Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Woven News: Three Months Until Release, Goodreads and Facebook Pages, and Much More Coming Soon!


Hey ghost fans! This will be short; got to get the bridge decked out for All Hallow's Eve with candy and zombie-shaped meatloaf. You'd be surprised how many lifeforms come knocking on our hull. It's a mystery how they fit their costumes inside those space suits ...

The big news is that WOVEN is getting closer and closer towards fruition. In three months, it will be out for the world to hold. It's a very exciting time for the Laire. The crew is thoroughly ecstatic!

If you're not already following Woven on Facebook, you're more than welcome to check it out. We'll be posting most of our updates there, which may include author and review blurbs, comments from young readers, and super-secret news that might disembody your spirits!

JK, guys ... We want you to live so you can enjoy the book. :)

If you happen to be a Goodreader, check out Woven on Goodreads, and, if you'd like, add it to your list (in case there's a giveaway).

I really must, and want, to thank those who have read or are reading the early copy. The reception you're giving this labor of awesome is more than we could've hoped for. And we're just getting started.

This is where I leave you for now. Be sure to have a safe weekend, my friends. Don't let ghouls and spooky things raid your candy or smash your carved orange squashes. They make for good pies!

I'm David, and this Halloween, I'm going to party till I drop ...

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

October Reads: Blue Lily, Blue Lily, The Blood of Olympus, Thursdays With The Crown, and Unraveled!


On top of the excellent books I've highlighted this month, these are the other October releases that I really look forward to reading, and, sadly, haven't started yet (so many books!). Check these out!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Raven-Cycle-Blue-Lily/dp/0545424968/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413955619&sr=8-1&keywords=blue+lily%2C+blue+lily
Blue Lily, Blue Lily, by Maggie Stiefvater

In this third installment of the popular Raven Cycle series, the story of Blue Sargent continues, as does the search for her mother.

Word on the nets is that this is a really solid addition to the series with unexpected developments and cliffhanger chapters that make it hard to put down. That's just the kind of book that I enjoy reading!

Congrats on your release, Maggie!


http://www.amazon.com/The-Heroes-Olympus-Book-Five/dp/1423146735/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413955558&sr=8-1&keywords=the+blood+of+olympus+by+rick+riordanThe Blood of Olympus, by Rick Riordan

The books in this series release before my birthday each year. For the fifth straight year, I got another thick book on my shelf.

And this time, Mother Gaea is out to sacrifice two demigods with the help of her army of giants, so that she may rise. This is the end of the series, and I have no doubt that it will end with a big bang.

Can't wait to start on this one!
http://www.amazon.com/Thursdays-Crown-Tuesdays-at-Castle/dp/1619632993/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413955646&sr=8-1&keywords=thursdays+with+the+crown
Thursdays with the Crown, by Jessica Day George

My family is a big fan of Jessica's work, and this third part in her MG series is bound to be no exception.

That cliffhanger ending from book one should get resolved (right?). Another adventure awaits Celie. When you take something big like a castle and make it a character of its own ... that's a golden story for you. Good thing I grabbed a copy at that launch party last week.

Happy release, Jessica!
http://www.amazon.com/Unraveled-Crewel-World-Gennifer-Albin/dp/0374316430/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413955667&sr=8-2&keywords=unraveled
Unraveled, by Gennifer Albin

I'm pretty excited about this one, since I've been following Gennifer's magic system in this series pretty closely. In the third and final book in the Crewel World trilogy, Adelice returns to Arras, which has fallen apart worse than it was before.

The first two books, Crewel and Altered, really set the stage for a grand finale. I'm stoked to see how everything gets wrapped up.

Congrats on your trilogy, Gennifer!


I just realized that I highlighted all sequels or the end of a series this time around. Sorry if that adds way more titles than you want on your to-read lists. But I'm not sorry.

Until next time, keep a lookout for those awesome reads! 

Did any of these titles catch your eye? What have you been reading this month? How hard is it to end a series that you love?

I'm David, and it's a miracle that I get any writing done!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Dystopian Novel Has Been Remade By Remake, An Immersive and Emotional Ride From Start To Finish!


Before we plow into this post, the winner for a copy of Stray goes to ... Sheena-kay Graham! Congrats! Contact me to claim your copy!

Now to the main event. I'm thrilled to present Remake by Ilima Todd! This is her debut novel, and a fabulous one. Here's what it's about:

http://www.amazon.com/Remake-Ilima-Todd/dp/1609079248/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413324958&sr=1-1&keywords=remakeNine is the ninth female born in her batch of ten females and ten males. By design, her life in Freedom Province is without complications or consequences. However, such freedom comes with a price. The Prime Maker is determined to keep that price a secret from the new batches of citizens that are born, nurtured, and raised androgynously.

But Nine isn't like every other batcher. She harbors indecision and worries about her upcoming Remake Day -- her seventeenth birthday, the age when batchers fly to the Remake facility and have the freedom to choose who and what they'll be. When Nine discovers the truth about life outside of Freedom Province, including the secret plan of the Prime Maker, she is pulled between two worlds and two lives. Her decisions will test her courage, her heart, and her beliefs. Who can she trust? Who does she love? And most importantly, who will she decide to be? 
 
(From Goodreads)

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A case can be made here that the dystopian novel has been "remade" by Remake. Todd has created a chilling post-apocalyptic world where humans are ruled by a false sense of freedom, running parallel to a hidden world where the everyday aspects of society are rediscovered through a convincingly fresh perspective. An engaging and thought-provoking read. I really look forward to the next installment.

Knowing how book 2 is going to start is killing me (I'm not telling). Care to give this a read? Find it now wherever books are sold!

Amazon     Barnes&Noble     IndieBound     BAM!

What kind of world would we have if we could choose our own gender? Would you do it? Who's in the mood to visit Hawaii? 

I'm David, and don't shoot me ... I'm with the Rise!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Looking For An Awesome Spin On The Fairytale Novel? Then Elissa Sussman's "Stray" Debut May Be For You!


Some of you might remember the cover reveal I did for this book a while back. Now the time has come for my friend Elissa Sussman's debut release, Stray! Here's a little more about it, and a trailer!

http://www.amazon.com/Stray-Four-Sisters-Elissa-Sussman/dp/0062274554/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412610537&sr=1-1&keywords=stray
“I am grateful for my father, who keeps me good and sweet. I am grateful for my mother, who keeps her own heart guarded and safe. I am grateful for my adviser, who keeps me protected. I am grateful for the Path, which keeps me pure. Ever after.”

Princess Aislynn has long dreamed about attending her Introduction Ball, about dancing with the handsome suitors her adviser has chosen for her, about meeting her true love and starting her happily ever after.

When the night of the ball finally arrives and Nerine Academy is awash with roses and royalty, Aislynn wants nothing more than to dance the night away, dutifully following the Path that has been laid out for her. She does not intend to stray.

But try as she might, Aislynn has never quite managed to control the magic that burns within her-magic brought on by wicked, terrible desires that threaten the Path she has vowed to take.

After all, it is wrong to want what you do not need. Isn’t it?


(From Goodreads)
*     *     * 

I consider myself lucky to have read this story before it was cool. It's that awesome! Now I just have to wait for my hardback to arrive. All the elements that I love about fairytales has been made fresh again. So fairytale fans rejoice - you won't want to miss out on this one! 

Amazon        Barnes&Noble         IndieBound

And if you want a chance to win a copy, drop me a comment below. I'll do a random raffle and announce the winner next week.

Congratulations, Elissa! This is the first of many more to come. 

I'm David, and "don't Stray from the path ..."


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

IWSG: Crossing The Finish Line: What It Means To Be A Writer After Signing My First Publishing Deal


Need A Little Support?Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer's Support Group gives bloggers a monthly chance to express their concerns, worries, and insecurities without fear of reprisal. It's a seriously big group now, and with well over 300 participants, it shows no signs of slowing down! I'd like to thank Alex for keeping this group going for so long, as it has proved wonderful in the supporting of fellow authors and the revealing of needed and sound advice.

And for its first year, the IWSG website is collecting today's posts for an anthology to help writers on their journey with instructions and tips on writing, publishing, and marketing. And this is my entry:

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I once had an idea that wouldn’t leave me alone. So I wrote a book about it. I haven’t stopped writing since. That was seventeen years ago. And while others have waited longer (and others much shorter), I will soon know what it’s like to be a traditionally published author.

There’s much to be excited about, a lot to be grateful for. You would think accomplishing what I set out to do after all these years I’d be dancing the celebratory jig for the rest of my life. But the truth is, I’ve never felt more exhausted. I assume this feeling isn’t new for anyone’s writing journey. Yes, I crossed the finish line. Countless rejections and trips along the way has left me staggering to catch my breath, wondering if I can keep running ... or maintain this pace.

In my pursuit of getting published, I’d forgotten something that was once clear: I’m a writer. It’s what I wanted to be since high school. It’s what landed me A’s in English classes. I have a greater sense of who I am because it forced me to reach into the cavern of my soul.

But it took an advanced copy of my first book, in the hands of my oldest son, for me to realize what I’m really doing this for.

This art, this business, isn’t about me. For me, this isn't about fame. For me, this isn't about money. We're conduits. We receive messages and jot them down for others to read. Learn. Be enlightened. Tuning ourselves to the right frequency is the tricky part ... No guarantees without constant adjustment. The finish line is a breather before the next run. Crossing that line doesn't mean I'm finished. The marathon is over, yes, but now comes the sprint. And I plan to keep going. Because someone out there is waiting for what I have to say.

And you as well.

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This is going to be a great month, I think. I have a lot to catch up on, more words to tackle, and lot's of exciting sci fi/fantasy awesomeness to bring up. Hopefully I have some cool news, too. Stay tuned.

Where are you on your writing journey? If you've signed a publishing deal, how has life treated you afterward? What is writing for you?

I'm David, and we're the conduits for a story that's yet to be told.