I think it's fair to say that if you like Promise and Purpose, you'll like The Light of Asteria. It's YA, so not quite as edgy as mine, but tells a beautiful love story in a paranormal setting amidst and beyond our own world. I recommend you check it out. I'm pretty sure you'll fall in love, as so many others have done.
Beth has a favorite charity she likes to share with others this time of year. When I checked it out, I couldn't believe how much it fits right into the theme of the Purpose Virtual Release Party...which reflects how my characters celebrate Christmas...which is just like Advent Conspiracy. This is a special cause and Beth and I both hope you'll consider giving, even if just a little, this holiday season.
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*For the Purpose Virtual Release Party, I'm paying it forward by highlighting books and their authors, blogs and their writers, and charities and causes. For a list of those I've featured, stay tuned to the party's page.
***GIVEAWAY!!!***
Win a signed copy of Light of Asteria! All you have to do is ask Beth a question in the comments below. Open to US residents only. Closes midnight, 12/17. Winner will be randomly selected and announced 12/18.
Hi Kristie! Hi Beth! Thank you for a great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteBeth- what inspired you to start writing?
Love both of your books so much! I'm checking out the charity. What Kristie and Beth are doing with their writing and with their generous hearts this season is amazing! Best of luck to the both of you, Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteBeth, what made you decide to go indie?
ReplyDeleteHi Beth! What is the best thing about being an author?
ReplyDeleteCynthia, thank YOU for playing!
ReplyDeleteTrisha, thank you so much for your kind words!
Beth, do you have any other books planned besides the Kailmeyra series?
ReplyDeleteI've always loved writing, but put it away when I started teaching. It wasn't until I started mentoring at-risk children that my passion was rekindled. Asteria was written for my daughter, the lessons of love and forgiveness were originally for her eyes alone. It wasn't until her friends wanted a copy that I considered publishing. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that it would grow into what it is today.
ReplyDeleteTrish--thanks so much! And I'm sure you'll love the charity. It really does speak to the true meaning of Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMichelle--I really feel the decision to go indie was made for me. I needed the book before Kate's friends became grandmothers, and anyone who does an afternoon of research on the publishing industry is bombarded with the message that no one takes on new writers, nightmares of bad agents, years of rejection, and bad contracts that hold your book hostage. The publishing industry was a completely new world to me, and I think if I would have suffered some of the harsh criticisms my friends have from agents who reject their work, I know that I never would have let anyone other than a select few read it. The world of Kailmeyra is too close to my heart.
It's baffling to me that the publishing industry itself doesn't take better control of its reputation. One of the reasons that the indie movement is growing strong is that so many have been rejected by the main stream due to "market research". Readers are letting the power houses know that they want to decide for themselves. Its definitely an interesting time to be in the mix of things!
Tabitha--the absolute best aspect of being an author is meeting new, exciting people who love the written word as much as I do. I've met more terrific writers, editors, publishers, bloggers, and readers, and I think that they are the nicest, most supportive people in the world. Just yesterday, I told one of my new writing friends that I have done more living in the past 8 months than I have in the last 8 years. That really is the truth!
ReplyDeleteOnge--The Kailmeyra series has taken over just about every aspect of my life at the moment. But I will confess that I have quite a few ideas on the back burner. I'm not sure if they will remain YA, or go on up to adult, but I'm writing snippets here and there, and after the third book has been drafted, I'm pretty sure I'll be writing something else.
ReplyDeleteBeth, that brings up the question - is Kailmeyra a trilogy or do you have more than three books planned?
ReplyDeleteThe moment Asteria went from a free write to an actual story, I knew it would end up as a trilogy. There are some characters coming up though that could spin off on their own, but I lead with my heart in all things, and so we'll wait and see. :-)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, the term Market Research makes me think of a scene from Kate and Leopold where Kate is telling her assistant about what they do and among the other things she says, she points out "we made Smuckers take the seeds out of their jam...we're heroes."
ReplyDeletefrankly, i like seeds in my jam. market research doesn't know everything.
Hello there. I love your covers. Since you are considered indie are you able to have more control of your covers. Do you designs them? Do you ever plan to go more mainstream? What is your favorite book?
ReplyDeleteDanielle
ReplyDeleteIndie publishing is both a dream and a nightmare in that you do it all. Don't you love a double-edged sword?
My best friend and I designed the cover, and we've gotten mixed reviews. I love the amethyst night because it is significant to the storyline, but others have stated that it isn't trendy. Honestly, the two most difficult aspects of publishing is the cover and the blurb on the back.
Some indie authors are very anti-big-house, but to be honest I would love to go mainstream ... if I were offered the right contract. Social marketing is really leveling some of the playing field, but mass marketing with the bigger houses is just something us little guys can't compete with. Still, Asteria's been read on 6 continents now, and I couldn't be more pleased with the progress we've made in just 8 months!
My favorite book ... hmmmm... now there's a toughy. Every chapter in my life has a favorite book. Blueberries for Sal was my favorite book in first grade ... Willy Wonka, fourth. I have a myriad of books throughout my life that mean something to me. My first character crush was Gavin from "The Proud Breed". It's no wonder Gavin is the male lead in Asteria (although I really didn't figure why I loved the name so much until after the book had gone to print). College brought the Thomas Covenant series, and I love anything Maya Angelou. Today, my favorite series would have to be Harry Potter, especially the Goblet of Fire.