Serenity Valle's Blog, page 4
February 21, 2014
Calling All My WordPress Followers!
As you may have seen, I have a book coming out soon! In between now and then, I have some really fun events planned, as well as a giveaway. To pull this off, I’m asking for YOUR help!
I am looking for people willing to join my “street team” Serenity’s Pirate Crew (you can sign up by clicking the Street Team tab a the top of the page)
AND I’m looking for volunteers to be co-participants in the game during my cover reveal party. You wouldn’t have to run anything per se, I would be actually running the game, but I do need… characters, if you will. I can’t give too much of it away, which is why I’m being mysterious… event-goers would play the game, but I need you to be a character.
I only need 5 characters total and have 2 definites right now. If you can help from 3-6:30pm EST on March 15, I do have some goodies to send you for your time. I would need you to be at the facebook party for the entire event and you would get your character profile approximately a week prior. You must be willing to not discuss the gameplay with anyone until after the party is over (this is to give all event goers a fair chance to win). If you are up for it, email me at serenity.valle@gmail.com
The first three people to contact me get first dibs and all others will be put on an alternate list.
Love & Books,
~Serenity
February 19, 2014
February 5, 2014
Kindle Countdown Promotion! Just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Need a awesome gift for a special reader in your life? Starting at 8AM Feb 7 and running through 11:59 PM Feb 13, BOTH Fantastical books (The Fantastical Life of Serenity: A Collection of Short Stories About What Could Be… But Not Quite Is, and The Fantastical Life of Serenity: Epilogue) will be on sale through Amazon.com’s Kindle Countdown promotions! The first book will start at $0.99 through the 10th, after the 10th it will be $1.99. Epilogue will be $0.99 for the duration of the promotion! Get them here (don’t forget, this starts at 8AM on Feb 7)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQGN0ZC and
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GRN4J1U
Love & Books,
~Serenity
January 3, 2014
Back to Work!
The holidays are over and I hope each and every one of you had the best season! 2014 is now upon us and I’m hoping to make it the best year yet! I know I’ve been quiet lately… I haven’t forgotten about you all, simply had a number of strokes of bad luck! My family and I are not through the woods yet, but we must press on.
That being said, I had some fun ideas for my fantasy WIP and of course in the back of my mind I’m always thinking up plots and scenes for my upcoming works. Look for something from me (hopefully) by mid-year!
In the meantime, if you haven’t yet read The Fantastical Life of Serenity (short stories) and The Fantastical Life of Serenity: Epilogue, you can get them here on autographed paperback by clicking the Autographed Copies page, or on Amazon.
Happy 2014 Everyone, or as we Romani might say, Baxtalo Nevo Bersch!
November 28, 2013
Author Interview-Ryan Attard
Q: So, tell the readers a bit about you.
A. People of this planet know me as Ryan Attard. I hail from Malta, a tiny island in the middle of an ocean far, far away and I come to you with stories from deepest recesses of my mind.
I am the author of Firstborn, Big Wolf on Campus and Dread Night (a novel and 2 short stories) – all belonging to the Legacy Series. Big Wolf was featured in 2013: A Stellar Collection, Dread Night is a ‘Halloween Special’ and Firstborn is due to hit the shelves (and your e-reader devices) on December 13th. All published by AEC Stellar Publishing Inc.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for the Legacy Series? How did you come up with the name of it?
A. I was introduced to writing when I joined a group or friends who shared a similar interest in all things geeky. I wrote some fanfics, some short stories and some poetry – all excruciatingly painful to read. After a while I decided that I was too insane to be part of the real world so I became a writer, where I could manipulate and create things to suit my fancy.
The Legacy Series shares a lot with the Dresden Files and the Devil May Cry franchise, both of which I used as influence as well as music from the artist Celldweller. I recently read a beta review of Firstborn which described the novel as Sabrina the Teenage Witch on steroids, and that it’s a good idea. I like that. The Series contains all that inspires me, from cheesy one-liners, sarcastic talking cats, things blowing up, thinly veiled phallic humor and epic sword fights.
I stole Firstborn from one of Celldweller’s songs which was the first one I heard and it inspired the entire series with its dark tones and action beats. I love the mystery and the dark melody as well as the underlying message. Also I first heard it in a music video on youtube with a Devil May Cry 4 play-through and now I associate the two.
Legacy has maybe 10 different meanings to the characters in the series. The story revolves heavily on the characters bearing the weight of their ancestors’ sins as well as the legacy left to the earth in times long gone. I love double meanings and every title I come up with has at least 3 or 4 different meanings to the story.
Q: What is your favourite colour? (This must be read in a British accent a-la Monty Python)
A. Read this as Jeremy Irons:
My favorite color is the kaleidoscope – the myriad of colors ever shifting. From the red of the passionate hero, to the intellectual blue, the serene yellow, the earthly green, the enigmatic purple, the pure white and the Dark Side black.
Q: Do you have any special rituals or quirks when writing? Special foods or drinks? Troll doll on the desk/Etc.
A. I offer 13 kittens to Bephomet as I chant a ritual from the Malleus Maleficarum. Just kidding.
It’s 13 babies.
OK seriously now – I don’t have any particular rituals. It takes a while from me to get into the zone but when I go it, I go in deep (no pun intended – maybe a little bit). I tend to write with pen and paper first unless I’m really inspired in which case I just type. I’ve done both and honestly it’s just a whim. Depending on the mood sometimes I have a music track looping, but often the silence is the gateway to the voices in my head – which make for great stories and awkward stares.
Q: What was the easiest part about writing the Legacy Series?
A. Honestly, I never found any hard parts. I mean, sure, you get stuck on some chapters, but so long as you keep trying, it’s no problem.
I suppose this series is so close to my heart, so intimate to me, that it comes as natural as breathing. Often I would act out the scenes and try different one-liners, much to the annoyance of my friends. Often I would smile as I write an action scene and raise my fist in the air as I write it down and read it as if for the first time.
I don’t mean to sound condescending or superior in any way. I always have fun doing it, even if I’m working 12 hours a day. Even if I’m working weekends or holidays. I’m completely addicted to it.
Q: What was the hardest part?
A. Recently I discovered that the writing of a novel is the easy part. The hard part is marketing it – that is so not my cup of tea. But in retrospect, even that is not such a bad thing. I get to discuss writing and my work which makes me so happy. I get to look at my inspirations and reaffirm them.
I mean, what an awesome ‘problem’ to have when compared the some of the really crappy jobs out there.
Q: Do you like bacon?
A. Bacon is nice when used properly. Myself, I shape it into the shape of a swan. I find the swan bacon is very nice with sauces and other foods, rather than in strips. Unless it’s an English breakfast and I decide that my arteries need some punishment. Then those pigs better watch out.
Q: How long have you been writing, or wanting to write and when did you actually write your first story?
A. I never liked the idea of being a writer until I found myself in a situation where due to peer pressure I began writing myself. Then I loved it. It gave a high better than any drug. This was at the age of 16 or 17.
I began writing professionally (or as professional as I can be) at the age of 19. I signed my first contract with AEC Stellar on May 6th 2013 at the age of 22.
Q: Do you have a favourite character from your book/books? If so, who and why?
A. There are 2 main characters in the novels (these ones out so far).
Erik Ashendale is the everyman. He often goes on in rants and stream of consciousness. I write in first person and often those rants are my rants. I love rants. I tend to seep my opinions into his but there are times where he has to say certain things for the sake of the story. I’m not writing a biography here. But we are both grouchy, sarcastic and honest to a fault. Emphasis on fault.
The second character is everyone’s favorite – the demonic talking cat Amaymon. This guy in that inner voice that tells you it’s OK to jump off a high building because you can fly. He’s the whisper that justifies you eating all the cake in the house and leaving none for your family. He’s the voice that says it’s OK to take all the furniture that your mom covers in plastic and set on fire in the middle of the road and dance around the burning effigy in a symbolic revolution of your right to plant your ass wherever you want.
See what I mean about rants?
Q: Are you working on anything else right now? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
A. Well, Book 2 of the Legacy Series is just about ready to be handed in to the pros.
I’m also working on a separate Sci-Fi series of which I’m still writing the first book.
I have the first few chapters of a serialized fiction series I want to get out there.
And a couple other projects which are mostly in my head but will one day be on paper.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to tell the readers of this interview? (This is a great place to put your links!)
A. If you have read Big Wolf on Campus and Dread Night, I thank you. If you have left a review, and I know some of you have, I double thank you.
I would also like to thank the reviewers and betas of Firstborn. Great feedback you guys.
Also, try not to take me so seriously. I tend to joke a lot and other walk on blurred lines.
Check out these links:
https://www.facebook.com/RyanAuthor
and
http://www.amazon.com/Ryan-Attard/e/B009UW82V8
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do the interview and thank you for reading it.
Peace and love,
Ryan
Thanks Ryan! Please check out Ryan’s links and books!
Love & Books,
~Serenity
November 11, 2013
The Rafflecopter Giveaway has begun!
The Rafflecopter giveaway celebrating release week for my next book has started!
Go here for a chance to win! https://www.facebook.com/author.serenityvalle/app_228910107186452
Love & Books,
~Serenity
November 10, 2013
Book Trailer released!
Watch it here!
Love & Books,
~Serenity
November 9, 2013
Upcoming Events: Release Week for The Fantastical Life of Serenity: Epilogue
I’ve got some things planned for release week! My second book, The Fantastical Life of Serenity: Epilogue comes out November 19th on Kindle and paperback! Join in the festivities! Here’s the run-down:
NOW- NOV 18: Author Page Likes Giveaway: The person who gets the most people to like my author page (http://www.facebook.com/author.serenityvalle) gets a little swag. Likers need to post who sent them in order for me to keep track of who brought in the most people.
NOV 11-18: Rafflecopter Giveaway: See the Giveaway tab on my author page to participate!
NOV 14: Holly Kerr is hosting me on her blog. I will post the link as soon as I have it.
NOV 15: Levon QueenDuke is hosting me on her blog. Link to come.
NOV 17: Release Party on Facebook: I will be hosting an online party on facebook from 4-7PM CST (USA). I have games and prizes! Who doesn’t love a good rousing game with a chance to win swag? Please join us! Invite your friends! All are welcome! Come for a while, or for the whole party! The longer you stay the more chances to win. Get details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1428802630675368/
NOV 18: Jo-Anna Walker is hosting me for her Meet Me Monday segment. I don’t have a direct link, but her main blog page is here: http://joannawlkr.blogspot.ca (this is also the end day for both the Likes Giveaway and Rafflecopter Giveaway).
NOV 19: RELEASE DAY! Kindle, paperback and autographed paperbacks will be available, links to be posted on release day.
Don’t miss out on the fun! Watch for more announcements regarding release week, there may be some surprises!
If you haven’t read the first book, The Fantastical Life of Serenity: A collection of short stories about what could be… but not quite is, you can get it on your Kindle and read it before Epilogue comes out! http://www.amazon.com/Fantastical-Life-Serenity-collection-stories-ebook/dp/B00DQGN0ZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384059654&sr=8-1&keywords=the+fantastical+life+of+serenity
Hope to see you all at the party and I thank you all for your support!
Love & Books,
~Serenity
November 7, 2013
Author Interview: Kristen Hope Mazzola
My interview with Kristen Hope Mazzola, author of Crashing Back Down…
Q: So, tell the readers a bit about you.
I am a 25 year old Florida girl. I am just about to release my debut novel, Crashing Back Down, and could not be happier. I started writing poetry when I was ten and recently started working on short stories. Crashing Back Down started off as a just for fun short and really took off into something greater than I could have ever dreamed possible.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your book, Crashing Back Down? How did you come up with the name of it?
Crashing Back Down just came to me one day. I started writing a short story about the main character, Mags, and realized that there was more to her story than what was told in the 2,500 words I had just written. Honestly, I just let the characters guide me along and take shape on their own. Crashing Back Down as a title came from a few different meanings in the book, the ending will really explain it, but of course I don’t want to give it away, so when you read it, you’ll see for yourself!
For more information on Crashing Back Down, please go here: http://khmazzola.wordpress.com/crashing-back-down/
Q: What is your favourite colour? (This must be read in a British accent a-la Monty Python)
My favorite color is Kelly Green! It’s so bright and lively
Q: Do you have any special rituals or quirks when writing? Special foods or drinks? Troll doll on the desk/Etc.
I have to have lots of water; I constantly take a second, take a sip and reread my last few sentences. I go through about a gallon on good writing sessions. I also have tons of post it notes all around my writing desk for ideas to revisit at different parts of the book so I don’t have to leave where I’m at in the manuscript.
Q: What was the easiest part about writing Crashing Back Down?
The characters’ personality. They all shaped into their own unique voices and quirks. The easiest out of all of them though, was Cali. She is the only one that I modeled after a real person, my best friend from college, Christina. The situations about the character are made up, like being married to a jerk (Christina is in a relationship with a wonderfully nice man that treats her great!) But her voice, love for fruity wine, and unwavering devotion is always held true in our real life relationship!
Q: Do you like bacon?
Of course!
Q: How long have you been writing, or wanting to write and when did you actually write your first story?
I have been writing on and off for 15 years. I did not start writing stories until January of 2013. I never was confident in my story telling ability, and now that it is part of my life I could never imagine myself without bringing stories to life and sharing them with others.
Q: Do you have a favourite character from your book/books? If so, who and why?
Walker and Mitch. They are tied. Walker is wonderfully sweet but has a past that haunts him. I love his resolve and raw love that never fades through everything. Mitch is the same way, but more open and cavalier. They both are just simply awesome in my mind and remind me of a lot of guys I hung out with when I was in college.
Q: Are you working on anything else right now? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
I am working on a few pretty fun projects. My major WIP is Falling Back Together. That is the sequel to Crashing Back Down. I can’t reveal too much about it but I can say that it has just as many twists and surprises as Crashing Back Down and I promise the ending will blow you all away!
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to tell the readers of this interview? (This is a great place to put your links!)
Thank you so much for all of the amazing support. Without readers there would be no reason to do what I do. I love hearing from book lovers of all types so please feel free to connect with me on any of my social media site:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristenHope
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7179522.Kristen_Hope_Mazzola
http://khmazzola.wordpress.com
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kristen-mazzola/85/100/a09
http://novelisting.com/profile/1162
Love & Books,
~Serenity
October 31, 2013
Authors and others-a call to help.
Read more on Leanna\’s blog.
She Only Has One Day Left! We Need YOU!.
via Authors and others-a call to help..
