S.A. Larsen's Blog, page 34
June 1, 2016
IWSG~Snail Writing
Everything about my next words is personal. I guess that's what this monthly posting thing is all about anyway, right? So to say I'm a little nervous is an understatement.via GIPHY
It's not really anything dramatic, but I'm not in the habit of ripping the seam of my heart open and exposing it to the oxygen of others' eyes. Despite the initial burn, here goes: I've been sick. I might have mentioned it in a brief, passing sentence here before, but never really explained. AND, as you might expect from me, I won't go into details now, either. I will say that the few ailments I've been diagnosed with cause extreme fatigue, joint swelling, and pain. To be honest, I can deal with the swelling and pain. But when I can't keep my eyes open to drive a car let alone stare at my computer screen to write because of the fatigue I want to scream. But I'm too tired to do that. Go figure.
Yes, I'm sure some of you are thinking this is an understandable excuse for not being able to write or get my next draft finished. From a moral and compassionate standpoint, you're correct. Absolutely. But the publishing world isn't always moral and we all know that compassion isn't its strongest characteristic. I'm terrified that if I don't get book II of this series written, edited, perfected, and submitted by summer's end that I'll be left out in the cold. I know my publisher can only accept so many books a year.
Somehow I must rise above this and write this book. Plus, my YA publisher should be knocking on my email soon to start work on that manuscript. I honestly don't know how I'm going to do this. I feel like I've lost connection with some of my closest cyber peeps. That's logical with me going through edits for my debut MG novel. Normally, I could jump right back into cyberspace and reconnect. But with this health thing reconnecting has been hard. I guess I'm asking 'Are you still there? Will my CPs and betas forgive such egregious distance?
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
It's not really anything dramatic, but I'm not in the habit of ripping the seam of my heart open and exposing it to the oxygen of others' eyes. Despite the initial burn, here goes: I've been sick. I might have mentioned it in a brief, passing sentence here before, but never really explained. AND, as you might expect from me, I won't go into details now, either. I will say that the few ailments I've been diagnosed with cause extreme fatigue, joint swelling, and pain. To be honest, I can deal with the swelling and pain. But when I can't keep my eyes open to drive a car let alone stare at my computer screen to write because of the fatigue I want to scream. But I'm too tired to do that. Go figure.
Yes, I'm sure some of you are thinking this is an understandable excuse for not being able to write or get my next draft finished. From a moral and compassionate standpoint, you're correct. Absolutely. But the publishing world isn't always moral and we all know that compassion isn't its strongest characteristic. I'm terrified that if I don't get book II of this series written, edited, perfected, and submitted by summer's end that I'll be left out in the cold. I know my publisher can only accept so many books a year.
Somehow I must rise above this and write this book. Plus, my YA publisher should be knocking on my email soon to start work on that manuscript. I honestly don't know how I'm going to do this. I feel like I've lost connection with some of my closest cyber peeps. That's logical with me going through edits for my debut MG novel. Normally, I could jump right back into cyberspace and reconnect. But with this health thing reconnecting has been hard. I guess I'm asking 'Are you still there? Will my CPs and betas forgive such egregious distance?
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
May 23, 2016
How To Capture The Middle Grade Voice by Pete Catalano
TOUR SCHEDULEIt's Monday! And why do I seem so excited about it? Because it's the day I share another wonderful middle grade tale with you. And today I have an extra treat - Middle Grade Author Pete Catalano is here to share how he captured the middle grade voice. I'm so excited to read his hilarious book! Let's see what he has to say.How To Capture The Middle Grade Voice (Or how this author did, anyway.) :)by Pete Catalano
In ARTIFACTS I feel like I really found my Middle Grade voice for the first time.
In every #MSWL or every plea for the next great book, Agents and Editors stress VOICE! VOICE! VOICE! Once you know what they are looking for it should be easy to write – or is it?
The quest to find a voice that works, no matter what age you’re writing for, is a prize that once it’s inches from your grabby little hands . . . suddenly vanishes. I have been fortunate enough to find a voice that is perfect for the stories I write. A friend of mine wrote in a review of ARTIFACTS that they were “Impressed with how Mr. Catalano was able to create the hysterical sarcasm that is the trademark middle school wit.” I now wear that compliment as a badge of honor as I continue to write Middle Grade!
I guess it helps that I never really grew up.
To this day I still watch movies that other people last saw twenty years ago or more. I can’t turn down the opportunity to watch The Sandlot, Home Alone, Uncle Buck, or even Stand by Me every time it comes on TV (it drives my wife crazy! ) When I write a story I spend a great amount of time watching the action in my head, hearing the conversations between the characters, and writing it all down.
Finding your Middle Grade voice can be accomplished in a number of different ways.
Become a teacher! While that might be a little dramatic or you might be a little late in life, you get to be part of the wonderful work they do but at the same time be a fly on the wall to conversations that will, one way or the other, find their way into the next great novel.
Read! Read! Read! Read! And then Read some more. The ideas you present in your story will be your own, but if you are able to pick out the sarcasm, the inflections, the wonder, and the conversations that make the reader want to turn the page, you’ll be that much closer to finding your voice.
Listen! If you’re drawn to Middle Grade in the first place there’s probably a chance that the inner child is still there waiting to be heard. It may start as a whisper at first but the longer you listen and the more you pay attention, eventually the words will pour onto the page. To this day there’re things I think are funny that others dis at one time too, but that was when they were twelve.
I could say hang out at the playground to hear the way kids talk to each other, but in this day and time that will surely get you arrested.
Finding your voice in Middle Grade will be frustrating, awkward, and nearly impossible, but when you do find it (and you will find it) your writing will be funny, believable, funny, realistic, funny, authentic, funny, convincing, and did I mention funny?
Pete Catalano’s books are written for kids of all ages — and adults who secretly never grew up. He lives in Charlotte, NC with his adorably funny wife and two neurotic dogs. Pete was a theatre major in college and tries to keep the ‘suspension of disbelief’ in his life as much as he can.
Want to know more about Pete? You can find him on his Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest |Goodreads and also by following the rest of his blog tour.
BAM| Google Play | Chapters| Amazon B&N| Kobo | TBD| iBooks | Goodreads
ARTIFACTSby Pete CatalanoRelease Date: May 17, 2016Publisher: Tantrum Books
Description: It's funny how one little letter can change a person's life. Jax and his friends have been planning the summer of a lifetime at Camp Runamuck. However, when one of them is facing summer at a school desk for failing English, they watch those plans crash and burn!At the last moment they're given a way out.
An extra credit assignment to find several fake artifacts for a fairy tale display their teacher is presenting at the local library.
Thinking they've hit the easiest-extra-credit-ever jackpot, they begin rummaging through any piles of junk they can find. As they start putting the clues together, they realize that what they're really searching for is one authentic artifact that can rewrite fairy tales!
Enlisting the aid of the Lost Boys, Jax and his friends battle fairy tale villains to see who can get their hand, or their hook, on it first.
a Rafflecopter giveaway What do you find unique about writing or reading middle grade stories?
May 18, 2016
YA In The Alleyway~THE UNMOVING SKY by K. L. Hallam & Giveaway!
YA in the Alleyway
is my revised meme to give young adult literature the spotlight it deserves. It also gives YA authors the opportunity to share their signature with the world! Feel free to join me any Wednesday.
Let's give a big Alleyway welcome for my next featured Young Adult Author, K. L. Hallam - an air force brat as a young child, who moved around to more schools than she can list, gathering the stories that would connect to her heart! She also writes middle grade tales, short fiction, and anything else she hasn't tried. Her other creative endeavors include being a singer, songwriter, illustrator, and mom. And to top it all off, she's one of my publisher sisters!
Hi K. L. It's wonderful to have you here. Let's start with childhood. Did you have a favorite book or story and why? My mother’s first language is Greek, she spoke little English, and I can’t remember a time when she’d read books the way I do for my sons. But when my fifth-grade teacher read The Secret Garden aloud to the class, my world changed. Forever. I still recall that time, listening to her read I can almost smell the day.
Ooh, The Secret Garden... <3 With the emotions of that story in mind, I'd like to introduce the readers to your moving story.
Goodreads | Smashwords | Amazon
THE UNMOVING SKYby K. L. Hallam
Publisher: Leap Books: Shine ImprintRelease Date: May 16, 2016Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
Description: There is nothing darker than the woods, until you meet your worst fear.
Jackson Bower has a lot on his mind lately. His younger brother hasn’t been the same since his mother’s death. His father’s drinking is out of control. Then there’s Jackson’s girlfriend and the grief that ties them together even as it threatens to drive them apart.
He distances himself, hoping for a little perspective at the family lodge. But when their father gets drunk and dangerous, he and his brother escape into the woods.
Night creeps in, and the rains come fast. Artie slips down a ravine. He’s wounded and the brothers seek shelter in a cave, only to find someone else already taking refuge there.
A desperate man with plans to destroy their town.
Jackson must get him and his wounded brother out of the cave and over the mountain to warn everyone in time. Without getting them both killed first.
Here's a peek at the book trailer:
How did you approach the topics of parental death and alcohol use (or alcoholism) to develop these characters?My father was an alcoholic. My mother left him when I was eight years old and my brother was five. I had to look after him a lot, while she worked. Growing up without your parents talking to each other for years, not until I graduated high school, feels like a death. I wasn’t allowed to talk about him or his new life around my mother.
What other books do you feel are comparable to this story and why? Hm? This is hard. I’ve searched for stories that might be comparable. When talking with others about The Unmoving Sky, I’ve heard that it sounded like the Mathew McConaughey’s film, MUD, 2012. I haven’t seen the film, but it sounds as if there might be a few elements of similarity. Two young boys, find a drifter … etc. Maybe that’s the one similarity?
One of my children watched that film. I believe he got the same impression. What can your readers expect from you next? I have a middle-grade, SFF launching with GMMG in 2017. (And a few in the hole!) I’d love to write a prequel to The Unmoving Sky. Brianna, Jackson’s girlfriend, has her side to the story. Hopefully I can complete the song of her POV and have it ready by the time TUS publishes on May 16th. Or maybe it will be a pet project.
A prequel would be cool! I always love to learn more about a story's characters before and after. :) One last - and silly - question. You're in the mall and all the stores are closed except three of them: a kitchen utensil store, a gag gift store, and a gallery art store. Which do you patron, why, and what do you buy? Gallery Art Store. Because I paint with watercolors and I’m out of supplies. I know I’ve used all of my blues and yellows. I might even grab more clay for the figurative sculptures I used to make.
Sculptures...whoa. You really do dabble in all creative arenas. Thanks you so much for sharing your signature in the Alleyway, and congratulations on your release!
Readers, what are your thoughts on reading true-to-life teenage struggles such as dealing with an absent parent, death, or battles such as alcoholism?
Want more of K. L. Hallam? Find her: Website | Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Let's give a big Alleyway welcome for my next featured Young Adult Author, K. L. Hallam - an air force brat as a young child, who moved around to more schools than she can list, gathering the stories that would connect to her heart! She also writes middle grade tales, short fiction, and anything else she hasn't tried. Her other creative endeavors include being a singer, songwriter, illustrator, and mom. And to top it all off, she's one of my publisher sisters!Hi K. L. It's wonderful to have you here. Let's start with childhood. Did you have a favorite book or story and why? My mother’s first language is Greek, she spoke little English, and I can’t remember a time when she’d read books the way I do for my sons. But when my fifth-grade teacher read The Secret Garden aloud to the class, my world changed. Forever. I still recall that time, listening to her read I can almost smell the day.
Ooh, The Secret Garden... <3 With the emotions of that story in mind, I'd like to introduce the readers to your moving story.
Goodreads | Smashwords | AmazonTHE UNMOVING SKYby K. L. Hallam
Publisher: Leap Books: Shine ImprintRelease Date: May 16, 2016Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
Description: There is nothing darker than the woods, until you meet your worst fear.
Jackson Bower has a lot on his mind lately. His younger brother hasn’t been the same since his mother’s death. His father’s drinking is out of control. Then there’s Jackson’s girlfriend and the grief that ties them together even as it threatens to drive them apart.
He distances himself, hoping for a little perspective at the family lodge. But when their father gets drunk and dangerous, he and his brother escape into the woods.
Night creeps in, and the rains come fast. Artie slips down a ravine. He’s wounded and the brothers seek shelter in a cave, only to find someone else already taking refuge there.
A desperate man with plans to destroy their town.
Jackson must get him and his wounded brother out of the cave and over the mountain to warn everyone in time. Without getting them both killed first.
Here's a peek at the book trailer:
How did you approach the topics of parental death and alcohol use (or alcoholism) to develop these characters?My father was an alcoholic. My mother left him when I was eight years old and my brother was five. I had to look after him a lot, while she worked. Growing up without your parents talking to each other for years, not until I graduated high school, feels like a death. I wasn’t allowed to talk about him or his new life around my mother.
What other books do you feel are comparable to this story and why? Hm? This is hard. I’ve searched for stories that might be comparable. When talking with others about The Unmoving Sky, I’ve heard that it sounded like the Mathew McConaughey’s film, MUD, 2012. I haven’t seen the film, but it sounds as if there might be a few elements of similarity. Two young boys, find a drifter … etc. Maybe that’s the one similarity?
One of my children watched that film. I believe he got the same impression. What can your readers expect from you next? I have a middle-grade, SFF launching with GMMG in 2017. (And a few in the hole!) I’d love to write a prequel to The Unmoving Sky. Brianna, Jackson’s girlfriend, has her side to the story. Hopefully I can complete the song of her POV and have it ready by the time TUS publishes on May 16th. Or maybe it will be a pet project.
A prequel would be cool! I always love to learn more about a story's characters before and after. :) One last - and silly - question. You're in the mall and all the stores are closed except three of them: a kitchen utensil store, a gag gift store, and a gallery art store. Which do you patron, why, and what do you buy? Gallery Art Store. Because I paint with watercolors and I’m out of supplies. I know I’ve used all of my blues and yellows. I might even grab more clay for the figurative sculptures I used to make.
Sculptures...whoa. You really do dabble in all creative arenas. Thanks you so much for sharing your signature in the Alleyway, and congratulations on your release!
Readers, what are your thoughts on reading true-to-life teenage struggles such as dealing with an absent parent, death, or battles such as alcoholism?
Want more of K. L. Hallam? Find her: Website | Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 4, 2016
IWSG~Conferences & Seesawing Emotions
You guys...I attended my first writer's conference this past weekend. FINALLY! NESCBWI to be exact.
(And this fella right here was my co-pilot. His name is Rufus. Yes, I named him. It's only right, being a writer and all.)
The organizers were amazing. The workshops were incredibly insightful. And the entire conference was run so smoothly that if any hitches arose no one noticed. I even volunteered, which was really helpful in meeting other writers, and I went out to dinner on Friday night with a few other @sweet16s/@swanky17s - MonicaTesler, Ruth Lehrer, Jen Petro-Roy, Ronni Arno, Lee Gjertsen Malone, & Melissa Schorr. You really must check out these fabulous MG & YA authors. Go follow them now.
So why was my stomach in knots when I returned home?
The biggest reason I've come up with is because I went alone. And with it being my first time that made finding any sense of calm a bit more challenging. I'm kind of a pack animal, so without a pack I felt exposed. Natural, I supposed though. Then there was all the crazy talent in attendance. Seriously folks, we have some uber creativity up here in the New England states. Talk about intimidating - which made me want to hide. But then there was the only element to surpass the elevated brightness and wit of these people - their kindness, which made me all warm and fuzzy.
You're asking yourself: so what's her insecurity? I guess it's kind of a seesawing of confidence and inferiority, how to balance that, and how to use it to fuel my writing.
Ever struggle with this? How have you handled it?
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
(And this fella right here was my co-pilot. His name is Rufus. Yes, I named him. It's only right, being a writer and all.) The organizers were amazing. The workshops were incredibly insightful. And the entire conference was run so smoothly that if any hitches arose no one noticed. I even volunteered, which was really helpful in meeting other writers, and I went out to dinner on Friday night with a few other @sweet16s/@swanky17s - MonicaTesler, Ruth Lehrer, Jen Petro-Roy, Ronni Arno, Lee Gjertsen Malone, & Melissa Schorr. You really must check out these fabulous MG & YA authors. Go follow them now.
So why was my stomach in knots when I returned home?
The biggest reason I've come up with is because I went alone. And with it being my first time that made finding any sense of calm a bit more challenging. I'm kind of a pack animal, so without a pack I felt exposed. Natural, I supposed though. Then there was all the crazy talent in attendance. Seriously folks, we have some uber creativity up here in the New England states. Talk about intimidating - which made me want to hide. But then there was the only element to surpass the elevated brightness and wit of these people - their kindness, which made me all warm and fuzzy.
You're asking yourself: so what's her insecurity? I guess it's kind of a seesawing of confidence and inferiority, how to balance that, and how to use it to fuel my writing.
Ever struggle with this? How have you handled it?
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
April 27, 2016
Meet Melanie McFarlane, author of THERE ONCE WERE STARS
YA in the Alleyway
is my revised meme to give young adult literature the spotlight it deserves. It also gives YA authors the opportunity to share their signature with the world! Feel free to join me any Wednesday.
I'd like to introduce you to another #WO2016 (Waiting On 2016) fellow author! She's a passionate writer of other-wordly adventures, a little excitable, and a little quirky. Whether it’s uncovering the corruption of the future, or traveling to other worlds to save the universe, she jumps in with both hands on her keyboard. Though she can be found obsessing over zombies and orcs from time to time, Melanie has focused her powers on her YA debut There Once Were Stars, and her YA urban fantasy Summoner Rising. She lives with her husband and two daughters in the Land of Living Skies.
Hi Melanie! Love chatting with you in our #WO2016 Facebook group, but I'm even more thrilled to have you visit me at my cyber home. Let's start with you as a child. Were you a reader? I was a ferocious reader, thanks to my mother, but was also told totally made up tales, thanks to my father. My favorite childhood story is one called Little Blue Ben. Haha - I think I still have it around here somewhere.
Aw, very cool. Here's a fun question: You're in a grocery store checkout line. What catches your eye? a) Gum! One can never have too much gum (plus it freshens your breath)! b) Chapstick! I rarely wear lipstick, preferring the lovely moisturizing abilities of chapstick (Cherry Carmex is my fav).c) Coffee Crisp - only the best chocolate bar ever!!
Any thoughts about author platforms or the ever-changing publishing world you'd like to share? Keep learning and find things that play on your strengths. I LOVE visuals, so I've really been spending a lot of time with Instagram. Is that right or wrong, I don't know, but if you feel like your platform is taking up all your time you probably need to scale back and pick the parts you love, because you'll shine!
Such heartfelt advice! <3 (Gosh, you have me all mushy... #blushes) One valuable piece of writerly advice you want to offer to aspiring writers. Patience. Patience. Patience. Everything takes time, from signing, to each round of edits, to cover reveals. Sometimes schedules change, people change, and even your release date can change. Just be patient. It's not you, it's just how the industry works.
Now for your beautiful book baby! What inspired you to write TOWS? When I got the idea for There Once Were Stars, I had just finished an episode of The Walking Dead. The season had ended and I was thinking about how much I loved that the series was character based, rather than fully focused on the zombies or virus. I started thinking of the last series I read, Divergent (I didn’t start reading until after Allegiant released), and how much I enjoyed its unique take on dystopian. My two favorite things … zombies and dystopian … and then my mind exploded with this image of Nat—a girl in a dystopian world—who watches the stars glitter along the glass of her dome covered city … and the rest is history.
I love the image that "...along the glass of her dome covered city..." creates. You mention Nat. What two super heroes adequately describe her? And what two villains adequately describe your main antagonist? Two - wow I don't know why that sounds so hard! How about part video game characters and part super heroes.My main character, Nat, is best described as a cross between Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and Alice from Resident Evil. It's not because she's an orphan or a clone (she's one but not the other), but it's because she doesn't want to get involved in trouble, but ends up choosing what's right. She didn't ask or go looking for trouble...it came for her.But my villian, (whose name I will leave out for spoiler reasons), is a definite Kingpin x 2 (Spiderman version, not Daredevil - before he became the family man).
Okay, so if that description doesn't get folks to rush out to buy the book and read I don't know what will. Wow! Speaking of which, let's show off your book.
THERE ONCE WERE STARSby Melanie McFarlane
Publisher: Month9BooksRelease Date: April 26, 2016
Description: Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of the dome. Now Nat wants answers. Is there life outside the dome and if so, what has the Order been hiding from everyone?
Google Play | BAM| Chapters|Amazon|B&N|Kobo|TBD| iBooks | Goodreads
Thank you for sharing yourself with us, Melanie. All the best to you and your bright future!
Want to know more about Melanie or keep in touch with her. Feel free to visit her at any of her social media sites: Website | Blog| Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads
TOUR SCHEDULE
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'd like to introduce you to another #WO2016 (Waiting On 2016) fellow author! She's a passionate writer of other-wordly adventures, a little excitable, and a little quirky. Whether it’s uncovering the corruption of the future, or traveling to other worlds to save the universe, she jumps in with both hands on her keyboard. Though she can be found obsessing over zombies and orcs from time to time, Melanie has focused her powers on her YA debut There Once Were Stars, and her YA urban fantasy Summoner Rising. She lives with her husband and two daughters in the Land of Living Skies.Hi Melanie! Love chatting with you in our #WO2016 Facebook group, but I'm even more thrilled to have you visit me at my cyber home. Let's start with you as a child. Were you a reader? I was a ferocious reader, thanks to my mother, but was also told totally made up tales, thanks to my father. My favorite childhood story is one called Little Blue Ben. Haha - I think I still have it around here somewhere.
Aw, very cool. Here's a fun question: You're in a grocery store checkout line. What catches your eye? a) Gum! One can never have too much gum (plus it freshens your breath)! b) Chapstick! I rarely wear lipstick, preferring the lovely moisturizing abilities of chapstick (Cherry Carmex is my fav).c) Coffee Crisp - only the best chocolate bar ever!!
Any thoughts about author platforms or the ever-changing publishing world you'd like to share? Keep learning and find things that play on your strengths. I LOVE visuals, so I've really been spending a lot of time with Instagram. Is that right or wrong, I don't know, but if you feel like your platform is taking up all your time you probably need to scale back and pick the parts you love, because you'll shine!
Such heartfelt advice! <3 (Gosh, you have me all mushy... #blushes) One valuable piece of writerly advice you want to offer to aspiring writers. Patience. Patience. Patience. Everything takes time, from signing, to each round of edits, to cover reveals. Sometimes schedules change, people change, and even your release date can change. Just be patient. It's not you, it's just how the industry works.
Now for your beautiful book baby! What inspired you to write TOWS? When I got the idea for There Once Were Stars, I had just finished an episode of The Walking Dead. The season had ended and I was thinking about how much I loved that the series was character based, rather than fully focused on the zombies or virus. I started thinking of the last series I read, Divergent (I didn’t start reading until after Allegiant released), and how much I enjoyed its unique take on dystopian. My two favorite things … zombies and dystopian … and then my mind exploded with this image of Nat—a girl in a dystopian world—who watches the stars glitter along the glass of her dome covered city … and the rest is history.
I love the image that "...along the glass of her dome covered city..." creates. You mention Nat. What two super heroes adequately describe her? And what two villains adequately describe your main antagonist? Two - wow I don't know why that sounds so hard! How about part video game characters and part super heroes.My main character, Nat, is best described as a cross between Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and Alice from Resident Evil. It's not because she's an orphan or a clone (she's one but not the other), but it's because she doesn't want to get involved in trouble, but ends up choosing what's right. She didn't ask or go looking for trouble...it came for her.But my villian, (whose name I will leave out for spoiler reasons), is a definite Kingpin x 2 (Spiderman version, not Daredevil - before he became the family man).
Okay, so if that description doesn't get folks to rush out to buy the book and read I don't know what will. Wow! Speaking of which, let's show off your book.
THERE ONCE WERE STARSby Melanie McFarlane
Publisher: Month9BooksRelease Date: April 26, 2016
Description: Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of the dome. Now Nat wants answers. Is there life outside the dome and if so, what has the Order been hiding from everyone?
Google Play | BAM| Chapters|Amazon|B&N|Kobo|TBD| iBooks | Goodreads
Thank you for sharing yourself with us, Melanie. All the best to you and your bright future!
Want to know more about Melanie or keep in touch with her. Feel free to visit her at any of her social media sites: Website | Blog| Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads
TOUR SCHEDULEa Rafflecopter giveaway
April 20, 2016
YA in the Alleyway~MYSTIQUE by Shari Arnold & Giveaway!
YA in the Alleyway
is my revised meme to give young adult literature the spotlight it deserves. It also gives YA authors the opportunity to share their signature with the world! Feel free to join me any Wednesday.
When I first heard about my next YA featured book, I thought the premise was so intriguing that I just had to share it with you. It's due out later this fall, so watch out for it. And as an added treat today, the author has stopped by to answer a few writerly questions.
BAM| Chapters| Amazon| B&N| Kobo | TBD| iBooks | Goodreads
MYSTIQUEby Shari Arnold
Publisher: Month9BooksRelease Date: November 17, 2016Genre: YA Paranormal
Description: Only Bauer Grant can pull off gorgeous while dead. But staying dead is another thing entirely. When he wakes up at his own funeral, the town of Mystique calls it a miracle, until it happens again. Something is bringing the residents of Mystique back to life, but what? Presley Caine finds herself caught up in the mystery when Bauer asks her to visit him. Presley can’t figure out why the most popular guy in school is so drawn to her. And when Bauer is kidnapped soon after, she looks to Bauer’s brooding best friend Sam, whose dad works for the powerful Mystique military base, for answers. In her quest to discover the truth, Presley’s relationship with Sam deepens, her feelings for Bauer are tested, and it becomes clear that her own mysterious past is somehow connected to these strange events. But is she strong enough to handle the truth when it is finally revealed?
Hi Shari! It's great to have you join us in the Alleyway. Tell the readers a little bit about yourself. We'd love to know more about you. I grew up in California and Utah. Met my husband while we were both attending photography school in Massachusetts and I now live in Connecticut. I take pictures of people and things and get rather bitey if I’m not creating something.
What about a fun or unexpected fact about yourself? I was born on Christmas Eve and came home from the hospital wrapped in a red stocking.
The premise for your story is so cool. Where did the idea for MYSTIQUE come from? It was one of those moments when I was thinking about what hadn’t been done… MYSTIQUE was conjured and written back in 2009 when everything was vampires, werewolves and such and I didn’t want to go the zombie route. But I liked the idea of death being something you could conquer. I have a feeling that somewhat of a 'love' or 'romantic' triangle forms between your three leads. How important is that tension and how did you create it? (If it's not a triangle, just tell us something intriguing about the three intertwining.) I hate love triangles. They make me want to throw the book across the room. MYSTIQUE started as a romance between Presley and Bauer but then, when I was writing the first chapter, Bauer’s friend, Sam, appeared and suddenly I knew things weren’t going to go the way I’d planned. He stepped in and quickly made it known that something else was going on. I think in this instance it becomes pretty clear from the beginning that the “love triangle” is a bit different than usual.
I really appreciate the way you describe this. <3 the honesty! If you would, sum up MYSTIQUE in 140 characters or less. When what you wish for comes true and yet it’s not what you really wanted because there is something bigger happening. Plus magic and love.
Could you describe your writing process for this story? I have never been an outliner. I guess I’m more of a pantser. I have an idea page that I work from and add to consistently, but I brainstorm the story and create as I go.
What's your favorite writing snack? Junior mints.
Ooh...Yum!
Recently, because of Easter, I have a large amount of Hershey Kisses so they are now taking up residence in the jar on my desk.
Lastly, what's the most valuable advice you've ever been given - per writing or life? On the back of my cell phone I had engraved: Faith = Wings
It’s taken from the quote: “To have faith is to have wings” from J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and Wendy. You must have faith in yourself. There are too many ready to throw defeat your way. And I truly believe that faith will give you wings. It holds you up when everything else is telling you to give in.
'There are too many ready to throw defeat your way....' I will never forget. Those are powerful words. Thank you so much for sharing them with us and all the best with your release!
About The Author
Shari Arnold grew up in California and Utah but now resides in Connecticut, with her husband and two kids, where she finds it difficult to trust a beach without waves. She writes Young Adult fiction because it's her favorite. And occasionally she takes photographs. Website | Twitter |Goodreads
TOUR SCHEDULEa Rafflecopter giveaway Readers, ever read a book about dead people? What about dead people who come back to life? Throw some titles at me. I love books like this! Uh...not sure what that says about me but... ;)
When I first heard about my next YA featured book, I thought the premise was so intriguing that I just had to share it with you. It's due out later this fall, so watch out for it. And as an added treat today, the author has stopped by to answer a few writerly questions.
BAM| Chapters| Amazon| B&N| Kobo | TBD| iBooks | Goodreads
MYSTIQUEby Shari Arnold
Publisher: Month9BooksRelease Date: November 17, 2016Genre: YA Paranormal
Description: Only Bauer Grant can pull off gorgeous while dead. But staying dead is another thing entirely. When he wakes up at his own funeral, the town of Mystique calls it a miracle, until it happens again. Something is bringing the residents of Mystique back to life, but what? Presley Caine finds herself caught up in the mystery when Bauer asks her to visit him. Presley can’t figure out why the most popular guy in school is so drawn to her. And when Bauer is kidnapped soon after, she looks to Bauer’s brooding best friend Sam, whose dad works for the powerful Mystique military base, for answers. In her quest to discover the truth, Presley’s relationship with Sam deepens, her feelings for Bauer are tested, and it becomes clear that her own mysterious past is somehow connected to these strange events. But is she strong enough to handle the truth when it is finally revealed?
Hi Shari! It's great to have you join us in the Alleyway. Tell the readers a little bit about yourself. We'd love to know more about you. I grew up in California and Utah. Met my husband while we were both attending photography school in Massachusetts and I now live in Connecticut. I take pictures of people and things and get rather bitey if I’m not creating something.
What about a fun or unexpected fact about yourself? I was born on Christmas Eve and came home from the hospital wrapped in a red stocking.
The premise for your story is so cool. Where did the idea for MYSTIQUE come from? It was one of those moments when I was thinking about what hadn’t been done… MYSTIQUE was conjured and written back in 2009 when everything was vampires, werewolves and such and I didn’t want to go the zombie route. But I liked the idea of death being something you could conquer. I have a feeling that somewhat of a 'love' or 'romantic' triangle forms between your three leads. How important is that tension and how did you create it? (If it's not a triangle, just tell us something intriguing about the three intertwining.) I hate love triangles. They make me want to throw the book across the room. MYSTIQUE started as a romance between Presley and Bauer but then, when I was writing the first chapter, Bauer’s friend, Sam, appeared and suddenly I knew things weren’t going to go the way I’d planned. He stepped in and quickly made it known that something else was going on. I think in this instance it becomes pretty clear from the beginning that the “love triangle” is a bit different than usual.
I really appreciate the way you describe this. <3 the honesty! If you would, sum up MYSTIQUE in 140 characters or less. When what you wish for comes true and yet it’s not what you really wanted because there is something bigger happening. Plus magic and love.
Could you describe your writing process for this story? I have never been an outliner. I guess I’m more of a pantser. I have an idea page that I work from and add to consistently, but I brainstorm the story and create as I go.
What's your favorite writing snack? Junior mints.
Ooh...Yum!
Recently, because of Easter, I have a large amount of Hershey Kisses so they are now taking up residence in the jar on my desk.
Lastly, what's the most valuable advice you've ever been given - per writing or life? On the back of my cell phone I had engraved: Faith = Wings
It’s taken from the quote: “To have faith is to have wings” from J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and Wendy. You must have faith in yourself. There are too many ready to throw defeat your way. And I truly believe that faith will give you wings. It holds you up when everything else is telling you to give in.
'There are too many ready to throw defeat your way....' I will never forget. Those are powerful words. Thank you so much for sharing them with us and all the best with your release!
About The Author
Shari Arnold grew up in California and Utah but now resides in Connecticut, with her husband and two kids, where she finds it difficult to trust a beach without waves. She writes Young Adult fiction because it's her favorite. And occasionally she takes photographs. Website | Twitter |Goodreads
TOUR SCHEDULEa Rafflecopter giveaway Readers, ever read a book about dead people? What about dead people who come back to life? Throw some titles at me. I love books like this! Uh...not sure what that says about me but... ;)
April 18, 2016
Cover Reveal~CATALYST by Kristin Smith & A GIVEAWAY!
This is a SPECIAL YA in the Alleyway ALERT!
Normally I spotlight young adult literature on Wednesdays, but this one couldn't wait. My dear, dear, wonderful cyber mommy-of-a-ton-of-kiddos/writer/sistah/CP is having a cover reveal for her YA book! I've read it. It's awesome! And I can't tell you how proud I am of her. She's a bright light in the dark sea of the publishing world. She's strong. And bold. And relentless. And I'm so stinking happy for her!!!Here it is:
Clean Teen Publishing is proud to present the official cover reveal for ...
CATALYST
by Kristin Smith.
This is the first book in the thrilling new Deception Games series coming November 21, 2016!
Release Date: November 21, 2016Publisher: Clean Teen PublishingGenre: YA near-future thriller
Book Synopsis:
Too pretty. Too smart. Too perfect.
In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teens, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she's ever known and loved changes in an instant.
With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait.
In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.
About the Author:
Kristin Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels with enough kissing to make her mother blush. She's a beach lover and a Just Dance guru who enjoys belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). As a self-professed chocoholic, Kristin is a firm believer that if a dessert doesn't have chocolate in it, then it's not considered a dessert. (Except for crème brûlée. She can always make an exception for crème brûlée.) Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to scarves, you can connect with her at the links below.
Newsletter | Author Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Enter to WIN a $25 AMAZON Gift Card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Normally I spotlight young adult literature on Wednesdays, but this one couldn't wait. My dear, dear, wonderful cyber mommy-of-a-ton-of-kiddos/writer/sistah/CP is having a cover reveal for her YA book! I've read it. It's awesome! And I can't tell you how proud I am of her. She's a bright light in the dark sea of the publishing world. She's strong. And bold. And relentless. And I'm so stinking happy for her!!!Here it is:
Clean Teen Publishing is proud to present the official cover reveal for ...
CATALYST by Kristin Smith.
This is the first book in the thrilling new Deception Games series coming November 21, 2016!
Release Date: November 21, 2016Publisher: Clean Teen PublishingGenre: YA near-future thriller
Book Synopsis:
Too pretty. Too smart. Too perfect.
In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teens, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she's ever known and loved changes in an instant.
With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait.
In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.
About the Author:
Kristin Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels with enough kissing to make her mother blush. She's a beach lover and a Just Dance guru who enjoys belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). As a self-professed chocoholic, Kristin is a firm believer that if a dessert doesn't have chocolate in it, then it's not considered a dessert. (Except for crème brûlée. She can always make an exception for crème brûlée.) Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to scarves, you can connect with her at the links below.
Newsletter | Author Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Enter to WIN a $25 AMAZON Gift Card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 13, 2016
YA In The Alleyway~EMERGE by Tobie Easton & Giveaway!
TOUR SCHEDULE
YA in the Alleyway
is my revised meme to give young adult literature the spotlight it deserves. It also gives YA authors the opportunity to share their signature with the world! Feel free to join me any Wednesday. I'm thrilled to share this next featured young adult book! And not only is the story wonderful, but the author is a fellow member of the @sweet16s! (I don't think I've even mentioned that I'm part of an author collective! I promise. I will get to it soon!) Before I share the book with you, the author has agreed to share her thoughts on marketing. Ooh, and don't forget to enter her giveaway for your chance to win an Amazon Fire Tablet!
Please give a warm Alleyway welcome to the lovely Tobie Easton and all her marketing wisdom.
The crowd cheers!
***confetti tosses into the air***
Marketing To A Young Adult Audienceby Tobie Easton
Marketing. The word itself has come to sound so inauthentic—and therein lies the problem. When you speak to most authors, marketing is generally the topic that elicits an “ugh!” response. Even for those rare few who aren’t put off by the word, the prospect of marketing a book sounds daunting. This is especially true for YA authors who want to reach teen readers. Now, there are countless posts about how to choose from the ever-increasing number of social media platforms and how to optimize each one. Because those posts have already been written, I’ll add only one tip I’ve found to be true: Try out several platforms (especially that one that scares you most!), then focus on the ones you genuinely like so your posts are sincere instead of forced.
Moving on from that, I’d like to discuss something I haven’t heard many people talk about—avoiding saturation. The thing is, as soon you have a book coming out, you’ll start looking at what other authors are doing and emulating their choices. You’ll do the same types of giveaways, post on the same websites and blogs, and apply for the same events. Of course, you should do those things—they’re a great way to connect with the lit community. And that’s where the excitement for your book starts! But the problem is, every other hardworking author is doing that, too, so your book is one of many.
Take events for instance. At many big literary events, nearly all the speakers are industry folks (many are other authors). While you should absolutely try to market your book at these events (and if you’re lucky, your publisher will pitch you for those coveted speaker spots), they should not be the only thing you do or even your primary focus. Events like that can teach you a lot and are A TON OF FUN when you have a book coming out, but chances are, your book will not stand out much among the hundreds of other shiny books (especially if you’re a debut). So, you need to devote some time to thinking about…your book.
What is unique about your book and the types of readers it attracts? Are there events or blogs or sites where teens who will love your book in particular hang out? These places will not be as saturated with other authors marketing other books, so you have a better chance of being heard—and not just by industry folks, but by readers. For instance, my book is about mermaids, so I’ve spent a lot of time finding sites, online communities, and events for mermaid lovers (and that research is fun because I’m a mermaid lover, too!). While my publisher is helping me reach a broader audience, I can work on reaching a more specific (and less saturated) one. To me, this seems like a very logical division of labor because my publisher knows the industry much better than I do, and I understand my ideal readers on a deep level, so we’re each focusing on our own area of expertise. While mermaid-focused events may not attract the thousands of people that the LA Times Festival of Books will, each one of the several hundred attendees has a much higher likelihood of loving my book—and I’ll be one of the only authors there. And while every author wants a picture in Publisher’s Weekly, I’m the only author so far to do a photo shoot in support of ocean conservation with Project Mermaids (which gives me the opportunity to not only help raise awareness and funds for a cause I’m privileged to support but will also involve my photos being shared with their 245,000 mermaid fan followers on Instagram, most of whom are teens). I may have it easier than most since mermaids are so specific, but I’d wager the strategy still works no matter what your type of book if you think about unique ways to find your ideal reader. Of course, I’m new at this, so I can only go off of what’s working for me so far, but I will say that, over the past few months, it’s led me to have some of the most fun and insanely amazing experiences of my life because there’s no better feeling than connecting to a reader.
You know your book and you’re the one who can come up with these types of ideas because you know the people who will fall in love with it. They’re just like you. The best part about it is, when the people you’re directing your marketing at are people you can relate to, you won’t need to worry about sounding inauthentic because you’ll be talking to your people.
Tobie Easton was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she’s grown from a little girl who dreamed about magic to a twenty-something who writes about it. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California, Tobie hosts book clubs for tweens and teens. She and her very kissable husband enjoy traveling the globe and fostering packs of rescue puppies. Learn more about Tobie and her upcoming books at www.TobieEaston.com.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram |Goodreads
Google Play | BAM| Chapters| Indie | Amazon B&N| Kobo | TBD| iBooks | Goodreads Emerge (Mer Chronicles #1) by Tobie Easton
Publication Date: April 19, 2016Publisher: Month9Books
Lia Nautilus may be a Mermaid, but she’s never lived in the ocean. Ever since the infamous Little Mermaid unleashed a curse that stripped Mer of their immortality, war has ravaged the Seven Seas.
So Lia has grown up in a secret community of land-dwelling Mer hidden among Malibu’s seaside mansions. Her biggest problems are surviving P.E. and keeping her feelings for Clay Ericson in check. Sure, he’s gorgeous in that cocky, leather jacket sort of way and makes her feel like there’s a school of fish swimming in her stomach, but getting involved with a human could put Lia's entire community at risk. So it’s for the best that he’s dating that new girl, right?
That is, until Lia finds out she isn't the only one at school keeping a potentially deadly secret. And this new girl? Her eyes are dead set on Clay, who doesn't realize the danger he's in. If Lia hopes to save him, she’ll have to get closer to Clay than ever. Lia’s parents would totally flip if they found out she was falling for a human boy, but the more time she spends with Clay, the harder it is for Lia to deny her feelings.After making a horrible mistake, Lia will risk everything to stop Clay from falling in love with the wrong girl.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Any marketing advice to offer up on promoting books? We are all ears...
April 6, 2016
IWSG~Life's Crossroads
This is going to be short and not the post I intended to write. But it's all I have right now.
Despite our faith, color, race, gender, sexual preference, financial status, success, failures, hopes, and dreams we all have three things in common:
image credit
We're born. We live. We die.
We go through the stages of childhood, the teen years, and our twenties. Some of us move on to careers or start families; some do both. We watch our lives flourish (for better or for worse) through people we meet, work with, and choose to build a future with. We enjoy friends. We watch our businesses expand. We gaze in awe as our children grow to young adults and beyond.
And then, what we knew was coming - the inevitable we'll all face - our own parents age.
This is a subject I speak little about publicly because it's one I struggle with. Personal reasons that belong in a book. I'll write it. When I'm ready. Long story short and how you can apply this to your writing life is this: I grew up in an intact family - Dad, Mom, me, and my brother. My parents have been married for 48 years. 28 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I'm sure your first thought reading this is "Aw..." Don't. Don't do that. We all have axes to grind, crosses to bear, and jobs to accomplish in this life. Obstacles will get in our way. That's life. And a totally different subject for a very personal post I'll write ... someday, when I know she won't be able to read it. Trust me. It's better that way. Not for her. For me.
But for this post, I'm here to say that my family is at a crossroads with care for my mom. We're unable to leave her alone in the house - even in a room - for any period of time. She falls. A lot. Five trips to the hospital - 2 by ambulance - so far this year. You say "Tell her to stay sitting" or "Wait for your help." Yeah, good luck with that. We've said it all. Trust me. My dad is still very healthy and, despite how difficult my mother can be, he's heartbroken that we've finally reached this point - he can't care for her anymore. Neither can I. Nor my brother.
Writing lesson: Write today, with all the emotion you have. Use your life experiences to push the boundaries of our craft. Create. Inform the world. Inspire.
Thank you for listening.....
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
Despite our faith, color, race, gender, sexual preference, financial status, success, failures, hopes, and dreams we all have three things in common:
image creditWe're born. We live. We die.
We go through the stages of childhood, the teen years, and our twenties. Some of us move on to careers or start families; some do both. We watch our lives flourish (for better or for worse) through people we meet, work with, and choose to build a future with. We enjoy friends. We watch our businesses expand. We gaze in awe as our children grow to young adults and beyond.
And then, what we knew was coming - the inevitable we'll all face - our own parents age.
This is a subject I speak little about publicly because it's one I struggle with. Personal reasons that belong in a book. I'll write it. When I'm ready. Long story short and how you can apply this to your writing life is this: I grew up in an intact family - Dad, Mom, me, and my brother. My parents have been married for 48 years. 28 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I'm sure your first thought reading this is "Aw..." Don't. Don't do that. We all have axes to grind, crosses to bear, and jobs to accomplish in this life. Obstacles will get in our way. That's life. And a totally different subject for a very personal post I'll write ... someday, when I know she won't be able to read it. Trust me. It's better that way. Not for her. For me.
But for this post, I'm here to say that my family is at a crossroads with care for my mom. We're unable to leave her alone in the house - even in a room - for any period of time. She falls. A lot. Five trips to the hospital - 2 by ambulance - so far this year. You say "Tell her to stay sitting" or "Wait for your help." Yeah, good luck with that. We've said it all. Trust me. My dad is still very healthy and, despite how difficult my mother can be, he's heartbroken that we've finally reached this point - he can't care for her anymore. Neither can I. Nor my brother.
Writing lesson: Write today, with all the emotion you have. Use your life experiences to push the boundaries of our craft. Create. Inform the world. Inspire.
Thank you for listening.....
The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.
April 4, 2016
YA In The Alleyway~THE REQUIEM RED by Brynn Chapman & Giveaway
YA in the Alleyway is my revised meme to give young adult literature the spotlight it deserves. It also gives YA authors the opportunity to share their signature with the world! Feel free to join me any Wednesday.
TOUR SCHEDULEAs promised last week, I come to you today with a new young adult read! I became a fan of this author's work after reading her YA take on Sherlock Holmes daughter, Arabella, in BONESEEKER. I really enjoyed that book, and you can find my thoughts on it HERE if you're interested. On that note, here's a peek at her latest release.
Google Play | BAM| Chapters| Indies | Amazon B&N| Kobo | TBD| iBooks | GoodreadsTHE REQUIEM RED by Brynn ChapmanPublisher: Month9BooksReleased: April 5, 2016Pages: 300
Description: Patient Twenty-nine.
A monster roams the halls of Soothing Hills Asylum. Three girls dead. 29 is endowed with the curse…or gift of perception. She hears messages in music, sees lyrics in paintings. And the corn. A lifetime asylum resident, the orchestral corn music is the only constant in her life.
Mason, a new, kind orderly, sees 29 as a woman, not a lunatic. And as his belief in her grows, so does her self- confidence. That perhaps she might escape, might see the outside world.
But the monster has other plans. The missing girls share one common thread...each was twenty-nine's cell mate.
Will she be next?
Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.She also writes under the pseudonym R.R. Smythe. Find her: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest |Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway Are you into the spooky and creepy of an asylum? What books or movies have you read/viewed with this setting?
