Margo Kelly's Blog, page 42
August 22, 2014
Cover Reveal: ARRGH! by Stacey R. Campbell
We're so excited to share the cover of ARRGH! by Stacey Campbell, a middle grade fantasy adventure. This book releases September 24th, 2014.
Description:
Forced to remain silent after being kidnapped by pirates Christopher must find a way to save an innocent merchant ship’s captain and his daughter from the evil grasp of Captain Redblade proving that friendship and family are worth fighting for no matter the costs.
Amazon About the Author:
Stacey R. Campbell lives in the Pacific North West with her husband, three daughters, three dogs, and a pet
turtle named Todd. She is a graduate of the University of Washington. At the age of seven Stacey was told that she would never be the writer she dreamed of being because she is dyslexic. Finally Stacey found that she could not look her children in the eyes and tell them that they could be what ever they wanted to be if she did not do the same. Now Stacey can't stop writing and loves to help children pursue their own dreams. Stacey is the young adult author of Hush, A Lakeview Novel and Whisper, A Lakeview Novel. ARRGH! is Stacey’s first middle grade book.For more books from this author, visiting information, and author events please visit Stacey at:
www.Staceyrcampbell.com
You can also learn more about Stacey R. Campbell on
Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads
Live in the Seattle area? Meet Stacey Campbell, YA author Martha Brockenbrough and others at the UW bookstore, Mill Creek, on October 9th at 7:00! There will also be a book launch for ARRGH!, Dec. 3rd at 7:00 at the UW Bookstore in the U district.
Giveaway:
Paperbacks of HUSH & WHISPER (Young Adult)- US only
ebook of ARRGH! (Middle Grade)- INT
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 12, 2014
Win a Book on Goodreads!
Yay!
My publisher has listed a giveaway on GOODREADS!
Click on over there for your chance to win one of twenty-five copies of Who R U Really?
The book birthday is getting closer. It will be available 9/18/14, and it's available now for pre-order from your favorite bookseller.
My publisher has listed a giveaway on GOODREADS!
Click on over there for your chance to win one of twenty-five copies of Who R U Really?
The book birthday is getting closer. It will be available 9/18/14, and it's available now for pre-order from your favorite bookseller.
August 6, 2014
IWSG: Distractions
It's that time of month again ... I mean ... it's the first Wednesday of the month, and that equals INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP. For complete details on this awesome group CLICK HERE!
As for me ... I've been struggling with distractions. I need to finish the revisions on my work-in-progress and get the manuscript back to my agent, but I've been distracted by SO MANY THINGS. Like my daughter graduating from high school (yes, back in May ... I've been revising for a long time!), girls camp, family vacation, gardening, getting my daughter ready to leave for college, and the prepublication activities for my debut novel.
The last two items on the list have been, by far, the most distracting!!
It's all good stuff, and I'm not complaining. ... I just wish I could finish this round of revisions already!!! Then I could focus on my sweet daughter's remaining time here, and I could get uber-excited about my debut releasing!
Here are some exciting things that have been said about Who R U Really? by industry experts:
For the complete review, click here!
So ... what distracts you when you're trying to work? How do you ignore the distractions or better balance your time? I need all the advice I can get! ;)
July 21, 2014
Kindle Unlimited
Okay - as you've probably already heard, read, or seen, Amazon has launched a new reader subscription service (coined as the Netflix for e-books).
What does that mean for readers? Well, it would seem you'd have access to over 600,000 books for less than $10 a month. However, none of the "Big-5" publishers are participating. So your choices might be more limited than it appears. It seems that most of your choices would include self-published authors ... along with some big name titles (like Hunger Games, Harry Potter) thrown in there to tempt you.
What does that mean for authors? If you're a self-published author, it appears complicated at first glance, and I can't help you there. If you're a traditionally published author, the news is you'll get paid as though someone actually bought your e-book once they've read more than 10% of it. ... Which is based on the current "free sample" that is offered to Amazon customers before they actually buy the e-book.
If you want more information ... here's an AWESOME post on the topic, but interestingly enough the most significant information is found in the comments.
What do you think? Are you going to take advantage of the "one-month free" offer?
What does that mean for readers? Well, it would seem you'd have access to over 600,000 books for less than $10 a month. However, none of the "Big-5" publishers are participating. So your choices might be more limited than it appears. It seems that most of your choices would include self-published authors ... along with some big name titles (like Hunger Games, Harry Potter) thrown in there to tempt you.
What does that mean for authors? If you're a self-published author, it appears complicated at first glance, and I can't help you there. If you're a traditionally published author, the news is you'll get paid as though someone actually bought your e-book once they've read more than 10% of it. ... Which is based on the current "free sample" that is offered to Amazon customers before they actually buy the e-book.
If you want more information ... here's an AWESOME post on the topic, but interestingly enough the most significant information is found in the comments.
What do you think? Are you going to take advantage of the "one-month free" offer?
July 18, 2014
Create an Amazing Protagonist
"If you can create a strong character with a strong sense of core self, then thrust him through a plot that attacks those pillars of identity, and surprise the reader with some of his choices, you will have an amazingly layered protagonist on your hands." -- Mary Kole (Writing Irresistible Kidlit, page 109)
July 16, 2014
Word Crimes
In case you missed it ... here's an awesome video to make you smile and laugh:
July 14, 2014
Book Review: I HUNT KILLERS
I Hunt Killers by Barry LygaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book I've read by author, Barry Lyga, and now I'm a fan!
I picked up this book because it was recommended (in the book HOW TO WRITE IRRESISTIBLE KIDLIT by Mary Kole) as an example of how to make an unreliable narrator likeable. The main character, Jazz, is certainly likeable in I HUNT KILLERS.
And this is a creepy book!
I was a little surprised that this was a YA book, because it is very gory, very violent, and it features the POV of the killer as well as the teenage main character. So while I'm not sure I'd run out and recommend this to the teenagers I know, I would definitely recommend it to my friends who read Dean Koontz and/or Stephen King.
And this is an excellent book in the study of psychology. Seriously. Is it possible for the son of a notorious serial killer to become anything not-like his father? And is it wrong for ALL parents to want their children to grow up to be better than them? ... Jazz's dad just wanted Jazz to become a better serial killer. YIKES.
Such a great book. I couldn't put it down. But if you don't like horror and gore, don't pick this one up.
View all my reviews
July 11, 2014
Book Review: TWIGS
Twigs by Alison Ashley FormentoMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really got a kick out of this book. Yes, it was silly and over-the-top in places, but I laughed a lot. Reading some of the other reviews on Goodreads, I'm surprised that so many people disliked the main character, Twigs. I thought she was pretty funny. But maybe that's because I've thought about hitting people with my car, too. ;) I do agree that some of her nicknames for people were rude, but poor little Twigs, she was unhappy and angry and lonely, and she was just doing the best she could in her soap-opera life.
As far as a YA book goes, there is quite a bit of cussing and sexual references, but there's not a lot of violence (unless you consider hitting people with cars, iPods, and shampoo bottles violent). I might not recommend this book to my younger teenage friends, but I would definitely recommend it to my friends who read Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" series.
View all my reviews
July 9, 2014
Book Reviews: THE LEGEND TRILOGY
Legend by Marie LuMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Best trilogy I've read in quite a while. All three books are out and available. I'd recommend having them all so you can read straight through the series. The only thing that bothered me about the storyline was the fact that the main characters were so young. They seemed to me to be older teenagers rather than younger ones. But other than that, great series. No offensive language that I can recall. No sex scenes. There is violence, but nothing over the top. I love having a strong heroine fight alongside a strong hero. I highly recommend this trilogy, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Prodigy by Marie LuMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book two in the trilogy. LOVED it. Great writing. Great story. Great characters.
Champion by Marie LuMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Seriously. What are you waiting for? Go read this trilogy. It is great. I loved it so much, I made my husband read it. He cried. Yup. Book three (CHAMPION) moved him to tears. No tears for me, but I'm a little more cold hearted. *wink*
View all my reviews
July 4, 2014
Happy 4th of July!
We are celebrating our nation's Independence Day by enjoying the beautiful outdoors near Grand Jean, Idaho. These are older pictures from previous trips, but we'll be enjoying the same location.I love Idaho.And I love the United States of America. Happy 4th of July to you!
