J.C. Martin's Blog, page 27

Writer Wednesday with a Difference: Blog Award!

Welcome to my Writer Wednesday feature! Usually, I use this weekly feature to either showcase a fellow writer who has inspired/encouraged me in some way, or I interview one. Today, though, will be a bit different…

I've been awarded the Liebster Blog award! Thank you, Barbara G. Tarn @ Creative Barbwire! 'Liebster' is German for 'Beloved'–aww!

To accept the award, one has to pass it on to five other bloggers. So this week, instead of featuring one writer, I'll be featuring five! So here are my nominees for the Liebster Blog award–five of the awesomest blogs around!

To view their blogs, simply click on their profile picture, or their name!

Talli Roland

Talli's been an inspiration to me ever since she published her first novel, The Hating Game. She introduced me to the chick lit genre with the fantastic and sweet Build a Man, and she continues to amaze me with the ingenious ideas she comes up with to promote her books, from an actual Build a Man website, to dressing up as Marilyn Monroe! Talli's blog is chock-full of the same lighthearted humour, and it never fails to put a smile on my face!

Len Lambert

[image error]My buddy Len has just started a new writer's blog. I enjoyed her old, more personal blog, but this new one is starting to look swell! Her second ever blog post was the cover reveal for Oracle as part of my ongoing Mystery Tour! That alone qualifies her for the Liebster Blog award, but there is so much more that I like about her blog, the design, the neatness, and like the kind, caring sweetheart she is, Len promotes her fellow writers' books in her sidebar! So  here's your first award for your new blog, Len!

Lucy Felthouse

Firstly, I love that cartoon writer girl at the top of her site! Also, the layout is fantastic: the share toolbar down the bottom, the Twitter, Facebook, etc. links on the right … but then again, what would you expect from a writer who's also a talented web designer? Her website's even been nominated for the Xcite Books Awards 2012! While Lucy is an erotic author, and some of her snippets, although a great read, can make some people blush, it's a great place to get your weekly fix of eye candy. Totty Tuesday, anyone?

Lydia Kang @ The Word is My Oyster

Lydia is a writer and a medical doctor, and her Medical Mondays feature is a must-read! Ever wondered if it was medically feasible to kill off a character by breaking his neck with your bare hands? Or if your hero would be able to remain conscious all that time with the amount of blood he's lost? What about dreaming up the worst disease ever to afflict one unfortunate character? Ask Lydia! (Okay, perhaps not all writers are that sadistic, but I am!) Understandably, Lydia's already got a whole smorgasbord of blog awards, but if my eyes hadn't deceived me, it looks like she's yet to receive a Liebster Blog award. So, here you go, Lydia! Another award to add to your collection!

Michael Di Gesu @ In Time…

One of my favourite features on Michael's blog is the Earthly Angels series. Not enough is done to recognise the true, honest, and caring people in the world, who go above and beyond the norm to help others in need. Michael's Earthly Angels posts will restore faith in humanity, even in the hardest of hearts. He even made me an Earthly Angel once, an honour I feel undeserving of after reading the sacrifices of other Earthly Angels. I know you've already received the Liebster Blog award previously, Michael, but one more can't hurt!

 

ORACLE Cover Reveal Mystery Tour: Amazon Voucher & Swag Up for Grabs!

Today's the day! The day I reveal the official cover for Oracle, something I've been itching to do since the moment we finalised the design!

Permission to squee!

And true to the book's genre, I'm holding a Mystery Tour to celebrate! Join in the sleuthing, and you'll be in with the chance to win a $20 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

Imagine the books you can buy with this! Oracle, maybe?

*EDIT: To sweeten the deal, I'm also giving away 5 additional prize bundles comprising Oracle swag: bookmarks, postcards and a magnet! (You may have to be patient in receiving these prizes as I'm still waiting for the printers to get them to me!)

But first, if I keep this to myself any longer I'm going to burst! So here it is, the official cover and blurb for Oracle, courtesy of the talented people at J. Taylor Publishing:

Isn't it purty? I've got cover envy! Oh, wait, that is my cover!

BLURB

As the countdown begins, the body count rises.

With London gearing up to host the Olympics, the city doesn't need a serial killer stalking the streets. They've got one anyway.

Leaving a trail of brutal and bizarre murders, the police are no closer to finding their latest murderer than Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer is in finding a solution for his daughter's disability.

Thrust into the pressure cooker of a high profile case, the struggling single parent is wound tight as he tries to balance care of his own family with the safety of a growing population of potential next victims.

One of whom could be his own daughter.

Fingers point in every direction as the public relations nightmare grows, and Lancer's only answer comes in the form of a single oak leaf left at each crime scene.

Oracle will be available both in print and in e-book form on July 30th, 2012!

I'm so excited!

Now, this wouldn't be a Mystery Tour without a mystery … and a tour. 14 of my wonderful blogger buddies from around the world have agreed to publicise my official cover release on their blogs:

John Ling (New Zealand)
Anna Tan @ Deeply Shallow (Malaysia)
Damyanti Biswas @ Amlokiblogs (Singapore)
Jessica Bell @ The Alliterative Allomorph (Greece)
Len Lambert @ Conversations with Self (UK)
Joy L. Campbell @ The Character Depot (Jamaica)
Genna Sarnak @ Reading, Writing, and the World of Words (USA)
Rick Gualtieri @ The Poptart Manifesto (USA)
PK Hrezo, My Fiction Addiction (USA)
Cherie Reich (USA)
Raine Thomas @ Write as Raine (USA)
Brittany Carrigan @ The Cover (and Everything in Between…) (USA)
Corinne O'Flynn (USA)
Mary Pax @ Wistful Nebula (USA)  

Here comes the mystery bit: two of these bloggers have committed heinous literary crimes!

Don't blame them! After all, I am the criminal mastermind here. So what bookish travesties have they committed?

Mystery #1: The Case of the Doctored Cover

One blogger has posted a forged version of the book cover, which is ever so slightly different from the genuine one! Can you spot the forgery?

Mystery #2: The Case of Mistaken Identity

Another blogger has posted a counterfeit blurb, one where the name of my protagonist has been changed!

The big question, of course, is…

[image error]

That, my dear readers, is a job for you!

Head on over to the blogs of my fellow Mystery Tour hosts, and once you find the culprits, close the case by filing your report with the Rafflecopter authorities below!

One lucky Sherlock will win an Amazon gift card worth $20!

The contest will run till Friday 27th January, and I will announce a winner on Saturday.

 So whaddaya waitin' for? Get out that deerstalker hat, smoking pipe and magnifying glass, and start sleuthing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

<a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&am... need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.

ORACLE Cover Reveal Mystery Tour: Amazon Voucher Up for Grabs!

Today's the day! The day I reveal the official cover for Oracle, something I've been itching to do since the moment we finalised the design!

Permission to squee!

And true to the book's genre, I'm holding a Mystery Tour to celebrate! Join in the sleuthing, and you'll be in with the chance to win a $20 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

Imagine the books you can buy with this! Oracle, maybe?

But first, if I keep this to myself any longer I'm going to burst! So here it is, the official cover and blurb for Oracle, courtesy of the talented people at J. Taylor Publishing:

Isn't it purty? I've got cover envy! Oh, wait, that is my cover!

BLURB

As the countdown begins, the body count rises.

With London gearing up to host the Olympics, the city doesn't need a serial killer stalking the streets. They've got one anyway.

Leaving a trail of brutal and bizarre murders, the police are no closer to finding their latest murderer than Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer is in finding a solution for his daughter's disability.

Thrust into the pressure cooker of a high profile case, the struggling single parent is wound tight as he tries to balance care of his own family with the safety of a growing population of potential next victims.

One of whom could be his own daughter.

Fingers point in every direction as the public relations nightmare grows, and Lancer's only answer comes in the form of a single oak leaf left at each crime scene.

Oracle will be available both in print and in e-book form on July 30th, 2012!

I'm so excited!

Now, this wouldn't be a Mystery Tour without a mystery … and a tour. 14 of my wonderful blogger buddies from around the world have agreed to publicise my official cover release on their blogs:

John Ling (New Zealand)
Anna Tan @ Deeply Shallow (Malaysia)
Damyanti Biswas @ Daily (w)rite (Singapore)
Jessica Bell @ The Alliterative Allomorph (Greece)
Len Lambert @ Conversations with Self (UK)
Joy L. Campbell @ The Character Depot (Jamaica)
Genna Sarnak @ Reading, Writing, and the World of Words (USA)
Rick Gualtieri @ The Poptart Manifesto (USA)
PK Hrezo, My Fiction Addiction (USA)
Cherie Reich (USA)
Raine Thomas @ Write as Raine (USA)
Brittany Carrigan (USA)
Corinne O'Flynn (USA)
Mary Pax @ Wistful Nebula (USA)  

Here comes the mystery bit: two of these bloggers have committed heinous literary crimes!

Don't blame them! After all, I am the criminal mastermind here. So what bookish travesties have they committed?

Mystery #1: The Case of the Doctored Cover

One blogger has posted a forged version of the book cover, which is ever so slightly different from the genuine one! Can you spot the forgery?

Mystery #2: The Case of Mistaken Identity

Another blogger has posted a counterfeit blurb, one where the name of my protagonist has been changed!

The big question, of course, is…

[image error]

That, my dear readers, is a job for you!

Head on over to the blogs of my fellow Mystery Tour hosts, and once you find the culprits, close the case by filing your report with the Rafflecopter authorities below!

One lucky Sherlock will win an Amazon gift card worth $20!

The contest will run till Friday 27th January, and I will announce a winner on Saturday.

 So whaddaya waitin' for? Get out that deerstalker hat, smoking pipe and magnifying glass, and start sleuthing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

<a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&am... need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.

Six Sentence Sunday: Hot Blaize

This is a weekly feature whereby participants post six (6) sentences of their work, published or otherwise, to be read (and possibly critiqued) by everyone else. Thank you to all regular commenters for your return visit, and welcome to all new visitors!

Okay, so I know I'm not actually on the SSS linky list this week. Linky Tools kept sending me to some error page, and after 3 days of trying, I still couldn't enter myself! But because I have exciting news to share, I thought I'd participate unofficially anyway…

We're sticking with Oracle (which will have a shiny new cover revealed tomorrow! *squeee!*). Following on from last week, here's more on Lancer's partner, Sam Blaize. Here, they meet the latest recruit to their Murder Investigation Team.

—

How I picture Sam Blaize: a tough-looking Alicia Witt (click image for picture source)

"You're Sam Blaize?" he asked my partner. "I was expecting a … oh, it must be short for Saman—"

"No, just Sam," Blaize said, cutting him off, green eyes flashing a stormy warning. There were two things nobody ever called her: Ginger was one; her hair colour could be better described, in her own words, as "cinnamon." The other taboo word was Samantha. Considering her knockout record as an amateur kickboxing champion with the nickname "Firestorm," most people were wise enough to respect her wishes.

—

I may be guilty of a cliche here, but what else can someone with the name Blaize be but a fiery redhead?

Come back tomorrow for Oracle's official cover reveal! There's even a celebratory CONTEST!

Now pop on over to visit the other SSS participants!

Writer Wednesday Interview with Michael Myer

Welcome to my Writer Wednesday feature! Each week, I either showcase a fellow writer who has inspired/encouraged me in some way, or I interview one. Writers could be at any stage of their writing career.

I am pleased to introduce this week's guest:

Michael Myer

Michael recently retired after a 40-year career of teaching writing at a California community college. He has traveled extensively throughout the world, having lived in Finland, Germany, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He lives in Southern California wine country with his wife, Kitty, and their two other cats.

Contact: Goodreads / Amazon Author Page

When did you start writing?

I published my first book at the age of ten. My parents bought the only copy produced. It was a short synopsis of California history. The sale hooked me. I have written ever since.

What genres do you write?

I currently have three published novels on Amazon Kindle. Covert Dreams is an international thriller, The Famous Union is comical fiction, and The Survival of Marvin Baines is contemporary fiction with some dark humor.

Sum up your current WiP in 10 words or less.

Murder and stalking on a Caribbean island.

What's your ultimate goal as a writer?

I am not out for money. As a retired college professor, I have a nice pension. Rather, I want to write until I die. I love creating characters and plots. Writing to me is like reading. I never know precisely where things will lead. I am in good health, and my doctor told me that writing is a very healthy avocation for someone in my situation: a retiree. I love his advice.

How close are you to achieving this goal?

Not close at all, I hope. I want to live to a ripe old age, but I hope I have my faculties about me as does my ninety-eight-year-old aunt who still lives alone and has a mind as clear as gin.

Any quirky writing habits?

Quirky appeals to me, so many of the characters in my novels, particularly in The Famous Union, have quite quirky personalities. In fact, one reviewer posted that my characters would make good case studies for a psych class. I like that.

Best writing snack?

A glass or two of India Pale Ale after completing my work for the day when I feel on top of the world. The bitter hops help me celebrate my accomplishment.

Kung Fu KAPOW!  Question:

What writerly superpower would you most like to have?

I love to write, but promoting and marketing my own work is not my cup of tea. Therefore, I wish I were the Superman of marketing. I believe strongly in my own work. All three of my novels have garnered strong reviews. I just wish I had the superpower to get the word out to readers about the existence of my three novels.

—

I am on the hunt for more willing Writer Wednesday victims! Are you game to answer six simple questions and one not-so-simple Kung Fu KAPOW! Question? If you have a book release coming up soon, or if you just want a bit of exposure, let me know! Happy to accommodate giveaways as part of your interview as well! E-mail me HERE to express your interest!

Weekly Round-Up

Yee-haw! Welcome to the Weekly Round-up, where I lasso up the week's latest news and rootin'-tootin' literary articles on the Net!

In the news: why publishers Faber is running a self-publishing course. (via Futurebook)

EPublishaBook.com has an interesting post on the differences between an author and a writer.

And an open call for submissions: my publisher, J. Taylor Publishing, is seeking submissions for their winter 2012 Make Believe anthology, based on a picture prompt. For guidelines and to view the picture prompt,  click here. Deadline: April 11, 2012.

Finally, check back here, same time next week, for my official cover reveal for Oracle! I have a Mystery Tour planned, with a $20 Amazon gift card to entice you! Can't wait to share the cover and official blurb with everyone!

Six Sentence Sunday: Narcissus

This is a weekly feature whereby participants post six (6) sentences of their work, published or otherwise, to be read (and possibly critiqued) by everyone else. Thank you to all regular commenters for your return visit, and welcome to all new visitors!

I thought I'd introduce you to Lancer's partner in crime-solving this week. Here, she appears for the first time in Oracle, catching Lancer in the act of narcissism:

—

Official cover reveal on January 23rd, 2012! Stay tuned!

A sharp rap on the driver's side window snapped me from my vanity check. My partner, Detective Sergeant Sam Blaize, grinned at me through the glass barrier.

"You can stare in a magic mirror all you like," Blaize said, as I opened the car door, "but it won't make you any prettier." The corners of her eyes crinkled in amusement.

"Actually, I was seeing how long it'd take for my face to crack the mirror," I stood up, towering over Blaize. Most women of her stature would cross the street when they saw me coming, but I'd seen Blaize take down enough men my size—one of them a knife-wielding maniac—to know my imposing physique didn't faze her one bit.

—

That's it for this week! Now I'm off to read some awesome six sentences! Care to join me?

On Lessons Learnt and Pr1zes W0n…

I'm making an appearance at John Ling's blog today with a guest post on the 10 Lessons I Learned in My Journey As a Writer. Pop on over and have a read!

And, thanks to everyone who entered the Writer Wednesday draw for John's debut thriller, The Blasphemer. Here are the five winners:

Jenna Quentin

Anna Tan

Susanna Hill

Kim

Kim L

Congratulations, guys! You each win an e-book copy of The Blasphemer! I'll be getting in touch shortly with your prizes…

First Guest Appearance of the Year

I'm over at Jason Bourne's blog, Jason's Spina Bifida Journey, today, for his Author's Roundtable interview! He's even put up a rarely-seen picture of moi in old-fashioned kung fu get-up!

To read the interview, click HERE.

And you've got two more days to comment on this week's Writer Wednesday post for the chance to win one of five copies of John Ling's The Blasphemer. I'm loving what I've read of the book so far, so don't miss your chance! Contest ends Friday night, and winners will be announced Saturday morning!

Win iiit!

Writer Wednesday Interview with John Ling: FIVE Copies of THE BLASPHEMER Up for Grabs!

Welcome to my Writer Wednesday feature! Each week, I either showcase a fellow writer who has inspired/encouraged me in some way, or I interview one. Writers could be at any stage of their writing career.

This week's guest is someone I'm super-excited to have on the Fighter Writer:

John Ling

John is a fellow Malaysian writer living in beautiful New Zealand. By day, he works as a producer on TVNZ, the nation's largest broadcaster. By night, he is the managing editor of Kia Kaha Press, a publishing imprint.

Seeing as we don't get taught English as a first language in the national education system, I am always thrilled to find fellow Malaysians who write in English. And my, can John write! The first seven chapters of his debut thriller, The Blasphemer, is available for sample on his website. Read it, and I guarantee you'll be hooked  by his tight prose and explosive writing!

Contact: Website | Blog | Facebook

***Read on to find out how you can win one of five (5) e-copies of John's novel, The Blasphemer!***

When did you start writing?

I probably began writing as soon as I could read!

My initial inspiration was Enid Blyton. Then I progressed to Charles Dickens before moving on to David Morrell.

Very different writers, to be sure, but each of them has taught something invaluable about the art of writing. Mainly the fact that writing is not truly make-believe. It's self-psychoanalysis. You draw from your own experiences in order to construct fiction that's authentic and compelling.

What genres do you write?

I write thrillers with an international focus. And my characters are operators–special-operations personnel who work undercover, straddling the line between law enforcement and military.

Sum up your current WiP in 10 words or less.

Former soldier hunts another who's become a serial killer.

What's your ultimate goal as a writer?

To produce a story that's honest and authentic, no matter how difficult the subject matter may be.

How close are you to achieving this goal?

I have no idea, but I like to think that I'm inching a bit closer every day.

Any quirky writing habits?

I like my fonts in Microsoft Word to be as large and magnified as possible. It helps me spot mistakes!

Best writing snack?

Tim Tams. It's an Australian biscuit layered with chocolate. Sinfully delectable!

J.C.: Ooh…! I LOVE Tim Tams! We could get them sometimes in Malaysia, and my brother brings them back for my Mom! Wonder where I can get Tim Tams in London…? I can imagine eating them while writing could result in sticky chocolate-covered keys…

Kung Fu KAPOW!  Question:

What is the one most important advice you would offer all aspiring writers?

I believe that talent is not the most important skill in writing. It's actually craftsmanship–the hands-on process of getting from point A to point B. And you learn best by repeatedly doing it. And if you do it enough, you'll learn how to maximise your strengths and minimise your weaknesses.

—

Giveaway!

John is kindly giving away five e-copies of the The Blasphemer (extended version!) to five lucky readers, in the format of their choice (MOBI, EPUB or PDF):

Blurb:

When Abraham Khan releases an e-book condemning radical Islam, the consequences hit him fast and hard–an armed fanatic smashes into his home one evening, trying to kill him. He survives the harrowing attempt. Just barely. But will he survive the next one? 

Maya Raines is the security operator brought in to protect Abraham. She is tough and committed. The very best at what she does. Always one step ahead of the threat. 

But Abraham is no ordinary principal–he will not hide, and he will not stay silent. And as rage explodes on the streets and the nation is propelled to the brink, Maya will have to ask herself the hardest question of all: how far would you go to protect one man's right to speak?

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

For your chance to win, all you have to do is to leave a comment below, being sure you fill in the e-mail address field. For an extra entry, you can ask John a question, which I am certain he'd be glad to answer!

The giveaway will run till Friday 13th January. Five winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Saturday. Good luck!

—

I am on the hunt for more willing Writer Wednesday victims! Are you game to answer six simple questions and one not-so-simple Kung Fu KAPOW! Question? If you have a book release coming up soon, or if you just want a bit of exposure, let me know! Happy to accommodate giveaways as part of your interview as well! E-mail me HERE to express your interest!