Tag: Books

Blog Tours

The Angeline Jellybean tour continues at Vivian’s blog today.

Participating in the tour, I’ve been thinking ahead to my own book. I will have a blog tour near its release date. I wonder who to include, how to get the word out, and where to get the niche audience who really wants my book. Finding all of that isn’t easy, but it also isn’t impossible.

(It better not be impossible, because I’m going to do it anyway!)

I’ve been reading up on things and figuring out how to do that. One resource to find blogs by category or country or on a global scale. This blog is ranked there! … I’m ranked below 19 million others, literally. I’m taking heart that I’ve only been blogging here for a few months and only very consistently this month as a reason to keep coming back.

One day I’d love to be able to connect the niche audiences to books they’d love but haven’t heard of yet. I love even more to write them, but reading a story is so much faster.

Check out your favorite blogs for their ranking and audiences at Alexa.

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Angeline Jellybean!

Everyone loves jellybeans, but probably none of them as much as Angeline. All she eats is jellybeans!

You’ll find out more during this tour about the author, Crystalee Calderwood, the illustrator, Stephen Macquignon; and the book, Angeline Jellybean! I have the feeling this book has given all of us jellybean fever – so watch out. It might not be contagious…

A little information about jellybeans:

  • Jellybeans emerged around 1900 with other shaped candies.
  • Former President Ronald Reagan’s favorite candy was the jellybean, which marked a resurgence in popularity and also brought a lot of gourmet or designer flavors.
  • Some manufacturers make formed shapes for holidays like Easter, Halloween, and Christmas.
  • Mostly, they’re part of Easter traditions and about 15 billion jellybeans are sold during the season.

Angeline Jellybean, the book: Publisher Site

As a picture book geared toward children 2 and up for listening and 1st to 3rd grade for reading, Angeline is going to get them thinking. It’s filled with beautiful pictures and a fun story to keep them entertained, as well. I received my copy earlier this month and am extremely happy with it.

Crystalee Calderwood: Website Blog

Favorite jellybean flavor? Cherry
Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
Favorite age of children to read to? Babies and Toddlers – the lap-cuddling age.
Favorite age of children to write for? 3-5 years, but I like to write for all ages.
What’s your next challenge? Revising and expanding my first YA novel and hopefully getting it published. I’m also working on a new website where kids can ask me questions about my writing, books, and send in their own work.

Stephen Macquignon:

Favorite jellybean flavor? If I had to choose one, it would be the black liquorish.
Favorite holiday? Halloween is my favorite. I used to love putting on costumes and going Trick or Treating with my friends.
Favorite age of children to illustrate for? I don’t have one. I enjoy working in all age groups. “Angeline Jellybean” is for children ages 2 and up, “Colors” that has just been published and is written by Danna Warren is for children no older than 7 years.
What’s your next challenge? “Would a Kangaraffee Make you Laffe” and I have two more  books in production “If Fish Could Drive” and “The Marshmallow Man” coming out in October 2009.

Make sure you check out the entire tour! Click for schedule.

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Meet Boyd Hipp, II

Boyd C. Hipp, II was born and raised in Greenville, SC. He graduated St. Andrews School in Boca Raton, FL and went on to attain a BA in English from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC and a MBA from The University of South Carolina School of Business. He has been actively engaged in real estate development since 1977 with communities throughout the two Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. He closed his business in June of 2006. His journal, initially written for his children, reflects his experience as he went through alcohol rehab in Statesboro, Georgia in the summer of 2008. It details not only his physical transformation but his spiritual one as well. He currently resides in Charleston, SC. This is his first published work.

The Book: Glad You Are Here

The story of an unexpected intervention and the subsequent experience of 38 days in a rehab hospital is the theme found in Glad You Are Here. It is a journey borne of despair and hopelessness that transcends to one man finding his spiritual compass while beginning the long road back to sobriety. A must read for anyone wrestling with the demon of addiction and personal turmoil this is a message of hope for all. Around the rooms of AA all over the world newcomer and visitor alike are always greeted with a resounding “Glad You Are Here”.

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Fiction for Everyone

In the column linked below, Stephen King talks about “manfiction” and “chick lit” with the assertion that, though women buy more books, men do still read.

Both genders are looking for escape and entertainment. While women seek romantic options, men crave – to quote a friend – naked women and blowing things up. There was a third thing on his list; it might have been car chases. I get his point. He, like most men in general, wants action.

I’m sure we could follow this trend in the box office, too. How many men are willing to go see chick flicks? My husband does, but I found out recently with a conversation between my friends how rare he is. Yes, he goes because I enjoy them, but I’m appreciative that he goes.

I suppose I’m just not the average woman, that I like blowing things up, too. We have all the James Bond movies, and we enjoy watching them.

When reading the column, I kept thinking there ought to be a middle ground between with enjoyment for everyone. Everyone seemed to read Harry Potter, but where is the equivalent in the adult fiction sections?

Steven King’s Column

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Looking Forward!

My good friend and fellow author at 4RV Publishing, LLC, Crystalee Calderwood, will be my guest to kick off her blog tour on December 28th! I’m really excited to host her and her new picture book, Angeline Jellybean.

The other stops on the tour:

Vivian Zabel at http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com -December 29th
Laura Peters at http://www.renaissance-seamstress.com/blog/ -December 30th

Elysabeth Eldering http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com/ -December 31st

Susan Thompson at http://www.susansmiththompson.com/ – January 1st

Sarah Adkins at http://seapeanut.wordpress.com/ -January 2nd

Lea Schizas at http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/ -January 3rd

Crystalee Calderwood at http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com -January 4th.

All hosts plan something a little different and there might be incentives, so make sure you check out all the posts. Also, comment so we know you’re here. I heard the illustrator, Stephen MacQuignon, may be hanging around at that time. I hope he’s also available for questioning. (Wait, I don’t mean that in a bad way: “So, Stephen, where were you on the day Angeline Jellybean debuted on Amazon?”)

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Meet Dehanna Bailee

I had the chance to interview the author of Calypso’s Revenge. This book is pretty exciting, and she’s definitely an author to watch!

Tell us about yourself, Dehanna.
I’ve been writing for over six years and my published works include True Nature (paranormal romance), The ABC’s of POD (nonfiction) as well as an assortment of other e-books, articles, anthologies, etc. I have two new fiction works coming out this month and next, a science fiction novel with romantic elements titled Calypso’s Revenge: A Traitor’s Heart and a contemporary paranormal novella For Better or Worse.

What are your writing habits?
Admittedly, my writing habits are not what I would like them to be but, even so, I do try to write, or at least do something writing-related, every day. I often find forced inspiration difficult, especially if things are chaotic, however I figure if I can’t actually create anything new I will spend some time reworking what I have written and/or trying to strengthen my skills to be a better writer.

What drew you to write Calypso’s Revenge?
Calypso’s Revenge came out of the blue. I have always enjoyed science fiction books and movies but as for writing it, this was a leap, but once I started writing it, I had to finish it. No matter how long it took—which this one took much longer than anything else I’d written not only due to the original length but the amount of work it took to get it to where the story is now.

What about Calypso’s Revenge keeps you excited and makes you want to share it?
What got me excited was that although it wasn’t picked up by a major publisher, it was looked at, which means it might not have been what they were wanting at the moment but at least it got me in the door. What makes me want to share it is that I know it breaks the rules; it’s not just like everything else out there for it’s not merely a sci-fi, nor is it even close to the present definition of a textbook romance, and as for the ending, well…that’s a whole ‘nuther story in its own.

What advice do you give to beginning authors?
Write what you want to write because in the first place, writing should be fun, and second, words that come from the heart seem to have more of an ability to make that all-so-special connection with the read than any amount of rule-following and conformity. This doesn’t mean that a writer shouldn’t know the rules, and always strive to improve, it just means that it’s okay to just let the words flow from your fingers then go back and tweak them later to fit a certain market (if you choose to do so). Remember that they’re your words, enjoy the expression of the mind and do with them what you will.

Do you have other comments?
I’d like to thank you for letting me come be a guest on your blog and to invite any readers who are interested in learning more about me or my books to visit me online at http://www.dehanna.com

Thanks for joining me, Dehanna! Best of luck for Calypso’s Revenge!

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Coming Soon from Dehanna Bailee

CALYPSO’S REVENGE: A TRAITOR’S HEART

Blue Leaf Publications

To Be Released Early 2009

Rating: PG-13

“Every honorable act demands sacrifice — not just of flesh and blood but one of heart…”

Coming soon, a book with a futuristic setting and romantic elements. Teah Valtamise is a former Brigadier from Calypso; she fled, but her newest protégé turns on her. She works to save an innocent person from the dealings of a man bent on vengeance while working with an old comrade. Is she prepared to sacrifice everything for the sake of right? At stake is a chance at love, an old friendship, and maybe even her own life.

Calypso’s Revenge is very readable, and the heroine is an intriguing character. It promises to be an original speculative fiction novel that keeps readers in suspense and doesn’t follow the conventions of the science fiction or romance genres. The story packs surprises, including the end. This is good for anyone who appreciates excitement and realism with believable characters.

http://www.blueleafpub.com/

http://dehanna.com/index.htm

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First Author Reading

Over the weekend, I attended ICON. I enjoyed masquerading as my author self and a friend suggested I sign up to read. Two slots were open; I was the only one to volunteer.

Questions circled my mind immediately. “What do I read?” “Who will show up?” “Will they be interested in someone they haven’t heard of and isn’t advertised?”

The answer to the last question is yes, if attendees know what you’re attempting and when. The answer to the second depends on what conflicts with the reading. The first question occupied me the most, other than the nervousness accompanying any new venture.

I chose to read my published anthology story, “Qui’s Contract.” Other than that, I’m extremely excited about my current project, an unnamed-as-yet young adult novel. I wrote a short story about it this summer called “Spider Dreams.” Since my segment lasted half an hour, I timed these two pieces and found I could read both with time for questions at the end.

I can’t say I packed the house, but my audience seemed to enjoy the reading. Some even stayed to ask questions. I’m excited to do it again, even following someone as distinguished as Alan M. Clark. His excerpt from an upcoming novel about D. D. Murphy, Secret Policeman, was imaginative and engaging.

I hope my listeners felt the same way about mine.

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Midnight Hours Blog Tour

http://4rvpublishingllc.com/ has the schedule for this blog tour, beginning today and running through the week.

This book is written by Vivian Zabel. I read the short story that she wrote first, and it’s pretty amazing. The first stop is on Holly’s site, which gives a great premise and an author interview. She’s also planning a sequel, Darkest Before Dawn. Have to stay tuned for details!

One lucky winner this week will win an Amazon gift card.

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Trockle Blog Tour…

Sept 19 stops:
Beverly Stowe McClure
Beverly’s Other Blog
I think I like blogspot better since you don’t have to be a member of their network to post a comment, but the squirrel-monster comment line on the other one is more amusing.

Joyce Anthony has today and two more days left at her blog to explore Trockle, and on Sept 21 the last stop is Karen Syed.

How many ways are there to look at a picture book? Seems like there are as many as people to start looking at it. I find it easier to write for children a little older so far, or for adults. The more I’m looking at picture books by my publisher, the more I want to write one on my own. It’s a challenge in my head to put the right pictures with the words; an illustrator makes the pictures, but there needs to be enough information for her to manage that. Maybe one day, but probably not today.

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