The Writer's Life: Author Interviews, Book Promotion Tips, and more!

Announcing Richard Tillotson's Acts of God While on Vacation Virtual Book Tour 2012

2012-01-24T17:27:00.001-05:00

Pump Up Your Book is pleased to announce Richard Tillotson's Acts of God While on Vacation Virtual Book Tour 2012 beginning February 6 and ending on February 29 2012. Richard will be on hand during his worldwide tour talking about his book in candid interviews and guest posts! Lots of fun along the way as Richard stops off at blogs around the world to give his fans a chance to ask him questions and to find out more about this talented author.

About Richard Tillotson

Richard Tillotson has been a Peace Corps volunteer in Borneo, a playwright in New York, a copywriter in Hawaii, and is a relative of an English Lord, all of which helped him write Acts of God While on Vacation, a National Semi-Finalist for the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and named “Hawaii’s best fiction book of 2011” by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He works in Honolulu and vacations in Washington DC.

Amazon Blog | Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Createspace | Barnes & Noble | Borders | Arlington Avenue Books l Official Tour Page

About Acts of God While on Vacation

ACTS OF GOD WHILE ON VACATION begins with a death threat received by a philandering general manager of a lavish Hawaii resort, jumps to an anthropologist researching headhunters in the jungles of Borneo, then to a demonic, scandal-mongering paparazzo in New York, and on to a gorgeous, party-loving English aristocrat in London. Alternately desperate and hilarious adventures draw them all to Waikiki, where their arrival coincides with an international conference on shamanism and a catastrophic, force-five hurricane. ACTS OF GOD WHILE ON VACATION was a National Semi-Finalist for the AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL AWARD.

“A rollicking page-turner … This is Hawaii’s best fiction book of 2011.”

- HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER

“A shamanically-skewed romp of brilliant insight and slapstick comedy”

- HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO

“As entertaining as it is enlightening”

- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Laugh-out-loud funny, while also ringing true”

- HONOLULU WEEKLY

“It’s a comic novel with serious edges. Even more remarkable: It’s one of the few fictions set in Hawaii that gets all the details right.”

- HONOLULU MAGAZINE

About Pump Up Your Book

Pump Up Your Book handles all the aspects of virtual book touring from pre-buzzing your book before the tour starts to making sure buyers will find your book long after the tour is over. If you are the author of a newly published book, have an upcoming release or just want to give a previously published book new life, a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book is the answer. We welcome traditionally published, electronically published and self-published authors. Our esteem list of clients include Claire Cook, Caridad Pineiro, C.W. Gortner, Barbara Bretton, Cody McFayden, James Hayman, Karen White, Kathleen Willey, Lisa Daily, Lisa Jackson, Mary Burton, Nancy Thayer, Randy Sue Coburn, Ray Comfort, Sandi Kahn Shelton, Sheila Roberts, Therese Fowler, Hope Edelman, Wendy Wax, Jon Meacham, Shobhan Bantwal, Pat Williams, Jane Green, Judge Glenda Hatchett and cook show personality Paula Deen. We also represent Random House, Abingdon Press, Zumaya Publications, WND Books, Sheaf House Publishers, New Hope Publishers, Guardian Angel Publishers, Genesis Press, and Moody Publishing. Contact us to find out what we can do for you and your book!

If you’d like to interview Richard or review his book, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in online book promotion for authors. Visit us at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Pump Up Your Book Announces Selwyn Mills' Confessions of a Color-Blind House Painter Virtual Book Tour 2012

2012-01-23T14:10:00.001-05:00

Pump Up Your Book is pleased to announce Selwyn Mills' Confessions of a Color-Blind House Painter Virtual Book Tour 2012 beginning February 6 and ending on February 29 2012. Selwyn will be on hand during his worldwide tour talking about his book in candid interviews and guest posts! Lots of fun along the way as Selwyn stops off at blogs around the world to give his fans a chance to ask him questions and to find out more about this talented author.

About Selwyn Mills

Selwyn Mills served an apprenticeship in decorative painting before starting his own business in 1956, which lasted until his retirement in 1992. He worked as a craftsman painter, wrote for the National Paint Journal, served as President of the National Painting Contractor Association in Nassau County, New York, and taught faux painting. While painting professionally, Mills earned his doctorate in psychology and operated a successful private psychotherapy practice.

Dr. Mills practiced psychotherapy in Great Neck N.Y. for twenty-five year, specializing in couples therapy, family reconciliation and Men in Transition groups. His psychotherapy practice overlapped his forty year career as a decorative painting contractor. He painted in the mornings and counseled patients in the afternoon and evenings. His research into the left/right brain phenomenon, and its impact of personality development, led to a unique discovery of why opposites attract. Active in live theater, he wrote and produced a musical comedy called, “Love Torment and Lollipops”. An accomplished photographer, his black and white prints are part of the permanent collection of the Bibliotech Nationale in Paris, France. He currently works at the Sugden Theater in Naples, Florida as director of faux painting. Mills married in 1949 at the age of 19 and has four children and four grandchildren.

His latest book is the autobiography, Confessions of a Color-Blind House Painter.

You can visit his website at www.selwynmills.com.

Website | Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble l Official Tour Page

About Confessions of a Color-Blind House Painter

“Confessions of a Color-Blind House Painter” (ISBN 1466342013), a collection of autobiographical writings by Selwyn Mills, offers an account of the author’s life as well as his ruminations on painting, psychotherapy, friendship, romantic love, poetry, prison, philosophy, relationships and cats, among other topics.

Mills split his professional life between two concurrent careers – he worked as a decorative painter in the mornings and led psychotherapy sessions in the afternoon. Although these types of work might appear quite different, Mills describes how each profession deals with depression and renewal. He offers an eclectic collection of musings on various topics, each one weaving personal narrative with opinion and insight. “Confessions of a Color-Blind House Painter” reveals a portrait of a life made up of equal portions of intellectual, creative and emotional elements.

"Once the reader learns from the author's examples of overcoming so much, the reader is prepared to take on any challenge. Thank you to the author for taking the time to write this truly unique and inspiring literary work!"

-- D.C. Blackbird, author of Jekyll Says...Good Deeds Cats Do That You Should Too!

"I know Dr. Mills as a devoted friend, artist, writer, photographer and a psychotherapist and philosopher. I also know how difficult some of his challengers have been and how amazed I was at how deftly he overcame them. Dr. Mills "confessions" is good for the Soul."

-- Rev. Dr. Samuel O. Sewell

"A crazy life and if my own were not so bizarre and unusually full I would envy him, but I know him now as a friend and fellow traveler collecting riches for the end so we can smile as we pass to whatever comes after life, knowing we lived well."

-- William T. Greystone

About Pump Up Your Book

If you’d like to contact Selwyn for an interview or review his book, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in online book promotion for authors. Visit us at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Book Spotlight: Sea Turtle Summer by Nancy Stewart

2012-01-19T00:05:00.004-05:00

Bella and Britt think living by the beach is the coolest thing ever. When they discover a Loggerhead Sea Turtle laying her eggs in broad daylight, the girls go into action to help.

No one, though, seems to care about the nest. The beach is a busy place and is getting busier by the minute on such a beautiful summer day. What can they do? Who will help, and what do they learn about themselves?

As a bonus, Sea Turtle Summer contains kid appealing facts about sea turtles.

Read an excerpt!

Next morning, the girls looked carefully at the nest, making sure not to touch it.

“Our stick’s still here, and everything seems okay,” observed Britt.

Bella sighed. “But there’s no sign of the ranger.”

“And here comes the sand cleaner!” cried Britt. “We have to do something fast.”

“Quick! Hold hands across the nest. Maybe he’ll stop in time!” Bella yelled.

The sand cleaning machine came to a squealing stop right in front of the girls. “What do you two think you’re doing?” bellowed the startled driver. “You could have been hurt!”

“We’re saving sea turtles!” they both shouted over the noisy vehicle.

“Sorry, girls, but volleyball nets are going up right here in a few minutes,” said the driver. “There’s an all city play-off this morning.”

“Oh, no,” Bella sighed. “What about the nest?”

After having been both an elementary school teacher, a university professor of education and a consultant for New Options, Inc. in New York City, Nancy Stewart writes children’s books full time. She, her husband and three sons, lived in London for eight years, where she was a consultant to several universities, including Cambridge.

Her travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. Nancy is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education.

Nancy is the author of the Bella and Britt picture book series, One Pelican at a Time, Sea Turtle Summer, Bella Saves the Beach and Mystery at Manatee Key. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing. Pelican was nominated for a Global eBook Award and recently was awarded the Literary Classics Seal of Approval. Both books have been on the Amazon bestsellers list and Sea Turtle Summer appears on their Hot New Release and Most Wished for lists.

She was featured in the PBS Tampa (WEDU) series, Gulfwatch. It concerned the writing of One Pelican at a Time: A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill.

She and her family live in St. Louis and Tampa.

Nancy’s web and blog sites are:
http://www.nancystewartbooks.com

http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Interview with Carole Eglash-Kosoff, author of WINDS OF CHANGE

2012-01-13T09:44:00.003-05:00

An avid student of history, Carole Eglash-Kosoff is a native of Wisconsin. After graduating from UCLA, she spent her career in the apparel industry and teaching fashion retail, marketing, and sales at the college level. Her first book is The Human Spirit – Apartheid’s Unheralded Heroes, described above. She has also established the …a better way! Scholarship program, which provides money and mentoring for worthy high school students for both their first and second year of college. Carole Eglash-Kosoff lives and writes in Valley Village, California.

You can visit her website at www.whenstarsalign-thebook.com.

You can connect with Carole at Facebook at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=553077163.

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Carole. Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing and how your journey led to writing your latest book, When Stars Align?

I’ve been writing on and off for nearly 50 years and I’ve always had a fascination with important, but obtuse, facts of history. One of these was the disputed election of 1876 that end the Civil War’s Reconstruction decade. That decade had seen a breath of equality between the races and progress in government, society, and education that was snuffed out and disappeared from our country for nearly a century.

Q: I love your title…can you tell us why you chose it?

The love of a colored boy and a white girl in the 19^th century south is unacceptable yet each time she asks whether they will ever be together, his answer is ‘when our stars align’

Q: Why did you believe your book should be published?

I believe that too few people understand that for a decade a long time ago there was equality between the races and this year, the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War, was a good time to revisit the subject.

Q: We all know that publishers can’t do all of the publicity and that some lies on the author. What has your publisher done so far to publicize the book and what have you done?

Author House has not done a great deal. I have done book readings, speaking engagements at UCLA and Service Clubs, and exhibited at the LA Times Festival of Books, the New York Book Expo and local book shops. I am also using social media, whenever possible to promote the book.

Q: What book on the market can it compare to? How is it different? What makes your book special?

John Jakes has written extensively about this period of history but the closest books are Howard Fast’s Freedom Road and Richard Wright’s Native Son

Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?

pg 87 - Henry has awoken from his 1^st marital night with his inexperienced wife and notes that ‘she was as ardent as yeast rising’

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

Yes, a sequel (but capable of standing alone), Winds of Change, takes the children from When Stars Align and moves the story forward into the 20^th century.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Carole. Do you have any final words?

If you read this book, and don’t enjoy it send me an email and I will send you either The Human Spirit or Winds of Change at no charge.

Interview with Vincent Tuckwood, author of "Family Rules"

2012-01-06T12:22:00.002-05:00

About Vincent Tuckwood

Vincent Tuckwood is a story-teller working in fiction, song and verse. At any given point in time, he’s proud to be a father, husband, son, brother, cousin and friend to the people who mean the world to him.

He is the author of the novelsEscalation, Family Rules, Karaoke Criminals and Do Sparrows Eat Butterflies? as well as the 2010 poetry collection, Garbled Glittering Glamours. His screenplays are Team Building and the screen adaptation of Family Rules, Inventing Kenny.

Vince regularly connects with his audience at VinceT.net and at his story-teller page on Facebook, often writing poetry in response to their prompts, and encourages everyone to get in touch there.

You can find out more about him and his work at http://vincet.net.

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Vince. Can you tell us a littlebit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

A: It’s verynice to be here. I’ve been telling stories all my life and writing fictionsince I knew how to write words. I wrote my first novel when I was twenty or sobut only moved to publication when I wrote my fourth novel, DoSparrows Eat Butterflies? I’ve now published four novels, a couple ofscreenplays and a collection of poetry.

Q: Can you please tell us about your bookand why you wrote it?

A: In anutshell, FamilyRules is the fictional memoir of Kenny Walsh, a former child star with avery distorted sense of identity. When we meet him, he’s on the streets of NewYork, lurching from addiction to addiction, all as a way of avoiding reality.Most recently, he’s taken to stealing cars for the rush. After an argument withhis junkie soul mate, Ivvy, he goes to steal another car, only to find atwo-year-old child in the back seat. In his panic, and need to run fromreality, he decides to play Dad to this little child. He becomes her father fora lost weekend in the city.

Why did Iwrite it? Well, we were living in the city and one night, all the garbage wasout for collection, and I just suddenly thought: I wonder what would happen if there was a baby hidden in amongst thegarbage sacks? From there, as always, ideas began to collide. It became: what would happen if the absolutely thewrong guy found a baby in amongst some garbage sacks?

So, Family Rulesbecame a redemption story. But it was a few months later that I saw adocumentary on child stars, and how many of them end up living tragic lives,with a constant thread of addiction, and I had the first inkling of who Kennywould be.

The finalpiece of the puzzle was my making my way through becoming a father. Every parentis besieged by messages of: everythingcould go wrong! So, in some ways, Family Rules was me playing in that space,getting fatherhood lined up in my own soul, revisiting my own upbringing, whichwas very happy, to make sure I carried that forward to my own kids.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced writing it?

A: Findingtime and focus. When I was writing the first draft of Family Rules, Iwas still in the corporate machine and splitting time between home and New YorkCity. Life was kind of chaotic and I had to take an episodic approach to boththe structure and the writing of the story.

This leftme with a LOT of clean-up to do in the redraft – a second marathon to run! Myfriend, Mark Henning, of Combine TheVictorious, suggested I post chapters online as I rewrote them and thatproved to be the key to keeping me going. I got about 10,000 page visits overthe course of posting the novel online.

Q: Do you have a press kit and what do you include in it? Does this press kit appear online and, if so,can you provide a link to where we can see it?

A: Yes, thereare press kits and media for all my books at http://vincet.net/press

Q: Have you either spoken to groups of people about your book orappeared on radio or TV? What are yourupcoming plans for doing so?

A: Yes,I’ve been on local college radio (WCNIradio.org)with the wonderful Dot Nielson who is just the most powerful advocate for mywriting and music. I’ve also spent some time with local writers’ circles,encouraging people to keep writing. I love talking with people, eitherone-to-one or as groups and planning to do much more in the future.

In themeantime, I’ve just added video-blogging at http://VinceT.netin response to questions from my readers.

Q: Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/sheis? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessaryto have one?

A: I don’t.I’m very fortunate to be in the middle of transformative times for publishingand I’m pleased to operate without an agent or publisher – I get completecreative control from idea to product and luckily have the skill-set to producemy books to high quality in both eBook and hard copy. The same is true inmusic. I can produce professional-standard recordings in my home studio andrelease them direct to my audience, so why would I need a recording contractthat confines my creativity?

Where itgets harder is in the marketing and publicity, but I’m now discovering that theservices are out there if you’re willing to do the legwork yourself.

With allthat said, my own experience is my own experience. My stories almost demand aslow-build of awareness rather than mass marketing, that’s in their nature, andI’m not looking for a best-seller. I know there are writers who need, andvalue, a trusted partner to help them focus and deliver to their audience.

So I don’thave a definite opinion for others to follow, all I know is that I just don’tfeel the need for an agent or publisher, and am happy building my audience onereader at a time.

Q: Did you, your agent or publisher prepare a media blitz before thebook came out and would you like to tell us about it?

A: No. Mystories are pretty absorbing, and hook people pretty deeply, so benefit morefrom word-of-mouth connection than from a large-scale blitz. I’ve turned downoffers of publicity in mass-market media such as Readers Digest and PublishersWeekly – though, to be honest, I’ve yet to see whether that works for oragainst me!

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

A: Ha! Ipublished FamilyRules at the start of 2011 and was planning on spending the year building itsaudience. Only it didn’t quite happen like that. I was surprised in early Aprilby an idea for a new novel and, four months later, Escalation wasfinished. So I actually published two novels in 2011!

Do I plananother? Of course. In fact, the next couple of ideas are already gestating.One will likely be an original screenplay rather than a book. But I’m prettysure 2012 will see at least one novel - and maybe more, if 2011 is anything to goby.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Vince. Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web andhow everyone can buy your book?

A: You’rewelcome! I’m always at http://VinceT.net andencourage people to sign up for the newsletter there. For the ‘Facebookians’ among us, I have astory-teller page: https://www.facebook.com/VincentTuckwoodStoryTellerwhere I keep folk up to date, and also ask for prompts for poetry.

All mybooks are for sale in both eBook and hard copy at http://VinceT.net/shop/

Thanks forgiving me the chance to share Family Ruleswith you, it’s been fun.

About Family Rules

New York. In this city that never sleeps, anyone could make a brand new start of it. Or so the song goes.

For some people, starting again is no option.

Kenny is adrift in the city, tormented by the scars and memories of his unique upbringing as a child star in the UK, chasing any addiction that can fill the void he carries at his core.

Increasingly unable to paper over the cracks, to numb himself with street corner narcotics, or build an abiding relationship with his junkie soul-mate Ivvy, he turns to stealing cars to provide momentary escape from his increasingly desolate life.

Estranged from his parents, Kenny has no hope or vision of a better future.

Until one night he steals a car from a gas station in New Jersey and is offered an unexpected, final opportunity for redemption; a radically different role to play.

Family Rules is an intense personal account of an invented life, where all the rules of family life are inverted, and of the damage done when the boundary between reality and television is truly no boundary at all.

YA Science Fiction Author Braxton Cosby to appear at Pump Up Your Book Live! chat room tonight!

2012-01-03T12:59:00.001-05:00

Braxton A. Cosby, author of the YA science fiction novel, Protostar, is stopping off at Pump Up Your Book Live! Chat Room on Day 11 of his virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

Chat with Braxton about his book, his uncle Bill Cosby, writing YA science fiction books and whatever else you'd like to ask at Pump Up Your Book Live! 8 p.m. eastern! Join us at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/11/26/the-cosby-kid-braxton-a-cosby-at-pump-up-your-book-live-chat-room-january-4-2012/!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It Starts With Choice! What would you choose: love or irrefutable duty?

On the brink of Civil War, the Torrian Alliance continues with its mission to obliterate Star-children across the universe in order to suppress an intergalactic evil. Following the recommendations of his Council, King Gregorio Derry has agreed to send his only son on a mission to restore honor to his family. Bounty Hunter Prince William Derry has crossed thousands of light-years to planet Earth, in order to fulfill this age old prophetic practice. The quiet days of Madisonburg, Tennessee are officially over as Sydney Elaine now knows the full meaning of the phrase Be careful what you wish for when she is confronted by this strange visitor. As an unforeseeable event delays his assassination, William decides to study his target more closely and begins to form a connection with Sydney that challenges his inner being. But this conflict is the least of his problems, as a conspiracy back on his home planet Fabricius threatens the lives of those he loves and his father s royal legacy. Along with that, he must unravel a hidden menace here on Earth that seeks to secure a vested interest that threatens both his and Sydney s safety. Will William be able to complete his mission or will he choose love, sacrificing everything he stands for?

You can visit Braxton's website at www.braxtonacosbygodson.com or connect with him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cosbykid84 or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000215860223.

Middle Grade Adventure Author Fiona Ingram on Virtual Book Tour January - February 2012

2012-01-02T14:48:00.000-05:00

Pump Up Your Book is pleased to announce Fiona Ingram's The Secret of the Sacred Scarab Virtual Book Tour 2012 beginning on January 3 and ending on February 29 2012. Fiona will be on hand during her worldwide tour talking about her book in candid interviews, you’ll be able to read her first ever Twitterview, and she will be giving away copies of her book along the way! Lots of fun as Fiona stops off at blogs around the world to give her fans a chance to ask her questions and to find out more about this beautiful and talented author.

About Fiona Ingram

Although Fiona Ingram has been a journalist for the last fifteen years, writing a children’s book—The Secret of the Sacred Scarab—was an unexpected step, inspired by a recent trip to Egypt. The tale of the sacred scarab began life as a little anecdotal tale for her 2 nephews (then 10 and 12), who had accompanied her on the Egyptian trip. This short story grew into an award-winning children’s book, the first in the adventure series Chronicles of the Stone. The author has already completed the next book in the series—The Search for the Stone of Excalibur—a huge treat for young King Arthur fans.

Although Fiona Ingram does not have children of her own, she has an adopted teenage foster child, from an underprivileged background who is just discovering the joys of reading for pleasure. Fiona’s experiences in teaching her daughter to read has resulted in her interest in child literacy and in creating ways to get kids more interested in reading, as well as helping parents to instil a love of reading in their children.

Naturally, Fiona is a voracious reader and has been from early childhood. Her interests include literature, art, theatre, collecting antiques, animals, music, and films. She loves travel and has been fortunate to have lived in Europe (while studying) and America (for work). She has travelled widely and fulfilled many of her travel goals.

Fiona’s latest book is the middle grade adventure novel, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab – Book 1 in the Chronicles of the Stone series.

Visit her website at www.fionaingram.com.

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About The Secret of the Sacred Scarab

A 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They survive terrifying dangers in a hostile environment (such as a giant cobra, as well as sinking sand), pursued by enemies in their quest to solve the secret of the sacred scarab. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out. They must also learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. With just their wits, courage, and each other, the boys manage to survive … only to find that the end of one journey is the beginning of another!

Young explorers will enjoy an interactive journey through Egypt, following Justin and Adam’s exciting adventure on www.secretofthesacredscarab.com. Readers can also browse the first chapter of the book. Those who survive the journey and manage to translate the Curse of Thoth will be able to read the first chapter in Adam and Justin’s next adventure—The Search for the Stone of Excalibur—as they hunt for the Scroll of the Ancients.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab has received the following awards:

Book Award Nominations & Wins:

Finalist Children's Fiction USA Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards

Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009 Awards

Winner Pre-Teen USA 2009 Readers' Favorites Awards

Number 2 in the USA Children's & Teens Book Connection Top Ten Favourite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens & Teens

Winner Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards

Finalist Children’s Fiction 2010 International Book Awards

Winner Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards

Finalist 2011 Rubery Book Awards

Winner Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children’s Literary Classics Awards

You can visit her official tour page at www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/12/12/the-secret-of-the-sacred-scarab-virtual-book-publicity-tour-januaryfebruary-2012/.

About Pump Up Your Book

If you’d like to contact Alexia for an interview or review her book, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in online book promotion for authors. Visit us at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Memoirist Alexia Fraser on 'Memories of Mom Virtual Book Tour 2012'

2012-01-01T20:36:00.000-05:00

Pump Up Your Book is pleased to announce Alexia Fraser's Memories of Mom Virtual Book Tour 2012 beginning on January 3 and ending on January 27 2012. Alexia will be on hand during her worldwide tour talking about her book in candid interviews, you'll be able to watch her first AuthorVid, and do stop off at Pump Up Your Book's live chat room on January 27 where she will be giving away a copy of her book to one lucky attendee! Lots of fun along the way as Alexia stops off at blogs around the world to give her fans a chance to ask her questions and to find out more about this beautiful and talented author.

About Alexia E. Fraser

Alexia Elizabeth Smart-Fraser was born in the beautiful island of Jamaica. After marrying her high school sweetheart Edward, she migrated to the United States. She is the proud and loving mother of two children, son Sean and daughter Paige. Alexia studied acting at H.B. Studio. She worked as an extra on the set of “Cosby Mysteries” with Bill Cosby, “New York Undercover” with Malik Yubo, “Central Park West” with Lauren Hutton, and the series “Prince Street” with Mariska Hargitay. As well, Alexia Fraser has written and produced three original non-fiction one act plays both off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway. “The Ryans,” “Dope the Endeavor” and “Blind Trust.” Her fourth play “Our God is Awesome” is not yet produced, but will be in the near future. Alexia is the original founder and partner of her production company, Paige Unlimited, LLC (www.paigeunlimitedllc) of which she is the Creative Arts VP. Memories of Mom is Alexia Fraser’s first published book. She was driven to share her story after seeing her mom suffered unacceptable nursing home and hospital care. Her second book is already partially scripted. “Write what you know” is what she believes.

About Memories of Mom

Memories of Mom (M.O.M.) is a poignant story about an extraordinary mother, written by a daughter who loved and cared for her during her last lap of life. This story is written from the heart, and will inspire love and affection in millions of daughters and sons who will someday be caring for their elderly parents or loved ones. It is about undying love, unyielding sacrifices and compassionate role reversal. The circle of life.

For more information on Alexia's blog tour, visit her official tour page at www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/12/18/memories-of-mom-virtual-book-publicity-tour-january-2012/.

About Pump Up Your Book

If you’d like to contact Alexia for an interview or review her book, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in online book promotion for authors. Visit us at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Literary Fiction Author Karen Glick on Questions in the Silence Virtual Book Tour 2012

2011-12-30T14:18:00.001-05:00

Pump Up Your Book is pleased to announce Karen Glick's Questions in the Silence Virtual Book Tour 2012 beginning on January 3 and ending on January 27 2012. Karen will be on hand during her worldwide tour promoting her book and giving us candid interviews and guest posts where we learn more about the author, she will have her first Twitterview and AuthorVid, both implemented by Pump Up Your Book, as well as giving her fans an opportunity to talk to her live via Pump Up Your Book's chat room on January 27 where she will be giving away a copy of her book, Questions in the Silence! Lots of fun along the way as Karen stops off at blogs around the world to give her fans a chance to ask her questions and to find out more about this talented literary fiction author.

About Karen Glick

Karen Glick lives outside of Philadelphia. She is a clinical psychologist whose other interests include writing, painting, and acting. When not feverishly engaged in these pursuits, she enjoys spending time with her four children, husband, cavalier king charles spaniels and cats.

Karen has just published her first novel, Questions in the Silence.

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About Questions in the Silence

Ari Rothman, born with psychic abilities, has a lifelong fascination with spiritual issues. Childhood visions and intuitions combine to make her a bit of an outsider in her peer group and she turns to religion to create meaning in her life.

Ari’s childhood experiences and her strong desire to help others make her a natural psychotherapist. However, the conflict between her intuitive abilities and a more rational approach to the human psyche intensifies when her first long-term client ends his sessions unexpectedly.

Visit her official tour page at www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/12/17/questions-in-the-silence-virtual-book-publicity-tour-january-2012/. Win copies of her book, learn more about the author and be sure to join her on January 27 2012 in the Pump Up Your Book chat room.

About Pump Up Your Book

If you’d like to contact Karen for an interview or review her book, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife@gmail.com. Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in online book promotion for authors. Visit us at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Legal Thriller Urban Fiction Author Chris Shella on 'Reasonable Facsimile Virtual Blog Tour 2012'

2011-12-30T10:00:00.002-05:00

Pump Up Your Book is pleased to announce Chris Shella's Reasonable Facsimile Virtual Book Tour 2012 beginning on January 3 and ending on January 27 2012. Chris will be on hand during his worldwide tour promoting his book and giving us candid interviews where we learn more about the author, tips on writing legal thrillers and advice on how to become a published author as well as giving his fans an opportunity to talk to him live via Pump Up Your Book's chat room on January 27 where he will be giving away a paperback copy of his book, Reasonable Facsimile. Lots of fun along the way as Chris stops off at blogs around the world to give his fans a chance to ask him questions and to find out more about this talented legal thriller urban fiction author.

About Chris Shella

Author Chris Shella is a graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Texas Law School and started his legal career in Long Island, New York at the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. He is admitted to the practice of law in New York, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and North Carolina. Shella is also admitted to the federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina, the Middle District of North Carolina, U.S. District of Columbia, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eastern District of New York, and the Southern District of New York.He is also admitted to the Bar Of The United States Supreme Court. He and his cases have been covered on Court TV, CNN, and in the New York Times, and other media outlets across the globe. He has represented everyone from lawyers to major drug traffickers to a serial killer in Baltimore. His two most famous case are the Vegan Baby Case and his defense of the Duke Lacrosse Case accuser for the alleged murder of her boyfriend. Chris now resides in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife and son. His latest book is the legal thriller, Reasonable Facsimile. You can visit his website at www.reasonablefacs.com.

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About Reasonable Facsimile

Can Jasper Davis pull himself from his life of loose women, liquor, and general debauchery in enough time to win a murder case and possibly save his own hide ? Jasper Davis is a criminal trial lawyer in Baltimore who has slowly but surely become like the drug dealers and lowlifes he represents. He spends more time with hookers than clients and more time drinking Jack Daniels than studying the law books. Simply put. he is a shade of his former self. In Reasonable Facsimile, Jasper is in the middle of a first degree murder trial when he becomes the suspect in the murder of a DEA agent who was set to testify against his client. Jasper is so far gone on women and liquor he sees his trial skills deteriorate right before his eyes. Jasper is confronted by the situation is he gonna continue to be a reasonable facsimile of a human being or is he gonna become the man he once was.

Visit his official tour page at www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/12/22/reasonable-facsimile-virtual-book-publicity-tour-january-2012. Win copies of his book, learn more about the author and be sure to join him on January 27 2012 in the Pump Up Your Book chat room.

About Pump Up Your Book

If you'd like to contact Chris for an interview or review his book, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife@gmail.com. Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in online book promotion for authors. Visit us at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Interview with K.S. Krueger, Author of 'Traegonia the Ember Rune'

2011-12-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

Kim Krueger is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She is a writer, businesswoman, Reiki practitioner and spiritual person. She loves animals, nature and kids. Kim has lived in the Suburbs of Chicago all her life. She is creative and always tries to foster creativity in her own children as well as in others. Although her background has been in business, Kim has always loved to write. She has written poetry and several children’s stories originally for her eldest daughter. Kim enjoys the idea of seeing the world through the eyes of her imagination and finds herself submerged in the worlds she creates. Imagination has never been in short supply ever since she was a child.

About Traegonia the Ember Rune

Traegonia the Ember Rune, the second book in the Traegonia series, continues the adventures of a young boy and a community of, mystical creatures of the forest known as, Traegons. These sixteen inch tall forest dwelling creatures, that resemble a cross between a troll and a wingless dragon, are wise and inquisitive. Although, they may appear scary at first they are actually quite kind and civilized. When Dino is faced with leaving, Karia and Juna, his two young Traegon friends behind when his parents decide to go on vacation, he decides to smuggle them on board a plane to California. His family vacation turns into an adventure of a lifetime when they meet two young girls and a bold and a bit wild young Traegon named Fletch. This Northern California Mountain holds danger, mystery and a path of learning for each of these new friends. Faced with forces of nature, a rogue cougar and the evolution of their own journeys, the group of unlikely friends must believe in themselves and each other to uncover the meaning of the Ember Rune and get off the mountain safely. New friendships are made, old ones revealed and a new community of Traegons is introduced. Join Dino, Karia and Juna on this second exciting adventure and decide for yourself…. Do they exist?

Do you Believe?

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Kim. Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing professionally and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Traegonia the Ember Rune?

I have always loved to write. I had been working on the first book in this series for about a decade. It isn’t that it took me that long because I couldn’t think of something to write, but because life can determine what becomes priorities and as many of the things I was doing, such as, having children, raising them, building a business with my husband, moving twice and building a house, were and still are wonderful parts of my personal journey, so my dream took a bit longer to see through. The message in this is that no matter how long it takes, don’t ever give up. Show your children that it is important to dream, to try and to dare to be different, they will benefit from it. In 1998 a neighbor created a wonderful sculpture that set me, my husband and Dino to thinking, wondering and creating the idea for this book series. It has taken time to see it to where it is today, but I believe there is a time for everything and everything in time.

Q: I love your title…can you tell us why you chose it?

Well, the title of the series came from the name of the character species, Traegon. When my husband first saw them, the sculptures, he said they resembled the cross between a troll and a dragon, he called them Traegons and it just stuck. I then said that Traegons would of course live in Traegonia and that stuck as well. Now, as each book in the series partially takes place in the world of these creatures, each book is titled Traegonia…the subtitle for Traegonia the Ember Rune comes from an item that finds its way to Karia in the story, this item becomes a part of her learning and her journey as does the discovery of its purpose.

Q: Why did you believe your book should be published?

When we first kicked around the idea of a book to tell the story of who and what these creatures are, I am not sure we had in mind that it would come as far as it has. I began writing the first book in late 1998, and as life has a tendency to trump personal dreams, it took me until 2009 to finish it. Because it took me so long to complete the first book and we now had several of these wonderful sculptures, we decided to take a leap of faith and self-publish Traegonia the Sunbow Prophecy. As I began to promote, market and sell many of the first book we developed a following, people loved the characters, the positive messages the books have and the idea that they just might be out there. We finally decided that we would continue it as a series and I began writing Traegonia the Ember Rune. The Ember Rune took me about two years to complete from start to publication. People were chomping at the bit and our release in August 2011 was wonderfully received. Although I do not have a huge Publishing company and marketing team working with me to promote the series, the children and adults who are our fans are wonderful and keep me always moving forward. It will just take us a little longer I suspect. I am looking for a literary agent, but that is between writing, marketing, promoting, doing shows, school and library visits, working a part time job and raising three daughters with my husband. Just a little busy, but it keeps me excited for the next moment I can step back into the World of Traegonia and just write.

Q: Can you tell us the story behind your book cover? Did you choose it or did your publisher, Outskirts Press have full control? Were you happy with the decision or did you have something else in mind?

Dino C. Crisanti is the sculptor and illustrator and my partner in the Traegonia project. We are both creative and work really well developing ideas, ok, we have control issues. I knew what I wanted the Sunbow Prophecy cover to look like and I shared this with Dino. He threw in ideas as well and set out to put together the cover himself. We wanted the cover to be a piece of art and to contain elements of the story hidden within the front and back covers of the book, so since we knew we had the option to create it ourselves, without a second thought we chose that option. The book covers are similar but different; they do however all contain elements of the stories that lie within. We are very happy with our decision. It may not be “industry standard” but we are creative beings and tend to think outside the box. Besides we are having a great time and our fans love our covers.
Q: How have you approached marketing your book? Do you have someone doing it for you or have you had to do most of the marketing yourself?
We have done all of the marketing ourselves, which is no small feat. Since the first book was published in June of 2009, my husband and I have done almost 60 art and craft shows and relevant festivals, along with school and library visits, book and author events, social networking, obtaining local newspaper interviews, and some small radio and podcast interviews. This I find to be the most difficult and many times the most rewarding thing about the whole process. It is when a mother tells me that her young son, who doesn’t like to read, wanted to read, or when a grandparent or parent reads together with a child and they both so enjoy the story and when a child loves the books or an adult is inspired to imagine and dream about possibilities, these are the things that feed the soul and make all the struggles worth it. As long as our fans still want more about Traegonia, I will write it.

Q: What book on the market can it compare to? How is it different? What makes your book special?

Traegonia has been compared to Bridge to Terabithia, Spiderwick and Indian in the Cupboard. Traegonia rides a fine line between reality and fantasy. It weaves places we are all familiar with and other creatures that are protected and endangered in the areas where I am writing about, into a world that might truly exist just beyond the tree line of the next forest preserve you visit. Blended with similarities of the ways of the American Indian and metaphysical understandings this story brings with it messages of friendship, looking beyond outward appearances, and conservation and inspires every reader to dream and to believe in themselves and what they have power to accomplish. Each book will deal with new and different issues that will show readers that Traegons, although they are different in so many ways, are similar too, just as each of us are positively unique and different.
Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?

I just really love these questions. In the hardcover on page 99, Dino has just lost his backpack over the edge of a cliff, with something irreplaceable inside. Autumn and Jade Linder, who took Dino out on their horses, now have to instruct Dino on how to back his horse up on this narrow cliff-side path so he can find a way to retrieve his back pack. One by one the three of them precariously guide the horses backward in this very dangerous and nail-biting scene.

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?
Yes, we have plans for at least three more books in the series. We are currently working on the third book in the series which will take Dino, Karia and Juna to New York City, where they will find a community of Traegons living a much different existence than we have seen so far. When the city built up many, many years ago three small groups of Traegons did not move with the rest to what is now known as the Catskill Mountains. They chose to stay and adapt to the ever changing landscape of the world that stretches far above and below. I look forward to this next book and discovering more about who these new Traegons are.
Q: Thank you for your interview, Kim. Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?
Thank you for the opportunity and I do hope everyone will join us at our website at www.worldoftraegonia.com, there you will be able to view many of the character sculptures, as well as, see the book trailer for the first book. Teachers can download and print out a curriculum for both the first and second books if they would like to use them in the classroom. You can keep up to date on the events we will be attending and visit our marketplace for some of the other beautiful items we have available for sale. You can pick up a copy of either Traegonia the Sunbow Prophecy or Traegonia the Ember Rune at our website or from Amazon.com, Barns and Noble.com or ask for it by name at your local bookseller. We also invite you to like us on Facebook at World Of Traegonia to be notified of future updates, new sculptures, contests, raffles and adventures. Thank you again for this opportunity.

Interview with Anneke Campbell, author of 'Slouching Towards Bellingham'

2011-12-15T23:58:00.004-05:00

Anneke Campbell has worked as a midwife, nurse, masseuse, prenatal yoga teacher, college teacher of English, and writer in a number of genres. She has won awards for poetry, for one piece of journalism and one television script. She writes and co-produces videos for environmental and social justice organizations, and co-wrote a manual for activists, “Be The Change: How To Get What You Want in Your Community.” In 2010 she edited an anthology on women’s leadership: “Moonrise: The Power of Women Leading from the Heart.” She is currently a doctoral student at the California Institute for Integral Studies. An earlier version of her novel Slouching Towards Bellingham appeared in print in 2004, under the title Mary of Bellingham.

You can visit her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/annekecampbell and facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slouching-Towards-Bellingham/183127415036037.

About Slouching Towards Bellingham

When a pregnant girl named Mary waddles into Bellingham, Indiana, she also wanders right into the hearts of its townspeople. Not to mention their imaginations: Because Mary’s a virgin!

Joe the postman is the first to spot her, struggling bedraggled and dirty down the road into town. He introduces her to Violet, the waitress at his favorite diner, who has her own reasons to be kind. Next thing you know their friend Dr. Bob’s examined her and proclaimed her a virgin.

And then the whole world wants a piece of her.

News stories are written; websites built; roving gangs of paparazzi set in motion. Throughout it all, Mary maintains sacred silence. Juggling a townful of characters, each with his or her own agenda, not a single one selfless or blameless, Campbell makes Bellingham come alive as she shows how each is changed by the apparent miracle.

This good-natured tale about an extraordinary event in an ordinary town pulls off the rare trick of being satirical, funny, and very, very real without ever sinking into the cynical. A great gift for anyone who reads—especially if they’re a mom.

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Anneke, Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Slouching Towards Bellingham.

I’ve been writing ever since I worked as a midwife 3 decades ago. As a mother and a midwife I was always inspired by this sense that each birth is its own miracle, each infant holding a promise to make a profound difference in bettering our world. Second, when I was a child, Mary was the friendliest figure in Catholic religion. I loved her for her beauty and being kind and a new mother. She stands for mercy and the feminine part of the divine and I still relate to her in that way.

Q: I love your title! Can you tell us why you chose it?

It refers to the final line in the Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming:” What rough beast, its hour come round at last, slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?” I’ve always loved that poem, and that line evokes for me how humans seem compelled to anticipate the end, and we harbor this huge ambivalence towards change.

Q: Why did you believe your book should be published?

It’s a fun read that will entertain and because at heart it’s about people coming together in spite of themselves to help each other out in their community, and this is something I know we need more of as we face the challenges ahead.

Q: We all know that publishers can’t do all of the publicity and that some lies on the author. What has your publisher done so far to publicize the book and what have you done?

This blog tour is one thing, a Facebook fan page and I’ve created some funny videos that are on the publication website. Honestly, this is not my forte.

Q: What book on the market can it compare to? How is it different? What makes your book special?

It’s an imaginary contemporary recreation of the Virgin birth story. I walk a very fine line between being inspirational and funny without ever getting preachy or its opposite—sacrilegious. I wanted to people to be able to laugh at and with my characters and recognize their own fears and aspirations in them.

Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?

We want to know what will happen, to find out who is this girl, how did she get pregnant, was it n experiment, an alien impregnation, a miracle and what are the towns people going to help her?

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

Yes.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Anneke. Do you have any final words?

This incredibly inexpensive gift will give you a good seasonal cheer and chuckle without cutting down a tree.

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

In celebration of Anneke Campbell’s new release, she will be appearing at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including an e-copy of of Slouching Towards Bellingham! Visit the official party page here!

Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Chat Party Friday Dec 16!

2011-12-15T18:36:00.002-05:00

WE’RE HAVING A FACEBOOK PARTY!!!!

Pump Up Your Book will be hosting the December 2011 Authors on Tour on Friday December 16, 2011 at 4 – 10 p.m. (eastern time – adjust to your time zone)! Tell your book friends that not only will this give them an opportunity to chat with their favorite authors BUT…

WE’RE GIVING AWAY ALMOST 100 PRIZES!!!!

All you have to do to be eligible to win any of our almost 100 prizes is to visit our Facebook page where the chat will be held. Ask an author a question and you're in!

YOU CAN CHAT WITH OVER 60 AUTHORS!!!!

To find out which authors will be featured, click here.

SO WHERE IS THIS CHAT????

To access the chat, click here. Be sure to leave a comment to let us know you're coming!

SEE YOU AT THE PARTY AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM PUMP UP YOUR BOOK!!!!

Interview with Chuck Waldron, author of 'Remington & The Mysterious Fedora'

2011-12-15T12:53:00.003-05:00

U.S. born, Canadian novelist Chuck Waldron is currently working on his fourth novel, a thriller about an investigative blogger who uncovers more than he ever imagines…and has no idea what to do with his discovery.

His first novel, Tears in the Dust, is a mystery set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War in 1937. When Alestair Ferguson volunteers to fight in the International Brigade he doesn’t realize the true price he will have to pay. Chuck’s second novel, Remington and the Mysterious Fedora, is a quirky fantasy, a story about what happens when a young man sits at the keyboard of a manual typewriter and puts on an old fedora. When the fedora and its mysterious power begins to whisper a story to him, the young man has a strange adventure indeed. His third novel, Served Cold, spans decades and stretches from the countryside of rural Ontario to a quiet artists’ studio in Tucson, Arizona. With lots of murder and mayhem in between, the story is what happens when a long-standing feud erupts into hot-blooded vengeance.

Chuck wrote over thirty short stories before setting out to write novels that are affordable and entertaining. He has attended writing workshops in Iowa, Florida, Georgia and Ontario, Canada.

“I grew up,” Chuck said, “listening to my grandfather, an Ozark Mountain story teller, spinning tales of the caves on his farm, describing them as hiding places once used by the Jesse & Frank James’ gang. It didn’t matter if the stories were true or not. Those legends set fire to my imagination, creating images that emerged slowly over the years, finally igniting as my short stories and novels.”

Now, thirty-plus short stories and three novels later, ideas keep coming, with more novels under development. Do they share anything in common? Each has its own unique voice and tale to tell, yet, at their heart, his stories tell about the human condition – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Chuck adds, “stored images that echo in my writing include train whistles in the night, Norman Rockwell childhood scenes, U.S. Army memories, blue collar jobs, university, a professonal career, and finally retirement. Many of my images are drawn from this pool of memories: places visited, sights seen, and people met. The rest I filled in with my imagination: dreams of places yet to be visited, sights yet to be seen, and people yet to be met.”

His literary roots were planted in the American Midwest and thrived when transplanted – over thirty-nine years ago – to the rich, cultural soil of Ontario. He and his wife, Suzanne, spend their summers in Kitchener, Ontario and are warmed by a winter sun in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

You can visit Chuck at http://www.writebyme.ca and at www.chuckwaldron.com. Visit him at Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/writebyme and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wordstir.

About Remington & The Mysterious Fedora

Surprise is in store when, in the back of a strange used goods store, Josh finds an old Remington typewriter and a fedora with some very mysterious powers. As Josh embarks on his first novel writing adventure, he finds that his new hat has its own story to tell – of a time before history began – and is quite demanding of Josh’s attention. As the story consumes him, Josh’s life begins to unravel, and he soon finds he is unable to separate himself from the hat and the story. When the last page is written, Josh is left with more questions than answers…both about the story and his own life.

Read the first chapter here.

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

To celebrate the release of Chuck Waldron’s new fantasy novel, Remington & The Mysterious Fedora, he is offering one free paperback copy of his book at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away! Click here for details!

Q: Welcome to the Writer's Life, Chuck. Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Remington and the Mysterious Fedora?

I’m told I wrote my first short story when I was 8 years old. My creative writing journey really began twenty-five years ago with a class in writing the short story. In 2004 I decided to turn one of those stories, Tears in the Dust, into a novel. Remington and the Mysterious Fedora came next.

Q: I love your title! Can you tell us why you chose it?

When a young man said he had never seen a typewriter I realized how close we are to consigning typewriters to history’s dustbin. Imagine, something that was once so ubiquitous only lives on through the QWERTY keyboard on computers, tablets and Smartphones. That thought led me to imagine a young man finding a typewriter and putting it back into good repair. Then he found a fedora with the power to whisper a story as he typed. He thought the fedora and story would be the stepping stone to fame as a writer. He was about to discover the price he might have to pay.

Q: Why did you believe your book should be published?

I want my books to entertain, amuse, challenge and create a diversion for my readers. I write stories for myself first. When I am satisfied I want to share them with readers. Remington and the Mysterious Fedora is a fun read, meant to be enjoyed.

Q: We all know that publishers can’t do all of the publicity and that some lies on the author. What has your publisher done so far to publicize the book and what have you done?

I am an Indie Author and as my own publisher I have to accept the challenge of publicizing my novels. Book signings, a web site, book fairs, and social media marketing are my ways to reach readers. It’s a long, slow process, but as a writer with precious little financial resources I pick and choose carefully.

I am always ready to speak to any group, book club, or interested organization about my writing.

My motto is “one book at a time.”

Q: What book on the market can it compare to? How is it different? What makes your book special?

I’ve searched for a comparison without much luck. One comparable book is Consolation by Michael Redhill. Another is the Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. If a reader is looking for a novel with a contemporary setting in parallel with a story set in a time before history, this will be the special book for them.

Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?

Blaze, named after her job as fire starter, is being taught the secret of navigating by the stars. Stargazer will soon be dead and is passing the skill on. The problem is that his teaching her the secrets is a dangerous undertaking and goes against the rules.

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

I am almost finished writing The Lion’s Head Deception, a dystopian story about a blogger who uncovers a frightening conspiracy that threatens to destroy his city. He has to decide if he has the courage it will take to expose the conspiracy, perhaps at the cost of his own life.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Chuck. Do you have any final words?

To my readers, thank you for your support and kind words. To my future readers, I hope you enjoy reading Remington and the Mysterious Fedora as well as my other novels. To my writing colleagues, keep writing.

Interview with Whitney Stewart, author of 'Give Me a Break: No-Fuss Meditation

2011-12-14T13:02:00.004-05:00

Whitney Stewart began writing young adult biographies and meditating after she met and interviewed the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, the subject of two of her books, and lived with a Tibetan family in India. For her next biographies, she trekked with Sir Edmund Hillary in Nepal, interviewed Burma’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi in her Rangoon home, and climbed along China’s Great Wall to research the lives of Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong. In 2004, Stewart published a picture book about the Buddha, which contains a foreword and a meditation suggestion from the 14th Dalai Lama. In addition to nonfiction books, Stewart has published three middle-grade novels. In August 2005, Stewart was trapped in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and evacuated by helicopter from a rooftop. She returned home and volunteered as a creative writing teacher in the public schools. She discovered that her students suffered from post-Katrina stress. Using meditation, improvisation, and word play, Stewart taught her students to write about their lives.

Her latest book is Give Me a Break: No-Fuss Meditation.

You can find more about Whitney Stewart at her website at http://www.whitneystewart.com. Follow her at Twitter at www.twitter.com/mindfulneworlns and www.twitter.com/whitneystewart2 and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/New.Orleans.Kids.Author.

About Give Me a Break: No-Fuss Meditation

Whitney Stewart’s straightforward, non-denominational guide makes meditation simple. It covers the basics in a concise thirty-three pages: Why meditation is good for you, how to sit, how to let your mind rest, even what to do if you feel weird or uncomfortable during meditation. Most important, it provides sixteen accessible, useful meditations you can easily learn at home. Age ten to adult.

Stewart’s top reasons to meditate:

*To focus inwardly

*To slow down internally

*To develop awareness

*To understand your mind

*To increase tolerance

*To experience “BIG MIND”

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Whitney. Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Give me a Break: No-Fuss Meditation.

In fourth grade, I collected a set of poems along with a set from my best friend, Suzy, and we “published” them as a book. I think that is the point when I knew I wanted to be a writer. I still have that hand-made book. In tenth-grade I began submitting stories to children’s book publishers (none were accepted), and I studied children’s literature and child language acquisition at Brown University, with a plan to become a children’s book writer. In 1986, my mother and I took a trip around the world, the highlight of which was a trek through Tibet and up into the Everest region of Nepal. During that trip, I became fascinated with Tibetan Buddhist culture and with the story of the 14^th Dalai Lama. I went home and read everything I could on this Buddhist leader, and I wrote to people who knew him, including famed Austrian Heinrich Harrer who became the Dalai Lama’s tutor in Tibet after WWII. He told me that if I wanted to understand Tibetan culture I had to go to Dharamsala, India, the current home of the Dalai Lama. I did that and ended up living in the home of a Tibetan family. This led to four interviews of the Dalai Lama, the publication of my two children’s books about him, and my initiation into Buddhism and meditation. I have been practicing meditation for twenty-five years, and I have incorporated meditation in my author programs at schools and libraries around the world. After Hurricane Katrina, I volunteered as a creative writing teacher at a public school in New Orleans. I discovered that my students were so stressed and unable to focus that I decided to try non-denominational meditation techniques to help my students settle their bodies and relax their busy minds. Most of my students loved the techniques, so I decided to put them into a simple meditation guide that anyone, from any background, could use.

Q: I love your title. Can you tell us why you chose it?

Ah yes, my title—that came when one of my students yelled “Give me a break!” at a classmate. I decided to give all the students a break with meditation. And the “No-Fuss” part of the title needs no explanation. With my simple guide, you don’t need to go anywhere or do anything special in order to meditate.

Q: Why did you believe your book should be published?

After I published a picture book about the life of the Buddha, and I incorporated a simple meditation technique that the Dalai Lama suggested, readers asked me for more meditation ideas. There are many books about meditation, but I wanted to publish a very simple, inexpensive one that gave readers easy tools without detailed commentary.

Q: We all know that publishers can’t do all of the publicity and that some lies on the author. What has your publisher done so far to publicize the book and what have you done?

My publisher has set up a Facebook book page for me, plugged my ebook online, and connected me with PR people. I have set up a special Twitter account through which to discuss meditation, mindfulness and health. You can find me there at @mindfulneworlns. I also post talk about meditation on my personal Facebook page, my children’s book writer Twitter account (@whitneystewart2), and I use simple meditational techniques, when appropriate, in my public talks.

Q: What book on the market can it compare to? How is it different? What makes your book special?

I have not found a non-denominational meditational ebook exactly like mine, one that includes a short explanation of meditation and seating posture and then goes straight to meditational practices. However, I love Susan Piver’s book Quiet Mind that includes six simple practices by leading Buddhist teachers. Two other great titles are Meditation for Dummies by Stephen Bodian, and Meditation for Beginners by Jack Kornfield. My ebook is a short and simple starter book, which could lead a reader to finding more detailed books on meditation or to finding a meditation teacher.

Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?

On page 12, I discuss the reaction some of my students experienced when they first tried meditation. They told me they felt “weird.” This weird feeling came from a sense of self-consciousness and from the body’s discomfort when seated in an unfamiliar posture. In my book, I explain ways of following your discomfort or self-consciousness as it is expressed in the body, and then breathing into those sensations to allow them to dissipate.

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

I am always writing. I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t writing—except, say, right after the birth of my child or when I’ve been sick. I usually don’t write when I travel, but those trips always inspire new books. I just finished revising a middle-grade novel set in New Orleans. I look forward to the publication of that book, and I want to return to a young adult novel I started writing last spring. My next picture book entitled Creating Calm, which is a companion book to Becoming Buddha, will be illustrated by Australian artist Sally Rippin and published by Windy Hollow in Australia in 2013.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Whitney. Do you have any final words?

Thank you for your interest in my meditation ebook: Give Me A Break: No-Fuss Meditation. I wrote it to communicate simple meditation exercises to anyone who wants to reduce stress, improve health, develop inner wisdom, lead a happier life, and experience a natural state of mind.

Red Hot Sky by Gordon Gumpertz Blog Tour Hosts Wanted

2011-12-13T11:34:00.001-05:00

Pump Up Your Book is seeking tour hosts for Gordon Gumpertz's Red Hot Sky Virtual Book Publicity Tour to be held in January and February 2012. We are seeking blog hosts who would like to review his book, have him write a guest post for your blog or be interviewed. We would love to have you join our blog host team if your blog qualifies!

CO2 buildup in earth’s atmosphere reaches a tipping point. Global weather destabilizes, turns chaotic. Ice storms, dust storms, floods, blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes pummel the earth nonstop. A secret computer model reveals that the frantic weather will peak out, and transform world climate into an alien environment devastating to human survival.

Scientists Ben Mason, Claudine Manet, and Bertrand Short are developers of the computer model. Ben and Claudine are lovers as well as lab partners. While they work frantically to head off the approaching catastrophe, a disgraced Russian general hacks into their model and sees earth’s bleak future as his opportunity for ultimate world power.

Ben, who had left the CIA to develop the computer model at the national lab, is reactivated by the Agency and sent on a perilous mission to block the rogue general’s plot. Claudine, not realizing that Ben is on a secret mission, misunderstands his absence, putting their relationship on thin ice.

Claudine is placed in charge of a massive NASA project that, if completed on time, could stop the approaching doomsday climate change. But her project is stalled by bureaucracy. Ben is on the run in hostile territory. The climate change calamity steadily approaches.

You can visit his website at www.tsunaminaturaldisaster.com.

If you would like to review Red Hot Sky, please fill out the convenient form here!

TWL Chats with Karen Mueller Bryson - Author of The Incredibly Awesome Adventures of Puggie Liddell

2011-12-13T04:59:00.006-05:00

Dr. Karen Mueller Bryson is an optioned screenwriter, produced playwright and published novelist.

She is the author of several romantic comedy novels for adults and is the creator of Short on Time books, a series of fast-paced and fun novels readers can finish in one sitting.

The Incredibly Awesome Adventures of Puggie Liddell is Karen’s first novel for young people.

What is your name and where do you call home?

My name is Karen Mueller Bryson and I live in Florence, Arizona, which is outside of Phoenix.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?

The Incredibly Awesome Adventures of Puggie Liddell integrates historical figures and events in a fun-filled and action-packed time travel adventure for tweens.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

This is the first in a series of fast reads for tweens. The main characters, sibling rivals Puggie and Gigi Liddell, go head-to-head with the inventor, Thomas Edison and scientist, Nikola Tesla. The kids will have more time travel adventures. I am in the process of writing a story, in which Puggie and Gigi meet the writer, Edgar Allan Poe as well as a book, in which they travel to Tombstone and get involved with the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

My mom taught me to read at a young age and I immediately knew I wanted to be a writer. I wrote my first book, with my mom’s help, when I was four! I’m still writing forty years later.

Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

I love to gift books to readers, who would like to review them.

How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?

The cover was designed and created by the talented illustrator, L.L. Tisdel. She is also working on a graphic novel adaptation of the book.

Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?

I’m a bit biased because my husband created the covers for my adult romantic comedy novels, Hey Dorothy You’re Not in Kansas Anymore, Where is Wonderland Anyway and Twyla’s Last Trip. I adore his work!

How did you come up with the title for your book?

Puggie and Gigi Liddell were characters I developed for a teen screenplay, Retro Geeks, which I wrote several years ago. The screenplay featured Gigi and her best friend and was about them trying to get dates for senior prom. Puggie was a minor character in the story but a most people, who read the script, loved Puggie. I wasn’t able to garner must interest in the prom script, so I decided to write a story, which featured Puggie and his sister, when they were younger, traveling through time. I wanted kids to be immediately attracted to the book, so I wanted the title to reflect the fact that the sibling’s adventures were no ordinary adventures; they were incredibly awesome adventures!

Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?

I created two trailers for the book. I love book trailers and have actually purchased books as a result of seeing the trailers. Book trailers are fun to create, although the process can be time consuming.

Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?

I have so little time to read between my full-time job as a university professor and my writing career. I try to spend all of my commuting time listening to audiobooks. When I do have a chance to read at home, I prefer to read paperbacks.

Are you a self-published / Indie author?

The Incredibly Awesome Adventures of Puggie Liddell is published by Zeta Comics, which is a small, traditional press. I also independently publish and recently created my own line, Short on Time Books, which are fast-paced and fun novels that readers can finish in one sitting.

Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I tend to read non-fiction books more than once, particularly books about religion or spirituality.

Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

I purchased The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo based on the cover and title, which I found absolutely intriguing. This was before all of the publicity about the film adaptation and I had no idea what the book was about. Of course, I immediately fell in love with book and had to read the remainder of the trilogy!

What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I just finished listening to the audiobook version of The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenies, which I loved. I just started listening to the audiobook, Steve Jobs, which I think everyone in the country is reading right now!

Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

The best advice I was given: to be a writer, you actually have to write! Many people want to be writers or to have written something but they don’t actually ever write. You have to write a lot and keep practicing, in order to be good at writing and produce something of value.

Where can your readers follow you?

Author Website: http://www.ahorsewithnoname.com/
Puggie Website: http://puggie.homestead.com/
Puggie Blog: http://puggieblog.tumblr.com/
Author Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/karenmuellerbryson
Puggie Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/thepuggiepage
Author Twitter: http://twitter.com/karenmbryson
Puggie Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePuggiePage
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Karen-Mueller-Bryson/e/B001K8S0U8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/karenmbryson
Short on Time Books: http://www.shortontimebooks.com/

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Farsighted Virtual Book Publicity Tour December 2011

2011-12-09T07:11:00.000-05:00

Join Emlyn Chand, author of the YA paranormal novel, Farsighted (Blue Crown Press), as she virtually tours the blogosphere December 5 – 16 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Emlyn Chand

Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!

Farsighted is her latest book.

Visit her at Facebook at www.facebook.com/emlynchand and Twitter at www.twitter.com/emlynchand!

About Farsighted

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

Book Excerpt

Our hero is about to embark on a journey. Life as he knows it is quiet, boring, and predictable, but it’s also comforting and familiar. That will soon change.

Today is the last day of summer, but I’m not doing anything even remotely close to fun. I’m just lying here in Mom’s garden, running my hands over the spiky blades of grass—back and forth, back and forth until my fingertips go numb. Until everything goes numb. I sigh, but no one’s around to hear.

“Alex,” Dad yells from the kitchen window. “Dinner.”

Already? How long have I been out here? I spring up from the ground and the grass springs up with me, one blade at a time – boing, boink, boint. The sounds wouldbe imperceptible to any normal person, but they roar inside my ears. I picture an army of earthworms raising the blades as spears in their turf wars and smile to myself.

Dad opens the back door and calls out to me again. “C’mon, Alex. What’s taking you so long?”

Grabbing my cane, I shuffle over to the house, brushing past himas I squeeze inside. The kitchen reeks of fast food restaurants and movie theaters—butter and grease.That means it’sbreakfast for dinner. We do this every Sunday night, because Mom goes out to garden club and Dad doesn’t know how to cook anything else. Plus it’s cheap.

Breathing heavily, Dad plunks some food onto both our plates and collapses into his chair. He groans and asks me to pass the butter, or rather the “bud-dah.” He grew up in Boston and every once in a while the accent works itself into his speech.

I slide the tub to dad; he reaches out and stops it before it can glide clear off the table.

“What’s this?” Dad asks.

“Uh, the butter.Obviously.”

Dad’s voice raises an octave. “I know it’s the butter, so don’t get smart. Why’d you give it to me?”

“Uh, because you asked me to.”

“No, I didn’t.” He exhales as if the wind has been knocked out of him by an ill-timed punch to the stomach. “Guess you must’ve read my mind.” He chuckles to himselfand slides the cool metal knife into the butter and scrapes it across his toast.

Dad and I don’t usually talk to each other unless Mom is around, asking about our days, chatting on, working hard to create those warm and fuzzy family moments we don’t seem to create naturally. And even though Mom has reassured me a million times, I know that Dad resents me for being born blind.

I can tell he would have much rather had a son like Brady—the same guy who insists on making my high school experience as difficult as possible.Nothing’s worse than knowing that your own father thinks you’re a loser.

Book Trailer

Watch at YouTube at http://youtu.be/tZjskE5zjzM

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

To celebrate the release of Emlyn Chand’s new YA parnaormal, Farsighted, she is offering one free e-copy of her book at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away! Click here for details!

Farsighted Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

Monday, December 5

Book spotlighted at Literarily Speaking

Tuesday, December 6

Book reviewed at Bookworm Lisa

Wednesday, December 7

Book reviewed at Book Nook Club

Thursday, December 8

Book reviewed at Nightly Reads

Monday, December 12

Book reviewed at Bookish Delights

Book reviewed at The Top Shelf

Tuesday, December 13

Interviewed at Coffee and a Keyboard

Wednesday, December 14

Book reviewed at Krazy Book Lady

Interviewed at Book Marketing Buzz

Thursday, December 15

Interviewed at Virginia Beach Publishing Examiner

Friday, December 16

Book reviewed at Cafe of Dreams

Interviewed at As the Pages Turn

Chat with Emlyn at Pump Up Your Book December Authors on Tour Facebook Party!

Emlyn Chand’s FARSIGHTED VIRTUAL BOOK PUBLICITY TOUR will officially begin on December 5 and end on December 16 ‘11. Please contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com if you are interested in hosting and/or reviewing her book. Thank you!

The Noctuary Online Book Tour December 2011

2011-12-08T07:10:00.000-05:00

Join Greg Chapman, author of the horror novella The Noctuary as he virtually tours the blogosphere in December 2011 on his first tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Greg Chapman

Greg Chapman is an emerging dark fiction author from Australia.

In 2009 he was selected in the Australian Horror Writers Association’s Mentor Program under the tutelage of Melbourne author Brett McBean.

Since then he has had short stories published in The Absent Willow Review, Trembles Magazine and Morpheus Tales and Eclecticism.

Damnation Books published his first novella “Torment” in March 2011 and will release his second, “The Noctuary” in December 2011.

Apart from his writing ability, Chapman is also an accomplished horror artist with publication credits in Midnight Echo Magazine and Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. He is currently illustrating a graphic novel for horror authors Rocky Wood and Lisa Morton, to be published by McFarland in early 2012.

You can find him on the web at www.darkscrybe.blogspot.com

About The Noctuary

Struggling writer Simon Ryan’s life has gone to Hell.

Shadows are pouring into his reality and his words are not his own anymore. He has been chosen to become a scribe for some of the worst creatures of the Underworld – the ones whose sole purpose is to torment human souls – The Dark Muses.

As Simon writes, he falls deeper into the abyss and before long he has no sense of what is real. With the help of another scribe, old and mutilated, Simon comes to discover that his writing can mould people and places –- that he can write things out of existence.

To become a scribe Simon has to pass a test and the Muses offer him a chance to rewrite his horrible past.

All he has to decide is how the story ends….

Read an Excerpt

All of a sudden the darkness parts like a curtain and a tall, robed figure steps out, bathed in a dull light. As my eyes adjust, I glimpse the being before me. The figure is at least eight feet tall. Beneath the scorched lace of its endless robe I can see a bone-thin body wrapped tightly in pale grey skin.

Then I see its face; two orb-like eyes centred in a glistening, hairless head. Strange hieroglyphs are scattered about the face, ancient scars carved into the flesh. As I gape in horror the thing beckons me with outstretched hands.

Its fingers look sharp and menacing. As it glides closer I finally see they are not fingers at all, but rather the pointed ends of ancient quills. Bloody ink spills from each tip onto my lounge room floor.

My God, what are you? I hear myself say.

The thing smiles, revealing a toothless mouth, moist with the same foul ink.

“I am no god, Simon. I am no devil. I am purely an inspiration to lost souls. Only the privileged can bear my countenance.”

I sit rigid in my chair as the creature hovers around me, observing me with its hollow eyes. I dont want to look away from it, but the entrance from whence it came lures my gaze. Beyond the curtain of night I can make out a corridor with walls made of parchment, stained and marked with every written language on Earth and others I could never comprehend. The sound of scratching, multiplied a billion times over, echoes throughout the corridor and out into my home.

Abruptly the creature blocks my view and with a wave of his spindly hand the curtain is drawn. The room plunges back into darkness.

“No, Simon, not for you – not yet.”

I look back to where the creature is standing, but the darkness has blotted him out. All I hear is his voice.

“First you must master your words in this world before you can write them in mine.”

**Read Invocation – A Prelude to The Noctuary FREE!**

The Noctuary Tour Schedule

Monday, December 5th
Guest Post at InkyBlots

Tuesday, December 6th
Review at Alchemy of Scrawl

Wednesday, December 7th
Guest Post at Mad Moose Mama

Thursday, December 8th
Review at Mad Moose Mama

Friday, December 9th
Review at Literary Persuits

Monday, December 12th
Guest Post at The Story Behind the Book
Guest Post at The Book Spark

Tuesday, December 13th
Interview at The Examiner

Wednesday, December 14th
Review at Must Read Faster

Thursday, December 15th
Review at Reviews by Molly
Review at The Top Shelf

Friday, December 16th
Guest Post at The Top Shelf

Greg Chapman’s THE NOCTUARY ONLINE BOOK TOUR DECEMBER 2011 will officially begin December 5th and end December 16th. If you would like to host him on his tour, please contact Jaime at jmfictionscribe(at)yahoo.com.au. Thank you for your support!

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

In celebration of Greg Chapman’s new release, he will be appearing at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including signed copies of his first novel Torment and The Noctuary! Visit the official party page here!

Rise of the Vampire Virtual Book Publicity Tour December ‘11 and January ‘12

2011-12-07T07:07:00.000-05:00

Join Joann Harris, author of the horror novel Rise of the Vampire (Esquire Publications), as she virtually tours the blogosphere December 5 -16, 2011 and January 2-13, 2012 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Joann Harris

Joann was born in Durham, North Carolina. She has three wonderful children. She started writing at the age of nine years old, just little stories, and really got into horror at the age of nineteen. It was at that point that she knew she was meant to be a horror writer, even though she tried to write other genres.

Rise of the Vampire is her first book.

About Rise of the Vampire

In a note to Jemi

If you’re reading this, then I’m gone. I’m not sure what I might have told you by the time you read this letter, but I would like to tell you about my past, I know we’ve always kept our history a secret from one another, but it seems time is no longer on my side. And knowing how my own past has haunted me is enough. I’m still not sure how I’ve died, but I do feel you should know why it happened…

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

In celebration of Joann Harris’ book tour, she will be appearing at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including a copy of Rise of the Vampire! Visit the official party page here!

Rise of the Vampire Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

Monday, December 5

Interviewed at Divine Caroline

Tuesday, December 6

Guest Blogging at Allvoices

Wednesday, December 7

Interviewed at American Chronicle

Thursday, December 8

Guest Blogging at Shine

Friday, December 9

Interviewed at Broowaha

Monday, December 12

Guest Blogging at Open Salon

Tuesday, December 13

Interviewed at Blogher

Wednesday, December 14

Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Thursday, December 15

Guest Blogging at Redroom

Friday, December 16

Interviewed at Review From Here

CyberLife Virtual Book Publicity Tour December, January and February

2011-12-05T07:04:00.000-05:00

Join W.H. Buxton, author of the fantasy science fiction novel CyberLife (Bennett and Hastings Publishing), as he virtually tours the blogosphere December 5, 2011 – February 14, 2012 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About W.H. Buxton

Winslow Buxton is a retired Navy Commander and helicopter pilot who received his Masters of Science in Information Technology and Management from the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as a Knowledge Systems Architect Consultant, helping multiple Navy and Air Force Commands initiate and develop their Knowledge Management Programs. He currently resides in Gulf Breeze, Florida with his wife, Bonnie.

CyberLife is his first novel.

About CyberLife

The year is 2069 and Jim Murphy thinks he has the world pretty much figured out, as a Knowledge Management Consultant (whatever that is!) muddling through various technology consulting jobs. That is, until his company, SciPop Inc., assigns him to work a particularly unusual project involving the acquisition of a small backpacking and hiking services business owned by techno-hater Laura Meyers.

Jim, however, never works alone. He, like everyone else in the world, is armed with the ultimate technology super-support tool: a personalized, artificially intelligent, holographic Virtual Life form, more commonly known as a Vertal, named Jasper.

Just as Jim lives, works and socializes in the physical world; Jasper lives, works, and socializes in the Cybersphere, coexisting and coordinating on behalf of Jim with other Vertals as both navigate the world of the Cybersphere; a 24/7 on-line computer world connecting everyone to everything. Everyone uses it, but in order to use it, you need a Vertal.

Somehow, Laura Meyers has learned to exist in the Cybersphere without a Vertal, unfathomable to Jim, Jasper or anyone else at SciPop. But as Jim works the project, he soon discovers there is much more going on in the Cybersphere than SciPop’s acquisition of this small, unassuming business when Jasper suddenly goes missing. Jim discovers SciPop has a much bigger and darker plan for “Laura’s Hikes” than just a simple acquisition of one of the few non-technical companies left in existence. Much more.

Welcome to CyberLife: A weeklong initiation into the cybercentric universe of techno-biologic symbiosis which is considered by all to be perfectly organized, functional, efficient, and effective.

As long as Jim, Laura and Jasper follow the rules and regulations of SciPop.

Which, so far, they have tended not to do very well.

Book Excerpt:

Introduction

I must be dreaming. At least I think I’m dreaming.

Nope. I’m aware of myself lying in bed, so I must be somewhat awake. I glance
over at Clock—0247. I guess that’s good news since I have enough time left to actually
go back to sleep before my usual 0600 go time.

Drifting in and out of sleep can be aggravating. But drifting in and out of real and
dreamlike virtual experiences seems normal to me. Over the past twenty-one years
I’ve become comfortable with my mental and virtual wanderings, and if Clock is
right I have plenty of time to transition back and forth this morning before I activate
my internal motivation gene that will enable me to get up and earn my paycheck.
This little bit of personalized power is enough to keep me satisfied for the moment.

I don’t know if it’s normal, but I can, at least to some degree, orchestrate my
dreams when I’m in this twilight state of mind. I can’t control what my dreams are
about when I’m fully and completely asleep; no one can. But as I lie here in a quasi-
comatose meditative state enjoying a temporary unplugging, I take advantage of my
awesome talent and force the direction that my future dream may take when I do
eventually fall back asleep. Call it a gift .

Thinking of gifts: Lying here in my technology-saturated apartment, I begin to
think of something simple and happy—before I acquired all this character-building
life experience. I guess that’s a gift unto itself, but not something I want to think
about now while looking fuzzily at my darkened ceiling through half-opened eyelids.
I want to think of something better. As I have done many times before, I think
back to my eighteenth birthday, before I was hardwired in to the full-time 24-7-365
business world. Just before I got the gift of all gift s.

Engaging dream control. Disengage fact checking. Memory systems nominal.
Proceed.

Happy birthday, Jimmy.

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

In celebration of W.H. Buxton’s book tour, he will be appearing at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including a copy of CyberLife! Visit the official party page here!

Monsters of L.A. Virtual Book Publicity Tour December 2011

2011-12-02T07:01:00.001-05:00

Join Lisa Morton, author of the horror fiction collection Monsters of L.A. (Bad Moon Books), as she virtually tours the blogosphere December 5 – 16 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Lisa Morton

Lisa Morton is the screenwriter of cult favorites Meet the Hollowheads and Blood Angels, and has also written numerous episodes of children’s animated series. She is a four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award (including Superior Achievement in a First Novel for The Castle of Los Angeles), and her short fiction has appeared in such books and magazines as Dark Delicacies, The Living Dead, Cemetery Dance, The Mammoth Book of Dracula, and (forthcoming) Blood Lite 3. She is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Halloween, and her book The Halloween Encyclopedia was released in 2011 in a 2nd edition. She is a native and lifelong resident of Southern

Monsters of L.A. is her first collection.

California, and lives online at www.lisamorton.com.

About Monsters of L.A.

Frankenstein, Dracula, Mr. Hyde, the Phantom, the Hunchback…they’re all here, the ones you grew up watching on the silver screen. But these monsters aren’t lumbering across a fog-shrouded moor or clambering along the ramparts of a Gothic castle; no, they’re here, in sunny modern-day Southern California, in places you know and may have visited. That homeless vet with the rebuilt leg lounging before the liquor store in Santa Monica – could that be Frankenstein’s monster? The eerie host making promises at the end of an Orange County amusement park ride – is he really the Devil? Some of these monsters you might recognize instantly – it’s hard to disguise a Giant Monster, after all – but you’ll never know what to expect in these stories that range from black humor to the farthest extremes of extreme fiction.

Book Excerpt:

From “The Creature”:
Billy Danning pointed at the tar pit and exclaimed, “Look, mommy – it’s bubbling.”
Billy’s mother, Ashley, barely looked up from her phone conversation. “…oh, I know, can you believe it?” she continued, trying to wave her eight-year-old son to silence, “he’s such a douche. I mean, the first one was bad enough…”
It was a crowded, sunny Sunday around the La Brea Tar Pits; couples posed for photos with the giant sloth statue, kids ran shrieking along the concrete walkways that bordered the glassy black pits, and parents chattered on cell phones or punched in text messages. Yet, despite the substantial crowd, only Billy was watching the bubble forming in the tar, plainly visible just beyond the fence and a short grassy expanse; a few feet to the side of the bubbling, a huge plaster mastodon was eternally sucked to its doom as its family watched from the safety of the bank.
The bubble expanded to nearly two feet across, popped loudly, and promptly grew again.
“Mom…” Billy said, now tugging his mother’s sleeve and gesturing with more urgency.
“Billy, stop it.” Ashley glared at him briefly, then shrugged off his grubby fingers and went back to her call. “Sorry, we’re at the La Brea Tar Pits and Billy’s getting all excited by tar…oh, I know it’s incredibly dumb, but we drove past here last week on the way to a play date and he saw those retarded elephant statues or whatever they are, and he simply had to come here today.”
Ashley turned and walked a few feet off. Billy looked back at the oily surface -
- and something broke it.
At first it was so ooze-covered that it was hard to make out the shape pushing its way slowly up out of the liquid asphalt, but as Billy watched, paralyzed, sludge fell away and revealed a large hand with webbed, clawed fingers.
“He doesn’t even care about his own son,” Ashley was saying behind him. “Ever since he took up with that slut, Billy doesn’t even exist.”
The hand became an arm, reaching up. The arm was connected to a shoulder…then the top of a head pushed through the surface…one inch, two, three, four, and Billy knew that head plainly belonged to something that wasn’t human.
“MOMMY!” he screamed.
Ashley whirled. “For God’s sake, Billy, what -?!” Then she followed his madly waving hand, and saw the creature that was agonizingly, impossibly emerging from the tar, using a leg of the fake mastodon to haul itself up.
“Holy crap,” she said, then remembered the cell phone. “Angie, can I call you right back? Yeah. Okay. ‘Bye.”
She finished the call and turned her attention fully to the creature. A crowd was gathering now, a murmur growing. Billy danced excitedly, nearly hyperventilating.
“It’s a monster, it’s a monster -!”
Ashley laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous, honey. It’s a guy in a suit. It’s probably a promotion for a new movie or something.”
The crowd picked up on Ashley’s statement, and guesses began to percolate. “Aren’t they doing a new swamp monster movie?” said a tall man with glasses. “I think I saw a commercial for this,” said a woman as she fiddled with the camera settings on her smart phone. “That’s pretty cool,” said a kid with three lip piercings.
“Billy, do you remember how to work the video camera on mommy’s phone?” Ashley asked.
The creature now had one leg on land and was awkwardly trying to pull itself free from the last of the tar’s embrace, grasping onto an imitation mastodon tusk. As more tar and water sluiced off of it, a scaled, faintly greenish hide was revealed, and trembling flaps on either side of its face that looked like gills. It had no nose, no hair, and huge amphibious eyes.
Somehow, Billy instinctively knew it wanted to kill him. He reached for Ashley’s hand and tried to pull her away. “Mom, we have to GO -!”
Ashley ignored him, stabbing triumphantly at the screen on her phone. “There’s the video!” She lifted the phone and pointed it at the creature, who had planted both clawed feet on land.
The excitement in the onlookers grew. Cameras and phones were held aloft. “My followers are going to love this,” blurted out a young man wearing a t-shirt featuring a horror movie poster. A giggling teenaged girl turned to her friend and said, “Maybe this is a reality show and we’ll be on MTV.”
Ashley lowered the phone and hit a number, then raised the phone to her lips again. “Ange, you’ve gotta see this – check out the picture I just sent you. They’re doing some kind of crazy promotion here today…yeah, that guy in the photo just came up out of the tar…no, you can’t even see his oxygen tanks or whatever. Isn’t that awesome?”
The creature shambled up past the statuary to the fence, leaving a trail of tar behind it. It reached out to the bars, beat its hands against the barrier once – then it grasped the fence and simply tore a section aside, the snapping metal sounding like machine-gun pops.
The audience applauded.
“Dude, that rocked!” “What movie is this for?” “I hope we get free t-shirts!” “I didn’t even notice that section of fence was fake…”
But Billy wasn’t clapping or waiting to be handed a promotional baseball cap – he was screaming. So were a few others, but not many.
“God, Billy, shut UP!” Ashley said, then returned to her call. “I swear, he is such a little geek sometimes…”
Overcome by animal panic, Billy ran. He skirted around the crowd and dodged a few others who were likewise fleeing. He sped past a figure of a giant prehistoric bear, but when he found his path blocked by more gawkers, he leapt into a tree, scrambling into the branches until he was eight feet overhead. He crouched on a limb there, shaking violently, bobbing his head until he could see what was happening.
The creature, freed now from the encumbrance of its tar prison, was picking up speed. It abruptly lunged and grabbed one of the giggling teenaged girls, who shrieked with glee.

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

In celebration of Lisa Morton’s book tour, she will be appearing at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including an autographed copy of Monsters of L.A.! Visit the official party page here!

Keridan’s Journey by Michelle Peterson Virtual Book Publicity Tour December 2011

2011-12-01T06:55:00.000-05:00

Join Michelle Peterson, author of the fantasy novel, Keridan’s Journey (WBD Books), as she virtually tours the blogosphere December 5-16 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Michelle Peterson

Michelle Peterson is an avid reader and artist and it is this love that has lead to writing and painting becoming her favorite obsessions though she loves all things creative. Being a ghost writer for years, her first published book, Keridan’s Journey, not only bears her name but also her love of fantasy. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA.

You can visit Michelle Peterson’s website at www.michellepeterson.me.

About Keridan’s Journey

Project manager by day and artist by night, Keridan Patrick’s simple world ended with the death of her mother. The father she never knew showed up after twenty-five years and introduced her to a new world cloaked in secrecy and myth.

While fighting to keep some semblance of normalcy to her suddenly unpredictable world, she chanced to meet the mysterious Sahaj. Sahaj had ran for hundreds of years from the one soul he was destined to be with but was transfixed by the one he could not live without.

Would old flames and new enemies stand in the way of love?

Book Excerpt:

Chapter 1 – My Mother Kept Secrets

I saw things in my head – things that would happen, could happen. I always had an uncanny knack for knowing why someone should not do something. My mother called it a gift but it was never something we advertised. I did not want to be locked up in a crazy house.
I could only get flashes from people I knew and even then the flashes only came when they wanted to. Trust me. I used to try to get some insight on my calculus exams in college but not even a hint would flash into my mind.
After waking up for the second time, I went about my daily routine. I slept fine however I still felt unnerved for some reason. It was spring time in Atlanta, Georgia and with the exception of the high pollen count and haze, I loved springtime here. Cherry blossoms and dogwoods were abundant enough to never need perfume. All you had to do was stand outside for a few minutes and you would instantly be infused with a wonderfully natural floral smell. Today would be a good ditch day.
My daydreams were interrupted by the shrill sound of my phone echoing through the house. I knew something bad was about to happen. The ring was different. Pictures flew into my head of my mom lying in a bed. I answered the phone and listened numbly. Somehow I grabbed my keys and ran to the door. My emotions led to some really erratic driving down Interstate 85. Luckily, no cops were out today. I arrived at the hospital frantic. I never had been able to handle bad news well.
Doctors and nurses hovered over my mother. Her coppery skin was pallid and translucent. The normally small grey streaks in her black hair had seemingly taken over her entire head. Her topaz eyes locked on mine and she whispered, “Keridan.” I leaned closer. “Keridan, I need some time. Just ask them for a few minutes for me.” I turned to the closest doctor but was stopped by her hand. “Not them…just ask.” Something in her eyes made my stomach ball. Pictures flew in my head and I saw these beautiful creatures flying in front of me. I reached out to them and begged for just a few more minutes for my mom.
A lot of things happened at once. I immediately was in a forest grove with flowers around me and my mother was resting in a hammock nearby. She looked up, saw me and rushed over. “Keridan, thank you so much for asking; tell your father I said I am in debt to him again.”
Having been a test tube baby, I felt this was a strange request. I knew I was dreaming. The smells, the colors are only this vibrant in a dream. My mother was lying on a bed in a hospital gown not prancing about in a fairy dress.
“Keridan, I do not know how much time I have so let me start. There are things I never told you. There are worlds I never dared reveal. Your father was a Man Siren. You are half Siren.”
“Mom, you know my father was Number 5148691. What are you talking about?”
“Yes, that part was true but the man behind the number was a Siren. You are very special. Years ago when I found out I was told to keep it from you so you could be safe but you need to know now. Keridan, I am dying. Somehow my presence has masked you from the others but it will not be for much longer. As soon as I am gone, things will start to happen to you.”
“Mom, whoa…what are you talking about? I do not understand. What’s a Siren? What’s going to happen to me? You can’t die. I need you. I need you to not give up!”
“Keridan, baby, listen carefully. Sirens are these enchanted beings. There are like healers of the mind and soul.” The scene flicked between the forest and the hospital. “I am running out of time. You have the ability to see things sweetheart. Those flashes you always are getting, that is your gift. People are drawn to you but it will become so much more intense. Be wary of this. Trust only your heart.” The scene flicked again. I had a thousand questions. I did not know where the dream stopped and reality began.
I blinked and my mom’s eyes briefly looked afraid. “Trust your pictures. Trust your heart. Trust your father.” With that, the woman I had loved for twenty-five years was gone. Her lifeless eyes bore a gaping hole in my heart.

Keridan’s Journey Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

Monday, December 5

Book Reviewed at Jacob’s Beloved Books

Tuesday, December 6

Interviewed at Review From Here

Wednesday, December 7

Guest Blogging at Stories of My Life

Thursday, December 8

Book Reviewed at Mad Moose Mama

Friday, December 9

Book Reviewed at Sweeping Me

Monday, December 12

Book Reviewed at Alaskan Book Cafe

Tuesday, December 13

Book Reviewed at The Wormhole

Wednesday, December 14

Book Reviewed at Reading a Little Bit of Everything

Thursday, December 15

Book Reviewed at Book Briefs

Friday, December 16

Book Reviewed at I Heart Reading

She Had No Choice by Debra Burroughs Virtual Book Publicity Tour December 2011

2011-11-29T06:52:00.000-05:00

Join Debra Burroughs, author of the women’s fiction novel She Had No Choice (Lake House Books), as she virtually tours the blogosphere December 5 – 16 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Debra Burroughs

Debra Burroughs grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area during a tumultuous time when the Civil Rights Movement was gearing up and racial tensions were mounting. Her parents moved the family to a more peaceful small town in the Central Valley of California.

Over the years, with a large Mexican family, she heard many stories about their history, particularly from her mother and grandmother. As she would relay these colorful and heart-wrenching family stories to her friends, many times she would hear them say, “You should really write a book about that.”

After continual encouragement and gentle prodding from her husband, she finally decided to do it. Now that their children are grown and gone, Debra has found a quiet place to write in their home in Boise, Idaho.

She Had No Choice is her second novel.

You can visit Debra Burroughs’ blog at www.DebraBurroughsBooks.com.

About She Had No Choice

This poignant and gripping drama plays out from 1918 Mexico to 1960 California, and is full of love and heartbreak, prejudice and betrayal, lovers, friends and family. It is inspired by a true story.

Follow Sofía’s journey from a perilous midnight crossing into the U.S. as a child to a life of hard labor and bad relationships with the wrong men. Hungry for love, her first lover leads to a daughter, Eva, born out of wedlock. When he abandons her and their baby, another unsavory man is quick to come to her rescue.

Sofía’s difficult, yet inspiring life unfolds over the next twenty-five years, through a series of highs and lows, with her devoted, headstrong daughter by her side. As a young woman, Eva hopes to avoid the mistakes her mother made with men, but she is not always able to steer clear of them. When life becomes dangerous and unbearable for Sofía, will Eva and her beau be able to save her, or will Sofía have to save them?

Book Excerpt:

1918, Sonora, Mexico
Pancho Villa’s reign of terror had ended a few years earlier, but now there was a new enemy to battle – and he was merciless. The Death Angel had knocked repeatedly on the Ramirez family’s door over the past few weeks. Now, it was imperative for them to swiftly and stealthily find a way to move what was left of the family to a safer place before he came calling again.
Emilio and his wife, Juanita, hurriedly made plans to flee, covertly receiving word of the time and place for the dangerous escape. They were desperate to get their family out of Mexico quickly, but now all they could do was wait.
The appointed night arrived. Tied about Emilio and Juanita’s waists were pouches filled with as many belongings as they dared to take. She had planned all day, choosing this, discarding that, filling their pouches with dollars they had exchanged for their pesos, a comb, a couple handfuls of beef jerky and an old pocket watch.
This was going to be a perilous journey for the Ramirez family. Emilio and Juanita instructed their children once more, as they had for the past two evenings, that on this trip they needed to stay close together and keep silent. Noise of any kind could draw attention and put them in danger.
“But, Mama, why do we have to go?” asked little Sofía.
“We have no choice,” Mama replied, putting an arm around her. “One day you’ll understand.”
Their friend, Señor Vega, agreed to load them in the back of his horse-drawn wagon and take them to the pick-up point. The location was the old abandoned Castro ranch. It was once a working venture, until Pancho Villa’s men plundered it during the Mexican Revolution several years before. Now, it was nothing more than a few outbuildings with sagging roofs and jagged, broken windows where lonely tumbleweeds collected. That desolate ranch was where they would begin their journey.
Juanita heard the horses’ hooves and wagon wheels crunch the dry ground outside their house and knew Señor Vega had pulled up. Her back stiffened, and she drew in a quick breath. There was no turning back now.
“Emilio, niños. I hear Señor Vega outside. It’s time to go.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As the Ramirez and Lopez families climbed out of the back of the truck, their driver told them to huddle around him and listen up. He kept his voice as low as possible, but he was still loud enough to be heard.
“Go out into the desert. Each of you take a hiding place behind the shrubs and rocks. Try to stay out of sight until you’re given the signal to run. When it’s time, I’ll let out a loud coyote howl. Then, you all just run for the fence as fast as you can. Don’t look back – just run!”
The families quickly dispersed and found their hiding places, waiting for the coyote howl. Papa took the two younger boys and hid behind a big rock, holding little Marcelo by the hand. Mama and the two girls hid behind a clump of cactus. The older son found his own bush near Papa to shield himself.
Before long, a loud shrill howl pierced the night air and carried out over the flat land. The race was on.
They all ran with every ounce of energy they possessed, crossing the dark Mexican desert with only the light of the crescent moon to guide them. As their shoes were clapping the dry desert floor, the pounding of their hearts was resonating in their ears. Diving in the dirt for the border fence, the hopeful clawed and crawled their way under it to freedom.
Papa could see Mama and little Sofía were struggling. Sofía’s little legs couldn’t keep up and stumbled a few times. He worried they might be left behind. So, in a firm voice, not more than a whisper, he urged them on. “Άndale! Άndale, muchachas!”
Mama firmly grasped Sofía’s hand and held on for dear life, nearly dragging her to freedom as she helped her run. Papa was frantically trying to help the rest of the children under the fence before diving under himself. He made it to the other side, picked up five-year-old Marcelo, and began running, pressing the older children to get moving. “Run, niños, run! Rápido, rápido!”
In desperation, Mama shoved Sofía under the fence ahead of her, yelling at her to run and not look back. Sofía scrambled to her feet and took off running in terror. Mama squeezed through and caught up with her. She grabbed Sofía by the hand and helped her run like she had never run before.
Simply clearing the fence was not enough. The U.S. border patrol could catch them and arrest them for illegally entering the country. It was important that they ran far enough into Arizona land to reach the trucks that were waiting to take them safely to their new lives.
They all reached the other side safe and sound, their hearts pounding in their chests, barely able to catch their breath. They looked around the muffled chaos to try and find their family members amidst the clouds of dust. Fortunately, they had all gotten through without being detected. There were no guards, no lights, and no dogs. It was eerily silent.
Lifting the crucifix she wore around her neck, Juanita pressed it to her lips and gave it a quick, gentle kiss. “Gracias a Diós. Gracias a Diós,” she whispered under her breath.

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

In celebration of Debra Burrough’s tour, she will be appearing at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including an 3 e- copies of She Had No Choice! Visit the official party page here!

She Had No Choice Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

Monday, December 5

Book Reviewed at Alaskan Book Cafe

Interviewed at Blogher

Tuesday, December 6

Interviewed at Alaskan Book Cafe

Wednesday, December 7

Interviewed at Review From Here

Thursday, December 8

Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Friday, December 9

Book Reviewed at Everday is an Adventure

Monday, December 12

Book Reviewed at Krazy Book Lady

Tuesday, December 13

Interviewed at Blogcritics

Wednesday, December 14

Guest Blogging at Open Salon

Thursday, December 15

Guest Blogging at Idea Marketers

Friday, December 16

Guest Blogging at Shine

The Caldecott Chronicles (No. 1) Online Book Tour December 2011

2011-11-28T06:46:00.000-05:00

Join R.G. Bullet, author of the YA novella The Caldecott Chronicles (No. 1) as he virtually tours the blogosphere in December 2011 on his first tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About R.G. Bullet

R. G. Bullet was born in Berkshire, UK. After living in nine different countries he has finally settled in Miami Beach, USA.

He is addicted to tea, reading, writing, motorbikes and shamefully Call of Duty.

His middle grade debut novel: The 58th Keeper has just been released.

To learn more go to www.rgbullet.com

Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RGBullet58
and join the fan page for the latest updates and fun competitions
www.facebook.com/rgbullet

About The Caldecott Chronicles (No. 1)

Caldecott, the ancestral home of the 32nd Earl of Rothshire, is besieged. The undead and certainly unwashed are traipsing across overgrown lawns intent on ripping the very flesh from the Earl’s body, scooping his brains out and eating his remaining horse.

But many of them will not make it that far as the 32nd Earl has two things in their way: A prised Purdey shotgun and an accomplice named, Saffy. Saffy is a young and simple girl from the local village. She is quick of foot at setting traps, and dispatching the undead to the afterlife. She is endlessly coming up with cunning and disturbing methods to rid the estate of disease.

Although the word zombie is never used in The Caldecott Chronicles, the undead, the ungodly, the beef squad, and stumblers certainly is.

The bizarre and gruesome details are narrated in a journal by a very Aristocratic British gent. Get a first hand look on how the Victorian upper class deal with stumbling trespassers and see how one draws ones inspiration from a teenage girl born to kill.

A truly chilling, unique and often hilarious illustrated fantasy set as a series of short stories. The Caldecott Chronicles will resonate till your dying days.

Watch the Trailer Here

Read an Excerpt Here

What Reviewers Are Saying

… the Caldecott Chronicles are what Pride & Prejudice and Zombies wanted to be (but didn’t quite pull if off – in my humble opinion). Your work has a far better droll sense humour.

***

I am a zombie aficionado. I have seen them all, zombies in pubs, zombies in London, Zombie kangaroos, post apocalyptic zombies, zombie Romero classics. But never zombies in an English country estate, until I read this whimsical short story. How would the English aristocracy have dealt with the ungrateful undead? I soon found out in this rollicking tumultuous romp through the English countryside – loved it! a great fun read. Recommend it highly.

***

“..Your book is fantastic!
The writing is excellent and you captured the period perfectly.

Tour Schedule

Monday, December 5th
Book Trailer at If Books Could Talk

Tuesday, December 6th
Guest Post at Book Spark

Wednesday, December 7th
Spotlight at Coffee and a Keyboard

Thursday, December 8th
Interview at Rai29BookReadNReview

Friday, December 9th
Spotlight at As the Pages Turn

Monday, December 12th
Guest Post at Literarily Speaking

Tuesday, December 13th
Guest Post at InkyBlots

Wednesday, December 14th
Guest Post at A Soul Unsung

Thursday, December 15th
Review at A Soul Unsung

Friday, December 16th
Review at YouTube

Donations to Clarity Virtual Book Publicity Tour November/December 2011

2011-11-25T06:38:00.002-05:00

Join Noah Baird, author of the humor book, Donations to Clarity (South Wind Publishing), as he virtually tours the blogosphere November 1 – December 16 2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Noah Baird

Noah Baird wanted to attend the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, but his grades weren’t good enough (who knew?). However, his grades were good enough to fly for the U.S. Navy (again, who knew?), where he spent 14 years until the government figured out surfers don’t make the best military aviators. He has also tried to be a stand-up comedian in Hawaii for Japanese tourists where the language barrier really screwed up some great jokes. On the bright side, a sailboat was named after the punchline of one of his jokes.

He has several political satire pieces published on The Spoof under the pen name orioncrew. Noah received his bachelors in Historical and Political Sciences from Chaminade University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He knows nothing about hoaxing Bigfoot. Donations to Clarity is his first novel.

You can visit his website at www.noahbaird.com or his blog at www.noahbaird.wordpress.com.

Connect with him at Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noah-Baird-Writer/100193913390453.

About Donations to Clarity

The plan was simple: hoax bigfoot, then sell tours to bigfoot enthusiasts. The plan wasn’t brilliant, and neither were Harry, Earl, and Patch. The three chemical-abusing friends only wanted to avoid the 9 to 5 rat race, but their antics attract the attention of a real bigfoot. When the misogynistic Earl is mistaken for a female bigfoot by the nearsighted creature and captured; it is just the beginning of their problems.

The U.S. Government has a plan to naturalize the mythical creatures living within the U.S. borders. The problem is the plan needs to be carried out carefully. You can’t just drop little green men and Sasquatch in the middle of Walmart without warning Ma and Pa Taxpayer. The naturalization program is not ready to be set into motion, and the rogue bigfoot is bringing too much attention to itself, including a feisty investigative reporter who uncovers the truth of the government conspiracy and two bigfoot researchers. No longer able to contain the situation, government agents are tasked with eliminating the bigfoot and all witnesses.

Between bong hits and water balloon fights, Harry and Patch come up with a plan to save Earl and the lovestruck bigfoot. Where do you hide a giant, mythical creature? In an insane asylum, because who is going to listen to them?

Along the way, the three friends learn Star Wars was a government training film for children, the truth behind Elvis meeting President Nixon, and the significance of the weight of the human turd.

Book Excerpt

It takes 73 newtons of force to fracture a human skull. Roughly. Variations in bone thickness, age, and location of the blow introduce countless variables. A major league baseball player can lay wood on leather with 200 pounds of pressure or 890 newtons.

The skull was hit with 253 pounds of pressure or 1125 newtons. The blow was delivered with 20 percent more force than what a professional athlete would deliver. Over fifteen times the required force needed to crack an adult male’s melon open. The entire swing took less than half a second. A 26 inch carbon steel baton weighing 1.46 pounds was used. Contact between baton and target lasted a precious 0.02 seconds. Faster than the 0.33 seconds required to blink, or the 0.878 seconds it took the victim’s heart to pump one last time.

Ian King would have found this statistical information interesting. A welcome distraction from the butterflies surfing his own synapses. Ian even may have engaged the provider of such delicate morsels of information in conversation had it not been his skull used to provide the empirical data.

Green buds were sprouting on the tips of every branch in the forest. Mother Nature letting her hair down after the long winter. The season when children were lined up for crewcuts to prepare for warmer weather while Momma Nature was silently shaking her mane out. In three days, the buds would have opened and Ian would never have seen the footprint.

Two minutes before his last thought, Ian relaxed his pace. The sky had been full with rain and was now starting to drizzle. With the rain, the wind began to shift erratically. Ian stopped and adjusted his backpack and cracked his neck. He knew the pack would have difficulty picking up his scent with the wind shifting. He also knew the rain would mask the snapping twigs of his approach. He still needed to be careful. Eastern timber wolves were notoriously shy of humans.

Ian’s thoughts drifted. The weather was warming, and warmth brought undergrads in shorts. He wondered what this year’s batch would look like. He was in his third year of graduate work at the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The curriculum required him to take undergrads out for field work. The work could be gratifying unless he had to remind the students to take their earbuds out or stop texting. At least there were the girls.

Ian noted the pack’s pace was focused over the last two days. Gone were the typical meanderings and backtracking. The wolves were moving quickly now, seldom stopping to rest. Ian knew he was anthropomorphizing, but he had a gut feeling the wolves knew they were in dangerous territory. What could be making the pack skittish? Ian rechecked the topography map and verified they were at least a half day’s hike to the nearest civilization. It couldn’t be humans making them pick up the pace.

Rain dropping on his face renewed his focus and he kneeled over with his tracking stick to pick up the stride of the pack lead. He glanced to his right and saw a familiar indentation in the mud. Nothing in nature resembles a human’s silhouette. The same can be said for a human footprint. This particular print was nearly 18 inches long and deeply depressed into the mud. Ian jerked up with the realization of what he was looking at. He just connected the dots of why the wolves were quickly moving through the area when the baton struck his head.

A man dressed completely in black efficiently wiped the baton before collapsing it. He turned to an identically dressed man, “That ape is getting sloppy. Make contact with him and remind him of our position.”

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

To celebrate the release of Noah’s book, Donations to Clarity, he will be attending the Pump Up Your Book Live! November Author Chat / Book Giveaway Party on Friday, November 18. This is the perfect opportunity to ask Noah anything on a one on one basis. Plus, he’s giving away a copy of his book to one lucky person who participates in the chat! Click here to find out more details!

* * *

Noah will also be attending Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including a paperback copy of Donations to Clarity! Visit the official party page here!

Donations to Clarity Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

Tuesday, November 1

Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book

Wednesday, November 2

Interviewed at Beyond the Books

Thursday, November 3

Guest blogging at Reviews by Molly

Friday, November 4

Book spotlighted at Book Marketing Buzz

Monday, November 7

Interviewed at The Hot Author Report

Tuesday, November 8

Interviewed at The Writer’s Life

Wednesday, November 9

Interviewed at Review From Here

Thursday, November 10

Guest blogging at As the Pages Turn

Friday, November 11

Interviewed at Blogcritics

Tuesday, Novemer 15

Guest blogging at Night Owl Reviews

Interviewed at The Plot Thickens

Thursday, November 17

Interviewed at Examiner

Monday, November 21

Guest blogging at Literal Exposure

Tuesday, November 22

Guest blogging at Writing Daze

Monday, December 5

Book reviewed at Between the Pages

Tuesday, December 6

Interviewed at Book Marketing Buzz

Wednesday, December 7

Book reviewed at Family Reads

Thursday, December 8

Guest blogging at Mad Moose Mama

Friday, December 9

Book reviewed at Mad Moose Mama

Monday, December 12

Book reviewed at Twisting the Lens

Tuesday, December 13

Interviewed LIVE at Blog Talk Radio’s A Book and a Chat

Wednesday, December 14

Interviewed at The Book Connection

Thursday, December 15

Guest blogging at The Book Faery Reviews

Friday, December 16

Chat with Noah at Pump Up Your Book December Authors on Tour Facebook Party!

Noah Baird’s DONATIONS TO CLARITY VIRTUAL BOOK PUBLICITY TOUR will officially begin on November 1 and end on December 16 ‘11. Please contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com if you are interested in hosting and/or reviewing his book. Thank you!

Interview with Davis Aujourd'hui, author of 'Babes in Bucksnort'

2011-11-23T12:50:00.004-05:00

Davis Aujourd’hui is the author of the Sister Mary Olga Fortitude series of hilarious satires. The first book is entitled The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude. It was followed by Babes in Bucksnort.

Davis possesses a rich life experience that has enabled him to draw from it in order to create a colorful canvas upon which to paint very human lives. He is a retired social worker, having worked for Adult Protective Services in New York State for nearly twenty years. He developed the characters within his series of books in order to entertain a colleague by using the gift of humor.

As will be the case with Sister Mary Olga in his third book, he is a recovering alcoholic. He also happens to be gay as are several of the endearing and humorous characters within his novels. He can speak from his own experience. He has possessed all of the foibles of his cast of characters who are naughty, nasty, and nice.

Davis lives in Upstate New York where he is currently sharing his life with his partner of seven years. He is socially-minded and spirituality is the most important ingredient in order for him to maintain a happy and successful life.

Visit this blog for information on the series: http://bestsatireseriesofthedecade.blogspot.com

Visit this blog for information on the author: http://authordavisaujourdhui.blogspot.com

Connect with him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davis-Aujourdhui/138584429540046.

About Babes in Bucksnort

Babes in Bucksnort is the first sequel to the highly praised The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude. Once again the unconventional bourbon-swilling, chain-smoking nun will spin outrageously funny new tales about the residents of Bucksnort, Wisconsin while she tests the will of a reformed prostitute who just happens to be her Reverend Mother.

Unfortunately there’s trouble brewing in the Snortlands. The nasty and notorious town busybody, Priscilla Bunhead, goes on a crusade to stamp out what she calls the gay menace. That’s when she convinces her millionaire friend, Mildred Mayflower, to give away her fortune in order to bring the Reverend Billy-Bob Blunthead and his Born Again or Burn Forever Disciples for Jesus to town to do the job. It will be an uphill climb for them when the closet doors of many gay people in the Snortlands burst open. Billy-Bob and his wife, Pinky Poo, will have another battle on their hands when Dimples Dufus, the heiress to the Mayflower fortune, arrives on the scene to reclaim her fortune.

You’ll also meet the hilariously bumbling, pothead psychiatrist, Doctor Wally Wacky-Wacko, who creates havoc for one of Sister Mary Olga’s favorite fellow nuns. Along with Mildred Mayflower, they become victims of his multi-colored pills that only turn them into zombies. The handsome and virile gay cowboy chef, Randy Cowboy, makes an important self-discovery about his never-ending sexual pursuits when he joins a twelve-step program called Sex Maniacs Notorious.

The irascible Martha Mayhem settles down into comfortable domesticity with her new life partner who happens to be her sister-in law. Martha still manages to stir up trouble on Dinkledorf Drive with her fellow enemies and neighbors, the prudish Priscilla Bunhead and the voluptuous Lula Mae Bunsaplenty. The question that remains is whether Lula Mae’s paramour, Jules Jesslike Pappas will put up with her continuing manipulative feminine wiles.

In between the laughs, Sister Mary Olga continues to dispense nuggets of spiritual wisdom during her classes in Beginner’s and Advanced Holiness. Just don’t take seats near the flatulent child named Fartley Dinkledorf or his lecherous one-hundred five year-old grandfather, Poopsy. The bottom line is that everyone is welcome in Sister Mary Olga’s classes. Join the diverse cast of zany characters for a joy ride that will tickle your funny bone until it aches.

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Davis . Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Babes in Bucksnort?

I've been writing for five years now. I have developed a series of deliciously hilarious satires about a wayward nun who loves her bourbon and her Marlboros – Sister Mary Olga Fortitude. I developed the character years ago in order to entertain a colleague when I'd been a social worker. She loved the character which spurred me on to develop others.

As I remembered the zany characters, I thought I could write a book about them. This led to my first book, The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude. I still hadn't run out of ideas and, from there, I developed my series. As mentioned, my most recent book is called Babes in Bucksnort.

In it, the unconventional bourbon-swilling, chain-smoking nun continues to spin hilarious tales about the residents of Bucksnort, Wisconsin while she tests the will of a reformed prostitute who just happens to be her Reverend Mother.

Unfortunately or not, there's trouble brewing in the Snortlands. The town busybody, Priscilla Bunhead, crusades to stamp out what she calls the gay menace. That's when she brings Reverend Billy-Bob Blunthead and his Born Again or Burn Forever Disciples for Jesus to town to do the job. It's an uphill climb when the closet doors of many gay people burst open.

In between laughs, Sister Mary Olga dispenses nuggets of wisdom during her Holiness Classes. The bottom line is that everyone is welcome in Sister Mary Olga's classes. The diverse cast of zany characters takes my readers on a joy ride that will tickle their funny bones until it aches.

Q: I love your title. Can you tell us why you chose it?

I believe we are all little children in God's eyes. That's where the word Babes come into play. As for Bucksnort, that's the name of the fictional town in which I set my series.

I believe that we, as humans, tend to take life too seriously. I have dedicated my books to all adult children who don't need to do so. I believe that laughter is, indeed, the best medicine.

Q: Why did you believe your book should be published?

I believe that my books contain messages of hope in addition to the zany humor that allows my readers to laugh from the beginning to their ends. It has been my hope that people will wake up to their own spiritual potential. I incorporate many teachings of today's leading spiritual authors amidst the hilarity. I believe that we, as the human race, have a greater potential than we have realized. I hope that we will come to see past our own differences and to embrace that we are all one in the spirit.

Q: We all know that publishers can’t do all of the publicity and that some lies on the author. What has your publisher done so far to publicize the book and what have you done?

The only thing my publisher did was to put out a press release and to educate me about the marketing process. Marketing my books became my challenging task.

I solicited professional reviews that were ecstatic. I contacted the media and I've done extensive radio and television interviews in addition to this book tour. I hired a publicist who created marvelous blogs that provide information about my books and my personal life. I've held book readings and book signings among a host of other activities.

Q: What book on the market can it compare to? How is it different? What makes your book special?

My books have a similar flavor to the zany books of Carl Hiassen. They are also a continuing saga of endearing characters such as in The Tales of the City series created by Armistead Maupin.

What makes my books different are the spiritual messages contained within them. My books are special because they make my readers take a good look at themselves. By doing so, they will hopefully look at how they may be similar to my characters – naughty, nasty, and nice.

In so doing, it will give my readers an opportunity to discard characteristics which no longer serve them. At the same time, they will be able to develop virtues that will make themselves better persons.

Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?

The Reverend Billy-Bob Blunthead, with his piercing coal-black eyes, is descending from the heavens of his theater of the absurd in his gilded throne. As he descends, he passes by a crimson and lavender stained-glass window which depicts the fateful torment that awaits the unfaithful as he perceives them.

Standing below, his wife, Pinky Poo, with her fuchsia-colored hair, is waiting to writhe in horror as he glares at the audacious homosexuals who have dared to infiltrate his chapel. Pinky Poo cries out as she faints to the floor.

The lost lambs of his audience, who need someone to spoon-feed them their beliefs, bob their heads at the spectacle. Their leader, Priscilla Bunhead, turns and glares. How could the perverts have infected this chapel?

The proud gay people and their supporter, Sister Mary Olga Fortitude, will not be dissuaded by the band of the Born Again or Burn Forever Disciples for Jesus. As the disciples march to expel them from the church, they leave in quiet dignity. Reverend Billy-Bob has no idea what's in store for him as the final scenes of the book unfold.

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

Of course I do! In fact, I've already written a total of eleven books in the series. The next one to be released is entitled Have A Heart. In it, Reverend Billy-Bob Blunthead faces his final trial when his own nasty little secret is unveiled.

Have no fear, I haven't run out of ideas yet. As long as my creative juices flow, I will continue to entice and entertain my readers with the unfolding saga of my babes in Bucksnort.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Davis Aujourd'hui. Do you have any final words?

Please visit Amazon.com where you can read the rave reviews on my first two books. As I mentioned, the first one is entitled The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude. You can also visit my blog which will tantalize you with tidbits about my books: http://bestsatireseriesofthedecade.blogspot.com.

Hollywood Stories - author interview - Stephen Schochet

2011-11-22T00:28:00.001-05:00

Author Stephen Schochet

Stephen Schochet

Author Stephen Schochet is a professional tour guide in Hollywood who years ago began collecting little known, humorous anecdotes to tell to his customers. His new book Hollywood Stories: Short, Entertaining Anecdotes About the Stars and Legends of the Movies! Contains a timeless treasure trove of colorful vignettes featuring an amazing all-star cast of icons including John Wayne, Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Jack Nicholson, Johnny Depp, Shirley Temple, Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Errol Flynn, and many others both past and contemporary. Tim Sika, host of the radio show Celluloid Dreams on KSJS in San Jose has called Stephen, “The best storyteller about Hollywood we have ever heard." Available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or wherever books are sold. For more information go to http://www.hollywoodstories.com

Welcome to The Writer's Life, Stephen Schochet. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

A: I’m a tour guide in Hollywood and I have been writing for about twenty-five years. Years ago I got a job as limo driver and wrote while I was waiting for the customers. I was asked to by some of the clients to give tours; in college I had become a bit of a film buff and I got a good reaction. Gradually it dawned on me that I’d rather give tours because it was sharing information and using my head rather than just driving people from A to B although a lot of limo drivers are great tour guides themselves.

Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?

A: My book is called Hollywood Stories: Short, Entertaining Anecdotes About the Stars And Legends of the Movies! The title sums up what the book is about; it has over a thousand vignettes about actors, producers, directors, movies and television shows. I kept researching and telling fun little tales to tell to the people on the bus and to keep the tours fresh. The overall reaction was so good I had the idea that they could be told anywhere. On the tour you can’t always finish the stories; a new site will come up, someone will ask you a question etc., so writing the book gave me the opportunity to be as precise as possible. I’d say the book was more built than written.

What kind of research was involved in writing (please italicize book title here – no caps or quote marks)?

A: I read over 500 books, talked to valets and housekeepers, and watched interviews, read magazines, the Internet, wherever I could get a good story from. I tried to keep things fresh for example I wanted to do a story about Marlene Dietrich who knew very little about:

Marlene Dietrich found her true calling entertaining the Allied troops in 1943. The forty-two-year-old actress, who never enjoyed making movies, got a crash course in how to talk to audiences. Nothing could be tougher or more fulfilling than performing in front of young men who might die in battle the next day. The Berlin-born American citizen overcame suspicions that she was actually an Axis spy, and was proud of spurning Hitler’s request to return to Germany. After World War II ended, she enjoyed being a lusty cabaret singer for many years and tried never to take herself too seriously. Marlene, whose long list of romances ranged from John Wayne to General Patton, once mentioned to her husband that she should have married Hitler back in the thirties, and then there would have been no war. She laughed when he agreed and stated that the Fuhrer would have killed himself much sooner.

The story about Marlene and Hitler came from a People Magazine article I found on the net; once I had the punch line it was a matter of going to other sources to find more bio information that lead up to it. Giving tours helped me get used to being very economical with getting out a lot of information with less words; it blended over into my writing style.

Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing?

A: I’m self-published so it’s not bumpy as far as having your manuscript rejected but everything takes longer. You do lose your chance to get reviewed in trade publications like Publisher’s Weekly or Library Journal unless you pay them. Hollywood Stories, is actually my third project, previously I had done two audio only projects called Tales of Hollywood and Fascinating Walt Disney. When I recording Tales of Hollywood, I just put a cover on it and tried to sell it, I had no idea what an ISBN was, no idea how to market it; I just was filled with enthusiasm for storytelling. Over time I was able to get both Tales of Hollywood and Fascinating Walt Disney into bookstores and they did well though I made some very costly mistakes mostly due to inexperience. Things like changing the price without changing the bar code, and not knowing that would not read right on the bookstore scanners when people purchased the CDs. It led to tons of product being returned to me and it was devastating. I consider Hollywood Stories to be a fresh marketing and with the advent of e-books the whole industry has changed and it is thrilling for content providers.

For this particular book, how long did it take from the time you signed the contract to its release?

A: Well again, that doesn’t apply because it is self-published. Hollywood Stories is about twenty years of research and then once I actually sat down and started writing it took about ten months, then about another two for the type setting and editing.

Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?

A: No I work with publicists from time to time, no agent yet. I have not ruled it out. My advice is no matter who work with plan and try to enjoy doing as much of it on your own as possible.

Do you plan subsequent books?

A: Not yet, but I am always collecting new material so I’m sure another project will happen in good time. I have recently written several articles for BigHollywood.com and other web sites.

Can you describe your most favorite place to write?

A: My living room; it’s less distracting than coffee houses. I tried the public library but my keyboard banging disturbed some patrons.

If money was no object, what would be the first thing you would invest in to promote your book?

A: Some sort of infomercial where I get to tell about 4 or 5 stories that appears on National TV

How important do you think self-promotion is and in what ways have you been promoting your book offline and online?

A: It’s everything; NOTHING beats enthusiasm and passion for your own work. I have done a lot of radio interviews, less TV although I’d like to do more, been reviewed by bloggers and written articles. There is not one thing. One of my marketing inspirations was reading about the book, The Shack, the writer and publishers just did non-stop promotion for about two years before the book really took off. Some books may do better quicker, some authors may hit the lotto but I think most of us have to keep plugging along. The trick is to get into a place where you enjoy it and to remember not to worry about immediate sales. Every time you let someone know about the book, whether it’s a radio interview or a speaking engagement you are raising awareness, maybe it will catch someone’s fancy later on, or they’ll remember it during gift giving season. At the same time you can’t expect to give up your day job, so there will times where you have to overcome being tired and balance your time.

What’s the most common reason you believe new writers give up their dream of becoming published and did you almost give up?

A: Well, fear of rejection again that didn’t apply to me in the getting published sense but when I first started I was intimidated by the idea of getting my first project, The Tales of Hollywood audio book in stores like Barnes & Noble. How could my little CD be on the shelf next to Mark Twain or Stephen King? Then I read an interview with Chuck Jones, the late great Warner Bros. animator that really helped me; I even wrote a story about it for my book called Be All You Can Be:

Legendary animator Chuck Jones identified more with his less-than-perfect characters. Bugs Bunny was such an invincible force that he had to be minding his own business before he was provoked. Only then could the rabbit be justified in raining down complete destruction on his enemies. Chuck Jones felt more kinship with the perennial loser Daffy Duck. Likewise, the ever-hungry Coyote was made more sympathetic than the invulnerable Roadrunner. The helpless carnivore, that was totally responsible for his own destruction, represented Jones’ personal ineptness with tools. How could someone with such an inferiority complex be a success in his own career? Chuck often told the story how when he was a kid in art school, he wanted to quit because the other students were so much more talented than he was. He changed his mind when the teacher advised him, “Just be the best Chuck Jones you can be.”

Any final words of wisdom for those of us who would like to be published?

A: With the advent of e books and blog promotion opportunities I’d give serious thought to self-publishing. Read The Self Publishing Manuals by Dan Poynter. Also get critiqued by someone honest before you attempt to publish and remember even the best go through the ringer sometimes. When Michael Crichton wrote in an early draft of Jurassic Park he told the story through the eyes of a kid and friends hated it. He listened and made the necessary changes; it’s better to be savagely critiqued BEFORE the book comes out.

Thank you for your interview, Stephen. I wish you much success!

A: THANK YOU!

Interview with Heidi Ann Smith, author of 'The Clara Ann Burns Story'

2011-11-14T20:59:00.002-05:00

Heidi Ann Smith grew up in the Chicago area and began publishing poems as a child. At a young age, she won various local and academic awards for her writing; based on her writing abilities, she was awarded a scholarship to a private high school and attended college courses during her high school years. After high school she began raising a family and was taken away from her writing, but soon returned to complete a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University. She then earned a Master of Arts in Humanities from California State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Goddard College. Several of her poems recently found homes in various journals, and she published a scholarly thesis on the German artist George Grosz. Heidi is currently a PhD student studying Creative Writing at Middlesex University in London, England. THE CLARA ANN BURNS STORY is her first novel.

You can visit the website at www.monkeypuzzlepress.com.

About The Clara Ann Burns Story

In Heidi Ann Smith’s short novel THE CLARA ANN BURNS STORY, a woman who suffered child abuse looks back over her turbulent life as she approaches her fifties. Smith describes it as “a story of a young girl, Clara Ann Burns, who was tortured, abused and neglected by her family. When she was old enough to go out on her own, she got herself into situations that were not always the best. But in the end she raises her own family and holds onto the hope of healing and living without fear.”

Smith explains that the story “is based on some of my life experiences,” which included sexual abuse. “I needed to write this book–and I needed to have the right and the freedom to bring together different events.”

Rather than creating a traditional narrative text from start to finish, in THE CLARA ANN BURNS STORY, Smith–who holds one master’s degree in fine arts in creative writing, another in humanities, and is a PhD student in creative writing–chose to express child abuse and loss by experimenting with literary genre. The result is that the protagonist, Clara Ann Burns, tells her story through written memories (short stories, lists, poems, one-minute plays) and memorabilia (hospital records, photographs, personal records). All are presented without explanation: a grandmother cooks breakfast while she speaks to her deceased husband; a mother scalds her child in a bathtub; the funeral processions of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.; the death of a child’s father; and the rape of a stepdaughter. This multi-genre approach, Smith feels, more accurately conveys “the impossibility of piecing together this story, and reflects the inconsistencies of an abuse victim’s memories that tend to jump from one instance of abuse to the next, rather than flowing through, perhaps, what might be considered the normal ups and downs of life.”

In addition, Smith points out, “These isolated memories of abuse that flash through Clara’s mind are what it means to have post-traumatic stress disorder. I suggest further that these isolated incidents also represent the perplexity of healing from prolonged neglect and abuse, since a constant state of fear is what is most familiar to Clara since she was abused by family members and friends for many years. If a child believes his or her own family is not adverse to his or her own torture, neglect, or rape, the child cannot survive as emotionally or psychologically intact. In Clara’s case, the abuse is pervasive, there is no relief for many years, nor hope of relief until she is an older woman and capable of looking at what happened to her objectively through the instantiation of the events as presented in the text.”

Despite the personal inspiration behind THE CLARA ANN BURNS STORY, Smith’s academic and scholarly understanding of both creative writing and fine art informs the book’s power. She likens writing to fine art: “All the great artists I studied reflected their life; in a great work of art, you cannot extricate the artist’s life from their work. When you look at a work of art by Van Gogh or Caravaggio you see some truth about their life. For me, the truth does not necessarily read like a biography; there are details that are blurred from your view. When I was engaged in the writing process, some things that were hidden from my view came out–which may grab the reader because it hit me as well.”

Smith hopes that readers who can identify with THE CLARA ANN BURNS STORY will find some comfort in it. “When I was a little girl I was very sick and I didn’t have a happy home life. I started reading poetry, and I felt some kind of resonance and a kindred spirit with the other writer’s work. I hope my work will reach someone and that they will also know that they are not alone.” And, she adds, “I also hope the work is received as a work of literature.”

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Heidi. Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing and how your journey led to writing your latest book, The Clara Ann Burns Story?

I began writing when I was 8 years old. The Clara Ann Burns Story is based on my own experiences with sexual, mental and physical abuse while growing up in the Chicago area during the 1960s and 1970s. The names and the details have been altered so as to not incriminate anyone, but the basic thrust of the story is reflective of my own life. Rather than confessing in order to realize injustice, I suggest, I sought to identify the pivotal points of temporality in multiple narratives.

Q: Can you tell us the significance of your title?

Clara Ann Burns is the name of the protagonist. The name Clara Ann Burns arrived as I engaged in the creative writing practice. In retrospect I suggest the reason why the name Clara arose was because it is a name that I have always liked. My name is Heidi and Clara is the name of Heidi’s best friend in the story of Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Ann is my middle name signifying that my own life story is aligned with Clara’s story. I see Clara someone who is sacrificed by her family, friends and community thus the last name Burns.

Q: Why did you believe your book should be published?

While some of the facts have been altered so as not to incriminate anyone many of the incidents are true. My experience of growing up during the 1960s in the Chicago area was that this was a time in which everything appeared normal on the surface and discussing what happened in private was not acceptable behavior. While I do not mean to suggest that everyone who lived during this time was a bad person but on the other hand I know a lot of people who had similar experiences as myself. What spurred the writing was the belief that if I did not write about what happened – perhaps no one would.

Q: We all know that publishers can’t do all of the publicity and that some lies on the author. What has your publisher done so far to publicize the book and what have you done?

I have only begun the process. My book launch is November 1^,2011. My publicist is sending information out to a variety of media organizations. I have a radio interview set up and a few journals have agreed to write book reviews.

Q: What book on the market can it compare to? How is it different? What makes your book special?

My work is similar to The Pink Institution and Nox. It is different in that it has a sharp edge and by this I mean the details are vivid and clear – one has to do very little guessing about what is happening on the page. What is special about the book is that while the details are precise and crisp no conclusions are offered.

Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?

Clara is six and her brother is seven. They are alone inside their home. Clara is in the family room playing with a ball. Her brother walks into the family room and tells Clara to give him the ball. Clara shakes her head – no. She watches her brother walk into the kitchen. She yells at him that he can have the ball. She listens to him open a drawer. She runs toward the bathroom and sees a steak knife in her brother’s hand out of the corner of her eye …

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

I am currently writing my second novel. I am also currently writing a dissertation that asks what we might mean by Creative Writing.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Heidi. Do you have any final words?

Thank you for this interview. Please visit my website WWW.TheClaraAnnBurnsStory.com.

Pump Up Your Book Announces Terri Giuliano Long's 'In Leah's Wake Virtual Book Tour 2011'

2011-11-12T21:48:00.001-05:00

Join Terri Giuliano Long, author of the women's fiction novel, In Leah's Wake (Createspace/Inspired Quill), as she virtually tours the blogosphere November 14 - January 27 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Terri Giuliano Long

Terri Giuliano Long is the bestselling author of the award-winning novel In Leah’s Wake. Books offer her a zest for life’s highs and comfort in its lows. She’s all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and a writing teacher at Boston College.

Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, traveling to far-flung places, and meeting interesting people. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook and she loves fine wine and good food. In an alternate reality, she could have been very happy as an international food writer.

Terri loves meeting and connecting with people who share her passions.

You can visit her website at www.tglong.com or connect with her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/tglong and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tglongwrites.

About In Leah's Wake

Protecting their children comes naturally for Zoe and Will Tyler—until their daughter Leah decides to actively destroy her own future.

Leah grew up in a privileged upper-middle class world. Her parents spared no expense for her happiness; she had all-but secured an Ivy League scholarship and a future as a star athlete. Then she met Todd.

Leah’s parents watch helplessly as their daughter falls into a world of drugs, sex, and wild parties. While Will attempts to control his daughter’s every move to prevent her from falling deeper into this dangerous new life, Zoe prefers to give Leah slack in the hope that she may learn from her mistakes. Their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage.

Twelve-year-old Justine observes Leah’s rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family. She desperately seeks her big sister’s approval and will do whatever it takes to obtain it. Meanwhile she is left to question whether her parents love her and whether God even knows she exists.

What happens when love just isn’t enough? Who will pay the consequences of Leah’s vagrant lifestyle? Can this broken family survive the destruction left in Leah’s wake?

This mesmerizing debut novel tells the tale of a contemporary American family caught in the throes of adolescent rebellion - a heartbreaking, funny, ultimately redemptive quest for love, independence, connection and grace.

In Leah’s Wake is the 2011 BOOK BUNDLZ BOOK CLUB PICK and recipient of the Coffee Time Reviewers Recommend (CTRR) Award. This award, as selected by reviewers, recognizes outstanding writing styles in all book types and genres.

Visit her official tour page here to find out how you can find out all about this talented author plus when some cool prizes!

Book Spotlight: Fundamentally Different by David Friedman

2011-11-10T22:21:00.001-05:00

In Fundamentally Different, Friedman uses stories and examples from his 27 years of business leadership experience to make clear the connection between values and success in a way that’s as enjoyable to read as it is insightful.

Is organizational culture just a New Age obsession that distracts us from the real work of business? What role do values play in organizational success? How can we create greater consistency between the values we say are important and the ones that actually show up in the routine behavior of our people? What’s the most important common denominator found in all dysfunctional organizations, and how can we avoid it?

In his new book, Fundamentally Different, David Friedman provides the answers to these questions and more. You’ll learn:

■The 8 keys steps the most successful companies use to institutionalize their values

■Why listening can actually have more impact than speaking

■What a “filter” is and how it affects everything we believe to be true

■The 5 components of good decisions

■The role of curiosity in increasing effectiveness

■Why “rebar” is the key to creating lasting change

With his compelling logic and easy-to-understand style, David shares the most important insights he learned during a 27-year business career in which he led one of the most unique and successful companies in his industry. Captured in his self-styled Fundamentals, this collection of wisdom is so simple, yet powerful, that you’ll wonder why the principles he describes aren’t more commonplace in every organization across America.
But David’s Fundamentals aren’t just about business. They’re a guidebook for life. And like so many other people who’ve already embraced them, you’ll no doubt find your life enriched by their practice.

Read an excerpt!

FUNDAMENTAL #9

Work from the assumption that people are good, fair, and honest.

Kindness begets more kindness. Trust begets more trust. We believe that most people genuinely want to do the right thing. Act out of this belief.

If I have a favorite Fundamental, this might just be it. I think it’s because this Fundamental always reminds me of the tremendous impact that our point of view has on how we treat other people and, in turn, how they react to us. A simple shift in our point of view has enormous potential to alter the outcome of events; and yet, so few people recognize this influence and, as a result, so many fail to seize the opportunity it presents to create success.

The Role of Filters

To fully appreciate the power of this Fundamental, we need to first take a closer look at the way in which “filters” influence our perceptions. When I use the word “filter,” I’m referring to a conceptual device that alters the way in which we receive sensory data. For example, when we put on a pair of eyeglasses, the lenses alter the way in which our eyes see objects, which then alters the way our brain processes the images and how we perceive the world around us. But this notion is not limited to just our vision.

We also have filters in how we listen. While our listening filters are created in our minds and may not be physical, they have the very same role in influencing our perceptions as does a pair of eyeglasses. Let me show you a couple of examples to illustrate what I mean.

Imagine that you attend a lecture on economics presented by the head of the Economics Department at Princeton University. In the introduction, you learn that he has a PhD from Harvard, has published nine books, has been an advisor to two Presidents, and has won a Nobel Prize for his work. What influence do you think the knowledge of his credentials has on how you hear his message? Undoubtedly, your perception of his credibility is likely to cause you to believe much of what he says.

But now let’s change the scenario just a bit. Suppose you see this very same man, shabbily dressed, standing on a milk crate in New York City’s Central Park with a megaphone in his hand, proclaiming his theories about what’s happening to our economy. The words that come from his mouth may be identical, but the way you process them and the validity you assign to them would be entirely different!

How about this one? Let’s suppose that your son is a good high school baseball player, wanting to improve. Your neighbor, who’s been coaching Little League for years, offers to give him some pointers about batting. How might your perception of his advice be different if you learned that he was a former major league ballplayer? Can you see the role that your filter plays in influencing how you perceive the very same information?

Here’s the key point I want you to see. Once we recognize that we all have filters and acknowledge the role these filters play, we can begin to see how what we believe to be true in a situation may not be the only way of seeing it. In fact, if we choose to use a different filter, we might actually see the entire situation in a different light.

Read the reviews!

“30 years of helping hundreds of entrepreneurs build successful companies has taught me that great cultures don’t just happen. They’re built, like cathedrals, block by block. This book is as good a blueprint as you’ll find anywhere. David Friedman has not only done it, but he has a unique gift for explaining just how you can do it as well.”

– Carter Schelling, Creator of “The Market Leader Strategy” seminar on DVD

“Fundamentally Different gives us the straightforward rules that guided Friedman’s company to extraordinary excellence and results. I am inspired by his ideas and methods and plan to adopt them at my company. Friedman belongs with Tom Peters and Stephen Covey as “must read” business authors.”

– J. Mark Baiada, Founder/President, Bayada Nurses

“Fundamentally Different is just that—different from the countless books I’ve read over a career in leadership spanning four decades. David Friedman manages to cut through the theoretical and deliver practical, easy to understand principles for building a winning team. Fundamentally Different should be required reading for all leaders.”

– Edward J. Damm, Chairman of the Board, ACCU Staffing Services

David Friedman, author of Fundamentally Different, is the former President of RSI, an award-winning employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm in the Philadelphia area. He is a frequent guest speaker and seminar leader on organizational culture, leadership and values. A graduate of the College of William & Mary with a degree in Philosophy, Friedman currently lives in Moorestown, NJ with his wife and 2 college-age children.
Website: http://fundamentally-different.com/

Blog: http://djfriedman.com/blog/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/DavidFriedman4

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FundamentallyDifferentBook

Writers On The Move: Optimising Social Networking for Authors

2011-11-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

Writers On The Move: Optimising Social Networking for Authors: I know that all of you are social media mavens. I know that you've all got Facebook, LinkedIn, a range of Ning accounts, use Shelfari, Libr...

Interview with David Rocklin, author of "The Luminist"

2011-11-10T10:15:00.001-05:00

David Rocklin is an attorney and a mediator. He graduated from Indiana University with a BA in Literature. He lives in California with his wife and children. The Luminist is his first novel.

You can visit his website athttp://www.davidrocklin.com

Connect with him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/drocklin or Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Luminist/197726206912766

The Interview

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, David. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

A: I was born and raised in Chicago, and now live in LA with my wife and two daughters. I’m an attorney by trade, so I guess I’m living proof that attorneys all yearn to be writers! I’ve been writing all my life. Writing is how I’ve always made sense of the world and my place in it. I’ve been through many phases over the years – if you knew me as a kid, you’d recall my Bruce Lee phase, my rock bassist phase, and my hockey phase – and the one thread running through them all is my having written about them.

Q: Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?

A: The Luminist is set in nineteenth century Ceylon. The novel tells the story of Eligius Shourie, an Indian boy whose father is killed by English soldiers after a melee at the East India Company. He becomes a servant in the house of Catherine Colebrook. Independent and driven, married to a fading Court Director, Catherine is chasing an obsession: the nascent art and science of photography. Eligius becomes her apprentice in the quest, and a bond neither of them expected is formed while around them, unrest between the native populace and the colonials occupying their country threatens to break open. The novel was loosely inspired by a period in the life of Julia Margaret Cameron, an English woman who became involved with photography in its infancy. She was a remarkable woman, unique for her time in that she tenaciously pursued this little-known art against all societal pressures and expectations. I saw an installation of her photographs at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. I’m not a photographer, and I had no previous experience with India, but something about those images really captured me. I read a quote attributed to her – “I longed to arrest all beauty that came before me” – and she had me. This obsession of hers, to take a moment out of the world and hold it still, became the novel’s heart.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced writing it?

A: When I first began to consider what I’d taken on in terms of overarching story and setting, I felt a little intimidated! I didn’t want to simply recycle the elements that I’d seen before in fiction with settings in India: things like India’s caste system, or the intricacies of politics at the East India Company. I also had taken on the challenge of depicting the mechanics of early photographic devices, a challenge in itself. Then I realized that the Ceylon of this story no longer exists – I could travel to what is now Sri Lanka and I would not find it. I had to imagine life into the characters’ Ceylon to make the novel work. This was equally true of the photographic techniques at the story’s heart. The emotional impact of holding time still, the very idea of chemicals and other photographic elements first discovered on battlefields, now making their way into this new art form – this all became as important as the technical depiction of them.

Q: Do you have a press kit and what do you include in it? Does this press kit appear online and, if so, can you provide a link to where we can see it?

A: My publisher maintains a press release that contains the latest tour news, reviews and contact information. You can obtain a copy by emailing Liz Crain at lcrain@hawthornebooks.com.

Q: Have you either spoken to groups of people about your book or appeared on radio or TV? What are your upcoming plans for doing so?

A: I have been on tour for the novel, and have been privileged to speak, read and sign for audiences in Seattle, Portland and Chicago (where I was also interviewed by NBC), with Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York to come.

Q: Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?

A: I have the best agents in the world, if I may say so! Christy Fletcher and Melissa Chinchillo of Fletcher & Co. in New York. They are tireless and so supportive of the novel, and of me. I feel very lucky to be among their stable of writers. Amazing people.I do feel that for traditional publishing, agents are needed and very valuable to writers. There are more self-publishing outlets than ever available to writers, and I don’t think agents are necessary for that route (I also think it would be more difficult to get an agent interested in a self-published title unless it came about as a last resort following exhaustion of traditional publishers).

Q: Did you, your agent or publisher prepare a media blitz before the book came out and would you like to tell us about it?

A: The publisher was incredibly active on the novel’s behalf. They put together a media map which was literally pages upon pages of reviewers, media, conferences and tour site candidates, blogs, book club strategies - on that note, if you’re a book club, we would love to hear from you! We have special pricing available for book clubs, and I will skype or appear in person (if you’re in southern CA) to talk about the novel at your convenience. I have my contact information below – I’d love to have my novel considered for your club.

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

A: I’m working on a new one now. It actually came about as a result of research on The Luminist.

Q: Thank you for your interview, David. Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?

A: Please feel free to contact me via my website (www.davidrocklin.com) or via the Facebook page (Facebook). My website also has contact information for the publisher. Hearing from readers is my favorite part of this wonderful journey, so I really do look forward to receiving your emails!Many thanks for this opportunity – I hope you enjoy The Luminist, and see in it what it is that made me write it. All the best.

About The Luminist

IN COLONIAL INDIA, at a time of growing friction between the ruling British and the restless Indian populace, a Victorian woman and her young Tamil Indian servant defy convention, class, and heartbreak to investigate what is gained – and lost – by holding life still. Suggested by the life and work of photographic pioneer Julia Margaret Cameron, The Luminist filters 19th century Ceylon through the lens of an English woman, Catherine Colebrook and a 15 year old Tamil boy, Eligius Shourie. Left fatherless by soldiers, Eligius is brought as a servant to the Colebrooks’ neglected estate. In the shadow of Catherine’s obsession to arrest beauty – to select a moment from the thousands comprising her life in Ceylon and hold it apart from mere memory – Eligius transforms into her apprentice in the creation of the first haunting photographs in history.

Interview with Robyn Wheeler, author of "Born Mad"

2011-11-09T12:09:00.001-05:00

After several years of chronic anger, depression and frustration, Robyn Wheeler was diagnosed with a low-grade chronic depression known as Dysthymia. Dysthymia is categorized as a mood disorder and often goes undiagnosed by those suffering from it as well as mental health professionals. Now on medication to help her deal with a mental disorder, Robyn has written a book about her journey, thoughts of suicide and her courage and determination to become “normal”.

Born Mad will shed light on chronic anger, how it festers to the point of wanting to do harm to yourself and others. Robyn will take you through her anger as a small child, her denial as an adult as well as the many technigues and therapies she tried in an attempt to rid herself of chronic anger, hate and anxiety.

Visit her website at www.bornmad.org.

The Interview

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Robyn Wheeler. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

A:Robyn Wheeler was born in Southern California in 1966, and moved to Texas in 2001. born mad is her first book which she wrote in 2010 after living with an undiagnosed disorder for over 40 years.

Q: Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?

A:Robyn wrote born mad to enlightened others on a rarely talked disorder she has lived with her entire life. She wrote born mad in hopes of helping others who may be going through the same thing she did.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced writing it?

A: Robyn says the biggest challenges faced when writing a book was digging deep in her soul to explain and show the agony she went through when being faced with worthlessness, deep depression and the journey to find her way out.

Q: Do you have a press kit and what do you include in it? Does this press kit appear online and, if so, can you provide a link to where we can see it?

A: The press kit is not online as of today but will be in the recent future. It will include photo, business cards, brochures, testimonials, biography and ordering information.

Q: Have you either spoken to groups of people about your book or appeared on radio or TV? What are your upcoming plans for doing so?

A: Robyn Wheeler has spoken to various groups about born mad including Rotary Meetings and Book Clubs as well as Book Signings. Robyn has also appeared on radio and TV as both The Creature Teacher (former occupation) and as an author.

Q: Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?

A: Born Mad mad was published by Balboa Press and agents include Brittani Hensel and Liesl Kasdorf

Q: Did you, your agent or publisher prepare a media blitz before the book came out and would you like to tell us about it?

A: born mad media blitz included a video of the author, over 5,000 book sellers were sent a press release and over 3,000 media organizations were sent press releases. Book marks, fliers, posters, business cards and post cards were all printed by Balboa Press and given to the author.

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

A: Yes. Robyn Wheeler is already working on two new books: one is a compilation of stories from others that suffer with dysthymic disorder and the second is a book with 365 anger managerment hints and tips.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Robyn. Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?

A: Robyn Wheeler can be found on facebook, twitter, goodreads, and books can be purchased from www.bornmad.org and www.balboapress.com

About Born Mad

Follow Robyn on her journey from fits of rage as an angry child, blunders and setbacks as an adult in deep denial, to her quest for awareness and enlightenment. Robyn takes you inside her deepest thoughts and fears, as well as her chronic anger and thoughts of suicide. After being diagnosed with a “bad state of mind” called dysthymia, Robyn wrote Born Mad to help others who may be unaware that they might be suffering from a low-grade chronic depression that will make l ife difficult, ruin relationships, and contribute to a negative and hopeless outlook on life. Born Mad includes symptoms of dysthymia and copies strategies, as well as the story of how Robyn came to believe in God, defeat chronic anger, and become the person she was meant to be. Read about her courage and determination to be happy and how her life has changed after having a “brain transplant.” If you or someone you know suffers from constant mood swings, angry thoughts, and extreme worry or anxiety, Born Mad might shed light on the reasons why and how to fight your way through to hope, peace and happiness.

Pump Up Your Book & YA Author Emlyn Chand Announce Farsighted Virtual Book Publicity Tour 2011

2011-11-09T11:19:00.001-05:00

Join Emlyn Chand, author of the YA paranormal novel, Farsighted (Blue Crown Press), as she virtually tours the blogosphere December 5 - 16 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Emlyn Chand

About Farsighted

Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he’s blind. Just when he thinks he’ll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

Visit her official Pump Up Your Book tour page here! Don't forget to join Emlyn and fifty other authors at the Pump Up Your Book 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16th! Visit Emlyn's tour page for more details!