Amber Argyle

Pintrest Love and He Knows My Name!

2012-02-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

So I discovered Pintrest recently. It's this fabulous site where you can add pictures--kind of like a giant all purpose filing cabinet for stuff on the web. I love it! I've found lots of DIY projects for my hubby (he's thrilled-imagine a grown man dancing around the house while singing the lyrics from Westside Story with a twist, "I'm so happy. Oh so happy!"). Clothing and hair ideas. I even found a recipe for making your own laundry detergent--a year of detergent for 20 bucks! Made it this morning, in fact. I'll let you know how it goes.

And now you're wondering what this has to do with writing? Hang on, Mr/Mrs Impatience. I'm getting there.

I've created a folder for character ideas, cover ideas (see above), world building ideas. I've been saving images to a Doc folder for years for my reference, but this way they're all together and I can share them! Fantastic, right? If you want to see all the fun things I've found, here's my page: http://pinterest.com/amberargyle/

And now for the other bit of randomness. When you finally have a book published, you keep hitting these milestones that remind you that you're a real author-when you meet your first squealing fan, when you get your first paycheck . . . stuff like that.

Well I had another one . At a writer's conference this weekend, all these people I've looked up to for years kept passing me in the halls and saying, "Hey, Amber." "I like your shirt, Amber." "You have a bit of fry sauce on your chin, Amber." I kept thinking, "They know my name!" and "I didn't have fry sauce with lunch?"

So freakin' cool!

Anyway, who's on Pintrest? Do you love it? If not, WHY?

2012 LTUE Appearance and Signing

2012-02-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

I'll be at the 2012 Life the Universe and Everything at UVU in Orem, Utah this Friday and Saturday.

Friday, Feb. 10th I'm signing from 8:30 to 10 pm.
Saturday, Feb. 11th, I'll be on the First Novelists' Panel with Bethany Wiggins, Heather Frost, Brodi Ashton, and Angela Corbett.

I'm also making a stop at the mall, because Cache Valley just doesn't have much of a mall. Especially since my birthday is on Thursday, so I have birthday money to spend! Must stop at Tai Pan Trading-I saw the cutest bookends there when I went a few weeks ago. What are the chances they're still there? Also heading to Urban Wear. Seriously, you could pick anything off the rack in that store and I'd love it.

If you'd like to join me on my mall hunt, email me at amberargyle at yahoo dot com and we'll get together!

Killing lions with plastic spoons

2012-02-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel that way? Like you're facing odds so overwhelming you may as well be facing a lion with the plastic spoon from your lunch pail.

I have this awesome manuscript that's so polished it sparkles like Edward Cullen in the sunlight. It's seriously the best dang thing I've ever written. I love all of my books, but this one is special. You might have heard me refer to it as Daughter of Winter--though I'll probably change the name to Winter Queen . . . or maybe just Winter.

And I don't know what to do with it. Well, that's not true. I know what I WANT to do with it. Seriously, this book has the potential to be an international bestseller. It's that good. And I refuse to settle for anything less for it.

There are a few options in the works. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what any of those options are. I might not even agree to them if said options fall short of my expectations.
I'm not sure I'll sign for anything less than BIG. And I mean big big. I want marketing, NY Times bestseller list, and international rights and BIG.

Yet I hate that Winter sits in my computer. Unread and unloved.

I really want to send it to Melissa Frain at Tor books, but have you seen Tor's slush pile? Lion with a spoon, my friends. Lion with a spoon.

Fair warning for the lion-you're going to need all the help you can get. I've sharpened my spoon to a razor point, and I'm coming for your eyes.

Books you should read. . .

2012-01-25T14:11:00.001-07:00

Some books I've read lately that are well worth your time to pick up:

From Goodreads: Also Known As: Two Pearls of Wisdom, Eon: Rise of the Dragoneye, and Eon (All the same book just published with different publishers)

Eon has been studying the ancient art of Dragon Magic for four years, hoping he'll be able to apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune. But he also has a dark secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been living a dangerous lie for the chance to become a Dragon-eye, the human link to an energy dragon's power. It is forbidden for females to practice the Dragon Magic and, if discovered, Eon faces a terrible death. After a dazzling sword ceremony, Eon's affinity with the twelve dragons catapults him into the treacherous world of the Imperial court, where he makes a powerful enemy, Lord Ido. As tension builds and Eon's desperate lie comes to light, readers won't be able to stop turning the pages.

My review: Some books burn bright and hot but quickly fade. Some burn steady and strong for generations. Eon is the latter. With it's detailed worldbuilding and intricate plot, Eon is sure to become a classic of high fantasy.

In a word: Brilliant.

*And it's a high fantasy with a female MC! BONUS! Plus, I have a really hard time finding writers that write in a similar vein as me--high fantasy with a female MC. Alison is my girl. She's a lot heftier on the world building side than I am, but we're close enough to use the "if you like Alison Goodman, you'll like Amber Argyle."*

From Goodreads: Yara Jones doesn’t believe in sea monsters—until she becomes one.

When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.
Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people—until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process—or she might open the gateway to a love that’s deeper than the oceans.

Young Adult fans of Mermaids, Selkies, Sirens and Gorgons will love this tale of the sacrifice one makes for genuine love. Love that could be lost at any moment to the ever-changing tides.

My review: Finally! A mermaid book I can sink my teeth into. The main character is bull headed and brave, which I love. Paranormal is usually a young, innocent girl falling in love with a monster. This time, Yara is the monster, and the weight of the mermaids' fate rests on her shoulders. A refreshing twist. I can't wait to see more from Karen Hooper.

What are you reading?

Announcing Witch Born FINISHED!

2012-01-18T14:39:00.001-07:00

The first draft is completed! I have to say, writing a sequel is a whole other animal than writing the first book in the series. I pushed myself beyond my limits, and I'm exceedingly proud of this one. It's better than Witch Song. More intricate, more intense, with a more solid ending.

There will not be another book after this one.

And I'm back to my writing cave. Thanks everyone for you input on the title. Most of you liked Witch Born, which was my favorite as well. So that's the title for now. I'm pretty sure it will stick, but you never know.

Now, let's see if I can write through this nasty cold.

Did you know I'm working on a sequel to Witch Song?

2012-01-11T16:56:00.001-07:00

I haven't said a lot because I wasn't sure I would write it, but I'm almost at 70k words! Meaning I'm on the home stretch to finishing the first draft. I already have the ending written, I just have to go back and add a couple chapters that lead up the the climax. And it's fantastic! I'm so excited for how faced paced and intricate this book is. Brusenna has grown and changed so much from the time we first met her. She's finally become the woman I wanted her to be. I still have a lot of editing in front of me, but I have something to work with, and drafting is the hardest part anyway.

But, I have to stop calling this Witch Song 2. It needs it's own title.So who wants to help me pick one? Fill out the form below to let me know what you think. I definitely have a favorite. I'm curious to see if my idea lines up with yours.

Loading...Or you can come up with your own and let me know in the comments! I'll report the results next week (cause I can't figure out how to post a survey that lists them for you--computer illiteracy in action).

The Toned Muffin Top

2012-01-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

*I posted this last year, but there's so many new faces on the blog, I thought I'd share it again.

This interview took place today between my brain and my body's foreman.

The construction worker slowly swiveled in the padded chair, his eyes searching for something more interesting than the bare, grey walls around him. He eventually saw a fly and followed it with his gaze. Every once in a while, it zoomed away too fast. But he always found it again.

There was nowhere to go. For either of them.

Finally the door opened and a young, pretty woman wearing a grey business suit stepped in. She wore glasses and had her hair in a tight ponytail.

Great, he thought. She was always more uptight when she had her hair in a ponytail.

The woman didn't look at him. Instead, she concentrated on the open manila folder in front of her. She let go of the door and moved into the seat opposite him.

Just before the door closed, the fly escaped.

Lucky fly.

She finished scanning the folder, shut it with a soft slap, folded her hands over it, and looked at him. "We have some problems to discuss."

He shifted uncomfortably in the seat that was too small for him. "Yeah, I suppose we do."

"I'll start."

Of course you will. "Alright."

"I've noticed some unnecessary bulging on the inner thighs, buttocks, and around the middle."

He grunted. "Muffin top."

She blushed scarlet. "I suppose you could call it that."

He scratched his bald head under his construction hat. "Listen lady, I do the best I can with what I've got."

She tapped the eraser of a number two pencil on her folder. "We've been working out at least three hours a week. We've cut back on a lot of unhealthy foods."

He nodded warily. "Yes, but not in the last month."

The tapping pencil stopped. When she grew still, he knew to tread carefully.

"8 months, we've worked our butt off. 8 months. And you know how much weight we've lost?"

"Well, we haven't exactly worked our butt off." He started to chuckle, but her eyes blazed black fire at him. He choked on it and found himself sitting deeper in his chair. "We've, uh, toned up a lot?"

It was like she hadn't heard him. "A pound! One measly little pound!"

He scratched his belly. "Well then, a pound is something."

She stood up in her chair and leaned toward him. "The baby is 22 months old, Foreman."

He shrugged. "Well, the materials are older than they used to be."

It was the wrong thing to say. He could feel the hairs on the back of their head standing on end. "Plus, we've had some setbacks." He tried to placate her. "Three kids are hard on a body. Not to mention the sleepless nights and--"

"I don't care how old this body is or how many children have damaged it. I want it working like it did before."

He felt his face flush with heat. "I'm a working man, not a miracle worker." They glared at each other for a while, and suddenly he was frightened. "Wait, your not seriously thinking of cutting us up?"

She flopped back into her chair in exasperation. "It crossed my mind."

"You wanna hurt us, just so you'll look good in a bikini you'll never wear anyway."

She sighed. "No. I'm not going to cut us up."

He found himself relaxing, a tiny bit. But suddenly, things started clicking into place. The increased chocolate, the hectic schedule. Now it was his turn to be angry. He slowly rose and pointed a shaking finger at her. "I know what this is. It's not some random meeting. You do this to me every year."

She wouldn't meet his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He could already feel the aching muscles, the burning lungs. "Every year it's the same, the chocolate, the candy canes, the eggnog. Less time to work out, but plenty of neighbors bringing chocolates and popcorn balls. And then, then comes the New Year. And the New Year's Resolution." He could barely contain himself now. "And then you work us into the ground."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, if you'd cooperate a little better, we wouldn't go through this every year."

He shook his head in disgust. "I won't have it! I won't!" But it was useless. She was in charge. And even if he gave her an awful stitch in her side or broke her out in a rash, she was going to do it again. He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

The woman jumped a little when the door banged shut. Then she slowly unwrapped a miniature chocolate Santa. She nibbled off his head. "Might as well enjoy it now." Rolling the aluminum foil into a little ball, she tucked it neatly into her pocket and left the room, her heels clicking on the concrete floor and her toned muffin-top jiggling, just a little.

1 Day Ebook Sale: Witch Song 99 cents

2011-12-28T14:34:00.004-07:00

Did you received a Kindle for Christmas (I did!)? My publisher wants to help load it up with your first book. For 24 hours only, Witch Song will go on sale for 99 cents. The sale goes from midnight to midnight on Thursday Dec 29 2011.

We'll be doing a #twitterview (interview on twitter) throughout the day to draw attention to the event.

Please help share any way you'd like (blogging, facebook, retweets, tell your friends), so everyone who wanted a copy and couldn't afford one can has a chance to purchase at this price. I would also love it if you posted your review somewhere.

If you don't have a Kindle, you can read it on a computer or smartphone. Seriously, you can't even buy a soda pop for 99 cents anymore. So go dig some change out of your couch cushions (or a local fountain), cause this won't be happening again (I have bills too).

It will be available at this price on:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

And I don't want anyone else emailing me and begging me for anymore free copies. ;)

Amber

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone, meet my dad. His name is Kent Argyle and he's a bit of a prankster (I inherited the trait). Here he is holding my cute niece.

I was going to share a story of one of my favorite Christmas memories with him, but my PR friend talked me out of it. Let's just say the events contained therein weren't exactly "legal."

So instead, I'll leave you with a pic of my Christmas tree:

Merry Christmas!

Too Strong for Too Long

2011-12-14T07:00:00.003-07:00

I recently read an article by Mettie Ivie Harrison about "being too strong for too long," and it struck such resonance in me I had to share it here in hopes that it strikes you as much as it did me (and thanks to Mettie for letting me share excerpts).

In the article, Mettie talks about the moment when she realized she couldn't keep her momentum going anymore. "Every minute of every day had to have a purpose. Most of them had to have two purposes. And I was ruthless when I reviewed my attempts."

Sing it to me sister.

I'm a driven person. I have goals and I work hard toward them. Sometimes to the point
where I push myself into emotional exhaustion. Classic overachiever with a long list of accomplishments (I won't bore you with the details). Any failure by myself was treated with self loathing and disappointment.

Pushing myself hard got results, at least results as far as achievements go.

But there was a price for being so unforgiving a taskmaster.

That price didn't come due until college. Trying to balance my new marriage while keeping my GPA up and living on next to nothing completely overwhelmed me and I started having daily anxiety attacks. My life ground to a halt and I couldn't understand what was wrong with me.

It took a lot of hard work to relearn how to relax. How to love myself. Forgive myself for my shortcomings and failures. I learned that a happy person is a balanced person. A person who nurtures their spiritual and emotional self--not just their physical and academic self. That relaxing wasn't an epic waste of time but time to recharge.

It was a hard lesson to learn, but I learned it well.

I still catch myself pushing too hard (I have three young kids, my husband is gone a lot with work, I exercise an hour 3 times a week, volunteer at my kids' school, write and market for my book, try to do my hair and makeup, housework, and church responsibilities (I teach Sunday School--what were they thinking???) but I've learned to back off before I fall apart.

I could sense myself getting overwhelmed for a couple months around Witch Song's release. Instead of pushing myself to schedule more signings etc, I took a step back. Now my goal is to do one signing/school visit a month. Not a lot, but I enjoy one activity a month. More than that stresses me out and I miss my kidlets too much. Maybe I can do more when they are older.

To read Mettie's article, go here:

http://metteivieharrison.tumblr.com/post/12802523421/too-strong-for-too-long

What aspect do you struggle more with: Spiritual, physical, emotional, social, or something else entirely?

Also, it's looking like January's event will be a signing in SLC at Sam Weller's. More to come.

Winner of YA Scavenger Hunt!

2011-12-06T13:04:00.001-07:00

You know what's annoying? When you want to see if you've won something, so you click on it. And the post just rambles on and on. We just want to see the results! Stop making us read through all this random garbage and give us the results.

Don't you hate that?

I hate it too.

Especially when the prize is super awesome. Like winning a copy of Witch Song--just before the holidays no less. Just tell me upfront. First line. Save me all this trouble of . . .What?

Oh.

I'm doing it again. Aren't I?

Okay.

Fine.

The winner is . . .

ferretvamp14

Sheesh. You didn't have to get all huffy on me.

YA Scavenger Hunt with Myra McEntire (Hourglass)

2011-11-30T16:32:00.016-07:00

Welcome to Amber Argyle's stop in the Dec. 1st, 2011 YA Scavenger Hunt, hosted by the AMAZING Colleen Houck (Tiger's Curse)! I'm the author of Witch Song, a YA high fantasy where witches control nature (seasons, storms, winds) through singing, but all the witches have been captured by an evil witch who plots to use their power to bring mankind to its knees. Only Brusenna, a young, untrained witch stands between the evil witch and the world. (I've hidden the first chapter of book 2 on one of the blogs in the scavenger hunt--go find it!)

On this Hunt, there are tons of prizes. Each blog is giving away a prize, so take a couple hours and go enter them all. At the end, there's BIG grand prize (signed editions of books, signed bookmarks, jewelry, and many more exclusive gifts with at least one gift from EVERY AUTHOR!) for someone who unscrambles all the RED codewords hidden in each post and uses it to fill out this Puzzle Form in order to win said BIG grand prize (puzzle and instructions located at the bottom of this post).

I'm also giving away a signed copy of Witch Song. All you have to do is add Witch Song to your "To Read" list on Goodreads (if you don't have a Goodreads account, you can Tweet or Facebook) and let me know in the comments. How easy is that?

As part of the tour, I'm hosting the beautiful and talented Myra McEntire, author of Hourglass and Timepiece. Myra McEntire knows the words to every R and B hit of the last decade, but since she lives in the country music capital of America where her lyrical talents go sadly unappreciated, she chose to channel her mad word skills into creating sultry Southern timeslip novels.

But if you catch her at a signing, she can probably be convinced to rap with you anyway.

Here's a little about Myra's amazing looking book, Hourlgass:

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Here's the cover for her second book in the series, Timepiece. Love it!

You can buy her books at IndieBound, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. I've even been told if you buy one you get a pony free (okay, not really).

AND Myra has been awesome enough to read an excerpt of her new book, Timepiece! Click here! (link goes live at 1 Pacific).

Here's the link for the next stop on your hunt: Gregg Olsen.
If you'd like to see my bonus feature (the never before seen 1st chapter of Witch Song 2) visit Cynthia Hand's blog as well! And don't forget to leave a comment here to win a copy of Witch Song.

Puzzle Rules:
As an extra bonus we’ve put together a puzzle with one keyword found on each website. Complete it and you will be eligible for a fantastic GRAND PRIZE which will include signed editions of books, signed bookmarks, jewelry, and many more exclusive gifts with at least one gift from EVERY AUTHOR!

Directions: Search for the 37 keywords—one on each Scavenger Hunt website—that are highlighted in RED. When you are finished, go here [link] to the puzzle form, where you will find a list of scrambled keywords. Put your keywords in the same order as the scrambled ones—from #1 - #37—and paste that list into the entry form.

Rules: To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed puzzle form before noon on Dec 4th Pacific Time. All the keywords must be included and you must include your full name and address. Entries sent in without name and address will not be considered! The contest is international.

~Amber
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Gearing Up

2011-11-29T13:59:00.000-07:00

Start getting excited. I have a big event planned starting this Thursday on the blog. I'll be giving away a copy of Witch Song, showing you where you can get a look at the never before seen first chapter of Witch Song 2 AND get a never before seen look at Myra McEntire's new book trailer for Timepiece! I'm so freaking excited!

AND I'll be signing at the Logan Book Table this Friday (Dec 2nd) from 8 until midnight with fellow authors Elana Johnson, Tyler Whitesides, Heather Theurer, Carole Thayne Whalburton, Lori Lewis, Tristi Pinkston, Mary Higgins, Ronda Gib Hendrickson, Wanda Luce, Darren Smith, and Jenni James.

It's going to be a Par-tay!

Turkey's Lament

2011-11-20T07:00:00.005-07:00

Don't Eat Me

By my 9 year old son.

Reasons why not to eat me

I stink

I'm ugly

I'm full of fat (your diet, remember?)

I hate your cat

I'll eat the mouse

In your house

I'll mow the lawn

I'll sweep the floor

I'll vacuum your house

I'll pick up the floor

I'll throw away that banana from days of yore.

Just don't eat me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

WOW: Tangled Tides by Karen Hooper

2011-11-16T07:00:00.003-07:00

Yara Jones doesn’t believe in sea monsters—until she becomes one.

When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.

Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people—until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process—or she might open the gateway to a love that’s deeper than the oceans.

Young Adult fans of Mermaids, Selkies, Sirens and Gorgons will love this tale of the sacrifice one makes for genuine love. Love that could be lost at any moment to the ever-changing tides.

I'm so excited for this book! Isn't the cover gorgeous?
What's your WoW this week?

Book Piracy is Stealing

2011-11-07T11:25:00.001-07:00

This year, an author will spend hundreds of hours writing a book that you will download for free.

I've heard all the arguments. Hannah said, "I don't think that a few bites out of the book sales of mega authors are going to make that much of a difference to their profit."

This mistaken belief goes back to the fable that all authors are rich. I see it all the time. My neighbors frequently ask me when I'm moving into my mansion. The truth is that the average American author makes 9k a year. We are not rich. Most of us barely make enough to supplement our income (and believe me, my wallet has felt the thousands of illegal downloads of Witch Song). A few lucky authors make enough to pay their bills without a second job. Only a handful make enough money to move into the upper class.

But let's say you've downloaded some mega author's novel like JK Rowling or Stephanie Meyer. Stealing from them doesn't count because they're already rich??? Sorry. Stealing is stealing. You can justify it all you want, it won't change the truth. It's kind of like the argument that stealing from Walmart doesn't hurt anyone other than some nameless corporation. The truth is that every customer pays for theft in the increased prices from security measures and profit losses. Some writer's book will fail to make it and that author's contract won't be renewed.

I'm familiar with Neil Gaiman's argument that book piracy actually helps sales because it's free marketing and the people who downloaded the book wouldn't have bought it anyway.

I disagree. There's generations of people who believe that content should be free because of the erroneous belief that the content didn't cost anything to create. And in once sense they're right. There are virtually no cost of materials in ebooks.

But what about time? After all, it's the only thing we as humans really have to give anyone. As I said before, authors spend hundreds of hours on their book. That's not to mention editors, cover artists, publisher production costs, etc.

Don't we deserve to be paid for those hundreds of hours?

"Downloading the book is no different from borrowing the book from a friend or the library."

Wrong. The library bought the book. You're friend paid for the book. They can lend it out until the binding falls apart and you can't read past the coffee stains. Though most people don't because they take care of their books.

But that doesn't happen with ebooks. No matter how many times you lend the book, it doesn't age. Meaning you can then lend the book out to infinity. And people do. Lending the book thousands of times, of which the author is paid once or not at all.

With Witch Song, we began to send the book out to book review blogs who requested the book. One of the girls coordinating my book tour contacted me to inform me that someone on the tour had pirated the book. She was appalled and wanted to apologize.

Within a week, the book had thousands of downloads from different file sharing sites. I reported this to my publisher, who went through the laborious process of having those files taken down. The very next day, the same people put the book back up.

I felt betrayed and undermined by the very people I thought wanted to help my book succeed.

So what's the solution?

For people to stop stealing. Seriously, if you can't afford a book, borrow one from the library. If they don't have it, request it. Most libraries are happy to buy books their patrons are interested in.

Book sellers like Amazon need to have the files available in numerous formats to everyone who wants to buy it--this includes all English speaking countries--without any ridiculous fees.

Hosting sites need to be held accountable for the websites they host. If they host a child porn site, they should pay a fine. If they host a site that sells pirated books, they should pay a fine. I understand that they don't have the man hours to patrol all their sites, but after a site has been reported, they should investigate it.

Search engines should block these sites from their searches.

Short story: Piracy hurts authors. Pay for your books.

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/11/authors-and-book-piracy/

Review of Vanish by Sophie Jordan

2011-11-02T22:10:00.000-06:00

I love this series. Love it. Love it. Love it. If you adore paranormal, this is a must have for your library.

Jacinda has returned to her pride of dragons, determined to forget the boy she's fallen for. After all, how can a hunter and his prey fall in love?

And of course there's Cassian, who Jace has been convinced only wants her because she's a coveted fire breather. Or does he? Time after time, Cassian proves himself as he goes out of his way to protect and care for Jace.

No matter what choice Jace makes, she loses something. Being with Will means abandoning her family and her way of life. Staying with Cassian means losing her freedom for the tyrannical rule of her pride.

This is one of the best written love triangles I've ever read--and this coming from the girl who is sick to death of love triangles. In the first book, I was totally a Will fan. Now I'm totally in Cassian's camp.

I can't wait for the final installment!

Solution to Book Piracy

2011-11-01T10:40:00.000-06:00

Some techie needs to code ebooks so if they're downloaded over X amount of times, advertisements start to pop up.That way authors still get paid for pirated work. You don't want the ads, don't share the book over X amounts of times. Or pay for the @#%^ book in the first place.

I don't know if this is even possible, but it SHOULD be. Is it? Who's a computer/programming geek? What do you guys think?

Guest Post by David Farland (on YA and Magical Systems)

2011-10-28T15:50:00.002-06:00

Amber: Why did you decide to write young adult after all of these years?

David: Actually, I’ve been doing it most of my life. It’s just that no one ever noticed!

My first novel had an older protagonist, but beginning with my second novel, Serpent Catch, my protagonists have almost all been young men and women in their late teens—age 19 or so. The Serpent Catch, Golden Queen, and Runelords series all feature very young protagonists. In fact, with the Runelords I have a couple of children as protagonists. In Wizardborn, I have a girl who is 8 as a protagonist for most of the book, and in Sons of the Oak, my main protagonist is between 11 and 14.

I have also written movie tie-ins using young adult characters. My novel Star Wars: The Rising Force was a big hit for Scholastic, and my Mummy Chronicles novels, four books in all, remained high on the New York Times Bestseller lists for months when they came out from Random House.

To tell the truth, when I first began working on the Runelords series, I strongly considered making it young adult, or perhaps writing a parallel series that was YA.

But it wasn’t until I was teaching a class at BYU in 2002 that I really got thinking seriously. I had one of my students, Stephenie Meyer, come to talk to me one day. She asked, “How do you become the bestselling YA author of our time?” So I we sat and talked about how to approach that. I suggested that she work on a contemporary fantasy with a powerful romantic angle to it, and all the time I was thinking, Of course as a man, I couldn’t write that novel. People would think it was just too weird. But I could write something for young men, with more of an adventure feel that would do much the same.

My existing contracts kept me busy for a long time, but now that I’m about done with the Runelords, I wanted to get a jump on the next series. So I’m hoping that this novel will go big. Whereas Stephenie went straight for the heart of the teen female audience, I wrote something that I think will have a much broader appeal for both men and women, from teens through adults.

Still, I have to worry that Stephenie and I took a similar approach to these novels. I really wasn’t copying her. I’m just trying to follow my own best counsel .

Makes one wonder how fine the line really is between YA and adult. I have a MS that I can't figure out where it belongs--YA or adult. It's kind of a blend of both, and it definitely has some violence (though not as bad as some YA books).

Amber: Tell us about how you came up with your magic system?

David: Years ago, in the late 1980s or early 1990s, I read a book by a doctor who had worked for the CIA, experimenting with drugs that would erase both long- and short-term memories. It was fascinating work, and he eventually won the Nobel Prize for it. So I became interested in memory transfer ages ago. I totally have a dystopian memory eraser book--it's in the editing stage presently. ;)

Later on, one Christmas, I got to thinking about the three “Wise Men” from the bible. Normally, a “wise man” is called a wizard. A “maji” is called a magician. Why was it that the writers of the bible were using double-speak when discussing these guys? Weren’t they astrologers? Doesn’t the Old Testament condemn these folks to death?

So I went back to the Hebrew and found out that indeed these three gentlemen were in the same class of magicians that the Old Testament, the m'khashepah—which originally referred to a class of magicians that hung around royal courts.

So the thought occurred to me, “What if they weren’t just coming to give Jesus gifts? What if they really had come to be . . . advisors. What if they wanted to give him wisdom?”

That started a whole train of thought dealing with memory transfer—transfer of memories, the possibility of training reflexes, transfer of memories on a cellular level, and so on—which led to the creation of my magic system.

The questions arose, what would people do with such power?

And of course from that a novel was born.

Nightingale tells the story of a young man named Bron Jones, who is abandoned at birth. Raised in foster care, he’s shuffled from home to home. At age 16, he’s kind of the ultimate loner, until he’s sent to a new foster home and meets Olivia, a marvelous teacher, who recognizes that Bron is something special, something that her people call a “Nightingale,” a creature that is not quite human.

Suddenly epic forces combine to claim Bron, and he must fight to keep from getting ripped away from the only home, family, and girlfriend that he has ever known. He must risk his life to learn the answers to the mysteries of his birth: “What am I? Where did I come from? Who am I?” I would of course like to take this moment to offer a review for Nightingale. You can send me the novel amberargyle at yahoo dot com ;)

This is a big project, an enhanced novel with illustrations and animations from half a dozen talented illustrators. It has a sound track by the head of the National Composer’s Guild, James Guymon, with a dozen professional musicians and vocalists. We’re releasing the novel in several formats, as an enhanced novel, a normal e-book, an audiobook, and as a hardcover.

But we did one last cool thing. The enhanced book was designed for the iPad, though you will also be able to read it on just about any other pad or smartphone. But we had our programmers create a web app so that you can enjoy the book on your computer—read a few chapters, take it for a test drive, or simply buy it for reading online. You’re free to go check out the results at http://www.nightingalenovel.com/. If you like it, remember to “Like” us on Facebook. Better yet, re-post our site info and tell your friends on Facebook.

Oh, and while you’re there, check out our short-story contest, where you can win $1000. I should totally enter that.

Thanks for stopping by, David. As you all know, David is a hero of mine. He was good enough to write a blurb for Witch Song, for which I will ever be grateful.

Isn't it interesting to learn how authors come up with some of our ideas. We take a concept and spin thoughts around it like a cone dipped in a cotton candy machine. Layers and layers of thought combine to make something magical.

Pics with Tyler Whitesides and Elana Johnson

2011-10-25T11:55:00.000-06:00

This is the panel with Tyler Whitesides (Janitors), Elana Johnson (Possession), and me at the Logan Library.

Director Robert Shupe introducing us. The room was packed. Standing room only.

The local paper was there taking pictures.

Of course, I had to buy Elana and Tyler's books. One for my son, the other for me. Perhaps there's a giveaway in my future???

As you can see, I like to laugh. A lot. ;) Plus Elana is hilarious!

Okay, I'll admit I was super nervous. More nervous than when I spoke to an entire assembly of middle schoolers. More nervous than when I presented at a writer's conference. I just felt so . . . inadequate. Elana has a huge publisher. Her blog has like 2k followers. Tyler's publisher has sent him all over the country for weeks on his book tour. I'm sure he'll break into the NYT Bestseller list. And then there's little old me.

Have you ever felt inadequate?

Review of Bloodborne by Gregg Luke

2011-10-18T20:00:00.003-06:00

If you like Dan Brown or medical/techno thrillers, you'll love Bloodborne by Gregg Luke.
Received from his publicist in return for an honest review.
Goodreads
Amazon

From Goodreads: One ordinary afternoon, research specialist Dr. Erin Cross steps into a local deli to get some lunch and nearly takes a bullet instead. Thanks to timely intervention from a former Marine, she walks away from the seemingly freak incident. But when she returns to find her lab under security lockdown and her apartment ransacked, she realizes the attack was anything but random. Erin can’t make sense of the threat, given her low profile after a disastrous H1N1 vaccine trial. She doesn’t know that her former colleague has used the virus to develop a potent bioweapon or that her recent research holds a key to his success. And she doesn’t know that his collaborators want her dead before she blows the whistle.

Fleeing for safety with her research in hand, Erin unravels the threats with help from the timely Marine, former Special Ops agent Sean Flannery. But the closer they come to finding answers, the more questionable Sean’s behavior becomes. His erratic moods and suspicious communications are more fitting for an enemy than a friend. And as the crisis comes to a head, Erin can’t be sure who harbors more secrets—the bio terrorists pursuing her or the one man who can give her protection.

My review:

Right from the beginning, the action pulled me in and dragged me along for a fun ride. Super scientist Erin finds herself the target of a hit man. Before long, she's on the run, not sure who she can trust or why they're after her.

After a good deal of luck and a get away in her sports car, she reaches out to the only person she dares trust, the man who saved her from the first hit, but everything is not as it seems. The mystery builds as we're introduced to not one, but two secret societies in a centuries old battle involving current bio weapons distributed by the perfect assassins-mosquitoes.

I really enjoyed this book. That's saying something coming from someone who mostly reads some sort of fantasy. The books is clean in content, style, and grammar.

I struggled a bit with believability in the middle, but it didn't stop me from staying up until midnight to finish the book.

Great job by Gregg Luke!

Cybil Awards

2011-10-11T07:00:00.006-06:00

There are a lot of book awards given out each year. The *Cybils are one of my favorites. It's not judged by "professionals" (people paid to have an opinion) but by readers/book bloggers (people who simply LOVE books). Who picks what books go into the pool?

US.

So if you've read a children's book (picture/MG/YA) this year that blew you away, support the book by nominating it: http://www.wandsandworlds.com/cybils/nominate.php

Personally, I nominated Janitors by Tyler Whitesides.

Who will you nominate (and no, I'm not hinting for you all to go nominate Witch. It's already there!!! Seriously though, go support the authors who blew you away this year)?

*The Cybils awards are given each year by bloggers for the year's best children's and young adult titles. Nominations open to the public on October 1st and close on Oct 15th.

Events:
David Farland's author advisory phone call Oct 12th at 9 pm EST. Anyone can call in and ask questions: At the appointed time, dial 1-218-862-7200 (long distance charges may apply, depending on your phone plan). Enter the Conference Code: 245657. To raise your hand and ask a question, dial 5*. To Mute yourself, dial 4*.

October 15th: Logan Library panel and signing with fellow authors Elana Johnson (Possession) and Tyler Whitesides (Janitors).

Appearances & a Question

2011-10-03T07:00:00.002-06:00

The next two weeks, I'll have several appearances:
Oct 3rd: Dungeon Crawlers Radio Interview. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dungeoncrawlersradio/2011/10/04/dungeon-crawlers-radio
October 4th: School visits to the Rich Co. Middle and High Schools. Signing and presentation at the Randolph, UT Senior Citizens Center that night.

October 12th: David Farland's author chat phone call (free) 7pm. http://authorsadvisory.blogspot.com/

October 15th: Logan Library panel and signing with fellow authors Elana Johnson (Possession) and Tyler Whitesides (Janitors).

Q4U: I'm considering writing a sequel to Witch Song. What do you guys think?

Pics from my launch party

2011-09-27T13:03:00.000-06:00

My very first public reading. Apparently, I read way too fast, even though I slowed way down (I read really, really fast).

Answering questions

We borrowed a lot of antique/vintage bottles to go with the witch theme. My friend, JoLynne brought herbal bouquets--they smelled SO good. My SIL Jenni brought the flowers and burlap to go with our Witch theme.

Some of the crowd who came to support me.
More peeps who came to support me!

We had apple cider with dry ice to go with the whole potion theme we had going. All the little kids were enthralled.

We had so much fun! Thanks to the library (especially Emily and Ginny!), Stephanie Jensen, JoLynne Lyon, Jenni Argyle, Derek Smith, Shauna Johnson, Andrea Winkler, and Katie Mackleprang.

So, you wanna be an author?

2011-09-20T18:14:00.002-06:00

I've had a lot of emails lately from people who want to be authors (also from attendees at the writer's conference I attended this weekend, see below for pics). Here's my advice:

Write three manuscripts--if this sounds daunting, it is. But only at the begining. You'll learn so much from those three manuscripts. Plus, now you have three manuscripts to query, and when one of them is accepted, you have two more sitting in the drawer, ready to go. You'll be far enough ahead that you can concentrate on marketing and there won't be so much pressure sitting on your shoulders. Plus, you'll know if this is really something you want to do.
While your writing your manuscripts, learn from professionals: follow at least 1 agent's blog. I recommend Rachelle Gardner. One blog on the business of writing. I recommend Katherine Rusch. Sign up for David Farland's daily kick in the pants to learn about the craft of writing.
Join a critique group.
Read at least 5 books on the art of writing. I'll recommend three: The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card, On Writing by Steven King (skip the first part by of both Card and King's books).
Attend a writer's convention or writer's workshop to learn about the craft.
Develop a group of trusted alpha and beta readers.
After all of this work, start querying.

This will probably take you a few years. Getting your work to a point where it's publishable is equivalent to a master's degree. Unless you're a genius. It took me four manuscripts and five years of hard work to get published, and that's a pretty normal situation.

I don't mean this to be discouraging. Being published is totally doable if you're willing to put in the work and you have a little natural talent for it.

Q4U: For those of you who have been at this a while, what's your advice for beginning writers?

*I'll be signing this Saturday the 24th at the Layton Utah Barnes and Noble from 3-5 (thanks to Carrie for setting it up!). Address: Layton Market Center, 1780 North Woodland Park Drive, Layton, UT 84041, 801-773-9973

I hope to see you there!

Amber and David King

Amber and Lisa Mangum

Ask questions on Librarything

2011-09-19T07:09:00.005-06:00

Author chat September 19th--25th at http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.php?topic=123864

Come ask me questions about anything or just say hi!

My Launch Party is Today!

2011-09-12T10:39:00.001-06:00

When I signed my contract, my book release seemed so far away. It didn't feel real. Then little things started adding up. When we finally started working on edits. When my cover was finalized. When it began to appear on book sites like Goodreads and Amazon.

And now Witch Song has actually been released. Sometimes it still doesn't feel real. Like I'm waiting for some line I need to cross that means I'm a real author with a real book that real people can buy.

Today is another one of those moments. My *launch party. A celebration that means all the hard work and worry and frustrations can finally begin to pay off. It feels like a graduation. Something I've held close to myself, nutured, and watched grow. Now, I can open my hands and set it free into the world.

It's a good feeling. :)

*The Launch Party is Monday, Sept 12th from 7-9 at the Hyrum City Library (50 W. Main). There will be a presentation from 7-7:30. There will be treats. YOU CAN BRING YOUR KIDS. I will have a TV set up in another room with a movie playing.

** I just had to tell you all how awesome my launch party was. I had so much support, and the presentation went really really well. It was so much fun!

When everything falls apart, you fix it.

2011-09-08T15:58:00.000-06:00

And if you can't fix it, you let it go.

Many elements combined to create the perfect storm that was bent on destroying my launch party and first three signings.

First, the place I originally ordered my back-up books from fell through. I hurried and ordered them from my publisher. Those books were delayed. Now they will be arriving after my launch party and first signing. The day after.

Not a huge deal, right? The bookstores should have my books.

No. My print run sold out so fast (from preorders and such), there were no books for the bookstores to buy. The bookstore where I'm having my first signing can't get the books in. The bookstore for my second signing can't get the books in. In the last 36 hours, I have spent hours on the phone trying to fix things.

I called my publisher, who called my distributor and printer. I called other bookstores. No one has my books. No one can get my books for another one to three months.

Insert panic attack here.

And then my publisher fixed things (for the most part). *hugs to Rhemalda* Bookstores can now order my books and have them in ~10 days. Much better than 1 to three months. And we won't be having this problem again (they switched our distributor and printer).

I was able to round up 20 books for my first signing (we pulled the newspaper article and will run it later when I do another signing).

At my launch party, people will preorder the books and I will sign them and drop them off at the library for people to pick up.

I have two more shipments of books coming which I will use for the conference and signing the next weekend and the signing the weekend after that.

That's the best I can do, and it will just have to be good enough.

Q4U: Have you ever planned some huge event and had everything fall apart last minute?

Random Acts of Publicity

2011-09-06T12:18:00.003-06:00

The 3rd Annual Random Acts of Publicity, September 6-8, is a week to celebrate your friend’s book, or your favorite book, by doing a Random Act of Publicity: Blog, Link, Like, Review, or Talk about the book . (BLLuRT it Out!)

The event is hosted by Elana Johnson. Go to Elana's blog and enter to win a free copy of Variant by Robison Wells.

So today, I'm talking about my friend Michelle Argyle's Monarch.

Here's my review from Goodreads: Monarch is an intricate blend of the literary and thriller genres. The pacing is relentless. The scenes gritty and real. The characters as intricate as the plot that twists around them.

If you crave literary books with a plot as strong as the writing, you'll love Michelle Argyle's Monarch.

Here's the BLLuRT's for Michelle's book.

Michelle's Website
MONARCH on Amazon
Michelle on Facebook
Michelle on Twitter
My review of MONARCH on Goodreads
Enter to win MONARCH on Goodreads list (make sure you add it to your "to read" list!)
Become a fan of Michelle on Goodreads

What's one of your favorite reads for 2011?

Book Tour links for those following along:

Monday, September 5: (The Interview with Jessica's will be moved to another date and time). Instead, you can read a real life recipe from the book (Honeycakes and Golden Curry Soup) as created by Christy Dorrity at Dearest Dreams. http://www.dearestdreams.com/2011/08/tasty-tuesday-golden-curry-soup-and.html

Tuesday, September 6: Cassandra at CA Marshall (Character Interview) http://www.camarshall.com/2011/09/witch-song-desert-island-edition.html

Wednesday, September 7: Amy at Reading Teen (Review) http://ReadingTeen.net/

Thursday, September 8: Christie at The Fiction Enthusiast (In Her Own Words) http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 9: Nicole at Books Complete Me (Tens List)
http://www.bookscompleteme.com/2011/09/witch-song-by-amber-argyle-top-ten.html

And another review: http://ayareader.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-witch-song.html

Read the first 5 Chapters of Witch Song +

2011-08-31T13:38:00.004-06:00

One chapter is posted on each of the following blogs:

Sunday, August 28- Page Turners Witch Song Chapter 1
Monday, Aust 29: Fire and Ice Witch Song Chapter 2
Tuesday, August 30: Once Upon A Twilight Witch Song Chapter 3
Wednesday, August 31: We Fancy Books Witch Song Chapter 4
Thursday, September 1: Mundie Moms Witch Song Chapter 5

Thanks to Mundie Moms for setting the tour up.

And the Teen Scene Blog Tour links for the week (links will be updated when they're posted):

Monday, August 29: Katie at Mundie Moms (Guest Post)
Tuesday, August 30: Jodie at Jodie's Book Reviews (Character Interview)
Wednesday, August 31: Precious at Fragments of Life (Review)
Thursday, September 1: Melissa at Mel's Books and Info (Into the Past) http://bookgirl-mel.blogspot.com/2011/09/into-past-with-amber-argyle-author-of.html
Friday, September 2: Lexie at Poisoned Rationality (Character Tens List) http://www.prationality.com/2011/09/pr-special-edition-51-amber-argyle.html
And reviews links:
My Writing Bug
Esther's Ever After

I want to thank all the people who follow my blog. All the bloggers who've been part of one of my three tours (I *heart* Book Lovin' Bitches, The Teen Book Scene, and Mundie Moms!). All the readers who've taken the time to write a review and share a little of Witch Song with the world.

You have a part in Witch Song's success; in the fact that we're going up against books with big marketing budgets and we're holding our own--and in some cases kicking butt.

And if you've gone through all that and you're still here, I commend you. Now I'm going to share some personal stuff. My book's official release date is tomorrow. Reviews are going up EVERYWHERE. This is super awesome. I'm beyond thrilled that people are reading something I spent years writing and then taking their valuable time to write a review. By and large, they're loving it.

But a few people aren't. That's okay. Not every book is for every person. I don't expect everyone to love Witch Song, and I don't want anything other than honest reviews. BUT I've come to the point where I can't read them anymore. I've talked to other authors, and most of them are adamant that you don't read your reviews. I can see why.

The honest truth? I need positivity in my life. I need encouragement and people in my corner rubbing my shoulders and shooting water in my mouth so it can run down the front of my shirt. I need cheerleaders. And part of writing reviews (for some) is about criticising. That's important for many readers in deciding whether or not to buy a book, but it's crippling for writers (kinda like having one too many alpha readers after the fact).

IF you'd like me to read/comment on your review or post a link on my blog, please feel free to send it to me: amberargyle at yahoo dot com But please don't bother if your review is negative. I don't want to hurt any one's feelings here. I'm just trying to preserve a positive aura.

Q4U: If you're an aspiring writer, do you think you'll read your reviews? Do you think reviews should be brutally honest or tactful? Can you really do both?

~Amber

Read Witch Song Chapter 2 For Free

2011-08-29T12:52:00.001-06:00

Witch Song Chapter 2 is now up on Fire and Ice. Click here to read it.

If you missed chapter 1, go to Page Turners.

Chapters 3,4 and 5 will be posted over the next three days.

You can also read another interview of me on Just Another Book Addict as part of the Book Lovin' Bitches tour.

And learn about how I how my upbringing affected my writing on Mundie Moms.

Another great review on Katelyn's blog.

I love book blogs! Thanks to all of you!

Amber

Read the first 5 chapters of Witch Song, free

2011-08-28T12:31:00.000-06:00

As part of the Mundie Moms Witch Song Blog Tour, you can read the first 5 chapters of Witch Song free. One chapter will be released for five days in a row. Starting today.

Chapter 1 is up at The Page Turners Blog

All Tour Stops:

8/28th- Page Turners, Witch Song Chapter 1

8/29- Fire & Ice, Witch Song Chapter 2

8/30- Once Upon A Twilight, Witch Song Chapter 3

8/31- We Fancy Books, Witch Song Chapter 4

9/1- Mundie Moms, Witch Song Chapter 5

My Favorite Desert of All Time

2011-08-26T13:24:00.001-06:00

Tiramisu made by my hubby every year for my birthday. Want the recipe (the answer is yes, yes you do). Go visit Kari's blog: A good Addiction

Also, Tristi has an excellent review up on her blog.

My Teenage Garage Sale

2011-08-25T13:11:00.001-06:00

Okay, I giggled when I saw how Casey had put together my teenage garage sale, complete with pictures--though she missed one.

<--- *the horse should look familiar, see the crescent moon marking on his forehead? He was my barrel and pole bending horse. His name is Knight, and he's in the book. :)

Corrine put up her fantastic review of Witch Song on her blog: Lost for Words

Also, The Reader Bee just put up a great review.

And Esther's Ever After is giving away a copy of Witch Song.

Character Interview with Joshen

2011-08-23T12:15:00.001-06:00

Today we're chatting with Joshen (who I always pictured as a cowboy) about what it's like to be Senna's Guardian. But not here, you have to go here: Precious at Fragments of Life (Character Interview)

Also, I'm part of another blog tour that will post the first 5 chapters (1 chapter each) on their blogs. The links and dates are below:

8/28th- Page Turners http://www.pageturnersblog.com/

8/29- Fire & Ice http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/

8/30- Once Upon A Twilight http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/
8/31- We Fancy Books http://wefancybooks.blogspot.com/

9/1- Mundie Moms http://www.mundiemoms.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much to Katie of Mundie Moms for setting this up!

Teen Scene Book Tour

2011-08-22T13:42:00.000-06:00

Today is the official kick off for Witch Song on the Teen Book Scene blog tour. Kari, Kelsey, and Corrine have been absolutely fantastic to work with. They keep things organized and make things as easy as possible for the author (if you have a book coming out, you should definitely contact them).

Today, I'm over at Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing with Ashley. She asked some great questions about everything from how I came up with the singing as the medium for my magic to my cover.

Here's the list of the tour:

Monday, August 22: Ashley at Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing (Author Interview w/ Book Line Answers)

Tuesday, August 23: Precious at Fragments of Life (Character Interview)

Wednesday, August 24: Corrine at Lost for Words (Review)

Thursday, August 25: Casey at The Bookish Type (Teenage Garage Sale)

Friday, August 26: Caroline at Words & Whispers (Tens List)

Monday, August 29: Katie at Mundie Moms (Guest Post)

Tuesday, August 30: Jodie at Jodie's Book Reviews (Character Interview)

Wednesday, August 31: Precious at Fragments of Life (Review)

Thursday, September 1: Melissa at Mel's Books and Info (Into the Past)

Friday, September 2: Lexie at Poisoned Rationality (Character Tens List)

Monday, September 5: Jessica T at Hopeless Bibliophile (Author Interview)

Tuesday, September 6: Cassandra at CA Marshall (Character Interview)

Wednesday, September 7: Amy at Reading Teen (Review)

Thursday, September 8: Christie at The Fiction Enthusiast (In Her Own Words)

Friday, September 9: Nicole at Books Complete Me (Tens List)

Monday, September 12: Amy at Reading Teen (Guest Post)

Tuesday, September 13: Stacy M at Urban Fantasy Investigations (Character Interview)

Wednesday, September 14: Lexie at Poisoned Rationality (Review)

Thursday, September 15: Kathy at I'm a Reader, Not a Writer (When I’m Not Writing)

Friday, September 16: Corrine at Lost for Words (This or That List)

On the making of a book trailer

2011-08-17T07:45:00.000-06:00

Today we're talking about what really went into making my book trailer. But not here.
You have to go here.

Also the winner for the last ARC of Witch Song is: Krystal!

I planned on giving away an ARC every week in August, but I'm out of money for shipping. Also, I need a break.

May I have a squee moment? At some point in high school, I wrote on my yearbooks that they'd better hang on to my signature because it would be worth something someday. I'm proud to say that my wrist is sore from signing bookmarks.

Also, here's a review from Mel as part of the Teen Scene Blog Tour.

Events, Winner, and Contest!

2011-08-10T14:26:00.002-06:00

Last weeks winner of Witch Song: Christina

Thank you all for participating!

On to the next giveaway of Witch Song *contest closed*:

Everywhere you post a review for Witch Song, you get 1 pt. Haven't had a chance to read it yet? It's available EARLY on Kindle for 3.99 Nook for 3.99
Example: post a review on Amazon (1 pt), Barnes and Noble (1pt), your blog (1 pt), and Goodreads (1 pt) = 5 pts (older reviews totally count).
Helpful Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Goodreads, Shelfari.
And if you really can't afford the 3.99, I'll let you have a 1 pt for every time you spread the contest through twitter, facebook, and blogs.
Leave your links and tally up your points.

Why are reviews important? For each review posted on Amazon, 10 of the reviewed books are sold.

Also, check out all the events I have going on through Sept:
*I am open to doing signings within two hours drive of Logan, Utah. You will have to organize it (I can go further if the event is large enough).*

My first signing is Saturday, Sept 10th at The Book Table (29 S. Main) in Logan Utah from 3-5.

The Launch Party is Monday, Sept 12th from 7-9 at the Hyrum City Library (50 W. Main). I will give a presentation on the making of Witch Song, a reading, and a viewing of the trailer from 7-7:30. After that, I'll walk around chatting and signing your books. There will be some simple treats. You will need to purchased a copy of Witch Song before, as I will only have a limited number for sale.

My next signing is at the League of Utah Writer Roundup at the Marriott from 5:00 to 6:30 on Sat Sept 17th (you don't have to attend the conference to go to the signing). I will also be teaching a class "Negotiating Contracts." Time TBA
*note date change* Layton Barnes and Noble Saturday Sept 24th from 3-5 (thanks to Carrie for setting it up!). Address: Layton Market Center, 1780 North Woodland Park Drive, Layton, UT 84041, 801-773-9973

Author chat September 19th at http://www.librarything.com/groups/authorchat.

If you'd like to help with the organization or marketing of an event (by making and putting up fliers/handouts; posting events on your blog, facebook, or twitter accounts; taking pictures; bringing treats, etc; I'd really appreciate it).

Win an ARC of Witch Song #2 (plus winners)

2011-08-03T17:11:00.004-06:00

Okay people, lot going on here, so try to keep up.
First winners (as chosen by random.org):

Theresa won an ARC of Witch Song!
Erica won an signed hardcover of Forbidden Seas!

And on to the next contest (because Witch Song comes out in 28 days! Let the countdown begin).

Everytime you change your profile pic to the cover of Witch Song, you get one point. The more points you have, the better your chances of winning a signed ARC of Witch Song.

Example:

Say you changed your profile picture for twitter, facebook, blogger, goodreads, and shelfari that would give you 5 pts.

There is no limit to how many points you can accrue. Leave me links or you will not be counted. Please leave the pic up for at least one month (the longer the better though). Contest ends August 10th.

Yadda yadda yadda. And so on and so forth. The end.

Also, don't stop posting the countdown widget. I love love love seeing it all over the place!
Okay, now it's the end.

A never before seen excerpt of Witch Song

2011-08-01T16:00:00.000-06:00

But you can't see it here. You have to go to here: http://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/2011/07/31-book-lovin-bitches-ebook-tours-guest.html

There's only two days left to enter to win an ARC of Witch Song. Over 4,500 people have entered to win on Goodreads. Needless to say, you're chances are MUCH higher here. http://amberargyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/win-arc-of-witch-song.html

I'll close my giveaway of Forbidden Sea on the same day. Thanks again to Sheila for donating a copy. http://amberargyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-of-forbidden-sea-by-sheila.html

Win an ARC of Witch Song

2011-07-26T20:03:00.002-06:00

Share the countdown widget contest (by clicking on the "get widget" button under the widget. Then just copy and paste):

5 pts for posting the countdown widget on your sidebar *extra 1 pt for posting it on the very top! Please leave it up until Sept 1st.
2 pts for featuring the widget in a blog post
1 pt for tweeting the link to this post:
1 pt for posting to Facebook
1 pt each for sharing anywhere else

Leave me your links or you will not be counted. The contest closes August 3rd.

Thank you in advance!

*Don't forget to enter to win Forbidden Sea by Sheila Nielson.

My Worst Fears

2011-07-25T16:47:00.000-06:00

My daughter as an infant.

This past weekend, we decided to do a family day trip at a nearby cave system. As we waited for our turn on the tour, my 2 YO daughter fell head first off a picnic table. Even standing right next to her, I wasn't fast enough to save her. There was this awful hollow crack as her head hit the asphalt. I scooped her up. Instead of screaming in pain, she cried weakly. Then her little body went limp in my arms. Her eyes fluttered back.

My heart collapsed inside my chest and I cried for my husband. An eternity later, her eyes focused on me. We watched her closely after that. Especially her eyes, to make sure they were equally dilated and reactive to light. I also knew it would be really bad if she started throwing up.

After over half an hour of crying, she finally settled down. Later, my ER nurse sister-in-law checked her out and proclaimed her fine. She said that children knock themselves out easier than adults because of their softer bones. As long as she didn't have any symtoms of a concussion in the first two hours, she should be fine.

But for those few seconds, I stood on the precipice of my worst fears. That something bad would happen to one of my children. That I would have failed to prevent it.

What's your worst fear?

Review of Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielson

2011-07-18T13:45:00.005-06:00

From Goodreads

When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, she is convinced that the mermaid means her harm. After all, the island is steeped in stories of mermaids' curses and the ill-luck that they bring. But Adrianne is fierce-willed and courageous and is determined to protect her family and the islanders from danger. Yet when the islanders find out about Adrianne's encounters with the mermaid, her family is scorned. They believe that once active, the mermaid cannot be quieted until an islander sacrifices herself to the sea. But is the legend true? And will their fear make them force Adrienne to test it? This is a haunting story of love, surrender and strength.

My review:

Forbidden Sea is my favorite book of 2011 (besides my own, of course), easily catapulting itself onto my list of favorite books of all time. Sheila has a talent for seamlessly weaving beautiful descriptions and metaphors into this fast-paced novel. A few examples: "Despite the dancing sunshine . . . Seeing it now, so empty and dark, caused gossamer strands of sadness to drift over me like webs caught in the wind."

Like Cinderella, Adrianne is basically the mistreated servant of those who should love her. From the book, "They see only with their eyes, and are blinded to the truest treasure that stand before them dressed in the ordinary dust and sweat of a hard life." But unlike Cinderella, Adrianna isn't some damsel in distress waiting to be rescued by the prince. She's scrappy and loyal to a fault.

My only misgiving about the book was the ending felt a little rushed. Still, I'm positive the sequel (ahhh! I WANT!) will wrap things up rather nicely.

Full disclosure: I listened in on a presentation by Sheila and I loved the concept for her book. Thinking it would make a great giveaway book for my blog, I bought a copy.

I burned through the whole thing in one setting. Sorry people. I refuse to give up my white knuckle grip. IT'S MINE. Luckily for you, I told Sheila how much I adored her book and she sent me another to use in a giveaway.

*contest closed* So yes, you have the AMAZING opportunity to own a signed hardcover of this absolutely fantastic book.

Here's how you enter:

Post somewhere that you're excited about Witch Song OR Forbidden Sea with a backlink to my blog http://www.amberargyle.com/
Everywhere you post, you get one point.

Examples:
On Twitter: Two fantastic book's I'm looking forward to: Witch Song by @amberargyle and Forbidden Sea by @sheilaanielson. http://www.amberarygle.blogspot.com/

On Goodreads: Witch Song author Amber Argyle has been gushing about Forbidden Sea, now I have to go read it! http://www.amberarygle.blogspot.com/

On Facebook: @amberargyle and @sheilanielsonauthor should totally do a signing together for Witch Song and Forbidden Sea. http://www.amberarygle.blogspot.com/

TALLY UP YOUR OWN POINTS AND LEAVE LINKS or you will not be counted.

Meeting The People Behind Rhemalda Publishing

2011-07-12T19:00:00.002-06:00

The President and Vice President of Rhemalda, Rhett and Emmaline Hoffmeister, were driving through Utah a little while ago, so we contrived to meet at a McDonalds. While the kids played, we chatted books, publishing, and of course Witch Song.

It was so much fun to meet the people I've worked with so closely over the last year. I'm so thrilled to be with Rhemalda. They're always available for my questions or to reassure me during my moments of utter panic (I'm embarassed to admit that I've had more than one). They've given Witch a FREAKIN' FANTASTIC cover. We've been partners through the whole process.

You guys rock!

* Lisa at Lisa Loves Book was so inspired by Witch Song's cover, that she created an entire contest focusing on the expressive eyes on many covers coming out this year. And best of all, you can enter to win a copy of Witch Song. So head on over to test your knowledge of covers in "The Eyes Have It."

*If anyone sees any grammatical errors in Witch Song, let me know and I'll forward them on to my publisher so they can be corrected before the final printing.

I hope you are all well!

How Do You Say "Witch Song" in Indonesian?

2011-07-06T22:04:00.006-06:00

Because we just sold foreign rights to Serambi Publishing in Jakarta Selatan Indonesia! How cool is that? And yes, that's the big news I've hinted at a couple times.

I've been told it's really rare for a small publisher to sell foreign rights for their books (Rhemalda rocks!), and even more rare for debut authors to sell foreign rights. And Serambi came searching for us! And they're not the only ones. Another publisher in Indonesia just expressed an interest in Witch Song and we had to turn them down.

I'm so proud of my beautiful book, all grown up and going out into the world.

A quote from my publisher:

The finalization of this deal, along with interest from other publishers from around the world, is garnering additional attention. This along with the astoundingly positive reviews being given from bloggers all over the web is sure to fuel the rapid growth and popularity of WITCH SONG.

*big enormous sigh* It's such a satisfying feeling to see your book doing really well.

Oh, and I wanted to share this link with you Book Depository has Witch for $10.49, which is cheaper than MY cost. This is seriously where I'm buying my books to resale at my launch party.

Oh, oh and I have 6 ARCs I need to give away before my release in Sept. Any contest ideas (something to help promote the book)?

Riding Horses in a Lightning Storm

2011-07-05T17:49:00.002-06:00

Our fireworks this Fourth of July carried a little more punch than your average roman candle. We had to cut out seven pairs of cows and their calves at a time and then chase them into a corral and up a chute to be loaded into trailers and hauled into the mountains for the summer.

Unfortunately, we were caught in a downpour. It was raining so hard I couldn't see, and I was as soaked as if I stepped into a shower fully clothed. Not to mention the lightning slamming into the ground. We finally gave up and headed for the barn. I pushed my horse into a gallop. He immediately humped his back and started crow hopping (not quite bucking, but seriously considering it).

Of course, I'd borrowed my Dad's cowboy hat and it ended up in the dirt. Not wanting to end up on the ground, I slowed him to a trot and we kept moving.

Maybe I'm crazy, but that was the most fun I've had in a while. :D

Winner! Plus my life lately.

2011-06-30T08:19:00.000-06:00

The winner of Tris and Izzie and Witch Song is: Tina! Yay! And thanks for talking to a bookstore! You rock!

My son was praying aloud the other day and asked God to please help mom be on the computer a little less. *winces*

So we've been playing a lot lately. This week, my father-in-law and his wife came down from Ohio, we've hung out with them at the beach and parks.

Any time I'm not spending with my kids or cleaning my house, I've been hard at work with my edits of Daughter of Winter. I've made a lot of changes. Added 3,000 words. I'm not sure if half--not all, just half--those edits actually help the book--seems more like a vertical shift. Very frustrating. But that's what my publisher wanted. Part of playing the game.

I have ZERO time to work on Forbidden Forest lately, which is also very frustrating. I wanted to have the whole MS written by the end of August. I'm not even half way and I don't see any end in sight for what I'm doing. *double sigh*

So ya, between edits, marketing, kids, and cleaning; no time to write new stuff. *triple sigh*

But I wouldn't trade it. We're simply having too much fun (except for the cleaning part).

ARC Giveaway of Tris and Izzie and Witch Song

2011-06-20T17:05:00.007-06:00

What you win:
A signed ARC of Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison (such a fun read!).

A signed ARC of Witch Song by, well, me.

Aren't they both pretty!!! Mette and I both lucked out in the cover department this time around. ;)

How you enter:
I've changed my contest cause the other one wasn't working. If you've entered, you still get all your points.

You still have to agree to giveaway Tris and Izzie (cause that was my agreement with Mette) but you can keep Witch Song (please post a review).

How you get points:

1 pt for sharing on Facebook
1pt for sharing on Twitter
10 pts for encouraging a bookstore (please leave the name and city of the bookstore) to carry Witch Song. You could print out and take my sales sheet to a bookstore, tell them you're so excited for the book and you want them to carry it (no limit on how many bookstores).

Leave all links, email address, points, name and address of the bookstore, and 10k in unmarked bills (just making sure you're still paying attention).
By entering, you agree to hold a review and contest for Tris and Izzie.

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/midwinters-eve-giveaway-hop.html

I'm on the radio

2011-06-17T09:49:00.019-06:00

If you missed the radio interview, you can listen to the link here. http://dungeoncrawlersradio.mypodcast.com/2011/06/DCR_CONDuit_XXI_Amber_Argyle-352383.html

My interview with Dungeo Crawler's Radio will air tonight, 6:00 to 9:00 (MST) on http://www.utahfm.org/. You can click here and click on the "Listen Live" on the right hand side button starting at 6 MST. THERE WILL BE AN EBOOK GIVEN AWAY TO ONE LUCKY LISTENER!

This was my first ever radio interview, and it was so much fun! Probably because I love talking about books--my book in particular. We talked about "the call" (or in my case "the email"), my writing story, my first book (which will never see the light of day), the inspiration for Witch Song, writing with kids, the magic in Witch Song, what other books I have in the works, my dream team up with another author, my thoughts on the cover, Irish Wolfhounds, and my possible future as a cat lady. Revan and Joe did a great job keeping the momentum going.

I think I did a pretty good job. We laughed a lot.

Also, here's some more great reviews:

Katy at The Reading Geek

Kandice

Cory at Antidrug Reads

This was the pic taken at the interview.

My Website is Live!

2011-06-16T12:52:00.000-06:00

Go check it out at http://www.amberargyle.com

After struggling for six months to get my website going, it's finally LIVE! Let me know what you think or if you find any errors (grammatical or otherwise) and I'll get them taken care of.
BIG HUGE ENORMOUS thanks to Chris Loke of Pixology Designs. He took my embarassingly simple drawing and concepts and converted them into a work of art. He was great to work with, and he knows his stuff.

Thank you, Chris!

Huntress--Free Short Story

2011-06-14T19:00:00.000-06:00

HUNTRESS

I wrote this around the same time as Witch Song, but it hasn't had nearly the extensive edits. Still, I think it's a good piece. This is now up for purchase for $1 on Scribed. Click here to buy.

Darkness.

Ashley couldn’t remember a time when she’d been in such total and complete darkness.
She opened her eyes wider. It didn’t help. Turning into the shower spray, she finished rinsing the rest of the conditioner from her hair. She kept waiting for the lights to come back on. They didn’t. “This company retreat is turning into a disaster,” she mumbled.

“A day in the mountains!” her boss had said. “Enjoying the solitude and colors of fall!”

Instead, Ashley had been stuck in a conference room for ten hours. Turning the water off, she jerked the shower curtain back and felt around for the towel she’d set on top of the toilet. She rubbed the rough terry cloth across her face.

Without the sound of the water, she heard something. Unconsciously pressing the towel against her chest she listened. Were those screams?

She padded off of the cold bathroom tile and onto the carpet of her room, hoping some light would filter in from the open window. It didn’t. She grabbed the first piece of clothing her hand touched, a white button up shirt she’d worn to the meeting today. Without bothering to dry off, she yanked it on and shoved the buttons through the holes, not really caring if she got them right or not. The shirt clung to her wet skin as she hiked a pair of jeans over her damp hips.

Screams were echoing up and down the hall now. Not ‘you just scared me’ kind of scream but the terrified, ‘please don’t kill’ me kind of screams. Ashley jerked the hotel phone out of its cradle. Dead. She stumbled around, trying to remember where her cell phone was.

“Ashley!” a man’s voice yelled through her door. “We have to get out of here! Ashley!”

Josh. The man she’d been dating under her boss’s nose for months. Ashley ran for the door, but her shin smacked into the dresser. Clutching her leg and mouthing silent curses, she hobbled forward. Something thudded against her door followed by a mangled scream. The scream gurgled to silence. She froze, too terrified to move or breathe. Garbled, hissing sounds arose from the other side of her door. Some deep instinct within her screamed to run, but her rational mind fought it. In compromise, Ashley backing away

A swift rushing sound. Whatever had been on the other side of her door had just left. “Josh?” her lips mouthed the words, but no sound came out. Reaching out blindly, Ashley felt for the door. Her hand grasped the lever, but she hesitated. Do it fast! You can’t just leave him out there! She jerked open the door. Weren’t there supposed to be emergency lights? Exit signs? But there was nothing. Only complete and utter darkness.

“Josh!” she whispered desperately. Silence, punctuated by distant screams. “Josh,” this time her voice was pleading. She stepped forward and her bare foot stepped on something soft, squishy, and wet. Bending down, she’d felt the outline of a man’s stubbly face. “Are you okay!” she whisper-shouted. But when she tried to feel for a pulse, her hands only felt the hard ridges of his spine. “No!”

“Be quiet!” A woman’s voice hissed.

That’s when she felt it. A rush like a car speeding by her. And then a primal, animal-like wail from the direction of the woman’s voice.

Choking on her own screams, Ashley eased backed. Garbled gurgling and a sound like swallowing. Was it eating her? Though she couldn’t see it, she knew her hands left bloody streaks along the wall as she felt for her door. Sweat popped out on her skin as she fumbled for the lever. Suddenly, there was silence. And then, an unearthly low growl and bright yellow eyes gleaming through the darkness.

It had noticed her.

She jerked the handle down. The door gave way. She stumbled backwards into the room. She couldn’t help the terror that tore through her throat as she hit the floor. She kicked the shut. Something crashed into the metal. It jumped on its hinges. Jumping to her feet, Ashley slid the bolt home with a solid click. She pressed her body against it. The thing on the other side of the door pushed and shoved. Something sharp screeched down the other side. The vibrations screamed through her body.

Bang! The metal door bulge beneath her. Bang! The hinges groaned. Unable to bear it, she scrambled to the other side of the room, pressed herself flat against the wall and waited for the third hit. The hit that would bring the door down and let whatever it was in the room.

She still wasn’t sure what it was.

But then she heard another woman’s voice screaming, “Help!” The banging stopped. The cries for help intensified before turning to screams of pain. Ashley considered pushing the bed, the dressers, everything against the door. But then it would hear her. And furniture wasn’t going to stop it.

Moving as quietly as she could, she’d felt her way along the bed until she reached the nightstand. A clinking sound as her fingers brushed across her keys. She froze, listening. But the meal going on outside didn’t pause. Gripping her keys, she felt for the tiny blue flashlight that dangled from her keychain. She removed it but didn’t dare press the button that turned it on. Not yet.

She peered out the window, but there was no fire escape. Nothing but a three story drop. Pressing her back into the corner, she slid down, clutching the keys like a weapon and the tiny flashlight as her saving grace.

How long she sat, huddled in the corner, praying that it wouldn’t find her as she listened to their screams, she would never know. Always it was the same. One, terrified scream followed by near silence. Near because she could hear the soft sounds of eating. The scrape of teeth against bone. Swallowing.

Sweat ran down her face, but she didn’t dare brush it away. Didn’t dare move more than it took for a shallow breath. Another scream erupted. So close she jumped and covered her ears with her hands, clenching her eyes shut tight. Much closer than the last one. She could smell blood, salty and moist.

If she hadn’t been in the shower, she would have run out the door, just like they all had. Then she would be one of them. The ones who were screaming or dead. She shot a look at the window. If it came in her room, she’d jump. She’d take the risk of a three story fall crushing her body rather than enduring it.

The screams grew less frequent. Ashley didn’t relax. Didn’t fool herself into thinking it was over. They were searching for those, like her, who were hiding.

Eventually, the complete darkness began to ease. She could see the outlines of her room, slightly. The stars were peeking through the cloud cover. She heard another sound. Scrapping outside her window. Her back against the wall, she pushed herself up, gripping her biggest key, and preparing to turn on the flashlight.

The glass shattered, sending shards everywhere.

She flicked on the light and brandished the key, prepared to strike. Before her, bathed in blue light, was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. He was crouched on the ground, looking at her with glowing yellow eyes. Their gazes locked. And Ashley knew. He wasn’t a man, but some kind of monster.

His gaze ripped from hers and darted to the door. He moved so fast he was little more than a blur. Before she could strike with her key, she was thrown over his shoulder and they were falling. The pavement rose up to meet them. She pinched her eyes shut, unwilling to watch death coming towards her. She tensed for the impact. But the man absorbed it easily and bounded forward.

The clouds must have uncovered the moon, for when she opened her eyes, she caught glimpses of them shooting past things at unbelievable speeds. Unable to stop herself, she gripped his leather coat and tried not to think about anything. Finally, he stopped and eased her to the ground. She scrambled away from him until her back rested against a tree.

There were others here. Other’s like here. Coworkers from her past life. She looked up at the creature that had hauled her away. But he wasn’t looking at her anymore. He had turned to another like himself. “She’s the last one left we’ll have time to save.”

One, a female with long blonde hair. Another male with chestnut hair. All were exceedingly pale. “Do they know we took them?” asked the blonde.

The man who’d taken her shook his head, his hair as black and shiny as his leather coat. He was tall, long and lean. His adam’s apple worked up and down as his seductive voice flowed from his mouth. “None of them saw me.”

The other two seemed relieved. The man who had taken Ashley looked down at her. One of her coworkers gripped her hand. Ashley held on until her knuckles bleached white. He squatted down, as an adult does when speaking with a child. “Did any of them see you?” The other’s all shook their heads. Ashley didn’t. His golden eyes bored into hers. “Did they see you?”

“I . . . I don’t know,” she stammered and her voice sounded strange to her own ears. “It was so dark.”

He held up his hand for her to stop. “But one of them might have?”

Her lips pressed together in a tight line, she nodded.

He twisted back to the others and something unspoken passed between them. They picked up her coworkers by their shoulders and looked into their eyes. Ashley watched in amazement as the others slowly collapsed. Her captors eased them to the ground. When all were unconscious heaps, the blonde nodded to the one with black hair. “They won’t remember any of it, Drake.”

The one who’d taken her, Drake, turned to her.

Ashley made her way to her feet, never taking her eyes from them. I will not be afraid, she told herself. After all, there’s nothing I can do to escape them. “You’re vampires, aren’t you?”

None of them answered.

“Why did you save me?”

“Because we don’t kill anymore,” said the woman.

Ashley winced at the word ‘anymore.’

Drake spoke, “If they saw you, they’ll come looking for you. There are only three of us to their eight.”

“What are you going to do with me?”

Drake continued as if she hadn’t spoken, “It’s an issue of pride for them that no one ever escapes. They’ll never stop hunting you. Even if we manage to get you out, they will find you. Eventually. You can become one of us or take chances. You choose.”

Ashley stumbled back, staring at each of them in turn. “A vampire!” She looked in the direction of the hotel as she remembered the sounds of the other vampires, devouring those she had known. Josh. Tears sprang to her eyes. “I can’t become that!”

Bitterness and self loathing evident on his face, Drake looked away. “You don’t have to kill.”

“Then why do they?”

He looked back at her. “Because, while animal blood can keep us alive, it does nothing to satiate the drive. It takes self control and a deep loathing for murder. None of which they posses.”

“Drake,” the brown haired vampire spoke. “They’re coming for her.”

Drake turned back to Ashley. “Make your choice. Do you become the hunted or the huntress?”

Her heart pounding, she looked back to the hotel and saw something that resembled streaks of wind moving through the trees. Which did she fear more? A death by vampires, or to become one of them? “Will it hurt?”

“Terribly.”

“And if not, I die?”

“Terribly.”

“I do not want to live in terror for what time remains me.”

“Is that a yes?”

Ashley nodded.

With a roar, Drake lunged at her and she felt sharp fangs pierce her neck. It was like someone had poured liquid fire into her veins. She arched her back as a scream tore through her throat. Arms scooped scoop her up. They started running again.

“Where?” she forced the words from her lips.

“I’m taking you somewhere more defensible. The others will take the humans somewhere safe.” She felt his cool breath against her skin. “If you survive the change, it will be over by morning.”

Eventually, the set her down in a shallow cave. Ashley’s body felt as though it had been dumped in a vat of acid. Smoke rose from her skin. It burned her eyes and singed her lungs. The other’s held her down, gripping her wrists and ankles as she screamed. Her skin turned a mottled red as the heat burned everything that was human from her.

The fading of the pain was gradual. So much so that she only noticed because her cries went down in octaves before slowly fading altogether. She slept then. When she awoke, it was as though she were an infant again. Everything looked different. Sharper, clearer. Senses that were dull and dim before now shone in perfect clarity.

She looked through the trees and found that she could focus her eyes like a telescope, zeroing in on the smallest detail until she could see the outlines of rocks on the moon’s surface. She could smell subtleties on the air currents—subtleties she could differentiate with ease. The strongest and sweetest of these the heady aroma of blood. She bolted from a rocky ground and lunged forward with the grace of a lion.

Drake crouched in the cave entrance, blocking her path. “If you never taste it, it will be much easier to deny yourself.”

Rage coursed through her body. She felt a feral growl rumble in her chest. “I must feed!”

“The first few days are the worst. If you can get through them, it will become bearable.”

Ashley lunged for his throat. He twisted away. Grabbing her wrist and the back of her neck, he shoved her against the cave walls.

The rough walls bit into her cheek. Drake’s leather jacket brushed against her white shirt—the same one she’d thrown on after her shower. She screamed and tried to break free.

He pressed his mouth against her ear. “Remember what it’s like to be human! Remember huddling in a corner and listening to them feed! REMEMBER!” Ashley again felt the ridges of Joshen’s spine beneath her fingertips. She tasted the same terror on her tongue.

“If you murder, it will haunt you!”

Ashley went limp. Slowly Drake eased away, but he remained taut as he watched her. Oh! But she was so hungry! She groaned as the smell of blood in the distance teased her, beckoned her, promised her pleasure unending! She felt cool metal pressed to her lips and smelled blood. Not human blood, but blood all the same. “Here, this will help.” He was right. It did.

She gulped it down hungrily. “More.”

He chuckled as he poured it into the cup. “You’re going to do just fine.”

#

Ashley sat in the sunlight streaming in from the cave opening. “I thought vampires turned to stone in sunlight.”

Drake hadn’t been more than a step away since she’d awoken. “Vampires hunt on the darkest nights because it hides us. And because we see as clearly at night as during the day, not because the sunlight hurts us.”

“But you fight the vampires that hunt humans?”

He shook his head. “No. Think of us as the vampire police. We hunt the ones who break the rules. If there aren’t enough of us to stop them, we save the ones we can.”

“And crosses, holy water, silver bullets?”

He laughed outright. Ashley noted his deep dimples. “Well, technically, silver bullets are supposed to kill werewolves, but that doesn’t work on them either.”

“There are werewolves?” she gaped.

She could tell he was trying very hard to control his laughter. “Of course.”

“So how do you kill a vampire?”

“The bite that creates is also the bite that kills. Vampire fights never last long. The first one to break the skin with their teeth is the winner.”

Ashley swallowed hard, trying to ignore the sudden spike of hunger that came with the scent of some far off human. Drake watched her like a hawk until the wind shifted.

“Why don’t the humans know?” she gasped, desperate for anything to distract herself.

Drake didn’t take his eyes off her. “There are rules. Paramount among them secrecy. Second is no taking of children. Third is no creation without authorization.”

“Creation?” Ashley asked.

“I am your creator. I will have to seek approval for my actions from the Council. If they disagree with what I did, you will be destroyed.”

Ashley felt her ever muscle on edge, ready to flee if she must.

“Don’t worry,” he grunted. “They’ll approve it.”

She relaxed against the wall. “Killing humans isn’t against the rules?”

Drake shook his head. “As long as it doesn’t attract attention, it is permissible. Vampires attract prey like moths to a flame. We are alluring to humans. Beautiful, intoxicating. It’s easy enough to find the loners, the ones no one will miss. They don’t even put up a fight when you lure them in right. What happened at the resort is different entirely. It’s called a feeding frenzy and is strictly forbidden. Those vampires are part of a group we have been tracking for months.” He looked at her evenly. “Their murders threaten to expose us.”

“And now you have a decision, Ashley. The vampires who attacked the hotel—they’re still here.”

Ashley jerked upright. “You said they’d leave me alone if I was turned.”

Drake was slow to answer. “You misunderstand. The rogue vampires outnumber us. We could use your help taking them down.”

Ashley closed her eyes. She remembered their screams. The slick feel of Josh’s blood on her hands. She thought of all she’d lost. Mother. Father. Sister. Brother. Friends. She opened her eyes. “Count me in.”

Drake pulled her to her feet. He wetted his thumb on his tongue and then pressed it to her forehead. “I mark you a Huntress. Keeper of the great Secret.”

A sick wave washed over her, and she noticed that her scent had changed. Subtly, but still. “What was that about.”

Drake smiled. “Call it our badge.”

Ashley shook if off. “So now I’m some sort of vampire cop?”

The breeze shifted. Drake stiffened and turned toward it. It took Ashley a moment more to process the smells it brought. Dried blood. “The vampires.”

Drake took off into the night.

Ashley watched him. Huntress, she thought. I like it. She ran after him.

The end.

I just had to share this review.

2011-06-13T09:32:00.000-06:00

Those of you who follow my blog know how hard it has been for me to put my work out there for judgement. So when a review shows up in my inbox like this, I grin for a minimum of 24 hours.

Big thanks to Ashley Knight! Ya'll go check out her Fins series. And no, I don't know her.

Debut Author Challenge + My Top Ten Debut Books of 2011

2011-06-07T11:01:00.002-06:00

Witch Song is listed on the Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge (DAC) list!

Being listed with so many awesome books is super exciting for me. You know what's also really exciting for me? How different Witch Song is from so many of these titles. Most are paranormal, urban, or dystopian. Witch Song is more along the lines of a classic fantasy. I like blazing my own road. ;)

Amber's Top Ten YA Debut Author for 2005

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (I'm actually saving this book for a reward after I finish Forbidden Forest)
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (us witchy authors have to stick together)
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney (see #6)
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
The Near Witch by Victoria Schawb (see 6,7)
A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

What Debut Author are you most excited to try?

Behold! Brusenna has arrived!

2011-06-03T12:14:00.000-06:00

This is a beautiful moment. My book. My very own masterpiece. Right now, Brusenna is traveling the globe, headed to nearly 250 reviewers, some as far away as Australia and Greece. Watching it go creates an overwhelming medley of emotions.

Relief that we finally made it.

Pride in what I've accomplished.

Fear because I've sent something dear to me to people for judgement. And judge it they will.

There's also a sense that I need to let it go. This book has been a part of me. If people hate the book, it feels like they hate that part of me. Deep down, I know this won't be healthy.

So I'm turning my face away. Witch Song was something I did. It is not me. I'm exceedingly proud of it. But not everyone else will love it as I have.

And that's okay.

Also, I'd like to announce the WINNER of Matched by Ally Condie plus all kinds of signed swag. Congrats, Kris!

First Page of Forbidden Forest

2011-05-31T19:00:00.002-06:00

I'm trying to decide whether to use 1st or 3rd person. There seems to be an unwritten rule that classic fantasy be written in 3rd (it sounds more formal, for one). But I kinda like to break rules. Let me know if the third person works for you.

Forbidden Forest

Chapter 1

Mud squelched between my toes. Shoving my spear-shaped hoe into the ground, I lifted a sodden lump of earth and scattered three seeds inside. I did this over and over again as rain ran down my face, dripping off my nose and chin, and my back clenched into one big cramp. But I didn’t let any of it slow me. If I finished fast enough, Shan and I would have time to go fishing in the river. And I’d finally be free of the mud and the drudgery . . . for at least a little while.

When I finally ran out of seeds, I straightened up with a sigh to roll the kinks from my neck. “Sella’s, time to go,” I called impatiently to my three-year old sister. When she didn’t answer, I threw off my damp smelling wool hood to look for her. But instead of freshly plowed fields, all I saw was a thick black-green line of the Forest.

All the blood seemed to leave my body, pooling with the water in cold puddles at my feet. I’d strayed too far from the village—dangerously close to the Forbidden Forest.
Like hunch-shouldered sentinels, the enormous trees strained toward me like reaching arms. I grabbed my hoe and held it like a spear—a dull, mud caked spear. I knew it was laughable, but I felt a little better with it in my hand. I took a startled step back, my eyes automatically searched their shadows for the dark face of a Treeman.

“Sella?” I called again, and even to my own ears, my voice sounded hollow. How long had it been since I’d last seen her?

Witch Song's Official Book Trailer + A Contest

2011-05-24T19:12:00.014-06:00

I love my trailer! It's one of the best *book trailers I've seen, EVER. Because I'm so proud of it, I want to share it with the world.

So, here's how you get points:

1. Everytime you share the link for the trailer, you get one point. So if you post the link on Twitter and Facebook, that's two points.

2. Everytime you share the video for the trailer, you get 5 points. So if you share on your blog/website/forum you get five points.

3. If you post Witch Song's Trailer near the top of your sidebar and leave it there for at least one month, you get 10 points.

Have another awesome idea for sharing the trailer, let me know and I'll hand you more points!

There is no limit on the number of points you can earn. If you'd like, you can tweet and facebook once a day until the contest ends (at the end of May). Be sure to tally up all your points!

And here's what you win:

A signed hardcover of MATCHED by Allie Condie. A signed bookmark from Traci Hickman, Mette Ivie Harrison, and Brandon Mull. In addition, one signed poster for the Thirteenth Reality by James Dashner.

*Special thanks to the following for making Witch Song's trailer so amazing:
My parents, Kent and Alice Argyle, for bringing the horses and helping out in a dozen other ways.
Marcie Cornia, the beautiful girl with the waist length hair.
Adam Argyle: my oh-so-handsome brother, for posing as Joshen.
Shauna Johnson for taking such fantastic pictures (and then editing them).
Cynthia Forbush for working tirelessly to sew the velvet cape.
Lindy Hough for make-up and hair.
Michelle Argyle for a few tweaks to the pictures.
Rhett and Emmaline Hoffmeister for throwing all of it together to make something wonderful.
And to my husband, Derek, for watching the kids so they weren't underfoot.

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-hop-page_04.html

Princess for A Day

2011-05-20T12:03:00.006-06:00

I'm taking the liberty of naming myself Princess for A Day because of my interview over at Princess Reviews <--click on the link and read all about it.

One thing I mentioned is anesthesia's occasional lack of effect on me. Childbirth and later stitching was excruciating. My last c-section was horrifying. It makes writing about injuries very real though. :)

Needless to say, there will be no more children for me.

The Beauty of a Bookmobile

2011-05-19T10:02:00.003-06:00

Want to learn how I feel in love with books? Find out at Immortality and Beyond.

Come check it out!

Witch Song Excerpt

2011-05-18T13:41:00.000-06:00

Want to learn how the magic in Witch Song is different from anything you've ever seen? Check out two excerpts over at It's All About Books.

And thanks Aleetha!

CONduit 21

2011-05-17T13:35:00.000-06:00

I'll be appearing at the Radisson Downtown Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah to present at CONduit 21 writer's conference May 27-29, 2011. I've been asked to participate in four panels on the following topics:

What are the new monsters today?

We have Hellboy and a few others, but more and more, writers are going back to the old standbys. Where are the "new" monsters today? Amber Argyle, Larry Correia, Paul Genesse, Dan Wells, Roger White

2. Women in Fantasy

L. E. Modesitt, Jr., Amber Argyle, Dene Low (M), Elisabeth Waters, Carole Nelson Douglas

3. How to Write Great Villains

Clint Johnson, Amber Argyle, Roger White, Howard Tayler, Dan Wells

4. High Fantasy: it's more than just elves and unicorns

Amber Argyle, Ami Chopine, Chris Weston, Peter Orullian, Stephen Gashler

I'll also be doing a reading of Witch Song on Friday from 4:00- 4:25 (Should I admit that I'm panicked no one will come? Cause I am. So if you're going to CONduit, you HAVE to come to my reading. There will be signed bookmarks for those that do (no, I'm not above bribery)).

Also, stop by and say hi. If you'd like to do lunch or dinner, email me at amberargyle at yahoo dot com and we'll work something out. :)

What do Beef, Scars, and Haiku Have In Common?

2011-05-15T15:45:00.005-06:00

They all came up in my interview, or course. I'm over at iLive, iLaugh, iLove books with Lucia today. We're discussing such vital things as chicken or beef (or tofu), I write some really bad haiku (thanks for trying to make my feel better by saying it was good, Lucia), and Lucia teases me (quite cleverly, I might add). ;)

Also, come find out where on my body I have a six inch scar (well, besides the c-section scars).

And thanks Lucia! I loved all your fun responses.

Random:

Witch Song is now available at Book Depository for the super low price of $10.49 + free shipping.
I'm sick. Again.

In Which I Rant About Love Triangles

2011-05-13T17:48:00.001-06:00

I'm over at AwesomeSauce Bookclub today. Stop over and read my rant about love triangles!

And thanks so much to Amber (her mother picked a beautiful name, BTW)! Also, her blog is awesome (another awesome name chosen, go figure).

And now that I've used the word "awesome" four times in five sentences, I'M OUT!

Peace!

Review of the Wild Soccer Bunch by Joachim Masennek + Updates

2011-05-10T16:31:00.000-06:00

Review by my 9 year old son. *disclosure: we received this book from LibraryThing earlier reviews.
This book is about kids who love to play soccer. Their coach is Larry, but they’re not really an official team; they mostly just play in a field for fun. Fabio, the son of a
famous Brazilian soccer star, wants to practice with the Wild Soccer Bunch. Instead, he plays for the Furies and his famous dad won’t let him switch.

The Wild Soccer Bunch finally gets a chance to play the Furies. They have to find a sponsor and logo. The game goes back and forth. The Wild Soccer Bunch eventually looses 11-4. Fabio’s dad is so impressed by the Wild Soccer Bunch’s courage that he hosts a party in their honor and announces that he’ll allow his son to play on their team. He buys them jerseys and helps them get their team going.

I liked this book because it shows that you can face really hard challenges and even if you don’t win, good things can come out of it. The funniest part where when they jumped off the eight foot bridge. My favorite part of the book was when the Wild Soccer Bunch faced the Furies.

Corb

There he is, folks, my uber cute son. He's also writing two books at present. I'm so proud I could pop. :)

Random:

I still have two giveaways going on. Both books are signed. Matched by Ally Condie and The Third by Abel Keogh
ARCs for Witch Song aren't in yet. For those of you eagerly awaiting your copy, patience young padawans. It will get done.
My kitchen faucet is broken. Water will only come out the sprayer. This has been going on for 3 weeks, and the part is on backorder. Do you have any idea how many times I soaked myself when I've turned on the faucet without thinking? (There may or may not but definitely was swearing involved.)
I have a cold that has rendered my nose much like my kitchen faucet. Broken. This has been going on for over a week now.
I am, once again, freaking out. MY BOOK COMES OUT IN 3.5 MONTHS! What if everyone hates it! What if there's a big grammatical error! . . . I am forcing myself to replace this crippling fear with positivity. What if everyone loves it! What if it sells like crazy! What if . . . well, you get the idea.
BIG BIG BIG things are in fact happening with WITCH SONG. And I can't tell you about any of them. Gosh, don't you just hate teasers?!?
My current WIP is up to 60,000 words. I'm kinda stalled out on how to delve deeper into my magical system. The magic comes from trees, so the trees have to communicate with people somehow. Mindspeach and dreams feel so cliche. Any ideas?
Barnes and Noble has increased the price of WITCH SONG from $9.44 to $13.99. Those of you who have already preordered the book have therefore saved over $4 bucks! So sorry for the rest of you. :(

Blogger Shout Out

2011-05-05T20:56:00.015-06:00

In keeping with my post last month about authors who have helped me succeed, I wanted to give a shout out to all the bloggers who've featured Witch Song on their blogs. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and for loving books! Check them out!

Fragments of Life

The Bookish Type

Tales of a Ravenous Reader

Amaterasu Reads

Books Are Wonderful

Girl About Books

My Precious

Stalking the Bookshelf

The Reader Bee

Utah Writing

The Book Faery

Book Flame

iLive iLaugh iLove Books

Splash of Our Worlds

Alise On Life

Book Lovin' Bitches

Simona

Dallen Rose

Benjamin Rose

Book Purring

Luke Piper

Krystal

The Teen Book Scene

Michael Offutt

Jemima Valentina

Fade into Fantasy

Book Fantatic

If I've missed you, send me your link and I'll add it!
Also, don't forget to enter both the contests I have going this month.

Win Matched by Ally Condie
Win The Third by Abel Keogh
Sign up to review an ARC of WITCH SONG on the tabs at the top of my blog.

Giveaway of The Third (signed!) by Abel Keogh

2011-05-02T13:40:00.004-06:00

First impressions: As I've said before, I love the cover. It conveys the dystopian feel of the novel perfectly. The white, embossed font is a great contrast against the gritty earth colors. Here's the cover copy:

When Ransom Lawe, a recycler in the Pacific Northwest, finds out his wife is pregnant with their third—-and therefore illegal—-child, he’s forced to choose between the government who proclaims a desire to save the planet and his hope for a place where his family can live in freedom. But with the Census Bureau Sentinels closing in on his wife and unborn child, Ransom’s choice will either save his family or tear them apart forever.

My thoughts:

I love a good dystopian novel, but to be honest, they're all starting to read alike. The Third is completely different. First, the main character is male, married, and mid-thirtiesish. No love triangles. No hiding secrets from mom. Honestly, it was a refreshing change.

My favorite character was Esperanza. I like characters that are a bit of a juxtaposition. Esperanza is a little Hispanic woman with a baby--totally helpless, right?

Nope. Esperanza runs an underground operation to smuggle women pregnant with illegal thirds out of the city. She also carries a little dart tipped with a powerful sedative which she uses to knock out men twice her size.

As tough as she is, she's also compassionate and full of confidence. In all honestly, I wouldn't mind a whole book centering around Esperanza and how she got her start in the baby/momma smuggling business.

If you'd like an adult dystopian, I think you'll enjoy it. Check out Abel Keogh's website to read the first chapter.

OR you could win your very own signed, numbered (#57) copy. All you have to do is read and share your thoughts on the first chapter of WITCH SONG <--this is a link, click on it to read the first chapter.

1 point for sharing a quick thought on Facebook or Twitter (2 pts for sharing on both) with a link to the first chapter: http://bit.ly/kpXDzf
5 pts for blogging about the first chapter, make sure you include the link: http://bit.ly/kpXDzf
5 pts for mentioning it in on forum/website/anywhere else.
Leave me all appropriate links.

Have fun!

Also, don't forget to enter to win a signed hardcopy of MATCHED by Allie Condie.

Made of Awesome

2011-04-19T11:46:00.000-06:00

Authors are among some of the most generous, kind people in any industry. There are so many that have helped me reach where I am today. People who deserve a shout out! So here goes:

Michelle Argyle--Michelle has helped me in more ways than I can mention. She's super nice and approachable. And she's a damn good writer.

Elana Johnson--Elana is ENORMOUSLY busy. But she always willing to help if at all humanly possible. I suggest you send her bacon.

Aprilynne Pike--Aprilynne is all sorts of famous. And she's still willing to help little old me out (in ways I can't announce yet (don't you just HATE cryptic posts???)).

Jessica Day George--Jessica is really, really straightforward. In a good way. She's taught me some industry dos and don'ts where another author might have just rolled their eyes and muttered, "Newbies," under their breath.

David Farland--If anyone has anything bad to say about David Farland, I will personally come to wherever you are and smack you upside the head. Besides his Daily Kicks (which ever author in the world should sign up for), he's always answered my questions. Even though it would have been much easier for him to pretend he never received the email. He even gave me a blurb. Me. A blurb. From New York Times bestselling author David Farland. *dies*

Shannon Hale--Honestly, she's never done anything for me personally (if you don't count her amazingly awesome books and blog, which I do). She's full to the brim of awesomesauce. Did you know she just had twins??? Just more proof that she's an overachiever (in a good way). ;)

Robin Weeks--Robin runs David Farland's conference calls (which again, if your a writer, you should be listening to). She's also super nice.

Mette Ivie Harrison--I met Mette at a conference. And knowing how hard it is for a newbie author to get going, she gave me a signed ARC of Tris and Isolde to giveaway on my blog in a few months.

J Scott Savage--Jeff is an awesome teacher. If you ever have a chance to take one of his classes--jump on it (*laments* Jeff, why oh why don't you teach a Saturday workshop?).

Cami Checketts--Cami is one of the warmest, toughest chickas I know. And she's my beta reader/critque partner.

JoLynne Lyon--JoLynne is my writing rock. You know that person you call when everything is falling apart and they always say the right thing. That's JoLynne. And no, you can't have her. She's mine.

Mathew Buckley--aka Marion Jensen. Funniest guy on the planet. And it shows in his writing.

Anyway, there's more. I couldn't possible list them all. But I seriously LOVE this side of being a writer. I love meeting other writers and realizing how kind they are.

Story time: Who are some authors that have reached out with their generosity to help you out?

Free Ebook?

2011-04-13T21:52:00.001-06:00

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

I have a manuscript just sitting around. It's the first in a trilogy. It's not bad (I was offered a publishing contract for it, which I turned down--long story). But it's definitely my "first" book. So what do I do with the thing? Do I try and publish it as an ebook (I could use the money)? Do I permanently shelve it (this makes me sad)?

Do I scratch it and do a rewrite ("No!" scream the other voices in my head. "Our stories need told!")?

Here's the thing, I'm not sure the books stands alone well enough to put it out there without the rest of the trilogy. And it would take me years to rewrite the entire trilogy. I don't know that I want to dedicate that kinda time.

So what would you do? Does putting it out there help my career or hurt it? (psst: just so you know, there's a Unicorn. A black one. And a girl with a sword--which is so kick A.)

And for your reading pleasure:

The Priestess Prophecy
Prologue

Familiar threads of ice wound up Ara’s spine. She tried to force them down. She may as well have pummeled the wind. They twinned out, spreading across her back. No. Not here. Not now. Time slowed as the ice took her belly, her shoulders.

Her brother turned, his face lost its smile. His gaggle of friends, not understanding, watched her with mixtures of concern and confusion. Vines of cold snaked up her throat. “Tenan!” she managed a warning cry before the vision sucked her in.

Cold and hunger gnawed at her. She would have cried, had she the strength. As it was, she whimpered softly—mewing like a sick kitten. Her body wouldn’t obey her commands. Whether because of the cold or for some other reason, she couldn’t tell.

Before her was an insurmountable white barrier. It served as her prison as well as her fortress. Beyond the barrier, trees—tall and straight as giants—stood as her sentinels. But strangest of all, the barrier moved.

The vision slammed shut, thrusting her back and leaving her fourteen-year old limbs trembling. Slowly, sounds trickled in, as if from far away, “Ara? Ara? Answer me, Ara.”

Her head flinging back, she gasped before slumping in her brother’s arms. His flesh felt like the sun against her winter skin. She swallowed against the sharp remnants of hunger the vision had left. As the cold began to fade, to grow bearable, she blinked and her furry vision managed to focus on his worried face. “Tenan?” she croaked.

“Is she all right?” a voice asked. She flinched as an unfamiliar hand brushed across her arm. “She’s freezing!”

Smells suddenly returned to her. Hearth smoke, hot wool, Tenan—his breath warm against her neck. Shaking her head, she tried to order her scrambled thoughts. She had to get away—away from them. Before they realized what had happened. What was still happening.

Tenan’s arms tightened around her. “She’s fine. She just needs to rest.” Draping her arm over his shoulder, he scanned the faces of the villagers surrounding them. “Move,” he growled.

Ara forced her wooden legs to stir. He half dragged, half supported her across the empty green of the village square. Underneath the shade of the Hallowed Tree’s vast boughs, he hauled her down beside him. She watched as Tenan’s friends slowly dispersed. Did they understand what had just happened? Her eyes fluttered shut. If word spread that she was Gifted, how long before the Assassins found her?

Unstopping his waterskin, Tenan held it to her lips. She tipped back her head and didn’t care that it gushed over her cheeks and down her tunic. It tasted of her family’s cold well and leather. The familiarity helped.

“Better?” Tenan asked.

She nodded. The reckless rush of her heart had steadied, and the ice that flowed in her veins was thawing. “Another moment, and I’ll be all right.”

Without taking his gaze from the people in the distance, he grunted sourly. “I warned you, Ara.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, hating how different she was. Her golden skin. Her lanky build. Her curious eyes—brown, flecked with green in the iris. But most of all, she hated her Gift. “You won’t tell Father?”

Tenan scoured his hands over his tender beard, as if to scrub away her taint. “I never do. But try not to have them anymore.”

She looked away, out over the village. The houses topped with split-shingle roofs and vegetable gardens seemed so out of place with the turmoil inside her. Nothing to hint of the danger she’d just placed herself in. “I’ll try.” But in truth, she tried to suppress the visions every day. It hadn’t stopped them.

“There you are!”

She choked, a mouthful of water sputtering down her front. Her father lowered his head like a charging bull. He always did that when he was angry. “You were supposed to wait by the inn.”

Tenan’s grey eyes shot her a look, one she was all too familiar with. The one that said ‘let me do the talking.’ She was more than happy to comply. “Ara got hot; I found her some shade.”

Her father surveyed the waterskin in her hands and his head came up slightly, a sure sign that his anger had come and gone as quickly as a doe in flight. “Next time, find shade closer to where I tell you.” He handed Ursha’s reins to Tenan. The mare was heavily laden with supplies. “You two move for home, I’ll be along shortly.” He turned back toward the village.

Tenan held out a heavily calloused hand for her. “Are you fit?”

She let him pull her up. “I am.”

He tugged her cap from her belt and tossed it at her chest. “Hide your hair then. You know the rule.”

She tucked her braid under the stuffy cap that most women of Bondell wore, in addition to trousers. It was the villages attempt to disguise how few men there really were. Living far away from the nearest neighbor, and help, her family had embraced the rule. After all, four men seemed more formidable than two.

The walk to Bondell had been a pleasant one. No more. Silence punctured the already raw tension between Ara and Tenan—silence only interrupted by occasional fingers of wind through the aspens or the crunch of brittle pine needles beneath Ursha’s hard hooves.

The heavy pines plunged them into an unnatural twilight as they wound deeper into mountains that still bore icy caps of snow, toward their home in the high meadows.

Her head swinging from side to side, Ara searched for the source of her tension. Something unnatural tickled the back of her memory, but what? She wanted to ask Tenan, but he was glowering at every bush and rock, probably in an effort not to glower at her.

It’s so quiet. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. A feeling of danger washed over her as sure as a bucket of water overturned on her head. She halted, staring into the trees.

Tenan’s voice seemed far away, “Ara?” His tone dropped dangerously, “Not again!”

She barely heard him. The feeling of danger had grown until it was palpable against her skin. Instinct took over. She felt as though her soul simply gathered itself and stepped out of her body. With a shock, she glanced down at herself—a smoky apparition. A little ways off, her body stood frozen, eyes unseeing, ears unhearing.

Face contorted, Tenan was shouting at her body, but his lips were moving slowly. Spit flew from his mouth, arching slowly through the air in front of him. She watched it in disbelief.

Somehow, her soul had left her body. And time had changed—either speeding up for her or slowing down for everything else. She wanted to move. No sooner had the thought entered her head than she glided forward. Faster. The landscape blurred by.

Not understanding how or why, she flew over the ground like a puff of smoke, her instinct leading her to a dark cover of bushes. She paused, in the shadows she could sense another creature.

But she was afraid to go in. She stretched toward it, somehow sending tendrils of her soul forward. The stench of rotten meat inundated her. The metallic, salty taste of blood filled her mouth. Slitted catlike eyes turned toward her. Everything but its face and palms was covered it dark, bristly hair. It had no nose to speak of. Only wide pits rimmed with jagged ridges. Between forked lips, its razor-sharp teeth were nearly as yellow as its eyes.

Terrified, she snatched the pieces of her soul back and rushed into her body. Her eyes flew open, her mouth murmuring the word that came unbidden to her mind, “Hebock.”

Tenan gaped at her. But he didn’t have time to react. Ursha shied and it was all he could do to hold her. The mare’s nostrils flared as she blew out, her ears pointing westward. “Ara, help me!”

She leapt for the reins, pulling hard. The mare screamed and then fled, heedless of the iron bit in her mouth.

Refusing to let go, Ara and Tenan were wrenched from their feet. Ara slammed into the ground and the mare began dragging them both. Branches and twigs tore at her body. The reins slipped! They seared her hands before pulling free.

“My hand is caught!” Tenan screamed. He fought to get his feet under him before the mare killed him.

Ignoring the pain, she pushed herself up and surged after her brother. Fumbling for her belt knife, she watched as the mare bound over an overturned tree. Tenan slammed into it with a grunt as the air was knocked out of him. Somehow, he managed to hold fast to a gnarled root. Ursha flayed wildly, like a fish fighting to be free of a line.

Ara gathered her legs and leapt over the dead trunk. As she came down, she slashed at the taut rein, snapping it instantly. Liberated, the mare turned and ran as a pack of wolves nipped at her heels.

Drawing ragged breaths, Ara knelt next to her brother. “Tenan?”

He moaned. “She nearly pulled both my arms off.”

Ara’s eyes raked across the black-green woods. What had frightened the mare so badly? She remembered what she’d seen just before Ursha had panicked: a Hebock. It couldn’t be. Not here. “Tenan-Tenan, we have to get out of here.”

Grimacing, he leaned forward and worked his arms in a circle. “Father will murder me if we don’t get the mare back.”

She started digging frantically through the loose leaves. “Where’s your bow?”

He nodded in the direction Ursha had disappeared.

That left them with nothing more than their knives. She looked toward the village. Her father might not be far down the trail. Somehow, she had to make Tenan come with her. “We have to go! Something’s still out there. I feel it as if its breath is hot against my throat.”

Tenan gave her a withering look. “I’m not going anywhere until we find Ursha.”

Suddenly, the danger in Ara’s mind exploded. A high-pitched sound like the screech of a thousands bats drove nails into her ears. A black shadow, shorter than Tenan by a span and twice as wide, seemed to gain life and streak toward them through the trees. She gripped her brother’s arm and heaved. “Tenan, run!”

One look at the creature, and he fell in beside her. She peered over her shoulder. Another screech erupted from a bat-like face. She put on a burst of speed she hadn’t known she possessed. She saw a horse between the trees. A familiar one. “Father!” she cried. “Father! Help!”

Kendrake jerked at her cry. His eyes widened with fear and disbelief. Bringing his bow around, he slammed his heels into his horse’s side.

Tenan’s pace increased with her scream. Side by side they raced. Danger, danger, danger, a voice inside her mind chanted. The tempo increased no matter how fast she ran. And then the words changed, bursting in her head, Death!

“Get down!” Her father shouted as he pulled back his bowstring.

Tenan glanced over his shoulder. His face twisted in fear. He lunged, tackling Ara and shielding her body with his own.

And then the danger was gone. Not faded or diminished. It simply ceased to exist. Tenan eased up, his body as rigid as if it were carved from rock. Ara saw her father’s horrified face above them, his bow half drawn with a new arrow.

Flat on her back, her gaze swung slowly to her side. Close enough that she could have reached out and touched it, the charcoal colored creature stretched toward her, menace permanently etched on its face and a wicked axe still clenched in its fist. A Hebock.

An arrow protruded from its right eye. A yellow eye. Slit like a cat’s and still trained upon her. In a way, the Hebock resembled a human, for it had moved on two legs and was roughly the same size. But it would only be mistaken for a man on the darkest nights.

Ara ripped her gaze from the Hebock to look at her father. Kendrake dismounted and eased forward. “It can’t be.” He didn’t let the tension ease from his bow, as he kicked the limp body, turning the Hebock from its side onto its back. His eyes scanned the woods. “There may be more.”

“There aren’t,” Ara whispered.

Whether he heard her or not, her father leapt back on his horse. Though the Hebock’s presence made the animal fight, Kendrake began making a circuit around them.

Tenan looked at the Hebock in wonder, and then that wonder transferred wholly to her. “How in all the Lands did you know that thing was coming . . . that there aren’t more?”

The blood pounded in her face. What had she done? Oh please, for her mother’s sake, not another Gift. “My soul . . . it’s like my soul broke away from my body, like I was a ghost.” Her nose wrinkled in distaste. “I saw the Hebock and taste blood.”

“Hebock? How do you know what a Hebock looks like?” he asked in bewilderment.

“I’ve seen one befo—” her voice cut off as she realized what she’d said. Seen a Hebock before? That was impossible. No one saw them this far south of the Wild Lands. No one.

Tenan crawled away from her and was sick. Ara wondered if it was her admission that brought on his retches or the sight of the Hebock.

Her father pulled in beside them. “I don’t see signs of more.” He studied her and Tenan. “Either of you hurt?”

Ara tucked her palms behind her. “No, Father.”

Tenan wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. “No, Father.”

Her father’s shoulders slumped as if he’d been deboned. His hazel eyes seemed flat, lifeless. “If I hadn’t heard Ara calling for help . . .” he trailed off, his face going even paler. “I don’t understand. Why would a Hebock come here?”

Tenan seemed to recognize the look on Ara’s face. He shook his head, his lips pursed.

“Do Kanovians use Hebocks for Assassins?” she asked gingerly.

Her father rubbed his jaw. “I have heard that they use them for scouts, but Assassins . . .” Suddenly, his eyes went wide. “Ara?” He searched her face and then groaned, “Oh, Ara! No!”

She gathered her knees into her chest, refusing to look at the Hebock, refusing to acknowledge the creature that had tried to kill her for what she was.

Her father tugged his cap further over his thinning black hair. “No one can know about Ara’s Gift. No one besides us. Do you both understand?”

Her eyes remained unfocused. “We’ve both understood for a long time, Father.”

Kendrake shot a condemning look at Tenan before softening. “I see.” He studied the ground as if it might hold the answers he sought. “Your mother doesn’t need to know. We’ll keep Ara close, keep her secret safe. The Hebock’s dead. We’ll bury it. Tonight, so that no one sees. We never speak of this day again. It never happened. Understood?”

Ara’s head felt waterlogged, as if she might hear a sloshing sound if she shook it. “Yes, Father. I understand.”

Kendrake stared at Tenan, waiting.

Tenan threw a rock against the tree stump. It clattered loudly in the stillness. “I haven’t told anyone yet.”

Their father nodded. “Good. Help me drag this thing out of sight. Then you two clean up. We can’t have you coming home looking like you’ve been brawling in the dirt and twigs.” He glared at the dead thing. “Tonight, we’ll come back and bury it.”

In the darkest hours, Ara stole out of the house with her father and brother. They made their way silently to the Hebock’s body. The fire still burning from the reins, she held the lantern aloft, while her father and brother’s shovels rang loudly in the still night.

Sweat ringed their underarms and drew long, fat lines down their backs by the time they finished a hole deep enough that their heads weren’t visible above the rim. Setting the lantern on the ground, she helped them roll the Hebock’s heavy body inside.

Ara’s nose wrinkled at the Hebock’s pungent odor—rotting meat. Her soul had been right about the smell. They covered the carcass with rocks before refilling the hole. Then they walked across the grave until the ground was smooth before replanting brush and sage.

Dusting off their hands, the two men surveyed their work. Ara didn’t. She looked anywhere but at the grave. How long would it take for another Hebock or Assassin to find her? She pressed her eyes shut. Another secret to keep. Another thing to make her different. Another reason for the Assassins to seek her blood.

#

Beneath her, the floor rocked and swayed. Her clammy clothes did little to keep out the cold. And nothing assuaged her hunger. Arms held her, trying to comfort her, trying to shield her, trying to warm her.

The arms weren’t human.

With a fierce shake of her head, Ara pushed herself up on her forearms. Another vision. She drew her quilts tighter, drawing the remaining warmth from them. It couldn’t have been more than a few hours since she’d returned with her father and Tenan. Her head ached from lack of sleep and her hands burned as if the reins had just seared them.

Blinking hard, she peered out her warped window. Soft darkness blurred the clean line between mountain and sky, tree and ground. Dawn was still a few hours away. So what had woken her? As if in answer, a knock echoed through the house. Snatching her blanket, she wrapped it over her thin shoulders and hurried from her room.

Her father, mother, and brother blocked her view of what lay beyond the door. Black curls spilling over her blanket, she rushed forward. A Nonaean officer stood with his armor gleaming silver in the pale light, a conscription notice in his hand. Ara’s body froze, her tongue stuck fast to the roof of her mouth. They’re here for Tenan. In the middle of the night, so that the men wouldn’t see them coming and run.

Tenan wouldn’t look at her. “It’s time, Ara.”

She barely registered her mother and father hurrying past her to gather Tenan’s armor and already packed saddle bags. She knew this was coming. They had been preparing for months. But it didn’t feel real. Like a dream. She hoped it was a dream. Tenan couldn’t leave. They needed him. She needed him.

Tenan wrapped her in a fierce embrace, crushing her against his hardened muscles—muscles that trembled with fear. Tenan afraid? Tenan feared nothing. This was no dream. It was real. He was leaving her. “You knew it was coming, little sister. We all did.”

Ara’s words came out half strangled, “It doesn’t make it easier.”

“Don’t ever let anyone know about your Gift, Ara,” he whispered fiercely. “I won’t be here to keep you safe.”

He couldn’t leave her! He couldn’t! But she found herself saying the words he needed to hear, “I’ll be careful.”

As if her touch suddenly burned him, he jerked away and hurried outside.

Ara followed him. She didn’t feel her steps, her body, or even her wounds. Nothing stirred her, not even the stiff breeze from the canyon. She was a wraith, cold and untouchable.

Tenan embraced their mother as if Qessa might break and then stood before Kendrake. Her father stared at the ground, his mouth working. “Come home, son.”

Because if you die on the battlefield, we’ll never see you or your body again. The pain suddenly hit Ara with such force that she nearly doubled over. Tenan was leaving to fight in a war against the men of Kanovia and their monsters, the Hebocks—a war from which he might never return. She bit her lip to hold back her sobs. It felt like a part of her was dying.

Swallowing hard, Tenan nodded as he swung into the saddle. “Yes, Father.”

Ara tried to burn his image into her memory. The Nonaean commander shouted the order. The men spurred their horses. Tenan held his mount, though the stallion danced beneath him. He closed his eyes before giving the horse his head. Within moments, the trees had swallowed him whole.

It felt like hours later when her father pressed Tenan’s old clothes into her arms. “No use trying to sleep. Saddle Talbot. There’s just as much work as before, and now one less pair of hands to do it.”

As Tenan’s scent rose up from the garments, Ara understood what part of her was dying.

Her childhood.

She didn’t try to stop it.

In My Mailbox #1 The Third by Abel Keogh

2011-04-11T10:56:00.001-06:00

This is my first time participating in the In My Mailbox meme (hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren).

This week I received The Third by Abel Keogh as an ARC from his publicist. Here's the cover copy:

When Ransom Lawe, a recycler in the Pacific Northwest, finds out his wife is pregnant with their third—and therefore illegal—child, he’s forced to choose between the government who proclaims a desire to save the planet and his hope for a place where his family can live in freedom. But with the Census Bureau Sentinels closing in on his wife and unborn child, Ransom’s choice will either save his family or tear them apart forever.

Abel Keogh offers a stark and haunting look at a not-so-distant future in this chilling new novel. Crossing lines between good and evil, freedom and oppression, and political and environmental responsibility, The Third is a gut-wrenching tale of intense loyalty and unconditional love.

I really like the cover, especially the embossed/heavy white font. It stands out against all the earthy colors going on. It conveys the feel of the book really well.

I'll be posting a review/giveaway soon.

Random:

Don't forget to sign up to review a copy of WITCH SONG.

I'm So Excited, I Think I Wet Myself

2011-04-07T16:59:00.003-06:00

Why, you ask. Because my all time hero, the woman I want to be when I grow up, is coming to Logan, UT. Yes, people, SHANNON. HALE. IS. COMING.

And I'm going to stalk her. I will be waiting at the mouth of the canyon in my minivan for that little car full of authors (James Dashner, Jessica Day George, Brandon Mull, and Ally Condie). Then I will follow them. When they get out, I will make obeisance before them, kissing their stinky feet and offering to become a nanny for their children (which I'm sure they'll turn down, right after they call the police).

As they haul me off to jail, I will continue to profess my undying devotion.

If you too would like to join me in the Shannon Hale Worship Service, I have 5 seats left in the minivan. Between all of us, surely we can overwhelm the Logan Police Dept. Some of us are bound to get through.

Or we could just show up early with our bags full of books for them to sign.

Either way.

*Shannon Hale, James Dashner, Jessica Day George, Brandon Mull, and Ally Condie will be appearing at the Logan Library April.22 at 6 pm.

LibraryThing Versus Goodreads

2011-04-05T09:19:00.002-06:00

I've been a member of Goodreads for years. I love being able to keep track of what I've read and what I haven't. I've even looked at a book on my "read" list and think, "I read that?" But it has stars, so I know I did.

Goodreads has also been fantastic for spreading the word about Witch Song. As of right now (4:4:11 @ 9am MST) nearly 1,850 readers have requested to win Witch Song, while another 1,400 people have added it to their "to read" list. And that's not counting how high Witch Song is on many of the lists where members have voted it to the top 5 of 15 different lists (mostly featuring debut authors or beautiful covers). It's also # 15 on the most requested Goodread's giveaway list.

So ya, Goodreads has been an awesome medium to spread the word about Witch Song *insert girlie squeal*. So I wondered if other sites like Goodreads would expose the book to new readers in the same way. I decided to try LibraryThing. Honestly, it's beyond me. It's more like a forum. I've never been very good at forums (they seem too time consuming). But I decided to at least add all the information I could about Witch Song to the site.

Since the book went up on March 24th, ZERO people have added it. Type in the exact title in a search, and it's still 8th down without the BEAUTIFUL cover showing (though it appears when you click on it).

Epic Fail. ;)

I know this is partially my fault. I need to get the book out there as I did on Goodreads. But that would require me to learn the ins and outs of yet another social networking site. Not to mention trying to keep up on it.

So I turn to you, dear blog reader. How the heck do you work LibraryThing? Any ideas for marketing the book on LibraryThing's site? Which site do you prefer: LibraryThing or Goodreads? (I'm, um . . . leaning heavily towards Goodreads)

PS Don't forget to enter my contest.

Advice For Life

2011-04-02T21:06:00.002-06:00

I saw this post on my friend, Elana Johnson's blog. It kinda got me thinking.

Mine would be: Love yourself. Respect yourself. Because if you don't, no one else will.

What would your advice be?

April Fools (Guess What It Is)

2011-04-01T16:26:00.001-06:00

I'm the room mom for my son's 3rd grade class. Can you guess what the treats really are? Hint: they're supposed to be apple juice and little cakes.

Calling All Book Bloggers (And a Contest)

2011-03-29T14:11:00.003-06:00

Bookmarks

Witch Song ARCs are going to print! Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! I'm so excited!

My publisher is starting to go through the list of those who have signed up for an ARC. So if you're a blogger and you want to get your hands on a copy, make sure to fill out this form. It's not your last chance to get an ARC, but it's probably your best one.

Also, they've indicated their willingness to send out lots and lots of eBooks, so I've included an option for "prefer a hardcopy but will accept an eBook."

I've decided on the method of my ARC tour. One book will circulate through ten bloggers--all of which will receive two bookmarks (one to giveaway, one to keep). The last blogger will be one who's willing to host a giveaway.

If you indicated that you'd like to do an interview, please shot me an email with your questions (I'll be going through the list and sending out email reminders as we get closer).

I'd love you forever if you spotlight Witch Song on your blog, whether by a "Waiting on Wednesday" or type of meme or simply announcing your interest in the book. Let me know and I'll come comment. I'll also post links to your blog on my own.

Big Announcement:

Back of Bookmark

Any blogger who reviews Witch Song will receive two signed bookmarks (if you want them that is). One you may do with what you like, the other I ask that you give away in a contest on your blog. The top picture is the front of my bookmark, the bottom is the back. Aren't they pretty??? My friend, Michelle Argyle, designed them for me. Her prices are super reasonable too. Thanks Michelle!

Also: to anyone who shares this post or the form via Facebook, Twitter, Blog, etc, you'll be entered to win a prize pack including Alyson Noel's Dark Flame in hardcover and Radiance in softcover and three bookmarks--Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle, a signed bookmark of Elana Johnson's Possession and a signed bookmark of Lisa Mangum's The Hourglass Door (see pic below).

ps Don't forget to leave me your links!

pps This is going to be so much fun!

ppps You don't need to refill out the form. The contest is for FBing, Tweeting, or Blogging about the contest or the form. :)

Internet Bullying

2011-03-28T22:37:00.002-06:00

There's some serious internet bullying going on here. Please, please, please stop it. I know Jacqueline Howett made a mistake. A big one. But she's outnumbered hundreds to one, and many of the comments are nastier than she ever was.

I'm not defending her. But I'm not defending any of the other nastiness either. If you have a mean comment, I'd encourage you to go delete it.

We're better than this. We're writers. We're readers. We're human beings. We have more in common than we have differences. Focus on those commonalities. Have you ever made a huge mistake? Ever done something you were ashamed of that had EVERYONE talking about you? Do you remember how awful that felt?

If so, think of how she must feel. Don't perpetuate this travesty. Do what you can to make it better. Not by going after the nasty commenters but by stopping the gossip. And then hope that the next time you make a huge mistake, people will be as forgiving of you as you were of Ms. Howett.

Amber

*edit: I'm not saying you can't discuss the situation publically. What I am saying is that you do so professionally and with the understanding that this is a person we're talking about. There's definitely a mob feel to some of the conversations going around. A "let's get her" mentality. That is SO WRONG.

List of Famous Author Rejections

2011-03-28T14:31:00.002-06:00

The full article is on Online College.org

May 17th, 2010

Whether you're a struggling writer, or just studying to be one, you probably know that there's a lot of rejection in your future. But don't be dismayed, rejection happens even to the best. Here are 50 well-respected writers who were told no several times, but didn't give up.

1.Dr. Seuss: Here you'll find a list of all the books that Dr. Seuss' publisher rejected.

2.William Golding: William Golding's Lord of the Flies was rejected 20 times before becoming published.

3.James Joyce: James Joyce's Ulysses was judged obscene and rejected by several publishers.

4.Isaac Asimov: Several of Asimov's stories were rejected, never sold, or eventually lost.

5.John le Carre: John le Carre's first novel, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, was passed along because le Carre "hasn't got any future."

There are 50 authors listed. All of them are FAMOUS. Click here to read the rest of the article.

I'm in good company at least. :)

Randomness:

Don't forget to sign up to review Witch Song.
There's some serious internet bullying going on here. Please, please, please stop it. I know she made a mistake. A big one. But she's outnumbered hundreds to one, and many of the comments are nastier than she ever was. Take the higher road. Be the better person.
My muse has evidently decided that it's too cold to come out and play. *insert chocolate here*
Where do you find new book releases?
I've decided I need an agent. Someone please shoot me.

That is all.

What's the Title of Your Life?

2011-03-25T14:33:00.002-06:00

Let's pretend you're writing a book about your life in 2010. What would the title be?

Scattered Soccer Mom
Party Girl
Drowning in Deadlines
Unkempt

I think mine would be: We All Fall Down (playing on the nursery rhyme "Ring Around the Rosies")

Remember when you were a child playing Ring Around the Rosies? You hand, sweaty and grimy from the sandbox, holding tight to someone else. The sun hot on your back. The sharp smell of the dandelion chain, sticky, around your neck. Spinning faster and faster, your hands squeezing tighter and your stomach singing inside you. Knowing your going to fall. Thrilled by the prospect.

And finally falling, your squeals and giggles weaving around in time to the spinning in your head. The feel of the grass, cool beneath your hands.

For the past year, I feel like I've been spinning. Faster and faster, my hands grimy with the work that tries to bury me, my stories singing inside me. Knowing I'm going to be published, thrilled by the prospect. And yet terrified at the same time.

Because falling is frightening. Even when it's fun.

So what would the title of your year be?

How Hard Is It To Be Published

2011-03-22T15:55:00.008-06:00

I've decided to begin a new business venture. I'm going to be offering haircuts for $100 dollars. The extra money will be great. And I've got loads of talent. Seriously, I've been cutting things since kindergarten--paper, string, even my own meat at the dinner table.

Also, the cost of set up is minimal. Heck, I already have chicken shears, which should work just fine. I mean really, if they can cut meat, they can cut hair . . . am I right or am I right. *chuckles and slaps knee*

Appointments will be anywhere from once a week or once a month, depending on my schedule--or how much money I need at the time.

Anyway, who's up for a haircut?!?

But really, why is it that when I started writing I thought it would be easier (as in, not so freakin' hard) to be published? When I started writing full time, I had a degree in English and a short story publication to my name. Yet it took me over five years, at least five writer's conferences, numerous workshops, six finished manuscripts--with three more in the works, and literally HUNDREDS of rejections before I finally had my debut coming out (I had a few close calls before that, but that's a REALLY long story).

I'm still nowhere near the writer that I want to be.

Often, we (me included) look at authors who have "made it," but we don't see the hours they spent in the classroom, reading books on the craft, drafting, brainstorming, writing, editing, driving to some conference or another, reading rejection after rejection. We fail to see their journey, instead only seeing their destination.

I will give one example: Stephen King. His father abandoned his family when Stephen was two. Shortly after, his mother moved home to care for her parents. He grew up poor. As a child, Stephen watched his friend die after being struck by a train. He started writing in high school, got a few things published in his school paper, a few fanzines. He had a daughter. He had a column in his college paper, worked at an industrial laundry, and finally received his degree in English. Unable to get a teaching job, he sold a few short stories to some magazines.

He married. He actually threw Carrie in the trash. His wife rescued it and urged him to finish. It was the first novel he published. Shortly after, his mother died and he began a decades long fall into alcoholism.

Does this give you an idea of the countless hours King spent perfecting his craft before any measurable success came his way? Of the pain that became his motivation? Of the struggle that made him strong?

You HAVE to watch this video. It gave me all sorts of chills.

As in everything, greatness can only be achieved when pared with hard work and a dash of luck.

Winner of The Lost Saint

2011-03-21T16:37:00.001-06:00

Without further ado, the winner the signed hardcover of Bree Despain's The Lost Saint is . . .

Lexie !!!!

*throws confetti*
*hugs book and kisses it goodbye*
*cries a ~~lot~~ little*

So, Lexie, how does it feel to be a winner???

Win Signed Hardcover of The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

2011-03-16T22:43:00.001-06:00

*This contest is now closed.

It seriously pains me to give this away. A signed hardcover of The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Two signed bookmarks. Two bottles of nail polish.

Winner receives the blue book, bookmark, and nail polish AND the purple bookmark and nail polish.

Guidelines:

To enter, simply Click on one of the Goodreads lists and vote for WITCH SONG. Each time you vote, you get 1 point (Sometimes the link takes you directly to WITCH SONG. Sometimes you have to scroll up or click previous. The easiest way to find it is to pay attention to the number (ie if it's 200 out of 275, look for 200) If WITCH SONG is added to your "To Read" list, you can click on the "Add Books to This List" tab as well).
Obviously, I'm not asking you to vote for the book on lists that imply you've read it (unless you have). That wouldn't be very honest. So just stick to the ones that feature debut authors, beautiful covers, books of 2011, New Authors, etc.
There isn't a limit on how many lists you can vote on, epecially the lists where Witch Song is beyond 100. Nor is there a limit on how many points you can accrue. The more points you have, the greater your chances of winnning.
You can also earn points by sharing this contest on your blog, facebook page, twitter (click the cute little button links on the bottom of this post to make it really easy).
You MUST add up your own points.

More free stuff:
1. Have you registered to win WITCH SONG on Goodreads yet???
2. If you're a book reviewer, have you filled out the form for a free copy of WITCH SONG for review? **filling out this form DOES NOT guarantee you a free copy.**
3. Have you filled out the form to receive a free, signed bookmark of Witch Song?

Review of The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

2011-03-15T13:44:00.004-06:00

Click here to Enter to win a signed hardcover of The Lost Saint.

Review from Goodreads
A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger - in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her - not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

Bree Despain delivers sizzling romance and thrilling action in the heart-pounding sequel to the The Dark Divine.

Did ya'll know Bree wrote The Lost Saint in 4 weeks? Seriously an amazing feet. Especially since she has young kids. So I admit I was a little worried about how this would turn out. Especially since sequels are so often a disappointment. But I LOVED it. Even better than the first.

Bree is a master at weaving themes into her books. And she does it without the reader feeling they've been preached to. For instance, the title. There are so many "lost saints" in the book. So many characters who have lost their way. And seriously, I love that Bree "go's there." Meaning she breaks a YA taboo by bringing God into the book. Not overbearingly so, but he's there (all the angel books that have no reference to God whatsoever drive me crazy). She has a lot of subtle references to the Bible--Prodigal Son, Good Samaritan, etc. Grace has decided to "wait" until she's married. And her boyfriend respects that about her. She has morals. How refreshing.

In many ways, Grace is a much stronger character, but in growing stronger, she also grows weaker (you'll have to read it to find out why). Let's just say Bree did a great job of blending internal and external conflict.

I love the mystery of the book. Who's the bad guy? What do they want? By trying to solve the mystery, Grace only seems to put herself closer to danger--a danger she can't see.

And the love triangle (I love me a good love triangle)! Tal and Daniel, oh my. I can't decide which one I like more. Both are hot. Both are damaged but trying to redeem themselves.

Eh, why pick. I'll just take two to go please.

Read any good love triangles lately?

Enter to win a signed hardcover of The Lost Saint.

Goodreads Giveaway of Witch Song

2011-03-08T08:38:00.003-07:00

My publisher is giving away 5 copies of WITCH SONG on Goodreads. Have you all signed up yet? I hope so! If anyone wins those books, it should be my blog followers. But don't just sign up for my book. My publisher is offering 30 free books in all. Make sure to add each to you "to read" list. :)

Witch Song by Amber Argyle
As the last echoes of witch song fade, Espen grows stronger as winter and summer come within the space of a day. Now she’s coming for the one she missed—a shy, untrained girl of fifteen named Brusenna.

Blood of Adoria by JS Chancellor
A rescue is underway. A war is brewing. Hope and despair rest in equal measure on the horizon. Who will prove stronger: those who embody light or those who enlist the darkness?

“Beyond Birkie Fever” by Walter Rhein is the story of how America's magnificent cross-country ski marathon can expand your horizons and be the gateway to experiences beyond anything you'd ever hoped to imagine!

Monarch by Michelle Davidson Argyle
Nick must track down Matheus Ferreira, a drug lord and terrorist the U.S. has tried to bring down for years. If he succeeds, he’ll have the chance to start his life over again.

King's Envoy by Cas Peace
In Albia, the fourth realm, the precious Artesan gift is dying. Although born to the craft, Taran is struggling to achieve his potential. Against his friends’ advice, he embarks on a foolhardy plan to acquire the teaching he craves. Alone, he crosses into Andaryon, the fifth realm, but instead of finding a mentor, he stumbles upon a treacherous plot.

Legends Reborn by Doug Brown
Since the dawn of time, the Light of Epertase has determined when the throne was to be passed from elder to heir. For more than a thousand years, the Light’s decision had never been challenged…Until now.

And while your entering all these contests, don't forget to enter to win a signed, hardcover of The Lost Saint by Bree Despain.

Thanks to all those who've entered so far. Witch Song is ranked among the top five of six different lists. Which is absolutely AMAZING. I cannot tell you how important this is to a books success. The visibility increases peoples chances of actually hearing about my book. Thank you SO much.

Okay, I'm off to shovel a foot of snow off my driveway. Tell me what you have going on with your blog this week. I'll come visit! :)

Winners + News

2011-02-24T12:42:00.001-07:00

Announcements:

Witch Song is selling really, really well on Barnes and Noble (It's not on Amazon yet). And that's without the cover or blurb attached yet. Super exciting!
Witch Song is now up on Goodreads! If you get a sec, add it to your "to read" list. Or to any book lists you'd like. Lists sell books, so I'd appreciate it. :) (Anyone else thinking contest???)
I'm still taking names for book bloggers interest in reviewing my book. Please fill out this form. I've starting visiting classrooms via Skype. If you're interested, email me. :)

Here are the winners of my signed hardcover edition of Tracy Hickman's Song of the Dragon and the signed bookmarks:

Ben wins the book + bookmark
Shanella wins 2 bookmarks.
Theresa wins 2 bookmarks
Charlie wins 1 bookmark
Modicum wins 1 bookmark

Congrats guys! So fun to have multiple people win. If by chance you don't want the two signed bookmarks, let me know and I'll use them for another contest. Email me your addresses at amberargyle at yahoo dot com and I'll mail them out!

Amber

Interview of Tracy Hickman, Author of Song of the Dragon

2011-02-22T12:46:00.002-07:00

In conjunction with my signed giveaway of Tracy Hickman's Song of the Dragon (which closes on the 24th), I interviewed Tracy. Enjoy!

(AA) As I said in my review of Song of the Dragon, I love your twist on mythical creatures—creatures that are normally cast as evil (manticores, chimera, etc) are the good guys. While creatures like that are normally pure (elves) become the villains. What inspired such a drastically different perspective from the common perception of Tolkienesque angelic elves and other creatures?

(TRH) I believe that reading should -- on some level -- be uncomfortable and by that I mean challenge the way we think. A little cognitive dissonance is a good thing, helping us to grow in our thought and perspective on the world. Speculative fiction has long been the province of presenting new ideas in a 'safer' form by setting the more difficult issues in a fantastical setting -- but having been in fantasy for most of my professional life I like the idea of the stereotypes of fantasy also being turned on their head and a little uncomfortable as well.

(AA) Is your take on Dragons as drastically different as your take on Elves? Can you give us a description of your dragons? If not, how about just a glimpse?

(TRH) We will be visiting the dragons of the northern lands extensively in our second book which I am just finishing now. What intrigues me the most about the northern dragons is that they are not unified but have political factions within their ranks -- they are not united by any means. Their high level of telepathic communication also has presented a number of narrative problems and the central question of the dragons betrayal of humanity is finally addressed. It has made for some intriguing dragons as characters.

(AA) I love the interplay between the villains Ch’drei and Soen. The very last chapter, you hint that Chi’drei’s betrayal might have pushed Soen over to the good guy’s camp. Any backstory from their long past you’d like to share?

(TRH) Soen and Ch'drei certainly have a long and somewhat checkered history, it is true but I think I would like to leave that in the mists of the past. The tower on a distant hill is a romantic vision -- compelling and filled with wonder -- until we visit it, wander it's dusty halls and blow at the cobwebs. Then it become 'real' to us but loses it's romance.

(AA) The gnomes in your books are very simple creatures that have no possessions except for the stories they tell. Because they have no possessions, they are nearly impossible to corrupt. In contrast, the Elves are rich beyond imaginings and seem to be constantly vying for more. Do you think this is true in real life? What do you think we should do about it?

(TRH) I believe that there is far more to life than being defined by the things we own ... which in turn seem to own us. While I am hardly one to run off to Walden Pond and live in a shack, I believe that we are defined more by our stories and our relationships than by our possessions. So I do believe that on a basic level that being obsessed with our 'precious' possessions -- 'precious' in the Gollum sense most certainly -- holds us like an anchor to the ground when we should be soaring instead. As to what should be done about it ... I think that is part of each one's personal mythic cycle through their lives; to rise above the mundane and reach for higher perspective and ideals.

(AA) What’s the one question you think someone should ask you and never does? (yes, I’m cheating)

(TRH) The one question I'm never asked is "Why are you a Mormon?" Religion and faith are taboo subjects these days and the very idea that there might be an answer to a religious question seems to be frightening to interviewers.

(AA) Tell us about your next project? Could you share your first 13 lines from Book 2?

(TRH) Right now I am engaged in far too many projects but I can tell you that I am finishing the second Drakis novel at the moment. I have a number of book projects this year coming up but I am perhaps most excited about our Scribe's Forge Writing Seminars and Workshops. After over thirty years as a professional fantasy writer we believe it is time to pass on what we know of the craft to a new generation of writers.

Here are the first two paragraphs (from the original manuscript, unedited) of the second Drakis book: Citadels of the Lost.

"The throats of a thousand dragons answered the call.

Drakis took several steps back from the towering statue, awestruck by the shapes rising from the craggy peaks beyond. He glanced back at the statue, the craning neck with the ridge of scales curving down to the horn-spiked head with blade-like long teeth onto the ancient marble base, the enormous stone wings rising straight up over a hundred feet, and the gigantic claws gripping the glowing crystal globes. His eyes jumped back to the mountaintops and the shadows pulling their way closer to him through the evening sky. Dragons ... real dragons! Even from this distance of several leagues he could make out some details of the enormous monsters, their great wings sweeping forward and scooping the air down and back with every stroke. The sound of their shrieking calls rolled down the mountainside and shook the wide pedestal on which he stood, carrying away with it every other sensation. It encompassed him, shot through him and drowned out everything else. Somewhere nearby the muffled voice of Urulani shouted through the noise, calling her men to gather closer around the statue and ready their weapons. What were their names, he vaguely thought. The dwarf, he knew, was also shouting nearby but his voice sounded more distant that the dragon calls and his movements somehow slow. Ethis was pulling at the dwarf, dragging him back on to the pedestal and closer to the fold – the magical portal sphere of radiant blue light that had opened at the base of the statue. Beyond the portal fold and through its shining blue haze he could see a land of dense foliage and distant towers but it seemed so very far away. Mala lay sobbing hysterically at his feet..."

Ohhh, I don't know if I can stand the wait! I love dragons. And I'm excited to see Tracy's take on them--especially since he's known to twist our preconceived notions on their heads.

Thanks so much, Tracy, for giving me the opportunity to interview you about your fantastic new series!

If any of you have a chance, sign up for his workshops. I had an opportunity to take one of Tracy's classes at the recent conference, and I can say without a doubt it was the best one I participated in.

Also, make sure you're all signed up to win the signed, hardcover of Tracy's Song of the Dragon. In addition to all 7 signed bookmarks.

Also, if you missed it, Witch Song is now available for preorder! I'm blown away by how many of you have preordered it and/or shared the news. Thank you so much!

Amber

Witch Song Available for Preorder!

2011-02-21T16:49:00.003-07:00

While at LTUE writer's conference, I found out lots of awesome things.

My book is available for Preorder from Barnes and Noble!!! It doesn't have the description or cover yet. BUT if you order it now, it's only $9.44 I'm amazed and humbled by how many people have preordered it! The interest so far has been phenomenal! SQUEE!
My book is listed on Goodreads (though it may be taken down and put back up).
I'm ready to start collecting names for book bloggers who'd like to review my book. Fill out this form if you'd like to be considered for a free copy.
I've got tons of awesome contest ideas. Starting next month, anyone who votes for my book on any lists on Goodreads, Librarything, etc will be entered to win David Farland's signed books The Wyrmling Horde and . . . the other one. You know, the one I'm to lazy to go find out what the title is. (I just found it: Chaosbound. There. Now leave me alone about it. ;) )

These Elves Scared the Crap Out of Me

2011-02-15T11:00:00.001-07:00

Song of the Dragon is not a book you bust through in one setting. It's a book you read slowly, savoring the complex characters and myriad races. A book were world building and history are as important as plot and pacing.

In Hickman's world, the numerous races have lost their memories and their free will to the all powerful elves.

Lest you expect Tolkienesque, angelic elves, let me warn you, Hickman does a fantastic job of twisting the genre's preconceived notiton of elves on their heads. Here's his description of one of the elves great beauties:

"Shebin . . . unpinned her hair, which fell down around her shoulders, revealing the long bald strip typical of her race between her forehead and the back of her elongated crown.

Drakis drew in a sharp breath.

Shebin was easily numbered among the greats elven beauties . . . To Drakis, her wraithlike, angular, and bony form appeared hideously cadaverous--a living corpse whose fingers now lightly stroked his chest and body."

Notice the masterful juxtaposition of beauty and horror. He takes elements that our culture finds alluring--thin bodies, silver white hair pinned up with carefully styled curls--and shifts them a few steps further. Until they become gruesome.

All in all, a powerfully woven tale by a master storyteller.

And you, dear reader, can win a signed hardcopy. Just click on this link to enter my contest (or simply scroll down).

Upcoming events/announcements:

I'm attending to Life the Universe and Everything (LTUE) at BYU in Provo this weekend (Feb 17-20th). If you're coming, lets do lunch! Email me at amberargyle (at) yahoo (dot) com
Next month, I'll be giving two signed books by David Farland (Chaosbound and The Wyrmling Horde).
For those of you who read last weeks post, I'm done freaking out (for now). Just thought you'd like to know.
I'm up to 75 pages on Witch Song 2!

You All Terrify Me

2011-02-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

This is going to be another of those completely honest posts. I don't mean to be whiny, but you all scare the hell out of me. Really. Did you know you were so intimidating?

I think the biggest reason I'm freaking out is because I feel so out of control. I've written the best book I can. But it's done now. There's no changing it. And now it's leaving me. Going out into the cold, cruel world. And while I can try to increase it's range, the public's reaction is largely out of my control. What if it isn't receive well, despite years of my best efforts?

I'm trying to do my best with marketing and such, but I signed with a small publisher, meaning I received no advance. So I'm trying to market on one income and I have three young children, so funds are extremely limited. Also, I'm not really one of the best salesman around. I don't like to be pushy and I'm not a braggart (at least, I don't think I am).

Also, what if it gets bad reviews? I'm promising myself I won't read reviews at all, because I don't want them to change the way I write, or worse, cripple me so I can no longer write at all.

I'm really worried about how this will affect my life. I'm a stay at home mom. I don't want that to change too drastically. I want to be there for my kids. See all their games and all their milestones.

I guess I'm scrambling to redefine myself and my life. Anytime I face a major change, it's scary and overwhelming and intimidating. And even though this is a good change, it's still frightening.

Also, just a little reminder to enter my contest to win a signed hardcover of Tracy Hickman's Song of the Dragon (this is one of those marketing attempts).

Signed Song of the Dragon by Tracy Hickman Giveaway

2011-02-08T14:48:00.004-07:00

*giveaway now closed* February officially kicks off my Year of Fantasy Giveaways contest. To celebrate/spread the word about my novel, Witch Song, I will hold a monthly contest in which I give away signed fantasy books by David Farland, Tracy Hickman, Brandon Sanderson, Jessica Day George, and more!

This month, I'm giving away a signed hardcover of Song of the Dragon by Tracy Hickman. In addition, I have 8 signed bookmarks. These are heavy duty, glossy bookmarks. All are signed.

First place receives Song of the Dragon and one bookmark. Seven other winners will receive one of these beautiful bookmarks.

To enter, you need to receive points. To get points, do one of the following:

1 pt for Tweeting http://amberargyle.blogspot.com/
1 pt for Facebooking (include URL)
1 pt for following the blog (widget is on the right)
1 pt for leaving a comment.
2 pts for blogging about the contest
2 pts for blogging about Witch Song (you can combine this with blogging about the contest). Here's the link for my Witch Song page so you can copy and past it in your blog post: http://amberargyle.blogspot.com/p/witch-song.html

So that's a total of 8 pts! !4 points just for blogging about the contest and Witch Song Make sure to add up all your own points, cause all those numbers hurt my head, and I can't guarantee I'll get them right.

Winner will be announced February 24th.

Who's excited???

Witch Song Cover

2011-02-01T10:13:00.003-07:00

Here it is! The final cover for Witch Song!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Whenever I see it, I find I can't look away. It's like a girl with her first crush--only she doesn't have to worry about being caught staring!

Eve Ventrue captured the haunting, exquisite look in Brusenna's face perfectly. You might not be able to zoom in on it, but her eyes are so detailed and vibrant. Her lips look like they've been cut from her perfect face with a knife. The branches reaching toward her like gnarled fingers, ready to scratch and take hostage. I love the necklace, with the swirls of magic emanating from it--magic that brings life to the dead, dangerous branches around Brusenna.

And that's not to mention the back cover. The wolfhound and Brusenna with her golden hair. I LOVE THE TREE. The battered, warped door, the jagged glass on the window, even the ragged curtain trailing from the dark depths like a forgotten ghost.

I'm dying to know what you think! What's your favorite parts? Do you think it will appeal to the YA romantic fantasy readers? If not, why?

Big thank you to Rhemalda and Eve Ventrue!

If you'd like to see the cover with the final font/title, click here. While you're there, make sure you check out the art of my fellow authors' covers: Michelle Argyle, Walter Rhein, Eve Ventrue, Doug Brown, Cas Peace, and JS Chancellor.

My Cover Comes Out Tomorrow!

2011-01-31T14:23:00.003-07:00

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I can't wait until you all get to see my cover tomorrow! Seriously, it's the most beautiful cover I've ever seen. Eve Ventrue did such an amazing job. I feel like I need to make her cookies . . . or something. Too bad she lives in Germany.

But really, all the covers being revealed tomorrow are so amazing. Rhemalda and its artitst really outdid themselves.

(In case you couldn't tell, I'm kinda excited.)

Check back tomorrow to see it unveiled.

And don't forget to sign up for Rhemalda's newsletter for a chance to win a Kindle!

Blurb from David Farland and Sneak Peak at Witch Song Cover

2011-01-26T16:50:00.000-07:00

Here's most of the back cover. Isn't is awesome!

The whole cover will be announced next week on my publisher's blog. I'll post the link and cry. A lot. Don't worry though, they're happy tears. To go along with that, I'm doing a huge contest in February, giving away one of my signed books. Make sure to check back in and enter to win.

Also, David Farland (nicest author ever) gave me a cover quote!

"In WITCH SONG, Amber Argyle makes a riveting debut, creating a fresh new world full of wonder, peril, and splendor. I found WITCH SONG to be positively engrossing from the first page to the last. I'm convinced that this is just the first book in what will be a long and prosperous career!"

*dies*

Win An Antique Grimm Fairy Tales Book

2011-01-24T11:26:00.003-07:00

*contest closed* I so wanna win this antique Grimm Fairy Tales book from my friends Bethany and Suzette.

A 1913

Color-illustrated

Rand McNally version of

Grimm's Fairy Tales

Illustrated by Hope Dunlap.

No! You Can't Have My Money

2011-01-20T15:17:00.002-07:00

Have you ever scrimped and saved for something, only to have a huge repair bill smack you upside the head?

For instance, last month our van ("You drive a minivan!" you say. "Yes." I respond. "And I look quite sexy in it too.") needed new tires.

So of course, I'm in the waiting room with two of my children who are determined to see just how far they can splash the water from the drinking fountain. As the man with the tick in his cheek will attest, it goes quite far. Then hallelujah, my name is called.

Tire man looks at me with a sad reservation I'm sure is forced. "You need new breaks too."

A stack of tires wobbles precariously. "Just a second," I respond. I grab 5 YO just before he crests the fifth tire in his ascent to 10 Tire Peak, haul him over to the counter, with 22 MO in my other arm.

". . . tires off . . . rotors are shot . . . replace them." That was all I caught as I tried to corral my 5 YO and not drop my squirming 20 MO.

"Okay, but I'm the room mom for my 8 YO Christmas party and it was supposed to start 5 minutes ago."

Needless to say, I was late. But thank heaven, so was the party. A week later, I returned for said brakes and rotors. This time, the tire man was ~~smart~~ kind enough to give me a ride home and come get me 4 hours later.

For all this, $700 bucks.

Fast forward a month. I wake up shivering in the night. It's 60 degrees in my house. My husband does what he can to fix the furnace to no avail. We call the repairman. 3 days, 6 hours, and $200 dollars later, he informs that the part is under warranty, but it cost 200 to deliver and 400 for labor to install (which is oh so generous of the furnace manufacturer).

But he thinks we should just get a new furnace.

He recommends the 2,000 dollar one.

So you know that vacation we were going to use our tax return on? To Washington DC for a visit with my SIL. Well now we get to stay home in our warm house. Or maybe we could go for a ride in our sexy minivan.

Cue creepy music: So now I'm left wondering, do the rotors count as my third in the law of three, or do I have one more to go?

Does this kind of thing ever happen to you? Just when you've saved enough money for something fun, it gets sucked into repair costs?

Answers to Your Buring Questions Pt 2

2011-01-18T17:04:00.000-07:00

Continued from last week . . .

4. When real world obligations mount, how do you keep your excitement for writing and whatever project you're working on?

Take a break. I'm so tired of the advice, "You must write every day. No matter what."

You know what? Not everyone can do that. Not everyone wants to do that. There are no rules in writing. There are guidelines. And while this is a good one, it doesn't apply to everyone all the time.

If you need a break, take one. I got to the point where I was so bitter I couldn't stand writing anymore. I took six months off. And I have no guilt about it. Seriously, if you're unpublished, you have no deadlines. No commitments. You're free. Enjoy it.

5. What do you do if you find yourself stalled on a project? What do you study to get your creative juices flowing on a new project, or to twist an old project and re-invigorate it?

This is a fun one.

To get the creative juices going: Watch a good movie. Read a good book. Listen to inspiring music. Take a break.

If you're stalled: usually it's because I've got my editor hat on instead of my writer hat. The first draft is messy. It's doesn't make sense, it's chubby, and cluttered. I find myself constant reminding myself, "I'll fix it later."

6. How do you keep your personal momentum for a project before you're a "discovered" author?

I give myself deadlines. I want to have book X ready for conference Y. I'm going to have this one ready to query by X.

Having a regular meeting writers group helps too. You have to have something to share, and it's fun.

7. How do you work toward getting to the point where you're prepared to be seen as professional?

I have no idea. I'll let you know if I ever figure it out.

What rules do you break?

Famous Authors . . . And Me

2011-01-13T13:51:00.001-07:00

Get ready, get set,

Name Those Authors!

And yes, I did get signed books. And yes, they will be given away as prizes. You all love me, don't you?

You Pick 'Em Book Giveaway

2011-01-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

I'm going to a huge book signing tonight, and I'm picking up books for my blog giveaway.

Here's where you come in: which signed books from these authors would you like to see me giveaway?

Tracy Hickman
Brandon Sanderson
David Farland
Jessica Day George
Brad Torgersen

Let me know!!
:)

Answers to Your Buring Questions Pt 1

2011-01-11T09:35:00.004-07:00

I had a writerly acquaintance, Mike Shaffer, ask me a boat load of questions. Hoping the rest of you might benefit, I've posted them here.

1. I need help pre-writing and world building. I haven't figured out a strategy that works. What's yours?

I could give a whole discourse on this subject. Honestly, it's really not a question with a quick answer. The best, brief advice I can offer: Outline. As a budding writer, I hated it. I thought it was constrictive and intimidating. It's not.

There's lots of different methods. Check some books out from the library, google it, pick different ones and try them until one fits. Honestly, I work best when I can sit down with my husband and we hash out an idea together (usually when we have a long drive). Honestly, I do 3/4 of the talking. For some reason, saying it out loud makes it click in my head.

2. How do you either write an ending, or plot a good one out if you come up with scenes that feel like a middle or just beyond the beginning?

Sometime plotting intimidates writers because they feel like they have to know everything. You don't. It's like going on a vacation. You plan out your destination, some stops along the way, some of the big things you'll see, etc. The rest you fill in as you go along. Sometimes you know your ending from the start of the book. Sometimes you change it. Sometimes you don't figure out the ending until you write it.

And that's okay. Say it to yourself, "It's okay. It's okay."

3. Can you pre-plan a series?

Absolutely. Although I recommend you write stand alones or stand alones with sequel potential until you find a publisher. Why? Because no one's going to buy books 2, 3, 4, or 5 if 1 doesn't sell. Don't ever become so entrenched in a book that you're unwilling to let it go.

Continued next week . . .

New Years Short Story

2011-01-03T13:28:00.005-07:00

This interview took place today between my brain and my body's foreman.
The construction worker slowly swiveled in the padded chair, his eyes searching for something more interesting than the bare, grey walls around him. He eventually saw a fly and followed it with his gaze. Every once in a while, it zoomed away too fast. But he always found it again.

There was nowhere to go. For either of them.

Finally the door opened and a young, pretty woman wearing a grey business suit stepped in. She wore glasses and had her hair in a tight ponytail.

Great, he thought. She was always more uptight when she had her hair in a ponytail.

The woman didn't look at him. Instead, she concentrated on the open manila folder in front of her. She let go of the door and moved into the seat opposite him.

Just before the door closed, the fly escaped.

Lucky fly.

She finished scanning the folder, shut it with a soft slap, folded her hands over it, and looked at him. "We have some problems to discuss."

He shifted uncomfortably in the seat that was too small for him. "Yeah, I suppose we do."

"I'll start."

Of course you will. "Alright."

"I've noticed some unnecessary bulging on the inner thighs, buttocks, and around the middle."

He grunted. "Muffin top."

She blushed scarlet. "I suppose you could call it that."

He scratched his bald head under his construction hat. "Listen lady, I do the best I can with what I've got."

She tapped the eraser of a number two pencil on her folder. "We've been working out at least three hours a week. We've cut back on a lot of unhealthy foods."

He nodded warily. "Yes, but not in the last month."

The tapping pencil stopped. When she grew still, he knew to tread carefully.

"8 months, we've worked our butt off. 8 months. And you know how much weight we've lost?"

"Well, we haven't exactly worked our butt off." He started to chuckle, but her eyes blazed black fire at him. He choked on it and found himself sitting deeper in his chair. "We've, uh, toned up a lot?"

It was like she hadn't heard him. "A pound! One measly little pound!"

He scratched his belly. "Well then, a pound is something."

She stood up in her chair and leaned toward him. "The baby is 22 months old, Foreman."

He shrugged. "Well, the materials are older than they used to be."

It was the wrong thing to say. He could feel the hairs on the back of their head standing on end. "Plus, we've had some setbacks." He tried to placate her. "Three kids are hard on a body. Not to mention the sleepless nights and--"

"I don't care how old this body is or how many children have damaged it. I want it working like it did before."

He felt his face flush with heat. "I'm a working man, not a miracle worker." They glared at each other for a while, and suddenly he was frightened. "Wait, your not seriously thinking of cutting us up?"

She flopped back into her chair in exasperation. "It crossed my mind."

"You wanna hurt us, just so you'll look good in a bikini you'll never wear anyway."

She signed. "No. I'm not going to cut us up."

He found himself relaxing, a tiny bit. But suddenly, things started clicking into place. The increased chocolate, the hectic schedule. Now it was his turn to be angry. He slowly rose and pointed a shaking finger at her. "I know what this is. It's not some random meeting. You do this to me every year."

She wouldn't meet his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He could already feel the aching muscles, the burning lungs. "Every year it's the same, the chocolate, the candy canes, the eggnog. Less time to work out, but plenty of neighbors bringing chocolates and popcorn balls. And then, then comes the New Year. And the New Year's Resolution." He could barely contain himself now. "And then you work us into the ground."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, if you'd cooperate a little better, we wouldn't go through this every year."

He shook his head in disgust. "I won't have it! I won't!" But it was useless. She was in charge. And even if he gave her an awful stitch in her side or broke her out in a rash, she was going to do it again. He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

The woman jumped a little when the door banged shut. Then she slowly unwrapped a miniature chocolate Santa. She nibbled off his head. "Might as well enjoy it now." Rolling the aluminum foil into a little ball, she tucked it neatly into her pocket and left the room, her heels clicking on the concrete floor and her toned muffin-top jiggling, just a little.

Winner and Blurb Announced

2010-12-20T22:16:00.008-07:00

First of all, thanks for all your help with my blurb. The majority of you liked a combination of 1 and 3. I've been playing with it to try and get it right. Here's what I have so far:

The world is changing.

For thousands of years, witch song has controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons. But not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by the dark witch Espen.

All but one.

As the last echoes of witch song fade, Espen grows stronger even as winter and summer come within the space of a day. Now she’s coming for the one she missed—Brusenna, a shy, untrained girl of fifteen.

Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find Espen. Fight her. Defeat her.

Or there won’t be anything left to save.

Whaddya think??? Does it flow well? Do you have a good idea what the story is about? Any confusing parts?
Second of all, it's time to announce the winner as chosen by random.org:

YzhaBella's BookShelf

*throws confetti*

Thanks so much for all your help everyone.

Help Pick my Cover Blurb, Win Forest of Hands and Teeth

2010-12-15T16:09:00.001-07:00

The dreaded cover blurb. I have to take my entire manuscript and condense it into a few compact, tantilizing, info-packed paragraphs.

No worries though. It only goes on the back cover. Which most everyone reads to see if they actually want to BUY the book. No problem at all. If I fail, no one will purchase my book, forcing me to buy hundreds of copies of Witch Song so I don't feel like an idiot.

I'm not worried.

At all.

*curls into the fetal position and chants, "Blurb, blurb, blurb."*

Can you see the drool running down my chin? Cause I'm not taking a picture. You'll have to use your imagination folks.
After much hair pulling, drooling, and rocking, here's what I've come up with. And lucky you, you get to vote. Everyone who votes will be entered to win a paperback copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. If you share this link on facebook, twitter, blog, etc, you get 1 extra point (leave me the link). I'll pick a winner next week.

Choice 1:

The world is changing. Once, the witches controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons. But not anymore. All the Witches are gone. Taken captive by a traitor.

All but Brusenna. Hidden away from the truth by her overprotective mother, she knows so little about saving the world. But with Summer and Winter coming in the space of a day, she’s the only choice the world has left.

Because if she fails to free the other witches, there won’t be anything left to save.

Choice 2:

Fourteen-year old Brusenna is the last Witch. All the others have been imprisoned by the Dark Witch. And the without the Witches’ songs to shore up the bindings of nature, storms rage, climates cross hardened boundaries, and seeds refuse to germinate.

Hiding from the Witch Hunters and their muskets, Brusenna and her Guardian, Joshen, must find the key to defeating the Dark Witch and rescuing the others. Because if not, there won’t be anything left to save.

Choice 3:

Brusenna is a Witch

With little more than a melody, all the plants within the sound of her voice grow and bend to her will. Collectively, the witches control the winds, the storms, even the changing of the seasons.

But all that was before—before the others were taken by the Dark Witch. (94) Before she sent her Witch Hunters after the rumor that turned out to be Brusenna.

As the echo of their songs fade, the Dark Witch grows stronger. And now she’s coming for Brusenna. She has her Guardian to protect her. But even he can’t stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, she has to succeed where every other witch has failed. She has to find her. Fight her. Defeat her.

Because if she fails, there won’t be anything left to save.

Get Some Character Sparkle

2010-12-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

No, not like Edward Cullen sparkle-in-the-sunlight sparkle.

I'm talking about how do you take your characters from flat to three dimensional and dynamic?

First of all, look at writers who are great at characterization. Stephanie Meyer immediately comes to mind. Now you can say what you like about Twilight, but there are very few authors whose books inspire the debate that her characters do ("Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?"). Her characters had personalities that run the board from shy to overt and everything in between.

Have you ever noticed that Stephanie compares her characters to animals? If you think about it at all, you'll quickly realize that Edward is the powerful, sleek cougar who's trying not to eat the shy, wide-eyed doe (Bella).

The best writers use simple methods. This is one of them. Pick an animal avatar for your character. Is your hero a small, cunning fox? A powerful, roaring bear? A delicate and flighty bird?

Another method is to use personality colors. There are lots of different systems out there. I use Hartman. In a nutshell:

Red (the power wielders)
Blue (the do-gooders)
White (the peacekeepers)
Yellow (the fun lovers)

Everyone has one dominate and one or more passive traits.

In Witch Song:
Senna is a white blue
Joshen is a yellow blue

Senna is naturally shy and fearful. Her avatar is an abused dog. She longs to bond with someone, but she's been maltreated to much to trust. Joshen loves people and food . . . and well everything. He's the optimist of the two of them. He's always seeing adventure in and excitement in even mundane things.

Any guesses as to what his avatar is?

A monkey. *giggle*

See how much fun it is when you know a few tricks?

What tricks do you use?