Elizabeth Guizzetti's Blog, page 6
July 3, 2016
Need Something to Read? It’s Summer sales time!
48Fourteen wants you to indulge in all their new releases. Summer Sale ends July 5th
Books from 99 cents to 2.99! https://48fourteen.com/hot-new-summer-releases/
Smashwords July Summer/Winter Book Sale Specials for July 1–31
Looking for some romance? Simple Affair and Deeply Bound by C.R. Misty are some of the many titles on sale for 99 cents. http://ladymaverickpublishingevent.blogspot.ca/2016/07/smashwords-july-summerwinter-sale.html
Barnes and Noble is having a summer clearance sale!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/bargain-books/_/N-8qb
So is Booksamillion!
http://www.booksamillion.com/features?cat=summersale3
June 20, 2016
My short story THE CHARGE OF NYNLOTHE has been published
The debut volume of Fuzzy Hedgehog Press’s biannual anthology series Beyond The Hedge has just been released. The anthology revolves around themes of good and evil and especially the gray areas in between. And my short story THE CHARGE OF NYNLOTHE is included.
The Charge of Nynlothe is about a young priestess, who discovers she is pregnant and wishes to save her first love from the appetite of their corporeal and ravenous god.
Other stories include:
PHILOTET
Piper Lewis’s protagonists must travel light years from home to fight an intergalactic war… or do they?
RUINATION
Matt Sayer takes us to a world where the technological artifacts of our day have become rare treasures. But some of them aren’t keen to be reclaimed.
WELCOME TO ERTTH
When it comes to drilling, Alissa Berger wonders who has the biggest complaint: the humans with the polluted waters or the rocks themselves?
WHERE DO ALL THE ACCOUNTANTS COME FROM?
How might the devil go about creating hell on earth? Robert Bagnall wonders.
RAIN AT THE INTERSECTION OF TOMORROW
B.J. Neblett imagines a world of joy and a world of gloom, connected by a tear in space and time, situated atop an unassuming bench.
NEW ONE
Albert Nothlit’s artificial intelligence is trying to understand death, and it will use any means available to achieve its goals.
Paperback: 120 pages
Publisher: Fuzzy Hedgehog Press (July 1, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1628027185
ISBN-13: 978-1628027181
It is available Paperback at Amazon, and locally at Queen Anne Books, and Page 2 Books
June 16, 2016
Sprained Wrist Reading Rampage Part 2
FindersKeepers By Stephen King
Solid read. Creepy in a sinister human sort of way.
It isn’t exactly a sequel, more of another story within the same universe (which I love!), but Bill Hodges, Jerome and Holly from Mr. Mercedes all make an appearance and play a part in the story.
Because I am familiar with King’s work and writing style, I did telegraph some of the plot points, but otherwise this was a wonderful thriller about an enraged reader who murders his favorite author, then hides his unpublished notebooks and the young boy who finds them.
NOTE TO SELF: Don’t piss off fans!
June 10, 2016
ReRelease for Therian by Roxanne Kade
Longtime readers of this blog might remember I reviewed Therian: The Bloody Crescent a couple of years ago during a reading rampage and really enjoyed it. I thought I’d share the news that 48Fourteen is rereleasing this great novel!
Therian (The Bloody Crescent #1)by Roxanne Kade
Genre: YA Paranormal
Re-release date: June 10th 2016
48fourteen
All Amberlyn Darksky has ever wanted is to be normal.
Amber has never been ordinary. She has a gift, the ability to see memories through simple touch, and for her it’s a curse. Especially when she has to relive her mother’s death, on the night she was born, through her father’s eyes. Leading a sheltered life for years under his constant watch has her yearning for freedom and her acceptance into Cyprus Falls University gives her just that.
Plunged into a world of true love, heartache, seduction, and horror, with a deepening affection for Tayelon Cree, and the undeniable allure of Lucard Colbaine, can she accept what either of them represent in her life? And what about the steely-eyed vampire who invades her dreams?
When the blackouts and nightmares begin, Amber fears the pain that rips into her soul and threatens to destroy her. Before long, she is faced with the truth of her destiny as well as the devastating secrets that surround the people she holds dearest; dark secrets that will truly change the course of her very existence.
Amberlyn will have to fight as hard as possible to remain human while the beasts inside her rage to take over.
EXCERPT
(PLEASE CHOOSE ONE FROM THE TWO PROVIDED AND ADD HERE)
About the Author
Roxanne Kade lives in the land of Funsunzi. Affectionately named by the locals for its fun, sun and sea, Durban, South Africa is a culturally diverse and beautiful city that offers warm weather, big smiles and a host of attractions.
Roxy spends her nine to five in the finance division of a shipping company and is currently studying her degree in Financial Accounting.
Words are her escape from reality. When She’s not working, writing or studying, she can be found devouring a book or baking to her heart’s content.
Sales Links
Amazon >> https://goo.gl/qwb1ZH
iBooks >> https://goo.gl/JZMJN6
Kobo >> https://goo.gl/N8uVen
B&N >> Coming soon!
Add to Goodreads >> https://goo.gl/EFTbhk
Author Links:
48fourteen: http://www.48fourteen.com/users/roxanne-kade
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5133405.Roxanne_Kade
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RoxyKade
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthRoxanneKade/?fref=ts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/roxykade/
Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/+RoxanneKade
Instagram: http://instagram.com/roxykade18
Roxy’s Reviews: http://roxykade.blogspot.com/
June 3, 2016
Sprained Wrists + Books = Reading Rampage
So I sprained my wrists. Since I needed to take some time not typing, I used the time to catch up on some independent horror films which is not part of this blog post, and my TBR pile which is the focus of this post.
Isaac Asimov’s The Foundation Trilogy:
Elizabeth’s Review: I’ve been meaning to read this book forever, so this was the first on my list. Our hardcover edition with gilded pages is a gorgeous book. As for the story, I enjoyed this book in the academic sense, but realized why I never got into it for pleasure. Asimov’s use of language is beautiful, but as it is a history of The Foundation, I felt like I was traveling past these people at the speed of light, unable to truly connect to any character. After too-few chapters, their contribution to history had finished and time moved on. Regardless it is beautifully written book of 730 pages, which I read in four sittings. Even though at places it could be dry, the novel captured my attention. Four planets for an interesting book.
Prince of Pieces
Written and Created By Sam Miserendino
Art and Colors by Colin Blanton Letters
Cover by Matthew Mason
Elizabeth’s Review:
I picked this up from the author at CryptiCon. It was darkly funny and the biblical language/punishments was used brilliantly with the art. I thought the artwork was amazing. The story got convoluted in places. For example: why did the kid kill the butterfly? To show the evilness of the world? Little details left me asking “Is this part symbolism? Hmmm.”
Otherwise four crucifixes for a great book!
The Devil and My Daughter
Written by Josh Hancock
Elizabeth’s Review: This book originally intrigued my husband at Crypticon, but I was awoken early by a noisy neighbor so I read it in a few hours.
Spanning a decade, this epistolary novel is written as if it is nonfiction. In this book, its important to read everything. The preface, the footnotes are all part of the story. Overall it took a serious look at what a real demon possession might look like. It follows a film crew who unleashes a demon with a song from their heavy metal soundtrack on to a young actress.
Because the novel is told through police reports and news stories, some parts can feel dry and repetitive, however it is a fast read. The characters were well developed. I enjoyed the serious tone of the novel which added to the dark scenario. Five Demons for this scary novel!
May 27, 2016
I am a great big nobody- and I’m okay with it! Advice no one wants to hear…
Okay full confession, “I’m a great big nobody and I’m okay with it!” is inspired from a Dear Polly that I read last year. This lady, hurtling toward 50, had some successes as an author—published books—but never broke through to the next level. She was thinking about giving up. Best line: “…if I read one more “follow your dreams” platitude from someone lucky enough to be picked by Oprah, I may go out of my gourd. I’ve been walking in the direction of my dreams for the past 20 years, and now I’m fucking stalled, scared, and frustrated.”
Dear Polly said: “Stop pressing your face to the glass of someone else’s party. Enjoy the party unfolding around you. She basically suggested this mantra “I AM AN OLD NOBODY AND I LOVE WHAT I DO.”
I get it. It’s hard to enjoy your “own party” since no one respects the average writer, not even the average writer, which is kind of weird since we all know everybody wants to be a writer. We all have dreams about what we want. We are all trying to do the best we can. Most of us are trying to do it without wounding our moral compass or harming our loved ones. I know the lady sitting across the table at the coffee house wants to be an author. I can read her notes.
I am an average American writer for this epoch. I have both self published and published novels. I have a couple of short stories published too. Weirdly, most people don’t think I am a success–including myself. Yet there are a few struggling authors who find me an object of envy. I’m cruising towards 40.
Around the same time I read this Dear Polly, I was flipping out about The Light Side of the Moon and my pal, Evan asked the most important question. “So how many books do you think you can write even if they only do as well as Other Systems?”
Damn his logic. The answer is/was at least a solid twenty. Then I realized: I won’t ever give up writing and art. I love this shit! Yes, I have goals. (Hell, I write a profit assessment for every project to do.) But no matter what happens, as long as I am able, I’m going to keep creating.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to a “success” the way other people mean it. Our society bases our worth on how much money we make. You must tell yourself, that you are okay with where ever you are in your career. I don’t need to worry about breaking through and neither do you, because that’s half luck anyway.
And if you don’t believe me or Dear Polly: Listen to Picard.
Want to be a writer? Here is some more great advice from Chuck Windig: http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/...
May 13, 2016
Inspiration for The Grove
In all of my career, I’ve written a heavy story and then a light story. First Faminelands, then I took a break with Out For Souls and Cookies.
Confused which The Grove is? It might be about a sorcerer trying to stop a guy who wants to wake up some bloody-thirsty Gods in order to change the world, but it is a light story. The dystopian The Light Side of the Moon was heavy. (And of course, many of you may remember, I had to write it twice ;)) Once The Light Side of the Moon was accepted at 48Fourteen, I started The Grove.
First of all, I wanted to write a cosmic horror story or at least an end of the world, bloodthirsty Gods kind of story. Cosmic Horror is defined as a subgenre of horror fiction that emphasizes the cosmic horror of the unknown (and in some cases, unknowable) more than gore or other elements of shock, though these may still be present. I was interested in cosmic indifference. While questioning my own feelings of alienation as an artist and author, I decided I would explore the alienation of sorcerers. They would have to hide their gifts or face being diagnosed with mental issues. Then I decided the cost of magic was the ability to function within general society.
A dark forest on the East Side of Cougar Mountain
A starfish chilling on Vashon Island
My love of nature and hiking slid into the work. Then I added the gnomes and a few science fiction issues with the multiple universe theory. Then the Oddities Museum and the fake town Sitka’s Quay was inspired by visiting small towns during my library appearances during the summers. I had been to the coast a few times as an adult and remembered a visit to Ocean City, WA. Originally, I figured I’d place Sitka’s Quay in my home state of Washington, but the Oregon Coast has more sandy beaches than WA and Highway 101 follows the coast closer. While I visit Seattle and Puget Sounds beaches quite regularly, I visited the coast, both in Washington and Oregon. The smell of the Pacific Northwest Beaches inspired me. I felt constant noise of the pounding ocean, the wind on my cheeks and salt on my lips. I knew I wanted to set the book and Sitka’s Quay would be a fake town.
At first it went slow, because I was working on it between edits, but once The Light Side of the Moon was published, I slammed out this book. It took me three months to get it to my beta readers.
Another three months for rewrites. Five months total for editing. Now its getting closer to be market- ready
Discovery Park, Seattle. And Yes that’s a bald eagle on the lighthouse.
May 6, 2016
Drawing Comic Book Aliens and Superheroes Workshop – Shoreline Library
May 7 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Shoreline – Lake Forest Park Arts Council Council is proud to present this event in partnership with the King County Library System.
Love Sci-fi and want to learn how to create concept drawings for novels or comics? Using basic shapes, students in this class will create their own plausible spaceships. No Drawing Experience Required!
Class size is limited; registration required. Please call the library at (206) 362-7550. Ages 10 to 18.
The Shoreline – Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a community-based arts organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity and inspire our community through the arts.
April 29, 2016
5 Reasons Why I’m self publishing The Grove…
People are already asking me why I’m self publishing The Grove. They are digging for dirt. Sorry, but there is no dirt. Nor have I “changed” sides since I have self published comics in the past.
As many of you know, I have two novels, Other Systems and The Light Side of the Moon, published by a small press, 48Fourteen. I have no industry horror stories. I have nothing negative at all to say about my publishing experience. It was great. I loved working with 48Fourteen.
Look I get it. Some people love being published. Some people love to self publish. I am not going to get into the argument of which is better. I am of the opinion that both published authors and self-published authors can co-exist and compliment each other. Some of the best panels I’ve been on as an author have had both, because we see different parts of the industry.
So on to my reasons:
Reason 1) The Grove is not for 48Fourteen. (I didn’t even send it to them, because cosmic horror is so far out of their wheelhouse.)
Reason 2) I am controlling the timing. As I’ve said, it will release on e-book and paperback September 13, 2016.
Reason 3) I want to experience each component of the post production book creation process. In traditional publishing, the publisher takes the financial and time risk for the book creation.
Reason 4) More information coming my way during the marketing campaign. Yes, I am doing a TON more work and taking the risk, but I am curious if I can figure out what works and what doesn’t. Whether my next book is traditionally published or self published, my goal is to gather information so I can use my time and resources more wisely.
Reason 5) Gnomes.
March 31, 2016
Being touched by the Novel Fairy the Third Time: Introducing The Grove
I’ve talked about the novel fairy before in this blog post. “The novel fairy is kind of like the tooth fairy, but more capacious. She leaves inspiration under the pillow. Sometimes if you were a really good boy or girl, the novel fairy actually leaves a manuscript with a favorable publishing contract attached.”
Well, its happened. The novel fairy visited me again! Just kidding. I want to announce my next novel: The Grove. I am going to self-publish this book. I want to explore every step of the production process.
Since I was at Norwescon last weekend, I created postcards so I figured I better catch up on the online announcements.
Sitka’s Quay appears to be like every other coastal tourist town on Highway 101, but lurking below its southern grove of ancient spruce are three sleeping primordial gods. The Keeper, Dayla Fischer, must remain in control of her magical abilities or fall into sickening madness, but lives a relatively quiet life with her husband, Oliver.That is, until the delusional, but charming Jonah Leifson comes to town with a plan to awaken the Three. Soon, children begin disappearing. With powerful suggestion spells and mind reading abilities, Jonah wins over other sorcerers, meth users, the police, and eventually even her husband. Though no one believes her and she doubts her own sanity, she must stop Jonah, before he wakes the Three and brings about the end of the world.
Available on Amazon, B&N and other fine bookstores September 13, 2016
E-Book ISBN: 978-0-9801459-2-2
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9801459-1-5
Over the next six months, I will be releasing information about the characters and magical systems within the book on the blog.
Now I need to get some real tweets so I can have tweets in the book so Jonah has his own twitter account. Anyone who wants to follow him talk horror books, taking beautiful photos of Seattle area and descend into madness, please follow: @Jonah_Leifson
