Interview and Giveaway With Author K.C. Neal

N.L. Who are you, and why should readers read the rest of this interview?


I’m K.C. Neal, author. You should read the rest of the interview because later on I reveal *the* magic formula for writing the most captivating, perfect story possible. That’s right! But that part of the interview is written in invisible digital ink. If you paypal $49 to my email address, I will send you the special ink decoder!

N.L: Wow, that answer was AMAZING. I just fell in love all over again. Moving on.
Q: Tell us a little about the work you are here promoting.

A. My debut novel, Pyxis: The Discovery is the first book in a YA fantasy series. The main character, 16-year-old Corinne, discovers there are two universes - the waking universe we live in every day, and a universe our minds enter when we're asleep. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two universes, to keep evil and harm from cycling between them, but the person who was supposed to teach her everything died unexpectedly. Her friend Mason has a role in all of this, too, and together they search for answers. I don't want to give away too much, but there are some fun paranormal elements to the story - ESP, pyrokinesis, things like that. It’s  a fast-paced read that's full of mystery.


Q: As a writer, do you have plans for world domination, or do you have a day job as well?


A: Oh my gosh, have you been spying on me? I talk about my plan for world domination daily! I’m dead serious - my closest friends can confirm this. It’s a 5-phase plan, and I’ve almost completed Phase 2. I do have a day job, too, though. Cackling over my world-domination plans doesn’t pay the bills. Not yet, anyway. I work full-time as a Medical Writer.

N.L. Ha, I have actually been spying on you. In a friendly way. I’m an easy stalker to get along with. Anyway…onward!
Q: Self-published, traditional, indie or part of an indie collective? If not yet published, what are you doing to make it happen?

A: I’m a bit of a hybrid, in a way. I don’t have an agent, but I do have a publisher, StoneHouse Ink. It’s a pretty awesome set-up, actually. I work directly with my publisher and have a lot of say in the decisions that get made. I had a ton of input into my book’s cover, for example. And just this last week I got to choose a voice actor who will do an audio version of my book. I’m a bit of a control freak, so this arrangement really suits me. My publisher is really more of a business partner, and we both work really hard to give my book the best chance possible.

Q: How do you handle bad reviews? If you haven't had one...would you be willing to take part in a social experiment? Basically? Would you grant me permission to trash your writing, just to see if you cry?

I haven’t had any reviews yet, so I’m not sure how I’ll react. But, being a Medical Writer has been good training in terms of getting my writing picked apart and put back together. When I write medical content, half a dozen people or more review and edit it. You learn really quickly not to take any of it personally. And my manuscript got pretty much shredded earlier this year, which led to a major revision. I’ve built up some calluses, I guess you could say. :)

UPDATE ALERT: K.C has been getting reviews that I’ve obviously read. Hint, they are glowing! Congrats! Next…
Q: Are you nervous yet and do you prefer white or wheat bread?


A: You know, I AM kind of nervous. White for garlic bread and grilled cheese sandwiches, wheat for everything else.

Q:  Do you blog? If so, don't you wish you were as cool a blogger as I?

A: I do blog, but I’m nowhere near the force de blog that you are. You’re like a power blogger! (Are you susceptible to flattery, btw?)

N.L.: I am always open to hearing how awesome I am. =)
 Q: What is your favorite creature, monster, or fantasy based thing you write about?

A: No creatures in my series, but there’s plenty of magic. The ESP is the part I really dig, though. All kinds of interesting ways to use that in interactions between characters.

Q: Are you planning to give something away (if not, good luck getting anyone to read this thing) and if so, what are your demands for winning (I assume, your book because why else would you stop by?)

A:  Sure, I’d love to give away an ebook! My demand is this: that you worship at the altar of my Twitter account. By following it.

Q: =) Any advice for aspiring writers?

A:  I don’t think of myself as particularly qualified to give advice to writers, but since you asked…. One, find a skilled, more experienced writer to critique your work, and don’t fear criticism; a good critique will help your writing improve by leaps and bounds. Two, an idea for a story isn’t the same as a plot; a book needs a plot and a plot needs tension and conflict, not just cool ideas. Three, read voraciously; aside from actually writing, reading is your best training.

N.L. I totally agree. Tick off a few indie authors you look up to.

Q: Angeline Kace, who just released her debut novel, Descended by Blood, in August. She wrote a great book and worked really hard marketing it, and her book is killing it in the Kindle store. Sometimes I’m afraid I’m getting into ebook publishing too late, I missed the wave, but her success gives me hope that it can still be done.
Aaron Patterson, who heads StoneHouse Ink (my publisher), is a bestselling author and just as talented at the business part of publishing as he is at writing, which I imagine is a rare combination. His first book came out back before there was this enormous wave of self-published books, and he’s kept out ahead of the changes in the industry the past few years.
Really, I admire any indie who can sell well enough to make a living off their books. It’s not easy out there!

Q: Are you, or are you not a douche bag? Heh, you don't have to answer that. That's just for my enjoyment.

Definitely not! Wait, that’s probably something a douche bag would say, isn’t it…?

Q: =) Sell your book, right now, to your host without once mentioning your book, blog or twitter handle.

A: I command you: BUY IT. Hee hee.

Q: Alright, where can readers find you on the web?

My blog
Twitter (@KCNealTweets)
Facebook
Google+
Goodreads

Alright now, the giveaway! One digital copy of: 

 A Blurb: Two worlds.... One 16-year-old girl must learn to protect them both.

The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but the person who was supposed to teach her how is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?

Blogger Demands.

1.Leave me a nice comment including your e-mail addy. REQUIRED
2.1. Follow K.C. Neal on Twitter. @KCNealTweets. (Not required but makes winning more likely). 

3. Following the blog is not required, but appreciated. Good Luck! This giveaway will end on November 16th.

Interview and Giveaway With Author James Crawford

N.L. Who are you, and why should readers read the rest of this interview?

j.c.  My name is james Crawford.  If I am interesting enough for the great Natasha Larry to think I'm worthy of an interview, then you will want to read more =)

N.L. I appreciate you calling me great. Now, tell us a little about the work you are here promoting.

j.c.  I am here to tell everyone about my Book Caleo It's a Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy. Here is a brief blurb.

Caleo Anima is the social outcast of Butler High. His pale skin and white hair have caused him nothing but trouble since birth. Now at age seventeen a mysterious stranger appears out of nowhere telling Caleo that he is part of a magical race of people called Leeches and tearing him from a world that has rejected him, to be thrown into the middle of civil war that has been being fought in the shadows for decades… all in an effort to control ‘Caleo’

Join Caleo on his journey of self discovery as he goes from unwanted to hunted in an action packed adventure of love, war and trust.

N.L. As a writer, do you have plans for world domination, or do you have a day job as well?

j.c. Can't I have both? I have my day job that I love and aspire not to need in the future if all goes well

N.L. Self-published, traditional or part of an indie collective? If not yet published, what are you doing to make it happen?

j.c. As of this moment I am a self-Published author. I am working at moving to traditional in the near future.

 N.L. How do you handle bad reviews? If you haven't had one...would you be willing to take part in a social experiment? Basically? Would you grant me permission to trash your writing, just to see if you cry?

 j.c. Bad Review? Who you been talking to?  That was only a misunderstanding.  After a long talk…

“It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again…”

 We came to an understanding and she insisted on a 5 star review.

N.L. I don’t like the fact that you’re funnier than I am. I certainly don’t appreciate falling out of my chair while reading an interview. Not really, I love it…I got my first bad review and cried like a failure for ten minutes yesterday. I think your method is a lot more effective.

Moving right along… what is your favorite creature, monster, or fantasy based thing you write about?

 j.c. well so far I have only written about Leeches and Werewolf (sill production)  being that Caleo has a Leech that can Turn into a Werewolf... I think I will have to go With Leech. There are just so many possible powers to play with and each one is unique based off their life.

 N.L. Are you planning to give something away? If not, good luck getting anyone to read this thing-and if so, what are your demands for winning?

 j.c. sure I will give away a copy of my book to the first two people who log onto Caleo's Facebook page, and post that they read my interview on Paranormal Wire.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caleo/203453543029656

 N.L.  Any advice for aspiring writers?

j.c. my advice for Aspiring Writers would be find yourself an Author buddy. I don't think I would even have my book published in any form if it wasn't for all the help Nova Sparks has given me. She has shown me so much that i wouldn't have found out on my own. Everyone should check her out Nova Sparks, author of the Dome.

N.L. Great advice. Now I want you to sell your book, right now without mentioning your nook, blog or twitter handle.

 Hey, I found this site with this cool product you should check it. It has great reviews so far.

 

 N.L. You sound like me trying to give directions. So, if readers get to that other product… they’ve gone too far? =) Before we end this rather silly interview, tell the readers where to find you on the web.

 Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/profile.php?id=100001562447664

they can find my book  Caleo at the following links:

kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Caleo-Leech-ebook/dp/B004YQVF96/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312852792&sr=8-1

nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caleo-james-crawford/1100546461?ean=2940012517616&itm=1&usri=caleo

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/78537

You can also find a review for this title here: http://paranormalwire.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-review-caleo-by-james-crawford.html

 This interview will last until August 17th. Please remember to leave your e-mail addy in your comment. 

Good Luck!

Welcome Guest Blogger: Author Kevin Osondu

Title: Fast Forward: Into The Future
Author: Kelvin O'Ralph
Genre: Sci-fi/Romance/YA
Blurb:
Before Lucas turned eighteen, he had four goals:
Finish his novel
Publish his novel
Sell his novel and,
Get the girl of his dreams

It sounded pretty easy at the time

Now the girl is leaving
His book hasn't reached the desk of a publisher
and he has the gift of time travelling, which affects his social life.

Will Lucas use his gift to create his dream life, or will he watch his dreams fade?

Links to buy book:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/emLOqD
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/f08wXm
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/gg1pwT
Smashword: http://bit.ly/gHNTc5

Any giveaway? If so, please give details:

There are two signed copy of Fast Forward to be won. Entries must be residents of either USA, UK, Europe or Canada.
Timemline: 20th April 2011 - 20th May 2011
Link: http://icire.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html

Author Bio:
Kelvin O'Ralph is currently studying at the University of Wolverhampton, UK. He is an avid writer who loves to write Fantasy/Romance books. When Kelvin is not writing or going to university, you can find him in  his room reading or watching American TV series. He is a huge admirer of  Emma Watson, and hopes one day she gets to act as one of his characters. This is his first official release, and he has many more future projects coming soon. Stick with him while he takes you on a fairy tale you'd wish could be yours.

Questions:

What inspired you to become a writer?
Sincerely, it was boredom. However, after writing my very first short story I showed it to friends and family, and they loved it. So this inspired me t carry on bigger projects; novella, and then novel. Also, I've always admired J.K Rowling.

Why should people read your book?
Any time I write, I write with passion, not thinking of becoming a best-seller but thinking of my readers and if they'd like the story and characters. For example, the story line in Fast forward is really compelling. I guarantee that when the reader finishes the book, he will close it with a smiley face.

Can you relate to any of the characters and why?
Hmm, I can relate to the main character, Lucas Taylor. He's an aspiring author like myself, and knows how to treat ladies.

Tell your readers something personal about you?
As it says in my bio, I admire Emma Watson, more than any lady in the world. Except my mum of course :)


How can one contact you?
 
Thanks to technology, you can reach me via my blog, goodreads, Facebook and twitter.
Blog: http://icire.blogspot.com
goodreads: http://bit.ly/gVK7zX
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/f953Nv
twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/KelvinO_Ralph

Author Interview: Cynthia Gael

The first book I reviewed for Siren Book Reviews was Balefire and Moonstone by collaborative authors Cynthia D. Witherspoon and K.G. McAbee. I fell in love with the book and the character Anya Blanchett, so of course I decided to stalk the writers (I didn’t know there were two of them at the time, so that was a tad embarrassing) and force them to answer my questions. The two of them were darlings about the entire process and happily answered my questions AND provided me with a review copy of the next book, Balefire and Lodestone-which I devoured. That review will be posted soon.

Q: How long have the two of you been writing and how long have you been writing together?

KGM: I’ve been writing since forever, but my first publication was in 1999, when I won first prize in the Writer’s Journal Fiction Contest. Since then, I’ve had a dozen or so books published and bunches of shorts and novellas, in all sorts of genres: pulp, mystery, horror, fantasy, science fiction, steampunk…. Cindy and I met at a writer’s critique group in early 2009, realized we were meant to write together and started in November of that year.

CDW: I’ve been writing for as long as I’ve been able to read. Some stories simply shouldn’t end so early! So I’d make up my own endings. Or continuations. However, I didn’t really start putting my words down on the page until I was in college.  It was there that I published my first short story in my college’s literary journal, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Oh, my gosh. We’ve been writing together for a little over a year now. Ultimately, it’s not that long, but given how well we work together, and the quality (and quantity!) of stories we’ve been able to publish, we feel as if we’ve been writing together for a very, very long time.

Q: What authors did you read as kids?

KGM: I always wanted and got books for Christmas and birthdays, even before I could read. When I finally learned to read, well, I never stopped. I love Robert Heinlein, J.R.R. Tolkien, Roger Zelazny, Dickens, Bronte, Austen, R.E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, Patrick O’Brian, Lester Dent…..

CDW: Like K.G., I was the kid you’d find happily spending her Saturdays in the library instead of outside. Some of my favorite memories I have as a child is my dad taking me every Saturday to the bookstore at our local mall. I was allowed to pick out one or two books (mainly Carolyn Keene or Franklin W. Dixon). But I would read anything I could get my hands on. By the time I’d graduated high school, I’d read everyone from Truman Capote to Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

Q: What authors have influenced your writing the most and why?

KGM: I like Dicken’s humor, the Brontes’ romantic vision, Zelazny’s clean prose, Asimov’s style, Heinlein’s concepts and joy, O’Brian’s historical accuracy, and Lester Dent’s (who wrote the Doc Savage pulp novels under the house name Kenneth Robeson) sheer volume. It’s impossible to stress how much the writers we read affect and mold the writers we become.

CDW: Every book I read influences my writing in some way or another. For example, if I start reading more of the classics (think Charlotte Bronte), then my writing becomes heavier. More moody.  But if I’m reading Edgar Allan Poe, then my work takes on a darker feel.  I think this is because I admire these writers, love how they were able to pull me into their stories, and hope to do the same for my own readers.

Q: Is it hard for the two of you to do collaborative writing?

KGM: . It is just too absurdly easy! We finish each other’s sentences and think so much alike on so many things, it continually amazes me!

CDW: Yeah, K.G. is right. I’d always heard writing is a solitary craft since the worlds you create are in your head. But she knows what I’m thinking, and I trust her judgment completely. Besides, it’s always fun to put a sudden detail in a scene, and have K.G. put the same detail in her chapter without knowing what I’m doing. Then, when we go back and read through what we’ve written, it’s always a surprise to see just how much we are on the same page with each other.

Q: Where did you get the idea for this book series?

KGM: We were having lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant and Cindy said she’s like to write something about witches. I told her I’d always been fascinated by Matthew Hopkins, England’s self-proclaimed Witch Finder General; I mean, who would not be interested in a man who decided to give himself such a cool title, and then to follow up on the meaning of it by charging out and capturing witches. So we began brainstorming and the Balefire Chronicles were the result. We literally had the first book finished in little more than a month!

Q: Are you working on any other projects together or separately?

KGM: I’m currently working on a novella of a steampunk role playing game for Untreed Reads. Together, wee’ve just finished the first book in our steampunk series, BRASS AND BONE. While it’s set in our Balefire universe, the time frame is the late 1800s and, in true steampunk fashion, we have airships and steam men. Lots of fun! It’s at an agent now, so please, everyone, keep your fingers crossed for us!

CDW: I’d be lying if I didn’t say we each have our own ‘to-do’ lists, and then our ‘writing together to-do’ lists. Though we work on separate things, we know we always have a great sounding board to bounce ideas off of with the other. And what K.G. said about our steampunk novel? It’s fabulous! I know I’m bias, but trust me on this one. It’s a lot of fun, a lot of drama, and definitely has its romantic moments!

Q: I know that a lot of writers have decided to go the e book publishing route, what made you decide to go with Gypsy Shadow Publishing and what has your experience been like working with them?

KGM: I have a friend published by Gypsy Shadow and he recommended them to us. We decided to provide our own cover and our artist, Gary McCluskey—he illustrated my novella an issue of STARTLING STORIES—came up with some killer cover art for us, don’t you think?

Q: Can you offer any advice to aspiring paranormal writers?

CDW: Read anything and everything you can get your hands on. Just like any other writer. You can’t write if you haven’t studied your craft. But read what you love. If you love paranormal romance, and want to write in the genre, find writers you admire. Learn from them, and you’ll be on your way.

Q: Can you offer any tips on getting published?

KGM: This is what I tell all our students when we teach writing classes: “You only need to remember four words to become a writer: Read. Write. Submit. Repeat.” Four words sound easy, but if you look into them more closely, you can see how much time and work are involved. You should read huge amounts, and not just in the field you want to write in. You have to write, write, and write more, to hone your skills. You have to research your markets and submit, without being dismayed when you’re rejected—and you will be. And then you have to do it all over again!

CDW: And don’t give up. We all get rejections, no matter how often we’ve been published before. All it takes is one story, the right venue, and you’re on your way.

Q: How did you go about creating your characters, plot and settings?

KGM: We brainstorm constantly, throwing ideas out and feeding off each other’s comments. Settings and characters are the easiest for me; I’m not as good as Cindy is at plotting, so she’s the go-to girl for outlining.

CDW: We talk to each other (emailing when we can’t meet) and are open with each other. If K.G. doesn’t like one of my ideas, she isn’t afraid to tell me. And vice versa. But we start with a single idea, and let it build itself. It’s amazing how many of our characters have literally built themselves on the page. Their gestures, their voices….it all comes out when you start the physical writing process.

Q: Besides writing what do you like to do?

KGM: Reading! Movies! Teaching writing classes! Going to conferences and conventions! And I have dogs and cats and a garden; my husband is vegan and I’m vegetarian, and I get a great deal of enjoyment out of growing my own food with my own hands, processing it, canning it, all that lovely peasant stuff that seems to be coming back into style. And I love to cook!

CDW: I don’t cook, that’s for sure! My timer? The smoke alarm.  And do something besides writing?? Ok, I do love to read. In fact, I just received a Nook for Christmas, and have already absorbed every book I’ve downloaded into it!  But besides reading, I hang out at home with my husband and our jack Russell terrier. And then of course, there’s always World of Warcraft.  =D

Q: Can you tell us a little about the next book in this series?

KGM: BALEFIRE AND BLOODSTONE is dark, far darker even than the second in the series. We follow our people to Australia and some new characters enter the picture, along with some truly creepy…well, that would be telling!

CDW: K.G. did a fabulous job describing Bloodstone without going into too many of the nitty gritty details, so I won’t add anything. Suffice to say, it’s one of my favorites because it is darker.



Q: What other publishing credits do you have?

KGM: Writing as K.G. McAbee, I have fantasies at Uncial Press and Double Dragon Books, and a YA fantasy series at Calderwood Books. My short story collection, BEWITCHED BY DARKNESS, is at Wild Cat Books; they also publish STARTLING STORIES magazine, and I’ve got stories or novellas in most of the issues. I’ve had over seventy short stories published, too, including three—so far!—from Untreed Reads. And my latest sale is to Summerhouse Publishing, for a gothic romance novella. 

CDW: I’ve published short stories for anthologies ranging from Open Heart Publishing (An Honest Lie Vol. 2) to horror in Naked Snake Press’ Poe Little Thing. Also, I’ve been lucky enough to win a few awards and honorable mentions for my stories. Overall, I’ve had a good many shorts published, a few flash pieces, and of course, our Balefire books.

Q: Do you have any events scheduled in the near future?

KGM: We’re both guest authors at ConCarolinas in June…

CDW: And participating in the 2011 Local Author’s Day at the Spartanburg County Library, as well as teaching writing classes in Asheville and Charlotte for The Writer’s Workshop of Asheville. For those who are interested, we’ll also be giving a free online course through Coffeetime Romance on Writing Steampunk during the month of February.  We do have a full schedule this year, and unfortunately, I can’t list them all. However, we will be updating our website http://www.cynthiagael.com with our full appearance schedule soon.



Q: What books are you reading right now?

KGM: I’ve just finished the new bio of H.P. Lovecraft and I’m now in the middle of Robert E. Howard’s bio. Naturally, I have to go back now and re-read their works mentioned in the bios. In fiction, I’m reading VAMPIRE EMPIRE: THE GREYFRIAR.

CDW: As previously mentioned, I just got my Nook, so if it’s an e-book, I’m all over it. I’ve just finished Water for Elephants (because, I ask you, who doesn’t love a good circus novel??), The Plausible Prince (by the fabulous K.G. McAbee), and the beginnings of the sequel of The Plausible Prince (which is one of the great things about knowing the author!). I’m also in love with historical fiction, so I’m currently reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory and A Passage To India by E.M. Forster.

Visit Gypsy Shadow Publishing for more great books: Gypsy Shadow Publishing! 

You can also purchase Balefire and Moonstone and Balefire and Lodestone at www.amazon.com