Five years ago ...

... I met several wonderful authors who helped me self-publish my first book, Dream Smashers. The authors of Darkside Publishing accepted me under their label and we took a voyage together into the new world of the Amazon and the sea of possibilities awaiting us in the scary unknown.

Times have changed since then. More than a handful of self-published authors have made best selling lists. Many are earning a decent living publishing their writing. And thousands more are still treading water. Every day hundreds of new authors emerge into the self-publishing world with a story to tell.

I'm happy with the decision I made five years ago. It's been a fun and challenging adventure with many more to come. New friends, stories, and feats to remember from the past five years and others to arrive for the next!

To celebrate, let's give away signed paper books from some of the authors who have supported and guided me in the beginning and even now. You do remember what paper books are, don't you?

 Attach on Phoenix: Forsaken Stars Saga #1 

by USA Today Bestselling Author 

Megg Jensen

Two hundred years ago, an interplanetary expedition crashed on a deserted planet. Their ship was destroyed. Their technology lost.

They built a new society while they waited for rescue. It never came.

Instead they caught the attention of the dragzhi, an aggressive alien species, and found themselves in the midst of a war they were doomed to lose.

Torsten Vikker, a soldier who’d rather read than fight, is on a mission to recover an artifact rumored to have the power to defeat the dragzhi. Rell, a woman raised in a cult, will stop at nothing to keep him away from what she holds sacred.

Yet, only together can they hope to save humanity from utter annihilation.

 Found: Penny Black Trilogy #1 

by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Penny Black hasn’t had it easy. Just about everything you’d expect to happen to a harassed foster-kid turned junkie has happened to Penny. Add in the mysterious power to rewind time, conducting events around her, and it’s a wonder she held up on the streets for so many years. Now, at seventeen, the New Society has found her. Finally, Penny is where she belongs. But that doesn’t stop the visions, or the need to protect the victims shown to her.

Wyatt Adams is excited and intrigued when his sister Melody assigns him to be Penny’s Lookout. Being the youngest, and hopelessly ordinary in the family that created the New Society, has left Wyatt feeling like he has a lot to prove — and Penny is a big deal. She’s got abilities that surpass any he’s seen before … and pretty much every quality he looks for in a girlfriend, but no one needs to know about that, especially Penny.

*The Penny Black trilogy is a companion to the Zellie Wells trilogy and not a continuation of the series.

*Due to language and sexuality, FOUND is recommended for older teens.

 Bloody Little Secrets 

by Karly Kirkpatrick

17-year-old Vicky Hernandez has a big problem. She's dead. Or not quite. After discovering she's been turned into a vampire, she tries to settle into a quiet suburb of Chicago and return to a normal life. If only she could stop wanting to bite her boyfriend. Not to mention she is dying to find out who turned her, and why. She doesn't have to wait long before they come to her.

 Grounded: The Grounded Trilogy #1 

by GP Ching

Faith kept her plain. Science made her complicated.

In the near future, an amish girl discovers she's the product of a government experiment gone awry.

In Hemlock Hollow, life isn't easy, but it is simple.  Things in my community haven’t changed much in over three hundred years, since the time my Amish ancestors came to what is now the Green Republic. I milk my cow by hand, make fresh bread every morning, and hope to be courted by Jeremiah, a boy I’ve known since childhood.

When my father falls ill, the English doctor says a hospital outside the wall can heal him. Jeremiah convinces me to go on rumspringa, to experience the outside world as an Englisher in order to be closer to my father during his recovery. Others have gone before me. They claim it’s an adventure. But adventure turns to horror as an ordinary light switch thrusts me into a new world, and revelations about my personal history make me question everything I believe. 

All my life I’ve worked to be simple. I can’t pretend anymore. Nothing about me is simple.

The McCall Initiative, Episodes 1.1 - 1.3 

by Lisa Nowak

What if the Pacific Northwest seceded from the United States? In 2063, it has.

The climate crisis that’s devastated all but the Northwest corner of the U.S. is the only reality Piper Hall has ever known. She doesn’t waste a thought on that, the secession that created Cascadia, or the closed border, erected to keep out climate refugees. With her family impoverished by her father’s death, she’s driven by just one goal—winning a scholarship to college and later med school.

When Piper’s little brother starts talking about poor people vanishing, she’s convinced the stories are just rumors. Then she comes home to an empty house. Branded a criminal and forced into hiding, Piper must fight for her freedom, her family, and her future. But those responsible for the disappearances will stop at nothing to protect their secrets, and the only person who can help might be the very boy whose family has displaced her own.

The McCall Initiative is a story told in serial form. If you’re a fan of edge-of-your-seat dystopian thrillers with a twist of romance, you’ll love Lisa Nowak’s glimpse at a future that’s all too plausible. Great for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Legend.

A first edition copy of Dream Smashers 

by yours truly -- typos and all!

My name is Autumn Spring Winters. Right? What sane person names their kid after not only one season of the year, but three? Well, the last name was inherited, but still. Nobody ever said my mom was in her right mind, though. I often wonder what life would be like if she wasn’t a tweaker. But, you know, that’s just a daydream. Reality is she’s a meth addict. She’s been an addict for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I like to believe her when she says she’s clean. Sometimes, when she’s high, we get along great. Sometimes we even talk. When she’s coming down, though, it’s best to just hide.

My name is Autumn Spring Winters and Dream Smashers is my story. It’s a love story, but most of all, it’s about letting go.

_________________________________

To enter, you have to apparently visit my Facebook page. You don't have to "like" it or anything. I'm cheap and in order to use Rafflecopter for free (Because, let's face it, I'm a starving author--well, not starving because I eat a lot, but you know what I mean), I had to pick the least time consuming step for you to do in order to enter. I could have purchased a membership to give you more options, but we've covered why that isn't happening. So, please use the Rafflecopter below to enter.

I will email the winners in order to allow the choice of book preference.

The giveaway begins on March 18th and ends on April 1st. Winners will be notified the first week of April via email and a mailing address will need to be furnished to mail the book. *US residents only, please*

Thank you, readers! I appreciate you. Good luck! I hope you win the book of your choice. These are some amazing stories by some wonderful authors.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Introducing the next Lords of Shifters Novel - Dark Horse

Writing. It's one of the most difficult jobs I've ever had. It doesn't come easy to me like it does so many other writers. You know, the awesome authors who can put out several books a year. Difficulty is one reason I love it so much. It's a challenge. Sometimes a downright battle, but it's so worth it. The satisfaction of creating a story that touches a heart or makes someone think or entertains for a short while makes all that hard work seem like no big deal.

That said, I'd like to introduce you to my new work in progress. I'm giving you the title, the lead characters, the blurb, and the cover (created by my favorite cover artist, Robin Ludwig Design). You'll have to wait until late summer / early fall for the book.


Say hello to Amethea and Cerus.

Dark Horse - A Lords of Shifters Novel

by Angela Carlie

Amethea thought she was the last of her kind, a creature from mythical stories, from light, peace, and magic. But, Amethea isn't a myth, and she doesn't hold any peace in her heart. She watched as her family was murdered for the magic of their horns. She'd give anything to avenge their deaths. She just hasn't figured out how yet.


When she meets another, Cerus, everything changes.


Together, they harness more power than Amethea ever dreamed. But is it enough to take down the Lords of Shifters?

 

FALL, 2012

And now, Amethea has a few words before I let you go...

I am Amethea--the last of the unicorns. The only living daughter of Grane and Epona. My family was slaughtered before my eyes for their magic. Xifan saved me and raised me in the dark underworld of Hornbrood where I learned to use some of my magic in ways to inflict harm on those who must suffer for their sins. I made a vow to avenge my family, and I will keep my promise. No matter the cost. Even if it kills me.

Spider Wars Now Available

Finally! The second Lords of Shifters novel--Spider Wars--is now on Amazon and Smashwords. Eventually, peeps can get it wherever ebooks are sold.

What happens when a species is tired of being stomped on?


Jess' life has never been ordinary. After all, life on the road with an immortal family of gypsies is hardly predictable. Living in the small town of White Salmon, Washington has brought some normality to her life. But when her cheating, sometimes boyfriend, Nicu, gets involved with a group of arachneshifters, life gets a little sticky. Will she be able to save him from the web he's spun? More importantly, how much is she willing to risk to get him back?

This novel is meant for mature readers.

Here's the link to Amazon <------
And Smashwords <------

Haven't read the first book yet? No problem. 1. Spider Wars can stand alone. 2. Loramendi's Story is now FREE on Amazon, so you might as well go pick it up now, right? -------> Free Loramendi's Story

Enjoy!

Sneak Peek - Spider Wars by Angela Carlie

My laptop has died. I hope Fred can bring it back to life again. Until that time comes, I'm using my tiny netbook to work--which is super frustrating because it is so small and slow.

I had planned on participating in #SampleSunday two days ago, but got sidetracked with other things. I'd like to give you a sample now, on Tuesday, instead. If you feel this is totally unacceptable, please come back on Sunday. I'll leave the post up. ;)

The way things are looking, Spider Wars will be out in a few weeks. I'm so excited! I hope you are, too.

When he woke that evening, he didn’t expect to look his fear in the eyes. All four or six of them, depending on which one stood before him at the time. Eight gangly long legs, shifting left and right, protruded from two fuzzy globes connected in the center.

Spiders.

They covered the floor, a moving carpet of legs and eyes and dagger hairs.

A virus of terror rushed through his limbs, solidifying them in place. His body a potential carcass to be devoured by tiny fangs.

Every surface of the room, the walls, the ceiling, and the only exit, moved in waves of spider parts. Big and small, brown spiders, black spiders, green and yellow, traveled up his legs and over his muscular body.

In his century of life, he’d never known terror like this. If these creatures ate his body, he’d walk the earth as a soul forever. He wasn’t ready for that yet.

Hair-like legs scurried over his unshaven cheek. He gathered every ounce of strength he had and broke his limbs free of their paralyzed state. He jerked and gyrated to shake the creepers off, but they stuck to him like maggots to rotting meat. They burrowed under his skin, sucking his body dry of life fluids. Dehydrated and close to mummified, he dropped to all fours and crawled through the masses, crunching tiny lives into smashed bits under his hands and knees as he moved for the exit.

The door swung open. A young woman with fiery hair and a tattered black corset dress cast a shadow into the small room. The carpet of crawlers scurried away toward the back wall. Spiders shot out of his mouth and ears as if he was possessed—they backed out from under his skin, fleeing from the woman.

She drifted into the head of the room, a goddess, a monster.

Two others joined her, their faces unrecognizable in the dark, but their hair glowed from the moonlight behind them. A blond and a dark brunette.

The dark haired woman nudged her long limbs past the redhead. “Children,” she hissed. “The time is near to prove to the humans your place in this world is not under their feet, but to put them where they belong, wrapped in a web and on dinner plates.”

The surface of the walls and ceiling bubbled with movement, down to the floor where he lay helpless, void of hope. His internal tissues had already begun the regeneration process as he rested on the dirt floor, realizing the horror of the woman’s words. His heart burned from new tissue growth out of half eaten muscle, but he held onto the groans of pain. His breath rattled in his chest, his body’s attempt to clear the venom the spiders left behind.

“That’s right, my children. Feed on this wretched immortal. Gain your strength. You’ll need it for the battles to come.” 

The floor snapped alive. This time, he didn’t have time to scream. Even if he wanted to.

The Green by Karly Kirkpatrick

I had the pleasure of reading this most excellent novel many months back. I loved it. And now you can read it, too!

The Announcement

Karly Kirkpatrick and DarkSide Publishing are excited to announce the release of Kirkpatrick’s third novel, the edgy YA contemporary romance, THE GREEN.

The Book

How far would you go to save your dream?

Seventeen-year-old Ariceli Pisa is a senior at the prestigious Cambridge High School and has her sights set on Northwestern University. She's a cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society...and a drug dealer. That's not the only secret she has to keep from her best friend Naomi--she’s also madly in love with Naomi’s ex-boyfriend, James Bartlett. Trying to balance her life at Cambridge High with her new demanding job keeps her teetering on the edge of disaster.

THE GREEN is available in ebook format at the following retailers for $3.99:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Green-ebook/dp/B006XZS16Q/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1326754697&sr=8-12

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-green-karly-kirkpatrick/1037769334?ean=2940013762183&itm=2&usri=karly+kirkpatrick

Also available on Amazon UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

For more info about Karly and her books, check out www.karlykirkpatrick.com and www.darksidepublishing.com.

2011 Revisited

It's that time of year again. We reminisce, point out the good and dwell on the bad, and outline hopes for the future.

Many people are excited to let go of 2011. Although this year had ups and downs for my family and I, there were more ups, and I can't really remember many of the downs.

Some of the good in my 2011 summed up:

I published three books. Over 4,700 copies of my books were downloaded (Thank you readers!). I met some really cool and talented people and became friends with many of them. I became a member of DarkSide Publishing, Pacific Northwest YA Authors, and the Indellibles. I went on a book tour with some amazing authors. I've written a large chunk of my next novel. My family went to Disneyland. We took a road trip up the Washington coast and hiked in the rain forest. We made several trips to the Oregon coast. Fred bought a new truck. I started a new job.

Yes, we've been very fortunate. 2012 will be even better! I've got plans to enjoy each day, take things as they come, and grab hold of every opportunity that comes my way. Most of all, to be thankful for everything.

What good do you have to share about your 2011? I'd love to know.

SLEEPERS by Megg Jensen

 I'm super stoked to have the opportunity to announce this to you. Once upon a time, a few months back, I read a fabulous book. SLEEPERS by Megg Jensen. In fact, I was fortunate to have read an early draft before it was even published.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Introducing the new artwork for Megg Jensen's bestselling novel, SLEEPERS.

To celebrate the re-launch of SLEEPERS in January of 2012, Megg is giving it
a new cover with artwork from the incredible PhatPuppy.


Synopsis: An adoptee raised in a foreign land, sixteen-year-old Lianne was
content with her life as handmaiden to the queen, until a spell cast on her
at birth activated. Now she's filled with uncontrollable rage and access to
magic she thought had been bled from her people years ago. Even her years of
secret training in elite hand-to-hand combat and meditation can't calm the
fires raging inside her.

Her heart is torn between two boys, the one she's always loved and the one
who always ignored her. But when the kingdom threatens to tear itself apart
due to rumors surrounding the queen's alleged affair, who will Lianne
protect and who will she destroy?

On sale now for only 99 cents!

Isn't it beautiful??? I LOVE this new cover.

I also love this novel. So, if you haven't read it already, go buy it now. It's a steal at only 99 cents! Look, Megg gave us this cool little link to find out where we can buy her books from ----->  http://meggjensen.blogspot.com/p/where-to-buy-meggs-books.html

You can also find Megg and all her other great books on the web at these addresses:

Website: http://www.meggjensen.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meggjensenauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/meggjensen

Go check 'em. :) Have a great week! And enjoy the read.

A Shiny New

I'm pounding away on Spider Wars and it's turning out to be quite different than Loramendi's Story. It's dark and creepy, just what you'd expect a story with spider shifters to be, but not in a heebie jeebie sort of way. In a totally stellar, rock your socks off way.

For now, I'll tease you with a blurb and a fantastic cover--you're going to love this cover. I do. ♥ Robin Ludwig has wooed me again with her cover art skills.

Jess' life has never been ordinary. After all, life on the road with an immortal family of gypsies is hardly predictable. Living in the small town of White Salmon, Washington has brought some normality to her life. But when her cheating, unofficial boyfriend, Nicu, gets involved with a group of arachno-shifters, life gets a little sticky. Will she be able to save him from the web he's spun? More importantly, how much is she willing to risk at a chance at love?

Spider Wars 

A Lords of Shifters Novel

by Angela Carlie

Coming 2012

Lazy Saturday Mornings Rock

It's raining. It's Saturday. I have the house to myself. And I don't have to work. Can you feel it?

To not cut into any writing time, I'll make this brief by giving you answers to the most heated did-you-knows-?. Click on the covers for more information.

Did you know Land of Corn Chips is FREE on Amazon Kindle? I'm not sure how long this will last (hopefully not too long so I can buy some groceries this month--j/k) so go snatch up your copy today!

Did you know you could win a copy of the much anticipated third book in the Cloud Prophet Trilogy, Severed, by Megg Jensen, simply by asking her a question on her blog before November 10th? Go do it now and get it over with. It's super easy. You'll help her as well as yourself all at once!

Did you know you can get yet another book for free today? Stacey Wallace Benefiel's YA novel, Glimpse, is also FREE on Amazon Kindle. Dudes and dudettes, your weekend entertainment is given to you this week. Awesome!

Now, get a cup of hot chocolate, cozy up to a blanket next to a fire, and enjoy a great story or two.

Home Again

We survived Disneyland! It was great fun and nobody wanted to return to reality. But we did, and here I am working hard to get the final edits of Loramendi's Story done. If everything goes as planned, e-ARCs will be emailed tomorrow to those who requested one. If you are signed up to receive one and don't by Saturday, send me an email. My brain is frazzled and I may have missed one.

Loramendi's Story is on schedule for an August 7th release through Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.

Enjoy!

Loramendi's Story e-Arc Giveaway!

You've heard about my upcoming series, right? No? Well, let me tell you a little about it.


Loramendi's Story is the first novel in the Lords of Shifters series.

Lora wants nothing more than to be the wind behind sexy windsurfer Chance's sails. But fulfilling that wish just became...complicated. After seventeen years of normal life, someone wants Lora and her family dead. And the attempted massacre isn't nearly as strange as the reason behind it.


Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: DarkSide Publishing
Publish Date: August, 2011


While reading Loramendi's Story, you'll want to pay close attention because there will be clues woven into the web of words about another series in the works. 


I'd like for you to enjoy Loramendi's Story for free before it's published. That's right, I said free. Fill out the form below to receive an Advance Reader Copy in PDF form. Copies will be emailed about two weeks prior to the official release (by the end of July).


A limited number of e-ARCs are available, so sign up today and tell all your friends. Sit back, relax and enjoy Loramendi's Story on your eReader. Please fill out the form prior to July 8, 2011.


If you plan on reading Loramendi's Story, please remember to add it to your Goodreads list


The form is now down. Thank you everyone who requested to receive an e-ARC. PDFs will be emailed to you at the end of July.

If you choose to be added to the DarkSide Publishing newsletter mailing list, you will receive a confirmation in the email soon.


All efforts will be made to email eArcs to everyone requesting one up to 100 copies. If more than 100 people request a copy, a drawing will be held to choose the 100 recipients. We have the right to rescind this offer at any time. Dates are not guaranteed. Please feel free to leave any comments in the comment section below. I also retain the right to change anything about this giveaway that I choose -- just in case I forgot something. :) Thank you!

Loramendi's Story - A Lords of Shifters Novel

It's time to tell you about my next novel. LORAMENDI'S STORY is the first book in the Lords of Shifters novels. It will be out this August. I'll announce some awesome opportunities on how peeps can get their paws on an e-Arc soon! For now, just check it out and enjoy.

 

Lora wants nothing more than to be the wind behind sexy windsurfer Chance's sails. But fulfilling that wish just became...complicated. After seventeen years of normal life, someone wants Lora and her family dead. And the attempted massacre isn't nearly as strange as the reason behind it. 

Available on an eReader near you in August, 2011.

Who is Evan Laverne?

Evan Laverne isn't the average guy seen in most YA Romance novels these days. He's not the dark and mysterious teen heart throb that every girl salivates over. He doesn't skip class or belong to a rock band or have a super-fast car. He's not a loner or a drinker or a jock. No, Evan doesn't belong to a gang, he doesn't sparkle, nor does he smell like a cute fuzzy wolf.

Evan has a kind heart. He loves to help people. He genuinely cares about the homeless and the less fortunate. Evan is thoughtful, he believes in God, but doesn't push his beliefs on others, he's homeschooled, and volunteers at the local shelter. He's shy around girls and hasn't really kissed one. Until he meets Autumn. And a first kiss can't get any memorable than theirs.


Most importantly, Evan is real. He's that guy. The good guy who girls wish they chose instead of the loser who was fun for just a minute.

He's the opposite of everyone else in Autumn's life and that's exactly what she needs. How much cooler can a guy get? Not much.

Find out more about Evan and Autumn in Dream Smashers -- available in eBook and paperback. Follow the links in the sidebar.

Available Early! Land of Corn Chips only 99 cents!

It's true! Land of Corn Chips is now available as an eBook at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Smashwords. Plus, it's only 99 cents! How cool is that? Very.

Eleven-year-old Nate Hansen never believed in dragons before an eccentric man with a purple-feather hat kidnaps him. Spirited to the Land of Corn Chips on the back of a mechanical yellow dragon, Nate must find a way to avoid being ground into compost. His only hope of escape is to earn the friendship of the local wrestling gang and zombie kids, and to believe in a parent he no longer trusts.

Suitable for ages 8 and up!

Go. Buy. Read. Enjoy. Now.

Splash Into Summer

Summer is just around the corner and all of the authors at DarkSide Publishing want to make sure you have plenty of marvelous YA and middle grade books to read poolside. 

As part of the Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Page Turners, I'm giving away Five (5) eBooks of Dream Smashers and Five (5) eBooks of Land of Corn Chips!

 A girl who no longer wants to care and a boy who cares enough for the both of them. Dream Smashers is a love story, but most of all, it's about letting go. 

Eleven-year-old Nate Hansen never believed in dragons before an eccentric man with a purple-feather hat kidnaps him. Spirited to the Land of Corn Chips on the back of a mechanical yellow dragon, Nate must find a way to avoid being ground into compost. His only hope of escape is to earn the friendship of the local wrestling gang and zombie kids, and to believe in a parent he no longer trusts.

Entering is easy:

• Fill out the form below
• You must be 13 years or older to enter
• All entries are awesome (International & US)
• Begins May 25, 2011
• Ends May 31, 2011

Don't forget to check out the other blogs in the Splash into Summer Giveaway Hop including DarkSide authors Megg Jensen, Karly Kirkpatrick and GP Ching.

Also, be sure to mark Land of Corn Chips and Dream Smashers on your to-read list on Goodreads.  

Once you've entered my contest, hop on over to these other blogs and enter their contests:

I AM A READER NOT A WRITER HOP PAGE

Thank you for participating. The Splash Into Summer Giveaway is now CLOSED. The winners will be emailed today, June 1st. :)

Sample Sunday -- Land of Corn Chips

Eleven-year-old Nate Hansen never believed in dragons before an eccentric man with a purple-feather hat kidnaps him. Spirited to the Land of Corn Chips on the back of a mechanical yellow dragon, Nate must find a way to avoid being ground into compost. His only hope of escape is to earn the friendship of the local wrestling gang and zombie kids, and to believe in a parent he no longer trusts.



Land of Corn Chips, full of adventurous story, will be available on an eReader near you June 6, 2011. 

Click Here to read the first chapter. Happy reading!

Sample Sunday -- Dream Smashers

Autumn meets Rainy from Chapter 12
Dream Smashers by Angela Carlie -- all rights reserved
Available as an eBook for only $2.99 and paperback for only $11

Our meeting was just one of those things that happened. On the first day of kindergarten Gramps stood next to me at the corner, waiting for the bus. He held my lunch box and backpack for me until the bus squeaked and then psshed to a stop. It seemed like a giant banana until the doors opened, and then it seemed like a jungle. All kinds of noise escaped from those opened doors, none of it sounding the least bit safe. Screeches, giddy laughter, yelling, crying, sneezing, coughing, all struck me as terrifying and crazy.

Gramps nudged me toward the gaping mouth of the bus. I tried to stay brave while he threaded my arms through the backpack straps and handed me my lunch box. “Chin up, kiddo. You’re going to meet some of the best friends of your life on this bus.” He winked at me, giving me superhero strength.

I climbed up the stairs, turning at the top to wave at him before the doors slammed shut. I found a seat next to a window and held the fire behind my eyes and down my throat from escaping. The bus moved forward.

Two houses down, a girl my age with a sprinkler of hair plopped on top of her head, scurried from a house. Her arms flapped like wings, signaling the bus to stop.

Air somehow forced itself over my vocal chords and out my mouth. “Stop!”

The driver jerked the bus to a stop and opened the doors.

The girl, out of breath, slapped her body down next to me. “That was close!” She opened her lunch box, the very same lunch box that I held on my lap—a pink plastic Barbie box. Her box didn’t hold items of nourishment though. Instead it held glittery lip balms of every flavor imaginable. Grams never had the extra money to buy me lip balms when I asked each week at the grocery store. And the girl had an entire lunch box full. We’ve been friends forever since that day.

Dream Smashers eBook Wrapper

As mentioned in a previous post, we are repackaging the eBook edition of Dream Smashers.The paperback edition will not be changing.

Sixteen-year-old Autumn is a human heartache. Everywhere she turns people are stomping on her hopes and dreams. Her mom’s a tweaker. She’s lived with her chain-smoking grandmother for as long as she can remember. Even her best friend has issues. Autumn seems to be the only responsible person she knows and she’s sick of putting up with it all.

When she meets Evan, a hot guy without a worry in the world, she can only wonder if he’s for real or just another Dream Smasher.

A girl who no longer wants to care and a boy who cares enough for the both of them. Dream Smashers is a love story, but most of all, it’s about letting go.

It's not my original vision for the cover, obviously, but I'm falling in love with this cover more every time I look at it. On top of that cool tidbit, what makes it even better is I made it myself with the ever helpful critiques from my fellow DarkSide Publishing authors. So there's a little pride for ya.

This cover should be live on all the storefronts by midweek.

What do you think? Do you like it?

Greatness of Stories and Land of Corn Chips Cover

We watched "Water For Elephants" today. It was my full intention to read the novel prior to seeing the movie, but time slipped away, as it often does, and the movie appeared on the marquee before I knew it. I was angry throughout most of it and on the verge of leaping out of my seat to attack the main antagonist. This got me thinking. What makes a story great? What is it about a great story that forces so many to believe in its greatness?

I think we can all agree that a great story is one that stays with the audience long after the book is closed or the credits are rolling or the teller says, "The end." It haunts thoughts. It lingers in dreams. It wrenches hearts. Sometimes, though, great stories have a way of uplifting the spirit and in other times the audience is left thinking and questioning certain issues or situations.

Years ago, when I worked as a glass artisan for our family business, I pondered the subject of what made our art better than other art. The best definition of art that I found at the time and still remains with me is something along the lines of this: Art evokes emotion. Therefore, art is a very personal experience. What may evoke emotion in me, may not do it for you and vice versa. So, what is that common thread that makes art considered great by many?

It's harder to pinpoint with fine arts, but in literature, I've come to the conclusion that great stories always portray a common truth. A truth that rings familiar with many is read by many. This may be a no-brainer to some, but when the truth is expertly illustrated through words to where the audience isn't actively aware of it, that, in my opinion, becomes the grace of a great story.

This brought me to the next question I'm not sure I can answer to appease my esteem. Will my art ever be considered great by many if art at all? If I concede my conclusion above, the answer is maybe someday. Since my truths are not common, my stories may be great to some, but not many. For now, I'm happy to know that my stories are considered art by a handful of people. That they've touched the heart of a few is such an awesome feeling. What is accepted as truth may change in the future, and then my stories just may be considered great by many. How cool is that?

On Friday, April 29th, the cover for Land of Corn Chips will be revealed. I'll announce the bloggers who have graciously agreed to reveal the cover on Wednesday, April 27th. For now, here's a brief synopsis for Land of Corn Chips:

Eleven-year-old Nate Hansen never believed in dragons before an eccentric man with a purple-feather hat kidnaps him. Spirited to the Land of Corn Chips on the back of a mechanical yellow dragon, Nate must find a way to avoid being ground into compost. His only hope of escape is to earn the friendship of the local wrestling gang and zombie kids, and to believe in a parent he no longer trusts.

Peace out for now. 

Book Inscriptions

My fellow DarkSide authors recently participated in their first book signing. This got me thinking. I've only signed a handful of my books thus far. Mainly for book giveaway winners. In those books, I inscribed a variation of the same message based on the theme of the book. I don't like the inscriptions I came up with.

The first few books have something like this: "Don't give up on hope" or "Don't lose hope." After some contemplation, I found these negative so I switched it for a more positive message: "Hold on to hope."

I'm still not sure if I like the latter message either. One, it's mushy. It makes me feel like a preacher or someone who has a positive outlook on everything. Well, I'm definitely not a preacher and I have a super negative attitude much of the time. I try to stay positive, but things usually start out negative before my effort kicks in. Two, it's kind of silly because of course everyone holds onto hope. It's natural for all living creatures to have some sort of hope. Yes, I know I said "all living creatures." That's a debate for another blog post. My point is, the advice or "message" shouldn't be so generalized.

"Hold on to hope" is like writing "Eat food." It's not saying "Eat your vegetables" or "Don't forget desert," which is what I think an inscription should say.

Wait a  minute... How perfect is that? Man, I knew you all would help me with this issue. I'm totally going with "Eat your vegetables" from now on. Autumn hates vegetables. Perfect.

Thanks, friends!

Peace out.