Rosi S. Phillips's Blog, page 9

Props Page

My friends have been getting on me lately to stop talking about A Grim Love: Can't Fight Time so, I'm going to stop talking about it. Instead, I'm going to give props to the wonderful people i have surrounding me who have put up with me and my vision from the get go.
Basically this is an extended acknowledgments page, which I'm going to add on from time to time as people help me and inspire me. 
Pumpernicole: Yes, I see you over there on your bed in your t-shirt wrapped in your pink polka dot blanket smiling at me as I read yet another line from my new book. And I see you, looking maybe a tad tipsy from our earlier drinks, laughing at me as i read to you and type at the same time. 
Bottom line is: I love ya girl! You are crazy, way to busy, way too cute, and the best roommate I've ever had! 
Rev Otis: I can not tell you how much our meditation sessions have helped in my creative writing process. I mean the Venus--forgetting the ams right now--thing was genius! Not only that, but Tuoni was based a little bit on you. You're always thinking outside the box and making me think outside the box. Thanks for forcing me out of my shell!

Smacks upside the head, lessons, and reviews

I've been reading reviews a lot lately instead of doing my school work, but that's for two reasons: firstly, I'm so sick of school! I've been in school all year round (yes, summer and winter classes) and I'm just sick of it. And secondly, see the first thing.

But back on topic.

I've been reading reviews, and the thing that I happen to keep reading is this "smack her" comment about characters in various books. I feel like most people either want to hug the characters and root for them, or assault them--sometimes both.

And that got me thinking about my own characters. And I have to say, even though I wrote them, I feel the same way. I want to stand up and tell Grim to get his head out of his ass! Maybe yell at Nina and say that she's making the wrong choices! And definitely shake Uri until he tells me the truth!

But I think these strange reactions and emotions are good. I have no control over my characters (it's true), and when I feel these strings emotions I know that I'm being true to them. I'm being true to Nina and Grim by allowing them to fall, make mistakes, be assholes, be stupid, and ultimately learn.

I think that's what these reviews have really shown me. People hate books that they can't learn from, whether that learning is personal or what have you, it needs to happen. I'm an avid reader, and some books help me learn to relax and let things go (chick lit) and then some books make me think and re-examine how I see myself and my world (epics/fantasy).

I'm just hoping that people learn something from my characters--whatever that my be--and share it with me. If you learn never to trust a person, then okay. If you learn to re-examine religion/society or whatever than great!

But I like reviews because they remind me that I should read books that have... What's the word? Ah! Lessons.

Audio Book

Hey everyone! So I have some big news! My publisher just emailed me about doing an audio book. Honestly, I'm really excited about the idea, but also really scared. I have so many thoughts going through my head about how Nina, Grim, Uri, Morrigan, Tuoni, Yin, and Yang sound that it's driving me a little crazy. Not only that, but it would be one person reading two very different parts. Nina's voice is clear in my head, because it is me, but Grim? Well, Grim is a bunch of voices of men I know. He's both my father and my grandfather, my friends Bobby and Yousef, and maybe a little bit of every sexy male lead I've ever seen or read. It's strange to think that the I would have to pick between both distinct voices, or that I would hear their voices at all. I mean would Grim still have his slight accent recalling his Mediterranean background? Would Nina sound like the jaded college student I know her to be, or the Bloodspurn queen she has to be? So many questions. That's why, I'm leaving the topic up for discussion until Friday. I want to get everyone's opinion on the topic of an audio book, because at the end of the day you all are the ones who are going to be hearing my character's voices. And now... discussion time. Audio book--yes or no?

Free copy of AGL on Friday

So I just got an email from my publisher, and he told me that there will be a promotion on Friday; basically, we'll be giving <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grim-Love-Paran... A Grim Love: Can't Fight Time </a>  out for free.

I'm so happy with how many people have bought the book, and I can't wait to see the reviews--and yes, I read the reviews.

My publisher hopes that 1k people will get the book free (not sure exactly what that means, because I was never good at math, but I'm assuming that's a lot).

I just hope that I get more reviews. I really, really want to see what people think about the book. I'm still a super new author, and reviews really do help me.

Going in-depth on that review helps even more, i.e. The author should have done x differently because it would have flowed better. And I thought the transition from chapter y and z could have been done differently, and this is how... blah blah blah.

Please don't write blah, blah, blah ;)

But anyway, I am really just curious to see everyone's opinion and thoughts. I know not all the reviews are going to be pleasant, but I've prepared myself and I'm ready. So... PLEASE REVIEW!

Remember, free copy of AGL this Friday! But don't worry, I'll remind you everyday! :D

Contest extension

I've decided to extend the contest deadline to February 21st! I want to give people plenty of time to go and read 'Fury' and answer the question. Plus I want to give people who come to my book reading time to answer too! Remember, my book reading is on February 18th in DC! I will be reading at the lounge Wisdom, at 6:30pm and maybe 8:30pm. I will up load directions to the location and I encourage everyone in the area to come down! They'll be good food and drink plus you get to here me read my favorite parts, find out some information on the next book, and ask any and every question you have about my characters and the book! I hope to see you then! And don't forget to answer the contest question about Mira killed Asmody in my book "Fury".

First comment!

Ahh!!!! I'm so happy!!! As if you couldn't tell! ;)

I just got my first review on amazon! To say I had been checking my amazon book page  frequently would be an understatement, stalking it is probably the more apt word.

But the review made a good point. While the book is only--can't believe I'm writing this considering how long it's taken me to write--228 pages long, it is still cramped full to the brim with stuff. I'm not going to go into detail because I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that no character is as they seem.

Oh! And also, the second book A Grim Love: Can't Fight Fate will be much, much longer. Right now everything has been planned out, and the book will be broken down into two parts, and each part is going to be about 150 pages more or less. By the time it is published (not sure when that is going to be yet, but I think sometime around Halloween) it will be around 400ish pages on amazon.

That was it! Please remember to try for the contest! The question is on my Facebook page and blog! Winner gets a free copy of A Grim Love: Can't Fight Time!

Amazon Prime and paperback

You can now order a paperback version of A Grim Love: Can't Fight Time, and if you are an amazon prime member, you can get the kindle version free right now!
Can't Fight Time is part of my Grim Love series. I am currently working on the next book, which will be significantly longer. I mean really, really long. But I'm excited! :)
Here is the future book order (titles not likely to change)
A Grim Love series:Can't Fight TimeCan't Fight FateCan't Stand Alone

Very soon I'll start posting mini excerpts from the books. To my beta testers, please be looking out for an email from me!
Thanks for the support everyone!

Flirting the Fence

Flirting the Fence is now availed on iBooks for free. It is still on all my other sites, but I know how easy it is to read iBooks. The cover will be updated soon, and periodically I will go through and edit if people catch mistakes. 
I hope everyone has got a copy of A Grim Love: Can't Fight Time and if you did get a copy, shoot me an email! I have no clue if the book is being purchased or not, I'm pretty much just going on blind faith.
I would love to hear back from people! :)

Another contest

So, the first contest didn't go so well, but I have high hopes for this one! Because--drum role please--the prize is a free e-book!

 Below is the contest: For the next week, i.e. seven days (until Feb 6th at midnight) there will be a contest. Rules: basically just answer the question correctly, and post on my Facebook page. I find looking through all my different social medias to find who was first, confusing and hard.

 The first one to get it right will get a comment from me saying: "You're right!" then just send me whatever email your kindle is attached to and I will send you a free e-book. It's that simple! 

Here's the question: How does Mira kill Asmodes in my short story "Fury"?

 Good luck everyone!

I told you there would be a book reading :)

So, my wonderful mother and uncle--big supporters of my ambitions--have set up my first book reading! Am I happy? I'm over the freaking moon! :) I've been using that expression a lot lately. Anyway, if you live in or around Washington DC, come out and here me read my book! It will be on February 18 at Wisdom at 6:30pm and (maybe) 8:30pm. It's a really fun bar, and it's super chill. I encourage everyone to come! Here's the link to the lounges' website: http://www.dcwisdom.com I'll be sending out reminders the closer we get to the date. Thanks for the support everyone! :D