T.K. Rayford's Blog, page 4
December 21, 2011
Sion Book Trailer Reveal
I actually completed the trailer for Sion last night, but I wanted to wait a bit to share it. My favorite part is the music! It was composed by Kevin McLeod and I find myself just listening to it over and over. I guess that's the dramatical person in me... But anywho, here is the trailer. Enjoy.
December 20, 2011
Gearing up for Abstrus Blog Tour
I'm super excited to announce that I will be participating in my very first blog tour with Abstrus. I can't wait! As it stands right now, the tour will be January 30-February 6th. Once the tour stops are set, I will make sure to let you know ahead of time so you can follow me.
Roxanne over at Bewitching Blog Tours is setting up my tour. Make sure to check out the tour post here. And don't be afraid to mosey around the blog and see what else she has going on over there.
And if you haven't already, get your paperback or kindle copy of Abstrus here and for nook here. And get Sion for kindle here and nook here.
Also, I'm working on Sion's book trailer and play list and will have those up for you soon. Happy reading :)
Roxanne over at Bewitching Blog Tours is setting up my tour. Make sure to check out the tour post here. And don't be afraid to mosey around the blog and see what else she has going on over there.
And if you haven't already, get your paperback or kindle copy of Abstrus here and for nook here. And get Sion for kindle here and nook here.
Also, I'm working on Sion's book trailer and play list and will have those up for you soon. Happy reading :)
December 16, 2011
Sion is now available/ Prepositions are Evil
I can't quite remember if I made the official announcement already, but if I did then you get it twice. Yay! Sion is now available for kindle and for nook. Woot woot!! I'm currently working hard on getting it up in paperback. I'm very excited that the series is coming together and I hope you check it out. You can find Abstrus for kindle/paperpack and nook too and it's still priced at 99 cent. So get it while the gettin's good.
Also, I just wanted to say that I think I might have a phobia of prepositions. When I'm writing, I have to remind myself that I'm not working on a term paper so in certain situations it may be ok to end a sentence with "at" or "of" or something equally crazy. I tend to have flashbacks of my childhood. If I'd ask where something was "at", the response would always be "it's behind that preposition." And therefore, I think preps are evil. Why should I have a phobia of using it in any place in the sentence that I want?? But just know that it's a constant struggle. I can't have Lexi say something like "With whom am I going." Totally unrealistic. So instead, she says, "who am I going with."
But anywho, like my facebook fan page for a chance to find out how to enter for a chance to win the ultimate Abstrus prize package: A signed copy of Abstrus and Sion, a t-shirt, notebook, calendar, hat, plus much more
Also, I just wanted to say that I think I might have a phobia of prepositions. When I'm writing, I have to remind myself that I'm not working on a term paper so in certain situations it may be ok to end a sentence with "at" or "of" or something equally crazy. I tend to have flashbacks of my childhood. If I'd ask where something was "at", the response would always be "it's behind that preposition." And therefore, I think preps are evil. Why should I have a phobia of using it in any place in the sentence that I want?? But just know that it's a constant struggle. I can't have Lexi say something like "With whom am I going." Totally unrealistic. So instead, she says, "who am I going with."
But anywho, like my facebook fan page for a chance to find out how to enter for a chance to win the ultimate Abstrus prize package: A signed copy of Abstrus and Sion, a t-shirt, notebook, calendar, hat, plus much more
December 10, 2011
Sion Cover
I'm so excited to show you the cover for Sion. I really enjoy looking at it and after it was complete, found myself just staring at it for extended periods of time. Don't judge me.
But just a few tidbits. The book should be available for sale on Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords some time early next week and other digital formats and paperback to follow shortly after.
Follow my facebook page for a few contests. And don't forget that Abstrus is now available for 99 cent in digital format!
And without further ado:
But just a few tidbits. The book should be available for sale on Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords some time early next week and other digital formats and paperback to follow shortly after.
Follow my facebook page for a few contests. And don't forget that Abstrus is now available for 99 cent in digital format!
And without further ado:
Sion Cover
I'm so excited to show you the cover for Sion. I really enjoy looking at it and after it was complete, found myself just staring at it for extended periods of time. Don't judge me.
But just a few tidbits. The book should be available for sale on Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords some time early next week and other digital formats and paperback to follow shortly after.
Also, I've decided to do an Abstrus giveaway each day up until the release of Sion, so follow my facebook page for those. And don't forget that Abstrus is now available for 99 cent in digital format!
And without further ado:
But just a few tidbits. The book should be available for sale on Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords some time early next week and other digital formats and paperback to follow shortly after.
Also, I've decided to do an Abstrus giveaway each day up until the release of Sion, so follow my facebook page for those. And don't forget that Abstrus is now available for 99 cent in digital format!
And without further ado:
December 9, 2011
Abstrus Discounted for a Limited Time
I am so excited about Sion, book #2 of the Planet Abstrus Series. It should be available sometime next week. I don't have an exact date yet, but will keep everyone posted. I will be releasing the cover for Sion tomorrow. I can't wait to share it!
And in anticipation of the new release, Abstrus has been discounted to 99 cent!!! If you haven't already gotten your copy for kindle, nook, smashwords, or iBooks, now is definitely the time!
So, I just wanted to share that tidbit and I can't wait until tomorrow to share Sion's cover.
Don't forget to follow my facebook page here.
And my twitter here.
And in anticipation of the new release, Abstrus has been discounted to 99 cent!!! If you haven't already gotten your copy for kindle, nook, smashwords, or iBooks, now is definitely the time!
So, I just wanted to share that tidbit and I can't wait until tomorrow to share Sion's cover.
Don't forget to follow my facebook page here.
And my twitter here.
December 6, 2011
New Abstrus Book Trailer
As you know, I've been going back and updating a lot of old things. My creative eye has grown quite a bit since I first published Abstrus. It almost makes me feel like a big girl! But I went back and watched the old book trailer and I felt that it was mediocre at best. I did a little tweaking, some deleting, and lots of adding. I hope you enjoy.
December 5, 2011
Chapter 1 of "Sion"
I'm super happy to announce that Sion is complete... or just about anyway. It is going through the editing process right now and the finishing touches are being put on the book cover. I'm very excited! My goal is to have everything completed and the book up for sale by the middle of December. It's not set in stone but things are looking good. But anyway, I wanted to share the first part of chapter 1 of the book here as a special treat. And keep your eyes pealed. I will be posting the finished book cover in the next couple of days.
OneThe air was so still that it was almost as if I existed inside of a bubble. I had been here so many times in the past two months that I wasn't surprised to be here now. The red clay cliffs stretched out in front of me as far as my eyes could see, meeting with the blazing bright horizon in the distance. My breath had stilled completely. Whenever I ended up here, the need to breathe disappeared and sound completely eluded my ears. It was still unclear if that was because this place was devoid of sound or if my ears simply didn't function to hear what was going on around me. The sun seemed to beat down on me from all directions. I glanced up at the sky to see two suns, one to the east and the other to the west. It all seemed so familiar and yet so strange. Despite all of the times that I had been here, I hadn't come any closer to deciphering where here was exactly. But no matter what I did or how hard I tried to stay away, I was sucked right back with increasing frequency that was becoming more and more alarming. And it played out the same way each time too. I would arrive in the middle of the sea of red cliffs, close enough to a gorge in front of me for my stomach to knot with the beginnings of vertigo. The gorge was a sudden break in the red clay that dropped straight down and went so far that I could barely see the clear stream at the bottom. Leaping head first from the cliff was still such a vivid memory and I didn't at all hope to repeat it. I took a step back from the edge.The spot on my back between my shoulder blades began to itch. I quickly turned with the feeling that someone was there watching me. My paranoia of being spied on had become my constant companion with each trip I made to the cliffs. But I could never get used to it and accept it as something that came with the place. Each time I swung around in a circle, determined to find and catch whomever it was that was here with me, but each time I was only met by empty space and more red clay. I would usually return to an inexplicable sense of peace after ensuring myself that I was alone, but now it seemed different. The calm that I had become familiar with did not envelope me. I was greeted by an even more urgent sense to find the person who was here. I spun around again, determined to put an end to the mystery.And there Gem stood. I sighed in relief, although the sound was lost on my ears. She had her back to me, her thick, black waist length curls blowing in a breeze that I couldn't feel, but seemed to be centered completely on her. I moved toward her, grateful to see a friendly face or any face for that matter. It was still weird for me to think of her as friend. Little more than a month and a half ago, I would have called her everything in the book other than a friend. After all, it had been her job to hunt me down and kill me. Lucky for me, she had turned out to be terrible at that job."Gem," I called out, attempting to get her attention. But the words died just as they left my lips leaving the perfect silence intact. I tried again to call her name, this time louder, hoping to break the silent barrier. But that attempt failed just as the first had. I walked around until we were facing one another. Her eyes were staring straight at me. I could tell that they weren't seeing me, but were rather seeing through me. I waved my hand in front of her dark eyes, but she didn't blink or even move to acknowledge that she sensed me there with her. Gem was the tiniest person I knew, but for what she lacked in size she made up for in strength. If we were making eye contact, she had to slightly look up to me. I bent my knees until I was at eye level with her and placed my hands on her shoulders. Her skin was icy to the touch and I jerked my hands back. Panic overtook me as I watched pretty face contort in a mask of fear and pain. Her mouth opened in a soundless scream. I reached out to shake her out of whatever horror she was witnessing behind her eyes. But my hands, this time, went through her, grasping only air. I grabbed for her again, but still my hands came away empty. I watched helplessly as her form that was solid only minutes before flickered and lightened until she was transparent. And ultimately she disappeared altogether, leaving me alone again on the barren red cliffs."Lexi," a deep voice called. And when I didn't respond right away, it called again. "Lex, get up. You're going to be late for school."I sat straight up in bed, blinking over and over in an attempt to focus my eyes. My purple comforter was twisted all around my legs. I moved to untangle myself as I surveyed my room. Everything was in order as it always was; my CD collection stacked waist high in the corner and my country flags lined up neatly. My heart rate slowed to resemble a somewhat normal pace as I realized what was going on. I had had the dream again. I let out the breath I had been holding, partly in relief, and partly to ensure that my ears were working properly. The recurring dream had first started over two months ago, but I was still unnerved every time I was sucked into it. It had become a staple in my week: eat, watch TV, clean my room, have crazy dream. I went to bed each night fully aware that I could end up back on those red cliffs, but still felt blindsided when it actually happened. But this time it had been different. Gem was there and that was new. Remembering the terrified look in her eyes just before she disappeared left me with an ominous feeling in my gut. I wondered silently what it could mean.
OneThe air was so still that it was almost as if I existed inside of a bubble. I had been here so many times in the past two months that I wasn't surprised to be here now. The red clay cliffs stretched out in front of me as far as my eyes could see, meeting with the blazing bright horizon in the distance. My breath had stilled completely. Whenever I ended up here, the need to breathe disappeared and sound completely eluded my ears. It was still unclear if that was because this place was devoid of sound or if my ears simply didn't function to hear what was going on around me. The sun seemed to beat down on me from all directions. I glanced up at the sky to see two suns, one to the east and the other to the west. It all seemed so familiar and yet so strange. Despite all of the times that I had been here, I hadn't come any closer to deciphering where here was exactly. But no matter what I did or how hard I tried to stay away, I was sucked right back with increasing frequency that was becoming more and more alarming. And it played out the same way each time too. I would arrive in the middle of the sea of red cliffs, close enough to a gorge in front of me for my stomach to knot with the beginnings of vertigo. The gorge was a sudden break in the red clay that dropped straight down and went so far that I could barely see the clear stream at the bottom. Leaping head first from the cliff was still such a vivid memory and I didn't at all hope to repeat it. I took a step back from the edge.The spot on my back between my shoulder blades began to itch. I quickly turned with the feeling that someone was there watching me. My paranoia of being spied on had become my constant companion with each trip I made to the cliffs. But I could never get used to it and accept it as something that came with the place. Each time I swung around in a circle, determined to find and catch whomever it was that was here with me, but each time I was only met by empty space and more red clay. I would usually return to an inexplicable sense of peace after ensuring myself that I was alone, but now it seemed different. The calm that I had become familiar with did not envelope me. I was greeted by an even more urgent sense to find the person who was here. I spun around again, determined to put an end to the mystery.And there Gem stood. I sighed in relief, although the sound was lost on my ears. She had her back to me, her thick, black waist length curls blowing in a breeze that I couldn't feel, but seemed to be centered completely on her. I moved toward her, grateful to see a friendly face or any face for that matter. It was still weird for me to think of her as friend. Little more than a month and a half ago, I would have called her everything in the book other than a friend. After all, it had been her job to hunt me down and kill me. Lucky for me, she had turned out to be terrible at that job."Gem," I called out, attempting to get her attention. But the words died just as they left my lips leaving the perfect silence intact. I tried again to call her name, this time louder, hoping to break the silent barrier. But that attempt failed just as the first had. I walked around until we were facing one another. Her eyes were staring straight at me. I could tell that they weren't seeing me, but were rather seeing through me. I waved my hand in front of her dark eyes, but she didn't blink or even move to acknowledge that she sensed me there with her. Gem was the tiniest person I knew, but for what she lacked in size she made up for in strength. If we were making eye contact, she had to slightly look up to me. I bent my knees until I was at eye level with her and placed my hands on her shoulders. Her skin was icy to the touch and I jerked my hands back. Panic overtook me as I watched pretty face contort in a mask of fear and pain. Her mouth opened in a soundless scream. I reached out to shake her out of whatever horror she was witnessing behind her eyes. But my hands, this time, went through her, grasping only air. I grabbed for her again, but still my hands came away empty. I watched helplessly as her form that was solid only minutes before flickered and lightened until she was transparent. And ultimately she disappeared altogether, leaving me alone again on the barren red cliffs."Lexi," a deep voice called. And when I didn't respond right away, it called again. "Lex, get up. You're going to be late for school."I sat straight up in bed, blinking over and over in an attempt to focus my eyes. My purple comforter was twisted all around my legs. I moved to untangle myself as I surveyed my room. Everything was in order as it always was; my CD collection stacked waist high in the corner and my country flags lined up neatly. My heart rate slowed to resemble a somewhat normal pace as I realized what was going on. I had had the dream again. I let out the breath I had been holding, partly in relief, and partly to ensure that my ears were working properly. The recurring dream had first started over two months ago, but I was still unnerved every time I was sucked into it. It had become a staple in my week: eat, watch TV, clean my room, have crazy dream. I went to bed each night fully aware that I could end up back on those red cliffs, but still felt blindsided when it actually happened. But this time it had been different. Gem was there and that was new. Remembering the terrified look in her eyes just before she disappeared left me with an ominous feeling in my gut. I wondered silently what it could mean.
November 29, 2011
New, New Book Cover for Abstrus
Yeah, yeah. I hear you, and yes this is indeed the third cover for Abstrus. They say it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. And this is me flexing my prerogatory muscle. The good news is, though, that I have absolutely no intention of changing it again. (Be thankful for small blessings.)
The thing is, I have been really racking my brain to try and figure out what I could do for Abstrus, because I just haven't been completely satisfied. After engaging in a long, drawn out convo with the artistic genius of my go to person for all things design-related, and also my future hubby (who shall be referred to from here on out as "T" :) I realized that I wasn't quite happy with the cover. Don't get me wrong... he and I worked hard on the first two covers and I really love them... but they weren't quite speaking to what I envisioned for the book. And we worked for a few days straight on designing a new one, and folks I must say THIS is the Abstrus I envisioned. I'm so proud of it!!
The first cover
2nd Cover
And finally, the brand spanking new one
The black is for the printed book and the red for the ebooks.What do you think??
And don't forget about the contest over at the FairyTale Nerd for a chance to win a copy of the book. Click here to enter.You also enter the giveaway at Goodreads for a shot at an autographed copy (New cover). Click here.
The thing is, I have been really racking my brain to try and figure out what I could do for Abstrus, because I just haven't been completely satisfied. After engaging in a long, drawn out convo with the artistic genius of my go to person for all things design-related, and also my future hubby (who shall be referred to from here on out as "T" :) I realized that I wasn't quite happy with the cover. Don't get me wrong... he and I worked hard on the first two covers and I really love them... but they weren't quite speaking to what I envisioned for the book. And we worked for a few days straight on designing a new one, and folks I must say THIS is the Abstrus I envisioned. I'm so proud of it!!
The first cover
2nd CoverAnd finally, the brand spanking new one
The black is for the printed book and the red for the ebooks.What do you think??
And don't forget about the contest over at the FairyTale Nerd for a chance to win a copy of the book. Click here to enter.You also enter the giveaway at Goodreads for a shot at an autographed copy (New cover). Click here.
November 23, 2011
I'm a Wiener... You are Too
I'm sitting here feeling majorly accomplished as if I just saved the world from the clutches of Megatron or something. No, I haven't done anything nearly that major. All I did was successfully took off my procrastinator hat and actually accomplished a goal I set my sights on... and ahead of schedule too :) I am proud to say that I met the goal that is NaNoWriMo. And just in time for Thanksgiving too! That gives me a little extra something to thank him for on the morrow. So I met one of my short term goals, and that makes me a wiener... or a winner *cough*.
You can be a wiener too! I'd love to know about any short term goals that everyone else set and met. This is super exciting for me, because I am usually the absolute worst at short term goals. Long term ones- now that's more my speed. Something to work toward over an extended period of time. But the short ones mean that I have to be doing something right now to obtain them. And right now was never really a good look for me.
So we will call me Mrs. Right Now (at least in this post). And to celebrate, I'm off to have a Coke and a smile. Be a wiener too. I will gladly share my smile... sorry though. Can't get my Coke.
Like the TK Rayford fan page here.Get Abstrus on Kindle here.Enter the contest for a free copy of Abstrus here.
You can be a wiener too! I'd love to know about any short term goals that everyone else set and met. This is super exciting for me, because I am usually the absolute worst at short term goals. Long term ones- now that's more my speed. Something to work toward over an extended period of time. But the short ones mean that I have to be doing something right now to obtain them. And right now was never really a good look for me.
So we will call me Mrs. Right Now (at least in this post). And to celebrate, I'm off to have a Coke and a smile. Be a wiener too. I will gladly share my smile... sorry though. Can't get my Coke.
Like the TK Rayford fan page here.Get Abstrus on Kindle here.Enter the contest for a free copy of Abstrus here.
