Intisar Khanani's Blog, page 16
June 16, 2013
Sunbolt Release – Reviews, Giveaways & More
Sunbolt releases today!
I love that cover. Just saying.
Available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo and good old print.
~ Sunbolt ~
The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.
When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.
~ The Power of Word of Mouth ~
Reviews make the world go round for indie authors–actually, no. Reviews are just the tangible evidence of something much cooler, much, much more awesome, and possibly the sort of thing that makes the universe sing: the power of word-of-mouth. We really need a better name for that, but there you go. So, this is a huge THANK YOU to the early reviewers, and an advance Thank You to anyone who goes on to read and review Sunbolt as well, and talk about it with friends, and gift it to their grandmas (or friends). You make my universe sing.
~ Early Reviews ~
“Sunbolt is just beautiful — exciting, endearing, full of amazing dialogue and heart-rending moments.” — Ann F., GoodReads review 5/7/2013
“The storyline was full of action, and Hitomi really did go through a lot during this story. Even when she was the smallest person there, she had the biggest character, and even when she found herself in several difficult situations, she always had a plan to change things for the better.” – Sarah, GoodReads review 6/16/2013
~ Celebrate And Give ~
This week, look out for some awesome book bloggers who will be talking about causes that concern them. Wait, what? “A Cause for Concern” is an internet event that celebrates the release. Sunbolt tells the story of Hitomi, a young woman with a propensity to play hero when people need saving, and her nemesis, a dark mage slowly amassing power in a bid to control the Eleven Kingdoms. Stories often have an issue at their heart, however big or small, global or personal. This week offers a chance for bloggers (and readers) who love stories to share the issues that are close to their hearts.
What do you wish you could change in the world? Join in and blog about what you care about as well. Visit one of the blogs below to get the rafflecopter code, or just drop me a note at booksbyintisar@gmail.com.
Check out these amazing bloggers, and enter to win a $100 donation to a non-profit or charity of your choice! There are also some neat additional prizes including a signed “Cause for Concern” art print (pictured here) about caring for and nurturing our environment by author and artist T.L. Shreffler, as well as signed books by best-selling authors.
On June 17, look for posts here:
Tam’s Two Cents | YA’s The Word | Inkspelled Fairy
I Heart Reading | Cassidy Crimson’s Blog | Rachel’s Book Reviews
Forever Book Lover | Majanka’s Blog | Deal Sharing Aunt
Bookaholic Ramblings | Andi’s Young Adult | The Single Librarian
On June 20th, check out:
Secrets From Books | Refracted Light Reviews
And on June 23rd, check out:
Reviewing Shelf | Busy Moms Book Reviews | Sarah Elizabeth’s Bookshelf
Thank you to everyone who has given their support, shared what they care about, and made my universe sing!
Intisar
April 1, 2013
Spring QN: Cover Reveal & Interview with Susan Kaye Quinn
It’s springtime, and new things are coming up everywhere you look–both in the virtual world and the great outdoors! My new serial novella (or book?) project is starting to come together with a cover reveal for the first installment (and a chance to win ARCs) today, April 2. I’ve also got a great interview for you with author Susan Kaye Quinn, who is debuting her serial short story project titled “The Debt Collector.” So, without further ado…
~ Sunbolt Cover Reveal ~
I am so excited to share the new cover for Book One of the Sunbolt Chronicles, titled, simply, “Sunbolt.” While I’m calling it a book, it does run the line between a novella and a full-length book, coming in at about 40,000 words. So, you know, book-ish. I’m planning the release for early June, so stay tuned!
The Blurb
The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she conceals her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to bring down the powerful and corrupt Archmage Wilhelm Blackflame.
When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she has to escape with her life.
The Cover
This cover was designed by Jenny Z. of Supernatural Snark. Jenny is a graphic designer by trade and a veteran book blogger; when I saw some of her design work on her blog, I asked her to consider designing the cover for Sunbolt. I love what she’s done!
The Giveaway
This is an international giveaway; the ARCs should be ready by mid-May, so you’ll have something fun to kick off your summer with!
A Quick Note on what a serial is…
A serial is a story that is told over a series of episodes, where each episode not only has its own story but continues to add to an overarching, longer story arc. Serials are pretty old; this is the form Charles Dickens published Great Expectations in (to my everlasting regret. I had to read that three times in high school and college…). It’s a bit like some of your favorite TV series (X-files anyone?), only each book represents a complete season. And, just like a season, while there’s a grand finale, there is definitely not a cliffhanger ending, just a good resting spot for the story to take off from for the next “season.”
~ Interview with Susan Kaye Quinn ~
I’m excited to share an interview with fellow indie author Susan Kaye Quinn. Sue is a young adult author who has just branched out into adult fiction as well. She tends to write science fiction, with a focus on people — what some might term social science fiction. I’ve had the opportunity to read the first installment in her new “Debt Collector” series–it’s a great read, very dark and pretty adult. Next up on my list is finishing her YA “Mindjack” series…
Hi, Sue! Thanks for accepting this interview. Can you tell us all a little about yourself and why you became a writer?
I’m a former rocket scientist/engineer turned writer. I’ve always loved writing, but never thought of it as a “serious” career. When I stayed home with my kids for a few years, I assumed I would go back to engineering once they were in school. But the writing bug bit, and now I’m making a full-time career out of it. No one is more surprised than me. But I fully intend to die at my keyboard (hopefully later rather than sooner)
2. You recently completed a YA trilogy called “Mindjack.” What is it about, and what inspired you to write it?
A single image came to me – a girl, sitting in a classroom full of mindreaders, painfully ostracized because she couldn’t read minds. That image is actually captured in the trailer we eventually made for the series. But that image – and that character – caught hold of me. I couldn’t not write her story. It wasn’t until 20,000 words into the first draft that I realized she was a mindjacker. The series follows the unfolding of her ability, the secret underground mindjacker society hidden within the mindreaders, and what it’s like to be caught in a world that doesn’t understand what you are.
3. What are you working on next, and can you tell us something fun about it?
I had a similar brain spark for my current serial – Debt Collector – the first episode of which released 3/20. It’s a dark and gritty future-noir, where the character is what I call a “good man with a bad power.” He’s the titular “Debt Collector” – someone who sucks the life energy out of people when their debts exceed their future potential contributions to society, then delivers it to someone else who will put that life energy to better use. It’s a chilling premise, and it’s not young adult, like my Mindjack series. It’s much more grown-up, but I’m having a great time writing it. There will be nine episodes in the first season.
4. Where do you write? (If you have a picture, we’d love to see it!)
My boring writing cave:
5. What is one book you wish you could get everyone to read, and why?
Everyone should read Wool by Hugh Howey. Not only is it amazing science fiction that’s beautifully written, Hugh is my hero for all he’s done for indie published authors in paving the way and showing how it’s done.
6. If you could have one superpower, what would you choose?
Invisibility. Because I’m sneaky that way.
7. What’s your typical writing day?
Pack the kids off to school, try desperately to ignore my inbox and FB, and write like mad. Sometimes I escape to a hotel for the weekend to avoid distractions.
8. Hobbies?
Pretending I do more than writing, reading, and momming.
9. Favorite childhood book?
I can barely remember last week. 
I read a lot of “adult” SF as a kid – classics like Heinlein, Bradbury, Asimov.
Cats or Dogs? Cats. Two. They annoy me endlessly.
Skittles or M&Ms? Real candy has chocolate.
Truth or Dare? Truth. I have no shame.
Text or Talk? Text. Do people actually talk anymore?
Night Owl or Early Bird? Grouchy all the time, doesn’t matter when.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions, Sue!
You can connect with Sue at her website, on Facebook, as well as on twitter. You can also check out all of her books and become a fan via her author page on GoodReads.
Wishing you all a wonderful spring, full of great times and enthralling reads,
Intisar
February 7, 2013
Cover makeover and Giveaway – Thorn Gets a New Look!
Hi folks! I am excited to share with you Thorn‘s new e-book cover, designed by fellow author and graphic designer T. L. Shreffler of Runaway Book Designs. To celebrate, I’m also doing a giveaway of three e-copies of Thorn, so make sure to scroll all the way down to the Rafflecopter link. Without further ado, here it is…
For Princess Alyrra, choice is a luxury she’s never had … until she’s betrayed.
Princess Alyrra has never enjoyed the security or power of her rank. Between her family’s cruelty and the court’s contempt, she has spent her life in the shadows. Forced to marry a powerful foreign prince, Alyrra embarks on a journey to meet her betrothed with little hope for a better future.
But powerful men have powerful enemies—and now, so does Alyrra. Betrayed during a magical attack, her identity is switched with another woman’s, giving Alyrra the first choice she’s ever had: to start a new life for herself or fight for a prince she’s never met. But Alyrra soon finds that Prince Kestrin is not at all what she expected. While walking away will cost Kestrin his life, returning to the court may cost Alyrra her own. As Alyrra is coming to realize, sometime the hardest choice means learning to trust herself.
Find Thorn on GoodReads
Buy Thorn on Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords
And now for the giveaway…three chances to win a digital copy of Thorn! Click on the link if the rafflecopter widget does not show up: a Rafflecopter giveaway.
I think Shreffler definitely caught the fairy-tale feel of Thorn, and I love the colors. What do you think?
January 14, 2013
Winter QN: 2013 Releases and Recent Reads
Happy 2013!
January is the time for new resolutions and–freaking out. Case in point: I took out my lovely new two-year-planner and started working backwards, figuring out what I would have to do to get two books out each year. And realized I should have gotten started six months ago. That said, here’s what I have planned…
2013 Releases
New Cover Release: Thorn will be getting a facelift on February 8! Author and graphic designer T.L Shreffler (The Cat’s Eye Chronicles anyone?) developed a new cover design for Thorn which we’ll be releasing on 2/8/13. Yay! I’ll send out a giveaway alert in conjunction with the reveal, so keep an eye out for that.
The Sunbolt Chronicles: I am starting a new novella series, in part as a survival tactic for my writing life. I’ve found that I need to be able to switch gears between different projects in order to keep my mind fresh. So–welcome to the Eleven Kingdoms, home to many a magical creature and not a few villains. I’m planning a cover reveal (along with the blurb) on April 2 for the first novella in the series, Sunbolt, followed by the actual release on or around May 21 (to be confirmed).
The Theft of Sunlight Trilogy: This is Rae’s story, coming as a companion trilogy to Thorn. I keep pushing back the publication date, and I apologize for those of you who are waiting for it. It’s been a tough road for me, but I do mean to get Book 1 out by December. I suppose part of what is so challenging with Theft is that I don’t want it to disappoint! I am seeking a few more beta-readers for this trilogy, so if you are interested (or even just want to find out what is involved in beta-reading), drop me a note at my e-mail below.
If you are a blogger and would be interested in being part of any (or all) of these releases, just drop me a note at intisar [at] thornthenovel.com. I really appreciate your support!
Recent Reads
I haven’t read as much as I would have liked. But hey, isn’t that what most bookworms say? I did recently have the chance to complete the Flora Trilogy (Ysabeau S. Wilce) – Flora’s Fury. I loved the first two books (Flora Segunda and Flora’s Dare), but this one didn’t quite cut it for me. I still love the world, with its diversity (especially the Latino influences) and magic, but the end of Fury infuriated me. That said, I read it in record time; Wilce’s writing is still as strong as ever. If you’ve enjoyed the first two, don’t let this one pass you by. You may find you like it more than I did.
I’m also having fun reading The Key of Amatahns by teen author Elisabeth Wheatley. An epic fantasy adventure featuring a young woman, a dangerously powerful object(ish), a society of assassins, and an under-age (and over-exuberant) mage, not to mention elves–this story has a little bit of something for everyone. If you are a reader of epic fantasy, then this is certainly a read worth checking out, and an author worth watching. I have no doubt that, as Wheatley continues to hone her craft, she’ll become a master in her genre. And, for vampire enthusiasts, Wheatley will release a novella titled Fanged Princess later this month…
Until next time, happy reading!
Intisar
intisar[at]thornthenovel.com
November 25, 2012
Holiday Giveaway Alert: Signed Bookmarks, Free Story, and Coupon for Thorn
It’s that time of the year: friends, family, good food…and shopping lists. For some people, that’s more fun, and for others–oh no! Whichever category you fall in, here are a few treats and gift ideas for you:
Signed Bookmarks for “Thorn”
I will send signed bookmarks for “Thorn” to anyone who would like one. I have quite a few I can send domestically, but only a limited number I can send internationally, so e-mail me soon if you want one! They can be a special treat for you, or a supplement to a gift of e-books for someone in your life. Let me know if you would like the bookmark personalized. Send requests to: Intisar (at) thornthenovel.com
“The Bone Knife” Free on Amazon 
My short story “The Bone Knife” will be free on Amazon November 27-29. Please help me make this free promotion a success by nabbing your own copy, telling your friends, tweeting, sharing it on facebook, dressing up as an appallingly attractive faerie, and threatening family with your homemade recipe for eggnog if they don’t read it. Or something like that. Actually, the success of these kinds of promotions really is based on how much an author’s readers help her spread the word about her writing. Any help would be truly appreciated
30% off coupon code for “Thorn”
Give the gift of Thorn–to yourself or someone in your life. Now through the end of December, you can get 30% off of the price of Thorn via Smashwords, bringing the cost to a measly $2.79! Smashwords has every e-book format under the sun, so no matter your e-reader preference, you’ll find what you need there. Just use the coupon code below at checkout (and request your signed bookmark to go along with it above!):
30% off coupon code: TX53G
Link to “Thorn” on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/219503
If you’d prefer to gift a paperback, you can purchase one via both Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $9.99. Unfortunately, I don’t have any coupon codes to offer for them, but it’s still a good price.
That’s all for now. Happy holidays!
Intisar
intisar (at) thornthenovel.com
October 1, 2012
Fall QN: Free Story, Updates & Recent Reads
Free Story
Here’s a little gift from me to you: I’ve written a short story featuring Rae (the heroine of my upcoming trilogy). This story takes place a year or two before her adventures in the trilogy, when she’s still “safe” at home with her sisters and parents. I’ll be officially releasing The Bone Knife at the end of this month, so this constitutes a sneak peek for you! While the Amazon page is not up yet, you can leave a review on GoodReads. I hope you will – every review helps tell readers what to expect, and that helps me to share my work with people who are interested. If you would like to post a review to your blog, just let me know when the post goes up and I’ll happily pop by for a visit.
Here’s the blurb:
Rae knows how to look out for family. Born with a deformed foot, she feigns indifference to the pity and insults that come her way. Wary of all things beautiful, Rae instantly distrusts their latest visitor: an appallingly attractive faerie. Further, his presence imperils the secret her sister guards. But when the local townspeople show up demanding his blood, Rae must find a way to protect both her sister’s secret and their guest. Even if that means risking herself.And here’s how to get your copy:
Go the the Smashwords Page for The Bone Knife: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/241347
Enter the following coupon code at checkout: JY94D
Download your preferred e-format for free!
The Bone Knife will only be available for free on Smashwords through October 4, so get your copy now! Then, tell all your friends to buy it when it comes out at the end of October on Amazon — it will only be $0.99!
Updates
We have a new baby! (And no, I’m not talking about my short story.) Above you can see baby Khadija when she was just about a week old. Next to her is a picture of her big sister, Fatima, a few weeks before her birth. Note the expression of innocent unconcern… actually, Fatima is doing great as a big sister, and now that Khadija is sleeping in chunks larger than one hour at a time, we parents are doing wonderfully as well. I took a few weeks off writing with the baby, and a few more weeks off of working on the trilogy while sharpening up the short story, but now it’s full steam ahead. I hope to have a release date to tell you about in the December newsletter.
Recent Reads
Just the other day, I dipped into a bit of historical fiction and read “Keeping the Castle.” It’s a delightful, light-hearted, pseudo-regency romance, with a spirited heroine and a plot that put me in mind of both Pride & Prejudice and Emma. And, despite the lightness, Patrice Kindl manages to offer some scathing social criticisms as asides: thought of in passing or blithely spoken by the heroine.
[image error]
I also came across another fairy tale retelling I enjoyed. “The Curse Girl” by Kate A Ellison is a good deal of fun, and one of the better retellings of Beauty & the Beast I’ve come across, in large part because Beauty and her Beast don’t sit around for the vast majority of the book thinking glum thoughts and falling in love. The Curse Girl has a quick pace with lots happening, although it is a slightly shorter book than one might have wished. If fairy tales are your thing, check it out!
That’s all for now. Have a wonderful fall, and happy reading,
Intisar
July 8, 2012
Blog Tour Ending, Cloak Giveaway, and Happiness
I’ve had a wonderful two month blog tour to get the word out there about Thorn, organized by Majanka at Enchanted Book Tours (who did a fantastic job). I wanted to thank all the bloggers and commenters who have supported me and chatted with me about the writing and reading of Thorn. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know so many people, and getting to hear what people think of Thorn.
With the end of my blog tour came the closing of the giveaway associated with it… *cue drum roll* …The winner of the green fantasy cloak is Wanda F! The cloak can be seen here, modeled by my good friend Hannah. I made it under the tutelage of Jan Lamm, master seamstress and cloakmaker (check out her e-bay store to see the amazing things she can do). Congrats, Wanda!
In other news, my brother got married today in a wonderful ceremony that brought together two different faith traditions. And I’m due in two weeks exactly (yay Baby #2!), which should be an adventure one way or another. So, if I drop off the face of the virtual planet for a little while, that would be why
June 27, 2012
Last Day to get Thorn free (digital edition)
Thorn is still free via Amazon’s Kindle edition! This is the last day, so snag your copy now! It’s been pretty neat to watch; at one point Thorn was #12 among all free fantasy novels. It’s now at #26, which is still pretty awesome as far as I’m concerned, and over 1000 downloads! It’s exciting to think of so many people reading Thorn!
Get your copy here: http://www.amazon.com/Thorn-ebook/dp/...
Unfortunately, it looks like only people whose computers are registered as being in North America are able to download the free edition. My apologies to everyone further afield; I had thought that Amazon would allow non-US/Canada downloads. 
June 24, 2012
Free! Thorn Amazon Kindle edition
From June 25-27, Thorn’s Kindle edition will be available free via Amazon. Yay! Please be sure to share the love with your family and friends, closer circles, wider networks, and best friend’s dog. I’d really like to get the word out there about Thorn, and I need your help letting people know about the free days.
Please check it out (the price will update at midnight PST): http://www.amazon.com/Thorn-ebook/dp/...
If you’ve already read Thorn, please do post a review to Amazon and/or GoodReads. This will help folks know what to expect when they download Thorn. If you haven’t had a chance to read Thorn, don’t forget to snag your copy June 25-27 (and then post a review!).
Happy reading!
