K.C. Neal's Blog, page 5

Goodbye, 2011... Hello, 2012

 2011 pretty much kicked my ass, in some great ways and in other, um, less-great ways. I'd rather think about the good than the bad, so--

2011 Highlights....

Meeting all kinds of authors, bloggers, and writerly people. I look at my FB friends list and my Twitter feed, and I see so many familiar names and faces. Most of them I probably won't ever meet in person. But so many have encouraged me, given me advice, made me laugh, and pimped my book, and the physical distance really doesn't matter because they do the things friends do for each other.

Finding a publisher. I don't consider myself particularly lucky. I've had to work my ass off for pretty much everything, and I've never felt like I was at all prone to so-called lucky breaks. Hooking up with StoneHouse Ink was the one epically lucky thing that happened in 2011 (haha, I said EPIC). And it was such a ridiculous stroke of serendipity that so easily might not have happened.

Working with book bloggers. As a group, book bloggers are some of the hardest-working, most dedicated, friendliest people I know. The time they put into book blogging astounds me, for reals. And they do what they do just because they love books that much. I spent a couple of months setting up something like 80 blog appearances (maybe more, I've lost track) for the release of Pyxis, and organizing and executing those tours was grueling in some respects, I will not lie. But the book bloggers I became friends with made it all so worthwhile, and so much fun.

Reviews and feedback from readers. I had absolutely no idea how readers would react to Pyxis. Really, none at all. When lots of reviews started rolling out, I was in full-on marketing mode and focused on trying to spread the word about my product (yep, the book was a product in my mind by then). But I remember a moment when it hit me that the book was in the hands of hundreds of strangers, and I realized it really didn't belong to me anymore... it was quite surreal. I am grateful to everyone who took the time to read the book and tell me what they thought, especially the early reviewers who didn't know who I was or have a clue what they were getting in Pyxis. The reviews and feedback have given me a sense of what I have to offer that's unique, and forever changed how I think of myself as a writer.

Looking Ahead....

I expect that looking back later in my life, I'll consider 2011 a pivotal year, for many, many different reasons. Some great things happened, but I hope 2011 will turn out to be the year that began a transition away from some of the not-so-great things. Despite my occasional complaining and frustrated rants (which I usually manage to keep private... ahem), I'm deeply optimistic about 2012. I plan to publish at least two books, and start some other new ventures, too.

I'm ready!

Happy New Year! :)


Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA ParanormalPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!

Best of 2011 - Get a Paperback Copy of Exiled by M.R. Merrick!

Win a paperback copy!The Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop is for highlighting great reads from the year. Exiled by M.R. Merrick was one of my favorite indie reads in 2011. I wrote a 10-Second Review of it, here. I'm giving away paperback copy of Exiled. Note that you must live in a country where The Book Depository ships free in order to be eligible.


Thank you, Kathy (I Am a Reader, Not a Writer) for hosting this hop! The Rafflecopter entry form is below (may need to click Read More). Scroll past the form for links to more great giveaways!
Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA Paranormal - only 99c on AmazonPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!

Godiva Chocolates, Vanilla Candles, Green Tea, and Pyxis Swag Up for Grabs!

Sometimes a date with your book is better than going out. :) Enter to win a prize pack that includes Godiva chocolates, vanilla tea lights, green tea, and signed Pyxis swag - everything you need for a night in with a good read, you just add the book. ;)

Thank you, I Am a Reader Not a Writer and Oasis for YA, for hosting the Mid-Winter's Eve Blog Hop! Scroll down for the prize pack entry form. Then check out the linky at the bottom for more great giveaways. Happy holidays!
Check out more great giveaways in the hop:
Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA ParanormalPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!

Let's Be Extraordinary! Guest Post by Devri Walls

As great as it is to connect with other writers online, I love meeting them in person. I met soon-to-be-published-author Devri Walls several weeks ago, and was thrilled to find out she writes YA fantasy, too.  After reading this excerpt and hearing her talk about Wings of Arian, I can't wait to read her debut novel! Welcome to the blog, Devri....
Let's Be Extraordinary!by Devri Walls
           Nobody is truly comfortable withbeing ordinary, average. Deep down, sometimes only admitted to ourselves, isthe desire to be extraordinary in one thing or another. Some try to live outthat extraordinary desire by doing extraordinary things. Some jump offmountains, or out of airplanes. Others climb that mountain to achieve what fewothers have. And the rest of us? Well, we READ!             In reading we can see and do and beand experience anything! We can ride a bullet train,clinging to the outside while chasing the evil villain! Or if you're like me,you can leave to worlds and things that do not exist here. I read what I writeand I write what I read, YA fantasy! Why? Well, who doesn't like fantasy?Whether its magic wands or flying horses, it releases the imagination and makesus feel the way we want to feel, like anything is possible. And that rightthere, is what makes writing it so fun. Anything ispossible. There are no rules except those you create yourself. It is a world inwhich I decide when the sun sets, how tall trees grow and of course what magicworks, and what doesn't.             This book of mine, entitled Wings of Arian, is full of amazing creatures andthings. And it is only the beginning! Book two opens it up further, lookinginto creatures that hatched inside of my head and I am itching to show you. (No, really itching! I am forcing myself notto tell you about my favorite two..better move on before my hand disobeys mybrain and types it anyway.)            Now, if youwere to live in Meros, and ifyou were luckyenough to have some magical abilities you would be able to tune into threads.Rather than explain it, I will let Aleric do it for me. Here is a snippet of Wings of Arian
            The King lowered himself into his chairstaring at the book as if it were a viper about to strike. "How do you knowthat evil is returning?"            Aleric let out a deep breath. "Ifelt it. It's what we of the magical community call a thread." The King lookedat him as he normally did when ever magic was discussed, like he had sprouted asecond head. "This world is inhabited by many creatures both magical and nonmagical, all with threads. It is the essence of our life force. These threads"he explained, "weave themselves together in a beautiful tapestry. Each threadshines with different intensities; each is unique to its master. A thousandyears ago, after the battle and before Arian made his prophesy, the darkthreads that had been woven in were finally silenced." Aleric frowned. "Butthis morning, one wove itself back in."             The King sat, eyebrows knittedtogether. "Just one? One is easily contained, don't you think?"            "No, this was not any thread yourMajesty. This was the thread." He could stillfeel it, like a black snake weaving itself in and out of the other threads,marring the tapestry he knew so well. "The power was, impressive. I have nodoubt it was Dralazar. He will call his people to him and then, everything youhave tried to hide from this people will be marching through the villagesquare." Aleric gestured out the window. "Including magic."
           Fun right!? Ok, so the whole villageis about to be threatened by evil, maybe fun isn't the right word. But threads,I loved it! Feeling the intentions and essence of another run through yourheart like a thread, telling you what you need to know. Although sometimes itwould be uncomfortable, knowledge is power!             There may be one more thing that isjust as fun as inventing your own world. Writing a love story. Which is perfectbecause young adult fantasy can be BOTH! Heart stuttering, swooning lovestories. Sigh..... My husband asked me if the main character looked just likehim. I ho hummed for a bit before I admitted that no, no he did not. And couldnot help but laugh as he joked that he was, sorry he wasn't my 'ideal man' ashe huffed around the house. Which is of course not true. My husband doeshowever insist on cutting his hair irritatingly short and Emane, well Emane hasthis nice blond hair that barely falls over his forehead, and .... Well,needless to say I made him up, of course he's dreamy! But, Emane is not therewhen I cry my eyes out at night, so my husband ultimately won out in the end.             With writing I do not need anythingmore than my imagination, and words to create entire worlds, people andcreatures. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a book, or pick up a pen, andlets become extraordinary!             My book, Wings of Arian, is scheduled for release inApril of 2012 and I am currently working on book two, Wings of Tavea. You can find me on Facebook orTwitter under Devri Walls. You can also try devriwalls.com, or if you wouldlike to listen to more musing and random stories you can check out my blog atwritingmyfuture.com. Thanks To KC Neal for letting me invade her blog and beinga smiling face when I needed one most! 

Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA ParanormalPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!

It's Natasha Larry's Birthday! And a Chance for 2 Signed Paperbacks!

Help yourself to a cupcake!Today is author Natasha Larry's birthday! Happy birthday, my friend!

When I was reading Natasha's debut novel, Darwin's Children, I discovered the main character, Jaycie, has the same birthday I do (December 8). I tweeted at Natasha because I thought that was kinda neat, and I found out Natasha is a Sag, too. No wonder we've always gotten along so well! ;)

I love Jaycie not just because we have the same birthday, but because she's an awesome heroine. Psychokinetic superpowers and a sharp wit, need I say more? :) Natasha recently released the follow-up to Darwin's Children, Unnatural Law:

Seventeen-year-old Jaycie Lerner's psychokinetic power surge is over, and her astounding powers are under control for the time being – sort of. As she struggles to maintain her humanity in the face of the awesome terror and responsibility of her abilities, she also yearns for the chance at a normal life – and a relationship with Matt Carter, the best friend she had to leave behind. But Matt's got a few tricks up his sleeve, and he's not about to give up on his feelings for Jaycie.

As Jaycie and her family grapple with the day-to-day routine of trying to keep their world together, Jaycie's mother figure, Allison Young, endures a personal crisis of her own. The superhuman blonde possesses the physical equivalent of Jaycie's awesome psychic power. So evolved, at ninety-two she still looks twenty. But what good is extended life when everyone else around her is so fragile? With no one to share her unusual life, she's a uniquely lonely woman yearning for the romantic love she sees all around her. But in a dream she gets her wish – and it quickly turns to a nightmare for everyone else in her life. The memory of a rose is all she can hold onto in the storm of obsession that nearly sweeps her away.

Things quickly turn deadly for the vampires, but the Dey-Vah Guard fairies refuse to acknowledge there's an imbalance in the nature they protect. As the danger gets ever closer to Jaycie and her family, the race is on to find answers before a secret plot can destroy them all.

To celebrate the awesomeness of our Sag birthdays, we're giving away signed copies of our books! Enter below:
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Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA ParanormalPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!

Get a Signed Pyxis Paperback... Cause It's My Birthday!

I'm doing a birthday giveaway celebration with one of my favorite Sags, author Natasha Larry. Head over to her website to enter to win a signed paperback copy of Pyxis!

We Sagittarians may have to share our birthday month with the crazy holiday season, but that doesn't stop us from being AWESOME!

Sags need space and independence because they're adventurers. "Independent" has always been the first word I use to describe myself. And while my adventures don't take me around the world, they've always had me immersed in all kinds of crazy projects. I love to learn new things, and learning usually means trying. ;)

Sags are truth-seekers and want to understand the deeper meaning. Yep. I always want to know why people make the choices they make, how things work, what the process is for getting from A to B... Simply put... I want to know and understand, well, everything. :)

Sags are goal-oriented, action-oriented, consistent, sincere, and creative. I like to think all of these apply to me. I love setting and working toward goals. Without a big goal or project in front of me, life becomes a bit meaningless.

Sags' values are rooted in tradition, but they're open to experiencing all things new. So true! Deep down, I'm fairly traditional, but my quest for understanding pushes me beyond the confines of tradition.

Sags are extroverts who are always the life of the party. Mmm, this is the one area that's way off for me. I'm about as introverted as they come (BTW, introverted does NOT mean shy, low self-esteem, or lacking confidence; most people have this term completely wrong).

This graphic pretty well sums up the negative side of the Sag traits. And umm... yeah, a bunch of these definitely apply to me. Not going to say which ones, haha.



Come back here on December 11th, which is Natasha's birthday, for a chance to win a signed copy of her new release Unnatural Law!

Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA ParanormalPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!

Pyxis Now in Paperback!

 Today is Pyxis paperback release day! It's available only on Amazon. Well okay, that's not completely true. :) I also have a few copies, so if you'd like a paperback and can't get it through Amazon, please email me at kcneal.author(at)gmail(dot)com.

Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA ParanormalPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!

Christmas Kindle Fire Event!

Welcome to the Christmas Kindle Event sponsored by Independent Inklings and 55 fine indie Authors (including me!).  We are giving away a Kindle Fire ($199 Amazon Giftcard) and an ebook from EVERY AUTHOR involved!!

Tons of chances to win in the HUGE entry form below!<a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&am... need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.

Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA ParanormalPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!

Blog H0p: 10 Dollar Amazon GCard Up for Grabs!

I'm giving away an e-copy of my YA paranormal novel, Pyxis, AND a $10 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Thank you for hosting this blog hop, Heather from Book Savvy Babe, Jenn from The Bawdy Book Blog, and Lisa from Alive on the Shelves!

<a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&am... need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.
Check out these links for more great giveaways!

Pyxis Is Now Just a Buck for the Holidays!

Pyxis: The Discovery is on sale for the holidays! 70% off on Amazon - it's now only 99 cents!
Pyxis has 20 reviews with an average 4.5/5 stars. Here's what readers are saying:

"This is a story with depth and history and the characters just come to life straight off the pages.... I can definitely recommend this book. If you like young adult fantasy with a little bit of romance and a unique story, then read Pyxis. Trust me, it is worth it."
- Hannah, Once Upon a Time (4/5 stars)
"Pyxis is a phenomenal debut that blew me away."
Just 99 cents for kindle!-Kayleigh, K-Books (5/5 stars)

"An amazing cast of characters that I cannot wait to meet up with again in book two, Alight!"
-Haley, YA-aholic.com (5/5 stars)
"A completely fresh and original concept in the world of YA Paranormal."
-Emma, BelleBooks (5/5 stars)
"I was immediately sucked into a compelling world of magic, myths, and mystery.... As a debut novel, Neal had outdone herself with her unique storytelling."
-Diayll, Mother/Gamer/Writer (5/5 stars)




"All in all, Pyxis was a wonderful, entertaining and quick read! I am really eager to get my hands on the next installment to learn more of this exciting new world"
-Sharon, Obsession With Books (4/5 stars)
"This is a mystery just as much as it is paranormal. The plot is extremely well-developed.... KC proves to us she deserves our attention and that this series will be one to watch."
-Author Brina Courtney (5/5 stars)
"The paranormal elements of Pyxis are so original....  A fantastic book and a wonderful start to the series. If you're into young adult novels and fantasy, then don't miss this."
-Sophie, Life Between Pages (5/5 stars)
"I still can't get this book out of my head. It is such a cool and interesting story.... I know that this is a book that I will go back and read again.....This book is a must read!"
-Amy, Book Loving Mom (5/5 stars)
"It is well crafted and a great story. If you read Teen or YA you will love this novel."
-Author Aaron Patterson (5/5 stars)


Author K.C. Neal :: Pyxis Series :: YA ParanormalPlease visit http://kcneal.blogspot.com/ for more info and features. Thanks for reading!