XY, a new YA novel exploring biological influences: An interview with author Shanta Everington

When I learned that friend and fellow author Shanta Everington had a new book out, I jumped at the chance to host her on my blog. Her new YA novel, XY, sounds intriguing and I love how she got the idea for this story by asking questions and eventually getting a better idea of what kind of story she'll write just from a bit of research. Ideas for books can take a little coaxing to fully develop and it can be the most unexpected of things that'll put that final piece into the idea puzzle.

Welcome, Shanta!


Your name: Shanta Everington

The title of your book (please include the publisher, genre and buy link):

XY, young adult dystopian novel, Red Telephone Books (an imprint of Bridge House Publishing)

How long have you been a writer?

It all depends on what you count as 'being a writer'... My debut novel, Marilyn and Me was published in 2006 but, of course, I was writing for a long while before that!

What was your biggest obstacle in getting your book published and how did you overcome it?

Getting a debut novel published is always tricky. I had a literary agent  when I finished Marilyn and Me, and the book received lots of 'rave rejections' from mainstream publishers, but things didn't work out. After having the book rejected from mainstream publishing houses, I started submitted to smaller presses and literary competitions. Marilyn and Me was shortlisted for the Cinnamon Press First Novel Award, and although it didn't win, it was taken on by Cinnamon.

How did you end up getting your newest book published?

XY was the joint winner of the Red Telephone Books YA Novel Competition run by Bridge House Publishing. Winning the competition led to publication. My debut poetry chapbook, Drowning in Cherryade, also reached publication after winning a competition (with US publisher, Bedouin Books). Similarly, I have had short stories placed in competitions... So, I guess you could say that I am a fan of writing competitions! I think they are a great springboard for writers seeking publication.

How did you get the idea for your book?

Jesse's story in XY came out of my fascination with the question: What does it mean to be male or female? Is gender identity biologically, psychologically or socially constructed? Writing helps me unravel questions and make sense of the world. Often several unconnected threads come together to form an idea for a book.

When I became a parent, I was shocked at how much gender stereotyping still exists. You can't walk into a children's store without being bombarded with pink for girls and blue for boys. Why shouldn't my sons wear pink tutus or play with dolls? Why, as a society, do we tend to see this in a different way from girls wearing trousers and playing with fire engines?

I read an article about scientists' discovery that 'blended gender' in fish was linked to contaminants in the water, including pesticides, household laundry detergent and shampoo, and many pharmaceuticals. This led me to wonder what would happen if we lived in a world where humans were born with indeterminate biological sex. And Jesse's story was born...

What is the most important lesson you have learned as an author?

I have learned that determination, perseverance and flexibility are of the utmost importance if you want to be published.

What genres do you write in? If more than one, how do you balance them?

I write fiction for adults and young adults, novels and short stories, poetry, non-fiction and articles. For me, being creative is about having the freedom to experiment with different forms and audiences. My next big project will be life writing.

What are some of your other books we might want to check out?

I have published seven books - literary novel, Marilyn and Me (Cinnamon Press), young adult novels, Give Me a Sign (Flame Books), Boy Red (as S D Everington, Musa Publishing Euterpe) and XY (Red Telephone Books), poetry chapbook, Drowning in Cherryade (Bedouin Books) and parenting books, Baby’s First Year and The Terrible Twos (Need2Know Books). I also have stories and poetry in various anthologies including Seeking Refuge (Cinnamon Press), Mosaic (Bridge House Publishing), Even More Tonto Short Stories (Tonto) and Unthology No. 2 (Unthank Books).

What else do you do besides write books?

I currently work as an Associate Lecturer with the Open University in London, teaching creative writing. I am also a mother to two young boys.

It’s common knowledge that writers are also readers. What kind of books do you like to read?

I read widely across fiction, non-fiction and poetry. At the moment, I am reading biography and autobiography. I enjoy life stories such as Stuart: A Life Backwards by Alexander Masters and Red Dust Road by Jackie Kay.

Do you read books in the same genre you are currently writing in? Why or why not?

My latest books have been young adult fiction and yes, I've read a lot of young adult fiction. But I write – and also read - in various genres. I am currently immersing myself in life writing, as this is going to be the focus of my next big project (after the sequel to XY).

What can we expect to see from you next?

The sequel to XY will hopefully be next. In the future, you should also expect to see life writing.

What is your advice to a writer trying to get a book published?

Get editorial feedback from a range of readers, redraft as many times as you need to in order to get your writing to the best possible standard and then submit widely. If at first you get rejected, take a look at any comments, rework where necessary and try again. Don't give up!


Bio: Shanta Everington is the author of seven books with small presses. She has had all sorts of jobs in the past, from baking vegan muffins and working as a private tutor to appearing as a guest agony aunt and running a teen sexual health helpline. With an MA in Creative Writing with distinction, Shanta currently teaches Creative Writing with The Open University. She lives in London, UK, with her husband and two children.

Links:

Publisher website: http://www.trtpublishing.co.uk/xy.html
Author website: www.shantaeverington.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShantaEverAfter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanta.everington
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/XY-Shanta-Everington/dp/1907335323/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403088848&sr=8-1&keywords=9781907335327
Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1P1RPU
Goodreads page: www.goodreads.com/author/show/1419856.Shanta_Everington

Book blurb:
Fifteen-year-old Jesse lives in a society where babies are born neither male nor female - Compulsory Gender Assignment is carried out at birth. Will the secret she closely guards be found out? Boyfriend Zeus, mother Ana’s Natural Souls, and new friend Ork, leader of We Are One, pull Jesse in different directions, forcing her to make her own mind up about who she really is.

Coping with a Widow's Grief: An Interview with Nita Beshear

Today I would like to welcome author and longtime friend, Nita Beshear, to my blog. She is here to talk about her new book, Beyond the Grief: A Widow's Survival Guide. It seems we both have the same technique nailed down when working on more than one book. :) 

Welcome, Nita!

Your Name: Nita Beshear

The title of the book:   
Beyond the Grief: A Widow’s Survival Guide 
Published by Bear and Butterfly (my own company), Self-help and inspirational book.
 
How long have you been a writer? 

Good question. I started writing for money in 1981 for our newspaper. Took a long break for personal reasons. Returned to writing for pay/publication in 2009 when I wrote my first book, Devoted to Quilting.
 
What was your biggest obstacle in getting your book published and how did your overcome it? 

I was my biggest obstacle. My insecurities slowed me down the most. I didn’t think the book was well written (grammar rules and I don’t often hang out together), I didn’t know anything about self-publishing; was afraid of it. How did I get over it? I hired an editor to polish my prose. Not to say there aren’t still glitches we missed, but I felt better about sounding professional. A couple of friends encouraged me to just go ahead and “hit send.”  In the early morning hours, after my good sense went to bed and I was still awake, I published it.
 
How did you end up getting your book published?  

I went with self-publishing because I wrote the book to be an ebook first, and a print book second. I had a mentor/teacher who encouraged me to write the ebook.
 
How did you get the idea for your book?  

Several of my widow friends encouraged me. They would ask me questions about how they were feeling, or how they should handle a certain issue. While I was no expert, I could tell them what I or others had done. I thought maybe other women might need the same encouragement. Also, after my husband died, I didn’t have access to the internet, and our local library only had clinical, doctor-type books on grief, I wanted something more personal. That’s what I tried to write, a personal book of suggestions, from one widow to another.
 
What is the most important lesson you learned as an author? 

Schedules are important, in life and in writing. They don’t have to be carved in stone, and they can be fluid, but to have some sort of schedule to fall back on helps. A schedule, even a loose one, keeps me moving forward.
 
What genres do you write in? If more than one, how do you balance them? 

I write both fiction and nonfiction. The fiction, to date, is what I call women’s western. They are more western than historical. They are set in the 1870-1920’s in the western part of the United States. Most often in Indian Territory or Oklahoma (for the later years) and I’m not against the woman handling a gun if the need arises. My nonfiction tend to be inspirational, the quilt devotionals and this self-help. I balance by writing one thing at a time. If I must work on two projects during the same time period, one gets its own day, or at least time of day, morning for one, evening for the other.
 
What are some of your other books we might want to check out? 

Devoted to Quilting, Devoted to Quilting 2 and the anthology, Romance, The Spice of Life, which has my story, "Muskadine Love."
 
What else do you do besides write books? 

You mean, besides being a mom and grandmom? I sew and quilt. I am the Southeast Oklahoma representative for Quilts of Valor. I’m a member of Toastmasters International, I read, in the summer I enjoy time in the pool. When it becomes necessary, I do housework. 

It’s common knowledge that writers are also readers. What kind of books do you like to read? 

Books in print. I’m always surprised by the books I read. I enjoy women’s inspirational, and mainstream women’s books. Some romances, westerns, and (surprising to me) mysteries. When I read fiction, I read to relax and enjoy, I don’t want to have to think too hard. In nonfiction, I’m the opposite and want to learn so most often I’m reading some sort of self-help, whether it’s something simple, like recipes, or more complicated, how to build something. Sometimes I enjoy a nonfiction book written like a novel.
 
Do you read book in the same genre you are currently writing in? No. Why or why not? 

I don’t want to be influenced by someone else’s words and inadvertently use their words or scenes in my story. 
 
What can we expect to see from you next? 

Next up is my western/historical, Blood Child. After that will be a memoir of my beginning of life as a widow, tentatively titled, “What do I Do Now?”
 
What is your advice to a writer trying to get a book published? 

Write the story of your heart. BEYOND THE GRIEF was written because I knew it, I was living that life, and I knew others needed to read proof they aren’t alone. In addition to writing the book of your heart, decide what your goals are and write toward them. Do you want to be published by a traditional publishing house, or a small publisher? Find out what they are looking to publish and write your story with that in mind. Don’t try to follow a trend. It takes time to write and publish a book. By the time you finish writing a story following today’s trend, there will be something new grabbing everyone’s attention.



Bio: Nita fell in love with writing in middle school when she realized her answers on the essay questions often saved her grades. Later, she and a cousin would make up stories to entertain themselves. Today she writes books that answer essay questions, and shares the stories in her head.

Blogs: http://nitabeshear.wordpress.com/ and  http://devotedtoquilting.wordpress.com/

Book blurb: 

Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy. For the spouse it’s made hard by the fact that no longer is he there for breakfast and morning coffee, or the evening news. There’s no one to bounce ideas off of, and no one who understands those private jokes. After the death of her spouse a wife/widow must learn to do everything, including doing those things she always handled. Alone everything is more difficult.. A widow is never truly alone. Not only does she have memories, she has a whole sisterhood of widows and a book full of friends and ideas.

Buy link


Excerpt:
 
If you’ve ever flown, you’ve heard the flight attendants stress that in emergency, passengers MUST put on their own oxygen masks before tending to others. For many, this is a hard concept to accept. When traveling with young children, the elderly, or someone with disabilities, people want to care first for those less able.
 
However, the airlines are correct. We must take care of ourselves before we can tend to the needs of others. 

We need to be able to breathe.
 
The same is true in life. We can’t help someone else in need if we haven’t taken care of ourselves first.
 
Taking care of yourself first doesn’t mean you have to be healed or “over” the death. It just means you have to take time every day to take care of yourself so that you can be available for your children or others, both physically and emotionally.

Into The Spiral Release Day Blitz for author Erin Danzer

Today I'd like to welcome author Erin Danzer to my blog. Her novel, Into The Spiral, was released this month. Congratulations, Erin! It definitely sounds like an interesting story! I am happy to offer her this guest spot on my blog today. Please check out her book!

Title: Into The Spiral

Series: The Spiral Defenders

Author: Erin Danzer

Formats Available In: Digital

Publication Date: January 2014

Blurb: Seventeen-year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Lambert wants to get out from under her older brother’s shadow. When Ronnie gets a tattoo and then is struck by lightning, she suddenly finds herself able to see and hear things in shadows that don’t appear to others. Then Ronnie meets Gavin Clearwater, the hot new guy in all of her classes and finds out he can see and hear the same things she can.

Gavin tells her about the Spiral Defenders, a group of warriors that travels through space and time to defend the planets of the Spiral. After meeting the Commander of the Spiral Defenders and realizing his intentions might not be pure, Ronnie struggles between following her destiny to become a Spiral Defender and trying to regain the life she had before being struck by lightning.

Excerpt:

She looked and gave a little wave before turning to walk into her room only to find her way blocked by yet another guy. This school seemed to be crawling with hotties! This one was only a few inches taller than her, kind of short for a guy, with straight black hair and dark slightly slanted eyes. He wore black cargo pants, a black t-shirt that did nothing to hide his six-pack abs, and black combat boots. He looked her up and down and arched an eyebrow as he stepped aside.

“After you, Princess,” he said, making a sweeping gesture with his arm as he slightly bowed. Ronnie didn’t know whether to be appalled or to laugh at him and didn’t have time to make up her mind as their Homeroom teacher asked if they would be joining them today. Cheeks flushed, Ronnie walked into the room and sat in the first available seat. The guy in the doorway sat at the desk behind her and gave a small smirk that she pretended to ignore. Who the hell did this guy think he was? She looked across the room and smiled when she saw Shawn sitting in the back corner. He smiled and nodded when he saw her and her heart fluttered.

“Boyfriend, or someone you wish was?” the boy behind her whispered. Ronnie rolled her eyes. Her shoulders tightened as she tried to ignore him but he wasn’t going to be dissuaded so easily.

“Huh, well, if you’re not going to answer, then I’m going to have to guess,” he continued. “My guess would be that he’s not your boyfriend but you want him to be. Since you didn’t walk in with him, it makes me wonder if he’s even interested in you. What is he, an oblivious friend? Or does he not even know you exist? Is that what this outfit is for; so he will finally see you?”

Ronnie’s ears reddened and it took the last of her willpower to keep from turning around and telling him to shut up. She clenched her hands together on top of her desk, praying the teacher would call on either one of them just so he would stop talking. A million comebacks flashed through her mind, but she ground her teeth, knowing she would never say any of them. Despite her promise to herself to become her own person, she really didn’t know how to go about doing that. She thought it would be easy once she got the tattoo, but she knew she was failing. Even showing it off this morning, the little bit that she was able to, had taken more courage than she normally possessed—and she hadn't even had the satisfaction of Shawn seeing it.

Thinking about Shawn took her mind off the jerk behind her and she managed to tune into what the teacher was saying. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that interesting (all about locker assignments and hall passing times) so she tuned out as quickly as she’d tuned in, her mind wandering back to Shawn. She snuck another peek at him and was thrilled to find him watching her—or at least that’s what it looked like at first. He was actually looking at something behind her. She moved her head to get a better look and felt a tug on her hair.

“Stop moving; I’m almost done,” the guy behind her muttered. Ronnie spun around.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she shrieked, unable to pretend ignorance anymore. She ran a hand over her hair and found a thin lock he had apparently been braiding. Her eyes narrowed as the rest of the class waited for his reaction. Even the teacher had stopped talking.

“I was bored,” he muttered. “And your hair is really pretty.”

Purchase Links:

Smashwords

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble


Enter to win a copy of Into The Spiral!
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Direct link

About Erin Danzer:

Erin Danzer wrote her first book at 10-years-old for a Young Authors competition, where she was awarded an Honorable Mention and discovered a passion for the written word. She’s written several novels and short stories since that spark ignited. Into the Spiral is the first of a four book series. In addition to her novels, Erin writes a monthly short story serial, The Cassandra Serafin Chronicles, posting alternately on her blog and in Literary Lunes bi-monthly online magazine. Erin resides in Racine, Wisconsin, with her husband, two children, and their cat.

Contact links:

Website
 
Facebook Fan Page

Twitter 

Goodreads

How to Manage Writer's Block : Guest post by author Amy Lignor

Author Amy Lignor is celebrating the release of the second book in her Tallent & Lowery series, The Sapphire Storm. She has stopped by today to share how she combats writer's block. I can so relate to her habit of keeping a tablet of paper and a pen with her in the car! I also have one in my nightstand, in my purse, in the kitchen...

How to Manage Writer's Block

By Amy Lignor

"How do you manage writer’s block?" This is one of those questions that will forever wrack the minds of all writers. The basic concept of a book for me comes out of nowhere. I will hear or see something that I just have to investigate further. I am a huge fan of librarians and the minds they have; they can produce an infinite number of facts in an infinite number of categories that others just don’t know. My mother had a career as a research librarian and I will always thank her for passing that love of information to me.

After the research has been done, however, writer’s block happens to me almost in an instant. Because I’m one of those authors that needs – literally NEEDS – to have the first line of the book before I can write a single word, I will drive myself nuts trying to find it. And…I drive everyone else nuts too. I can’t read books when I have writer’s block because my own brain is searching so hard for that one opening line. I do watch a lot of movies during that time period in order to just relax and step away from literature completely.

That line will sometimes come at 2:00 am, and I wake up with a start and run to the den. Or, sometimes it comes to me while I’m driving and I have to pull over immediately to write it down because I’m getting older and I forget easily. (I always keep pen and paper in the glove compartment just for this emergency.)

Once I’ve found that line I can’t step away from the computer. I get so into the adventure and where I’m going next that, thankfully, the block releases. And I love the fact that even though I’m the author of the book, my plans can change (and do) midstream during the creation of the story. It feels very much to me like the characters are telling me where to go next. I have the research done on locales, but their next steps seem to be given to me by them.

I love writing the ‘Tallent & Lowery’ series for the simple fact that I can watch the adventure play out by following this incredible duo. If I get confused by what I should do, the character literally tugs me by the hand and we’re off once again. It’s a good thing, too, because if I were to experience writer’s block in huge doses I think my family would pack up and I’d never see them again.

Until Next Time, Everybody,
Happy Holidays!
Amy

After going up against a man who believed he was the Devil, himself, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery are beyond exhausted. Now they are about to embark on the most terrifying journey imaginable . . . a trip to meet Leah’s parents. When Leah arrives where the ‘home fires burn,’ her sarcasm burns even brighter, while Gareth Lowery—the handsome adventurer—uses his charm to sway the ‘odd’ Tallent clan. But when a frightening call from Gareth’s sister arrives telling him that her love has disappeared, the daring duo is soon running away from one horrific situation directly into another. A new puzzle from the past has come to life. Following clues left behind, the courageous couple becomes embedded in a world filled with liars, killers and greed. And when the riddle of a famous ‘Bard,’ is solved, a strange woman appears who has far more in common with Leah than she can possibly imagine. The heart-stopping suspense of this new quest takes them from Coptic Cairo to the magical world of Petra, in search of a cave deep underground that once housed a true ‘Illuminator.’ Yet again, they must find the answers and stay one step ahead of true villains who are determined to make sure that—this time—Tallent & Lowery do not survive. Join the action as the passionate team who readers fell in love with in “13,” end up unlocking an ancient mystery that no one is ever going to believe!

Purchase Links for the print & digital versions of Tallent & Lowery:
Amazon:

www.amazon.com/13-Tallent-Lowery-Book-One/dp/1481136070/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385748415&sr=1-2&keywords=Tallent+%26+Lowery

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Storm-Tallent-Lowery-Book/dp/1482671921/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385748415&sr=1-3&keywords=Tallent+%26+Lowery

http://www.amazon.com/Heros-Companion-Tallent-Lowery/dp/0615907164/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385748415&sr=1-1&keywords=Tallent+%26+Lowery

Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/amy-lignor

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/4177

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5222068.Amy_Lignor

Bio: As the daughter of a career librarian Amy grew up loving books; ‘Patience & Fortitude’ at the NYPL were her heroes. Beginning with Amy’s first book of historical romance which was titled, “The Heart of a Legend,” she began developing the storyline for a new series, (Tallent & Lowery) which moved her into the world of action and adventure/alternative history, however she had to temporarily place Tallent & Lowery on the back burner when her YA career spiked with The Angel Chronicles series. Tallent & Lowery just wouldn’t be put to bed so easily and Amy, the ever obedient author, found the time to bring these remarkable characters to life. “13” is the first book in the seven book series. Working as an editor in the publishing industry for decades, Amy is now the Owner/Operator of The Write Companion (www.thewritecompanion.com) which offers full editing, ghostwriting and proofreading services to authors. She is also a contributor to Suspense Magazine and various other literary publications such as The RT (Romantic Times), and HumorOutcasts.com. Amy is a reviewer for periodicals and websites including: Authorlink, The Feathered Quill, The Romantic Times (RT) Magazine, SheWrites.com, Random House YA, Bookpleasures.com, and Once Upon a Romance. Join Amy on Goodreads.com where she has won the YA writing contest with her continuing story titled, Meet the Reaper.


Author Links:

https://www.facebook.com/alignor
http://tallentandlowery.blogspot.com/
http://the-angel-chronicles.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @HelloWritersAmy
www.TheWriteCompanion.com
http://www.pinterest.com/amylignor/
 

Hunter’s Assessment Release Day Blitz

I don’t normally post reviews on this blog, but in honor of the release of a short story by author Karyn Pearson, here is my review of her story, “Hunter’s Assessment.” Congratulations on the release of your story, Karyn!

Blurb:

After years of training, they should have been ready for this. It was supposed to be a simple mission: eliminate the vampires and acquire the intel they’re guarding.

Shane Kantor figured that this hunter’s assessment would be like every other test the Hunter’s Society had thrown at him and his squad. But he was wrong. Now Shane might just lose everything: his life, his legacy, and worst of all, her.


Review:

Hunter’s Assessment  (Arcturian Bloodlines series)
by Karyn Pearson
Distinguished Press, 2013

"Hunter’s Assessment" is about a group of vampire hunters called the Hunter’s Society. The group is headed by Nadia Kantor, whose son, Shane, is trained to be a leader. The story begins when Shane is first initiated into the group at age 12 then later we see him in action when he is 16. Shane’s teammates, Troy and Sophie, work together as one but Shane has feelings for Sophie, which he knows he has to put on the back burner in order for his team to function competently.

I enjoyed reading this short story, though I wished there had been a little more background. What had Shane’s life been like before he joined the Society? What kind of a relationship did he have with his mother? And if Shane had a father, where was he? I also wanted to learn more about Sophie and felt she could have been fleshed out a little bit more. There were just a lot of unanswered questions and I hope they would be answered in future stories.

Sill, "Hunter’s Assessment" was an interesting quick read. For anyone interested in vampire stories, check out "Hunter’s Assessment."

Bio:

Karyn Pearson is the author of Spark (Hellfire Trilogy #1) and full-time pet parent of her two dogs Nikki and Jamie. She has a B.A. in Anthropology and has explored dozens of cultures in her studies, but has imagined countless more. Karyn enjoys reading, playing action RPGs, and plotting the next adventure for her characters when she has a spare moment free of the dreaded and undefeated “puppy dog eyes attack.”

Her current projects include Inferno (Hellfire Trilogy #2) and the first novel of the upcoming vampire series, Arcturian Bloodlines. When she’s not writing, Karyn can be found playing with her puppies or Googling various dangerous topics for novel research that make her constantly question why federal agents haven’t yet knocked down her front door.

Facebook fan page
 
Twitter
 
Google+

Interview with author C.A. Szarek

It is my pleasure to host a guest on my blog today, fellow Gypsy Shadow Publishing author C.A. Szarek. Gypsy Shadow published her fantasy romance novel, Sword's Call, Book One in the King's Riders series. I have known her ever since she joined the GSP family and I have noticed she is one of the most prolific writers around! Please welcome her on my blog and check out her books.

Interview with author C.A. Szarek

How long have you been a writer?

I have always been a writer. Poetry when I was very young, and then short stories, that started morphing into novels when I was about 14. It’s just a part of me. I couldn’t imagine not writing.
 
What was your biggest obstacle in getting your book published and how did you overcome it?

Probably dealing with the rejections. I got so many “No’s” way before I got a “yes.” I just persevered. I knew I wanted to be published, so I had to keep trying, keep submitting. It’s a matter of getting the book in front of the right editor, right publisher. I found that with GSP.
 
How did you end up getting your newest book published?

Well, my newest title is a romantic suspense entitled Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) It is published by Total-E-Bound Publishing. My friend, Maggie Nash is with them and told me to submit. I was lucky enough to be accepted.
 
How did you get the idea for your book?

I have always been into fantasy. Always. It is and always will be my first love as an author. So I always have a story of a world I made up floating around in my head. Sword’s Call actually came to me in a dream. I dreamt of the heroine, Cera and her white wolf. The rest sort of fell into place.
 
What is the most important lesson you have learned as an author?

That you never stop learning and growing. The more you write, the better you get.
 
What genres do you write in? If more than one, how do you balance them?

I write a little of everything: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and the occasional YA.

I’ve always been into fantasy. Grew up reading the greats, Anne McCaffrey is my fave, and the genre will always be close to my heart.

That being said, I always wanted to be a cop and have been in to “Police stuff.” I never did becoming a police officer, but I have a Law Enforcement background, and I actually work in a court.

I adore paranormal because it’s a mix of both, sorta. *grin*

And YA, well, I work with kids, and sometimes a good story they can read will pop into my head.

Maybe someday day I will be published in all the genres I write.

What are some of your other books we might want to check out?

Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) is a romantic suspense story about a kicksass female cop and a hot FBI agent. They’re a lot of fun, because they don’t like each other much when they meet. Here’s the book’s blurb:

Bad boy, married to his job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren.

Cole doesn’t do small towns and doesn’t get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn’t want to acknowledge.

Two murders, her partner shot and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent who sees her as no more than a tagalong.

Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory.

Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she’d left behind when her husband died. Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole’s heart, and he starts contemplating things—family, love—that he’d never planned for himself.

Can being forced to work together make them stronger or will their differences jeopardise their case and their hearts?

What else do you do besides write books?

I am a busy girl. I work two jobs, as the Juvenile Case Manager for two municipal courts, and I also work at a Shelter for teens. I also love to read and scrapbook when I’m not writing.
 
It’s common knowledge that writers are also readers. What kind of books do you like to read?

Truthfully, anything that peaks my interest. I read a lot of romance, all subgenres. YA, it doesn’t matter who it’s intended for. If it looks good, I’ll read it.

Do you read books in the same genre you are currently writing in? Why or why not?

Absolutely I love to read the genres I write. It’s nice to see how others do it, but I also just LOVE the genres I love. I do read and love genres I don’t write as well, I am a big big big fan of Scottish Highlander Historical Romances and I couldn’t write one to save my life.
 
What can we expect to see from you next?

Well, I have a few upcoming releases I am excited about!

Love’s Call (King’s Riders Book Two) will be out in the fall of 2013 and Chance Collision (Crossing Forces Book Two) will release Jan 31, 2014!

I also have a FREE short story called Cole in Her Stocking that is about the couple from Collision Force. It will be in the November Total-E-Bound Newsletter as well as a free download on their site. I am reallllllly excited about it, because I just adore Andi and Cole.


Love’s Call:

Senior King’s Rider Ansley Fraser has been in love with Leargan Tegran for turns, but he’s never noticed her. When she sets out for Greenwald to deliver a message to the duke, she has no idea its contents contain an order that will change her life. Instead, she is focused on visiting dear friends.
  
Leargan, captain of the Greenwald personal guard, is an honorable knight, so when the king commands him to wed Ansley, he intends to follow orders, even as he knows nothing of the girl.

Ansley ignores her instinct to question Leargan’s sudden interest in her. She wants to fall into his arms—and his bed—even as Ali, her wolf bondmate, growls her reticence.


Her extended visit allows Leargan time to win her affection, but when he falls for Ansley, it takes him by surprise. Will she be willing to give herself to him if she learns their marriage has been commanded by the king? What will it take to convince her he’s not simply following orders? 


Chance Collision:

Vowing to protect her had nothing to do with feelings.

Detective Pete Crane catches a new shooting case and considers it business-as-usual. But when the lead witness is the Chief of Police’s fiery assistant, he never anticipated she’d challenge him—personally and professionally. Especially while under his protection.

Little do they know, the shooting she and her grandmother witnessed was anything but random.

Thrown together, their attraction sizzles, even though she’s squarely in the no-fly zone. She makes him break every rule in his little black book.

Nikki Harper has been attracted to Pete since they met two years ago. Witnessing a brutal shooting throws her into a stigma that’s always been her greatest fear: a victim. She has no choice but to accept his protective custody and let him help save her and her beloved grandmother.

Can Pete protect his witness and solve the case, while fighting the intense heat with Nikki?

What is your advice to a writer trying to get a book published?

Never. Ever. Give up. If you want it, go for it. Fight for it.

For generations, the Ryhans, ruling family of the Province of Greenwald have been keepers of a sword rumored to possess enough magic to defeat kings. Lord Varthan, a former archduke and betrayer of the king, covets the sword and invades Greenwald.

Lady Ceralda Ryhan, daughter of the murdered duke, gains the sword and flees, trusting only her white wolf, Trikser—magically bonded to her. Cera needs nothing more to aid in her fight.

Jorrin Aldern, half elfin and half human, left his home in the mountains of Aramour to find his human father who disappeared twenty turns before, but finds Cera with Varthan and his shades on her tail instead. His dual heritage and empathic magic will tempt Cera in ways she never thought she’d desire. But can he convince her trust and love can pave the path to redemption or will the epic battle end in tragedy and evil conquer them all?



Grab your copy of Sword's Call here. 


ABOUT C.A. SZAREK: C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. She works with kids when she’s not writing. She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world.

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter:
Goodreads

SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER!

How to Use Social Media to Market Your New Book: Guest post by Marcela De Vivo

Writer Marcela De Vivo is a guest on my blog today. She took the time to share with authors some tips on how to use social media to promote your book.


How to Use Social Media to Market Your New Book
By Marcela De Vivo

What is Social Media

As an author, what better way is there to promote yourself other than social media? No, really—as a seasoned writer, you have all the tools you need to create successful social media outlets, as social media is all about snappy prose (and catchy graphics and images, if you’ve got that in your tool belt as well).

Social media is a great way to personally engage with your audience. It’s like free advertisements and you control the content. Set up a Facebook fan page, a Tumblr, Instagram account, Twitter, a WordPress blog—or all of the above.

Having various outlets is incredibly helpful; not only do you now have multiple ways of getting the work out on your new book, you can also use them to promote your promotions of yourself (like a Matryoshka doll of social media!). For example, you can post links on your personal website that will lead others to your Twitter or posts, your Tumblr, your Facebook fanpage or any permutation that you can think of.

Where to Start

One of my favorite authors as a teenager was Meg Cabot, best-selling author of The Princess Diaries.  Now, she had quite a following (and a movie deal) by the time social media became in vogue, but that didn’t stop her from utilizing what is a valuable resource for many: she started writing weekly blog posts.

As an avid reader of her works, I also became an avid reader of her blog. She wrote about her day-to-day life, but also included tidbits about books that she was currently writing and editing. Her website was a great way for her readers to stay in touch with what she was working on.

A personal blog is a great way to start your foray into social media—readership of your blog will soon translate into a readership of your work. Plus, you already have the necessary skills as a writer!

To further promote your website, you can hold contests (perhaps with a free copy of your book as a prize), add social share buttons (so people can share links to your posts) and Facebook commenting (so people can share their thoughts on your work!).


Successful Social Media

Probably one of the most notable authors for social media is young adult writer John Green.  John Green is something of a social media juggernaut: he’s on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and perhaps most notably, on YouTube. He runs a popular channel along with his brother (their channel is aptly named “VlogBrothers”). Video can be a great way for your readership to get to know you “personally.”

Personally, I’ve never read his books, but his posts that make their way onto my dashboard on Tumblr are so funny, that I often find myself wanting to pick up one of his books—and isn’t that the ultimate goal?

Measuring Activity

Once you have your various social media outlets set up, you can use a tool to track the activity on the sites. Certain tools are capable of tracking visitors, leads and customers.  Tracking such activity is a great way of measuring the effectiveness of your social media outlets in promoting your new book.

So, get out there and create that blog! And Twitter account, Tumblr, YouTube and Instagram accounts. It’s a great way to get a loyal following.

BIO:

Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer in the Los Angeles area whose writing covers a range of industries, including marketing, tech, gaming, health and fitness. She uses various social media outlets to successfully promote her blog.   

The Importance of Proofreading: Guest post by author Dee Nicholls

Dee Nicholls is the author of the new book, Hurricane Day. She is a guest on my blog today to talk about why it's important for authors to proofread their work rather than relying on spell check to edit their manuscripts.

The Importance of Proofreading
By Dee Nicholls

Two years ago I sat down with a pile of paper and a pen to write my first book! When I was about half-way through, my husband took me out and bought me a laptop, and my best friend came over and taught me how to use Microsoft Word. I thought it was the greatest thing ever invented! Not only was it much faster to type than to write by hand, it even corrected all of my mistakes. At least that’s what I thought.

I finished my book, all 90,000 words of it (which was down to 55,000 by the time it was published) and sent it off to my beta reader. Renee is the same friend who taught me how to use Microsoft. We’ve been best friends for a very long time, and she knows she can be brutally honest with me. The conversation went like this:

Renee:  “If I see one more comma, I’m going to rip my hair out of my head.”
Me: “What do you mean?”
Renee: “Did you read through this manuscript?”
Me: “Of course. Is something wrong?”
Renee: “I just counted eleven commas in one sentence!”

Oops. Lesson learned: When you read through something, especially something you’ve written, edited and read a million times, you see what you expect to see. My mistake was in hitting the comma key every time I paused to think, without even realizing it. Then when I read back through it, I still paused in the same places so the comma didn’t seem out of place.

When I began working as a proofreader for a small publisher I realized proofreading is MUCH different from reading for enjoyment, or even editing. You are not looking at content, or losing yourself in the story, you are reading each and every word, punctuation mark, every symbol on every page. Often times, especially when using Track Changes for edits, you end up with things like; punctuation on the wrong side of quotation marks, missing punctuation, words written twice, missing words, missing letters… These are the things you MUST look for while doing a final proofread of your manuscript. Spell Check can’t tell the difference between “The girl had rice.” And “The girl had had lice”.


BIO:
Dee Nicholls lives on the south shore of eastern Long Island with her husband, three kids (ages twenty-two, fourteen and two) and three dogs. She has always loved working with children: first teaching dance, then directing and choreographing school plays. Her love of reading began when she was three, and she’s had a book in her hand ever since. When her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep at night, she decided to try her hand at writing and loved it. She's been writing ever since.

BLURB:

Hurricane Day is more than a story about a hurricane. It explores the hectic pace of the modern day family. Jimmy and his family are always in a hurry, always rushing from one activity to the next. However, when they find out there is a hurricane headed straight for them, Jimmy's parents must slow down and take the time to reassure him that everything will be all right. They take a break from the rat race to answer all of his questions, as they prepare for the hurricane.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Why Write Horror?: Guest post by Stephen C. Ormsby

Author Stephen C. Ormsby's latest novel, Pendant, was recently published by Grimoire Press, an imprint of GMTA Publishing. He is a guest on my blog today to talk about why he writes horror.


Why Write Horror?
By Stephen C. Ormsby

So, after writing the urban fantasy novel Long Lost Song, why did I decide to write a horror novel?  For me, I found Long Lost Song hard to categorise into just one genre, as it has supernatural and apocalyptic themes as well, but was not either of those by nature. In the end, I decided to call it urban fantasy.  From there, it was a challenge to me really, as I wanted to learn how to write more strictly in specific genres, and the first two I picked were horror and fantasy. 

Both genres I have read and enjoyed for lots of years, and I wanted to see if I could turn out something that would excite me.  Names like Graham Masterton, James Herbert and Chet Williamson thrilled me as a younger man, and I wanted to know if I was capable of the same level of thrill.
 
I asked a good friend and fellow author Sharon Lee Johnson whether she would give me some tips on what makes a good horror novel.  After a couple of great discussions, an idea started to form and then it really took over from there.
 
Pendant was such a consuming story line that the first draft took only 22 days to write.  It literally burnt through me, wanting to be out.  I didn’t mind that much, as Conrad/Varnok is a very heavy character to carry around.
 
As I wrote it though, the ideas kept coming with the protagonist plotting more than one novel in my head.  So far, I have stories for three or four trilogies, which will see the characters go to Hell and come back.  It’s exciting stuff to consider as I get to imagine Hell in my own way.
 
Varnok has a lot more planned for Maggie and Logan, as this is only the start.  Book 2 of the series is tentatively titled The Aching Gate and begins a story arc that will go for three novels.  There will be frights and scares for all!
 
I hope you enjoy the first book of The Undead Hunters series and look forward to more, as I am looking forward to writing them.

ABOUT STEPHEN:

His second novel Pendant: The Undead Hunters book 1 will be published on April 5, 2013 by GMTA Publishing. Road to Hell is a novelette is a prequel for The Undead Hunters series. Stephen is busy writing sequels for both Long Lost Song and Pendant, as well as working on a fantasy series. He is also currently editing two anthologies of Australian authors with the first to be published August 30, 2013. He lives in South Gippsland with his wife, two children and a mad cat. He has travelled extensively, is an avid reader and enjoys listening to a wide range of music.


ABOUT HIS BOOKS:

Long Lost Song

A virus is decimating America today and Michael Decker is the culprit. Or is he? Is it the work of a curse recorded into a song by 1930's blues musician Ricky Jensen? Long Lost Song tells the story of Ricky and Michael as they battle their personal and real demons while the world reaches end times of biblical proportions. One question remains. How do you stop a devil of a song made to break a crossroads deal? People who love 'Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?' and 'Carnivale' should love this too.

Road to Hell

(This book is a novella and prequel to "The Undead Hunters" Series. "Pendant" the first full length novel of this series is due out April 5th, 2013.) Road to Hell is a graphic depiction of love, hatred and the power of the heart, as we join Conrad in the sixteen hundreds, and follow him on his journey of self-destruction. Once in love with his life, Conrad's world is rocked when he discovers his beloved is cheating on him. Using blood magic and power, Conrad seeks his revenge and pays the ultimate price in this brutal and violent tale of vengeance.

Pendant

Varnok the Great Wizard wants revenge against the people who burnt him at the stake for murder three hundred years before. He has waited patiently in Hell for his opportunity. Now, the Pendant has come together, and the time to make the pay for their actions against him is here. He will release his power upon Earth. Maggie finds half a pendant in a sea-side market and Logan is given his by family, forcing the two into a horrific world they had never imagined, and running for their lives. Will they learn the secret of the Pendant before it is too late? Will there new-found love be strong enough to stop Varnok, a three hundred year old Wizard from the pits of Hell? Pendant is the first book in The Undead Hunters series.

Being a Writer: Guest post by debut author PS Bartlett

Debut author PS Bartlett has just had her novel, Fireflies, published by Mythos Press, an imprint of GMTA Publishing. She is a guest on my blog today to talk about being a writer and share information about herself and her book.

Being a Writer
By PS Bartlett

I started out with the idea that I would give insight into my writing process and eloquently explain my “point A to point Z” but that isn’t what came to mind tonight when I opened my laptop. What did come to mind was writing in my little pink diary with the tiny silver key that I wore on a string around my neck to keep out prying eyes. Then it moved onward to journals, spiral notebooks and personally illustrated stories.

From there it wandered to greeting cards and hand-made books, bound together with colored construction paper tied together with yarn, woven through holes on the folded edge to hold the pages in tight. It really was a great idea in theory, until you actually read the book a few times and the pages began to tear out. No matter, those were the first books and those were the stories that placed that “A” on the map which laid down the path to where I am today.

Many years passed between that locked pink diary of make believe and June of 2012 when I sat down one warm summer night to begin my research for “Fireflies” but all through those years, I met, befriended, loved, separated from and lost some of the greatest characters anyone could ever have the privilege of knowing. Each situation and relationship left their indelible mark on my spirit, be they good or bad and taught me repeatedly that experience and all of the joy and pain we navigate our way through, is where true knowledge of all beings and most importantly ourselves is found. That journey my friends, has been my writing process.

Being engaged and completely embedded in life’s journey doesn’t necessary make you a writer but it gives you more material, bolder characters and the strongest images to draw from to enrich whatever talent you possess. If you are a writer, then you already know you need to commit yourself to hours behind a keyboard or with a pen in your hand. You know that making excuses for why you don’t have time will only prolong your agony and your ultimate goal of sharing your passion with the world but by all means when you’re not writing, just live. Jump into the world with both feet and feel it, no matter how much it hurts. I promise you that when you are ready to commit that time and stop finding reasons not to write, those words and concepts will wash over you like warm maple syrup and taste twice as sweet.

BLURB:

Dr. Owen Whelan and his wife Sarah have seven bright and expressive children. However, one of them is very unique; he’s been followed since birth by lost souls. However peculiar Ennis Whelan has been for the first six years of his life, not until the day he found the bird did the degree of his strangeness become so tangible. When Ennis also reveals the gift of sight, he questions his father about visions of his past, including his voyage to America in 1844. Owen prayed he’d never have to share those tragic memories but he will share them, when he realizes he has no choice. Ennis’ life depends on it.

“Fireflies” will be available on April 3rd at the following stores:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords, Diesel, Baker & Taylor Blio, Baker –Taylor Axis360, Page Foundry, Library Direct and in print on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Createspace.

BIO:

I was born on Valentine’s Day a long, long time ago in South Baltimore, Maryland, less than a mile from Fort McHenry and Federal Hill. I’m a very simple person. I love my life and am always striving to make it better for myself and my family.

I write, I draw and I work full-time as a sales and marketing office manager herding cats – I mean taking care of a loveable group of sales people all day long. I also paint beautiful watercolors with my two and a half year old granddaughter.

I’ve been married for nearly 19 years and together we have two sons and a daughter.

I’d call myself a football fan but I mostly only watch my home team, the Baltimore Ravens.

I love super heroes and Superman has been my favorite since I was a little girl. June 2013 cannot get here soon enough for me.

I’m fascinated with anything paranormal and have been since I was a little girl and would sneak into my parent’s room almost every night to sit on the end of their bed and watch the “kids playing” as I explained it to them.

I finished my debut novel “Fireflies” in about six weeks, over the summer of 2012. Needless to say I don’t sleep much. After several rounds of edits, feedback and more edits, I began submitting “Fireflies” to literary agents and publishers in groups of five at a time. Through my diligent efforts, persistence and fabulous luck, I am blessed to now be a part GMTA Publishing’s fold and look forward to releasing my first novel soon!

I’ve been reading everything I can get my eyes on as to how this whole process works and I confess that I still don’t understand it and the social media aspect is just as perplexing. However, now I have the guidance and support of GMTA to help me succeed at doing what I love and I’ve told myself to above all, just keep writing. I’m so excited because I’m about 30,000 words into my second novel which I have already begun to map out a sequel to. I don’t even know where these thoughts came from but I’ve never looked a gift horse in the mouth that hasn’t kicked the crap out of me, so I place my hands on the keyboard and just let go.

CONNECT WITH P.S. BARTLETT:
 

Blog
Twitter
Facebook

Preparing for publication: Guest post by Ellen Mae Franklin

Great Minds Think Aloud Publishing has just released a new novel, The Unseen Promise, by debut author Ellen Mae Franklin. The book is published under their imprint, Mythos Press. I am pleased to welcome Ellen to my blog and share her guest post with readers today.

 

 It was always my intention to write this book as a part of a series, but it wasn’t until I was halfway through, that I understood the complexity of the many characters and storyline I was creating. With 90 characters to work with, there are some very colourful personalities, some shouting out to be heard way after the final two words - The End!

Who knows where this might lead.

I know the market I am working in is very competitive and the Big 6 almost an Urban Myth. So what does a fledgling writer do?

For me it was simple - Take Social Media by the horns and build a platform, I believed I needed awareness for The Unseen Promise before it was released. I created a Fan Page on Facebook, a Twitter account and in trial and error, websites. Networking became a priority and I set about the business of making connections. It was important for me to listen and learn from others with experience in the industry.

Hosting interviews in different forms on my blog and website, has also helped in creating awareness to myself as a writer and to the work I am producing. Supporting other Authors gains, not only a respectable standing in the industry, but helps to form a supportive safety net. I have had some very positive experiences connecting with others like mind.

The other crucial belief I have and this may stem from my many years of Field Merchandising, is that the book cover of any book must be visually compelling. All humans are visual creatures, so the artwork must be as such that it stops a reader mid stride. I used the website Odesk to find the graphic artist, I believed was capable of illustrating fantasy. I chose Cristian Poppa, he had an artistic eye, the creative ability and the technique to portray my characters as I visualized them.

I am currently doing my best to keep my head above water. Working hard on three different projects, the second book in the Tarkeenia Sagas. It is called - It’s not the Bite that kills you. I am also, co-writing with a very talented UK Author, Pete Emmerson on a fantasy series. We have not given our project a name it is still a work in progress.
 
My other project is a group effort. I am co-founder of an Australian group of writers and authors, 34 in total and we are working on writing short stories for Australian themed anthologies. We are called Terra Australis and the anthologies we are producing will be published late August this year. The book names will be Tales from Terra Australis, book one and book two.

Interviews take up any remaining free time. This is a way of connecting with others and supporting their efforts and hard work. Building friendships and networking along the way. I will endeavor to market my work on a very personal level and this seems to be part of the world when self-publishing or working closely with a small publishing company. So, it is imperative to remain positive. For me it is simply, once I emerge myself in the world of writing and the process of creating I find that I am often swept along, and of course, there can be no going back.

I am here to talk about my first book - The Unseen Promise. I am very excited for my debut novel, is being released on the 25th of March by GMTA Publishing.

I have been told it is a classical fantasy piece, pure imagination with characters in abundance. This, I think reflects upon the days of my childhood and the books that influenced me along the way. Reading is habitual and there isn’t a day that goes by, where I am not toting a book.
 
The worlds that Enid Blyton created for me, had me reading long after I heard, lights out! From there on in the power of words captured my heart and mind. I progressed to other authors and more complex storylines. The love, I have for this genre shows in my writing and the endless meanderings I put to paper. Authors that have inspired and influenced my writing style are many, but to name a few that stand out as giants are in order, Joe Abercrombie - for me this author has taken fantasy to a new level. The story he creates are complex, gritty, violent and colourful. I have learnt a great deal from his books, character development and dialogue. George RR Martin, Fiona McIntosh, Ian Irvine, Guy Gavriel Kay, Julian May, Stephen Donaldson, Robert Jordon, Robin Hobb, Sara Douglass are to name a few that have given me years of enjoyment. 

I was born and still live in Adelaide, Australia. For me, there is no place like home. The big 50 has come and gone, my children are adults, which leaves me to indulge myself in the things I love, writing, reading, gardening and traveling. I get to spend quality time with the people I love. Adding to my family are 2 dogs and like all pet owners, I shamelessly dote on them.
 
The Unseen Promise is the first book in a series I am working on, called the Tarkeenia Sagas. It takes place on the world, Tarkeenia. Imaginary and very new characters have been created to walk this world that is on the brink of chaos. I have been asked, if my book contains a message to the reader. I thought that it would be a good idea for The Unseen Promise to answer that question.
 
In the beginning
What is curiosity? Is it a beginning or is it an ending? Should you embrace it or do you shut your eyes and pray for the love of whatever god you hold close that it disappears? It is a thing without limitations and restraints, for it carries no conscience, other than what its bearer holds. So I ask, should it be valued or feared? For it begs to be heard and it never, ever, no matter how much you should wish it, offers even the smallest measure of mercies.

Even the gods feel the tug of its call, its alluring charm. All except for one. He believed that he alone held its secrets, and valued curiosity as a favorite trinket to be kept close until such time, as it was needed.

So, be warned friend, for to answer its call - curiosity’s enticing song - it must be with wide eyes and a steady heart, for trouble always follows.