Like #funny #scifi? Win RED SPAWN DELIVERY at Goodreads Giveaway!

What more need I say? Candlemark & Gleam is giving away three copies of the third book in the Webrid Chronicles series, RED SPAWN DELIVERY.

Webrid’s grandfather always told him not to use his cart unless he was getting paid for it. But this huge, hairy carter on the planet Bexilla let a friend talk him into carting beers and grub to a picnic with her old college roommate.

Worst mistake he ever made. Before he can even burp up his first sandwich, the ol’ roomie stretches out her ten shiny legs, and out pop a hundred spawn. And before Webrid can settle his churning stomach, fifty of those spawn have been kidnapped.

Like it or not, Webrid finds himself on another planet-hopping adventure with snarky, brainy pals Zatell and Stravin and a host of wacky aliens. This time, Webrid’s cart is a playpen -- or it will be, if he can only find those blasted spawn.

Enter the giveaway by clicking here! Closes Feb. 28, 2017.

Enter the SPACE SURFERS 1st Birthday Giveaway! #YA #scifi #spaceopera

I can't believe it's been a year since Graika and Lerris Rhellog started their adventure to find their Human roots on the planet Soranen. I'm delighted that SPACE SURFERS was published by Alban Lake; nearly 20 of my short stories have appeared their various magazines, but this was my first book for them.

SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY FORM

Space Surfers blurb:



Teenage siblings Lerris and Graika of the planet Soranen want to go into outer space, an act forbidden by their people, the Sor. The Sor, it is believed, are the descendants of the Ellarisor and the Humans, now both extinct on Soranen. When Lerris surfs above the clouds in his minijet, he spots a vessel owned by Lorfallin, a chemical magnate. The ship is spraying a green mist that, it turns out, causes a disease which affects those with Human ancestry, including the siblings’ father.

Thus begins a journey to find pure descendants of the Ellarisor, whose blood might provide an antidote to the green mist. Along the way, Lerris and Graika learn the truth about their ancestry, and some truths about life. This prepares them for the final battle---against the Tust, who have engaged Lorfallin to destroy all trace of Human life. If they win, outer space may be open to them. But if they lose...

Would you like to win a print copy of Space Surfers? You must have a mailing address in the U.S. (international postage is soooo expensive!). I'd love to share Graika and Lerris' world with you.

Please share this contest with your friends. Entries open until Wednesday, February 8 at 11:59 pm Eastern. I'll announce the winners here the next day.

  SPACE SURFERS 1st Birthday Giveaway

THINGS FROM OTHER WORLDS Goodreads #giveaway and tons of other news!

So much going on this October!

My book launched. You probably know that, but just in case, you can check it out on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, Kobo, iBooks, and so on.

My YA urban fantasy story "Compound Spelling" was published in Vitality Magazine.

I published a ton of writing advice:
- In my Kid Lit Insider column on EatSleepWrite
- On Drunk Monkeys
- On Rate Your Story

I set up a Goodreads giveaway. Enter for a chance to win one of three copies. This is open until Nov. 15 to fans in the US, Canada, and UK. (You're welcome!)

Let's see...what's coming up? Here are the highlights so far:

November:

There's a month-long event called #99centNovember I'll be part of. Details soon!

Sunday, Nov. 15, 11:00 am (Eastern), I'll hold my official launch party for THINGS FROM OTHER WORLDS. Everyone of all ages is invited! Details on the Facebook Event Page.

Monday, Nov. 16, 7:00 pm (Eastern), I'll read a story from THINGS FROM OTHER WORLDS as part of the Rough & Ready reading series in Manhattan. I'll post more details as they're available.

Fri, Nov. 20- Sun., Nov. 22, at PhilCon in Cherry Hill, NJ, I'll do a reading and be on some panels. I'll post my entire schedule once I know it.

December:

My YA story "Toori's Constellation" will be published in Young Adventurers: Heroes, Explorers, and Swashbucklers from Intrigue Publishing.

A Peek at 2016:
My story for adults "Proof of Reincar(bo)nation" will be published in Alternate Hilarities 5: One Star Reviews of the Afterlife from Strange Musings Press. If you like my Webrid novels, you'll enjoy the style of humor in this.

My children's story "Organized in the Nick of Time" will be published on the Rainbow Rumpus website.

EBENZER'S LOCKER #spooky #kidlit #ebook #giveaway: #Halloween #creepyfreebies

Milo James Fowler was kind and scary enough to invite me to join #creepyfreebies, a circle of authors giving away copies of their spooky books and stories.

I'm giving away three e-copies of EBENEZER'S LOCKER, my middle-grade paranormal mystery novel (more funny-spooky than scary, dear parents!). The entry form is at the bottom of this post, and the winners will be chosen Halloween night!

EBENEZER'S LOCKER synopsis:

A hundred years ago, Corbin Elementary School's building housed Dr. Ebenezer Corbin's School for Psychical Research. It seems that a couple of old spirits are still wandering the halls. It's up to Rhonda Zymler to find out what they want.
Ebenezer's Locker follows the adventures of Rhonda, a sassy sixth-grader who's having trouble finding her place and identity. Getting to know these spirits becomes Rhonda's quest. The more she digs, the more perilous her task becomes, and to complete it she must take two trips back in time. This story blends the realities of an economically challenged modern American town with supernatural elements. What Rhonda finds not only gives her life a sense of purpose but changes the fortunes of her entire town.

EBENEZER'S LOCKER excerpt, in which Rhonda Zymler tries to gather clues by traveling through time. The technique called Semi-Centennial Astral Transport (SCAT) sends her into the past in multiples of fifty years.

One last thought passed through my mind before I was SCAT-ted a hundred years into the past.  I tried to say, “Do we know how I’m going to get back?” But I couldn’t force my mouth to move.

The world went fuzzy. My heart crashed and banged like a rocker’s drum kit. I felt lifted and pressed down at the same time. There were colors, every possible color, swirling everywhere, and then forming sharp-edged shapes, and then sprayed like fireworks. I heard sirens, screaming, a thousand ambulances, and a million dog whistles.

Then silence. What I noticed first were the smells. Men’s cologne. Old wood. Mothballs. Then the sounds. Creaks and scrapes and breathing and talking and wind and plumbing and birds and footsteps and someone slurping a soda. I had superhero hearing.

At last my vision started to clear, but nothing looked right. I saw the little room through a giant magnifying glass. There was too much detail. I could count the stitches on the blanket over the cot and see three layers of varnish painted on the desk. Yet, in the mirror opposite me, I couldn’t see myself. Looking down at where my hand should be, I saw only the floor. I tried to pinch my cheek. I couldn’t feel anything.

Footsteps and floor creaks grew louder, and I heard a deafening CLACK as the lock turned. The door opened inward.

For lots more chances to win ghoulish lit, learn about the other #creepyfreebies participants here.


Of course, you can always buy EBENEZER'S LOCKER (in fact, it's half-price during the month of October!). Find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and directly from MuseItUp Publishing.

Beth Barany: Epigraphs in HENRIETTA AND THE DRAGON STONE #yalit #fantasy

Today's guest, Beth Barany, writes magical tales of romance and adventure to transport readers to new worlds where anything is possible. She's the award-winning author HENRIETTA THE DRAGON SLAYER, a young adult fantasy novel (Book 1 of the Five Kingdom series.) Beth also helps authors create successful careers, via her coaching, consulting, speaking, and online courses. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post!

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Fairy Tale Elements in Young Adult Fantasy 

by Beth Barany

Hi Anne, Thanks for having me on your blog! I’m excited to share a little bit about my latest young adult fantasy novel, Henrietta and the Dragon Stone, book 2 in my Five Kingdoms series, and to offer fun prizes! More on the later at the end of this post.

When I wrote Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, book 1 in my Five Kingdoms series, I was inspired to share about the Five Kingdoms world I created through songs, poems, and sayings. I love fairy tales and folktales, so I wanted to add elements that sounded like oral lore, tales handed down from the ages, songs, sayings, and other elements of Henrietta’s life.

I did that by creating made-up poems, songs, and other lore. I put them at the start of every chapter, lending another texture or counterpoint or hint. After I added them, I learned they were called “epigraphs.”

Wikipedia defines them epigraphs well: “In literature, an epigraph is a phrase, quotation, or poem that is set at the beginning of a document or component. The epigraph may serve as a preface, as a summary, as a counter-example, or to link the work to a wider literary canon, either to invite comparison or to enlist a conventional context.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigraph_(literature))

I created more epigraphs for book 2, Henrietta and the Dragon Stone, and even expanded and excerpted ones I created in book 1. Here are a few of my favorites from that book:

The Dracontias, dra-con-ti-as, emphasis on the second syllable, is the most powerful gem in all the Five Kingdoms, and more powerful than all the other so-called Kingdom Stones. This one and only Dragon Stone unifies the kingdoms and empowers its user. But beware its one fatal flaw.

—from the Fire Wizards Compendium

In and out, Fate weaves her spell

She jumps out and runs from here to hell

All that remains

Is alive and well

So, do hold tight

Do hold fast

Do not let go

Of your heart, dear child

—The Weavers of Yore chant

From Romania, a valley town born

The Dragon Slayer strides

As the crow flies west down the river ways

The Dragon Slayer strides

Tempered at the castle mount

Tested on battlefield and in cave

The Dragon Slayer strides

The Dragon Slayer strides

—From Ode One of the Valley version of “Song of the Dragon Slayer”

More about Henrietta and the Dragon Stone (Book 2):

A new story of young adult epic fantasy adventure by award-winning author, Beth Barany.

Book 2 in the Five Kingdom series of the continuing adventures of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer.

What if everyone you loved was threatened by a force you couldn't see or fight?

Henrietta the legendary dragon slayer wants to return to her village for a heroes’ welcome. But an unknown sorcerer rides after her and her Dragon Stone and aims to destroy everyone she cares about. Can she claim her newfound powers sparked by the Dragon Stone and keep her loved ones safe, or will the sorcerer destroy everyone and everything she loves?

*   *   *

Purchase Henrietta and the Dragon Stone (Book 2) on 

Smashwords, Kobo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Learn more about Beth Barany on her website.

Raffecopter Giveaway until 2/28/2014:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beth is giving away 3 prizes!

·         A $25 Amazon gift card

·         One print copy of Henrietta and the Dragon Stone (US only)

·         One jumbo bag with a Henrietta and the Dragon Stone image

News: Giveaway Winner and New Publications

Season's Greetings!

I'm delighted to say that the Unlikely Heroes giveaway drew many entries. The winner of the digital copies of Green Light Delivery and Blue Diamond Delivery was David. Thanks bunches to all of you who entered. and thanks to Milo James Fowler for hosting the wonderful 'Tis More Blessed giveaway extravaganza!

Santa and his elves may be hard at work, but it's also a busy time around the writing workshop:

1. I've had eight drabbles (stories of exactly 100 words) accepted by SpeckLit. They will be published one at a time over the next few months.

2. One of my stories was accepted by Rainbow Rumpus, pending revisions, for their Spring 2014 issue.

3. Old Hedgy Times will publish my science fiction story "New World Symphony," about aliens who invade Earth by means of musical sound.

4. "Bark of the Covenant," the silly speculative YA story I co-wrote with Araminta Star Matthews, is now available on Amazon and B&N.

5. I'm working on the revision of my YA novel, Space Surfers.

6. Also for C&G, I finally finished the first draft of the third Webrid Chronicles novel, Red Spawn Delivery.

As you can see, I sure can use a short end-of-the-year break. I hope you get to take a break, too. All health and happiness to you and yours in the New Year!

- Anne

Webrid's Unlikely Heroes Giveaway!

Milo James Fowler kindly invited me to join a series of giveaways he's linking to from his blog, In Medias Res. Hop on over to see the other great authors raffling off books each Friday in December!

I thought it would be fun to offer both of the Webrid books (that is, one reader gets both Green Light Delivery  and Blue Diamond Delivery) in any ebook form preferred by the winner. The Giveaway is up and running, and the winner will be chosen on Friday, December 20. The theme of my giveaway is Unlikely Heroes.

Webrid never wanted to be the star of adventures, or risk his life, or get off his couch for that matter. Yet, time and again, fate swoops in and forces poor Webrid to fight the good fight.

Do you love unlikely heroes in literature? Who are your favorites? Please share them with us in the comments, and also enter the giveaway here:

Good luck!

GREEN LIGHT DELIVERY giveaway winner, plus a plea for help for a colleague.

Tim Holdsworth, you are now the proud owner of a signed paperback copy of Green Light Delivery! I'll be contacting you about how you'd like the book signed and where you'd like it sent. Woo-hoo! Congrats to Tim and thanks to everyone else who entered.

If you didn't win and you'd like to buy Green Light Delivery, you can do so from the publisher, on Amazon, and at B&N.

But now to a more important item:

Attention writing community: Sue Bolich, a novelist who publishes fantasy novels as S.A. Bolich, needs our help. She recently learned that her cancer has returned and spread to her bones. She's asking all her fellow writers to assist her by promoting her books or buying them for yourselves or as gifts.

Here's a link to Sue's Amazon Author Central page, so you can learn more about her work. Please consider giving her a bump on Twitter, FB, or your blog. Thanks!

GREEN LIGHT DELIVERY: Funny noir sci-fi giveaway!

Need some holiday reading? Need a gift for a sci-fi lover in your life?

Enter to win a signed paperback copy of my humorous, noir-inspired science fiction adventure novel, Green Light Delivery!

The book:

Webrid is a carter, like his mother and grandfather before him. It's not glamorous work, but it pays the bills, and it gives him time to ogle the sexy women on the streets of Bexilla's capital. Mostly, he buys and sells small goods and does the occasional transport run for a client. Then he gets mugged by a robot. Now, with a strange green laser implanted in his skull and a small fortune deposited in his bank account, Webrid has to make the most difficult delivery of his life. He doesn't know who his client is, or what he's carrying, but he knows that a whole lot of very dangerous people are extremely interested in what's in his head. Literally. And they'll do whatever it takes to get it. With the help of some truly alien friends, a simple carter will journey across worlds to deliver his cargo. And hopefully keep his head in the process.

Here are some nice reviews on Amazon.

Read an excerpt here.

The contest:

Open to U.S. postal addresses only (because of shipping costs). Please leave your email address and the name of your favorite sci-fi book or movie either 1) in the comments section below or 2) privately by messaging me on my FB author page.

One luck winner gets a paperback copy of Green Light Delivery, with a personalized signature at the winner's request (to yourself or a gift recipient).

Enter by Wednesday, December 5, 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be announced here (and via email) on Thursday, December 6.

Please spread the word. Thanks and good luck!

Trouble at the Scriptorium giveaway winner, and another giveaway!

The winner of my Launch Day Giveaway is....

Katie Clark!

Woo-hoo! Congrats, Katie.

Thanks, everyone, for showing such enthusiasm. And never fear: the blog Unusual Historicals is also doing a Trouble at the Scriptorium giveaway (I'll have two posts there this week), so hop on over there and try your luck!

Remember, there are a few more stops left on the blog tour:

Friday, Aug. 10: C.K. Volnek's blog
Sunday, Aug. 12: Second appearance (interview) on Unusual Historicals, plus giveaway
Monday, Aug. 13: Interview on Stacy Green's blog
Tuesday, Aug. 14: Guest post about writing historicals for kids, on Elaine Ouston's blog

If you missed some earlier stops and want to catch up, here's a complete list.

And, unrelated to the blog tour, I'll also be the featured interview starting Wednesday, Aug. 15, on the renovated Drunk Monkeys lit e-zine.

Next week, I'll be sharing my thoughts about the experience of doing three blog tours in a single summer. Yikes! Hope you'll stop by and join the conversation about this authorial ritual.

Launch Day! Win a copy of TROUBLE AT THE SCRIPTORIUM!

So, I had this situation, see? I'd done all this graduate work in medieval musicology, and I was becoming interested in writing fiction for kids. The result of combining those two things?

Ta-DA! I wrote the tween medieval mystery, Trouble at the Scriptorium. And I'm thrilled to report that this novel is now available directly from Royal Fireworks Press.

SYNOPSIS
Harley is a twelve-year-old servant boy at a castle north of London in the thirteenth century. Lady Margaret, also twelve, is the daughter of the castle's lord. Together they must puzzle out a message hidden in a book of Gregorian chant. There's something very suspicious going on at the scriptorium where the book was made, and people's lives are in danger! 

Here I am, clutching my precious author copies:

For more information on the book, plus some teacher's resources, visit the Trouble at the Scriptorium page on my website.

My blog tour begins next Monday, so I'll be posting direct links to those posts and interviews later. But here's where I expect to show up in the coming weeks:

Monday, Aug. 6. Ruth Schiffman's blog (why I wrote this book)
Tuesday, Aug. 7. Across the Plain of Shining Books (from the point of view of 12-yr-old Lady Margaret)
Thursday, Aug. 9. Unusual Historicals (book excerpt)
Friday, Aug. 10. C.K. Volnek's blog
Sunday, Aug. 12. Unusual Historicals (interview)
Monday, Aug. 13. Stacy Green's blog
Tuesday, Aug. 14. Elaine Ouston's blog

Say, would you like to win a review copy of Trouble at the Scriptorium? (It's an early print version, with a few illustrations missing.) Just leave me a comment below, including your email address. The winner will be announced Friday, August 10. (Sorry, but this is open to U.S. residents only because of postal costs.)

P.S. I just signed a contract for the sequel to Trouble at the Scriptorium. Harley and Lady Margaret have another exciting adventure in their future! The London Hurdy Gurdy takes them to the big city. 

EBENEZER'S LOCKER giveaway winner announced!

Hello again, everyone! Or should I say, "Hellooooooo!"

Mulder the ghost has picked a winner for the Ebenezer's Locker ebook giveaway. (Okay, I may have helped him draw the name from the basket.)

Congratulations, Marva Dasef!! And thank you very much, everybody, for all your kind wishes at my online launch party.

Didn't win but you'd like to buy Ebenezer's Locker for yourself or for a tween in your life? You can get it directly from MuseItUp Publishing, or on Amazon.

Got Nook? Don't worry, it's coming soon to BN. To receive updates on that and other publication and appearance news, please like my Facebook Author Page.

Thanks again, folks. And remember, my sci fi novel Green Light Delivery launches June 19, so we'll be having another blog party. See you then!