Hannah L. Clark's Blog, page 3
July 18, 2014
A Very Significant Costco Sighting!
This photograph is very significant for me. I know, I know, you're probably thinking, but Hannah, you just posted this exact same pic in your last post. I assure you, dear Retro Readers, that this is not the same picture I took at my Spanish Fork, UT Costco signing. This picture was taken at the Lehi, UT Costco near my home.
The fact that my book was in the Lehi Costco in the first place is significant for two reasons: 1) I had no idea Uncovering Cobbogoth was going into more than just the two Costcos I had scheduled signings at (Spanish Fork and Sandy.) And 2) For the last six years that my husband and I have had a Costco membership, I've passed the Lehi Costco book table, imagining the day Uncovering Cobbogoth would be sitting there, just like this picture shows, amongst the other Bestselling titles.
Needless to say, it was one of the more surreal experiences of my life to 1) finally see it sitting there, and 2) see that people had actually already bought copies of it! That front stack there is almost gone, my friends! YEEEEAAAHHH-HOOOOO!!!!!
Seriously though, I can't express how incredible it is to have finally accomplished a goal I've been dreaming about since I was ten and working especially hard to realize since I was 23. I'll be 32 this year!
I know stuff like this only happens for me when God is involved. It's like His way of letting me know He's there watching out for me, opening doors, making more out of me and my efforts than I could ever make on my own, simply because I've trusted in Him. I've taken this journey with Him by my side every step of the bumpy way, because I knew I couldn't do it alone. I can't express enough, how humbled I am to see what we've been able to do together, and in His perfect timing.
Because of this, I haven't thought of this book as just mine for several years. This story belongs first and foremost to my Heavenly Father. It belongs to my husband and son, who's belief in me and support has been vital, and to my sister Bekah who's beautiful illustrations have brought this world to life. And now, like every shared story, it, in part, belongs to the readers who are daily falling in love with the world of Cobbogoth and making it part of themselves.I can't help feeling like I'm at the beginning of something very special, and I'm so glad I get to share it with the people I love most in this world.
I hope you'll join the journey, too! It might just turn out to be quite a ride.
July 14, 2014
The Post Costco Signing Report
This is my book sitting on the on the book table at Costco. I can't tell you how many times I have browsed that table dreaming of the day Uncovering Cobbogoth would be on it too! It was a very surreal experience. :-)So this last Saturday was my very first book signing!!! Sometimes I forget that I'm doing all of this stuff for the first time, because of self publishing the book first. I didn't do any signings or launch parties with the last book, however. I think I might pretend I've already done it, just to ease my nerves a little, but so far everything has gone really well surrounding the relaunch of this book.
My expectations when I arrived at Costco were low so that I wouldn't be disappointed if nobody came. I was determined to gain at least 10 new potential fans (sell 10 books) by the time I was done. I even kept a little tally sheet just to let me know how I was doing throughout my three hours there.
But my expectations were exceeded exponentially! :-) Hows that for a sentence?
After my Costco experience this Saturday, I learned that 1) gaining potential fans isn't as scary or hard as I thought it would be, and 2) those people walking by were a whole lot nicer and willing to listen than I was prepared for. A lot of them were actually eager to learn about my little book and give it a chance. I think sometimes, because I know the ins and outs of this story, I've seen and slaved over it's weaknesses and faults; because I know that while it's as good as I can do at this point in my development as a writer, it still isn't perfect, I sometimes think other people will see all of those things too. But I'm learning more and more that people are just generally really amazed that 1) you actually wrote a book in the first place, and 2) that you were actually able to get a publishing house to publish said book. And most of them really want you to succeed.
So, pretty much I was blown away this Saturday by the kindness of strangers. Most importantly, I was amazed at how many of you who are already fans made the effort to come out and support me and my book that day. I am so humbled and so grateful for your support. This story wouldn't be without the countless people who have and continue to believe in it. This includes you too amazing family of mine!
And now, without further ado, I'm happy to report that I far exceeded my goal of gaining 10 new potential fans, and ended up nearly selling out of Costco's supply of my book. By the time I left, there were only 10 copies of Uncovering Cobbogoth left! It was pretty ironic.
Here are a few pics my main man Mikey snapped of the event.
My husband was documenting what happened at the book table while I was busy signing away at the author table. First it was there in all its Cobbogothian glory. Then it was going. And then it was gone! :-) When I first got to the store and saw the two large piles of books, I was so worried they'd end up having to send some back to my publisher. But as you can see, things worked out nicely. 
This is my sister Eve and her family (minus the blonde boy in the yellow stripes. He's mine.) who came up from Nephi to support me. These guys are what Mike and I refer to as my Super Fans! My sister Eve has been Uncovering Cobbogoth's 2nd biggest fan, bar none. Aside from myself, she's read the book more times at various stages than anyone. Consequently, she is one of the three people Uncovering Cobbogoth is dedicated to. And her kids are no exception. The two oldest have read the book, and are almost as excited about it as their mom . . . almost. :-)
This is my Amazing sis-in-law and her cutie patootie little girl. They came down from Heber for the signing. Amidst all of the strangers, it was so nice to see familiar faces. 
This here is my cute mom. She surprised me by coming all the way down from Lyman, WY. She did that one other time when I was in high school at a Region track meet. (The other times she came to things, I knew she was coming.) But I remember this time particularly, because I was under a lot of stress that day. I was the top distance runner in my school, and my coaches were counting on me to win all of my races so our team could take state. Needless to say, when my mom showed up unexpected, I about burst into tears I was so relieved. I felt pretty close to the same when she showed up at Costco on Saturday. So there you have it! The Spanish Fork Costco signing in a nut shell. :-) For more photos of the event, you can click on our Instagram button up top. While you're there, follow us! We try and document all of the events and cool experiences we get to have because of Uncovering Cobbogoth.
Thanks again for all who came out to this Saturday! It was a definite success!
And if you didn't make it to this sighing, there will be another on July 26th at the Costco in Sandy, UT. Hopefully it will be just as awesome!
July 11, 2014
Your Weirdness Your Way: Finding Your Personal Writing Process (PWP)
If you've been following me on Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram, or Youtube (I'm all over the place!) you know that since Uncovering Cobbogoth's release, I've been snatching every moment I can spare to polish up Book 2 and get it ready to submit to my editors at Cedar Fort. Book 2 is currently called The Lemorian Crest (that could change, just like Book 1's title did.) But if I can just take a minute and find the words to express how much more I have loved pre-writing/writing/revising/editing/polishing Book 2 than Book 1 . . . well, I would, but I can't, so I won't try. But just to give you an idea, I will say that I have loved . . .
Every. Single. Minute. Of. It!!!!!
I think I always knew writing Book 1 was just a necessary evil to open the door for the next six books in the series, but I really thought I loved Book 1. And I do, absolutely! But it's nothing compared to how I feel about Book 2.
After thinking about it a while, I've realized that there are a couple of reasons why I love Book 2 so much. First off, I finally get to be fully immersed in the world I always wanted/intended to build, I just couldn't be here until Book 1 was truly finished. Secondly, and more importantly, with Book 2, I already have my PWP (Personal Writing Process) down to a science. And that gets rid of SO much frustration!
So, what I guess I'm trying to say, is that much of the frustration I experienced during writing Book 1 was simply because I was having to do what every author has to do: 1) learn how to write a book in the first place. And 2) learn the process of writing said book that is most complimentary to my strengths and weaknesses as an individual writer.
Part of my Personal Writing Process is Story Mapping
When I was at that BYU creative writing camp a couple weeks ago, I talked to the kids about writers who are gardeners and writers who are architects. (If you've never heard of this writing concept, I've blogged about it in more detail here.) This concept isn't mine, I learned about it from a friend who attended one of Brandon Sanderson's creative writing classes. When I explained it to the kids from my camp, however, I saw the same light go on inside of some of them that went on inside of me when I first heard it. I knew right then, that for those particular writers, things were about to change in their writing world for the better.
I spent the first five years trying to write Book 1 as a story gardener, when all along I was a story architect. The moment I changed my approach to story writing, was a huge step in figuring out my PWP (personal writing process.) I took an equally important step when I read Becoming a Writer by Dorthea Brande and learned the concept of an author's two brains.
And again when I first discovered the Feralt's Triangle, and Story Mapping, and how to keep a World Building Bible.
The list of these little bits that make up my own PWP is endless. And yours will be too, but the important thing to remember, is that yours and mine will look very different once you get your PWP in place. Sure, we'll most likely have the same basic elements and tools of story writing in both of our PWPs, but the way we use those elements and tools will be as individualized as how we eventually stumbled across them. That's what I love so much about this craft! We get to learn from and get inspired by the collective whole, while still getting to be organic and authentic as individuals, even down to our creative process.
I guess what I'm trying to say with this post is not that you shouldn't study and learn from other writers (that's necessary to becoming the best author you can be), but just that you shouldn't lose your uniqueness while doing it. Its important for every writer--aspiring and seasoned--to blaze their own trail, even down to discovering and tailoring their own writing process. Yes, learn from those who have gone before you. Absolutely do that! But never sacrifice your gut instincts, or that unique weirdness God gave only to you in order to achieve what's already been achieved. Figure out your own PWP by tailoring what you've learned from other great writers to your own personal strengths and weaknesses, and then write the book that only YOU were meant to write. That's when you really start to experience joy in writing . . . and living, for that matter. You weren't put here to be someone else, you were put here to be you, and if you aren't being you, then you aren't doing it right.
If I could go back and recycle the time I spent listening to other people's advice over my own instincts, or being afraid of my own personal brand of weirdness, or trying to be __(insert latest NY Times bestselling novelist)__ instead of Hannah L. Clark, I would. It's such waste of time!
Thankfully, I learned sooner rather than later that I have just as much right and reason to tell the story that only I can tell as any other writer does. And so do you! So spend all that energy you might be spending worrying you're not enough or don't know enough, or wishing you were someone else, or trying to do it the way "so and so" said it should be done, and just go and figure out how to do it already . . . your way. Because who says your way is wrong anyway?!
If it's working for you, then it isn't wrong.
Besides, consider this, the only reason we have stories like Harry Potter and The Grave Yard Book and The Hunger Games and Lord of the Rings and Narnia and Pride and Prejudice etc, etc, etc . . . is because the creators of those stories did just that; they told the story only THEY could tell . . . and they did it THEIR way. Which ended up being exactly what the world wanted from them, because it was that author's special brand of weirdness they had to offer the world. And the reason why you have about a million failed attempts to copy their weirdness, is because you have about a million authors who decided to try and be someone else instead of who they were meant to be.
We can't mimic what the literary icons have already done--the same thing never happens the same way twice--but we can mimic how they've done it. We've just got to blow the world's mind with our own weirdness . . . and in our own way. ;-)
Every. Single. Minute. Of. It!!!!!
I think I always knew writing Book 1 was just a necessary evil to open the door for the next six books in the series, but I really thought I loved Book 1. And I do, absolutely! But it's nothing compared to how I feel about Book 2.
After thinking about it a while, I've realized that there are a couple of reasons why I love Book 2 so much. First off, I finally get to be fully immersed in the world I always wanted/intended to build, I just couldn't be here until Book 1 was truly finished. Secondly, and more importantly, with Book 2, I already have my PWP (Personal Writing Process) down to a science. And that gets rid of SO much frustration!
So, what I guess I'm trying to say, is that much of the frustration I experienced during writing Book 1 was simply because I was having to do what every author has to do: 1) learn how to write a book in the first place. And 2) learn the process of writing said book that is most complimentary to my strengths and weaknesses as an individual writer.
Part of my Personal Writing Process is Story MappingWhen I was at that BYU creative writing camp a couple weeks ago, I talked to the kids about writers who are gardeners and writers who are architects. (If you've never heard of this writing concept, I've blogged about it in more detail here.) This concept isn't mine, I learned about it from a friend who attended one of Brandon Sanderson's creative writing classes. When I explained it to the kids from my camp, however, I saw the same light go on inside of some of them that went on inside of me when I first heard it. I knew right then, that for those particular writers, things were about to change in their writing world for the better.
I spent the first five years trying to write Book 1 as a story gardener, when all along I was a story architect. The moment I changed my approach to story writing, was a huge step in figuring out my PWP (personal writing process.) I took an equally important step when I read Becoming a Writer by Dorthea Brande and learned the concept of an author's two brains.
And again when I first discovered the Feralt's Triangle, and Story Mapping, and how to keep a World Building Bible.
The list of these little bits that make up my own PWP is endless. And yours will be too, but the important thing to remember, is that yours and mine will look very different once you get your PWP in place. Sure, we'll most likely have the same basic elements and tools of story writing in both of our PWPs, but the way we use those elements and tools will be as individualized as how we eventually stumbled across them. That's what I love so much about this craft! We get to learn from and get inspired by the collective whole, while still getting to be organic and authentic as individuals, even down to our creative process.
I guess what I'm trying to say with this post is not that you shouldn't study and learn from other writers (that's necessary to becoming the best author you can be), but just that you shouldn't lose your uniqueness while doing it. Its important for every writer--aspiring and seasoned--to blaze their own trail, even down to discovering and tailoring their own writing process. Yes, learn from those who have gone before you. Absolutely do that! But never sacrifice your gut instincts, or that unique weirdness God gave only to you in order to achieve what's already been achieved. Figure out your own PWP by tailoring what you've learned from other great writers to your own personal strengths and weaknesses, and then write the book that only YOU were meant to write. That's when you really start to experience joy in writing . . . and living, for that matter. You weren't put here to be someone else, you were put here to be you, and if you aren't being you, then you aren't doing it right.
If I could go back and recycle the time I spent listening to other people's advice over my own instincts, or being afraid of my own personal brand of weirdness, or trying to be __(insert latest NY Times bestselling novelist)__ instead of Hannah L. Clark, I would. It's such waste of time!
Thankfully, I learned sooner rather than later that I have just as much right and reason to tell the story that only I can tell as any other writer does. And so do you! So spend all that energy you might be spending worrying you're not enough or don't know enough, or wishing you were someone else, or trying to do it the way "so and so" said it should be done, and just go and figure out how to do it already . . . your way. Because who says your way is wrong anyway?!
If it's working for you, then it isn't wrong.
Besides, consider this, the only reason we have stories like Harry Potter and The Grave Yard Book and The Hunger Games and Lord of the Rings and Narnia and Pride and Prejudice etc, etc, etc . . . is because the creators of those stories did just that; they told the story only THEY could tell . . . and they did it THEIR way. Which ended up being exactly what the world wanted from them, because it was that author's special brand of weirdness they had to offer the world. And the reason why you have about a million failed attempts to copy their weirdness, is because you have about a million authors who decided to try and be someone else instead of who they were meant to be.
We can't mimic what the literary icons have already done--the same thing never happens the same way twice--but we can mimic how they've done it. We've just got to blow the world's mind with our own weirdness . . . and in our own way. ;-)
July 10, 2014
Costco Signing!
Hello my dear Retro-readers!
I have great news to share with you today! This Saturday the 12th, I am going to be at the Spanish Fork Costco from 12:00 - 3:00 doing my very first non-launch party signing! I am pretty excited/nervous about it and hope that any of you who are in the area will stop on by and show a little mercy on a first-time authoress. :-)
If you are a little farther up the Wasatch Front, and don't want to make the trip down, I will also be doing another signing at the Sandy Costco on Saturday July 26th from 12:00 - 3:00! So stop in and see me there if you can.
Hope to see you there!
I have great news to share with you today! This Saturday the 12th, I am going to be at the Spanish Fork Costco from 12:00 - 3:00 doing my very first non-launch party signing! I am pretty excited/nervous about it and hope that any of you who are in the area will stop on by and show a little mercy on a first-time authoress. :-)
If you are a little farther up the Wasatch Front, and don't want to make the trip down, I will also be doing another signing at the Sandy Costco on Saturday July 26th from 12:00 - 3:00! So stop in and see me there if you can.
Hope to see you there!
July 8, 2014
Catching Up
Well it has been a long time, and I am sorry for that. Life always gets crazy around my house during the first month of summer. It takes me about a month to get into the new routine with my kiddie home from school and me trying to figure out when I can write. I'm happy to say that I have found a bit of time to write. Consequently, book 2 in the Cobbogoth series is moving along. And fairly smoothly now that I chopped 50 pages from the first 100. Let's just say there are times when I can be pretty long winded. ;-)
The thing that always amazes me when editing is how I can think something is wonderful, leave it on a shelf for six months to a year, come back to it, and then wonder what in the world I was thinking when I thought it was so wonderful. Now I'm not saying Book 2 is terrible at this point. It's actually shaping up quite nicely. All I'm saying, is that an author has choices to make when they tell a story, and sometimes it takes a while--and some distance--to gain perspective and figure out that one choice is a million times better than another. It also amazes me how with some passages I write, when I write them, I think they're so important and clever, but when I come back to them after letting things set a while, those passages end up being nothing more than a millstone around my story's neck. I can never quite figure out what I was thinking imagining they were so important to the plot/overall story. That's why its important to learn to "kill your darlings" I suppose. I've been doing a lot of that over the last month.
I think what I'm experiencing is a perfect example of a writer's two brains. Sometimes it's honestly like having a split personality. When I'm in "creative" brain mode, there is this freedom I feel to try out anything. Things just flow and I'm super forgiving of sloppy writing and long-windedness, simply because I'm just trying to put a story to paper. When my "editorial" brain comes out to play, however, watch out! That writer is unforgiving and brutal and shows no mercy or remorse when it comes to cutting the fat from a story. It's actually pretty amazing how contrasting, yet complimentary a writer's two brains are. I'm just glad I get to use both of my brains when I'm dealing with people and other life situations. ;-)
So, I have a few things I wanted to tell you about that happened in June. First of all, I got to go on this cool podcast show called The Good Word. Nick Galieti is a super nice guy, and it was so much less nerve wracking than I thought it was going to be to get interviewed. If you want to check out my interview, just click the link above, and maybe browse around and hear what tons of other cool authors have to say. All in all, it was a super fun interview! I had a great time.
The other very fun thing I got to do last month was visit Brigham Young University as a guest author for a Creative Writing summer camp. Okay, so one of the funnest parts of being an author (so far) is hanging out with aspiring author kids. They are so cool and incredibly smart. I was talking to these kids about my writing process, and the questions they asked blew me away. Not only that, but they were such great kids, and they even sent me a super cute thank you note. Honestly, I love kids. They make everything I do as a writer and a mama worth doing.
Lastly, I was involved in a neat-o-mosquito cyber scavenger hunt called EuphorYA. You can read all about that awesomeness here. I even shared a little sneak peek for Book 2. :-) Lots of fun stuff for the month of June!
For July, we have a book blitz going on right now--you should check it out and enter to win a $50 gift card. That will be followed by a blog tour in August. Now that life has normalized for the summer, I'll even be posting some more book reviews and Writing Gems.
So stay tuned, Retro readers!
The thing that always amazes me when editing is how I can think something is wonderful, leave it on a shelf for six months to a year, come back to it, and then wonder what in the world I was thinking when I thought it was so wonderful. Now I'm not saying Book 2 is terrible at this point. It's actually shaping up quite nicely. All I'm saying, is that an author has choices to make when they tell a story, and sometimes it takes a while--and some distance--to gain perspective and figure out that one choice is a million times better than another. It also amazes me how with some passages I write, when I write them, I think they're so important and clever, but when I come back to them after letting things set a while, those passages end up being nothing more than a millstone around my story's neck. I can never quite figure out what I was thinking imagining they were so important to the plot/overall story. That's why its important to learn to "kill your darlings" I suppose. I've been doing a lot of that over the last month.
I think what I'm experiencing is a perfect example of a writer's two brains. Sometimes it's honestly like having a split personality. When I'm in "creative" brain mode, there is this freedom I feel to try out anything. Things just flow and I'm super forgiving of sloppy writing and long-windedness, simply because I'm just trying to put a story to paper. When my "editorial" brain comes out to play, however, watch out! That writer is unforgiving and brutal and shows no mercy or remorse when it comes to cutting the fat from a story. It's actually pretty amazing how contrasting, yet complimentary a writer's two brains are. I'm just glad I get to use both of my brains when I'm dealing with people and other life situations. ;-)
So, I have a few things I wanted to tell you about that happened in June. First of all, I got to go on this cool podcast show called The Good Word. Nick Galieti is a super nice guy, and it was so much less nerve wracking than I thought it was going to be to get interviewed. If you want to check out my interview, just click the link above, and maybe browse around and hear what tons of other cool authors have to say. All in all, it was a super fun interview! I had a great time.
The other very fun thing I got to do last month was visit Brigham Young University as a guest author for a Creative Writing summer camp. Okay, so one of the funnest parts of being an author (so far) is hanging out with aspiring author kids. They are so cool and incredibly smart. I was talking to these kids about my writing process, and the questions they asked blew me away. Not only that, but they were such great kids, and they even sent me a super cute thank you note. Honestly, I love kids. They make everything I do as a writer and a mama worth doing.
Lastly, I was involved in a neat-o-mosquito cyber scavenger hunt called EuphorYA. You can read all about that awesomeness here. I even shared a little sneak peek for Book 2. :-) Lots of fun stuff for the month of June!
For July, we have a book blitz going on right now--you should check it out and enter to win a $50 gift card. That will be followed by a blog tour in August. Now that life has normalized for the summer, I'll even be posting some more book reviews and Writing Gems.
So stay tuned, Retro readers!
June 21, 2014
EuphorYA Scavenger Hunt with Guest Post from Ali Cross!
I'm very excited to have the awesome YA author Ali Cross guest posting on my blog today as part of EuphorYA! EuphorYA is a speculative fiction scavenger hunt running rampant with giveaways for those of you who put together three phrases from words "hidden" throughout all of the participating author's posts. Ali is here to talk about her new novel Blood Crown, which I for one, am super excited to read.
Before I turn the time over to her completely, however, I wanted to let you all know that both Ali and I will be participating in the EuphorYA Facebook Event today, so come stop by and say hey!
Also, make sure you check out the schedule for all of the blog stops during the scavenger hunt and enter the grand prize giveaway and Ali's giveaway below!
And now, without further ado, here's Ali!
Yay for fun scavenger hunts, making friends and discovering new stories!
I'm so stoked to be here on Hannah's blog. What a fun and funky place! And guess what? SHE LIVES *RIGHT* NEAR ME AND I HAD NO IDEA! I swear, Utah breeds authors like it does sage brush.
I know Hannah's already told you all about the hunt, so I'll get right to my bit . . .
Recently I published the first in a new series (Blood Crown, The Eden Project #1) and it wasn't until the book was out and sitting in my hand that I realized I wrote a new character who is very much like a character in my previous series (Desolation). In the Desolation series, the main character, Desi, has a best friend/side kick named Miri.
In Blood Crown, Sera has a best friend/side kick named Minn.
Uhh . . . ??
Obviously I have a thing for best friends who have four-letter names that start with "M".
Miri and Minn are quite different, but in the ways that count they are almost exactly the same. They are dedicated, loyal, friends to the end. They are capable of putting the greater good before their own. They routinely sacrifice their own comfort or safety in order to make it possible for the main character to do her thing.
At first I was embarrassed that I'd done that--written two characters fulfilling virtually identical roles--but then I thought . . . No. I'm not sorry. In these two series, friendship has been my b-story. Sure, there's romance, there's a boy worth falling for . . . but it's the relationship between the main characters and their friend, that allow them their greatest growth.
I'm sure it comes from my own life. Friendship hasn't always come easily to me. At any given point in time, I've only had one or two close friends. And there've been periods when I didn't have a friend at all. Those times were the saddest, most loneliest of times.
Romance is important. Romance is why a lot of us read! But for me, love is not limited to romance. Human beings need romantic love and we need the love of a friend.
The friends in my life have strengthened me, been my breakwater in the storm. Miri and Minn do that for Desi and Sera. Without their friendships, they would never have been as strong, capable and, ultimately, victorious.
None of my real-life friends have four-letter names that begin with "M", but all of them are reflected in these good, kind women in my books. I dedicate Miri and Minn to my friends--to the ones who have loved me even when I was less than lovable, who have kept me standing when the winds blew, who restored hope in my heart.
If you've got a friend like Miri or Minn, go and give 'em a hug, or send them a love text or something. And you don't have to live in a fairy tale world ~ if you haven't found your own Minn yet . . . don't lose hope! You never know where she might pop up.
Thank you for having me, Hannah! I hope you guys enjoy ALL the stops on the tour!
~ * ~
Blood CrownYA sci fi romance with a Cinderella twist
In this science fiction romance, androids have claimed power over what remains of the human race. They rule without remorse. They are the Mind and humans exist only to serve them.
But it wasn't always so.
Before the android uprising, select droids, called Servants, were pivotal in engineering a new human race with nanotechnology enhanced DNA. The Blood Crown theorem was to be humanity's crowning glory and the key to their survival in deep space.
But Serantha, Daughter of the West, was the last female to receive Gifts from her Servant and when the Mind mutinied, she was hidden away, and presumed dead.
Without Serantha there is no hope of the Blood Crown being realized so Nicolai, Son of the East, abandons his crown to join the rebel forces. He might not provide the future for his people he had once dreamed of, but he will not go down without a fight.
When Nicolai discovers Sera among a small compliment of kitchen staff, everything changes--but Sera's Gifts were never completed and she is ill-equipped to face a legion of androids determined to wipe her, and every other human, out of existence.
Their only hope is the Blood Crown--but even if Serantha and Nicolai can realize their potential it may be too late to save mankind. Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Goodreads
~ * ~
Ali Cross likes to say she holds a black belt in awesome since the only kind of kicking-butt she does is on paper. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, one samurai dog and four zen turtles.
She's the author of the Desolation series, and also writes middle grade sci-fi and fantasyunder the pen name, Alex Banks.facebook | twitter | blog | goodreads | newsletter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
EuphorYA Scavenger Hunt Blog Stops Here's the schedule for the EuphorYA Scavenger Hunt. Each blog stop features exclusive content from one of our authors as well as a giveaway. Collect the blue / red / pink colored words to make the daily secret phrases. Then enter for your chance to win the Grand Prize Giveaway--$75 Amazon / Nook gift card (first prize only), books and swag (first, second and third prizes). Day One Stops, Friday ,June 20 - Blue Phrase
Anna Silver | Chloe Jacob's World | Elana Johnson | Books By Intisar | Ali CrossDay Two Stops, Saturday, June 21 - Red Phrase
Elisabeth Wheatley | T.L. Shreffler | RaShelle Workman | Kelly Walker | Hannah L. Clark | Christy DorrityDay Three Stops, Sunday, June 22 - Pink Phrase
Rhiannon Hart | Natasha Hanova | Tracy E. Banghart | Kaitlyn Deann | Jadie Jonesa Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm very excited to have the awesome YA author Ali Cross guest posting on my blog today as part of EuphorYA! EuphorYA is a speculative fiction scavenger hunt running rampant with giveaways for those of you who put together three phrases from words "hidden" throughout all of the participating author's posts. Ali is here to talk about her new novel Blood Crown, which I for one, am super excited to read.
Before I turn the time over to her completely, however, I wanted to let you all know that both Ali and I will be participating in the EuphorYA Facebook Event today, so come stop by and say hey!
Also, make sure you check out the schedule for all of the blog stops during the scavenger hunt and enter the grand prize giveaway and Ali's giveaway below!
And now, without further ado, here's Ali!
Yay for fun scavenger hunts, making friends and discovering new stories!
I'm so stoked to be here on Hannah's blog. What a fun and funky place! And guess what? SHE LIVES *RIGHT* NEAR ME AND I HAD NO IDEA! I swear, Utah breeds authors like it does sage brush.
I know Hannah's already told you all about the hunt, so I'll get right to my bit . . .
Recently I published the first in a new series (Blood Crown, The Eden Project #1) and it wasn't until the book was out and sitting in my hand that I realized I wrote a new character who is very much like a character in my previous series (Desolation). In the Desolation series, the main character, Desi, has a best friend/side kick named Miri.
In Blood Crown, Sera has a best friend/side kick named Minn.
Uhh . . . ??
Obviously I have a thing for best friends who have four-letter names that start with "M".
Miri and Minn are quite different, but in the ways that count they are almost exactly the same. They are dedicated, loyal, friends to the end. They are capable of putting the greater good before their own. They routinely sacrifice their own comfort or safety in order to make it possible for the main character to do her thing.
At first I was embarrassed that I'd done that--written two characters fulfilling virtually identical roles--but then I thought . . . No. I'm not sorry. In these two series, friendship has been my b-story. Sure, there's romance, there's a boy worth falling for . . . but it's the relationship between the main characters and their friend, that allow them their greatest growth.
I'm sure it comes from my own life. Friendship hasn't always come easily to me. At any given point in time, I've only had one or two close friends. And there've been periods when I didn't have a friend at all. Those times were the saddest, most loneliest of times.
Romance is important. Romance is why a lot of us read! But for me, love is not limited to romance. Human beings need romantic love and we need the love of a friend.
The friends in my life have strengthened me, been my breakwater in the storm. Miri and Minn do that for Desi and Sera. Without their friendships, they would never have been as strong, capable and, ultimately, victorious.
None of my real-life friends have four-letter names that begin with "M", but all of them are reflected in these good, kind women in my books. I dedicate Miri and Minn to my friends--to the ones who have loved me even when I was less than lovable, who have kept me standing when the winds blew, who restored hope in my heart.
If you've got a friend like Miri or Minn, go and give 'em a hug, or send them a love text or something. And you don't have to live in a fairy tale world ~ if you haven't found your own Minn yet . . . don't lose hope! You never know where she might pop up.
Thank you for having me, Hannah! I hope you guys enjoy ALL the stops on the tour!
~ * ~
Blood CrownYA sci fi romance with a Cinderella twistIn this science fiction romance, androids have claimed power over what remains of the human race. They rule without remorse. They are the Mind and humans exist only to serve them.
But it wasn't always so.
Before the android uprising, select droids, called Servants, were pivotal in engineering a new human race with nanotechnology enhanced DNA. The Blood Crown theorem was to be humanity's crowning glory and the key to their survival in deep space.
But Serantha, Daughter of the West, was the last female to receive Gifts from her Servant and when the Mind mutinied, she was hidden away, and presumed dead.
Without Serantha there is no hope of the Blood Crown being realized so Nicolai, Son of the East, abandons his crown to join the rebel forces. He might not provide the future for his people he had once dreamed of, but he will not go down without a fight.
When Nicolai discovers Sera among a small compliment of kitchen staff, everything changes--but Sera's Gifts were never completed and she is ill-equipped to face a legion of androids determined to wipe her, and every other human, out of existence.
Their only hope is the Blood Crown--but even if Serantha and Nicolai can realize their potential it may be too late to save mankind. Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Goodreads
~ * ~
Ali Cross likes to say she holds a black belt in awesome since the only kind of kicking-butt she does is on paper. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, one samurai dog and four zen turtles. She's the author of the Desolation series, and also writes middle grade sci-fi and fantasyunder the pen name, Alex Banks.facebook | twitter | blog | goodreads | newsletter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
EuphorYA Scavenger Hunt Blog Stops Here's the schedule for the EuphorYA Scavenger Hunt. Each blog stop features exclusive content from one of our authors as well as a giveaway. Collect the blue / red / pink colored words to make the daily secret phrases. Then enter for your chance to win the Grand Prize Giveaway--$75 Amazon / Nook gift card (first prize only), books and swag (first, second and third prizes). Day One Stops, Friday ,June 20 - Blue Phrase
Anna Silver | Chloe Jacob's World | Elana Johnson | Books By Intisar | Ali CrossDay Two Stops, Saturday, June 21 - Red Phrase
Elisabeth Wheatley | T.L. Shreffler | RaShelle Workman | Kelly Walker | Hannah L. Clark | Christy DorrityDay Three Stops, Sunday, June 22 - Pink Phrase
Rhiannon Hart | Natasha Hanova | Tracy E. Banghart | Kaitlyn Deann | Jadie Jonesa Rafflecopter giveaway
June 12, 2014
Happy 1 Month Birthday to Uncovering Cobbogoth!
I can't believe it's already been a month since Uncovering Cobbogoth was released! What a month it's been, too. There have been so many cool things I've gotten to do and still get to do to spread the word about this little brain-child of mine.
Here's a quick re-cap:
Last week I got to go do an interview with Nick Galieti from The Good Word podcast. He was super cool, and it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be. Stay tuned for when that airs. I'll be sure to post it here.Before that, I got to visit an entire class of 6th graders who spent the last few months reading the first Cobbogoth. Check out that post with all of their amazing reviews and drawings of their favorite scenes from the book here.
edition of
All last month was Uncovering Cobbogoth's debut blog tour. There were so many incredible reviews written during that fantastic event. You can read the most sparkly ones here:Finally, I got to finish off the month of May by seeing Uncovering Cobbogoth's Book Trailer in my local movie theatre. Yeah...that was pretty amazing. :-)
But that's not all. Coming up next week, I'm participating in two very cool things. The first is Friday June 20th. I will be speaking at a BYU Creative Writing camp for 7th and 8th graders. I can't tell you how much I love talking to kids about writing and creating stories. They always amaze me! And, I have to admit I'm a pretty big fan of BYU. Go Cougs!
June 20-22 I'm participating with 14 other amazing YA authors in EuphorYA, a Speculative Fiction Scavenger Hunt. This is going to be epic for two reasons. 1) I'm going to be giving my first sneak peek for Book 2 in the Cobbogoth series: The Lemorian Crest! and 2) The grand prize is going to be pretty amazing--free books, book swag, and a $75 nook gift card. I know! I'm a little jealous I can't enter myself in giveaway.And this is what I've been doing in between it all:
Yep. Those are edits for Book 2! My sister (The illustrator) and I are both hard at work ship-shaping this baby up to submit to our editor come October--sooner if possible.
Amazingly, there is still more to come! I can't wait to see what July has in store.
Once again, I want to close by thanking all of you who have supported Uncovering Cobbogoth so far. Whether you've purchased a book, told your friends about it, or just cheered me on, it has all helped immensely, and I can't tell you how much all of the support and enthusiasm has humbled and amazed me. So thank you.
Thanks again for everything, Retro-readers, and stay tuned for all of the cool stuff coming up!
P.S. Don't forget to hop on over to Goodreads or Amazon and write a review if you've already finished Uncovering Cobbogoth. Word of Mouth is the best way to market a book, and that means the more mouths spreading the word, the better. So, I guess what I'm trying to say, is I need your mouth! :-) If you've already been putting it to work for us, thank you a million times over.
June 10, 2014
Euphor YA
Hey Retro Readers!
So, I'm extremely pumped to tell you about a cyber event I'm participating in next week from June 19-21. Three fabulous authors have come together to create a super cool online scavenger hunt that will take place on the blogs of fifteen various YA speculative fiction (Fantasy, Sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, etc) authors, like myself. As you can see from the banner below, the event is called Euphor YA: A Speculative Fiction Scavenger Hunt!
So here's the deal: from June 19-21, myself and fourteen other authors will be posting all sorts of fun and exciting, new and exclusive content from our upcoming or recently released YA books ( I will be posting my very first sneak peek of The Lemorian Crest: Book 2 in the Cobbogoth series ! Eeeeeek! WAY pumped about that.)
Within each post there will also be a clue word --and this is important, so read carefully. The culmination of all these clue words will result in your being entered into a super sweet Grand Prize Giveaway featuring swag, autographed books, ebooks, and a $75 dollar giftcard, among other things! Plus, there will be fifteen other giveaways going on at each individual author's blog. So, you really won't want to miss this baby!
On Saturday, June 21st, there will even be a Facebook Event happening with the authors and their fans, so if you've been dying to discuss or ask questions about Uncovering Cobbogoth, this is the time to do it. :-)
Anyway, I'm so excited to be a part of this event with so many fabulous authors! I hope you'll come join the fun!
So, I'm extremely pumped to tell you about a cyber event I'm participating in next week from June 19-21. Three fabulous authors have come together to create a super cool online scavenger hunt that will take place on the blogs of fifteen various YA speculative fiction (Fantasy, Sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, etc) authors, like myself. As you can see from the banner below, the event is called Euphor YA: A Speculative Fiction Scavenger Hunt!
So here's the deal: from June 19-21, myself and fourteen other authors will be posting all sorts of fun and exciting, new and exclusive content from our upcoming or recently released YA books ( I will be posting my very first sneak peek of The Lemorian Crest: Book 2 in the Cobbogoth series ! Eeeeeek! WAY pumped about that.)
Within each post there will also be a clue word --and this is important, so read carefully. The culmination of all these clue words will result in your being entered into a super sweet Grand Prize Giveaway featuring swag, autographed books, ebooks, and a $75 dollar giftcard, among other things! Plus, there will be fifteen other giveaways going on at each individual author's blog. So, you really won't want to miss this baby!
On Saturday, June 21st, there will even be a Facebook Event happening with the authors and their fans, so if you've been dying to discuss or ask questions about Uncovering Cobbogoth, this is the time to do it. :-)
Anyway, I'm so excited to be a part of this event with so many fabulous authors! I hope you'll come join the fun!
May 31, 2014
I'm Going on the Radio...Well, Almost!
Hello Retro-Readers!
I wanted to let you all know about a pretty fun thing that's happening this week. On Tuesday June 3rd at 12:00-12:30, I'm going to be going on The Good Word podcast to talk about Uncovering Cobbogoth. If you'd like to listen in, here's the link to their website:
Who knows, I might have a stroke of luck and actually say something brilliant. :-)
Also, if you're interested and in the SLC area, I'll be doing a signing at Eborn Books from 12:30-2:30 afterward. Here's the address to the book store:
254 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
It would be awesome to see as many of you there as want to/can make it!
Wish me luck!
I wanted to let you all know about a pretty fun thing that's happening this week. On Tuesday June 3rd at 12:00-12:30, I'm going to be going on The Good Word podcast to talk about Uncovering Cobbogoth. If you'd like to listen in, here's the link to their website:
Who knows, I might have a stroke of luck and actually say something brilliant. :-)
Also, if you're interested and in the SLC area, I'll be doing a signing at Eborn Books from 12:30-2:30 afterward. Here's the address to the book store:
254 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
It would be awesome to see as many of you there as want to/can make it!
Wish me luck!
May 26, 2014
"What is Hidden" by Lauren Skidmore
First of all, can I just say what a nice person Lauren Skidmore is. She is with my same publisher and our books came out on the same day. She was even nice enough to come to my launch party. Since it was her release week too, I was both surprised and flattered. And now lets move on to her cover! Yes, I will reiterate what every other reviewer has said on the subject: Gorge-ous! Really. The color scheme, the mask, the intrigue, etc. It's just lovely.
Here is the novel's premise:
In a land of masquerades and mystery, Evie is a mask maker in Venesia, where masks represent rank and identity. When a cryptic bandit strips away Evie’s mask and destroys her home, she goes into hiding at the palace to find both a new identity—and revenge. Fantasy lovers will be caught up by the mystique, romance, and magic of "What Is Hidden."
Okay, so it's kind of a short premise, but if I can describe this book to you in a few more words, What is Hidden is a Cinderella retelling Masquerade with a lot of intrigue and mystery. It felt a little Scarlet Pimpernel-ish, but with the tables turned. There was also the flair of Regency England thrown into the mix. If you like those things, you'll like this book!
Evie's world is one of masks, meaning everyone wears a mask the way the puritans wore modesty. I thought the Lacies were particularly cool. (Read the book, and you'll know what I'm talking about.) But in Skidmore's society not wearing a mask is scandalous. This, of course, creates all kinds of problems where identity and secrecy are concerned. Nobody truly is who they say they are. This idea was interesting to me; I know I couldn't trust anyone/ form lasting relationships without being able to see face/expressions/etc. But there aren't just physical masks in Skidmore's book, a lot of our characters are hiding behind metaphorical masks as well. It was an intriguing idea to consider on a societal basis.
Evie's character was so different from my own, it was interesting to see what she'd decide to do next. I admired her strong will and tenacity, but sometimes she was also aggravatingly prideful, especially where Aiden was concerned. There were a few moments where I thought her originally designated personality would've made some better choices, but those moments made her flawed, which in turn made her complex and empathetic, and therefore likable.
The one problem I did have with Evie, though, is how she dealt with grief. I know there is this big deal in YA lit about the female characters being super tough and independent, but I think that can be taken to an unrealistic level. Call me a wimp, but if what had happened to Evie in the beginning of the book had happened to me, it would've taken me a few more days--nay weeks--to scrape myself back together again. As it was, I never got the sense that she actually and realistically grieved over that event. I think if a little more time for her to grieve would've been taken in the beginning, then it would've been much easier for me to relate to her. Thankfully, Skidmore redeemed Evie for me by bringing out her more tender side toward the end, and we got a closer glimpse at her heart--which, despite her tough exterior, turned out to be rather soft.
And then there's Aiden. Yes, Aiden. He was pretty much darling through and through. He found Evie, and was always there, trying to help make her burdens lighter. The only moment where he seemed to fall out of character for me was during their declarations. After showing Aiden to be the super sweet fellow through the first two thirds of the book, I found it really hard to believe his reaction to Evie's confession. After everything they'd been through together, it seemed like he would've been more understanding. But then, we wouldn't have had a climax if he had been, so there you go.
Overall, I liked this book! It had a bit of an Italian feel for me, which was charming. Skidmore has some great writing moments in What is Hidden. Her detail is bounteous and vivid. There were a few lines I had to pause over, because of the genius in some of her metaphors and wittiness in some of her dialogue. It was a fun retelling of the Cinderella story that I think teens and preteens would really enjoy! I'm very excited to see great things happen for Ms. Skidmore!
Because of plot sophistication, I believe a younger audience would enjoy this book slightly more than an adult audience, so I've given What is Hidden two ratings.
Teen rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Adult rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Enjoy!
