Isis Sousa's Blog: Tragic Books' news, page 3

Last author spotlight/interview of the year: Tabitha Vohn + My Happy Holidays note to you

For the Follower's Giveaway winner result see this post.

Tabitha Vohn writes Poetry and Fiction (genre crossover with literary or literary). I across her work a few years back via GoodReads. I have also read and reviewed two of her books: Tomorrow is a Long Time and Requiem for The Fallen.

Here you can read a mini interview we did together and check out her newest book and the winner of the Indie B.R.A.G. Prize!

1 - Tell us more about Only for a Moment. When did you get the idea to put together a Poetry book and how was the process?
Last year I was "stuck" with two sophomore classes to teach, after four years of having only senior classes. I was a bit put out at first, but then I decided to have some fun with it; doing lessons that I normally wouldn't have the chance to do with senior classes. One of the those ideas was Poetry Friday. We'd watch slams and then my kids would write poems on a proposed topic and those who spit their verse would receive extra credit. It turned into this remarkable family of poets every Friday. A lot of laughter, tears, and finger snaps. During that time I started writing poetry again, along with my kids, and it rekindled the love of poetry in me. Poetry was my first love in terms of writing.

This past summer I worked on my next novel but wanted something to publish in the meantime. I decided to put together a collection of my best poems and--with the help of a dear friend and remarkable artist who did the cover and interior illustrations--Only For a Moment was born.

I filtered through the past nineteen years of poetry that I've written and picked the best ones. I tweaked many of the older ones along the way. They all sort of naturally coalesced into certain themes or thematic topics so organizing them in the collection was an organic process.

2 - What do you like writing most, Fiction or Poetry and why?
To be honest, it depends on the mood I'm in. I like the more instant gratification of poetry and the cathartic release of it, as it's more personal and confessional for me. But fiction is an escape into other people's lives and loves and adventures and heartbreaks. Sometimes I need that escape, and I often grow to love my characters like friends.

3 - Are you working on a new book or have plans for one? What will it be about?
I'm currently "sitting" on a novel called "A Different Path", which you can check out on my website (www.tabithavohn.com). It's my best work thus far, and I'm waiting until it's properly edited before it's published. Editing isn't cheap so....thus the wait.

I'm also working on a novel called "Walking Man's Road", which is sort of a dual exploration into antiheroes and obsession.

4 - What is your biggest wish or dream as a writer?
I wish most for a steady following of readers. They are hard to come by without that anomaly "breakthrough" that all writers dream of. I also hope that my work improves with time. And as long as someone is being moved or inspired or--at the very least--entertained by what I write, then it's not all for naught :)

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

TABITHA'S LATEST RELEASE:
Only for a Moment Click on the cover/title to check out her beautiful Poetry book! It is ***illustrated***! Isn't it nice?!

SEE ALSO::
Tomorrow is a Long Time And this book here had won two indie awards! (Indie B.R.A.G. + AIA (Amazing Indies Approved)
) Great Literary cross-genre with Romance and Time Travel!

You can read my review HERE

Visit Tabitha Vohn's website:http://tabithavohn.com/
Buy her books @ Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~


And now... MY *HAPPY HOLIDAYS* MESSAGE TO YOU:
Hmm... I don't have anything fancy or elaborated to say, really... I just started some free days from client work and I am still mentally tired (mild way to say mentally impaired or brain dead!), so I will go direct to the point.

******* Hope you all fellas have a PRECIOUSSSS Christmas and even more PRECIOUSSSS New Year! That you have fun, that you enjoy the best the season has to offer, accompanied by the most awesome people in the universe that are your family and friends. Eat the good stuff, celebrate with great music and get cool gifts! HAPPY HOLIDAYS, GUYS! And thanks a lot for your support!!! *******

But there is a dark side to the season too... People missing those who passed away (like me), people who had a financial setback (like me) or missing their family too far away to meet them in person (like me).

So, despite me having a foot on the dark side, I also have a foot on the bright side, because I have by my side a wonderful companion and his PRECIOUSSSS family! :D

But that's it, in a nutshell, X-mas and New Year are a season of mixed feelings, good and bad, happiness and sadness for me in particular.

Hope that you are more on the bright side than I am... And why am I telling all this here?! Because behind the author/illustrator, there's a human being who has problems and has to deal with life like everybody else ;)

And that's all, folks!
See you in 2017!

Follower's Giveaway Winner

And the winner is....

Lyans @ GoodReads

Congratulations! :D You have until 4th January to claim your prize.

(Send me a private message with your shipping address. If I don't hear from you until 4th January I will pass the prize onto another winner.)

Follower's Giveaway: 1 signed Hardcover *proof copy* of As Cold As Thorns

I have one brand new hardcover with dustjacket PROOF COPY of As Cold As Thorns in spare to giveaway, SIGNED and with dedicatory, together with a Norwegian chocolate to a follower.

Will you be the lucky one???

Before you think about entering the giveaway, I need to stress that this is a PROOF COPY - it means it is a version with a few glitches and not the final version out for sale, however, it is very close to the published editions, apart from the few glitches.

Here are the rules to participate:

1. Must be a follower on GoodReads OR on Twitter OR Pinterest (if you are a follower on the 3 channels... Wow! You rock!)

2. Leave a comment/reply on the giveaway thread on my GoodReads author blog - if you are participating via GoodReads

3. If you participate via Twitter or Pinterest: must retweet/repin the giveaway post/pic
Tweet: https://twitter.com/tragicbooks/statu...
Pin: https://no.pinterest.com/pin/39814642...

4. Must be from one of these locations: Scandinavia, Europe, UK

The winner will be announced on 20th December!



A lucky and awesome follower will be picked at random, I will contact the person to get his/her shipping address and send the package. :D

Thank you for the amazing support! ;)

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~


And here is the view from the window I took the book snapshots today! A beautiful winter day in Vuttudal, Norway. - See a bigger size on my blog: https://illustratingwords.blogspot.no/

Interview & Sporlight with indie author Jessica Hernandez

I've came across Jessica Hernandez work and Blog via GoodReads. She is an indie author and helps promoting others like me through her blog as well. So, of course, I invited her for a spotlight around here and I invite you to join and read her interview as well as get to know her books of Hawk of Stone duology. Are you ready?

1 - How was the writing and publishing process for your first novel, "Capering on Glass Bridges"?
Capering on Glass Bridges was born from an idea that I had while in high school. Over the succeeding years, I developed this idea considerably, and I often spoke with my mother about the fantastical world that I sheltered in my mind. It was she who encouraged me to write about it. As the end of my final semester in college approached, I made the decision to do as she suggested; I told myself that, upon graduation, I would finally pen the novel that had been floating about in my head for ages.

The publication process proved to be an overall positive experience. It’s in my post-publishing journey that I’ve encountered one of my biggest obstacles to date—which I’ll discuss in further detail when I answer question three.

2 - How did that process evolve when you worked on book 2, "The Yesterdays of Tomorrow"?
Initially, I did not create an outline for book one. I sat down in December of 2014 to “pants” my way through Capering on Glass Bridges. After writing about seven thousand or so words, I realized that I didn’t like how the story was coming out, so I discarded it and left the project alone for a few weeks. In March of 2015, I sat down at my desk and created an outline of my story. As I’m sure you can imagine, the writing process went a lot smoother thereafter. Hence, with my second novel, I created an outline before writing a single word. In my opinion, the outline has a function akin to that of a compass; it helps one better understand the different directions in which a story can be taken. My outlines, however, are rather skeletal. That is, I make sure to leave sufficient room so as to allow certain aspects of the plot to evolve as the story progresses.

3 - What is your biggest challenge as indie writer?
Overcoming obscurity. When you’re starting out as a writer, not only do readers shy away from your work simply because they perceive you as an unknown, but—often times—you are invisible to most of them as a consequence of the sheer number of writers out there. I’d love to get to the point where I have a loyal audience—be it of one person or of a thousand—to which I can present my writings.

4 - What are you working on at this moment and/or future plans as author?
I am currently working on my third novel. It takes place in Acu—the same fantastical world wherein Capering on Glass Bridges and The Yesterdays of Tomorrow are set. This book, however, is unrelated to my first two titles. Readers will be introduced to a new kingdom and a new cast of characters. I’m very excited about this project! Though it’s a work of fantasy, it’s imbued with a few elements characteristic of mystery and psychological thriller novels. Needless to say, the writing process is proving to be immensely enjoyable, and I look forward to sharing the finished product with readers.

5 - How do you keep inspired and who are your fav icons on books, arts, music?
I am inspired by too many things to name. I’ve learned that one needn’t be exposed to something new in order to be inspired. One simply has to endeavor to view the familiar from a different angle.

C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors. Lewis’ prose is exceptionally colorful. His writing style is such that readers can visualize the events unfolding in the narrative without any difficulty. I can still recall flipping through the pages of The Magician’s Nephew when I was younger and being in awe. The world that Lewis had created was so rich and so detailed that it felt extremely real to me; it felt organic. As a writer, I actively strive to emulate this effect. I want my readers to feel as though they’ve been transported to Acu—the fictional realm in which Capering on Glass Bridges and The Yesterdays of Tomorrow are set. I want them to feel immersed in this world.

6 - What do you think of social media and how do you make it work for you?
I’ll admit, I’m not too active on social media. I’m trying to change this, though. Social media is invaluable in bridging the formidable gap which exists between new authors and readers. It enables the two to connect and open up a dialogue with one another. (Which is pretty awesome!) I don’t know if I’ve succeeded in making social media “work for me,” but I’m certainly laboring towards this goal.

7 - Your biggest wish or dream?
I’m a bit of a chocoholic. I kid you not. I have memories of returning home from school as a first grader and running to the kitchen to stuff my face with chocolate chip cookies. For this reason, were I granted one wish, I’d request that chocolate be made as healthy—in terms of nutrition—as broccoli. I’d spend all day eating chocolate lava cakes. Yum!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
CLICK ON THE COVERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JESSICA'S BOOKS:

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
CONNECT WITH JESSICA
GoodReads: Jessica Hernandez
Blog: https://jessthestoryteller.wordpress....
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJpI...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessymariee...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessy_marie77

As Cold As Thorns - Release Day / Out Now!

I am really happy to announce that As Cold As Thorns is now OUT for sale on Amazon, iBooks, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble and other indie shops worldwide!

More info + book preview HERE: http://tragicbooks.com/as.html

The e-book and paperback are available, while the hardcover with dustjacket may take a few days more to be out for sale.
Do you like Gothic classics? As Cold As Thorns may be a story for you!
Do you like character driven stories? You may want to read this guest post about Henrique, the lead @ Whispering Stories Blog: http://whisperingstories.com/guest-po...

Buy it/Look Inside @ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1533467692
Buy it at an indie shop worldwide: http://tragicbooks.com/buy.html

Now, I am really curious to know how people will react to the story...

A Bookish Opinion post + Followers’ goodies

So, I am slowly coming back as a reader, as mentioned on my previous blogpost. I have been very busy for the past months with work stuff and using all free time to work on As Cold As Thorns. Things are a little less stressful now, though I’m still on a rush with work.

I missed posting something more personal as means to connect with you, dear follower/friend/reader. So here goes some random (negative?) bookish thoughts and I don’t mind if you will hate me for that after reading :P :

I do judge books by covers and titles: in general I am a bit weird person and can be a bit *OCD about certain things. Cover and titles are some of them. If I don’t like the cover, I will most likely never read that book. UNLESS the author is a friend, then I will pass that. And the title, if it has words I don’t like, or sounds too trendy or vulgar, it will certainly be in the way for me reading that book as well. Unless, again, the author is a friend of mine, I will swallow the ugly/unpleasant/unoriginal title.
* as some use the expression – though it is poorly used in many cases, including this one – LOL

I hate these words in a book title: girl – rockstar* - crown – king – game – throne – city – raven – ice + fire – light – alpha – and some more I don’t remember at the moment… Added: millionaire and billionaire (Suggestion from Monique!)
*A rockstar is an artist that works in the rock music scene - now they use this term, wrongly, to describe all sorts show-off people!

Character names: If I don’t like the character name, it takes more effort for me to like the character. Or skip it all together.

I don’t like series!: Mostly because… I don’t have patience for them. If it is an extraordinary series, then I can like to read 2 or 3 books. Otherwise, I keep my distance. Exception: some comic book series. :)

First person: I am not fond of first-person POVs in general, but some authors manage to do a good job on that, I have read some great books in first-person POV.

Muscular naked/semi-naked blokes on the cover:Ahhhsh! I steer away from them! It’s like seeing an ugly, ravenous monster! (or like a Brazilian quote for something extremely ugly – "like the devil sucking a mango!") :S I think they are horrible and remind me of Neanderthals or gorillas! There are very few exceptions for that rule, and only like the characters that I paint for my clients ^.^ Ha!

Print or digital?: I like digital books for Non-Fiction that mostly text – and print for Fiction and Art / Comic Books.

GoodReads Choice Awards: Does not represent me. Never have.

…………………………………..
Now that you know some of my ***dark side*** as a reader ^.^ I’d like to talk of something else.

I’d like to giveaway free e-book copies As Cold As Thorns for any GoodReads follower that would like to read it :) There’s no limit of copies – but there is a limit of time.

You can send me a PM and request it until 24th November – Thursday.
And that’s all, folks! Have a great Sunday!

Back as a reader + newsletter subscriber’s giveaway

I have been quite for some time, that’s because for the past months I have used all of my free time to work/edit and finish my upcoming novel As Cold As Thorns, to be release 28th November now :)

It was a time of marathon, and now, apart from the rush with client work and teaching arts, I am back as a reader :D I am resuming my reading of Make Me BurnMake Me Burn, by Tiffany Roberts and The Rebel's Sketchbook by Rupert Dreyfus. So I will post these reviews along this month.

I have missed reading other author’s books and I am having a great time with both of my current reads. They are highly entertaining and very recommended!

* ~ * ~ *
Exclusive giveaway for newsletter subscribers:


Some of you know, some don’t, that I brand my books under the label of “Tragic Books” - http://tragicbooks.com and I have a special giveaway now open to all my newsletter subscribers – those who are already subscribed and those who do so until 6th December. The winner will get all these cool prizes :)

Cheers and enjoy your time! I am enjoying mine here in mid-Norway at -9 C :)

The Picture of Dorian Gray in Quotes and Nudes – Release day 24th October + RBTL Blitz

I have been very silent, but I have been working intensely on my new books :) One of them is The Picture of Dorian Gray in Quotes and Nudes a beautiful art book / coffee table book based on the original work of Oscar Wilde. With permission from CMG Worldwide, Clare Diston, Celine Frohn and I have selected 60+ quotes from the Gothic Classic and packed them in a beautiful layout, accompanied by 20 art nude painting studies.

***RELEASE DATE 24th OCTOBER***

Both editions, Paperback and Hardcover are LIMITED to 150 copies each!!! There will never be a second print of these books! The sales are numbered and on a first come, first served base.
You find it EXCLUSIVELY @ TRAGIC BOOKS WEBSITE http://tragicbooks.com/picture.html



***VIRTUAL BOOK BLITZ***
To help spread the word about this special release, RBTL READ BETWEEN THE LINES http://www.rbtlbooktours.com/ is organizing a 2-Day VIRTUAL BOOK BLITZ, on 24th and 25th October with the following blogs:

Oct 24

Read Between the Lines http://www.rbtlreviews.com/
Sabrina's Paranormal Palace http://sabrinasparanormalpalace.blogs...
My World http://xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.no/
BooksChatter http://bookschatter.blogspot.no/
Books, Dreams, Life https://staceyschneller06.wordpress.com/
Tears of Crimson http://www.tearsofcrimson.com/
Ramblings of a Book Nerd http://www.booknerdramblings.com/
The Book Quarry http://thebookquarry.blogspot.no/

Oct 25
Sylv all about Books & Films http://sylv.net/
Fallen Over Book Reviews http://fallenoverbookreviews.blogspot...
Dante Eternal's Virtual Book Shelf http://chronicles75.blogspot.no/
Fabulous and Fun http://fabulousandfun.com/
Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm http://lynnromanceenthusiast.blogspot...
Silver Dagger Scriptorium http://silver-dagger-scriptorium.weeb...

Thank you for reading and I will catch up with Goodreads very soon :) Have a nice weekend!

Building Henrique – clues on the lead character of As Cold As Thorns, my upcoming Gothic novel

As Cold As Thorns now has a release date scheduled: 28th November, the Cyber Monday! Hurra! And I’d like to share some “teaser clues” about the lead character, Henrique.

What I can disclose with you right now is that: he is secretive, he is mysterious, he is ingenious, he is brilliant and he is an artist.

He is both “the love or hate” AND “love and hate” kind of character, with a well balanced male+female personality. (I said personality, his sexual orientation is straight.)

Ladies and Gentlemen, here are some famous characters which could represent different shades of my dear, beloved Henrique:

WILLY WONKA


ALICE AND THE MAD HATTER


AND... Visit my blog to see the rest of the post, because GOOD READS WON'T ALLOW ME TO ADD MORE THAN 4 IMAGES TO MY POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :s

https://illustratingwords.blogspot.no/

A little protest, an Author Spotlight with Elizabeth Morgan and a Follower’s Giveaway

A little protest: I have always thought about it, since I made my author profile… However, I always forget to write about the matter!

The thing is, authors have Blogs here at GoodReads, while non-authors simply don’t have the feature. I wonder why – and I want to tell GoodReads I am disappointed about it.

Not that everybody will be blogging loads – but hey, there are lots of people who have things to share and many non-authors who are also bloggers, so why not give this space to them?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~


Spotlight with Elizabeth Morgan: So I had the pleasure of doing an interview with indie author Elizabeth Morgan.

She writes in a variety of genres and is just re-releasing On The Rocks – a short story I have reviewed (you can read it here: )

And I invite you to read a cool interview on Elizabeth’s work and life as a writer on my Creative Blog: https://illustratingwords.blogspot.no/

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~


Follower’s Giveaway: While I am cooking my upcoming novel, As Cold As Thorns – coming closer to writing the end – started the illustration process and am doing beta reading with an amazing group organized by RBTL Blog Tours, I don’t want to say goodbye to Elisa! Not just yet!

So, if you’d like an e-book copy of The Night of Elisa - An Illustrated Gothic Novel (though not as nice as the print editions!) – you can participate following these rules: 1) You need to follow my work here at GoodReads and 2) leave a hello or a comment on this blog post :)

I am giving away 5 e-books (you can choose the format Kindle or Epub). The winners will be announced in two weeks: 29th August!