New Header!

I've been sitting on it for awhile, but I finally got Frigid published, so I have a new header-banner! It features Mason, Anthony and Jayden (episodes 4, 5 and 6 respectively). Yaysies :)

THE THUNDERSTORM, Reveal #1!

I know I've been quiet on the blog front recently - trust me, my fingers are tiny nubs from all the tapping on my keyboard I've been doing.

But you know what's coming? If you guessed THE THUNDERSTORM (Krakakow!)... you're right! You can pick up your collapsible flannel bicycle at the front desk. But before you attempt to ride it home, feast your eyes on the first cover reveal...

All thanks and praise to my indefatigable, insatiable, independent cover artist, Jeroen ten Berge!

Icarus Helix Episode 4: "Thief" (Sneak Peek!)

Well, May 2011 is closing out in about half an hour for me. In preparation to herald in June, why not drop a sneak peek of the cover for the piece I'm releasing next month? :)

So without too much preamble, let me introduce you to Mason Schaefer. Can you guess his power...? ;)

IH Episode #4: "Thief"

Some Updates

I've posted about my next WIP. Details are on my release blog.

I think it's interesting how many people must come by and not say hello. In December, I had 10 total page views. In January, 365. So far this month? 593. That number staggers my brain (in a good way.)

I wrote "Shackled" because I wanted to write an Adult Book. Not so much themes like sex, or violence, but a book with intellectual wording that I felt good about. I wrote "Shackled". I gave it my stamp of approval, and sent it out on fledgling wings into the wide, cruel world.

So, I did that. That's one thing off my bucket list. Whee!

Now that I've done the writing that was necessary for my happiness as a writer, I can move on. I'm trying my hand at YA. I sort of think I was meant to write YA. (But as I said, I wanted to write an Adult Book first.) The themes and wording feel very natural to me. Also, I devoured books faster when I was younger (easier reads, yeah?). I have a lot of YA reading under my belt, and I think I have a really interesting concept with the Icarus Helix series I'm starting. I will probably post the intro when I get closer to release.

Jeroen ten Berge is going to be my cover artist for the series, also. He's really a delight to work with. He's easy to talk with and I think he really delivers a quality product. He's also open to how I feel about the series, and what I'd like to see on the cover. Good guy to work with! I recommend him.

Please keep an eye on my writing widget to the left. You can watch my progress, as I plow forward into the horomonic (yes I made that word up, suck it spellchecker) lands of the YA...

Opinions, Round 2... FIGHT!

I have been puzzling over how to make my "blurb" (Ugh, I HATE that word) better. I've received some information from various sources that it appears a little weak. It's hard to walk away from it when I like it ;) So, here is an updated version, please tell me if you think it's stronger. Please keep in mind, this is a fiction paranormal/horror book.

One man, labeled monster, imprisoned for 200 years.

His brother - the only remaining jailer. Refusing to protect his secret any longer, he seeks to serve a confession from his deathbed.

A foster son, witness to an impossible testimony of deceit, jealousy and murder. He must bear the ill tides of the past, to correct the future.

Three men, bound by blood, love and iron.

Shackled.

Fans of Anne Rice's "Interview With a Vampire" and Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" may also enjoy this read.

Your Opinion, Please!

Hello again, my dears.

My cover artist, Jeroen ten Berge prepared this concept art for my cover. This is the first image we have considered, and I would like your honest opinions!

As an added bonus, here is the product description I am considering:

One man, labeled monster, secretly imprisoned for 200 years.

His brother, the only remaining jailor, weary of life and dying.

A foster son, witness to an impossible testimony of deceit, jealousy and murder.

Three men.

Shackled.

Fans of Anne Rice's "Interview with a Vampire" and Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" may also enjoy this read.

There are a few things I like and a few things I am unsure about. Let's pass it around the table, shall we?

Opinions: GO!!!

Addendum:
I took this "Who Do I Write Like" Analysis I saw on Amanda Hocking's blog. Here was my result...

I write like
Leo Tolstoy

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

TOLSTOY?!?! I'm shocked and flattered by this program!

Plungering

At the very beginning of January, I gave myself an anneurism (figuratively) by sending out a query to a cover artist. I'd heard good things about his work, even though his internet page made me a little gun-shy. (I don't dig white text on a black background.) Seeing as how I'd never finished a story of this caliber, nor put it out for people to love (or hate), this was a huge step for me. I was filled with the most unholy trepidation you can imagine.

So the days ticked by and I sort of heard from him (I had been e-mailing updates to try and stay in the loop) and finally I asked when he would have something for me. He promised me on January 20th he'd "Have something to show you by the end of next week" So I waited... waited... sigh, waited.

Yesterday I sent him an e-mail asking if anything had materialized, or if I needed to find another cover artist. I tried to be as polite as possible. I still have not received an answer.

So, heart heavy and weary, I sent out a second query to a different cover artist, who I was introduced to no later than today.

Within the hour he had e-mailed me a response. He also likes to read the piece, to help him get into the story and make a really great cover.

I am absolutely thrilled.

I am also poor. He offered me a VERY reasonable payment plan.

My hero of the day is Jeroen ten Berge!!