Sutton Shields's Blog, page 2

There's A Wave Coming...

In one week, the Mer-Nor Gang and I will reveal the cover and blurb for the Final Wave of the Merworld Water Wars series. 

After over a decade with my family of characters and living in their world, it's almost surreal that the last chapter in this series is complete. The characters and I have had some rather intense reactions: Polly's eyes went black, Meikle stirred the contents of her bag, Airi rocked back and forth on the edge of the couch, Jex flexed his wings, Ophelia went into cleaning mode, Camille baked, and Marina and I gagged. Good times. 

The Final Wave Is Crashing Soon!

*waves* Hiya! Been a while, huh? I know, I know, it’s unforgivable...but maybe this will help: Wave Five, the final wave in The Merworld Water Wars series, is complete! And it is one long novel, let me tell you! Phew! 
Over a decade in the making, the final installment in this series had me on a seriously possessed emotional roller coaster—I cried and laughed…and cried and laughed some more.  Honestly, I was such a mess writing Wave Five, you’d think I’d lost the few marbles I have left. I know I’ve said it before, but these characters have been my family and there for me during some not so sunshine-y times; they’ve meant a great deal to my mom over the years with all she has had to deal with. They’re more than paper and ink, silly as that may sound.  
Anyway, I just wanted to give a quick update and let you know the Mer-Nor Gang will be returning very soon now! Details to follow about Wave Five, along with the cover reveal and blurb. 
Oh! And I haven't forgotten about introducing you to some wonderful fellow Indie authors! From the computer situation to the cruddy winter & spring, I just haven't been able to devote the kind of time these authors and their wonderful books deserve. But I'm getting there, slowly but surely! 
Lots of Love to You <3

The Christmas Season is Here & Long Overdue Anthology News!

It's Christmas! With the world the way it is today, it just feels like we need the magic of Christmas and miracles and joy more than ever. 'Tis the season of tree-trimming (which was done before Thanksgiving...yeah, I know. I can't help it), decorating (yep, also done before Turkey Day), Christmas carols (been singing them since Halloween), Christmas movies (bet you can guess how long I've been watching these), present hunting (in total elf mode), present wrapping (starting soon), cookie eating (on it), and just an endless amount of wonder, whimsy, family, friends, love, and jolliness. Even though I've tried in the past to temper the Obsessive Christmas Disorder, it's pretty much impossible to hide my elf self. Mom says I should work for Santa. Maybe someday...
Computer: Well, I'm still relying on borrowing a computer  (although, hopefully, I will soon be able to borrow one a bit more often). Mine is still acting ridiculous. I just have to kind of tiptoe through my computer's drama until I can get a new computer.


Anthology News: I'm embarrassingly behind on blogging about another amazing anthology I was fortunate enough to be a part of with a truly wonderful group of authors.




Spectral Tales: A Ghost Story Anthology. From Amazon: Whether they are spirits of the departed or figments of an overactive imagination, ghosts are a staple in fiction. Storytellers have portrayed ghosts as scary, friendly, or annoying across many genres. Now, eight authors offer their own interpretations of ghosts through a collection of short stories that will appeal to fans of horror, fantasy, or young adult fiction.


Here are the stories and storytellers featured in this year's anthology:


“Deathwatch” by Katie French
“Tides” by Sarah Dalton
“Shadowspirit” by M.A. George
“The Little Girl” by Jamie Campbell
“The Ghost Below” by Ariele Sieling
“Slave Runner” by H.S. Stone
“Farewell Ohana (A Ghostly Mini-Wave)” by Sutton Shields
“Ghost Girl” by Susan Fodor


For my part, I decided to reveal a little backstory on Maile, Gus, and Gully from The Merworld Water series. Here's the blurb for my crazy little short story: Farewell Ohana (A Ghostly Mini-Wave): Maile Lahela is under attack by someone in the Kauai Camp for the Curiously Creepy. When she awakens one morning unable to see, her peculiar, yet loyal friends decide it’s time to escape the institution—something that’s never been done. But before they can leave, Maile has a mission of her own…one that could cost them their lives. 

Farewell Ohana is a short, fun-filled, emotional prequel to the events occurring in Overfalls, Wave Two of The Merworld Water Wars series by Sutton Shields.


You can pick up a copy of fun, scary, & emotional goodness here (Psst: It's FREE!): 

AMAZON



I should have some Wave Five updates & spin-off updates very soon! In the meantime, maybe put on a Santa hat and get your jolly on! :) Happy Holidays!!! 

Roping the Roundup: Merworld Men, Wave Five, & Computer Woes

Computer Woes. Well, my computer has turned into a massive drama queen. Her ‘attitude’ started over the summer. Initially, I wrote it off as computer PMS, but, alas, her bitchiness just raged on. Thanks to the saga-coaster my computer strapped me into, I’m limited with my time online. Fortunately, I’m able to borrow a computer on weekends, just in time for game day—I need to vent my LSU crazy on Twitter…it’s therapeutic. ;)


With all my claims of technology idiocy, you probably know by now that my brain doesn’t exactly skew to the techie side (oh, how I wish it did). Frankly, it makes me uncomfortable. As a result, I haven’t brought myself to try the whole phone-to-tweet or phone-to-email thing. To me, that’s beyond my scope of comprehension. Maybe I’ll try eventually…one day…possibly.


The whole thing kinda sucks because I love my little drama-happy computer! You get to know your computer, and it gets to know you, you know? The one I’m borrowing is an uber-sensitive jerk and clearly doesn’t ‘get’ me. So, there’s that. 
Wave Five, the final book. Is the computer drama affecting Wave Five? To some extent, yes. I’m doing a lot of handwriting, which is a bit slower. BUT I’m still on schedule for a summer 2016 release. I will definitely keep you updated.


Wave Five hints. I can tell you that the final wave in The Merworld Water Wars series is shaping up to be one wild, emotional ride. Huge secrets will finally be revealed. Think I’ll leave it at that for now. ;)

Spin-off series: The first book in the spin-off series featuring the plane full of characters you met in DOWNDRIFT begins the editing process next week! The new series will consist of 3 books full of wacky, crazy fun. 


Men of The Merworld Water Wars. Speaking of merps and an impending water war, the men of the Merworld recently dropped by Bookish to answer a few fun questions for Tiffany! Some replies were sweet, some sexy, some severe, and some were downright saucy.


Due to my computer issues, I’m behind in posting this, but if you have a minute for some hot supernatural men, stop on over for the naughty Q &A session with Troy, Jex, Trey, Kyle, and Doctor Tenly! 
Visit the Men of the Merworld Water Wars here. 


Lots more updates to come! Many Mer-Hugs~

Somewhere South of Sane Anthology is HERE!

Okay, really quick update before we get to new anthology news: I'm in the middle of all sorts of computer drama (more to come on this, along with an update on Wave Five). Please forgive any delays in e-mails, messages, and/or comments on here, FB, and/or Twitter. I don't use my phone for things like that... I know, I know, I'm pathetic.  
***** Now for the exciting news...just in time for Halloween...
The island of False Key is back with a whole new set of stories featuring more magic, grittiness, danger, fun, sexiness, and all things, well, not-quite-normal.


I’m so incredibly excited for you to read this one! The stories are epic, and we have an extra treat for you this time: Illustrations! One of our authors, Corina Pelloni, brought elements of each of our stories to life through illustration, and the results are stunning. They add so much magic to an already magical island.


As for my typically wacky contribution… Over It follows the events of my equally crazy short stories, Oversplash and Overbite-Me, from the first volume of False Key happenings, Somewhere South of Normal. In one final showdown, Jex, Ash, Moraine, and Cole race against the clock to resurrect an island landmark before a group of sketchy False Key politicos make them pay…with their lives. Did I mention Jex and Ash share a moment? Things are about to get complicated…
Somewhere South of Sane, More Stories from False Keyis now available on Amazon:  





And if you haven’t yet visited False Key, plan your trip bygrabbing a copy of the first volume, Somewhere South of Normal: 

DOWNDRIFT Now Available on Amazon!

Available on Amazon

The fourth wave has landed! DOWNDRIFT is available in the Kindle Store! The estimated page length listed on the Kindle product page is 288 pages, but the actual paperback length is just over 350 pages. It may correct itself once the paperback and Kindle versions link up. I'm not too clear on all the technical parts--surprise, surprise, right?  lol

 Available On: 
Amazon
By the end of DOWNDRIFT, you'll see just how big the final wave is going to be... 

DOWNDRIFT, Wave Four Arrives August 13th

Here it is! Wave Four is picking up speed and is scheduled to make landfall on August 13th*!

DOWNDRIFT:



Marina Valentine is one future time-traveling trip away from putting the final trident in King Zale’s reign. The future, however, has a dire message for the Savior: She is one decision away from costing everyone everything.
                                      
Marina doesn’t want the burden of some unknown decision, nor does she want to learn of yet another sneaky trick by King Zale. All she wants to do is focus on her trip with Troy to retrieve the last soul stealing stone—a trip that will not only take them to wondrous, mysterious places, but will bring them closer than she ever dreamed possible.


Unfortunately for Marina Valentine, burdens and Zale tricks are part of the job description.


Only this time, the burden has never been heavier and the trick has never been more destructive. 
*Please note that it can take 12+ hours for a book to appear LIVE on Amazon once it is published, and on occasion there are delays. Because weather and power outages are always a concern this time of year, I may publish early in an effort to avoid any weather-related delays.
**And I apologize for the big gaps between paragraphs. No clue why that happens, but it does now and again. I finally gave up trying to figure out how to fix it--beyond my brain's capability.

There's a Wave Coming!

The Fourth 'Wave' in The Merworld Water Wars series is about to hit the shore! The Mer-Nor gang is back for another crazy, intense adventure!

Stop on by the blog, Twitter, & FB next week for the release date, to see the cover, and read the blurb! 

Spring Fling Giveaway EVENT!!!

So, I've been pretty obvious about my wacky love for any and all holidays, including the possibility that I was an elf in a past life. Well, the second best thing to a holiday is a giveaway--I mean, you have a reason to celebrate AND give goodies away to winners! Giveaways are practically holidays, right? The two words even sound alike--holiday...giveaway. Well, when Sarah Dalton, BRILLIANT author of the Mary Hades series (see my review for Mary Hades here) e-mailed about an insanely awesome giveaway event, I was so all in!

What's up for grabs : 

From me : I'm elated to contribute signed paperback copies of the first three books in The Merworld Water Wars series, along with some Merworld swag.  


Breakdown : Over 70 authors are participating with over 100 ebooks up for grabs. I'm elated to be one of those 70 authors. Readers will have the chance to sign up for books that interest them and then winners will be randomly selected. There are tons of genres and books to choose from: Horror, Time Travel, Contemporary, Dystopian, Fantasy, Paranormal, and Science Fiction (See photos below for all the participating authors and their books).









The YA Spring Fling giveaway runs from March 20th to April 3rd and gives readers the opportunity to win ebooks, paperbacks, audiobooks and swag from some of the most awesome YA writers around.


To be in with a chance of winning head over to Sarah Dalton Books after the giveaway opens. 

Good Luck and Happy Giveaway! 

Contest: What tale do you have to tell?

  Last spring & summer, I had the honor of working with several wonderfully talented groups of authors, one of which was in the Somewhere South of Normal, Volume I , anthology. Serena, the brilliance behind creating False Key, invited us to introduce our characters to the sexy dangers of the island and put our own special twist on its sandy shores. Now, Serena & The Howl at the Moon are presenting you with the chance to set your characters loose on an island where the only thing that is predictable is its unpredictability. 

*****
Sponsored by Howl at the Moon Writers Jam.Intrigued by the fantasy world of False Key? Want to get published? Win prizes?

Enter your best short story (1,500-8,000 words) and/or poem (up to 3 pages) set in the world of False Key, Florida.
Grand prize winner(s) will be published in an upcoming False Key anthology and receive $25 cash and their choice of a False Key mug or t-shirt. Second and third place winner(s) will be published online.

The setting should be the island of False Key or surrounding waters.

Story prompts to inspire you:

1. Account of a trip to False Key including a narrow escape. Or not.
2. The Howl at the Moon Writers Jam in False Key is having a short story contest. Meta!
3. Dive into the music scene of False Key
4. “My name is Sharkton, and I’m powerless over eating people.”
5. Choose your own theme.

Work must be original, unpublished, and in keeping with the spirit of island. Read Somewhere South of Normal for clues!

Submissions open Jan 5 and close Mar 19 . 

Winners will be announced on April 16 at the Howl at the MoonWriters Jam in Stuart, Florida.

Winners will be published online. Grand prize winner(s) will be published in our 2015 False Key anthology.


Read the official contest rules and fine print here.