars In Her Eyes what her favourite Celtic ballad is to play on the piano. What is the tune’s name? (Hint: find the first chapter here)
4. Sparkstone University isn’t a real place, but it is set in a real province. What Canadian province is Stars In Her Eyes set? (Hint: first chapter, 6th para.)
5. Another space question! What planet orbiting the sun is actually no longer considered a planet, but a dwarf planet?
6. When is the release date for Book #2 in the Sparkstone series, Dreams In Her Head? (Hint: see here).
BONUS: Who is on the cover of Stars In Her Eyes? (Hint: I mentioned this at the Facebook party–it might not be who you think it is! To see the answer, visit the Faery Ink Press facebook page and read the description on the cover image of the page.)
Thanks everyone! Enter the giveaway here. Only a few days left until the giveaway is over!
May 26, 2013
Faery Ink Press 2014 Publishing Schedule
Here it is: the 2014 Publishing Schedule for Faery Ink Press!!
The first two books have pretty strict deadlines. The third is like a bonus–if I’m not dead, then I’m going to do my best to publish on time.
DREAMS IN HER HEAD (Sparkstone #2): March 13, 2014 (add to Goodreads!)
THE SILVER SPEAR (The Violet Fox #2): June 13, 2014 (add to Goodreads!)
THE HUNGER INSIDE (tentative title) (Sparkstone #3): September 13, 2014 (add to Goodreads!)
Maybe I’m crazy for wanting to publish three books next year. But I came to a startling realization when I got back from Winnipeg: I’ve published 3 books in 1.5 years. I don’t think many authors can say they’ve done that. Faery Ink Press will officially turn two in November (I’m counting Within‘s release date as Faery Ink Press’ birthday). I can’t stop my momentum now. With the correct time management, I’m fairly confident I can get three books out on time next year.
If I really wanted to, I could get Dreams In Her Head out by November or December 2013. Originally I wanted to publish two books this year, but I’m not going to rush another one into production. My goal with Faery Ink Press is to publish at least one book a year, and I’ve met that goal for 2013 with Stars In Her Eyes. I want to focus on building my distribution and marketing base for the rest of the year. I’m also doing a lot of conventions this year, and that’s not a cheap venture either!
Also, I pushed back The Silver Spear’s release date by about six months from what I had originally planned, moving it into 2014. There will be four books in The Violet Fox series, and they take 8-10 months to write as opposed to the shorter novellas in the Sparkstone saga, which take 3-4 months tops. The only thing I’m worried about for The Silver Spear is finding the funds to do a print run for it. I’m thinking of organizing an IndieGoGo campaign. That will be a new experience for me! But, we’ll see.
You might also notice I’m only publishing sequels in 2014. The Violet Fox series will have four books, and the Sparkstone saga isn’t ending any time soon, and I’m only one person! However, I do hope to publish a stand-alone novel in 2015 just to change things up a little bit. The great thing for me in publishing only sequels in 2014 is that I can continue to promote The Violet Fox and Stars In Her Eyes just as heavily next year as well, since they are the first in the series.
And yes, I like the number 13. All books for the next little while will be released on the 13th of any given month, until I run out of 13′s! Then…we’ll see.
In the mean time, however, you should add these three books to Goodreads–especially if you’ve read the first books in the series! If you haven’t read any of my books, well, maybe you should check out my books page to see if you find something you like! 
May 24, 2013
Things I Learned From My First Convention
Keycon 30 wasn’t my first convention ever, but it was my first convention attending as Faery Ink Press. It was my first experience manning a table by myself (I’d manned tables before when I worked for ChiZine Publications), and it was my first time being an expert on panels.
So as you can imagine, between manning a table and running around the Radisson Hotel, and talking to a lot of people, I learned a couple of things! Now, I’m going to share some of them with you.
Having Clear Signage
My signs were pretty blah. I bought some bright pink bristol board and after many failed attempts, produced two signs: one for my print books, and one for my eBooks. My eBook sign was a little more prominent because it was front and center–I was really pushing the eBook cards I’d made because they’re cheap and I wanted them to sell! But once and a while, people would mistake the eBook prices for the print prices. No, I am not selling my $20 book for $3. That would be insane!
On Day 3, I ended up putting bookmarks in the print books with the prices written on the back. This way, the bookmark stood up, and the price was visible. This worked well. Next time, I’m going to have clearer signs printed so it doesn’t look like I’m running a yard sale.
Another thing I’m going to invest in for my next con is a large sign. One that comes with a stand, and is over 7 feet tall. The pro to this: looks super professional. It can go to the side, behind me, or in front of my table. The con: if it goes behind, half of the sign is obscured. Some cons may have rules about how much space in front or to the side of your table actually belongs to you, so you will have to check the rules before the con itself! You also may need help setting up this unwieldly sign, and if you’re doing this all by yourself, this may be difficult.
Table Dressings & Accessories
Tables came with white tablecloths, but that’s it. Bring your own tape to the convention, else you’re going to have to waste time running around finding someone else nice enough to lend you some. Wasting time = not good because the quicker you set up, the quicker you can start selling.
I used my blue scarf as an extra eye-drawer, but I’m going to invest in a purple piece of fabric for next time. Purple is a Faery Ink Press colour, after all! I was also thinking of buying some flowers to dress up the display, but that could’ve been a problem, because so many people have allergies nowadays. Fake flowers could maybe work, if they’re not tacky looking.
Book stands are another must-have. Fortunately my friend lent me some before the con, so I was good there. I may have to find some more for When Words Collide, however.
It’s Hard To Take Breaks
If you’re a one-woman publisher like me, you’re used to doing things on your own. Maybe you have a friend that’s willing to help you out manning a table. But if you’re in a strange city, and all your friends are off doing their own things (as they should be! They have their own books to promote!), then you need to learn to cope.
Food? Yeah, you better bring some to keep behind the table. Baby carrots, Larabars, cherry tomatoes: that was my snack food. I’m gluten intolerant so nipping out to Starbucks or the restaurant in the hotel for a snack wasn’t exactly a safe option for me. Drink lots of water. At Keycon, we were lucky because there were pitchers of water at the entrance to the dealer’s room for everyone. Drinking too much water, however, means you have to go to the bathroom a lot. Try to time your bathroom breaks on downtimes so you don’t miss a sale or a potential interesting conversation!
I was on three different panels/events so I had to close down my table for an hour each time. This wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be–I just put up a sign that said I’d be back in an hour, and had directions on what room I’d be in! I also took some merchandise with me to sell at the autograph session I participated in, and also, my book reading. This was how Richard Hatch of Battlestar Galactica fame ended up picking up The Violet Fox.
Another word on having help: if you decide to take a friend with you to help sell your books, make sure your friend KNOWS your books. You’re not there to gab with your bestie. You’re there to SELL. Teach your friend all of your log lines and elevator pitches. Give your friend free books before hand so that she/he knows the story intimately.
If you decide to share your table, make sure the person you’re sharing with has complimentary items for sale. Pairing up with another author might seem like you’re inviting competition, but being beside another bookseller can actually attract more sales–because it looks like you have more books, and more things to look at. I was next to a large second hand bookseller and I think strategically this was a good move. Lots of people came my way and lingered, so they at least SAW my logo and my pretty covers.
Interacting With People Is Really Important
Say hello. Don’t jump on them like they’re a piece of meat. If people are interested, they will come over and touch your books. Let them. Don’t start your pitch right away unless they look really interested/ask you about the book–let them take it all in.
Smile. Don’t look unhappy. Try not to look hungover, either. Why would I say that? Because all the cons I’ve been to have awesome parties, and if you’re staying at the hotel, you might get swept up in them. Drink responsibly and remember again: you are there to SELL. You are representing your brand. Have fun, don’t go crazy, and try not to look like poop the next day! Sitting at a table with a blaring hangover is not fun. Trust me on this. As my late grandfather used to say, “Tired is in the mind.” So I grew some balls, ate a Larabar, repeated Poppy’s mantra to myself a thousand times, and I did eventually feel better.
You Will Get Booth Barnacles
Being an attractive young lady myself, this is extra true. Be prepared. Be assertive. I love it when people come talk to me and tell me what they’re up to. But when it feels like they’re talking AT you, when you haven’t gotten in a word for 20 minutes, and you’re just sitting there going “uh-huh”–then you have a problem. Penny Arcade’s Strip Search series had an episode where the contestants had to set up a convention table, and then try to sell their wares. When someone annoyed them, the artists asked the annoying person to get him or her some water. This is a pretty good technique, but it could also invite more unwanted attention or conversation. Politely ignore them if possible. And if they are heckling you, ask them to leave. You are paying for the table, this is your space. Do not make a scene if possible, but make it clear that you do not want them present. Fortunately I’ve never had this kind of negative experience! This is where having a wingman (or woman) with you could come in handy.
***
One down, two more conventions to go! I’ll be here in Calgary for When Words Collide–in the dealers’ room, doing presentations and panels, and also doing a reading–and I’ll be in Halifax for Hal-Con, selling books like nobody’s business.
May 20, 2013
You-Choose-The-Way Story
With the Faery Ink Press Book Club I’ve been writing a choose-your-own-adventure story! With each newsletter, I’ll post a new thread of the story–that you, the readers, will have chosen in the previous newsletter.
So here we go! The story so far…
#1
You’re a book merchant and you’re standing at a fork in the road. To your left, there’s a lush green forest, and the road disappears between the trees. You’re not sure how large the forest is but you know that if you go down that road, it might be easy to get lost because that road is not well kept, and unknown creatures lurk in the hidden branches. Could be worth it though–folks say that you will make it to the market twice as fast on that route.
Your other option is the road to your right. It stretches across the plains and over a steep hill. This is the route you usually take to your shop, but a friend told you this morning that a smelly ogre is patrolling the road and he has a particular fondness for bound volumes–a particular fondness for eating them, that is. Your cart is filled with books and your customers will not be happy if they do not get what they’ve paid for.
What would you do? Take the left road through the creepy forest, or take a chance with the smelly, book-eating ogre on the right road through the plains?
Choice 1. I’d take the left road through the dangerous forest! (Vote: 88%)
Choice 2. I’ll take my chances with the smelly, book-eating ogre. (Vote: 12%)
#2
You decide to go left, and you get horribly lost. Yes, the road looked fine, but that was before it started disappearing into the thick greenery of the forest. The trees feel like they’re closing in on you and it’s getting harder and harder to pull your cart full of books without one of the wheels stumbling on protruding roots. Soon it’s all but impossible to pull your cart any further. Whoever said this route was the fastest way to get the market was horribly, horribly wrong.
That’s when you start to hear the cackling. It’s really more of an annoying, mouse-like tittering than a cackle, like a witch decided to inhale some helium before performing some evil deeds.
You press yourself protectively against your book cart when a shriveled-up elf-like creature appears before you. It’s wearing tattered green and brown robes and its purple eyes pop out bug-like from its leathery face. You’ve never seen anything quite like it before.
“To pass through the enchanted forest with your skin intact, you must answer me true,” says the creature. “Would you rather have a thousand lifetimes and be able to read but one book of your choosing, or live one short, meaningless life, and have access to all books ever written?”
The creature looks up at you expectantly. I don’t think it takes silence as an answer. And whatever you decide to say could have consequences. Big consequences–this creature is full of magic!
So, what would you prefer? Thousand lifetimes + only one book, or one boring lifetime, but unlimited access to books?
Choice 1. I’d rather have a thousand lifetimes and only be able to read one book (that you would be able to choose). (Vote: 29%)
Choice 2. I’d rather live only one short pointless, meaningless life and have the freedom to read whatever I want. (Vote: 71%)
May 15, 2013
I’m in Winnipeg: Updates on Events & Cons
Hey everyone!
So, as I’ve been facebooking and twittering about for the last little bit, I’m in Winnipeg, Manitoba for KeyCon 30! Super excited because not only am I promoting my books in a city I’ve never been to before, but I get to see a bunch of my friends! YAY!
So here’s the low-down.
Tomorrow, May 16, I’ll be reading and signing copies of The Violet Fox at McNally Robinson at 7:30pm. So if you’re in Winnipeg, you’d better come! You can see full details of the event on the McNally Robinson website.
Here’s a picture of the display in the teen section for The Violet Fox.
Then, KeyCon 30! I’ll be selling Faery Ink Press books–YA fantasy fiction, science fiction!–at table 8 in the dealer’s room. I’m also doing three things on the schedule.
Autograph Session: 1pm Saturday, Terrace East on 13
Author Reading: 6:00 pm Saturday, Ambassador G on 12 (Boardroom)
YA Fiction: 12:00 pm Sunday, Terrace East on 13. Description: What makes a book YA Fiction? Is it more than simply having a young protagonist? Panelists will also address the market for YA Fiction.
So, a little bit of running around there, but I’m really excited to be manning my own table. I promise I will post pictures on Facebook and Twitter and probably here as well to give you little updates to all the happenings.
May 13, 2013
Stars In Her Eyes is Released!
Hurray! ^_^
Stars In Her Eyes is in YOUR eyes today!
Buy Links:
Faery Ink Press (Print & eBooks)
This book will also be available through McNally Robinson in a few days once I get to Winnipeg. YAY BOOK SIGNINGS AND READINGS AND CONVENTIONS!
*party*
Actually you can party for reals! Lady Amber is hosting the Facebook release party this afternoon so everyone head over there for some fun times.
Of course, for the blog tour, I’m giving away a print copy of Stars In Her Eyes and some Faery Ink Press swag. Open internationally!!
