A.R. Kahler's Blog, page 8

The official IMMORTAL CIRCUS blog tour

Rockstar Book Tours is thrilled to announce the four blogs representing the Summer Court and Winter Court for A.R. Kahler’s THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS for the 10-week tour beginning on December 10, 2012 and ending on February 14, 2013.

The 10-week tour will consist of seriously awesome guest posts, reviews and giveaways. So be sure to check out all the stops on the tour so you won’t miss a thing!

This tour is also a battle between the courts, so be sure to choose sides and support your court of choice. The court with the most entries will be the victor and so will the bloggers championing their court.

The Tour Hosts
Representing the Summer Court

We Fancy Books (Monday) Jay
In the Best Worlds (Wednesday) Hannah

Representing the Winter Court

The Bookish Brunette (Tuesday) Ashley
The Non-Reluctant Reader (Thursday) Benji

The Tour Schedule
Week One

Monday, Dec. 10: Summer – We Fancy Books – GUEST POST

Tuesday, Dec. 11: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – GUEST POST

Wednesday, Dec. 12: Summer – In the Best Worlds – REVIEW & TEASER– Episode 1

Thursday, Dec. 13: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 1

Week Two

Monday, Dec. 17: Summer – We Fancy Books – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 1

Tuesday, Dec. 18: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 1

Wednesday, Dec. 19: Summer – In the Best Worlds – GUEST POST

Thursday, Dec. 20: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader – GUEST POST

Week Three

Monday, Dec. 24: Summer – We Fancy Books – GUEST POST

Tuesday, Dec. 11: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – GUEST POST

Wednesday, Dec. 12: Summer – In the Best Worlds - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 2

Thursday, Dec. 13: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 2

Week Four

Monday, Dec. 31: Summer – We Fancy Books – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 2

Tuesday, Jan. 1: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 2

Wednesday, Jan. 2: Summer – In the Best Worlds – GUEST POST

Thursday, Jan. 3: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader – GUEST POST

Week Five

Monday, Jan. 7: Summer – We Fancy Books – GUEST POST

Tuesday, Jan. 8: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – GUEST POST

Wednesday, Jan. 9: Summer – In the Best Worlds - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 3

Thursday, Jan. 10: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 3

Week Six

Monday, Jan. 14: Summer – We Fancy Books – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 3

Tuesday, Jan. 15: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 3

Wednesday, Jan. 16: Summer – In the Best Worlds – GUEST POST

Thursday, Jan. 17: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader – GUEST POST

Week Seven

Monday, Jan. 21: Summer – We Fancy Books – GUEST POST

Tuesday, Jan. 22: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – GUEST POST

Wednesday, Jan. 23: Summer – In the Best Worlds - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 4

Thursday, Jan. 24: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 4

Week Eight

Monday, Jan. 28: Summer – We Fancy Books – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 4

Tuesday, Jan. 29: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 4

Wednesday, Jan. 30: Summer – In the Best Worlds – GUEST POST

Thursday, Jan. 31: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader – GUEST POST

Week Nine

Monday, Feb. 4: Summer – We Fancy Books – GUEST POST

Tuesday, Feb. 5: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – GUEST POST

Wednesday, Feb. 6: Summer – In the Best Worlds - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 5

Thursday, Feb. 7: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 5

Week Ten

Monday, Feb. 11: Summer – We Fancy Books – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 5

Tuesday, Feb. 12: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 5

Wednesday, Feb. 13: Summer – In the Best Worlds – GUEST POST

Thursday, Feb. 14: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader – GUEST POST

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Retrospective 1

In less than two hours, my first professionally-published book goes live.

This is a phenomenon I’ve been dreaming about for a decade. Literally.

Ten years ago, I sent myself away to boarding school to study creative writing. In the time between then and now, I’ve studied writing and anthropology and art, written three novels multiple times, received my MLitt in creative writing, worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, attended numerous conferences for fledgling authors all over the world, pitched nearly 50 agents, found Superwoman (aka Laurie McLean) and spent a full year on submission (the year of hell).

Now, nearly a decade after that first step, the hard work is paying off. I have an amazing agent, two brilliant editors at two fantastic houses representing two very different series. And that’s just the beginning. I’m not even close to done yet.

That said, I still have a hard time telling people I’m published. An author. The reactions are usually the same, the mix of “congratulations” and “I’m so jealous!” and it’s because of that last sentiment I’ve been wanting to write this post. I don’t want people to think I’m lucky. I want people to know the truth.

Not one step in this process has been easy.

Not one part has left me unscathed.

The path to becoming published was the hardest thing I’ve done, and has required more sacrifice than most people are willing to give.

It’s easy to talk about it, now. But a year ago today? Not so much. Just ask my agent, or my writer friends, or any of the YA Rebels. Nine nights out of ten, I was a broken mess in the writing chair, waiting for editors to write back, taking every single rejection to heart. I poured everything I had into my writing–my time, my social life, my love life, my money, and for the longest time, it felt like it wasn’t paying off. I was lonely, in a foreign country, and it seemed like everything I was working for was crumbling under my fingertips and just not worth it anymore. I nearly gave up on multiple occasions.

 

But this isn’t a pity post. This is a post of gratitude.

 

During all of that, I had the most amazing support. I owe the completion of MARTYR to Holly Black and Cassie Clare, who gave me a spurring pep talk on why YA needed more gay protags. I owe THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS to Devyn Burton, who spent many late nights with me dreaming up plots and insane character flaws. If not for my family, I wouldn’t have been able to feed myself. If not for my friends, I never would have made it through the Scottish winter. If not for my summer spent volunteering at Lendrick Lodge, I wouldn’t have found my sanity.

That’s the small list. There are countless others who deserve my undying appreciation. If I’ve spoken to you, met you, texted you, tweeted you, you’re probably on that list. And if you’re on that list, you’re part of the publication celebration–if not for you, it wouldn’t have happened.

Ten years ago I took the first step toward achieving my dream of becoming a published author. In less than two hours, that dream becomes manifest.

And the best part?

I’m still dreaming. Big. And if the past ten years have taught me anything, it’s that you don’t give up on your dreams.

Not now.

Not ever.

You work and you bleed and you doubt and you push yourself past the edge of comfort. You hold on. You find the people who hold on for you when you just can’t.

You keep. Moving. Forward.

It’s your dream. Find it. Manifest it.

It’s beautiful, it’s worth it. In spite of, or because of, the hell you crawl through to get there, it’s worth it.

It’s always worth it.

So what are you waiting for?

Dream.

The Cover Reveal!

Guys, I’m so excited to be releasing this.

For once, I’m actually kind of speechless.

So I’m just going to post it.

 

Isn’t it gorgeous?

I’ve always been a sucker for strong, iconic images on covers, and this takes the bloody cake. And can I just geek out about how her silk becomes blood at her fingertips? I mean,  genius!

I am so incredibly grateful to my crew at 47North. They’ve put up with my nagging and questions and over zealousness.

And now, we’re putting this show on the road.

If you haven’t yet pre-ordered a copy, you can subscribe to the first episode on Amazon Kindle Here

. It releases Dec 4!

 

Immortal Circus is available for pre-order!

That’s right!

You can now pre-order THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS over at Amazon.com. Avoid the ticket queues! Get free cotton candy!* Earn my eternal love!

Just click the magic ticket and reserve your copy now. Episode one comes your way December first!

The Big Reveal!

Hello loves!

It’s finally time. You saw it on my YARebels video. You’ve seen it on Twitter. And now you’re seeing it here.

My New Adult fantasy series, THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS, has been picked up by David Pomerico at Amazon’s 47North Imprint. Or, to quote Publisher’s Marketplace:

THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS: A macabre marriage between Joss Whedon’s “DOLLHOUSE” TV series and Holly Black’s “TITHE” yet unlike any show on earth. This novel will be serialized beginning 12/4/12 in episodes every two weeks, followed by print, audio and ebook formats when complete!

That’s right kids. December Fourth, THIS YEAR.  Just in time for the holidays! What better present than a book that (literally) keeps on giving?

And the second book, CIRQUE MACABRE, is set to come out Summer 2013. Amazing? I thought so.

 

I won’t lie; this is all still a little surreal for me. I ran around the moors yelling at the top of my lungs when MARTYR sold. This time, I think I stared at my computer for a good twenty minutes, pinching myself and waiting to wake up. I am so excited to be a part of this innovative venture by 47North. I always said I would take over the world. And now, in a literary sense at least, it’s beginning. *cue diabolical laughter*

Watch this space over the coming weeks for cover reveals, blog tours, book excerpts, and all manner of publicity-type things.


Let the party begin!

EXCITING BIG PUBLICATION NEWS!!!

Friends!

The time has come where I can reveal the SUPER AMAZING FANTASTIC NEWS I'VE BEEN SITTING ON FOR AAAAAGES. (okay, maybe not aaaaages, but it feels like a long time because it's Just. So. Exciting!)


MY FIRST BOOK SERIES (AKA THE HUNTED) IS GETTING PUBLISHED!

Or, to quote Publisher's Marketplace:

Alex Kahler's MARTYR, in which a boy must use his chakra magic to fight the formerly human monsters who kidnapped his lover, and MENDER, to Patricia Riley   at Spencer Hill Press , in a nice deal, for publication in 2014, by Laurie McLean  at Larsen/Pomada Literary Agents   (world English). 
Translation & dramatic: laurie@agentsavant.com 

Isn't that AMAZING?
Even more amazing?

I'M GOING TO B.E.A. 2014

Right??
Not only are we talking big big exposure to my debut, but we're talking big big exposure to a debut series featuring strong gay protagonists. How wicked cool is that?

I'm so pumped to be working with Patricia and the entire crew at Spencer Hill Press, you've no idea. They're lovely, they're excited, and most importantly, they're really into the series. Big ideas are being thrown around that I look forward to sharing with you all very soon. Let's just say we're thinking beyond publishing a few (four, to be precise) novels....


And in case you didn't think my editor was amazing enough, she agreed to do a little interview with me. Which I'm sharing below.

Why did you pick up this series? 
Because I love it! I'm always excited to have the opportunity to acquire a book that I loved reading, especially one that surprises me. When I am considering a manuscript it is important to me that I enjoy it as a reader first, before considering it with my "editor brain" -- this story was an incredibly entertaining read from the very beginning and kept me reading much later than I planned to stay up that night! (And I LOVE to sleep, so I know it's a special book if I'd rather read it than sleep!) MARTYR was one of those books that I knew I was going to offer on as soon as I finished reading it, but it was also a story I couldn't stop thinking about for days after I finished it, which is equally important to me. The characters were a big part of why I couldn't stop thinking about this book, I loved them and there was so much about them that I wanted to know! I was also excited about potential for future books, the world building opens up so many directions that the series could go and I'm looking forward to "going exploring" (so to speak) as the later books in the series get mapped out!

What excites you the most about working on this project? 
So many things! I'm excited to work with such a creative author; I love working with artists who have backgrounds in multiple mediums as it always adds unexpected elements to the writing and editing process. I'm also excited to be working in an Urban Fantasy world, it's very different from my other projects (currently High Fantasy, Contemporary, and Paranormal) and every new genre comes with a new set of rules to play with.  

Who is your favorite character?
I loved the twins, but if I had to pick only ONE character... probably Tomás. I'm a sucker for the misunderstood antagonist and Tomás is so perfect at being just that! Plus, he's an incubus and I love the ways that WHAT he is affects who he is and how he goes about handling a variety of situations. (By which I mean, he has some fantastically steamy scenes!)

If you controlled an element, what would it be? 
I would probably be a combination of fire and water: I'm constantly transitioning between my emotional reactions and my passion for everything that I do. I am also very driven by my intuition, I tend to jump in head first when I feel as though I am onto something amazing. :)

Anything else to add?
I can't wait until MARTYR is released so that everyone can read it! I have so much more to say about it but ... SPOILERS! 



...and I'm going to hope that last little bit was a Dr. Who reference. Because Patricia's just that sort of lady, and that's why I love her.





So, keep your eyes peeled here and elsewhere as this builds and manifests! A huge thanks to all my friends, family, and amazing team (Laurie and Pam, here's looking at you) for keeping me going.
And remember.


This is only the beginning.
Love!!!

Little updates, before the BIG updates

Oh friends, what a crazy few weeks it's been.

After a good year of feeling like I was smashing my head against a brick wall, I think I've finally broken through. Either that, or life took pity on me, removed the wall, and plans on bringing it back in a few months. Either way, I'm content. Things are moving in big ways, and all the hard work is starting to pay off.

I spent the last weekend teaching circus arts at the Edinburgh Aerial and Acrobalance Convention (EAAC). I taught about four hours a day and trained the rest of the time. I can't really move right now. BUT! I got to play on a bungee trapeze, flip around on a static cloudswing, climb a Chinese pole, and learn handstand basics. I also spent the evenings with lovely friends. At one point, sitting on the patio of a cafe, watching the drunk acrobats juggle and the Icelanders teaching my friend dirty phrases, I realized that yes, this really was my life. And yes, I plan on keeping this whole circus lifestyle an integral part of it.
Other highlights: nights out and in with my Irish friends/flatmates. Watching the sun rise of Edinburgh's skyline. Morning coffee at the Black Medicine Coffee Co. And realizing I get to do this again next year.

In other news, I fly back to America October 9th. Yeah. To be perfectly honest, I'm actually looking forward to it. I move to Seattle the following month. There, I'll be opening an arts space, getting involved in the circus/cabaret world, and finding some Medicine Men to train under.

In the weeks before then, I'll be teaching in Madrid and wandering the UK and trying up all the loose ends I can. The really crazy thing was getting to EAAC and realizing that this time last year, I was teaching there and beginning my new life in Scotland. This year, I'm saying goodbye and moving on to something new.




The big things I want to talk about can't be talked about. Yet. But they're big. And I'm really excited. And you should be too.


Watch this space. Because Monday, September 17th, this shiz gets real.

On Fires and Focus

Hey loves,

It's been a while since the last update, and for that I'll briefly apologize. I've been volunteering full-time at the retreat in the woods, which has been good for me in a hundred different ways. Out of my head, into the world sort of thing. It's given me a lot to mull over, and the past few weeks especially have thrown a lot of light on things I'd been blissfully ignoring.

The main thing is perhaps the most obvious: I have to return to America.
I've been avoiding this thought for a while now. After all, maybe I'd find a job or a husband or a magical visa so I could stay in the UK. Life has thrown stranger things my way. But as the months passed and not much changed on the outside, I realized something pretty profound: I wasn't here to settle down. I came here to avoid the real issue.

Now, with a few months left, I'm facing the music. I need a goal and a lifestyle that isn't centered around writing because it's driving me batshit insane, thank you very much (though I won't stop writing, oh no. I have so many IDEAS). I need art and circus and spirituality. I need to create something big with my time and my life because anything less would be a personal disservice. Long story short, I need to stop screwing around.

All these thoughts came about while doing a course on manifesting visions. The program had many aspects--I walked on fire and glass, broke arrows in my throat, sobbed in front of strangers--but they all boiled down to creating the life you wanted to live. And there I was, not really knowing what I wanted to create. I mean, I thought I knew--write books, get published, tour. But that didn't feel like the whole picture. I'm not saying I have it all figured out on the other side, but I'm getting there.

The (oh-so-tentative) plan: Move to Seattle. Get a job of sorts. Live in a fantastic flat with beautiful people. Build my artistic empire.

The last one's the most exciting to me. It involves creating my own Tarot deck, working with metals, getting my photography up and running, and doing whatever else I so please. It involves creating not only an arts studio, but an arts venue: a place for burlesque and cabaret and circus performances, a place for local artists to show and sell their work, a place for musicians to entertain and youth to gather. It involves a cafe. Two big masquerade balls. It also involves a trapeze rig shaped like a birdcage.

That would be the ultra-condensed version.

The dreaming is there. The steps are appearing. I feel life tying up loose ends and pushing me in new directions. I'm up for the adventure.

Tonight I head back to the retreat. I'll be there for most of my time in Scotland. But there may be an adventure in Madrid to fill you in on late September. And teaching in Edinburgh. And an anthology release in October.

Oh, and this is me walking on fire. LOLMYFACE.

Travelogue : Norwegian recap

It's amazing how difficult it's been to start writing this.
At first, I blamed it on being busy, on trying to settle back in or relax or whatever. But the truth is simple: I didn't and don't want to admit that this set of adventures is complete.

The big Eurotrip is being postponed. Long story short, Adam and I made it to Oslo, fully intent on getting our bus ticket that would take us around mainland Europe and back to Glasgow. That's when plans fell apart. Timing and pricing and destinations were incorrect, and we learned at 8am (after an overnight train from Stavanger to Oslo) that we had hit the end of the road. So we cut our losses and came back to Glasgow a few weeks early.

Let's not focus on the end, though. Let's focus on what happened.

Sarpsborg
Oh, Sarpsborg. How you smelled like the local sausage factory.
Our time at the Circus Village was fast-paced, chaotic, and filled with great people and laughter. We met artists from all over the world, saw some fantastic productions, and I even learned that my life is incomplete because I do not own a hurdy gurdy. There were concerts til 3am and hot chocolate with rum. And on the last day in Sarpsborg, we canoed the border between Norway and Sweden before going back to watch horror movies and eat pizza.

Sjaman Gathering
The day after we left Sarpsborg, we headed north and west of Oslo for a weekend of volunteering at--you guessed it--a gathering of Norse Shamans. There's simply no way to put this experience into words. One weekend in a valley, surrounded by fir-covered mountains, where people are drumming 24 hours a day. We met storytellers and Sami mystics, heard tales of Odin and the origination of shamans and visionaries. It was, simply put, a once in a lifetime experience. I've spent a lot of time amongst shamans and medicine men and mystics of all faiths, but there was something powerful in seeing a lineage like that--traceable back to the Vikings and practically unaltered over the ages.

Stavanger
After the Sjaman Gathering, Adam and I got a ride up/over to Stavanger. Look at the distance between Oslo and Stavanger on a map. It's not that much. But we took a very leisurely route through the mountains that lasted two days. We passed fjords and snow-covered peaks, waterfalls and mountains and glades and stony fields. Every landscape you could imagine, really. And Stavanger was nothing short of amazing.
The city was cozy, on the harbour, with big cruise lines awaiting their crew. The city streets were filled with tiny shops and cafes. Amazing, amazing graffiti and painting. A gay bar with mirrorball mannequins inside. Adam and I opened the day with lattes in the book bar/cafe, which sounds as amazing as it was: bookshelves in a bar and a courtyard in the back with Moroccan lanterns and a giant concrete dragon. We ended the day in a 'gay cafe' that didn't really serve coffee, and the two middle-aged men were drunk and vogue-ing at 9pm. It was very strange. Book bar was easily preferred.

Oslo
As stated, we arrived in Oslo after an overnight train from Stavanger. It was, at best, an uncomfortable experience--the car was stuffy and hot. I didn't sleep at all.
Adam and I left the bus station a bit sad at having to cancel the long-term plans. When we actually saw Oslo, we had to laugh. First, Oslo was very clean, very open, and very very sunny. Boats in the harbour, music from the pier. A giant gay pride festival that took up two blocks and was brimming with families and stalls. And everywhere, everywhere, were beautiful people. I have never seen so many attractive men in my life. Apparently they've all just moved to Oslo. I'd move too, but the only thing we bought in the city was a bottle of water for (roughly) $6. Might need a job first.


It was raining in Edinburgh when we got back that night. I tried to be grumpy about it, but I had to admit--something about coming back to the drizzle and fog felt like coming home.
The neds currently yelling outside my flat? Another thing altogether.

Photos from Sarpsborg and the Sjaman Gathering below. Will put up Stavanger/travelling soon!


The cat is dead. Long live the cat!

Art for the big party

the party begins!
all that glows is gold
the food cart, where I spent most of my time. models: Adam and Helene
food cart and behind-the-scenes
the first hurdle of canoeing: crossing the train tracks
this bridge goes between Norway and Sweden. I think Sweden was on the right...
beginning of the gathering
11pm in the woods and all is glowing
midnight sun(set)

Travelogue: Sarpsborg, Norway Pt. One

Hey loves,
I write this on a mound outside of the circus village, watching the big top and listening to families walk by, speaking in tongues I can only pretend to understand. The actual upload of this is most likely taking place at a McDonald’s because—hate to admit it as I do—it’s the only place I can find with free wifi.
I feel like there are already a hundred stories I could tell you. The trip to Norway was filled with flight delays due to strikes and a train ride down the coast in the twilight. Our current locale—The Circus Village in the park heart of Sarpsborg—reminds me a great deal of middle America: gently rolling, filled with fields and forests and lakes.
My travel companion (Adam) and I have been hard at work ever since arriving. Volunteering basically means you do whatever needs doing; we’ve done partner acrobatics in shopping malls and kindergartens for publicity, made cakes, painted signs, driven around putting up fliers on streetlamps, and cleaned toilets. Now, our work is mainly in the café, cooking or serving and pretending we speak an ounce of Norwegian. We’re learning. In all, up until the village opened to the public, it’s been a lot of hard work. Now we have set hours and will hopefully start traveling and training more. For me, I look forward to afternoons sitting in Der Grone Elefant, our little organic circus tent café, writing out plotlines for two new books. Hey, it’s called a working holiday for a reason.
So, about those stories.
Our first night here we sat under a makeshift tent, gathered around a firepit and sharing stories and dirty with a group of Vikings. I also got to shoot a handmade replica of a Viking war bow, learned some string tricks, and realized that the stereotype of Vikings drinking from horns and drinking, well, lots and lots of alcohol, were all, undeniably, true.
A few nights back, we went to a backyard concert in a friend’s glassblowing studio. There was a barbecue and more chat til 1am.
We went to Sweden for an afternoon (because in Norway, that’s what one does when one wants cheap food). We didn’t see much because we just stopped at the supermarkets to hand out fliers and get cheap beer. Oh, and two giant bags of candy. Yes, the rumors are true: this place is hellishly expensive. Imagine paying at least $6 for an Americano (small) coffee. $4 for a loaf of bread. And a beer at a restaurant? $10. For the cheap stuff. Thankfully, we haven’t had to pay for a thing. Volunteering is the way to go.
I haven't had coffee this wonderful/strong since...ever.
There are moments where I forget I’m in Norway and moments that seem to define the experience. There haven’t been any fjords but the Vikings made up for it. I’ve been averaging three or four layers of clothing a day. I haven’t seen nightfall since arriving.
The journey’s just beginning, too. After this there’s talk of heading north to see the more majestic landscapes. There’s talk of Prague and Bordeaux because holy crap do we need at least a little sunbathing the summer. Maybe the cliffs of Northern Ireland.

No one really knows.But that, I guess, is how you know you’re on an adventure.
And now, pictures!



Adam in the train in Oslo
The trains had wood panelling, reclining seats, and wifi. NICE.
The 22m tent.
The 6m tent, 16m tent, and cafe tent.
Christine at work in her glassblowing studio.
Glassblowing studio from the outside. So many pretties.

Some tiny town outside of Sarpsborg. That's apparently very haunted. And has a fort.
Our uniform. And posters for the Pluto Crazy show. Not pictures: kids with staple-guns helping us flier.

The tents at night
And one more.