Ann T. Bugg's Blog, page 3

Series is back up!

Okay, you probably didn’t even know it was gone. I didn’t get online and mention anywhere that my publisher and I mutually parted ways. Nope, no details – gory or otherwise. I wish them well and vice versa.

I was in the process of re-reading all the books when we decided this. I fell in love with them all over again. Abandoning the stories was just not an option.

With my daughter’s artwork on the covers, re-branding was not going to happen. She put too much work into it & I love them! I had the text changed up to be more uniform, but that’s all. The backs will have more character with the design matching the front (see series tab). It’s taken a bit, but I’ve actually gotten excited about the re-release. 

In a huff of not sure what I was going to do, I honestly didn’t even want to see the books I had on hand for signings. I sent everything I had left in stock to a children’s hospital in Rochester. So I guess some good does come out of what may seem bad at the time.

As of yesterday, 1, 2, & 3 are back up in e at B&N and Amazon as well as Smashwords where you can get all formats for whatever type of e-reader you have. Print books will follow shortly. I have a children’s book fair in May so that’s my goal.

Thanks for all of your support over the years! Val & Sam are still on track for all your double-trouble needs! Book #4 is still set for a May release!

Happy Reading!

Ann T Bugg

 

Interview with Melanie Hooyenga ~ Flicker

Since I am in the presence of some fabulous authors daily, I thought I could start sharing some here.

This year, I started a middle grade book group on Facebook. It has turned into a wonderful group of readers and writers that is slowly growing. We have been joined by a few Young Adult authors as well. The books are all getting great reviews and deserve some “pimping”. I wanted to start doing guest posts and interviews since I don’t do much for blogging here.

I’d like to kick this off with a newly released YA novel by a great friend. I read this a few drafts ago & loved it. I’m anxious to read the changes but more so – can’t wait for book #2!!

FLICKER tells the story of seventeen-year old Biz, who uses sunlight to flicker back to yesterday. No one knows about her freakish ability and she’s content to keep it that way. Guys don’t stick around because she refuses to let them in, but all that changes when Cameron, her best friend, starts looking oh-so-yummy. But the butterflies come to a screeching halt when little girls start disappearing, then take a nosedive when the police link the kidnappings to Cameron’s sister, who vanished years earlier. As the police grasp for clues, Biz photographs a strange man lurking in the shadows and realizes that her flickering can help more than just herself.

Kindle buy link

 

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Melanie (lovingly referred to as “Hoo”) was kind enough to answer a few questions all well!

1. Where are you from?

I’ve always been a Michigan girl, but I’ve lived in Washington DC, Chicago, and Mexico. I bought my first house in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the summer of 2012.

2. What sparked your interest in writing?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved telling stories. Fortunately I have a decent grasp of the English language so writing is how I tell others what’s in my head.

3. What components, in your opinion, make a great story?

A story that keeps me on my toes. If the plot is too predictable I get bored. There are several series that I enjoy, but I can’t read several in a row because the formula gets old.

4. How would you generally categorize the books/stories you write?

Young adult with a lot of sarcasm. Basically my personality.

5. Do you set your books/stories in your home town, or do you prefer more exotic locations?

My second novel (which I plan to rewrite as young adult) takes place in my hometown of Spring Lake, Michigan. I wrote it while living in Mexico and I never imagined I’d end up back there, but I was living in Spring Lake while editing it.

6. How much of your writing is based on people or events familiar to you?

Not much. I pull bits and pieces from people that I meet, but only small details. My characters truly are figments of my imagination.

7.  What inspired you to write FLICKER?

Flickering sunlight — when it shines through trees causing a strobe effect — has always affected me, to the point that if I don’t shield my eyes my brain completely wigs out. A few years ago I was driving to see my grandmother in the hospital and while shielding my eyes, the idea struck: what if the flickering sunlight made a girl travel back to yesterday?

I researched the phenomenon and discovered the Flicker Syndrome is very common in helicopter pilots. The blades rotating above their head cause the light to flicker at a rate that causes strobing (this is my completely unscientific explanation), and it can cause everything from migraines to seizures, both of which I’ve incorporated into FLICKER.

8. How did you come up with the title?

The title didn’t come to me until halfway through the first draft. It seemed like an obvious choice from the beginning. I debated adding “Effect” at the end but worried it would sound like a techno-thriller, which it’s definitely not.

9. What was the hardest part of the story to write?

Keeping track of what already happened when Biz flickers. While writing, I copied and pasted the passages I wanted to repeat, then rewrote them so her reactions were different. The dialogue and movements remain the same, but because she knows what’s going to happen, her thoughts change.

10. What was the easiest part of the story to write?

Describing the cute boys, duh.

11. Was there much research involved?

Quite a bit at the beginning. I’ve created a medical phenomenon, but it’s based on actual science.  There are links between migraines, epilepsy, and a few other things I’ve thrown in, and while flickering as I’ve described it doesn’t exist, I wanted it to be plausible.

12. Is there a message in your story you want readers to grasp?

There’s always something bigger than yourself.

13. What do you feel is your biggest strength as a writer?

I write clean and I write realistic dialogue.

14. When your first started writing, did anything about the writing process surprise you?

Not so much the process, but more my process. I’m a control freak and have to write the story in the order that it happens. I didn’t know that some writers use completely different methods until I befriended other writers and started swapping strategies. The thought of writing in unorganized scenes gives me the willies, but it works for some people.

15. Do you celebrate when you finish a story, and if so, how?

I do a little dance in my chair. Then I read a book.

16. Do you have a set writing routine?

No. I work full-time so I write when I can. I write quickly (up to 1000 words in an hour when I’m really on a roll) so lunch breaks are best. Otherwise I take advantage of any spare chunk of time.

17. Do you listen to music when you write?

Sometimes. I have a really hard time settling on what I want to listen to, so if I waited until I picked a playlist I’d never get anything done.

18. What do you like least about writing?

How long it takes to get to The End.

19. Give us a mini-tour of your writing space.

I recently bought a new home so I don’t have a set writing space. Either the brown leather couch in the living room, or the brown suede futon in my office. Very exiting, I know.

20. Which authors do you feel have influenced your writing most?

These are the hardest questions for me. I read a lot of Judy Blume as a kid, but I don’t know if she necessarily inspired me. I’d say that reading broadly has influenced my writing, because I learned that there isn’t one correct style.

21. Name a few titles I’d find if I browsed through your personal home library.

How long do you have? While I own a Kindle, I still prefer paper books so my shelves are jammed. I adore Lisa McMann’s WAKE trilogy, as well as Hunger Games. Stephanie Perkins, Courtney Summers, Jennifer Echols, and Simone Elkes are all favorites.

22. If you could go back in time, what author would you most like to invite to share a chat and a bottle of wine?

Not Hemingway because he’d drink all the wine. I’ll go with Jane Austen, but only if she speaks the way she writes. I love getting lost in old English.

23. You’re marooned on a desert island. What’s the one book you’d want with you, and why?

Hunger Games, for the survival elements.

24. Have any new authors caught your interest?

I am sadly behind in finding new authors. A lot of my friends are in the process of publishing for the first time (or second) and I’m excited to see how they do!

25. What’s next for you? Can we look forward to a new story in the near future?

Flicker is the first book in a trilogy, so you can expect two more Biz stories. Beyond that, I’d like to rewrite After the Fall, then who knows?

26. Who supports your writing activities most?

My lovely fiancé. Since publishing I’ve been really surprised by the support of my non-writing friends, especially those who never knew that I’m a writer.

27. What does your family think of your writing?

I’ve always written, so while they aren’t surprised, I don’t know if they expected me to actually publish my stories.

28. What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Don’t give up. The options to share your stories have changed so much, even in the six years that I’ve been writing seriously, that there’s no excuse not to try.

29. Name a few of your favorite non-writing activities.

I’m very active, so pretty much any sport or outdoor activity. I hate running, but I recently ran a three-mile trail race with INSANE sand dunes, plus I play soccer and walk my dog a lot. In the summer I play beach volleyball and plan to play softball next year. For non-active things, I love drinking craft beer and wine, enjoy watching movies, and of course adore curling up with a good book.

30. 30. How can readers reach you?

I’m all over the internet.

Author Facebook page

Website

Twitter

 

Email: melaniehooyenga(at)gmail[dot]com

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Melanie Hooyenga has lived in Washington DC, Chicago, and Mexico, but has finally settled down in her home state of Michigan with her soon-to-be husband Jeremy. When not at her day job as a graphic designer, you can find Melanie attempting to wrangle her Miniature Schnauzer Owen and kicking Jeremy’s butt at Kinect boxing.

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Thanks for being my 1st guest!! Best wishes with your amazing novel!!

Bug

Blog Tour

The amazing Kathy over at I’m a Reader Not a Writer has set up a fabulous Blog Tour for me!

Over the next few days there will be reviews, interviews, top ten lists, etc., so check back – I’ll be updating here.

(Or you can follow along with the link above.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Today I found 2 wonderful reviews by Val Muller.

Click here for Book #1

And here for book #2.

Thanks for your time, Val! Glad you liked them. I’ll be looking forward to book #3!

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Blog Tour

The amazing Kathy over at I’m a Reader Not a Writer has set up a fabulous Blog Tour for me!

Over the next few days there will be reviews, interviews, top ten lists, etc., so check back – I’ll be updating here.

(Or you can follow along with the link above.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Day 1:

Today I found 2 wonderful reviews by Val Muller.

Click here for Book #1

And here for book #2.

Thanks for your time, Val! Glad you liked them. I’ll be looking forward to book #3!

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Day 2:

Blurbs & excerpt at Brooke Blogs

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Day 3:

A review at: A Casual Reader’s Blog

Top 10 movie list at: Haunted Orchid

(Don’t let the name scare you!)

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Day 4:

Ann T Bugg’s Top 10 wishlist as a kid at Bunny’s Review

Interview at L Y Levand

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Day 5:

Review at Books Complete Me

Interview at Peace from Pieces

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Day 6:

5 star review & interview at Sher A Hart

Top 10 Christmas Movies at Book Flame

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Day 7:

Interview at Fantasy Books

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Day 8:

Review at Debbie’s Inkspectations

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Day 9:

Review at Mother/Daughter Book Reviews

Review at Geo Librarian 

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Day 10:

Interview: http://cuzinlogic.com/2012/12/before-happily-ever-ann-t-bugg/

Excerpts: http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2012/12/off-to-camp-and-discovering-art-by-ann.html

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Day 11:

Interview at GeekeryDo & Review of Book 3

Review of book 2 at Sher A Hart

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 Day 11:

(Final Day *sniff* This has been a blast!)

Reviews & Interview at Oh, The Books You’ll Read

Thankful for Books Hop!!

Annnnnd it’s another great hop! Thanksgiving! Perfect time for free stuff! It’ll warm you up for Christmas. LOL.

I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving with my son, new daughter-in-law, & her family.

Book #3 will be out in a couple weeks! I’ll be giving away another print or e-copy – your choice of format. Just click the rafflecopter or leave a comment.

A lot of people have been asking lately if you have to read the books in order to know what’s going on. Each book is it’s own journey. You do get more back story with the girls in one, but you aren’t lost if you don’t. Of course I hope you get hooked on Val & Sam & their shenanigans and want to go back & read the others, though. [image error]

Blurb: Valerie and Samantha are disappointed that their schedules were not allowing them to spend a week together this summer like they have done every year since they were young. Their parents are able to plan a weekend camping trip towards the end of summer. They girls are happy for the visit, but sad to think they can’t go through the mirror this year on another adventure. They discover the magic is not only within the mirror, but within themselves when they are together. Merlin the magician shows up to take them on their quest to help Arthur find his true identity and his place in Camelot.

Happy Reading!

As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.

I’ve added an option to like my Women’s Fiction fan page as well! More chances to win & giveaways coming there soon, too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit all the other blogs for great reads & giveaways!!

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Blog Tour

Just had to share the graphic for my blog tour! It will be sometime in December. Stand by for details!

Reminder: Book #3 will be released Nov 22!!! Stay turned for another ARC giveaway Blog hop Nov 8th.

Fantasy Blog Hop – Oct 16-21

Hi there!

I’m finally getting my ducks in a row and getting around to another hop. I just missed one – named Happily Ever After of all things – but this will be great, too!

The release for book #3 is set for November but I do have custody of some ARCs (Advanced reader copies). If you are willing to do a review once it’s released, sign up for the giveaway! I’ll include bookmarks for the whole series. U.S. only for print please, but I can do an e-book for international or if that’s just what you prefer. Just let me know the format you’d like.

Blurb: Valerie and Samantha are disappointed that their schedules were not allowing them to spend a week together this summer like they have done every year since they were young. Their parents are able to plan a weekend camping trip towards the end of summer. The girls are happy for the visit, but sad to think they can’t go through the mirror this year on another adventure. They discover the magic is not only within the mirror, but within themselves when they are together. Merlin the magician shows up to take them on their quest to help Arthur find his true identity and his place in Camelot.

Once again the cover and the illustrations are done by my amazing daughter. Dare I say some of these are my favorites!

Just click the rafflecopter to enter. Double your chances by “liking” my facebook fan page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out all the other great links below! Lots of great fantasy reads to be given away!

Happy Reading!!

Winner!

Congrats to my winner – Amber Riley!

Sorry to anyone who popped in on the 19th & found the contest over. It was my 1st experience with Rafflecopter. There will be more to come!

 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

 

Ann T Bugg

Indie Blog Hop – June 13-19

*I’m making this live a day early. Check back tomorrow for all the other links to be active. You don’t want to miss any blogs!* [image error]

Here we are again! Another great blog hop! I love anyone that supports the Indie Author. I hope this brings everyone some well deserved exposure.

For my giveaway, I’ll be offering book one or two in print or any e format of your choice.

I also have an adult large T with Marcus – your narrator.

(Print & T avail only to US please. E-book international OK)

Here are my middle grade books:

When best friends Valerie and Samantha discover a magic mirror in Val’s 100-year-old barn in southern Minnesota, they eagerly go through it. Immediately they run into the young Snow White, who has just escaped the huntsman. The girls vow to help her find her father, knowing the dangers that await. On their journey, the fun-loving double-trouble duo quickly discover they are caught up in the middle of their favorite fairy tales.

Having the knowledge of the stories as their only weapon, Val and Sam help two other princesses, make a surprising friend and discover they have a fairy godmother of their very own.

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It’s time for Samantha’s summer visit again. Both she and Val are anxious to see if they will take another magical journey through the mirror. After learning of a problem with one of the horses, Odette makes her appearance and tells the girls it’s up to them to help him.

What Charlie needs is something that can only be found in their magical land. It can’t be given to them; they have to solves riddles and discover the answers themselves. A family of elves guides them, but even elf powers are limited when it comes to what stands between the girls and what they seek.

Trolls and unicorns were everything they imagined and more, but rescuing Rapunzel from her tower was an added bonus they never saw coming.

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Just click for how many chances you want. Comment here or like my facebook fan page:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be announced on the 20th. Be sure to visit all the other great blogs for their giveaways!! Good luck!

Next Blog Hop – June 13th-19th

Thanks to all the participants in the last hop!

Check back June 13th for the next one!

More book giveaways & a special treat!