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Author Alert – Angela Orlowski-Peart

Author Alert – Angela Orlowski-Peart

Posted by on May 3, 2013 in Author Alert, Interviews | 1 comment

It’s a new month, which means we’re back with a brand new Author Alert for May. Today I’m happy to bring you, Angela Orlowski-Peart, a Polish-born author, who at the age of seven, learned English to translate her favorite fairytales. Now residing in Seattle, Angela has published the first book in her Young Adult Paranormal series, Forged by Greed. With the sequel and a few other publications due out later this year, I wanted to bring Angela on the blog and see if she can handle 11 questions of DOOM! It is my prediction that she will survive the interview, but she will not leave unscathed!   The Interview   1. Let’s start out easy. Tell us about Forged by Greed. What inspired the series, and what’s at the core of it? What’s FBG all about? Ah, the Forged Series characters and I have been living in this imaginary world for a while now. They have started to talk to me a few years ago, first posing as different characters, and then finally revealing their true personalities. Forged by Greed has started as a Middle Grade novel, but that was a short-lived attempt. Two protagonists—Jatred and Jasmira—decided they are much more mature than the eleven-year-olds would be. The story takes place in present day Seattle, where two Shape Shifters Races, the Winter wolves and the Summer leopards, live well-hidden among humans, perfectly fitting into modern life. Both Races are organized into secret societies, governed with the help of their own laws, rules, and traditions clearly outlined in each Race’s Accords. Two powerful, ancient deities—the Winter Goddess, Crystal and the Summer Goddess, Amber—lead and watch over their respective Races. And there is this extremely powerful Amulet, which existence and magical abilities are known only to a very few. It remains concealed by the means of the latest technology. Jatred, the guardian of the Amulet becomes key to the Goddesses’ conflict. The Universe is… delicately speaking, finicky, and so every ten thousand years the Human World suffers the effects of the Universe belching out its powers. When the forces of nature are disrupted, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions rake the world.  The Goddesses go to war and summon all their Shifters to join in the conflict. What happens next? Two protagonists, Jatred and Jasmira of course have to step in and fight for their love and to protect the future of both Races and humankind. 2. You’re website’s author bio states you’re passionate about fashion, specifically when it comes to stilettos. My wife has a similar shoe obsession, and I just don’t understand it. Can you enlighten me a little? What is it about shoes that get women so excited? Let me use an example. Imagine a pair of sexy stilettos on your wife’s feet. Now imagine her wearing a pair of clunky, old flats. In both scenarios, she’s slowly circling around...

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Blogger Fail – M.R. Merrick Drops The Author Alert Ball

Blogger Fail – M.R. Merrick Drops The Author Alert Ball

Posted by on Apr 2, 2013 in Author Alert, Interviews | 15 comments

Today would normally be the day I post April’s Author Alert. The thing is, I usually leave this to the last minute when I know I shouldn’t. It’s always worked out before but this time it did not. After being in the editing cave on Endure for the past two weeks, the month of March slipped away. Left scrambling to get my interview questions together, I realized I forgot to ask the author to be featured on my site! I know, I’m horrible. Now that I’ve reached out to the author and they’ve agreed, I’m a month ahead for May! Hopefully I won’t be leaving it to the last minute again. This leaves me with one of two options. First, I can ask a different author and rush them to get it done. Authors are busy people and I like to take some time to develop the questions. I don’t want to feel rushed and neither do they, so that leaves us with option two, don’t have an April Author Alert. Well that’s not fun, is it? So what’s a handsome Canadian to do? Well, I shall improvise. I’ve developed a third option! I will be April’s Author Alert. That may seem silly, but here’s what I propose: In the comments section of this blog, ask me the question you want an answer to. It can be about the series, about the characters, about me, whatever you like. I shall face the Interview of DOOM, but it will be you asking the question! The only request I have is that if you are going to post any type of spoiler from my books, please put *SPOILER ALERT* before your question so that nothing is given away for any other readers who may not be as far into the series as you. What do you think, something worth playing for? Oooh maybe I could have prizes! Lets get to it.   ******* Questions the comments will be posted and answered here in the update! The Interview 1. From Danielle: How do you choose your beta readers? This is actually a really simple process, or rather, not much of a process at all. It all comes down to the person and my relationship with with, or the ‘vibe’ I get from them. I need someone who is going to challenge me, my book, and what is happening on the pages. I need people I can trust to be honest, but not harsh. I have to feel comfortable hearing “this sucks and doesn’t work,” and yet they need to approach it with tact, supporting their claim so I can see it from their perspective. There are no special qualifications for this role, but essentially I  limit myself to a few people who I trust to help me see the flaws in my story and can help make it the best that it can be. 2....

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Author Alert – Tiffany King

Author Alert – Tiffany King

Posted by on Mar 5, 2013 in Author, Author Alert, Publishing | 2 comments

Today is a pretty special day. Not only do I have a bestselling author for March’s Author Alert, but I have one of the kindest, most supportive people I’ve met in the industry yet. Tiffany King is a one-of-a-kind type of person. She’s a great writer and is entirely supportive of all the authors around her. It isn’t a competition; she truly wants to see everyone succeed. In an industry that sometimes seems far more competitive than it really is, Tiffany is a diamond in the rough.   Tiffany was one of the first people I met when I joined Twitter, and she immediately became my friend. She was fun, open, caring, and supportive with me right from the get-go, and she is one of the most active authors I know with her fans. She reaches out to any who might contact her, she does some fun random giveaways through social media, and since 2011 she’s been making a kick-ass name for herself. Today I shall subject Mrs. King to my 11 Questions of DOOM, and show you just how great she is. The Interview 1. You’ve been in the self-publishing game for two years now and surely you’ve been through a rollercoaster of experiences. With everything you’ve learned so far, what are three pieces of advice you would give to any writers out there considering getting into the industry? Anything specifically you wish someone had been able to tell you? The first piece of advice I would give is to create a brand for yourself and stand by it. Secondly, write what you know, and let your passion for that subject shine through. Finally, no matter what, never give up. You will have your highs and lows. Some will love your writing, and others will hate it. People can be cruel, but you have to believe in yourself. Overall, the ride will be the most exciting one of your life. I was extremely lucky. I met some wonderful people at the beginning who were always willing to help when I needed it, and I always try to carry that forward to anyone that asks me for help and advice. I do wish someone would have shown me the perks of Facebook way sooner though. LOL. 2. Although all your books have some level of romance, you started out writing books with more of a Fantasy edge to them, later transitioning into more coming-of-age style novels with a similar romantic flare. With your most recent release, Jordyn (A Daemon Hunter Novel Book One) you’ve come back to Fantasy. Do you have a genre preference, or does it really vary per project and what mood you’re in?  I enjoy both. Paranormal is tough because while you are writing about a made-up world, the story still has to have a continuity and believability to it. My husband and I often bounce ideas...

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Author Alert – Steven Montano

Author Alert – Steven Montano

Posted by on Feb 5, 2013 in Author, Author Alert | 7 comments

With how busy the holidays were, I completely forgot to organize a January Author and Blogger alert, but we’re back! Today and tomorrow I have two great people for you. ****** Today, I bring forth to you, a man. But not just any man, a writer man. And not just any writer man, a post-apocalyptic, blood sucker creator, writer man. Today I give you, Steven Montano. Accountant by day and armed with a calculator, he punishes numbers into the dark abyss of a cubical. But by night, with only a keyboard, screen, and imagination, Steven works within the vast creation of a different world. A world damaged by an arcane storm that left Earth merged with a distant realm full of dark evils and visceral creatures. The monsters that once stalked only our nightmares have built an army, and they’re fighting back. Unless Eric Cross, a member of an Elite task force, can capture a traitorous witch who holds the secret to humanities survival, the vampires will win. In this world, vampires don’t sparkle. They are feared, ruthless killers. In this world, characters learn the true meaning of sacrifice. In this world…the end isn’t coming—it’s already here. Steven Montano has been a self-published author since 2011, and I’ve invited him today to stand in the spotlight. I’ve got 11 questions that I need to ask, and today we’re going to learn what makes Steven giggle like a school girl, rage like the hulk, and inspires him to create horrifying worlds that challenge the sanity of its inhabitants.   The Interview   1. What inspired you to write this series? A dream. Cheesy, yes, but there you have it.  I’d faded out of writing for a few years after unsuccessfully trying to market an epic fantasy novel (see below), but eventually the prospect of Nanowrimo enticed me to jump back in the proverbial writing saddle once more.  A month or two before Nanowrimo 2008 I had a very vivid, very strange dream about black unicorns hunting down fair maidens in the shadow of a black mountain.  I woke up feeling not so much like I’d had a really jacked-up dream (which, clearly, I had), but more like I’d seen something I was meant to see, and I knew right away I had to work this into a story.  The trick was figuring out who those women were, and why the unicorns were trying to kill them.  (Read my books to find the answer. ;D) In the process of getting ready for Nanowrimo I somehow arrived at the notion of a post-apocalyptic setting triggered not by nuclear war, but by magic.  It was an idea I’d toyed with before, but in order to keep things fresh this time I decided to make it a bit more modern, so instead of a post-apocalyptic high fantasy setting (which I still think would be...

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Jillian Dodd – An Extraordinary Woman

Jillian Dodd – An Extraordinary Woman

Posted by on Dec 31, 2012 in Author, Author Alert, Matty Says, Publishing, Writing | 2 comments

Don’t you just love surprises? Well I do, and today, Matty Says it’s time to spread the love. Best-selling author of YA Fiction, Jillian Dodd, has no idea that 99 authors are going to blog about her today, or that reader and bloggers have jumped on board to help too. Why? Because we want to thank her for what she has done for us. Jillian Dodd has been an incredible support to me, in what can often be a lonely roller coaster ride of a publishing journey. She’s helped me in more ways than I should probably list, and she is always there, not just for me, but many authors. She’s helped so many of us find our footing in this crazy world of books, and she works hard to see others succeed. She’s a rare gem in the world of writers. So why am I blogging about this today? On the 21st of December, 99 authors came together for a promotional activity to sell 99 eBooks for 99 cents. Jillian did the majority of the work, organized everything, and came up with a marketing plan. When I was invited to participate, I jumped at the opportunity. She put in weeks of hard work setting the event up with authors, bloggers, and promotional sites, all the while preparing and leading all of the authors in a beautifully streamlined process. To say she did an incredible job is an understatement. At the end of the 21st December, ten of the 99 authors were in the top 100 in the Amazon Kindle Store. By this time, Amazon had come on board to assist in the 24hr price drop, and help us with the Kindle Daily Deal. A lot of us found our rankings and sales soar, many sold hundreds of books, and some were in the top five of their specific genres. Readers were ecstatic, authors were excited, and Jillian stayed up with virtually no sleep for forty-eight hours to make sure the whole thing went smoothly. It was amazing. Jillian is a talented author and incredible friend, and as such, it’s time to say thank you. Today, I want to take some time out to spotlight some of her books. Readers have gone wild for Jillian Dodd’s, The Keatyn Chronicles. They love her complicated life, never mind her even more complex love life. Her characters are fabulously drawn out and they keep readers coming back for more. So check these out! The Keatyn Chronicles Book 1 – Stalk me.  “Gossip Girl meets Hollywood in this steamy new series by That Boy author, Jillian Dodd.” And did I mention it has garnered over 138 five star reviews. Keatyn has everything she ever dreamed. Her life is following the script she wrote for the perfect high school experience. She’s popular, goes to the best parties, dates the hottest guy, and sits at the most-coveted lunch table....

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Author Alert – Heather Hildenbrand

Author Alert – Heather Hildenbrand

Posted by on Dec 4, 2012 in Author Alert, Interviews | 2 comments

Heather Hildenbrand is the author of the Dirty Blood series, The Specials shorts, Across the Galaxy, and Whisper. She’s a Words With Friends addict, occasional sarcastic sassy pants, and in an argument with me, nine times out of ten she’s wrong. Just saying… Matt sometimes likes to talk smack. And by sometimes I mean whenever his mouth is open. Heather’s a great writer, and someone I’ve come to call my friend in the world of publishing. She’s been kind enough to talk with me about books, publishing, and help me with some of my projects. Her most recent accomplishment, which puts her in the category of bad ass chicks, was changing her car’s windshield wiper blades. This girl can pretty much do it all. I also heard from a totally unreliable source, that she’s working on creating an army of small rodents to do her bidding. So getting on her bad side is not currently recommended, lest you find yourself with the desire to be gnawed to death by fuzzy beasts, or beaten down in public by an old wiper blade. For the record, the army isn’t so much rodents as slimy, mollusk ninja killers. No one believes me how stealthy they are but I know the truth and I am going to show the world. <insert evil laugh here> Only problem: I’m scared of them too. My therapist and I are working on this. And as such, I think we should start a “keep your sanity” fund for Heather’s therapist. God knows she is not an easy client to have. She should get a medal. *ahem* Anyways, in honor of not suffering either of those painful and somewhat embarrassing fates, I’ve invited her on the blog to be this month’s December Author Alert. I’m hoping this buys me enough time to build a secret hideaway somewhere in the Rocky Mountains where she will be less inclined to track me down. I’ll let you know how that works out. It sounds like you have a secret cabin to hide in… DO not get me started on that whole cabin argument. We both know that’s a dead-end road conversation! (Because I will win. Screw your dragon. And your magic ring. The cabin is mine.) Interview   1. No messing around here. Hypothetical #1 – You do succeed in creating your army of fuzzy, man-eating rodent beats. What’s the name of your fuzzy second-in-command, and what’s your first order of business?  Again, you’ve got the fuzzy and the rodent part all wrong. My army of choice would be mollusks. They are badass. And scary. So probably his real name, like on his identification, is Sal the Slug. Seems like slugs wouldn’t be real creative in the naming of their offspring, small brains and all that. But since it grosses me out to say the word slug out loud I would probably...

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